small business Archives - Page 26 of 28

Is Your “Global Glass” Half-Empty or Half-Full?

July 25, 2013 by alvinmiles

Global Leader Radio

Is Your "Global Glass" Half-Empty or Half-Full?

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In this edition of Global Leader Radio!™, Alvin C. Miles facilitates a discussion about the correlation between a positive perspective and success in one’s life. Yelena Epova joined as our in-studio guest to discuss her unique story, her global perspective and the importance of taking an interest in people!

Here are seven takeaways from our discussion:

Enjoy what you do!
Being happy overall is more important than any other factor.
The best way to be successful is to help develop others.
Focus on being flexible.
Clients don’t grow on trees – you have to develop them!
To be a leader is a gift!
Take time to recharge.

Listen in as Yelena walks us through her personal and professional story. Add her insights, tips and resources to your leadership toolkit. Leadership IS a conversation!

Yelena Epova/ Partner, Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP

Yelena is a partner in charge of HA&W’s Tax Group and the International Services Practice. She specializes in advising domestic and international companies on international tax issues and tax planning strategies regarding inbound and outbound operations. She also assists clients with domestic tax issues by providing tax planning and compliance services.

Yelena is an active member in many professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants where she served on the task force that reviewed Proposed Treasury Regulations on Transfer Pricing; the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants where she participated in the Leadership Development Program; and Baker Tilly International where she chaired the North American International Tax Committee for six consecutive years. Additionally, Ms. Epova is a founding board member of GlobalEXECWomen, vice chair of the Georgia Council for International Visitors’ Board and Chair of the 2013 Consular Ball. She is also Treasurer of the Georgia District Export Council. She is a graduate of the 2011 Leadership Atlanta program and received the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s 2011 Global Impact Award for Service Providers on behalf of HA&W.

Yelena has written for numerous publications. She is a regular contributing writer to Global Atlanta on international tax issues. She is also a frequent speaker at many international and domestic seminars including those pertaining to businesses entering the U.S. market.

Prior to moving to Atlanta, Ms. Epova received her Masters degree in Engineering from the Technological College of Leningrad. Upon her arrival in the United States, she continued her education in Accountancy at Georgia State University. Ms. Epova has received the Golden Key Award for the highest score on the CPA exam in Georgia and the Elijah Watt Sells Award for being in the top 100 scores on the CPA exam in the nation. She was recently selected by Atlanta-based GlobalEXECWomen as one of three finalists for the International Women of Influence Awards™ in the category of Service Providing Businesses. Ms. Epova was also selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the city’s “up and comers” for 2006. Each year, the paper selects and presents awards to 40 business professionals under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to their communities and are leaders in their companies. Ms. Epova was most recently recognized by Atlanta Magazine as one of the fifty-five most influential foreign-born Atlantans.

Contact Yelena: (404) 898-7431, yelena.epova@hawcpa.com

Leadership Tips for Micro & Small Business Success!

July 12, 2013 by alvinmiles

Global Leader Radio

Leadership Tips for Micro & Small Business Success!

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In this edition of Global Leader Radio!™, we discuss the skills & leadership acumen necessary for success as a micro or small business owner. Laura Ann Hart and Veronica Maldonado joined Alvin C. Miles as in-studio guests to discuss the resources available for business owners, the importance of education to success, and the personal fulfillment of serving others!

Here are seven takeaways from our discussion:

What small businesses need is a helping hand!
When everyone takes care of their own backyard, the outcome is a great community.
Surround yourself with people that aid in your development.
Always seek more!
We are designed to be of service to others.
To be a leader is a gift!
Don’t be afraid to do the right thing, even when it’s not popular.

Listen in as Laura Ann and Veronica describe how they’ve gotten to a successful point in their careers. Add their insights, tips and resources to your leadership toolkit. Leadership IS a conversation!

Laura Ann Hart/ President, Quickie Coupons, LLC

Laura Ann Hart is a true “Georgia Girl!” Having been born and raised in the South, Laura has taken “southern hospitality and customer service” to a whole new level in her young and vibrant sales & marketing company Quickie Coupons! “First Class is Free” has been her philosophy and building blocks that she hangs her pearls on every day! Over the past 8 years Laura has sold over 40 million dollars in goods and services and continues her “Pursuit of Excellence” Vision in everything that she does.

Laura Ann created a company in a downturn market that is helping businesses survive and thrive with the simple introduction of coupons into their marketing plan. Since the beginning of Quickie Coupons Laura Ann has increased overall sales by 55% in year two and another 35% in years three and four. Quickie Coupons has consistently maintained a 94% customer retention level – all without long term contracts. In February of 2011, Quickie Coupons became an official Franchisor, with a federally registered trademark and the ability to sell franchises throughout the country. Laura is currently in the process of opening up Quickie Coupons Roswell in September of this year. Quickie Coupons was a finalist for business of the year in 2010 and 2011.

Before starting Quickie Coupons, Laura spent five years as a Top Producer with RE/MAX Unlimited where she learned the true value of helping and serving others. Under the mentoring of Pam and Gerry Rogers, Laura was able to make the transition from stay at home mom to an award winning Top Producing Agent. During her real estate career Laura helped hundreds of clients buy and sell property. Laura received the “Rookie of the Year” Award in 2005, earned the #1 Top Producing Individual Agent in 2006 & 2008, #3 Top Producing Individual Agent in 2007 and was also honored with the RE/MAX 100% Club Award four years in a row. Laura also had the privilege of writing a monthly real estate column in the local paper sharing her experiences and best “tips & tricks” on how to navigate the real estate world.

In 2012, Laura was the President of the Kennesaw Business Association (the largest non-chamber business association in the state of Georgia), a board member for the Acworth Business Association and a character education teacher at Kennesaw Mountain High School. In 2013 Laura graduated from the esteemed Leadership Cobb Program. Currently Laura serves as a director/ past president for the Kennesaw Business Association and participates in several committees dedicated to improving our local community and helping businesses grow.

Giving back and taking care of their community is a must for Laura and her family. The Hart’s have actively participated and contributed to several charity and service organizations ranging from “Shop with a Hero Programs”, Carrabba’s Culinary Cook-off, Must Ministries, Calvary Children’s Home, Hayes Elementary Food Pantry, Kilometer Kids, Northstar Church Volunteers, NJROTC, Boy scouts, One Call Foundation, Susan G Komen Breast Cancer, Northstar Couples Group Leaders, ARC (Atlanta Recovery Center / Homeless Shelter) and MDA. Teaching their children to “give back” has been a priority for both Laura and her husband Eric. Laura and Eric recently celebrated their 21^st wedding anniversary. They have three children, Joshua, Alexandria and Jeffrey and live in Acworth, Ga.

Laura received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Shorter College in 1997 and her Associates of Arts Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Bauder College in 1990. Laura holds and maintains a Georgia Real Estate Sales Person License and is certified in several areas of scuba diving.

Contact Laura: (678) 918-6961, laura@quickiecouponbook.com

Veronica Maldonado/ Program Director, Ga. Mentor Protégé Connection

Ms. Maldonado is a dynamic and versatile Latina community business leader whose voice, passion and purpose are focused on building up the human spirit, creating synergy amongst communities, and fighting for the “inalienable right” for all to progress and excel in any environment.

She is an expert in fostering strategic alliances, creating win-win negotiations and implementing effective marketing strategies that increase any brand value throughout the pipeline. She is ready to meet and exceed any challenge set before her, a quality most recently demonstrated as director of the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection, which is a mentor protégé program—the first of its kind in the nation.

The product of hard work, determination and perseverance as well as an entrepreneurial family tree that spans generations in the U.S & Latin America, Ms. Maldonado is uniquely qualified to lead the MPC program and thereby to help provide a path to sustainability, progression, and economic growth for small business owners in Georgia.

Contact Veronica: (404) 589-4929, veronicam@georgiamentorprotegeconnection.org

Which Book Has Most Impacted Your Leadership Ability?

Laura:

Veronica:

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Robert Galanti with 200 Peachtree & 200 Office, and Alan Urech with Stage 2 Business Accelerator

April 7, 2011 by admin

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Robert Galanti with 200 Peachtree & 200 Office, and Alan Urech with Stage 2 Business Accelerator

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On today’s show we shined the spotlight on Robert Galanti with 200 Peachtree & 200 Office, and Alan Urech with Stage 2 Business Accelerator.

A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy@ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

On today’s show we shined the spotlight on Robert Galanti with 200 Peachtree & 200 Office, and Alan Urech with Stage 2 Business Accelerator.

A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthly events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy@atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

200 Peachtree is a place where memories linger… and are still yet to be made. A beautifully restored, living tribute to glamour, style and the elegance of a bygone era. A destination designed to showcase life’s celebrations, both large and small.

Established as a historical landmark and heralded for its grandeur and magnificence, 200 Peachtree has been known for its innovation and beauty since its beginning. Built in 1927 on a vein of granite from Stone Mountain, the building opened as Davison’s department store and was renovated in the 1980s for Macy’s. Today, 200 Peachtree still serves as an impressive facility that is host to a variety of clients and events. Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or a large social function, we will assist you with every detail to make your event a memorable success.

Situated on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta, affordable 200 Office offers a prime location for conducting business that is both convenient and inexpensive- especially when compared to leased downtown office space.

Adjacent to the Westin Peachtree Plaza, across the street from the Ritz-Carlton and MARTA Peachtree Center and within walking distance to CNN, the World Congress Center and America’s Mart, there is no workspace with better accessibility.

Along with this ideal setting, 200 Office provides a comfortable, state-of-the-art, urban loft venue that is the perfect place to work, meet and network complete with the latest in cutting edge technology in 7,700 square feet of space. Glass-walled private meeting rooms are equipped with flat-screen monitors, teleconferencing pods and full-wall greaseboards.

Built in 1927, the historic Macy’s building is the ideal location for this innovative flex-office space.

Stage2 – The Bridge Between Incubation and the Real World

Business incubators are a relatively new force in developing businesses. In 1980, there were 12 in North America. By the end of 2006, there were more than 1,400. Many incubators are housed in colleges, universities and government agencies, and they help entrepreneurs develop concepts into products.

Business accelerators, such as Stage2, are an even newer phenomenon. Backed by a private / public partnership with its local community, they help new companies commercialize and expand their products and services by building a strong corporate operational infrastructure that is sustainable through every business stage.

The Stage2 Business Accelerator is a 501(c)6 corporation whose mission is to provide business resources to help Georgia based young high-growth-potential companies succeed, which in turn will create jobs, increase the community tax base and improve quality of life. The Stage2 Business Accelerator main goal is to make our community a “live, work, play” environment.

The Stage2 Business Accelerator believes entrepreneurial companies require three areas of organizational support to be successful:

1. Practical and methodical education to help entrepreneurs learn the skills necessary to succeed.

2. An upfront agreed upon “Business Roadmap” of tasks to be learned and completed

3. An outside Advisory Board in appropriate functional areas to support the organization.

We partner with entrepreneurs, community service providers and capital resources to support our companies’ growth and sustainability as viable organizations able to grow and flourish.

Atlanta Business Radio Launches “Inside Safety” Series With Fisher & Phillips Partner, Ed Foulke

March 24, 2011 by admin

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Launches "Inside Safety" Series With Fisher & Phillips Partner, Ed Foulke

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On today’s show we launched our “Inside Safety” series, and shined the spotlight on Fisher & Phillips Partner, Ed Foulke.

Prior to joining Fisher & Phillips, Mr. Foulke served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

Named by President George W. Bush to head OSHA, he served from April 2006 to November 2008. During his tenure at OSHA, workplace injury, illness and fatality rates dropped to their lowest levels in recorded history. For more than 30 years, Ed has worked in the labor and employment area, focusing on occupational safety and health issues, workplace violence risk assessment and prevention, whistleblower protection, and accident and fatality prevention.

He also served on the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission in Washington, DC, chairing the Commission from March 1990 to February 1994. Ed was named one of the “50 Most Influential EHS Leaders” by both EHS Today andOccupational Hazards magazines. He is a member of the Employee Health Safety and Security Special Expertise Panel for the National Society for Human Resource Management and he is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy@atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Thirteen Strategies Every Employer Should Implement To Improve Safety, Reduce OSHA Penalty Exposure, And Improve Company Profits While Protecting Its Reputation/Brand

Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management

Inside PR Special with Vayu Media’s Jennifer Dunphy and Her Client, Bella Bag Owner and Founder, Cassandra Connors

March 17, 2011 by admin

Atlanta Business Radio

Inside PR Special with Vayu Media's Jennifer Dunphy and Her Client, Bella Bag Owner and Founder, Cassandra Connors

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On today’s show we shined the spotlight on Jennifer Dunphy with Atlanta based Online Marketing Agency, Vayu Media and her client Cassandra (Casey) Connors, Owner & Founder of Bella Bag.

