Sometimes it seems that owning and operating a small business is a daunting task. With budgets to think about and develop, employees to manage, sales to expand and taxes to pay, a small business takes an impressive effort. Simply said, every small business takes both know-how and networking.
BiGAUSTIN, your small business resource development center understands better than most the formula necessary that leads to your success. Serving entrepreneurs for well over ten years with programs tailored to meet your needs, one-on-one coaching, and attractive loan packages, the program mix and culture at BiGAUSTIN is focused on delivering information and services that make the powerful difference and encourage success.
And now, with the introduction of BiGLink, BiGAUSTIN takes the lead in entrepreneurial support for its clients. Because, the ultimate purpose of BiGLink is all about supporting your hard work, vision and stamina to get your business to the next level.
You are already familiar with BiGAUSTIN either through Start Smart, one-on-one technical assistance, a small business loan package or possibly through a roundtable discussion or seminar. BiGLink incorporates some of the same elements you experienced through these support services with several notable exceptions.
What is the BiGAUSTIN BiGLink Program?
BiGLink is a membership program that provides the next level of service. We know every small business goes through stages. For instance, Start Smart is the program for the first stage of business development and is tailored to support you through business conception and start-up. It helps you strategically plan your business to make sure it is financially feasible and to avoid running into unexpected obstacles.
Once you’ve taken advantage of Start Smart, BiGAUSTIN raises the bar with Taking Control of Your Business, the second stage. In this series you will master your financial statements and start feeling in control of the financial future of your business by learning how to read financial statements, use ratios to understand trends and foresee what will happen if you make small changes in your pricing structure or expenditures. And in between the classes, BiGAUSTIN offers you roundtables, coaching, and seminars to build your business foundation.
The dynamic third link in the training chain is BiGLink. From mentorship assistance to purchasing co-ops, BiGLink is more about on-going support services than classes. BiGLink, designed for BiGAUSTIN graduates (“Biggies”) provides support services to facilitate further knowledge exchange and gives you the secrets to build quality business to business relationships. By design, BiGLink gives you services and discussion that can only be offered once you and your business have reached a certain level of business activity and maturity.
Who are potential BiGAUSTIN BiGLink Candidates?
To become a member in BiGLink you must meet the following criteria:
- You must either be a graduate of Start Smart or Taking Control of Your Business, a loan client or have participated in BiGAUSTIN’s other services.
- You must have an active, on-going small business where you control or manage 51% of the operation.
- You must have at least one full-time employee.
- You must have clearly defined business objectives.
- You must be willing to work energetically toward your own personal success.
What Services will I receive with my membership?
With months in the developmental stage, BiGLink is an evolving set of services and programs. As of this date BiGLink, offers you:
- A formal mentorship assistance program
- Use of a state-of-the art marketing media service center
- Comprehensive marketing material development with experienced marketing consultants
- A purchasing co-op where you will receive discounted rates on small business services including website development, hosting and design
- Networking events
- Discounts for BiGAUSTIN training
- An alumni Listserv
- Small Business Collaborative Health Insurance Plan
How do I know what Link I am best suited for?
Upon membership, BiGLink will use a comprehensive assessment tool to help us determine how to best serve you. Know that each of the three links is designed to give you the services that will make a dramatic impact to your business. The overall goal of BiGLink is to ultimately increase your sales, increase your business net income and personal income, increase your number of employees, and grow your business and your small business skill set.
What will it cost to get started in BiGLink?
How does a single payment of $50.00 sound for your first year membership!? Because BiGAUSTIN is just introducing the BiGLink Program, still adding additional services to better support you, we’re keeping the cost to you very affordable. But know, by Autumn 2005, this membership service price will have tripled. So take the first step in being a strategic, smart-thinking business person and take advantage of this introductory price. . .it won’t last forever. With mentorship assistance, marketing support, purchasing support, discounts on goods and services, website development, and more, you’ll see your $50.00 fee impressively pay you back as you come closer and closer to reaching your business dreams.