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".