Jennifer Dunphy, V.P. of Sales and Marketing, for Atlanta based online marketing agency Vayu Media, has provided her marketing and public relations expertise to the business community since 2005. Jennifer graduated from Georgia State University, where she double majored in Physiology and Kinesiology.

Through her efforts, Vayu Media has seen significant growth year after year. Jennifer has been nominated two years standing as one of the Small Business People of the year, through the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. She is a Google AdWords certified professional, as well as a SEMPO certified Professional.

Jennifer currently focuses primarily on the marketing and public relations efforts for Vayu Media. Vayu Media is a global leader delivering a full range of integrated online marketing solutions, interactive services and high performance websites, for any company looking to be successful. The company’s approach is consultative, and focuses on the long term growth of their clients. Jennifer’s position consists of managing all of Vayu Media’s marketing initiatives, establishing re-seller relationships, and overseeing the company’s sales efforts.

Among her many responsibilities, Jennifer is often engaged to speak at seminars and trainings. She is available to facilitate trainings in the areas of; online marketing & media, sales strategies & business development, brand awareness & marketing to your target audience and marketing that drives ROI.

Most recently, Jennifer has been featured on CBS Atlanta, FOX 5 Atlanta, TAG Tech Talk Radio, and has been mentioned on Forbes.com . Jennifer has also been a recent expert panelist at Women in The Spotlight, The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Business Boot Camp For Women, and will be a featured expert at the 2011 Digital Summit.

Jennifer can be reached at JDunphy@VayuMedia.com to be booked for speaking engagements and trainings.

You can connect with Jennifer at:

Jennifer Dunphy on LinkedIn

Jennifer Dunphy on Facebook

Jennifer Dunphy on Twitter

Vayu Media – SEO Company on Facebook

Vayu Media – SEO Company on Twitter

Cassandra Connors is the owner and founder of Bella Bag, one of the internet’s largest sites for buying, selling, and trading authentic only handbags and accessories.

With much of her life spent living in New York and London — and a great love of fashion from a young age, Miss Connors began Bella Bag 7 years ago with only a few Gucci Bags and an Ebay account. She now has a team of girls, hundreds of Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Balenciaga, Chanel (and yes Gucci) pieces . . . and a loyal clientele stretching from Atlanta to Tokyo.

You can connect with Cassandra at:

URL: www.Shopbellabag.com

Email: info@shopbellabag.com

Phone: 877-6-BELLABAG

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bella-Bag/83350242863

Twitter: http://twitter.com/shopbellabag

Blog: http://shopbellabag.com/index.php/blog/

A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the showOn today’s show we shined the spotlight on Jennifer Dunphy with Atlanta based Online Marketing Agency, Vayu Media and her client Cassandra (Casey) Connors, Owner & Founder of Bella Bag.A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy@atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Jason Smith with Liquidware Labs and Their PR Pro, Zenobia Godschalk with Zag Communications

March 10, 2011 by admin

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Jason Smith with Liquidware Labs and Their PR Pro, Zenobia Godschalk with Zag Communications

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Today we shined the spotlight on Liquidware Labs. Joining us in the studio were VP of Marketing Jason E. Smith and Zenobia Godschalk with their PR firm, ZAG Communications.

Jason was previously with Entrigue Systems which the company acquired in 2009 for its user environment management solution, ProfileUnity. He joined Liquidware Labs with more than 16 years experience in software and technology product marketing and product management, having directly consulted dozens of Windows management and networking companies including Reflex Systems, ISS, RES Software, Opalis Software, Vector Networks, UltraBac Software, ScriptLogic, D&B Software, DCA, divisions of BellSouth, Red Hat Software, and Citrix Systems. A proven technical-minded serial entrepreneur, Jason was also a product marketing consultant and equity holder in Sonic Mobility which was sold to LANDesk/Avocent in 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism with a minor in Psychology from The University of Georgia.

A special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy@atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show

Inside PR Special with Park 75 Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker, his Public Relations Pro Marsha Middleton, Author / Producer Noelle Adams, Image Branding Expert Nikki Darling, and their Publicist Sherri Walker

March 3, 2011 by admin

Atlanta Business Radio

Inside PR Special with Park 75 Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker, his Public Relations Pro Marsha Middleton, Author / Producer Noelle Adams, Image Branding Expert Nikki Darling, and their Publicist Sherri Walker

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Today we shined the light on M-Squared Public Relations Prez Marsha Middleton and her client, Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker. Then we caught up with Sherri Walker of Full Moon PR and chatted with two of her clients, Nikki Darling and Noelle Adams.

We discovered Chef’s passion for all things culinary, his commitment to the first ever Hotel Restaurant Week (4/2 thru 4/9 2011), and a surprising talent for the sacred art of “bee-keeping.”

In our second segment, we dove into the exciting world of Entertainment Marketing and Reality TV. (After some discussion, Stone & Lee were strongly advised to suspend their TV aspirations and stay in Radio.)

And a special shout out to our new sponsor – the Business Marketing Association – Atlanta Chapter. Please go to their website to register for their monthy events www.bmaatlanta.com/events/

Also . . . If you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about, please email Amy Otto at Amy@atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try to get them on the show.

9/1/09 – Riding Resource + Interviews from the Pam Slim Event

September 1, 2009 by admin

Gravity Free Radio

9/1/09 - Riding Resource + Interviews from the Pam Slim Event

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Today we had the pleasure of speaking with Erik Jacobs of Riding Resource who we met at the Pam Slim event a few weeks ago. Riding Resource is a website that enables equestrians to search for all things riding related or as their website says,

“Riding Resource is the only fully-searchable online database of riding stables and tack stores that lets you find exactly what you’re looking for. Founded in 2007 as a way to help riders connect with local facilities, Riding Resource is unique in that our visitors can fine-tune their searches with specific criteria in regards to location and services offered.”

Ainsley Hyman (who could not join us this time) and Erik built the site due not only to their love of riding but also because they saw that such a service was lacking within the riding community. Many of the over 13,000 database entries were painstakingly researched and added by hand by Ainsley herself. It is through their dedication and hard work that Riding Resource has become THE place for finding everything from stables, breeders, vets and beyond.

A big thanks to Erik for joining us and we’ll have him (and Ainsley!) back in a few months to check up on them and see how things are going.

For the second part of our show, we did a few interviews at the Pam Slim event. Again, that was a great event so definitely check out what people had to say if you weren’t able to attend. We hope Pam will make it back to Atlanta sometime soon!

8/25/09: Ivan Reyes shares about audio sharing and Marna Friedman discusses self-publishing

August 26, 2009 by 39

Gravity Free Radio

8/25/09: Ivan Reyes shares about audio sharing and Marna Friedman discusses self-publishing

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We had a great show this Tuesday and we were happy to welcome our regular Stephanie (Frost) back this week. Another big thank you to our good friend Stephanie Lloyd for guest co-hosting with Erik last week.

First, joining us this morning was Ivan Reyes, CEO of Chirbit a free online tool for audio sharing. People can record, upload, and share smaller recordings, from about two minutes long to two hours. A few great practical business applications are to share small daily tips with clients or highlight smaller segments of larger shows. Launching his first startup, Ivan shares that the biggest hurdles to overcome are networking and getting the word out. But thankfully, Twitter and Tweet-ups have been doing a great deal to increase business networking.

Marna Friedman, self-publisher and small business consultant extraordinaire also joined us. She talked about how accessing information on the Internet can be difficult when you don’t know what you are looking for. Her book, “The Small Business That Could,” makes the search much easier by listing all of the sites that a small business might need. She also went on to publish a book specifically for women entrepreneurs, “The Small Business That Could For Women.” The books come with space to record your passwords and tips on how to make them both easy to remember and secure. Marna lets us in on some self-publishing insight, including some common stumbling blocks regarding ISBN numbers. She also created a chapter in her book with details on self-publishing and all of the different companies that offer self-publishing services.