Watching Government
By printzg | February 2, 2010
Hi! Happy February!
I just wanted to stop in and share with a piece of relevant advice we came across. It comes form Janet W. Christy, author of Capitalizing on Being Woman Owned: Expert Advice for Women Who Have or Are Starting Their Own Business.
In light of the status of the economy and small business in 2010, she advises:
“Watch government announcements closely. In 2009, two characteristics of the stimulus package (officially the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT) became apparent. First, the money was going to come through the same channels it has always come – for example: road and bridge money would go to Departments of Transportation or cities or counties to award contracts. Second, most of the money was going to come very slowly. It is important to pledge to watch the government announcements about stimulus packages, incentives and other money related actions because those announcements will provide information about who will receive the money, how it can be used and may include clues about if and how Woman Owned Business can be involved.”
I’m sure many of you, like me, watched the State of the Union address last week. The focus, as predicted, was on the status of small business and jobs in our struggling economy.
President Obama offered these incentives:
“I’m proposing that we take $30-billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat. I am also proposing a new small business tax credit – one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. While we’re at it, let’s also eliminate all capital gains taxes on small business investment; and provide a tax incentive for all businesses, large and small, to invest in new plants and equipment.”
At this time, these are just executive proposals, so we remind you to watch the legislative process, see what is passed, and how it can ultimately benefit you.
What do you think about these proposals?
Leave a comment!
In 2010
By printzg | January 11, 2010
Hi there, Gabby here!
I’ve just returned from my holiday vacation on the West Coast and I’m excited to be back in the office and on the blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and is ready as we are at the WBC to tackle 2010.
Some exciting things are happening at the Women’s Business Center right now:
First of all, if you’ve been to our homepage recently, you might have noticed that we are now on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Since we are a partner organization to a college, we thought it was only appropriate for us to start a Facebook group. And if you’re not on Facebook (or you just can’t get enough of us on the web), we would be happy to be a part of your professional network on LinkedIn!
Also, we are happy to announce that we will be holding our second-ever Sister Mixer this February at the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens Society! Some of you may have attended the first Sister Mixer this summer at Dug’s Dive on the waterfront. We invite you to come again for some fun, informal networking with other guests and clients of all WBC programs. For more information, click here. We hope you can attend!
I also wanted to share with you, in light of the new year, some advice for small business owners in 2010. This article, published over on WebCPA, highlights the top ten tips shared by 750 real small business owners, based on past year’s experience.
They advise:
1. Start Preparing Your Taxes Now
2. Cut Personal Expenses
3. Think Green
4. Have a Long-Term Plan
5. Don’t Focus on the Money
6. Use the Web (one thing we really emphasize at the WBC)
7) Rely on Yourself
8. Focus on Sales
9. Stay in Touch with Family
10. Stay Healthy
You can read the full text of the article here.
To leave a comment, click here.
Category: Biz Tips, Events | No Comments »New Year’s Resolutions
By printzg | December 8, 2009
Believe it or not, it’s December. It’s the time of year when, if you’re not thinking about the mad holiday rush, you’re considering the coming new year. Maybe the changes you’ll make (or those few lingering pounds to lose). But what about for the small business owner? Have you thought about the resolutions will you make to further your business in the new year?
Start your 2010 off on the right foot with Open Networking.
On January 6th, 2010, the Women’s Business Center will be holding a free, Open Networking event available to all area business owners. You will have the opportunity to practice your networking skills, exchange leads and cultivate new business relationships.
Make your small business resolution to expand your professional network. We’d love to help.
Continue reading for more details.
Category: Events, Networking | No Comments »New Opportunity!
By printzg | December 4, 2009
Just wanted to drop in and let you know about a unique opportunity at the Women’s Business Center next week…
We are offering a Communication Workshop to possible candidates for our Coaching and Forum Series programs. This is a way for you to “try us on for size” without any cost or obligation.
The workshop will consist of an interactive self assessment with significant takeaways. Participants will gain knowledge that has been proven to make individuals stronger in their interaction skills with clients, staff, partners and even significant others!
For more details, visit our website.
Category: Events | No Comments »Small Business and Health Care Policy
By printzg | November 23, 2009
This past weekend, the Senate bill on health care reform was cleared for debate during Saturday’s session. Much discourse has taken place as the issue has gone from campaign platform to its current state in the legislative process, with talking points ranging from the cost and its effect on the national deficit to the availability of basic health coverage for the currently uninsured.
But what implications are there for the small business owner?
Click here to read the White House’s fact sheet on How Health Insurance Reform Will Help Small Business and this report from the Council of Economic Advisors which examines the specific challenges faced by small businesses and their employees in respect to the health care debate.
Are you a small business owner? What do you think about health care reform?
Click here to leave a comment below.
Open House!
By printzg | November 2, 2009
On November 19th, the Women’s Business Center will be holding two Open House information sessions, from 8-10 am and 4-6 pm. Stop in to discover what we are all about, what we offer, and how we can help you grow your business. The events are open to all local area business owners. Come, enjoy some light refreshments and see what steps you can take to start working “on” your business – not “in” it for a change!
Ask us about programs like Coaching and The Forum Series, and find out what they can do for your business.
Email us or call Sheila Walsh at (716) 888-8285 if you’re planning to join us, or if you would like more information.
Category: About Us, Coaching, Events | No Comments »A Success!
By printzg | October 14, 2009
Thank you to all who joined us at the Entrepreneurship Symposium held yesterday at Canisius. It went off without a hitch, thanks to our excellent speakers and topic experts, our wonderful steering committee, CEO and SIFE student volunteers and the devoted WBC, CPD and Canisius College staff.
Category: Entrepreneurship Symposium | No Comments »8 Days and Counting…
By printzg | October 5, 2009
It’s getting down to the wire as we prepare for the Entrepreneurship Symposium on the 13th. This afternoon we’re getting ready to send all the event materials off to the printer (a great WBC client, by the way, Joyce Delong at Insty-Prints). So the office is, to put it mildly… active.
Category: Entrepreneurship Symposium | No Comments »Goodbye to Danielle
By printzg | September 30, 2009
We must say goodbye to our Client Services Coordinator, Danielle O’Mara. Today is the last day of her year long service at the Women’s Business Center through the AmeriCorps ABLE program.
Did you get one?
By printzg | September 8, 2009
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