November 22, 2021
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Nicole Vullo on November 22, 2021
Nicole Vullo on November 22, 2021Customize Your Brand Recipe’s Ingredients for a Perfect Fit Mise en place is a French culinary phrase that means “everything in its place.” It refers to the setup required before cooking and is often used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients. A mentor of mine once told me that “your brand is equal parts of your reputation and your visibility.” This is something that always has stuck with me throughout my career. Having a strong reputation and high visibility solidifies who you are and what you do. It is only after you have your vision that you can begin to craft the elements of your brand, such as your colors, a well-designed logo, business tagline, and appropriate imagery. While it is acceptable to be aware of your competitors, do not let that influence what you […]
April 21, 2021
Published by Nicole Vullo on April 21, 2021
Nicole Vullo on April 21, 2021Key elements for creating a successful brand for your business, one that remains true to your core values and purpose. For more than two decades, social media has given many people the ability to market themselves to the world. What started as platforms only for celebrities and athletes quickly morphed into a way for businesses, regardless of size or industry, and your average joes to have their voices or their “brand” heard in an expanded capacity. 2020 was the year, more than any other, that thrust social media and digital technology to the forefront and integrated it into almost every aspect of our daily lives. Phrases like “You’re muted” and “I’m going to share my screen; can everyone see it?” have become commonplace. For me, the increase in usage of and reliance on social media is both a blessing and […]
March 18, 2021
Published by Nicole Vullo on March 18, 2021
Nicole Vullo on March 18, 2021The Small Business Administration has decided to push back the deferment period for disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. The SBA said that all disaster loans made in 2020, including the EIDL program, will have a first payment due date extended from 12 months to 24 months from the date of the note. It is important to note that all SBA disaster loans made in 2021, including EIDL loans, will have a first payment due date increased from 12 months to 18 months from the date of the note. Any current SBA disaster loans in regular servicing status as of March 1, 2020, will now have the additional 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments. They will resume their regular payment schedule on March 31, 2022, unless a borrower chooses to make payments […]
February 12, 2021
Published by Nicole Vullo on February 12, 2021
Nicole Vullo on February 12, 2021While the pandemic has decreased the amount of invitations we all receive for physical gatherings and social events, we want you all to be aware of a different kind of invitation to be dropping into your mailboxes soon; The Targeted EIDL Advance invitation. The SBA began to send email invites to businesses and nonprofit organizations that received the EIDL Advance in an amount less than $10,000 on February 1, 2021. Please note that it will take time before all emails are sent to the first priority group. Remain calm if you do not receive your email invite right away. The application invitation will be sent to the primary contact email address connected to your original EIDL application. With scams are an all-time high, be aware that the email will have an @sba.gov ending. Do not communicate with any email that […]
January 7, 2021
Published by Nicole Vullo on January 7, 2021
Nicole Vullo on January 7, 2021The Small Business Administration recently announced that they have extended the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The deadline is now December 31, 2021. This extension is a result of the recently passed and enacted bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill. The one change is that the EIDL Advance is not currently available as those funds have been fully allocated. Otherwise, EIDL loan applications can be received through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Please note that the loans continue to be offered with favorable terms such as a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year repayment with no pre-payment penalties or fees, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. Every eligible business is encouraged to apply to get the assistance they need. You can apply online directly through the […]