cordially invites you to:
Getting Back on Track II:
428 Stress-Free Tactics to
Earn More · Work Less
Make the winning strategic moves in this recession. This SBDC conference is uniquely designed to give Maryland existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs a "Business Game Plan" to succeed. You WILL leave with knowledge from a panel of peers on creating an "Action Plan for PEAK Performance" and valuable resources (printed and digital material) from Allen Fishman, Michael Gerber and Brad Sugars. All three are internationally known authors, speakers and successful entrepreneurs.
Also learn "How to Pay Business Debts You Can't Afford".
ABOUT THE PANEL*:
Growing from Home-based to Inc. Magazine's "5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies"
Karen Barbour is founder and president of The Barbour Group, LLC which she established in 2002 as a home-based, independent insurance agency focusing on construction bonding and commercial insurance. Since its founding, The Barbour Group has grown to serve a diverse clientele ranging from startups to Fortune 1000 companies throughout the United States. Citing her numerous contributions to the contracting industry, Karen was named the 2008 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
From $20 to a Million, Steps to Create WEALTH
Ashish Shukla emigrated from India to the U.S. in 1989 with his family. They arrived with only $20 and he did not speak English. In 2004 he started his own business. The business is now bringing in several million dollars in revenue yearly. It works completely without him and he is personally a millionaire.
Keys to Successful Government Contracting
Charles Eaton, Director of Diversity and Project Development for Hensel Phelps will share some of the keys to how a small business can be successful in federal and state contracting. Hensel Phelps is one of the top general contractors in the nation and has been in business since 1937. Charles Eaton will only be present on 11/18.
How to Market Yourself as "The Expert"
Jessica Hornedo, president and founder of "The Home Décor Physician", joins the panel of speakers to explain how to create and become "known" in your area as "The Expert".
Learned to STAND OUT and Thrive rather than Barely Survive
Jenny Lind Walsh owns Legacy Contracting, an excavating, paving and utility contracting business. Legacy has overseen hundreds of construction site work projects. Like most businesses, the recession almost destroyed the company. However, by implementing key strategies, she was able to turn the business around. Through restructuring, reorganizing and with new marketing she was able to "STAND OUT". Jenny Walsh will be present on 11/16 and 11/17.
Panel facilitated by: Russell Teter, Northern Maryland SBDC Director, has personally aided over 10,000 entrepreneurs in improving their economic situation; his assistance has led to the acquisition of tens of millions in equity/debt financing as well as the creation and retention of thousands of jobs. Russell has received numerous awards, especially in his work in federal contracting assistance, such as the 2010 Maryland Minority Business Champion of the Year and recognitions including Proclamations from Maryland Governors and Congressional Citations from Members of Congress. He is a certified instructor by the Kauffmann Foundation, the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. Russell has authored numerous articles for University of Maryland, College Park, including Do You Own Your Business or Does Your Business Own You? and The 5 Drivers of Your Bottom Line.
| Date | Sponsor | Opening Remarks | Location (Click link for directions.) | Registration |
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| Friday, June 11th, 10am–1:30pm |
Harford County Office of Economic Development | Harford Community College | Silks at Bulle Rock Havre de Grace, MD |
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| Tuesday, Aug. 24th, 6pm–9pm† |
U.S. Small Business Administration | Harford County Office of Economic Development | Harford Community College, Chesapeake Center Bel Air, MD |
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| Tuesday, Nov. 16th, 6–9pm |
Carroll County Department Economic Development | TBA | Carroll County Office Building Westminster, MD |
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| Wednesday, Nov. 17th, 6–9pm |
Harford County Office of Economic Development | TBA | Harford Community College, Chesapeake Center Bel Air, MD |
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| Thursday, Nov. 18th, 9am–12pm |
Cecil County Office of Economic Development | TBA | Perryville Outlets Perryville, MD |
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| † Similar event named "Strategies for Growth and Competitiveness for Minority Firms" | ||||
* Planned panel. Panel members are volunteers and their ability to attend may change without notice due to their own business responsibilities.
Over the past several years, I have been interviewing, observing, and writing about business and political leaders who have the ability to influence their audience, leaders who fire up the rest of us. Karen Barbour is one of them.
Karen Barbour is one of Maryland's most distinguished business leaders. She clearly understands what businesses need to succeed and she is a strong and forceful advocate.
The conference was inspiring and it challenged me to think out side the box. After implementing just one of the concepts I kicked started my business to 7 days a week of work. This is by far the best conference at I have ever attended, and I still can't believe that it was free.
The information was very timely for business owners to hear. I felt empowered and I appreciated that it was free since that means that the SBDC is invested in my sucess as a business owner!
I recently had the opportunity to meet and discuss several issues with Mr. Shukla. I found him to be both knowledgeable and personable. New and established businesses will find his insight and guidance valuable.
Ashish inspired us with the telling of his story, while his intense listening skills immediately homed in on our comments as they arose. A gratifying speech.
WOW - Great Conference!!! I can't believe it was free. I walked away with more resources in the short time I was there than I did at some all-day seminars that I paid for.
Ashish Shukla's life story is amazing. He had the audience completely engaged, they left the event with clear steps for their own strategic growth.
Before working with the SBDC, new system sales had flat-lined. We began marketing to our existing customers to repair, upgrade and enhance their existing systems. This new focus sustained J&M Systems through the worst of the economic downturn.
We were climbing to the entrepreneur mountain peak when the recession set us back. The SBDC pointed out the simple, yet critical things that needed to be done in my business. Their strategic planning retreat-like format allowed me to work on the business and stay focused on my climb to the top.
Without the SBDC referrals, it is unlikely that we would have been able to successfully commercialize our product.
The SBDC helped me to step back and take an objective look at my business from a nonbiased point of view and start to focus more specifically on the types of things I need to do to build.
I could not have started the business without the insight from the SBDC. I recommend it regularly to others interested in starting a business. My experience has been great.
The SBDC was a godsend. I really mean that. It refocused the way I am doing business, realizing that small changes in my store make large differences in my bottom line.
SBDC sessions are excellent, worthwhile information and tools that allowed my business to grow and prosper.
Ash's positive energy is so refreshing. His stories of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds remind me of the reasons why I got into business in the first place...to chart my own course and to realize big dreams.
I totally accepted SBDC's challenge to allow them to teach me how to reinvent my business. Literally it has changed my life which in turn has changed my business.
The SBDC experience is life changing. I became re-energized to build my business. I am now back on track toward my original goal of creating a lasting legacy for my family.
I thought the seminar was phenomenal. I am in the start up phase of my business so it was great to be able to attend a FREE seminar, gain such valuable information and walk away with free tools to help our organization get off on the right track. Thank you!
The conference was great. Not only was the material useful, timely and inspiring but the opportunity to interact and network with other professionals who were all seeking knowledge and facing the same tough economic conditions and challenges was fulfilling, needed and worthwhile well worth the investment of time.
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is an Event of:
The Maryland SBDC Program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the cosponsor's or participants' opinions, products, or services. All of SBA's programs and services are extended to the public on a non discriminatory basis.