The Business Blender

2008-01-10T14:24:00.000-06:00

The Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club website is LIVE!
Click the link...
http://www.bheic.com/.

Coming up in 2008 for the E & I Club

2007-12-19T07:20:00.000-06:00

Looking back as 2007 comes to a close, we've had another great year. Many of our members have started new, or grew their existing businesses, and some have received challenge grants. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary in November.

We will be kicking off 2008 with an eBay information session.
Thursday, January 17, 6:00pm at the Heritage Center in Lanark.
Gain some tips and tricks to buying and selling on eBay.
This session is free to Club members. Donations are welcome to cover printed handouts, refreshments, etc.“But who are considered club members?” Anyone who has attended a club meeting in the last two years is considered a member.

The first regular club of the year will be
Thursday, January 24, 6:00pm at the Heritage Center in Lanark.
Our presenter scheduled for the evening is Don Henry, Director of the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center.
Only 2 more chances to get entered in the “bring a friend” drawing, so we hope to see more new faces.

Have a safe and joyful Holiday Season!

John Huggins
Coordinator: Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club
(815)541-0557
Fax: (877)693-9653
jhuggins@errantwolf.com

November E & I Club Meeting

2007-11-25T16:12:00.000-06:00

The next
Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur and Inventors Club
meeting will be
Thursday November 29, 2007 @ 6:00 PM
At the
Heritage Center
106 S. Broad St.
Lanark, IL

Come and celebrate our 2 Year Anniversary!!!

The featured speaker this month is our own Floyd Roberts. Floyd is the owner and operator of Grain & Feed Manager Magazine for over 25 years. See his website at http://www.grainandfeedmanager.com/.

Don’t forget, raffle tickets will be given to any club member that brings along a friend that is new to the club. You get one ticket per person that you bring. The “Bring a Friend” drawing will be at the February meeting. So, bring a friend, bring a student, bring your grandparents.

Again this month, a door prize will be given away to one lucky participant. Congratulations to the October winner, Duane Sies of DnT CAD Solutions.

Refreshments will be served.
Take advantage of the networking.
Find resources to help you start your business, grow your business, take that invention from the cocktail napkin to reality, and much much more.
Have fun!

See you there!

John Huggins
Coordinator
Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club
(815)541-0557
Fax: (877)693-9653
jhuggins@errantwolf.com

August E & I Club Meeting

2007-08-21T07:06:00.000-05:00

The next Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur and Inventors Club meeting will be
Thursday August 30, 2007 @ 6:00 PM
At the Heritage Center
106 S. Broad St.
Lanark, IL

(Please note this is not the usual 4th Thurs. this month, but the 5th.)
We had a great brainstorming session last month. Thank you to all that attended. Your input was a tremendous help in gaining insight in making this club even more successful than it already is. We will have some exciting announcements to make, including our own website! Be sure to attend to get full details at the meeting.

We need your help in choosing a domain name for the website. click the link to make your choice. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=CWTLPGWDM9lGHryjXbqvkA_3d_3d.

Our speaker this month is our very own Greg Longbons of Coffee Bean Design Company. Among other topics, Greg will be discussing marketing ideas. See the attached image for more info.

New this meeting…. A door prize will be given away to one lucky participant.
Refreshments will be served.
Take advantage of the networking.
Find resources to help you start your business, grow your business, take that invention from the cocktail napkin to reality, and much much more.
Bring a friend, bring a student, bring your grandparents.
Have fun!

See you there!

Worm vs. Big Chemical Machine

2007-05-23T09:59:00.000-05:00

Trenton, NJ - Our good friend Tom Szaky from TerraCycle has awaken the colossal garden giant Scotts Miracle-Gro and now the big giant is mad and wants to squash the worms out of Tom. Check out the article below in the Wall Street Journal and also Tom's counter blog to Scotts at www.suedbyscotts.com.

Dave

A Growing Dispute: Fertilizer Start-Up Uses Web as Defense
By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS

May 22, 2007 - On March 7, TerraCycle Inc., a small Trenton, N.J., company that makes all-natural fertilizers from worm droppings, learned it was being sued by industry giant Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.

Small companies live in dread of such lawsuits, which even if they win, can often be their undoing because of legal costs and distraction for management. So instead of just relying on legal counsel, TerraCycle is also trying to harness the power of the Internet to elicit public support, boost sales and raise legal funds. Its core weapon: a blog called www.suedbyscotts.com.

"The Internet is the one place that if we can possibly win this, it will be there," says Tom Szaky, TerraCycle's 25-year-old co-founder and chief executive. He hopes to get enough public opinion on his side that Scotts will drop the suit. But if that doesn't happen and TerraCycle loses everything in the lawsuit, Mr. Szaky says, "We are out of business."

Among other things, Scotts claims that TerraCycle's packaging -- with its yellow-and-green color scheme, brand name in the center and photos of flowers and vegetables at the bottom -- infringes on the trade dress of Scotts's Miracle-Gro brand. Scotts also accuses TerraCycle of falsely advertising that its products are superior to others, including Scotts's. In addition to requesting that TerraCycle destroy existing labels and signage at issue in the suit, Scotts asks that all gains, profits and benefits generated from the alleged infractions be awarded to Scotts -- a move that might wipe out TerraCycle. Last year, the four-year-old TerraCycle had revenue of $1.5 million (it's not yet profitable), while 139-year-old Scotts had $2.7 billion.

The battle comes at a time when TerraCycle is making significant inroads into mainstream stores -- landing space in Wal-Mart, Home Depot, ShopRite, Target and CVS among others -- as interest in natural gardening products surges. Despite overall slowing sales in the U.S. lawn-and-garden market, the organic niche has risen at rates in the range of 12% to 14% over the last five years, hitting an estimated $360 million last year, according to MarketResearch.com

In many cases, TerraCycle's fertilizers made from worm feces -- known as vermiculture compost -- sit right next to Scotts Miracle-Gro brands. Miracle-Gro's Organic Choice line is booming too; consumer purchases were up 211% in Scotts's first two fiscal quarters of 2007 versus the same year-earlier period.

On its blog, TerraCycle disputes Scotts's claims and paints itself as an underdog. A comparison chart titled "David vs. Goliath" includes pictures of each firm's headquarters (TerraCycle's modest low-slung building in Trenton vs. Scotts's pillared entrance and manicured grounds in Marysville, Ohio) and notes on executive perks (for Mr. Szaky, "unlimited free worm poop"; for Scotts Chairman and CEO Jim Hagedorn, "personal use of company-owned aircraft.") The site shows pictures of both companies' products, with TerraCycle noting its own are packed in recycled soda bottles.
[TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky and the plant food at issue in the Scotts suit]
TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky and the plant food at issue in the Scotts suit

Also posted is TerraCycle's legal response to the lawsuit, accusing Scotts of falsely advertising the quality of its own goods and seeking cancellation of Miracle-Gro's green-and-yellow trademark. To bolster its claims, TerraCycle posts photos of other gardening products that use green-and-yellow packaging. TerraCycle asks for online donations to defray its legal costs and has links to where visitors can buy products.

While TerraCycle's bid for Internet donations hasn't yielded much fruit -- about $515 so far -- overall company sales for the four weeks since the online campaign launched surged 122% from the immediately previous four weeks. Last year, the company's sales increased 31% in the same period. Meantime, TerraCycle's main Web site, which averages about 1,000 visitors a day, has spiked to as high as 13,000, according to the company -- and 2% to 4% of the visitors to suedbyscotts.com click the "purchase online" or "store locator" links.

For its part, Scotts says these efforts are part of TerraCycle's "tactics" and maintains that none of the counterclaims have merit. "We've spent a lot of time building up brands that consumers trust, and we are going to protect those brands," says Su Lok, a Scotts spokeswoman.

She notes that Scotts, founded in 1868, and Miracle-Gro, founded in 1951, were once start-ups, too. They merged in 1995. "When people are referring to the David-and-Goliath aspect of this lawsuit, people lose sight of that fact," she says.

Scotts primarily wants TerraCycle to stop making certain product claims in its marketing, which Scotts says are false and misleading, Ms. Lok adds. Those include: "Unlike synthetic chemical fertilizers that can lead to problems such as plant burn, TerraCycle Plant Food will not burn your plants" and statements that TerraCycle "outperformed the leading synthetic plant food in many aspects of plant growth" during tests.

On its suedbyscotts.com site, TerraCycle lists some 20 other intellectual-property lawsuits filed by Scotts in the past decade. Says Scotts's Ms. Lok, "Scotts is a leading brand and like any other consumer brand, we have to protect our trade dress and brand and products. That is part of smart business."

Small businesses have long used guerilla tactics as an inexpensive way to wage battle against established, deep-pocketed rivals. In the 1980s, the founders of still-fledgling Ben & Jerry's ice cream launched a campaign against Pillsbury Co.'s Häagen-Dazs subsidiary (now owned by General Mills Inc.) when Häagen-Dazs allegedly told some distributors that they couldn't carry both brands. In addition to suing Pillsbury, Jerry Greenfield, one of the Ben & Jerry's founders, picketed Pillsbury's headquarters with a placard reading: "What's the Doughboy afraid of?"

Today the Internet has lowered the cost barrier and drastically sped up the means of such communications. Hundreds of bloggers have written about the TerraCycle lawsuit, as have some mainstream media outlets. Meantime, TerraCycle's Internet parry has helped morale on the packaging floor, where Mr. Szaky says workers were afraid they'd lose their jobs after reading about the litigation. "They've been very smart," says Mike McGrath, host of "You Bet Your Garden," a nationally-syndicated radio show. "Somebody threw eggs at their house, and they've got to respond."

TerraCycle's Web strategy isn't without risks, says Andrew Sherman, an attorney who contributes to eVenturing.com, an entrepreneurial Web site sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. "What if you are wrong about the court of public opinion and you open yourself up to other claims of defamation?" He says small businesses have other options, such as pooling resources with other entrepreneurs being sued by the same company or finding a venture capitalist to help foot the costs. Some insurance policies might cover certain legal costs too, he adds. Another strategy: asking the larger plaintiff if they'd be willing to help fund changes in packaging or if there's the possibility of a joint venture. "I've seen combatants end up being pretty good friends," Mr. Sherman says.

Changing packaging drastically now would hurt TerraCycle's sales momentum, says the company's general counsel, Richard Ober Jr. "There's the loss of customer recognition," he says, adding that the company still has a large number of the "All Purpose Plant Food" labels specifically mentioned in the Scotts lawsuit and "wants to use them."

Still, no amount of public appeal can help TerraCycle escape the realities of litigation. As part of the discovery process, Scotts has asked for extensive documentation from TerraCycle, including everything relating to any new products in development, contracts with retailers, strategic business plans, as well as details about "composition of the materials consumed by worms." To handle the requests, TerraCycle has hired outside counsel and Mr. Ober estimates legal costs, which so far have been less than $50,000, could run upward of $1 million.

"It's taking time from our scientists, and that will start taking its toll," Mr. Szaky says.

Write to Gwendolyn Bounds at wendy.bounds@wsj.com

Local Entrepreneur is Set to Present!

2007-05-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

Rosemont, IL -Ron Hagemann, founding member and local entrepreneur of the Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneurs & Inventors Club, will be demonstrating the capabilities of his Active Bio RFID Pallet (The first demonstration of it's kind) at The Packaging Summit Expo and Conference May 15-17 2007 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

Ron first came to us with this exciting technology back in 2005 and has been all over the midwest marketing and speaking to other E&I clubs about the entrepreneurial spirit.

Ron created New Composite Partners is a technology consulting firm that enables plastic and plastic composite manufacturers to reduce the amount of plastic they use by replacing petroleum-based inputs with renewable grain products. New Composite Partners takes an inventory of our client’s molded plastic and composite plastic products, and then develops alternative formulas for those products. Our formulas reduce cost, weight and plastic consumption.

Keep up the great work Ron!

Dave

Create Jobs. Eliminate Waste. Preserve Value.

2007-04-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

Davenport, IA - May 2, 2007 @ 6:30 - 8:30PM - Those six words explain why Ken Hendricks was listed in Forbes magazine’s list of 400 richest Americans, with a personal wealth estimated at $2.6 billion, and how he came to be named Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Entrepreneurs, inventors, area business leaders and the public are invited to hear Ken’s “roofer to riches” story. From driving a truck for a power company at age 17, after dropping out of high school, to ABC Supply Co. Inc.’s approximately $3 billion in annual sales in just 25 years, Ken’s journey has landed his company on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies.

Today, ABC Supply Co. Inc. is the largest wholesaler distributor of roofing products in the United States with 5,800 associates and more than 350 locations in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

The meeting will be held at The Mark of the Quad Cities located at 1201 River Drive Moline, IL. 61265 Tel. (563) 327-0160

Hope to see you there! Dave

Sterling Incubator Tour

2007-03-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

THURSDAY, March 22nd at 6:00p.m.

This special meeting will be held at the Small Business Technology Center in Sterling, IL.

The address is 1741 Industrial Drive. From IL-40 go West (right if coming from the North, left if coming from the South) onto W. Le Fevre Rd. Then turn right onto Industrial Dr.

We will be touring the business incubator.

Here is a link to more information:
http://www.sterlingdevelopment.org

SEE YOU THERE!

Best regards,
Blackhawk Hills E & I Club Steering Committee
www.businessblender.org

INNOVATE Illinois 2007 Regional Business Challenge

2007-03-06T09:02:00.000-06:00

Springfield, IL - Governor Blagojevich announced yesterday that INNOVATE Illinois, a six-month program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, was created to recognize innovative, high-growth, small businesses throughout Illinois. The goal of INNOVATE Illinois is to provide revenue-generating businesses throughout Illinois with the assistance and resources to help them take their innovations further and grow their businesses.

For further information, including Governor's press release, visit the INNOVATE IL Web site, www.innovateillinois.org, which contains a complete description, application, time line, eligibility requirements along with supporting organizations regarding the program.

Last year Poopy's, whose business is just next door to mine, won several awards.

Free Online Presentations Available

2007-02-27T17:28:00.000-06:00

The Conversations Network

Every day scores of educational, inspirational, and entertaining conference sessions, lectures, and other spoken-word presentations are lost. The Conversations Network addresses this issue by publishing free online recordings of spoken-word events such as conferences, lectures, and meetings. The Network captures presentations, processes the recordings, and publishes more than 60 programs each week. Visit the website listed above to learn more about the types of programs available through the Network and how to participate.

Author's note - this is a new group, but yet I found some really good stuff on there. Dave

Entrepreneurial Solutions to Community Problems

2007-02-27T11:52:00.000-06:00

Do you want to know how your invention could shape the world?

Knight Foundation Funds Ashoka Fellows

To encourage innovative solutions to community problems, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing $3.2 million in Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. Ashoka will select 15 promising social entrepreneurs in the U.S. communities where the Knight Foundation serves as a funder and elect them to the global Ashoka fellowship. Fellows will each receive a three-year stipend, allowing them to focus full-time on their effort to provide systemic change to a problem affecting each Knight community. Visit the website listed above for more information.

Entrepreneurship Week Feb 24 - March 3

2007-02-23T13:24:00.000-06:00

I have been swamped and missed the boat on planning an event for next week, but at the very least, I found out about some events going on in the area that maybe of interest for you. Please check them out at EntrepreneurshipweekUSA or look at the list below for a sample of the many activities happening in the area.

What Entrepreneurs Want: How to Get Start-Up Money
Tour of Schools
Financial and Credit Situation Training
7th Annual Self-Employment in the Arts (SEA) Conference
Speaker: Michael Coles (CEO of Caribou Coffee)
Women and Global Leadership: A Videoconference Connecting Girl Scouts with Global Leaders
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR SEARCH
Wine & Cheese Intro to the Women's Business Develoopment Center
Teleseminar: Facilitated Brainstorming for Decision Making
The First Step
KCEDC Open House
BarCampMadison

There will also be a Youth Entrepreneurship Conference in Chicago this May. Check it out online.

Copyright your work

2007-02-23T13:11:00.000-06:00

Check out my right column on this blog. In the matter of a minute, I copyrighted this blog and you can do the same for realitively little money at Lisensa. It's very important that you do this if you publish creative or informative subject matter online. You don't want someone stealing your logo samples and making money off of them, nor do you want someone taking your advice and making it their own either, unless you are the sharing type. So give it a look or a try. I'm sure there are other sites out there that do the same thing.

Good luck,

Dave

Do you use email to market your product?

2007-02-23T12:36:00.000-06:00

I spoke briefly about a website last night that analyzes email campaigns. Email Datasource does just that. It does cost money, but if you are in a highly competitive industry, you need to know how your competitors are so successful and where, when, and how.

On another note, I can't stop raving about blogs and press releases. Constant communication is key to staying fresh on the internet. Email Datasource has a blog where the owner talks about current trends in the industry. Check it out online.

Here are some links to email campaign companies. I currently use Feedblitz for this blog, but there are others.

Feedblitz
Constant Contact
Lyris
Exact Target
Email Labs
Vertical Response
Strong Mail

Vendors - where are they?

2007-02-23T12:08:00.000-06:00

Last night, right before the E&I Club was to start, I ran my fingers through my current Entrepreneur magazine and found a great resource for our area vendors and our club members that may need a particular service. VendorSeek is an online database of thousands of vendors offering everything from business equipment to website design. I played around with it and found that it was very easy to navigate. If you are seeking a service/product, locate the specific topic from their list. For example, logo design, and then you fill out a simple form and get 5 instant quotes and a lot more. If you are a logo design company, you might want to get your service listed here because this will dramatically increase your market over night. VendorSeek has been highlighted in Entrepreneur, Philidelphia Business Journal, and Business Week to name a few. So check them out and let me know what you think.

Other sites that may interest you...

Click-n-Ship
Ladies who Launch

Dave

Passion + practice will get you over the hump

2007-02-23T11:29:00.000-06:00

Freeport, IL - Kelvin McIlwain from the Stephenson County Toastmasters came and spoke about how Toastmasters can help you prepare in a safe environment how to speak in public arenas, give sales pitches, and effectively persuade someone, maybe an investor to invest in your new product. One of the key factors was to practice and if you are speaking about something you are passionate about will only make it easier, and since most of us in the club created our own business and in some cases created an entirely new product/service, we are naturally going to be the best person to talk about it (just remember all the long nights working on your idea and the stress it created at home - just remember that and tell your story).

If you would like more information about the Stephenson County Toastmasters, please contact Kelvin at 815.266.5528.

Our next club meeting will be March 22 @ 6PM at the Sterling Incubator.

Mark Pichik and Christy Tvrdik of Retract-A-Gate show off their popular safety gate to the club. Business is booming for them. If you want to see what they are all about check out there website.

Toastmasters

2007-02-14T00:43:00.000-06:00

Freeport, IL - THURSDAY, February 22nd at 6:00p.m.

The meeting is at Highland Communities College, in Freeport, Building H (Student Conference Center) room 210.

This month we will have Toastmasters giving us some helpful insight into improving our communication skills.

Become the Speaker and Leader You Want to Be Toastmasters offers a proven way to improve your communication skills. By participating in a fun and supportive Toastmasters group, you'll become a better speaker and leader and gain confidence to succeed in whatever path you've chosen in life.

- Deliver great presentations
- Easily lead teams and conduct meetings
- Give and receive constructive evaluations
- Be a better listener

Here is a link to more information:
www.toastmasters.org

Come on out and bring your ideas, help others with theirs, gain new insight and perspective, partner up, and become one of our growing numbers of successes!
Bring along a friend or that son or daughter with an entrepreneurial spirit!

SEE YOU THERE!

Best regards,
Blackhawk Hills E & I Club Steering Committee
www.businessblender.org

Chad Stamper, Vice President at New Ventures, speaks about the businesses he started over the past 5 years to the club in January at Sauk Valley Community College.

Suite of Suites

2007-02-07T09:59:00.000-06:00

Limited Overhead. Flexible Leases. Quality Amenities.

A “Suite” Deal!

The offices within the new Suite of Suites are ideal for emerging entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. Located in the NewVentures Center business incubator in downtown Davenport, the Suite of Suites provides a unique entrepreneurial environment where new and existing business ventures can connect with resources to commercialize products and services.

“where innovation, entrepreneurs and capital meet”

Suite of Suite amenities:

• New, fully-furnished professional Class A office suites
• Computers supplied upon request
• High-speed internet and phone connections
• Administrative and video-conferencing services
• Conference rooms available
• Audiovisual equipment
• Copier and fax machine
• Suitable for one to five individuals per suite
• 2,300 Sq. feet of total office space

The NewVentures Initiative, a not-for-profit organization affiliated with DavenportOne, and the Eastern Iowa Small Business Development Center are both located in the Center and provide business assistance and resources to companies in the Quad-City regional area that are striving to achieve commercial success.

Contact NewVentures for more information on leasing space in the Suite of Suites, or for information on services offered by the Initiative.

Bill Maurer
NewVentures Initiative

RFID Enters the Pigpen

2007-02-06T10:49:00.000-06:00

Great News! One of our very own E&I Club members just had a great write-up in RFID Journal last week. Ron Hagemann was one of the founders of our club and we are greatly indebted to him for his contributions. Go Ron! Article courtesy of Beth Bacheldor and can be viewed online at this Link and here

By Beth Bacheldor

Feb. 1, 2007 — AgVantage, a plastics manufacturer located in Rockford, Ill., is creating an RFID-enabled hog feeder designed to help farmers more efficiently care for pigs. The feeder, composed of a biocomposite material, will include an active RFID tag embedded in its side, as well as sensors designed to measure weight.

RFID readers installed in hog houses will collect the unique ID numbers stored on the feeders' tags, as well as sensor data indicating how much feed is left in a feeder, according to the feeder's weight. Hog houses keep animals in separate pens, each with its own feeder, says Ron Hagemann, a principal at AgVantage and also VP of technology at New Composite Partners, a newly created AgVantage spin-off that will market and sell the RFID feeders. The biocomposite used to make the hog feeders is being developed in conjunction with Richard LaRock, a chemistry professor at Iowa State University.

This biocomposite material is critical to the success of RFID in the hog houses, according to Hagemann. Typically, hog feeders are made of metal, which can interfere with RF signals, and swapping the metal for plastic is not a viable solution either since plastic is not strong enough by itself. "These are 500- to 1000-pound animals that really bang on the feeders," says Hagemann. "If we put a plastic feeder in the hog house, the hogs would destroy it."

Biocomposites are formed by embedding some type of natural fiber—usually derived from plants or cellulose—into a natural plastic resin, such as one made from corn oil. This is done, says Hagemann, to reinforce it. "This is the first biocomposite feeder on the market. Biocomposites are often used in the aerospace industry."

Another advantage to the biocomposite material is its cost. Derived from corn-based material, the biocomposite is significantly cheaper than petrochemicals used in other plastics. "Also," Hagemann points out, "the biocomposite material is a renewable source, so the bottom line is this can replace higher-cost plastic materials. And it is a green product."

Since the hog-feeder system is still in the design phase, the developers have not yet determined which specific radio frequencies and air-interface protocols the RFID feeders will use. However, the system, as envisioned, will include a database running on a computer situated in each hog house. The interrogators will communicate with the computer via Wi-Fi, uploading the data they collect from the feeders.

The computer will incorporate a Web-based portal, accessible either via a satellite or Internet connection. Thus, a farmer will be able to check the data from his office. Such information can help farmers determine how much feed is optimal, without actually having to manually check feed levels on a continual basis. "You don't want to put too much feed in a hog feeder, because it costs money if there is wasted feed," Hagemann explains, "but you also don't want to put too little feed in the feeder."

Another possibility would be to embed temperature sensors that can monitor how hot or cold the hog house is throughout the day. Farmers can then correlate temperatures with feed levels. "Maybe it's too hot in the hog house, and the hogs aren't eating enough because of that," Hagemann notes.

In addition, the interrogators may also collect the unique IDs of any passive RFID tags attached to the hogs, which Hagemann says more and more hog farmers are using. The computer's database can associate a hog's ID number with data collected from the feeder in that hog's pen, allowing the farmer to correlate feedings with a specific hog.

Starting in April, New Composite Partners expects to test the feeder at an Illinois farmer, though Hagemann declines to identify the farmer because details are still being worked out. The farmer is building a new hog house, and will install 200 RFID-enabled biocomposite feeders to test them.

If all goes well, a commercial version of the hog feeder will be available later this year, says Andy Axel, CEO of New Composite Partners. The company also plans to explore other products utilizing the biocomposite and RFID combination, including pallets.

CFED Releases 2007 Development Report Card for the States

2007-02-05T13:43:00.000-06:00

For 20 years, CFED has produced the Development Report Card for the States. According to CFED, "the Development Report Card for the States (DRC) uses 67 measures to provide a relative, state-by-state assessment of economic development, assigning grades in three main areas: Performance (economic climate for a wage-earner), Business Vitality (economic climate for a business), and Development Capacity (how a state is positioned for the future)." You can download a summary of the findings for 2007 by going to before mentioned links.

2007 New Venture Business Plan Competition

2007-02-05T12:25:00.000-06:00

University of Texas at Tyler 2007 New Venture Business Plan Competition

Sponsored by Mr. Robert Peltier and the Tyler Economic Development Council, this competition is open to all faculty-sponsored full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any college or university. The $200,000 Grand Prize is designed to foster a drive for excellence in the competition. Students involved in the competition will gain access to networks of successful entrepreneurs, lenders and investors, and have the opportunity to learn greater team-building and business planning skills. The contest will also help student teams gain media exposure for their entrepreneurial goals. Workshops to help participants prepare for the competition begin January 25, 2007 and run through February 12, 2007. Intent to participate forms must be submitted by February 12, 2007 and business plans are due March 23, 2007. For more information on the competition, go to http://www.uttyler.edu/peltier/ or contact Isaura Flores at iflores@mail.uttyl.edu.

Serial Entrepreneurs Are Good People

2007-01-23T14:39:00.000-06:00

Dixon, IL

THURSDAY, January 25^th at 6:00p.m.

This month’s meeting will be held at Sauk Valley Community College, 173 IL Route 2, Dixon, IL.

Our guest speaker will be Chad Stamper from New Ventures Inc.

As Vice President of Business Development, Chad assists clients with business plan development and provides technical and strategic assistance that successfully leads clients in commercializing their business.

Chad has over 10 years experience in logistic and operations management as well as five plus years in business to business and business to consumer sales experience in a wide array of industry segments. Chad has co-founded three successful start-up businesses in Iowa during the past five years and has assisted businesses and community organizations in the development of their business models, marketing plans, sales programs, internet presence and strategic planning. Chad holds a BBA in Transportation and Logistics management from Iowa State University and serves as a committee member for the Iowa Entrepreneurial Formation Hot Team.

And as always, we will have our great NETWORKING TIME! So, bring your ideas, help others with theirs, gain new insight and perspective, partner up, and become a growing number of the club's successes!

PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS MEETING!

See you there,

The E & I Club Steering Committee

Marketing is the Lifeblood of your Company

2007-01-18T10:16:00.000-06:00

From the SBDC Vault

By Michele Miller
NW IL SBDC Director

To Market or not to market. That is the question. There is no question about it. Marketing is the lifeblood of our business. How will people find out about you and your business if you don’t tell them?

At the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois (SBDC) we believe the top five reasons for business failure are:

1.Poor planning or poor preparation. Lack of a well-written business plan.
2.No working capital (money)
3.Poor choice of locations
4.Not understanding your market (customer needs)
5.No marketing (let people know you are here)

When most people think of marketing they think of advertising and the different medias there are for that. While this is true and a portion of what marketing is, it isn’t everything. One mistake owners make is that they chose one advertising media and repeat the same materials over and over. The message is lost on there customers.

The Small Business Administration gives the following information about marketing to help your business:

To succeed, entrepreneurs must attract and retain a growing base of satisfied customers. Marketing programs, though widely varied, are all aimed at convincing people to try out or keep using particular products or services. Business owners should carefully plan their marketing strategies and performance to keep their market presence strong.

Marketing is based on the importance of customers to a business and has two important principles:

1. All company policies and activities should be directed toward satisfying customer needs.
2. Profitable sales volume is more important than maximum sales volume.

To best use these principles, a small business should:

•Determine the needs of their customers through market research
•Analyze their competitive advantages to develop a market strategy
•Select specific markets to serve by target marketing
•Determine how to satisfy customer needs by identifying a market mix.

Here is what marketing is really about: The 4 P’s-Product, Price, Placement, and Promotion. Product is your product or service. How is it packaged, how is it sold, how attractive is it, is it easy to obtain, are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself about your product? The product, it’s design, the easy of it’s use, the value or perceived value of the product all help develop brand loyalty: The reason people keep buying your product or service.

Price=what’s it worth. A business can’t stay alive without profitability. Pricing a product or service to sell is a work of art. Price it too low and you loss money. Price it too high and no one buys, you loss money. Formulas, industry trends, buyer demands, supply available, are just a few of the ingredients that help you to find the right price to sell your product or service.

Placement-where do customers find your product or services? If your customers have to go on a hunt to find your products, it won’t be long before they loss interest and look to your competition. Where you sell your products and services makes a big difference. Here’s a good example: Your six year old sees a breakfast cereal they want. The shopping begins! But where do you look for that cereal at your favorite store? If your six your are looking at a level that matches you height, about 3 ½ feet high. That is you will find the kids cereal at the kids level. Watch out! Once that is discovered they will want it.

Promotion-how will you promote your product or service? Yes, advertising medias are one avenue, but there are many more. Other promotional avenues are: Trade shows, business expos, newspaper articles, brochures, flyers, posters, giveaways, wearable advertising, entertainment venues, and many more.

Marketing is everything to your business. It is not cheap or easy. It takes a plan, time, and money to market your company. But it can be done well for a lot less then you think. To start, look at what you currently have as marketing materials. Take a good hard look at it. Does it give the whole message and image about your business or the products/services that you sell? If not it’s time for changes.

Next look at other businesses that are your competition and those that you visit as a consumer. What is attractive to you about their marketing efforts? What don’t you like? Why is it working?

The Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois (SBDC) has many helpful tools, ideas, and suggestions on how to market your business. For more details and how you can get your business marketing to the fullest give us a call at 815-599-3654.

A Grapevine of Current Info

2007-01-04T14:15:00.000-06:00

The Small Business Economy: 2006

A new report issued by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration, "The Small Business Economy for Data Year 2005" examines the economic contributions of small business using data from a variety of sources. The report released before the National Economists Club in Washington, D.C, highlights some of the following:

• Business borrowing in 2005 was at an all-time high, and commercial banks expanded lending and eased lending standards in response to competition from non-bank lenders.
• Women’s contribution to business, using multiple data sources, the most recent show that women owned 6.5 million, or 28.2 percent, of non-farm firms. These firms employed 7.1 million workers with $173.7 billion in annual payroll.
• Three economic indicators key to an analysis of the economy’s performance—output, productivity, and unemployment—were up. To obtain a copy of the report visit: http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/sb_econ2006.pdf, and the research summary at http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs286.pdf. Should you need further information, please feel free to contact Chad Moutray at (202) 205-6533 or advocacy@sba.gov .

Regional Asset Indicators

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has recently unveiled an excellent resource to assess regional innovation and entrepreneurship assets. The web site hosts a variety of interesting tools for judging how your region is performing on key economic and demographic factors. It includes spreadsheets and maps that track important categories such as innovation, creative workforce, human amenities, wealth, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. It also includes useful articles providing further information on each of the indicator categories. To access the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Regional Asset Indicators web page, visit http://www.kansascityfed.org/ RuralCenter/Indicators/Indicators_main.htm.

New IRS Fact Sheet on Depreciation of Business Property

The IRS has recently issued a new fact sheet relating to the depreciation of business property. You may find this information useful in working with your clients. This fact sheet can be found at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ article/0,,id=164589,00.html

Small Business Advocate Newsletter

The latest issue of the SBA Small Business Advocate Newsletter for November 2006 can be found by clicking on http://www.sba.gov/advo/nov06newsletter.pdf The November issue of the Small Business Advocate highlights efforts to simplify regulatory compliance at the state and federal levels.

Grant Opportunities

National Trust Grants Encourage Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is currently accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations and public agencies for four grant programs: the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, the Jeffris Family Foundation Preservation Fund for Wisconsin, and the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns (less than 5,000 in population). All four grant programs have a February 1, 2007, postmark deadline.

National Trust grants are designed to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects focused on preservation planning or education efforts. Support is offered for obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archeology, engineering, preservation planning and fundraising. Grant funds may also be used to support preservation education activities. Grants range from $500 to $10,000. In addition to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, individuals and for-profit businesses may receive grants from the Favrot and Mitchell funds if the project for which funding is requested involves a National Historic Landmark. For further information, please call the Midwest Office at 312-939-5547 or email to mwro@nthp.org.

Donnelley Preservation Fund Grant

The next grant round application deadline February 1, 2007.

This fund provides nonprofit organizations and public agencies matching grants from $500 to $5,000 (typically from $3,000 to $5,000) for preservation planning, education and fundraising efforts. Funds may be used to obtain professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, fundraising, organizational development and law, as well as preservation education activities to educate the public.

Many organizations have found that grants from our Preservation Fund provided the crucial boost to get a project off the ground and solicit matching funds from other sources.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a potential project, please contact Chris Morris, Illinois Program Officer at 312.939.5547 x231 or christina_morris@nthp.org. She can work with you to determine if your project is
eligible for the grant, assist with the application process, and review draft applications.

Aiding Small Business Federal Subcontracting Programs

The Government's Role in Aiding Small Business Federal Subcontracting Programs in the United States was authored by Major Clark III, Chad Moutray, and Radwan Saade from the Office of Advocacy. The study discusses the importance of the small business sector to the overall economy and the policy framework for the federal government's involvement in requiring federal prime contractors to subcontract with small businesses. It examines the policy from 1958 to the present; and discusses steps needed to improve the American small business subcontracting program to accommodate greater participation by these businesses in new and emerging global markets.

To obtain a copy, visit: http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs281tot.pdf . The research summary is located at: http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs281.pdf . Should you need further information regarding this report, please feel free to contact Major Clark at: advocacy@sba.gov or (202) 205-6533.

New Markets Tax Credit Pilot Loan

On October 4, 2006, SBA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Pilot Loan Program. Under this Program, certain Community Development Entities will be able to purchase a participation interest in a SBAExpress or Community Express 7(a) loan up to 90 percent of the gross loan amount as part of their investment in low-income communities under the New Markets Tax Credit Program administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury. You may access the entire text of the Federal Register notice at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont06.html. For information on the New Markets Tax Credit Program please contact the US Department of the Treasury, CDFI Fund at http://www.cdfifund.gov/.

Innovation Challenge Program Will Provide Critical Matching Funds and Technical Assistance

2007-01-03T15:19:00.000-06:00

GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF COMMERCIALIZATION EFFORTS FOR HIGH-GROWTH, TECH-BASED FIRMS ACROSS THE STATE

CHICAGO – In his continuing efforts to support technology-driven enterprises, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $1.3 million in funding towards research and development commercialization and technical assistance efforts to help young, tech-based firms better leverage key federal grants. Through the Innovation Challenge Matching Grant and Technical Assistance programs, companies across various technology sectors will be better able to tap into federal grants, like the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, to develop technologies that can lead to commercial products. This funding comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy designed to spur more economic growth and create more jobs throughout the state.

“Illinois is filled with world-class research and promising new technologies, but, in order to successfully translate this research into viable ventures, companies need access to the critical dollars to get there. Through this matching grant program and technical assistance support, small technology companies and entrepreneurs will be better equipped to access larger, federal grants designed to develop cutting-edge research into successful new products. By creating a business environment that encourages innovation, emerging firms are getting the resources they need to build their businesses and create even more high-paying jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

The Governor is providing $1 million toward the Innovation Challenge Matching Grant program, which provides a partial match on federal funding – either 50 percent or up to $50,000 – to assist with technology development and commercialization efforts. These dollars will help to secure Phase I SBIR/STTR federal grant awards, which provide early-stage R&D funding directly to small technology companies or individual entrepreneurs who form a company. SBIR and STTR provide more than $2 billion each year to small companies across the country developing leading-edge technologies of interest to eleven federal departments and agencies. These programs provide seed capital of up to $850,000 to develop technologies that can lead to commercial products. This matching grant program will better assist Illinois companies in receiving SBIR/STTR grants, while increasing their attractiveness to acquire additional investment.

An additional $332,000 is also available as part of the Innovation Challenge Technical Assistance program, which will help to increase the number of SBIR/STTR applications in Illinois through assistance with the grant writing process. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will work with the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to perform SBIR/STTR-related grant writing and assistance services for technology-based entrepreneurs, innovators and new venture start-ups to access federal funding opportunities, driving technology-based job creation and economic development.

“The support provided through the Innovation Challenge Matching Grant and Challenge Technical Assistance programs should significantly impact our ability to leverage federal dollars against high-tech start-ups spinning out of our research universities and federal laboratories. I commend the Governor and his team for stepping up to address this critical need for our young tech firms,” Illini ITEC Director James Weyhenmeyer said.

“We owe much of our success to SBIR funding, which has allowed us to begin doing real work developing products and moving our technology into the marketplace. Not only did receiving our first SBIR dollars convey a positive impression to our investors, but it helped us considerably to refine our strategy and focus our efforts,” said Neil Kane, Co-founder and President, Advanced Diamond Technologies, Inc., a nanotechnology company based on research from Argonne National Laboratory, who has secured nearly $1 million in SBIR grants. “The Governor’s Innovation Challenge Program is an excellent complement to the SBIR programs to better help high growth companies secure technologies or market products.”

Advanced Diamond Technologies also has received $140,000 in Innovative Product Grant (IPG) program funding to create 10 new jobs and begin mass production and commercialization of nanoprobes made from UNCD for biomolecular imaging and biomanufacturing of sensors to detect weaponized pathogens such as anthrax. DCEO’s IPG is the nation’s first state-funded grant program focused on developing products to meet homeland security needs.

“The SBIR funding we have received has been a lifeline in developing our software and positioning our products for success in the marketplace,” said Dr. Stephen Eick, Chief Scientist of the SSS Research, Inc., a software research and development firm in Naperville, who has secured nearly $1 million in SBIR grants. “I commend the Governor for establishing the Innovation Challenge Program, which will help to increase tech transfer opportunities for more high growth Illinois firms.”

SSS Research also has received $175,000 in Innovative Product Grant (IPG) program funding to develop a commercial version of their DECIDE™ software, a hypothesis analysis tool used to evaluate the feasibility of potential terrorism scenarios and develop strategies to deter them.

Illinois’ performance in capturing these SBIR/STTR grant awards ranks 17th overall, behind other Midwestern states such as Michigan and Ohio. In 2004, Illinois submitted approximately 532 proposals and received 63 SBIR Phase I awards for a total of $7.5 million. In comparison, the average number of applications submitted for these awards for the states in the top ten was 1,829 with an average total of almost 297 SBIR Phase I grants awarded. While Illinois’ clearance rate in accessing these funds is similar to the top ten average, the total number of applications submitted significantly trails other states, therefore a goal of the Innovation Challenge Program is to increase the number of these applicants in Illinois to increase the number of total awards.

In his efforts to continue helping young, tech-based companies have better access to critical early-stage capital, the Governor created the Illinois Seed/Angel Fund, which is investing in other seed stage venture funds across Illinois. Through this program Gov. Blagojevich has provided $1.7 million towards funds, including the ARCH Development Fund and Tri-County Venture Capital Fund, which are already investing in promising companies throughout the state. These investments in Illinois funds not only work to help small businesses grow and create jobs, but will also help to keep these companies in the state.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I strongly believe that in order to create more good jobs we must be strategic about providing our young, tech-driven firms with the resources they need to develop into economically viable and sustainable companies. This investment will continue the state’s progress in further developing a vibrant tech industry statewide,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth this year in both April and July, which has never happened twice before in one year in recorded history. The total number of new jobs created this year is 77,300, which is the best start to a year since 1999 and best in the Midwest. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 152,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest.

The Illinois unemployment rate has dropped to 4.1 percent, which is its lowest level in recorded history. It has remained at or below the national rate for six consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened in seven years. The state has dropped below the national unemployment rate for the fourth time this year, which is the first time this has occurred in eight years. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.

Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicagoland area the top metro region for new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, while Illinois was ranked third in the nation. Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year.

For more information about the program, contact Scott Henkel in the Technology and Industrial Competitiveness Bureau at DCEO, 217/557.6880 or scott.henkel@illinois.gov.

2007 Small Business Development Center Schedule

2007-01-03T09:57:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

I just got back in the office after a little vacation and one of the first things that I need to do is post some links to the SBDC class schedule. Michele and Russ look like they are going to have a packed 2007. If you are interested in starting a business or improving your current business, please follow the links below to find class schedules.

Highland Community College Classes - click "Small Business Development Center" then click show classes. Here you can find times, dates and even register online.

Keep it simple. Keep it unique.

2006-12-02T15:30:00.000-06:00

Sterling, IL - The Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneurs & Inventors Club celebrated their First Anniversary with special guest speaker Tom Szaky from TerraCycle where Tom explained to the crowd of over 45 members how to keep their business ideas simple and unique. His company is growing at a feverish rate simply by sticking to that mantra, and his business idea can't get any simplier. Take waste, produce worm poop and bottle it in more waste and you now have TerraCycle's all-purpose Plant Food bottled in used soda bottles. If you can figure out what consumers need that isn't presently produced, then find a simple and unique product to fill that niche, you're going to grab most of the market share and never worry that much about competitors. Plus, it will also help you attract angel inventors to help grow your company.

We also surveyed the club members (if you haven't filled out the online survey, please click here) and found some very positive results for the past year. So far, we have only collected 28 surveys.

9 members have started, partnered or entered into business in the past year
10 members have seen an increase in revenue in the past year
8 club members have collaborated in the past year
4 members have created a new product/service as a result of the club
3 club members with existing products/services have seen increases in production since attending club meetings
1 member successfully protected their product/service

Tom Szaky (left) visits with local club member Greg Longbons from Lake Carroll after the meeting.

Customers always come first!!!

2006-11-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

From the SBDC Vault

By Michele M. Miller
SBDC Director

At the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois (SBDC) we believe the top five reasons for business failure are:

Poor planning or poor preparation. Lack of a well-written business plan
No working capital (money)
Poor choice of locations
Not understanding your market (customer needs)
No marketing (let people know you are here)

So how do you know what your market, i.e. your customer’s needs are? Think about this from the point of view of your customer. What product or service do they want? Why do they want it? What makes your product or service different from your competition?

Let use an example that will demonstrate this point: We are a hungry family of four and have a limited budget. It is 6:00pm and everyone is ready to eat now! We have to make a decision on a place to eat. Did I mention that we only have an hour before we have to be at little Jeannie’s music recital? By the way, it needs to be accessible, because mom has special needs. Here’s our thought process:

We need a restaurant that has quick service (address our time limit concern)
We need a restaurant that offers a variety of choices (our four family members)
We need a location that is close by (we are hungry now)
We need a family oriented location (our family of four)
We need a restaurant that offers a menu that is affordable (limited budget)
We need a place we all like (family of four has four different opinions)
Accessible and comfortable (mom's special needs)

Do your customers really go through this type of thought process when they make a decision on going out to eat? Absolutely! As the owner of this restaurant you need to know what your customers want before they know they want it!

Here are some resources you can use to find out what your customers want and how you can make your establishment “THE” business. You need to analyze your market.

According to the Small Business Administration all customers have four essential characteristics:

They have a particular need. People have all kinds of needs including basic survival needs (eg., food, shelter, health), rational needs (eg., dependability, durability, economy), and emotional needs (eg., love, sex appeal, status, security, acceptance, and power)
They have enough money to buy what you are selling. Keep in mind that just because someone wants to own something you are selling does not mean they have enough money to buy it
They have decision-making power. The key here is to spend your time wisely. Find the person who has the actual authority to say "yes" or "no" to buying your product or service
They have easy access to your product or service. Accessibility is important. For example, if you wish to sell baked goods to people in your neighborhood, you must either take your goods directly to your customers or have a small shop where they can come to you

Based on these common characteristics, your job as a business owner is to answer the following four questions:

What need does my product/service satisfy?
Who needs and can afford what I am offering?
Who has the authority to say, "yes" to the product/service I am offering?
How accessible is my product/service to my customers?

Your answers to these questions form the foundation of your marketing research effort.

Once you have addressed these questions you need to understand the state that makes up the market (customers) that you are looking to buy your products or services. The US Census website has information to address this. There are also experts in your local community that have community profiles that document the numbers of people that live in your communities.

In your business industry there are also associations that have this information available. The Encyclopedia of Associations (available at the Highland Community College library and others) will give you listings of Associations that are available for your industry. What can they offer you? The right association can offer you a State of the Industry report (an idea report that gives you information about your market, trends, expectations of the future, and much more). Trade shows, mentors and other training features.

There are also market analyses available for purchase from companies. These reports can be a valuable tool to use but be careful; the company should be from your area or have a deep knowledge of your area and your industry. They can be costly, so be sure you know what is in the report, what are the features of the report, and cost for annual updates.

This is just the beginning of the in depth market analysis you should have about your market (customers). Not knowing this information will cost you your business.
Need more help? Contact our office: The Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois at 815-599-3654 or email us at Michele.Miller@highland.edu. We are here to help!

Year in Review

2006-11-28T13:47:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary!

It has been exactly one year that the Blackhawk Hills E&I Club was created and held its first meeting. So far, we have met 11 times in a handful of different places covering a wide variety of topics. We have had over 100 different people attend with around 30 to 40 regulars. We have had people drive as far as Indiana and Cedar Rapids, IA to attend our meetings, and two other clubs have been created after our model in the Quad Cities and in Ottawa, IL. Several of our members have been very successful over the past year. However, we have never officially surveyed you, the club member, on how you are benefiting from the club.

Please take 2 minutes to fill out the following online survey. Preliminary results will be announced at Thursday’s club meeting with the final results posted on www.businessblender.org later next week. Have a great week and we look forward to seeing you this Thursday night!

Click here to take survey

Thanks,

Dave, Russ, Michele, John and Greg

Lifestyle Entrepreneur Shares Secrets to Help Women Create a Successful Business

2006-11-06T11:04:00.000-06:00

San Diego (October 27, 2006) - A new website launched this week to
help women struggling to create businesses that suit their
lifestyle. Women in Biz (www.women-in-biz.com) contains a variety
of features from tips, solutions, helpful articles, and business
tactics from Lifestyle Entrepreneur Heather Moore.

Moore is a lifestyle entrepreneur and CPA who teaches other women
to have success in their businesses on their own terms. She worked
in the cubicle world of corporate America for more than 10 years.
Although she enjoyed her work very much, she was looking for
something new, exciting and challenging. Not wanting to limit
herself to just on of her skills, Moore has developed several
businesses that fit her lifestyle, including selling Mary Kay
(www.marykay.com/heather_moore), helping people with taxes, and
providing a card sending service at www.thecardshoponline.com.

"Women want to create businesses that suit their lifestyle. For
some, they want the ability to work at home with children. Others
want to be independent, instead of working for someone else." says
Moore.

She points to a research study Warrillow and Co., that says as 90
percent out of roughly 20 million American small business owners
appear to be motivated by lifestyle more than money. "With women
starting businesses at twice the rate of men, I wanted to provide a
resource for women to be able to create a business that helps them
achieve the lifestyle they want."

The content on the website includes Moore's personal tips and
techniques on creating and growing a business: from time management
to getting your taxes done to finding a business that's a perfect
fit. It also features articles by experts in their fields to help
women business owners get the help they need.

My Website Rocks and I'm Filing Bankruptcy???

2006-11-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

I bet we all know at least a dozen friends who have websites, and each one of them claims that their website is the best one in the world. I'll admit I do brag about this blog and our website, but they don't bring in a lot of money. Well, not yet. If you have a really nice website, but you aren't getting the necessary traffic to make a buck, then you need to visit Crain's Chicago Business article "How to Build a Better Website" on how to increase traffic to your website. I'm definitely going to use it.

dave

Pick an Entrepreneur's Brain - NOW!!!

2006-11-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

Some of you have noticed the increase in posting lately, but I have been on a rampage of cleaning out the drawers and the top of my desk. Strangely enough, I have found myself diving into the entrepreneurial hemisphere and boom, now my desk is even more cluttered, my inbox filled with newsletter subscriptions, and more importantly this blog full of posts. So far I have found some really good stuff online, but this one takes the cake. Thanks to the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, I found Entrepreneurship Week USA and their Ask-An-Entrepreneur tool, where real-life entrepreneurs answer your questions and it's worth it. Check it out and pass it on to your friends.

Dave

EntrepreneurshipWeek USA - February 24 - March 3, 2007

2006-11-03T13:54:00.000-06:00

EntrepreneurshipWeek USA is looking for passionate and enthusiastic individuals to serve as Ambassadors in all 50 states. These ambassadors will leverage their network of contacts and relationships to help build an entrepreneurial ecosphere through the EntrepreneurshipWeek USA website. This could mean recruiting additional organizations to join as partners, engaging local entrepreneurs and business leaders as EntrepreneurshipWeek USA champions, talking to local media, and encouraging everyone they know to plan and participate in activities during The Week. If you or someone you know might be interested in serving as an Ambassador, please visit www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com/partners/ambassador-signup.htm to sign up. And, don't forget to check the EntrepreneurshipWeek USA website regularly for new information about events and activities planned for that week - www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com.

Make the State of Illinois Your Next Customer

2006-11-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

The State of Illinois purchases over $10 billion worth of products and services each year. Are you competing for this business? The state of Illinois needs virtually everything consumers and businesses need. All you must do is view, sign-up and bid!

Learn more! Visit http://www.sell2.illinois.gov.

SBA Launches New Markets Lending Initiative

2006-11-02T14:49:00.000-06:00

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a pilot program to provide financial assistance to small businesses in economically distressed urban and rural areas, or “New Markets,” that need the economic attention to get communities back on their feet. The initiative provides incentives for commercial lenders and local development organizations to make more SBA-guaranteed loans in these communities.

The New Markets Lending Initiative will help small businesses by enabling Community Development Entities (CDEs) to combine the benefits of both the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program and SBA-guaranteed loans to provide inner-city and rural small business owners and entrepreneurs greater access to financing and business training. “We at the SBA are committed to helping American small businesses in economically distressed areas,” said SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston. “We believe that this initiative can encourage jobs creation and growth in low income areas, an essential part of the President’s economic agenda.” Administered by the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the New Markets Tax Credit Program permits investors to receive credits on their federal taxes of up to 39 percent of investments made in investment institutions called Community Development Entities.

The SBA pilot program, which is only available to 7(a) lenders making new loans through advance-purchase commitments with CDEs, waives a regulation that limits an SBA lender’s ability to sell any portion of an SBA guaranteed loan to anyone other than another SBA lender. The waiver allows CDEs with New Markets Tax Credit allocations to purchase up to 90 percent of SBAExpress or CommunityExpress 7(a) loans up to $150,000 made to NMTC “qualified” businesses in low-income communities. These new loans are guaranteed by the SBA. The New Markets Tax Credit Program is expected to spur approximately $16 billion in investments into CDE investment institutions. It was created by Congress through the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000. By leveraging the SBA’s resources with the Treasury’s NMTC program, this new initiative will provide additional access to loans and technical assistance to both start-up and existing firms in New Markets. Under the program, CommunityExpress lenders will assist CDEs to provide small business borrowers with a package of services including mentoring, coaching and counseling

Small Business Innovation Research Conference

2006-11-02T11:28:00.000-06:00

November 6-9, 2006 - Milwaukee, WI

If you are an innovative business developing environmental or other technologies, you will want to attend the 2006 Fall National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Conference in Milwaukee. If your business can benefit from part of the $2+ billion in federal SBIR grants and contracts, then this conference scheduled November 6-9 at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center is a tremendous opportunity. Through SBIR, 11 federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, provide funding to advance R&D projects conducted by small business (500 or fewer employees) that address national priorities.

This conference will teach registrants how to effectively participate in the SBIR program. The agenda includes sessions on proposal strategy, grant management, intellectual property issues, and financing and technology commercialization topics. SBIR program managers from all participating agencies will be available for one-on-one meetings with companies.

Visit the National SBIR Conference web site for program and registration details: http://SBIRworld.com/WI.

The Illinois Technology Development Alliance cordially invite you to the next Monday Morning Meeting

2006-11-02T11:23:00.000-06:00

SAVE THE DATE!! Monday November 13, 2006,
Hilton Garden Inn, 1818 Maple Avenue, Evanston, IL

The Illinois Technology Development Alliance provides companies, seeking investment capital and business development leads, the opportunity to present at its Monday Morning Meetings. Selected companies deliver their presentation to an audience consisting of fellow entrepreneurs, angel and institutional investors, entrepreneurial assistance organizations, industry experts and service providers. Presenting companies receive critical feedback on their presentations, and assistance in addressing questions and concerns that prospective investors would likely raise. In addition, attendees will be able to network and discuss business opportunities with established members of the community. This event is held the second Monday of every other month.

RSVP Online: www.illinoistechnology.com/events/list.php

TerraCycle's Tom Szaky comes to NW IL Nov 30th!

2006-10-31T12:36:00.000-06:00

TerraCycle was founded in the fall of 2001 in a Princeton University dorm room—82 Blair Hall to be exact. The idea was simple: take waste, process it, and turn it into a useful product.

The initial business plan was written for a business plan contest sponsored by the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club. The following summer, Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer made arrangements with Princeton Dining Services to accept dining hall waste and process it in their prototype 'Worm Gin'. The waste turned out to be a bit messier than they had anticipated, but they perservered. Towards the end of that summer, they found their first investor who learned of the company through an interview with Bernard Spigner. They shortly moved into their first office at 20 Nassau St, Unit 14.

Tom took an extended leave of absence from Princeton in the spring of 2003. In May of 2003, Tom entered the Carrot Capital business plan contest, which offered $1 million in seed capital to the winning team. And TerraCycle won! However, they turned down the money because they didn't like the direction in which Carrot Capital wanted to take the company.

The company continued, funded by prize money from business plan contests and angel investors. A major breakthrough was achieved in May of 2004 when The Home Depot began selling TerraCycle Plant Food™ on their website. In 2005, TerraCycle continued their growth as Whole Foods, Home Depot Canada, Wal*Mart Canada, Wild Oats and Do-It-Best began carrying the TerraCycle line.

Most recently, TerraCycle has been named one of the 100 most innovative companies by Red Herring magazine and been awarded the Environmental Stewardship Award from Home Depot Canada. The Environmental Stewardship Award is one of only two company-wide awards given by Home Depot Canada.

Entrepreneur & Inventors Club First Anniversary

2006-10-31T11:08:00.000-06:00

FREEPORT, IL – A special November meeting celebrating the first anniversary of the Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club will feature Tom Szaky of Terracycle. The E & I Club meeting will convene on November 30, 2006, at 6:00 pm in room 2K2 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, IL.

Szaky will tell of the trials and tribulations he experienced as he developed his New Jersey based Terracycle into a major and inspirational success story. His innovative use of worm excrement and garbage has placed Terracycle’s competitive organic plant food onto shelves of major home and garden centers across North America. At age 25, Szaky, the founder and CEO of Terracycle, has already been the subject of articles in The New York Times as well as Time, BusinessWeek, and Inc. magazines.

“We are fortunate to have Tom as our November speaker”, commented Dave Keiser, Carroll County Economic Development Director. “He is in great demand, but as a true entrepreneur prefers to network with groups like our E & I club. It’s great that he can be here to help us celebrate our first anniversary.”

All inventors, entrepreneurs, business & industrial representatives, economic development professionals, along with community leaders, county leaders and anyone else who might be interested are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

“This is a great opportunity for us to hear from an individual who has nearly done it all, and not necessarily in a conventional manner”, commented Russ Simpson, Small Business Development Counselor. “Tom’s amazing story is what being an entrepreneur is all about.”

For more information please contact Ms. Michele Miller, Director of the Small Business Development Center at 815-288-5511, ext. 320, or Russ Simpson, SBDC Counselor at 815-599-3654, or visit www.businessblender.org.

Marketing & Promotion Workshop - November 28

2006-10-30T15:49:00.000-06:00

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College will be hosting a Workshop for Small Businesses, Inventors and Entrepreneurs on Marketing and Promotions for Small Businesses. This will be Tuesday, November 28, 2006 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM in Fennimore. The cost is $55.00. A flyer is attached that has more specific information. *Registration deadline is November 21*. A minimum of 14 students is required to offer this class.
If you or someone you know would benefit from this workshop, please contact Victoria Olds to get registered. Please share this information with others.

Victoria Olds (volds@swtc.edu)
Business & Industry Training Services Coordinator Southwest Wisconsin Technical College 1800 Bronson Blvd.
Fennimore, WI 53809
608-822-2317
800-362-3322 Ext. 2317

More Money for Regional Entrepreneurs!

2006-10-25T14:58:00.000-05:00

ROCK ISLAND - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s top economic development official visited Rock Island today to announce $300,000 in new funding for the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center (NWREC) and to highlight the Center’s work to help local entrepreneurs and their promising ventures develop into successes in the marketplace.

“By bringing in new companies, making strategic investments to help small businesses grow and taking innovative steps to open new markets, we are offering more people better jobs across Northwest Illinois. One of the most important ways we have been expanding our economy over the last several years is by encouraging entrepreneurship. The Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center is helping us turn promising ideas into promising companies that are putting more people to work,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

The NWREC has previously received $600,000 to act as a regional hub to coordinate all small business development, entrepreneurship training and development activity in Northwest Illinois since opening in 2004.

The NWREC is one of 19 entrepreneurship centers Gov. Blagojevich has opened. The entrepreneurship centers make up one vital component of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), a comprehensive network of resources designed to strengthen the state’s capacity to develop small businesses into market successes and help entrepreneurship act as a more dynamic engine of growth. Gov. Blagojevich launched the IEN Web site, www.ienconnect.com, which features a free business needs assessment and a referral within 24 hours for personalized, face-to-face assistance. Entrepreneurs can also call toll-free 1-800-252-2923.

The NWREC offers challenge grants and a number of other specialized resources for its clients. The awards assist entrepreneurs or small businesses with obtaining professional services for comprehensive business plan assistance, evaluation of a proposed start-up or expansion or other accelerated support purposes. Award funding is determined based on the potential for successful achievement of a significant business milestone for client firms. The NWREC has awarded 39 challenge grants awards to date totaling $250,000.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Lavin also announced $40,000 in new challenge grants being awarded by the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center (NWREC) successes:

Cocoon Corp. (Quad Cities) has developed an all-weather protective package for aircrafts on the ground. The package also can be modified for use on other items, such as vehicles that require security or protection from environmental hazards. The company worked closely with the NWREC and is providing a new $5,000 challenge grant to obtain international patent protection, develop a proof of the concept package to be used to present to potential investors or government agencies and to create a prototype. The company will create 20 jobs by 2008. Contact: James Orr, 563/386.2965

Didoughs Twisted Pretzel Company (DTPC) (Peru) develops and franchises restaurants that supply soft pretzels and pretzel sandwiches. The company has opened stores in Peru, Peoria and Texas. DTPC is in the process of developing more company-owned stores and franchising them. The company is using a new $10,000 challenge grant to help create franchising information brochures and other materials for prospective franchisees, recruitment vehicles and training needs. The owners are being approached by prospective franchisees and the company has been invited to build stores in several regional malls. The company will create 32 jobs by 2008. Contact: Sandra Begly, 815/646.4233

Dinners from the Heart, LLC (Mendota) develops and operates meal preparation establishments in the North Central and Northwest regions of Illinois. The company lets customers review more than 10 entrée choices and then come to the company’s commercial kitchen and spend two hours assembling the meals. The company is currently completing the details for its first establishment in Mendota. The company is using a new $10,000 challenge grant for the development of marketing materials and a marketing program. The company will create 2 jobs. Contact: Catherine Sondgeroth, 309/645.1609

Illinois River Winery (Utica) offers a full range of wine, including high-end, award-winning grape wines. The company is operating and developing multiple vineyards in Central Illinois. It is currently adding a new segment to the business through the addition of large distributors, restaurants and shops. As a result of its new $10,000 challenge grant, the company developed a distributor section for its Web site, as well as the “artist in residence” program, a regional marketing tool. The company will create 12 jobs by 2008. Contact: Gregory Kane, 815/667.4012

Winstead Pallet Salvage, Inc. (Sterling) manufactures, reconditions and salvages wood and plastic pellets for customers across the Midwest. The company is certified to produce pallets for international trade. It is currently developing new machines and processes to convert the scrap from its manufacturing operation into new products for the growing landscaping market. A $5,000 challenge grant helped the company fund the manufacture of a custom machine to produce the landscape chips, as well as set up a marketing program to develop the product into a new market segment for the company. The company will create 35 jobs by 2008. Contact: Daniel Winstead, 815/626.9545

Director Lavin also highlighted other companies helped by the e-center:

JTM Concepts, Inc. (Rock Island) provides technical services that support commercial, education and government customers who are involved in converting training materials from paper to computer based technology. The company’s Classroom 3TM promotes the use of 3D applications to enhance learning by providing students with a clear visualization of difficult concepts and subjects. It has used a $10,000 challenge grant to prepare a marketing plan for the company’s new software program, as well as engage legal services to provide copyright and intellectual property protection for its Virtual Reality products. The company has created 27 jobs. Contact: Tracey Masamoto, 309/794.1057

ePower Synergies, Inc. (North Cordova) develops and operates “e” enabled multi-modal transportation systems for communities utilizing clean, sustainable energy . It used a $5,000 challenge grant to put together a business plan. Contact: Bruce Wood, 309/654.9299

Honsa Ergonomic Technologies, Inc. (Moline) manufactures and distributes ergonomically designed pneumatic powered industrial tools. The company has patented elastomeric isolation technology that reduces arm and hand vibration in the industrial tools it produces. It used a $10,000 challenge grant for a direct marketing campaign and advertising program to attract new customers in the industrial product market. Contact: Thomas Honsa, 309/736.0200

"Our regional economy continues to grow and create more jobs because Gov. Blagojevich and I have been providing our entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create better opportunities. I want to thank the Governor for his continued support of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network and the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center, which is going to continue helping create new companies and jobs," State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline) said.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that we must provide our entrepreneurs and small businesses with all of the financial tools and the support they need to help them create more good jobs. And that is exactly what has been happening for the last several years at the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center, and I am certain that success will continue,” State Representative Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) said.

"We have created a business climate that is encouraging innovation and investment, and the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center is a great example of that in action. I want to thank Gov. Blagojevich for this additional important investment that will help our entrepreneurs and put more people to work," State Representative Mike Boland (D-Moline) said

“The Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center has played a critical role in helping young firms with high growth potential develop into economically viable and sustainable companies that will grow and create Northwest Illinois jobs. We’ve done our homework in studying the strengths and challenges of growing a small business, and this center is designed to offer targeted services most in need by local entrepreneurs, including access to capital, markets, networks and technology,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added more new jobs than any other state in July. In July, Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth by creating 31,100 new jobs. This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history. Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April. The total number of new jobs created this year is 76,400, which is the best start to a year since 1998, best in the Midwest and fifth in the nation. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 151,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest. The Quad Cities area has added 11,200 new jobs since January 2004.

Last week, it was announced the Illinois unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent, which is its lowest level since October 2000. It has remained at or below the national rate for five consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened in seven years. The state has dropped below the national unemployment rate for the third time this year, which is the first time this has occurred in eight years. The unemployment rate in the Quad Cities has dropped from 6.7 percent in January 2004 to 4 percent for August 2006. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.

Site Selection Magazine also ranked Illinois third in the nation for attracting new and expanded corporate facilities in 2005, and Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year.
#####

Calling all Inventors!!!

2006-10-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

I am writing to invite you and your fellow members to a casting call – or audition – being held on Saturday, October 28 in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose, in addition to finding the best and brightest inventors in that region, is to discover ideas for the new PBS television program, Everyday Edisons. The show, much like a documentary, chronicles the invention throughout the development process – from idea to finished product – and has the support of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Unlike a current network reality show, this program does not humiliate inventors but rather celebrates their creativity and determination. This casting call gives inventors like those in your organization a free forum to discuss and demonstrate their ideas, with the possibility of being chosen as one of the innovative stars of Everyday Edisons.

Hundreds of inventors came to Houston on August 19 for the second casting call for Everyday Edisons Season 2; now it’s on to Chicago for the third of five national auditions this year. We will be at WTTW11 PBS (5400 N. St. Louis Ave. Chicago, IL 60625), on Saturday, October 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration forms are available at the station the day of the event, or at BouncingBrainProductions.

Product development experts, as well as professionals in patent, legal and trademark issues will be on-site to fairly judge the merits of each idea or invention. In addition, senior examiners from the USPTO will be present at the casting call to speak with you about patent issues.

Auditions for Everyday Edisons Season 1 were held last year in Atlanta, Nashville, Columbia, Tampa, and Charlotte; the first season premiers on PBS in the early part of 2007. I encourage you to visit EverydayEdisons where you can get a sneak preview of Season 1 inventors and products, as well as view a video trailer about the show.

CAD Designers Share Success with Fellow Clubbers

2006-10-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

Tom Moyers and Duane Sies from DNT Cad Soluntions, Inc. will share how the Blackhawk Hills E&I Club has helped them succeed over the past year. Come out next Thursday night to hear their story at the Stephenson County Farm Bureau in Freeport at 6:00PM. Refreshments sponsored by MSA Engineering. Click here for the flyer.

Please Welcome the Quad Cities E&I Club

2006-10-16T21:06:00.000-05:00

The NewVentures Center in Davenport, Northwest Regional Entrepreneurship Center, and the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce their partnership in the development of the Quad City Regional Entrepreneurs & Inventors Club(E&I Club).

The purpose of the Quad City Regional E&I Club is to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and inventors in the Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa area to network and draw on the experience and expertise of other like individuals and service providers within the greater Quad Cities region.

Developed from a model created by Terry Whipple, Executive Director of Juneau County Economic Development Corporation, Juneau County Wisconsin, the formation of the Quad City Regional E&I Club looks for many new ventures to develop, adding to the creation of jobs, increased tax base, and community development.

The partnership of The NewVentures Center, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Regional Entrepreneurship Center in the creation of the Quad City Regional E&I Club demonstrates area organizations can work together to assemble available resources, and present them to entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses in a manner that services many individuals at one time while creating opportunities for attendees to network and learn from each other.

The Club will hold its first monthly meeting on Wednesday October 18, 2006 at The NewVentures Center at 6:00pm. Special Guest speaker will be Terry Whipple, founder of the Juneau County E&I Club and Director of the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation.

Participation in these events will not be limited in any way. All interested parties wishing to participate, either to network or just “to see what is going on” are encouraged to attend. Similarly, all service providing entities are also encouraged to participate in order to provide expertise to other club members who may benefit from it. There will be no charge to attend monthly club meetings.

For more information contact Bill Maurer at The NewVentures Center at 563-327-0162 or Molly Foley at the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce at 309-757-5416. Click here for the flyer.

Club News!

2006-10-09T22:15:00.000-05:00

We are very excited about each Club meeting! The energy in the room inspires all of us to make our ideas a reality.

We follow a simple agenda that starts with success stories, club news, information, topic introduction for our guest speakers, Q&A, and finally networking.

We want all of our Club members to play an active role in the Club. It doesn’t require a lot of time, money, or energy to participate. Here is how you could contribute:

- Invite others to attend
- Spread the word on the Club
- Donate funds
- Donate supplies to others (more on that at the next Club meeting)
- Sponsor a location
- Sponsor refreshments
- Become a presenter/speaker
- Help with a special event
- Be a member of the Coordinating Committee
- We are looking for chairs/committee members for:
o Speakers/Program
o Policies/Bylaws
o Marketing
o Special Events planning

The Club lives and grows with all of us taking part. Please contact one of the Coordinating Committee with thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and your help.

Coordination Committee
John Huggins-Entrepreneurs & Business owner
Greg Longbons- Entrepreneurs & Business owner
Dave Keiser-Carroll County Economic Development Corporation
Russ Simpson-Small Business Development Center
Michele Miller-Small Business Development Center
Dave Dornbusch-Blackhawk Hills Conservation & Economic Development District

Did you know that the government is single again?

2006-10-09T21:17:00.000-05:00

Yes, in fact, all forms of government are single again. Actually, they were never really that committed to anyone in particular. Last month we had Vicky Miller from the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center at Blackhawk Hills College talk about how the government, both federal and state, not to mention local governments go through the bidding process and how local small businesses can capture some of these very fruitful bids.

So, do you want a match made in Springfield or D.C.? If so, then you need to come to Vicky's Matchmaking Conference in the Quad Cities at the Mark on October 26. Click here to register and see more information about the event.

Location! Location! Location!

2006-10-03T14:34:00.000-05:00

From the SBDC Vault

By Michele M. Miller
SBDC Director

Last month we discussed ways to plan for your businesses financial future. This month our topic is location.

At the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois (SBDC) we believe the top five reasons for business failure are:

1. Poor planning or poor preparation. Lack of a well-written business plan.
2. No working capital (money)
3. Poor choice of locations
4. Not understanding your market (customer needs)
5. No marketing (let people know you are here)

Location, location, location! We have heard this popular cliché for years. But how important is the location of your business really?

As our population ages we find out needs change. Consumers who five years ago thought nothing of parking at the end of the lot change their minds when handling children or when there are health concerns. Maneuvering through traffic jams will make you think twice about stopping at your favorite store at the end of the day. The price of gasoline is a concern for all. Those with disabilities need easy access to parking, entryways, and negotiable pathways. Can your business successfully satisfy all these customers’ needs in your current location?

According to the Small Business Administration this is the question you should be asking yourself about your potential or current business location:

When selecting the general area:

• Is the site located near potential customers?
• Where is the competition?
• How long have the competitors been in this area, and how strong are they?
• Are there potential employees nearby?
• Is the area convenient for you?
• Is the location convenient and accessible to traffic? Near public transportation? Accessible by pedestrians?
• What are the occupancy rates in the area?
• What is the business climate in the area?
• Is the area growing or declining?
• What are market rents for the type of space desired?
• What services does the town or city provide?
• Are there zoning regulations or signage restrictions that will affect your business?
• How safe is the area?
• Are there adequate support services nearby, such as suppliers, printers, distribution centers, etc.?
• Are there conveniences for you and your staff, such as restaurants, cleaners, shops, etc.?

Once you've narrowed down the area, evaluate the location:

• Is there adequate parking for employees, customers, delivery vehicles?
• Will you have to pay extra for parking?
• Is the rent affordable?
• Is there room for expansion?
• Can you get insurance at a reasonable cost at this location?
• Are there any building or health codes that would affect your business?
• Are there adequate storage facilities on site?
• Will you be able to have good visibility? Signage?
• Will people be able to find you?
• Does the building or location have the amenities that you need?
• Have you considered your finish out requirements?
• Does the location have adequate wiring, including for voice and data communications?

Finally, once you narrow your selection down to 1 or 2 locations.
This is wonderful information. But it is still a tough decision on how much space you will need so how do you handle this overwhelming task?

For business start-ups: Before you lease, rent, or purchase a location, do your homework. We have already discussed the importance of your business plan. Now it is time to do the best thing you could do for your business: Draw out the floor plan of your business the way you envision it. How many offices will you need? How much storage for inventory/products? How much storage for records? Where will your employees have a break room? Don’t forget the restrooms; separate ones for employees and customers, to ensure privacy for all.

Where will you meet with customers? What equipment will you need and how much space will that take? Will you need holding space? How about a shipping and handling areas? How long will this space hold my business and its future growth?
For current business owners: Your strategic planning will help you determine the size of your growth and its directions. If you don’t have a blueprint or layout of your business, today’s the day to do so. Your evaluation of your business is as important as a start up business.

Take your time to do an honest evaluation of your needs. Short changing yourself in your space and location can bring your business to its knees.
Your businesses identity is tied to the location you pick as much as it is to your logo and marketing efforts. Choose your location wisely. It will make a difference.
Next month we will discuss identifying you customers, both internally and externally and understanding their needs. Are you ready for the challenge?
Got questions? Please call us at Highland Community College-Small Business Development Center at 815-599-3654.

Glue from Ethanol Leftovers May Be Worth More than the Fuel Itself

2006-09-29T14:30:00.000-05:00

Everyone has been raving about ethanol, ethanol, ethanol for the past 2 years. In fact, the State of Illinois has given the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs a million dollars to study the economic impact of this ethanol gold rush. I personally think that the big players, i.e. Monsanto, Cargill, ADM are waiting for all the little developers to get their plants built and then they will come in and buy them out for nickles on the dollar.

Personally, I think the primary revenue source should be from the by-products and not from the ethanol. You can use DDG's and corn resin for composite manufacturing. In fact, DDG in an alternative form called gluton, has been fed to livestock for over 10 years.

So I have a good friend out there that is always digging for information and she just forwarded this article to me. Glue! Check it out here at GreenBiz News

Top Ten Signs You’re Made to be an Entrepreneur

2006-09-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

Bill from New Ventures

Do you have the skills to be a successful entrepreneur? Professor Howard Van Auken at Iowa State University has recently developed a list of “the top 10 signs you're made to be an entrepreneur.” If you’ve got what it takes and are seeking resources to assist you in becoming a successful entrepreneur, stop into the NewVentures Center on 3rd and Ripley streets in downtown Davenport. The mission of the NewVentures is to create entrepreneurial excellence in the region. Either their staff or the staff at the Small Business Development Center, which is located in the NewVentures Center, can help you identify the resources available to launch your business opportunity.

Top Ten Signs You’re Made to be an Entrepreneur

1. There's a willingness to "do it alone."
There's a difference between being an employee and an employer. As an employee, there are people above you typically making decisions; and as an employer, you're the point person, you're the person who has to make all the decisions, and you are also accountable to yourself.

2. There's a desire to be independent.
Because you are at the top, because you are alone, you reap the rewards of success—but also suffer the consequences of failure. You must be willing to accept this independence.

3. You have the support of family.
Owning a business is not a job, it's a lifestyle; so there is a strong demand associated with the job and subsequent lifestyle. The family must be willing to accept that as part of their life as well as yours.

4. Your "calling in life" is to be an independent owner.
This doesn’t appear in the literature, but many believe some people are innately bred for this lifestyle and just know it's for them. The key question is “Do you really want to own your own business?”

5. You possess an innovative personality and approach to business development.
The key to entrepreneurship is innovation—doing something different. This is the key to distinguishing between just another small business and an entrepreneurial business. The innovative personality is someone who is constantly able to identify these new opportunities, and sees the world in a different way.

6. You have a sincere interest in serving customers.
It’s the key to being successful in business. Very few people care about what you want to do. But what matters is whether or not our needs are met in the marketplace. The million dollar question is “How can you do this better than anyone else?”

7. You have a willingness to accept substantial financial risk.
In addition to debt, there are other potential consequences. Know what they are before taking the plunge.

8. You have an understanding of how businesses operate.
Just because one has technical skills, it doesn't necessarily indicate you’ll be a good business operator. Being a business owner is a completely different set of skills.

9. You have expertise in the type of business that is being launched.
There has to be expertise in the business sector to understand the general environment. Other people can be brought in to fill voids, but the owner must definitely be the “expert.”

10. You have a well-established network of contacts.
Research has consistently shown that business owners who have a larger network of contacts—or a bigger resource base to draw from—have greater success. This network also will be the marketing team during infancy years.

Expand your horizons women!!!

2006-09-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

Chicago - Oct. 12
As minority and women-owned small businesses grow by participating in the global marketplace, they face unique challenges. Lack of knowledge about government programs available to support overseas investment, the scarcity of private sector capital to pursue opportunities abroad, or concern over political risks in emerging markets can prevent minority and women-owned businesses from expanding overseas.

The EXPANDING HORIZONS Workshop will address these concerns by providing participants with an understanding of the programs and resources provided by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which is the U.S. government agency responsible for supporting private sector investment in developing countries. This is a unique opportunity to learn about:

• The challenges and opportunities of overseas investment
• U.S. government programs offering assistance to minority and women-owned businesses planning to go global
• Political risk insurance and how it can protect your business
• Accessing capital for your overseas project
• Special opportunities in franchising and the housing sector
• OPIC’s special products for small businesses

Speakers will include senior government officials from OPIC and other agencies, international bankers, and representatives from businesses investing overseas who will share their insights and experiences. Networking opportunities will be available and participants will be able to arrange one on one meetings with OPIC officials.

