Sharing Your Business

May 25, 2011

Authored by: Sherri Henley

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Business Talk

Sharing with Sherri

In my world many small business owners are ringing my phone daily to discuss ways to promote

their brand through an event, website, publication, direct mail, or social media to name a few.

There are several ways to “get seen” that are affordable if not FREE. I like FREE! But

remember…nothing is free. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin among others may be

free monetarily but what about your time? Time management is an important factor to consider

because time is money. One of the most valuable tools I use is HootSuite, a time management

platform for social media status updates and many other aspects of our world of click and

connect.

Sherri Henley – Founder of Business over Coffee – www.businessovercoffee.info , a sub-group of Imagine Your

Celebration - Owner of Imagine Your Celebration – www.imagineyourcelebration.com Host of Business over

Coffee Talk Radio – www.blogtalkradio.com/sherrihenley i

Wrapping up National Small Business Week

Presidential Proclamation*

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2011

A PROCLAMATION

Our country started as an idea, and it took hard-working, dedicated, and visionary patriots to

make it a reality. Successful businesses start much the same way -- as ideas realized by

entrepreneurs who dream of a better world and work until they see it through. From the family

businesses that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting

edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of America's

promise.

Throughout our economic recovery, persevering small businesses have helped put our country

back on track. Countless new and saved jobs have come from small businesses who took

advantage of tax relief, access to capital, and other tools in the Recovery Act, the Small Business

Jobs Act, and other initiatives launched by my Administration to put Americans back to

work. To ensure the stability of our recovery, we must continue to provide new opportunities for

small business owners and the next generation of entrepreneurs, who will help us out-innovate

our global competitors to win the future.

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To support high-growth businesses, my Administration has launched Startup America, an

initiative that will strengthen access to capital and mentoring while reducing barriers to growth

for small businesses. Entrepreneurship is essential to the strength and resilience of our economy

and our way of life. Startup America will give entrepreneurs the tools they need to build their

business into the next great American company. To encourage innovation, we released the

Strategy for American Innovation, a report outlining my Administration's plan to harness

ingenuity. This means investing in the building blocks of innovation, like education and

infrastructure, while promoting market-based growth through tax credits and effective

intellectual property laws.

The National Export Initiative is working to open markets to American businesses and

support small exporters, who increase American competitiveness abroad and create good jobs

here at home. We continue to create opportunities for businesses in underserved communities

through new lending initiatives, expanded access to counseling, and technical assistance. We are

also working to provide small businesses more opportunities to compete for Federal

contracts. This gives Federal agencies access to some of our country's best products and services

while helping these businesses grow and employ community members. Through these and other

initiatives, we are supporting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that provide work for half

of American workers and create two out of every three new private sector jobs.

Small businesses embody the promise of America: that if you have a good idea and are willing

to work hard enough, you can succeed in our country. This week, we honor and celebrate the

individuals whose inspiration and efforts keep America strong.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by

virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do

hereby proclaim May 15 through May 21, 2011, as Small Business Week. I call upon all

Americans to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the competitiveness of the

American economy with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of

our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the

two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

iVisit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/12/presidential-proclamation-small-business-week for more on National Small Business Week. Presidential Proclamation from www.whitehouse.gov

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Sharing Your Business Business Over Coffee recently launched a radio talk show to spotlight small business owners and professionals by interviewing each person about the benefit of their offer. Although some have found it intimidating to enter the arena of live radio, others have taken the risk of fumbling a word for the rate of return – gaining business. Businesses whom have taken the plunge are listed below:

Emily Rowell – New York Life

Delmar Johnson – HR Brain for Hire – www.hrbrainforhire.com

Keith Mason – The Next Telecom – www.thenexttelecom.com

Allison Brigance (Co-Host)- MidSouth Wedding Guide – www.midsouthweddingguide.com

Mori Welborne – Send Out Cards – www.appreciating-people.com

Mario Parson – Passport Health – www.passporthealthmemphis.com

John Duncan – Greater Memphis Chamber – Vice President Member Services – www.memphischamber.com

Martie Watson – Travel Leaders – www.gotravelleaders.com

Jonbeth Atib – Travel Leaders – www.gotravelleaders.com

Doris Dlugach – American General Life and Accident – www.dorisdlugachmylife.com

Jamaica Williams – Belle Ross Spa and Salon

Nancy Justice – Desoto County Parent Magazine – www.desotoparent.com To share your business LIVE contact us at 901-314-9437 – 800-970-0182 – email: info@imagineyourcelebration.com or visit www.businessovercoffee.info – Business Over Coffee Talk Radio airs each Wednesday at 10am Central.

Pointers for Professionals

Sharing your business can be risky when others may whisper behind your back. Here is how I look at it…at least they are talking! If no one was talking then I must not be seen nor heard!

My motto has been “Show up to go up” and others will start to take notice of you.

What you sell is immaterial – the potential client must first take value in you as a person.

Your reputation will speak louder than words and you will also be held accountable for your words or promises.

Take into consideration your time before you give away the bank. Think of your time as the safe deposit box…you and only those you allow obtain keys for entry.

Know your strengths and weaknesses.

Utilize your inner circle to gain exposure and do unto them as you would have them do unto you.

Mark your words on a calendar – otherwise you will forget and end up with mud on your face.

Imagine – dream – make it happen.

Speak as if everyone is listening.

Write as if the world will read your inner thoughts and no eraser is present.

Skip a line if you shouldn’t say it.

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Share your business with others and share their business with others alike.

Promote those who have a reputation that lines up to your value system.

To submit a thought write to info@imagineyourcelebration.com or visit www.businessovercoffee.info