February 2008
Issue LVI
February 5, 2008
 
"Learn from the mistakes of others.  You can't live long enough to make them all yourself."
-Martin Vanbee 
 
  The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC/EDS Seminar Series is back! (for Women and Minority Owned Businesses)
 
Seminars such as Entrepreneurial Errors and How to Avoid Them (Feb 14, 2008), and Developing Profitable Customer Relations (March 12, 2008) and more are available throughout 2008!
 
ALL SEMINARS ARE FREE OF CHARGE
 
So what are you waiting for?  Click here to fill out your registration form!
 
Do you have your own success story?  Would you like to share your business triumphs with the entrepreneurial world?  Here's your chance!  Success Connections  wants you to submit your own success stories to be published in this newsletter!  Click here to submit your story!  
 
 
To download a printer friendly version of this month's entire newsletter, click here.

Success Story Banner

Kutztown SBDC Develops Dreams into Success for B&C Photo Shop
 
Ben Bah, president and CEO of B&C Photo Shop recently opened its doors and camera shutters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  With help from the Kutztown SBDC, Ben Bah and his friend and partner, Seny Campara, have not only opened their photo shop, but are living their dreams.
 
Personalized attention from KU SBDC consultant Scott Schaeffer, Bah and Campara hosted their grand opening in September, 2007.
 
Read more about this business' success by clicking here, and how the KU SBDC encouraged this entrepreneurial duo to follow their hopes and ambitions.
Focus on Finances

It Doesn't Pay to Take a Big Check from Your Employer

Contributed by Michael Fischer,CLU, ChFC

The biggest check you could ever get from your employer is one you should turn down. 
 
When you retire, quit, or are laid off or fired, you can take the funds in your retirement plan in a single check called a "lump-sum distribution."  If you lose your job, it may be tempting to take the check, but consider the long-term consequences.
 
Have you lost your job, or might?  Click here to learn more about lump-sum distribution, and what you should know before you decide what to do.
 
Dan Goldberg Banner
Expanding Your Business: Have a Plan and a Method
 
Partially Excerpted from his book, "Stand Back a Second, Just Don't Fall Off the Edge"
 
Expansion is a tricky business.  What got you to the point of expansion may not be what completely works once you decide to step out of your current boundaries.
 
Factors that you take for granted in one market or market segment may be partially or completely different in your new area, whether geographic, service, or product line oriented.
 
Know where you want to go, grow and how you're going to do it.  Step back and view your situation from the perspective of a spectator who has the ability to get a full, non-judgmental, understanding as to how your business got to where it is.
 
Learn more about the ins and outs of expanding your business by clicking here!

Insights Banner     

Take Home Points You Must Know to Prosper Online this Year:
Review of a Skin Rejuvenation Website Reveals Major Secrets
 
By Lynn VanDyke, Internet Marketing Consultant
Recently I provided a website evaluation for a prospective client.  The client is a board certified physician focusing on laser skin rejuvenation services.  His current website is beautiful - and that's a shame because no one ever sees it.
 
I really want you to take in the points I make about his rejuvenation website and how it can be applied to you business' website.  There are more correlations than you can possibly imagine.  I chose to use this website evaluation as the focus of this article because sometimes looking at an objective case study will spark several "A HA" moments for you.
 
Click here to read more about VanDyke's evaluation of this website, and use her tips so more potential customers and clients visit your site!
 

New Contributor

Managing Your Credit

By Kathi Kuzo, Financial Representative

 
When it comes to managing your credit, your goal should be to put your money to its best use for your financial situation.
 
A debt free lifestyle may be a noble aspiration, but hardly realistic for most of us.  Whether getting credit is often not a problem; it's managing credit wisely that's another matter.  Developing prudent spending and borrowing habits will have a significant impact on the other aspects of your financial life, including saving and investing for retirement or other goals. 
 
Learn more about maintaining good credit and what's best for you and your money, by clicking here, and be on your way to healthy credit habits.
 

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SBDC News
 
For more information about any of the following news items, click on the news link below
 
 
-KU SBDC Awarded Portability Grant
 
*The grant will pilot the transfer of knowledge in the blended learning program of the Kutztown SBDC with integrating online learning with 9 other SBDCs including Wharton, Lehigh, Wilkes.
 
 
-The KU Foundation's Decision Makers Forum
 
Click here for more information about this year's event!
 
*This year's Decision Forum is just around the corner, March 27th!  Check out the news link above for more information about this exciting networking event! 
 
 
-Upcoming Learning Opportunities:  
 
*The Pitch- Business planning Webinar based on one of the bestselling books for small business, "The Art of the Smart." 
 
 
-The KU SBDC Recently updated its website, and has been converted into a portal for electronic learning.  Now the site is easier to use, with a new Google-based search engine, and more direct links so you get the help your business needs, faster!

Check out the new portal for learning here!
 
 
-Click this news link to read more about the news items above!
 
 
New Contributor
 
Smart Women at Work 
by Annmarie Kelly
 
 "Resolutions Revisited"
 
Do you fall into the trap of letting New Year's resolutions go?  This month, Annmarie Kelly gives you tips and advice about how to make the right resolutions, and how to keep them.
 
Click here to learn more about keeping your New Year's resolution, and how follow through with your goals can help your business and personal life!
 
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