Interview - Robert (O'Mega Red) Grant, CEO of Stay Grindin Inc.

Part 2 - Thinking of buying or selling a business? These are the things ...

The Original Women's March on Washington and the Suffragists Who Paved the Way

The Original Women's March on Washington and the Suffragists Who Paved the Way

Joanne Rogers to get George Romero Legacy Award at the 'Elly Awards Gala'

Joanne Rogers to get George Romero Legacy Award at the 'Elly Awards Gala'



Congratulations to Joanne Rogers who continues the legacy of Fred Rogers. 

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes::

Certification...Is it good for my business? The Empress of Biz inteviews 
Ruth Byrd Smith Director of the Allegheny County M/W/DBE Office.

She is the expert on certification and how it can help you build your business. 

Now is the time to get your answers CERTFICATION: 

What is it? 

Do I need it. 

Do I qualify? 

Who do I talk to? 

Why should I do It? 

Join us as we talk certfication and the upcoming Open House on September 21, from 5:30 p to 7:30 pm. Tune in Listen and Learn and Prosper with the Empress of biz and her knowledgeable guest Ruth Bryd-Smith, Director of the Allegheny County M/W/DBE Office.



JoAnn R. Forrester founded S I Business
Associates, a growth management firm established in 1975.

JoAnn has secured 45 million dollars in loans for her clients. In 1998, she co-developed the
PRICE IT PERFECT(TM) cost management program. In 2008, JoAnn started the Empress of Biz Talkcast Show. JoAnn is a nationally certified site reviewer for the National Women's Business Owner Corporation. In 2004, she was appointed a Program Loan Coordinator of the M/W/D.B.E.

Working Capital Loan
Program of Allegheny County. | JoAnn twice received the U.S. Small Business
Administration Award for SBA Woman Business Champion for
Pennsylvania. In March of 1996, JoAnn was elected to the Pennsylvania Honor Roll of Women from the PA Department of Commerce.| She was chair of the Global Partnership with Pennsylvania in 1997,1998. In 1999, JoAnn received recognition as one of the Top 50 Women Business Owners in Pennsylvania.

Guild

(96) JoAnn Forrester

Good morning US ...and it is US. I have put together a list of organizations and articles that will guide you in giving. These are organizations that I have personally worked with, donated and reviewed and know that the dollars given are extremely well used. If you are active in your church...and a good reason to be involved... is how efficient they are. Most mainline churches cover the adminsitrative costs of their relief organization and 100% of donated funds go directly to the disaster relifef. Also find out what your church does and go to work there.  Another suggestion... if you have friends in the Huston area...get in touch with them and adopt them or a family that needs help. Working together as US...We can and do make a difference!

http://www.brothersbrother.org/hurricane_harvey/

http://www.umcor.org/

http://pda.pcusa.org/

https://cruxnow.com/…/catholic-groups-mobilizing-help-hurr…/

Article on relief organizations by New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/…/donate-harvey-charities-scams.htm…

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes::

Today the Empress of biz aka JoAnn R. Forrester interviews one
of her  favorite “baby boomer”  Cathy Kentzel owner and host of The Barnard
House Bed and Breakfast in Emlenton PA. 
Cathy with her husband Paul bought the Barnard House  Bed & Breakfast 5 years ago  and have taken a favorite local B & B and
have expanded it a regional delight adding many features and services.   This
is a favorite retreat of the Empress of Biz and it has been  a delight to watch as Cathy and Paul have
used their many talents to expand their B & B and offer new services to the
region.   Join us and Listen Learn and
Prosper with the Empress of Biz and her guest Cathy Kentzel of The Barnard
House

JoAnn R. Forrester founded S I Business
Associates, a growth management firm established in 1975. Jo Ann has secured 45 million dollars in loans for her clients. In 1998, she co-developed the
PRICE IT PERFECT(TM) cost management program. In 2008, JoAnn started the Empress of Biz Talkcast Show.| JoAnn is co-author of STEPS TO OWNING YOUR OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS,. JoAnn is a nationally certified site reviewer for the National Women's Business Owner Corporation. In 2004, she was appointed a Program Loan Coordinator of the M/W/D.B.E. Working Capital Loan
Program of Allegheny County. |

JoAnn served 5 terms as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners and also served on National Board of NAWBO (1990-91) and National Nominating Committee of NAWBO (2007-2009).| JoAnn twice received the U.S. Small Business
Administration Award for SBA Woman Business Champion for
Pennsylvania. In March of 1996, JoAnn was elected to the Pennsylvania Honor Roll of Women from the PA Department of Commerce.|  |

JoAnn currently serves on the boards of the Business Loan Review Committee of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of the City of
Pittsburgh Previously, she served on the Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration and The Women's Enterprise Center and and the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of NAWBO.|

Jo Ann R Forrester, Co Developer Price It Perfect Cost Control Program.|
JoAnn is also the Award Winning Author of the Popular Children's Book, The Gift of Holiday Valley.

Positively Pittsburgh Live! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Dear Friends on Saturday July 1 from 10 am to 11:30 am   we will  be having a special broadcast of  Positively Pittsburgh Live​.  On June 14, 2017 the one and only Joanne Quinn Smith aka "Techno Granny" left us and moved on to another adventure with her Father in heaven. Those who loved her, worked with her and shared her adventures, Jill Kummer,"Eventsburg" Sunita Pandit "Mrs. Cardiology" Tamra Cerfaci  "The Barefoot Barrister" and JoAnn R. Forrester "The Empress of Biz'" will host a memorial tribute broadcast to our mentor and colleague. Join us as we share our memories of this remarkable positive, courageous and tenacious women. She loved Pittsburgh and wanted the whole world to know how great we were. We welcome  you to join and  share your positive stories, comments and memories. We know she will be listening in that big podcast in the sky



Positively Pittsburgh Live! - Live & Recorded Episodes:: Mission: to spread so much good news about Pittsburgh and surrounding areas that soon good news in the Greater Pittsburgh Area becomes an everyday occurrence. You just don't know how much good news there is in Pittsburgh until you listen in every week to PositivelyPittsburghLive# Podcast-- all the good news about Pittsburgh. Each week is a weekly broadcast with sixteen features in all: POSITIVELY PITTSBURGH SPONSORED EVENTS, CULTURAL CLUES, KIDZ KORNER, WOMEN AND GIRLS ADVANCEMENT , BUSINESS BUZZ, |POSITIVELY PITTSBURGH LIVE!
BURGH BIZ SATURDAY SHOWCASE. HIGH SCHOOL and UNIVERSITY NEWS, PITTSBURGH HISTORICAL STUFF, NON-PROFIT EVENTS
SPONSORED BY BLACKTIE PITTSBURGH, NEIGHBORHOOD HI-LIGHTS,
POSITIVE PITTSBURGHERS, ROVING PITTSBURGHER REPORT SPONSORED BY PITTSBURGH TRADE ALLIANCE, PITTSBURGH LOCAL SPORTS, PITTSBURGH GOOD NEWS FORUM, STEELTOWN HERO, VETERANS VET and MILITARY METTLE and the seasonal HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS|
Host: Joanne Quinn-Smith, CEO, Dreamweaver Marketing Associates akaTechnoGranny, National Small Business Administration Journalist of the Year. On Saturday Mornings PPL features Burgh Biz Saturday Showcase with a group of business owners from Pittsburgh Area who inform about their businesses, give a special tip for entrepreneurs and also one for consumers and a special offer for PositivelyPittsburghLive's Listeners. |PositivelyPittsburghLive has morphed into Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network. Free to the public to use where businesses can purchase their own audio or video channel podcast) or page. There is an online community calendar and a Pittsburgh specific press release site. Check it out at: http://pplmag.com|
For all the good news about Pittsburgh. Don't just observe the news,

Interviews with the Talking Machine Joann Forrester The Empres of Bz My Inspiration was Desperation

Roving Pittsburgher Report, 23 Musical, Twirling, Juggling, Ariel & Acrobatic Acts

Roving Pittsburgher Report, 23 Musical, Twirling, Juggling, Ariel & Acrobatic Acts



One of the perks of the job of being the Empress of Biz is getting to see great shows and then write about them!  Pittsburgh is a great city not only for Sports...but for the Arts.  We have a world class symphony, opera, ballet, museums and so much more.  You "gotta" come and see us...you will be amazed and ready to say I am coming to live here.

12 Common Myths about Starting, Growing and FINANCING your Business.

You want to start a business-- you know you have the perfect idea--as soon as open your doors --customers will flock in buying everything off the shelves--and banks and investors will be fighting one another to give you money.   The fact is 90% of small business closes their door within ten years.   Many business owners could have avoided disappointment, failure or bankruptcy, IF they would have looked at the myths they believe in  and did realistic planning, thinking and financing as their business grew.   Listed below are the twelve common fantasy’s start up business owners want to believe.    Which one's do you believe?   

1.        I AM JUST A SMALL BUSINESS. I don’t need promotion or marketing I will just open my door and everyone will just come.  

 2.       BUSINESS IS GREAT AND ORDERS ARE FLOWING IN.  I won’t ever need to borrow money.

 3.   My idea is so good… BANKS and Investors will fall all over me in trying to lend me money and I won't ever have to pay high interest.  

 4. BUSINESS PLANNING AND STRATEGY--WHO NEEDS IT.  NOT ME!  I HAVE ALL MY PLANS IN MY HEAD.    

5. THERE ARE PLENTY OF ANGELS OUT THERE!   My company is so great these “ANGELS” will find me, help me and not expect a business plan.  They will just take my word for it and give me the money I need and they won’t expect anything in return let alone a profit on their money.

 6. My CREDIT SCORE has NOTHING to do with me getting a bank loan. 

7 . I CAN GET ALL THE MONEY I NEED-- and I won’t  have to pledge any of my assets or use any of my money to start or grow my business and I certainly won’t have to  guarantee my loans or credit.

 8 I’LL BE THE LOW BIDDER ALL THE TIME and BEAT out my competition.  I will make money on sheer volume alone.

 9. ALL A WOMAN OR A MINORITY HAS TO DO IS START A BUSINESS and she will be just rolling in dough and will not have to work very hard.   It will be a snap.  

10. MARKETING--WHO NEEDS IT--NOT ME.  People will find me with just by word of mouth.  

 11. Professional Help…I don’t need it.  I can figure out all by myself.    

12. My boss is making money off my efforts and paying me pennies on the dollars.  I’ll show him! I will start my business and soon I will be the one rolling in the dough!

  S. I. Business Associates (SIBA) has been guiding small business to success since 1975.  Jo Ann R. Forrester, President is an award winning business growth specialist, author  and partner in several business including S I Business Associates, Small Business Solutions and Celebrate & Share. JoAnn and  staff specialize in helping small business grow.  They have secured  over $42 million dollars in business loans and investment for clients.  If you are ready to start, grow or build a successful company give JoAnn R. Forrester  a call.  412-440-6969  Information compiled by  JoAnn R. Forrester, President of SI Business Associates and founder and Host of the Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn, Prosper.  Call 412-440-6969. E-mail:  empressofbiz@gmail.com    www.empressofbiz.com

Small Business Owners TARGET OF IRS SCAM ARTISTS

  SCAM ALERT! Small  Biz Owners  

TARGETED by Telephone  CON ARTISTS

 Usually I am not on the side of the IRS...but this is one time that I am on their side.  

On Monday, November 17 at 12:28 pm I was contacted by a telephone solicitor who left a message saying they were the IRS and that they we trying to reach me for several months and because of non-payment I was going to be sued. I was to call this number back with my case file # to prevent this immediate action. 

 At first I was terrified the IRS...OMG...then I thought call your accountant...and I did.  This call brought  instant relief!   My accountant shared with me that the IRS does not call people and say the are immediately suing you and repossessing everything you have.  There is a due process the IRS  must follow and if you as a busienss owner or individual and  receive a call like this...immediately hang up and report them.   There are major scams being attempted on people and many people have fallen for these  threatening and deceiving tactics.  IF YOU RECEIVE ANY PHONE CALLS like this...immediately hang up and report it to the IRS PHONE SCAM line 1-800-366-4984. 

Besides our own homegrown crooks...many of these scam rooms are run by overseas organizations that use the money obtained from frightened people to finance illegal operation from drugs to guns to worse.

 Be alert...warn your staff, employees and family.  And put pressure on law officials and the phone companies to stop this kind of harassing and frightening criminal actions.  It is estimated that these kind of tactics costs Americans up to $40 billion dollars a year.

http://fraudresearchcenter.org/2012/11/scams-schemes-swindles-a-review-of-consumer-financial-fraud-research/

Empress of Biz... The WRONG way to sell...or do NOT talk down

SALES LESSON OF THE MONTH!

Treat your potential client with respect and NEVER talk down to her.  

 Today I had some "guru" trying to sell me his services by  telling me how much his  firm can help me accomplish my dreams.... and all I have to do is pay him  thousand$ of dollar$ to get his  much needed help...since it was so obvious I needed his help.  Then I would achieve the success I desired and obviously not getting.

Am I upset?  You bet I am.  Did he do his homework?  NOPE! Has he permanently irritated me?  YEP!   The obnoxious sale approach ...."I have done so much and "Little You" could profit from my "advice" was way off base and downright rude.   I do not mind paying for great advice. ( I pay my lawyer and accountant all the time). But guys and gals do not patronize or belittle  the prospect... especially BEFORE you try to sell them. 

 BTW this is what "little old me" has  have accomplished over the years without his help:

1. Been in business successfully for over 35 years.  
2. Have raised over 42 million dollars in loans/equity etc for small businesses. 
3. In the process of raising many more millions of dollar for a large project in South Dakota. 
4. Written 3 books.  One "The Gift of Holiday" an award winning  children's book. 
 5. Have survived two businesses getting into serious trouble and paid off my many thousands of dollars of debt without declaring bankruptcy...and YES it did hurt. 
6. Have co-developed software Price it Perfect (TM)that has been sold nationally.  I am now  in the process of working with another developer to move the PIP to a cloud application.  
7. My clients have received national recognition from the SBA as Small Business of the Year, Journalist of the Year, Veteran of the Year, Athena Award Winner, Stevie Awards and etc. I wrote the nomination package for them and for many other award winning business owners.  
8. Have developed my own podcast...the Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn, Prosper  with a growing national and international audience. 
9.Serve on loan boards for over 6 years and have contracts with several government agencies for my cost analysis abilities
10. Have been recognized by the SBA, the state of Pennsylvania for advocacy for women and small business owners. 
11.Have helped established the Pennsylvania Women's Hall of Achievement and currently serve as President.
12. I am a national site reviewer for the National Women Business Owners Corporation.
13. Past President 5 times of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of NAWBO.
14. Have served on the National  Nominating Committee and Board for NAWBO 
15. I have learned many painful lessons along the way and I am willing to share them without charging exorbitant fees .
 Moral of the Story... Know your prospect, do not insult them and most of all treat your prospect with RESPECT.  
BTW...if you want to build your business and want clear, direct, non-critical advice and BE TREATED WITH RESPECT ...give me a call at 412-440-6969.

May all have a profitable and productive day...and please treat one another with courtesy and respect.

JoAnn R. Forrester
Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn, Prosper

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Exciting happenings are occurring in Charleroi, Pa and on the Empress of biz we have the guests to tell you what it is all about! The town of Charleroi is the site of a launch of a pilot program, Sustainable Marketplace for Arts, Artisans, and Recreation and Trending businesses. SMAART. 

Small towns are not only wonderful places to visit they are great places to be in business. One of the innovative efforts of STAART is a Business Plan Contest with a series of seminars to help small business obtain the information they need to build a thriving company. The program will be launched at the Charleroi Borough Building on June 9, 2015 a visit from the SBA Administrator Region III Administrator, Natalia Olsen-Urtecho.

The Empress of biz will be interviewing the SBA Region III Administrator, Natalia Olsoen-Urtecho on the SBA efforts to promote the growth of small business through their Encore program and support of the STAART program. 

Additional guests are, Don Henderson, Borough Manager of Charleroi will be discussing the goals of STAART and Donna Holdorf, Executive Director of the National Road Heritage Corrido will be sharing about the STAART Business Plan Competition. SBA District Director, Kelly Hunt, will be sharing how the local office will continue to support this innovative effort. This is the kind of program the Empress of Biz loves to bring to you. Information and resources will help your business thrive and prosper. Tune in, Listen, Learn and Prosper. This is an interview you don’t want to miss. 

The SMAART Business Plan Contest will be accepting applications starting August 1, 2015, through 4 p.m. on September 30, 2015

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! -Sales are GREAT...MONEY AIN'T Cash Flow & Growth

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Your company is growing...sales are great...but at the end of the month...you are SHORT of the GREEN STUFF. Join The Empress of Biz and Dave Wilke, CPA as we discuss strategies and tips to ensure that your company has the capital necessary for growth. Dave Wilke, CPA is well known as a small business accountant and advocate for small busienss. He will be one of the speaker at the 17th annual Entrepreneurs Growth conference, Friday May 15, 2015. Christine Hughes is Training Manager for the Duquense University SBDC and she will be sharing all the news abut the 17th Annual Entrepreneur's Growth Conference,  tune in and Listen,Learn, Prosper with the Empress of  Biz and her wisdom filled guests. 

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! The Biz Side of Show Business Jessica Lee & Al Levine

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Show Biz...it is a Business...Not a Hobby!

Join the Empress of Biz, aka, JoAnn R. Forrester,  as we focus on two entrepreneurs who are making an IMPACT ON the entertainment  scene.  Jessica Lee  a charismatic and popular Jazz singer and Allen Levine of Pittsburgh Sportsline.  Both have created a niche in the our area with their unique talents and approach to business. 

Jessica Lee is an amazing songstress who is a welcome performer in

prominent music clubs, both locally and nationally. Jessica’s performances give

voice to the up-lifting energy, power and messages that were the trademarks of

early artists in gospel, blues, jazz and soul Jazz.    

 Allen Levine, The Talking Machine “ has taken

his love and knowledge of sports and has created a platform of Live TV

talkshows with and combined them with appearances at local restaurants  talking sports and bringing a wide variety of  people together talking sports and promoting their various community interests

and charitable causes. 

 As fun as entertainment is….it is a business! And to make it… you have to treat it as a

business…not as a hobby. 

 Join in and Listen, Learn and Prosper as the Empress of Biz interviews two popular “entertainer’s  on the   "Business of Entertainment".

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

March is Women's Her story month and we celebrate that with the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Event held on March 5, 2015 at the Omni William Penn Hotel. One of the 2015 honorees is Eileen Carlins of Cribs for Kids. Cribs for Kids is an example of how women make a positive contribution to the quality of lives. Tune in and Listen and Learn the story of Cribs for Kids, what they do and how their work has made a difference not only locally but nationally and internationally. Listen, Learn and be Inspired. Chairs of the event, JoAnn R. Forrester and Bonnie DiCarlo will be hosts of this session Celebrating and Sharing the achievements of women during  March...Women's Herstory Month.

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! -Special edition...Update on Kiva fund and Women of Achievement

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live &; Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ!  Funding your business  with the  Kiva Loan fund and The Women of Achievement Awards, March 5, 2015

Episode Notes: So much going on that we have to double the time to get it all in on the Empress of Biz.
 Our first guests are Emily Keebler of Kiva and Latoya Jackson Rainey talking about the the Kiva Fund and how it fuels  busienss growth.
 Second Sgement on the  Empress of biz with my  special  co-host Bonnie DiCarlo, co-founder of Celebrate & Share , we will be interviewing Anna Marie Gire of the Women's Independent Press and the Women's Yellow Pages on her being selected as a 2015 Women of Achievement Honoree.
 Take the time to listen, learn and be inspired by these amazing women and all they are accomplishing.
Listen, Learn and Prosper with the Empress of Biz!

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - 12 Common ^ Dangerous Mistakes Biz Owners Make

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Before you jump into the entrepreneurial pool...The Empress of Biz will be talking about information you absolutely need to know. The 12 COMMON  & DANGEROUS MYTHS about Starting, Growing and Financing your Business AT 9AM today.  Can't listen now...you can always download later!



The ideal situation--or fairy tales do come true. You want to start a business-- you know you have the perfect idea--as soon as open your doors --customers will flock in buying everything off the shelves--and banks and investors will be fighting one another to give you money. The fact is 90% of small business closes their door within ten years. Many business owners could of avoided disappointment, failure or bankruptcy, IF they would have done realistic planning, thinking and financing as their business grew. We are sharing with you our list of the twelve common fantasies small business owners tell themselves about their business. Listen, Learn, Prosper with the Empress of Biz.

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Biz Buzz  News you Can Use:

Join me for a new feature on the Empress of Biz,   Biz Buzz!   The goal is to  provide business owners  and professionals  news, information,  resources and valuable business tips  to use in building a successful and profitable business.  So join in and Listen, Learn and Prosper with the Empress of Biz " aka"  JoAnn R. Forrester.

Plus if you have  news about an event/resource/news  that will help our listeners please send to empressofbiz@gmail.com.   Or give me a call at 412-440-6969.  By sharing what we know we help all of us to grow.

Some of the news includes new District Director at the SBA for the W. PA District Office.  Certification news...how it can help or hurt.  Upcoming events  including NAWBO DAY Pittsburgh o November 21, 2014.  www.nawbopittsburgh.org  And lots more.
Remember...by sharing what we know...we help all of us grow!

Can't listen  this Thursday October 23, 2014 you can always download and listen later.