Tennessee Small Business Development Center at ETSU (TSBDC)

Last week we asked what season your business is in. Here's what we heard (and what it means.) ➡️

Have a business idea? We’ll help make it real. 💡💼
ETSU'S Start-up Resources Inspiring Veteran Entrepreneurship (STRIVE) is now accepting applications for our 2026 cohort.

Program is provided at no cost to veterans and spouses!
This FREE 8-week course will take place on the VA Campus in Johnson city, TN.

Application Deadline August 1, 2026
For more information and to submit an application please visit: www.etsu.edu/strive

Aaaand that’s a wrap! Last week all Centers in the TSBDC network came together in one room to learn, collaborate, and celebrate. 🙌

We’re proud to invest in the professional development of our staff, knowing that stronger teams mean stronger communities, and better support for Tennessee’s small businesses!

A special thank you to our event sponsors - you made this incredible week possible!
🔹 First Horizon Bank
🔹 Truist
🔹 Republic Bank
🔹 Three Roots Capital
🔹 Pinnacle Financial Partners

Most businesses don't think about disaster preparedness until they need it. Our Blue Sky series gives you a plan before that moment comes.

We’re partnering with the Department of Economic & Community Development for a week of no-cost hybrid training covering practical steps before, during, and after a disaster.

🔹 May 4: Innovation & Tech
🔹 May 5: Manufacturing
🔹 May 6: Main Street Business
🔹 May 7: Agriculture & Food
🔹 May 8: General Business, Micro & Solopreneurs

Learn more and register at tsbdc.org/tnblueskyseries

Are you ready to export your U.S. product or service to new foreign markets?

The SBA is hosting Export Week May 4-8 with virtual seminars to help U.S. businesses expand into foreign markets.

Two sessions that might be particularly helpful:

Monday, May 4th | 11am-12pm ET | Export Week Kick-Off: Navigating Export Resources for U.S. Manufacturers Learn about federal export resources, trade counseling, and market intelligence. Register: 3d114ccd-b6d8-479b-902f-6cf0726e4faa@a1d183f2-6c7b-4d9a-b994-5f2f31b3f780" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/3d114ccd-b6d8-479b-902f-6cf0726e4faa@a1d183f2-6c7b-4d9a-b994-5f2f31b3f780

Tuesday, May 5th | 9-10am CT | Tennessee STEP Grant Program Learn about grant funding to help Tennessee small businesses enter and expand into international markets. Register: f1a16eef-270d-4e8a-b4d8-53b07fbde079@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/f1a16eef-270d-4e8a-b4d8-53b07fbde079@3c89fd8a-7f68-4667-aa15-41ebf2208961

Both sessions are free and virtual. If you're considering international expansion, this is a great place to start!

Last week on LinkedIn, we asked what the hardest part of running a business is. The results were split between staying motivated and knowing when to pivot.

Here's what both of those struggles have in common: they're signs you need clarity.

If staying motivated is hard, you might need clearer goals, better boundaries, or a reminder of why you started. Burnout often means you're working in the business without stepping back to work on it.

If knowing when to pivot is hard, you're stuck between what you've built and what might work better. That decision gets easier when you have data, outside perspective, and a strategic plan.

The good news is that you don't have to figure this out alone! Our consultants can help you work through challenges like these - whether it's getting unstuck, making tough calls, or building a clearer path forward.

For most people, today is just March 18th... but for us it's National SBDC Day! A day when we celebrate our incredible teams and the difference they make for thousands of small businesses across Tennessee.

In 2025 alone, our network served 3,097 clients and facilitated $68.9M in capital infusion.

We also helped launch 172 new businesses, create 686 jobs, and retain 1,465 more.

It's no secret: SBDCs help small businesses start, grow, and thrive!

Join us in celebrating by sharing how the SBDC has helped your business succeed! 🥳

Outdoor Businesses: Apply Now for a $3,000 Grant + Coaching Support

If your business is still working to recover from Hurricane Helene, this is an opportunity to get the support you’ve likely been trying to piece together on your own.

The Waypoint Resilience Cohort was built for outdoor businesses across Northeast Tennessee that are navigating ongoing challenges—financial pressure, operational setbacks, and uncertainty about what comes next.

This program is designed to help you move forward with clarity and a plan.

Selected businesses will receive:

• $3,000 micro grant to support recovery
• 10 hours of one-on-one coaching
• A clear financial and operational assessment
• Practical marketing strategies to rebuild demand
• A focused 90-day recovery and resilience plan

No fluff. No wasted time. Just real support designed to help you take your next step.

Applications close March 20.
Spots are limited and selection is competitive.

If you’ve been waiting or unsure if this is for you—apply anyway. This is exactly what the program was built for.

👉 Apply now:
syncspace.com/helene-recovery

And if you know another outdoor business owner who could benefit from this, please share this post with them.

Last week on LinkedIn, we asked business owners what they’re spending most of their time on. The results were split (somewhat) evenly among sales, client/customer work, admin, and managing employees.

Truly there's no one-size-fits-all answer to where your time should go. It all depends on your business, your strengths, and your goals.

But there’s three questions worth asking:
- Are you spending time on what you're good at?
- Are you doing what you WANT to be doing?
- Are you spending time on what moves your business forward?

If you're stuck doing tasks you hate or aren't skilled at, that's a sign it's time to delegate, automate, or outsource. The goal isn't to do everything - it's to spend your time where you create the most value.

TSBDC consultants can help you identify what's worth your time and what's better handled by someone else. tsbdc.org/centers

Lean Manufacturing Overview Workshop on March 13, 2026. This session is designed as a practical introduction to Lean concepts, tools, and culture. It is an excellent resource for any organization looking to revolutionize their approach to efficiency and productivity.

Event Details:
Date & Time: March 13, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Location: Holston Business Development Center, Kingsport, TN
Registration Fee: $300 per participant
Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/2s4xvjr6