LoudounPreneur entrepreneurial newsletter

Information for the Innovative, Enterprising and Brave 

December 2012

Entrepreneurial Lending: Corporations Step Up

How can Amazon, Google, IBM and other corporate giants help your business? Besides providing your business news, computer software and latest book on entrepreneurialism, these global organizations have expanded from their original mission in recent years to help finance small business. Find out how they might be able to assist your organization.

People You Should Know 

This Month: Robert Wertz, Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue

Robert Wertz has worked for Loudoun County since 1992, and has been elected commissioner by Loudoun voters since 2003. Of the 134 cities and counties in the commonwealth, his office became the first to offer companies online business license renewals and the first with online business property reporting services. Wertz emphasizes that entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business should contact his office first. Here's why.

Smallknot: A New Local Funding Option

Coinciding with the growth of alternative sources to traditional bank loans for small business loans, a company composed of "ex-lawyers, developers, designers and dreamers" has recently launched a test program for Loudoun County entrepreneurs. New York-based Smallknot has taken a hyper-local approach to crowdfunding. "You already eat local and shop local. With Smallknot, now you can invest local" says the company. Find out how your loyal clients can benefit your business.

Read It and Reap

"The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future" by Chris Guillebeau.

Blogger, entrepreneur and world-traveler Chris Guillebeau has written a useful book about starting a business and how to make business ideas real. Giullebeau challenges you to find the convergence between your passion and demand. After providing you with ideas and encouragement in part one, Guillebeau's second section, Taking It to the Street, elaborates on a very specific set of steps to move your business from idea to launch. By this point, you may wish to drop the book and get to work on your business! But don't miss the third part, where he provides strategies for growing your business, capturing new markets, and swelling profits. This book will excite you with the possibilities, and help you identify and refine your ideas for a successful business.

Check out the book and audiobook free from the Loudoun County Public Library.

Up-Skill 

Northern Virginia Technology Council: Teaming, Partnering and Contracting

NVTC's Small Business and Entrepreneur Committee is connecting small businesses with prime contractors from the region. Network and discuss how smaller companies can do business with established companies; what types of partners they are looking for, and potential opportunities for teaming in the future. Additional information is online.

 

Date: December 7, 2012

Time: 7:30 to 10:15 a.m.

Place: Center for Innovative Technology, 2214 Rock Hill Rd., Herndon, VA

Cost: $35 to $75 online; additional $10 for walk-ins as space allows.

 

Idea Fusion

This group of Loudoun-centered tech startups, innovative entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and resource gurus keeps growing -- come find out why! 

 

Date: December 11, 2012

Time: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Place: Velocity 5, 19286 Promenade Drive, Leesburg, VA

Cost: Free; more information and registration is online

 

Bookkeeping and Taxation for Small Business

Want to know how to set up books and meet tax obligations for your small business? Richard Hall can help. He's a CPA who founded his accounting firm in 1987 and has more than 35 years of accounting experience. This Small Business Development Council seminar will include information on company tax returns, record keeping, and important areas of corporate accounting.

 

Date: December 11, 2012

Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Place: GW Science and Technology VA Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Room 101

Cost: $25 online; $30 at the door

Be a Winner 

According to the Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue website, there are three changes to your business that necessitate a written notification to the COR office. The first reader to correctly name one of these three changes wins a cool little iPhone/iPad easel stand from the Loudoun, Virginia Department of Economic Development. Only one guess per reader; email answer to: [email protected]

Lisa Svendsen, owner and independent Tastefully Simple consultant, won last month's contest. She was also a recent nominee in the Loudoun Chamber 2012 Small Business Awards. Congratulations, Lisa!

Gut-Check From a Guru

"Start today, not tomorrow. If anything, you should have started yesterday. The earlier you start, the more time you have to mess up." - Emil Motycka, who founded his first company at age 8

Pay It Forward

This monthly email newsletter is published by the Loudoun, Virginia Department of Economic Development to inform and connect Loudoun's thriving entrepreneurial community. As a leader with influence, please help our community by forwarding this newsletter to your business colleagues. Thanks!

 
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Debi Roder   
Loudoun Virginia
Economic Development Entrepreneurship
Manager Debi Roder



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