Celebration Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Year

National, state and community leaders gather to launch the JWBC in 2004

Starting the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center (JWBC) 10 years ago was a bright idea. Since 2004, we’ve helped thousands of women at every stage of business: from a great idea to a company, from a company to a successful and growing enterprise, and from a successful enterprise to global domination – if that’s her plan.

And you know what? That deserves a celebration, so we’re doing that, too!

If you are a woman business owner (or want to be), know or love a woman business owner in Northeast Florida, share in her success at our 10^th Anniversary Celebration, Thursday, October 16, 5:30 – 8 pm at the Episcopal High School of Jacksonville.

Purchase Tickets in Advance

Tickets are on sale NOW – $35 general admission and $25 for women business owners.

JWBC’s 5th Anniversary Celebration, 2009

A Brilliant Event!

• Connect with our region’s entrepreneurs, community leaders and business professionals.
• Sample the Taste of 10 – hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by our area’s top women-led caterers and restaurants
• Enjoy adult beverages at the cash bar
• Hear client stories and how they applied what they learned to grow the business of their dreams
• Learn why getting involved as a client, volunteer or sponsor makes you brilliant, too!

 Are you “In for 10?”

Event sponsorships are available and include unique ways to promote your business and demonstrate your commitment to community development. Click here for details.

The chance to celebrate 10 years only comes around once, so this is a one-time opportunity to thank our clients, volunteers and supporters who make our story possible.

We hope you’ll join us. Buy your tickets today.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Happy

Holly Slade, writing for Forbes online writes:

Embed from Getty ImagesWhen women have established businesses, they are actually happier than their entrepreneurial male counterparts, as well as rating their well-being more than twice as high as non-entrepreneurs and non-business owners, according to the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) U.S. Report.

There was one caveat – female entrepreneurs who are just starting out are less happy than male entrepreneurs in the start-up phase, says Edward Rogoff, one of the reports authors. One out of 10 women in the U.S. is starting or running a new business, the report also found. This rate is higher than any of the other 24 developed economies measured.

What’s more, the proportion of women that want to grow their businesses by more than five employees in the next five years increased from 31% in 2012 to 36% in 2013, so overall there are an estimated 3.73 million American women with growth-oriented businesses.

Read the whole article here.

 

8 Rules for Success with Your Own Business

by: Isabel Graf, Ph.D., Co-founder, Insights2Talent, LLC

Establishing and growing a successful business is difficult, but there are some things you can do to keep your business and your sanity. Here are eight rules to guide you along your way.

1. Attitude. Being positive builds business. Positivity attracts others to you; people will want to be around you. Negativity pushes others away. Think of that one friend who always complains – you probably look for ways to spend less time with that person. So make sure you are not the “negative friend.”  If you don’t know how to begin the change, read books and watch videos on positive attitudes, or ask your colleagues what you can do to improve.
2. Listen.  Listen to your clients and potential clients. Too often, business owners make the mistake of doing all the talking. Yes, you are the expert – but if you do all the talking, how do you know what the client really wants or needs? Ask questions and then listen (really listen) so you can identify what you can do to help. You will win and retain more – and happier – clients.
3. Ask.  Ask for advice or help. You cannot know everything, and it is dangerous to think you can do it all yourself. Find a small group of people you trust – people you can bounce ideas off of and learn from.  Share your challenges with them and find out how they handled similar problems.
4. Understand Finance.  You don’t need an accounting degree, but you do need to know how to read an income statement and a balance sheet. It is important that you understand how you earn revenue and whether you are charging enough to cover all your expenses – fixed and variable. Remember that“Cash is king;” you must understand the concept of cash flow. There may be times when you show a profit but not have the cash to pay your bills or meet your payroll.
5. Walk Away. Actually, run away – far away – from unethical people. If you associate with unethical people, your clients and potential clients will think the same of you. It is your reputation – guard it well.
6. Be Honest. If you are asked about something that it is not your area of expertise, tell the person honestly that you don’t know, AND recommend someone who might be able to help them. This builds trust with the client and develops a network of people you can rely upon and who will refer business back to you. If you are concerned that a person you might recommend will steal your client, refer back to Rule # 5.
7. Keep Your Commitments.  Be careful not to over-commit. It is difficult to turn away business when you’re worried about making money and growing your company. So business owners tend to commit to everything and then worry about how we will deliver. Quality and deadlines suffer, if the work gets done at all, or we spend all our waking hours (and some of the hours we should be sleeping) stressed-out while trying to get everything done. This leads us to rule # 8.
8. Make Time for Yourself. It’s easy to fall into the trap of working all hours of the day and night and the weekends as well. You feel productive, but you begin to hate your business.  Your dream of entrepreneurship becomes just another “job,” and you start to wonder what you can do next to make a living. Set limits for yourself. Start by not over-committing and being honest about work you cannot do. Find time for your family, friends, hobbies, or simply doing nothing for a while. Women who are driven to own their own businesses often do not have outside interests – we are too busy managing our companies. Stop work at a reasonable hour every day. Take a day off as often as you can.  (Radical thought: take a vacation!) Time away rejuvenates us and we function so much better after the break.

