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free technology education opportunities

June 7, 2012 By

For those who are interested, Newport County Computers and robinTime are cohosting a weekly free technology education series. The events are conducted at 683 West Main Rd in Middletown at 5 pm. RSVPs are requested, because there’s limited seating. To find out more, check out robintime.com or robinTime on Facebook. See you there!

Everyone’s Blog Posts – Inside401 Local Business Networking

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Don’t make a “Goal” instead make a “Promise”

January 15, 2012 By

This is the time of year that many of us start to think about ‘setting goals’.

I try to pull out my “Goal Plan” (a sheet of paper I wrote them on) to see where I am on their achievement on a regular basis.

I end up ‘hitting’ some and not others.

I started to give this more thought and study this month in anticipation of the New Year (Resolution). I came across a Bill Bateman video on iLG where he was talking about his “10 Step Goal Setting” process. It was all really good information – much that I had already learned, but it was good to revisit. He said ‘one thing’ that completely changed the way I’m looking at my personal and business ‘goal setting’.

He said to replace the word ‘Goal‘ with the word ‘Promise‘ when we go about this task. He offered up a study by Harvard that indicated that people “miss their Goals” 76% of the time – but “achieve their Promises” 98% – and that got me thinking about how my own mind interprets the difference between the two words.

First off, I am rare to make ‘Promises’ – I completely understand on a very “Conscious‘ level what that means and I always remember both Mom and Dad teaching ‘how you never make Promises you can’t keep’. Which explains on my subconscious level how I feel about this same word… It is to be taken very seriously!!!

As to ‘Goals’ – for some reason I seem to have an entirely different internal perspective about that word. I’ve made them most my life and if I did not achieve them I would refine either the goal or the time frame and simply forgive myself – or hit a mulligan (do it over).

This year I intend to do this one simply thing; I intend to create my ‘Promise Plan’ for 2009 and in it I intend to make some real ‘Promises’ on what I ‘will do’ both Personally and Business wise this coming year. So far the list is already much shorter as it forces me to ‘filter’ things better and interestingly it also ended up covering the ‘most’ important things.

Maybe this will help you as well. Best to you and yours in 2009 – I ‘Promise’ :)
Everyone’s Blog Posts – Inside401 Local Business Networking

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The Golden (Platinum) Rule = The Social Networking Rule

January 15, 2012 By

We speak of it and we try to live by it – “treat others as you would like to be treated.”

To me it’s the main rule one needs to follow within Social Networking.

The Golden Rule was a common principle in ancient Greek philosophy.

A few examples:

“Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him.” (Pittacus)

“Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing.” (Thales)

“What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them.” (Sextus the Pythagorean)

“Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others.” (Isocrates)

“What thou avoidest suffering thyself seek not to impose on others.” (Epictetus)

A couple snippets from different world views…

Christianity:

Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Luke 6:31
“Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.”

Judaism:

“That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.”

Buddhism:

“One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other
beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter.”

Confucius:

“Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.”

Hinduism:

“That man who regards all creatures as his own self, and behaves towards them as towards his own self, laying aside the rod of chastisement and completely subjugating his wrath, succeeds in attaining to happiness.”

Islam:

“Woe to those . . . who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due”

Taoism:

“Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”

The “The Platinum Rule” adds a nice addition to the “Golden Rule”…

“The golden rule is a good standard which is further improved by doing unto others, wherever possible, as they want to be done by.”

You’ll see lot’s of “Top 10 Rules of Social Networking” – pick any of the above and I think you’ll have it covered.
Everyone’s Blog Posts – Inside401 Local Business Networking

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“Small Business” FAQ via the Small Business Administration

January 15, 2012 By

Spending some time today gathering info on the Importance of Small Business to our economy. Most members of Inside401 will fall into the smaller “Self Employed” or “Micro Business” categories but this info should still provide some insights.

—————– Article Starts below…


Advocacy Small Business Statistics and Research

 

1. What is a small business?
The Offce of Advocacy defines a small business as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. (The definition of “small business” used in government programs and contracting varies by industry; see www.sba.gov/size.)

 
2. How important are small businesses to the U.S. economy?

Small firms:
• Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms.

• Employ half of all private sector employees.

• Pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll.

• Generated 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years.

• Create more than half of the nonfarm private GDP.

• Hire 43 percent of high tech workers ( scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and others).

• Are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchises.

• Made up 97.5 percent of all identified exporters and produced 31 percent of export value in FY 2008.

• Produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms.



Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau and Intl. Trade Admin.; Advocacy-funded research by Kathryn Kobe, 2007 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs299.pdf) and CHI Research, 2003 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs225.pdf);U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 
3. How many small businesses are there?

In 2009,there were 27.5 million businesses in the United States, according to Office of Advocacy estimates.The lastest available Census data show that there were 6.0 million firms with employees in 2007 and 21.4 million without employees in 2008. Small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the total ( employers and nonemployers), as the most recent data show there were about 18,311 large businesses in 2007.

Source:Office of Advocacy estimates based on data from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau, and trends from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labour Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics.

 
4. What is small firms’ share of employment?

Small businesses employ about half of U.S. workers. Of 120.6 million nonfarm private sector workers in 2007, small firms employed 59.9 million and large firms employed 60.7 million.About half of small firm employment is in second-stage companies (10-99 employees), and half is in firms that are 15 years or older. Small firms’ share of employment in rural areas is slightly higher that in urban areas; their share of part-time workers (22 percent) is similar to large firms’ share (19 percent). Small firms’ employment share remains steady since some small firms grow into large firms over time.

Source:U.S.Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau: Statistics of U.S. Businesses, Current Population Survey and Business Dynamics Statistics; and the Edward Lowe Foundation (http://youreconomy.org).

 
5. What share of net new jobs do small businesses create?
Small firms accounted for 65 percent (or 9.8 million) of the 15 million net new jobs created between 1993 and 2009.
Much of the job growth is from fast-growing high-impact firms, which represents about 5-6 percent of all firms and are on average 25 years old.



Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics; Advocacy-funded research by Zoltan Acs, William Parsons and Spencer Tracy, 2008 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs328.pdf)

 
6. How many businesses open and close each year?

An estimated 552,600 new employer firms opened for business in 2009, and 660,900 firms closed.This amounts to an annual turnover of about 10 percent. Nonemployer firms have turnover rates three times as high, mostly because it is much easier for them to go into business and cease operations.

Starts and Closures of Employer Firms, 2005-2009
Category 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Births 644,122 670,058 668,395 626,400e 552,600e
Closures 565,745 599,333 592,410 663,900e 660,900e
Bankruptcies 39,201 19,695 28,322 43,546 60,837




Notes: e = Advocacy estimate.Bankruptcies include nonemployer firms.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts; U.S. Dept. of Labor, Business Employment Dynamics (BED). Estimates based on Census data and BED trends.

 
7. What is the survival rate for new firms?

Seven out of 10 new employer firms survive at least 2 years, half at least 5 years, a third at least 10 years, and a quarter stay in business 15 years or more. Census data report that 69 percent of new employer establishments born to new firms in 2000 survived at least 2 years, and 51 percent survived 5 or more years. Survival rates were similar across states and major industries. Bureau of Labour Statistics data on establishment age show that 49 percent of establishments survive 5 years or more; 34 percent survive 10 years or more; and 26 percent survive 15 years or more.

Source: U.S Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics; U.S. Dept of Labour, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BED.

.

 
8. How are credit conditions for small firms?

Credit conditions are improving. In mid-2010, commercial banks began to ease the tight lending conditions on small businesses that had begun in early 2007. And credit has con­tinued to flow, as loans under $ 1 million totalled $ 695 billion in FY 2009. Also, after declining over the past few years, ven­ture capital investment dollars increased in mid-2010.


Source: Federal Reserve Board, Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey and Call Report data; National Venture Capital Association.

 
9. How are small businesses financed?

Small businesses rely heavily upon owner investment and bank credit, averaging about $ 80,000 a year for young firms. Startups rely about equally on owners’ cash injections into the business and bank credit; young firms receive about three-quarters of their funds from banks via loans, credit cards, and lines of credit. One-tenth of startups and about a third of young firms do not use capital injections.

Source: Kauffman Foundation, An Overview of the Kauffman Firm Survey: Results from the 2004–2008 Data, (Alicia Robb, E.J. Reedy, Janice Ballou, David DesRoches, Frank Potter, Zhanyun Zhao), May 2010.

 
10. How do regulations affect small firms?

The smallest firms (fewer than 20 employees) spend 36 percent more per employee than larger firms to comply with federal regulations. The disparity is greatest in two areas: very small firms spend four and a half times as much per employee to comply with environmental regulations and three times more per employee on tax compliance than their largest counterparts.

Annual Cost of Federal Regulations by Firm size
Type of Cost per Employees for Firms with:
Regulations Fewer than 20-499 500 or More
20 Employees Employees Employees
All Regulations $ 10,585 $ 7,454 $ 7,755
Economics 4,120 4,750 5,835
Tax Compliance 1,584 1,294 883
Occupational
Safety and Home-
Land Security 781 650 520



Source: The Impact of Regulations Costs on Small Firms, an Advocacy-funded study by Nicole Crain and Mark Crain, 2010 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs371tot.pdf).


 
11. Whom do I contact about regulations?

To learn about pending regulation, visit Advocacy’s Regulatory Alerts webpage, www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_regalerts.html; to comments on pending regulations, email advocacy@sba.gov. To report unfair regulatory enforement, contact SBA’s National Ombudsman at ombudsman@sba.gov.

 
12. What is the role of women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs?

Of the 27.1 million nonfarm businesses in 2007, women owned 7.8 million businesses, which generated $ 1.2 trillion in revenues, employed 7.6 million workers, and paid $ 218 billion in payroll. Another 4.6 million firms were were 50 percent woman owned. Minorities owned 5.8 million firms, which generated $ 1 trillion in revenues and employed 5.9 million people. Hispanic Americans owned 8.3 percent of all U.S. businesses; African Americans, 7.1 percent; Asian Americans, 5.7 percent; American Indians and Alaska Natives, 0.9 percent; and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders, 0.1 percent. Veterans owned 2.4 million businesses in 2007, generating $ 1.2 trillion in receipts; another 1.2 million firms were 50 percent veteran owned. About 7 percent of veteran business owners had service-connected disabilities in 2002.

In 2008, the overall rate of self-employment (unincorporated and incorporated) was 9.8 percent, and the rate was 7.1 percent for women, 7.2 percent for Hispanic Americans, 4.7 percent for African Americans, 9.7 percent for Asian Americans and Native Americans, and 13.6 percent for veterans.Service-disabled veterans had lower self-employment rates than non-service-disabled veterans.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau, Survey of Business Owners; Advocacy-funded reserach by Open Blue Solutions, 2007 (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs291.pdf) and Office of Advocacy. The Small Business Economy (Table A.13, www.sba.gov/advo/research/sbe.html).

 
13. At what rates are the self-employed taxed?

Of the 15.5 million individuals whose primary occupation was self-employment (incorporated and unincorporated), the median personal marginal federal tax rate was 10 percent in 2008. Only 4.1 percent of the self-employed were in the marginal tax bracket of 33 percent or more.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Sur­vey, March Supplement (special tabulation).

 
14. What research exists on the cost and availability of health insurance?

A Kaiser Family Foundation study confirmed the connection between firm size and offering health insurance. The survey shows that about half of businesses with 3–9 workers offer health benefits to their employees. The ratio grows to about three-fourths for firms with 10–24 employees, to almost 90 percent for firms with 25–49 employees, and to 98 percent for firms with 200 employees or more. Almost two-thirds of workers take health insurance coverage when offered. Overall in 2008, small firm employees were almost twice as likely as large firm employees to be uninsured (25.1 percent vs. 13.6 percent, respectively).

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, Employer Health Benefits 2010 Annual Survey; Employee Benefit Research Institute, Sources of Health Insurance and Characteristics of the Uninsured: Analysis of the March 2009 Current Population Survey.

 
15. How can I get more information?

  1. For more information, visit Advocacy’s website:
    www.sba.gov/advo. Specific points of interest include:


For email delivery of Advocacy’s newsletter, press,regulatory news, and research, sign up at http://web.sba.gov/list.For RSS feeds, visit www.sba.gov/advo/rsslibrary.html. Direct questions to (202) 205-6533 or advocacy@sba.gov.

Source: http://web.sba.gov/faqs/faqIndexAll.cfm?areaid=24

 

——————– End of Article

 

Anything that sticks out to you?

Everyone’s Blog Posts – Inside401 Local Business Networking

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Inside919ers Share some thought with Inside401ers…

January 14, 2012 By

Hello Micro Business Professional and Solo Professional of the 401.

I know that I’m not from this area and that there is no reason at this time to trust me.

I do ask that you take a minute and read some of the recommendations below from some fellow Micro Business Owners from the 919 (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill of North Carolina) our 1st network.
Thanks! – Pat

 

Recommendations begin here…


——————-

Coffee Shop Owners,

I would highly recommend joining this local business network. As a coffee shop owner I have had the pleasure of hosting “Coffee Breaks” each week. The Coffee Breaks gave members the opportunity to meet fellow insiders offline and developed meaningful relationships.

I have used the network to post events I offered at my shop, and I used it to share and receive advice on many issues.

The inside919 network is valuable because it truly is a way to reach potential “customers” within your local region.

Most importantly, I have met some really amazing business professionals that have become more than just business acquantances, they have become my friends.

Terri Voltz

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/TerriVoltz

——————-

Being a member of the Inside network has given me a unique opportunity to meet people in my area. Relationships are started online by reading members’ profiles and commenting on their blog posts (articles). Since members are local, it is easy to arrange to meet face to face or to visit their place of business. Meeting in person solidifies the relationship because I already know about them, and their knowledge of their business.

If I need an opinion or are looking for a recommendation, local Insiders are right on top of giving current recommendations.

I’ve been a member of the network for about 3 years – when I participate in the Inside network, I get value every time. Some examples are the classes offered, learning about what others do and the collective intelligence of the group is simply amazing.

Amy Shair
RE/MAX United
www.AmyShair.com

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/AmyShair

———————–

A friend recommended I join at the beginning of 2011 and boy, I couldn’t have received better business advice from anywhere. As a Search Engine Optimizer I had become enamored with Google Places and what well crafted listings could do for local businesses. 

As I delved into inside919 I began to meet very interesting, and like minded, people who were not just about “doing business” but were about building real “community” both on, and off line. 

From a Google search perspective, I love the benefits that the inside919 network offers. It’s highly ranked by search engines, extremely active, well indexed, a powerful business tool, and much more… Check out my article, How Can I Use Social Media for SEO benefit?, to see how you can leverage the “inside” network for “link love” to any website.

Bottom line, I think Pat Howlett is a great guy. What he’s created in the Raleigh, NC area has been wonderfully transforming for many. Personally, I’ve found Pat to be an excellent trainer, encourager, mentor and friend. I highly respect and appreciate him. Get to know him, and you will too.

Sincerely,

Bob Walton
SEO for High Ranking

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/BobWalton
http://www.linkedin.com/in/seoraleigh
http://www.facebook.com/SEORaleigh
http://twitter.com/BobWalton_NCSEA

—————————-


Hello 401,

I’ve been a member of Inside919 since April 2008 – one of the first 100 members. So I’ve been able to watch it grow from a small group of people who liked this ‘idea’ to a network that strives only to serve whomever joins it by asking just one small favor in return: contribute.

