Eights Steps to a Legitimate Business

According to some business experts, a recession is actually a great time to start a business. Sure, credit is tight and obtaining funding may be harder. But for many entrepreneurs with a dream, startup capital requirements are minimal, and other elements of the economic outlook are very favorable. So if you have a great business idea, get started with the following steps to making your dreams a reality!

Come up with a great name and register it at http://www.dat.state.md.us/.
Check licensing requirements at the local Clerk of the Circuit Court and http://www.blis.state.md.us/.
Verify your tax responsibilities for the business at http://www.marylandtaxes.com/.
Complete a business planning and tax planning course at http://www.taxdivas.com/.
Obtain an Employer Identification Number at http://www.irs.gov/.
Open a business checking account.
Order business cards.
Tell everyone about your services: in person, email, attend networking events and via social networking sites.

Bonus – Join us for Be Your Own Boss! on October 8, 2009 – Free registration at http://www.theboss.eventbrite.com/. You can be a winner in a friendly game of Business Treasure Hunting.

Tell us about your business and your plans for success.

Who Moved Your Cheese? It's time to milk your own cow!

Now May Be a Great Time to Start a Business

If You are Ready - The fear is part of the process...

If this economy has taught you anything.. you should know that you can only depend on yourself and that all smart people have at least two strong sources of revenue. The super smart (those untouched by the economy) have a least four sources. What are your sources?

Today more than ever may be a great time to start a business despite the economic downturn. In fact, current market conditions have created unique opportunities for those thinking about new business start-ups. For example, while home sales are down, there may be more of a need for services such as home improvement and interior decorating in order to increase the home's saleability.

Downsizing and layoffs has led to the availability of talented professionals who find themselves suddenly out of work. This presents an outstanding opportunity for these workers to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

On the flip side, even if you are blessed to be gainfully employed, now is a great time to consider starting a part-time business to supplement your full-time income and help you save even more for a rainy day.Having the tenacity, commitment and drive to develop a successful business can lead to more control over your long-term financial security and prosperity and your destiny.

Get Started Today!!! Join us for an upcoming event.

What scares you about starting a business?

BE YOUR OWN BOSS!

Does becoming your own boss sound especially tempting now, with jobs less secure and benefits being cut? Going against the tide and starting your own business in a recession not only lets you escape from the corporate grind, but it also can be easier than it would be during boom times. Here are five reasons to consider going solo now:

1. It enables you to have another stream of income and security in case of a layoff or reduction in work hours.
2. You set your own income and control how much you can earn.
3. The cost of failure right now to start a company or start something entrepreneurial is very low.
4. It is easier to find and build strategic partnerships. Remember Facebook and LinkedIn were started during the “dot.com depression”!
5. It is gratifying and provides job protection amid uncertainty.

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE THAT YOU NEED!

Back to School - 50+ Ways To Energize Your Business (Speed Dating – Social Networking?) Networking Event
When: Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Community Action Partnership; 251 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21404Early Bird Investment: $15
Pay only $10.00 today (enter summer as the coupon code)
Register at www.constantcontact4.eventbrite.com

The 18-Hour Strategic
Business Plan Course (6 Sessions)
When: Thursdays, October 1 – November 5, 2009 from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Strategic Economic Solutions, LLC
929 West Street, Suite 208C, Annapolis, MD 21401
Investment: Register by September 24 for the complete course and pay only $150.00.
Registration Fee after September 24 will be $195.
Register at www.sbplan3.eventbrite.com
Pay only $150.00 today and receive a free business tool

18-hour Planners - Plan Pitfalls

Greetings Planners,

Here are a few pitfalls to avoid when writing an effective 18-hour Strategic business plan.
· Leaving out values and vision: These can be powerful tools to inspire and motivate everyone involved with your company.
· Misreading your customers: Do the research necessary to understand what your customers want or need.
· Underestimating your competition: To stay ahead of the pack, you have to keep abreast of what your competitors are doing.
· Ignoring your own strengths: Effective business plans leverage the key strengths of the company and its staff.
· Overlooking your weaknesses: Failing to recognize and seek assistance for areas in your business that can derail your success.
· Failing to organize around the plan: To be useful, a business plan must act as a blueprint for how to manage and operate your company and be referenced often!
Source: Business Plan Kit for Dummies

Important Note: Please bring your business plan on July 24th so I can review and provide guidance if needed. Keep up the great work; you will see rewards!

18-hour Planners - Marketing Tools

Greetings Planners,

Great class this past Thursday! I am excited by your enthusiasm and encouragement of one another. Here are some often overlooked basic marketing tools that I hope you find beneficial when developing your marketing plan. The list goes on; feel free to add your favorites. Don’t underestimate the value of free tools such as social networking.

I also want to remind each of you to please register for the “Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)” free networking event on Monday, July 20th at http://www.byob2.eventbrite.com/. Come prepared to take that professional photo to accompany your Bio and/or to network. Enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Please note: Class will be held at Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, 2660 Riva Road, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD 21401-7305 on the 23rd. make sure that your partners know. Thanks. Thursday's class will be very helpful to getting the plan completed.

1. Traditional Business Cards
2. Written Brochures
3. Using Commercial Mailing Lists
4. Credit Card Sales
5. Banners and Signs
6. Saying Thank You
7. Design Your Own Calendar
8. Sponsor a Contest
9. Sponsor an Event
10. Donate Products or Services to Charity Auctions
11. Write Articles, A Column or Produce Newsletters
12. Send Your Newsletters to the Media
13. Join Your Chamber of Commerce, Service Organizations and Trade Associations
14. Sit on the Boards of Organizations and Associations
15. Take Them Out for Lunch
16. Volunteer
17. Teach a Class
18. Trade Shows
19. Get Testimonials
20. Community Involvement
21. Multicultural Marketing
22. 800 and 900 Phone Numbers
23. Bulletin Board Marketing
24. Coupons
25. Door Hangers
26. Send a Media Release
27. Host Your Own Radio Show
28. Be a Guest on TV and Radio Talk Shows
29. Write Letters to the Editor
30. Joint Venturing / Partnerships
Source: 101 Ways to Promote Yourself, Raleigh Pinskey

Link to upcoming events:
http://www.eventbrite.com/rss/user_list_events/105035135

18-hour Planners

Greetings Planners,

It was great seeing you all on Thursday. I hope that you will make some time to look over your homework and at least locate your NAICS at www.census.gov and use www.referenceusa.com (free through your public library), www.askusnow.info,www.dol.gov, or www.fedstats.gov to find out information about your industry to bring to class on Thursday. Also Google your competitors and check out their service/product offerings, Mission, and Vision statements.

Please post information about your business and your idea client on the Blog for the group. We have only 12 hours to go so stay committed to your plan. Assistance is mandatory to complete the plan in 18 hours so please plan accordingly. Feel free to bring your laptop to class.

Starting Thursday, we will be assisting (market research and business development session) a business owner at each class so feel free to volunteer for a Thursday and bring marketing collateral and samples.

Bring a calculator on Thursday because we will be crunching the numbers. Have a great week.

Shelia

Please visit www.byob2.eventbrite.com and register if you are available for networking.

Getting Cients Now and Later! WEB Group

Greetings Prosper Partners,

I hope that you all are finding success with the Getting Clients Now and Later Program. It only works if you work it. I have scheduled a final meeting for July 7th at WEB from 1:00 – 2:30 pm (bring a bag lunch) to help make the next program better for you. Let’s start a new program on Monday the 6th and then when we meet we can discuss and perfect it.

Please send a comment to the Blog at www.workthatplan.blogspot.com regarding any business needs or concerns that the group may be able to assist you with on Tuesday. Please sign up at www.gcn707.eventbrite.com so that I may plan accordingly. If you are unable to attend, please make plans to get with your boardroom buddies. Special thanks to the participants who posted to the Blog.

Everyone present should be prepared to provide three marketing/business development tips to the group. Feel free to stay at WEB and work on your business that day or arrive early and complete your 28 day worksheet. I look forward to seeing you all.

Congratulations to the recent WEB graduates.

Save the date, June 20, 2009; Be Your Own Boss Networking event. Free registration at www.byob2.eventbrite.com.

Take care. Shelia

Confidence, commitment, and cash flow go hand in hand.