Tag: small business
When it comes to starting a business, there are many factors to consider, including location, cost of living, workforce availability, and industry trends.
“For entrepreneurs looking for a place that offers a favorable business climate and a variety of successful industries, Oklahoma is worth considering,” said Peter Kelly, small business coordinator for Central Tech.
With a low cost of living, business-friendly policies, and a skilled workforce, Oklahoma is an ideal place to start a business. Additionally, the state has several industries that have historically been successful, including energy and natural resources, aerospace and defense, agriculture and food processing, manufacturing, and technology and innovation.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are thinking of starting a business, here are the top five reasons why you should consider starting a business in Oklahoma.
1. Low Cost of Living
One of the biggest advantages of starting a business in Oklahoma is the low cost of living. According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, Oklahoma is one of the most affordable states to live in, with a cost of living that is 10% lower than the national average. This means that you can stretch your dollars further and enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank.
2. Business-friendly Environment
Oklahoma is known for being a business-friendly state. The state government offers tax incentives and business-friendly policies that make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses.
“For example, Central Tech’s small business program provides free business consulting services to help entrepreneurs with everything from developing a business plan to securing funding,” said Kelly. “In addition, we host several small business workshops throughout the year and have incubator space available.”
Among the benefits of utilizing a business incubator is the graduated rental rates for office and light manufacturing space. The lower initial cost of occupancy gradually increases as your business matures and grows.
3. Skilled Workforce
Oklahoma has a highly skilled and educated workforce, thanks to its excellent technical schools through Oklahoma CareeTech. Central Tech produces top-notch graduates who are ready to work in a wide range of industries. With a 94% placement, you can find talented employees to help you build and grow your business.
4. Strategic Location
Oklahoma is in the heart of the United States and Central Tech is between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. It’s an ideal location for businesses that need to ship products to customers across the country. The state is home to two major interstates (I-35 and I-44) and has easy access to other major highways, railroads, and airports. This makes it easy to transport goods and materials and to travel to other parts of the country for business meetings and networking events.
5. Quality of Life
Finally, Oklahoma offers a high quality of life for entrepreneurs and their families. The cost of living is low, the people are friendly, and there are plenty of cultural and recreational activities to enjoy. Whether you prefer hiking, fishing, shopping, or attending a live concert, there is something for everyone in Oklahoma.
“With a low cost of living, business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, and high quality of life, it’s easy to see why Oklahoma is becoming an increasingly popular destination for entrepreneurs,” said Kelly.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your existing business, Oklahoma may be the perfect place and Central Tech can help you get started. If you are ready to talk solutions, contact peter.kelly@centraltech.edu or 918.224.0235.
Tag: small business
Photography plays a key role in the success of your business. In our digital world, it’s often the first impression someone gets of your business.
“You’ve heard the adage, you eat with your eyes first. It’s the same for making purchasing decisions online,” said Peter Kelly, Central Tech’s small business management coordinator. “The better the photo, the more likely it is someone will stop their online scrolling and consider purchasing your product.”
With people spending more time shopping online, product photos are critical. Your photos need to stand out from the crowd, and represent the personality, style, and emotion you want your business to evoke.
“Consistency in your photos helps build recognition and trust among your customers. It builds a relationship, a promise of what your customers can expect from your business,” said Natasja Kemp, instructor of the Product Photography class at Central Tech.
Which leaves the question of how to take better photos of what you’re selling. Becoming knowledgeable about the fundamentals of photography can help you create better photos and boost your online image.
The good news…no fancy camera necessary!
Using just your smartphone, Kemp covers how to get on track to making better, more professional and creative photographs. Getting good exposures, finding compelling compositions, and creating a style that works best to tell your brand’s story are heavily discussed.
In a hands-on atmosphere, you learn how to use your smartphone camera to define your product. Utilizing easy to understand composition guidelines and simple lighting techniques are two ways of doing so. Consciously choosing your foreground and background are also discussed.
The last instruction given in class is on editing. Kemp discusses the editing tools readily available on your phone and talks about more robust editing apps available in the app store.
“Product photography is often considered a daunting task and is pushed to the backburner. It’s always a pleasure watching the relief come across a student’s face as Natasja guides them through a few photography lessons and they realize how easy it can be to learn,” said Kelly.
Becoming knowledgeable about some of the fundamentals of photography can help you create better photos and boost your online presence. You’ll leave class feeling more knowledgeable and confident in your ability to create a more professional and consistent online representation of your brand.
Tag: small business
Central Tech offers many classes along with consulting and mentoring services to improve and grow businesses efficiently and profitably.
Central Tech has been part of the fiber of our area communities for over 50 years. A vital and growing segment of Central Tech’s offerings revolves around small and growing businesses.
Peter Kelly is the Small Business Coordinator for Central Tech. Kelly’s diverse business experience in banking, real estate, and agriculture are keys to his success. He shared a sentiment he learned from one of his uncles…your vocation should be part of your life’s ministry. Kelly said, “That mindset resonated with me and is the reason it is so important for me to serve and help others.”
Central Tech has an overriding goal to assist each potential entrepreneur and business in providing greater clarity in all aspects of business, from marketing and finance to operations and products. A frequent comment from class participants and consulting clients is,
“Why didn’t I partner with Central Tech sooner?”
Kelly said, “We sit down with you to learn about your business and analyze your unique needs. Through this process, we develop an understanding of the company and work with you to identify strengths and weaknesses. Once opportunities are established and prioritized, we begin developing plans to assist you in reaching your goals.”
According to Kelly, “The business climate is changing more quickly than ever. Every business has different needs, so it is imperative for us to tailor offerings and services to fit each person or business’ individual circumstances whether you have been in operation for years or are in the startup phase of business.”
To assist growing businesses, Central Tech offers business incubators. This support fosters the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them flourish during the startup period, when they are most vulnerable.
Central Tech’s emphasis on personalized services, customized training, and interactive, engaging classes, provides solutions to help build local economies. With a focus on workforce and economic development, Central Tech quickly responds to the needs of their communities and employers.
In addition to small business services, Central Tech offers agricultural services.
Upcoming workshops:
- Intro to Business Marketing 10/11
- Ag Finance 10/18
- Floral Design 10/21
- Building a Business Plan 11/29
Stay current on business workshops or request assistance at centraltech.edu/mybusiness.
Business and Ag Classes:
