Visit me me often as I share my experiences and resources to help small business owners in their quest for success.
Entrepreneurs can change the world !
DECEMBER 2011
12/27/11 – UPDATE ! CorpCo is pleased to report that we donated over 166 lbs of food – thank you to all who helped us gather these donations, and look for our 2012 Food Drive UPDATE and GOAL in the new year !
Help the Grinch’s heart grow two sizes by donating to CorpCo’s food drive for the Food Bank of Delaware.
From now until December 20th you may drop off your donations to CorpCo OR contact our office to find out how you can deliver to a CorpCo employee you know. 302-652-4800 or INFo@corpco.com
The Food Bank of Delaware has urgently requested the following items to helpbrighten the holidays for needy Delaware Families:
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Dried Beans
Canned Meats
Pasta Sauce
Pasta
Peanut Butter
Cereal
Soup
Long-Grain Rice
Sazon and Adobo Seasoning
Pet Food
Toilet Paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Paper Towels
Soap
School Supplies
Reduced-sugar and low-sodium foods are appreciated when possible.
OCTOBER 2011
Habla Español? CorpCo Does!
¡CorpCo se complace en anunciar que hablamos Español! Por favor, visítenos en nuestra página electrónica para obtener información sobre nuestros servicios y enlaces a nuestros precios y nuestros formularios para pedidos. Si prefiere hablar con un representante o tiene otras preguntas, por favor comuníquese con nuestra oficina al 800-318-7407 y pida hablar con Christian!
CorpCo is pleased to announce that we speak Spanish ! Please visit us at the CorpCo Spanish Website for information about our services and links to our pricing and our order forms.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Quick and Easy Guide to Incorporating Your Business
AUGUST 2011
Women and business – it’s a natural fit and with the current state of the economy more and more women are taking the initiative to start their own business and add to their family’s income.
There are great resources for women in business ranging from grant opportunities, to referral and strategic alliance matches. The following is an overview and web link to some of the most relevant resources I discovered:
Small Business Association – The SBA remains the leader in helping to level the playing field for those women entrepreneurs who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. Their Office of Women’s Business Ownership section contains great information. Check out their “Hot List” of outside resources as well.
Count Me In Make A Million – This site offers inspiration AND information. From annual events and grants to stories of “big income” success – this site is a winner.
Grants.gov – A great government site providing many resources and opportunities. Simply search their database and see what may be available to you and your business.
The Women’s Funding Network – Promotes the development and growth of women’s funds that empower women and girls by fostering strategic alliances among women, donors, communities and institutions.
American Association of University Women – This foundation is one of the largest private sources of funding for graduate women in the world, supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.
Financial Women International – Offers information on professional growth, concept sharing, networking, mentoring, leadership development, and career advancement for women.
JULY 2011
“I know my idea could make millions, if I could just get people to see it” “How do I get my invention on TV ? “ “I have the next big thing that everyone is going to want!! How do I get it out there to the public?”
These are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from inventors and entrepreneurs. It’s the BIG question – once you have a great idea, HOW do you get it on QVC or the Home Shopping Network or one of the new investor reality shows like Shark Tank? HOW do you get word out to the public that you have what they want?
At CorpCo we were curious too – if “backward robes” and “doggy manicure” products are selling like hotcakes, there must be a huge need for cool and unique products to be offered to the public.
So we started doing some research and what we found, were the TOP 5 things an entrepreneur should be doing, to promote and market their idea/product to hit the BIG TIME with it!
1. Offer the RIGHT product/service – One of the most important things you must do when working to promote your “must have” product is be able to show WHY everyone NEEDS it and needs it NOW! Just because you think your idea is brilliant doesn’t mean that the general public will agree with you. Do research and see what other similiar products are already out there (or ideally NOT already out there) and ask for feedback from trusted friends and colleagues – you don’t need to divulge all the specifics of your idea, but paint enough of a picture so that people can give you good, “real” feedback on whether they would use a product or service like that or why they wouldn’t use it / what they would rather see offered …. and then adapt your idea/concept to fit people’s needs. You will waste lots of time if you don’t take the time to properly research what is already out there and what people are looking for.
2. Use the internet to find out the requirements for submitting your idea BEFORE you submit it - The internet is an amazing tool that truly allows you to get “inside information” and “step by step” instructions for submitting ideas to QVC, the Home Shopping Network, etc. Take the time to research this information before you start wildly submitting your product/idea to everyone whose name and email address you are able to access. There are normally different people handling different types of products at every tv station, investment group or marketing firm. You want to make sure you are submitting your idea to the right department rather than wasting weeks waiting for a response that will never come, because the wrong person received your information (and probaby threw it away). There may also be manufacturing requirements, price point restrictions, etc. that will need to be addressed and able to be presented/backed up, at the time you submit your concept or product. DO YOUR RESEARCH!
3. Be able to talk to the talk – Let’s face it, just because you came up with the idea and are passionate about it doesn’t mean that you are the best person to promote it. Create detailed presentation scripts of varying lengths so that you will have the right pitch for a 3 minute presentation or a 30 minute presentation. Have a friend video tape you giving your presentation (before you take it out on the road) so that you can see what you really look like and how you sound to other people. This is critical and allows you to fine tune what you are saying, how you are saying it or even IF you should be saying it. Don’t be too proud to be able to step back and have a partner who is the “charismatic and charming one”, responsible for face to face presentations (there is nothing wrong with being the brains of the operation and leaving the beauty to someone else). First impressions are huge and a less than powerful, confident presentation can make the difference between being taken seriously and being taken to the door.
4. Protect your idea and your liability – It happens more than you may want to admit – you come up with an incredible “million dollar” idea and the next thing you know someone else is promoting it on QVC or selling it in your local Walmart or Target! Trademarking an idea or concept, applying for a Patent and/or incorporating a company or LLC to separate you from your product for liability reasons (as well as for tax benefits) are key things to look into and pursue. Visit www.corpco.com for more information on the benefits of incorporating, FAQ’s, pricing information and more.
5. Be FEARLESS and have a thick skin – Anyone who has ever succeeded in getting investors for their new product or succeeded in getting their item promoted on tv will tell you the same thing – you will hear “NO” a thousand times and you can’t take it personally. You must be able to immediately dust yourself off and move on to the next person or investment group or organization and start over with your promotional presentation. There is no time for pity parties and whining! Those who succeed do so because they will not give up, have undying passion and belief in what they have to offer, and refuse to let an obstacle stand in the way of their dream. Take constructive criticism and advice and learn from it, but don’t let negative people bring you down or squash your enthusiasm for what you have to offer. Be confident, fearless, focused and committed. It’s funny how the “luckiest people in the world” always seem to possess these same things ……. these things and a lot of hard work, of course. GOOD LUCK!
JUNE 2011
It’s that time of year again – the weather is sunny and beautiful, tax time has come and past and the CPA Conferences begin! We enjoyed meeting many new faces (and connecting with familiar ones) in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlantic City, NJ over the past few weeks.
MAY 2011
NetWORKING !
Do you ”network” or Net-WORK ? What’s the difference? You may be surprised …. the difference is EVERYTHING!
Many entrepreneurs join networking groups and attend networking events but only a very few know how to network properly and effectively. A common misconception is that you will instantly get new business by joining or attending one of the groups/events. While you may meet a new client immediately, it is more likely that you will slowly build relationships with the other business owners and see referrals, and new business opportunities and potential clients weeks or months down the road and that is OK !
The whole point of “networking” is to understand the kind of leads other business owners are looking for, and to provide referrals and suggestions to them. They in turn will listen to what business leads (ideal clients) you are looking for , and provide you with referrals. It is a give and take process, not a one way street and when you take the time to hear what other business owners are seeking, they in turn will take the time to hear what your needs are, and a wonderful business relationship is then born.
Those who “get it” and know how make networking WORK will be thrilled with the referrals they receive, the growth their business experiences and the relationships they establish with other business owners in the process.
Give Net-WORKING a try – you will be glad you did !
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APRIL 2011
Working “can’t see hours”
Being an entrepreneur means thinking outside of the box, taking chances that others are not willing to take, having passion and dedication that pushes you forward through the inevitable disappointments and set backs, and ABSOUTELY means you are willing to work “can’t see hours”!
What are “can’t see hours” ? They could be the 2 hours in the middle of the night, that you spend redesigning your logo or website because you woke up with an amazing idea, or the 2 hours after everyone else has left the office when you actually GET your work done (as opposed to putting out fires, lending a sympathetic ear to your employees or pitching in to get the job done when someone calls out sick unexpectedly.) They are ANY time, apart from your normal working hours, that you find yourself completely immersed in your business, new brilliant idea, and/or the answer to the problem you have been struggling with over the past few weeks. And, very often, THESE are the hours that will make the difference between having a successful, thriving business and not, even though they are also the hours that are not “scheduled”, and many times occur unexpectedly.
So do YOU work “can’t see hours” ? If not, you should – it may make the difference between having a small business vs. having a BIG, thriving, super successful business!
Make every day a successful day !
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EBV ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF CORPCO AS THE NEWEST EBV GRADUATE RESOURCE PROVIDER
SYRACUSE, NY, March 1, 2011 — The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, the national headquarters for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) program, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with CorpCo, a full service incorporation firm. CorpCo will now offer no-cost and discounted rates on their services to EBV Graduates from around the country.
Starting March 1 graduates of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program will have a new resource available to them. CorpCo, a Delaware based incorporation firm has agreed to offer free incorporating services to graduates of the program. EBV graduates from around the United States will be able to receive guidance from CorpCo professionals about which entity best fits their business. In addition, CorpCo has agreed to waive all of their normal incorporation fees for EBV graduates.
“The expertise and portfolio of services that CorpCo can offer EBV graduates will help them launch their venture the right way.” says Dr. Mike Haynie, an entrepreneurship professor at Syracuse University and the founder of the EBV program. “CorpCo is strongly committed to helping our veterans realize their entrepreneurial dreams and we are thrilled to have them join the EBV family.”
Alison Kochie, Marketing Manager for CorpCo shared: “From the moment we were introduced to the EBV program and the tremendous training and support they offer their participants we wanted to be part of it. We are very proud to be partnered with the EBV program and excited to work with and support their graduates.”
Visit www.whitman.syr.edu/ebv or www.facebook.com/ebvprogram for more information on the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program and www.corpco.com for more on the range of services offered by CorpCo.
About The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities
The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) is a program first created by the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, designed to provide training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their military service. The mission of the EBV is to open the door to business ownership for our veterans, by developing skills that relate to the many steps associated with launching and growing a small business. Today the EBV is offered by a network of world-class business schools across the U.S., that includes Syracuse University, Texas A&M University, Florida State University, UCLA, Purdue University, the University of Connecticut, and Louisiana State University. The training is provided at no cost to eligible veterans.
About CorpCo
CorpCo is a full service incorporation firm, formally organized in 1994 by two attorneys whose experience in providing corporate services is the basis for the company’s core. The professional staff has assisted entrepreneurs, accountants, and attorneys all over the world with the formation and maintenance of companies in the United States. CorpCo has a great deal of experience working with clients of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of business expertise. Clients are often happily surprised to discover the many services offered and the support given.
Alison Kochie
Marketing Director, CorpCo
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