Small Business Round-up – Week of June 24th

This week’s small business news review found creative ways to sign a mobile email, success through packaging, startup funding quandaries that entrepreneurs face, the SBLF may be broken, and the top small biz cities in the US.

• The SBLF is Not Working
  The Small Business Lending Fund was set up to provide loans to small biz from funds the federal government received through the Troubled Asset Relief Program. However, some officials have indicated that the directed funds did more to help community banks than small businesses.
• Focus on Packaging
  In highly competitive spaces, such as premium ice cream, packaging can make the difference between ascending to the top and dropping off the shelves. One packaging designer took a simple concept and vaulted Talenti gelato to #3 in its category.                                      
• To Self-fund or Not to Self-fund, That is the Question
  Two data startups took different paths to fund their companies. While one owner invested over $100K of his own money, the other sought out investors early on. Although there is no golden rule for startup investing, the decision should be made after careful analysis of product, market, and personal goals.
• Getting Witty With Mobile Signatures
  Small biz leaders are finding funny ways to replace “sent from my iPhone” that follow mobile messages. Whether it’s a signature that claims tech ignorance or blames technology for typos, entrepreneurs are adding clever sign-offs to their mobile messages.
• Top Small Biz Cities
  Houston topped the Biz2Credit list of the fastest growing small business cities in America. The rankings, based on average annual revenue, number of employees, and other factors, listed Washington, D.C. and L.A. in the top three spots.