Classes map way to starting own business
Many of us have dreamed of launching our own businesses. And metro Phoenix residents hoping to start their own businesses will find there are various resources to help them gain the knowledge theyll need to launch their ventures.
The Maricopa Community Colleges Small Business Development Center offers two relatively new tools to help budding entrepreneurs or those contemplating starting their own small business.
The first, developed by Hewlett Packard, is called LIFE — Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs. The second program, TechEDge, is a partnership with the city of Chandler.
HP LIFE classes, which are free, began in January, and more will be added as people request them, says SBDC Director Mark Engle.
People really like the approach, he says. Its not the typical training of a sage on the stage, but more about solving problems, such as getting customers or managing inventory.
The classes offer five training levels, from hopeful entrepreneurs with an idea to those whove been in business and are hitting brick walls, Engle says. The participants use open-source software, typically free and widely available so they can use it after classes end.
What I like is that HP is not trying to sell to us; its just trying to create access for everyone, Engle says. Were enthused about reaching people who want to start or grow a business.
HP provided a $60,000 grant that went toward computers, software and training, he says.
LIFE started in developing nations, and the SBDC was chosen as one of 10 US sites to offer the program, says Engle, who used similar services to start and operate a goat dairy for seven years. Later, a business mentor urged Engle to apply for the job with SBDC.
The second program, TechEDge, is offered in Chandler, and the program is not limited to residents, says Christine Mackay, the citys economic-development director.
The 10-week program is designed to help technology entrepreneurs with a range of challenges, from business models and funding to accounting and patents. Classes are held at the Innovations Technology Incubator on 79th Street near Chandler Boulevard and McClintock Drive. Participants are limited to 15 and once accepted pay a $120 fee.
It was time well spent, says Christian Millhiser, a program manager at Chandlers Cummings Engineering and a recent graduate of TechEDge. One of the great things is that they bring in people who are willing to meet you one-on-one after class.
Smart hiring, developing a business plan, expanding from startup mode and new ideas were all aspects of the program that her company will benefit from, Millhiser says.
In addition to Cummings Engineering, a secure-communications company, TechEDge has attracted small-business owners that produce hydrogen batteries and medical devices.
Participants are across the board. Exactly what we wanted, Mackay says.
Helping entrepreneurs ultimately benefits the regions economy, she says.
Were really good at (attracting) larger companies, but thats not what sets communities apart, she says. There are only so many Intels to go around.
She says many states, and even countries, compete for the big corporations, while cities like Chandler can set themselves apart by nurturing startups.
TechEDge coordinators planned to see results from the first groups in about three years, but now Mackay says the impact could be felt in 18 to 24 months.
We couldnt be more pleased with how TechEDge is turning out, she says. The SBDC is second to none.
Details: AZSBDC Network, 480-731-8720, www.azsbdc.net.
5 must-have traits
Small businesses are not meant for everyone. But there are several traits that small-business experts say could boost your chances of launching a successful venture:
Perseverance. Look at those who have made it as successful business owners, because many of them needed several chances before they succeeded. For example, real-estate tycoon Donald Trump had a number of bankruptcies, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard.
Delegator. If you cant delegate, you will fail. You cannot do everything yourself without dropping the ball or wearing yourself out.
Decision maker. If youre indecisive, starting a business may not be for you. You cant afford to wait on the many decisions youll need to make quickly.
Organization. If youre disorganized, you soon will be overwhelmed with the many moving pieces of a small business.
Responsible. The business owner bears ultimate responsibility for success or failure. Employees will look up to you for direction, so if you cant accept that responsibility and lead, then its best to work for someone else.
Source: expertadvice.biz2credit.com.
Escape With a Spa Getaway in Exciting Montreal
DORVAL, QC, May 17, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Looking to save on a soothing, luxurious experience at a spa in
Montreal? Escape to Montreal and get the first-class treatment at
AltiSpa at the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel. Valid through March
23, 2013, the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel is offering an
exclusive Spa Package to pamper yourself. Guests will enjoy the
ultimate in rest and relaxation with the perfect combination of
luxurious accommodations and spa treatments.
The spa package includes accommodations in a deluxe guest room and
one deluxe treatment of the traveller’s choice at AltiSpa. Choose
from a soothing massage, body wrap, manicure, pedicure or
rejuvenating facial. It’s the perfect getaway for travellers who want
to be pampered, yet still have time for sightseeing in the city.
Among Trudeau airport hotels, the Montreal Marriott Airport is known
as a modern hotel with a vibrant lobby where complimentary high-speed
wireless Internet access is available. The spacious guest rooms
feature luxurious amenities, floor-to-ceiling windows and scenic
airport or city views. All guest rooms feature a unique frosted-glass
encased shower with a rainforest shower head and deluxe, spa-inspired
amenities.
Bijou Restaurant offers sumptuous cuisine made with fresh, local
ingredients, and the Bijou Bar features signature cocktails and tasty
appetizers. Guests can relax and unwind in the heated indoor pool and
whirlpool and stay fit at the on-site fitness centre with modern
cardio equipment, complete with personal TVs and iPod connectivity,
strength training machines and free weights. When ready to discover
the city, the hotel has a bus and train station nearby to visit
downtown and area restaurants, sights, and entertainment.
The Montreal spa package is valid through March 23, 2013 and can be
booked online at
http://www.marriott.com/specials/promotion.mi?promotion=group_offer_25 .
Be sure that promotional code SPA appears in the
Corporate/Promotional code box when making an online reservation, or
call 1-866-580-6279 and ask for promotional code SPA.
About the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel
Our Montreal Airport
Marriott Hotel, located inside the P. E. Trudeau International
Airport and near Montreal airport shopping, boasts vibrant settings,
luxurious guest rooms, contemporary decor and legendary service.
Perfect for both the business and leisure travellers, the Montreal
Airport Marriott Hotel is only 20 minutes from the excitement of
downtown Montreal and is near various top attractions including the
Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Port of Montreal, Bell Centre, Six Flags
Amusement Park, Olympic Stadium and Botanical Gardens. Bijou, the
hotel’s trendy restaurant and bar, features fresh international
cuisine in an innovative, upscale setting. The hotel also features an
indoor pool, fitness centre and business centre. The Montreal Airport
Marriott Hotel offers premier meeting facilities with more 14,000 sq.
ft. of flexible event space, perfect for engaging corporate meetings,
successful group events and exquisite weddings in Montreal.
Image Available:
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1987565
CONTACT:
Christine Lessard
Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel
1.514.828.5138
Email Contact
SOURCE: Marriott International
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=64D0D0DFDA39F0B8
Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.
Financial Glossary
Words used in this article:
#Vacation Getaway Contest Launched by Hilton Resale Broker, Has 2 Weeks Left
Selling Timeshares, Inc. has offered the chance to win a three-night stay in Orlando, Florida or Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants only have two weeks left to enter the companys social media-based vacation getaway contest.
Alameda, CA (PRWEB) May 16, 2012
Selling Timeshares, Inc., a licensed Real Estate brokerage that specializes in Hilton timeshare resale, has recently announced that it has reached the halfway point of their vacation getaway contest. The company has offered the winner the choice between a three-night stay in Orlando, Florida or Las Vegas, Nevada at a high-end timeshare resort.
The contest is a social media-based promotion, which is aimed at raising the timeshare communitys engagement with the brokerages Facebook and Twitter accounts. The company has committed to offering original timeshare-related articles, travel tips, travel news, and other useful content to all who subscribe to either account.
Contestants can enter by liking the company at www.facebook.com/sellingtimesharesinc, following them on their Twitter account @SellngTmshrsINC or posting a vacation photo on either account. Each person is offered a total of three entries if all three actions are completed.
Since launching the contest on May 4, the company has seen a sharp rise in engagement on both accounts, and has been able to share many vacation pictures with its audience. The timeshare communitys participation has delighted the resale team.
David Van Norman, a licensed agent at Selling Timeshares, Inc. said, We enjoy seeing the communitys beautiful vacation pictures that have been posted, and we look forward to providing our fans some stimulating reading in their news feeds.
Ann Wise, a member of the popular WorldMark Discussion forum, WMowners.com, will be picking the winner at on May 31. The winner will be contacted through the social media outlet they entered with, and will have three days to claim their prize and choose their destination.
About Selling Timeshares, Inc.
Selling Timeshares is comprised of a group of Licensed Real Estate Professionals with years of knowledge of the most valuable vacation networks offered in todays market. They are a full service timeshare resale brokerage that does not charge an upfront fee to sell.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebhilton-resale-broker/vacation-giveaway-contest/prweb9516290.htm
Prepping family meals builds cooking enjoyment
They eventually settled in Chicago and when Alex was old enough to go to school, his mother lovingly packed his decidedly ethnic lunch into a pail and off he went. Alex remembers eating thinly sliced liver and onions and crepes, but he never did care for the tripe she occasionally made.
When he was just 9, Alex unwittingly became part of what would be one of Chicagos greatest disasters: the Our Lady of Angels fire that killed more than 90 students and three nuns in 1958.
Despite the terrible memories of that time, Alex actually has one pleasant memory that brings us back to our topic of food. After the fire, the surviving students were sent to neighboring schools to finish out the year. Alex attended a school that provided lunch and provided his first memory of eating American food. After his first bite into a bologna sandwich on white bread, he was hooked.
I remember thinking, this is really good! says Alex.
Many years and countless bologna sandwiches and frozen meals later, Alex learned to cook after his first marriage ended. It wasnt until his second marriage, when he and his wife began to raise a family, that he really began to enjoy cooking.
When the kids were growing up, my wife went to school at night, and then started teaching at night, so I started cooking for me and the boys, he recalls. A lot of those nights I would cook pasta. I just kind of made up the ingredients.
Some nights I would do something that was pretty ethnic — something my wife wouldnt care for, but the boys loved. Sometimes when the boys found out that their mom had a class they would ask me, ‘Oh, are you going to cook that thing with tuna? My wife wont even stay in the same house with tuna! he laughs.
Alex credits the boys-only cooking sessions for fostering his love to cook and for fueling that enjoyment in his oldest son as well.
One recipe his whole family loves is banana cake that he shares with us today. For years hes served it as the celebratory cake for special occasions.
When I was a teenager, I essentially spent the summers with my cousins. Their mother, my ‘zia Alda, made this wonderful cake and when I got older I asked her for the recipe. Its not a complicated recipe, but everyone who has it always loves it — including me.
Now empty nesters, Alex and his wife scan Internet cooking sites for inspiration. Alex will read recipes until he finds one that has the ingredients he wants to use.
They are also big fans of the Food Network. His current favorite? The Sandwich King.
I bet Alex could tell show host Jeff Mauro a thing or two about bologna sandwiches.
Messe Berlin – Public Transport at InnoTrans 2012: Innovations for a Modern …
BERLIN, May 09, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Public transport with buses and trains is indispensable to business and
society. It faces big challenges due to climate change and growing
urbanisation. From 18 to 21 September at InnoTrans 2012 in the Public
Transport section the world’s rail industry will be exhibiting
innovative and eco-friendly transport solutions for a modern society.
Since the last event in 2010 the number of exhibition halls representing
Public Transport has doubled to six halls. An even larger international
spectrum of products reflects this growth, among them innovations from
the passenger safety, passenger information and communication technology
sectors. Data management systems, ticketing systems, consultancies and
traffic management systems will also be at the fair.
A broad and international range of exhibitors
More than 50 per cent of the companies exhibiting in the Public
Transport section are from abroad. They include Alcatel-Lucent
International SAS from France, Giro Inc. from Canada, Mitron Oy from
Finland and the Hitachi Zosen Corporation from Japan. Bus manufacturers
such as Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. from Poland and Carrosserie Hess AG
from Switzerland will also be represented at InnoTrans. The
Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund and numerous leading transport companies such
as Veolia Verkehr GmbH, Benex GmbH, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe and
Hamburger Hochbahn AG will also exhibit at InnoTrans 2012.
About InnoTrans
InnoTrans is the world’s leading business meeting place for transport
technology. A total of 2,243 exhibitors from 45 countries presented
their innovative products and services at InnoTrans 2010. The 103,295
trade visitors came to Berlin from more than 100 countries. At the ninth
InnoTrans, which takes place from 18 to 21 September 2012, the main
emphasis will be on Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Tunnel
Construction, Interiors and Public Transport. The event is organized by
Messe Berlin. More details about InnoTrans and current developments in
international transport technology are available at
www.innotrans.com .
SOURCE: Messe Berlin
Andreas Dienemann
Press Officer
Tel.: +49(0)30 / 3038-2351
Fax: +49(0)30 / 3038-2278
Email: dienemann@messe-berlin.de
Copyright Business Wire 2012
Financial Glossary
Words used in this article:
Broward School Board to revisit cyberbullying
Plans call for students and staff to watch a mandatory Internet safety training video and for Internet safety discussions to be held in the classroom.
With Facebook and other social media, we had to update the technology standards and guidelines, said Amalio Nieves, the districts prevention curriculum specialist.
Last year, there were 328 substantiated cases of bullying in Broward schools, a problem that has been growing considerably over the last three years, said Aimee Wood, a district prevention specialist.
She said Broward schools began addressing cyberbullying in its codes years ago, before some state bills began addressing the issue.
Still, the issue can be tricky. Schools have to be careful not to violate a students First Amendment rights when investigating cases. And victims have to demonstrate significant harm was caused by the aggressors action.
Florida Atlantic University professor Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, released a study last year on the dangers of cyberbullying among teenagers.
He said on average a teen sends out about 3,000 text messages a month and phones can be dangerous weapons in the cyberbullying arena.
In some cases, aggressors use technology to stalk, blackmail, extort or manipulate other students into saying or doing things against their will.
Hinduja said because of a number of suicides and high profile incidents, schools are becoming more aggressive in dealing with cyberbullying.
Wood said she advises victims to document what has happened to them, and inform their parents, school officials, and in some cases the police.
There are various ways to anonymously report such crimes, either by texting CRIMES (274637), emailing school911@browardschools.com or calling a 24 hour hotline 754-321-0911.
Girl Scouts focus on Internet safety
When Girl Scout Cadet Denise O’Leary was just a Brownie, there was no such thing as Facebook and little girls like her weren’t logging on to Myspace.
But recently, while teaching a Brownie troop about the perils of the Internet, she realized just how much times have changed.
“We weren’t as exposed to the Internet as they are now,” said the 17-year-old Girl Scout Gold Award candidate.
Denise and 100 other Girl Scouts were presented with the new “Internet Safety” fun badge at Maestro’s Caterers in the Bronx Sunday.
Collection agency dogging former fitness club members
Former members of Premier Fitness Clubs are being harassed by a collection agency demanding they pay dues for memberships they thought they had cancelled years earlier.
The notices, from Mississauga-based National Credit Recovery Inc. arrive by email and demand payments within five days, after which black marks will be placed on credit reports.
Former St. Catharines resident Lisa Spurvey got one demanding she pay $1,900 for a membership she cancelled four years ago before moving to Calgary.
“He was threatening my credit rating and that had me worried sick,” she said. “I’m just speechless about this.”
Former Milton club member Jane Seniuk got the same notice.
“I went the night before they closed and was told that since my payment was bi-monthly, that they would stop charging my card. Well, Premier did stop, but Fitness Management continued,” she wrote. “We told our story to AmEx and they stopped payments to Fitness Management.”
Now, she adds, National Credit Recovery Inc. says she still has a contract with Premier and is obligated to pay until the Milton contract is properly cancelled.
Spurvey was luckier than many members being dunned by the collection agency — she kept the paperwork proving she had cancelled her membership to stop the collection effort.
Jose Blommestyn, vice-president of operations for National Credit Recovery, said anyone else being called about a Premier debt can also get the action stopped if they have similar proof.
“We realize the reputation of Premier Fitness, that the internal bookkeeping had some holes in it,” he said. “If people show us the proper documents, we will close their file.”
In another twist, members whose Premier clubs were closed are finding the company has continued taking monthly fees from their accounts.
