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April 2007
Event Calendar
Tuesday, April 3
Networking Luncheon for Business Owners
WITC Conference Room
Superior
11:30-1:00, $10
Topic: Fundamentals of Investing
Tuesday,
April 3
Introduction to Business Planning, Ordean Building,
Duluth
5:30-7:00
PM, FREE
Thursday,
April 12
CORE FOUR
Business
Planning Course begins, Ordean Building
Duluth
5:30-8:30 PM, $244
Thursday,
April 12
CORE FOUR
Business
Planning Course begins,
NEF office
Grand
Rapids
5:30-8:30 PM, $244
Wednesday, April 18
"Guiding the
Entrepreneurial Spirit"
Vermilion Community
College Auditorium
Ely
1:00 - Exhibition/Job Fair
4:30-6:00 - Speakers Panel
Monday, April 23
Recordkeeping for
Small Businesses
NEF office,
Virginia
1:00-5:00 PM, $59
Wednesday, April 25
Introduction to Business Planning, Sawtooth
Mountain Clinic, Corcoran Conference Room
Grand
Marais
9:30-11:00 AM, FREE
Wednesday, April 25
Networking Luncheon for Business Owners
Birch Terrace Supper Club
Grand
Marais
11:30-1:00, $10
Topic: Human Resources
To register for a
class or event:
1-800-422-0374
info@entrepreneurfund.org
www.entrepreneurfund.org
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Total Results Since 1989:
Program
Participants:
7929 Businesses Started,
Stabilized, or Expanded:
921
Jobs Created
or Retained:
2363
Dollars Loaned:
$6,611,044
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National
Small Business Week - April 23-27, 2007 |
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For more than 40 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration
has recognized outstanding small business owners for their
contributions to the nation’s economy and for their personal
achievements during small business week. Since 1963, every
President has declared National Small Business Week to formally
recognize the important role of America’s small business
community.
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Free Tax
Help! |
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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
offers free tax help to low- to
moderate-income (generally, $39,000 and below) people who cannot
prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by
various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax
returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are
generally located at community and neighborhood centers,
libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient
locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing. To
locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040 or visit one
of the websites below:
Find VITA sites
in Minnesota:
http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/vita/free_tax_prep.shtml
Find VITA sites
in Wisconsin:
http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/pcs/county/d.html
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Small
Business News & Articles |
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15 Sites for Promoting Your Local
Business
Want to get your
name out to locals and visitors alike? Discover some great
online marketing sites in this article from Entrepreneur.com...
http://www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/adsbytype/onlineads/article174914.html
Dealing With Zoning Laws for Your Home-Based Business
Are you breaking the
law simply by starting a home-based business? It is necessary to
research your city's zoning laws or you could put your business
at risk. AllBusiness.com provides some helpful hints that
will help you determine if your business is complying with the
applicable zoning laws...
http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/home-based-business/3348-1.html
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Last-Minute
Tax Write-off Checklist... |
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Tax day is April 17 this year, and it's approaching fast.
If you haven't filed your tax return yet, here are a few
last-minute write-off reminders for business owners...
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purchases
of computers, printers, copiers, furniture and other tangible
equipment
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equipment Internet, telephone, and cell phone service
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Professional dues and business dues (i.e. Chamber of Commerce,
trade group membership, etc.)
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office
supplies and postage
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business subscriptions
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auto
expenses
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business entertainment (the IRS allows a 50% deduction)
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business meals (the IRS allows a 50% deduction unless the meals
are provided on your business premises, in which case they are
100% deductible)
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interest on credit cards (business purchases)
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interest on loans and lines of credit (for business equipment or
expenses)
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advertising and promotions
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seminars and tradeshows
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business travel
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business gifts ($25 limit per person)
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computer software
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start-up costs
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fixed
assets
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bad
debts
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home
office deductions (this is based on the percentage of your home
that is used exclusively for business purposes, and may include
property taxes, interest on your home loan, homeowner's
insurance, utilities, maintenance and repairs, lawn care,
burglar alarm system, homeowner's dues, and depreciation on your
home)
Source: Wells Fargo Small Business Roundup
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Congratulations to our Labo Award Nominees! |
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John &
Karen Derheim
Cherry Corner Store
Iron, Minnesota
Award category: Micro-Entrepreneur
Robert & Jacquie Honstrom
Next Generation Opthalmics, Inc.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Award category: Emerging Entrepreneur
Joe Ophoven &
Jenny O'Konek
Driven Visions
Duluth, Minnesota
Award category: Micro-Entrepreneur
The
15th Annual Joel Labovitz
Entrepreneurial Success Awards
will be held Wednesday, April 18 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The Labo Awards,
sponsored by the UMD Center for Economic Development, were established in 1993 to give
recognition to entrepreneurs in northeast Minnesota for their
important contributions to our regional economy.
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"Recordkeeping for Small Businesses" workshop |
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Monday,
April 23,
1:00-5:000 PM
NEF office, 8355 Unity Drive, Virginia
Fee: $59.00
Get control of your
records so you can manage your business better! Learn how to
create or simplify your recordkeeping system for your small
business and actually understand it, too.
- Practical tips,
activities, and hands-on exercises
- Keep track of who owes you money and who you owe money to
- Understand how to keep records on paper or on a computerized
spreadsheet
- Feel more confident in your business!
This class is for
business owners who would like to organize and understand their
recordkeeping systems better. Pre-registration and payment are required to reserve a seat in
the workshop. (Class size is limited to 12.) Call
1-800-422-0374 or email
info@entrepreneurfund.org.
Please note: Payroll recordkeeping is not covered in this
workshop.
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This Month's Featured Entrepreneurial
Resources…
www.getgomn.org
GetGo is an online marketplace designed to link Minnesota
entrepreneurs with "angel" investors (individuals who provide
capital for business start-ups). The online network also
brings the resources of sponsoring businesses, schools, and
government to bear on building a smarter, more prosperous
climate for the state's small business community.
www.sbtv.com
Small
Business Television (SBTV) is the first television network on
the web devoted 100 percent to the small business market - from
business start-ups to established enterprises.
Informational, practical, and compelling content provided by
professional journalists and industry experts.
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