May 1, 2008  

A BUSINESS NEWSLETTER from SBA's resource partner. Also at e-news.

WATCH A VIDEO

PLANNING AND RESEARCH

Planning greatly improves the chance of success. Watch this video and learn from people like you who have done it well. Our recommendation: Skip to the second speaker.

SUCCESS STORY: JULES BAKERY

"SERVE DESSERT FIRST!"

 
“I always knew I would own my own business,” says Juli Hardin, a Cedar Rapids native and owner/CEO of Jules Bakery, Armar Plaza, Cedar Rapids.

“I always had a desire and I wanted to apply my own business theories.” But, it took Juli some time--almost 20 years.

What allowed this woman to succeed was her vision, planning, determination and some advice from SCORE. It is these attributes that most often result in successful businesses.

CLICK ON THE CARD to learn how Juli did it right.

ASK SCORE

PROVEN: FOUR FACTORS FOR SUCCESS

It is official.

New research has identified key factors that are strong contributors to entrepreneurial success. Learn about them and measure yourself against them in this important article. If you have or do them, you are more likely to succeed than others. THIS IS A SHORT, MUST READ.

Also, learn how the research has discovered that more start up businesses succeed than was otherwise thought--a new revelation. Find out why.

HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? >>

ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW...

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE.

What have you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask?

Each month I try to read your mind and provide information I think you want to know. I have tried to anticipate your needs. 

Recently, I had another idea:  Why not simply ask YOU what questions YOU would like answered?

What kind of information do you want me to provide to you?  What would you like to see more of in our Newsletters? Do you have any specific business questions?

Other ideas for questions may be found by following the link below. Or, you may send me your brief questions at: jeanjk1935@aol.com . Either way, let me hear from you!

Jean Kruse
SCORE Chairperson and retired CPA

NEWS

ONLINE LESSONS AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME

In the comfort of your home you can now access online lessons at your convenience. The button below will take you to one such lesson. Others are available to you at SCORE-ONLINE LESSONS.

PRESS THE BUTTON to go to your "Advisory Board" Lesson

FREE OFFICE SOFTWARE

Small businesses often start with minimal resources. Many cannot afford the commercial and proprietary office software suites distributed by the major software companies. There is good news:

or OPEN OFFICE. ORG

One of the world's most powerful and current Office suites is free. More importantly it is "open" (meaning no restrictive licenses) and can be downloaded by anyone. It includes a powerful word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, "pdf" export and data base. It is also compatible with the leading commercial equivalent. If you need an Office suite and cannot afford hundreds of dollars for one, check it out.

Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids chapter of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurship and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 7.5 million entrepreneurs.

Copyright 2007. SCORE Chapter 227. All rights reserved.

SCORE® Ch. 227 c/o SBA, 2750 First Avenue NE, Ste. 350,
 Cedar Rapids IA 52402-4831
(319) 362-6405 Ext. 2005

Office hours:  10-12 and 1-3  --NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED