Presentation presented by Sandy Ratliff, Virginia Department of Business Assistance, outlining the agency services to new and existing business in Virginia.

1. Bristol TN/VA February 23, 2009

2. Are you sure?

3. What Do These Entrepreneurs Have in Common? Confidence? Competitiveness?

4. An Idea? Drive? Identified Market Need?

5. A Plan of Action? Willing to take Risks?

6. Focused? Goal & Objective? A successful enterprise

8. Remember as a start-up your place in the food chain

10. Small Businesses create over 60-80% of all new jobs.

11. Small Businesses account for half of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contribution to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product - a whopping $160 billion. Virginia is for Business Lovers

12. Virginia is for Business Lovers Virginia ranked #1 state for business by Forbes.com last four years. Ranked #1 most business friendly state by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. last two years. Named #1 best states for business by CNBC. Virginia is for Business Lovers Ask VBIC = 866-248-8814

13. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance VDBA supports economic development in the Commonwealth by working with new and existing businesses to provide business and economic development communities with: workforce incentives financing business information and counseling state procurement assistance incubator counseling and educational opportunities www.vdba.virginia.gov

15. Well trained and plentiful workforce

16. Appropriate capital structureAsk VBIC = 866-248-8814

18. Bridges the 26 state agencies, over 100 programs and over 300 forms that may touch a Virginia business

19. Virginia Central Business Portal (www.business.virginia.gov)

20. Covers registration, taxation, licensing

21. Interactive Business Plan CD

22. 5 Step process to a business plan

23. Entrepreneur Express Events

25. Create a Business One Stop account.

26. Answer a few brief questions about your business.

27. Receive a list of action items and pre-filled business registration forms.Questions? Contact the Virginia Business Information Center 1-866-248-8814 (804) 371-0438 vbic@vdba.virginia.gov

28. Ask VBIC = 866-248-8814

30. $5 billion market

31. Access to buyers from 171 state agencies

32. Additional $5 billion from local governments

33. 575 localities using eVA system.

34. Small Business Goal – 40%

35. Over 41,490 registered suppliers

36. Over 13,065 participating buyersAsk VBIC = 866-248-8814

37. Examples of Purchasing: Instant Ice Tea 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $23,455.71 - 46 PO’s Novelty – Specialty Advertising Products 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $152,905.34 - 152 PO’s Grounds Maintenance: Mowing, Edging, Plant (Not Tree) Trimming, etc. 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $14,566,567.94 - 1150 PO’s Tires and Tubes, Passenger Vehicles 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $72,103.64 - 7 PO’s Concessions, Catering, Vending: Mobile and Stationary 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $6,187,712.31- 11,757 PO’s Building Maintenance 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $90,611,650.85 - 9285 PO’s Earth Moving Equipment Rental 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $8,573,333.24 -621 PO’s Cleaning Services, Steam & Pressure 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $3,358,694.55- 303 PO’s

38. One–on-One Counseling Sessions Need Based: Accessing New Markets/Sales Growth Tailored Sales Development Solutions Financing Resources Social Media for Your Business To schedule an appointment, contact: Sandy Ratliff, Business Services Manager 276-676-3768 Email: sandy.ratliff@vdba.virginia.gov

40. Partnership with Service Providers and localities

41. Provide information on available resources to start and grow a business

42. Statewide Program

43. Free – ½ Day Session

44. Over 7,500 reached

46. Market Research and Expansion

47. Financing

48. Growth Management

49. Partnered events for SWAM certification and eVA registration

51. April 29 – Wytheville

52. May 18 – Galax

55. Create minimum 25 net new jobs within 12 months and capital investment of at least $1,000,000

56. Minimum entry-level wage of $10.00/hr required. Only full-time jobs are eligible.

57. Small business workforce recruiting and training

58. 250 employees or less, hiring at least 5 new full time employees within 12 months of operation and capital investment of at least $100,000

59. Minimum entry-level wage of $10.00/hr required. Only full-time jobs are eligible.

60. Retraining

61. Small businesses that are retooling and installing new technologies

63. The VSBFA Does Not Give… Grants Loans or guaranties of loans without collateral Loans or guaranties of loans without personal guaranties from all significant owners

65. Combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

66. Advantage of skilled workforce and reduced turnover.

67. http://www.doli.virginia.gov

68. Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs

69. Virginia’s Finest Trademark = Marketing program that promotes foods and foods products grown in Virginia.

70. Facilitates expansion of agricultural businesses.http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov

72. 30 Within Commonwealth

73. Business Incubator Benefits

74. Facility designed to assist businesses to become established and sustainable

75. Benefits

76. Shared premises and business services

77. Business advice and mentoring assistance

81. Starting and Growing a Business Business Formation Assistance Small Business Development Center Network = www.virginiasbdc.org SCORE = www.score.org Virginia Business Information Center = 866-248-8814 Virginia Central Business Portal = www.business.virginia.gov Virginia Business Incubator Association = http://www.vbia.org/

82. Marketing Resources SCORE = www.score.org Virginia Tourism Corporation = www.vatc.org Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. = www.virginiabusiness.org Virginia Department of Agriculture – Virginia’s Finest Trademark = www.vdacs.virginia.gov

83. Financing Resources Virginia Small Business Financing Authority = www.vdba.virginia.gov Small Business Development Center = www.virginiasbdc.org Small Business Administration = www.sba.gov Local Economic Development Office or Chamber of Commerce

84. “If you always do what you’ve always done, You will always get what you’ve always got!”

86. Lets Connect: Sandy Ratliff The Virginia Department of Business Assistance 276-676-3768 sandy.ratliff@vdba.virginia.gov Online: Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandyratliffFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandy.ratliff LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyratliff