Kamau and Associates. Since 2003 - The World's 1st Blog for Black & Minority Business
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Government Starts One Stop Shop Site for Business
SBA Launches Business.gov Web Site to Connect Businesses with Federal AgenciesWASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the launch of a Web site that will serve as the business gateway for U.S. businesses to connect with federal agencies, providing specific business tools and resources. Currently in its initial phase, Business.gov is a powerful Web site that will provide one-stop, online federal government information and services that businesses need and can access in one easy-to-find location.
“In today’s fast-paced marketplace, small business owners don’t have time to go to dozens of Web sites to find information they need to run their business. Today we are providing them with a single, convenient Web site where they can access vital business information quickly, giving them more time to do what they do best: grow their businesses and create jobs,” said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto.
Business.gov provides information and links to: ? Business Development: information on starting, managing, and marketing a business.
~> Financial Assistance: resources for capital and credit.
~> Taxes: federal and state tax resources, forms and assistance.
~> Laws and Regulations: Laws, regulations and other resources that affect business.
~> International Trade: information on export promotion, trade finance, and trade leads.
~> Workplace Issues: information on employee wellness, workplace safety, benefits, and the family-friendly workplace.
~> Buying and Selling: links for doing business with the government
~> Federal forms: finding government forms businesses need to conduct business, expand and grow.
Business.gov is slated to add more resources by the Fall of 2004, including more information, sources and links designed to help businesses get the right information at the right time from home or office and on their desktops, laptops or PDAs. Business.gov also will add special “wizards” to help businesses find answers to their questions, fill out forms, save time and be more productive.
One of the 24 e-government initiatives of the federal government, www.Business.gov , is an official Web site of the U.S. Government and is operated and maintained by the SBA.
SBA Starts Site for Young Entrepreneurs
SBA Unveils New Teen Web Site Aimed At Young Entrepreneurs;Announces Winner of Youth Business Plan Competition
ORLANDO – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced earlier this week the unveiling of its new teen entrepreneur Web site to target young entrepreneurs who want to start, run or grow their own businesses, and today announced the winners of the Young Entrepreneur Program Business Plan Competition.
The launch of the Young Entrepreneur Online Guide to Business, at http://www.sba.gov/teens, was made during the kick off of the Young Entrepreneur Program, a two-day forum for young entrepreneurs to provide practical entrepreneurial training and to promote leadership and management skill building.
The announcement of the new Web site was made by Cheryl A. Mills, associate deputy administrator for Entrepreneurial Development for the SBA. The Web site will provide young entrepreneurs with a learning tool to help them succeed in the 21st century world of small business. It is designed to introduce teenagers to the concept of small business ownership as a viable career choice by helping them shape their dreams of entrepreneurship.
“Young minds of today will be the force for business growth and job creation in the future,” said Mills. “The spirit of enterprise is the most powerful economic force in the nation, and the SBA wants to be a partner for success.”
The Web site features small business basics from brainstorming to evaluating a business idea, developing a business plan, learning from successful young entrepreneurs, making wise financial decisions and access to SBA’s entrepreneurial development partners and services.
Other highlights of the Web site include information on legal issues that need to be addressed when starting a business, links to youth organizations that concentrate on youth entrepreneurship and links to mentoring and peer groups.
In a related announcement, SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto revealed the winners of the Young Entrepreneur Program Business Plan Competition. First place went to Micha and Michael Cooper of Brooklyn, N.Y., for their plan for their travel and concierge service. Second place was awarded to Jan Baker of Bronx,, N.Y., for her plan for an urban greeting card company. The third place winner was Samir Mastaki of Ravenna, Italy, for his business plan for a cellular phone rental service company for international travelers.
Out of 50 teens that took part in the two-day small business forum, the three business plans were selected by judges to receive top honors for the best overall plans.
Administrator Barreto made the announcement before an audience at the opening reception of SBA Expo ’04: Celebrating National Small Business Week in Orlando, Fla.
“The new teen Web site will provide a useful tool about the business world to young people,” said Administrator Barreto. “It is never too early to spark the entrepreneurial spirit and instill optimism in our youth. Access to key small business information is essential to the future of our young people and to their full participation in our nation’s economy.”
The six business plan challengers were each given 15 minutes to make their presentations before the judging panel, which represented varying disciplines and backgrounds.
The Young Entrepreneur Program participants will take part in SBA Expo ’04, May 19-21 at the Orange County Convention Center. They will gain exposure to additional forums and network with successful business owners, corporate executives and government officials.
For additional information about SBA Expo ‘04, including a complete schedule of events , visit www.sba.gov.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
A New Customer Carol Berry will be Doing a Blog Page!
I am working on establishing a Blog for Carol Berry of Carol's Art Shows.
See Carol's Art Shows
See Carol's Art Shows
Working with a Team!
I was very tired this morning but was invigorated by being involved with my business team associates. You will only go so far in business working by yourself. You have to learn to work and leverage the support of others if you truly want to take your business to the next level. This has been a very hard lesson for me to learn because I thought the Internet allowed me to be a solo act. Kamau's Business Blog Page - The World's 1st Black Business Blog for minority business!
Date Extended for 2004 African American Business Summit
2004 AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS SUMMIT AND "LIVING HISTORY MAKERS ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS"Date Has Been Extended To Friday, May 21, 2004; Call for Participation
What: Wells Fargo and Turning Point Magazine presents the 7th Annual African American Business Summit and the "2004 Living History Makers Entrepreneur Award".
The African American Business Summit is the largest business-to-business conference that brings together business owners, corporate executives and decision makers in an environment that cultivates the exchange of information and strategies that will lead to the expansion of black business.
