Startup BizCast

Hi all…

There will be no new episode of Startup BizCast this week.  Between summer guest scheduling issues, my busy work and family schedule, and a variety of other things, I made the executive decision to not produce a show this week.  I expect to be back next week with a new show, complete with BizCast Brief and listener feedback.  Stay subscribed so you don’t miss it!  In the meantime, if you haven’t heard any of the 57 episodes I’ve published, go back and listen … they’ll be new to you!

Steve

 Startup BizCast Episode 57 [12:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On this week’s episode, we’re talking about small business owners who also happen to be stay-at-home moms. My guest and her partner call them “Mompreneurs”. These moms are running service or product businesses as a source of secondary or even primary income for their household, and they’re balancing it with taking care of the kids. Pat Cobe is the co-author of two books on the subject, and is co-founder of Mompreneursonline.com, an education and community website that provides assistance for small business moms. She joins us on this episode to provide some tips for Mompreneurs.

In this week’s BizCast Brief — the U.S. Senate votes for more money for small business programs, business owners don’t believe in the U.S. federal government, and new small business laptops from Lenovo.

One thing I didn’t mention during the show is a CONTEST for Mompreneurs. Whirlpool, the company you know as making dishwashers and such, recently announced the fourth annual Mother of Invention Grant Program. The program provides seed money and guidance to moms to turn their invention, business or service ideas into full-fledged businesses. For prize details and an entry form, go to the Whirlpool contest page.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:
Mompreneursonline.com (www.mompreneursonline.com)

Startup BizCast’s theme music is “Entranced” by Blake Emrys. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Startup BizCast is produced by BizPodz, the corporate podcast production service from EndGame Public Relations, LLC. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, please visit www.endgamepr.com/podcasts.

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Alley

After a two week break … here’s this week’s Small Business Recommended Reading, from Startup BizCast!

Small - Business Funding Boost
New York Times

Poll: Business Owners Unhappy With Washington
Wall Street Journal Blogs

Lenovo announces new small-biz laptops, updates ThinkPads
Crave

Setting Strategy: Blogs can give small-business Web sites a personal touch
Kansas City Star

Should small businesses whine?
Seth Godin’s Blog

 Startup BizCast Episode 56 [6:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I didn’t really know what to call this abbreviated episode, but it came to me as I was reading a story about the White House needing to apologize to the Premier of Italy after they released a less-than-flattering biography about him.  I decided to talk about tips to help you avoid mistakes with email like sending a comment to the wrong person, or sending the wrong document to the wrong person.  These can be simple errors, but can also be disastrous.

Also in this episode, listener feedback on SB #47, which featured advice from Casey Quinlan on business storytelling.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Tech Talk for Families (www.techtalkforfamilies.com)
White House apologizes for insult to Italian premier (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/08/bush.berlusconi.ap/index.html)

Startup BizCast’s theme music is “Entranced” by Blake Emrys. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Startup BizCast is produced by BizPodz, the corporate podcast production service from EndGame Public Relations, LLC. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, please visit www.endgamepr.com/podcasts.

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Alley

 Startup BizCast Episode 55 [12:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I can’t help but laugh when I hear the words “Office Space”, because I love the classic movie of that name.  But, this week’s episode has nothing to do with that great flick.  This week we’re talking about how to find office space for your small business.  Whether you’re leasing space for the first time, or the second, third, or fourth … it’s a perplexing process.  Our guest this week has some advice on the subject.  Chris Desloge is with Tenant Rep Agency, LLC, a company in St. Louis that works with business owners who are hoping to find office space.  His company last fall launched OfficeTenant.com, a site chocked full of advice for potential office tenants.

In BizCast Brief this week, a “duh” survey about small business owner concern, potential changes to the tax laws concerning home-based businesses, and Microsoft passes a big milestone.  Also this week — listener feedback!

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:
South Coast Marketing Events (www.southcoastme.com)
Tenant Rep Agency, LLC (www.tenantrepagency.com)
OfficeTenant.com (www.officetenant.com)

Startup BizCast’s theme music is “Entranced” by Blake Emrys. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Startup BizCast is produced by BizPodz, the corporate podcast production service from EndGame Public Relations, LLC. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, please visit www.endgamepr.com/podcasts.

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Alley

Here’s this week’s recommended reading from Startup BizCast!

Survey: Health insurance, fuel costs among top small biz owners burdens
BizJournals

More Than 1 Million Entrepreneurs Have Made Microsoft Office Live Small Business One of the Fastest Growing Web Services
Microsoft (Press Release)

Congress Considering Tax Breaks for Small Business Investors
NuWire Investor

Employee Training for Small Business Owners
American Small Business News

Why do I need a small business website?
Bytestart (UK)

I need listener help! I’m working on an episode about saving money on gas, and I need your most novel advice. I’m not talking about things like keeping your car tuned and keeping the proper amount of air in your tires. I want unusual or even off the wall advice! I figure with all of the people who listen to this show, there must be some great advice to be found. Those who participate will, of course, get mentions on the show for themselves and their businesses. They’ll also get a link on the blog.

To help out, either email me via the contact form, comment in this blog post, or use the “Submit Your Advice” form. You can also leave an audio comment (which I will use on the show) by calling (206) 339-4366.  I’ll produce the show once I have enough advice to fill an episode!

Thanks in advance!

 Startup BizCast Episode 54 [9:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Imagine the worst happens with your business — perhaps one of your employees is caught trafficking goods from your warehouse, or one of your products is tainted and makes a whole flock of people sick. What would you do to handle the crisis? Having a crisis plan in advance can help. In this episode of Startup BizCast, I go solo to discuss how to develop your crisis plan and give tips on how to talk with the media if a crisis hits.

In BizCast Brief — older businesses drive the economy, and Visa teams with Facebook to help small businesses.

Links mentioned in this week’s episode:
Visa Business Network (http://apps.facebook.com/visabusiness/sign_up)

Startup BizCast’s theme music is “Entranced” by Blake Emrys. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Startup BizCast is produced by BizPodz, the corporate podcast production service from EndGame Public Relations, LLC. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, please visit www.endgamepr.com/podcasts.

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Alley

Here’s this week’s recommended reading!

Small, Older Firms Are Biggest Economic Drivers
Washington Post

Visa Joins Facebook
FaceReviews

Small Talk: Too much skin? Create a dress code
Salt Lake Tribune

Before You Buy That Small Business
MSNBC.com

To Increase Website Traffic and Sales, Answer Customer Questions
Ayo’s Website Design

 Startup BizCast Episode 53 [13:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sorry for the tardiness of this episode. I have one correction right off the top: There is no Recommended Reading feature on the blog this week. Sadly, I lost my list of links and simply don’t have time to look them up! Apologies!

And now … on with the show!

Between insane fuel prices and an increasing desire to preserve resources, everyone is talking about going green. On this week’s Startup BizCast, we meet Tish Kashani from Co-op America, a membership group of individuals and businesses that are not only going green themselves, but are also working in a larger sense to save our planet’s resources.

Also on this week’s Startup BizCast…

I have listener feedback, and of course this week’s review of small business news in BizCast Brief!

Links mentioned on this week’s episode:
Golden Bee Tours (www.goldenbeetours.com)
Co-op America (www.coopamerica.com)

Startup BizCast’s theme music is “Entranced” by Blake Emrys. The full version of the song, along with other music by the same artist, can be downloaded at Podsafe Music Network.

Startup BizCast is produced by BizPodz, the corporate podcast production service from EndGame Public Relations, LLC. For more information on how your business can take advantage of the social media revolution, please visit www.endgamepr.com/podcasts.

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Alley