Small Business - Entrepreneurs Guide

The ACTiVATE® Program

2012-05-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

The ACTiVATE® program is a yearlong, applied entrepreneurship training and support program that is focused on starting companies using technologies from universities and federal laboratories.

The first ACTiVATE® program was developed in 2005 by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with support from the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program.

The UMBC program has been very successful and has been recognized nationally and internationally as a best practice for entrepreneurship training, technology transfer, and economic development.

ACTiVATE® is a year-long program to train women with significant technical or business experience to be entrepreneurs and to create start-up companies from inventions from Maryland research institutions and federal agencies. Admission to the program is competitive. Although the application process for the class of 2009 is closed, it is not too early to get on the list to receive information about the 2010 application process. Click here to request more information.

The new program, called “ACTiVATE® at NIH”, will be a yearlong training and support program focused on starting companies based on early-stage technologies developed at the NIH and other federal labs in the region. Postdocs and other individuals from the business community who want to partner with a scientist to start a company will be recruited for the program.

The ACTiVATE® model pairs these individuals – one scientist and one business person – and asks the team to select either a pre-screened technology or the scientist's own technology to serve as a project for the program. Through weekly lectures and the practical experience of working on their projects, the team will learn how to evaluate the technology, develop a business plan, and actually start a company. The applied learning process will be conducted in a supportive environment led by a team of experienced instructors who have started their own technology-based companies and others from the business community who will serve as project advisors and guest lecturers.

The goal of the program is to form new companies in Montgomery County and to retain in the state some of the very talented postdocs after they complete their fellowships in area laboratories.

Source: http://www.umbc.edu/activate/

Promote Your Blog - Blogger Help

2012-04-01T18:45:00.001-07:00

Promote Your Blog - Blogger Help

Undercover Billionaire: Sara Blakely Joins The Rich List Thanks To Spanx - Forbes

2012-03-12T03:48:00.001-07:00

Undercover Billionaire: Sara Blakely Joins The Rich List Thanks To Spanx - Forbes

IRS Tax Tip 2012-11: Everyone is Eligible to Free File!

2012-01-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

IRS Tax Tip 2012-11: Everyone is Eligible to Free File!

Ali Brown - Entrepreneur Mentor Featured on ABC's Secret Millionaire", Small Business Coach and Consultant for Women

2011-11-25T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ali Brown - Entrepreneur Mentor Featured on ABC's Secret Millionaire", Small Business Coach and Consultant for Women

Join us for M3 1000 Philadelphia

2011-05-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Join us for M3 1000 Philadelphia

July 17-18

Double Tree Hotel
237 South Broad Street

Pitch your business for a chance to win a $1,000 American Express gift card and a coveted spot in the M3 business growth program
***
Hear from nationally renowned small business experts
***
Connect with women business owners like you representing every industry and stage of growth.

Microfinance USA Conference features Count Me In's Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey

2011-05-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Don't Miss the Microfinance USA Conference featuring sessions with Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey

May 23 & 24

Loreen Arbus, Pat Mitchell, 21 Leader Nell Merlino, Carol Jenkins
(Photo credit: WeNews)

Count Me In's Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey will be featured presenters at the 2011 Microfinance USA Conference

May 23 and 24th in New York. This is the biggest event of the year for microfinance professionals, social entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want to support and benefit from the movement and learn more. Register Today!

In addition to two-day individual and student passes, single day passes are now available for only $175, saving you $100 off the full conference price! Only a limited number of One-Day Passes will be made available. To purchase, select "Individual" from the dropdown menu, enter your information, and select One-Day Pass for May 23rd or May 24th. Hurry - some of the most popular sessions are about to sell out!

Microentrepreneur Client Tours - only 20 spots left to see microfinance in action!
Monday, May 23 - Growing Microbusinesses into Million $ Enterprises - Join Nell Merlino

and M3 Awardees Adele Horowitz

, Princess Jenkins

and Rupila Sethi

as they discuss the roles microlending, Count Me In, and other financial investments played in developing their businesses.
Tuesday, May 24 - Entrepreneurs Supporting Microentrepreneurs - with fashion designer Tory Burch and Sam Adams' Jim Koch
Tuesday, May 24 - Growing Your Business From the Inside Out - Isisara Bey

leads a 90-minute, interactive workshop and live coaching session designed to help participants uncover the shared struggles and triumphs of women entrepreneurs; get in touch with their earliest psychological orientations to money, success and abundance; and practice in pitching the essence of their businesses and receiving expert feedback.

View the full agenda here

. We hope you'll be able to join us!

Closing Deadline Extended to Sept. 30 for Eligible Homebuyer Credit Purchases

2010-07-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Issue Number: IR-2010-080

Inside This Issue

Closing Deadline Extended to Sept. 30 for Eligible Homebuyer Credit Purchases

WASHINGTON — Eligible taxpayers who contracted to buy a home, qualifying for the first-time homebuyer credit, before the end of April now have until Sept. 30, 2010 to close the deal, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, signed by the President today, extended the closing deadline from June 30 to Sept. 30 for any eligible homebuyer who entered into a binding purchase contract on or before April 30 to close on the purchase of the home on or before June 30, 2010. The new law addresses concerns that many homebuyers might be unable to meet the original June 30 closing deadline.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that special filing and documentation requirements apply to anyone claiming the homebuyer credit. To avoid refund delays, those who entered into a purchase contract on or before April 30, but closed after that date, should attach to their return a copy of the pages from the signed contract showing all parties' names and signatures if required by local law, the property address, the purchase price, and the date of the contract.

Besides filling out Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit, all eligible homebuyers must also include with their return one of the following documents:

A copy of the settlement statement showing all parties' names and signatures if required by local law, property address, sales price, and date of purchase. Normally, this is the properly executed Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement.
For mobile home purchasers who are unable to get a settlement statement, a copy of the executed retail sales contract showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, purchase price and date of purchase.
For a newly constructed home where a settlement statement is not available, a copy of the certificate of occupancy showing the owner’s name, property address and date of the certificate.

Besides providing a tax benefit to first-time homebuyers and purchasers who haven’t owned homes in recent years, the law allows a long-time resident of the same main home to claim the credit if they purchase a new principal residence. To qualify, eligible taxpayers must show that they lived in their old homes for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period ending on the purchase date of the new home. Homebuyers claiming this credit can avoid refund delays by attaching documentation covering the five-consecutive-year period:

Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement, or substitute mortgage interest statements,
Property tax records or
Homeowner’s insurance records.

There are three options for claiming the credit on a qualifying 2010 purchase:

If a 2009 return has not yet been filed, claim it on Form 1040 for tax-year 2009. Though these returns cannot be filed electronically, taxpayers can still use IRS Free File to prepare their return. The returns must be printed out and sent to the IRS, along with all required documentation. The IRS urges taxpayers claiming refunds to choose direct deposit.
If a 2009 return has already been filed, claim it on an amended return using Form 1040X.
Whether or not a 2009 return has been filed, wait until next year and claim it on a 2010 Form 1040.

More details on claiming the credit can be found in the instructions to Form 5405, as well as on the First-Time Homebuyer Credit page on IRS.gov.

Thank you for subscribing to the IRS Newswire, an IRS e-mail service.

If you know someone who might want to subscribe to this mailing list, please forward this message to them so they can subscribe.

This message was distributed automatically from the mailing list IRS Newswire.

Make Mine a $ Million Business - Webinar Reminders

2010-01-12T20:37:00.001-08:00

WEBINARS REMINDER

January 13, 2010: Marketing Research and Customer Engagement and Why it Matters to Your Business

In this webinar, you will:

Explore the basics of why and how to use research as one of the newest and most exciting ways to engage your consumers!
Learn how to measure, manage, and improve your business with research!
Discover how the internet has changed the consumer landscape and what that means to you!

	Date: Wednesday January 13, 2010 Time: 4pm EDT to 5pm EDT Price: Free Registration: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/500467747
This webinar will be conducted by Lynnette Leathers, President and Founder of Mindspot, Inc.

January 20, 2010: Hire Your First Employee with Rhonda Abrams

Small business success depends on building a great team-that means finding hiring, and leading great employees! In this webinar, you will:

Identify exactly the kind of help you need and where to find it!
Discover how to become both a manager and a leader!
Realize the great opportunities that exist in this economy from terrific available talent to lower labor costs!

EXTRA BONUS: Every webinar participant will receive a free copy of Rhonda's new book, "Hire Your First employee: The entrepreneur's guide to finding, choosing, and leading great people."

	Date: Wednesday January 20, 2010 Time: 4pm EDT to 5pm EDT Price: Free Registration: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/619217147
Hire Your First Employee with Rhonda Abrams will be conducted by Rhonda Abrams; author, entrepreneur, and nationally-syndicated small business columnist for USA Today. She has built four companies depending on finding and managing employees. She is currently the President and Chief Entrepreneur of The Planning Shop.

Can't Make the Webinar?

In case you missed one of our webinars, the recorded versions are available a week after the original airing in our Previous Conference Calls and Webinars section.

Apply for the Make Mine
a Million $ Business Competition

Deadline: January 18, 2010

Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday January 27, 2010: Start With Why
with Count Me In Expert Simon Sinek, renowned Leadership Expert and Author of Start With Why.

Wednesday February 3, 2010: Steps to Attracting Financing with Count Me In Experts Mary Beth Shewan and Bill Dueease.

Wednesday February 10, 2010: Sell to the Choir with the Founder and Leader of Maverick & Company, Alecia Huck.

How to Sell Your Business

2010-01-07T23:37:00.000-08:00

Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.
Don’t go it alone. Assemble a team of professionals, most importantly an attorney and an accountant that you trust.
Get a professional valuation of your business.
Make sure your financial house is in order prior to sale.
Familiarize yourself with the entire selling process, from start to finish.

Read a book on selling and valuing a business.
Visit the online marketplaces: BizBuySell, BizQuest and BusinessesForSale.
Learn about business valuation: BizEquity, Business Valuation Resources, or contact a Certified Business Appraiser in your area.
Find an intermediary: International Business Brokers Association, Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors, M&A Source
Plan an exit strategy: Association for Corporate Growth, Exit Planning Institute

You're the Boss: Has the Economy Closed Your Exit Door?

That thought alone may be enough to keep you up at night when you decide it’s time to cash in on your years of hard work — as if there isn’t enough pressure associated with every step of the sale of a business. But there’s much you can do to prepare for the sale, and it’s not a bad idea to start thinking about it long before the day arrives.

While every transfer of business ownership is unique, there are some important questions that sellers should ask themselves and there is a common process that is used for the sale of most small businesses. The more you prepare, the more successful the outcome is likely to be. What follows is a brief outline of the process for small, closely held companies. Many of these principles apply to larger transactions as well. (You may also be interested in this blog post: Has the Economy Closed Your Exit Door?)

First, ask yourself three questions:

Can Your Business Be Sold?

Many elements of a business make it attractive to buyers. For example, does it have a solid history of profitability, a large and loyal base of customers, a competitive advantage (intellectual property rights, long-term contracts with clients, exclusive distributorships), opportunities for growth, a desirable location and a skilled work force?

Are You Ready to Sell?

Make sure you are ready, both financially and emotionally. Think about what life will be like after the sale. What will you do — not just for money but also with your time? Many business owners suffer real remorse after handing over their business to a new owner.

Here are a few indicators that it may be time to move on:

Can Microfinance Make It in America?

2010-01-02T16:09:00.000-08:00

Microfinance has helped to create opportunities for the poor in Bangladesh and other developing countries. Nonprofit organisations such as Washington CASH successfully provide small business training and microfinance loans for low income people.

This article is about Grameen America and explores whether microfinance can work here in the US. I believe that microfinance is one of the many tools that can be used to stimulate the US economy and should be supported by Congress.

Read more:

Can Microfinance Make It in America?

Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE

2009-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

In 2007, while researching resources for participants in Washington Community Alliance for Self Help (aka "Washington CASH"), a micro-finance program for low income entrepreneurs, I discovered the "Make Mine a Million $ Business Award" - a competition program for women entrepreneurs. I read and was inspired by the success story of Gina Stern a 2006 Make Mine a Million Award a recipient who founded d_parture Spa -- an airport full service spa business that has become successful.

The "Make Mine a Million $ Business Award" competition program was conceived by Nell Merlino who realized that while aspiring female entrepreneurs have innovative ideas, they often lacked the tools they need to grow a profitable business. Nell founded "Count Me In" -- an organisation that provides the support that women entrepreneurs need to thrive and grow their business. According to Nell, Make Mine a Million started as a result of Beatriz Ramos, founder of Dancing Diablo a Brooklyn-based animation business that had received micro-finance, need for a higher level of financing to expand her growing business.

Through her blog, Nell offers expert insider tips and her secrets to success! The secrets to business success that Nell offers are not just peculiar to women -- they apply to all businesses and entrepreneurs. The goal of Make Mine a Million $ Business is to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach annual revenues of $1 million in the next decade. The impact of reaching this goal is creation of over 4 million new jobs and $700 billion in economic activity. With 97% of all women-owned businesses in the U.S. reporting less than 1million $ in revenue, Make Mine a Million $ Business Award goal is to address the growth needs of established and new women-owned businesses.

"Count Me In" has partnered with several organisations such as American Express Open Forum, Cisco, Dell, FedEx, jetBlue, Reader's Digest and Sam's Club to provide coaching, financing and marketing tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro levels to millions in revenue.

Each year, "Count Me In" runs a competition titled "Make Mine a Million $ Business". It allows women entrepreneurs that are US residents who have innovative and unique business ideas to apply for funding and tools that are likely to help ensure their success and goal of reaching a million dollars or more in sales revenue within 18-24 months. The competition is open to all women entrepreneurs that meet the eligibility criteria.

Winning the competition allows the woman entrepreneur the opportunity to reach new national markets with partners like American Express Open Forum, Cisco, Dell, FedEx, jetBlue, Reader's Digest and Sam's Club.

The program abounds with numerous success stories some of which you can read about below:

If you or a woman entrepreneur that you know meets the eligibility criteria, you should complete the application. Whether you win the competition or not, you will still reap immense benefits from completing the application -- you become a member of the M3 Community! M3 Community members also receive the following benefits:

Opportunities to connect with the thousands of women entrepreneurs, potential strategic partners, clients, and vendors
Forums to discuss business growth questions, comments and concerns on our message boards.
Real-time feedback from other entrepreneurs and experts on your day-to-day concerns.
Opportunity to market your business to thousands of women by completing your profile page
Business growth tips, advice, and success stories in our monthly newsletter.
Be the first to know about our upcoming webinars, live workshops, seminars and events.
Face to face meetings with women entrepreneurs in your local area through Meetups.

Applicants with the highest ratings are selected as Finalists and the Finalists must be able to attend the Event that they have applied for, where they will compete to become Awardees. At the Event, each Finalist competes by presenting a three-minute "elevator pitch" of their business, their qualifications, and how they would benefit from the Program. The "Elevator Pitch" is given in front of a live audience and a panel of qualified judges selected by Count Me In. The judges, with input from the audience vote, will select the Finalists that should be named as Award Recipients.

You cannot win unless you apply. The online application deadline for the 2010 competition and event date are below so log on and apply!

Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition Timetable and Deadlines

EVENT LOCATION	EVENT DATE	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Houston, Texas - NATIONAL	Feb. 17-18, 2010	Jan. 15, 2010

Small Businesses Turn to Goldman

2009-11-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

If you are a small business owner that is excited about jumping on Goldman's bandwagon and bagging a few millions for your business during these tough times, just hold your horses! A good chunk of the money is going to educational institutions for training purposes. However, some of the funds will be funneled to small businesses through community lending channels.

Your best bet is to contact your local SBA office to determine the rules for applying for the funding and for guidance on how you may qualify for funding. We will post information on this blog as we learn more so please sign up to follow the blog. Read more below.

WSJ Small Business

November 19, 2009

By Mike Spector

When Jay Richardson heard that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Warren Buffett were teaming to funnel millions to small businesses, he started making phone calls to see how he could get his share.

Mr. Richardson, 49 years old, runs Master Model Craft Inc., a 24-employee company in Bristol, Tenn., that makes tools for manufacturers, including conveyor belts and robots.

Sales are down 30% from last year's $2.3 million clip. That has left him stretched for cash to get the new specialized saw and testing equipment he needs to expand and avoid further layoffs. "Just a little bit of stimulus would help us," he said.

Mike Belleme for the Wall Street Journal

Tennessee businessowner Jay Richardson, at his office Wednesday, says a Goldman loan 'would help us.'

The reality is that none will receive a check from Goldman Sachs. Rather, Goldman will spend $200 million on education and training programs, while funneling $300 million to so-called community-development financial institutions, which largely serve historically disadvantaged communities that have had trouble accessing capital.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704533904574544202372453482.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Geithner: 'The credit crunch is not over'

2009-11-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

Small businesses took center stage as Washington power players convened to tackle the growing crisis in lending.

By Catherine Clifford, CNNMoney.com staff reporter

November 18, 2009: 9:51 PM ET

Photos

SOS: Send loans now

With bank lending to small businesses nearly frozen, these 8 entrepreneurs are among the thousands fighting for the credit lines and loans they need to keep their companies alive.

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- One day after Goldman Sachs' CEO apologized for his bank's role in the financial meltdown, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner called on the nation's financiers to step up and do more to fix the damage they helped cause.

"This credit crunch is not over," Geithner at a small business financing forum in Washington hosted by the Treasury. "It may feel dramatically better for large companies, but it is not over for small businesses across the country."

The nation's banking system was stabilized with taxpayer dollars, and Geithner said he holds the biggest banks accountable for passing the torch from Wall Street to Main Street.

"Banks bear some responsibility for the extent of the damage caused by the crisis," he said. "And they carry a substantial obligation to help our communities get back on their feet."

Geithner and an assortment of top Washington officials, including Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, met Wednesday with a gathering of bankers and small business owners to address the credit crunch that has plagued small business owners for more than a year. Frozen out by banks unwilling to make risky lending bets on startups and small companies, the nation's 6 million small employers are struggling.

"In my home state of Virginia, we have long-term, successful retailers who are not going to be able to hire up for the holiday season," said Senator Mark Warner, D-Va. "Small businesses have hung on as long as they can and are basically at the end of their rope."

Goldman Sachs teams with Warren Buffett on $500 million effort to help small businesses

2009-11-19T03:54:00.000-08:00

Date: Tuesday November 17, 2009, 10:57 pm EST
By: Associated Press
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/

Symbol	Price	Change
GS	176.60	-0.65

NEW YORK (AP) -- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is teaming with billionaire investor Warren Buffett to invest $500 million to provide thousands of small business owners across America with college scholarships and boost their access to capital.

The move comes as the company has been criticized for setting aside billions for employee paychecks despite the continuing weak economy.

Goldman's philanthropic effort, called "10,000 Small Businesses," includes a $200 million contribution to community colleges, universities and other institutions to give grants to small business owners to further their education.

The New York-based bank also will invest $300 million through a combination of lending and charitable support. Goldman said the money will be funneled through community development financial institutions to boost lending and technical assistance available to small businesses in underserved communities.

In addition, Goldman Sachs executives, in partnership with national and local business organizations, will aid small businesses with advice, technical assistance and professional networking opportunities.

An advisory council co-chaired by Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein will oversee the program. Legendary investor and Goldman's largest shareholder, Warren Buffett, and Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter will serve as co-chairs as well.

Small Business - Entrepreneurs Guide

The ACTiVATE® Program

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Undercover Billionaire: Sara Blakely Joins The Rich List Thanks To Spanx - Forbes

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Ali Brown - Entrepreneur Mentor Featured on ABC's Secret Millionaire", Small Business Coach and Consultant for Women

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Join us for M3 1000 Philadelphia

Join us for M3 1000 Philadelphia

July 17-18

Microfinance USA Conference features Count Me In's Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey

Don't Miss the Microfinance USA Conference featuring sessions with Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey May 23 & 24

Related articles

Closing Deadline Extended to Sept. 30 for Eligible Homebuyer Credit Purchases

Issue Number: IR-2010-080

Inside This Issue

Make Mine a $ Million Business - Webinar Reminders

WEBINARS REMINDER January 13, 2010: Marketing Research and Customer Engagement and Why it Matters to Your Business

January 20, 2010: Hire Your First Employee with Rhonda Abrams

Upcoming Webinars

How to Sell Your Business

Quick Tips:

Recommended Resources:

Related

You're the Boss: Has the Economy Closed Your Exit Door?

Related articles

Can Microfinance Make It in America?

Related articles

Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE

Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition Timetable and Deadlines

Small Businesses Turn to Goldman

Geithner: 'The credit crunch is not over'

Small businesses took center stage as Washington power players convened to tackle the growing crisis in lending.

Goldman Sachs teams with Warren Buffett on $500 million effort to help small businesses

Date: Tuesday November 17, 2009, 10:57 pm EST By: Associated Press Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/

Related Quotes

Don't Miss the Microfinance USA Conference featuring sessions with Nell Merlino and Isisara Bey

May 23 & 24

WEBINARS REMINDER

January 13, 2010: Marketing Research and Customer Engagement and Why it Matters to Your Business

Date: Tuesday November 17, 2009, 10:57 pm EST
By: Associated Press
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/