Do you have an idea for a great new patentable product and trademark? Of course you do – you’re reading this newsletter, after all. But do you know how to commercialize your product and trademark; that is, how to turn your ideas into money?
Before you can make money with your ideas, you must learn how. A great place to start is one of the eighteen Small Business Development Centers (‘SBDC’) located in Pennsylvania. These are publicly-supported resources for entrepreneurs where you can receive free one-on-one counseling on starting and running your business. The SBDCs also offer a variety of classes covering topics such as preparing a business plan, doing business overseas, doing business with the federal government, marketing on the Internet, managing your time and providing other practical information for persons starting and running a business.
If you are located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, our local SBDC’s are the Widener University Small Business Development Center, the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and the Wharton Small Business Development Center located at the University of Pennsylvania. Costs, services and general atmosphere differ among the SBDCs, but with three SBDCs to choose from, you can find local resources with whom you are comfortable and that are a good fit with you and your business.
Other local resources also are available. Delaware County SCORE, funded by the Small Business Administration and private donations, provides free online or in-person counseling with volunteer retired business persons. Other chapters of SCORE as scattered across the country. The Delaware County Commerce Center, an arm of Delaware County government, can help with property acquisition and business location issues in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners is a sources of venture capital seed funding for new companies and new products. Of course, we at Lipton, Weinberger & Husick are here for all your intellectual property and business law needs.
— Robert Yarbrough, Esq.