Published Jan. 26, 2012
Daniel Kehrer cites 9 key findings from the Small Business Optimism Index.
By Daniel Kehrer
Founder, BizBest.com
For the last 48 months in a row, the Small Business Optimism Index published by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has pointed to weak sales as the number one small business concern. And it’s a good bet that string isn’t over yet.
About the Author
Daniel Kehrer, Founder & Managing Director of BizBest Media Corp., is a nationally-known, award-winning expert on small and local business, start-ups, content marketing, entrepreneurship and social media, with an MBA from UCLA/Anderson. Read more of Daniel's tips at
www.BizBest.com, follow him at
www.twitter.com/140Main and connect on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/in/danielkehrer.
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Current
City: Bayside, WI
Forty years experience in commercial insurance industry.
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Education
BBA University of Wisconsin - Insurance and Finance Major Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter
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City: Columbia, SC
Thirty eight years with various banks in Farm Credit System. Began as Business Analyst with Columbia Bank for Cooperatives. Served as Chief Operations Officer with the Central Bank for Cooperatives in Denver, Colorado 1980-1985. Retired as CEO of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank on February 28, 1998. Served on Board of Directors of Southern States Cooperative, Richmond, VA from 2003 through 2009.
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Education
BS and MS in Agriculture Economics, University of Florida,Gainesville, FL
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City: Marshfield, WI
Bank Director, Licensed Home Mortgage Loan Officer, Financial expert. Owned or worked in 10 businesses Farm to Market, Trucking & Gravel, Trucking, Misc, trucking---Manufacturing of Recreational Vehicles, Mobile Homes, Modular Homes, SCORE Mentor
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Education
Some advance education at Michigan State while in the service
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City: Champaign, IL
BS, MS - IA State U.; Ph.D - U of KY; 16 years Upjohn (Pfizer) & Monsanto R&D mgnt; 11 yr Technology Commercialization, TX A&M, IN Univ, U of IL; founder/owner of Med-Launch Inc. (pharmaceutical, medical devices and medical sftw consulting); 7 yr as independent crop adjuster; visiting prof in IL school of business teaching technology commercialization (TC); author and publisher of TC book;
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Education
BS, MS - IA State U.; Ph.D - U of KY; VP of Assoc of Univ Technology Managers (AUTM), President of Access Technology Across Indiana (ATAIN), President of Comstock Lions International, Board of Directors member for 3 companies (2 FPO & 1 NPO)
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City: Elkins Park, PA
Exec. VP major ad agency specializing in direct marketing VP Telemarketing Service Bureau Direct Marketing Consultant Director of Marketing, financial services
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Temple University, BA
Most of us have encountered situations that need correcting or improving, but how many have actually taken steps to do something to bring about change? Tracy Foster did. Over the course of several years Tracy and her husband Steve adopted three children from Vietnamese orphanages. During the adoption processes, she realized there were many services and infrastructures provided by these orphanages that needed improvement, and determined she wanted to provide the means to make the improvements. She recruited a small group of individuals in the Knoxville, TN, area who shared similar goals, and began laying the groundwork to a non-profit dedicated to the cause – Project Being There.
www.projectbeingthere.org
11139 Kingston Pk
Knoxville
TN
United States
My Successes
During the first two years of its existence, Project Being There participated in several events sponsored by other organizations and also conducted their own projects, raising about $14,000. This amount was used to provide improvements for St. An’s Orphanage in Vietnam, with projects such as water filtration and distribution of clean water, improvements to washing and sanitation facilities, working with the staff on improving health and nutrition, and funding needed medical procedures. They also worked with playground equipment manufacturer Play and Park to plan and develop a playground concept that would be safe and accessible to all the residents living at St. An’s orphanage, including the special needs children.
These activities were recognized and gained the attention of the NBC television news department producer Kevin Monahan. In early 2011 a film crew accompanied Tracy and Mike to St. An’s to film a segment for an NBC Nightly News “Making a Difference” feature which aired nationally on June 27. Since this airing, donations to Project Being There have increased tremendously, and many viewers have volunteered their time and services to the organization.
Long term goals for Project Being There include providing additional living quarters for St. An’s, construction of a boundless playground, post-graduation educational support, and expanding their efforts to other orphanages in Vietnam.
What's Great About My Mentor?
Knowing that forming a non-profit organization was required in order to raise the necessary funds but not sure where to start, Tracy turned to SCORE for assistance. Working with mentor Chuck Christiansen, they completed their application for Non-Profit 501 C3 certification, and formed Project Being There in March 2009.
Raising funds meant they needed a structured business plan, including a marketing plan to create a presence in the community and to develop projects to raise the necessary funds. Again Christiansen assisted Tracy and fellow board member Mike Pierce in creating these plans. Tracy credits SCORE with helping them establish a solid business foundation by which they can operate and achieve their goals.
You know a business is playful when they call themselves “Quasimoto.” And play they do! Quasimoto Interactive, founded by husband and wife team Chris Gerding and Jessica Fuller, specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing arcade kiosks! You can find their creations in homes, offices and charge-for-play environments like bars or restaurants.
Chris had years of experience designing video games for large manufacturers but felt a desire to start his own business. Jessica came on board and helped the business surpass the $1 million sales mark.
CLICK HERE to read more about the awards won by Quasimoto Inc.
www.quasimoto.com
Owner/Founder
Chris Gerding and Jessica Fuller
471 E. Bergey St. Suite 1
Wadsworth
OH
44281
United States
My Successes
When the Quasimoto team sought out SCORE’s help in 2009, they had 4 employees and were looking for guidance on expansion and advice about working overseas. Since then the company has grown to 20 employees, sales have increased by 240% and they have acquired a new facility which increases their plant size by 500%. They have also launched a new venture, Advantage Design and Manufacturing Group LLC and are exploring expanding their product line to include dispensing machines for candy and cigarettes.
What's Great About My Mentor?
Jessica reflects on her SCORE mentor relationship saying, “The SCORE counselors offered Quasimoto experience in doing business overseas and a support structure that could be compared to a Board of Directors.”
How SCORE Helped
A combination of workshops and numerous meetings with their mentors provided the Quasimoto team with the expertise they sought to expand their business.
Published Nov. 15, 2011
An advisory board is an informal group. This is not a board of directors. It is a group of mentors. The group has no financial interest in your firm. This is a group of outside advisors who share their knowledge to help you be more competitive, think strategically and offer specific advice in key skill areas.
The benefits of an advisory board include: setting aside time to think strategically, obtain feedback and insights from outside the company, and gather information and expertise from peers who have knowledge in different areas than your own. In general, a three to five person board will likely meet your needs.
Published Nov. 15, 2011
This documents reviews types of business insurance available and provides some information on each.
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