Are you asking yourself every morning, “What on earth am I supposed to post today?” If you’re like most small business owners and solopreneurs, running social media shouldn’t feel like a second full-time job. You don’t need a viral video, high-end equipment, or hours of editing time to make an impact. That’s what Sam Cease discussed at our most recent Business, Bytes, & Brews event at Cup O Code in Northumberland. To build a trusted local brand, focus on consistency, variety, and authentic connection. The 4-Part Content Formula Instead of constantly pushing sales, balance your channels using this four-part content […]

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Business Financials: Moving Beyond Revenue to Build a Sustainable Business Many entrepreneurs start businesses out of passion, not a love for spreadsheets. However, relying on top-line revenue alone can create a false sense of security. Revenue simply measures sales volume, not true business health. To achieve long-term sustainability, small business owners must master the fundamentals of pricing, direct costs, and overhead. Bucknell SBDC Consultant Amber Guerrero recently presented on Revenue, COGS, & Overhead in partnership with the Perry County Chamber of Commerce and Perry County Economic Development Authority. Here is a breakdown of key financial principles every solopreneur and business […]

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Engineering Innovation Drives Manufacturing Growth: How Custom Container Solutions Innovates in Milton, PA When steel prices climbed nearly 40 percent, manufacturers nationwide were forced to absorb soaring costs or pass them along to clients. Custom Container Solutions (CCS), a leading Milton-based manufacturer of roll-off containers and custom steel fabrications, chose a bolder path: engineer a superior product. Led by Managing Member & CEO Todd Vonderheid, the CCS team responded with continuous innovation, investing directly in their workforce, production capabilities, and product redesigns. To complement their internal engineering efforts, CCS tapped into its long-standing strategic partnership with the Bucknell University Small […]

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A Flawless New Beginning: How Kelly Ebersole Launched Be Flawless Facial & Head Spa in Downtown Shamokin Kelly Ebersole had a clear vision: bring a comforting, natural wellness experience to downtown Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Driven by strong determination and a passion for personalized skin and scalp care, Kelly turned that vision into reality by launching Be Flawless Facial & Head Spa at 20 South Market Street. Building a business from the ground up takes incredible grit and hands-on effort. As Kelly tackled the many moving parts of entrepreneurship, forming her LLC, navigating licensing and inspection requirements, setting up business banking, and […]

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What makes customers come back AND tell their friends about your business? That was the focus of this month’s Business Bytes & Brews at Cup O Code, where local entrepreneur Abby of Bayleaf Photography shared how creating a great customer experience has helped her grow her business primarily through referrals and repeat customers, all with very little marketing budget. Here are three takeaways every small business owner can start using today. 1. Your customer experience starts before you ever meet your customer. Your website, social media, reviews, and branding all create a first impression before someone contacts you. What you […]

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We’ve all been there: someone asks, “So, what do you do?” and we freeze, ramble about some of our offerings, or list technical services while their eyes glaze over. At our recent 3rd Wednesday, business growth event at StartUp Danville, local author and copy editor, Tammy Burke shared how to change that.  Tune Into Your Audience’s Favorite Station: WIIFM Most pitches fail because they read like a resume. The listener’s immediate reaction is: “Why should I care?”  To get people to “lean in,” your pitch must immediately tune into WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?). Instead of talking about your […]

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If you’ve ever sat down to write a traditional business plan, you know the feeling. Dozens of pages filled with market research, financial projections, and corporate buzzwords, most of which end up sitting in a PDF on your computer, never to be opened again. At Bucknell SBDC’s Second Wednesday Innovation Lunch & Learn Event hosted at StartUp Lewisburg, entrepreneurs gathered to flip that script with presenter Ian Proud. The core message? Fail faster to succeed sooner. If you discover a flaw in your idea within an hour, that’s a win. If it takes you a year (and thousands of dollars) […]

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The Press Release is still powerful. Most small business owners think getting featured in the news is expensive or only happens to big companies. Not true. At a recent Bucknell SBDC Business Bytes & Brews event, at Cup O Code, Bucknell University’s Director of Media Relations, Mike Ferlazzo, shared simple ways any small business can earn free publicity. Here are five takeaways you can start using today. 1. Not Every Business Update Is News Ask yourself: “Would someone outside my business find this interesting?” Good reasons to send a press release include: If it’s something people would share with a […]

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