YCDC Supports Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners With Small Business Insights through SizeUp York County

Small businesses play a significant role in the York County, Nebraska economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 56.6% of all companies across the county have fewer than five employees. The majority of businesses have either a handful of workers or are run by solopreneurs. Not only do entrepreneurs become job creators, but they also create vacancies in larger companies that other residents can fill.

“Small business owners and entrepreneurs are a sign that York County is thriving,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of the York County Development Corporation (YCDC). “Our local ecosystem is packed with people turning unique ideas into business plans that support the residents and other companies in the area.”

YCDC plans several events throughout the year and invests in digital tools to help small business owners thrive. One set of tools that is always accessible is the Small Business Analytics SizeUp York County tool, which provides valuable insights that can guide your decision-making processes. Learn more about this technology and how to get the most from it.  

Step One: Tell Us About Yourself

The SizeUp tools can be found under the business drop-down of the YCDC website. They are completely free to use and available whenever you need them. You have the opportunity to set up an account to come back to your data, or to use as a guest. Before you start comparing your business to others in your industry, we ask you to complete a quick demographic survey. It takes less than 30 seconds to answer whether your business is expected to grow in the future and if you have any plans to relocate to or from York County.

This demographic data helps our team at YCDC better understand who uses our SizeUp tools. We can also use the information to create relevant networking events and educational opportunities for small business owners in the region.

“Our job is to be responsive to the needs of small business owners,” says Hurley. “We provide value to the community when we identify their pain points and provide resources and solutions to overcome them.” 

Step Two: See How You Size Up

Once you complete the demographic survey, you can access the SizeUp tools. You have the option of inputting information about your business into the system or exploring customer and competitor trends in York County and beyond. For example, you can get to know the demographics of the region and filter consumers by age, gender, employment, housing, and education level.  

SizeUp enables small business owners to find the metrics they need by sorting information into four distinct categories:

• My Business: share information about your company and see how it compares regionally, statewide, and nationally. 
• Competitors: learn who you are competing against and discover potential customers and suppliers who you can work with.
• Advertising: identify target groups to market to with detailed filters to find your ideal audience. 
• Demographics: get to know the customer base in York County so your messaging reaches the right people.

These insights are valuable for entrepreneurs who have lived in York County for years along with businesses considering an expansion into the area. SizeUp provides free market research and comparison tools that would otherwise be costly to invest in.

If you have a hard time with the SizeUp pages, you can join an Open House to learn more and ask questions. There is a link for these on the website. 

Step Three: Take Action Based on These Insights

The best business insights are the ones you apply to your operations. SizeUp is a great jumping-off point for research that can guide your decision-making and strategic planning. Whether you adjust your marketing efforts or reach out to potential new suppliers, watch how your business grows with this invaluable information.

“Starting a business is risky and stressful, but can be exceptionally rewarding,” says Hurley. “If we can help York County entrepreneurs make better decisions and feel more confident in their work, then we will make a difference in the community.”

York County is in a period of growth, so your SizeUp metrics might change over time. You can sign into your SizeUp account and save your reports and custom insights so you don’t have to adjust them whenever you return to this tool. SizeUp and YCDC can be valuable partners as you expand from a solopreneur business into larger operations.  

Become a Member and Join the Business Directory  

YCDC provides multiple opportunities for business owners to network, promote their brands, and learn throughout the year. Become a member so you can take advantage of everything this organization has to offer. We will feature your company in our business directory so potential customers can discover your organization and reach out to hire you. Invest in your business by joining YCDC.

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