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Dollars and $ense
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April 2014
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 April is upon us and it's a busy month ahead. Tax deadlines to meet. Catch our article with some last minute tax tips for procrastinators. Also, it's National Volunteer Appreciation Month. What are you doing to thank those volunteers in your life? Do you want your business to be featured in next month's newsletter? Own a business we should profile? Email us at ltwilley@marylandcapital.org. Thanks for reading! |
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Brewing Success One Cup At A Time in Berlin
Client Profile
BERLIN -- This month marks the 5th year that Berlin Coffee House has been brewing up delicious coffee and serving tasty treats for residents and tourists who visit this thriving Eastern Shore town.
And owner Jason Hagy has much to celebrate. "Having grown up in Berlin I knew there was a need for espresso, good coffee, and local goodies."
 | | Jason Hagy and his mother. |
Located at 17 Jefferson Street, Hagy concentrates on selling local products in this small town where business owners stick together.
"We opened the same time many new things were happening in Berlin. Many small businesses have opened in the last five years and we have all helped and supported each other. This has been the reason for the success of the town as a whole. We are a strong community."
"Berlin has been a great town to start a business in because the mayor and council are interested in growth," he added. "They understand and listen to the needs of the business owner. The community of business owners in Berlin all know each other and what each business has to offer. We do our best not to directly compete for the same customers."
 | | Berlin Coffee House, located at 17 Jefferson Street, is open Monday - Friday 7-5, Saturday 8-5 and Sunday 8-Noon. |
Hagy credits Maryland Capital Enterprises with helping take their business to the next level. "MCE allowed us to purchase a new coffee roaster, which in turn cut our costs from buying from other roasters and allowed us to create our own brand. Through the loan process we were able to receive guidance in budgeting and accounts management that will be valuable for the future of our business."
He has some advice for people just starting out with their own businesses. "Start small. Do not try to accomplish all your goals first year. Start with one simple goal and add to that as you grow. Small businesses depend on local patrons. Visitors and tourism is as predicable as the weather. Find what brings the same people back and focus on improving that."
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 | | MCE's Joe Morse and Tim Sherman were guest speakers at the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce luncheon in February at the Holiday Inn Express in Cambridge. Pictured in the middle is Deborah Divins, Executive Director of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce |
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Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is National Volunteer Appreciation month. It is a good time for businesses,
nonprofits, and other community organizations to recognize and thank their volunteers. Often significance of volunteers goes unrecognized.
Volunteers provide much-needed input and manpower to make our efforts more effective.
National Volunteer Appreciation month is also a time for encouraging others to seek out opportunities to engage in their communities.
We at MCE would like to thank all of our volunteers! Without our volunteer Board of directors, Loan Committee, Finance Committee, Marketing
Committee, Fundraiser Committee, and others we would not be able to operate effectively on a daily basis. Their support not only allows MCE to serve more businesses effectively, but it shows our financial backers that we have local support. Please know we value each of you and appreciate your time
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Last-Minute Small Business Tax Tips for Procrastinators
By: Bloomberg Businessweek
Tax returns are due in less than three weeks. Are you procrastinating?
Small business owners and self-employed individuals who wait until the last minute are prone to dumb mistakes: forgetting to sign a return, goofing up on the math, or filling in the wrong Social Security number.
All those errors will get your 1040 form kicked back and delay any refund you may be owed, says Gloria Birnkrant, a Beverly Hills (Calif.) certified public accountant whose clients include many small and midsize business owners and self-employed individuals.
Here are some strategies from Birnkrant and other experts to cope with the last-minute tax rush:
E-File your return. It's quicker and more secure than mailing paper tax forms. If your business brought in little income in 2013, or you're disabled or elderly, take advantage of free tax prep services through the VITA program.
Sweat the small details. That includes checking and double-checking Social Security numbers and your math or using a software program that crunches the numbers for you. Make sure you've attached all required documents, such as brokerage statements and your Schedule C.
Sign and date your return. Remember that you and your spouse must both sign a joint return, even if only one of you has income. Anyone you pay to prepare your return must also sign it.
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Upcoming Classes
MCE offers classes on everything from starting a new business to dealing with difficult people, and from social media to Quickbooks.
Check out our schedule:
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Words to Live By - Doris Mason
""It always seems impossible, until it's done."
by Nelson Mandela"
Doris Mason serves as Executive Director of the Upper Shore Regional Council, a planning and development organization serving residents of Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne's County.
 | | Doris Mason |
She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Swarthmore College and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of MD School of Social Work and Community Planning.
Doris's community involvement includes: Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors, Town of Easton Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals, Rural MD Council Board of Directors, Channel Marker Board of Directors, Shore Leadership Alum. ('06), Council on Accreditation (Peer Reviewer), Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) member among other
affiliations and activities.
She resides in Easton, MD with her husband, John. She enjoys reading, travel, church, biking, and word games.
Words to Live By is a monthly feature where we ask business and political leaders to tell us what inspirational quote motivates them to be their best. Email us your favorite quote at info@marylandcapital.org.
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