Posts Tagged ‘entrepreneur’

#SmallBizChat is a weekly conversation on Twitter where emerging small business owners can get answers to their questions. If you have a Twitter account join us every Wednesday from 8-9pm Eastern Time.

If you don’t have a Twitter account, not to worry. a Q&A interview with my #Smallbizchat guest is posted on this blog every Thursday morning.   Subscribe to this blog to have it sent directly to your inbox.

If you’re new to Twitter,  here’s how to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/S797e.

The transcript from every chat is available through the #Smallbizchat community.  Just hit the silver “transcripts” button under the video in the right hand column of this blog to sign in.  Remember, once you develop a login you have access to all the transcripts.

Who is on #SmallBizChat in March?

March 3 @ErikVonk President, BOTH How to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself

March 10 @Bizsavvymom Malika Duke on Social Media Selling Strategies

March 17 @Colleendebaise Small Business Editor, Wall Street Journal Starting a Small Business in this Economy.

March 24  @Skydiver HARO founder Peter Shankman On How to Launch a Product Online.

March 31 Special guest host Mike Michalowicz @TPEntrepreneur interviews Melinda Emerson @Smallbizlady on How to Go From Corporate to Small Business Ownership

March 31 On SmallBizRadio we have Editor, SmallBizTrends.com - Anita Campbell on The Future of Small Business in America.  Join us on Wed at 1pm ET on #BlogTalkRadio

Leave a comment and let me know what topics YOU would like to see covered on #SmallBizChat.

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For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is out in March 2010.

This is National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 20-27, 2010. This year‘s theme is Entrepreneurial Literacy Empowers Everyone. This is a theme that I truly embrace.

Whether you are still working in corporate America, running a nonprofit, or leading the charge in your own small business - being able to evaluate things from a business perspective will always enable you to be more successful.

So What is Entrepreneurial Literacy?

The organizers of this week-long celebration in honor of Entrepreneurship in America define it as having some basic knowledge of how a business is created and managed.

I have a slightly different definition.  When you are entrepreneurial literate, you are a student of small business.  You do not just rest on your idea and marketing efforts. You constantly work to refine your business model. You are someone who makes sure your passion has a profit center.

Entrepreneurial Literacy is important because too many people who want to start small businesses lack critical understanding about financial matters including budgeting, taxes, balancing a checkbook, managing credit cards or lines of credit, and developing sales projections.

Here’s a fact: if you do not manage your household with a budget you are far less likely to manage your business with budget. The best business owners make business decisions based on up-to-date financial information that is tracked against a budget.

Your journey to become an entrepreneur starts from real experiences that test your knowledge and skills and motivations.

Pursuing entrepreneurial literacy is about the research you do as you prepare to start your business.  The more you learn and grow, the better business leader you will be. Real entrepreneurial skills come from your work and industry experience, and your willingness to continue learning.

Entrepreneurial Literacy is a real necessity if you have plans to Become Your Own Boss.   These are the skills that empower everyone to succeed in business and fuel the American economy with 60-80% of the net new jobs.

Here are 15 Questions for All Would-Be Entrepreneurs

1. Do you have the career skills and experiences to become a successful entrepreneur?
2. What personality traits are more likely to lead to success as an entrepreneur?
3. What taxes do entrepreneurs pay?
4. What items are part of a firm’s operating costs?
5. How can an entrepreneur learn about what his/her customers want?
6. How can computer skills help with business operations?
7. How do small business owners deal with risk?
8. How does personal financial literacy relate to business financial literacy?
9. What factors determine where to locate a business?
10. Why is branding important?
11. How does competition affect entrepreneurship?
12. What percent of American firms have no employees working for them?   Why is this important?
13. What are some sources of funding to start a business?
14. What should you do if business drops off?
15. What should an entrepreneur consider when hiring employees for the business?

National Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education which believes that ”Entrepreneurs are not born….rather they ‘become’ through the experiences of their lives.” (Albert Shapero – OSU) For more information http://www.nationaleweek.org/

Are there any other questions that need to go on this list? Please leave a comment.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson “Smallbizlady” is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach. Her areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing.  Melinda hosts #Smallbizchat, a weekly talk show on Twitter.  Melinda’s first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to Start a Business that Works is due out in March 2010 by Adams Media.