Posts Tagged ‘SBA’
Hello Friends and Happy Tax Day Tuesday!
If you’re anything like me no matter what year in your career you’re in, the countdown to retirement has begun. I never told hubby, but when he signed his retirement papers on the 28th of February I was extremely jealous! It’s not that I’m ready to sit home and do nothing or pack my bags and start traveling, I am just looking forward to the day when I have the option to work or NOT!
At this point in my life I am too young and active to retire or at least retire without a plan, which is why this blog is part of a bigger 5-year plan. I’ve thought about starting a small business, but it would have to one of little to no stress and definitely little to NO commuting involved!
Ideally, I would love to sit on the dock of a bay with a laptop or tablet writing and creating. Perhaps I’ll have a little shack where tourist can purchase fishing bait and tackle!
http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/
There was an article published in USA Today that caught my attention, it stated that “more older entrepreneurs are starting businesses after they’ve worked and retired from other careers”. They have been labeled “encore entrepreneurs”. An encore entrepreneur is someone over the age of 50 who starts a small business or begins a new career. Some of these small businesses are non-profits that provide a social need such as job training for the unemployed. Others turn their hobby or passion into an income stream which is part of my 5-year plan.
Of course as with any new start-up there are obstacles and challenges, but with age comes wisdom and knowledge both of which are a plus for the encore entrepreneur. Job layoffs, supplementing or replacing income are just a few reasons for starting a business after the age of 50.
However, with people living longer becoming an encore entrepreneur gives us an opportunity to stay active and do something that perhaps we’ve always wanted to do.
What about you, are you ready to retire or regroup and become an encore entrepreneur?
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Hello Friends and Happy Shop Small Saturday
Black Friday has come and gone so today we celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for their communities. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting them by shopping at a small business in your city or town.
On Main and Broad Streets in Middletown there are some great small businesses that feature unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your holiday list.
Decor by Moore’s located on 500 North Broad Street recently celebrated their First Year Anniversary, and if you mention DeDivahDeals you’ll receive an additional 10% off your entire purchase until December 31st. “Stop in and Be Amazed” at their wonderful and unique gift items including “Diva” ornaments, personalized wine glasses, animal print boxes, lighted pictures and handcrafted cabinetry.
Decor by Moore’s is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9-6, Wednesday and Friday, 9-8, Saturday 9-7 and Sunday 11-3.
Purple Sage Herbs & Gifts located on 41 West Main Street has more than 100 apothecary style teas and you’re sure to find something to soothe your soul or remedy anything that ails you. Now and until the end of the year they are featuring new holiday teas as well as the new Holiday Troll Beads.
If during this busy holiday season you are seeking stress relief or a little relaxation, make sure to stop in for personalized service and a cup of hot tea.
Purple Sage Herbs & Teas is open Monday through Friday, 11-7, Saturday 10-4 or Sunday 11-4.
A high end fashion boutique with warm friendly customer service can be found at Femme Fatale Boutique on 25 West Main Street.
Femme Fatale Boutique is currently featuring the “Black Friday Limited Edition Pandora Bead”, Alex & Ani and the Brighton collection.
Free gift wrapping and personal shopping assistance is available for the men who love the women in their lives but don’t know what to buy them!
New in stock are the Brazilian Butt Lifting Jeans, guaranteed to fit sizes 2-20. These jeans stretch but don’t sag and are available in assorted colors.
Holiday hours are Monday through Friday, 10-7, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-3.
The Gibby or Gilbert W. Perry, Jr., Center for the Arts is a cultural staple in downtown Middletown featuring works by local artists.
Their Small Works Perfect Gift Shoppe is currently showcasing unique handmade jewelry, clothing, photography, ornaments and home decor.
Free parking across the street at the Municipal lot makes it convenient to shop Thursday and Friday 12-7 and Saturday 10-5.
A unique gift boutique specializing in jewelry and craft design can be found at Jewelapalooza. A recent transplant from Galena, Maryland, Jewelapalooza is located on 104 West Main Street and is featuring a Santa’s Workshop where kids can create homemade gifts that will be cherished for years to come.
Jewelapolooza specializes in Jewelry Making Parties as well as after school camps and workshops for the little ones in town.
Melissa & Doug Toys and Chamilia & Kameleon jewelry is prominently displayed throughout the boutique. Other unique boutique items include women’s shoes, dresses, sweaters, purses and totes.
I don’t know about you, but shopping makes me hungry so take a break and stop in at the mother and daughter owned bakery, Half Baked Patisserie located at 13 W. Main Street.
Make sure you get their signature Half Baked Cupcake which is made with chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookie dough center, topped with brown sugar frosting and sprinkled with chocolate chips….yes, it is AWESOME!!!
Vegan cakes, muffins, custom cakes and catering is also available during their daily Holidays hours of 10-4.
As you head out of town after a long day of shopping make sure to drive down to 725 North Broad to the Middletown Square Shopping Center and check out the newly opened Middletown African Market.
This Market features authentic African and Caribbean food items, Kente Cloth, clothing, videos, health and beauty products as well as kitchen items.
This long-needed ethnic market sells wholesale and retail fresh, canned, packaged and frozen foods. African spices, sauces and seasonings that is guaranteed to jazz up your holiday meals. The Middletown African Market is open Monday through Saturday 9-7.
Swinging after shopping was the best part of their day!
Why not catch a show at The Everett Theatre?
Where ever you decide to shop today, I hope it will be an enjoyable Shop Small Saturday.
Rest up tomorrow because next is Cyber Monday!
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Chasing the Dream Market Day!
Thursday, August 1st
11:00am-1:30pm
Rodney Square in Wilmington
Campers are open for business…come shop over your lunch break!
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Turn Up The Heat…
August Money School Classes!
Money Smart Series
Wed., July 31, Aug. 7, 14, 21 & 28 Time: 6-8pm
Bear Library
Nicole Henry, Citizens Bank
Participants must attend all sessions to receive certificate.
Lunch and Learn: Social Media and Business
Wed., July 31 Time: 12noon-1:30pm
Claymont Community Center
Stacey Schiller, Stacey Ink
Strategic Ways to Get Out of Debt
Thurs., Aug. 1 Time: 5:30-7:15pm
Dover Library
Rod Hausmann, Primerica
How to Start and Finance Your Small Business Dream
Thurs., Aug. 1 Time: 6-7:30pm
City of Dover Economic Development Office
Tim Reid, SBA
Protecting What’s Important
Tues., Aug 6 Time: 1:00-2:00pm
Kirkwood Hwy Public Library, 6000 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington
Steven Lucas, Edward Jones
Lunch and Learn: Award-winning Customer Service
Wed., Aug. 7 Time: 12noon-1:30pm
Claymont Community Center
Dinette Rivera, Rivera Business Development Group
Light lunch provided
Foreclosure Prevention
Mon., Aug. 12 Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Newark Library, 750 Library Ave., Newark
Mary Rammel, CCCS of MD and DE
Foreclosure Prevention
Mon., Aug. 12 Time: 6-7:30pm
Georgetown Library, Job Center
Lisa Spellman, Department of Justice
A Mortgage Acceleration Review
Mon., Aug. 12 Time: 6:30-7:30
Rosehill Commuinty Center
Jenine Mills, AGLA
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On Saturday The Money School of Delaware held it’s annual C.O.D.E. Conference for National Entrepreneurship Week at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. This FREE event was held to give guidance to the small business community in the state of Delaware.
The doors opened at 8:00 am, and after completing a registration form you received a reusable shopping bag courtesy of Shoprite. Attendees then entered the Riverfront Ballroom where over 30 exhibitors including the SBA, SCORE, PNC Bank, Wells Fargo, DEDO, Traci Lynn Jewelry and the YWCA had tables that showcased their products/services as well as items for sale or small giveaways.
On this cold and rainy morning the hot coffee and danish was a welcomed delight, but for each of the attendees all of various ages and ethnic backgrounds they delighted in a common goal; to obtain information and guidance to make their small business more successful. Small businesses are the engine that drives the economy in Delaware and if they are successful, we are all successful.
The conference was kicked off by Mary Caracciolli, The Money Confidant, who emphasized that the day wasn’t about networking but about meeting people, building relationships and doing something for someone else. Opening remarks were made by Lt. Governor Matt Denn, a major supporter of education in the state. Chase was the #1 sponsor of C.O.D.E. and Daryl Graham spoke about the importance of supporting small businesses. Ken Anderson, a DEDO rep stated that small businesses have created the most net new jobs in the state of Delaware. State Treasurer Chip Flowers was also in attendance and video remarks were given by Governor Jack Markell and U.S Senator Chris Coons.
Judy Travis, Founder of Stockings for Soldiers Delaware spoke of how passion drives your business and presented a slide show. Last year, over 10 thousand packages containing 47 thousand stockings were made and shipped thanks to the many volunteers who devoted their time. Volunteers in this effort included students from elementary schools to members of Senior Citizen centers, but donations and volunteers are always needed. One of the major rewards in volunteering for this program is knowing you are improving the morale of our troops serving overseas.
There were two sets of morning sessions from which to choose that began at 9:30 am: Business Start-up 101, and Run Your Business, Don’t Let It Run You. The next two sessions started at 11:00 am: The Business of Your Business and Service…Your Secret Weapon To Success!
I sat in briefly in all 4 sessions and found them to be very informative, enlightening and one was quite entertaining. Ellyn and Robert of SBA and SCORE started their session by having everyone stand and sing along to the song “Good night, I Gotta Feeling”, by The Black Eye Peas, it was a great way to rev up the brain cells.
A light lunch of pizza, and snacks were provided before the final General Session, “Understanding Social Media”, presented by Eric Holtzclaw, Founder and Chief Strategist of Laddering Works, LLC. Using a PowerPoint presentation Eric highlighted the various groups of social media users; discussed understanding social media and how it makes an impact on today’s business.
Audience participation with questions followed, several asking how social media impacts their small businesses and why it was important to brand themselves on the Internet. Social Media whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Google+, is here to stay however, the advice of only using what is comfortable was the underlying message from Eric.
The conference ended with the awarding of Door Prizes ranging from a $100 gift card to autographed copies of Eric’s new book, Laddering: Unlocking the Potential of Consumer Behavior. Overall, it was a great event for anyone with or who is thinking about starting a small business in the state of Delaware. Kudos to the staff of The Money School for all their hard work and effort that made this yet another successful event.
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CELEBRATE
National Entrepreneurship Week
Delaware 2013
CODE Conference
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Thinking about starting a business?
Already in business but looking for help?
Want to understand social media?
THEN DON’T MISS THIS!
Speakers Breakout Sessions Exhibits
Continental Breakfast & Light Lunch
Free Resources Free Parking
DOOR PRIZES
FREE but REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
toll-free 877.307.6858
CODE is a state-wide coalition organized in 2007 to support the Delaware small business
community.
Its mission is to guide the small business community and the public to resources,
organizations and companies that can provide the information, skill development,
knowledge and support needed for small business development.
CODE is a program managed by DFLI with support from Chase
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Of course as with any new start-up there are obstacles and challenges, but with age comes wisdom and knowledge both of which are a plus for the encore entrepreneur. Job layoffs, supplementing or replacing income are just a few reasons for starting a business after the age of 50. 
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