For those who have been anxious for local businesses to reopen, the good news is that the non-essential retail sector in Bergen is seeing a rapid comeback as the economy restarts and recovers. While it may seem initially counter-intuitive, now is actually a smart time to get your business off the ground.
For instance, Fast Company states that finding pain points that are relevant in today’s environment will help you widen your customer base and sustain your success in the long-term. If you already have either a sole proprietorship or partnership, this guide to forming an LLC in New Jersey details how it can provide you with better legal protection in addition to certain tax advantages. The process involves several steps, including hiring a registered agent in New Jersey, registering for tax filings, and creating an operating agreement.
As a further incentive, the County Executive Jim Tedesco recently offered a program for Bergen County small businesses that met specific criteria, to gain funding through the CARES Small Business Grant Program. This program enabled organizations to apply for funds up to $10,000 to offset the costs of rent payments, property mortgages, and utilities. The deadline for this program was October 5, 2020. More information about Bergen County COVID-19 resources for business can be found at the County of Bergen website.
Rutgers University Student Nihar Raval: Innovative Concept Focuses on COVID Safety Measures
To help businesses and shoppers comply with COVID-19 rules, a Rutgers University student named Nihar Raval conceptualized Bubbl. During the height of the pandemic around May, he noticed that many businesses lacked safety measures such as social distancing markers and plexiglass dividers. In addition, he observed how wearing masks wasn’t being enforced. Motivated by his desire to keep people safe, he built an app based on user-generated content. It allows reviewers to rate a business on how well they enforce safety guidelines, helping them improve. It is free to download for users, which can be extremely effective if there are a lot of people using it in one area. Identifying gaps in the market can help you come up with an innovative idea like Nihar’s.
Chaya Pamula: Empowering Women in the Workplace through Mentorship and Leadership
As a woman in the technology service industry, Chaya describes how many female entrepreneurs tend to lack confidence in fields of tech, finance, and aerospace. However, she emphasizes the need to overcome this self-doubt and make their voices heard. In 2011, she founded PamTen, providing services in IT strategy, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and more. Her goal is to empower women in the workplace through mentorship programs and leadership. More recently, she co-founded SheTek in 2018, which aims to increase female representation in the technology industry. Through collaboration and free training programs, she describes how uplifting women during the pandemic can help them upgrade their skills and enter these industries.
Theresa Semple: Solid Advice from a Successful Entrepreneur
Before she became an entrepreneur, Theresa Semple worked for an office cleaning company. Her go-getter attitude helped her break into a leadership position in the insurance industry, even though it was a traditionally male-dominated industry. After gaining 20 years of experience in this filed, she launched Semple Solutions, which helps groups find employee benefits including emergency preparedness plans, medical coverage, dental insurance, and more. She emphasizes how studying, reading, and taking classes in your area of interest can help you develop the expertise you need to attain success. Knowing all the ins and outs of your industry can help you prepare for any unexpected barriers and roadblocks.
At the end of the day, it’s all about forging ahead on your own path and looking towards the future. Partnering with others who have similar ideas and constructing a detailed business strategy can help you overcome some of the hardships that face businesses during this COVID-19 pandemic.
