Identifying a business niche is a crucial step in starting a successful business. A niche is a specialized market or segment that hasn't been fully explored, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to fill gaps and provide unique solutions to customers. In this blog, we'll discuss the importance of identifying your business niche and how to go about doing it.

The Shoals Business Incubator (SBI) Board of Directors has launched a strategic planning effort focused on addressing the long-term success of the organization. 

When starting a business should you choose a digital or traditional bank account?

Now that we have emerged from covid, people are ready to get back to normal - and back to the office. They are ready to get out of the home office (or garage) and back into the office. The idea that we can work from anywhere was a fair and reasonable prediction but not entirely true. Office space has made a comeback and has been in demand for the past few months and we predict a continued uptick in demand.

It is the holiday season and along with it comes the push to support small local businesses. Small Business Saturday is designed as a day to celebrate local entrepreneurs. But what is the importance of supporting your local business?

Growing your small business can be a daunting task. The success of your business depends largely on the effort you put into growing it. Many people work on their business rather than in their business. Every aspect from the marketing plan to the financials needs attention.

You have a great idea - but all business owners will tell you that starting a business is WORK. If you have been considering starting a business, ask yourself these questions. It is a good idea to know what you are up against before getting too far down the road.

Welcome to the Shoals Business Incubator Board of Directors, Sherri Stout!

River Elf Kayaks was started by two brothers with a passion for white water kayaking. 

Welcome to the Shoals Business Incubator Board of Directors, Daughtry Perritt!

With the mission to diversify the regional economy by creating new local-based sustainable companies, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center launched in the spring of 1992.  Rebranding in 2017, the SEC is now operating as the Shoals Business Incubator. 

“Business is in his family” says Rodney Robbins of Global Asia Resource. “My father was a self-made man” talking about how his father started a tire business and later got into floor covering. Entrepreneurship has been instilled in him all of his life.

Applications for the inaugural Singing River Trail Launch Tank business competition presented by the regional planning organization, Launch2035 are NOW OPEN. The Singing River Trail Launch Tank is a Shark Tank-style event for entrepreneurs in North Alabama.

I am often asked how a community can differentiate itself from the competition. Most economic development organizations try to highlight their strengths, their assets, to attract particular industry sectors, which you almost have to do.

The latest release of Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics data shows that nearly 1.4 million applications have been filed to form new businesses likely to hire employees through September of 2021 — the most through the third quarter of any year on record.

Here's the good news, new business launches are exploding. Applications to form new businesses are reaching unprecedented levels. Seeing millions of people from all walks of life starting their own business in the face of greater than usual uncertainty is inspiring.