KOSBE Launches New Website

Aug. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- KOSBE.org showcases tools and resources, news and events

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) is proud to announce the launch of a new and improved website – kosbe.org.

With a new overall design, layout, interactive features including a Google Calendar and social media integration throughout the site, this is your small business one stop shop.

Created and developed by Cumberland Marketing’s creative division, the highly useful and comprehensive site provides vital and up-to-date tools and resources small business owners and entrepreneurs need to stay afloat. There are five main interactive sections: Tools and Resources, Financial Assistance, Continuing Education, Counseling and KOSBEConnection’s YouTube Channel.

“The new KOSBE website will be a valuable asset to the small business community,” Kingsport Chamber President & CEO Miles Burdine said. “The site highlights the small business services, certified-counseling and continuing educational opportunities that our KOSBE program offers.”

Each section is geared to help and/or enhance small business owner’s wants and needs. Our interactive Tools and Resources section has seven stages for you to choose from depending on your business status. 1. Idea Stage – The business hasn’t taken its first breath yet; it’s just an idea in the first of seven stage of life. 2. Startup Stage – A small business is born, but hasn’t operated more than three years. It exists legally and product or services are in production. Real customers exist. 3. Growth Stage – In business three to five years. Sales, customers and profits are increasing. Competitive intensity is also increasing. 4. Established Stage – A surviving business of more than five years. Business is recognized in the market. It has some loyal customers and sales growth is manageable. Life has become somewhat “business as usual.” 5. Expansion Stage – Business is expanding into new markets and distribution channels. 6. Decline Stage – Business is experiencing a noticeable decrease in sales and profits. 7. Exit Stage – Now is the time to pass down the business as legacy or sell it for cash. Each stage then goes to other pages with information on useful downloads, recommended readings and various stage relevant links pointing users in the right direction.

“The new KOSBE website is modern, highly informative and a very user friendly site that allows small business owners and entrepreneurs to seek the information they need for their small business,” said Aundrea Wilcox, KOSBE executive director.

Featuring a Google Calendar that highlights event information for KOSBE and Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) that includes features that allow you to add events to your own calendar and a reminder feature that will send a notice to those interested in particular events.

The site also provides news, promotes the organization’s annual KOSBE Awards and the many other small business services, certified-counseling and educational opportunities KOSBE provides free of charge.

Social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and a RSS feed are also prominent informational sources on the site, allowing site users to follow and receive the latest information.

“With our new site and social media channels, we are able to provide an instantaneous communication vehicle to enhance communication between the small business community, current and potential KOSBE clients,” said Marybeth McLain, KOSBE marketing manager. “I am excited to see our current fan base grow, allowing us to reach out to more small businesses.”

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our country. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small firms represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms and employ just over half of all private sector employees. In addition, small businesses pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll and generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years.

“The KOSBE program does so much to propel small businesses forward and hopes the new website will do the same for the organization’s online presence,” Burdine commented. “Aundrea works every day to enhance, support and strengthen our local small businesses; this new site will only highlight the program’s efforts.”

Wilcox and McLain had high praise for Cumberland Marketing and its creative division who created the new site, saying, “Chris Bowen (Founder & CEO) has done an outstanding job putting together his creative team. We are incredibly pleased with their level of creativity, professionalism and willingness to listen to our sometimes, crazy ideas. We had the pleasure of working with Kevin Jones on developing our new site and he did a fantastic job!

Founded in 1987 by CEO Chris Bowen, Cumberland Marketing is a 360 degree marketing solutions firm, serving an extensive and diverse global clientele base. Headquartered out of downtown Kingsport, Cumberland Marketing is a customer service and results-oriented marketing firm that leverages creative resources to take client product sales and exposure to the next level by integrating cutting-edge campaigns using the latest state-of-the-art marketing technologies.

The Cumberland Marketing staff is an award-winning team of seasoned professionals, with proven specialties that include: branding and marketing, website development, design, hosting and analytic reporting, search engine optimization and marketing, professional videography and photography, graphic design, interactive media, social media strategies and digital animation.

The company employs a talented group of individuals that share a passion for their work and strongly believe, “our team is your team.”

It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.

The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.

To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call Marybeth McLain at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, mmclain@kosbe.org.  

For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE - The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.

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The mission of KOSBE is to actively assist in the establishment of new small businesses and the growth and development of existing small businesses in Kingsport, Tenn. KOSBE is a nonprofit economic development organization.