Tillamook Small Business Development Center

03/02/2026

Pitch your business at the Level UP Pitch Contest!
AND WIN UP TO $10,000!

Must already be in business for 1 year. Bring a new product, service, or new expansion plans. Visit edctc.com to apply and learn more about it.

Shout out to our previous winners. Country Squire Kitchen, Sweet Begonias, Tillamook County Newsie , Green Coast Market, Brittney Bakes, Fish With Lips!

You could be next!

02/28/2026

MARKETING STRATEGIES

Measure What Matters

You don’t need perfect data to make smarter marketing decisions. Tracking a few meaningful metrics, such as website visits, inquiries, email engagement, and leads-to-customer conversion can help you understand what’s working and where to adjust.

For product-based businesses, metrics like online sales conversions, average order value, and repeat purchases can offer valuable insight into how your marketing supports revenue.

Turn your data into clear next steps. Connect with your local Oregon SBDC for no-cost, one-on-one advising to review your metrics and identify where small changes can drive better results: https://oregonsbdc.org/find-your-center

02/27/2026

National Retro Day: Old-School Lessons That Still Work

On National Retro Day, we’re throwing it back to a time before algorithms and automation. When small businesses grew through relationships, reputation, and reliability.

While tools and technology have changed, many of the most effective business practices are still rooted in the classics:
• Knowing your customers by name
• Delivering consistent quality
• Keeping your word
• Building trust in your community

Today’s successful small businesses often blend modern tools with old-school values. Using technology to reach customers, while relying on timeless principles to keep them coming back.

Retro doesn’t mean outdated. It means proven.
If you’re looking to grow your business while staying true to what works, the SBDC is here to help you combine the best of the past with the opportunities of today
https://oregonsbdc.org/center/Tillamook-Bay-SBDC/

02/22/2026

MARKETING STRATEGIES

Focus Your Social Media Efforts

The old adage quality over quantity still applies in today’s marketing landscape. You don’t have to be everywhere to see results. What matters most is the value you provide to your audience.

Automation can help maintain a consistent presence, but meaningful engagement still benefits from a human response. Thoughtful content and genuine interaction build stronger connections than volume alone.

Explore Oregon SBDC Network marketing classes in your area or connect with an adviser to refine a marketing strategy that fits your business goals and capacity.
Visit https://oregonsbdc.org to get started.

02/19/2026

MARKETING STRATEGIES

Using AI Responsibly

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐩:
AI can be a helpful support tool for marketing, especially for drafting social posts, brainstorming ideas, or creating first drafts of content. But it works best when paired with human review, judgment, and your authentic voice.

The goal isn’t to replace people; it’s to save time while staying true to your business values.

02/17/2026

Small Business Success Story: Son of Man

Today’s small business spotlight goes to 𝗦𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗻, a company based in Cascade Locks that specializes in creating handcrafted, Basque-style cider.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and the company’s strong keg sales plummeted, co-owners Ella McCallion and Jasper Smith had to quickly learn to pivot in order to meet the changing demands of the marketplace.

With the support of the SBDC, Son of Man was able to obtain both a PPP and an EIDL loan.

Ella and Jasper leveraged their funding to increase their bottling capacity and introduce aluminum cans to their lineup—something that was in demand from grocers and their customers—which allowed the company to grow rather than lose revenue.

Instrumental to this was cultivating Son of Man’s premium brand and creating new marketing content to communicate their new line and vintage of cider. The company took advantage of the SBDC’s Professional Services Program and created several high-end videos to promote their new products.

Head over to https://www.sonofman.co/film to see the results!

If you’re at a point in your business where change is needed, the Oregon SBDC Network can help you successfully pivot. To learn more about our services, visit www.oregonsbdc.org

02/16/2026

Presidents’ Day: A Reminder That Leadership Matters

Presidents’ Day isn’t just about a long weekend, it’s a moment to reflect on leadership, vision, and decision-making, all of which matter just as much in small business as they do in government.

Strong leaders set clear goals, adapt to change, and make thoughtful choices, even when conditions aren’t perfect. The same is true for small business owners. Success often comes down to planning ahead, understanding risk, and staying focused on the long-term vision.

It’s also a great time for small businesses to:
• Review goals for the year
• Evaluate what’s working (and what’s not)
• Strengthen systems and processes
• Recommit to smart, sustainable growth

Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about knowing where you’re going and building a plan to get there.

The SBDC is here to help business owners lead with confidence, strategy, and purpose, today and all year long!

https://oregonsbdc.org/center/Tillamook-Bay-SBDC/

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just About Romance, It’s About Relationships

Valentine’s Day is a great reminder that strong relationships are at the heart of every successful small business.

Customers don’t just fall in love with products, they fall in love with great service, consistency, and trust. Businesses that focus on building loyalty, showing appreciation, and communicating clearly are the ones that turn first-time buyers into long-term supporters.

It’s also a smart time for small businesses to:
• Reconnect with past customers
• Show appreciation with simple promotions or thank-yous
• Highlight what makes their business unique
• Strengthen partnerships with other local businesses
Just like any good relationship, business growth takes intention, effort, and a solid plan.

If you’re ready to show your business some love, the SBDC is here to help you build strategies that last. https://oregonsbdc.org/center/Tillamook-Bay-SBDC/

02/12/2026

Last week, we talked about 5 strategies and ideas for marketing. But we can dive a little deeper and personalize our strategies based on our business with a business marketing plan. Click the link, read about it, and don’t forget that we're here to help you develop your marketing plan as well.

Everything Oregon small-business owners need to know about planning a comprehensive small-business marketing plan, from creating a SWOT analysis to goal-setting.

02/09/2026

Success Story - Luminare Press

When Patricia Marshall launched Press in 2011, she set out to empower authors with expert self-publishing services. As a solo entrepreneur with a small contractor team, she had the passion but needed support to grow. That’s when she turned to the SBDC and its Small Business Management (SBM) program.

With her adviser’s help, Patricia refined operations, improved financial systems, and developed a strategic growth plan. Over time, she expanded to a team of nine employees and a broad contractor network, scaling her services to meet national demand.

Now, with a new publishing imprint on the horizon, Patricia is preparing to increase her revenue, and the Lane SBDC is once again helping to guide the way.

Ready to grow your business with clarity and confidence? Connect with your local SBDC adviser: https://oregonsbdc.org/centers/.

02/09/2026

Happy National Pizza Day!

Did you know pizza isn’t just a fan favorite, it’s also big business?

The U.S. pizza industry brings in over $45 billion each year, with much of that success driven by locally owned small businesses. From neighborhood pizzerias to mobile pizza trucks, pizza is often a go-to starting point for new entrepreneurs thanks to simple menus, repeat customers, and smart margins.

Pizza businesses also remind us of a key small-business lesson: focus on what sells. Many pizzerias generate most of their revenue from just a few menu items. Proof that working smarter (not harder) really pays off.

Whether you’re dreaming of opening a food business or looking to grow the one you already have, the SBDC is here to help, from planning and pricing to permits and growth strategies. https://oregonsbdc.org/center/Tillamook-Bay-SBDC/

No matter how you slice it, small business is worth celebrating.