Looking Back, Looking Forward; GoodBiz113 Ramping Up to Showcase Increased Number of Win-Win Small-Business Partnerships, Democratic Policies

As Memorial Day weekend winds down and today's hot Minnesota breezes beckon summer, we're making time to reflect on GoodBiz113's just-shy-of-five-years history.

Looking Back...
In September 2006, we launched GoodBiz113 with three objectives in mind:

1] To provide well-deserved attention to otherwise-unsung small businesses that forge innovative and socially conscious partnerships with nonprofits and/or public agencies to benefit the greater good -- and, hopefully, inspire *other* businesses both large and small to take positive social action in their corners of the Universe;

2] To cast a light on Democrats who are committed to advancing policies that genuinely promote entrepreneurship, job creation and economic recovery -- e.g., Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.], then-Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar [D-Minn.]; and

3] To present practices and tips to help small-business owners maximize their resources -- e.g., time, energy, people, money.

Since our September 2006 launch, GoodBiz113 has showcased several socially responsible small-business partnerships, policies and practices.

We've featured businesses from coast to coast, and each enterprise has benefited from the far-reaching PR and Internet exposure -- when their profile initially posted, and in assorted follow-ups; e.g., announcing new products, services, synergies, special events.

Among the win-win partnerships we've featured thus far on a pro bono basis:

* "Minnesota Artisans Mobilize Community to Create 9/11 Stained-Glass Memorial Window: Part 1"
* "Minnesota Artisans Mobilize Community to Create 9/11 Stained-Glass Memorial Window: Part 2"
* "Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"
* "Recycline-Stonyfield Farm Partnership Milks Resources to Benefit the Environment, Consumers and Each Other" [NOTE: We scooped Inc. Magazine on this one!]
* "Alexis Bailly Vineyard Helps U of M Cultivate Wine Industry in Minnesota, 'Where the Grapes Can Suffer'"
* "Life is good® Festivals Unite Communities, Help Kids Face Unfair Challenges"
* "Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"
* "South Cone's Sustainable Furniture-Making Serves Growing Consumer Demand; Activism at Seat of New Global Council"
* "Kessler's Helps Feed Storybook Land's Win-Win-Win Growth in Aberdeen, S.D."
* "Verve Inc. Puts Sustainable Bite on All-Natural Chewing Gum and Educational Candy-Making Kits for Kids"
* "Fairview Southdale Hospital Library Invites Employees, Patients and Community to Meet Local Authors; Suspense Writer Brian Freeman Presents on Jan. 22"

We've also shed a positive light on what President Barack Obama, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary Landrieu [D-La.], U.S. Sen. Al Franken [D-Minn.] and other Democrats are doing to promote entrepreneurship and job creation; e.g., Startup America.

Occasionally, we've also mentioned what a too-small handful of exemplary Republicans -- e.g., Olympia Snowe [R-Maine] -- are doing to serve the best interests of small businesses. [Use the handy-dandy Google Search box, above, to research and track our posts.]

Looking Forward...
Now, as both the weather and, yes, the critical 2012 political season begin to heat up, we're preparing to ramp up our reporting about small-business synergies, as well as about the current and would-be Democratic elected officials who purport to be friendly to the diverse small-business community; e.g., artists, consultants, "solopreneurs," Main Street Mom-and-Pop retailers.

Heretofore, our parent company, YAWP! Media, has bootstrapped GoodBiz113's publishing endeavors entirely in-house. Now, we aim to fuel our enhanced reporting via crowd funding, defined by Wikipedia as "the collective cooperation, attention and trust by people who network and pool their money and other resources together, usually via the Internet, to support efforts initiated by other people or organizations."

We have other seasoned writers and social media experts at the ready to begin tackling our backlog of small-biz synergy profiles, as well as ongoing developments in the policy arena. These professionals deserve to do good work, and they deserve decent compensation to exercise their wealth of talents and insights.

Ramping Up GoodBiz113
We need $20,000 in order to make that happen for far-reaching, win-win good.

If you'd like to support socially responsible small-business partnerships, as well as the policies and practices that fuel entrepreneurial growth, make your pledge today at our Kapipal page -- http://bit.ly/RampUpGoodBiz113 -- by choosing one of the following categories...**

PLEDGE $25
Small-Business Friend: If you pledge $25, you'll be kept apprised of GoodBiz113-related developments; e.g, new profiles.

PLEDGE $100
Small-Business Ally: If you pledge $100, you get the above -- plus name recognition on GoodBiz113.

PLEDGE $500
Small-Business Fan: If you pledge $500, you get all of the above -- plus, we'll post a live link from GoodBiz113 to your website AND we'll distribute an SEO'd press release announcing your support of GoodBiz113’s ramp-up.

PLEDGE $1,000
Small-Business Cheerleader: If you pledge $1,000, you get all of the above -- plus, we'll feature ONE small-biz partnership of your choice; e.g., your own, one of your current or would-be clients/customers. This original SEO-optimized profile will be in a reader-friendly Q&A format *and* include a live link to your website, as well as to the websites of the small business and its partner[s].

PLEDGE $2,000
Small-Business Champion: If you pledge $2,000, you get all of the above -- plus, through 2012, we'll place a 220x110 banner ad in the right column of GoodBiz113 for you to display your logo; you supply the HTML code. We'll also feature TWO small-biz synergies of your choice.

Sponsorship Packages & Offline Pledge Options Available, Too

Besides doing crowd funding via Kapipal, GoodBiz113 is also offering win-win sponsorship packages to individuals and organizations that would like to showcase *several* small-business partnerships on GoodBiz113 through 2012. [NOTE: This is another great opportunity for professionals, prime contractors, VCs and other small-biz stakeholders to provide value-added PR to their clients, vendors, suppliers, etc.]

For details about sponsorship packages and/or making pledges offline, e-mail GoodBiz113 [at] gmail.com.

Thanks, in advance, for supporting GoodBiz113's [near] tireless efforts to promote entrepreneurship, job creation, economic recovery, and the dedicated politicos working on behalf of our dynamic small-biz community -- truly the backbone of our economy.

**Businesses, take note: Come tax time, you should be able to deduct your pledge as an advertising expense. Ask your accountant.

SOURCES: U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Small Business Administration, The White House, Wikipedia
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Be Part of GoodBiz113's Ramp-Up Phase -- for Win-Win Good! Pledge Today: http://bit.ly/RampUpGoodBiz113

SBA Introduces New Mobile Application for Small-Business Owners, Entrepreneurs

Smartphone users interested in starting or growing a small business can now find helpful resources at their fingertips via a new SBA mobile application from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"Increasingly, smartphones are the vehicle through which Americans access information," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "This is certainly true of many entrepreneurs and small-business owners, and this new application ensures they will have access to SBA’s resources and programs -- literally, at their fingertips.

"Greater mobility fits with the new user-focused SBA.gov launched recently, and is another example of the steps we are taking to do a better job of connecting entrepreneurs and small-business owners with the tools to help them start or grow their businesses and create jobs."

Developed and donated as a gift by Palo Alto Software Inc., the SBA mobile app will make the search for extensive resources more efficient -- whether users are starting a new business, or taking an existing business to a new level. The app will first be available for the Apple iPhone®, with future versions for other smartphone platforms.

"Palo Alto Software’s mission is to help small businesses succeed," said Sabrina Parsons [pictured], CEO of Palo Alto Software. "We’ve developed this mobile application for the SBA because we understand the importance of having the right tools and resources when starting or growing a business.

"Ideas can strike entrepreneurs at any moment, and having useful resources available through mobile devices could be the impetus that begins the next big company."

The mobile app will help users connect with SBA district office staff and SBA-affiliated counselors and mentors who can provide free, personalized small-business assistance. The user-friendly format of the app will help answer questions such as: How do I start a business? Where can I go in my area to get free help with writing a business plan? And where do I begin finding funding for my business?

The SBA mobile app also features a built-in startup cost calculator to help estimate the costs associated with getting a business off the ground, plus an SBA partner locator to help users find SBA offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.

Users will also have mobile access to SBA video content and social media alerts to provide them with tips on the go. This will include live updates from the SBA’s YouTube channel and from SBA’s Twitter feeds.

