Information for the Innovative, Enterprising and Brave

April 2014

Help LoudounPreneur, Be a Winner

We need your help! We want to make sure this newsletter is as useful as possible to Loudoun small business owners and entrepreneurs. Respond to our short, four-question survey by April 10 and be entered to win a set of beautiful Loudoun wine glasses.

IRS Tax Tips

With just two weeks left to file your taxes, the IRS has issued a series of tax tips. Check out the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit http://go.usa.gov/K5FT and the "Your Guide to an IRS Audit" video http://go.usa.gov/KVqJ. Follow the IRS on Twitter @IRSnews.

Learn How to Fight Cyber Crime

Back in the '80s, Jim Christy headed up the world's first computer crime unit. For more than 25 years, he fought cyber crime at the highest national defense levels. Today he's the director of the U.S. Cyber Crime Conference, which will be held at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne April 29 - May 2. Loudoun Economic Development is partnering on this event; use promo code LCED and get a five percent discount when you register.

Although this event is targeted toward law enforcement, I.T. companies and critical infrastructure agencies (energy, telecom, banking, etc.), leaders from every type of business are urged to attend.

"It's not a matter of if you'll get compromised, but when," Christy stressed. "Every business needs to create cyber hunters within their company. The government is not going to do this for you."

Christy explained that the content of the conference will apply to a wide range of organizations, as well as to individual entrepreneurs. "This conference will give you the tools to respond if someone does attack you," he said. "Today, everybody depends on the Internet and technology, which makes you vulnerable. No one is immune, so you have to protect yourself."

What Big Data Should Mean to You

Big Data is all the rage! How companies handle and leverage data will govern their brand and growth. On Thursday, April 24, the Big Data District group is hosting "Big Data 101: The Value and Future Trends of Mobile Data" at the Bungalow Lakehouse in Sterling. Join company CEO Mark Ettrich along with Board Chairman and Founder Bill McGrath as they discuss the economic value, future trends and privacy concerns of mobile big data, including what is being captured and how it is being used. Chief Architect, CTO and Founder Senthil Mohan will also discuss Big Data architecture technology including the roles of Hadoop and non-Hadoop applications.

This will be the first in a series of educational meetings about Big Data and what it should mean to everyone. Register online for this session.

Learn How to Be More Successful

Celebrate Small Business Week May 12-16! You'll have a wide range of opportunities to meet business leaders and make important contacts that can help you move your business forward. The full schedule of events will be featured in the next issue of this newsletter, and is available online now at www.LoudounSourceLink.org/SBW. Seating is limited; register early.

People You Should Know: Mark Ettrich

Meet Mark Ettrich, CEO of Big Data District, a Northern Virginia-based nonprofit that hosts meetups for startups and entrepreneurs and educates people through online resources and training classes. Read his thoughts on big data and his plans for Loudoun.

How to Write a Business Plan

Every business venture can benefit from a well-written business plan that can be used to:

Help you think through the business concept and ensure you have considered all your options and anticipate any potential difficulties.
Structure startup activities.
Serve as an operating guide.
Convince lenders and investors that you are in control of the project/business and that you will be able to return their investment to them.

Here's a short summary of items to include.

Read It and Reap

Dogfight: How Apple and Google Went to War and Started a Revolution by Fred Vogelstein

What led to the bitterly contested corporate fight for smart phones and tablets between Apple and Google? This book describes the two paths that Apple and Google took on their way to developing the landscape of mobile operating systems that we currently have. Vogelstein does an excellent job of representing both sides in way that is difficult to find in news stories or tech forums that are littered with "fanboyism" and blind allegiance. "Dogfight" cuts through with balanced research in a compelling and riveting read. Check out this book for free from the Loudoun County Public Library.

Up Skill: Entrepreneurial Events and Training

1 Million Cups

Join us for six-minute presentations from Loudoun business owners. Engage in peer mentoring by giving the presenter the benefit of your knowledge and experience in resolving business issues and making companies grow.

Date: April 9, 16, 23

Time: 9 to 10 a.m.

Place: Mason Enterprise Center, 202 Church St., Leesburg

Cost: Free, find out more online

Trademark Basics: What Every Small Business Should Know Now, Not Later
If you want to create long-term business value and better protect your business, learn all about intellectual property at this seminar.

Date:     April 17, 2014
Time:     7 to 9:30 p.m.
Place:    GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus
Cost:      $25 online, $30 at the door

Loudoun Federal Contractors' Group Networking Event
Regardless of your experience with the federal government, this event can help you move forward on your contracting goals.
Date:     April 22, 2014
Time:     6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Place:    Mason Enterprise Center, 202 Church St., Leesburg
Cost:      Free, please register in advance

Turkish American Business Network
Looking for a new networking opportunity? The Turkish American Business Networkmight be for you. Monthly networking events, member-to-member discounts, ribbon cutting ceremonies and referrals are all benefits of membership. All international corporations, small businesses, industry representatives, leaders, young professionals, entrepreneurs, schools, government institutions and nonprofit organizations will be recognized as part of the TABN member portfolio.

Gut Check from a Guru

"The best thing you can do is the right thing; the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing; the worst thing you can do is nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt