TRANSPARENCY

Horse and pet sitter relates personally to clients' anxieties

2011-05-09T18:16:00.000-05:00

Entrepreneur chooses franchise that offers career opportunities to local community

2011-04-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights starts with hearing their stories firsthand as through this conversation with

Vern Jones, owner
Sign-A-Rama
www.signarama-barrington.com
vernj@signarama-barrington.com
224-848-4620

MY MOTIVATION
After working in corporate America for 35 years, I had an opportunity to retire. As a result, I took some time to reflect on what it was that I wanted to do. I looked into four or five franchise-type operations that I thought might interest me. A Sign-A-Rama business was one that I thought I could operate successfully in the local community. I had been travelling for so many years and didn’t want to get involved in any new business that required more travel. I also wanted to do something where I could actually see the fruits of my labor. At the same time, I wanted a business that wasn’t so highly technical and skilled that I couldn’t give younger people an opportunity to start a career and learn the industry. I wanted to be able to give opportunities to local people – those who are young and just starting out as well as those have a genuine interest in the business.

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
At Sign-A-Rama, we do all types of wide format and specialty printing for anything from a sign, banner or indoor directional signage to huge outdoor signs including in-ground monument signs, plexi-glass signs, and signs on buildings. Our specialty capabilities include taking a photograph and blowing it up to wall size. We can even print wallpaper that’s hard to find or out of print. We reproduce it as actual wallpaper ready for hanging. We do trade show graphics, sidewalk A-frames, metal and wood signage, custom lettering, and mounting.

OUR UNIQUENESS
We are on the cutting-edge of the sign industry. Our location has one of the first latex printers in the area. This is an eco-friendly printer in that it doesn’t use solvent-based inks which are harmful to the environment. Materials printed off these printers are approved for use inside K-12 schools because they are solvent-free. This truly sets us apart from our competition. We also have the capability of letting customers design and order their signs online which we can either ship or deliver directly to them.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
The ideal Sign-A-Rama client is anyone looking for innovative solutions to help promote and grow their business. We cater to small businesses that don’t have or rely on large procurement sources. We fit that need for them. And, our methods of reaching these prospective clients include daily telemarketing, personal sales calls, and a concentrated direct mail effort.

SHARED ADVICE
As an aspiring entrepreneur, make sure you do your research on the front end. Know exactly what it is that you are going to be delivering. From a competitive standpoint, one thing that I could have done better would have been to understand the competitive nature of the business. Having a firm grounding in that respect will help you to better set pricing, target your markets and get on the fast track to success.

Editor's note: To all entrepreneurs who'd like to be featured in future TRANSPARENCY postings, please contact Jan Long at janice@janlongcommunications.com.

Everyday need develops into new business for entrepreneur-inventor

2011-04-18T08:20:00.000-05:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights starts with hearing their stories firsthand as through this conversation with

Grace Amante, owner
3J Group, Inc.
www.autotray.net
grace.amante@comcast.net
847-398-5772

MY MOTIVATION
Like many businesses, 3J Group, Inc., was formed out of necessity – the need to develop a product that did not exist. While I was working during the day and taking college courses in the evening, I found myself balancing a quick meal on my lap in the car before class. I tried using magazines or newspapers to stabilize my dinner, but nothing was working. Yet, I couldn’t find anything of substance in the marketplace that would work as an in-car lap table. So, I decided to build a prototype of what is now known as the AutoTray. It’s a compact, portable, lightweight food tray with a non-skid surface that rests comfortably on the lap. It measures only 8” x 15.5” and less than an inch high which makes it easy to stow away in any vehicle. Plus, it has a crumb compartment and an indentation to rest a cup.

MY UNIQUENESS
Similar type products to the AutoTray are heavy, more bulky, expensive tables designed not for food, but for reading and other tasks. Consequently, they are not easily stored in the car, especially if you’re stowing one per person for a normal-size family. My product is thin, yet durable, and fits under the seat, in the door’s side pockets and, of course, in the trunk where it takes minimal space. In addition, I made it a point to make the AutoTray affordable so that the everyday family can easily afford them.

CLIENT PROFILE
Several consumer groups would fall into my ideal client category – People who spend a lot of time in their vehicles and on the road either for work, school, running errands, or taking road trips. Naturally, these would include families, salespeople, truck drivers and students.

MY MARKETING METHODS
For the most part, I’ve been promoting the AutoTray by taking it on the road so to speak - attending networking events, conducting focus groups and by word of mouth. Right now, my immediate goal is to direct prospects to my website. To do this, I’m getting ready to advertise on Facebook™ and Google™, and am considering a YouTube™ promotional video.

SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most about developing this product was learning about consumer habits through my focus groups – what they buy and what drives them to buy. For example, how parents' tastes greatly differ from their children's when it comes to colors. The main thing that I would have done differently would have been to do more upfront consumer research to see exactly if this type of product would appeal to the masses and if so, what they would like to see in such a product. I could have avoided many expensive rookie mistakes had I conducted the focus groups first. But, at least, I know I will never make these same types of mistakes again. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be to do your research up front so you don’t find yourself putting the cart before the horse.

Clinical social worker making public aware of insurance-covered talk therapy

2011-04-04T01:00:00.002-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Connie McKeogh, MSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Adult Counseling & Therapy Practice
847-845-8033
connie@socialworker4therapy.com
http://www.socialworker-therapist.com/

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Connie McKeogh, MSW, is a private practice in Barrington specializing in talk therapy. I am a licensed clinical social worker and certified alcohol & drug counselor licensed by the Illinois Department of Regulations. I received my Masters degree in social work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago. My belief is that people are often confronted by life circumstances that have the potential to negatively impact their emotions, concentration, finances, employment, relationships, health and marriage. Human nature dictates that we turn to our friends and family to process these experiences. While this can be an effective method to relieve stress, over time, we are often stressing out our friends and relatives with our stories. I provide the safe environment where clients can confidentially process their personal and/or professional fears, concerns, ideas and goals. As part of this therapeutic process, I advocate, empower, encourage and link clients to services, as needed.

MY UNIQUENESS
What sets me apart from others in my field is that I maintain a multicultural practice. In addition to treating people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, I have also worked with clients from Poland, India, Iran, Guatemala, and Mexico. My practice is also unique in that I provide high-level treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. For 12 years I provided such treatments to hospital emergency room patients. This training led to my practicing with an addictions psychiatrist in a group practice which propelled me into my own private practice.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Any one who wants to process personal life concerns in a safe and confidential atmosphere with a trusted therapist would qualify as my ideal client.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
A great number of people are unaware that licensed clinical social workers are allowed to bill insurance companies in the same way that doctors do. As a result, these same people fail to seek the therapy that they desperately need. Medicare is another example of a well kept secret. It’s not commonly known by baby boomers and senior citizens that Medicare pays for talk therapy. My challenge is to do what I can to get the word out and educate every insured person on the fact that he or she can affordably take advantage of my services.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
Through networking and communicating via every possible method, I am sharing information on therapy awareness and affordability to all who need to know about it. The back of all insurance cards lists the Mental Health and Substance Abuse contact number. Calling that number will lead to a list of licensed clinical social workers in one’s local area – which includes Connie McKeogh, MSW. I am currently on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, United Health Care and Medicare insurance panels – soon to include Aetna Insurance. The more people know about the services available to them, the sooner they will be on their way to good mental health.

Sustainable furniture refinisher helps clients see potential in reclaimed pieces

2011-03-21T09:00:00.003-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Kelly Rauch, owner
TWICE
P:773-467-9063, C:773-297-6396
www.kellyrauch.com
kellyrauch@sbcglobal.net

ABOUT MY COMPANY
Twice is an environmentally-sustainable custom furniture, upholstery, drapery and wall finishes studio. We acquire and refurbish reclaimed vintage and antique items that have been discarded. We find most of our pieces through auctions, garage sales, and estate sales across the country. While we do sell some re-purposed pieces that we completely refinish in our store, we are mostly interested in getting people to come in and select unfinished pieces that we can custom finish according to their personal tastes and requirements. At the same time, we encourage people to bring in existing pieces that can easily be refreshed and reused as opposed to needlessly tossed away. We also work with designers who are looking for one-of-a-kind pieces or custom wall or furniture finishes for whom we can put together an entire room schematic. On the other hand, they can give us just an idea of what they are looking for so we can suggest an item that they might select and sell to their client.

MY UNIQUENESS
We’re unique in two ways. One is that we are a little old school in the sense that we have everything in one place. All of our artisans are in-house under one roof. This includes an upholstery and drapery workroom, as well. Secondly, we are the only business in the entire Midwest that belongs to the Sustainable Furnishings Council which is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players founded to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Ideally, our clients are interior designers, architects, and homeowners who share our sustainable practices mindset and are incorporating these ideals into their own businesses or lives. They need to be in tune with the moral and ethical purpose behind what it is we do.

CHALLENGE
Our number one challenge is getting people to see past the current condition of the pieces they’re looking at and see the potential and possibilities that lie within them. Designers don’t have this problem. They can envision what an unfinished piece will look like once it is completely refurbished with new wood treatment, fabric and detailing. However, we have a difficult time getting retail clients to experience the same vision.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
What seems to be working rather well, is our taking a rough piece and refinishing it as far as we can – treating the wood, replacing any necessary springs, doing the re-stuffing and then covering the piece in a basic muslin. While it is rather costly, getting pieces to this more final stage seems to give potential buyers a better idea of what the finished product will look like. All that's left for them to do is select a fabric and let us finish our magic.

Incorporating natural resources into landscape designs is mark of new entrepreneur

2011-03-09T13:57:00.000-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with

Asta Dzeveckaite-Buseman, owner
Asta's Landscape Designs
http://www.astasdesigns.com/
630-862-4069
d_asta2002@yahoo.com

MY MOTIVATION
The reason for starting Asta’s Landscape Designs is similar to the same one heard over the past several years – the economy. I have a bachelor’s degree in land management and a master’s degree in rural territory planning, along with post-graduate courses in landscape architecture. I also have over 12 years of experience in the landscape design business working for independent landscape firms most of that time. These were companies tied to the residential housing market. Not surprisingly, with the downturn in the housing market, the company I worked for began downsizing its number of employees of whom I was one. Since I truly loved my work and had some solid business connections, I decided to go into business for myself.

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Along with providing landscape and hardscape design services to residential clients, I manage their entire installations, as well. I help homeowners make the most of their outdoor spaces either by adding a private patio, a functional walkway or peaceful garden surrounded with colorful flowers. It’s always a thrill for me and my crew to transform what the client has in mind into reality. As a dedicated conservationist, I also encourage the collection and use of rain water and the planting of shade trees to keep homes naturally cool while purifying the air. I’ve become involved with creating “rain gardens” of native flowers and plants that are fed with water redirected from the home’s gutters into a prepared ground area comprised of top soil, compost and sand. This combination acts as a filtration system that cleans the rain water before it reaches the deep root system of the plants.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
Any residential homeowner who needs help with either their overall landscapes or just portions of them would be considered my perfect client. Someone whose landscape just needs some attention by adding annual flower containers for seasonal color or refreshing such as trimming, pruning, removal of overgrown shrubs and replaced with healthy new plants. Or someone who would like to incorporate some water features, ponds or hardscapes into their existing gardens would fit my ideal client profile.

MY UNIQUENESS
I feel what sets me apart from my competition is the fact that I am so conscious about the environment and intent on using as many natural resources in my designs as possible. Unlike some who are more interested in creating your generic landscape elements, I am more concerned about the well-being of the overall surroundings and health of the plantings. In addition, I always instruct the homeowner on how to take care of what was just planted.

HOW I MARKET MY BUSINESS
While most of my business comes from referrals, I promote my business through my website, some Facebook™, and by attending local business networking events. I may look into connecting with local real estate agents who have had houses on the market for quite a while and would need a refreshed landscape to help sell the property.

SHARED ADVICE
I’d tell others who are considering starting a new business to be aware that it is a long growth process. It takes time to build your business to where you want it, especially when the economic climate is questionable. Also, expect to do most of the work yourself until that time when you can hire help. Meanwhile, continue staying on top of your profession through continual education and new training. I would advise all soon-to-be entrepreneurs to carefully examine your potential, but don’t be afraid to follow your heart. Your success will come from your desire to do what you love to do. Like me, I have a passion for creating landscape artistry which I am confident will lead me to my goals of a successful business.

Inventorying party items for 135 guests is normal challenge for one event planner

2011-02-28T10:49:00.000-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Denise Murphy, owner
A Touch of Elegance Event Planning
www.aTouchofEleganceEvents.com
touch_of_elegance@sbcglobal.net
847-342-1599 – 847-877-4470

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
A Touch of Elegance is a full-service, ala carte event planning service that runs every kind of party be it a birthday, anniversary, shower, or wedding. Eighty-five percent of our business encompasses in-home parties, but we also handle the smaller scale business event. While we usually work with our client’s caterer of choice, we will recommend high-quality caterers when asked. All of our servers and bartenders are professionally- trained and along with serving the food and beverages, our servers help with most everything else ranging from on-site theme party decorations and buffet setups, to table staging and bar prepping. From the moment the food is delivered we begin managing its presentation, replenishment, and tidiness. We do kitchen cleanup, trash removal, put leftovers away so, in the end, you’d never know an event had ever taken place.

OUR UNIQUENESS
Unlike many others in the industry, we actually do have all of the party rental equipment available which eliminates the need for the client to go elsewhere for these additional items. We have enough place settings for 135 people – elegant china, silverware, glassware, chafing dishes, coffee urns. At the same time, we have decorations and accessories available for most every theme party popular, today. Not to mention that my son runs his own DJ business and is always available as part of our package. We truly provide an all-in-one party service.

IDEAL CLIENT
Anyone who would rather sit back, relax and enjoy their own party rather than have the hassle of trying to run the whole event themselves is who we consider our ideal client. Brides-to-be planning a wedding, couples throwing an anniversary party, someone surprising his or her spouse with a birthday celebration, or a small business owner hosting an employee holiday party – all of whom are looking for outstanding service at a great value – fall into our perfect client category.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
My biggest challenge is managing our tremendous inventory of party-planning items and rental equipment in a limited amount of space. Keeping a horizontal and vertical inventory of what we have so that it is easily accessible is an enormous undertaking.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
At first, this lack of space posed a real problem, but we took time to create a layout of our available space and installed some cabinetry that not only organized many items, but also concealed them so they were both protected and out of sight. However, my theme party accessories remain visible in bins so that I can mix and match themes easily. To better handle this challenge, I actually took an organizing class and since, have inventoried and documented all of my rental items for better tracking. However, I still find myself reorganizing everything on a regular basis in search of the perfect system. It is an ongoing process and one that works better as time goes by and, at the moment, is working fairly well for A Touch of Class Event Planning.

Aura image professional strives to educate mainstream on biofeedback benefits

2011-02-21T08:30:00.001-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Dianne Reddington, aura image consultant
Attune Aura Imaging Photography
Dianneaura1@aol.com
www.attuneauraphotography.com
847-981-1974

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
As an aura image consultant, I help people utilize their energy in the best way possible. This means getting their energy centers - or chakras - coherently effective or, if you will, Attuned. This biofeedback imaging camera actually counts your energy (vibration) and translates it into color (vibration). For example: 4500 vibrations = red; 6000 vibrations = orange; etc. These vibrations represent your energy centers. This is displayed via a Polaroid^TM photo, I then translate this bio-energy. One of the benefits of aura photography is that often I see something that might represent stress which could be manifesting in different areas of the body. I might gently suggest that, with my guidance, the person get in touch with this stressful feeling to clarify and, hopefully, clear it. Another benefit is these colors might represent values of which people are not fully aware and, therefore, not fully realized. The colors reveal the full energy spectrum from harmonious to disharmonious. In essence, the photo is a self-discovery tool. It shows your energy in brilliant color and with that knowledge, it can help you utilize the power of your energy. The aura does change as you change.

MY UNIQUENESS
Outside of biofeedback being a rather unique field in itself, my vast knowledge of biofeedback energy and the fact that I continually teach the subject at various colleges and universities makes me unique from my competition. My history has been in working very strongly with the renowned Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. that, as part of its mission, believes in the spiritual nature of humankind, and the connection of body, mind, and spirit.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Anyone who wants to know more about themselves or who wants to get deeper into his or her own psyche by making use of another self-discovery tool would be my ideal client. Up until now, I have been working with like-minded people. I am now turning my focus toward business professionals as a new segment of my clientele.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Until now, most of my clients were acquired by word of mouth from others in my field. Taking my talents and skills out of the classroom, so to speak, and into the business world is my immediate challenge. I have no formal business training, planning or marketing expertise, so I need to find and work with the right person or persons to help me promote my business. I am looking to take it full-time into the mainstream arena.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
I’ve started using social media as a means of giving my business exposure. At the same time, I’ve been participating in business networking and have now launched a new website. I am exploring ways to reach professionals and possibly will do so through more lecturing. To gain non-professional clients, I intend to develop in-home Attune educational reading sessions. It continues to be a learning process, but by making the right business connections I’m confident that Attune Imaging Photography will soon become well known among professionals and non-professionals alike.

Small-budget startups become prime targets for developer of affordable websites

2011-02-14T10:00:00.002-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with

Tony Palumbo, owner
LocalTech4Hire.com
support@localtech4hire.com
www.LocalTech4Hire.com
847-331-8764

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
LocalTech4Hire.com provides economical website development for small business owners who know they need an online presence, but up until now, thought website development was cost prohibitive. Building basic websites that are affordable gives new companies the opportunity to get started with Internet sales and marketing. At the same time, it takes their goals and vision directly online. As they begin to prosper and outgrow their site, I’m then able to help them, at that point, with the development of a more advanced site to better suit their current needs.

WHY I GOT STARTED
I began LocalTech4Hire.com after realizing that I was as far as I was going in my current career. I had gone as far as possible in my position and advancement did not look promising so I needed to take control of my own future success. I knew that my true interest, talent and value lie in web development. So, I pursued the education and training necessary to become a professional website developer and, soon after, started LocalTech4Hire.com.

MY UNIQUENESS
Besides my very affordable pricing which, first and foremost, is what sets me apart from my competition, my ability to quickly understand the individual needs and requirements of my clients is also a unique capability. Finding the most cost-effective solution to what will work best has resulted in solid relationships among my customers.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Companies that don’t have any online presence and, as a result, are not prospering would, naturally, be a good client for me. In addition to that, businesses ready to upgrade or refresh their websites would also fall into my ideal customer profile.

MY MARKETING METHODS
I’ve found that doing a lot of face-to-face networking is working well for getting my business the recognition it requires. At the same time, I’m a member of the local Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce. MeetUp group networking is another means of meeting other business owners who might need my services. Another method for generating awareness is to engage in online Q&As and leaving a link to my website.

SHARED ADVICE
What I found more encouraging than surprising was how helpful people can be with regard to my business startup. I have received so many tips, ideas and advice from other professionals that it has truly been a most positive experience. I wish I had known about the great source of information and opportunity my local chamber of commerce provided. I spent quite some time not really knowing how to get my name out into the marketplace before becoming a chamber member. I’d recommend to other aspiring entrepreneurs that they prepare and follow a detailed business plan. Having a set direction will keep you on course and help to ensure that you waste little time building your business. Also, get involved in networking to make the important contacts it takes to move your business forward. It’s a good idea, as well, to research your competitors. Find out who they are, where they’re located, who they are targeting and what they are offering. By doing so, you’ll be in a better position to provide a greater value at the fairest price which is one formula for future success.

Graphic designer's full-circle career spans two continents and 30 years

2011-02-07T10:18:00.000-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Gabi Ladowski, owner
Gabi Ladowski Design & Creative Services
www.gabiladowski.com
gabi@gabiladowski.com
847-259-6415

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I’m a freelance consultant graphic designer, art director and translator celebrating 30 years of full-service creative for all media. This includes graphic design, packaging, web design, logo design, branding, marketing consultation, and much more. I get involved in the entire project from concept to finish. A sampling of what I create would be corporate communications, brochures, editorials, catalogs, newsletters, advertising, website design, Internet marketing, optimization, brand identity, logos, and signage. More recently, I’ve been offering bilingual translation services used for documentation, instruction manuals, handbooks, newsletters, and advertising. I work with marketing professionals, web developers, copywriters, and others to provide a complete creative service.

MY UNIQUENESS
My full involvement is what sets me apart. I go beyond the traditional graphic design project by getting involved in the client’s marketing strategy in order to provide the best possible service. I research the industry, the client’s competition and take all measures to ensure that the client gets the best return on his or her investment. I work to make the client competitive by anticipating in what other areas I can help with the client’s long-term rather than short-term marketing program. In addition, I’m able to be more competitive than most because I have no overhead, no employee salaries or benefits which allows me to pass along savings to my clients.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
Any business that is open to suggestions would be an ideal client. Also one that is ambitious and wants to get ahead of the competition. Or, a company that understands that graphic design is more than just hiring an artist to create a great one-time design, but it's collaborating with the graphic designer as a means of making their business successful. I guess the perfect client is one who understands the overall value that a designer brings to the table.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
I came to the United States in 1989, after already having established a very successful graphic design business in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arriving here I found myself having to start my career all over, again, from square one.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
Initially, I looked for design work among some of the major advertising agencies and design studios, but with no success due to the recessionary economic climate that existed in the late ‘80s. I thought my luck had turned when a vice president of a major ad agency offered me a position – ironically, however, it was in Buenos Aires! Of course, I declined. I finally was hired as the art director of a start-up software company. After a few years there and then with other companies, I was becoming more and more of an independent consultant. At the time, companies were experiencing layoffs, yet realizing they still needed to get things done. I was in the perfect position to create the perfect combination for both them and me. So, in late 2001, I went back to my roots and, once again, started my own firm. Soon after, I was hired by one of the largest book publishers in the country on a contract basis to work on their bilingual educational books. That opened a new market for my business and I added bilingual translation to my list of services. I finally had come full circle – from business owner to creative-for-hire back to business owner and am proudly celebrating my 30th Anniversary of delivering full-service creative for all media.

Credential awareness campaign is 2011 goal of massage therapist Denise Blum Sepos

2011-01-31T08:43:00.003-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Denise Blum Sepos, MA, LMT
A Journey to Health
info@ajthmassage.com
www.ajthmassage.com
847-550-8716

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I’m a licensed massage therapist, as well as a nationally certified massage therapist, specializing in all forms of massage therapy. I opened A Journey to Health in 2000 which provides clients with the simplest modality of the relaxing Swedish massage to deeper, more therapeutic modalities of myofascial release, sports massage, both
pre- and post-natal massage, Aruyvedic head massage, deep tissue work which incorporates trigger point therapy, foot reflexology, and warm stone massage that delivers deep penetrating heat to the soft tissues. So, literally, I offer full-scale therapy options.

MY UNIQUENESS
Outside of my being a nationally certified massage therapist, which is beyond what is required in the state of Illinois, I originally was a dance movement therapist in Massachusetts before coming to Illinois in 1995. Dance movement therapy is one of the creative arts therapies. I saw many parallels between dance therapy and massage therapy, so it was a very smooth change of career paths. I have always worked with people across many populations which I feel was very valuable in my development as a massage therapist.This diverse background has given me a greater depth of practice than many others in the field, today. I’m better able to know how to work with people, how to treat them and how to determine what their problem is and then to easily communicate that information back to the client.

IDEAL CLIENT
The ideal A Journey to Health client is someone who, as he or she ages, is interested in their own health and wellness and wants to prolong their active lifestyles. Other ideal clients are people who have some acute or chronic pain that they’ve been experiencing and want to get back to functioning to their fullest degree. Other clients would be those who want to take responsibility for and control of their health maintenance or want to step away from busy demands to replenish their energy and de-stress their minds and bodies. And, massage therapy is one way to help them reach these goals.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
With the increased interest in massage, there are many more facilities that are opening with a lot more therapists coming into the field. While the growing awareness has brought massage more into the mainstream, not all the newer practices are necessarily offering high quality massage therapy. The challenge is educating the public on the differences among them. For example, how do you explain the wide range of pricing – from a discount level to one much higher? All massage therapy practices, today, are not equal – not in experience, value or results. Getting that information out to the public is my challenge.

RESOLUTION
To address this challenge, I am engaging in a lot of networking. This has become my number one way of getting my message of high quality message therapy out to my potential clients. In addition, I do presentations to both the public and to professionals. To further my goal of educating people, I’ve made a 2011 resolution to become involved in social media and use these platforms as a means of reaching more potential clients with the value of massage therapy that is offered at experienced and qualified practices such as A Journey to Health.

Bold decision early on key to entrepreneur's 25 years of success

2011-01-24T08:00:00.008-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Dona Blunt, president
Newport Promotions
A certified WBE (Woman-owned Business Enterprise)
http://www.newportpros.com/
dona.blunt@newportpros.com
phone: 847-389-5500
fax: 888-884-9726

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I'm in the business of building businesses. What Newport Promotions provides for clients is what will make their phones ring and bring them more sales. We offer promotional product advertising which is a specific form of advertising just as are radio, TV, Internet, and print. Our products range from employee recognition awards and trade show premiums, to custom golf outing prizes and corporate identity pieces designed to enhance marketing programs.

MY UNIQUENESS
What makes Newport Promotions stand out can be attributed to my years of experience, my firsthand knowledge of marketing, and a genuine concern for the success of my clients. We form long-term relationships as opposed to one-time transactional deals. And, because of my experience, I’m able to get my clients the most appropriate products at the most reasonable prices and get them delivered on time.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
The business person who recognizes that there is value in what I bring to our relationship would be my ideal client. These are people who are not just shopping for the lowest price, but those who want to get the best value for what they are spending. They consider me a partner in their marketing programs and look to me to find and furnish the promotional items appropriate for both their plans and their budgets. Ideally, they are companies with annual or on-going promotions built into their marketing strategies. As I would begin to work with the client and come to know their business, they wouldn't need to seek out new vendors for each new marketing or promotional initiative, since I'd already have their past purchasing information on file.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Like most new businesses, when I started out in 1985, I was taking any and all clients. As a result, I soon found that I had two distinct client bases. One was that of independent real estate agents who were responsible for the cost of their promotions out of their own pockets. The second group consisted of business owners who knew the value of promotional items and had budgets for ordering them. While I did get a substantial amount of business from the real estate professionals, it was costing me more to market and sell to them than did doing the same to my other client segment. So, my dilemma became – should I let this business go or not. I decided to let it go.

RESOLUTION
After making the decision to let go of the real estate agents' business, I had to figure out a transition that would be in my best interest. I had been working within this industry long enough to came to know many of my competitors by meeting them at various real estate trade shows. I approached on about purchasing my list of agents with whom he was not already doing business and he agreed. As a result, I was able to free up marketing dollars that I could then spend on targeting only businesses and grow that customer base side of Newport Promotions which I have have been doing successfully for the past 25 years.

Raising industry awareness opens new client base for professional organizer

2011-01-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Pooja Gugnani, owner
Organizing With You, Inc.
www.organizingwithyou.com
pooja@organizingwithyou.com
312-282-8280

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
I am an expert professional organizer who offers residential and business organizing services. Simply put, I help people gain control of their environments by eliminating existing chaos and by creating functional organizing systems for them. However, it doesn’t end there. The systems that I develop are customized to the needs of the person so that he or she can easily maintain them after I’ve come and gone.

MY UNIQUENESS
There are many principles loosely applied to organizing projects across the industry, however, what makes me different from those who subscribe to the “one size fits all” theory is,again, that I customize every project. I spend a great deal of time interviewing my clients in order to learn as much about their processes and exactly what their vision is of the space in which they function. Equally unique, is that I realize I am not going to change people, so I actually incorporate some of their bad habits into their newly designed systems in an effort to have them gradually realize that the new process is more efficient. This often leads to their phasing out these inefficient habits on their own.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
Ideal clients for Organizing With You begin with your busy executive who needs to get his or her own space and daily processes in order. Then there are business owners who want to get their employees organized for better productivity which many major corporations across the country are now doing. And, thirdly, there is the busy mom who needs help in establishing better family-management processes for the home.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
At the beginning of building my business, my biggest challenge was creating awareness of my services and the overall value of professional organizing as a whole. People were always quick to hire professionals in other fields, but at the time, they really didn’t understand what a professional organizer was let alone what benefits they provided. That has changed over the past few years with our profession being featured through various forms of popular media. But, in the beginning, creating awareness and recognition of my business was my greatest challenge.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
To raise awareness, I began attending a number of business events at which I did a lot of networking and connecting with people who could leverage their connections to help me get the right introductions. In addition, I began utilizing social media, offering organizing tips on blog posts, writing articles for local publications which led to being featured in a Chicago-area business publication. As a result of this awareness push, my business began making great strides. As recently as last summer, I started partnering with healthcare professionals who work with both psychologically and physically-challenged people. I work with them to create more organized environments that help to make their patients’ daily lives more stress-free and manageable. I attribute this new client market to the time and effort I spent promoting organizing awareness along with the benefits offered to people in all walks of life by professional organizing companies like Organizing With You.

Entrepreneur stops future"scope creep" takeovers through careful contract negotiations

2011-01-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Rose Kostan-Schwartz, owner
Creative Design Solutions
www.creative-dzyne.com
rose@creative-dzyne.com
847-367-9278

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
As a graphic designer, I partner with clients to help them review and evaluate their branding in order to create strong visual solutions that are deliverable to both print and monitor. Often, small businesses begin with no budget or have no training to recognize why they need one. They get their business up and running with some family member or friend creating their identity pieces. Before long, they realize who their competition is and how they need to differentiate themselves from their competitors. This is where I can do my best work for them.

MY UNIQUENESS
My uniqueness lies in my background as creative director for a direct marketing group before the era of digital design. I thoroughly understand the principles of graphic design having successfully moved into the age of electronic web design along with all other aspects of the medium. I realize the need for and have the skills to deliver creative for all communication media. When people talk about the best use of their dollars, most believe a website is all they need. I believe you need a mix of materials to promote your business including print and the electronic medium. A valued graphic designer is able to create promotions that thread image consistency through both media.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
In the small business arena, my ideal client would be those who have been in business at least five years, understand who their competition is, recognize that they need a budget, and will partner with me in determining what elements their long-range marketing programs may require. Beyond that, they must show a desire to work with me in analyzing what we've developed so we can plan future programs accordingly. For those younger start-ups who don’t quite yet fit these criteria, I help connect them with designers who specialize in that new start-up business category.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
One of the most painful, yet helpful, lessons that I’ve learned was about “scope creep.” In my field, the ability to communicate succinctly with potential clients creates a real challenge. This experience came from one particular job that was the poster child for scope creep. I began working with an inventor who had a start-up business. In the beginning, we didn’t talk about every aspect of developing his product invention and my proposal reflected precisely what we did discuss. When I got more into the project, scope creep began taking over big time. I was providing creative four times beyond what was in the original contract and I wasn’t objecting. It had to stop and I needed professional advice as to how to stop it.

RESOLUTION
I took my dilemma to a business women’s round table whose members helped me understand that both parties needed to be happy. They made me realize that just because the full scope became unclear and that I was not asserting myself properly to say as much, there was still time and room to initiate a renegotiation. Feeling confident in taking this action, I contacted the Chicago Artists Coalition that referred me to the Lawyers for the Creative Arts. They reassured me that the steps I was going to take were not out of line. After my renegotiation, we finished the project to everyone’s satisfaction. And, the client was most enthusiastic in saying that he wanted me in on his next project. The experience made me take a hard look at the content of my basic contract and how I needed to put together future contracts so that scope creep won’t ever, again, run rampant.

Recap of 2010 Featured Entrepreneurs' Stories

2011-01-03T13:36:00.000-06:00

Throughout 2010, a great number of local businesses were showcased on this blog. I'd like to thank each and every entrepreneur who participated in sharing his or her story of both their
ambitions and anxieties. I hope you were able to glean some wisdom and new approaches to similar challenges facing your own businesses.

Two things surprised me while interviewing these professionals. One was the genuine willingness of each to be open about their concerns, and the other was the thread of similarities found among their stories. TRANSPARENCY will continue to present new and seasoned entrepreneurs in 2011 as long as the high interest and enthusiasm remains the same as that of 2010.

Thanks to all,

Jan Long
Janlong Communications
janice@janlongcommunications.com

BRIEF 2010 RECAP OF ENTREPRENEUR COMMENTS

Reasons for Starting Their Businesses
Many had personal reasons, while others experienced professional circumstances that caused them to venture out on their own. Freedom from the corporate culture was popular, the ability to operate a business from any location was unique, the opportunity to provide a resource for those in need surfaced, and the unexpected and uncontrollable career shift was the reoccurring reason among many for becoming their own boss.

Sampling of Unique Business Challenges
Starting over always presents a challenge as it did among some entrepreneurs. Starting a business just as the economy crashed presented major challenges to several. Knowing how and when to close the sale is something many entrepreneurs struggled with as did finding new ways to increase their number of clients. Getting prospects to realize how they will benefit from the entrepreneur's services, and finding new ways for potential clients to build the entrepreneur's products/services into their budgets challenged a few.

Some Shared Advice
Besides continually researching and constantly re-evaluating your markets, some entrepreneurs recommended working with professionals to outline your goals; don't be surprised if your business takes more time and money than you originally anticipate; find and build a business that you love doing; don't over-analyze everything - just do it; pay no attention to critics; and, just keep focused and you will surely succeed.

If you are interested in having your business showcased, please contact janice@janlongcommunications.com.

Financial advisor finds more freedom, less stress away from Wall Street

2010-12-21T10:50:00.008-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with
Frank Griseta, financial advisor
The Griseta group
847-923-1707
fgriseta@focusfinancial.com
http://www.focusfinancial.com/

MY MOTIVATION
I realized early on that the trend among Wall Street financial institutions was to focus more on revenue than on what was best for the customer. This wasn’t my approach. I wanted to do something that was more efficient and a lot more beneficial for the client. I wanted to perform this way within the firms that I had worked, but wasn’t allowed to. Meanwhile, I continued providing my clients with a very great value at a very reasonable price. As a result, when I moved my practice to my new firm, most of my clients came with me. I was told by a very successful person that if you want to work for a company that doesn’t exist, go out and create it. And that is exactly what I did.

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
The Griseta Group focuses on comprehensive financial planning for its clients. Outside of just investments linked to the stock market which, of course, is a very important part of a financial plan, I like to look at the overall financial picture and try to help clients have financial success not only in one area, but in all areas of their lives. I feel that once someone is well-rounded from a financial standpoint that it alleviates a lot of stress from their life.

MY UNIQUENESS
Because the margins are tight among the competition, most of them look at the amount of assets coming in and invest them simply to generate the greatest amount of revenue. To me, it’s more about getting a person from point A to point B. I feel that the way I invest money and the fee that I charge creates a lot of transparency. My approach allows the client to see the activity within their portfolios to the point where it’s clear that I am not just trying to generate revenue. Even before I create a relationship with a client, I explain to them how I will be moving their assets and how I be compensated, so that they have a complete understanding of the process as well as of each transaction.

MY IDEAL CLIENT
Usually, I look for clients with at least $250,000 to $500,000 or more in investible assets. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that people under those amounts are not entitled to financial planning, we well. For people who fall into this category, I have established programs that are just as transparent as those that I offer my other clients.

MARKETING METHODS
I’m a pretty avid networker. I attend a great number of events on a regular basis, but do so strategically. I try to target those in their 40s to 60s who most likely are in the asset bracket on which I’m focused. I also recently rejoined the Greater O’Hare Association and Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce which I think will be a good fit for me.

SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most about starting my business and being away from Wall Street was the amount of freedom that I have in being able to take care of my clients. If you are less stressed you can perform at your best. Moving away from the corporate rat race is allowing me to do that. The one thing that I would have done differently would be to have more help in the beginning. Moving a book of business requires a lot of paperwork of which I did 95 percent by myself. I’d tell prospective entrepreneurs that entrepreneurship is very rewarding. Make sure you do your homework, make certain you are prepared, and have the proper funding necessary to serve your clients. Make use of an advisor or mentor to help you distinguish between the emotional decisions and the business decisions. In the end, just never give up.

Editor's question: How many of you entrepreneurs have also built the business that you've always wanted to work for?

Professional segues from commercial interior design into commercial real estate sales

2010-12-13T02:00:00.014-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with

Patricia Keegan, senior vice president
Vertical Brokerage, Inc.
O: 312-362-0360
M: 847-612-0504
F: 847-550-0679
keegan@vbire.com
www.verticalbrokerage.com

MY MOTIVATION
There were several circumstances that motivated my becoming a commercial real estate broker with Vertical Brokerage. First, I had more than 20 years in the corporate world of land acquisitions, corporate building, recruiting tenants, negotiating their leases, getting their space designed, etc. So, I had that behind me. Secondly, after I left the corporate world four years ago, I started an interior decorating business. I became certified as an interior decorator and also had earned certification as a commercial interior decorating specialist. Then, more recently, a friend offered me the opportunity to join her brokerage firm as senior vice president of commercial real estate. So, I decided to jump at that. But, in order to do so I first had to go to school to obtain a real estate brokerage license which I did and, subsequently, joined Vertical Brokerage.

ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
Vertical Brokerage is a small commercial real estate brokerage firm that works with the small business person who wants a small office or retail space. Our focus is on anything under 20,000 sq-ft. which the large firms traditionally don’t care to handle. As far as our marketing efforts, we use traditional online brokerage sites to list our properties, do a lot of networking, and make use of a onsite signage at our listed properties.

OUR UNIQUENESS
Along with our niche of serving the small business owner, Vertical Brokerage specializes in helping both owners and tenants find the right match. While we do help clients find land or buildings for investment purposes, our expertise goes beyond just helping them find properties, we also help them evaluate the perspective space, show them how they can use it efficiently and effectively, and help them build the business image they want to convey through interior design recommendations.

IDEAL CLIENT
Our ideal clients are building owners who are seeking tenants, business owners who are seeking office or retail space and investors who are looking for commercial properties to add to their investment portfolios. Our area of focus is from Naperville to Vernon Hills along the Schaumburg corridor.

SHARED ADVICE
If I would have done anything differently, it would have been to start this career sooner. I just feel that this is such a perfect fit for me. I love the idea of helping clients find the right space and match tenants with landlords looking for the perfect tenant. Tenants, on the other hand, are looking for the perfect space that is functional and a landlord who is reasonable. So, making those match ups is what this job is all about. The best advice I can offer new entrepreneurs is to choose a business that you love, because, if you love what you’re doing everything else will fall into place.

Editor's question: How many of you have changed career paths within the last year?

Relocating at start of recession causes event planner to rebuild

2010-12-06T05:00:00.010-06:00

Entrepreneur takes life-long learning out of the classroom and into social venues

2010-11-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights begins with hearing their stories firsthand beginning with a conversation with

Julianna Greer, founder and host
Nouveau
info@nouveau-dupage.com
www.nouveau-dupage.com
phone: 630-984-5365
cell: 630-306-6767
blog: http://nouveau-dupage.com/blog.htm

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Nouveau offers interactive life-enrichment programs that are mostly classes and workshops along with some fun events. Our popular topics include memory improvement, stress management, dream interpretation, how to sell on eBay™ which is a direct result of the economy because people are trying to get rid of their unnecessary items, live more simply and make money at the same time. Another presentation that goes over well is entitled “Welcome to the New Normal.” While I have a degree in gerontology and present several of the programs myself, Nouveau encompasses a reserve of professionals that delivers the wide-ranging topics listed on our program of events.

WHY I STARTED THE BUSINESS
Nouveau began out of a desire to develop a business that we could build and run from anywhere. My husband and I talked about the type of business that we’d want to be involved in after retirement. Meanwhile, I could see the days of my current career were numbered, so when I did lose my job, Nouveau began sooner than later.

OUR UNIQUENESS
What makes Nouveau unlike anything else is that we focus on humanities, psychology and personal growth. Community colleges tend to focus on computer training, foreign languages and, in some cases, culinary arts all in an academic environment. What we do is host our events in a more social setting with the right ambiance where refreshments are available. We specifically avoid holding our classes in classrooms or boardrooms for this purpose. Looking toward next year, I envision event planning services that would include content-based marketing and fund-raising events for retail businesses and non-profits.

OUR IDEAL CLIENT
We’ve found that people most interested in life-long learning tend to be adults over 35 with at least some college education. I’m reaching these people through a number of groups on LinkedIn™ and my Facebook™ page. I’m also making use of press releases to announce our various events. At the same time, I’m offering some free programs to develop name recognition. I conduct a regularly-scheduled email blast to my mailing list along with targeted direct mail campaigns. Plus, I will be starting my own MeetUp™ group. We’ve found that the most effective way to broadcast our programs is by the venue itself posting them on its own event calendar. I’m looking to partner with various restaurants or businesses who would find our life-enriching programs complementary to what they offer their customers.

SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most about starting my business was the amount of time and the many channels I’d have to go through to get it up and running. What I might have done differently would be to contact more social networking groups in advance to learn that they were not necessarily going to support my concept or promote my business as some so-called experts had assured me would be the case. What I am doing is connecting with some advisory groups to gain help in refining my direction. From my own experience, I would tell new entrepreneurs that starting your business most likely will take more time and money than you originally expected, but with perseverance and the help of the right advisers there is no reason you can’t succeed.

Editor's question: What other venues do you feel would be ideal for life-enrichment programs?

Reducing transition stress becomes basis for entrepreneur's new business

2010-11-22T08:15:00.040-06:00

Michael Harrawood, owner
Just Call Mike Home Helpers
michaelharrawood@comcast.net
708-289-4763

ABOUT MY BUSINESS

Just Call Mike provides services either for seniors who are downsizing and moving into another home (i.e. condo, assisted living, etc.), or busy professionals who are in the midst of relocating. We help get their homes ready for resale. We'll go in and clean the carpets, patch and paint, clean the windows, pack up belongings and do whatever it takes to make the house move-in ready. This also includes cleaning the basement and/or the garage. Beyond this, we also offer seasonal services such as putting up and taking down exterior holiday lighting and décor as well as general home maintenance and organizing. If all someone needs is a single room painted, some heavy items moved, or their gutters cleaned and are looking for a trustworthy and reliable source, Just Call Mike.

WHY I STARTED

I'd been in the building industry for more than 20 years and saw business steadily decline over recent years to the point where I needed to make a career-changing decision. During my time in building I had seen people taken advantage of because they too often relied on people who weren't trustworthy. I want to be their safe, ethical, reliable resource who understands how stressful moving can be for anyone - seniors in particular who are moving from what they always knew as home into a completely new place. Our tagline is "taking the stress out of transition."

MY UNIQUENESS

Unlike similar companies that offer move-out services, I provide more detailed services that others usually don't cover such as window and carpet cleaning, touch-up painting, and minor repairs. But, what sets us apart the most is that we personally focus on the well-being of all those involved. Again, it's taking the stress and anxiety out of these life-changing events.

CLIENT PROFILE

Our perfect clients are seniors themselves or family members who are responsible for relocating and selling their seniors’ homes. We also work with professionals who are also relocating and need similar help preparing their homes for resale. We strive to get each the best value for their homes by de-cluttering, repairing and refreshing each and every room. This could also include landscape clean-up and on-going maintenance until the vacant property is sold. Secondary client/partners for us would be realtors, stagers, estate lawyers, financial professionals/institutions, senior living community professionals and corporate relocation specialists.

SHARED ADVICE

Because I have a tendency to over-analyze everything, I found that starting my business was easier than I had first thought. If you have the experience, are good at what you do and have a real passion for something, just go ahead and do it. Get involved in a lot of networking and align yourself with mentors who are as passionate about helping you as you are about your business. Pay no attention to your critics and stay close to those who champion your ideals and goals.

Editor's question: How many entrepreneurs connected with one or more mentors at the beginning of starting your businesses and in what ways did that help?

Social networking referral turns into website solution for graphic designer

2010-11-11T09:00:00.003-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Jennifer Strezo
Principal Brand Designer
Red Seal Design
Jennifer@redsealdesign.com
http://linkedin.com/in/jenniferstrezo
www.redsealdesign.com
773-456-2732

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Red Seal Design is a full-service graphic design company specializing in creating signature brands for small businesses. A signature brand is a company’s image or identity that appears on all of its sales and marketing materials. It includes the look of your logo, your brochures, your letterhead, business cards, website, PowerPoint™ presentations, direct mail, newsletters and the like. A signature brand gives companies a more professional look over something that they’ve tried to create themselves or have taken off the Internet. A signature brand will help to set a company apart from its competition and be immediately recognized and long remembered.

MY UNIQUENESS
We develop customer solutions for your communications materials based on the personality of your company. Red Seal Design doesn’t create a great-looking design without first learning what the image is that the company wants to portray. I begin with a series of basic questions regarding the client’s goals and target audience, but then move into more aesthetic questions pertaining to the client’s likes and dislikes, what adjectives would best describe the compeny, its core values and culture. In this way, my team can create a custom signature brand that truly reflects what the company is all about.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
A perfect client for us would be your small business that has been operating for at least three years and in the beginning may have created their own brand identity or used some form of online template, but now is ready to move up to the next level of brand identity. With so many businesses struggling, today, many come to realize that they need to stand out from their competitors. That’s when they come to us for that professionally-designed custom signature brand.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
Like most small businesses when they’re just starting out, I had limited funding. While I was able to design my own signature brand for all of my marketing materials, I still needed to hire someone to develop my website which I knew would cost thousands of dollars. The challenge was figuring out how to secure a great custom website design at minimal cost. At first, I attempted to create one on my own, but it was taking up too much of my time and was not getting me to where I needed to be. Meanwhile, I was losing potential business with no website to which I could direct prospective clients. So, after several months of frustration, I decided to seek the help of a professional web developer.

RESOLUTION
I turned to all of my contacts including those on LinkedIn™ and asked for some referrals. It so happened that a friend from college gave me the name of someone who was able to create economical custom websites by using free WordPress™ and Joomla!™ templates. Among the features that make these templates so attractive is that they allow the website owner to make his or her own website edits avoiding additional costs of having to call back the web developer to make them. This sounded perfect. As a result, I was able to design all of my web pages in Photoshop™ and my web developer found a suitable free template into which he could import all of my custom designs. So, after spending months trying to accomplish this on my own, my new found web developer was able to produce a new customized website for me in a couple of days for a fraction of the cost of HTML development. Meanwhile, he and I have created a partnership that now offers our clients economical custom website designs that focus on signature brands.

Editor's question: Who has struggled with developing their own brand identity? Who believes a fresh new signature brand will help better your position among your competitors - and how?

Fine-tuning language skills of international professionals becomes niche business for entrepreneur

2010-11-04T16:03:00.020-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Sandra Wroblewski, MA CCC-SP/L
Communications Specialist
Accent Aware
accentaware@aol.com
www.accentaware.com
630-784-8173

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Accent Aware offers communication training for international professionals whose second language is English. I offer this training to individuals as well as to companies and organizations. It’s not teaching English as a second language, but more in line with the next step which is fine-tuning a person’s American-English language skills. The initial response to my early marketing efforts came not only from corporate professionals, but also from the Catholic Church and the medical field. As a result, I’ve worked a lot with Catholic priests who have carried over their accents from their countries of origin and with medical professionals who understood the critical need for clear verbal communication.

MY UNIQUENESS
When I first started my business, there was little competition. But, now there are others who have recently taken up this type of training. What sets me apart is that I have been a speech pathologist for a long time with years of experience. I continue to pursue educational resources to increase my variety of training methods as opposed to a single type of training fairly common within this field. Also, I have narrowed my area of concentration to where I have now been working primarily on accent modification for the past five or six years. That’s what makes Accent Aware unique.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
On the individual level, my ideal client would be a professional who speaks English well and has a good use and knowledge of the language, but runs into problems in his or her career setting of being understood. Potential clients need to be dedicated, hard-working and wanting to make a change in how they come across in professional conversation and presentations. With regard to groups, the ideal client profile here would be companies that would include me as part of their employee development teams, or to those who offer continuing educational training to their employees.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
The travel time it takes to get from appointment to appointment to meet with individuals is not the most lucrative way for me to conduct business. What would be ideal would be to have individual companies with a good number of clients within each one to work with in succession, or to work with groups of unrelated individuals all at one location. My challenge is to make this happen.

RESOLUTION
I am concentrating on reaching people within corporations through those who are in charge of employee training and development. That includes those who manage a company’s diversity training, as well. Because of their being closer to the need for this type of communication training, I am confident of receiving a positive response. What’s more, I have joined business associations to meet and reach people within large corporations and organizations. And, at the same time, I am increasing my social media presence and pursuing online training opportunities as technology improves and online interaction between client and trainer happens more in ‘real time.’

Editor's question: Is accent modification something you knew existed? And do you personally know a professional to whom you might recommend such training?

Mapping out life's memories turns entrepreneur into visual eulogist

2010-10-28T00:09:00.019-05:00

Friend's last request turns into memorial services business that celebrates life

2010-10-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Showcasing recent entrepreneurs has a twofold purpose. One is to offer an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. The second is to provide a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing insights starts with hearing their stories firsthand such as through this conversation with

Deborah Williams, owner
Loving Touches Memorial Services
www.lovingtouchesmemorialservices.com
dwilliams@lovingtouchesmemorialservices.com
847-991-0546

BEGINNING MY BUSINESS
I began Loving Touches in July of 2009. What motivated me to start this type of business was that I had lost two of my best friends to breast cancer. One had asked me to handle her memorial service to take the burden off her two sons. She specifically said she didn’t want the traditional morbid funeral, but something fun that focused on all the good times of her life. That wasn’t something normally done at the time, but with the input of her sons, I took on the challenge. I created a DVD of her life, developed a huge photo collage, booked a hotel ballroom and brought in a band. The eulogy was a celebration that covered five areas of her life delivered by five family members, neighbors and friends. At the end, we all toasted her with a shot of Bailey’s which was her favorite. When the event ended, everyone approached me saying that I had missed my calling – and that planted the seed for Loving Touches.

MY SERVICES
Our services are offered both as a package or ala carte. We customize our memorials based on the particular interests and events of the person’s life. Some families have requested bagpipers, flag ceremonies, and a Japanese white butterfly release. Our number one requested item is our eight to 10-minute DVD which is an uplifting life-story summary depicting an era or various life celebrations of the loved one. Each service can be as unique as the person whose life is being celebrated.

MY UNIQUENESS
The beauty of what we do is that it is very cost effective. Combining cremation along with our memorial service is about half the cost of a traditional funeral. – very appealing in this economy. In addition, cremation and what we do are 100 percent environmentally safe which is of great importance to many people, today.

IDEAL CLIENT
That would be people in the age range of 45 to 65 primarily because they are looking after their parents, or those who are above 65 and in the position of having to make their own memorial decisions.

MARKETING MY BUSINESS
Currently, about 95 percent of my business has come through referrals from cremation societies or people who have known or used us. The other five percent has come from the Internet thanks to a great website and some Google Adwords. I also advertise in the Pioneer Press and the Daily Herald. I have been featured in Crain’s as well as in the Daily Herald and I will be featured in Our Family Magazine in Barrington.

SHARED ADVICE
What surprised me the most was the traditional value systems of everyone and their resistance to change. Initially, we had surveyed residents of the northwest suburban area who had recently dealt with the loss of a loved one. We found that 73 percent said they were dissatisfied with the service that they had, yet their resistance to making a change was surprising. They were nervous in thinking that a memorial service could be a happy occasion.

The one thing that I might have done differently would be to have marketed the business in advance of starting it. I tried to get it up and running first and then did my marketing. I find that the Midwest is a more conservative area. Change is difficult here. Had we started on the West Coast, we might have taken off a little more quickly.

I’d advise budding entrepreneurs to do your research and be willing to change because you’re going to have to continually re-evaluate your market at first. Who you think is your target customer may not always be the case and you’ll have to adjust many times over. Also, be open to the comments that you receive because many of them will be positive suggestions and recommendations that can help you. In the beginning of any business, there will be many ups and downs. You’ve got to ride those waves in order to make it.

Entrepreneur sells clients on full-service marketing with accountability workshops

2010-10-13T01:27:00.019-05:00

Despite recession analytics consultant sets up niche business in 24 hours

2010-10-06T01:16:00.009-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Alex Caffarini, president
Analysights, LLC
www.analysights.com
acaffarini@analysights.com
blog: http://analysights.wordpress.com
847-895-2565

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
We’re a market research and analytics firm that helps companies make better marketing decisions based on analytics. In other words, imagine having a magic wand that would tell you which non-customers would have the best chance of becoming customers, or which current customers are at risk of leaving you and going to a competitor. We’re able to do this by comparing a customer’s purchasing history, demographics, and psychographics to those former clients who have left your company. We can also come up with a score for your current customers using similar data to better know on which ones you should be spending your marketing dollars. In addition, we’re able to provide information through surveys on how much the market is willing to pay for a new product concept as well as the size of the market.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
My ideal client would typically include banks, credit card companies with $500 million to $2 billion in assets. Or associations with large memberships wanting to determine which non-members are likely to become members and which current members are at risk of leaving. Typically, any data-rich industry whose companies collect a lot of statistics on their customers for marketing effectiveness would be a perfect client – mobile broadband firms, retail catalog companies, direct marketers, credit unions, credit card companies.

MY UNIQUENESS
We’re strong in discussing complex analytical concepts in layman terms so that anyone not familiar with statistics or analytics in market research will gain a simplified understanding of everything they need to know. We don’t use any heavy technical jargon to which most clients can’t relate. And, our size allows us to offer a great deal of personal interaction between us and the client.