SBA's free mobile app can be downloaded from the agency’s website at http://1.usa.gov/MobileSBA.

SOURCES: Palo Alto Software Inc. [photo], U.S. Small Business Administration
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SBA Unveils New Website, Launches SBA Direct -- a Tool Delivering Personalized and Targeted Resources

As part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s mission to ensure that small-business owners and entrepreneurs have access to accurate, timely and helpful information, SBA Administrator Karen Mills [pictured] today unveiled a newly redesigned SBA website.

The new site also features the launch of SBA Direct, a dynamic new Web tool with a variety of personalization features that will help small businesses start up, succeed and grow.

"With the launch of the new SBA.gov," said Mills, "we have reached a significant milestone in how the agency has evolved in using interactive Web tools, social media and blogs to engage with, and better meet, the needs of small-business owners.

"While the SBA website has traditionally been an information-rich site, we wanted to make it easier for small-business owners to navigate. With the new and improved SBA.gov, business owners can access the answers they need -- specific to their business profile -- in an instant. It truly presents the face of the future of SBA."

While the site features a variety of enhancements -- including a full redesign, new content and improved navigation -- the centerpiece is a dynamic new Web tool called SBA Direct.

SBA Direct allows visitors to personalize their browsing experience according to their business type, geography and needs. SBA Direct then delivers relevant and targeted information on all aspects of running a business; e.g., steps involved in getting started, business growth strategies, how to stay compliant with current laws and regulations.

SBA Direct also provides information on the available SBA programs that can help businesses succeed -- such as financial assistance; exporting and government contracting opportunities; and counseling and training.

"Transforming the SBA into a proactive, responsive and 'customer-centric' organization that better serves the needs of the nation’s more than 29 million small businesses is an exciting, yet enormous, effort," said Mills.

"We’ve made significant progress," Mills added. "The new SBA.gov is just one example among many -- including record growth capital financing, expedited loan approvals and the acceleration of disaster assistance resources and funds -- of how SBA has, and will continue, to support the growth of small businesses and job creation.”

Other new features to the website include:
* SBA’s small-business search that improves the accuracy and relevancy of search results -- saving time and frustration.
* Improved navigation that gives users one-click access to the information they need. Combined with the personalization features of SBA Direct, users no longer have to mine through pages of information to find answers.
* Integration of Business.gov content -- including a variety of guides and tools that collate information from across government agencies to help business owners comply with laws and regulations, and take advantage of government programs.
* Interactive, location-based maps that allow users to quickly find small-business resources in their area -- including local SBA offices, plus other sources of training and support.
* User-rated content gives visitors to the site-direct control in determining the most useful and relevant information to feature by small-business topic.

SBA’s commitment to using Web services to provide small businesses with greater access to the pool of government resources available began in 2006 with the launch of the award-winning Business.gov website; later, with the Business.gov Community initiative in 2009 [the first government-sponsored online community built specifically for small businesses]; and, more recently, with SBA’s own social-media presence on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The new SBA.gov built on these achievements and best practices as a driver for its transformation. The project is also a flagship for the agency’s Open Government Plan, with the goal of building an online presence for SBA that is transparent, participatory and collaborative.

GoodBiz113's Take
SBA's new website is a vast improvement! It's far more user-friendly and visually appealing, and provides a wealth of at-a-glance links and info for small-business owners who are often too time-pressed to do much of anything besides focus on growing or launching their enterprises.

Once again, Administrator Mills and her team have delivered on their promise to actually help current and would-be small-biz owners easily navigate funding, contracting and counseling opportunities. Oh, and the unprecedented, "one-stop-shopping" transparency re agencywide staff contacts, Recovery Act-funded opportunities, congressional testimonies, etc., is also appreciated.

Kudos to all involved in effectively designing and developing this valuable resource. It epitomizes form and function for the small-business community and our stakeholders.

See for yourself. Take the two-and-a-half-minute tour of SBA's new website here.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
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George Rodrigue's Educational 'Blue Dog 123' Coming to Apple's App Store Soon

GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] just tweeted, "Our first iPad eBook/app, 'Blue Dog 123,' should be available in Apple's App Store in the coming weeks."

To preview his debut educational app, go to: http://bit.ly/g9c9nI.

Additional developments regarding the world-renowned artist...

Rodrigue's Holiday Collection includes works dating back to 1993. For a timely stroll through the artist's online gallery, visit his Facebook page: http://bit.ly/RodrigueHoliday.

To track the latest awe-inspiring events of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Youth Development Through Art in Education, go to: http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue
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George Rodrigue's Holiday Collection Celebrates Christmas Past

GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] just sent us a holiday greeting that features his "Ho Ho Ho" silkscreen, circa 2000 [pictured].

Rodrigue's Holiday Collection includes works dating back to 1993. To browse his online gallery, go to his Facebook page: http://bit.ly/RodrigueHoliday.

To track the latest awe-inspiring events of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Youth Development Through Art in Education, visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

SOURCE: Rodrigue Studio
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The Office Depot Foundation Honors SCORE's Mark Dobosz with Listen, Learn, Care Award

Last Friday, the Office Depot Foundation presented the Listen, Learn, Care Award to Mark Dobosz, executive director of The SCORE Foundation and vice president of development at SCORE "Counselors to America’s Small Business," for his outstanding creativity, innovation and achievement in serving the community of mankind.

Dobosz received the Listen, Learn, Care Award at the fourth annual Office Depot Foundation Tropical Holiday Celebration on Dec. 10, 2010. This annual event celebrated the outstanding work of the Office Depot Foundation, and featured the presentation of the annual Listen, Learn, Care Award to five exceptional individuals.

Mark Dobosz has spent more than 26 years working in a variety of leadership roles and areas for nonprofit organizations. He has been responsible for developing new fundraising programs, as well as expanding several annual giving, planned giving and special-event programs. Mark has helped raise more than $27 million for the organizations he has served.

"Mark Dobosz has demonstrated foresight and vision for SCORE’s future through his commitment to SCORE fundraising," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "He has tirelessly worked to ensure that the message of securing outside support becomes widespread across SCORE.

"Mark has been integral to SCORE’s effort to expand its mission of serving small businesses across America and building the economic strength of local communities."

About The SCORE Foundation
The mission of The SCORE Foundation is to support and leverage the work of SCORE by soliciting, investing and managing resources for the benefit of SCORE. Learn more about The SCORE Foundation at http://www.scorefoundation.org/.

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small-business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 13,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in 350 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education to help grow 1 million small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you.

Visit SCORE at http://www.score.org/ and www.score.org/women.

Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans, www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors and http://www.scorecommunity.org/.

SOURCES: Office Depot Foundation, SCORE, The SCORE Foundation
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Social Artist-Entrepreneur George Rodrigue and His 'Save the Gulf' Sculpture Featured in New Orleans Times-Picayune

Today, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] made the front page of the East Jefferson section of the New Orleans Times-Picayune -- along with his new "Save the Gulf" sculpture, featuring the iconic Blue Dog himself.

Check it out at George's Facebook page: http://bit.ly/SaveTheGulf. Oh, and please be sure to leave a comment for our favorite socially conscious artist :)

For the latest events and good deeds happening via his far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts [GRFA], visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
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Rodrigue Releases Timely 'Emerald Coast' Silkscreen

News reports abound about the BP oil-spill disaster drifting along the Gulf Coast toward Florida's historically pristine beaches. Some sources speculate that the slick could hit shore within days, while others hold that it'll be weeks before the oily mess reaches the Sunshine State.

Meanwhile, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"], who's not exactly new to facing catastrophes head-on, has just released a piece to simultaneously remind folks of brighter, cleaner and safer days past -- and to subtly warn us about seemingly imminent environmental, economic and health threats.

"The Emerald Coast" [pictured above], an original silkscreen measuring 16x38, is available in a signed and numbered edition of 90. Prints are priced at $1,800, and will likely be available for shipment during the week of July 1.

Glimpse Rodrigue's new work at Rodrigue's Facebook page, and please be sure to leave a comment for our favorite artist-philanthropist-activist-entrepreneur: http://bit.ly/EmeraldCoast.

For the latest events and good deeds happening via the far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Youth Development Through Art in Education [GRFA], visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

If you're a small-business owner in need of disaster assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] has resources available: http://bit.ly/DisasterHelpSBA.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
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Rodrigue Extends Memorial Day Greeting, Introduces 'Fred and Lucy'

GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] just bade us a "Happy Memorial Day!" and unveiled his latest painting: "Fred and Lucy," a 20x24 acrylic on canvas board [pictured above].

Check it out at George's Facebook page -- and be sure to leave a comment: http://bit.ly/GeorgeRodrigue.

For the latest events and good deeds happening via his far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

Best wishes to you and yours for a fun, safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
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May 23-25: SBA's Free Forums to Address Key Small-Biz Concerns During National Small Business Week

The small-business public is encouraged to take part in this year's National Small Business Week town hall meeting and business forums, addressing key small-business concerns.

Participants will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and dialogue on relevant issues for small businesses with leading business experts during National Small Business Week, May 23-25, in Washington, D.C.

The town hall meeting and business forums are free, and will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Conference Center, 1330 Maryland Ave., SW, in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] events on issues that impact small business and the economy include:
* Town Hall Meeting: "Small Business: Driving America’s Economy"
* Innovation Forum: "Turning Innovation Into Jobs"
* Exporting Forum: "Taking Your Business Global"
* Social Media Forum: "Join the Conversation"

Among this year's distinguished town hall and forum moderators and speakers:
* JJ Ramberg, MSNBC Host, "Your Business"; and Town Hall Meeting Moderator
* Sean Greene, SBA Innovation Special Adviser; and Innovation Forum Moderator
* Luz Hopewell, SBA International Tradel; and Exporting Forum Moderator
* Brian Moran, Veracle Media LLC; and Social Media Forum Moderator
* Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation
* Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
* Scott Griffith, Chairman & CEO, Zipcar
* Dinesh Lathi, eBay North America Marketplace
* Stephen P. Zimba, Cbeyond
* Claire Johnson, Google
* Dale Hayes, UPS
* Angus Thomson, Intuit Grow Your Business Division
* Luther Lowe, Yelp
* Rieva Lesonsky, GrowBiz Media

2010 Schedule of SBA-Sponsored Events
May 24, 2010 -- Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Conference Center
* 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- Town Hall with SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills
* 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. -- Innovation Forum
* 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Exporting Forum
Sponsors: eBay, Cbeyond and UPS

May 25, 2010 -- Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Conference Center
* 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. -- Social Media Forum
Sponsor: Intuit

Visit http://www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com/ to register for forums, and for the full National Small Business Week schedule.

Live Webcasts Available
For participants who are unable to attend National Small Business Week events in Washington, D.C., the town hall meeting and business forums will be webcast live online at http://www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com/.

2010 Small Business Week sponsors and co-sponsors include: Sam’s Club, Visa, Ford, ADP, Raytheon, Cbeyond, UPS, Intuit, Google, eBay, AT&T, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, D&B, Verio, ASBDC, NADCO, NAGGL, NASE, NSBA, WIPP and SCORE.

To view highlights of 2009 National Small Business Week events, visit: http://bit.ly/SmallBizWeek2009.

To learn about Small Business Week events in your area, go to: http://bit.ly/SmallBizRegion.

To stay informed about SBA's efforts to simultaneously promote entrepreneurship and economic recovery, bookmark the following URL: http://bit.ly/RecoverySBA.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
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Rodrigue Releases Special-Edition 'Friend Me' Print to Mark 14,000-Fan Facebook Milestone

GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] has reached the 14,000-fan Facebook mark. Way to go, George!

To celebrate the occasion, the internationally renowned artist, author, social entrepreneur and philanthropist just released a special-edition, 500-print piece -- aptly titled "Friend Me" -- that's available online and for a limited time only. Each print is signed and numbered, measures 22 x 28 inches, and is priced at $500*. [*Subject to change without notice.]

To order your very own print, go to: http://bit.ly/FriendMe.

For information about the far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts [GRFA], which supports youth development through art in education, please visit: http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

SOURCE: Rodrigue Studio
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