As a small business owner, you likely wear multiple hats, do the jobs of a dozen other people and long for a few more hours in the workday. In fact, a survey of small business owners by Mavenlink, which provides cloud-based scheduling and project management software, shows that entrepreneurs consider time the number one business asset above their computers, websites, mobile phones and even their offices or storefronts.

Effective marketing is critical to the success of any business - especially small businesses. Yet, many new entrepreneurs are so focused on simply getting their businesses off the ground and operational that a marketing budget proves an afterthought.
If you're struggling to market your small business with a limited budget, Baker County Chamber of Commerce offers these helpful tips:...

May is Military Appreciation Month. One way we here at the Baker County Chamber of Commerce show our appreciation for the incredible sacrifices made by our nation's military servicemen, servicewomen and veterans is by helping them set up shop with their own successful businesses.

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In 2013, the crowdfunding industry grew to be over $5.1 billion worldwide, helping tens of thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses raise the money needed for the development and launch of new products, services and inventions. So successful has the online crowdfunding proven that federal legislators passed the JOBS Act with crowdfunding provisions to assist entrepreneurs, public companies and nonprofits.

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April is National Stress Awareness Month, an annual campaign designed to educate Americans about the effects of stress on health, work performance, relationships and lives. And nobody knows stress like entrepreneurs. The Baker County Chamber of Commerce offers these four top tips for managing stress and ensuring a smooth daily operation of your business.

1. Develop a great team: "Jack of all, master of none." There's a lot of wisdom in those words, but entrepreneurs often miss it. After all, they're natural self-starters and go-getters. But trying to do it all eventually will lead to burnout and when it does, both your business and your health will suffer. Instead, make smart hires and develop a talented, hard-working team that you can trust with all the multiple elements of your business. This allows you to focus on the elements that you do best. 
2. Budget both your finances and your time: The word "budget" is nearly always associated with financials. But your time is a valuable asset that should be wisely budgeted as well. Decline or send a trusted employee to a meeting that you don't absolutely have to attend. Delegate client questions and issues to capable team members with problem-solving skills. And plan to attend only the most targeted networking events most likely to prove profitable for your business. 
3. Get out of the office: Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like a change of scenery. Schedule lunch out of the office with a current or prospective client, trusted colleague or friend at least once a week. Keep your employees positively charged with a quarterly half-day or daylong retreat offsite to hold brainstorming sessions. And make sure you give yourself and your employees a vacation. Multiple studies have shown that not taking vacations is linked to health problems and shortened lifespans. 
4. Mind your health: Exercise daily, adopt a nutritious diet and get plenty of sleep. All the success in the world means nothing if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it.

The Baker County Chamber of Commerce exists to help entrepreneurs successfully build and grow their businesses via networking, training and other support programs that help minimize stress and guesswork. Call 904-259-6433 to speak with a membership specialist today.

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A top question for first-time entrepreneurs is just how to effectively price their products and services. Thankfully, there's an art and science to the process. Baker County Chamber of Commerce shares a few top tips to assure your shop visitors will become active and repeat buyers.

1. Give 'em a decoy: A behavioral economist recently conducted a consumer study that involved offering three separate magazine subscription options to 100 MIT students. One was a web-only subscription for $59 and the other two were print and print+web subscriptions, both for $125. The vast majority of subscribers - 84 percent - bought the print+web subscription, even though it was significantly more expensive. Sixteen percent opted for the web-only subscription and no one chose the print-only option. Conventional wisdom would say to remove the $125 print-only option altogether, but that move resulted in an undesirable shift. More customers - 68 percent- choosing the cheaper web-only option. So, the middle-level option used as a decoy actually helped to effectively upsell customers. 
2. The Magic 9: For some reason, $99 seems a whole lot less than $100. Results of a study by the University of Chicago and MIT proved that theory by offering the same dress for sale at three different price points - $34, $39 and $44. More dresses sold at the $39 price point than either the pricier $44 or the cheaper $34. 
3. Nix the dollar sign and downsize: Two separate studies by Cornell University and New York's St. Andrew's Restaurant found that formatting menu item prices without using dollar signs resulted in customers voluntarily spending significantly more money. Another by Clark University and the University of Connecticut found that customers perceive sale prices to be better values when written in a small font. Need convincing? Consider that Neiman Marcus doesn’t use dollar signs to sell high-end, pricey items like Valentino handbags.

For more pricing tips, download the infographic below. And for ongoing business support, mentoring and networking, call 904-259-6433 and speak with a membership specialist at the Baker County Chamber of Commerce today.

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There's no doubt about it - Social media is a must for small business success today. But the random posting and lack of follow up that many entrepreneurs practice won't do your customers or your bottom line any favors. Here are four top tips for effectively using social media as a small business success tool:

1. Define your target market: Members of different customer demographics use social media in varying ways, so you'll have to know where your potential buyers are in order to best target them. A quick rundown - Teens favor Vine, YouTube, Instagram and Tumblr; women, particularly moms and brides, love Pinterest; Facebook started young, but now trends toward parents and grandparents; business professionals are on LinkedIn; and bloggers and influencers are all over Twitter and Tumblr. 
2. Choose a consistent handle: Ideally, your handles (public usernames) should be the same on across all the social media networks you use, as it becomes part of your company or product branding. Make sure it's available on all networks you'll use and claim it quickly. 
3. Develop and share the right content mix: Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of using their social media sites solely for self-promotion. That's a great way to send potential customers running the other way. Instead, develop a solid mix of promotional, testimonial and newsy material as well as random funny, interesting or inspiring content such as humorous memes, holiday wishes, and encouraging or thought-provoking quotes. 
4. Pay attention: Be consistent with the type, amount and timing of your social media posting. But more importantly, be responsive to followers who post, message or tag you online. Social media has quickly become the place where consumers praise, decry or attempt to reach companies. If a potential customer messages you, respond quickly. If one posts favorable words about your company, products or services, thank them. And if one posts criticism, use it as an opportunity to show that you value consumer feedback and work quickly to resolve issues. To help keep on track, download, print and use the Sensible Social Media checklist below.

For more small business support, join the Baker County Chamber of Commerce and plan to attend our monthly Lunch & Learn events. Call 904-259-6433 to speak with a membership specialist today.

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The New Year is underway. If you're an entrepreneur or manager, make sure you're aware of the new statewide minimum wage laws.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that as of January 1, the minimum wage rose from $7.93 per hour to $8.05 per hour - a 1.5-percent increase. For tipped employees, such as restaurant wait staff and bartenders, the new minimum wage is $5.03, which is equal to the general $8.05 minimum wage minus the $3.02 tip credit established in 2003. If, at the end of the work shift, the hourly rate plus tips does not reach $8.05, the employer must make up the difference.
As part of the Florida Minimum Wage Act, state legislators have adjusted our minimum wage annually since 2005, basing figures on the Consumer Price Index. Inflation has steadily driven wages up an average 15 cents per year.
Keep in mind you'll also need to display the updated version of the Florida Minimum Wage poster at your place of business. Download a copy via the FDEO's website.
Whether you're an up and coming entrepreneur just learning the ropes or a seasoned veteran, you'll find amazing support with a membership to the Baker County Chamber of Commerce. Browse our website to see how we can help you grow and succeed in business.

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America's small businesses are the engines of job creation and economic development in our nation, accounting for an estimated 60 to 80 percent of all US jobs and producing 13 times more patents than larger firms, according to research by Entrepreneur magazine and Paychex, a provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. So, it only makes sense for communities and small business owners to support one another by shopping small - especially during the Hanukkah and Christmas season.
Here are four fabulous reasons to shop small in Baker County this holiday season:

1. Innovation: Popular trends aren't always one-size-fits-all. But try telling that to mass marketers. After all, they're in it to appeal to the largest potential body of buyers possible - not the individual with unique needs. That particular buyer is far more likely to find what he needs by shopping with small businesses who can offer more flexibility and customization than large retailers are able or willing to offer. Plus, you're more likely to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone you love. 
2. Quality: Speaking of selling to the masses - that typically is possible only by cutting corners on quality to keep costs manageable. Buyers end up with cheap, foreign-made products likely to break or wear out long before you're finished using them. Opt instead for higher quality items made right here in your own community with eco-friendly materials. 
3. Ethics: Speaking of foreign-made products - many are produced by factories that fail to employ safe or ethical practices, and that exploit workers by demanding long hours in unclean or unsafe conditions for inadequate wages. Why support such unfairness? Buying local helps to assure your purchase comes with a clean conscience. 
4. Paying it forward: Research shows that more than 90 percent of small business owners actively support their own communities through volunteering, in-kind contributions and cash donations. They also tend to help out their fellow entrepreneurs, referring customers to other area small businesses for particular needs.

From all of us here at the Baker County Chamber of Commerce, have a safe, happy and prosperous holiday season.

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This month, all of America honors and celebrates its military veterans. After serving so valiantly in our nation's Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, many continue being of service to their communities by opening and running successful businesses.
According to the 2007 Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners, a top source of data on veteran-owned businesses and their owners,

• There were 2.45 million businesses nationwide with majority ownership by veterans.
• Of these firms, 491,000 were employers.
• These veteran-owned firms reported $1.220 trillion in annual sales, 5.793 million employees, and an annual payroll of $210 billion.
• Veteran-owned firms represented 9.0 percent of all US firms.
• Of the survey respondents who were veteran business owners, 8.3 percent had service-connected disabilities.

Research shows that Florida ranks third among the state with the most veteran-owned firms, following California and Texas, and leading New York and Georgia. Industries with the highest veteran-owned firms include:

• Finance and insurance - 13.2)
• Transportation and warehousing - 12.7
• Mining, quarrying, oil and gas - 12.4 percent
• Construction - 11.1 percent
• Professional, scientific and technical services - 10.9 percent 
• Manufacturing - 10.5 percent

In multiple studies and surveys, military service has proven a major factor in American entrepreneurialism. In fact, the self-employment rate for veterans consistently has been higher than that of non-veterans each and every year since 1979 according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Military experience is an even stronger predictor of self-employment than graduate level education. In the private sector workforce, veterans are at least 45 percent more likely than those with no active duty military experience to be self-employed, research shows.
These statistics come as no surprise to us here at the Baker County Chamber of Commerce. Military service invariably reflects a deep sense of dedication to one's community and a commitment to excellence. We salute all of our nation's brave veterans and enjoy helping those returning to civilian life to succeed in their own businesses.
If you're a veteran looking to set up shop in Baker County, contact us at 904-259-6433 to find out how a Chamber of Commerce membership can help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals.