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Opportunities Forum
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Greetings!
Happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2010!
The SBAC enjoyed a fantastic inaugural year and we are looking to carry over that momentum into 2011. We are excited to announce the first SBAC Happy Hour of the new year is scheduled for January 20th. In addition, each of our members should now expect a monthly invitation to breakfast or for cocktails with fellow SBAC members. These "mini-meetings" have become extremely popular because of the business relationships they have fostered. Accordingly, we will be holding them much more frequently.
We are also looking forward to our February educational forum and networking breakfast. Best-selling author and SBAC member, Maribeth Kuzmeski, will speak on the art of closing business deals at this breakfast. We will also continue to aggressively pursue both discounts and benefits for our members.
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January Happy Hour At Las Palmas
 Join SBAC members, and our guests, at Las Palmas for our January Happy Hour. Las Palmas, an SBAC member, will be serving fantastic appetizers, including flautas, nachos, quesadillas and guacamole. Complimentary beer, wine and margaritas will also be served from 6-8p.m.
SBAC Happy Hours provide our members, and their guests, with an opportunity to meet, catch-up, and talk about their businesses. If you have not attended an after-hour event with us, we are confident you will enjoy Las Palmas and be introduced to many business owners and other professionals.
Photographs from past Happy Hours can be viewed here. Please RSVP with Blanca at blanca@sbacil.org if you will be able to join us.
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SBAC Forum On "Closing The Deal"
| | Maribeth Kuzmeski |
As part of the SBAC's continuing series of educational forums, best-selling author Maribeth Kuzmeski will be our feature speaker in February. The event will include breakfast, networking, a panel discussion and Maribeth's presentation "Connect To Close," which is based on her best-selling book The Connectors.
In Maribeth's presentation you will:
- Obtain three specific techniques to increase your social awareness and social IQ - skills that even the best closers can sharpen
- Receive an agenda to follow for creating profitable business relationships during any face-to-face meeting
- Receive "The 10 Connection Techniques to Close More Sales"
Our panel discussion will feature the following prominent business owners and professionals:
- Terry Keating - Managing Director at Amherst Partners, LLS
- Dan Cook - CEO and Senior Market Analyst of IG Markets
- Michael Cavanaugh - Principal and Founder of Know Your Options Inc.
- Dave Verbeten - certified Business Coach with ActionCOACH
- Steve Fretzin - President of Sales Results, Inc.
The educational forum is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9th, from 8 - 10:30am. It will be hosted at Two First National Plaza located at 20 S. Clark St., Chicago IL on the 14th floor. For more details and a complete program CLICK HERE.
To RSVP contact Blanca Campos at (847) 990-7909 or at Blanca@SBACIL.org.
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Monthly Wine Tasting Starting On January 13th
 The SBAC and Josh Parkinson would like to invite SBAC members to a monthly wine tasting at WineStyles of Northbrook. Meet and mingle with business owners, and other professionals, while sampling a variety of select wines the second Thursday of each month in 2011. Stay after the sampling, purchase a glass of wine and network with SBAC members and their guests.
Our first wine tasting is scheduled for January 13th at WineStyles from 6-8pm. WineStyles is located at 1348 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062.
For more information about WineStyles of Northbrook contact Josh Parkinson at (847) 498-9463 or at jparkinson@winestyles.net.
To RSVP contact Blanca Campos at (847) 990-7909 or at Blanca@SBACIL.org.
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Announcements
SBAC Legislative Updates Featured In Jewish Business News
Jewish B2B Networking has published its first installment of The Jewish Business News in January with the SBAC providing the legislative updates.
Updates including an overview of The Small Business Jobs Credit Act of 2010. To view the overview and the first issue of Jewish Business News Click Here.
Michael Cavanaugh Interviewed By The Wall Street Journal
 SBAC member and President of Chicago-based investment adviser Know Your Options Inc., Mike Cavanaugh was interviewed recently by the Wall Street Journal's Brendan Conway. In the article, "Claiborne Bulls See Holiday Upside," Mike spoke about Liz Claiborne's stocks.
"There's bullish nibbling, all in small batches," Mike said of the January call buying. He said better hopes for Claiborne's results were among the factors likely driving the new optimism.
To read the complete article go to The Wall Street Journal. To learn more about Mike an Know Your Options Inc. go to http://www.knowyouroptionsinc.com/.
David Frank Interviewed By Crain's On Business Loans
 SBAC member and Executive Director of SomerCor 504 Inc. David Frank, was recently interviewed by Crain's reporter Paul Merrion in an article entitled, "Non-profits get SBA nod to offer business loans." SomerCor, a Chicago-based CDC, extended $90 million in 504 loans in the year ended Sept. 30th and is on pace to top $100 million this year.
The article focused on the U.S. Small Business Administration's plans to allow community groups and other non-profit lenders to make federally guaranteed business loans.
David spoke about SomerCor's plans to participate in the program. He was also a feature presenter in the SBAC's Lending and Venture Capital Forum.
To learn more about SomerCor 504 Inc. contact David Frank at (312) 360-3300 or at dfrank@somercor.com.
Low-Cost Bookkeeping, Accounting, And Tax Services
 Ready for tax season? Whether your business is considering making changes in the business office functions or you are another taxpayer getting ready for the April 15 filing deadline - you should be making sure that you are not overpaying and you are being serviced by the right accountant. MK&A, Ltd. offers basic tax returns for the low price of $59 prepared by a CPA who will take the time to understand your situation.
Moshe Klein & Associates also offers low-cost bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services for small businesses that want to save time and money for under $99 / monthly by outsourcing their Quickbooks, monthly reporting, and tax filing functions.
Give Shalom a call at 888-432-8187 or email shalom@mkabusiness.com.
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All the best,
Elliot Richardson
Small Business Advocacy Council |
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