Follow these eight rules for a more successful and healthier professional and personal life.

The Author:

Isabel Graf, Ph.D. is co-founder of Insights2Talent, a human resources firm specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, assessments and other talent management services.  With  more than 20 years of experience in the human resources field, Isabel has worked with several Fortune 500 companies as well as small to medium-sized companies, as an internal and external consultant.  Isabel has a Ph.D. in Human Resource Management and an MBA in Accounting.

Three Keys to a Solid Business Plan

How long has it been since you took a good long look at your business plan?

 
Embed from Getty Images
 

For more on how to create a solid business plan, watch Rich and Jeff Sloan (and Rich’s dog, Max) as they do a deep dive on three key components of a solid business plan:

1.A clearly defined business model

2.A financing strategy that’s aligned with your growth needs

3.A milestone timeline to which you can hold yourself accountable

 

A Message from the Small Business Administration

For more than fifty years, the SBA has helped entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed in their business ventures. For all kinds of business owners across the country – including in traditionally underserved communities – SBA provides resources and access to capital they need to flourish. Here’s how we help entrepreneurs and business owners who are:

• Minorities: Interested in government contracting? The 8(a) Business Development Program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace.
• Women: From registering your business to hiring your first employee, we’re here to help you launch your small business.
• Native Americans: We have opportunities and programs designed to help Native American entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses.
• Veterans: From the military world to the business world, SBA has customized resources to help our veterans succeed.
• 50+ Entrepreneurs: Are you nearing retirement and exploring new opportunities? We have information and tools to help “encore” entrepreneurs start and run their businesses.
• People with Disabilities: Explore resources and links to help disabled people establish and manage small businesses.

Our online Learning Center also offers free, self-paced courses tailored to your business type and more, so you can get the online training you need, when you need it.

At SBA, we’re in the business of businesses – and in making sure our diverse entrepreneurs across the U.S. access the resources and capital they need to find success in their ventures.

Did you know? More than 7.8 million U.S. women run their own small businesses—generating more than $1.2 trillion each year!

Lauren Little, JWBC Client and owner of Edible Arrangements

If you are one of these women, or are a woman looking to join this rising force in entrepreneurship, SBA is here to help.

From training resources to registering your business, The SBA has information and programs to help you start and grow your business. Here’s how:

> Check out the Resource Portal for Women Business Owners — It includes online guides, tools, and training that walk you through the steps of starting, growing, and financing your business. SBA can even connect you to a mentor and information about start-up accelerator programs tailored for women.

> SBA Programs that make a difference to women — From loan programs to financing your business growth to courses and opportunities that make it easier for women to compete in the government marketplace, SBA can help prepare you for success.

> Visit a Women’s Business Center — This national network of more than 100 educational centers assists women on all kinds of business issues.

> Access Online Training — Education is key for success, and it’s easier than ever with SBA’s Learning Center. Explore self-paced training courses, quick videos, web chats and more to help you understand the many aspects of business ownership.

> Join our Online Community — Discuss and explore your business challenges with experts and peers in our online community of 30,000+ members.

> Blogs and Articles — Hundreds of articles in the SBA Community offer tips for business success.

The SBA is here to help you take your business to the next level. Learn more today.

SBA Extends Weekly Webinars for Women’s Small Business Federal Contract Program

SBA Extends Weekly Office Hours Webinars for Women Entrepreneurs on Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended its free webinar series through July for women business owners to learn more about increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the federal contracting arena. The Office Hours for Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from July 8 through July 31 at 2 p.m. ET.

SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program presents an opportunity for small businesses to increase their presence in the federal marketplace. The federal government is the biggest buyer in the world and is a must-have customer for women-owned companies.

The hour-long webinars will be led by SBA officials, and will help to answer questions and give valuable insight to women entrepreneurs on doing business in the federal marketplace.

WHAT:  SBA Office Hours Webinars on Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program

WHEN:               July 8 – July 31, 2014, each Tuesday and Thursday:

• Tuesday, July 8th, July 15th, July 22nd and July 29th
• Thursday, July 10th, July 17th, July 24 and July 31st

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (ET)

HOW:                   Registration is free, but required. Please contact LeAnn.Delaney@sba.gov<mailto:LeAnn.Delaney@sba.gov> to sign up, and include the date you would like to participate. The webinars are repeated.

To learn more about the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program, visit http://www.sba.gov/content/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program.

 

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A Great Definition of Entrepreneur…

Original Photo by Martin Eckert, July 2005

Leadership Matters Opens for September 2014 Enrollment

The Jacksonville Women’s Business Center has opened nominations for the Leadership Matters program. The Fall 2014 session begins in September.

Do you wish you could be more successful, more influential, or more confident?

Leadership Matters is a transformational program that develops image, influence and  power among women leaders by delivering knowledge with mentoring support. In building upon these strengths, program graduates will grow their companies, improve their organizations and better their communities.

How it Works:

Leadership Matters focuses on accountability, mentoring and personal development skills for women business owners and key management members from women-owned businesses, local corporations and not-for-profit organizations.  Participants attend six workshops facilitated by Davis College of Business professor during a three-month period and are assigned a mentor to assist with specific developmental needs. Program
participants also prepare a personal development plan and receive a certificate upon completion of the program.  The three month program includes owners of second-stage
growth companies and women leaders from larger companies in the region.

You can find an example of the curriculum here.

Make a Nomination Today!

Nominations for the Fall 2014 Leadership Matters program are currently being accepted through July 31, 2014. Self nominations are accepted (and don’t forget to tell someone else about the program.)

Questions? Please contact
Pat Blanchard, Director
904.366.6640
Email Pat

Call for Applications: ATHENA PowerLink® Program

Application Deadline: May 31, 2014

A Graduate’s Story: Mary Fisher, Mary Fisher Design

“At first, I was a bit hesitant to raise my hand and say, after 24 years in business, I could use a little help growing my company. You see, I own an advertising agency and we have seen a big change in my industry. Companies have shifted from printed brochures to web. They have also shifted from traditional advertising to social media. So, we expanded our business to include these new channels several years ago.

I understood we needed a niche market. So, after looking at our client base, I realized healthcare marketing had been a great niche for us and pursued that focus. Then, the Affordable Care Act came into place and the doctors slowed way down on their advertising. We were heading into a powerful combination of bad storms. And, we already were looking at a 20% decrease in revenues and profits.

I applied for the ATHENAPowerLink® program and I truly had the dream team of mentors who dedicated an entire year to my success. While my eight mentors worked hard with me, I was worried I would be the only failure in the ATHENA mentoring program. And then, finally, there was a light on the horizon. With the help of each of my mentors, I was able to show a 36% increase in net profit at the end of 2013.

You know sometimes, as a business owner, you can’t see the forest for the trees. Now I can see the forest and the trees. My mentors encouraged me to not only look at the details of
running a business, but to also step back and view the business from the clients’ or team members’ point of view.”

Is the ATHENAPowerLink® program for you?

Click here to find out more and download the application.

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Questions? Please contact
Pat Blanchard, Director
904.366.6640
Email Pat

The local ATHENAPowerLink® program is sponsored by