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March 17th, 2011
SBAC Newsletter

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Greetings!  

 

We hope that you are well. While Elliot is engaged in a federal jury trial, this week's newsletter is coming from Mike Cavanaugh, one of our SBAC founders and co-chair of the SBAC membership committee. This newsletter will highlight some of our upcoming events and the recent SBAC backed legislation that came out of committee in the Illinois House this week.

 

The SBAC is entering into its second year of existence with great momentum and exciting developments on a daily basis. Over 200 members have joined since March of 2010, we helped draft policy that was introduced in Springfield, we continue to push forward with more strategic and affinity partnerships, and we are making significant headway with other benefit programs for our members. We have never been more optimistic, and we say with abundant enthusiasm that "We Get It" and 2011 is our year.


March Happy Hour At Las Palmas In Highland Park

 

Join SBAC members, and our guests, at Las Palmas for our next Happy Hour on March 31st. Las Palmas, an SBAC member, will be serving fantastic appetizers, including flautas, nachos, quesadillas and guacamole. Complimentary beer and wine 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

 
Mid AMerica Club Happy Hour 1 


Date

March 31st    

Time

6 - 8pm  

Location

Las Palmas 

474 Central Ave.

Highland Park, IL 60035 

 
Please RSVP with Blanca at [email protected] if you will be able to join us. 

We Might Be Small, But "We Get It!"



castillo

One of the great benefits of being a small business owner is that we get to work half days, the tough decision is picking which 12-hour half of the day we want to work. Imagine a circus act where you see a talented performer spinning plates, the crowd gazes in disbelief as the plate spinner manages to spin plate after plate after plate without one stopping or breaking. As small business owners, we spin a lot of plates. Making payroll, managing employees, meeting deadlines, doing research, tending to family and personal matters, and managing all the day to day tasks which keep the business running as smoothly as possible. If you have now or have ever run a small business, you know what I am talking about.


Lending Forum 1 

 

I recently attended a networking event, the kind where you get some free drinks, and everyone tries to impress and sell themselves to other attendees. I engaged in a conversation with a nice gentleman that was explaining to me, how his service could help the small business that I operate. He went on and on about the value points and the great service he could provide and how much money he could save me. He asked if I was interested in signing up for his service. I very nicely stated that I was not interested at this point. I then asked him a question, "Have you ever owned a small business?" He shook his head, no. I could tell by his facial expression, he was curious as to why I asked that question, so I pre-empted any question he may have asked, and said, "My business is my baby, I just met you, I wouldn't leave my kids with a babysitter I just met, and unless you take the time and effort to get to know me, I am very unlikely to."


December Happy Hour pic 1 


A couple of days later, I attended another event, the SBAC monthly gathering at the Mid-America Club. I saw over 100 small business owners, and companies that help support those small businesses, interacting. The atmosphere was different than a speed networking event. There was a lot of energy and more importantly the 'get it' factor was running high.

Small business owners were sharing ideas, talking about the challenges they face, and offering objective, experience-based advice. Nobody selling anything, just an open forum of sharing ideas, sharing contacts, and heck, a free cold one doesn't hurt anything. A roomful of people that 'get it'. When I pick a baby sitter, I ask another parent that I know and trust, who they use for a babysitter, when it comes to babysitting my business, who better to ask than another familiar, trusted small business? 

Click Above To Learn More About The Benefits Of Membership 

SBAC Co-Op Legislation


We are excited to report that membership in the SBAC has exploded over the past four weeks, with at least 30 new members having joined the organization. One thing that really seems to be resonating with folks is that through the SBAC, they can have a voice. Here is another opportunity for us:

State Representative Karen May has drafted a bill that is supported by the Department of Insurance which would establish health care co-ops for small business owners in Illinois. This goes part and parcel with our efforts to create a health insurance pool for our members. Moreover, the Health Care Act appropriates 6 billion dollars in grants and loans to encourage the creation of these co-ops. Regardless of how you feel about the health care legislation, it is presently the law of the land and it would be a shame if Illinois small business owners did not take advantage of the funds available to create these co-ops. The co-ops will increase buying power and stabilize or lower premium rates.

HB3236 (May)

- Health Benefit Purchasing Co-op for Small Businesses 

Allows small business to create non-profit health insurance cooperatives and provides guidelines and criteria for the creation of these health benefit purchasing cooperatives. These cooperatives would be a lower-cost alternative to the purchase of health benefits directly through insurance companies as they will increase buying power and stabilize or lower premium rates. The Health Care Act appropriated 6 billion dollars in federal grants and loans to encourage the creation of health benefit cooperatives. This legislation would allow Illinois small business to access this federal money. It is supported by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

 

Representative May asked for the SBAC's assistance and we have already contacted Dan Johnson-Weinberger, our lobbyist. As always, Dan was ready to jump into action and put in a slip in support of the bill.

 

We're glad to report that on March 15th the Co-op bill got out of committee 14-5. The bill will be placed on the agenda for a second reading in the coming weeks. Please contact your State Representative (you can find him or her at www.ilga.gov) and ask them to support the bill.

Announcements 

 

SBAC Member FeeFighters Featured In Crain's Article On Chicago-based Internet Businesses

Crain's logoSBAC member FeeFighters was recently featured in a Crain's article on internet businesses that have chosen to stay based in Chicago. The article, entitled, "Tech flight to Silicon Valley from Chicago slows, as Groupon grows,"

focuses on how the trend of tech companies leaving Chicago is slowing down.

 

"If some of the money wasn't here, we probably couldn't have stayed," says Sean Harper, CEO of FeeFighters. "Our investors from out of town are cool with us staying here. It's still harder here, but people are getting it done."

 

FeeFighters is a comparison shopping website for credit card processing. Their unique auction process and comparison engine allows them to save businesses 40% on average on their credit card processing. FeeFighters is quick and simple and all of the processors that bid on their site are vetted and certified to ensure ethical behavior and top-notch service.

 

To learn more about FeeFighters contact Marc Summe at (773) 220-2518 or [email protected].

 

To read the complete article on Crain's go to "Tech flight to Silicon Valley from Chicago slows, as Groupon grows."

 

 

SBAC Forms New Strategic Partnership With Doughnuttz, Inc. 

DoughNuttz Inc logoThe SBAC is happy to announce the formation of a new strategic partnership with Brandon Lewin and Doughnuttz, Inc.

  

Doughnuttz is a social media marketing service company that specializes in generating qualified leads and builds relationships for businesses through different Social Media outlets. This new partnership will help increase the SBAC's visibility throughout  the ever-growing social media market.

SBAC members will receive a FREE Social Media Marketing Analysis valued at $350. Additionally, members can receive:
 

  • 10% Off Consulting Services
  • 20% Off Management Services for LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter 
  • 20% Off Profile Optimization & Creation for LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter

To learn more and take advantage of this new partnership contact Brandon Lewin at (773) 661-5332 or [email protected].  

 

 

SBAC Forms New Strategic Partnership With Cbeyond

The SBAC is happy to announce the formation of a new strategic partnership with Cbeyond. SBAC Members receive a free business consultation as well as free installation which is valued at $200. 

 

Cbeyond provides high-quality phone and Internet services, personalized attention, reasonable prices, and advice on how to use next-generation communication technologies to improve the way you do business.

They deliver all your small business communication and IT services needs - high-speed broadband Internet access, reliable local and long distance phone service, business-grade mobile service, fully integrated email, business-marketing tools, PC and document security and more - through one provider and one bill.  

 

To learn more about what Cbeyond can do for you, contact Greg DelGaudio at (720) 839-7221 or [email protected].    

 

 

SBAC Educational Forum On Technology Set For April 6th, RSVP Today 

The SBAC is excited to present, "How To Leverage The Use Of Technology To Increase Profitability And Revenue In Business," for our next educational forum.

The forum will take place from 8-10:30am on the 14th floor of Two First National Plaza located at 20 S. Clark, Chicago, IL. We have a fantastic panel lined up for this forum.


The focus of this educational forum will be to educate our members on various aspects of technology that they can use to increase the profitability of their business and increase revenue.

 

To RSVP Contact Blanca Campos at [email protected]

 

SBAC To Be Sponsor At May 5th Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza

The SBAC is proud to announce that it will be a sponsor of the annual Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza that will take place on May 5th, 2011.

 

The annual Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza brings together the business community for an incredible evening of mixing, mingling, education and fun. The 10th one in 2011 will feature an abundance of business-development opportunities and informative presentations from two of Chicago's preeminent relationship-building experts. For more details, go to www.greaterchicagonetworking.com.

 

If you are interested in exploring sponsorship, then go to our

GCNE Sponsorship Page for more details. You can contact Jason Jacobsohn directly at [email protected] with any questions or interest.

 

Also, Greater Chicago Networking is offering $10 off the ticket price for SBAC members who want to attend this event. To sign up for the event, go to

SBAC Sign Up Page.

All the best,

 

Mike Cavanaugh 

Small Business Advocacy Council