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In this issue
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Success story: Fumatore di Sigaro
Cape Girardeau
Turning passion into profits
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Scott Pietreface in his 240-square-foot, Spanish-cedar lined, air-purified humidor.
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Scott Pietreface is a cigar aficionado.
Make that a cigar aficionado's aficionado.
In casual conversation, Pietreface, sole owner, proprietor and employee of Fumatore di Sigaro Premier Lounge and Cigar Shoppe, Cape Girardeau, throws out such terms as belicoso, habano and draw in speaking of his business, the cigar renaissance and the joy of hand-crafted cigars. He speaks with the rapidity, knowledge and intensity of nearly 30 years of savoring cigars.
But knowledge and passion, as every small business owner knows, aren't enough. Pietreface knew he needed help and couldn't do it alone.
Continue reading this success story with additional photos and a video.
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Transforming Missouri businesses ...
ProfitCents: MO SBTDC's new financial analysis tool offers unparalleled financial analysis -- and a peek at your future
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 How well has your business weathered the recession? Are you poised to seize the opportunities created by customers re-opening their wallets, cautious as this recovery is? Do you know how well you are doing in comparison with your competition and how well you will be doing? To answer these questions you need precise, in-depth financial data. And the MO SBTDC's new ProfitCents is the tool to get it done.  ProfitCents is a web-based financial analysis software suite that turns complex financial data into a report written in plain language, with charts and graphs whose meaning you can grasp in a glance. The report uses ratio and trend analysis as well as unique industry comparisons and even expectations to analyze your firm's financial health in hundreds of categories from sales, inventory and assets to debt, payroll and borrowing capacity to better position your firm for growth.
Learn more about ProfitCents. |
| Seasonal small business offers equal parts challenge and opportunity | |
Owners of seasonal small business are feeling cautiously optimistic this year.
Although some admit that the premature arrival of warmer temperatures caught them by surprise with an early influx of business, they're taking that as a sign of good things to come. "We weren't ready for this," one store owner told us, "but we'll take it" as she hurried to unpack inventory and change light bulbs. If you add to that early spring the encouraging upticks in the general economy, some seasonal entrepreneurs are thinking this may be one of the best years they've had recently.
Continue reading for tips on seasonal businesses. |
 Business going green
Happy Hollow Farm: Bringing organic, local produce to mid-Missouri
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A new word, "locavore," defines a growing number of people interested in eating seasonal, local and organic food. The explosion in farmers markets and specialty produce markets is testimony that many consumers are seeking a closer connection to the sources of their food.
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"Farmer Liz" Graznak, owner of Happy Hollow Farm
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There are many reasons for this trend, including concerns about food safety and the environmental impacts of eating large-scale, commercially grown food. Research suggests that locally grown foods can also have positive impacts on the local economy by requiring local labor for farming and processing activities. However, farming is pretty much a year-round activity that produces profits only at harvest, so many small farmers find themselves at best economically challenged during growing seasons and at worst shutting down operations.
Read more about Community Supported Agriculture.
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Red Flags Rule
Do you extend credit or bill your customers later? What you need to know about the FTC's Red Flags Rule
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Identity theft is on the rise. Impacting more than 10 million consumers each year, it also costs businesses an estimated $221 billion annually. To help combat this threat, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just implemented new regulations designed to help prevent identity theft, known as The Red Flags Rule. If you are a small business that provides products and services to your customers and bills them later, there's a good chance you need to comply with these new requirements. Read on to determine if the Rule applies to you and how to comply.
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Accredited Member of the ASBDC - Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Representing America's SBDC Network
Read full stories from this month's and previous newsletters on our website at www.missouribusiness.net/newsletter
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Missouri Business eNews is published monthly by University of Missouri Extension's business development program.  W1051 Lafferre Hall Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: 573-882-4321 |
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Small business training
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Wed., Jun. 20
- FastTrac® NewVenture™ - St. Louis
Thur., Jun. 21- How to Write a Successful Business Plan - Joplin
- The Basics of Writing a Business Plan - Kansas City
Mon., Jun. 25- Microsoft Excel 2010 Level 2 - Joplin
Tues., Jun. 26- FastTrac® NewVenture™ for Dislocated Workers - Independence
- Microsoft Access 2010 Level 1 - Joplin
Wed., Jun. 27- Microsoft Excel 2010 Level 2 - Joplin
Thur., Jun. 28- MO STEP=UP Export Training Program - Springfield
- The Basics to Writing a Business Plan - Fort Leonard Wood
- Starting a Business: The First Steps - St. Joseph
- Supervision 101 - Fulton
- Microsoft Access 2010 Level 1 - Joplin
Fri., Jun. 29 - QuickBooks for Beginners - Marshall
Fri., Jul. 6 - Advanced QuickBooks - Marshall
Mon., Jul. 9- Microsoft Access 2010 Level 2 - Joplin
- Understanding Financial Statements - Kirksville
Tues., Jul. 10
- Starting a Small Business: The First Steps - Sedalia
Wed., Jul. 11- MO STEP=UP Export Training Program - Kansas City
- Microsoft Access 2010 Level 2 - Joplin
- Funding Technology Through SBIR/STTR - Fort Leonard Wood
- Intro. to QuickBooks Pro - St. Peters
- Facebook - Warrensburg
Thur., Jul. 12- Starting a Small Business: The First Steps - Jefferson City
- Intro. to QuickBooks Pro - St. Peters
Fri., Jul. 13 - Starting and Managing a Business - Lee's Summit
Tues., Jul. 17- Accounting Basics for Small Businesses - Springfield
- Entrepreneurship: Planning, Financing and Starting Your Business - St. Louis
- The Power of a Presentation Using Microsoft PowerPoint - Joplin
- Exploring Entrepreneurship - Columbia
- The Basics of Writing a Business Plan - Sedalia
Wed., Jul. 18- How to Create a Dynamic Website for Your Business - Joplin
- Building the Ultimate Business Plan - Springfield
Thur., Jul. 19- Sources of Finance: For Business Start-Up or Expansion - Fort Leonard Wood
- The Power of a Presentation Using Microsoft PowerPoint - Joplin
- Building the Ultimate Business Plan - Springfield
- The Basics of Writing a Business Plan - Jefferson City
Mon., Jul. 23- FastTrac® TechVenture™ - online
Tues., Jul. 24View the complete calendar of events for details and registration information.
 Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. |
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Learn how to sell to the government
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Thur., Jun. 21
- Winning Government Contracts: The First Steps - Blue Springs
Tues., Jul. 10
- Winning Government Contracts: The First Steps - Kansas City
Wed., Jul. 11
- Competing for Government Contracts - Basic Training - Joplin
Wed., Jul. 18
- Fundamentamentals of Government Contracting: The Bidding Process - St. Louis
Thur., Jul. 19
- Winning Government Contracts: The First Steps - Blue Springs
Thur., Aug. 2
- Winning Government Contracts: The First Steps - Kansas City
View the complete PTAC training events listing for details and registration information.
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