SBA to Celebrate National Small Business Week; Agency Announces NY 2016 Award Winners

New York - U.S. Small Business Administration New York District Director Beth Goldberg announced SBA's 2016 district and national Small Business Week award winners and the agency’s plans to honor this year’s 12 small business owners and advocates for their contributions to small business.

The awards ceremony is part of SBA’s celebration of National Small Business Week (May 1 – May 7). “Every year since 1963 SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week,” said Goldberg. “This year our district office has four National Award winners who will be recognized by SBA’s Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet during a ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 2. The following day we will honor our New York winners.”

The New York District Office National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony will be held May 3, 2016 from 10:00 am to Noon; Registration begins at 9 am at 26 Federal Plaza, Conference Center 6th Floor, and Room A/B. Complimentary Continental Breakfast. Open to the Public. Email newyorkdo@sba.gov to RSVP.

"The nominations for this year’s competition prove, once again, the level of professionalism and success is a trademark of our New York District small business community," said Goldberg. "Not only should the winners be congratulated but every business nominated and considered should be recognized for their accomplishments. Selecting this year's winners was no easy task."

2016 SBA NY Small Business Week Award Winners:

The 2016 SBA New York District Office Small Business Person of the Year
John Durante, Durante Rentals LLC., located in Bronx, NY.

SBA New York District Office Women Small Business Champion of the Year
Heidi Kahn, Kahn Architecture - New York, NY.

SBA New York District Office Exporter of the Year
Mohammed A. Osman, Karima Shipping Enterprise, Inc. - Bronx, NY.

SBA New York District Office Home-based Business Champion of the Year
Antonella Zangheri, Krumville Bake Shop, Inc. - Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Small Business Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
Avi Leshes, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce - Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
James Wilson Wood, Independent Media Sales & Services, Inc. D/B/Minority Commerce Weekly - Shoreham, NY

SBA New York District Office Small Business Financial Service Champion of the Year
Nancy Carin, Business Outreach Center Network, Inc. /BOC Capital Corp. Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Women Business Center Excellence Award and Region II
Andrea Ormeno, Queens Economic Development Corporation/Women’s Business Center - Kew Gardens, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)
Walter H. Barandiaran, Daniel Raynor, Steve Berman of Argentum Capital Partners - New York, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery
Stephen Piazza, Maryann Piazza of Majestic Vending and Services, Inc. - Staten Island, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award
Jill Clough-Johnson of Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC/Brookhaven National Laboratory - Upton, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Subcontractor of the Year
F. Xavier Fleming of Sound Roof Systems Ltd. - Williston Park, NY

Wells Fargo: Small Businesses Enter 2016 with More Optimism

Improved cash flow and future outlook boost latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index; survey also captures attitudes about mobile banking, EMV-chip card technology

 

New York, N.Y., Feb. 19, 2016 – Small business owners expressed a level of optimism not seen in a year in the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, conducted January 11-15, as the Index’s overall score rose to 67, a 13-point gain from November’s survey. 

 

The quarterly survey, which measures the optimism of small business owners, had previously declined for three consecutive quarters, falling to an overall score of 54 in November. The January increase was the largest quarter-over-quarter increase since January 2015, when the Index also rose 13 points. 

 

The bounce in optimism benefitted largely from small business owners feeling better about their cash flow, with 60 percent saying their cash flow was very or somewhat good over the past 12 months – a level not seen since the fourth quarter of 2007. Looking ahead, 66 percent of business owners expect their cash flow to be very or somewhat good in the next 12 months, compared to 63 percent in November. Most other Index measures had small increases or were unchanged in the first-quarter survey.

 

“The latest Index scores show that small business owners are more upbeat about their current and future business conditions,” said Joe Kirk, Wells Fargo Region President.   “This suggests small business owners are entering 2016 with greater confidence, and cash flow sentiment is driving that optimism.”

Small business payment trends

The Index also gauged small business owners’ attitudes about EMV chip-enabled debit and credit cards. Beginning Oct. 1, 2015, merchants needed to convert to new EMV-enabled card processing systems or accept liability for any fraudulent point-of-sale card transactions. To meet the October 1 deadline, merchants were encouraged to update their card processing systems to accept chip-enabled cards. Almost half (48 percent) of business owners surveyed in January said that their card processing system is currently chip-enabled, up from 31 percent in August 2015. 

 

Of the business owners who have not updated their card processing system to accept chip-enabled cards, 22 percent plan to do so in the next six months, and 14 percent say within the next 12 months. One in five business owners (20 percent) say they never plan to upgrade.

About the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index

Since August 2003, the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index has surveyed small business owners on current and future perceptions of their business financial situation. The Index consists of two dimensions: 1) Owners’ ratings of the current situation of their businesses and, 2) Owners’ ratings of how they expect their businesses to perform over the next 12 months. Results are based on telephone interviews with 600 small business owners, with annual revenues up to $20 million, in all 50 United States conducted January 11-15, 2016. The overall Small Business Index is computed using a formula that scores and sums the answers to 12 questions — six about the present situation and six about the future. An Index score of zero indicates that small business owners, as a group, are neutral – neither optimistic nor pessimistic – about their companies’ situations.   The overall Index can range from -400 (the most negative score possible) to +400 (the most positive score possible), but in practice spans a much more limited range. The margin of sampling error is +/- four percentage points. The highest Index reading was +114 in the fourth quarter of 2006, and the lowest reading was -28 in the third quarter of 2010.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.8 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories. 

About Gallup

For more than 70 years, Gallup has been a recognized leader in the measurement and analysis of people’s attitudes, opinions and behavior.  While best known for the Gallup Poll, founded in 1935, Gallup’s current activities consist largely of providing marketing and management research, advisory services and education to the world’s largest corporations and institutions.

Second Annual Microsoft Small Business Video Contest

The second annual Microsoft Small Business video contest is here!

Microsoft is launching their second annual Small Business video contest, and we need your help. Last year we launched our first small business video contest with a simple request for small businesses to share their business stories via a 2-minute video. We reached 21 million people and had over 175 entries.

Our 2016 contest, starting January 25, is a great opportunity for business influencers to help small businesses in the US.

We will recognize the best, most inspirational and original video that showcases a small business story. The grand prize winner will win $20,000, new Surface Pro 4s, and subscriptions to Office 365 for their business (up to 10 devices/seats) in addition to a publicity package.

In addition, this year we will award a prize to four business associations. When a business connected to your organization enters the contest, they can write in your organization name for a chance to win a Surface Pro 4 and one-year subscription to Office 365.

The 2015 grand prize winner was Citizen Frederick, a men’s retail clothing store. Other winners included an innovative technology product for pets, a women’s clothing boutique, an embroidery franchise and a frame shop. Among the dozens of entries we received there were many inspirational stories from non-profits, retail, and online businesses.

"It was great fun and more importantly, our small business was seen by a few more people…It is great for a large company like Microsoft to support the little guys and both Luke and I appreciate your help!” Custom-Wood-Urns

You can find more information and enter the contest by clicking here.

Protecting Your Business and Customers with EMV Technology

By Mercedes Garcia,

With each passing day, a growing number of consumers are carrying debit and credit cards in their wallets that have the latest chip technology. While consumers expect to have access to the latest technology to protect their financial transactions, these new chip-enabled cards are only half of the equation. Businesses need to upgrade their card readers to accept this more secure EMV technology – and they need to do so soon.

Beginning Oct. 1, merchants that do not upgrade to terminals that can accept EMV-enabled cards may be held liable for counterfeit card transactions that occur at their business locations. This represents a significant change for businesses because under current federal law, a card issuer absorbs costs related to counterfeit fraud transactions. While EMV technology has been widely used in other parts of the world for years, the United States has only more recently adopted it. The Oct. 1 liability change is the latest step in this adoption process.

This shift to EMV technology is all part of an effort to increase the security of in-person card transactions. An EMV-enabled card moves sensitive information that’s currently stored in the magnetic stripe to a small gold- or silver-colored computer chip embedded in the card. Then, instead of sliding the card, the consumer inserts the chip card into a slot or taps it on a chip-enabled payment terminal, which prompts them to complete the transaction. 

Every time a customer uses an EMV-enabled card to make a purchase, the chip generates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again. This provides a huge advantage over traditional cards, whose magnetic stripes contain unchanging data that can be stolen and replicated over and over again by hackers. 

While a number of large retailers are already accepting credit and debit cards with EMV chips, a recent study by Intuit reports that only half of small business owners know about the liability change and only one in five know about the October deadline. In fact, only 42 percent of U.S. small business owners have made the commitment to migrate to EMV-compatible systems, according to the same survey. 

Fortunately, there are resources available designed to guide these small business owners through the upgrade to EMV technology before the deadline. Master Your Card, a community empowerment program sponsored by MasterCard, offers information and resources to help small business owners understand the benefits of EMV. As part of these resources, Master Your Card has created a toolkit that provides information on how to successfully integrate chip-enabled terminals. 

It’s important that small businesses get on board quickly to experience the benefits of EMV technology. 

Avoid liability and provide greater safety. Accepting chip-enabled cards will protect small businesses from being liable for any counterfeit fraud that occurs at their business. It also sends a signal to criminals that your business is serious about security and protecting your customers’ transaction data. 

Meet customers’ expectations. Consumers want the enhanced security that chip-enabled cards provide and say they will probably use their cards more often because the chip makes their transactions safer.

Leverage other innovations in electronic payment technology. Most EMV-enabled terminals also accept near-field communication, such as touch-and-go and mobile payments. By upgrading your terminal, you’ll be able to accommodate customers who want to pay for purchases using the latest electronic payment technology innovations.

The cost of EMV card readers vary based on the provider and the features that come with the terminal. However, businesses can work with their processors to upgrade their terminals and other equipment seamlessly. Ask about one-time purchasing costs versus leasing fees over time so that you get the best value.

Electronic payment technology is more integrated into consumer spending activities than ever before. Small businesses thrive when they provide convenience, security and relationships built on good service. Businesses that accept EMV chip cards are showing their customers they care about their safety and security. And consumers are more likely to shop where they know their money is safe. 

For more information on EMV, visit www.masteryourcardusa.org/.

Mercedes Garcia is Vice President, Senior Business Leader Global Community Relations at MasterCard. She is a liaison to the Master Your Card community empowerment program, which helps consumers, small businesses and governments get more from their money by using prepaid, debit and credit cards to their advantage.

Access Capital Event / Merchant Cash & Capital

BIZFI.COM: NEW PLATFORM CONNECTS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH FUNDING PARTNERS AND AUTOMATES PROCESS 

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THROUGH BIZFI.COM

New York – April 15, 2015 – With the improving U.S. economy, many businesses are looking for capital to expand. But finding the best funding option to meet their needs is a time consuming and a difficult endeavor. To support the small business community, Merchant Cash and Capital (MCC), one of the pioneers in alternative financing, created Bizfi, a connected online marketplace designed specifically to help small businesses compare funding options from different sources of capital and get funded within days.

Bizfi’s proprietary technology makes finding financing simple and fast. By providing basic financial information, business owners can instantly find out how much funding they qualify for. Bizfi’s multiple funding partners enable the business owner to immediately view several options from companies that are willing to provide financing. The platform’s account management tool lets business owners directly submit all documents needed for funding, track their repayment and even request additional funding. Bizfi also assigns a trained funding professional to each customer to help sort through their options. 

“Having worked in the alternative funding space for more than a decade, we listened to our clients' and partners' feedback to create a technology solution that provides funding options to small businesses faster and easier than ever before,” said Stephen Sheinbaum, who founded Merchant Cash and Capital 10 years ago and also founded Bizfi. “Akin to traditional consumer loan aggregators, Bizfi provides small business owners, franchisees, and entrepreneurs access to billions of dollars from multiple sources to find the right product that works for their specific needs.”

Sheinbaum concluded, “We have built a technology platform that securely automates the process of finding financing and provides small businesses a one-stop-shop to be able to immediately obtain the capital they need to grow. Bizfi is the future of alternative financing and we look forward to helping hundreds of thousands of businesses achieve their growth objectives.” 

About Bizfi

Bizfi combines proprietary technology and unmatched customer service to instantly provide multiple funding options to businesses. Designed for small businesses, Bizfi’s connected marketplace brings together a wide variety of funding partners to present solutions – and offer real-time approvals. A process that once took hours, now takes minutes.

See how much you qualify for by visiting www.Bizfi.com.

Media Contact: 

Abbie Sheridan / Andrew Herweg 

KCSA Strategic Communications 

asheridan@kcsa.com / aherweg@kcsa.com

212-896-1207 / 212-896-1273

1010 WINS The Bottom Line with Rob Walsh: Charter School Business Management

I recently met Raj Thakkar, a very successful entrepreneur. Nine years ago, while serving as a CFO for a Charter School, he saw many administrators who were very good with programs – but neglected the other side of the house – the finances.

He went on to create Charter School Business Management that helps charters schools in managing their books, develop budgets, handle personnel and payroll.

Two years ago, Raj was selected to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Raj told me that the Program helped him take a hard look at his organizational structure. He has built an incredibly successful business and has served more than 100 organizations along the way.

If you are a small business and want to find out how the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program can help you, visit www.goldmansachs.com
And that’s The Bottom Line, I’m Rob Walsh for 1010 WINS.

MCC Advocacy Efforts on Behalf of Small Businesses

Please read about MCC’s recent efforts to help small businesses in Crain’s:

Lobbying City Hall

"We have less time to react to cover an employee now that it's a policy that you can take off and get paid rather than swapping shifts," said Mr. Sinensky.

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is mounting a big effort this year to convince the mayor and council that they should modify the commercial rent tax, another sore spot for local owners, by raising the rent threshold to $500,000 and above, among other measures. Today, the tax falls on businesses below 96th Street that pay at least $250,000 in annual rent.

"My rent tax goes up as building improvements are passed through," said Eneslow Shoes & Pedorthics owner Robert Schwartz, who has two stores in Manhattan, in Murray Hill and on the Upper East Side. "That's $27,000 in taxes on top of the rent."

Even one potential bright spot for some firms—a possible reduction in federal corporate taxes—has small businesses in partnerships and S corporations worried that it will put them at a competitive disadvantage.

Please read the full article here:

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20141216/SMALLBIZ/312149994/small-businesses-aim-for-growth-in-2015

3 Things You Need to Do Now to Help Your Business Avoid the Impact of Disaster

Posted by Cindy Bates Vice President,
Microsoft U.S. SMB group


October is a time when many small business owners in areas vulnerable to extreme weather like hurricanes and tropical storms are bracing for the worst-case scenario, but small businesses everywhere need to consider whether they are ready for the unexpected.

According to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40 percent of businesses hit by a disaster never reopen. And another 25 percent close within two years. These are very jarring, yet real, statistics to think about when we’re talking about the future of your business.

Here in Seattle, we’re more likely to be concerned with earthquakes or flooding than hurricanes, but there’s another type of disaster, the kind that’s virtual instead of physical, which unfortunately means no city is immune. Technology disasters like system failures or hacking can be devastating to businesses of all sizes and contrary to popular belief, small businesses can be targets for cyberattacks.

Fear not. Modern technology can act as an insurance policy, assuring business continuity against even the most dangerous of threats. Follow the three tips below to help your business avoid or quickly recover from any disaster, whether it’s technology or weather-related.

Continue reading here:http://www.microsoftbusinesshub.com/News_Updates/Cindys_Blog?post=3+Things+You+Need+to+Do+Now+to+Help+Your+Business+Avoid+the+Impact+of+Disaster

Don't Miss Out On .nyc

Department Of Small Business Services Announces Kristen Titus As Founding Director Of Tech Talent Pipeline

Former Girls Who Code Executive Director Will Help Lead City’s Collaborative Effort to Support the Growth of the Tech Sector and Train New Yorkers to be Top Tech Hiring Choice

NEW YORK – The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) today announced Kristen Titus as the Founding Director of the Tech Talent Pipeline. In this role, Titus will lead the administration’s $10 million commitment to support the growth of the City’s technology sector, announced this May. The Tech Talent Pipeline is a collaboration between employers, community groups, training providers, and government to support the growth of the tech sector and train New Yorkers to be tech companies’ premier hiring choice.

Technology is among the fastest growing and highest paying sectors in New York City today, representing 291,000 jobs and $30 billion in wages annually. The Tech Talent Pipeline is part of the administration’s broader Jobs for New Yorkers initiative that will help shift the City’s workforce development to focus on employment for New Yorkers in skill-building, higher-wage jobs that offer opportunities for advancement.

“Kristen’s past work experience inspiring, educating, and equipping young women to pursue careers in technology, and helping to close the gender gap makes her an ideal candidate to lead the City’s Tech Talent Pipeline, which will help grow the City’s tech sector and help even more New Yorkers with diverse backgrounds gain quality training and careers in tech,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “The Tech Talent Pipeline will play a critical role as the administration’s Jobs for New Yorkers taskforce works to train and connect New Yorkers to good jobs in growing sectors, and we are thrilled that Kristen will be a part of this effort.”

Katy Gaul-Stigge, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development said, “The future of workforce development is creating smart links between employers and a trained, talented workforce. Tech is a critical sector of economic growth and the Tech Talent Pipeline will be a critical bridge that helps thousands of talented New Yorkers looking for opportunities in the tech sector, and helping New Yorkers gain the in-demand skills the employers need. Kristen Titus is the perfect choice to make these connections and launch careers in all five boroughs.”

“The Tech Talent Pipeline is an innovative public-private partnership designed to strengthen the City’s tech sector and transform our communities, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be leading the charge as Founding Director. Industry leaders are hungry for talent and excited by the opportunity to work together to prepare New Yorkers for 21st century jobs, and I look forward to seeing the careers, entrepreneurs, and innovations that are born of this work—in all five boroughs.”

“Recruiting top technology talent with the right skills is critical to our success and to New York City’s economic growth,” said Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, Vice President, JPMorgan Chase Global Philanthropy. “JPMorgan Chase is proud to be the first funder of the Tech Talent Pipeline, a partnership with the Department of Small Business Services, to make local talent the first choice for local businesses.”

“The New York City Workforce Funders and the New York Community Trust are pleased to support a number of workforce programs in partnership with the City of New York and the Department of Small Business Services, including our latest joint venture, the Tech Talent Pipeline,” said Patricia Jenny, Vice President for Grants at New York Community Trust and Chair of the NYC Workforce Funders. “We are thrilled with the hiring of Kristen Titus, an industry leader, to direct this effort.”

Kristen has spent her career at the intersection of technology and philanthropy and brings to the City a wealth of experience in building programs, platforms, and constituencies. Kristen is the former Executive Director of Girls Who Code, a national organization working to close the gender gap in technology and engineering. In its first 18 months of operation, the organization secured funding from 25 corporate and foundation partners, garnered unprecedented coverage in over 75 media outlets, and delivered 700% programmatic growth.

As a result of her work in the field, Kristen was named one of TIME Magazine's "30 People Under 30 Changing the World," one of Business Insider's 2014 "Most Influential Young People in Tech," one of Forbes’ “Woman Changing the World” in 2012, and one of Elle Magazine’s "11 Women Who Might Just Change the World." Her work in the New York tech community has been widely recognized; she was named one of Business Insider’s 2013 “Silicon Alley 100,” and noted as one of its “30 Most Important Women Under 30 in Tech.” In 2013, she was named an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar.

Kristen is a former consultant to startups, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporate partners working at the intersection of philanthropy and technology, and the former Managing Director of Jumo.com, the social network for the social sector from Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes. Kristen helped to launch Jumo in 2010, where she led the organization's programming, fundraising, communications and operations; in 2011, she managed the organization's merger with GOOD Worldwide, LLC. Prior to founding Jumo, Kristen was as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and institutions in the areas of strategic planning, management, and communications. Kristen sits on the Board of Refugees United, Doc2Dock, and CODE2040, and is an Advisor at Crisis Text Line, NonprofitShare, and Technovation.


About the Tech Talent Pipeline
Led by the Department of Small Business Services in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, and building on existing relationships with CUNY and the Department of Education, the Tech Talent Pipeline will combine city, state, federal, and private funding to reach a budget of approximately $10 million, distributed across three years, to recruit and train New Yorkers; design new curricula to meet employer need; and engage employers in building the talent pipeline. This collaboration is supported by several philanthropic partners, including JP Morgan Chase, the inaugural funder, and the NY Community Trust and the New York City Workforce Funders.


About the Department of Small Business Services
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) makes it easier for businesses in New York City to start, operate and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, fostering neighborhood development in commercial districts, and linking employers to a skilled and qualified workforce. For more information on all of SBS’ services, go to www.nyc.gov/sbs.


Contact: Merideth Weber (SBS), mweber@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-513-6318

Chase Continues Its Support For Small Business With $3 Million Mission Main Streetsm Grants Program

Premier Sponsor Google to add its unique tools and insights to support grant recipients

NEW YORK, September 3, 2014 – Today, Chase continues its ongoing commitment to small

business with the launch of Mission Main StreetSM Grants, a program that will award 20 grants of $150,000 to small businesses nationwide. Qualifying businesses that apply for a grant will gain access to a marketing Toolkit and a $150 coupon toward one market research study with Google Consumer Surveys from Premier Sponsor, Google. In addition, the 20 grant recipients will receive a trip to Google for an exclusive small business marketing workshop, a Google Chromebook Laptop computer and a $2,000 coupon toward one market research study with Google Consumer Surveys.

Today through October 3, any for-profit business in the U.S. with fewer than 100 employees

and which meets all other eligibility requirements may apply. Full eligibility requirements are available at www.MissionMainStreetGrants.com/rules.

“Small businesses are invaluable to the growth of our economy and represent the lifeblood of the neighborhoods and communities they serve,” said Jennifer Piepszak, Head of Sales and Strategy for Chase Business Banking. “This year, we’ve expanded our grant program to help even more small businesses by contributing to their success and offering them insights and

access to the best tools to fuel their growth.”

Everyone is invited to show their support for their favorite registered small businesses by

voting through their Facebook account at www.MissionMainStreetGrants.com. Businesses

must receive at least 250 votes to be considered for a grant. The public voting period is open from September 3, 2014 through October 17, 2014.

“The Internet has proven to be a vital pipeline for small businesses, and it continues to

connect more businesses to their customers every day,” said Jon Kaplan, Vice President of US Sales & Operations, Google Inc. “We’re excited to join Chase once again for the Mission Main Street Grants program to recognize some of the great small businesses around the country and help them make the most of the Web.”The 20 grant recipients will be selected by a panel of experts representing a diverse group of organizations with a passion for small business.

CHASE CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

WITH $3 MILLION MISSION MAIN STREETSM GRANTS PROGRAM

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

270 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017-2070



The panel of judges includes:

• Darla Beggs, National Board Chair, National Association of Women Business Owners

• David C. Chavern, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• Mark Garzone, Senior Vice President, Marketing, National Federation of Independent Business

• Carla Hall, celebrity chef and owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies

• Jon Kaplan, Vice President, US Sales & Operations, Google Inc.

• Chance Mitchell, CEO & Co-Founder, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

• Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League

• Marc Nager, Chief Executive Officer, UP Global

• Matthew Pavelek, Director of Communications, National Veteran Owned Business Association

• Andres Peña, Vice President, External Affairs, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Jennifer Piepszak, Head of Sales and Strategy, Chase Business Banking

• J.P. Torres, PR & Communications Director, U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Education Foundation

• Candace Waterman, Chief of Staff, Certification & Program Operations, Women Business

Enterprise National Council

• Joset Wright-Lacy, President, National Minority Supplier Development Council

• Nick Cannon, Entrepertainer, Ncredible

Mission Main StreetSM Grants recipients will be announced in January 2015.

WATCH MISSION MAIN STREET GRANT RECIPIENTS VIDEOS

Robot Garage

Used Cardboard Boxes

Rolling in Dough

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

270 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017-2070


About Chase and Small Business

The grant program is part of Mission Main Street (#MissionMainSt), a campaign that celebrates growing American businesses and raises the profile of select entrepreneurs to help inspire others. For more information about the campaign visit www.chase.com/missionmainstreet.

Chase serves 4 million American small businesses, and was named the nation’s No. 1 SBA lender for 2013, marking four consecutive years of approving a higher number of SBA loans and lines of credit than any other lender in the United States. Chase also remains the No. 1 SBA lender to women and minority-owned businesses. Businesses interested in expansion, hiring or working capital should contact a Chase Business Banking or visit www.chase.com/business.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America’s households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, small business lending, mortgages, credit cards, auto

financing and investment advice. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: 5,600 branches, 20,000 ATMs, online, mobile and by phone. For more information visit

www.chase.com.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

270 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017-2070

Message from NYC Small Business Services: Small Business First: We Want to Hear From You

Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer is asking small businesses for their input about how the City can help them start, operate, and grow through the Small Business First initiative. Small Business First aims to maintain the City’s commitment to public health and safety, while also approaching regulation, government systems, and communication through the eyes of business owners. This approach will not only help serve businesses, but also improve the efficiency of City government.

Small businesses can submit ideas and feedback to make it easier to run their businesses until Friday, September 26 at http://on.nyc.gov/ContactSB1.

MCC Member Manhattan Sideways Maps Manhattan’s Small Businesses

ManhattanSideways.com, is a website dedicated to exploring the side streets of Manhattan. For almost two years, Betsy Bober Polivy, the creator of Manhattan Sideways, has been walking from the East River to the Hudson with the sole purpose of promoting the businesses on these streets.

The project began as a whimsical idea of crisscrossing the side streets of Manhattan and has quickly become a top source that celebrates small businesses and introduces viewers to all that makes up a neighborhood. Through vibrant photography and videos alongside detailed descriptions, the Manhattan Sideways team pounds the pavement every day to provide information on boutiques, bars, restaurants, hotels, galleries, gardens, historic sites and more.

In a statement, Betsy noted that the Avenues — the major north to south thoroughfares of the island — are well-covered by the media and well-traversed by shoppers and travelers. “I wanted to get off the beaten path and explore the side streets. In fact, the development of Manhattan’s iconic grid, starting at 1st Street and continuing up to 155th Street, envisioned the side streets as being of greater importance than the avenues,” she said. “I am literally walking side to side, east to west, beginning on 1st Street and wending my way north. My goal is to walk the numbered side streets and document every commercial establishment, and other places of interest, with special feature write-ups along the way." Presently, the site has 45 streets on it. There are almost 8,000 entries with a new street getting ready to go up every week to ten days.

Please take a moment to look at the site manhattansideways.com and to explore many of the hidden gems about which Betsy has written. To gain a better understanding of Manhattan Sideways, you might want to watch the recent Fox 5 News interview http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10304485/manhattan-sideways

Attention NYC Business Owners!

NEW CITY LAW!

YOUR BUSINESS MUST COMPLY!

Effective April 1^st

Paid Sick Leave Law

*Businesses with fewer than 5 employees must give each employee 5 UNPAID sick days per year.  Employees earn one hour of “sick time” for every 30 hours they work.  The maximum number of sick days they can earn per year is 5 days or 40 hours.

* Businesses with more than 5 employees must give each employee 5 PAID sick days per year at their normal hourly rate.  Employees earn one hour of “sick time” for every 30 hours they work.  The maximum number of sick days they can earn per year is 5 days or 40 hours.

NOTE; IF YOU ALREADY OFFER EMPLOYEES VACATION TIME OR PAID TIME OFF FOR AT LEAST 5 DAYS IN A CALENDAR YEAR, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OFFER ADDITIONAL LEAVE.

IMPORTANT!  EVERY BUSINESS OWNER MUST GIVE EACH EMPLOYEE THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT TO READ AND SIGN, NOTING THAT THEY HAVE READ IT AND PUT IT IN THEIR EMPLOYEE FILE.  IN ADDITION, YOU MUST HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE TO CALCULATE EARNED SICK TIME.  THE NEW YORK CITY DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS WILL BE OVERSEEING THIS LAW.

For all information, questions, other exemptions, etc. please visit:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/law/PaidSickLeave.shtml

or send and Email to: PaidSickLeave@dca.nyc.gov

or Call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)

If you need the form in other languages, please contact the DCA using contact info above 
And please pass on the info on to any business owner you know so they are aware of this new law.

Thank you!

Attached is the Notice of Employee Rights Form
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7aU5Ne9SKqSM1NXNjQ2NE1Nckk/edit?usp=sharing

MCC Guest Blogger Justin Croxton: Content Marketing & Local Search

By Justin Croxton to Marketing

Content marketing remains the buzz for most organizations and it continues to grow. Simply view the Google Trends report to the right. How do we create content that connects with our audiences? Many of the larger organizations are rapidly producing content because they possess larger budgets and know this is what’s needed to attract more quality brand mentions and links to their websites.

Related: A Small Business Content Marketing Strategy: How to Start

But content marketing for smaller local businesses is often overlooked yet a powerful mechanism they can deploy. Just because you’re a small to midsize company does not mean you don’t have content opportunities to take advantage of (Tweet This!). Small business should begin by identifying local content opportunities and tying them in with local SEO efforts to improve linking and brand mentions.
Types Of Content For Local Businesses

Local businesses have plenty of content opportunities to gain more exposure and elicit brand mentions. Our objective is to leverage these content assets and promote them accordingly. The key is in both the content creation and outreach to the appropriate organizations and businesses. One cannot be successful without the other. The content must be of value to the people we share it with.

Continue to read here: http://www.business.com/blog/importance-content-marketing-local-search-seo-efforts/

NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program Launch

Turn Your Creative Passion into an Online Business

Why not sell your unique creations to the world and earn more income?

How many times have you thought about selling your custom-made jewelry or decorative home items to complete strangers? If your friends and family are already customers, you're probably on to something big.

Don't miss another sales opportunity! To help you launch your craft business, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is offering the NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program, in partnership withEtsy, and funded by Citi Community Development.

Apply today for an upcoming session of the NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program hosted at Workforce1 Centers locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Upper Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. Classes startTuesday, April 15.

What's your Big Tech Idea? Make it a Reality!

SUNY Levin Institute
Kauffman FastTrac NYC
March 3, 2014

Make Your Big Tech Idea a Reality 

WE can help you DO IT! 

APPLY for FastTrac TechVenture!

Have a BIG tech idea but no idea how to turn it into a successful business?

Take your out-of-the-box idea from concept to application with guidance from successful NYC entrepreneurs. NYC is home to some of the most creative and savvy innovators in the world and there's no reason you can't become one yourself.

Launch your game-changing idea at MYBIGTECHIDEA.COM

FastTrac® TechVenture® is designed to help technology entrepreneurs turn ideas into a business. 

We are NOW accepting applications for the FastTrac TechVenture program beginning April 16th. We will select applicants with the most innovative "ideas" to become part of our growing alumni of New York City technology inventors. 

FastTrac TechVenture is a FREE bootcamp facilitated by experienced entrepreneurs and designed to provide technology entrepreneurs with a proven framework and a network of connections to help grow your big idea into the next great innovation. The program consists of:

• Seven (7) full week days (9am - 4pm) of intensive boot camp to help you determine the viability of your technology business, including all steps necessary to launch 
• One-on-one assistance from experienced entrepreneurs who will help you review ideas, assignments, and business plan 
• Interactive presentations from successful technology entrepreneurs who can share their experience and insight on how to launch your own successful technology business 
• Wrap-up session to formally present the executive overview section of your business plan for maximum feedback 
• Connection to services that will help you start your business, including NYC Small Business Solutions to get loan facilitation, legal and hiring assistance 

Learn More and Apply now at MYBIGTECHIDEA.COM

Thanks,
Donna

Donna Russo
SUNY Levin Institute
116 E. 55th Street - New York, New York 10022
Tel: 212.317.3559

Be a part of the SUNY Levin Institute Network:

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Improve Productivity: 5 Tips For Managing Email

This article was submitted by MCC Guest Blogger Stephanie Shalofsky of The Organizing Zone.

Getting your NYC office organized goes way beyond clearing the extraneous papers that are piled up on your desk, credenza and possibly even the floor. It also involves adopting good habits for managing the hundreds (maybe thousands) of e-mails that are cluttering up your inbox. Scanning through these messages can be as overwhelming as sorting through the paper piles that surround you. 

Identifying ways to more effectively manage e-mail is of interest to many business owners as the typical business e-mail user sends/receives 110 messages each day and can spend a significant amount of time managing them. This task is further complicated if you have a tendency to use your inbox as your ongoing to-do list. The inbox should be no more than a temporary holding location for new messages until they have been processed and deleted, filed or placed in an action folder.  

Below are my top 5 tips for productively managing email.  

1. Be proactive. Take control of your e-mail. Establish a schedule for checking your inbox at set intervals during the day. Process the messages during each interval, responding to those that can be addressed in 2 minutes or less and moving those that will require more time into an Action Folder so that you can address during time that has been scheduled to do so.

2. Set a maximum. In order to keep the number of e-mails in your inbox at a very manageable level, determine the maximum number of e-mails that you will allow to collect in the inbox. Once this quantity has collected, your priority task for the day will be processing your e-mails so that you are back in control.  

3. Write concise messages. The single best way to improve productivity is to structure e-mail messages that are both clear and concise, use bullet points and short paragraphs for a quick read, identify the next steps and focus on only one subject.

4. Is it necessary? Get into the habit of determining if an email should be drafted before starting to type. Assess whether the information that is being communicated is complete, relevant and timely. If it is, there is a good chance that the issue or question can be completely addressed with a minimum of back/forth.

5. Avoid “one word” responses. Replying “Thanks” or “Great” to messages that you receive is not only a time waster for the recipient but could also add unwanted mail in your inbox. He/She will need to spend a few seconds opening the message and while there is no need to respond may be tempted to do so.

Attention New York Business Owners: Should You Hire Independent Contractors or Employees?

This is an article by MCC Guest Blogger Anil Melwani, CPA.


If your New York small business is growing you may be considering whether hiring additional employees or hiring independent contractors is most cost effective.

What is the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and a Regular Employee?

The Internal Revenue Service defines Independent Contractors (IC) as individuals that provide their services to the general public. Sometimes called freelancers, IC’s retain control of how and when they accomplish certain tasks. A business owner contracts with these individuals to complete a project, but the business owner cannot dictate how the contractor completes the project.

An employee works directly for the business owner. This means that the employee must work when and where the business manager or owner directs. In addition to controlling the when and where, business owners control how the work is done.

Tax Considerations Based on Worker Classification

One significant consideration for New York small business owners is payroll related taxes. Maintaining employee-workers requires that you withhold federal and state income taxes and Medicare and Social Security (commonly known collectively as FICA) taxes from each paycheck. Business owners must maintain accurate records and forward these funds to the appropriate revenue center. Employers are also required to pay unemployment tax based on the wages earned for each employee.

Independent contractors are responsible for calculating and paying their own state and federal taxes. When hiring freelancers a New York employer need not pay any portion of the income tax, FICA tax or unemployment insurance for those subcontractors.

A word about FICA:

To help business owners and individual tax payers during the economic downturn, the IRS reduced the Social Security portion to 4.2 percent. For tax year 2013 the rates go back up to 6.2 percent. That means that business owners must contribute 7.65 percent of all gross wages earned by employees up to $113,700 per year/per individual. That percentage includes 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare.

After an employee reaches the base wage, employers continue to withhold and match Medicare contributions at 1.45 percent until the employee reaches a threshold of $200,000. After the threshold is met, employers are required to withhold an additional .09 percent and forward those funds to the federal government. Employers do not have to match the additional mandate.

Because mistakes with payroll and/or payroll taxes are common and very costly, it is usually better for business owners to process their payroll through their accountants or a payroll service such as Paychex or ADP.

It is important to understand that you cannot just call employees contractors. The IRS has a long list of qualifiers to determine which workers you hire as employees and which fall under the category of contractors or freelancers.

Determining eligibility involves examining the relationship between the small business and the worker. The IRS provides guidelines and explorative questions for employers to answer about workers; however, there is not a definitive set of qualifiers that clearly define who is and who is not a contractor.

As a general rule of thumb, if a business owner can answer yes to ANY of the following questions the worker is an employee.
Does the employer control what and how a worker does his or her job?
Does the business control what type of equipment is used, the pay schedule and rate and which expenses are reimbursed or disallowed?
Does the business provide medical insurance, workers compensation, retirement packages and vacation for the worker?
Is the primary work performed by the worker a necessary, continuing aspect for the business?

Business owners should always make sure that they have completed and signed W-9 tax forms for each independent contractor and LLC that they work with. This makes the Form 1099 reporting requirement much easier to deal with at year-end.

Special Circumstances for Small Business Owners

Sometimes it is necessary to ask the IRS to make the classification. We can help you file a form SS-8 with the government. This is a request for a review and formal determination of worker status. The IRS usually responds within six months to these inquiries.

If you have questions about worker classification or other accounting needs, please contact Armel Tax and Accounting Services at 646-699-3197 or cpa@armeltax.com.