Follow Up: Creative Entrepreneur's Bootcamp w/ Ward 7 Arts Collaborative

Greetings All!

I just wanted to share my great news about the Creative Entrepreneurs Bootcamp that I held in collaboration with the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative in October 2009. The workshop was a HUGE success. There were 10 participants- from all over the creative spectrum, who came to learn about the "art" of being an entrepreneur. The participants had such good things to say about the workshop and a few were re-inspired to keep pushing forward in their art and their desire to create a sustainable living from their art.

As I type this post, I am reflecting on the entire experience and thinking about ways in which I can further improve the workbook and materials. I have some ideas, but as will all good things, they will take some time to implement. In the mean-time, I will be following up with my attendees via email to see how they are doing. I expect to hear even more success stories from the participants!!

Listen to the conversation I had with Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art about Artist as Entrepreneurs. Please be sure to check out her website and get to know her and her work. Not only is Sharon helping her fellow artist become successful, she is a marketing genius and is a successful artist herself).

Here are a few pictures from the workshop

Also, check out what a couple of the participants said about the workshop:





The next workshop will take place in 2010. To receive more information, please send an email to evelyn @ eabplanning.com or leave a comment on this post. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the EAB Podcasts and virtual workshops on our FREE business tools page.

Thanks!

Exploring Entrepreneurship- Webinar with DSLBD and DC Libraries

Greetings All:

Finally!! After 6 months of waiting, I finally received the link for the "Exploring Entrepreneurship" webinar that I developed and facilitated with DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and the DC Libraries as part of Entrepreneurship Week. Check out Parts I and Part II- the total length of the workshop is a little under 60 minutes.

• Exploring Entrepreneurship Part I
• Exploring Entrepreneurship Part II

You can also access the workshops through the DC Libraries Webinar Website. Scroll down to "How to Become an Entrepreneur"

Please let me know what your thoughts are! I am excited because this was my first foray into Webinars. I am actually in the process of developing a couple of virtual workshops so be on the lookout for those as well!

Virtual workshops for busy entrepreneurs

Greetings!

As a busy entrepreneur, you may not have a lot of time to attend many of the available workshops in the DC metro area. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand your plight, and I understand that time is one of our most precious commodities. To that end, I thought it would be cool to compile a list of websites that provide free virtual workshops.

FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS

First things first: I did a webinar of my "Exploring Entrepreneurship" Workshop for the DC Libraries and the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development. The workshop is chock full of useful information. The workshop was divided into two parts, and can be downloaded. Download Part I and Download Part II. The DC Library Webinar website also has some other good topics available for your viewing pleasure.

• Palo Alto Software with the SBA: Developing a Successful Business Plan
• Maryland Small Business Development Network (MSBDN): This website lists a broad range of workshops covering topics like developing your plan, starting a business, financing a business, and growing a business. Courses are free but registration is required.
• SBA Training Website: Similar to the MSBDN, the SBA provides a broad range of online workshops covering all applicable small business topics.
• Internal Revenue Service: The IRS has a great website with video presentations that seek to answer common questions asked by small business owners. Next time, instead of waiting on hold with the IRS, check out their website to see if your answer already exists. The IRS also has an online workshop page for Tax Exempt Entities and Tax Practitioners as well.
• My Own Business: My Own Business is a nonprofit tax exempt organization that provides a free, Internet based 16 session small business workshop.

Suggestions on other free virtual training programs? Please post a comment to this post!

Free and low cost business productivity tools

Greetings!

I just finished creating a resource guide for a client, and I wanted to share some of the free and low costs business productivity tools that exist on the internet today. In the next week or so, I will provide a link to the actual resource guide, but until then, check out some of the resources below. If you have any additional websites to add to this list, please post a comment to this post.

Free & Low-Cost Business Productivity Tools

• www.freshbooks.com: Provides a free invoicing and tracking system for small businesses. First three customers are free and then user must upgrade to manage more clients in the Freshbook system.
  
• www.gotomeeting.com: Provides free virtual meeting services for users.
• www.skype.com: Provides free telephone calls- both national and international via the internet. Free webchat is an option if both users have a Skype account.
• www.tinychat.com: Provides free video chat services to users via the internet. Users do not have to download any software to use this service.
• www.freeconferencecall.com: Provides users with free conference calling service. Users have the options to record their conversations for future use. Very useful tool for creating recorded webinars.
• www.eventbrite.com: Provides a low cost registration solution for any type of event in which tickets are sold or registration is required.
• www.quickbooks.com: Accounting software to help small businesses better manage their finances and easily create key financial statements. Businesses may opt to install the free download- of the Simple Start version and then upgrade to a full version (fully integrated) at a later date. (http://quickbooks.intuit.com/product/accounting-software/free-accounting-software.jsp)

Every business needs good Swag!

