| Thursday, September 16, 2010 - How Do You Start a Business on a Tight Budget? |
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Jennie Love has some ideas...
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Empowerment Group meets Jennie Love of Love N' Fresh Flowers
Saturday, September 18, 4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m.
Wyck Historic House and Garden
6026 Germantown Ave (entrance around the corner on Walnut Ln.)
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Jennie Love launched Love N' Fresh Flowers in March of this year. Learn how she got her community-minded business off the ground, and share in her successes and challenges. Following her start-up story, Jennie will give a brief flower arranging demo.
PLUS: Meet other women entrepreneurs, swap stories, and exchange resources. Reengerize your business and your spirit with this fun, flower-centric event.
Event is free. Please RSVP online or by calling 215-427-9245.
For more info on the benefits of sustainably-grown, locally-produced flowers, visit...
Love N' Fresh's "Why Local" list
"Flowers for your Valentine"
"Flower Confidential" Preview
To RSVP for any event, create a user account on www.empowerment-group.org and click "Enroll for this event."
For additional information, please visit www.empowerment-group.org
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Support Empowerment Group
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Empowerment Group values your support as we continue our work to accelerate economic growth in distressed urban communities by cultivating local entrepreneurship.
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| | Tuesday, September 07, 2010 - Upcoming Events for Women Entrepreneurs! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
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Empowerment Group's Women Entrepreneurs' Circle meets Love N' Fresh Flowers
Saturday, September 18, 4:00p.m.- 6:00p.m.
Wyck Historic House and Garden
6026 Germantown Ave (entrance around the corner on Walnut Ln.)
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Cost: Free
Jennie Love, owner of Love N' Fresh Flowers, left the corporate world to get her hands dirty. Learn how she made the transition from being a full-time employee to owning a community-minded flower business, all on a tight budget. After Jennie shares her start-up story, she will lead a brief flower arranging demo with an emphasis on Philadelphia-friendly varieties!
At this social event, attendees will have the opportunity to voice their business issues, brainstorm solutions, and build supportive relationships. Come out to network with other women entrepreneurs and to learn about this exciting local business!
Event is free. Please RSVP online or by calling 215-427-9245.
Empowerment Group's Women Entrepreneurs' Circle visits the Yoga Schelter
Saturday, October 23, 12:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.
Yoga Schelter
3502 Scotts Ln.
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Cost: Free
Empowerment Group’s Women’s Business Center and the Yoga Schelter invite you to rejuvenate your entrepreneurial spirit.
As an entrepreneur, your talents and priorities are being pulled in every direction. It’s easy to get lost in the ever-growing list of responsibilities and to-dos. After a while, your business reflects the fatigue and confusion you’re experiencing in your own life.
Clear your head with the help of Jennifer Schelter’s “Mind, Body, and Spirit for the Woman Entrepreneur”. At this month’s event, Jennifer—owner of the Yoga Schelter—will lead a series of exercises designed to tap into your needs and frustrations. A blend of meditative exercises and group problem-solving will help refocus your business path, all in the company of like-minded women entrepreneurs.
Event is free. Please RSVP online or by calling 215-427-9245
To RSVP for any event, create a user account on www.empowerment-group.org and click "Enroll for this event."
For additional information, please visit www.empowerment-group.org
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Support Empowerment Group
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Empowerment Group values your support as we continue our work to accelerate economic growth in distressed urban communities by cultivating local entrepreneurship.
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| | Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - Best Blog Entries of July |
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Best of Empowerment Group's Blog
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Happy summer, entrepreneurs! Over at our blog we've compiled some great entries for time-pressed entrepreneurs. This month we talked about tweaking business correspondence and social networking plans, supporting Philly's small businesses, and even how to learn business tips from those lazy summer days of watching TV re-runs. Here are some of our best recent entries:
- A Look at Simple Websites for the Early Stage Small Business Owner
Nobody wants to hire top-notch web designers to promote a fledgling business barely off its feet. Still, you need to keep your business represented on the web somehow. Lindsey offers some tips on starting a simple, professional, low-cost website.
- Reality Television Entrepreneurs
It's hard to believe, but for entrepreneurs even guilty pleasures can be inspirational. Katie discusses how three different reality television personalities have demonstrated wise marketing and business savvy, and used a traditionally trashy medium to promote their brands.
- Netiquette: Four Ways to Say Thank You on the Web
Thank you. Merci. Gracias. Grazie. Saying thanks in the real world is pretty straightforward, but it can be relatively tricky on the web. Emily offers four tips on making a thank you seem sincere and poignant without the benefit of face-to-face interaction.
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| | Thursday, July 22, 2010 - Upcoming Events |
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Upcoming Events
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Empowerment Group's Women Entrepreneurs' Circle Visits Beale Taekwon-Do
Saturday, July 31 10:00 a.m.-12:00p.m.
Beale Taekwon-Do at the Fishtown Rec Center
1202 East Montgomery Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Cost: free
Come kick it in Fishtown, literally! Join Empowerment Group’s Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle as they visit Beale Taekwon-Do. Owner Tawanda Beale will share how she got started as a martial arts entrepreneur, and show the group a few moves!
At this social event, attendees will have the opportunity to voice their business issues, brainstorm solutions, and build supportive relationships. Come out to network with other women entrepreneurs and to learn about this exciting martial art. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes!
Event is free. Please RSVP online or by calling 215-427-9245.
To RSVP for any event, create a user account on www.empowerment-group.org and click "Enroll for this event."
For additional information, please visit www.empowerment-group.org
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Support Empowerment Group
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Empowerment Group values your support as we continue our work to accelerate economic growth in distressed urban communities by cultivating local entrepreneurship.
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| | Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - Join the Women Entrepreneurs' Circle at Mazag Cafe |
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Women Entrepreneurs' Circle Visits Mazag Cafe:
Thursday, June 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Join the Women Entrepreneurs' Circle at Mazag Cafe. Owner Dahlia Osman will talk about her journey getting started in the food industry. Following the talk, we will relocate to nearby Bardascino Park for a guided networking session. Brainstorm business solutions and get inspiration for your start-up with other women entrepreneurs.
When:
Thursday, June 24, 5:30pm - 7:30 p.m.
Where:
Mazag Cafe
1001 South 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Cost: Free
Please RSVP online.
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| | Thursday, May 27, 2010 - Summer Reading: Best of May's Blogs |
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Best of Empowerment Group's Blog
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This month we've explored some new businesses, new reports, and new resources. We've analyzed the little details of business communication, and time-saving technologies. We discussed new ways to support your communities, and visited some fun neighborhood events. Here are our best blog articles of this May:
Grasshopper Surveys Entrepreneurs: Did you know that 44% of small business owners got started because they felt like they could make something great? 36% say that the recession hasn't affected their business much. In our entry, Leah takes a look at some of Grasshopper's interesting findings.
How-to Have a Great Opening Day: You're just about ready to open up shop at a brand new business. An opening should be a lot more than just flipping a sign around. Katie wrote a great checklist for how to start with a bang!
Some Good News on Philly's Economy: Our country is in economic recovery. And Philly's doing better than most places. Emily looks at some recent surveys and studies that show how Philly is situated to emerge from the recession stronger than ever.
Ballot Questions and Why Small Business Owners Should Care: Even though the voting's over, Lindsey gave us a great peek at how new potential laws could affect small business owners. Take a look and learn what to expect.
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| | Thursday, May 06, 2010 - Win a Free Consulting Session! |
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Win Free Consulting
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Answer 10 quick questions about Entrepreneurship Week, and be entered to win free business consulting!
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Keep in Touch
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Thank You!
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Thanks to everybody who came out to Entrepreneurship Week 2010. This was our fifth year running the campaign, and we were pleased to meet so many entrepreneurs working to make Philadelphia a better place. This year more than 300 entrepreneurs came out from across the city to connect and learn how to improve their businesses.
After taking in so much information and meeting so many people, it can be easy to get overwhelmed! The most important thing to do is to capitalize on the connections you made and resources you found. If you haven't yet, send some follow-up e-mails. Set a schedule for yourself to act on the ideas you gathered. Do you want to have a website launched by August? Do you want to apply for a permit by September? Set realistic goals and do what you can to keep them in motion.
