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Sponsored by: U.S. Small Business Administration Operated by:

Sponsored by: U.S. Small Business Administration Operated by:. Business at the Next Level: Starting and Growing Your Business. Intro Activity: Your True Colors. Who We Are. A business development organization that serves women entrepreneurs in the Washington, DC Capital Region.

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Sponsored by: U.S. Small Business Administration Operated by:

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  1. Sponsored by: U.S. Small Business Administration Operated by: Business at the Next Level: Starting and Growing Your Business DC Women's Business Center

  2. Intro Activity: Your True Colors DC Women's Business Center

  3. Who We Are A business development organization that serves women entrepreneurs in the Washington, DC Capital Region. Advocates for the inclusion of women’s businesses in federal procurement opportunities. A network of business connections and services that support the growth of women-owned businesses. DC Women's Business Center

  4. Who We Serve Women executives seeking operational, financial, and/or market assistance to grow their businesses. Women entrepreneurs seeking to formalize their business through business planning and operations assistance. There is a particular focus on assisting economically disadvantaged and minority women entrepreneurs. DC Women's Business Center

  5. Services Provided Existing Business Business Assessment Business Growth Support through Counseling & Training Access to Capital Mentoring and Networking Opportunities Start-up Business Business Assessment Business Planning Access to Capital Connection to Mentors DC Women's Business Center

  6. Starting A Business Inspiration Identified Need or Solution to a Problem Problem + Solution = Opportunity! Research Existing Models and Competition Feasibility Business Planning Company Description Market Analysis Organization & Management Service or Product Line Marketing & Sales Financial Projections DC Women's Business Center

  7. Your Words are POWERFUL! • Video clip DC Women's Business Center

  8. Successful Entrepreneurs • Influenced by role models • Parents were entrepreneurs

  9. Key Characteristics Creativity Developing new ideas and ways to solve problems that provide new or better opportunities and products. DOGGIE WASHERETTE

  10. Key Characteristics Creative People • Bright • Adaptable • High self esteem • Challenge-oriented • Idea-oriented • Inquisitive • Curious

  11. Improve Your Creativity Gather as much information as you can • Research • Read: Newspapers, Trade Magazines • Talk with experts

  12. Improve Your Creativity Brainstorm ideas for new improvements and opportunities. • Is the solution reasonable? • If so, try it! • If not, start thinking again. • Don’t limit your mind. • Don’t give up!

  13. Growing A Business Business Assessment What’s working? Where are your current challenges? Increase Capacity Automation (Online payments, banking, registration) Social Media (Marketing, promotion, customer feedback) Hiring (Full-time, part-time, interns, volunteers, virtual assistants) Joint Ventures/Partnerships New Markets Locations, customers, products/services Government Contracting Exporting DC Women's Business Center

  14. New Markets:Opportunity from Trends DC Women's Business Center

  15. Increase Capacity:Process and Systems Streamline Sales Make your business more efficient with a sales/customer service or other process • Delegate • Can the business run without you? • Plan Ahead • What are you doing today that could/should be done more efficiently when your revenue increases? How do you make that happen faster? • Efficient Feedback • Stay in touch with your • clients, partners and team by creating a communication plan

  16. Increase Capacity • Build your team • Mentors • Investors • Professional Advisors • Attorney, Banker, Accountant • Friends/Family DC Women's Business Center

  17. Building Your Team: Networking Networking is NOT About: Networking IS About: Connecting with others Establishing community Finding others who share your vision Keep your hands open! • Money • Finding a job • Making a sale • Collecting business cards DC Women's Business Center

  18. Networking:6 Degrees of Separation Activity Anyone you meet is 6 acquaintances away from someone you know. • Write the name of someone you want to meet that could help you grow or promote your business (On the top of the page. THINK BIG!) • Pass the papers • Write your name on the bottom of the paper if you know the person or someone who knows the person • Make a connection! DC Women's Business Center

  19. Final Advice: The Most Expensive Real Estate in the World • Look for new ideas • Keep it simple • Start small • Try, try, try again! What is the most expensive real estate in the world?

  20. Keep in Touch! V kontakte! Samira Cook Gaines Vice President of Business Development Email: scook@ncrc.org Online: www.dcwbc.org, www.ncrc.org Like us on Facebook: The Washington, DC Women’s Business Center Follow on Twitter: @TheDCWBC DC Women's Business Center

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