"If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives." - Vince Lombardi

For all Woman Small Business Owners

Are you a Woman Small Business Owner? the following link will show you how you can win your share of government business.

Also, learn more on The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSB) that could lead to great opportunities for your business. This is an excellent program you should take advantage of.

Woman-owned Small Businesses (WOSB)

Surveying your customer? Yes! It will help you...

Surveying your customers can benefit your business in many ways.

You’ll gain insights to help you improve your product or service, find out what customers actually think of your business compared to your competition and be better able to target their needs.

Click on the link below to learn more about how surveys can help you http://www.openforum.com/articles/4-simple-ways-to-find-out-what-your-customers-really-think

hmmm ..... What would you do if a current or potential employer asked for your Facebook user name and password?

Read this very interesting article on how job seekers may be getting asked for their Facebook information.
http://www.wbtv.com/story/17196848/job-seekers-getting-asked-for-facebook-passwords

2012 Florence Business Expo

Enjoyed being a part of the 2012 Florence Business Expo this week.... and loving the new SBDC signage!

Export Seminar Series – Colombia and Panama

Participants will take part in an interactive market briefing from the U.S. Commercial Service in Colombia and Panama on current market opportunities, along with an overview of the benefits and challenges of exporting to Panama and Colombia.

Following the briefing, participants will learn the importance of culture and communication in Colombia and Panama.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012Midlands Technical College, Northeast Campus, Auditorium
(803) 691-3938
151 Powell Road, Columbia, SC 29203
(8:30 am - Noon) Cost is $25 per person.

All reference material, morning pastries/coffee included.
For more information and to register please Click Here or go to http://www.sctrade.org/events.html.

Seating is limited, registration form, & payment required to guarantee seat.

Location: Midlands Technical College,
Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road,
Columbia, SC 29203

Map & Directions http://www.midlandstech.edu/northeastmap-b.htm

Schedule of Events:
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Welcome and Introduction- Amy Thomson, Senior International Trade Specialist, Columbia U.S. Export Assistance Center
9:10 - 10:00 a.m. Colombia Market and Opportunity Briefing- Cameron Werker, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Q & A/Break10:15 - 11:00 a.m. Panama Market and Opportunity Briefing- Daniel T. Crocker, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Panama
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Culture and Communication- Clare Morris and Jessica Daly of the Clare Morris Agency 11:50 – 12:00 p.m. Q&A/Closing Room and facilities provided by Midlands Technical College Funded in part through a grant award with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact Anita Patel, (803) 737-0247/ apatel@SCcommerce.com

Are there any high school/middle schoolers out there who would like to particiapate in the upcoming Optimist Oratorical Contest?

There are spots avaiable , the ap deadline is March 20, contest is March 27, GD Ocean Club, local winner wins cash and goes to state contest to compelte for 2500 scholarship, to be held in escrow for school of choice, topic is How My Optimism has helped me to reach my Goals

If you need an application, call 457-8774! Good op, winner was from Scholars Academy last year, state finals in Columbia!

Much like an entrepreneur.

Business is business, but a true entrepreneur sculpts that business just as surely as a sculptor creates a statue ..... one step, one detail at a time.

"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration." - Evan Esar

Pinterest and Facebook - how they do it

How do the big web sites get massive hits? Here's what they do, and how you can do it too!


http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-massive-hits-like-facebook-and-pinterest-have-in-common-2012-3?utm_source=inpost&utm_medium=seealso&utm_term&utm_content=3&utm_campaign=recirc
 

The Book

I'd like to say I've read this whole book, but I haven't finished it yet.

What I have read is just enough to know that every single small business owner (or anyone about to become a business owner) needs to download this free e-book and us...e it to propel your business forward steadily by making it more efficient, getting your employees more engaged and enthused about helping you grow your business, and becoming the stable, successful entrepreneur you want to be.

Organized by a nationwide SBDC think tank, all you need to do is click below to download and get started. Amazing opportunity to propel your business forward without spending a cent.

To get more information click on the following link bellow..
http://smallbusiness-breakthrough.com/the-breakthrough-book/#.T1DphvXeOz8.facebook