Small Business As Usual

Problems in business with money? Maybe it's all in your head. Corrin Gibbs Burke, CFP, explains the emotional side of what none of us can live without, and how using archetypes helps us understand pitfalls and tendencies that interfere with small business success.

Imagine racking up big debt and betting all on opening a small store only to find out the next day a big box competitor had come to town. Nick Tarzia, explains how he survived by finding out what his customers wanted and how it eventually led to success owning Awesome Toys & Gifts in Stamford and Westport.

Richard Portelance, CEO of CareerPath Mobile, developed a great solution that users loved, but the paying customers weren't ready to adopt it. What he did next explains how to move your business into the right place at the right time for the right customer. Thanks to Nelson Merchan of the CT SBDC for introducing his client.

Episode 19-3: Are you asking the right questions about your business? Do you have the right business model? Are you solving problems for customers? Are you an entrepreneur or a small business owner? Middletown-based Anthony Price of LootScout wrote a book, "Get the loot and run," to explore questions like these.

Episode 19-2: Innovation doesn't come from brainstorming. It sneaks up on you like a cat at the intersection of experience and observation. Chris Raimo, owner of Happy Cat Hotel in Windsor, CT, explains how his concept evolved into what might become an industry disruptor.

The most important and hardest element of a small business owner's role is handling people. But building a harmonious team requires careful attention to the staff as well as polishing your own management skills. Do you waste valuable hours dealing with workplace conflict? Do you find yourself attending to the same silly problems over and over again because the issues never get resolved? In this 90-minute introduction to conflict management in the workplace and beyond you'll learn how to more productively and confidently respond. Jean Mix of Mix Education Services LLC. will teach you specific managerial techniques to deal with conflict so you can achieve optimal performance. You will leave the session fully understanding the Conflict Resolution Model, so that you can implement it when conflict occurs, and have better business results.

The most important and hardest element of a small business owner's role is handling people. But building a harmonious team requires careful attention to the staff as well as polishing your own management skills. Do you waste valuable hours dealing with workplace conflict? Do you find yourself attending to the same silly problems over and over again because the issues never get resolved? In this 90-minute introduction to conflict management in the workplace and beyond you'll learn how to more productively and confidently respond. Jean Mix of Mix Education Services LLC. will teach you specific managerial techniques to deal with conflict so you can achieve optimal performance. You will leave the session fully understanding the Conflict Resolution Model, so that you can implement it when conflict occurs, and have better business results.

The most important and hardest element of a small business owner's role is handling people. But building a harmonious team requires careful attention to the staff as well as polishing your own management skills. Do you waste valuable hours dealing with workplace conflict? Do you find yourself attending to the same silly problems over and over again because the issues never get resolved? In this 90-minute introduction to conflict management in the workplace and beyond you'll learn how to more productively and confidently respond. Jean Mix of Mix Education Services LLC. will teach you specific managerial techniques to deal with conflict so you can achieve optimal performance. You will leave the session fully understanding the Conflict Resolution Model, so that you can implement it when conflict occurs, and have better business results.

Episode 19-1: Devon Scanlon, owner/operator of Chick-Fil-A in Brookfield, CT, shares her methods for maintaining fidelity to the simplest of ideas -- how you make your customers feel -- and why this can make sales and profits soar.

Episode 18-12: In an era emphasizing referrals, social media and testimonials, growing a consumer-facing business is not just a matter of advertising but about building a community of enthusiasts who are wild about your offering and willing to help evangelize to like-minded. Jennifer Lord explains how its done at Twist Yarn in Niantic.

Almost every small business owner would love to have their operation featured in the local newspaper. Lee Howard, award winning journalist for The Day, will help you learn: -- What kind of story is likely to attract media interest. -- How to make an effective pitch for your idea. -- The proper use of news releases and other avenues of communication. -- How to become a valuable source for a reporter interested in your industry.

Almost every small business owner would love to have their operation featured in the local newspaper. Lee Howard, award winning journalist for The Day, will help you learn: -- What kind of story is likely to attract media interest. -- How to make an effective pitch for your idea. -- The proper use of news releases and other avenues of communication. -- How to become a valuable source for a reporter interested in your industry.

Almost every small business owner would love to have their operation featured in the local newspaper. Lee Howard, award winning journalist for The Day, will help you learn: -- What kind of story is likely to attract media interest. -- How to make an effective pitch for your idea. -- The proper use of news releases and other avenues of communication. -- How to become a valuable source for a reporter interested in your industry.

Almost every small business owner would love to have their operation featured in the local newspaper. Lee Howard, award winning journalist for The Day, will help you learn: -- What kind of story is likely to attract media interest. -- How to make an effective pitch for your idea. -- The proper use of news releases and other avenues of communication. -- How to become a valuable source for a reporter interested in your industry.

Episode 18-11: Turning work into play is easy for Laura Beckham of New London's Berry's Ice Cream and Candy Bar. Laura explains how she adds fun to the recipes to keep her team motivated and her customers enchanted.

As a small business owner or solopreneur, leveraging social media to market your business and identify leads is essential. LinkedIn is considered to be the primary social media platform for B2B connections, with over 500 million global users. This workshop will provide you with the best practices to incorporate into your social media strategy to guarantee success with LinkedIn. Samantha (Sammi) Williams, is a content strategist with over twenty years of writing experience. As a LinkedIn power user, Sammi has helped small business owners and solopreneurs apply best practices in the use of this important social media platform to achieve the same successful results she has accomplished in her own business.

As a small business owner or solopreneur, leveraging social media to market your business and identify leads is essential. LinkedIn is considered to be the primary social media platform for B2B connections, with over 500 million global users. This workshop will provide you with the best practices to incorporate into your social media strategy to guarantee success with LinkedIn. Samantha (Sammi) Williams, is a content strategist with over twenty years of writing experience. As a LinkedIn power user, Sammi has helped small business owners and solopreneurs apply best practices in the use of this important social media platform to achieve the same successful results she has accomplished in her own business.

Episode 18-10: As a business owner, do you have the personalities of the entrepreneur, technician and manager in balance inside your head? Do you have your time appropriately segmented and planned for efficiency? Bob Walsh, CEO of Sound Coaching Inc., in Bridgeport explains how he makes it work.

Dreaming of freeing your business from an unaffordable rent or an unresponsive landlord? Buying a building with a commercial mortgage is very different experience than a residential real estate transaction. Learn what’s involved so you can prepare. Presenter is Karen Tessman, CEDF director of lending.

Dreaming of freeing your business from an unaffordable rent or an unresponsive landlord? Buying a building with a commercial mortgage is very different experience than a residential real estate transaction. Learn what’s involved so you can prepare. Presenter is Karen Tessman, CEDF director of lending.