This week in BiS:
• Renting your home to vacationers has become a growth industry across the country, and Savannah has joined the movement.
• Cindy McManus, who’s the practice manager at Banfield Pet Hospital, did human medicine for a decade but made a change because she loves animals.
• Evelyn Johnson opened Johnson’s Used Furniture because she wanted to do something to help the community during a down economy.
• Attorney and maritime specialist Colin McRae reminds us that when things go wrong on the water, the law can be different than it is on land.
• Kyle Hensel, with the Savannah office of the Small Business Development Center, suggests a website can be more than just a brochure and shopping cart for your company.
New date for State of Small Business forum
Savannah SCORE has moved its “State of Small Business” forum to May 30. The free conference was originally scheduled for May 23.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the community room on the lower level of Savannah Mall. Reports will be issued by 13 area experts who will have three minutes each to present their information on measurable benchmarks relating to the Savannah-area small business community.
The State of Small Business is expected to become an annual event.
Savannah Morning News columnist Bill Dawers will moderate the panel and lead the question-and-answer session.
RSVP online at www.savannah.score.org or call SCORE at 912-652-4335.
Jersey Mike’s opens in Statesboro
STATESBORO — Jersey Mike’s Subs will officially open its doors at 721 S. Main St. in Statesboro today. Franchise owner Chris Brown will hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser through Sunday to support Statesboro High School football.
The new restaurant will circulate 7,500 coupons offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to Statesboro High School football.
“We are hopeful that through our five-day fundraiser we will be able to raise enough money to help the team buy much needed new helmets for the upcoming season,” Brown said.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call 912-243-9066.
Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike’s opened 92 new restaurants nationwide in 2012.
VIP Furniture’s government contract extended
HINESVILLE — The U.S. General Services Administration has notified VIP Office Furniture & Supply that its contract to supply furniture and other items to the federal government has been extended to July 27, 2018.
“While the federal government encourages small business participation for government contracts, their decisions too often are detrimental to small business,” said Barbara Pilkinton, president of VIP Office Furniture & Supply. “We’re pleased at the choice made for this renewal that enables us to continue to provide our products and services to the federal government and remain competitive.”
VIP Office Furniture represents more than 100 lines of furniture, many on GSA contracts.
VIP was formed in 1975 and has grown into a 26,000-square-foot complex with more than 30 sales representatives and administrative staff.