Topic: General Posts
Subject: Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 12-30-10 11:59 am
Message:
I would like to get the Members ideas on creating a forum for those that have an entrepreneurial spirit or are certifiable crazy. The forum will create an environment where folks can share ideas, get support, partner and hopefully create their “new” job.
“The impact of entrepreneurship on the economy can be seen by the number of jobs small businesses have added since December 2002," says Don McLoughlin, vice president of marketing for ADP. "If you add those numbers up, that's 4.5 million new jobs--more than twice the number of new jobs contributed by larger businesses. Small business really is the engine of job growth."
About ten years ago, I was unemployed and started following the traditional job search practices. Put in my time each day banging the phones and searching the net. What I found what that I was much better selling a "thing" then selling myself. It was much easier to get appointments when I had something else to show folks that solved their problems, then it was to talk about my resume. It has resulted in the start-up of two companies and several consulting opportunities that turned to jobs.
I am told Financial Executives do not necessarly make good entrepreneurs or sales people. Lets explore that myth and get your opinion. To borrow a tagline, "What say you?"
Message:
I would like to get the Members ideas on creating a forum for those that have an entrepreneurial spirit or are certifiable crazy. The forum will create an environment where folks can share ideas, get support, partner and hopefully create their “new” job.
“The impact of entrepreneurship on the economy can be seen by the number of jobs small businesses have added since December 2002," says Don McLoughlin, vice president of marketing for ADP. "If you add those numbers up, that's 4.5 million new jobs--more than twice the number of new jobs contributed by larger businesses. Small business really is the engine of job growth."
About ten years ago, I was unemployed and started following the traditional job search practices. Put in my time each day banging the phones and searching the net. What I found what that I was much better selling a "thing" then selling myself. It was much easier to get appointments when I had something else to show folks that solved their problems, then it was to talk about my resume. It has resulted in the start-up of two companies and several consulting opportunities that turned to jobs.
I am told Financial Executives do not necessarly make good entrepreneurs or sales people. Lets explore that myth and get your opinion. To borrow a tagline, "What say you?"
Replies
Subject: Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 01-01-11 7:51 pm.
Message:
Sky's the Limit
Saw this article in Saturday's local newpaper of an accountant's move into renewable energy.
SAN LEANDRO -- Louis Rigaud is not a gambler. But 10 years ago, he took a risk that changed his life and led to his wind power company, Halus Power Systems.
Caught between a career as an accountant that he found to be a bore and contemplating a move into renewable energy, Rigaud decided to use $30,000 he had been saving for a house to make a major change in his life. The company has grown steadily over the past few years. In 2009, Halus generated about $1.7 million in revenue with about a 25 percent profit margin. In 2010, it expects to be in the $2 million ballpark.
Link: http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_16975588?nclick_check=1
Message:
Sky's the Limit
Saw this article in Saturday's local newpaper of an accountant's move into renewable energy.
SAN LEANDRO -- Louis Rigaud is not a gambler. But 10 years ago, he took a risk that changed his life and led to his wind power company, Halus Power Systems.
Caught between a career as an accountant that he found to be a bore and contemplating a move into renewable energy, Rigaud decided to use $30,000 he had been saving for a house to make a major change in his life. The company has grown steadily over the past few years. In 2009, Halus generated about $1.7 million in revenue with about a 25 percent profit margin. In 2010, it expects to be in the $2 million ballpark.
Link: http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_16975588?nclick_check=1
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 01-08-11 10:32 pm.
Message:
Here is a great tool that is free for CRM management which can also be used for business cards.
www.zoho.com
Use it to track leads and calls made. Web based.
Message:
Here is a great tool that is free for CRM management which can also be used for business cards.
www.zoho.com
Use it to track leads and calls made. Web based.
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 01-08-11 10:35 pm.
Message:
Great forum for networking are Meetups. Go to Meetup.com in your area and see other business groups in your area. We started a Meetup in SF Bay Area for QuickBooks and Business Coaches at
http://www.meetup.com/QuickBooks-Business-Coach/
We now have over 321 members and is great for lead sharing.
Message:
Great forum for networking are Meetups. Go to Meetup.com in your area and see other business groups in your area. We started a Meetup in SF Bay Area for QuickBooks and Business Coaches at
http://www.meetup.com/QuickBooks-Business-Coach/
We now have over 321 members and is great for lead sharing.
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 01-15-11 12:19 pm.
Message:
From Entrepreneur Magazine. - some great tools that are free or cheap
It's no secret that there are lots of hurdles to starting a new business.
We took a look at some free and open source software that will help remove obstacles from your path.
•OpenOffice is a fully-loaded productivity suite that easily fills the shoes of more expensive software. For those wishing there was a free version of Microsoft Office, this is it.
•NeoOffice is a port of OpenOffice that has been optimized for Mac users. It features many speed improvements, stability, and it's free.
•Google Apps is a web-based suite that offers collaboration and communication tools for businesses. Share documents in real time and take advantage of their Gmails amazing storage. And best of all, everything is supported by Google for a minimal fee: $50 per year per user. That means you can save a lot on maintenance and IT costs.
•phpBMS will organize sales orders and track your interactions with clients, both current and prospective. You can send invoices, track orders, and track sales.
•Lemon POS is an indispensable tool for the small retailer. It is open source point-of-sale software that operates exactly like POS software at major stores like Best Buy and Barnes & Noble, giving your retail location a more professional image.
•SugarCRM is a consolidated tool for managing task lists, updating calendars, and sharing information in general. There's no reason not to try it. The same software is used by major companies like Coca Cola, Men's Wearhouse, and H&R Block.
•Dropbox is a service that is as straightforward as it is easy to use. It lets you store and share files online. Use it to back up important documents. You get 2 GB of space for free, or you can pay for as much as $20 per month for 100 GB.
•Evernote is your scrapbook that's accessible from anywhere. Use it to keep track of your ideas, pictures, or anything else you like across all platforms: iPhone, Android, desktop, and tablet. You'll never forget anything again.
Message:
From Entrepreneur Magazine. - some great tools that are free or cheap
It's no secret that there are lots of hurdles to starting a new business.
We took a look at some free and open source software that will help remove obstacles from your path.
•OpenOffice is a fully-loaded productivity suite that easily fills the shoes of more expensive software. For those wishing there was a free version of Microsoft Office, this is it.
•NeoOffice is a port of OpenOffice that has been optimized for Mac users. It features many speed improvements, stability, and it's free.
•Google Apps is a web-based suite that offers collaboration and communication tools for businesses. Share documents in real time and take advantage of their Gmails amazing storage. And best of all, everything is supported by Google for a minimal fee: $50 per year per user. That means you can save a lot on maintenance and IT costs.
•phpBMS will organize sales orders and track your interactions with clients, both current and prospective. You can send invoices, track orders, and track sales.
•Lemon POS is an indispensable tool for the small retailer. It is open source point-of-sale software that operates exactly like POS software at major stores like Best Buy and Barnes & Noble, giving your retail location a more professional image.
•SugarCRM is a consolidated tool for managing task lists, updating calendars, and sharing information in general. There's no reason not to try it. The same software is used by major companies like Coca Cola, Men's Wearhouse, and H&R Block.
•Dropbox is a service that is as straightforward as it is easy to use. It lets you store and share files online. Use it to back up important documents. You get 2 GB of space for free, or you can pay for as much as $20 per month for 100 GB.
•Evernote is your scrapbook that's accessible from anywhere. Use it to keep track of your ideas, pictures, or anything else you like across all platforms: iPhone, Android, desktop, and tablet. You'll never forget anything again.
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 02-07-11 11:31 am.
Message:
An entrepreneur forum sounds like a good idea.
"Financial Executives don't make good entrepreneurs".
I wasn't aware of that myth. I'm glad someone didn't tell me that before I went out on my own. : )
Thanks,
Tony
Anthony C. Gruber, CPA
President, Viser Business Tools
www.SmallCompanyTools.com
www.401ktest.com
www.FinancialFirmTemplate.com
Message:
An entrepreneur forum sounds like a good idea.
"Financial Executives don't make good entrepreneurs".
I wasn't aware of that myth. I'm glad someone didn't tell me that before I went out on my own. : )
Thanks,
Tony
Anthony C. Gruber, CPA
President, Viser Business Tools
www.SmallCompanyTools.com
www.401ktest.com
www.FinancialFirmTemplate.com
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 02-07-11 12:16 pm.
Message:
Steve,
I came across your post and am intrigued. As a consultant that advises companies and boards on emerging risks and compliance around such issues as Internal Audit, Governance, Dodd Frank, FCPA, Sarbanes, Enterprise Risk Management, etc. I have had the thought of developing my own
company in this space. (Think Protiviti or Jefferson Wells, only much smaller, at least at first).
I have spoken to several about how we can collectively go about this. What I have found is that there is resistance/hesitancy for many reasons. I certainly would welcome the opportunity to be part of such a group or conversation on entrepreneurism. Contact me if you like and let me know
how we can start a conversation, if for nothing else the networking opportunities it may lead to.
Donald Browne, CPA, CFF
Corporate Governance, Fraud & Forensics. Internal Audit, Risk Management
917 715-8032
[email protected]
Advising Companies and Boards on Emerging Risks, Compliance and Sustainability
Message:
Steve,
I came across your post and am intrigued. As a consultant that advises companies and boards on emerging risks and compliance around such issues as Internal Audit, Governance, Dodd Frank, FCPA, Sarbanes, Enterprise Risk Management, etc. I have had the thought of developing my own
company in this space. (Think Protiviti or Jefferson Wells, only much smaller, at least at first).
I have spoken to several about how we can collectively go about this. What I have found is that there is resistance/hesitancy for many reasons. I certainly would welcome the opportunity to be part of such a group or conversation on entrepreneurism. Contact me if you like and let me know
how we can start a conversation, if for nothing else the networking opportunities it may lead to.
Donald Browne, CPA, CFF
Corporate Governance, Fraud & Forensics. Internal Audit, Risk Management
917 715-8032
[email protected]
Advising Companies and Boards on Emerging Risks, Compliance and Sustainability
Subject: Re:Entrepreneur Forum
Submitted on 02-19-11 12:41 pm.
Message:
Steve
I am one of the certifiable ones.
I agree with you about its easier to sell something. When you have your own company word of mouth is greatest thing going. Get results for one company and it spreads around town.
CFOs control the money. Every small company needs money now. The small company survivors over the last two are starting to get the orders and ready to move. Now all they need is capital. The small company owners have gone all in keeping their business alive. Their commitment to keep the company going often ruined they personal credit. That were a CFO can really help present the company 'story' and get them money.
We, as CFOs, know where to locate capital but the company has to be operating in a logical and forward manner. I find a number of companies stumble on the logical and forward part. That's where I come in and can help.
Great forum idea.
Bill Westin
WSW Financial, LLC
2011 is the Year of Recovery
Message:
Steve
I am one of the certifiable ones.
I agree with you about its easier to sell something. When you have your own company word of mouth is greatest thing going. Get results for one company and it spreads around town.
CFOs control the money. Every small company needs money now. The small company survivors over the last two are starting to get the orders and ready to move. Now all they need is capital. The small company owners have gone all in keeping their business alive. Their commitment to keep the company going often ruined they personal credit. That were a CFO can really help present the company 'story' and get them money.
We, as CFOs, know where to locate capital but the company has to be operating in a logical and forward manner. I find a number of companies stumble on the logical and forward part. That's where I come in and can help.
Great forum idea.
Bill Westin
WSW Financial, LLC
2011 is the Year of Recovery
Subject: Entrepreneur Forum - Tools not in Santa Bag
Submitted on 12-31-12 12:10 pm.
Message:
Here are some free app that should be considered
https://getintro.net/
Saw a presentation by this company and they have a great tool for networking and leveraging LinkedIn contact network. Plus free!!! So use it for job search or networking purposes.
If you want to build your own iphone or Droid app check out
$25 one-time fee to post a Droid app
www.ibuildapp.com
Any other Free or Cheap apps that we should know
Message:
Here are some free app that should be considered
https://getintro.net/
Saw a presentation by this company and they have a great tool for networking and leveraging LinkedIn contact network. Plus free!!! So use it for job search or networking purposes.
If you want to build your own iphone or Droid app check out
$25 one-time fee to post a Droid app
www.ibuildapp.com
Any other Free or Cheap apps that we should know
Subject: The Silicon Valley New Technology (SVNewTech) Monthly Meetup
Submitted on 01-16-13 1:10 am.
Message:
For those in the SF Bay Area
http://www.meetup.com/svnewtech/
Learn about hot new web technologies and mingle with 200+ fellow entrepreneurs, investors, bloggers, and tech enthusiasts. This meetup fills up quickly, so be sure to RSVP early.
We announce the lineup the day of the meetup, and we always feature four interesting companies.
Message:
For those in the SF Bay Area
http://www.meetup.com/svnewtech/
Learn about hot new web technologies and mingle with 200+ fellow entrepreneurs, investors, bloggers, and tech enthusiasts. This meetup fills up quickly, so be sure to RSVP early.
We announce the lineup the day of the meetup, and we always feature four interesting companies.
OUR SPONSORS:
