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Give to BSC in Campaign
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Please consider making a charitable donation to the Business Solutions Center as part of the EI&U Expect Greatness campaign.
Your gift will help:
- send a student to Camp e3
- provide free and confidential counseling to start-ups, existing businesses and nonprofits
- offer low-cost training to help organizations succeed
- support Junior Achievement and other youth e-education including the creation of high school e-classes.
- grow our own entrepreneurs that will create jobs and sustain the economic vitality in the region
For employees who wish to have their support deducted through payroll deduction, please click here for the form. If you are not an employee of EIU, but would like to have the convenience of electronic funds transfer (EFT), please download this form. Please make sure that you specify the Business Solutions Center as your gift's designated recipient on these forms.
Of course there is the option of online giving at our donation website. Regardless of which way you wish to support the Business Solutions Center, we thank all of our current and future Partners. |
| Platinum Partners |
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation
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| Silver Partners | |
Agracel
City of Charleston
City of Paris
East Central Illinois Development Corporation
Effingham County Board
First Bank of Paris
First Neighbor Bank
Journal Gazette/Times Courier
Karen Wolters, Ignite, USA
Schultz Investment Company
U.S. Bank |
| Other Partners | |
Annie Hernandez
Bob and Nancy Williams
Bob Webb
Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce
Citizens National Bank
Eastern Illinois Education for Employment Systems
Fifth Third Bank
First National Bank of Dieterich
Flesor Family Confectionary, Inc.
Frank and Cathy Brummer
Gary Henigman
Gilbert, Metzger & Madigan LLP
Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In Memory of Jack Clifford
Jasper County Economic Development Cooperative
McDonalds of Coles County
Paul Ruff
SCH Consulting
State Bank of Arthur
Todd Vilardo
Tuscola National Bank
Vantage Outsourcing
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Entrepreneurial Endeavors |
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Greetings!
Malcolm Gladwell, in his best selling book, Outliers: The Story of Success, explores why some folks are wildly successful in their field and others are not. Two really hit home for me. First, success is not usually achieved by the most talented, but by the most hardworking individual. He has established the 10,000 hour rule that states, "The key to success in any field, is to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours."
Second, he concludes that no-one is a "self-made man". Invariably successful people have had hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities that allow them to learn, work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot.
He uses Bill Gates of Microsoft as a prime example. Bill had the good fortune of having a computer club in his junior high school in 1968. Yes, 1968! Computerization of small businesses didn't happen for another ten to fifteen years. Engaged parents asked a corporation to donate their used computer to start this club.
Another lucky advantage Bill had was that he lived in a university town. As a teenager in high school, Bill would sneak out of bed at night, pretend to be a college student and sign up for computer time between 3 -5 am in the morning because that was the only time the true college students weren't using them. He was well on his way to racking up his 10,000 hours in computing when opportunity came knocking a few years later.
Let's fast forward a few years. Bill moved his fledging start-up from Albuquerque, New Mexico back to his hometown of Seattle, Washington for family support and to tap into his father's business connections which helped take Microsoft public. This expansion created thousands of jobs and hundreds of millionaires for Seattle and raised the standard of living for the area.
I'm sure all of the counties in Central Illinois would love to have an economic success like Microsoft. What can we do to make it happen? I would strongly suggest investing in the Coles County Entrepreneurship Class and the Effingham County CEO class. By supporting these yearlong classes, you:
- start students on their 10,000 hour quest for entrepreneurial excellence
- give them hands-on learning time with local businesses
- provide an environment to promote networking and mentoring
- promote an atmosphere of out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving
To make the Coles County E-class a reality for the fall of 2012, we need 50 businesses or individuals to invest $1,000 per year of 3 years. We need to have most of the pledges by Labor Day. Help us reach our goal and support the economic vitality of Coles County.
Click here for an interview with Malcolm Gladwell, the 10,000 hour rule and community self help.
In service to our communities,
Jeanne C. Dau
Director
Business Solutions Center
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Eastern Illinois University |
Success Story - Heartland Health Foods
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On July 18th, 2011, SCORE and BSC client Joe Cooper opened his new business, Heartland Health Foods, located in Evergreen Plaza in Effingham. Before his retirement in May, SCORE Counselor and EIU Business Professor, Dave Arseneau and fellow SCORE Counselor Alex Cler worked with Joe for over a year. Since that time BSC/SCORE Counselor Stan Thurman has assisted in the realization of Joe's dream of opening his own business. All counselors lauded Joe for his unwavering resolve to achieve his dream. Heartland Health Foods, specializes in high-quality dietary products that promote and maintain a healthy, vital lifestyle. A wide selection of foods, beverages, vitamins & supplements, including gluten-free and organic products are available at Heartland Health Foods. Joe Cooper's mission is to offer fibrous, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, naturally sweetened, organic/natural and otherwise cleaner foods for his health-conscious clientele, while also providing exceptional service and education that exceeds the customer's expectations. "A healthy, happy lifestyle begins with proper nutrition," Cooper said. "Our goal will always be to provide our guests with the education, information and products that empower them to lead and enjoy productive, healthy lives."
The store hours are Sunday-Friday, 9am-7pm and 8:30-10pm on Saturday evenings. Their phone number is 342-1200. Join them on Facebook;" heartland-health-foods". |
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"How to Start A Business" Class
This program will cover key concepts that must be considered before beginning any business. $25/person - $35/couple
Charleston Monday, Sept. 12th
5:30-8:30 pm
Charleston Carnegie Public Library - Rotary Room
712 Sixth St.
Charleston, IL
Effingham
Wednesday, Oct. 26th
6-9 pm
Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
903 North Keller Drive
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David Saunders of Neoga and Landriah
Hardiek of Dieterich have fun creating a product from recyclable products at Camp e3. |
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Effingham County Jr. High E-club Starts Sept 8th |
All 7th and 8th grade students in Effingham County are welcome to join the fun at the first Entrepreneurship Club meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8th from 3:30 - 5 pm at Effingham Junior High School, 600 S. Henrietta St. The Business Solutions Center is sponsoring this program that will meet ten weeks in the fall and spring on Thursday afternoons. Thanks to Mr. Josh Robison, EJHS teacher, Susan Hanfland, SCH Consulting, and EIU student and former Camp e3 and CEO class graduate Allison Donsbach for helping facilitate this program. |
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Charleston and Paris Carnegie Libraries Receive Grant for Businesses Resources
Multiple libraries in our region have been awarded grants to assist local small businesses and entrepreneurs. These grants will provide will provide "business packages" that include equipment (laptop computers, DVD players, projectors, video cameras), software (planning and office functions) and up-to-date training videos (office safety, sexual harassment, hostile workplace).
Charleston - The training videos and the book "Business for Beginners" are currently available at the Charleston Carnegie and the Paris Carnegie Library. They can be checked out to anyone with a valid library card from a public library in Illinois.
For updates on the status of the remaining items in the small business package and future small business workshops join the "Business and Libraries Working Together" email list by contacting Library Director Jeanne Hamilton at 217-345-4913 or director@charlestonlibrary.org. Visit the library's website at www.charlestonlibrary.org.
Paris - The library offers a wide variety of materials and services, including computers, wireless Internet access, meeting rooms, and online reference sources. New to the library is Universal Class, with more than 500 free online continuing education courses in writing business plans, Quickbooks, Microsoft Office, and more. Visit the library's website for more information. Paris Carnegie Public Library is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System. aris Carnegie Public Library, 207 S. Main, Paris IL. 217-463-3950. www.parispubliclibrary.org.
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Discover Broadband Options In Your Area
Broadband Illinois has hired Barbara Webster to be our region's coordinator. Broadband Illinois, also known as PCI is a non-profit organization funded by state and federal grants with the goal to increase access and adoption of high-speed Internet throughout the state. Broadband Illinois is vendor neutral, and works to assist residents, communities, non-profits, and businesses.
Ways to increase Internet adoption are also being developed. A new web page www.broadbandillinois.org/ecret is available for viewing, and a new button called "I Want My Broadband" will soon go live which will allow people to record their need for new or better Internet access. For more informaton contact Barbara at 618-843-8433. |
Everyone is a Winner at Camp e3
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The winning Camp e3 team is shown diligently working on their Green2Green activity. From left: EIU Counselor Victoria Michaels, Chris Lidy of Dieterich, Daniel MacCrillis of Newton and Isaac Dallas of Charleston. Not shown: Cheyenne Starr of Sullivan. |
This year's Camp e3 winning team created a business called, USB Your Own, Inc., a company that would sell three dimensional customized flashdrives for marketing promotions.
According to one camper, "Camp e3 was amazing! I never expected to have so much fun and make so many friends." Another camper stated, "It was a really fabulous camp. Great sessions, insightful speakers, good food and super fun! Thank you e3!" A big thanks goes out to Midland States Bank and all of the scholarship donors for making this year's camp the best ever. |
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Upcoming events
Economic Development Summit: Creating a Common Voice
East Central Illinois Economic Development Corporation is hosting this event that will be held Thursday, September 29, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Keller Convention Center, Effingham. It will bring together downstate development leaders for a day of education, exploration and brainstorming and to create a common voice on economic development issues that will be heard in Springfield and Washington D.C. Earlybird registration for the event is $30 if paid by September 15, 2011, otherwise $50. Contact ECIDC Executive Director Jean Anne Grunloh at (217) 540-3517 or visit www.ecidc.com for more information.)
Vital Signs- Keeping Nonprofits Healthy in Uncertain Times
October 19,2011
Hilton Springfield, 700 Adams St. Springfield
$135 per person
This is a unique opportunity for nonprofit board members and staff to network and learn with colleagues, nationally known speakers, and Illinois luminaries about leadership, management, and advocacy strategies for the current economy. For more information, and to register online, click here.
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Hot links
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Stan Thurman BSC Counselor |
http://www.jaxworks.com/index.htm
JaxWorks offers hundreds of Free Excel workbooks and spreadsheets, and associated MS Word, PDF and HTML documents, that cover a number of financial, accounting and sales functions at all skill levels. Since establishing our presence on the Internet in 1996, over 12 million free Excel spreadsheets have been downloaded worldwide from our site.
http://www.bplans.com/business_calculators/
Bplans.com offers nine different business calculators that are free for anyone to use. You can even add these calculators to your own website with the provided HTML code. Calculators available are: cash flow, investment offering, starting costs, email marketing ROI, discounted cash flow, direct mail ROI, break even, pay per click ROI and a conversion rate calculator. Use these calculators as often as you would like free of charge. |
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As always, if you have any questions or suggestions on how the BSC can assist entrepreneurs, please don't hesitate to call us at 581-2913.
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