ABOUT YOUR BIZ

Small business owners are busier than most people on earth, and that's why Your Biz is here. For seasoned business owners and budding entrepreneurs alike, we'll tackle it all - health care, franchising, taxes, the latest gadgets and even how to balance work and life. Yes, it's possible, even when you're your own boss.

JJ Ramberg

JJ Ramberg is the anchor of “Your Business,” MSNBC’s weekly show on small business. In addition to her extensive television reporting experience, Ramberg has a background as an entrepreneur and co-founded GoodSearch.com. She has an MBA from Stanford Business School.



Guest List -- Sunday, Dec. 14

Posted: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:18 AM by Andrew Littell
Filed Under:

Small Biz Makeover

"Your Business" helps a small business owner who is suffering from the credit crunch. Unable to get a loan or any angel investments, Susan Knapp, founder of A Perfect Pear, a gourmet condiment company based in Napa Valley, is draining her retirement fund and has taken out a home equity loan to keep her business afloat. We'll follow special contributor Rieva Lesonsky, founder of the consulting firm SMB Connects, as she gives Susan advice and helps her get her business back on the right track. Susan will also take part in a panel discussion and get some more tips on how she can grow her business.

Panelists

Norm Brodsky, Inc. Magazine columnist and co-author of "The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up."

Rieva Lesonsky, CEO of SMB Connects, a provider of information, data, decision support tools and research for and about America's small and midsize businesses.

How To: Laying Off Employees in a Recession

Larry Winget, workplace expert and author of "It's Called Work For a Reason!: Your Success Is Your Own Damn Fault," provides some tips on how to go about the difficult task of laying off staff during a recession.

Learning from the Pros

Magic Johnson, basketball great, successful entrepreneur, and author of "32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business," shares the secrets that have helped him build his business empire.

Elevator Pitch

Tami Cimperman, CEO of Foxyware, pitches her line of rhinestone embellished glassware and barware in the "Your Business" elevator. Tami is looking for capital to invest in product development, retail packaging, marketing, sales teams, and trade shows and advertising.

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

I know this company...they have great products, and it's sad that the economy is causing businesses like this one to suffer.  I am a customer and have been waiting for my order for a long time.  I hope they get the funding they need to get back up and running so I can buy my favorite jam again.  

Katheryn Mendelson, Napa, CA (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 2:56 PM)

My family loves her unique products and pray that the advice she receives and the airing of your show will give her business the financial input etc. that she needs to keep her business running for many years to come as we can't live without her wonderful products.

Pat San Ramon, CA (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 5:49 PM)

I have known Sue for close to 20 years and have enjoyed all of her products since she started on her venture and a dream to make a product the is so different from any of her compitition. I wish her the best and wish I could be an investor. Whoever does invest in the Perfect Pear will not be disapointed

Sam Holtan Twin Falls Id (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 7:51 PM)

Great job on the two panelists. Norm & Rieva together could be the best set you've had since the show started!

Brian Moran, Paramus, NJ (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:10 PM)

As the owner of the largest upscale wedding coordination/event planning business in WPB, I have been using Foxyware glassware for everything from Socialite weding extravaganzas to political inauguration ceremonies! They have always been my "secret weapon!", now I am sure I will have to share them with the rest of the world once people see the elegant quality and budget conscious price! Sorry Mr. Trump!

ERIKA B. (Sent Sunday, December 14, 2008 8:59 AM)

Oh my gosh!! We live in Port Saint Lucie Florida and those rhinestone glasses are right here in a cute wine bar!! They are really beautiful! I bought 2 myself and love to drink from them! I hope she gets what she needs! These are beautiful glasses in person!

Robin Hannah, Port Saint Lucie, FL (Sent Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:03 AM)

I used the Foxyware Glasses for my Wedding and was awed by the attention to detail and beauty of these glasses. My high priced cake designer was "miffed" saying "this is the first time one of my cakes has ever been second fiddle to the table setting!" My photographer took almost 25 pictures of the glasses alone:)! Foxyware stole the show, and evryone took the glasses home, and even inspired bidding wars at the tables! Thanks Tammy!

Brenda, Florida (Sent Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:05 AM)

I recently bought monogrammed champagne flutes from Foxyware as wedding gifts for the bride and groom's table.  They were an instant hit.  No one had ever seen anything like them.  They turned out just beautiful.  

Donna Campbell (Sent Sunday, December 14, 2008 7:37 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)