Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”
Social Media and Small Businesses goes hand in hand, which is why I was anxious to be in attendance. I wanted to meet small business owners who might be interested in learning more about Social Media and Blogging and how itcan attract more consumers thereby, increasing their bottom line.
The doors to the Summit opened at 7:30 am, and on this bitterly cold day, the hot Continental Breakfast Buffet was definitely a warm and welcomed delight. At each place setting was a copy of Delaware Business Times, the agenda and a personalized Stylus Pen.
There were well over 300 attendees and the agenda was jam packed with valuable information with sets of panelist who provided insights on how small businesses can increase their profits, gain more exposure and the programs available to all regardless of disabilities, race, or gender.
After a brief introduction by Ken Anderson, Director of DEDO, and a few words from both the Mayor of Dover, Robin Christensen and Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, the first set of panelist were seated to discuss Prospects for Delaware Small Businesses NOW and in the Future.
Ken Anderson, Director, DEDO
Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, DEDO Robin Christensen, Mayor of Dover
Between sessions, Mr. Anderson acknowledged various members in the audience and awarded several door prizes.
The second set of panelist discussed Challenges and Opportunities-Business Ownership and Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.
Carrie Dennis-Mayer, door prize winner Dust Away Cleaning Services, Inc.
The final session of this half day program was presented by Michelle Morin, Executive Director, DE Office of Supplier Diversity. Her topic, Small Business Focus Program-Implication and Opportunities for Small Businesses of a Certain Size Regardless of Race or Gender, was very informative and sometimes entertaining.
The Summit concluded with Keynote Speaker, Governor Jack Markell who spoke about his signing of Executive Order 44 and the innovative ways in which Delaware seeks to keep the economy moving forward by providing assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
This was especially evident with the many entrepreneurs in attendance who have taken part in Project Pop-Up, which provides 3 months of rent-free space in downtown Wilmington.
Governor Jack Markell Executive Order 44
The Delaware Small Business Summit was a wonderful opportunity for small business owners to network and share as well as receive vital information that will not only help them succeed but will also help keep the economy in the state of Delaware strong.
Does your state have programs for Small Business owners and entrepreneurs?
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby fully decorated for the season
The countdown is on, there are only two more weekends until the MemorialDay holiday which is the unofficial start to summer!!!! Next week my “baby” graduates from High School and if you read yesterday’s post or follow me on FB/Twitter/Google+/Instagram or Pinterest you would have seen a picture of him holding his acceptance letter to Bowie State University – if not, here it is
BTW, I won’t be able to participate in next weekend’s party so please link up from one of the other host’s blogs.
His father and I are so over-the-top excited for him, yet I can feel the separation anxiety creeping into my soul and my heart is beginning to hurt. Parents of college students understand exactly how I’m feeling…please pray for me!
Let’s Get This Party Started with this week’s Featured Bloggers
Satisfaction Through Christ
Keeping Christmas Spirit Live 365
Sprouts House
Belle of the Kitchen
View from the Fridge
Making it in the mountains
Please feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and check our Pinterest Page as you are also being featured there.
The rules remain the same and we ask that you visit as least 3 other blogs and follow your hosts via one of our Social Media Networks
Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Party (#WWDParty)
I am definitely glad to see this week end because between hubby’s hospitalization and my stomach virus this has definitely been a heck of a week. I am glad for the weekend even though I need to start working on my 2013 income taxes, yes, I said, “start”. I don’t know where the time went but it snuck up on me too quickly this year.
I finally got a chance to check out everyone’s posts Tuesday night and needless to say, if my stomach wasn’t messed up, I would have been drooling over some of those decadent desserts!
Congratulations to this week’s Featured Bloggers
Reviews, Chews and How-To’s
Purple Hues and Me
The Casual Craftlete
the colored door
Bakewell Junction
View from the Fridge
Please feel free to post this button on your blog and check our Pinterest page as you are also being featured there.
The rules remain the same and it would be nice to see more link backs to the party, as this is the only way to be selected as a Featured Blogger as well as it being a courteous guest.
We hope that you won’t just post and run but will take time to visit at least 3 other blogs then follow your hosts on at least one Social Media platform.
Friday night I attended “High Heels in High Places” which was presented by NABFEME, the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment, Inc. This FREE event was held at the Nemours Building in Wilmington and was sponsored by Sisterent.com.
Johnnie Walker, President and CEO of NABFEME kicked off the evening with a brief description and stated the the mission of NABFEME, which “was created to be a vehicle of support that would increase the awareness and raise the profile of minority women in entertainment.”
Demia Avery, owner of Avery Sisters Entertainment was the MC and sat on the dais with 10 empowered women representing industries and positions that included: Sales and Hospitality; Entrepreneurship; Authors; Music and Concert Promotion; Fashion; Life Empowerment Coach; Entertainment Attorney; and Recording Artists.
Friend and owner of Mejah Books, Emylyn DeGannes was one of the panelist, and you may remember her from a previous feature on my blog (click here).
This 3-hour interactive event was a “power surge” from ladies-in-the-know to help others grow. The audience participation was lively with great questions and observations as well as few light hearted comments from a man in attendance.
“Don’t Try It – Just Do It” was one of the well received catch phrases, “Mentors Are Angels in Disguise”; “Live Out Your Passion and You’ll Never Work” and “Stand and Be Still – With God Nothing is Impossible” were the major themes throughout the night and struck a cord with many of the attendees.
The evening ended with networking, exchanging of cards and group photos. It was a great event and I would like to thank Avery Sister Entertainment for bringing NABFEME to Wilmington and look forward to other empowering events in Delaware.
This has truly been an exhausting week and I’m glad that in less than 24 hours it will officially be the weekend!!! Hubby is doing well and should be home from the hospital early next week. In the meantime I am enjoying the little break, I only have to make my side of the bed and the bathroom is all mine – lol!
Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Party #12, where food, fun and fashion is shared by some wonderful bloggers and this week’s features are just a few examples.
Congratulations and thank you to this week’s featured bloggers!
Mrs U Makes
Love Pasta and a Tool Belt
Calm Healthy Sexy
TIPical Day
Kennary.com
Penny’s Vintage Home
Please feel free to add this button to your Blog and check our Pinterest Page as you will also be featured there.
The rules have remained the same and we ask that you follow each of your hosts on at least one Social Media websites.
I look forward to reading your posts this weekend while visiting hubby in the hospital and watching him sleep!
Have a wonderful weekend, be safe and stay blessed!
This month is running wild and flying by way too quickly, there has been a whirlwind of activity in my life and that’s not even including the last snowstorm of the season. (fingers crossed) All of it has definitely been wonderful and exciting, some I can speak about, others not just yet, but it’s all good news!
I lost my 2005 Hyundai Sonata due to engine failure and replaced her with a 2010 Hyundai Accent.
Hubby completed his retirement paperwork, so on July 1st, he will officially be retired from the State of Delaware – congrats, I’ll give you the “honey-do” list on the 1st of August, a few weeks before our 24th Wedding Anniversary.
The 2014 Goodwill Runway Show was fantastic, I hope you had an opportunity to read the post, if not, click here. I twisted my ankle a few hours before the event and had to change shoes 3 times, but thankfully, it wasn’t worse and I made it through the night with a smile!
On Tuesday I taught a Blogging 101 Class which is sponsored by The Money School of Delaware and there were some awesome attendees whose participation was great.
Tomorrow the temps are expected to reach the upper 50’s, so if you are getting a jump on your Spring Wardrobe don’t forget to enter to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Midnight Velvet.
Now, let’s get this party started!
Congratulations to this week’s Featured Bloggers, please check the #WWDParty Pinterest Page as they are posted there as well.
Please feel free to place this button onto your blog
simply fresh dinners
For the Love of Decorating
I’m Perfectly Human
view from the Fridge
True Blue Baking
Carrie This Home
Jordan’s Onion
The rules are the same and we ask that you follow your hosts on at least one Social Media Platform
I look forward to relaxing, reading and commenting on your posts (only if I see a link back to the #WWDParty). Thanks you for stopping by and sharing, have a fantastical weekend and enjoy the warmer weather if you are in the MidAtlantic area!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to link up & share
AND
Congratulations to this week’s Featured Bloggers
A TIPicalDay
Annies Home
From This Kitchen
For the Love of Decorating
My Paper Craze
View From The Fridge
True Blue Baking
My Family Meal Time
Please feel free to copy and paste this button onto your blog and check our Pinterest Page as you are also featured there.
The rules are the same and we ask that you stop by and visit at least one other blogger as well as your hosts. Now pour yourself a glass of wine or water and share, share, share – have fun!
Hello Friends & Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Party #5
Has all this snow and cold weather gotten you down…do you just wanna strangle that Punxsutawney Phil – what the heck does a groundhog know about the weather anyway.
How was your Superbowl Sunday, did your team win? The Seahawks dominated that game!
Didn’t you love the half time show with Bruno Mars! – that boy can dance!
Which were your favorite commercials, mine were the “Doritos” and “Cheerios“, both with cute kids and family fun. What was up with the Maserati commercial, I liked it, but who was their target audience, the fans in the private Box Seats? Oh well, now we have Valentines Day to look forward to – chocolate and wine – both of my favorites.
Last Friday was another great #WWDParty, thank you to all who linked up and shared, and welcome to those linking up today for the first time.
Please remember to link back to the #WWDParty to be considered as a “Featured Blogger”
This week’s features are also posted on our Pinterest Board.
Mums Make Lists
Little Prairie Baby
Kirsten Womack
My Paper Craze
Year Round Giving
Apron Strings and Other Things
Whitney Nic James
2 Crochet Hooks
Please feel free to copy and paste this “I Was Featured Button” to your blog.
The party rules are as follows, so sit back, get comfortable, pour yourself a glass of wine or water and share, share, share!
Oh, and don’t forget after sharing your post, go visit others as well as your hosts because we’d love to meet you.
Hello Friends and Happy Sunday – Have You Been Sverved?
Sverve is a social media site designed to connect influential female bloggers with major corporate brands and new readers. It’s like “LinkedIn for bloggers.” Sverve is set up a la Pinterest style which gives you access to other bloggers AND companies that are looking to hire them.
If you’re like me, a mom blogger who is active in social media here are 3 easy breezy steps to take that will gain you more influence and upgrade your status in the blogosphere:
Sign up for Sverve and connect your Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts; look around and follow other influential bloggers; then share Sverve with your friends. Easy as 1 – 2 – 3
How to make money with Sverve:
Add up to 5 areas of influence on your profile
Ask your followers to endorse you
Share quality information on the Sverve platform i.e. blog posts and tips
Share frequently
Sign up for Campaigns
Your Influence Score is based on the real endorsements that you get as well as the type of content you create. The score increases the more people like, favorite and share your tips. As you get more endorsements your number starts to rise and the higher your score the more likely you are to be hired if you meet the job requirements.
The best thing about Sverve other than the possibility of being chosen as “Influencer of the Week” , is all the sharing of helpful hints and tips that you get from other wonderful bloggers.
Sverve recently celebrated it’s 1st year and has been rolling out exciting new programs including opportunities to be a published contributor to Parade magazine. Sign up today as to not miss out on this and other wonderful money making opportunities.
Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”