Patti Stolarchuk, a former member of the Oshawa Premier location, said payments are coming out of her bank account every other week since the club closed almost three months ago and “like many others I’m at my wit’s end with this company.
“I have emailed various addresses relating to Premier Fitness … to ask them to stop these payments, and have not heard back from anyone. Phone numbers provided just ring and the withdrawals from my account continue,” she wrote.
Stolarchuk said she contacted her bank about the problem and was told the only option was to pay a $10 fee to stop each individual payment, or to close her bank account.
Erin Wynne, who belonged to one of the Hamilton locations now operating under the name National Fitness, went into her banking records going back to 2006 and found Premier had taken more than $1,800 in unauthorized payments from her account.
“I only just caught on because they just changed the name on their billing and it is now showing as National Fitness and before they were taking these small amounts under the name of PSC Fee or PFC Fee,” she wrote. “It did not stand out to me because they were such small amounts I thought they were banking fees.”
Wynne said she had only been to the gym once to sign up and “the very next day went back in and cancelled, I do not understand how this could have been going on for this long. The way they took this money out was very random and the amounts make no sense.”
In St. Catharines, former member Andrew Goodwin has been fighting for five months to get back some of the $1,200 he paid for a family membership — a membership he cancelled after waiting three months for the club to install a men’s change room.
“It was just excuse after excuse after excuse,” he said.
Neil Proctor, Premier’s chief financial officer, did not respond to a request for comment. He previously told The Toronto Star he’s still accepting refund claims and plans to reimburse every customer that deserves it.
Once one of the largest fitness chains in Ontario, Premier was plunged into a crisis last September when a major creditor demanded payment of $38 million for leased equipment. A sale of the chain was arranged but collapsed when the purchaser claims he realized the company’s true financial situation. (Premier alleges the purchaser backed out after January membership sales were lower than expected.)
The creditor then asked for a court-appointed receiver to run the business, but that ended after less than two weeks. Since then, Premier’s former managers have taken over again, closing about a quarter of the locations and turning others over to new owners, usually former general managers.
sarnold@thespec.com
905-526-3496
Arrow Rock hosts textiles tour
Spencer Jasper carefully wound the bobbins around the pins while reciting One, Two Buckle My Shoe.
Jasper explained to a young onlooker this nursery rhyme had been used to teach lace-making techniques to smaller children before the industrial revolution omitted the need for the craft.
Today, Jasper and the Cross Eyed Lacers keep the craft alive in a modern society. On Saturday, May 5, they hosted a booth in the Arrow Rock Textiles Tour and showed spectators how the Europeans handcrafted the fine lace in the 13th century.
As he wove the bobbins through the carefully placed pins, he explained two inches of handmade lace took an hour to create. At a rate of 75 hours for 3 yards, the profit will never match the work load, so the Cross Eyed Lacers dont charge for their craft.
We do it more for the love of it, rather than a profit, Jasper said.
The blue and white lace he created on Saturday would eventually serve as a trim for a friends dress.
On Saturday, a variety of volunteers displayed techniques for creating textiles.
Jeff Reynolds of the Arrow Rock Handweavers Guild demonstrated hand-woven coverlets. Leslie Anderson and Tempe McGlaughlin showed knitting techniques to passing guests. In the Miller house, Marilyn Roth and Joyce Vinson practiced rug hooking.
Sharon Hutchinson from the Arrow Rock Handweavers Guild took a tightly braided cord and wound it in a circle. As she tied the cord around itself, she talked about how her mother had taught her the craft. Her mothers love for braiding horses tails and manes drew her to rug making. Eventually, her mother passed the skill to her.
Beginning with a First Saturday Lecture in the Visitors Center, Maryellen McVickers explained that before the 20th century these textile materials were precious, and typically even every day clothes were designated to family and friends in wills.
McVickers also spoke about a different textile tour available in Saline County and throughout the Boonslick area. The Barn Quilts of the Boonslick Tour combines McVickers desire to preserve historic barns with once popular quilting patterns. Those who own the barns may choose a quilt pattern connected to their family. The patterns names often resonate with a memory, an old quilt the family once had or the history of the barn.
The barn quilt group has received grant money to place giant quilt renderings on the side of historic but endangered barns. Modern farm equipment has eliminated the need and practicality for these century old barns.
You cant get that great big combine in the 100 year old barn, she said.
Now that barn quilts have begun cropping up on throughout the four-county region, many of the barns have been temporarily preserved.
It would be awfully easy to bulldoze it and farm over it, McVickers said. … Theyve been able to adapt some of them, and use some of them for modern purposes,
The effort highlights the areas rural heritage and draws attention to the historic barns lining the highways.
Beyond textiles, Friends of Arrow Rock also staffed several of its properties with volunteers ready and eager to provide local historic lessons.
At Sites Gun Shop Jim Bird explained the history of fire arm production in Arrow Rock. He talked about how the phrase lock, stock and barrel developed from firearms, and shared how Sites had provided weaponry throughout the town, county and state.
Sandy Selby played the pipe organ in the Christian Church, and the John Sites House hosted a display of penny rugs.
At the Print Shop Tracy Brooks talked about how the press in Arrow Rock really hadnt changed all that much from the original Guetenberg press.
The next First Saturday in Arrow Rock will be Saturday, June 2, from 10 am to 5 pm The Friends of Arrow Rock will open a Black History Museum in the Brown Lodge and share Reflections of African-American Arrow Rock: 1865-1960.
Contact Maggie Menderski at mmenderski@marshallnews.com
Rio Ferdinand: Fitness concerns
Rio Ferdinand: Fitness concerns
RIO CANT PLAY BACK TO BACK – FERGIE
To make the final 23-man Squad – Euro 2012. Click here to bet.
Follow us on Twitter
Football Transfer Centre
The latest football news
Sir Alex Ferguson has raised a question mark over Rio Ferdinands ability to star at Euro 2012 by claiming it would be impossible for the defender to play two matches in the space of four days.
The Manchester United boss was actually explaining why he had written to the Football Association stating that none of his over-age players, with the exception of Ryan Giggs, would be available for selection for the Great Britain Olympic squad this summer.
However, as England could end up facing a schedule of six matches in 21 days, just four days more than the one Stuart Pearces GB outfit will be plotting for, the same fears over Ferdinands fitness appear to apply.
In the Olympics you play something like a game every four days. Rio Ferdinand couldnt do that, Ferguson told MUTV.
With Roy Hodgson set to name his European Championships squad on Wednesday, Fergusons words provide him with a new dilemma to ponder.
Thus far, Hodgson is yet to speak with Ferdinand and deposed skipper John Terry about their willingness to play alongside each other, with speculation intensifying in recent days that the Manchester United man was more likely to be selected.
However, if Fergusons words are to be taken at face value, Hodgson may be deciding whether he can afford to take a risk with Ferdinands fitness, as Fabio Capello did with Ledley King at the World Cup, only for the move to backfire when the Tottenham mans troublesome knees gave way.
Ferdinands situation is a side issue for Ferguson, who has confirmed that fellow defender Jonny Evans requires an ankle operation that rules him out of Olympic duty, while he is also pondering groin surgery for Chris Smalling, which could also cost him his place after already being ruled out of Euro 2012.
One player Ferguson would be happy to release for the Olympics is Giggs, whose willingness to play may yet meet opposition from the Welsh FA.
Ryan wants to play. I am happy with that. He is looking forward to it.
Whether he plays three games in seven days is another matter – that is not my decision.
But he does want to play because he has always missed out on the big tournaments with Wales.
It would not be too wild to speculate Ferguson has had a slightly harder task persuading Javier Hernandez not to play for Mexico.
However, after successive tournaments – World Cup and Gold Cup – during the summer, the United boss feels it is time the striker had a break.
Mexico have five games in the summer, said Ferguson.
After you have played a full season in England, five more games is a big task.
We are trying to cut that down a bit.
Mexico is a very patriotic country and all their players are patriotic. Javier wants to play.
But we want him to get some proper rest.
E-mail Article Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Post to del.icio.us