Greetings People-

I will be posting a series of articles that highlight great resources for emerging and existing businesses over the next couple of days. Here is the first in the series.

Every business needs some swag...and when I say swag, I am not talking about "swagger" (although it only helps to have a healthy self-confidence about yourself and about your business), I am talking about those products that bear your company name and logo. Things that you can sell to generate revenue and things to give away as part of your advertising and promotion plan.

It use to be that if you wanted to order swag or publish a book or music CD, you paid a lot of money for the privilege to do so. Now technology is allowing us to self-publish and self produce a number of items at a fraction of the cost. Gotta love technology!!

ATLanta Marketing was kind enought to put together this list of 15 websites that allow you to self-create your own products. A few of the sites mentioned include: http://cafepress.com, http://lulu.com, http://createspace.com, http://ponoko.com (takes your designs and turns them into 3D creations) and http://spoonflower.com ( a personal favorite of mine as it lets you turn your artwork into fabric!!

Readers, do you have any cool business websites to share? Please leave a comment!

Thanks for reading!

Why I seriously dislike the terms Recessionista and Frugalista

Greetings!

Can I just say the trendy frugality is not cute or fashionable? For the record, let me state that I have officially come to dislike the terms: Frugalista, Recessionista and even TJmaxxista. Why? Because the terms and the marketing tactics used to popularize these terms undermine those who are truly going through a financial struggle. In a time where more than 3.9 million Americans have been unemployed for more than 27 weeks, its kind of insulting for it to be touted as "frugal" when someone chooses to by $300 shoes over their usual $800 pair. I cannot even stand to pick up a fashion magazine anymore these days. Some of these editors have the nerve to tell me and their millions of readers that spending $198 on a pair of jeans is being economical. I literally roll my eyes and it makes me want to do nothing more than roll up the magazine and bop them on their $300 manicured heads.

This "Frugalista" article in Elle really made cringe. At first, I didn't think that this person was serious...but then I realized, in her world....she thought she was being frugal. I would hate it for her, if she really found out about being frugal for a purpose and not being frugal because it is trendy.

I see that I am not the only one who is sick and tired of this trend. Writer Latoya Peterson at Jezebel.com talks about her dislike of this trend.

Fashion Blog 39thandBroadway also has a great post about glamorizing the concept of a recessionista.

Note to fashion editors- Fashionomics is not about having 1 page of items under $100 and then 50 pages of items over $800. I mean really, does that make sense to you?

Now, lets put this in context. I don't know much about the fashion magazine/publising business, but I can only assume that perhaps a lot of the staffers borrow heavily from the fashion closets or are provided items gratis, or maybe they just may be in a lot of debt--so it makes sense to feature some obscenely expensive item as a financially responsible purchase.

Who knows!!

I do know that in times like these, my chagrin at these words is not about "hating", its about things being in poor taste. I find it hard to take serious, advice about "style on a dime", from a source that says paying $345 for a shirt is a "steal". Ok, maybe when times were good, that was a great deal, but in times where people are having to choose between eating or having health insurance...its almost crass and borderline disrespectful.

My thing is this. Fashion Mags, don't stop what your doing with your fashion spreads and editorials. Truth be told, I like the glossies and they can be truly inspiring. What you can do, however, is stop throwing around words like Fashionomics, Frugalista and Reccessionista in a misguided attempt to "connect" with your "broke" readers. Understand that you are not really doing anything to combat this current economic crisis.

What's your definition of BROKE?

Greetings good people!

For the record, let me state that my definition of "broke" has officially changed. As someone who writes about and develops financial workshops, the "reality" of the economy has changed the way that I interact with personal finance. It's not only the "blue collar" employees who are feeling the pain. Many college educated people, who were told that if they get a degree-they will have their pick of jobs, are feeling the pinch of the economy as well.

I know what I speak of! As a former employee and a current entrepreneur, I have experienced both sides of the coin -comfortable and "truly broke". Being truly broke is not a good feeling at all!! The great thing is that it motivates me to keep pushing forward, because in essence, I made the choice to pursue this path!

You are not broke if with one paycheck you are able to pay all (or your most) of your bills, put food on your table, and have a little money left over to buy gas, go out to the club, and have perhaps have $5.00 to your name until your next paycheck two weeks later. You are just what I now like to call "temporarily cash flow restricted". (Besides, how many times have I said that JOB will keep you "Just Over Broke"?).

On the flip side, if you have to make a choice between real basic needs like heat, health insurance, food and rent/mortgage payments, and/or you are not sure where your next paycheck is coming from...you have some real issues to be concerned about.

Some of my friends and colleagues, (who at the end of the day are doing quite well) are always claiming to be broke. I always suggest that they perhaps count their blessings instead. Who am I to judge? Nobody really, but as an outsider looking in, if you get a consistent paycheck and only have to work one job to maintain your standard of living...be grateful! There are many people who don't even have a budget to work with, much less the luxury of complaining about not being able to go out to dinner with friends. I am finding, that in these times, context is key. A sense of gratitude grounds us and makes us more reflective of the blessings that we do have in life.

This is something that I have to remind myself of EVERYDAY- especially when my own finances are in a less than desirable state. Not having the safety net of a well-paying full time job brings me back to the game plan of having at least three sources of income at all times!.

What's your definition of "Broke"? How do you deal with your finances when they are in a less than desirable state? What are you thoughts on this current state of "Broke"? Please share!!

Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts- Low-Cost Workshops for Artist and Creative Entrepreners!

Greetings Folks-

In an upcoming post, I will highlight some organizations that serve as a great resource for start up businesses and emerging entrepreneurs. In the meantime, check this out. The Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) just released its Fall 2009 workshop calendar, and it is chock full of affordable (free or low-cost) workshops for small businesses and creative entrepreneurs. The small membership fee might be worth the value of the free workshops alone.

One key event that might be of interest to independent musicians is the Music Policy Summit ( October 4-6th, 2009 at Georgetown University). From the WALA website: It’s been nearly a decade since the digital music genie burst out of its bottle, changing the game for virtually everyone in the music ecosystem. So what comes next? Future of Music Policy Summit 2009 will examine this question through practical, musician-focused workshops, keynotes from leading artists, managers and policymakers and inspired panel discussions with the sharpest minds in the music/technology space. New this year, the event will feature unique presentations from a range of visionaries about where we’ve been and where we go from here. All this plus cocktail parties, a movie screening and a rock show! To register, please visit the futureofmusic.org for more details.

WALA is also offering a legal clinic on October 20th and various workshops on trademark law, copyright law, and a workshop on the basics of forming a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. To view this schedule and register for workshops, please visit WALA's calendar of events.

Creative Entrepreneur's Bootcamp

Artist and Creative Entrepreneurs! What are you doing on Columbus Day Weekend? Why don't you join us and Ride the Wave to your Creative Success!!!

Visual Artist and Creative Entrepreneurs! Come and Learn how to "Ride the Wave" to your Creative Success! Join EAB Creative Planning Services, LLC and Ward 7 Arts Collaborative for the Creative Entrepreneurs Bootcamp! Learn how to earn a living from your creative business!! The purpose of this workshop is to teach creative entrepreneurs how to successfully integrate and balance the concepts of creativity and business. In this workshop, not only will we focus on the business of your creativity, we will focus on the creativity that makes your business. As a participant, you will engage in fun activities that will help you learn how to:

• Create a mindset that supports success as a creative entrepreneur;
• Redefine the business planning process, learn about the "Cosmic Business Plan" and how to write one that is relevant to your creative business;
• Demystify financial planning, and create an initial financial plan that focuses on both your personal and business finances;
• Create systems and process that work for you as a creative entrepreneur;
• Earn money doing what you love and learn how to generate wealth from your creativity.

By the end of the workshop, you will learn how to make money doing what you love- CREATING.

Dates: Saturday, October 10th and Monday, October 12th from 1-5pm both days!

The retail value of this workshop is over $300, but due to the generous funding from the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, EAB is able to offer this workshop for (almost) free to the creative community. The reservation fee is only $20 and guarantees your spot in the workshop and includes all workshop materials, workbook, and small snacks throughout the day. This fee will be donated to the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative to help support their artist education initiatives.

Refund Policy: Workshop registration fee is non-refundable. In the event that you cannot make it to the workshop, your fee will be credited to the next Bootcamp. All credits expire 180 days from the original workshop date.

To register, please visit: http://creativebiz.eventbrite.com or visit http://eabplanning.com

Urban Darling fashion consulting firm offers a turnkey business solution

Greetings Folks!

This seems like it may be a great opportunity for fledgling fashion entrepreneurs. Urban Darling (r) out of San Jose, California, has just announced that it will now offer an exclusive licensing agreement of its brand and its operations. Best defined as a turnkey operation, this allows budding fashion stylist to invest in a business with a proven brand, track record and results.

Fashion businesses can range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,00 in start-up cost alone. For a fee of $3,500, licensees will get (amongst other things): a customized page on the Urban Darling(R) website, email address, blog, comprehensive wardrobe styling, proprietary business manuals, access to a support network and various outlets for press, promotions and marketing. Keep in mind that as to maintain your license in the brand, you will have to pay an annual fee. As with any business opportunity, make sure to thoroughly do your research.

To learn more about this opportunity, potential candidates should contact:

To read more, please visit this Reuters article about Urban Darling Expansion or visit their website directly: http://urbandarling.com

Contact: Corinne Phipps
408-332-3655
license@urbandarling.com
www.urbandarling.com