Most importantly, keep in touch. Throughout the year, Empowerment Group offers support to small business owners. Between classes, workshops, networking, and consulting sessions, there are plenty of opportunities to learn. Our website's resource center is also a great tool. Keep working on your business and keep us posted on your activities. You can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr, and you can read our blog! Best of luck. Thank you again for making Entrepreneurship Week a success. |
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Entrepreneurship Week Sponsors
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| | Monday, April 19, 2010 - Entrepreneurship Week Starts Today |
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Launch Party Tonight! 5-7pm
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Come kick off Entrepreneurship Week with us at World Café Live tonight! The event is a great chance to network, shop, celebrate, and prepare for the week ahead. Here's a sneak peek at 6 of the vendors we'll have this evening at World Café Live:
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Events
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Business Owners can Improve their Practice at Entrepreneurship Week
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While Entrepreneurship Week is a great time for small business supporters to buy local, and aspiring entrepreneurs to plan their business ventures, existing entrepreneurs have a lot to learn from the week's events. Our How to Hire workshop on Tuesday morning doesn't just cover the practice of picking the best employees, but also touches on issues of payroll finance and personnel management.
At Empowerment Group, we firmly believe that all strong businesses start with the entrepreneur. While many of the week's events focus on getting ready for business management and cultivating ideas for startups, some of the events are geared towards established small business owners who are facing the challenges of letting others help with their businesses. Hiring employees means giving up complete control and opening up a whole new can of worms.
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At the workshop How to Hire and Why to Do it Locally, our three experienced panelists will touch on some of the finer points of employee management. Ken Weinstein, the owner of Trolley Car Diner in Mt. Airy, a successful restaurant with many employees, will discuss their hiring practices. David Brown of Brown Partners will discuss the role of cultivating local talent in the bigger picture of community development. June-Ann Garafano will discuss the technical issues of managing employees.
Whether you're a swamped sole-proprietorship or a smoothly running startup, you can learn something from these experts. You put so much care into your own small business, that it's best to entrust it only to the best hands. At this workshop, you'll learn tips from those who have been there before. Come learn with us!
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Thank you to our sponsors!
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| | Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Entrepreneurship Week Newsletter |
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Upcoming Events
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Entrepreneurship Week Events:
Other Upcoming Events:
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More Articles
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Small Business Workshops: More Resources than You Think!
Sometimes a peer's story is even more valuable than expert advice. Our Entrepreneurship Week workshops aren't just valuable because they bring entrepreneurs tools and resources. They're valuable because they bring entrepreneurs together.
Census 2010: Safety and Confidentiality
Yes, you've been getting their letters, but do you know why they're asking you these questions? Learn what questions the census is asking, why it's asking them, and what scams to look out for.
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Meet the Presenters
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Interview with Valerie Beck
Valerie Beck has the best job in the world. She takes people on tours around Philadelphia's neighborhoods with her company Philadelphia Chocolate Tours, discussing local chocolate history and tasting delightful new treats.
READ MORE...
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Wes Garnett works with Verge Business Group to help entrepreneurs get out of the idea stage and capitalize on their plans. Come to our workshop, Product Development: From Mind to Market to hear more of his expertise.
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Interview with Ruth Schanbacher
 With its long hours, hard decisions, and competitive ethos, small business ownership can be a lonely pursuit. But more and more people in this city are realizing that it doesn’t have to be. Philly is bursting with organizations committed to a more cooperative picture of entrepreneurship.
READ MORE...
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Support Small Business at Entrepreneurship Week |
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We’ve all heard the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Empowerment Group is proposing a new one: “It takes a community to raise a business.”
This Entrepreneurship Week isn’t just for entrepreneurs. The campaign has several events designed to show Philadelphians new ways to strengthen their communities through small business support. Anyone looking to help their neighborhoods, shop locally, and build their networks can benefit from the week’s events.
