On Tuesday, January 16th, the HCEDC joined Rutgers Law School for a Community Transactional Lawyering Clinic (CTLC) Information Session. CTLC is crafted to provide participants with invaluable legal support for their business.
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: Community & Transactional Lawyering Clinic (CTLC) Information Session Presentation
The Event Webinar may be viewed at: Community & Transactional Lawyering Clinic (CTLC) Information Session Webinar
Access to capital is critical to many small businesses, yet most owners don’t understand how to determine what they qualify for, what money is available to them and the roadblocks they may face obtaining financing.
The Webinar will focus on the following areas:
-Financing options available to small businesses
-What lenders look for
-Matching the right financing program to your needs
– How to prepare for a meeting with a lender
– Identify issues that will “kill” your deal
Register now at: Access to Capital Webinar
One of the most difficult decisions business owners face is how much to charge for their product or service. Understanding which price points motivate or dissuade consumers from purchasing is key to setting the right price. During this workshop, we will focus on the following:
The workshop includes an interactive activity that helps participants to determine their business’s cost structure and how it relates to their current pricing.
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: Pricing for Small Business Profitability Presentation
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: Pricing for Small Business Profitability Webinar (English)
En Espanol: Pricing for Small Business Profitability Webinar (En Espanol)
Financial projections are an important part of managing your business. Projecting financial results is critical in preparing your business plan and in determining if the business will be financially sustainable. Similar to creating a budget, financial projections are a way to forecast future revenue and expenses for your business.
In this webinar, we’ll focus on Sales Projections, Expense Projections, and responsibly Projecting Your Cash Flow.
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: Forecasting Financial Results Presentation
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: Forecasting Financial Results Event Webinar (English)
En Espanol: Forecasting Financial Results Event Webinar (En Espanol)
Understanding the financial performance of your small business is fundamental to knowing if the business is meeting your financial goals or if changes are needed in the way you do business. We’ll use realistic sample financial statements to illustrate the concepts we are discussing. Participants are also encouraged to bring their existing financial information to discuss or evaluate in class.
During the workshop, we’ll focus on the following:
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: Understanding Financial Statements Presentation
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: Understanding Financial Statements Webinar
En Espanol: Understanding Financial Statements Webinar En Espanol (Part 1)
Understanding Financial Statements Webinar En Espanol (Part 2)
One of the most important, yet frequently overlooked components for most business owners is recordkeeping. This introductory webinar walks participants through the ground level stages of “bookkeeping.” During the webinar, we’ll focus on the following areas:
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: QuickBooks Basics Live Webinar
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: QuickBooks Basics Live Webinar (English)
En Espanol: QuickBooks Basics Live Webinar (En Espanol)
Access to capital is critical to many small businesses, yet most owners don’t understand how to determine what they qualify for, what money is available to them and the roadblocks they may face obtaining financing. This workshop was created to address these issues as well as inform business owners of what’s expected of them in obtaining capital.
During the workshop, we’ll focus on the following areas:
Learn how to get your business bank ready in this workshop!
This workshop will have live Spanish interpretation available.
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: Basics of Financing Your Business (English)
En Espanol: Basics of Financing Your Business (En Espanol)
In this live webinar, you will learn that developing a business plan is one of the most important challenges you will face as an entrepreneur. The process of developing a good business plan requires an understanding and appreciation for the tools required to do it right. This workshop was developed to guide you through that process and give you a hands-on systematic way to develop an outline, investigate and evaluate the resources and create a draft of your own business plan.
In this workshop, we’ll show you how to:
You’ll also learn about business assistance programs for Minority and Women Business Enterprises.
This workshop will have live Spanish interpretation available.
In case you missed this event, you may view the Presentation at: Writing a Business Plan Presentation
The Event Webinar may be viewed in English at: Writing a Business Plan Live Webinar (English)
En Espanol: Writing a Business Plan Live Webinar (En Espanol)
First Fridays is a series of 6 sessions with the goal of providing business owners with indispensable financial insights. These 6 webinars presented by the HCEDC, the NJSBDC at NJCU School of Business and the Union County Economic Development Corporation are presented in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation.
When the Hudson County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) partnered with Hudson County Community College (HCCC), SRL Enterprises, and the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation to launch a new small business internship program, local businesses like a-squared architecture, owned by Alka Kustagi, AIA, were eager to join. This innovative program provides students with invaluable industry experience through collaborations with leaders like SRL Enterprises in real estate development. As a result, the program not only helps bridge students to promising career paths but also supports local businesses, allowing mentors like Alka, with over 27 years of industry experience, to guide the next generation of professionals.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy praised the initiative and its partners, saying, “This paid internship initiative exemplifies Hudson County’s commitment to inclusive economic development and workforce readiness. SRL Enterprises planned, designed, and developed an outstanding internship program that has been instrumental in ensuring that we connect with and exceed our goals to engage small, women minority-owned businesses that are involved in landmark projects like the Honorable Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex. Through the support of HCEDC, HCCC, and dedicated partners like SRL, we’re providing real-world opportunities that empower our students and build a thriving, equitable business community.”
a-squared architecture: 40,000 sq. ft. new construction mixed-use project.
Located in Union City, formed in 2013, a-squared architecture is a commercial architecture and interior design firm specializing in multi-family, mixed-use, retail, restaurant, and office design. Projects range from new construction to renovations to tenant fit outs. Throughout her career, Alka has worked on projects in about forty states in the U.S. A-squared is known for its commitment to each project and follows a hands-on approach, offering a well-rounded architecture and interior design related experience to the interns. Alka saw Hudson County as both a place to grow her business and a community where her family could flourish, thanks to its proximity to Manhattan and the supportive local environment. “I moved to the U.S. in 2004 and settled in Hudson County in 2007. The opportunities and community support here are invaluable,” Alka shared.
As a small business owner and a mother, Alka was drawn to the internship program’s mission of preparing students for a competitive workforce. “I realize how hard it can be for young professionals to receive one-on-one mentoring.” One intern noted, “A major milestone in my development was learning to embrace feedback with an open mind. Alka’s guidance was encouraging, creating an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions.” Alka added, “I wanted to give back and be a resource in students’ lives. These internships don’t just serve the students; they also bring fresh perspectives to our business.”
(Pictured L-R): Elise White, SRL Enterprises, Workforce Program Director, Alka Kustagi, AIA, Owner, a-squared architecture, Mina Abdelmaseeh, HCCC Student Intern, Destiny Knowles, HCCC Student Intern
Through the internship program, Alka welcomed interns from diverse fields, all eager to explore the dynamic world of architecture. One intern, who originally had no background in architecture, worked alongside Alka in day-to-day project-related tasks, explored, and understood the various stages and aspects of the projects. The supportive work environment helped the intern to quickly adapt to the discipline and rigor of the field. For another intern with a background in marketing, Alka focused on practical skills like using CRM software and enhancing brand strategy. “She brought so much talent to the table, and I wanted to show her she was capable of success. The intern’s contributions helped strengthen a-squared architecture’s marketing and digital presence, making it possible to reach more clients and continue growing.
These interns not only gained technical knowledge but also soft skills crucial for their future careers. “They learned the importance of professionalism such as, how to communicate effectively, how to present themselves, and even simple but essential tasks like drafting emails,” Alka explained. “They left with skills they can carry into any industry.”
Michelle Richardson, HCEDC Executive Director, highlighted how the program represents Hudson County’s collaborative spirit. “This partnership exemplifies how collaboration can strengthen our community’s economic foundation. It provides businesses and students with the resources they need to grow,” she said.
HCEDC and its partners are building a resilient Hudson County economy by linking education, workforce development, and real-world training. For businesses like a-squared architecture, the program is more than an internship; it’s a chance to shape future leaders while fostering a thriving, inclusive community.
For more information about how the HCEDC can help grow your business,
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