Read All About It!

Customer Loyalty Programs - Helpful or Hurtful?

 The Power of the Brand

“Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.”

What is your personal brand? Get an introduction to personal branding in the piece featured below.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/10/brandyou.html

Source: www.fastcompany.com
 

3 Clever Ways Creative Women Entrepreneurs
Can Finally Get Organized!

“If you're a creative woman entrepreneur then chances are good you've labeled yourself as someone who just can't seem to get, or stay, organized. Popping up with new ideas for your business or about how to help people? Easy! Figuring out a filing system or how to get those piles of paper up off your floor? Ugh...well, that's a different story now, isn't it?!”

Award winning small business expert Kendall SummerHawk is the "Horse Whisperer for Business." Kendall delivers simple ways entrepreneurs can brand, package and price their services to quickly move away from "dollars-for-hours work" and create more money, time, and freedom in their businesses.

http://www.solo-e.com/library/articles/personal-development/get-organized/3-clever-ways-creative-women-entrepreneurs-can-finally-get-organized--2406.shtml

Source: Solo Entrepreneur (www.solo-e.com)
 

16 Legendary Women Entrepreneurs

"Entrepreneurship has no age or time limits…it thrives on hope and inspiration.
Those who choose to participate can only make the world a better place."

Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies explains entrepreneurial motivation from the vantage point of someone who's been there, done that... and with good reason - she is one of 16 historical women who's inspiring accomplishments as entrepreneurs are highlighted in this article from Entrepreneur Magazine. 

http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/article/2866/1.html

Source: www.entrepreneur.com
 

5 Tips for Women to Gain Customer Trust

"Many things, such as your appearance, language, or work habits,
can either encourage trust or alienate your customers."

Be courteous, be positive, dress for success, be consistent and persistent, and be smart...

http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/7587395-1.html

Source: www.allbusiness.com
 

Special Announcements

Networking Luncheon for Business Owners

Reminder: Networking luncheons in Grand Marais will not be held in July or August to allow our networking group participants to focus on their businesses during the busy summer tourism season.  Luncheons will resume in September.  We hope that all of our networking participants are enjoying a fun and successful summer!
 

This Month's Featured Entrepreneurial Resources:

Harvard Business School:  The Harvard Business School offers a site where you can search for information by topic or industry. Search for the latest in business news or access archival information.

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/3178.html

SBA Small Business VOICE:  Whether you want to know more about managing your credit, disaster readiness, taxes, or international trade the SBA has your answer. Find out how you can get your question answered in an online chat. Click the link below to view transcripts of previous chats. Real business owners, real questions, real solutions.

http://www.sba.gov/tools/monthlywebchat/index.html

SCORE Women's Success Blog:  SCORE, which bills itself as "counselors to America's small business," has launched its first national blog, which focuses on women in business.

http://womensblog.score.org/