Small business support begins with finding small businesses and buying local. Two of our events provide this opportunity. In a unique partnership with Handmade Philly, our Entrepreneurship Week 2010 Launch Party at World Café Live gives attendees a chance to see and purchase work from local artisans and producers. Our Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle with Philadelphia Chocolate Tours is another great opportunity to explore local business. The tour discusses Center City’s history and culinary gems, stopping at several sweet small businesses for samples.
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While shopping is an excellent start, there are more innovative ways to promote local business. During the week’s culminating event, we’ll hear from 4 creative people who will share how they’re using their skills to support small business. Cicely Peterson-Mangum builds programs to strengthen commercial corridors, helping small businesses benefit from each other. Andrew Dahlgren connects artists with manufacturers, helping creators maximize their production potential. Monica Silvestre maintains a space where small business supporters use the web to promote their favorite spots. Blake Jennelle helps entrepreneurs build partnerships and share resources in order to thrive.
Entrepreneurship Week proves that supporting small business is about so much more than filling up a shopping bag. The week’s events are geared to help everyone in Philadelphia learn how to give entrepreneurs the support that they need.
Community development isn’t built on small business owners alone. Sometimes it takes someone organizing a program, or pointing out key resources, or acting as a vocal cheerleader for their favorite small businesses. And sometimes all it takes is a tasty reminder that the sweetest treat of all is giving back to the community.
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Thank you to our sponsors!
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| | Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 40 Business Resources Under One Roof |
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Upcoming Events
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Meet a Vendor
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Piccadilly Arts, LLC, is just one of the many small business service providers represented at the Small Business Resource Fair. We asked them a few questions:
What services does Piccadilly Arts, LLC offer?
Piccadilly Arts, LLC works with the local small business and start up community and in a nutshell, offers branding, marketing and design services. Our approach is thoughtful - Chrissie DiAngelus tackles your challenges holistically and strategically. "It's important to me that my clients understand that my mission is to help them get clear on who you are, what they do, and why they are doing it. These brand values define the company and must make their way into every touch point like messages, logos, designs, social media, etc." We flesh out the markets you serve, work in tandem with you to develop marketing strategies and plans that take into account your product, place, price and promotions.
When visiting your table, what will attendees learn about your business?
When you visit our table, I'll talk to you about your needs and why your branding and marketing efforts are worth your investment. You'll also have a chance to win some delicious coffee by local coffee brewer Coffee & Cream.
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The Small Business Resource Fair: a One-stop Shop for Entrepreneurs
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Empowerment Group and the Free Library of Philadelphia are teaming up to host the Small Business Resource Fair, an annual one-stop shop for entrepreneurs.
Running a small business often requires a 24-hour a day commitment. The Small Business Resource Fair serves busy entrepreneurs by bringing as many service providers together as possible. A wide variety of vendors will be present under one roof, from banks and business insurance companies, to web developers, photographers, and nonprofit organizations.
The Small Business Resource Fair is a valuable time for entrepreneurs and service providers to meet, share ideas, and benefit from Philadelphia’s small business community. For entrepreneurs, this means easy access to the resources they need to thrive. For vendors, this means raising awareness about their services with potential customers.
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The event is part of Entrepreneurship Week, a week-long, city-wide campaign designed to celebrate and support Philadelphia’s small businesses. Other Entrepreneurship Week events include workshops, networking mixers, shopping opportunities, and more. To RSVP to attend the Small Business Resource Fair or to register as a vendor, please visit www.entrepreneurshipweek.com
Vendors include:
Empowerment Group | Univision | Hyperion Bank | Verge Business Group | Brio Solutions | Free Library of Philadelphia | Philadelphia VIP | Sustainable Business Network | PROXUS | Get There From Here | Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities | SBDC | Sahan Capital, LLC | Adminiservice, Inc. | PhilaPosh | PIDC | United Bank of Philadelphia | Web Based Solutions: Market America | Queenan Insurance Agency, LLC | DSP Imaging | Western and Southern Financial Group | SCORE | YIKES | Piccadilly Arts, LLC | WORC | Business Center | Sustainable Business Administration | Philadelphia Development Partners Office of Business Services | The National Motor Club of America | Everyman Marketing
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Thank you to our sponsors!
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