Countdown to SourceLink: February 5th Kickoff Event
Coming soon: a new online tool for Loudoun's entrepreneurial community. Loudoun SourceLink is a one-stop website dedicated to assisting small businesses.
SourceLink connects entrepreneurs to the resources and events you need to grow and prosper. It allows you to specify the assistance you would like, and lists the providers who can best provide it.
"We're very excited to officially launch this program and website February 5," said Small Business and Entrepreneurship Manager Debi Roder. "We've worked with multiple local and regional partners to connect all of their online resources together, providing small business a huge advance in gathering information and contacts.There are resources for entrepreneurs at all stages of growth, not just startups."
SourceLink will be officially launched with a public kickoff event February 5, from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at the GW Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. This free event features all of the Loudoun SourceLink partners onsite to assist small business owners, as well Orbital Sciences CEO David Thompson as the keynote speaker. Thompson founded Orbital in Loudoun County in 1982, and will recount lessons learned as he grew the company to a 3,900-employee global leader in small- and medium-class space and rocket systems.
"We strongly encourage anyone who has launched a small business, or is thinking about starting one, to attend the event and hear the entrepreneurial success story of Orbital Sciences," said Roder. "In addition, this is a terrific opportunity to meet with SourceLink partners one-on-one. There will also be the opportunity to register for your business license and home occupation permit that night." Advance registration is available at http://growsmarter.eventbrite.com/#. |
People You Should Know: April Coates
Whether your business budget runs on a fiscal year or a calendar year, January is the perfect time to restock office supplies or buy office equipment. Here to help you is April Coates, the surplus property manager for Loudoun County. Find out how her surplus facility can help save your business money in 2013. |
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How to Write a Good Press Release
Whether you create software for government contractors, own a training service or operate a retail store, you want customers to know about your business. One way to do that is to put announcements in newspapers and magazines, and on news sites. Press releases are the tool you use to get your information to publishers.
A press release is a short (one page or less) written document you send to reporters and editors. Write it in a "just the facts" style. If the reporter or editor wants to know more, he or she will contact you. Here are nine simple rules to keep in mind when writing a press release. |
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Read It and Reap
"Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen
Management consultant David Allen offers strategic ways to focus and achieve maximum productivity in the workplace and at home. The tools he describes are practical and easy to implement. His "Do it, delegate it, defer it" rule trains a person to act promptly in dealing with the demands of email in-boxes, voicemail messages and overflowing desktop folders. The book has charts, diagrams and lists for making sure nothing important is overlooked. Allen's work will get you thinking about your own productivity, and will offer tips and tricks for increasing it! Check it out from the Loudoun County Public Library. |
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Up-Skill
Small Business and Entrepreneur Networking
The NVTC Small Business and Entrepreneur Committee and Loudoun SourceLink partners are hosting a networking happy hour to unite members of the region's emerging business and entrepreneur community. This event is a great opportunity to discover your future business partners and grow your company in a relaxed atmosphere.
Date: January 30, 2013
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Place: Hooked Seafood and Sushi, 46240 Potomac Run Plaza
Cost: $10 for members; $20 for non-members; $5 additional at the door
Idea Fusion™
The first Idea Fusion™ for 2013 will bring together Loudoun's network of tech startups, innovative entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and resource gurus. Idea Fusion™ has been featured in the Washington Post.
Date: January 8, 2013
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Sweetwater Tavern, 45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling, VA
Cost: free, online registration
Spring 2013 Entrepreneur Center FastTrac® TechVenture™ Program
Applications are due January 18 for The Entrepreneur Center @NVTC FastTrac® TechVenture™ Spring 2013 session. This program allows entrepreneurs to hone the skills they need to create, manage and grow a successful business, and make close connections with leaders in the technology community. A typical session includes facilitated discussions and activities, small peer groups, a guest speaker and coaching sessions with successful technology executives.
Registration is limited. A committee will review all applications received by January 18 and determine the companies that will participate.
Dates: March 5 to May 14
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Northern Virginia Tech Council, 2214 Rock Hill Road, Herndon
Price: $550 - $650 per person. More information is available. |
Be a Winner
According to this month's LoudounPreneur, what's the best way to handle a photograph when sending out a press release? Be the first person to write us with the correct answer at LoudounBiz@loudoun.gov, and win a leather business card holder from Loudoun Economic Development. Good luck! |
Gut-Check From a Guru
"I'm not a businessman. I'm a business, man." Jay-Z |
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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Quick Links
Loudoun Virginia
Economic Development Entrepreneurship
Manager Debi Roder
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