TN Small Business Development Center at APSU

05/29/2026

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

05/05/2026

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

04/25/2026

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

Join us on Friday, May 8 at 2pm for a no-cost workshop covering practical steps before, during, and after a disaster. Attend in person at The Press or virtually!

Learn more and register at tsbdc.org/tnblueskyseries

04/20/2026

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!

04/10/2026

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.

03/18/2026

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! 🥳

03/12/2026

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

02/20/2026

Want to know what banks look for when evaluating loan applications?

In our latest blog post, we break down the 5 C's of Credit, because understanding these can help you position your business for funding - or identify what you need to work on first.

Read more:

The Secret Ingredient to Getting Cash for Your Business Financial I picked up the phone at the office, and after my greeting, I heard, “Hey, um…they told me to give you a call. I have a great idea for a business, and they said that you were the man!” He said, “I have talked to at least 3 oth...

02/13/2026

Last week on LinkedIn, we asked business owners what they do when they hit a roadblock. The results were a mix of asking other business owners, using AI/google, and consulting an expert.

Here's how to make each of those approaches work better:

🔹Build a trusted circle. Surround yourself with business owners who have different experiences and perspectives than you do. They'll see blind spots you miss.

🔹Work with an expert regularly. Don't wait until you're in crisis mode to reach out. Regular check-ins with a consultant (cough cough... us 😉) help you stay ahead of problems, not just react to them.

🔹Check your sources. Google and AI are helpful starting points, but they're not always accurate or relevant to your specific situation. Verify what you find before acting on it.

The best business owners know when (and how) to ask for help!

02/11/2026

Join us at the Planters Bank SEED Summit to learn practical strategies for building your team, managing finances, marketing your business, and more!

📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Clarksville Riverview
📅 February 20th
🎟️ Register: https://expectgreatthingsbank.com/seed/

Whether you're growing an existing business or preparing to start one, this is a great opportunity to learn from experts and connect with other entrepreneurs.