Give the Gift of Jobs in 2012!

"Over 50% of Americans own or work for a small business and it is important to support these business owners and entrepreneurs across the country."
-Christopher Chan, Special Advisor for Public Engagement at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)



Thank you again to our supporters who have made a lasting impact in the "Give the Gift of Jobs" campaign. As the above quote illustrates, a healthy local (and national) economy requires empowered entrepreneurs and a sustainable small business community.

Our latest video features three aspiring women business owners discussing their dreams and how Empowerment Group's Entrepreneurship Training Course helped them get on the right path.

There is still time to help. We would be grateful for your help to fund 20 scholarships for low-income women small business owners to attend the course in February 2012. We ask you to contribute to their future in three ways:

1. Participate in our IndieGoGo campaign to contribute to the success of women business owners.
2. Click on PayPal and donate to our Women's Business Center-Scholarship Fund.
3. Pass this on to family, friends, foundations, and funders.

The Women's Business Center's Scholarship Fund ensures greater opportunities for aspiring and seasoned local women small business owners. The WBC is a vital part of Empowerment Group's vision to empower Philadelphia small business owners with no to low-cost workshops, personalized action plans, our Women Entrepreneurs' Circle and our signature Entrepreneurship Week -- celebrating community businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them.

Empowerment Group's bottom line is to create positive, lasting change for our clients, their families and their communities. With your donation, you fuel their dreams and our economy.

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

The EG Team

The Reading Viaduct: Walking Through the Philadelphia Skyline

There is an incredible feeling I get when I manage to find my way outside of a city, a sense of tranquility much needed in the hustle and bustle of city life. Sometimes I do not have to venture too far to find these places, for they can often be quiet little crannies found in the middle of all the commotion. This was the case with my recent experience walking through the Reading Viaduct.

The elevated railroad tracks, abandoned since 1984, are covered with overgrown vegetation, garbage and graffiti, yet the Reading Viaduct has potential to be an urban renewal success story like that of the High Line in New York City. The Viaduct is located just north of Philadelphia’s Center City, near the “Callowhill” or “Chinatown North” area and it is easy to see how the space can become one of Philadelphia’s most unique public spaces. As you walk up the first section of the Viaduct, you reach a platform with vistas of the Philadelphia skyline, including City Hall. The train tracks continue further north, crossing over Spring Garden and up to Fairmount, a walk that was surprisingly peaceful given the traffic below.

Our tour guide for the morning was Sarah McEneaney, co-founder of the Reading Viaduct Project, an advocacy group dedicated to the development of these abandoned train tracks. McEneaney briefly chronicled the history of the rail line from when the tracks were first built in the mid 19^th century and closed in 1984, to the founding of the Reading Viaduct Project in 2003 and the group’s progress ever since. McEneaney is excited about the potential of the Viaduct to transform the surrounding neighborhood and offer residents and visitors a unique and beautiful green space. However, not everyone agrees that a park is the best use for this area.

To stop the formation of a Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District (NID), more than half of the neighborhood’s property owners sent letters of opposition to the Office for Chief Clerk of City Council by the December 12th deadline. Opposition over the proposed Neighborhood Improvement District comes in response to the fact that property taxes for its residents and commercial property owners will be raised by seven percent in the first year and another five percent for the next five years.

As with many development projects, there are differing views as to what should be done with the land and how that process should work out. The Reading Viaduct is no exception. The development of the Viaduct certainly has the potential to transform that area north of Center City and possibly bring more activity that would benefit local businesses, something that Empowerment Group wholeheartedly supports. The question remains, however, over whether a project can be designed to address everyone’s interests.

If you are interested in the Reading Viaduct, I strongly encourage you to click on the links below to the Reading Viaduct Project’s web pages and additional articles written on the Viaduct:

Reading Viaduct Project Website

Reading Viaduct Project Facebook Page

Weekly Press: “Fate of the Callowhill Reading Viaduct NID still hangs in the balance”

Philly.com: “City negotiating with viaduct owner”

NewsWorks: “‘Neighborhood improvement’ plan divides Philadelphia neighbors”

Dear Friends,

Thank you to our supporters for making a lasting impact in the “Give the Gift of Jobs” campaign! As we all know, a healthy local economy requires empowered entrepreneurs and a sustainable small business community.

This week's video, "Top 10 Challenges of Starting a Business," features local entrepreneur and jewelry designer Lili Daliessio. We invite you to hear Lili's story as she explains how EG's Entrepreneurship Training Course played a critical role in developing her dreams. As we mention in the video, funding is still the greatest hurdle for aspiring women entrepreneurs.

We would be grateful for your help to fund 20 scholarships for low-income women entrepreneurs to attend the Entrepreneurship Training Course in February 2012. We ask you to contribute to their economic future in any of three ways:

1. Participate in our IndieGoGo campaign (click here) to contribute to the success of women business
owners.
2. Click on PayPal and donate to our Women’s Business Center Scholarship Fund.
3. Pass this on to 20 family members, friends, foundations or funders.

Thank you again for your continued support!

Happy Holidays,

The EG Team

Give the Gift of Jobs!

Dear Friends,

Thank you to those who have contributed to our Women's Business Center- Scholarship Fund. We are one step closer to a healthier economy, empowered entrepreneurs and a sustainable business community.

There's still time to help if you haven't already. You can help fund 20 scholarships for low-income women small business owners to attend our Entrepreneurship Training Course in February 2012 in three ways:

1. Participate in our IndieGoGo campaign to contribute to the success of women business owners.

2. Click on Paypal and donate to our Women’s Business Center - Scholarship Fund.

3. Pass onto to 20 family, friends, foundations and funders.

The Women Business Center’s Scholarship Fund ensures greater opportunities for aspiring and seasoned local women small business owners. The WBC is a vital part of Empowerment Group’s vision to empower Philadelphia small business owners with no to low-cost workshops, personalized action plans, our Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle and our signature Entrepreneurship Week – celebrating community businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them.

Empowerment Group’s bottom line is to create positive, lasting change for our clients, their families and their communities. With your donation, you fuel their dreams and our economy.

Happy Holidays!

The EG Team

A Holiday Wish List from EG

Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays from Empowerment Group! We at EG want to share our holiday wish list with you. We all know empowered entrepreneurs and a sustainable business community are critical to developing a healthy, local economy. Unfortunately, many women business owners and low income communities in the area do not have access to these opportunities.

You can help today. Empowerment Group's Entrepreneurship Training Course provides business management skills with a unique focus on personal development to help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the local economy and inspire them to action. We would appreciate your help to fund 20 scholarships for low income women small business owners to attend the course in February 2012. We ask you to contribute to their economic future in three ways:

1. Participate in our IndieGoGo campaign to contribute to the success of women business owners.

2. Click on Paypal and donate to our Women's Business Center - Scholarship Fund.

3. Pass onto to family, friends, foundations and funders.

The Women's Business Center Scholarship Fund will ensure greater opportunities for aspiring and experienced local women small business owners. As always, we thank you for your support as we create positive lasting change for our clients, their families and their communities. With your donation, you fuel their dreams and our economy.

Respectfully,

The EG Team

Word of Mouth: Generating Interest in your Biz

"If we should be blessed by some great reward, such as fame or fortune, it's the fruit of a seed planted by us in the past."

-Bodhidharma

"In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes."

-Andy Warhol

Businesses need fame to thrive. But not just any fame. To develop a sustainable client base and last in the market, businesses need a positive reputation that distinguishes them from the competition. Seasoned entrepreneurs understand this. They also understand it's not enough to just put up a giant billboard or newspaper advertisements. They need a close

relationship with their clients and the public at large. Think about your circle of friends. Who among them do you trust more and depend on more? Most likely it's the friends you've spent more time with and developed a closer personal relationship. The same process applies in the business world. When clients are faced with a decision on which product or service to patronize they will go with the one that's generated the most satisfaction in the past. The one that's provided critical support and efficiency when it was needed: time-wise, money-wise and stress-wise.

Starting a business you need to nab positive attention early on. How do you go about doing this? Here are some basic, low-cost and effective strategies:

1. Value-added networking

Look up relevant networking events in your area; locations where you might be able to socialize with clients, investors and other people critical to developing your business. Make the most of your evening and day outings also. At a bar or restaurant relaxing with friends? Try to meet new people and give them your business card. Make them see the real you and the passion you have for your business goals and vision.

2. Takeaway promotion

Promotion works best when it's accessible. Business cards. Web pages. Mobile phone apps. Things people can carry in their pockets and access readily. Best of all, these are all things you can pass to people you meet on the fly. Meeting potential clients at a busy networking event? Give them your business card. Pull up your website on their smartphone. Invest in technology and accessible promotion like business cards.

3. Sampling the business

Along with accessible promotion comes accessible samples. Own a restaurant? Hold a food sample event at a local grocery store or food expo. Are you a graphic designer? Carry photos or copies of your design work. People enjoy visuals and they'll appreciate you taking the time to show them your hard work.

4. Condensing the message

Your business strategy should be condensed into one sentence. Write and rewrite this sentence. This will come in handy when you only have a minute or less to pitch your business . Make sure it captures your vision as well as your product. Also, write a sentence describing your current business position. Opening a new shop? Developing a new product? Let people know where you are and what's new with your business.

Ultimately the best promotional strategy is yourself. Leverage your interests, visions and personality to represent your business effectively. Because in the end, a business reflects the business owner. So go out there and market yourself!

Launching Ideas: How to Get Your Business Off The Ground

Entrepreneurship is as American as apple pie and the 2^nd amendment. Just consider some of the most popular films our country has produced: Citizen Kane, The Godfather, Wall Street. Consider also some of our greatest books: Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath. What do these iconic works of art have in common? They all explore the American desire for independence, self-reliance and success – achievements uniquely woven into the fabric of our culture and history. And the characters in these books and movies also, for better or worse, struggle with how to achieve their goals and how to reach that success they desire. Chances are, as a current or prospective entrepreneur, you face a similar struggle. Dreams and goals are nice but where’s the right path to these ideas? How do you build a solid foundation for launching a successful business and avoid the follies of Charles Foster Kane, Vito Corleone or Captain Ahab? Here are some steps to help take your business from an idea to a strong, sustainable reality:

Consider your budget
You have your vision, a business plan and an idea of what resources you currently have and may need. Now it's time to crunch numbers. First, consider your household budget. Your house is a good meter for your financial solvency as well as your reputation among creditors. How do you budget your household expenses: rent, utilities, food, etc? How does your credit and financial reputation stand as a result? These answers should determine how you approach the financial strategy for your business.

Develop a network
Actively court investors, legal representatives and clients. Don’t expect these people to show up after you’ve started your business – have them in place already. Give them information on your business strategy, your product or service and your financial need (if applicable). Get them excited about your business. Maybe provide a sample of what they can expect. By having them invest time and attention towards your business ahead of time there’s a better chance they will also invest their money later.

Make it Official
The Corleone Family of the Godfather series spent just as much time in courtrooms as they did running their nefarious business. Don’t follow this model. Square your business with the proper city, state and federal agencies. Retain adequate legal representation and keep track of each step and requirement for a full, legal, registered business. A great legal resource in Philadelphia is LawWorks, which provides pro-bono (free) support to eligible small businesses. The City of Philadelphia’s website provides information on what licenses and applications you would need.

Gordon Gecko, the villainous stock broker played by Michael Douglas in Wall Street, famously quotes Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War in one scene: “Every battle is won before it is ever fought.” This refers to the importance of preparation. The research, personal connections and resources acquired improves the success and sustainability of your business. Do your homework as you build your foundation. It will pay off in the long run.