How our business spent $100,000

Hi all, I'm the editor of Report on Small Business. We'll get started at 1 pm ET, but you can now leave questions in advance.

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 5:41:14 PM
Before we get started, have a look at our video on Sandberg Labs.Agricultural testing lab's $100,000 makeover

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 5:55:56 PM
Good afternoon.

by Lynda Kavanagh, WOW... 2/29/2012 5:58:39 PM
Hi Linda. We'll get started in about two minutes. Thanks for joining us today.

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 5:59:00 PM
Hello!

by Angela Quinton 2/29/2012 5:59:23 PM
Hello everyone

by Justin Quinton 2/29/2012 5:59:27 PM
Why don't we begin with Justin and Angela outlining their roles at Sandberg Labs, and Lynda maybe you could outline what your role involves.

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:01:21 PM
Hello folks! Nice Article!!!

by Bruce Thurston 2/29/2012 6:01:40 PM
I am basically in charge of HR, the administrative side of the business and I can also be found in the lab from time to time helping out the techs.

by Angela Quinton 2/29/2012 6:02:54 PM
Hi Bruce, now that you've read the piece perhaps you could chime in on whether you think the way Sandberg has spent the money was an effective use of funds.

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:02:57 PM
As a small business owner, I wear many hats which include IT, consulting customers, purchasing, among others

by Justin Quinton 2/29/2012 6:03:21 PM
Hi Angela, so what do the 'techs' do exactly? Might be good for you to briefly explain what your business does.

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:03:36 PM
Recognizing that the equipment that Sandberg was using was "outdated" in order to build their capacity the equipment is playing a pivotal role.

by Bruce Thurston 2/29/2012 6:03:48 PM
Justin, you left the corporate world to join Angela in this venture. Has it been a big change, culture-wise for you?

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:04:16 PM
I was brought in through BDC to help with Marketing, Social Media development and website analysis.

by Lynda Kavanagh 2/29/2012 6:04:28 PM
Bruce do you have a working relationship with Sandberg, or did you provide an outsider perspective for Judy's article?

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:05:21 PM
We do agricultural testing which includes soil, water, feed and seeds. When I am in the lab I am mostly helping out the guys on the soil side, weighing out samples, setting up extractions etc.

by Angela Quinton 2/29/2012 6:05:23 PM
Hi Lynda. For the benefit of other business owners, how did BDC broker this relationship? Can others take advantage of the process?

by Sean Stanleigh 2/29/2012 6:06:13 PM
I was contracted by BDC to provide a business perspective to these two entrepreneurs. They are a very unique couple and have a great background.

by Bruce Thurston 2/29/2012 6:06:28 PM
When I worked at Cisco I working in a cutting edge group. I lead a segment that did the roadmap planning for the entire electronics backplane industry, so to go to a very low tech company was a big shift. However, it was able to learn tools in the corporate side to transform this lab

by Justin Quinton 2/29/2012 6:06:39 PM

How our business spent $100,000

Founders of Sandberg Labs were armed with a contest win and some expert advice