Click here for the brochure
Click here for the agenda

Get a Hold of Procurement Techniques

2006-09-08T09:33:00.000-05:00

September 28th @ Sauk Valley Community College - We are proud to announce that at our September E&I Club meeting we will be having Vicky L. Miller from the Northwest Region Procurement Technical Assistance Center speak with us about obtaining contracts with corporations to government agencies. The club meeting will start at 6PM. Click here for the flyer! See you there! Dave

Vicky L. Miller, C. B. S. has over 25 years experience as a business professional with human resources, program development, management, strategic business planning, business consulting, business plan development, insurance planning, benefits coordination, ADA and OSHA requirements, legal compliance, advertising, business structure, finances, government business compliance, Internet business planning, marketing and sales. She is a Certified Business Specialist with the State of Illinois.

Ms. Miller currently is the Northwest Region Procurement Technical Assistance Center Coordinator for the State of Illinois. She also teaches Business Certification classes for the business community at Black Hawk College for the Small Business Development Center. She has written an Internet Business Plan for developing a profitable Internet Business as well as a series of seven books for E-Commerce Business for Internet Business classes and books that plan for the various types of business structures for the Small Business Development Center at Black
Hawk College.

Ms. Miller has been the keynote speaker for business topics for many professional business groups. She counsels business owners and entrepreneurs for their business needs at the Small Business Development
Center at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. She has opened or
expanded numerous business projects and has helped secure millions of dollars in business loans for her business clientele. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Continuing Service Options Board for Rock Island, and Mercer Counties, The Black Hawk College Small Business Development Board of Directors for the Small Business Development Center, International Trade Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center and The Board of Directors of the Christian Friendliness/Center of Hope Program. She is a member of the National Association for the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC)
which is supported by the Department of Defense Logistics Agency.

Ms. Miller is a volunteer business teacher for the Jr. Achievement Program and has been awarded a bronze award for that service. She is an active Chairman in the Moline Rotary, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce, 5:15 Business After Hours and assists on planning committees for numerous charitable and business committees. She is an honored Ambassador with the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, she is an active member of Calvary Church of the Quad
Cities in Moline, Illinois. She has received the highest level of
achievement, The Golden Rose Award of Excellence from United Hospitals.
She is listed as an honored Professional of the Directory of Congress in Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. She has received the Rotary's Governors Award in Service and most recently a Government Contracting Award of Excellence from the State of Illinois Entrepreneur Network Association with the Department of Economic and Commerce Opportunity.

Delivering Transportation Security Solutions to Illinois

2006-08-28T12:36:00.000-05:00

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering a roundtable on current homeland security trends in the transportation industry at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago. Please click here for the flyer and registration form.

I encourage any of you to attend this because this is a great opportunity to find opportunities in this very luxurious industry.

Dave

How do you feel about the E&I Club?

2006-08-22T11:58:00.000-05:00

We at the E&I Club Team have noticed some declining numbers over the summer and that could simply be because of the season, but it could be other reasons. So we need to know what you really think. Please take five minutes and fill out this survey. Thank you.

dave

Don't put all of your eggs in your account receivable

2006-08-21T15:33:00.000-05:00

I just got my copy of the NBIA Insight and they had some very good articles inside. Especially about the pitfall that a lot of entrepreneurs fall in - lack of capital because of poor collection practices. To read more, click here.

Entrepreneur & Inventors Club Meeting August 24th

2006-08-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

August 15, 2006

FREEPORT, IL – The impact of tourism on business is the topic for the August 24th meeting of the Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club. Connie Sorn, Executive Director of the Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau will discuss the many profit opportunities that can result from tourist traffic. Click here for club invite and more info about Connie Sorn.

The E & I Club meeting will be held at Highland Community College in Freeport in the Student Conference Center, Room H-201. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m.

Sorn has been involved with tourism for over 20 years. She has served as Director of Freeport’s Downtown Business Association, and has been with the Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau since 1990. Her experiences are many and she has witnessed numerous business successes based on tourism.

“Many of our E & I Club members ask how they can connect with tourists,” commented Russ Simpson, Counselor for the Small Business Development Center. “This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn how we can be a part of the local tourist industry.”

“The E & I Club meetings are an excellent opportunity for networking”, commented Dave Keiser, Carroll County Economic Development Director. “The casual, non-threatening atmosphere allows people to feel comfortable as they interact and hopefully help each other to become successful.”

All inventors, entrepreneurs, business & industrial representatives, economic development professionals, along with community leaders, county leaders and anyone else who might be interested are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

For more information you may contact Ms. Michele Miller, Director of the Small Business Development Center at 815-288-5511, ext. 320, or Russ Simpson, SBDC Counselor at 815-599-3654.

No Free Lunch - Make Your Money Work for You

2006-08-07T12:37:00.000-05:00

From the SBDC Vault

By Michele M. Miller
SBDC Director

Last month we discussed reasons for business failure and the importance of a well-written business plan. .

At the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois (SBDC) we believe the top five reasons for business failure are:

Poor planning or poor preparation. Lack of a well-written business plan.
No working capital (money)
Poor choice of locations
Not understanding your market (customer needs)
No marketing (let people know you are here)

This month we are looking at ways to improve your working capital, meaning how to make your money work for you not against you.

At the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois we receive many phone calls about grants. In general the conversation goes like this:

I was watching TV at 3:00 o’clock in the morning and saw this commercial.

This crazy guy with question marks all over his jackets says that for $49.95 he

will send me a book with all the free grant money places in it. Should I send

him the $49.95?

No, save your money for a better use. There is no free grant money available for commercial (regular businesses) ventures. Just like the old saying goes there is no free lunch.

The Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois receives its funding in part from a federal agency (Small Business Administration) and a state agency (Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities). When any type of funding program is available we are among the first to receive the information. If it is a program that would apply to anyone of our clients, we will notify that client directly.

So lets talk about how to make what money you have work best for you. One of the best things you can do for your business is to get to know your banking professional and accounting professional. These expertises have many tools and ideas that will help your business. Their guidance, along with the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois assist can make a big difference in your business.

So show me the money!! The Small Business Administration (SBA) has some ideas of where to look for capital:

Savings
Family
Friends
Home Equity financing
Banks and Credit Unions
Angel investors or Venture companies

So Great-Aunt Tilley won’t lend you any money? Your best friend from grade school is tapped out? Now what? Here are some additional ways you could seek capital:

Credit Card
Mergers/acquisitions
New partnerships
Customer financing
Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP)
Purchase Order Financing
Factory Accounts receivables
Local and state economic development plans

Remember all options have a price, so discuss them with your professionals for their advice. The bottom line: A well written business plan will help you create a method for returning capital into your company and making it work for you, not against you.

If you have additional questions or need assist, please contact our office at Highland Community College 815-599-3654 or at Sauk Valley Community College at 815-288-5511 x 320.

Exciting things are happening in Northwest Illinois, be a part of it! Get involved in your communities!

New Ventures Center: A Regional Resource for Business Incubation. . .

2006-07-27T10:04:00.000-05:00

Business incubation catalyzes the process of starting and growing companies. A proven model, it provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful. Incubation programs diversify economies, commercialize technologies, create jobs and build wealth.

A business incubator typically is a large building that offers temporary space to young businesses. Rents are low, and participating businesses may share resources that the economics of small start-up’s might not allow given their infant stage. Some incubators offer mentors, classes, and other business support to help small businesses mature. The goal is to minimize overhead costs, provide business expertise and reduce risks to make it easier for new businesses to succeed --- all of which are true of the services offered to tenants of the Center. The only criteria needing to be met by prospective tenants are a focus on some sort of technologically advanced offering or service.

“We’re not a retail space provider. There’s plenty of other space available if that is you’re niche”, said Bill Maurer, Vice President of Marketing and Research at NewVentures. “Our focus is providing the region with a technology center of excellence, hence allowing for development and growth of small technology start-up’s. Our benchmarks lie in center turnover - strange as it may sound - but we want you to take advantage of the amenities the center can provide, , and eventually move out into your own facility. That’s how we measure success.”

Tenants of the Center have access to multiple conference rooms, copier, fax and scanners and most importantly, other tenants and staff of the NewVentures Initiative. “The real value of being located in the center is the proximity tenants have with other early stage businesses. Just being in the presence of other start-up’s who might be experiencing the same growing pains as you can really influence and assist in solving daily problems”, expressed Kim Kudrna, Executive Vice President of NewVentures.

NewVentures is currently accepting applications for occupancy. Please contact Bill Maurer at 563.327.0162 (bmaurer@newventuresinc.com) with any inquiries about becoming a tenant of the center.

Did you know. . . According to the NBIA:

For every $1 of estimated annual public operating subsidy provided the incubator, clients generate approximately $45 in local tax revenue alone.
84 percent of clients stay in their communities and continue to provide a return to their investors.
Publicly supported incubators create jobs at a cost of about $1,100 each, whereas other publicly supported job creation mechanisms commonly cost more that $10,000 per jobs created.
The NBIA estimates that North American incubator clients have created approximately half a million jobs since 1980.
Every 50 jobs created by an incubator client generate another 25 jobs in the community.

National Business Incubation Association

Current Economic Development Trends

2006-07-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Reporting from the Illinois Development Council's Annual Conference "Improving Your Game"

by Dave Keiser - CCEDC Executive Director

I was speculative of this conference when registering but was immediately relieved when I saw that there were 120 economic development professionals in attendence and the list of speakers and topics. One of most important sessions was the one about Site Selection Trends in 2006 by professional site selectors Mark Sweeney of McCallum & Sweeney and Frank Spanno from the Austin Company. These are the people who corporations hire to find new sites for their expansion projects and what they had to say to us was very important.

If you are not on the internet, you're not in the game, but even if you are on the internet, it doesn't mean that you are being considered. It takes a dynamic, updated website, with lots of prior planning for the future to get considered. And that's if you are in the right place for that corporation's market.

Market & Supply Chains

The very first step or phase I that a site selector takes is to run GIS mapping to find the optimal geographical location for a particular business. Fortunately for Carroll County, our proximity to the Chicagoland area and the fact that the demographic center of the United States has finally shifted west to central Illinois positions us in the middle of the market and most likely will make it to phase II of the site selection process. That's where websites and planning come into play.

During phase II site selectors start the process of reviewing economic development websites and LOIS for a good fit location. Therefore, having a website with every existing site/building available in your jurisdiction is crucial, but it is even more crucial that these sites have everything these large corporations desire because they are ready to break ground immediately, sometimes within 90 days, so planning for land purchasing and infrastructure improvements have to be lined up beforehand. If these hurdles are taken care of beforehand and implemented on a dynamic website, your chances are good. Four out of every 100 communities looked at during phase II get a phone call. When that phone call comes, the community and economic developer have to be ready to act, in most cases, you only have a couple of days to line up all the details and players for a project to survive to fruition. So plan and invest for the future. Invest in infrastructure, education, business incubation, and most importantly the internet and you will be ahead of the game.

Knowledge Workers - educated professionals, i.e. engineers, scientists, doctors... We don't have to have Mayo Clinic in our county to attract biotech firms, but we can encourage one professional to live here and do research. Research brings publicity and other professionals and then maybe that biotech firm. So how do you attract this type of person? IT infrastructure, a business incubator, or an active entrepreneurial network...

Shut up and Listen

2006-07-12T13:30:00.000-05:00

(Crain's) - By Meredith Landry

Shut up and listen

CAUSE OF DEATH: FOOT-IN-MOUTH DISEASE

Let's face it, not everyone's a born salesman. But there are some rules you can follow to get better. It starts with introspection.

PROBLEM #1: You don't define your target audience.

Eager to get business, entrepreneurs forget to figure out who their true customers are. What gets lost as a result? What every company needs: repeats and referrals.

SOLUTION: Outline the ideal client in your business plan and stick with it.

Don't take any customer who walks through the door. Define your target audience, so you can concentrate on catering to a clientele more likely to become regulars. Focusing on the right customer base also helps your bottom line.

"The cost of attracting new clients is six times higher than maintaining an existing one," says Jeannie Walters, vice-president of Vox Inc., an Oak Brook consumer consulting firm. "Our business is about long-term relationships and cold calling always felt, well, cold."

PROBLEM #2: You don't listen to your customer.

You're nervous and you want the business. But you're selling blind if you don't understand their needs first. Plus, they won't trust you.

SOLUTION: Learn their problem.

Let the customer speak 65% of the time, says George Shanine, who runs the Midwest brand sales division for IBM Corp. "If you're talking more than they're asking questions, you know you've got a problem," he says.

But there's more to listening than just listening. To get a better understanding of how your product or service can help them, Mr. Shanine recommends asking four questions: 1. How bad is the problem? 2. How many people does it affect? 3. How quickly do you need to solve the problem? 4. What would the ideal result look like?

Then use that information to form your pitch.

PROBLEM #3: You don't know when to quit.

Entrepreneurs often spend hours haggling over price rather than what they really want to be doing: more selling.

SOLUTION: Give your best price first.

Offering a customer your "walk-away" price means that you won't waste time negotiating.

Not only will you save time, but you'll maintain credibility with the customer and within your company. Going back and forth suggests you're selling a deal rather than the value of your service. "Once the conversations are centered around price, it's time to walk away," Mr. Shanine says.

To do so gracefully, tell the customer this is your best offer, then ask for a decision. Chances are it will not be in your favor, but thank them for their time and move on.

For more help: Attend a sales strategy workshop such as those offered by Huthwaite (www.huthwaite.com). Or pick up a copy of "Integrity Selling for the 21st Century: How to Sell the Way People Want to Buy" by Ron Willingham.

Tell Me about It

2006-07-12T13:04:00.000-05:00

(Crain's) - By Cynthia Hanson

CAUSE OF DEATH: LACK OF CIRCULATION

Marketing a new product or service is one of the hardest parts of running a small business. Just ask any entrepreneur who's blown a ton of money on an advertising campaign that flopped. But you won't, if you read on.

PROBLEM #1: You confuse marketing with sales.

Many new entrepreneurs wrongly expect their print advertising, radio commercials or direct-mail campaigns to translate into immediate sales. But marketing and sales are related, not identical.

SOLUTION: Have patience. And be aware that marketing is an investment.

Mike Tait, president of SMT Golf Inc., spent two years buying ads in golf magazines only to get frustrated when they didn't deliver the new customers he expected. "I thought that a $5,000 advertisement should generate more than $5,000 in business," says Mr. Tait, 44, whose Oswego company designs and imports golf club parts.

So what did he do? He hired a marketing firm.

"That's how I learned that building a brand and keeping my company's name in front of the customer is worth more than the cost of the ad," he says.

Research shows that it takes three to six exposures to an ad before a customer makes a purchase. So your marketing should be consistent to build up buzz and name recognition, which in time will bring in the new business you're seeking.

PROBLEM #2: You don't have a consistent message — or you use only one method.

Lack of cohesion among your public relations, advertising and direct-mail campaigns confuses customers, which hurts sales and sets up your business for failure. And by using just one medium, you lose out on reaching certain customers.

SOLUTION: Hire an expert and diversify early.

You don't need to spend megabucks on a multinational public relations firm, but be sure to choose one that has both key media contacts and a track record in your industry.

Andre Williams, 36, regrets not doing that when he hired a local PR firm to promote Kaze, a Japanese restaurant he opened in Roscoe Village two years ago. "The account executives weren't experts in restaurant marketing, so they weren't getting our message into the right hands in the Chicago food media," he says.

After Kaze's first year, Mr. Williams severed ties with that firm and hired another one that has been more effective. He also regrets relying exclusively on the first PR firm to get the word out.

"We should have had a multifaceted marketing program, with print advertising, Web-based advertising and direct mail," he says. "We're initiating those things now."

PROBLEM #3: You don't market to existing customers.

Sure you're busy pursuing new clients, but you can't assume your current ones will keep buying.

SOLUTION: Shift your focus — and your money.

If you don't stay in touch with existing customers, you risk losing them. That's what happened to Marky Bielat six months ago, when she opened her high-end shoe store in Lakeview.

Prior to opening Marky Exclusive European Shoe Boutique, she sold women's footwear (ranging from $300 to $1,400 a pair) at home parties on the North Shore. Once she opened her store, she spent her entire marketing budget on print advertising and didn't stay in touch with her suburban clientele. The result? She landed new city clients, but lost longtime customers.

"If I had it to do over, I would have mailed them a letter once a month, offering special promotions, private consultations and private parties at my new store," says Ms. Bielat, 32, who is now targeting them with a direct-mail campaign and trunk show later this summer.

For more help: Join a peer group and pick up a copy of "Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business," by Jay Conrad Levinson.

Who needs insurance? Probably everybody...

2006-07-11T09:41:00.000-05:00

FREEPORT, IL – Gerald Quigg, an insurance executive from Sterling, IL will be the featured guest speaker at the July 27^th meeting of the Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur & Inventors Club.

The E & I Club meeting will be held at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Room 1K4. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m.

Quigg has been in the insurance business for over 44 years. He knows how important it is for inventors and entrepreneurs to have sufficient coverage. Gerald will share stories, tips and advice, and answer questions about your specific circumstances.

“We’re really excited to have Gerald come to our July meeting at Sauk Valley Community College,” commented Michele Miller, Director of the Small Business Development Center of Northwest Illinois. “We often get questions about mitigating risk; because of his tremendous experience Gerald will be able to give us great information.”

All inventors, entrepreneurs, business & industrial representatives, economic development professionals, along with community leaders, county leaders and anyone else who might be interested are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

“The E & I Club meetings are an excellent opportunity for networking”, commented Miller. “The casual, non-threatening atmosphere allows people to feel comfortable as they interact and hopefully help each other to become successful.”

For more information you may contact Ms. Michele Miller, Director of the Small Business Development Center at 815-288-5511, ext. 320, or Russ Simpson, SBDC Counselor at 815-599-3654.

Entrepreneurs & Inventors Club Meets Terry Whipple

2006-06-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

Our June 22, 2006 meeting was great! Terry Whipple, Executive Director from the Juneau County Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation was the guest speaker. Terry gave us some great tips and ideas on how to keep our club alive and well in Northwest Illinois. We are very excited to take Terry’s ideas and run with them.

To recap some of Terry’s tips, suggestions, ideas:

There is a fine degree of separation (we at the SBDC call that the six {6} degrees of separation, meaning there are no more then six {6} people standing before you or are part of achieving your goal) How to make that happen? Talk to people! Don’t let who you don’t know stand in your way of not reaching out and sharing your idea or concept. The person that you are talking to may be just the person to connect you to a new customer, vendor, partner, etc. Start talking!

Resources are all around you, use them! There are experts in your community, including, members of our club that are here to help. None of use can do anything alone. It takes all of us to make things happen. Seek your resources!

Everything is adventure! Learn for those around you and from your own experiences. Yes, do your research and investigation to make sure you are headed in the right direction, but…try it! Get excited!

Anyone has the ability to be an Entrepreneur. There are no age limits, culture, background, or other requirements to hold you back. Let your imagination be the beginning to a lifetime of abilities. Start today!

We thank Terry for making the long trip from Juneau to Freeport. If you weren’t able to make the June meeting, don’t miss our next Club meeting. It will be at Sauk Valley Community College from 6:00pm to?? on Thursday, July 27, 2006. Don’t miss the excitement!

Designed, Selected and Screened - T-Shirts???

2006-06-19T14:51:00.000-05:00

I just received my monthly copy of Entrepreneur over the weekend and was looking through it just minutes ago when I stumbled upon this tech spotlight - two young entrepreneurs from Chicago are making millions off of t-shirts. They are projected to make $26 million in 2006 - from t-shirts.

Yeah, right I said. I even spoke with a colleague whose initial thought was the same as mine - people don't make a lot of money from t-shirts, but these guys do. Jake Nickell, 25 and Jacob DeHart, 24 discovered that if they harnessed the creative juices from their market, they would in turn guarantee their market. They created www.threadless.com in 2000, where they design and allowed outside people to design t-shirt logos. Anyone can sign up to be a member at this site and even submit their own design. Designs are then voted on by the members. They currently have 300,000 members and that will probably triple now with the fact that they were focused in Entrepreneur this month. Each month, the votes are tallied and the winner is announced. The winning t-shirt design is then inventoried where you can buy them.

To me, this is such a great business model. They have advertised by word-of-mouth and I'm sure the local email world. Their membership database grew, and also grew their market. Their market in return designed logos that they thought were cool (there are also financial incentives driving this), and then that same market told threadless which t-shirts they would buy. Threadless in return made the t-shirts that would sell. Wow, that is so simple and so LOGICAL.

So, here I am thinking, how can I capitalize from this idea. What about corporate ads? Have the market design ads for major corporations, vote on them, and then sell them to the corporate giants... check out www.threadless.com and design a t-shirt, or at the very least, vote on one.

Midwest Entrepreneurial Spirit - Speaker Bio

2006-06-15T12:09:00.000-05:00

Speech

Terry Whipple has a passion for creating a contagious environment for entrepreneurship! He is also adamant that the Midwest needs to foster a culture of entrepreneurism in order to compete economically in the 21^st century. He will speak from his experience facilitating and nurturing the growth of a successful entrepreneurial program in west central Wisconsin called the Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club. Terry will share his perspective on the Midwest’s entrepreneurial environment and culture; the characteristics of inventors and the constraints they face; what it's like to work with an inventor; how clubs provide a safe place to gather, explore ideas and gain education from peers; why a mix of inventors and entrepreneurs is important for critical networking to occur, what resources are available to assist inventors and entrepreneurs; and how to start a club in your region. Economic developers will take home ideas, strategies and lessons you can use to spur entrepreneurship.

Bio

Terry Whipple is the Executive Director of Juneau County Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) and has an extensive background in business development. Terry received the SBA’s Region V and Wisconsin 2005 Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Award. He also received the Wisconsin 2005 Innovation Champion Award for the development of innovative new programs. He has served as an independent business consultant specializing in work with distressed small businesses and currently maintains his own private consulting business to connect investors with businesses.

Network with Regional Entrepreneurs

2006-06-12T16:50:00.000-05:00

Are you well on your way to establishing a business? Or perhaps you simply have an idea you’d like to pursue further. If your heart is set on chasing the American Dream your best networking opportunity may be the next Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur and Inventor’s Club meeting.

“Our purpose is to bring entrepreneurs together to share their ideas, problems and startup challenges with each other as well as potential advisors, mentors, and support agencies” said Steve Haring, Director of the Blackhawk Hills Economic Development District and key organizer of the club. “We present a non-threatening environment featuring a network of people with experience and expertise that can help take your dream to reality.”

The Blackhawk Hills Entrepreneur and Inventor’s Club was formed in response to a 2004-2005 Northwest Illinois Economic Distress Study indicating the region needed to enhance its entrepreneurial culture. The first meeting, held during November, 2005, was modeled after the large and successful 300 member Juneau County, Wisconsin club. The local group has grown to 75 members, and sponsors now include the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center, the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center, and the Northwest Illinois Small Business Development Center, in addition to the Blackhawk Hills Economic District.

E & I Club meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at either Highland or Sauk Valley Community College. The format includes a power networking session, a speaker, and an opportunity for each participant to introduce themselves and highlight their idea, product or service, and any needed support or expertise. After the formal agenda participants are encouraged to take advantage of refreshments and mingle.

With an average of over 50 participants, each meeting offers a very active networking environment. “The meetings are high-energy and very productive”, said Michele Miller, Director of the Northwest IL Small Business Development Center Director. “We help coordinate and attend all of them because it gives us a chance to offer our services directly to those who are aspiring to be successful.”

Greg Longbons of Lake Carroll, founder of Coffee Bean Design, has attended all but one of the local meetings. He credits the E & I experience for helping his business mature. “It’s such a great place to bring can-do people together to share ideas and to give each other support. These folks are adventurers and trail blazers in the truest sense of the word.”

The next Entrepreneur and Inventor’s Club meeting is scheduled for 6pm on Thursday, June 22 at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center, Room H-201. The speaker will be Terry Whipple, Economic Development Director for Juneau County Wisconsin and founder of the very large Juneau County E & I Club. Terry will share his Juneau club experiences and provide tips for enhancing local club activity and involvement. All entrepreneurs are welcome to attend. For more information about this meeting or the Blackhawk Hills E & I Club contact Russ Simpson at the Highland SBDC office, (815) 599-3654, or visit www.businessblender.org

Welcome to the "Blender"

2006-02-08T23:04:00.000-06:00

Here we are!!! This is the very first post so I will keep it short, but I bet you are wondering what the "Blender" is - well, a lot of you probably know what business incubators are, except the "Blender" is an incubator times 10! Typical incubators offer low cost overhead for start up companies and that is about it. The "Blender" targets 4 types of entrepreneurs and businesses looking to start up or expand. The first type that this model targets are the entrepreneurs and inventors - the idea people, the Eddisons, the tinkers, the computer geeks, the founding fathers of this great country. The second type are the manufacturers who bring the engineering and machining to the table looking to expand or start up. The third type are the warehousing and logistic geniuses who are ahead of the technological curve who know how to get product A to point B. The last type are the retailers with their marketing expertise can take a new product to market and sell sell sell.

The model encompasses all four types and once they are in place - just push the blend button and out will come new businesses creating new jobs and economic growth to a region.

We are currently looking for a facility and funding to make this work and we need your help because there are entrepreneurs and businesses ready to start. So lets work together and do it fast because the world is an ever changing place.

Good Night!

Dave Keiser