The "2004 Living History Makers Entrepreneur Award" pays tribute to one African American business owner who best exemplifies the spirit of a living history maker. The recipient will be awarded a trophy and $5,000 at the 7th Annual African American Business Summit. Complete applications with all materials enclosed MUST be received by: 12:00 NOON, FRIDAY, May 21, 2004.
When: The Award will be presented on June 18, 2004 at 7:00 pm.
Where: 7th Annual African American Business Summit is being held at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, located in Irvine, California June 17-20, 2004.
How: To view the Living History Makers Entrepreneur Award's nomination, evaluation, and selection criteria - and -- to make a nomination of an African American Business Owner, please go to: http://www.turningpointmagazine.com/5000.pdf
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL MAKES $300,000 CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ACCOUNTANTS
Washington, DC - Marriott International, as part of a long relationship with The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), has donated $300,000 to support NABA's undergraduate scholarship fund, professional development and its Accounting Careers Awareness Program, a youth residency initiative. NABA represents minority professionals in the fields of accounting and finance.At the same time, under a good faith agreement, NABA has committed to hosting its 2004 and 2005 annual conventions at Marriott hotels. The association has also agreed to hold two other conferences at Marriott properties between 2006 and 2009.
"NABA and Marriott have enjoyed a long partnership. Marriott has leveraged NABA resources to recruit minority finance and accounting talent," said Norman Jenkins, VP, Owner & Franchise Services, Marriott International Inc. "In addition, Marriott supports its associates in becoming NABA members, which has resulted in leadership development and professional opportunities, including continuing professional education for Certified Public Accountants and Certified Financial Advisors."
NABA has held its annual convention, which draws approximately 1,900 delegates, at Marriott properties in 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2003.
In recent years, Marriott has received honors for its diversity efforts from numerous organizations, including Latina Style, DiversityInc., Working Mother and Fortune magazines, as well as the NAACP, National Minority Business Council and Black Meetings & Tourism.
Marriott International, the first hospitality company in the world to establish a formal supplier diversity program, today spends more than $150 million a year with more than 10,000 minority and women-owned businesses.
Marriott International is a leading worldwide hospitality company with more than 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.
Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Marriott is also in the synthetic fuel business. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com
MCDONALD'S® COMMEMORATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION LIVE ON C-SPAN BROADCAST
Washington, DC - May 17, 2004 (NYSE: MCD) On Saturday, McDonald's sponsored "Tavis Smiley Presents in Partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Unfinished Agenda: 50th Anniversary of Brown V. Board of Education," a symposium which reflected on the impact of the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation in public schools. Moderated by Tavis Smiley, host of the new late night talk show, "Tavis Smiley" on PBS, and the "Tavis Smiley Show" on NPR, from the National Theater in the nation's capital, the two-part panel discussion opened with remarks from Cecilia Marshall, wife of the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall (Justice Marshall served as lead counsel for Brown v. Board of Education); and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D- Washington DC). The dialogue also included Elaine R. Jones, former director-counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Defense Fund; Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., President & Founder, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; Lani Guinier, Author and Professor, Harvard Law School; Wade Henderson, Executive Director, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; and Jack Greenberg, Professor, Columbia Law School among others. McDonald's observation of Brown v. Board of Education underscores its 365 Black initiative, a campaign committed to celebrating the pride, achievement and heritage of African Americans all year round.Monday, May 17, 2004
Minority's and Small Business must Stop Big Business from Taking over email!
Minority's and Small Business must Stop Big Business from Taking over email!Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL are trying to work with other companies to make business bulk email (even with opt-in subscribers) something you have to pay for. I think this is a terrible idea.
The answer to every problem for a major corporation like Microsoft and Yahoo is to pay them more money. Now the only way they can solve the spam problem is to pay them money. When small business owners have to pay to deliver email its all over for small business online. This will have an adverse impact on the Internet economy.
I have had online and offline businesses, and I would never have an offline business again (unless it is totally homebased) because the overhead is exorbitant. The Internet is an equalizer where people with good ideas can run a business, not just elites with large amounts of capital.
I think it is ironic that Microsoft and Yahoo, two of the most abusive and monopolistic companies on the Internet, are going to take the moral high ground on spam. They are just trying to handle the problem in a way that enriches their pockets. Like an earlier writer said Yahoo can't even control the spam coming from Yahoo. I am not talking about spoofed emails either.
It seems people who take these positions are more apologist for major corporations, than really trying to solve the spam problem. Many Internet gurus who are making a lot of money already are advocating many of these positions because it becomes cost prohibitive for new competition to emerge to challenge their positions.
Learning to build viable ebusinesses and large opt-in email subscriber lists are hard enough. It usually takes years to master business on the Internet. Now you want to throw in paying to send email too.
I also want spam stopped. Judging from the fact that we seem to be getting the same spam from a few individuals (there only seems to be a few products sent out over and over again) I think if we arrested them it would stop.
My solution would be for small businesses to form a non-profit organization (where they pay dues) and develop a key based or whitelist technology which they lobby Yahoo - AOL - and Microsoft to accept. We create a board and volunteer system to audit members email lists etc. This non-profit model has worked well in the offline magazine and newspaper publisher's world, with organizations like ABC and BPA (of course their problem was verifying subscribers where ours is both subscribers and spam issues).
This is the only viable option, because If profit based companies are allowed to charge to deliver email they will forever raise prices for higher and higher fees, until the online world becomes like the offline world. You will need to put up the equity of your house, or your retirement money, on the line to start a business. This is not the right way to go. A non-profit based model with these technologies is the way to go.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
