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Date: November 9, 2010, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM St Patrick Center 5th Floor

Presenter: Rick Clark, Axxel Business Solutions

It’s the written guide that summarizes your idea and keeps you focused as you start and grow your business.  We welcome back to GO! Network Rick Clark,  of Axxel Business Solutions.  Rick consults with emerging enterprises and has successfully guided start-up ventures in both the Olin Cup and St. Louis County Economic Council competitions.  Join us as we connect you with resources and techniques to develop a meaningful business plan for your venture. Rick will cover such topics as:

  • What is a business plan?
  • Why do I need a business plan?
  • Components of a quality business plan.
  • Tailoring the business plan.
  • Samples of quality business plans.

The session takes place November 9, 2010 from 1:30 – 3:00pm on the 5th floor of The Partnership Center.  If you have specific questions for this session, please log in and add them to the comments section below.  We will forward them to Rick to include in his presentation.

 

Date: November 2, 2010, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM St Patrick Center 5th Floor

Presenter: Trevor Rees, Information Research Manager,  St. Charles City-County Library District

Vital to developing a new business venture is understanding the dynamics of your specific market place.  We welcome back to GO! Network, Trevor Rees, Information Resource Manager with the St. Charles City-County Library District.  When it comes to market research Trevor is recognized as one of our region’s experts.  Join us as we connect you with resources and techniques to develop meaningful market data for your venture.

The Market Research workshop will cover:

  • The importance of market research to an entrepreneurial endeavor
  • What resources are available in the community
  • How research librarians can assist you
  • The process and experience of working with a research librarian
  • Contact info for further follow-up

The session takes place November 2, 2010 from 1:30 – 3:00pm in the 5th floor auditorium at The Partnership Center.  If you have specific questions for this session, please log in and add them to the comments section below.  We will forward them to Trevor to include in his presentation.

Date: October 26, 2010, 1:30 PM St Patrick Center 5th Floor

Presenter: Lori Feldman aka “The Database Diva” & Harry Liebman, Founder, Candy Torahs, LLC

Before she started her own business in 1990, there were two things Lori knew she had to do before she “hung her shingle”:

  1. Set up a prospecting database and
  2. Nail her USP (unique service proposition)

Lori never doubted that database marketing would be the cornerstone of her business development strategy. Consequently, her company actually made sales before her first rent check was due. Doing business today is tougher, there’s no doubt about it. Trying to connect with prospects is a sales professional’s nightmare. People (even some customers) hide behind their voice mail, fax broadcasting has pretty much been outlawed, direct mail is expensive and responses takes longer than email. Email is often ignored or sent directly to the junk folder. Fortunately, the most important thing hasn’t changed: People still want to solve problems.  Which is great because the good news is it’s easier than ever (and often free) to set up communication channels that invite future customers to explore your world–but only if you know how to position yourself as THE subject matter expert. Join Lori for a hands-on session to define your USP, get a database checklist for establishing a subject-matter platform and discover actionable ideas for attracting new business to your new business.

Joining Lori is Harry Liebman, the founder of Candy Torahs, LLC. CandyTorahs.com manufactures personalized, Jewish-themed party favors and place cards for special occasions. Unlike most of its competitors, the company specializes in serving a niche of Bar Mitzvah moms, planners, Synagogues, Jewish agencies, clergy and schools.

It’s a “one-man” show, says owner Harry Liebman, who develops the products, builds the website, designs the promotional materials, manages the customer database and drip marketing campaigns, takes the orders and customizes the designs. “My family helps me make and ship orders,” he says.

Harry will share how he defined his unique service proposition and leverages technology to develop his customers.

Bio

Lori Feldman is known as “The Database Diva” because she helps start-up entrepreneurs, sales teams and marketing departments squeeze more profit and get more referrals by integrating their customer list with their social media communities. She is a national speaker, author and veteran Social CRM consultant. Her e-newsletter, “The Database Marketing Hotwire,” won the APEX Award for newsletter writing excellence two years in a row and she is a recipient of the Direct Marketer of the Year Award from the DMA of St. Louis.  Lori has used social media to get famous, get better customer service from Fortune 100 companies and find more fun clients to do business with worldwide. She is @LoriFeldman on Twitter and on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorifeldman

NOTE: Lori will be providing hands-on examples, so feel free to bring your laptop to the session!

Register for Tuesday’s session HERE.

Join us on Tuesday October 26 for a great working session!

If you have specific questions for this session, please log in and add them to the comments section below.  We will forward them to Lori to include in her presentation.

GO! Network strives to be a connector to community resources supporting your exploration of entrepreneurial options.  Here are two upcoming events for your consideration:

October 28 – MoFAST Attracting Research and Development Funding through SBIR/STTR grants

Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Join Francis Chmelir, Director, External Ops for MoFAST (and GO! Network Entrepreneurship supporter) for an informal session on the status of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and how they can be utilized to fund your technology innovations.

Program highlights include:

  • Overview of current program structure
  • Proposed changes in the program for 2011 and beyond
  • Status of SBIR/STTR congressional reauthorization
  • Current State efforts to support technology innovation

Location: ITenterprise Center, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, MO 63134

RSVP: Tiffany Todd, 314-241-2084, ToddTi@missouri.edu

More information at www.mofast.net

November 4 – Start-Up Connection

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00PM

The St. Louis innovation community invites you to the next Start-Up Connection.  At the Start-up Connection:

  • Individuals and start-up companies with innovative ideas will meet talented people and engage in dialog about technology and commercialization strategy
  • Job-seekers can scope out new possibilities
  • Innovative entrepreneurs can talk to representatives and learn about the community resources available to them
  • New start-up companies will have representatives who will share their stories of how they got their start-up going (and funded!)
  • Everyone will learn about what’s happening in St. Louis and who is making it happen

Location: ITenterprise Center, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, MO 63134

More information at: startupconnection.org or contact Susan Sampson, Innovate St. Louis 314-444-1154, susan@innovatestl.org

Date: October 19, 2010, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM St Patrick Center 5th Floor

Presenters: Aimee Dunne Zander, Community Outreach Coordinator, The Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Washington University; CaSaundra Jolliff, The Jolliff Group; Dennis Donahue, Dennis Donahue & Associates

A practical, hands-on session for developing your business network.  More than trading business cards, it’s clearly articulating your brand, your value proposition, listening, and a willingness to connect!

In this session, you’ll build on skills learned while networking as an individual to expand and network for your emerging business.  We’ll also help point you towards networking groups in the St. Louis region.

Register for Tuesday’s session HERE.

In Preparation for next week’s session, please draft a brief statement about either…

- Your idea, if you are considering or have started a new business.

or

- What qualities you bring to an organization if you are looking to join an emerging enterprise.

If you have specific questions for this session, please log in and add them to the comments section below.  We will forward them for inclusion in the presentation.

Connecting to Resources – Innovate Venture Mentoring Service is hosting a Venture Bounce and Venture Fair on October 14.

More information and registration link is available here: www.innovatevms.org/venturebounce10142010.html

Date: October 12, 2010, 1:30 PM St Patrick Center 5th Floor

Presenters: Sandra Marks, President Marks and Associates and Arthur Porter, CEO Kingdom Associates

Are you a budding entrepreneur or looking to work in an entrepreneurial environment?  What are the Risks & Rewards entrepreneurs face?  Arthur Porter, CEO of Kingdom Associates and Sandra Marks, President of Marks and Associates will lead the discussion as you consider transitioning into the world of entrepreneurship.

This may well be the best time for you to start or acquire a business or join a start-up venture.  The question is how to position yourself to take advantage of growth markets and businesses in high demand in St. Louis and beyond.

Arthur and Sandra bring over 20 years consulting experience working as entrepreneurs and with entrepreneurs to develop successful business ventures.  Join us on Tuesday October 12 as Arthur and Sandra help you Set a Solid Foundation for your future success!

Register for Tuesday’s session HERE.

If you have specific questions for this session, please log in and add them to the comments section below.  We will forward them to Arthur and Sandra to include in the presentation.

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