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Small Business Connections March 2014
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Welcome to Small Business Connections!
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College is here to serve your small business needs. We offer free business counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners, as well as a variety of small business workshops. To stay up to date on events, happenings and general IL SBDC information, we invite you to click below.
Call us today at (630) 906-4143 to learn how we can help you start or grow your business.
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Small Business Spotlight
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The Virtual Assistant
Kimber Howard launched her business, The Virtual Assistant Group (TVAG) in 2008 to provide virtual, solution-based, on-demand administrative support to small and mid-sized businesses with everything from basic administrative assistance to event planning, project coordination, and accounting services.
Recently, TVAG launched a new line of services for the Financial Industry, called Virtual Mortgage Solutions. Services are geared to assisting Mortgage companies, Realtors and Title Offices with administrative support tailored specifically to the industry.
The concept for TVAG started when Kimber was attending business school. "I recognized technology was changing the dynamics of how and where people conduct business, I knew that this was an opportunity to utilize technology coupled with my administrative skills and market it to businesses that needed it most."
Kimber first started working with the IL SBDC at Waubonsee when she was helping a client develop their business plan, which in turn led her to get assistance with her own business.
The Virtual Assistant Group is the second iteration of a business that she launched in 2004. From that endeavor, along with assistance she received from the SBDC, she discovered that her business model needed an overhaul, and she needed to stay focused on her core administrative support resources.
 Clearly, Kimber has been successful in taking the lessons learned from her early days in business and applying them to her current venture. She will be honored as 2014 Minority Owned Business of The Year at the Business Ledger's 24th Annual Awards for Business Excellence on March 12.
Kimber likens entrepreneurship to running a marathon, where "finishing is a state of mind that says anything is possible!"
You can learn more about The Virtual Assistant Group at www.thevagrp.com, or contact Kimber at (866) 888-8032.
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Biz Buzz
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Spring is Near - Get Your Business Ready to Bloom 
I don't know about you, but the winter months seem to put my creative thinking in the deep freeze. As spring approaches, if you need to defrost your creative brain, consider this a prodding to break from routine and get a fresh perspective. Here are some tips to help you get there: Spring Cleaning When was the last time you reviewed the products and services you offer? Put inventory on sale that's been hanging around a little too long. Create a fresh look by packaging your services differently. Spruce up your marketing material with updated messages and new products or services. Rearrange your office furniture to get a new point of view. Retreat In this case, retreat means get away, not back away. Taking some time off to think about something besides business will make you more productive when you return. Even better, get away with other business owners or your employees. Don't make it a grind - have some fun, and loosen the reins to allow for discussion of new ideas. Last month, SBDC client Debbie Richards, owner of Big Fat Soap, went on a cruise with a group of indie retailers to refresh her entrepreneurial spirit. Results: "My business and my heart were forever changed." Fertilize Spend some time checking out new and different ideas. Even if they seem a little crazy, let your imagination go. If nothing else, you'll get your brain out of its winter rut. Explore unique new businesses through sites like Springwise. Sometimes the craziest ideas will spark a unique approach to your business. Attend a trade show or conference. Watch a TED talk. Sign up for a workshop - your Community College has a wide variety of options at affordable prices. Visit our SBDC Facebook page and post your plans for giving your business a good Spring cleaning! If you need a creative boost, or would like help planning for the upcoming year(s), call us to set up an appointment - (630) 906-4143. |
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Biz Bitz
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2014 Women Business Owners Symposium  The 2014 Women Business Owners Symposium is almost here! This event is only for Women Business Owners wanting to learn more about growing and sustaining their business. At the Symposium you will learn: - Affordable Care Act and procurement contracting opportunities for Women-owned business
- "Buy Illinois" Initiative, getting your product or service in the market place
- Women's Equal Pay Initiative
- State and Federal funded programming and procurement opportunities
- Access to capital; Wealth Management
- Information Technology and Women in STEM
- Public/Private sector diversity supplier contract bidding opportunities
To register or for more information on the WBOS or DCEO, please visit www.ildceo.net/WBOS or call (312) 814-0007. Free on-site day care services will be provided for kids age 1-8. Date: March 27, 2014 Time: 8AM - 3PM Where: UIC Forum 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60608 Cost: FREE Admission Register Now Four Key Tips to Prevent Social Media Mistakes If the phrase "social media mishap" were a listing in the dictionary, chances are you'd find these real-life companies included as definition examples: Amy's Baking Company, Taco Bell, and Epicurious. Whether because of a Facebook post gone wrong (as in the case of Amy's Baking Company and Taco Bell) or a Twitter post that has received outrage from readers and the press (Epicurious), these companies all landed in the same spot: in the middle of a huge public backlash after making a social media mistake. Although some people believe there's no such thing as bad publicity, most businesses would prefer to stay out of the spotlight of a social media mistake. To see the Tips on avoiding these mistakes, read the full article here.
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Get Smarter: Small Business Workshops at Waubonsee
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The following workshops presented by the SBDC inculde personal attention, are low cost, and are led by small business experts.
Starting Your Business in Illinois ($30)
Wed., March 12, 6-9 p.m. (Copley)
Tue., April 8, 6-9 p.m. (Plano)
Wed., May 14, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Marketing for Small Business ($30)
Thu., March 13, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Thu., May 1, 6-9 p.m. (Copley)
Business Foundations ($25)
Tue., May 13, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law ($30)Thu., April 10, 6-8 p.m. (Aurora)
Business Plan Boot Camp - #1 Markets & Marketing ($30)
Tue., March 18, 6-9 p.m. (Sugar Grove)
Tue., April 22, 1-4 p.m. (Aurora)
Business Plan Boot Camp - #2 Forecasting & Financing ($30)
Wed., March 19, 6-8 p.m. (Sugar Grove)
Tue., April 29, 1-3 p.m. (Aurora)
Secrets to Retail Success ($30)
Tue., March 4, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Social Media Marketing for Small Business ($30)
Wed., April 2, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Google for Business ($30)
Wed., March 5, 6-9 p.m. (Aurora)
Facebook for Business ($15)
Thu., May 8, 7-8 p.m. (Online)
LinkedIn for Business ($15)
Check seminar details for the full list, class descriptions, locations, ticket numbers, and pricing. To sign up, complete and submit the registration form. For additional information call the Illinois SBDC office at Waubonsee (630) 906-4143.
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A variety of QuickBooks and Excel classes are available to meet your small business accounting needs. Click here for online class options and click here for classes you can take in person.
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Illinois SBDC at Waubonsee Community College
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA or DCEO.
WCC does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law in its programs & activities.
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