What I Learned This Week

Profitable Cupcake Bakery – Retail and Catering - For Sale

2011-11-07T13:02:00.001-08:00

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Asking: $165,000

Gross: $250,358

Cash Flow: $90,578

F, F & E: $ 25,000 est. (included in price)

Inventory: $ 750 est. (included in price)

SUMMARY

This cupcake business has shown an impressive up-trend in profits and cash flow over the past two years. It has an impressive array of up-to-date, quality equipment including: walk-in freezer, single and double-door refrigerators, mixers, bakery display case, and much more. The business is a full-service retail cupcake bakery with the specialty of creating a wide array of flavors, styles and custom options. They have both a retail operation and a special events catering arm. The current owner has done the hard part and a new owner will have an excellent foundation on which to continue the growth of this well-established, profitable business. This clean, organized, well-run shop is a “turnkey” operation ready for the new owner(s) to step in and take it to the next level.

Top Small Business Websites - SCORE.org list

2011-10-21T11:39:00.001-07:00

Top Small Business Websites

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Top 40 Small Business Networking Websites

Article from smallbizbee.com

We all know of the huge social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. They’re great for large scale connections and discussion. But, as entrepreneurs and small business owners sometimes it’s nice to connect with other like minded individuals in a smaller, more focused setting. If that sounds like what you are looking for in a social network, the below list is for you.

We’ve scoured the Internet looking for social networking sites specifically for small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups, and found 40 we feel are worth a look.

1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn, The grandaddy of business social networks. LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts

2. Meet The Boss

Meet the Boss is a business networking tool for business executives around the world, across all vertical industries. Content is all in English.

3. PartnerUp

PartnerUp is an online networking community that entrepreneurs and small business owners use to find the expertise and resources they need to start and grow a business. Members can connect with potential partners, advisers, and business resources.

4. Qapacity

Qapacity is a business-oriented social networking site and a business directory founded in March 2008 and launched in February 2009. User are given a set of tools to promote their business online, to keep their clients and business partners up-to-date with their work and to reach new clients.

5. Ryze

Ryze.com is a free social networking website designed to link business professionals, particularly new entrepreneurs.

6. Talkbiznow

Talkbiznowis a comprehensive interactive business networking site for business professionals.

7. XING

XING is a social software platform for enabling a small-world network for professionals.

8. Yelp, Inc.

Yelp is a local business review and talk networking site, including user reviews and recommendations.

9. FledgeWing

FledgeWing is an online community aimed at entrepreneurial university students launched in February 2009.

10. The Funded

TheFunded allows entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review venture capital sources worldwide

11. Cofoundr

Cofoundr is a private social network for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors, and other individuals deeply involved with starting new ventures.

12. Perfect Business

PerfectBusiness helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Our resources include easy-to-use tools and resources, plus a network of entrepreneurs

13. Biznik

End your isolation and invisibility with Biznik, the local, independent entrepreneurial community where collaboration beats competition.

14. StartupNation

StartupNation provides real-world business advice to people who want to start a business and who want to grow their small businesses.

15. Entrepreneur Connect

Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections. This site is not intended for mass self-promotion, but rather should be a positive destination where entrepreneurs can exchange real advice and make lasting connections.

16. Young Entrepreneur

Young Entrepreneur Forums – your online discussion forum to share and talk about Entrepreneurship

17. Blogster

Blogsteris a resources for free weblogs. Offers tools, tips, and opportunities to share.

18. Konnects

Konnects is a social media platform that is embedded on the site of an online newspaper or publication to bring engagement to the organization’s site.

19. Upspring

Upspring is a business networking, local Internet marketing, local advertising, product promotion, and online marketing services

20. Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch is a Social Network for Business Networking Professionals to market their business, press, blogs, events and networks.

21. E.Factor

The E.Factor is a vibrant, global community for Entrepreneurs. E.Factorhelps you build your business, find financing, network with like minded entrepreneurs

22. BizToo

BizToois a Global Co-Operation and Social Network of entrepreneurs worldwide. BizToo helps entrepreneurs make the contacts

23. Go Big Network

Go BIG Network helps connect companies with investors.

24. Black Businesswomen Online

A Social Network for Black Business Women and Women Entrepreneurs

25. Networking for Professionals

Networking for Professionals offers online networking and business events. Get Connected today, both online and in the real world.

26. Spoke

Spokeoffers on-demand business to business contact information for sales people, marketers, and recruiters enabling Sales Lead Generation, and Business List building.

27. Ning

Ning is an online service to create, customize, and share a social network.

28. Unstucture.org

Unstructureis an open discussion platform for business professionals, bloggers and contemporary thought leaders to discuss and debate action ideas that would aid the evolution of business. Unstructure consists of an online discussion forum (where you are currently), an annual physical event and a book of insight and action ideas for businesses of the future.

29. Home Based Business Network

The Home Based Business Network is an online community and resources for starting a home based business, featuring home business profiles, blogs, forums, videos, ideas, and more!

30. Freelance Face

The Freelance Face is the freelance social network. By freelancers, for freelancers.

31. Blellow

Blellow is a community with a focus on productivity. It’s a place for freelancers and professionals to collaborate, find work, and solve problems

32. StartUp

StartUp is a fast growing small business, startup, social network.

33. Ecademy

Ecademy offers online networking for business, offline networking events and global networking groups.

34. Focus

Focus is a business destination where business professionals can help each other with their purchase and other business decisions. Share expertise in functional areas of business. Numerous categories – small business, HR, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Etc.

35. JASEzone

JASEzone is a professional community where you can find potential clients and business partners.

36. Ziggs

Ziggs is a professional connection portal. They have in one index over 1 million profiles.

37. Black Business Space

Black Business Spaceis a commUNITY of business owners, and entrepreneurs.

38. Jigsaw

Jigsaw offers an online business card networking directory. Easily establish contacts with each other.

39. YouNoodle

YouNoodle is a place to discover and support the hottest early-stage companies and university innovation.

40. Raise Capital

RaiseCapital is the premiere online destination for entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and capital needs directly to investors.

Bonus Site:

Once all that hard work networking pays off, you’ll want to join:

Affluence.org

Affluence.org is a private social network where wealthy individuals connect, share information and engage in meaningful conversations. Affluence.org also provides exclusive, high quality content and advice from experts on subjects such as art, technology and travel.

Membership in Affluence.org is free but requires a verifiable minimum household net worth of $3 million.

Seven Sigma Selling: 7 tips to help salespeople maximize their time

2011-08-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

Check out this article by Neil Mahoney:

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=738910051&gid=830257&type=member&item=68487320&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fsalesandmarketing%2Ecom%2Farticle%2Fseven-sigma-selling&urlhash=hRkY&goback=%2Egde_830257_member_68487320

Small Business Management - Hybrid Class - College of Alameda

2011-06-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in a Small Business Management class, please consider Business 054 at the College of Alameda. I will teach this course in the Fall 2011 as a Hybrid class. There will be 4 in person classes and the rest will be held online. All you will need for the online course is access to a computer with Internet access and a headset with audio and a microphone (costs range from as little as $12.99).

A hybrid class is the perfect opportunity for those of you who are not able to make it to class on a weekly basis but would prefer some in person interaction (rather than 100% online). This class focuses on Small Business Management - from starting a business to operating a business. It is a comprehensive and introductory course that can lay the foundation for your successful business.

I hope to see you there. Here is the link for more information:

Business 054 - College of Alameda - Class # 40415

Hope to see you in class!

Carolyn Johnson's virtual business card by http://dooid.com: visit

2011-04-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

Carolyn Johnson's virtual business card by http://dooid.com: visit

Networking Organizations - Bay Area

2011-03-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

Peer-to-Peer Lending

2011-03-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

As the economy continues to hit us all ... small businesses find it difficult to obtain the financing they need to grow their business. The Peer-to-Peer lending market is growing rapidly to meet the needs of small businesses. Check out these top Peer-to-Peer lending sites:

Lending Club
Prosper
IOU Central
Loanio
LendFriend
LendingKarma
LoanBack
1:1 Lending
WikiLoan

If there are other sites that you know about.. please let me know!

Marketing: Using Voice Broadcasting To Build Your Business

2011-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

Leverage Voice Broadcasting to generate leads, confirm appointments, promote events and relay vital information over the phone. You can also broadcast interactive order status updates, accounts receivable collection calls and phone surveys using outbound IVR functionality.

Key Features of Voice Broadcasting

Complete control to schedule and manage broadcasts
With our self-service voice broadcasting system, you get complete control over when to schedule calls, how quickly to send out messages and when to pause your phone broadcast campaigns.
Outbound IVR (Interactive Voice Response) functionality
Automated phone calls don't need to just be prerecorded voice message. Use outbound IVR to add interactive functionality to your lead generation calls, appointment confirmations and political polls.
Instant access to real-time reports about each call
Why wait to receive reports from an account manager? Access real-time broadcast reports on the web whenever you want.
100% on-time delivery guarantee
When you have a scheduled broadcast, you should expect it to go out on-time. We stand behind our 100% on-time delivery guarantee--or your calls are free.
FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule compliance tools
Ifbyphone's tools provide you with an option to include an opt-out message in your broadcasts, helping you comply with the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Auto-detection to deliver an alternate voice mail message
Customize your phone broadcast with two messages: one for when a live person answers the phone, and an alternative message for when the call goes to voice mail.
API for integration with your application, software, or database
Integrate voice broadcasting with your company's software to automate phone calls based on events in your database, or to collect information and pass it back to your database.

Starting and Growing Your Business: A Brief List To Get You Started

2011-01-20T18:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a brief list of resources that are available to you in the Bay Area:

Business Planning Courses:
Women's Initiative: www.womensinitiative.org
Fearless Women Entrepreneurs Network: www.fearlesswomennetwork.com
Operation Hope: www.operationhope.org
Urban FIRE: www.urbanvoice.org/news.html
Peralta Community College District: www.peralta.cc.ca.us
CEO Women: www.ceowomen.org

Most of these programs also offer consulting and coaching once you complete the course.

Consulting and Training:
SCORE: www.eastbayscore.org
Alameda County SBDC: www.acsbdc.org
Oakland Business Development Center: www.obdc.com

Business Licensing:

CALGOLD: www.calgold.ca.gov/

There are numerous other resources in the Bay Area. Please feel free to post the information as a comment on this blog.

Are you tired of not doing anything with your business idea? Do you need a plan, accountability and support? Would you like to feel like you’re part of a community of like-minded women?

2011-01-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

"Become a Fearless Entrepreneur" is a three-month program that will move you from stuck-ness into action. It will change how you think. It will change how you act. And it will change everything you thought you knew about business.

Business planning class? Snooze. How about a Business Doing class?! Not only will you finish your business plan, but you’ll have fun doing it. Challenges. Team competitions. Brainstorming. Case studies. Along the way, you’ll push yourself closer to what is really meaningful in your life while being supported by a community of other like-minded women. This not a dull business planning program — it is a business DOING program where you can experiment while being supported by a community of other like-minded women.

To learn more about Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network visit: www.fearlesswomennetwork.com

Check out the Programs and scroll down to learn more about this amazing course!

Hope to see you there.... because I am the instructor for this course. We are going to have a great time!!

Marketing Your Business Through Daily Deals

2011-01-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

I have recently signed up for several of the Daily Deal sites ... like Groupon and Living Social. There are always interesting "deals" to be had. I have yet to sign up for a deal... yet.. but I came close. :)

I wondered if these Group Coupon sites are "good" for businesses. I explored a couple of reviews and here is What I Learned This Week....

It can work but you have to be careful and thoughtful. And.. they work better for some types of businesses than others.

These sites partner with merchants to offer consumers incredible savings. While the business owner is only making 25% of the profits (the sites typically take 50% of sales) he/she would normally earn for a typical sale but they are willing to take this short-term loss to boost cash flow, advertise (inexpensively), find new customers and bring old customers back. To make this work, merchants should carefully design the deal to appeal to new customers and build customers relationships. You can profit if you only promote underutilized service, products, days of the week or times of the day.

Finally, a study, conducted at Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business by associate professor Utpal Dholakia, polled 150 businesses that did Groupon deal offers in the past year. The study found restaurants and education companies fared the worst, while salons and spas were the most successful.

Before you sign up for this, do your homework!

Commercial Kitchens --- For Food Entrepreneurs!

2011-01-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

If you are a caterer or have food products that you make... but do not have a commercial location to cook, check out these bay area options.

Kitchen By The Hour (Hayward): http://www.kitchenbythehour.com
Co-Op Kitchens (Emeryville): http://www.co-opkitchens.com
La Placita (Oakland): http://www.laplacita.info/food-entrepreneurs/kitchen-rental/
La Cocina (San Francisco): http://www.lacocinasf.org
The Cooks Workshop (Danville): (510 474-2028 or (510) 918-1589

If you know of others, please post. Thanks! CJ

Post, Blogs, Tweets, Apps and more in 2011

2010-12-31T08:15:00.000-08:00

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Android Apps and other online social networks and technology...are essential business tools for your success. Spend the next week creating a strategy on how to use these tools to market and manage your business. Here are some links to get started with your research:

Facebook Article
LinkedIn Article
Twitter Article
Google Apps

If you have any ideas, suggestions or comments, please share!

Happy New Year!

Preparing For The New Year: Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals

2010-12-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

Every business owner should take time over the new two weeks to define at least three goals for their business in 2011. When writing these goals, you should evaluate whether they meet the "S.M.A.R.T." test.

S: Is the goal specific and significant?
M: Is the goal measurable and manageable?
A: Is the goal attainable and ambitious?
R: Is the goal realistic and rewarding?
T: Is the goal time-specific and trackable?

Write your goals in draft form. Then evaulate each goal using the S.M.A.R.T. test. Re-write your goals, if necessary. Then create an action plan to implement your goals.

New Social Networking Application for Business: Chatter

2010-06-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Salesforce has launched a new program, "Chatter". This program allows businesses to create private social networking portals for their business. It allows the employees to collaborate with each other in a familiar way -- similar to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. I think this is an interesting application -- check it out:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/199496/salesforcecom_chatter_is_social_networking_with_a_business_twist.html

http://www.salesforce.com/chatter/editions-pricing.jsp

California Gold: Keep Your Business Legal

2010-06-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

To assist you in finding the appropriate permitting information for your business, the CalGOLD database provides links and contact information that direct you to agencies that administer and issue business permits, licenses and registration requirements from all levels of government. Much of the information is specific to the type of business and its location in California.

Visit: www.calgold.ca.gov

Managing Multiple Social Network Accounts

2010-06-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

As an entrepreneur you need to have an active social networking presence. Do you have time, however, to post on your facebook page, tweet on Twitter, make a blog post and comment on your LinkedIn? HootSuite is an application that I have found useful in managing multiple social networking accounts -- all at once! Check it out. www.HootSuite.com.

Make it a profitable day!

Setting Your Price

2010-04-07T17:49:00.001-07:00

Pricing should be based on costs, competitors and research. Your minimum price should cover direct costs with enough money left over to cover fixed costs. Then you should compare the minimum price to the prices of competitors that sell the same or a very similar product or service. You should adjust your price accordingly – but never below the minimum. Pricing is a major aspect of your marketing and communication strategy. It is important that you conduct market research before you make such an important decision. Remember that increasing your price is more difficult to do than decreasing it.

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S ROUNDTABLE

2010-04-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Entrepreneur’s Roundtable brings together entrepreneurs and small business owners to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities with a combination of group training, coaching and peer advice.

Business Advice and Coaching
The Entrepreneur’s Roundtable is led by an experienced Business Facilitator and meets in confidential, “behind-closed-doors” sessions where members will:

1. Learn from one another’s experience, successes and best practices to grow your businesses.
2. Apply timely information that impacts your bottom line.
3. Connect and network with other Entrepreneur’s in the Bay Area.

Peer Advisory Boards – It Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely At the Top
The Entrepreneur’s Roundtable also brings business owners together for an invigorating exchange of information, ideas and insights. Members meet in Peer Advisory Boards comprised of 8 to 12 local business owners that run non-competing businesses. Business success takes vision and insight. Your peer group can help you turn your focus away from the day-to-day issues and look at the bigger picture that can have a major impact on your company.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming Entrepreneur Roundtable.

Carolyn Johnson
To learn more about me, visit my website.

Looking for information on State, City and Local Permits and Business Requirements?

2010-04-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart!...and I want you to be a successful entrepreneur.

Click here to visit the CalGold site.

Carolyn Johnson

To Learn More About Me, please visit my website.