BUSINESS CHALLENGE
My primary challenge was to get this business flying in the midst of a recession. The company will be two years old this November. I had been working for the American Medical Association at the time doctors began dropping their memberships. I saw the writing on the wall and decided to start my business in 2008.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
I wasted no time in getting things moving. I got my tax papers in order, created my business plan, got my LLC designation, and set up my website all in the span of a single day. Obtaining that first client became my focus. I participated in countless networking events because demonstrating your abilities and capabilities is key to selling any consulting service, especially analytics. I worked on getting myself known as an expert in the field – “You’ve got to circulate in order to percolate.” There were no quick fixes. I called family members and sent relatives letters telling them I was in business. I soon realized that I was focusing on too broad a range of clients. I was looking at both small and large companies which would be impossible to manage. So, I honed in on what became my niche – financial companies and tech companies. In addition, I started a blog to build a following and I created a Facebook™ page. As a result of these efforts, things are beginning to move along steadily for Analysights LLC.

Key resource development sets company at forefront of employee/caregiver field

2010-09-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Remaining at cutting edge of craft results in sustainable customers

2010-09-22T15:00:00.003-05:00

Nationwide challenge generates worldwide response for business coach

2010-09-15T03:00:00.002-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Victoria Cook, business coach
The Guilt-Free Coach
www.TheGuiltFreeCoach.com
victoria@TheGuiltFreeCoach.com
847-701-4739

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
As a business coach, I help women business owners achieve their big goals or projects without all the guilt so often attached to such great endeavors. I use a 7-step, Guilt-Free RESULTS system that I have personally developed which acts as the framework for guiding women toward their accomplishments. It enables them to clearly know what their focus is and what their priorities are.

MY UNIQUENESS
Not only am I a coach but, in several ways, I am the mirror image of many of my clients. I, too, am a busy, high-achieving business owner who is working to achieve the success I desire professionally without sacrificing what is so important to me personally. My clients can feel confident that I have been in their pumps and have walked out successfully to the other side of my goals.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
The perfect client for The Guilt-Free Coach is the small women business owner with a staff of 25 or less. She is usually very successful, driven, high-achieving, but has something out of balance in her life or business. Or, she might have something big that she wants to achieve – whether it’s to increase her business growth or take on a special project – but, is not quite sure how to fit that into her life with everything else going on around her.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
My business is growing well, but, like many business owners, I would like to have business coming in on a more steady basis. I took this challenge to my own marketing coach and, together, we developed an amazing program that accomplished exactly what I was aiming for and much more.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
I launched a 30-day nationwide challenge through social media to business owners who wanted to achieve a particular goal, but were stuck in the process. It was based on their registering for an e-course from which they received information and inspiration from me to help them over the following 30-day period. I communicated with them daily by email to get acquainted and to provide a sampling of my 7-step system that they could put to use immediately. I also launched a contest through which candidates could submit their success results. From these I chose a winner who received a grand prize package. This program turned into a tremendous lead-generating tool for me. I now have people on my mailing list from all over the world and received my first international client as well. I recently began a group coaching program to which 20 percent of my challenge participants are now signed on. And, oh yes, the winner of my Big Goals No Guilt 30-Day Challenge exceeded her goal by 25 percent! To start your own challenge, visit www.TheGuiltFreeCoach.com.

Encouraging clients to set their personal tastes aside first job of promotional products specialist

2010-09-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Warren Priemann, president
About Excellence, Inc.
www.aboutexcellencepromotions.com
aboutexcellence@comcast.net
847-726-9535

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
About Excellence provides solutions to cost-effective advertising through the use of promotional products. We help businesses create top-of-mind name recognition so that, over time, they become the vendor of choice within their marketplace. Our products open doors to multiple follow-up opportunities – everything from after-trade-show calls stemming from imprinted giveaways to inquiries on the outcome of a customized corporate gift. Our promotional products help create a KNOW, LIKE and TRUST relationship among companies that stimulates long-term business growth.

OUR UNIQUENESS
I believe that my style of initiating a relationship among potential clients is my uniqueness. I immediately get them involved in personal choice. When offering people a promotional item that I’m giving away on any day, I let them choose from among many colors. That means they will spend more time with me looking at the items determining which color they prefer. This unique approach allows me to interact with the person a little longer and find out about their business and their marketing needs. At the same time, it gets them involved in the moment by selecting the color they most prefer.

IDEAL CLIENT
Our ideal client is a business owner who not only recognizes the value of marketing promotions, but also understands the products need to be worked. That means they have the patience necessary for follow-up and continual relationship building. An ideal client also knows that promotional products are marketing tools that, if used consistently, will build their business over the long term through brand awareness.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
Outside of overcoming the overall challenge of the current economy, one of my unique business challenges is getting customers to set their own preferences aside and include my industry knowledge in making their decisions. Too often, clients will be put off by a particular item because it is not to their personal liking – be it color, design, or concept. Yet, that very product may be tremendously effective in the marketplace. This is the mindset that I am challenged daily to change. I need to convince them that they are not purchasing promotional items for themselves. They are purchasing them as additional marketing tools proved to be effective in generating new business. The bottom line is to keep personal taste out of the equation and base your decisions on the positive statistics that I can provide.

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
First, I remain very active within the industry with regard to new product lines and continual promotional products marketing education and certification. Secondly, I keep in close contact with my suppliers. Based on their feedback, I stay current with what products are the most effective. Thirdly, using this information, I work to help my clients look at products through their customers’ eyes. I try to instill in them that it’s important to keep their personal choices and tastes off the table during the decision-making process. Those who change their way of thinking often have more success with adding promotional products into the mix of their marketing programs.

“Visual” testimonials help sell the benefits of interior redesign and staging

2010-08-30T05:34:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Marianne Yurko, owner
Redesigned With You In Mind
http://www.redesignedwithyouinmind.com/
myurko@sbcglobal.net
630-460-3000

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
The mission of Redesigned With You In Mind is to allow people to “fall in love with their homes all over again.” I’m an interior redesigner and stager who helps people with their home makeovers by simply using everything that they already own. This concept is particularly important in today’s economy for those who are tired of how their houses look, yet can’t afford a totally new interior design that traditionally requires purchasing most things new. Staging, in particular, is perfect for those having difficulty selling their homes often due to the fact that the interiors of their homes are not showing well. Among my specialties is color consultation which is valuable to people intimidated by the overwhelming color options available, today. And, I offer furniture placement that can economically and efficiently optimize the space and function of any room no matter its size or shape.

MY UNIQUENESS
I look at the whole picture, not at a particular niche. Unlike some of my peers who prefer to specialize only in redesign or staging, or just in window treatments or furniture placement, I take it all on so that I can manage the complete project from beginning to end.

IDEAL CLIENT
I have two ideal client profiles - women whose chosen careers are either inside the home caring for their families, or outside the home in the corporate world. Each has their own "house beautiful" vision in mind, but neither has the time to focus on making it come true themselves.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
One challenge is finding the right way to market myself so that people will find out about me. There are so many people who might enjoy having a room or house redone or just a new paint color who don’t know who to call. The second challenge concerns the economy. It is getting people to understand that they can afford my services. The perception is that people can’t afford to make their homes look better. But, they soon learn that through redesign or staging, it really is possible.

SOLUTION
As my marketing solution, I’m looking for different ways to market my business – networking through chamber events as well as giving presentations on redesign and staging to members of these same organizations. I find that for my business, it is much easier to acquire new clients at women’s groups. As a result, I’ve made special efforts to participate in several women’s conferences and symposiums this year as a way of gaining greater exposure. I also am a member of an association of redesigners and stagers, and am maintaining a social media presence on Facebook and LinkedIn.
As my affordability solution, I am making it clear to prospective clients that I will work within their budgets no matter what their requests may be. And, as a “visual testimonial’ of sorts, I am now showing clients homes on the market for which I had done staging, pointing out how quickly they have sold. These before and after comparisons - either online or in my portfolio photos - seems to have the greatest impact on helping potential clients understand the affordable value of what Redesigned With You In Mind has to offer.

Developing new relationships part of consultant's marketing strategy

2010-08-17T00:54:00.018-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Jerilyn Willin, owner
JWillin Consulting, Ltd.
www.jwillinconsulting.com
jerilyn@jwillinconsulting.com
630-924-8362

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
JWillin Consulting, Ltd. helps people look forward to going to work. How? By providing leadership development program design and facilitation, customized team interventions, change management in terms of working with folks who are left after downsizing, and career strategies coaching for those who are in the midst of career changes – planned or otherwise. Most people enjoy going to work when they believe their employer appreciates their efforts and wants them to grow. Our services deliver that message.

MY UNIQUENESS
My services are all customized. I have no off-the-shelf offerings. I talk with the identified client to discover the problem and the goal from their perspective, then I design a solution. In addition, 98 percent of my coaching is face-to-face which I believe is of unique value. As a coach, there are so many cues I get from that in-person interaction which I would miss over the phone – be it facial expressions or body language – all of which helps to better serve the client.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
I have two levels of clients. There are the individuals who come to me for coaching. They are motivated and willing to work hard by doing the "homework" that I prescribe. They also really believe that they will get a return on their investment. Secondly, there are the organizational clients. These ideally would be the small to mid-size companies that may have experienced either growth and want to help their employees make the most of their jobs, or, they have gone through downsizing and want to ensure their surviving employees have the necessary help adjusting to their new work circumstances and responsibilities.

BUSINESS CHALLENGE
My biggest challenge is to realize that when I am not working with clients I should be marketing my business. Most of my business comes from word-of-mouth. So when my calendar is full, I don’t feel the need to market. That is a dangerous mindset because at times you may have all your proverbial eggs in one basket and in this type of economic climate that basket can be easily dropped.

SOLUTION
Early on, I made a mind map to determine where most of my business was coming from and found that is was from people who knew me or had known of me. This didn’t surprise me because consulting is a relationship business. So, as a way to form new relationships, I have joined new business networking groups, have developed a book review newsletter and have collaborated with a colleague in actually writing a book. The book, Deep, Deeper, Deeper Still, was published in 2009. All of these methods are giving me new opportunities to put myself in front of a lot of new people. To keep my marketing efforts ongoing, I am committed to spending eight hours a week both planning new marketing strategies as well as actually following through on them.

Consultant communicates value of marketing and publicity to uncommitted small businesses

2010-08-10T06:41:00.031-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Mary Gerace, consultant
Mary Gerace Enterprises
http://www.marygerace.net/
mary@marygerace.net
708.345.8045

ABOUT MY BUSINESS
Mary Gerace Enterprises offers marketing and publicity services to small businesses and small nonprofit organizations in the greater Chicagoland area. My consulting services are individually tailored to be comprehensive, effective and affordable. If you are a real estate agent, an author, an artist, a public speaker or a small business owner, or if you run a small nonprofit organization with limited staff on a tight budget, Mary Gerace Enterprises can take your message to a higher level of visibility and success. I offer a wide range of expertise, including branding, long-term strategic planning, website analysis and content creation, market research, special event management and all types of media outreach. Choosing professional representation builds credibility. My clients become cost-effective; they spend wisely and avoid expensive mistakes while they gain a higher profile in a message-cluttered environment.

MY UNIQUENESS
I pride myself on my commitment to outcome-driven affordability. After a very thorough initial consultation that is free of charge and without obligation, I devise detailed proposals and quote budget-friendly hourly and project-based fees, with negotiable payment terms. My nonprofit clients receive a discount off my corporate rates. My approach is both big picture-oriented and detail-oriented, a rare combination. I welcome small projects and cost-consciousness. Also, I offer reliable and economical outsourcing referrals -- If I don’t do it, I know who does.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
I have two ideal types of clients: a small local nonprofit organization, with little or no staff, that recognizes how a consultant can significantly benefit its mission; or a small business owner who recognizes that a consultant can provide an important competitive edge and worthwhile ideas executed with flair.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
As any consultant can tell you, money matters. How discretionary dollars are utilized is the foremost concern of my clients. Sometimes, a small business owner or the board of a small nonprofit finds it very difficult to gather the courage and commitment to work with a consultant in a meaningful way. A prospective client can take that leap and gain the opportunity to boost business or mission to the proverbial next level, or hold back and continue to muddle along with mediocre results or worse.

SOLUTION
By using persuasive communication skills and applying decades of pertinent business experience along with a measure of patience, I do successfully convey to a reluctant prospective client why marketing and publicity assistance is invaluable and indispensable. It can be money exceptionally well-spent, and it’s my ongoing responsibility to demonstrate as much.

Cleaning and restoration company relies on technical training to resolve exotic client challenges

2010-08-04T00:39:00.013-05:00

Financial advisory firm recognizes the economics of business operations outsourcing

2010-07-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

Estate planning firm looks to recapture business by renewing relationships

2010-07-21T07:40:00.001-05:00

Relationship building turns tough accounts into friendly clients

2010-07-13T08:24:00.001-05:00

Elite partnerships and 24/7 customer service builds client trust for independent insurance agency

2010-07-05T10:12:00.017-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Mike Patel, owner/agent
MP Financial Group Insurance Services
http://www.mpfingrp.com/
mike@mpfingrp.com
847-809-6082

MY BUSINESS
MP Financial Group Insurance Services works with individuals, families and businesses throughout the State of Illinois providing quality products at competitive prices with an emphasis on long-term relationships. Our professional staff analyzes our customers' insurance requirements to provide the best coverage and reduce gaps in coverage. We are independent insurance agents.

OUR UNIQUENESS
We prepare a complete analysis of our clients' insurance needs and design a responsible protection program that is custom-tailored to each customer's special needs. What's more, we have access to many insurance companies which allows us to move quickly to prepare instant rate comparisons from among the country's finest insurance companies. In addition, we periodically review the adequacy of our clients' insurance programs looking for ways to save them money.
We do not work for an insurance company, we work for the customer. When a client has a loss, we make every effort to see that the policy holder gets fair and prompt payment.

