By Kathy Bazan, Business Recovery Center Consultant As small business owners, we often don’t have the luxury of time to research how we can help our kids afford college. This is why many small business owners relied on the easy-to-get Parents PLUS Loans (or other even more predatory loans) to pay for college and found […]

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations) Much of the Legislature’s focus over the last week was centered around Mike Nearman and whether to expel him from the Legislature over letting protesters into the Capitol in December 2020. On Monday, House Speaker Tina Kotek introduced a measure that would formally expel him from the House of Representatives. […]

By Kathryn Bazan, BRC Consultant As a business counselor in Washington County (Oregon), I am frequently asked by business owners, “Why do I need a business plan?” There are two very simple answers: To provide a road map for how you want your company to grow in the next three to five years. To allow […]

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations) The final month of this year’s session is finally here. Lawmakers are Constitutionally required to adjourn by June 27, and indications are that the Legislature will be in session up until that final weekend. While it is possible the Senate could adjourn earlier, House Speaker Tina Kotek told reporters last week […]

By Kathy Bazan, BRC Small Business Consultant   Part 2: As a recruiter who wrote job postings, let me share more tips on writing a great job posting!   4. Your company’s culture What makes a job candidate successful in your company? Which personality characteristics or traits are required to join your company? Are there […]

Beginning today, May 26th, Business Oregon will be accepting applications to distribute the Operational Cost Assistance Grant. The Operational Cost Assistance Grant program is designed for businesses with 100 or fewer employees that: Offer the consumption of food and/or drink on premise; Provide specified indoor physical exercise, recreational or family entertainment; OR Provide specified personal […]

By Kathy Bazan, BRC Small Business Consultant Part 1  As the economy cautiously moves toward re-opening, you may want to hire new employees to help your company grow. Since my first career was in personnel placement, let me share 8 tips for writing a great job posting! Write with a “you” attitude: Use the word […]

What’s Happening (OSCC Political Observations) We now have roughly five weeks left in the 2021 legislative session. The big news this past week was the release of the “End of Session” revenue forecast. The key takeaway is that there is no evidence that state budgets have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and economic shutdown. The avalanche of […]