"Non-Profit of the Year"
by Huntsville-Madison County Chamber - 2007
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Women's Business Center of North Alabama Newsletter
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June Lunch and Learn
Overview of SBA Lending Programs
Speaker: LD Ralph, Small Business Administration (SBA)
Friday, June 19
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Overview of SBA Lending Programs: The SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses. They have been specifically designed to meet a business's key financing needs including the need for debt financing (loans), equity financing (investment/seed money), and surety bonds. (SBA does not provide grant funds to finance small businesses). L.D. Ralph will give an overview of the SBA financial assistance programs and discuss how these programs will be affected by Economic Stimulus Package. The cost of the Lunch & Learn is $20 for WBCNA clients and Huntsville-Madison County Chamber members and $25 for all others. Reservations are required online at our calendar at www.wbcna.org or by calling WBCNA at 256-535-2038. WBCNA clients and Chamber Members, please call prior to registration to receive your discount code.
Important Note: Lunch registrations and/or cancellations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday before the Lunch and Learn. If you are unable to attend and do not cancel by the deadline, you will be billed.
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SAVE THE DATE!!
 THE EVENT OF THE YEAR
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
MICHAEL GERBER IS
COMING TO HUNTSVILLE!!!
Michael E. Gerber is the founder of E-Myth Worldwide, the coaching, training and education firm he created in 1977 to transform the development of small businesses worldwide. Now approaching its 32nd year, Michael's extraordinary work has achieved stunning results by transforming more than 65,000 businesses in over 145 countries, translated in 29 languages and used in 118 universities in the world.
Gerber is the author of 13 business books, including the mega-bestseller The E-Myth Revisited - Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. His revolutionary perspective has become the gold standard for small business development throughout the world, becoming what INC Magazine calls: "The World's #1 small business guru," and one of Business Week's bestselling authors of past decades. Gerber's passion and genius for understanding the plight of the individual entrepreneur is the crux of his tremendous appeal and success, and has formed the core value of his brand as it has evolved over three decades. Indeed, the unique ability of Michael E. Gerber's perspective to lead broken business operators as they overcome their "entrepreneurial seizure" and begin to work ON their business, not IN it, is the very heart of the small business revolution he has driven.
More information is coming. Go to www.wbcna.org and check it often for details!
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| An Open Letter from the
SBA Office of the Administrator
about The Affordable Care Act 
Dear Small Business Owner,
For decades, access to affordable health insurance has been the number-one concern of small business owners. To help you address that concern and provide quality, affordable coverage for your employees, the new Affordable Care Act gives you a number of new tools and benefits.
The most immediate benefit you should know about is the tax credit to help you pay for up to 35 percent of your employee premiums starting this tax year. An estimated 4 million small businesses may qualify for these tax credits, totaling about $40 billion over the next 10 years. Go here to learn more about the tax credit, including new information that explains how this federal credit is in addition to state-level credits you might receive and how dental and vision coverage are also eligible for the federal credit.
The Affordable Care Act also included reporting requirements if you pay another business $600 or more starting with 2013 filings. Small business groups have voiced concerns about the possible burden this places on people like you. That's why the IRS is already planning to exempt from this requirement your transactions that use credit and debit cards. Also, the IRS, SBA and others in the Administration are looking for additional ways to minimize burdens and avoid duplicative reporting. We welcome your comments and input as we move forward together to address implementation issues under the new law.
Over the last 16 months, this Administration has taken steps to provide tax relief that put more money in the hands of small business owners like you - including write-offs for new equipment, credits for hiring unemployed workers and capital gains exclusions for small business investors. We know that sensible tax relief like this will help you grow your business, create new jobs, and continue drive America's economic recovery.
With warm regards,
Karen Mills
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Entrepreneurs Book Club
 Benjamin Franklin said "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest" and we firmly believe that. So to promote knowledge and to help you grow as an entrepreneur, we have started a book club this year.
We just finished reading "E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber. Our discussion of the book on May 11 was lively and fun, and the surprise and honor of being able to meet Mr. Gerber was INCREDIBLE! This is a can't miss book that every business owner should not only read, but own!
Our next book will be "Everything I Know About Business, I Learned From my Mama," by local author and serial entrepreneur Tim Knox.
We will read one book every eight weeks and then meet at the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library to discuss the book, and sometimes even meet the author. It will be great fun and we are looking forward to growing and learning with you.
Schedule
May-June 2010: "Everything I Know About Business, I Learned From my Mama," Tim Knox
July-August 2010: "Developing the Leaders Around You," John C. Maxwell |
Try Out Training Course Through Women Accessing Capital Group This Month
Training 255 - Financing Your Business: Conventional Financing v. Investor Cash
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:00pm ET/ 12:00pm PT -
Business owners who are looking for an outside cash infusion into their business must understand the pros and cons of conventional financing v. investor cash.
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Although it may seem like a good idea to avoid debt by finding an investor who will exchange cash for stock in the business, there are federal and state securities issues as well as the problem of dealing with a minority shareholder in your business.
Course Instructor: Lucy Benham, Attorney-at-Law, Lucy R. Benham PLLC. Participants must be WIPP dues-paying members.
Training 111 - Putting Your Business in Order: Increasing Profitability Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT
Get your business in financial shape. We'll discuss how to: -
Focus on the best customers for your business
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Rethink your marketing tactics to deliver higher return on investment
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Rework pricing and discounts to bring in more cash
Course Instructor: Mary Ellen Hickman, Brand Management and Marketing Strategy, Hickman Consulting Partners, LLC
QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica Davis, WIPP Program Specialist, at jdavis@wipp.org or (415) 434-4314.
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The WBCNA Still Needs You!
The WBCNA needs volunteers. We are currently overwhelmed with demand for our services (which is a good thing). If you are interested in giving back to our community and helping the Women's Business Center, here are some ways you can do it: - Administrative Support
- Business Plan Review
- Michael Gerber Event (September 15, 2010)
- FastTrac Business Coach
- NEW! Business Coaches
For every two hours of volunteer time, we will provide a $25 gift certificate to use toward WBCNA workshops (one per workshop; excludes Lunch and Learn).
Call Stephanie or Jennifer at 535-2038 if you are interested and want to know more about how YOU can make a difference!
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Volunteers Needed to be a Business Coaches
Requesting volunteer business coaches who have experience in starting and growing a non-profit organization. It has been a challenged to meet with all our non-profit clients. Will you be the one to help us in this area?
For every two hours of volunteer time, we will provide a $25 gift certificate to use toward WBCNA workshops (one per workshop; excludes Lunch and Learn).
Call Stephanie or Jennifer at 535-2038 if you are interested and want to know more about how YOU can make a difference!
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QUICK LINKS
WBCNA Services
More About Us
About our Training
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UPCOMING WBCNA EVENTSAND WORKSHOPS
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HUNTSVILLE
-----------------------------------MORGAN COUNTY
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NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKSHOPS ACROSS
NORTH ALABAMA
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MADISON COUNTY
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GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE CENTER (GPAC)
GPAC offers services to the growing number of small businesses that want to do business with the government.
Services offered include:
-One-on-one individualized coaching
- CCR registration assistance
- NAICS Codes identification
- Online training
- Certifications (8a, HUBZone, MBE, WBE, DBE)
- Networking opportunities and business matchmaking
- Assistance with Capabilities Statement development and review
- Identification of Small Business Specialists (government and prime)
- Website resources for small businesses
- Identification of business opportunities and bid match assistance
Training is a major component of the GPAC. Workshops on the following topics will be among those offered throughout the year:
If you would like more information on the GPAC and doing business with the government, call 535-2038.
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GPAC OPPORTUNITIES |
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WHO IS A WBCNA CLIENT?
Our clients are women and men in North Alabama who want to start or grow a business.
Our clients are our most important stakeholders.
Our clients are not dependent on us; we are dependent on them.
Our clients are not an interruption of our work; they are the reason for it.
We are not doing our clients a favor by serving them; they are doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to serve them.
Adapted from the words of Mahatma Gandhi
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Stephanie Sellers at WBCNA, 225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, or by phone at 256-535-2038 or email info@wbcna.org
 The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organizations high standards of ethical business behavior.The BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability Reports, charity BBB"Wise Giving" Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust,the BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints.
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Want Free Press for your Small Business?
 Here's one way to do it!
WAFF Channel 48 is offering an opportunity for you to showcase your business for FREE! Just call 533-4848 to schedule your Business Break interview. The shows airs between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m You get to choose 5 questions that you would like to be asked during the 2-minute interview.
Please note: This will not air on the noon news, which is reserved for community activities.
Want Free Press? Here's another way to do it!
Have you received WBCNA counseling that has been helpful to you?
Have you attended a WBCNA workshop that you found beneficial?
If your answer is yes to either of these questions, we want to showcase you on our home page. Client photos and testimonials are rotated continuously at the top of the WBCNA home page. Just send us a photo and short testimonial and we'll add it to our rotation.
Want Free Press? Here's yet another way to do it!
When is the last time you submitted a Press Release to the local media? Did you know you can get free press when something "newsworthy" happens with your business; i.e., hiring new employees, getting a new contract awarded, etc. Don't know how to write a Press Release. No problem. Just go to the Resources page on our website and go to the "How To" section, and you will find "How to Write a Press Release." If you need help, just call the office and schedule an appointment with a business coach. Why not---it's free!
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IT Implications of Health Care Reform
Source: Input Industry ReportThe recently passed health care reform legislation will require significant investments in IT solutions throughout its implementation. INPUT's IT Implications of Health Care Reform report analyzes the underlying requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and subsequent Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act to help government contractors and traditional IT vendors in anticipating opportunities across multiple agencies that are likely to occur through 2015: - Internal Revenue Service - $2.5 billion for eligibility determination, documentation, and verification processes for premium and cost-sharing subsidies
- Health and Human Services - $1.8 billion for changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and related systems, and to implement other legislative mandates
- States - $2 billion in startup costs to implement health insurance exchanges
INPUT analysts predict more than $5 billion in health IT and traditional IT solutions being infused into federal, state, and local government markets, and identified potential areas of opportunity in four categories: Health IT (e.g., electronic health records and clinical decision support systems) Medical Technology (e.g., diagnostic equipment and imaging hardware/software) IT in the Business of Health Care (e.g., billing systems, case management, and document management) IT for Health Care Reform Management (e.g., Web portals and IT infrastructure for new organizations)
To gain a better understanding of how this report can empower your business development, download a Free Report Summary and register for INPUT's IT Implications of Health Care Reform Webinar, led by analyst Angie Petty, on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, that will examine the trends, drivers and growth trajectory for health care reform technology solutions. |
Why Are Women-Owned Firms Smaller Than Men-Owned Ones?
By SHARON G. HADARY
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
The phenomenal growth of women-owned businesses has made headlines for three decades-women consistently have been launching new enterprises at twice the rate of men, and their growth rates of employment and revenue have outpaced the economy.
So, it is dismaying to see that, despite all this progress, on average, women-owned business are still small compared with businesses owned by men. And while the gap has narrowed, as of 2008-the latest year for which numbers are available-the average revenues of majority women-owned businesses were still only 27% of the average of majority men-owned businesses.
There are those who will say that these numbers substantiate what they always knew: Women just don't have what it takes to start and run a substantial, growing business. But I don't buy that: More than a quarter of a million women in the U.S. own and lead businesses with annual revenue topping $1 million-and many of these businesses are multimillion-dollar enterprises. Clearly, many women have the vision, capacity and perseverance to build thriving companies.
So what's holding back so many women business owners?
I have spent decades conducting research, studying the data and interacting with all the players involved-entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, bankers and others. And I am convinced that the problem is twofold. First, you have women's own self-limiting views of themselves, their businesses and the opportunities available to them. But equally problematic are the stereotypes, perceptions and expectations of business and government leaders.
Understand: I'm not arguing that all entrepreneurs, all bankers, all policy makers are guilty of such limited thinking. But I've talked to enough of them, and studied enough of the research, to know that these problems are pervasive, and they are having a big impact-on both individual entrepreneurs and in turn on the health of the overall economy.
In that spirit, here's a closer look at how I believe these factors are preventing so many women entrepreneurs from fulfilling their potential-and what can be done to prepare them to accelerate business growth.
Read More ... |
Talk Radio Show for Entrepreneurs
Every Tuesday on Your Morning Drive
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.   Two Tennessee Valley radio signals have returned to the air --- WTKI (1450 AM) Huntsville and WEKI (1490 AM) Decatur are back with a business-slanted format they call "Talk Radio for Real Life." Each week's hour-long program will focus on a topic of interest to small businesses. Subject matter experts and entrepreneurs will be invited as guests to provide useful information and share their stories with listeners. Our guests will take calls to answer any questions on the topic. A WBCNA client or small business owner will also be invited to the studio each week to inform listeners about their products or services. If you would like to come on the air, please contact the WBCNA at 256-535-2038. There is a small fee for participation. |
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Important change to HUBZone regulations
New rule relative to HubZone as of May 3rd: Employee is counted whether part time of full time is the have at least 40 hours/month. If the employee does not work 40 hours per month, then whatever # of employees it takes to get 40 hours will count as one employee.
The new rule is effective May 3rd. If the application was submitted prior to that date, the old rule applies and it is an employee that works at least 30 hours per week.
Click here to see the document that clarifies the new rule. |
2010 Women In Defense National Fall Conference
At the Women In Defense National Fall Conference, senior-level government and industry leaders will address national security topics you should know and understand.
You can gain information to help you: - understand important national security issues in such areas as the defense budget, the Quadrennial Defense Review, legislation, management, and more
- learn from women who have succeeded in challenging industry, political, and government positions,
- network in an inclusive environment,
- make contacts for your business and your professional growth.
Join us at the WID 25th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the October 5th Annual Dinner.
Join us on October 5-6, 2010 at The Renaissance Mayflower Hotel for networking and professional development to aid you in your career and your organization in achieving its mission.
When: October 5-6, 2010 Where: Renaissance Mayflower Hotel 1127 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, DC 20036
Questions? Please contact Julie Veldkamp, Meeting Planner at jveldkamp@ndia.org, (703)247-2577 |
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