Hey everyone, I just wanted to share this video on Bill Clinton making a true difference. I truly appreciate his works and efforts. Go Bill!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Financing Start-Ups
Every entrepreneur would like to know where and who can financially assist them in their business venture(s). The traditional ways of receiving financial assistance is very hard and seems not to work for me. Where can I get a break and do I present opportunities that my community and investor can benefit? I researched a couple of sites that can answer these inquiries and more.
Cfed, expanding economic opportunity, found at website http://cfed.org/, offers a program called Self-Employment Tax Initiative (SETI). "SETI is a small business development strategy that takes advantage of the tax code to help low-income, self-employed individuals formalize and grow their businesses, create jobs and access tax-based asset-building opportunities." The program awards grants to community-based organizations that provides free and/or affordable tax preparation assistance to low-income and self-employed individuals. One of their goals it to grow and expand micro businesses and creating jobs. To receive and view cfed's latest event, join their blog at http://cfed.org/blog/inclusiveeconomy/.
CDFI Coalition, found at website, "is the unified voice of community development financial institutions. They encourage fair access to financial resources for America's underserved people and communities by providing credit, capital, and financial services that are often unavailable from mainstream financial institutions." Below are three components of the CDFIs Fund Award Program:
* Financial Assistance Component - introduced a Small and Emerging CDFI (SECA), those who have small assets and who have been in business for less than three years
* Technical Assistance (TA) Component - provides TA grants to CDFIs
* Native American CDFI Assistance Component (NACA) - serves the Native American communities with financial and technical assistance grants
Other Programs:
* Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program - provides cash incentives for banks and thrifts to invest in CDFIs, increase financial services, lending, and investments in underserved communities
* New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Program - designed to bring in $15 billion f private sector equity investments in low-income communities by financing neighborhood retail stores, small businesses, charter schools, child care centers and other community facilities. The NMTC has a present value of approximately 39 percent, so the activities it finances will have to generate substantial economic benefits on their own to attract investors.
The types of CDFIs are Community Development Bank, Community Development Credit Union, Community Development Loan Fund, Community Development Venture Capital Fund, Microenterprise Development Loan Fund, and Community Development Corporations
Other websites to research for small business funding:
* http://www.oppotunityfinance.net/
* http://ww.microenterpriseworks.org/
* http://www.cdvca.org/
* http://www.ncif.org/
* http://www.natfed.org/i4/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
* http://www.eda.gov/
* http://www.firstnations.org/default2.asp?id=69
* http://www.oweesta.org/
Cfed, expanding economic opportunity, found at website http://cfed.org/, offers a program called Self-Employment Tax Initiative (SETI). "SETI is a small business development strategy that takes advantage of the tax code to help low-income, self-employed individuals formalize and grow their businesses, create jobs and access tax-based asset-building opportunities." The program awards grants to community-based organizations that provides free and/or affordable tax preparation assistance to low-income and self-employed individuals. One of their goals it to grow and expand micro businesses and creating jobs. To receive and view cfed's latest event, join their blog at http://cfed.org/blog/inclusiveeconomy/.
CDFI Coalition, found at website, "is the unified voice of community development financial institutions. They encourage fair access to financial resources for America's underserved people and communities by providing credit, capital, and financial services that are often unavailable from mainstream financial institutions." Below are three components of the CDFIs Fund Award Program:
* Financial Assistance Component - introduced a Small and Emerging CDFI (SECA), those who have small assets and who have been in business for less than three years
* Technical Assistance (TA) Component - provides TA grants to CDFIs
* Native American CDFI Assistance Component (NACA) - serves the Native American communities with financial and technical assistance grants
Other Programs:
* Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program - provides cash incentives for banks and thrifts to invest in CDFIs, increase financial services, lending, and investments in underserved communities
* New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) Program - designed to bring in $15 billion f private sector equity investments in low-income communities by financing neighborhood retail stores, small businesses, charter schools, child care centers and other community facilities. The NMTC has a present value of approximately 39 percent, so the activities it finances will have to generate substantial economic benefits on their own to attract investors.
The types of CDFIs are Community Development Bank, Community Development Credit Union, Community Development Loan Fund, Community Development Venture Capital Fund, Microenterprise Development Loan Fund, and Community Development Corporations
Other websites to research for small business funding:
* http://www.oppotunityfinance.net/
* http://ww.microenterpriseworks.org/
* http://www.cdvca.org/
* http://www.ncif.org/
* http://www.natfed.org/i4/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
* http://www.eda.gov/
* http://www.firstnations.org/default2.asp?id=69
* http://www.oweesta.org/
Friday, August 26, 2011
Business Plan Strategies
Upon following the advice of the two business plan experts in my previous post, I have incorporated some of their suggestions for my own business plan. I learned to make sure that the business plan must contain a realistic obstacle while in operation. The plan must also communicate how it will execute a viable solution to the issue the company may face. It is also very important to present evidence on the background information and facts concerning your chosen industry. This aspect of statistical and factual information show the investor you did your research, know your industry, and commits to a serious tone when presenting your plan. Getting in touch with your potential customers can increase your chances on improving the product and/or reinventing your goods or services to achieve assumed profits, or even more. I think I will survey people about the way I will present and sell my music and other products.
I also think I will have a business plan expert look over my plan before I submit it to an angel investor. This way I can ensure I have a more compelling business plan and everything within it is described with more than enough detail with a clear description of the company. The certified professional can come up with strategies can lead to success, for your company and the approval of your investor. I do not want to be one those business owners whose business plan is thrown in the trash after the first few seconds of reading it.
Why business plans don’t deliver: the five most common flaws and how to fix them. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204830304574133501980701202.html
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. business plan reviews. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/entrepreneurship/business-plan-reviews/
I also think I will have a business plan expert look over my plan before I submit it to an angel investor. This way I can ensure I have a more compelling business plan and everything within it is described with more than enough detail with a clear description of the company. The certified professional can come up with strategies can lead to success, for your company and the approval of your investor. I do not want to be one those business owners whose business plan is thrown in the trash after the first few seconds of reading it.
Why business plans don’t deliver: the five most common flaws and how to fix them. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204830304574133501980701202.html
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. business plan reviews. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/entrepreneurship/business-plan-reviews/
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Business Plan Experts
I have researched individuals whose expertise lies in the area of business ventures and business plans, and I believe should be duly noted.
John W. Mullins is an Associate Professor of Management Practice, in which he also holds the David and Elaine Potter Foundation Term Chair in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the London Business of School. Mullins earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and his PH.d from University of Minnesota. He won national and international awards from the Marketing Science Institute American Marketing Association, & the Richard D. Irwin Foundation for his recognizable research. Also, Mullins frequently speak to audiences in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
In John Mullins article, “Why Business Plans Don’t Deliver,” he discusses why most business plans get tossed in the trash before reading the entire document. He stresses how it is important to have a solid foundation before presenting a business plan to an investor. Investors are looking for acknowledged problems the company may realistically face and your strategic plan to follow through with a viable solution. If this problematic situation is presented with supported marketing research, it comes across in a more serious tone that there’s a solution to be implemented. Make sure you cite the source of references. It is also important to identify which customers are affected by this problematic outcome of your business venture. Mullins noted that it would be beneficial to actually reach out and speak with prospective customers. “Every assertion in your plan needs to be backed up by evidence.” Those business plans that succeed in obtaining an investor usually has a member who has failed in a past business venture and an investor regards the learning experience as, “an education on someone else’s nickel.”
Mullins, J. W. (2009, June 22).
Why business plans don’t deliver: the five most common flaws and how to fix them. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204830304574133501980701202.html
Miullins, J.W. About john mullins. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.johnwmullins.com/about.html.
The second expert I researched goes by the name of Stever Robbins. Robbins earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School and his BS in Computer Science s from MIT. He is a Certified Master Trainer Elite of NLP and a Certified Executive Coach. Robbins has achieved to be the host of #1 iTunes business Get-It-Done-Guy podcast that has received more than 9 million downloads. He speaks at Babson College on Building Social Capital. His roles include advisor and mentor to senior managers in several companies, while he is the CEO of Stever Robbins, Inc, in which he coaches executives and high-potential leaders. Robbins is also an angel investor, and has started on his 10th business venture. Well accomplished and inspirational!
Robbins touched on business plan reviews. He suggests that before you send your business plan to an angel investor, it is imperative to get it reviewed. A reviewed business plan by a certified professional will help increase the probability of getting funded because you will then have a more convincing document; distinguish and choose strategies that are more likely to succeed; and align your team around a common vision and plan for business. As a business plan competition judge, he’ll review the logic of your proposed strategies to make sure it is consistent with market-specific statistics. Investors want to know if the business owner knows their prospective target market, if they disclose the need they intend to fill, if the plan for reaching customers is logical, does the company’s team have the skills and contacts to carry out the plan, if the marketing strategy, financial estimates, and operation plans are coherent, if the plan is written to reach the intended audience, and if the business plan is persuasive and clear.
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. business plan reviews. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/entrepreneurship/business-plan-reviews/
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. about. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/about/
John W. Mullins is an Associate Professor of Management Practice, in which he also holds the David and Elaine Potter Foundation Term Chair in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at the London Business of School. Mullins earned his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and his PH.d from University of Minnesota. He won national and international awards from the Marketing Science Institute American Marketing Association, & the Richard D. Irwin Foundation for his recognizable research. Also, Mullins frequently speak to audiences in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
In John Mullins article, “Why Business Plans Don’t Deliver,” he discusses why most business plans get tossed in the trash before reading the entire document. He stresses how it is important to have a solid foundation before presenting a business plan to an investor. Investors are looking for acknowledged problems the company may realistically face and your strategic plan to follow through with a viable solution. If this problematic situation is presented with supported marketing research, it comes across in a more serious tone that there’s a solution to be implemented. Make sure you cite the source of references. It is also important to identify which customers are affected by this problematic outcome of your business venture. Mullins noted that it would be beneficial to actually reach out and speak with prospective customers. “Every assertion in your plan needs to be backed up by evidence.” Those business plans that succeed in obtaining an investor usually has a member who has failed in a past business venture and an investor regards the learning experience as, “an education on someone else’s nickel.”
Mullins, J. W. (2009, June 22).
Why business plans don’t deliver: the five most common flaws and how to fix them. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204830304574133501980701202.html
Miullins, J.W. About john mullins. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.johnwmullins.com/about.html.
The second expert I researched goes by the name of Stever Robbins. Robbins earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School and his BS in Computer Science s from MIT. He is a Certified Master Trainer Elite of NLP and a Certified Executive Coach. Robbins has achieved to be the host of #1 iTunes business Get-It-Done-Guy podcast that has received more than 9 million downloads. He speaks at Babson College on Building Social Capital. His roles include advisor and mentor to senior managers in several companies, while he is the CEO of Stever Robbins, Inc, in which he coaches executives and high-potential leaders. Robbins is also an angel investor, and has started on his 10th business venture. Well accomplished and inspirational!
Robbins touched on business plan reviews. He suggests that before you send your business plan to an angel investor, it is imperative to get it reviewed. A reviewed business plan by a certified professional will help increase the probability of getting funded because you will then have a more convincing document; distinguish and choose strategies that are more likely to succeed; and align your team around a common vision and plan for business. As a business plan competition judge, he’ll review the logic of your proposed strategies to make sure it is consistent with market-specific statistics. Investors want to know if the business owner knows their prospective target market, if they disclose the need they intend to fill, if the plan for reaching customers is logical, does the company’s team have the skills and contacts to carry out the plan, if the marketing strategy, financial estimates, and operation plans are coherent, if the plan is written to reach the intended audience, and if the business plan is persuasive and clear.
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. business plan reviews. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/entrepreneurship/business-plan-reviews/
Robbins, S. (n.d.). Stever Robbins, Inc.: productivity, profitability, & entrepreneurship. about. Retrieved August 3, 2011, from http://www.steverrobbins.com/about/
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Talk with Entertainment Lawyer, Jeff L. Michelman
Most unsigned artists disregard legal counseling when starting out in the music industry. They are driven by the desire to make and produce their music and get it heard when their work is completed. To bypass all of the legal trouble of who gets what percentage of your pie and "who owns what", it is important to seek legal counseling first. I spoke with Jeffrey L. Michelman, entertainment lawyer of Paule, Camazine, & Blumenthal, P.C., of St. Louis, Missouri.
He represents artists in the music industry and entertainment companies; and has experience with intellectual property cases. Entertainment companies first come up with their contracts, and then seek legal counseling for their document. The entertainment company later presents the artist with the contract. Jeff represents artists for as long as they do business and remain active within the music industry and he is hired on a case-by-case basis to handle business for entertainment companies. The most common problem brought to his attention by artists and companies dealt copyright issues. "Who owns what?" Jeff makes sure the artist(s) have the rights to sell their music to labels, and ensure that record labels have acquired all needed rights when music is sold.
The most troubling trial for artists occurs when they "work for a number of producers and they do not document everything or anything at all." It is hard to prove whether the beat was leased, what percentage the producer receives, and to determine the rights to the music. It is very important to seek legal counseling in the entertainment business because "the industry takes advantage of new artists viciously." Contracts are drowned with terminology and concepts that are difficult to understand. "Even a non-entertainment lawyer, or non-lawyer has difficulty interpreting and understanding contractual agreements." So, as a piece of valuable advice, before you put extensive time and money in a project, make sure you know all of your rights and if you have any. Before you purchase a beat from a producer, seek legal counseling and get it documented. It is "absolutely" important to have written documentation for this type of transaction. That is why it is very crucial to get your lawyer early, because everything needs to be in written documentation. Each party needs to know who has the right to the beat, the right to sell the beat, how long the beat is available to use, and what percentage cut is allotted if necessary.
I give a special thanks to Jeffrey L. Michelman for his professional insight in this matter and educating artists how to handle business within the music industry. You can reach Jeff Michelman at http://entertainerlaw.com and http://www.pcblawfirm.com/Attorneys/Jeffrey-L-Michelman.shtml.
J.L. Michelman.(personal communication, May 24, 2011).
He represents artists in the music industry and entertainment companies; and has experience with intellectual property cases. Entertainment companies first come up with their contracts, and then seek legal counseling for their document. The entertainment company later presents the artist with the contract. Jeff represents artists for as long as they do business and remain active within the music industry and he is hired on a case-by-case basis to handle business for entertainment companies. The most common problem brought to his attention by artists and companies dealt copyright issues. "Who owns what?" Jeff makes sure the artist(s) have the rights to sell their music to labels, and ensure that record labels have acquired all needed rights when music is sold.
The most troubling trial for artists occurs when they "work for a number of producers and they do not document everything or anything at all." It is hard to prove whether the beat was leased, what percentage the producer receives, and to determine the rights to the music. It is very important to seek legal counseling in the entertainment business because "the industry takes advantage of new artists viciously." Contracts are drowned with terminology and concepts that are difficult to understand. "Even a non-entertainment lawyer, or non-lawyer has difficulty interpreting and understanding contractual agreements." So, as a piece of valuable advice, before you put extensive time and money in a project, make sure you know all of your rights and if you have any. Before you purchase a beat from a producer, seek legal counseling and get it documented. It is "absolutely" important to have written documentation for this type of transaction. That is why it is very crucial to get your lawyer early, because everything needs to be in written documentation. Each party needs to know who has the right to the beat, the right to sell the beat, how long the beat is available to use, and what percentage cut is allotted if necessary.
I give a special thanks to Jeffrey L. Michelman for his professional insight in this matter and educating artists how to handle business within the music industry. You can reach Jeff Michelman at http://entertainerlaw.com and http://www.pcblawfirm.com/Attorneys/Jeffrey-L-Michelman.shtml.
J.L. Michelman.(personal communication, May 24, 2011).
Saturday, January 29, 2011
AARC AND IT'S VALUE
The Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies, Inc. (AARC)is a non-profit organization who represents artists and recording companies. It provides domestic ans international service. Their specialty is in hometaping or private copy royalties and rental royalties. AARC was initially formed to collect and distribute the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 (AHRA) royalties to artists and recording companies, but have expanded to service globally due to continued success. AARC is the only administrator of the AHRA royalty in the US.
You can obtain AHRA royalties by selling certain blank CDs and specific digital recording devices for non-commercial use. AARC includes a board of 13 artist representatives and 13 record company representatives, ensuring mutual interests between the artists and recording industry.
The AARC services include:
> Represents members before the Copyright Royalty Board, Copyright Office, and other similar outfits
> Filing claims and legal papers, settlement negotiations
> Minimize legal administrative costs
> Quicken royalty payments
> Data collection
> Produce accurate data to base distribution upon
> Provides detailed reports, entailing features artists, labels, and royalty amounts for every sound recording that earns royalty
The website can be found at https://www.aarcroyalties.com/2008/home.php?nav=welcome.
Contact AARC here:
AARC
700 North Fairfax Street
Suite 601
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-535-8101
Fax: 703-535-8105
E-mail: contact@aarcroyalties.com
You are given the option to join; enroll by direct deposit; check what royalties AARC my be holding for you!!
The site provides links to books that gives helpful advice in being successful in the music industry, located under the media tab. Stay abreast of the latest news within the music industry with AARC, under the News tab. They also offer internships, and more!! So get employed in the field or industry of YOUR CHOOSING!! Start and apply now...after all, it's your future!!
You can obtain AHRA royalties by selling certain blank CDs and specific digital recording devices for non-commercial use. AARC includes a board of 13 artist representatives and 13 record company representatives, ensuring mutual interests between the artists and recording industry.
The AARC services include:
> Represents members before the Copyright Royalty Board, Copyright Office, and other similar outfits
> Filing claims and legal papers, settlement negotiations
> Minimize legal administrative costs
> Quicken royalty payments
> Data collection
> Produce accurate data to base distribution upon
> Provides detailed reports, entailing features artists, labels, and royalty amounts for every sound recording that earns royalty
The website can be found at https://www.aarcroyalties.com/2008/home.php?nav=welcome.
Contact AARC here:
AARC
700 North Fairfax Street
Suite 601
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-535-8101
Fax: 703-535-8105
E-mail: contact@aarcroyalties.com
You are given the option to join; enroll by direct deposit; check what royalties AARC my be holding for you!!
The site provides links to books that gives helpful advice in being successful in the music industry, located under the media tab. Stay abreast of the latest news within the music industry with AARC, under the News tab. They also offer internships, and more!! So get employed in the field or industry of YOUR CHOOSING!! Start and apply now...after all, it's your future!!
