Apply Now!!

You have until October 22, 2016 and don't want to miss this chance!

USA Startup Competition on November 7, 2016

Here's a chance to pitch your business idea to win a prize package worth over $50,000! Everything from legal business set up and office space to PR support, the winner will have everything they need to establish their business in the U.S. On top of it all, the winner will be flown to New York to attend the U.S. Presidential Election with accommodations.

Are you interested in taking your business to the USA? Are you a European startup? Then this competition is for you!

Visit MyBusinessInUSA.com for more information and submit your application to be part of the USA Startup Competition. 

Visit the website and follow us on twitter for updates @GershonConsult.

#StartupForUSA

Glocalization 

Adapting Your Business to a New Market

Expanding internationally is something many companies want to do but do not know how. There are many options for international expansion and what works for one company may not necessarily work for another. In addition, just because your company is successful in its current market and country does not mean that it will be a success another country. So, when looking to take your business abroad, it is important to make sure that you conduct market research and learn about that country’s laws and regulations.

To get a better understanding of this, lets take the example of a successful chocolate company looking to expand into the United States. In the US, there are four main actors in this market (Hershey, Mars, Lindt and Nestle) that account for 89% of the total market value. You analyze these companies but still think that you offer something they don’t. Through your market research you also learn that the chocolate market experienced a 2.1% in volume and totals $19 Billion. Now you definitely want to enter this market. However, upon further research, you realize that the US FDA has high food safety regulations which means your company will be tied up trying to get FDA approved. Then, perhaps you realize that this market is very concentrated and it might not be that easy to just open a store and be a success.

So, how do you successfully expand into the United States?

If the market is concentrated by big corporations, like the four mentioned that are also global brands, you need to get creative. Look to see what the market is missing but people want and need- be innovative. Another option is partnership. Partner with an already established, large, successful brand. Offer your product to be paired with theirs; so, when people buy their product, they get something of yours as well. This builds brand awareness through a strong partnership with major brands. Or, for example, in your market research you find out that the global chocolate industry has rising demand but, by 2020, it’s expected to run out of cocoa… Perhaps your company grows its own cocoa beans, leverage that and help improve the cocoa supply. Maybe this is not exactly how you wanted to expand but, it is a way to get your company known and enter the US market.

It is important to remember that markets vary, especially when you’re expanding internationally. What works in your current market or country will not necessarily work in another. You may have to change your business model to be successful or change your product offerings. When expanding, make sure you do a thorough market analysis to learn the best mode of entry and minimize the risk of failure.

Reducing Risks In Your Health and Business

How fitness can help your health and business

In the United States, health and fitness becomes a larger focus every year. One industry that people are particularly attracted to is that of Pilates and Yoga studios. This industry represents over a $7 Billion market.

People who practice Pilates and Yoga not only attend classes but also buy merchandise. In fact, there are four types of customers in this industry: those who attend a studio, a non-studio program, pay for a broadcast of a program, and those that perform programs on their own. This expands the market for these types of businesses because they can also sell merchandise, equipment and supplements also allowing them to reach a wide variety of customers.

Pilates is a type of exercise that brings: body awareness, a stronger core, and body control. Yoga stretches your muscles to help you feel less stiff or tired, stress reliever, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and better immune system function

Due to these health benefits, the demand for Pilates and Yoga will continue to increase as awareness of the health benefits and consumer benefits increase.In addition, there are low entry barriers to this market and low federal regulations of the operation of these type of businesses.

Save the Date!!

November 7, 2016 

USA Startup Competition at the American Embassy in Paris.

#StartUpForUSA

Gershon Consulting, along with 10+ organizations, are coming together to hold a startup pitch competition for a prize unlike any other. Valued at over $50,000, the prize for the winning startup will provide all the necessary resources for a business entering the U.S. market. Any startup interested in participating in the competition can submit an application on MyBusinessInUSA.com from now until October 12th at 6 pm ECT. Ten contestants will be selected for the final competition and only one winner will be announced!

Be prepared to give your best pitch to our panel of judges, they will make the decision on who has what it takes to make it in the U.S. market. The winning startup will hop on a flight directly to New York City to attend the U.S. Presidential Election and start their journey to fulfill the American Dream!

For more information visit the website and follow us on twitter for updates @GershonConsult.

We can't wait to see what exciting ideas you have! 

Rapid Expansion in the Health Food Market

Shift Towards a More Health Conscious Lifestyle

In the United States, the specialty food market is worth over $8 Billion. In fact, over half of the American population consumes specialty foods. The consumer market for these products ranges greatly with 60% of the consumers being between 18-44 years old. However, there is a visible change in consumers and the millennials are becoming the largest customer segment.

Recent studies show that 31% of Americans snack more than they used to. This is a direct reflection of American’s love of convenience, living a busier lifestyle, packaging innovations, and expended distribution. This new customer segment of millennials are also shifting their concerns more and more towards being health conscious. What better way to address this health concern and increase in snaking than through specialty snack foods?

In the United States, there are high regulations and tax on junk-food. This hurts the competition and opens a window for convenient health foods. One problem that these specialty foods face is that they are expensive and, as a result, are mostly bought by upper-middle class families. However, the benefits outshine this price concern and people are showing a willingness to pay a higher price for a higher quality good.

Temporary Loophole To Getting A Visa?

Attorney Shares Insights Into Proposed New Immigration Law

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is issuing a proposed new rule that would give certain international entrepreneurs temporary permission to be in the U.S. to start or develop their business here. If the rule, called the International Entrepreneur Rule, becomes final, it would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use its discretionary authority on a case-by-case basis to give this benefit to entrepreneurs of startup entities whose stay in the U.S. would provide a significant public benefit through the substantial and demonstrated potential for rapid business growth and job creation.  To be eligible, the entrepreneur or enterprise will:

• Have a significant ownership interest in the startup (at least 15%), and have an active and central role to its operations;
• Was formed in the United States within the past three years; and
• Has substantial and demonstrated potential for rapid business growth and job creation, as shown by:

o  Receiving significant investment of capital (at least $345,000) from certain qualified U.S. investors with established records of successful investments;

o   Receiving significant awards or grants (at least $100,000) from certain federal, state, or local government entities; or

o  Partially satisfying one or both of the above criteria in addition to other reliable and compelling evidence of the startup entity’s substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation.

Under the proposed rule, entrepreneurs may be granted an initial stay of up to two years to oversee and grow their startup entity in the United States.  A subsequent request for up to three additional years would be considered only if the entrepreneur and the startup entity continue to provide a significant public benefit as evidenced by substantial increases in capital investment, revenue, or job creation.

Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted for 45 days, after which USCIS will address the comments received.  The rule will not take effect until such time as a final rule is published.

Note that there is no timeline for when the final rule may be published.  Sometimes it can take several years to get a final rule, although it is believed in this instance the Government would like to get it finalized prior to the November elections.  Given the requirement that the enterprise have been formed within three years of publication of the final rule, entrepreneurs may not want to rush to form companies until there is some better clarify from the Government on the timing of the final rule.

Note also, the discretionary temporary authority to remain is called “parole.”  In the U.S. immigration context, parole is not an actual “status” such as a visa would provide, but rather just “allowing” a person to be here.  That fact raises a question of what happens after the two or five years of investing in your business.  There does not appear to be a provision to convert the temporary stay into a permanent status.  No doubt, that will be one of the issues raised to the government during the comment period.  One of the challenges on that point is that creating a permanent status may require legislative action by the Congress.

For now, existing foreign enterprises that desire to open a branch or subsidiary in the U.S. should investigate whether they may qualify for an L or E visa.  Still, this is very good news and one solid step in a positive direction.

Barbara A. Marcouiller, Esquire, is an attorney in Bellevue, Washington with  23 years of experience in immigration  law, and a master’s degree in international business and economics.  She is a frequent speaker at immigration law seminars.

www.marcouillerlaw.com

Trump contre les Français?

Let’s talk about what has everyone’s attention across the world, the U.S. Presidential Election. You know the one, with Donald Trump running for president. In latest news the republican nominee has suggested an extreme limitation on immigration for those entering the U.S. from countries that have had a history of terrorism. Of those named was France. He proposes that this solution will protect the country until there are more secure vetting techniques. The land of the free, the land of opportunity! At least that’s what we thought. We all understand the immediate move to protect the people and the country from all of the horrendous things that are happening all over the world. The question is will this honestly help? Will turning away the hundreds and thousands of people that enter the U.S. help protect the nation?

Source: www.frenchmorning.com

What is your position? Does Donald Trump make a valid point? Let us know in the comments below.