Distributor News

In the wake of the 2008 recession and the shrinking of the credit market, as many as two out of three small business owners still worry about cash flow, according to a 2011 study commissioned by American Express. But there is good news. After some much-needed regrouping, major credit card issuers have started courting entrepreneurs again.

Banks want to lend money to your business, not just because they received some extra support from government stimulus programs, but because business loans generally carry fewer risks for lenders than consumer loans.

When it comes to acknowledging the contributions of small businesses, few honors are more prestigious than the Small Business Administration's Champion awards.

Although the SBA's Small Business Champions are nominated rather than plucked from the masses—and must have accepted the SBA's help at one point or another, limiting the pool of contenders—they needed to prove their mettle nonetheless. Not only did the national winners of awards like Exporter of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year have to show evidence of success through profits and sales, many of them needed to prove they've helped create business opportunities for fellow entrepreneurs.

USimprints Inc., a promotional items company based in Brentwood, Tenn., announced the introduction of the "Cause to Promote" program. Every month starting June 1, 2011, USimprints will be donating $1,000 worth of promotional items to a worthy cause, in effort to do such things as promote events, bring awareness, thank donors and volunteers, and more.

USimprints respects the work of non-profit organizations and programs and admires the various services they offer to their local community and those in need. "Cause to Promote" is a way for the company to give back.

On Monday, May 13, the Obama Administration released what President Obama called "The Small Business Agenda: Growing America's Small Businesses to Win the Future." After carefully evaluating President Obama's small business agenda, the American Small Business League (ASBL) was surprised to find that the plan ignores the diversion of billions of dollars a year in federal small business contracts to large corporations.

Since 2003, a series of federal investigations have found that most small business contracts actually go to Fortune 500 firms in the U.S. and other large businesses around the world.

Shortly after the April 27 tornado outbreak in the South, Vitronic Promotional Group sent 3,500 raincoats and rain suits to be used by relief workers as they try to help people put their lives back together.

iPROMOTEu announced that it will be hosting its third annual "Boardwalk Bash" during PROMOTIONS EAST in Atlantic City, N.J. The "Boardwalk Bash" will take place on Tuesday evening, June 7, from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. at Gypsy Bar in the Borgata hotel in Atlantic City.

WorkflowOne, Dayton, Ohio, announced today that Ed Riguardi has joined the company as director of strategic accounts, reporting to Mike Giachetti, divisional vice president, East region.

The U.S. Olympic Committee has partnered with Staples Promotional Products to manage the Team USA Shop, which celebrated its grand reopening during the second annual Warrior Games presented by Deloitte on Tuesday, May 17.

The U.S. manufacturing and services sectors will continue to grow this year as revenues rise, but prices for materials are seen climbing further, according to an industry forecast released on Tuesday.

The Institute for Supply Management in its semi-annual forecast found purchasing and supply executives expect manufacturing revenue will rise 7.5 percent this year. That is modestly slower than the 7.9 percent rise seen last year.

Revenue in the non-manufacturing sector, which comprises mostly service sector businesses, is expected to be up 2.1 percent, topping 2010's gain of 0.2 percent.

The full audio interview with Jay Deutsch, CEO and co-founder of BDA, number-two ranking company on our 2011 Top Distributors list. Hear Jay's advice on securing safe products, how investing in his staff has paid off, and what he thinks of his partner Eric Bensussen.