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| In the Client Corner |
Chef Annmarie of Chesapeake Cuisine
Annmarie Morgan started her personal chef business, Chesapeake Cuisine, in 2008. As a personal chef, she helps busy individuals and working families enjoy tasty nutritious home- cooked meals. She handles the menu planning and grocery shopping and then prepares a week's worth of dinners at the client's home. They are packaged and ready to go for any night of the week, so that the client can enjoy well-prepared, delicious food without giving up nutrition and quality.
"Working with the SBDC has allowed me to network with other small business owners and develop contacts within the local business community. It gives me a chance to promote my business, while also utilizing other local businesses for the support services I need. Knowing that a supportive, mentoring organization like SBDC is there if I need it, has been very reassuring."
Annmarie Morgan's contact information is:
Chesapeak Cuisine
www.chesapeakecuisine.net
(240) 237-0835 | |
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| FREE Seminar: Get Your Retail Store or Restaurant in Best Shape to Survive a Down Economy |
 The Capital Region SBDC and the City of College Park present this excellent workshop on how to survive the current tough economy.
When: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Where: 7100 Baltimore Ave.,
4th Floor, College Park, MD
Cost: FREE
Deadline: Pre-registration required by December 7, 2009
You will learn how to:
- Reexamine business priorities and best practices relative to changing
consumption patterns.
- Set the stage for performance through visual merchandising and
layout marketing.
- Reassess opportunities with a focus on financial and operational issues.
For details/registration: Training Section at www.capitalsbdc.umd.edu or contact training@mdsbdc.umd.edu or 301-403-0501, ext. 11. |
| Small Business Survival Resources |
Several online resources have recently become available to offer small business assistance during these challenging economic times. One is Business Tools for Tough Times, sponsored by the Calvert County Department of Economic Development and featured on their ecalvert.com website. It includes free online resources that may help local businesses analyze their current business situation, conduct confidential check-ups and/or find information that can assist in getting their business back on track.
- Lead Your Company Through an Economic Slowdown
- Small Businesses Can Face Economic Cycles With Confidence
- Prospering During an Economic Downturn
Survival Tips for Managing an Economic Downturn
- How to Pay Business Debts You Can't Afford
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| Tax Relief for Businesses: Increase in Elective NOL Carryback Period |
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Under the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama on November 6, 2009, taxpayers may elect to carry back net operating losses (NOL) arising in a 2008 or 2009 tax year for up to 5 years. A similar election was created for certain small business taxpayers as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) but was only available to taxpayers with gross receipts averaging $15 million or less over a 3-year period. Prior to the new legislation, net operating losses generally could be carried back only 2 years.
The new legislation applies to net operating losses of a taxpayer for any taxable year ending after December 31, 2007, and beginning before January 1, 2010. The carryback election, however, may be made only with respect to one taxable year within such period. An eligible small business that previously made a carryback election under EESA may also make a carryback election under the new legislation. As a result, an eligible small business taxpayer may have a carryback election with respect to two separate taxable years, due to the overlap between EESA and the new legislation. Read more. | |
| Women's Business Roundtable a Huge Success |
Some of the attendees at the SBDC's most recent Women's Business Roundtable
Fourteen Business women from all three Southern Maryland counties gathered for the Small Business Development Center's Women's Business Roundtable at the St. Mary's Chamber of Commerce. The theme was "Social Marketing" and a panel of four women presented information on Facebook, Autoresponders, Twitter, and Constant Contact. There were many questions from the audience and everyone took away valuable ideas for marketing and expanding their database of customers. There was also an an opportunity to network and talk about their businesses. Everyone agreed to meet again in February 2010 with the theme of "Goal Setting." All women in business are invited to attend the Roundtables. For more information, contact Linda Craven at lindacr@csmd.edu. |
| Is Your Shop Ready for the Holiday Season? |
 This holiday season, you will be seeing many loyal customers again, and many new customers for the first time. The way you operate your business, and the atmosphere and professionalism that it projects, during this time of year can have significant impact on its success in the coming year. Now is the time to polish every aspect of your operation, and make sure that any seasonal staff know what you, and your holiday customers, expect.
How does my shop look to the first time Holiday Guest? Click here for a checklist. |
| Upcoming SBDC Workshops |
The SBDC course schedule includes many useful classes such as...
- Building a Successful Business Plan
- Financing Your Small Business
- QuickBooks
- Legal and Records Management
...and are offered at CSM's locations in La Plata, Lexington Park and Prince Frederick.
For a complete listing of courses, descriptions and fees, click here. To register, call the SBDC main office at 301-934-7583. | |
