SNOW HILL – As part of its ongoing revitalization efforts, Snow Hill is now offering small business counseling twice a month.
The Maryland Small Business Development Center Network has expanded services in Snow Hill with visits from counselor Tim Sherman twice a month.
“He helps with the ins and outs,” said Michael Day, Snow Hill’s economic development coordinator. “There are a lot of things you might not think of.”
Sherman, who works at the Small Business Development Center at the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, is now visiting Snow Hill the first and third Wednesday of each month. He can be found in town hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. those days. While walk-ins are welcome, interested entrepreneurs can set up appointments by calling 410-548-4505.
Day says Sherman will work with people interested in starting businesses as well as those who already have shops up and running.
“It’s free,” Day said. “Why aren’t all businesses doing it?”
Sherman will provide entrepreneurs with help creating business plans, projecting cash flows and deciding on marketing options. Day says little things, such as reviewing a lease carefully or negotiating rent charges, can be important as a business is starting up. Sherman can provide tips and advice to prepare new business owners.
Business plans, he added, are vital for entrepreneurs looking for financial assistance.
“Banks, they always want to see your business plan,” he said.
Sherman can help with the creation of a plan as well as with updating an existing one.
“I encourage small business owners to update their plan every five years,” Day said, “just to keep them on track and focused on what they really want to do.”
Day said he’d asked the Small Business Development Center for help in Snow Hill shortly after taking on his role of economic development coordinator. He said that when he worked in Berlin, he’d had Sherman’s predecessor from the center visit twice a week.
“The Small Business Development Center helped Bryan Brushmiller [of Burley Oak] through the entire process,” Day said. “That’s my best example.”
Since Sherman’s been visiting Snow Hill this fall, he’s already been able to help a young business woman with plans for a shop she wants to open in Snow Hill. Now that she’s got the necessary business plan and background information, Day says she’s researching financing options. He’s hopeful many more business owners and potential business owners will take advantage of Sherman’s services.
“It gives people confidence in what they’re doing,” he said.
For more information contact Sherman at 410-548-4505 or Day at 443-735-0957.
