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WBO Newsletter
Dear Hillary,
Who can believe we are half way through 2009? Whew! Where does the time go? For WBO members, we know. It has gone to an amazing year of fabulous speakers delivering amazing information about improving our businesses.
Thinking back on this year's theme of Reevaluate, Rejuvenate, Retool Your Business, we have benefited from
- January's Topic: Goal Setting - A Forward Look at Building Wealth with Turner Thompson
- February's Topic: Feasibility - Can My Business Idea Make $ with Pat Salo of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Centers
- March's Topic: Marketing - Understanding My Industry and My Customer led by Debra Power of Power Marketing
- April's Topic: Marketing - Understanding My Competition and Identifying My Competitive Advantage to Build My Brand by Jan Muhleman of re:Group, Inc.
- May's Topic: Marketing - Investigating Internet Marketing Options by Jessica Perlman & Corey Perlman, author of eBoot Camp
- June's Topic: Marketing - Mixing the Marketing Message by Jan Welborn Nichols of Market Arts Creative.
Wow! How privileged we've been to take advantage of the brain trust of giving, competant speakers.
The Marketing Presentations remind us that the technical expertise we bring to our business is not enough to make a successful business. We can be GREAT cherry pie bakers, but there is so much more involved in being a business owner. We can
- plan for success
- offer quality products and services
- provide extraordinary benefit
- work hard at what we do best.
but, we must also consistently execute and continue to evolve to meet the changing needs and wants of our customers.
Understanding the marketing process mean involves
- Keeping current on the changing face of your industry: by being active in your trade association, monitoring trends, reading, staying alert to opportunities, and preparing for threats
- Understanding your target market: its size, growth/decline patterns, your share, and new potentials
- Describing you primary and secondary customers: intimately, in terms of demographics, geographics, psychographics, and lifestyle
- Identifying your direct and indirect competition: to see your opportunities to gain advantage and determine those areas of threat where you can circumvent your weaknesses and build YOUR brand with a clear competitive advantage.
Armed with this information, build a Marketing Plan that will strategically Position your competitively Priced products and services, with an customer friendly Placement (delivery system), Promoted using an appropriate and affordable mix of marketing tactics specifically chosen to reach the people who NEED, WANT, AND CAN AFFORD what it is you offer.
- Set your budget - 15-20% of your overall expense
- Schedule - for at least 1 year in advance
Keep focused on your target market to yield the best results. Keep your eyes and ears open to new opportunities and new markets, but resist chasing unresearched whims. Result? Success and profitability! You go girl! |
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Best Regards,
Jan Davies McDermott, 2009 WBO President
Owner & Innkeeper at Davies House in Georgetown Bed & Breakfast,
& CEO, Echo Enterprises, LLC, a community of businesses including
Echo Education, Echo Engineering, & Guiding Light Business Consulting
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| June's Educational Speaker Summary
Jan Welborn Nichols-Market Arts Creative
Jan helped us understand that developing a Marketing Plan in the 21st Century will take a form different than the marketing plans of old. The tried and true Marketing Plan uses well placed advertising methods to promote your appropriately priced product or service to your primary and secondary target markets. Although the basic concept doesn't change, today's methods have certainly changed. With the advent of the Internet and the challenge of today's economy as much as the marketing task is the same, it is different.
Jan shared practical advice for using a marketing strategy that includes building a brand consistent social presence. She emphasized the increases use of the Internet as the source more and more people are using to gather information. She stressed the importance of creating and growing your social universe, using Internet social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. She discussed the opportunities available through popular sites such as www.zoominfo.com, friendfeed.com,www.pitchengine.com, and www.matchpoint.com to build your circles of influence.
Jan recommended taking a personable tone in your descriptions, without being personal. It's OK to be cool or quirky but you don't need to share personal information. She pointed to Bob Fish of Bigby Coffee as a good example of an Internet personality. She also mentioned Todd Mundt with NPR and his personable style yet she noted that it was backed by immeasurable research and preparation.
Jan reinforced that when communicating your message about your product or service, it is not necessarily what you say but what people hear. Selectively choosing words that send a clear, concise, compelling and consistent message is critical. Jan suggests focus on inviting people in, not pushing them out. In her example, Jan illustrated the difference between throwing water in a room to see who enjoys the water, versus inviting whom ever is interested to go swimming.
Jan's expertise in developing a marketing plan is a gift she gave to all present at the meeting. We are grateful for her sharing her knowledge and for her obvious enthusiasm for helping others to achieve marketing success.
Devote an article to the benefits of membership. Do your members receive discounts on continuing education programs or publications? Focus on the benefit of the combined, united efforts of all your members working together to support the cause.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Nicklowitz, Secretary |
Opportunities
Our strategic partnership with NAWBO allows us to attend NAWBO events at member prices. Please check out their upcoming events and satellite meetings at www.nawbogd.org
Personalize the WBO Website On the new WBO website, every member can have a photo and logo on the site. Please send copies of your picture and/or logo, in a gif or jpg format, preferably no larger than 200px on a side, to hillaryh@ix.netcom.com. Hillary is willing to resize these images if you can't. While you are at it, for our records, please let us know the year you started your business and if it is a sole proprietorship, Partnership, LLC/LLP, C Corp, or S Corp. Thank you!
The OPPORTUNITIES section of this newsletter provides you, the membership, with the chance to announce opportunities that support you as a business or benefit our members. See the Newsletter page for more information and feel free to send Opportunity information to info@wbo-mich.org. SPREAD THE WORD is the opportunity WBO gives you describe your business and services to the WBO mailing list and beyond. Cost: $25 to sponsor the Newsletter.
Michigan Women's Marketplace, a division of our Strategic partner -CEED, offers all women owned businesses the opportunity to have a free listing. Join today at www.miwomen.com to have your business represented and please use the MWM whenever the opportunity arises. Visit their website at www.miceed.org
The Michigan Classifieds is a new website is yet another opportunity for Internet presence at no cost to you. Find them at www.themichiganclassifieds.com |
Upcoming Events of Interest
Tuesday evening, July 14, 2009 Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan Annual Member/Guest Networking Open House & Business Showcase Expo. Polo Fields, Ann Arbor. Reserve your booth NOW! http://wbo-mich.org
September 15, 2009, Principal Financial Group Webcast is a partner to women business owners and is dedicated to offering professional development opportunities in a convenient format. These teleclasses are intended to enhance your business skills, grow your business and allow you to learn from extraordinary speakers. Take a look at what's coming up for the upcoming Teleclass or to access previous archived teleclasses visit the website: https://secure3.websiteencryption.com/teleclassreg/default.aspx
Cost: Free
9/15/2009 Finance/Money - Plan Ahead to Get Ahead: Seven Myths that Can Wreck Your Retirement
11/17/2009 Success Stories - How I Grew My Business in a Down Market: One Business Owner's Inspiring Success Story
September 29, 2009, Celebrate MichiganExpo MichiganMall.com is preparing for their upcoming Celebrate Michigan Expo which will again be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (formerly the Troy Hilton). NAWBO Greater Detroit members may purchase an exhibit table at a discounted rate of $250.00. For exhibitor package information call (888) 315-1928. Other Opportunities
Michigan Mall is re-introducing free-basic business listings on the website Michigan Mall is taking a proactive posture to help Michigan based businesses gain greater exposure on the internet. In addition to the listings, Michigan Mall is creating a special section for businesses that manufacture and offer products and services native to Michigan . The section will be called "Uniquely Michigan". Businesses listing on Michigan Mall don't have to have a website to be found. It creates exposure that they might not have otherwise, and the service includes lead forwarding. For more information about listing on the site, or about the "Uniquely Michigan" section, call Jan Rice at888-315-1928, or visit www.michiganmall.com.
First Government-Sponsored Online Community for Small Businesses - SBA's Business Gateway Program announced the launch of a new Web initiative http://Community.Business.gov - the first government-sponsored online community built specifically for small businesses. The objective of the Business.gov Community supports the White House's mission to create a transparent and connected democracy, and aims to provide small business owners, bloggers, and the government with a place to discuss and share information about starting and running a successful business. An extension of Business.gov, the Business.gov Community combines discussion forums, blogs, an idea exchange, and more, and offers advanced tools for navigating the labyrinth of government resources, policies, laws, and opportunities that impact the small business owner. Users can share expertise and unique experiences and provide direct input into Business.gov and voice the ways government and the online community can better serve them.
SBA Expands Eligibility for 7(a) Loans To Spur Recovery Opportunities for Small Businesses - More small businesses will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, meaning greater access to much-needed capital in this tough economy, as a result of a temporary alternate size standard for the agency's largest lending program. The SBA's alternate size standard for its 7(a) loan program will go into effect the week of May 4th through Sept. 30, 2010. As a result of the temporary change, more than 70,000 additional small businesses - including auto and RV dealerships, auto industry suppliers and others - could be eligible to apply for SBA 7(a) loan. This is just one more step that the SBA is taking to make sure small businesses have access to capital to keep their doors open and employees working during these tough economic times. For more information about SBA's revisions to its small business size standards. Visit www.sba.gov and read "What's New about Small Business Size Standards."
Businesses Who Take ARRA's Energy-Saving Steps This Year May Get Bigger Tax Savings Next Year- The recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 contained a number of either new or expanded tax benefits on expenditures to reduce energy use or create new energy sources. The Internal Revenue Service reminds businesses that many energy-saving steps taken this year may result in bigger tax savings next year. IRS encourages businesses to explore whether they are eligible for any of the new energy tax provisions. ( http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206869,00 ) An IRS Fact Sheet( http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206871,00.html ) on Energy Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 at provides a listing of ARRA energy provisions. More information on the wide range of energy items is also available on the special Recovery Section ( http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206875,00.html ) of the IRS website: www.irs.gov PS: WBO Member Patricia Harroun of Cardea Construction may also be a good resource for this info. |
| Spread the Word - Summer Travel
5 Travel Tips for Booking a B&B 
Summer Travel is upon us and many of us will be searching for more economical ways to enjoy the season while maximizing our travel dollars.
Good News: Michigan has some of of the most beautiful places on earth.
Beaches & Dunes - Michigan beaches boast a choice of waterside spots for sunbathers, beachcombers, swimmers, surfers and sandcastle builders. Michigan's unique dunes offer elevated, scenic views and recreational activities including climbing up, running down, & even driving vehicles on the dunes
Lakes - Michigan's very name is rooted in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian word for "large lake," and its handprint on the earth, the mitten-like Lower Peninsula and jagged-edged Upper Peninsula, is shaped by four of the five Great Lakes
Good News: gas prices are lower than last summer.
Golf - With 14 clubs in your bag you can set out to conquer any one of the more than 800 golf courses in Michigan. From luxury resorts to public fairways, there are plenty of ways to challenge your skills
Urban Delights - Be an urban explorer and seek out the uniqueness of many of Michigan's cities - Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Petoskey, Port Huron, Traverse City, & so many more. And, no matter where you stand in the state you are within 85 miles of a Great Lake, and never more than six miles from a lake or stream. Good News: gas prices are lower than last summer.
Good News: for you: Hospitality properties in Michigan are offering exceptional "deals" to encourage travel within the state.
Wonderful opportunities abound to try new experiences and make lasting new memories for you and your family.
Bed and Breakfasts are one way to maximize your travel dollar while enjoying a unique lodging experience. If you're tired of the cookie cutter room, like the one you had the night before, give a B&B a try. Inns are as different as the Innkeepers who own them. Stay in a lighthouse? A lumber baron's mansion? Lakefront more your style? How about the first fairway of a golf course? Breakfasts are included in the room rate and are typically spectacular, scrumptious, home cooked spreads.
Asking good questions is good advice when booking any lodging accommodation & provides information that allows you to learn about what to expect about things important to you:
- About the Inn: What do you believe is your competitive advantage over other lodging choices? What is the room rate? Are there midweek or multi-day discounts?
- About your room: What is the size of the bed in my room? Will I have a private bathroom? Ensuite? Across the hall? Or, will I share a bath with another room? If sharing, will the other room be occupied by my family member or the people with whom I am traveling?
- About the food: What is a typical breakfast? Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
- General policies: When can I check in? When is check out? Is there any flexibility for early/late arrival?
- About amenities: What special amentias are available to guests? Beach? Pool? Hot tub? In room fireplace? Outdoor firepit? Cable TV? Wireless or in room Internet? Local discounts? Bikes? Snacks? Water? Warm Cookies? Restaurant on premiss? Tea?
Make this a summer of memories; Michigan Memories. Buy local and support the small business owners in Michigan, so when this economic cycle passes, they'll still be here to enjoy.
Jan Davies McDermott is the Owner and Innkeeper at Davies House in Georgetown Bed and Breakfast on the first fairway of Georgetown Golf Club in Ann Arbor, MI
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July Open House & Member Expo
 Reserve your spot at the Annual Showcase!
Where: Polo Fields Country Club, 5200 Polo Fields Dr., Ann Arbor, MI
When: Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
6:00pm
Who: WBO Members, or those that would like to showcase to WBO members
How: Contact the WBO Events Coordinator, Ana Skidmore at 734.709.6656 or via email at ana@twofootcreative.com
Cost: Member fee: $25
Non-member fee: $85 including a WBO Membership!
If you're a woman who owns a business, is interested in owning one, or is a supplier or vendor who can help the small business owner, and you would like to network with other small business owners, WBO is for you!
Our members are committed to supporting each others' businesses and to creating a referral network that benefits everyone. Attend our monthly meetings to network and learn more about topics directly affecting your business.
We hope to see you on the 14th of July! If booth space fills up, or if you would rather attend as a guest, please register on the WBO website at www.wbo-mich.org.
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Member to Member Deals
American Laser Centers- Members always receive an additional 20% off all services, as well as free treatments for referrals. Contact Jennifer Schaefer by phone at (734) 971-9800 or by email jschaefer@alcpartner .com
Cafe Marie of Ann Arbor - Breakfast/Lunch Cafe; 20% off. Show up with your membership card to get your discount. Say hello to Jeanne Loveland when you're there. Contact Jeanne M. Loveland by phone at (734) 662-2272 or by email jmloveland@aol.com Creative Memories Bonus Host Gift with a scheduled Home Event Contact Nan Carter by phone at (734) 930-6516 or by email nanpotmedic@comcast.net DOLEV LLC - Food Coach- is offering the following discounts: 25% discount on a complete series of 10 private coaching sessions, 15% discount on a short term series of 4 private coaching sessions, 10% discount on a one time session of private counseling, 10% discount on workshops or seminars in workplaces Contact Yael Dolev by phone at (734) 276-1317 or by email yael@dolevfoodcoach.com Davies House in Georgetown Bed and Breakfast 15% off room rates. Do you have friends and family coming to town to visit or for family celebrations? No space at your place? Send them to mine! Contact Jan Davies McDermott, owner and innkeeper at 734 973 1722 or via email: daviesbb@yahoo.com. Denise Held, RN, Certified Reflexologist- I offer a 20% discount for an hour session. Usual price is $45; with the discount, it is $36 Contact Denise Held by phone at (734) 973-8290 or by email deniseheld@aol.com Design329- non-profit rates Contact Beth Ann Knisely by phone at (248) 449-7293 or by email ba@design329.com Dynamic Edge Consulting LLC- $10.00 off QuickBooks/Peachtree Red Phone Help Desk Subscription Plan. Call or email for more details! Contact Lucy Rogers by phone at (734) 975-0460 or by email lrogers@dynedge.com Healing In Motion, PLLC- JB Myofacial Release; 25% off. Contact Sandra Hilton by phone at (734) 913-4816 or by email sandyhilton@gmail.com
Helping Hand Computer Solutions - 10% off services for WBO members Contact Patricia Na by phone at (734) 995-6875 or by email pna@helpinghandcs .com
I Sold It- Ann Arbor- 5% off on the first $500. Contact Carol Kamm by phone at (734) 761-6187 or by email isolditaa@gmail.com Inforum- $125 professional (regular) level memberships are available to all WBO members. Contact Leslie Herrick by phone at 313.578.3244 or by email lherrick@inforummichigan .org
Instant Imprints - 10% discount. Contact Cheri Dunn by phone at (734) 929-0577 or by email instantimprints@tds .net
J and T Ultimate Cleaning Inc- Offering 10% and more off to WBO members Contact Jaime Villarreal by phone at (517) 651-5891 or by email jaimesempire@aol .com
Jobs 4 Moms- 5% off the cost of any start up that you begin through my company Contact Trully Luke by phone at 734-328-6037 or by email jobz4moms@gmail.com J'spaa- 10% discount on all services. Contact Jacqueline Jackson by phone at (734) 827-9775 or by email jspaa@att.net Juice Plus - One free canister of Complete Shake with order of capsules or gummies. Contact Sara Brintnall by phone at (734) 369-8893 or by email sarabrintnall@hotmail.com Keller Williams Realty, Parsons Properties- Donation to non-profit of your choice based on closed sales commission. Contact Lu Parsons by phone at (734) 821-0769 or by email luparsons@gmail.com Kimberly Watt, LLC- 25% to any member who refers me for keynote speaker or workshop facilitor Contact Kim Watt by phone at (734) 341-5007 or by email kim@kimberlywatt.com Language Link- 10% off all language and test preparation classes Contact Caroline Wojan by phone at (734) 821-0311 or by email lasses@languagelink.us, Mary Kay Inc- 10% off Mary Kay products Contact Ginger Winter by phone at (734) 429-2433 or by email gingerwinter@comcast.net MassMutual- Saving of $10.00 for your 2008 Income Tax Service Refer a friend and save an additional $10.00. Contact Marlene Lemire by phone at (248)324-9333 or by email mlemire@finsvcs.com Merle Norman Cosmetics- 10% discount on regular priced products at Nan's Merle Norman. Plus a complementary paraffin treatment with a manicure or pedicure ($10 value). Contact Nan Carter by phone at (734) 930-6516 or by email nanphotomedic@comcast.net Nourish Your Life- 10% off on all life coaching Contact Janet Simpson by phone at (810) 231-1743 or by email janet@nourishyourlife.com NuSkin/Pharmanex- I will sell my products to members at wholesale Contact Joyce Ranney by phone at 734-878-9991 or by email joyce.ranney@yahoo.com Personalized Gift Baskets- 10% off on all orders. Contact Becky Grasshoff by phone at 7342224697 or by email sales@personalizedwrappers.com Rubenfeld Synergy: Mind-Body Healing- Complimentary Introductory Session. Contact Peggy Bennett by phone at (734) 994-3719 or by email pegben@umich.edu Serpro of Canton/Servpro of Washtenaw- 10% off non-emergency related carpet cleaning services. Please mention WBO when contacting the office. Contact Laura Spensley by phone at 800.714.5341 or by email lspensley@jwsservices.net Shaklee- Free Customer Membership, or membership pricing on all products Contact Theresia Radtke by phone at (734) 646-0793 or by email TheresiaAnne@yahoo.com TLCI Website Solutions- Design, Applications, Support, and Consulting- Website Design, Development, Consulting, SEO, Marketing and Promotion; 10% off. Contact Hillary Handwerger by phone at (734) 668-6585 or by email hhandwerger@yahoo.com TouchPoint Promotions- 10% Discount on product offers Contact Dale Long by phone at 734.769.8268 or by email daslong@comcast.net Town and Country Errands- Town and Country is offering a 10% discount on all their services to WBO members. Contact Lynn Liston by phone at (734) 761-8431 or by email lynn@townandcountry-errands.com TwoFoot Creative LLC- 15% off wedding event planning services Contact Ana G. Skidmore by phone at (734) 709-6656 or by email ana@twofootcreative.com Yoga Teacher, Elke Kramer, The Movement Center - Gentle Yoga Classes and Private Yoga Sessions $55 or 5/$200 or 10/$490 ($75 discount for WBO) ! elkekramer@aol.com
Women Business Owners of Southeastern Michigan is affiliated with the following organizations:
National Association of Women Business Owners of Greater Detroit (NAWBO)
Inforum
Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (CEED)
Michigan Women's Marketplace
Women's Exchange of Washtenaw
Women Making Connections | |
