Lesson 1: You can do it by yourself, but why would you?
SBA’s Bill Houck, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager for the Office of International Trade urges small business executives to do three things:
The SBA website (www.sba.gov) has a wealth of information to help you get started including:
For early stage companies, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), a partnership between the SBA, universities and state economic development agencies, provide a variety of free consulting and low-cost training services including:
Finally, SCORE, a nonprofit association of volunteer business counselors located throughout the United States, is another of the SBA’s many resources for small businesses. With over 13,000 counselors across the country, seasoned executives are there to help maximize the success of your business.
Lesson 2: Exporting is a contact sport!
Sandra Collazo, Senior International Trade Specialist for the Department of Commerce U.S. Commercial Service, counsels small business owners to meet face-to-face with international partners and buyers, preferably in the local market. Many small business exporters have benefited from Department of Commerce programs including:
Lesson 3: Want to sleep at night? Get export credit insurance.
Sharyn Koenig, Managing Director, EXIM Bank, educates small business exporters on the top three reasons to have export credit insurance:
Click here for more details on leveraging your export credit insurance policy and negotiating competitive credit terms with your foreign buyers.
In many locations the SBA, Department of Commerce and EXIM Bank are housed together in one convenient location known as a U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC). They are there to help you accelerate your exports – you don’t have to go it alone! Contact your local EXIM representative to make an appointment for one-stop shopping today: