Guest list
This week, I'll be interviewing Karen Gordon Mills, the new head of the Small Business Administration -- the government agency that provides support to small businesses.
What questions do you have for Mills?
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Small Business Economic Outlook for 2009
Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize winner for economics, professor at Princeton University, Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, and author of "The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008," discusses the state of the economy and how it will affect small business owners in 2009.
Small biz: The next generation
When Marcia Ceppos inherited Tinsel Trading from her grandfather, she set out to change the way the classic Garment District trim shop was run. See how she revitalized her customer service, storefront, and collaborated with her customers to reinvent her busines and bring it into the 21st century.
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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.
The American economy is officialy in a recession. How can small business owners make sure their fears and anxieties don't affect their judgement? Robert Johnson, a licensed psychologist and organizational consultant with The Impact Group provides some advice on how entrepreneurs can keep their emotions from causing them to make bad business decisions.
In an effort to take their enterprise to the next level, small business owners often look to franchising or self-financing new locations. The owners of Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan had other ideas. They consulted with their managers and came up with a creative growth strategy, creating a community of businesses with individual owners/partners. Each business is tied in to Zingerman's overall business strategy. See how innovative growth strategies can work for your small business.
Panelists
Simon Sinek, CEO & Founder of SinekPartners Corporation, and teaches graduate level marketing at Columbia University's Strategic Communications Program.
Kylie Sachs, Principal of Ascend Venture Group, a venture capital firm with a multi-stage investment focus.
Robert Walsh, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services.
How To Succeed in Small Business: Holiday Cheap Gifts for Clients and Employees
Stacy London, co-host of TLC's "What Not To Wear" and a "Today" contributor, shows off some cheap gifts small business owners can give to their clients and employees.
Elevator Pitch
Jason Graham-Nye and and Kimberly Graham-Nye, Co-Founders of gDiapers, breathable natural "green" diapers that can be flushed, is looking for capital to increase production and expand marketing efforts.
In this turbulent economy, many small business owners are working together to survive. See how Nancy Cobb and Rosie Dole, owners of separate antique stores in Bradenton, Florida, are now sharing retail space to cut costs, and Lou Desiato and Robert Kolmus are using purchasing agreements for the raw materials needed for their respective eastern Pennsylvania-based wineries. Find out how sharing resources can help your business stay afloat.
Panelists
Erica Duignan-Minnihan, CEO of Minnihan Consulting, which provides advice and services to startups looking to raise capital.
Robert Levin, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The New York Enterprise Report, a magazine that caters exclusively to the small business community.
Learning From the Pros
Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams launched their furniture brand in 1989 with the intention of providing sleek, high end furniture at a reasonable price. They now have locations in cities across the country. Find out the strategies that have helped them grow their business into a nationally recognized brand.
Elevator Pitch
Jeff Archambault pitches The Baby Butler to the panel. The Baby Butler is a hands free baby bottle holder that holds the bottle in a place with a velcro strap so the person holding the baby has free hands. Archambault is looking for capital to expand inventory, sustain a national marketing campaign, and increase his product line.
The continuing economic problems may lead to one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in years. William Dunkelberg, Chief Economist for the National Federation of Independent Business, and Dan Butler of the National Retail Federation, discuss what small retailers can do to boost their sales during these difficult times.
In this economy, entrepreneurs have to look beyond traditional financing methods to grow their businesses. Amy and David Butler, co-owners of Art of the Midwest, a design studio which produces a variety of home furnishings, have financed their company without any funding from banks or outside investors. See how the Butlers have steadily grown by investing their profits back into the business, and learn how your small business can grow without traditional financing.
Panelists
Darren Hardy, Publisher and Editorial Director of Success Magazine.
Phil Town, personal finance expert and author of "Rule #1: The Simple Strategy for Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes a Week!"
Elevator Pitch
Julie Drochelman and Jeff Medolla, co-founders of Pocket Peelies, revolutionary blue-jeans with removable back pockets that kids can customize and trade. Pocket Peelies are currently available in eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores and numerous boutiques in the U.S. and Canada. They are looking for capital to solidify an overseas manufacturer and expand marketing efforts.
In this economy, most small businesses can't afford to operate seasonally. See how Mark Newfield renovated his Iroquois Springs campground facility in upstate New York and has increased revenues by running a camp for kids in the summer, and holding off-site meetings and conferences for business and colleges the rest of the year. Find out how entrepreneurs can ensure their business will be busy all year long.
Panelists
Bob Phibbs, founder of The Retail Doctor, a consulting company specializing in retail strategies, and author of "You Can Compete: Double Sales Without Discounting."
Matthew J. Weiss, President of the New York Chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, a global business organization that helps business owners learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning.
The Power Of Persuasion
Steve Martin, author of "Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive," provides unique tips on how to use testimonials to sell your product or service.
Elevator Pitch
Chris Badynee and Alan Eden, co-creators of the Bogdon Box Bass, a cardboard box acoustic/electric upright bass kit that assembles without power tools, are looking for capital to expand their marketing efforts, patent other products, and hire additional staff.
Decision '08
The election is just days away, and both candidates are pushing hard for votes from the small business community. Find out about John McCain and Barack Obama's respective tax and healthcare proposals for small businesses, as well as their strategies for protecting business owners during these difficult economic times.
Unleashing New Products
Selecting the right product mix is critical for success. As a small business owner, how do you know when you're selling the right number of products? See how Marco Giannini, founder of Dogswell, makers of natural dog treats, has increased his product mix to more than 100, and has stayed profitable throughout the growth.
Panelists
Joan Schneider, President and Creative Director of Schneider Associates, a marketing and communications firm which specializes in launching new products, and author of "New Proven Launch: 10 Proven Strategies."
Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO of SBTV.com, a small business portal delivering advice and information, and author "The Girls' Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business."
Benjamin Nemo, founder of Scorpio Ventures.
How To Succeed In Small Business: Raising Money From Friends and Family
Mariam Naficy, founder of several successful e-commerce companies, including Minted.com, an online store selling custom stationary, provides tips on how to safely borrow money from friends and family members.
Elevator Pitch
Ernabel Demillo and Meredith Kasun, co-founders of TennisRAQ, a lightweight belt that you wear around your waist while you play tennis, with three pockets in the back to hold tennis balls, are looking for capital to grow their business.
1-800-Autopsy:
Vidal Herrera has built a successful career on death. Herrera has franchised his company 1-800-Autopsy, a private autopsy company, and he's also built several related businesses selling couches made from coffins and renting vintage autopsy equipment to Hollywood.
Weathering The Storm:
Find out what the federal government is doing to help small business owners during these turbulent times. Rod Kurtz, Senior Editor at Inc. Magazine, discusses the state of the economy with Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Panelists:
Cynthia Franklin, Senior Associate Director of the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at New York University's Stern School of Business.
Jolyne Caruso, Founder and CEO of Alberleen Capital Management:
Nick Marsh, Managing Partner of GrowthPoint Capital Partners, a venture and private equity group focusing on micro-market consumer businesses.
Learning From The Pros:
Sarah Blakely, Founder of Spanx, a multi-million dollar shapeware company, discuss the strategies she has employed to grow her business into a nationally recognized brand.
Weathering the Storm
Rod Kurtz, senior editor for Inc. Magazine, Ken Yancey, CEO of the SCORE Association, and William Dunkelberg, chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business, discuss the latest developments in the nation's financial crisis, and provide tips on what small business owners can do to survive.
Bartering for Business
Small business owners are using creative methods to grow their businesses during these difficult times. See how some entrepreneurs are using trade exchanges to barter their goods and services with other businesses in an effort to save money and reach new customers.
Panelists
Steve Strauss, USA Today's small business columnist, and author of "The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business"
Phil Town, partner with Oracle Equity, and author of "Rule #1: The Simple Strategy for Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes a Week!"
Elevator Pitch
Francine Glick, President and CEO of Water Journey LTD., pitches Hands2Go, a line of alcohol-free hand sanitizers, to the panel, she is looking for capital to expand her product line, and open a manufacturing facility that utilizes alternative energy sources.