OUR IDEAL CLIENT
Our ideal client profile includes individuals, families and businesses looking for a long-term relationship with a full-service, independent insurance agency they can trust to be honest and fair - one that treats their needs as if they were our own. We look for clients who are willing to establish a relationship based on mutual trust, letting us work on their side to develop a complete insurance program for their personal, business or financial coverages.

A UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Our biggest challenge is locating new customers who are willing to share their concerns regarding their insurance needs giving us a chance to help them. It takes time to build mutual trust and, since we are not representative of just one insurance company, we need an opportunity to show why that is to the client's advantage. Specifically, we're able to utilize our unique computer program that provides instant rate comparisons from only the finest insurance companies. We are diligent with keeping up with the the changes in insurance coverages currently driven by new rules and regulations.

OUR SOLUTION
When I began the company in 1999, I wanted it to represent a carefully selected group of financially sound, reputable insurance companies. Once I had access to these companies, I began contacting everyone I new - family, friends and friends of friends - to give me a chance to help them meet their insurance needs. I joined many organizations and attended every event I could. I worked long days and nights for the clients I acquired in hopes that they would refer me to their friends, family and business contacts. By always being available to clients in the evening, on weekends and holidays, I have earned their trust. Consequently, many of them now send me referrals which allows me to continue to develop the company into a full-service insurance agency.

'Touchy feely' becomes new marketing mantra for entrepreneur

2010-06-28T13:20:00.029-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Marianne Guinee, group leader
Private Quarters
www.4cimgmt.com
mcguinee@4cimgmt.com
847-858-3610

MY BUSINESS
Private Quarters provides luxury bed and bath linens and gifts at affordable prices. We service consumers and businesses, do wedding registries and bridal party gifts, work with health & wellness professionals to ensure individuals get the best night's sleep possible. We offer 'green' materials such as bamboo and seacell fabrics in addition to those more traditional including fiber and feather & down.

OUR UNIQUENESS
We're unique in the sense that we provide high quality, individualized customer service and attention via one-to-one appointments and reviews, along with small group interactions. We really aren't faced with strong, same-level competition. Retail stores could be labelled competition, in a sense, but they don't provide the same quality, variety, unique exchange/return policy or shopping and satisfaction quotient that Private Quarters does.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
Whether a business or a consumer, our ideal client is someone who recognizes quality and customer service while still looking for a good value for the money spent. We are not your big box discount retailer, nor are we the highest end provider. We look to service the mid to upper-class market with exceptional value and customer service.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Our challenge is simply getting in front of people in person so that they get that 'touchy feely' experience with our products that can't be described adequately any other way. As soon as a potential customer touches our bamboo linens, for example, they instantly 'get it.' Just seeing a picture of the same product in a catalog invariably raises the question, "So how are you different than any other supplier?" Just hearing how great a product is often times is not enough. Our clients need to feel it first before they will make that next leap to our other product offerings.

SOLUTION
Our experience has shown us that marketing in the normal sense doesn't bring in sales. So we have gone to the word-of-mouth/network marketing approach. This includes friends telling friends, home parties, vendor shows, fund raisers, etc. All of which are methods in which we can get in front of people. A number of interior designers have 'seen the light' now as well and are either representing our products or providing us with referrals to their customers. Even some of the higher end bed and breakfasts have started coming to us to use our linens. All these new avenues support the crux of our business which, ultimately, is relying on the human element to make the sale.

Unique art gallery revamps marketing efforts to better target niche customers

2010-06-21T17:00:00.004-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Sandy Guenther, president
Guenther Gallery and Design
www.guenthergallery.com
sandy@guenthergallery.com
630-773-4278

ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
Guenther Gallery and Design is an art gallery and conservation framer. We provide comprehensive services and art consultation for both corporate and residential customers. What we offer includes original artwork such as oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs, glicee and art glass. And, we frame unusual items some of which include medals, machetes, papyrus, clothing, musical instruments, sports equipment, and dolls.

OUR UNIQUENESS
The first thing that makes us unique is our conservation framing. This is a process in which we use only acid-free materials – acid-free mats, backer boards, backer paper, tape and UV glass which is all we ever use to frame pieces. We also provide art restoration and Photoshop™ work, plus, we are one of just a few who offers professional needle art lacing. Guenther Gallery carries a line of green frames that is continually growing and becoming ever more popular. Actually, 75 percent of the frames that we sell are green frames produced in green factories. Corporate clients, in particular, really favor the eco-frames.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
We like to say that all our clients fit our ideal client profile, but in reality we are specifically targeting the small to medium-sized business looking to redo their visual image to create a more exciting customer and employee environment. This includes businesses that prefer unique items that are not catalog pieces.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Our number one challenge continues to be marketing our business to new customers. We have tried many conventional methods without great success. Direct mail, phone calls, coupons, and fliers just don’t seem to work for framers like us because we are in a unique type of business. Not to mention that we are currently trying to market our very unique business during a time when both corporate and residential clients are very mindful of their discretionary spending.

SOLUTION
Banking on the popularity of social networking, we recently began a Facebook™ page which, in its short existence, has already generated some interest. Our website has been very productive in helping customers find us. As a result, we will be updating it more regularly which includes a blog that features current events. We will be working a second blog on which we will be posting useful information on unique pieces, as well as talking about the latest eco-friendly items in the world of custom framing. To round out our reformatted marketing plan, we will continue with face-to-face networking since word of mouth has worked best for us, and to try to move into more corporate work. We believe that this new direction will help us create new business and we look forward to tracking what we hope to be a successful marketing effort.

Tracking social trends keeps life coach at the top of her profession

2010-06-14T23:30:00.001-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Jacqui Neurauter, owner
Harmonize Your Life Pathways
www.harmoniouspathways.com
Jacqui@harmoniouspathways.com
LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueneurauter
847-359-6391

MY BUSINESS
As a life, professional and personal coach, I help people create and manifest their goals and help them realize more passion in their lives. I do this through personal coaching, writing, workshops, support groups and courses that I teach. My approach to all this is multi-faceted. It’s helping individuals get to know their real YOU, so to speak, in hopes of their living their lives with more vibrancy, joy and passion. My clients work in the business community, are business owners, and people who are deciding what they want to do next in their lives. Many are experiencing life transitions. I help ease them through these milestones.

MY UNIQUENESS
In my work of creating harmony and balance in people’s lives, I take a holistic approach to body, mind and spirit. One method of achieving this is using Feng Shui. I visit a client’s home or office to evaluate their environment and use the analyses as a base from which to begin working with them. I like to bring more of nature into their space to create an environment that does not compromise their health and well-being. Another part of my uniqueness stems from individual style and personality. It’s a matter of people easily connecting with you or not. If they don’t they should know that there are other professionals available with whom they might be the perfect fit. I find my ideal clients to be people between 40 and 70 years old – someone near retirement or experiencing a transition in their life.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
As a businesswoman, my greatest challenge has always been trying to look ahead and stay on top of the curve. To keeping up with trends in order to be informed and flexible enough to continually improve and stay sharp. I am always asking myself if what I’m doing is working not only for my clients, but also for me. Are there any other things that I need to add to complement my services that people are beginning to seek out? I’m always challenged by wondering what have I learned and what can I do better?

EFFECTIVE SOLUTION
To continually improve, I do intensive research on methods to enhance my business. I talk with people and keep in touch with all media to identify the next trend that might affect my work. I need to have the latest available coaching tools to help bring out the best in people and help motivate them to reach out and find answers that they can’t find alone. By following these effective methods, I’ve been able to connect with so many different people on so many different levels. It keeps me open and aware of what is going on in the world. As a result, I’ve become a better listener which helps me better find out what’s behind what a person is saying. I see myself as more compassionate because I’ve worked with so many people who are trying to do the best they can. For me, it’s been a gift to have learned that.

Entrepreneur turns centuries-old art form into 21st century business

2010-06-07T15:45:00.007-05:00

Manufacturer succeeds by switching focus to customized products

2010-05-31T13:00:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Michael Boskovic, Chief Strategic Officer
Lingraph Services Co.
Michael@lingraph.com
www.lingraph.com
630-924-7771

ABOUT OUR BUSINESS
Lingraph Services Co. offers a real broad product mix. We focus in three main areas – printed products, packaging materials and promotional items. We go pretty deep vertically within these areas trying to be a one-stop-shop. And, within each of these disciplines we manufacture products as well as subcontract and distribute products.

OUR UNIQUENESS
What sets us apart is that we make it possible for our clients to buy printed products, packaging materials and promotional items all under one roof. It’s our mix of machinery and know-how that allows this. Most often in these areas, manufacturers are set in their product mix and in what they’re willing and able to produce. Clients are stuck within these limitations. Conversely, we are a very custom shop building many items from scratch according to the client’s particular needs. We really try to meet the client on their terms being more solutions-driven rather than confining ourselves to pure product specs.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
We really do well for big clients that have robust needs and have what we call program needs meaning something is happening on a daily or weekly basis. These kinds of clients tend to be larger B2C type companies. For example, a retailer with a large national consumer base, or a cataloger, or an Internet-based marketing firm that is selling to a broad populous. That way they are dealing with one entity and they can funnel their broader needs down to us again and again.

OUR BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Our biggest fundamental challenge was the whole differentiation issue that led us to becoming a manufacturer. The problem that we were seeing, years ago, was that a lot of the product that we were distributing as a broker was becoming very commodity-like and out of our control because the manufacturers were dictating what could and could not be made. Many items were becoming price driven. There was a lot of overseas influence followed by bigger companies buying up smaller companies. It became all about the bottom line and not about relationships. At the time, our existing client base wasn’t looking to us for anything innovative and long-term. We saw this as certain death. Somehow, we needed to reconnect with the clients in a very interactive way. We wondered how we could do that in a way that would make us unique. Manufacturing some of our own wares and controlling our own destiny was the solution. Having no previous manufacturing experience became the biggest part of the challenge. Suddenly, we needed to become proficient in machinery and workflow. From a financial capital perspective we now needed to secure the machinery, the infrastructure, the power and, of course, the people.

RESOLUTION
We did become a manufacturer allowing us to be the end source for our clients. From a strategic viewpoint, it positions us well. We continue to look for a fit in the marketplace - to see what works and then leveraging that to finding new clients. We’ve learned from sources and clients that there are few, if any, companies that are doing exactly what we’re doing – in-house printing, and packaging product and promotional items manufacturing. Now, we have enough breadth and innovation to be doing things that people in the industry, as well as potential clients, are not used to seeing. So, that’s a good thing!

Correcting management/employee behavior brings new business to HR entrepreneur's client

2010-05-24T09:30:00.001-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Andrea Herran, owner
Focus HR
http://www.focushr.biz/
andrea@focushr.biz
newsletter sign-up: http://conta.cc/a98j1n
773-531-8199

MY BUSINESS
Focus HR helps entrepreneurs and business owners become great people leaders. I help them work better with their employees in becoming more effective, efficient and more customer-focused. By working closely with business owners, I learn what their goals are and how they are trying to achieve these goals through their people. Ultimately, I put programs in place to get it all done. In addition, I offer all the traditional HR services that are the foundation of reaching that higher ground of having everyone working in the same direction toward the same goals.

MY UNIQUENESS
What’s exceptional about my business is that I actually go on site once a month. I am not one who works exclusively over the phone or via email. This is an entity that you rarely see in my industry. By being at the client’s location, I’m able to experience the working environment. I sit in on employee meetings, answer questions, address their concerns, and whatever else is needed of me. Another facet of Focus HR that sets it apart is that all of my services are flat fee. This fee covers all the work I do with no additional charges for extras. Small business owners are very cost-conscious. By offering a flat fee, they know what to expect and how to budget. No one needs to worry what it’s going to cost just to pick up the phone.

IDEAL CLIENT PROFILE
My ideal client is any business with less than 70 employees and an owner who knows that changes need to be made – especially in HR – for the business to grow.

UNIQUE CHALLENGE
One of my clients was experiencing a high turnover in one of her two employee positions. After visiting the office I was quickly able to see the cause of the problem. My client had a disruptive manner of communicating with others. It wasn’t necessarily what she was saying, but how she was saying it. So, I recommended that we work on her style. She needed to say things in a way that this one particular person would understand. My client needed to know how that person takes in and processes information. She had to learn to look for the clues that would tell her what kind of learner her employee was so she could communicate accordingly. At the same time, her employees had no idea of what their exact roles within the company were or what what expected of them.

RESOLUTION/OUTCOME
The resolution was two-fold - changing the client's management style and developing the proper HR programs for her employees. I attended meetings to observe the client’s communication behavior and critiqued it afterward. I also conducted supportive sessions over the phone. She came to learn the different personality types with which she was communicating. With regard to the employees, creating job descriptions and defining their position expectations contributed greatly to the company's growth. After a year and a half, the results have been dramatic. The client has become a better manager. There no longer is employee turnover. And the business has been increasing month after month. The change has enabled her to concentrate on selling and not on the day-to-day operations of the business. A productive management style and employees' clearly understanking their roles have become the norm. Now, my focus is on helping the client and her employees keep these thought processes top of mind so the business continues to prosper.

Social media certification results in new business for VA

2010-05-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Jackie de Boer, founder
Accredited Virtual Assistance
www.accreditedva.com
accreditedva@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/jackiedeboer
www.facebook.com/jackie.deboer1
www.Twitter.com/JackiedeBoerVA
847-358-5688

MY BUSINESS
I provide administration, executive and social media virtual assistance support. Unlike a traditional administrative or executive assistant, a virtual assistant works from an off-site or remote location on client projects on an as-needed basis – short or long-term. The major benefit of using a VA is that we don’t require any benefits paid to us by the client as do the hired employees of a company. I began Accredited Virtual Assistance five years ago. At that time, I strictly offered administrative and executive support. However, last year I introduced the social media services.

UNIQUENESS
The added bonus of social media support skills sets me apart from other VAs. With technology changing all the time and with clients needing to keep up with those changes, my ability to support them in these new areas is rather unique. I am continually re-educating myself and keeping up with the latest advancements in social media platforms such as Facebook™, LinkedIn™, and Twitter™ along with virtual assistance advancements, in general.

IDEAL CLIENT
For the administrative and executive support sides, my ideal client would be the small business owner who is a home-based entrepreneur needing to be more focused on growing his or her business and not tied up with routine administrative responsibilities. Many of them aren’t necessarily skilled at handling certain tasks and spend too much time unsuccessfully trying to manage them. Those with this profile would be perfect candidates for my services.

CHALLENGE
Like many businesses during this recession, I lost a few clients. My challenge was to figure out how to replace them as well as how to retain my current client base. Coincidentally, many clients began asking about social media. Apparently, keeping up with this new communications technology had become a serious issue for many of them. I quickly saw this as an opportunity to possibly generate new business and to offer a new value-added service to existing clients.

RESOLUTION
I immediately began taking a 2-month online social media specialist course through VAClassroom. I learned, and continue to learn, more about the three most popular social media platforms as well as blogging. Once I became certified in the field, I began giving presentations to networking groups on social media. As a result, I actually have gained new clients, and am now able to help my existing clients keep pace with this new social networking technology. I would have to say that, today, nearly 70 percent of my new business is made up of social media clients. I help them develop strategies regarding how social media will benefit their business and assist in setting up the various platforms. For those clients who already have a social media presence, we work together to see how they can best use it moving forward. Recognizing the importance of social media and capitalizing on its popularity became a great client acquisition and retention solution for Accredited Virtual Assistance.

Self-confidence comes from believing in the value your business offers

2010-05-10T15:00:00.002-05:00

Realtor leans on education to succeed in rocky marketplace

2010-04-29T04:44:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Jon Sesterhenn, realtor
Koenig & Strey
http://www.jonsesterhenn.com
jsesterhenn@ksgmac.com
847-874-6770

MY BUSINESS
I’m a residential realtor with Koenig & Strey specializing in helping people buy and sell their homes. I’ve been in this field going on seven years having started in 2003.

MY UNIQUENESS
I am not a high volume realtor – one who courts you and passes you on to an assistant the minute you sign on with me. I personally and patiently listen to people’s needs and wants. For example, a recent client took nine months to find his perfect home. I showed him nearly 120 listings, but by working closely with him he found the home that he truly wanted.

IDEAL CLIENT
Perfect clients for me are first time home buyers. It’s fun helping them find their first home. They listen to and accept the advice you give them. Compared to those of other experienced buyers who think they know more than you, first-time buyer transactions actually go much more smoothly. These clients are usually younger buyers who lean on your experience and expertise.

CHALLENGE
As everyone knows, over the last four years the real estate business has gone from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market. From the banking crisis to the recession to people losing their jobs and then their homes to foreclosures – things looked bleak. To make matters worse, many realtors didn’t know how to deal with these events and subsequently lost their own businesses. From all this emerged my challenge – understanding, confronting and achieving success in this troubled marketplace. Knowing the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure was confusing, how to deal with bank-owned properties had become very problematic, pricing homes became difficult, how to educate homeowners about their home values decreasing beyond their expectations was challenging. I needed to know clearly how to price a home today as opposed to when we were in a buyer’s market when you’d price a house high and let the market eventually adjust itself to reach the correct price. The problem in this decreasing market is that if you price a house wrongly you continue to chase the price as it continues to drop. Pricing the home correctly the first time is critical or you wind up making steep corrections to get to the current market price. Therein lay my challenges.

RESOLUTION
I boldly switched real estate agencies. I realized that my old firm was not adapting to the changing market situation. So, I looked for a broker that had the resources to educate its agents. I found that Koenig & Strey was a corporate-owned office and not a franchise-owned. As a result, they had the backing and the finances of the corporation and the resources to give every agent a proper education to deal with the changing market. Next, I needed to know the marketplace. Therefore, I took advantage of every course the office offered including a recent short sale and foreclosure certification course. The in-class and webinar course concluded with a certification exam. I learned how to deal with bank-owned properties, how to understand the complexities of the short-sale package, and how to submit it to the bank to help stressed homeowners stay out of foreclosure. Right now, I need to market myself as one who can meet the challenges of today’s economic times. I’m using social media to reach homeowners in local subdivisions through an email newsletter campaign to my contact list. But, meanwhile, I know that I am well equipped to handle any complex residential real estate issue that both buyers and sellers may find themselves facing.

Investing in experts increases sales

2010-04-22T14:30:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Sue Becker, Founder and Owner
From Piles to Smiles®
www.pilestosmiles.com
http://www.pilestosmiles.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/FromPilestoSmiles
http://twitter.com/suebecker
http://www.linkedin.com/in/suebeckercpocd
sue@pilestosmiles.com - 630-724-1111

MY BUSINESS
I have been helping residential and business clients create substantial change by organizing and simplifying their lives since 2000. I have helped thousands of people around the world create customized systems to overcome their overwhelming paperwork, clutter, and schedules. My passion is helping people grow and thrive in the life they were meant to live by conquering the disorganization that holds them back. I specialize in helping people who are chronically disorganized - those for whom disorganization has been a lifelong struggle that negatively impacts every aspect of their life. I love helping people live a better life and educating them to make them self-sufficient. My tagline is "Simplicity • Harmony • Freedom."

MY UNIQUENESS
What sets me apart from other Professional Organizers? I’m highly credentialed – Illinois’ first Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, and an ADD Specialist. I have the patience, knowledge, experience, and creativity to work with “hopeless” clients. I’m well-educated – CPA, and an MBA from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. I really care about my clients – I follow up with them to support and encourage them. My goal is to transfer my organizing skills, not to have people become reliant on me. I can help people in person or over the phone. And, I offer a number of products to assist people who want to get organized on their own http://www.pilestosmiles.com/products.htm.

THE IDEAL CLIENT REFERRAL
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, people who work from home, and employees who need help organizing their paperwork and managing their time - People whose homes are in disarray due to clutter, poor time management skills, and poor delegation of chores - Organizations that need a speaker on workplace organization, time management, home organization, organizing kids, or organizing students - Therapists, especially those who work with people with AD/HD.

CORE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
I have developed a number of products to help people get organized. I have invested a lot (I mean a lot) of time developing these products, and for one of them, I have also invested a lot of money (for a virtual assistant, graphic designer and printing). I thought I had enough traffic to my website and enough readers of my monthly newsletter (where I feature a different product each month) to drive sales, but orders were simply not coming in.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
I hired a business coach to help me determine how to proceed. She convinced me that I needed to be more involved in social media. So, with much kicking and screaming, I started a blog and Facebook® Fan Page, got more engaged in LinkedIn® and started using Twitter®. I have been able to use these forums to demonstrate my expertise, and to offer examples of how my products can be of help to people. Since I didn’t have the expertise, and wasn’t particularly interested in spending the time to develop it, I hired someone to set up my Fan page and blog. I have sold more products in the 4 months I’ve been actively engaged in social media than in the entire prior year. Lessons learned: invest in experts to help you in areas where you don’t possess the needed skills.

Graphic designer finally realizes she was destined to remain an entrepreneur

2010-04-14T14:08:00.000-05:00

Showcasing entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing their insights begins by hearing their stories like the one offered by

Dagmar Persons, Owner and Creative Director
Design & Art LLC
http://www.design-n-art.com/ - dagmar.dna@gmail.com
630-2202800

MY MOTIVATION
I had been an independent graphic designer up until nearly twelve years ago. Then what I considered to be a terrific opportunity arose which was to become a full-time employee of one of my major clients. After six years, the business folded and I was back to square one. After freelancing again for two years, an identical opportunity came up. So, once more, I worked for another large client for four more years only to see them file bankruptcy, as well. As a result, I am once more building up my own graphic design business – Design & Art, LLC. I specialize in all forms of branding campaigns, print medium design and website development for businesses of every size that would need brand identity and graphic design, catalog and packaging design or photo art direction, styling and illustration.

MY UNIQUENESS
Unlike graphic designers in the U.S. who need only study graphic design if that is their career path, European-educated designers, like myself, must study every art discipline including, sculpture, architectural drawing, ceramics, fine art along with graphic design. This deep understanding of the essence of art in advertising gives me a unique versatility that enables me to keep the customer's brand consistent throughout all media - print, web, packaging, Point-of-Purchase displays and exhibits.

IDEAL CLIENTS
As a result of my education, I am very comfortable working within all industries. The ideal client for Design & Art would be a business that needed graphic and web design, POP displays, graphics for a trade show booth, and accompanying trade show promotional collateral. To reach these prospects I’ve been doing serious networking and emailing to potential clients.

ADVICE TO SHARE
Entrepreneurs should consider becoming an LLC, as I did, primarily to protect their personal assets. However, be aware that it is not an inexpensive venture initially along with having to renew your status every year. What I have learned from my experience of going from freelancing to full-time employment and back a few times is that I should have remained a freelance graphic designer. I feel that if I had, I would be well established at this point with a solid client base of national brand companies that I once had. My advice to all budding entrepreneurs is that if you have a real passion for your profession, nothing should prevent you from pursuing it. Even if you are struggling in the beginning or at some points along the way, you will survive if you have a true passion for whatever it is you are doing.

Consultant's specialized marketing efforts result in new clients and more business

2010-04-06T13:56:00.000-05:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following conversation with

Glenn Turner, President
LDG Consulting, Inc.
http://www.resultswithldg.com/
glenn@resultswithldg.com
847-541-5299

MY BUSINESS
LDG Consulting, Inc. is a leadership development company that helps grow small to medium-sized businesses using leadership development type processes. These include strategic planning and organizational development for sales teams, customer service and executive staffs, project management teams, and all other teams put together within an organization to help achieve a specific goal. We work together to improve their leadership skills using a series of strategic planning or coaching processes. I find that many small entrepreneurs really want coaching and strategic planning, so I offer executive leadership. This helps entrepreneurs start thinking like an executive by looking at their business from that 30,000-foot view and by making more of their decisions strategically. For larger companies with existing teams, it’s more of re-energizing the group, getting refocused using their years of experience and knowledge. My ideal clients are positive-minded businesses that are looking to grow or improve – whether that be in sales, customer loyalty rating, or quality of work they produce. Companies with this profile are never standing still and are a great fit for me.

UNIQUENESS
Unlike many consultants, I stay with my clients for an entire year after we implement their process. When I do a strategic plan with a business owner or a larger organization it will take me nearly three months for it to become reality. But, I don’t leave them after that time. From months four through 12, I stay in contact with them at least once or twice a month to make sure they are on target to hit the goals we set. At the end of the year I’m only going to be successful if they hit those goals. This extended customer contact is the value that I bring to a business.

BUSINESS CHALLENGE
The biggest collective obstacle I had encountered in working my business was to learn how to market my business, to sell myself, and to effectively network. My previous experience had been as a police officer and as a lawyer – two professions in which you really didn’t have to do any selling of yourself. But, in operating this business I had to learn how to market myself, to let prospects know I was available. I also had to learn how to handle people giving me NO for an answer – something I was unfamiliar with especially coming from law enforcement.

RESOLUTION
I went through the sales training program of Resource Associates – my affiliate company that provides all of the training materials and processes that I offer clients. They have used these processes and materials with great success over the last 30 years working with Fortune 500 companies as well as with sole proprietor operations. I’ve also positioned myself to learn useful networking techniques from professionals I’ve met at various events. In my line of work, what seems to work best is meeting people and having them get to know and trust you. It’s all about developing relationships. So I’ve developed what I call an educational marketing plan that gets me speaking in front of different groups as often as possible. Several other things that I’ve done have started to make getting in front of slightly larger businesses a little easier - one of which is joining the Metropolitan Club in Chicago. Overall, it’s been a learning experience and one that’s starting to pay off. I’m beginning to reach more clients and gain more business by building a better network to market LDG Consulting, Inc.

Prioritizing is key to success for multi-faceted entrepreneur

2010-03-25T23:12:00.000-05:00

Liane Sebastian
Publishing pioneer who wears a designer's hat, an editor's coat and a publisher's shoes
http://www.lianesebastian.com/ - lsebast999@aol.com
Blog - http://wisdomofwork.wordpress.com/
847-570-0050

MY BUSINESS
As a graphic designer, publisher, author, speaker, and businesswomen, I claim to be the consummate entrepreneur. If you have the gene, entrepreneurialism propels every big decision. Although my focus has always been on visual communication, my writing and editing follow parallel career paths.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Most of what I design I don’t write. Yet, I MUST read it to represent it on the page. My publishing skills influence and distinguish my design work. I mesh the visual with the verbal message. However, this blend offers challenges of prioritizing and focus. I’ve learned many unexpected lessons in this blend.

LESSONS LEARNED
Visibility is strategic. It is more important to be seen by the right people than it is to be seen by a lot of people.

Work past self-education. I tend to analyze and read more books sometimes to procrastinate. There comes a time where you have to stop reading and start doing.

It is too easy to get distracted. In a tight economy, networking is under pressure to produce clients. It is too seductive to hang out with colleagues or collect conversations with friends online. Communication must be used as tools rather than as recreation.

Focus on core business. This is a necessity in a tight economy where margins are bare bones. It is unfortunate to work in a profession that has actually had to lower fees versus raise them.

Commit to simple themes. My choice is creativity. My blog applies creative thinking to business and has a running self-seminar workshop column hybrid to help readers polish their ability to access their own creativity.

Target promotion with a finer pencil. In defining my ideal client, the nonprofit association executive, I need to direct all my publications to that audience, even though it is a lot of fun to write to other professional communicators.

Avoid over committing. It is easier to start projects than it is to sustain them. I carefully grew my blog into a routine I can sustain. I learned my lessons from groups joined where I didn’t participate and publications started that I couldn’t support. I have new ideas every day. I am careful to put each away for a few days to reevaluate before serious consideration.

Stir the referral network differently than new business targets. They require very different strategies. I’ve become very cautious about referrals because I lost an opportunity where my referral dropped the ball.

My biggest challenge is building readership in a target market that is too busy to read, but needs the help. The proof can be seen in the state of most graphics - always fitting the 80/20 Rule. But, I add that the excellent are always less than five percent. I strive to be in that five percent and recognize excellence when found.

Qualifying referrals first leads to client relationships that last

2010-03-08T08:15:00.000-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Sue Kramer Harrawood, Owner
Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance
http://www.vapeaceofmind.com/solutions@vapeaceofmind.com
708-361-4863

MY BUSINESS
Since 2003, Peace of Mind Virtual Assistance has been providing clients - typically small business owners - with a network of highly skilled entrepreneurial veteran virtual professionals. Our clients outsource a myriad of items to us - bookkeeping, social media, events, speaker items (shopping carts, web updates, logistics, etc.), overall executive management and much more. Due to the Internet we are able to serve clients across the country saving them time which equates to dollars and peace of mind. We allow them to focus on what they love and are best skilled to do. As a 100 percent referral-based company our referrals come quite simply from those who know, like and trust us. The criteria for business owners to be considered a prospect are these: established business, enjoyable to work with, have the highest integrity, leader (business and community), possess and live traditional values, transparent communicator, committed to building long-term relationships, and “get” what we do and that we sincerely desire to help grow their businesses.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Not long ago, I had a lesson learned which profoundly changed how I see myself as a business owner and how I operate my business. It also changed how I perceive other professionals. Due to our service nature and support mindset, we occasionally bypass our in-place processes and take on new clients who need help quickly. As a result, I’ve learned my largest business lesson to date.

REALIZATION/SOLUTION
By letting my supportive nature supersede my processes at times, I realized a few things. My company cannot help everyone and there are those folks out there who are not who they portray themselves to be. As much of a “duh” moment as that may sound, due to the high caliber of clients we’ve had over the years, I forgot that not everyone portrays themselves honestly. My caution to other entrepreneurs is to screen, screen, and screen some more. Regardless of who refers a prospect to you, don’t assume that because they’re in a hurry to start working with, you should also be in a hurry to work with them. Do not circumvent your process for anyone. Go with your gut and if you pray, do so. Take time to find out if the potential client is a good fit. If you do bring them on continue to listen to your gut and to God. If something seems odd, it probably is – move on. I learned the hard way and am eager to save my fellow entrepreneurs from learning the hard lesson of taking on the wrong client, as well.

Experienced entrepreneurs sharing business challenges featured on Transparency online showcase

2010-02-22T14:20:00.000-06:00

Showcasing experienced entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can share solutions to unique business challenges that might be the answer to a similar challenge with which yet another entrepreneur is struggling. This openness of information flows with the following story offered by

Gary Swiontek, Owner
GrooveMaster Graphics, Arlington Heights, Illinois
http://www.groovemastergraphics.com/ - gary@GrooveMasterGraphics.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/groovemastergary on LinkedIn
847-394-8512

MY BUSINESS
GrooveMaster Graphics is a graphic design company that in reality creates “message delivery systems.” Attractive graphics are only a means to an end. We create logos, brochures, postcards, ads and other printed marketing communications to help clients build their brands. In the end, they’re able to sell their goods and services as a result of our broadcasting their messaging via professionally designed graphics.

OUR UNIQUENESS
Our tag line is “We Listen, We Deliver.” So listening to clients in order to understand their goals is important to us. We ask for specific information about the project as well as general information about their brand, philosophy and so forth. Most projects begin with a questionnaire used to gather this information so that we are in the right neighborhood before we start development. Ultimately, because we are listening we can deliver the appropriate artwork. But, much more importantly, we will deliver the client’s precise messaging. We seek clients who have solid marketing plans and are committed to them. We also look for prospects who understand the value a professional graphic designer adds to the success of their businesses. The ideal client is one who puts a great deal of trust in our judgment.

UNIQUE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
An ongoing challenge that faced GrooveMaster Graphics was how to handle the roller coaster environment of projects either coming in all at once or widely spaced apart. The main reason that this was occurring was due to the fact that we were not acquiring enough clients who required services on a semi-regular basis. This would have generated a strong, consistent revenue stream. This predicament affected our bottom line as well as our growth potential by never knowing for certain where the next project was coming from. At the same time, we found it even more difficult to be as creative as possible when squeezing multiple projects into a small time frame. Everything seemed out of balance.

OUR EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
I decided we needed an action plan. It began by seeking advice on how to be more focused and organized in terms of marketing GrooveMaster Graphics. I got in touch with professional business and marketing consultants. Here is the result of working with them.

1. We have put our marketing plan in writing. Until we did, it wasn’t real. Seeing it in black and white makes it a concrete element for which we are accountable.
2. We’ve also clearly defined our services so that clients have no misconceptions as to what we provide. In addition, we have created service bundles to give clients an economical choice of “message delivery” options.
3. Next, we identified our specific target audience. This makes our own messaging process much more focused and effective.
4. A social media strategy came next. We are a social media participant, yet we are still exploring what forms of social media are most appropriate for reaching our ideal clients.
5. GrooveMaster Graphics does email a monthly newsletter. It is a major element in our marketing strategy. It provides informational and educational content to our readership.
6. A great deal of effort will be put into building a new website with easier navigation, more information and highly effective SEO and SEM initiatives as part of its overall scope.

While many of the plan’s elements are in action today, several others are in their development stages. Our evenly-spaced projects problem is not entirely resolved as of yet, but we are putting a stronger focus on new goals which our action plan should help us reach. We feel that a true commitment to our plan along with follow-through should help in GrooveMaster Graphics’ overcoming its roller coaster challenge.

Early entrepreneurs gain new marketing and social media opportunities through online business showcase

2010-02-15T20:28:00.000-06:00

Showcasing early entrepreneurs offers an added marketing communications or social media element to help promote their businesses. In addition, it provides a forum through which they can guide other aspiring business owners around avoidable obstacles and toward a path of attainable goals. Sharing their insights begins by hearing their stories like the one offered by

Barrie Hinman, Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.), Diplomate Acupuncture (DiplAC), Barrington Acupuncture Clinic, Barrington, Illinois
www.barringtonacu.com – barrie@barringtonacu.com
847-382-1884 or 847-624-4ACU (4228)

My Motivation
By my mid-fifties I knew I would want to work for a lot longer rather than planning to retire but I wanted to make a shift to something that would give me joy and allow me to give back to the community in a more proactive way. As I have always been interested in alternative means of healing and personally found acupuncture to be a tremendous way to maintain health and well being I decided to pursue it as my longer term career. While continuing to work and serve my existing clients for payroll and bookkeeping, I enrolled in the acupuncture program at National University of Health Sciences in Lombard IL and graduated after three years of rigorous studies in August 2009 with a Masters degree in Acupuncture.

Uniqueness
I bring a lifetime of experience in living and working to the practice along with a life-long love of alternative healing methods that promote wellness by considering the mind and emotions as two other significant components of physical well being. As a Buddhist, I am also well-versed in the impact of spiritual well being on our physical health. Having spent time working in both large and small corporate America over the years I have a clear understanding of the pressures people face in balancing work and life with the inherent physical imbalances that tend to crop up while attempting to juggle conflicting demands. Having been the beneficiary of acupuncture treatments for many years I am a firm believer from experience that it can help us maintain balance and well being in our lives. As an acupuncturist, I treat the whole being not just physical symptoms so I spend time listening carefully to my patients to help them find relief from stress and pain in their lives.

Client Profile
Given the culture we live in, our dietary habits and how we live our lives, people are experiencing the stresses and strains of the imbalances that cause physical pain, anxiety, depression, loss of sleep and other hardships very early in life. So, my perfect client is anyone who suffers from chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, stress, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological disorders or frequently recurring illnesses.

Marketing Methods
While still in school I developed a business and marketing plan and started working with a branding specialist who designed my logo and the theme for my website's visual appearance. I used VistaPrint® to print my business cards and a local printer, Forrest Press in Barrington to print my rack cards (the new brochure) and prescription pads to give to doctors for patient referrals. Since I believe that the Internet has pretty much become the new Yellow Pages® I have focused on visibility via the Internet. I registered with Acufinder.com and created a profile to highlight my practice in Barrington as well as to highlight my work at Healing Tree Physical Therapy in Wilmette. Acufinder.com does a good job of getting my practice on the first page of a lot of search engines and if someone goes to the acufinder.com web site and searches for acupuncturists by zip code it shows my practice by geographic location. I’ve also registered my business with Google Maps® so that when a person googles “acupuncturist Barrington Il,” I’m featured on a Google map indicating various acupuncturists in the Barrington area. I also have registered with Yahoo® and Yelp® and have updated my listings on LinkedIn® and Plaxo®. In addition to all of the collateral materials for marketing my practice I focused on finding a physical location that would be visible from well traveled streets with signage out front so that people driving by would be reminded that acupuncture is available here in Barrington. I also have been making sure I got my name out locally by rejoining the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, visiting doctors’ offices, placing business cards and rack cards in local businesses and joining a local business networking group Pro Alliance in Barrington. I will be continuing to establish referral relationships with various health care providers in the area; I see these relationships as a win-win for both myself and the other practitioners as we can complement each other’s strengths to ensure maximum wellness for our mutual patients.

Learning Experience
I envisioned taking board exams before I graduated so that I could be licensed and have my practice up and running by mid-September of 2009. The reality was that I took boards after graduation and it was a tremendous gift as the studying gave me time to integrate all of three years’ education and start visualizing a practice that truly reflected my vision. It also gave me some time to slow down and recover from the rigors of school which was much needed for my own health and well being. I also didn’t comprehend the complexities and wait times between completing board exams, receiving national certification, applying for state licensure and waiting for licensure to occur. I had a great realtor who expedited my finding a space and I moved in about three weeks after we started looking in mid-November. I also didn’t foresee that it would take me a month to get settled in and organized but moving in early December plus the holiday season and starting to see patients in Wilmette did complicate that process. By January 2010 my practice was finally open for business in Barrington.

My advice to other potential entrepreneurs is this:
· Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
· Be realistic about the timelines of opening a business
· Have other ways of making money or supporting yourself while you’re trying to get your business going
· Possibly get some other form of financial backing – loan or line of credit
· Get your marketing materials in place – online positioning, website, business cards
· Plan and order inventory, develop forms and establish bookkeeping procedures you will need to support your business before opening
· It will take time, but with constant attention and outreach you will grow your practice and number of patients seen each week

Business showcase offers new marketing and social media opportunities to entrepreneurs

2010-02-04T12:03:00.000-06:00

Our Uniqueness
Fitness Together is different in that it not only offers private, one-on-one training, it adds personal accountability to fitness and nutrition. We are one of the few truly private training studios. We provide private suites for client and trainer. Many people are uncomfortable with their weight so privacy becomes a big factor. At the same time, we stress goal setting, follow-up and accountability. Clients are able to tap into our online nutrition program that offers sample meal planning to get them started with healthy menus. They key in their food intake each day and are then graded on their protein and carb totals to help them stay on track. We also offer full fitness assessments and retest our clients every six weeks to make sure their personal goals are met. Our strong focus is on achieving goals.

Client Profile
Our target audience is made up primarily of women between 30 and 65 with disposable incomes who truly believe that their health is important. However, today, many people outside that range are realizing the importance of health and fitness and are willing to spend money on both. Ultimately, we’re perfect for those who say "I’m sick and tired of being overweight and having no energy. I’ve been putting everyone else first, now it’s time to take care of me." I've also been partnering with chiropractors and doctors for referrals. When people require the next level of therapy we can take them to it. The same holds for cardiac patients. Our studio is a great supervised environment for heart patient rehab.

Marketing Methods
We’ve tried advertising in all the coupon magazines which took up a lot of funding. Other marketing efforts included direct mailings and ads in local publications – some of which offer the opportunity to write your own article to accompany purchased advertising. I’ve got a lot of ideas to market the business, but I need to find what works best in my area.

Learning Experience
Like all new entrepreneurs, I was excited about the venture in October 2007 and wanted to open quickly. As a result, I was a little too hasty in selecting a location for the studio. I leased space in a building before it was built and put my trust in people that – in looking back – I shouldn’t have. For a variety of reasons, the building wasn’t finished until a year later in late 2008. Naturally, the economic climate didn’t help matters either as far as gaining clients.

My advice to other potential entrepreneurs is this:
· Really think through the whole concept before making your decision
· Know that it will be a lot of stressful work
· Don’t expect profits your first year or two
· Be patient because in the end your dream will be rewarding

Lastly, I was truly surprised to learn that most people weren't setting health and fitness as a priority in their lives. I am in the business of changing that mindset – one fit and healthy lifestyle at a time.