Is “Free” Good or Bad?



During the holidays, the pressure is on small business owners to make sales. Many entrepreneurs are tempted to offer deep discounts or free items.  But SBDC and CITD Small Business Advisor recently came across an article that explains why doing so may harm your long-term sales potential. On Business Week, Steve McKee says, “There’s nothing wrong with offering the occasional sample freebie as long as you don’t undermine your brand’s value.” Read more…

Should you participate in a Groupon?

Groupon and similar deal sites convince small business owners to offer deep discounts in the hopes of attracting hordes of new customers. Sadly, some small businesses end up regretting the decision to offer a discount marketing deal. Here’s why:

Starting a Project? Maybe Kickstarter Can Help

You may have heard about KickStarter already. SBDC and CITD staff learned about them after hearing about a Facebook competitor who used KickStarter to fund their start-up. Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. It is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. It helps entrepreneurs inspire potential funders (every day folks) to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, and tangible rewards such as products, benefits, and experiences.

SBDC and CITD Make Headlines in the San Diego Union Tribune

We’ve been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune! The story explains our small business services and details our track record. Check it out…

A Thriving Industry in Tough Economic Times

At the SBDC and CITD, our clients tell us about their business financials which larger downard industry-wide trends. But recently we heard about an industry which is growing and prospering despite the economy: craft beer.