Tag Archives: successful entrepreneurs

SBA and AARP Host Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month in April with Events around the Country

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Highlights effort between SBA and AARP to promote entrepreneurship among individuals ages 50 and older.

WASHINGTON -The U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP are teaming up to host National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month targeted at entrepreneurs over the age of 50. Building on the success of a joint SBA and AARP Mentor Day in October, the two organizations will match “encore entrepreneurs” with successful business owners and community leaders for advice and assistance. To find a local event near you go to www.sba.gov/mentormonth.

Throughout April, SBA District Offices, state AARP Offices and SBA Resource Partners will host more than 100 events around the country.  Events include speed mentoring, which allows mentors and entrepreneurs to share information for five-minute sessions, and mentor lunches for entrepreneurs to learn best practices from successful small business owners.

“Many new entrepreneurs are saving their best acts for their encore performance,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “They’re using their decades of expertise and their contacts to start new businesses and to finally pursue that venture that has been stirring their dreams for all these years.  The SBA and the AARP are once again focusing our efforts during Encore Entrepreneurship Mentor Month to help transform those dreams into a successful reality.”  

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LaunchHouse Tech UnConference

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Last month we spoke with LaunchHouse’s David Greenberg about how they help startups get off the ground with seed money.  This month David tells me that they’ve chosen the winners to attend the Tech UnConference.  As their press release explains…

 

LaunchHouse has selected more than 20 teams to pitch and demo their ideas at the Tech UnConference on July 18, from 10am to 3pm. Following the UnConference, LaunchHouse will select 10 teams to participate in the LaunchHouse Accelerator. The inaugural class will begin September 4, 2012.

The LaunchHouse Accelerator is modeled after the nation’s best incubators, like Y Combinator and Tech Stars. Each team will receive a $25,000 investment, as well as resources to assist them with developing their business in order to raise significant follow on capital.

In February 2012, the OhioDepartment of Development, Third Frontier Program awarded LaunchHouse a $200,000 grant to launch the LaunchHouse Accelerator. LaunchHouse is the first and only incubator in Northeast Ohiochosen to receive the Ohio Third Frontier ONEFund grant.  

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SBA’s March Web Chat Offers Tips and Advice for Women-Owned Small Businesses

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WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Women’s History Month, SBA’s March web chat will feature an open forum on Women’s Business Ownership.  The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership helps to promote growth of women-owned businesses through SBA programs offering business training and counseling, access to credit and capital, and business and networking opportunities.  It also administers a nationwide network of Women’s Business Centers that provide training and counseling to entrepreneurs.

WHO:  Ana Harvey, assistant administrator of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership, will host the March web chat on “Ask the Expert: Women’s Small Business Open Forum.”  Join her for an exchange on starting and growing a business.

WHAT:  SBA’s web chat series provides small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs.  Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the web chats via questions they submit online in advance, and during the live session.  Participants will gain valuable information on how to connect to counselors, mentors and other women business owners.  

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June SBA Web Chat Features Small Business Person of the Year from Rhode Island

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WASHINGTON – The SBA’s Web Chat will feature 2011 Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year Kathleen Devlin, owner of All About Home Care LLC in Middletown, R.I.  Devlin started her business in 2003 as the sole employee working out of a small home office.  Today the company has a staff of 68.  SBA’s National Small Business Week (SBW) events were held May 16-20, 2011, in Washington, D.C., where more than 100 outstanding small business owners from across the country were honored.  Full videos of SBW events and the business forums held can be viewed online at http://nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/video.

 WHO:

Small business owner Kathleen Devlin will host SBA’s June Web chat on “Entrepreneur’s Spotlight: Maintaining Business Success,” to share her story of achievement and endurance with other entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, and provide helpful insights on the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship. 

 WHAT:

SBA’s web chat series provides small business owners with an opportunity to discuss relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs.  Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the web chats via questions they submit online in advance, and during the live session.  Chat participants can receive helpful tips and advice on how to grow their businesses.  

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