If you are only looking to advertise your business and get results from that, that’s your call.
But I’m the type that likes to interact, learn new things, meet new people, and share my experiences so that others can learn and avoid making my mistakes.

Through Inside919 I’ve…

–discovered in-depth business workshops that changed the very course of my business, like Bill Davis’ 100 Days to Abundance or Olalah Njenga’s Breakthrough Advantage.

–learned of the new Center for Excellence, where I can teach my own workshops at an affordable price.

–met a hundred other microbusiness owners that were not only strangers before, but unheard of. I would not have come across these people otherwise.

–partnered with other businesses without the shackles of ‘paying into a group’ or ‘joining a chamber’ – open relationships that focus on collaboration instead of competition

–been mentored by, and now mentor, others who were in my shoes and who are in the shoes I’ve taken off

It’s not hard to capitalize on these things, either. All it takes is a little of your time – to share, to be a resource, to offer something of value.

You can’t put an ad rate on that.

Anyone who wishes to contact me directly to learn more can do so at michelle@gowerpower.com.

Sincerely,
Michelle Gower
Gower Power Consulting, LLC

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/MichelleCourtney
http://www.gowerpower.com

—————–

Middle of 2008 I joined and shortly thereafter became the 2nd sponsor on this network as I saw an opportunity for local growth of my business. I’ve stayed a sponsor since that time. Here’s why ….

  1. I learned everything I know about social media from friends on inside919.
  2. More than 100 have done business with me during that time.
  3. I have done business with more than 3 dozen local folks.
  4. I like buying local as more revenue ‘stays’ and circulates when shopping local.
  5. I honed my writing skills by having a listening community for my blogs/articles.
  6. I’ve executed 3 major collaborative efforts in business with others on the network.
  7. I’ve asked for help and received it, no matter what I needed.
  8. I’ve found ways to serve my community.
  9. I conduct mastermind studies and the concept of masterminding is prevalent here.
  10. We are not competitive … we are a collaborative network.
  11. The guiding principles are lofty .. no shenanigans or bad language here.
  12. I give, and others give too so we all end up receiving.
  13. Pat Howlett has made sure that we had social events so we weren’t only connected online.
  14. Have made short term and long term friends and business associates.
  15. Pat Howlett is a man of his word — that is he does what he says he’ll do by when and then does it. Perfect role model for all of us.
  16. Google love is present.
  17. Plenty of free workshops available, from soup to nuts!
  18. Lots of community assistance … nonprofits … from which to choose to be generous.

I pay to be a sponsor, yet, to simply be a member and benefit from all the services, costs you nothing.

While I enjoy other social media sites, I admit I land at my local micro-business network inside919 1st every day. Then I’ll check out FaceBook and a few others.

Leslie Flowers

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/LeslieFlowers

http://www.pathsofchange.com

http://www.styleandmindset.com

——————

I joined Inside919 two months ago and I am very impressed with the professionalism of the website and the professionalism of the members on Inside919. I love the events listed on Inside919 which allows me to attend local scheduled events to meet new business contacts and customers. I now search Inside919 before I go to LinkedIn. Great Job Pat!

Cedric Houston
Real Time Pain Relief
http://www.ce-houston.info

——————-

Inside919 has been a great way for me to connect to the movers and shakers in the local small business community.

Whitney Hill

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/WhitneyHill

http://www.internetpeople.net/

——————-

I moved to North Carolina in August of 2011. It was such a wonderful thing to see the Inside919 website to help me start networking, and finding local businesses to work with. The events that Inside919 sponsors and the people I have met have helped me grow personally and grow my business. The Friends and the Mentors I have gained have been priceless. Thank You Pat!

If you would like to reach me for further information feel free to contact me:

Adrianne and Paul Gibilisco
Regional Directors Take Shape For Life
www.winforlosing.tsfl.com
winforlosing@gmail.com

——————

I understand that folks might be busy, skeptical and not real excited about trying another new thing. They are trying run their businesses. There are three key questions that business owners must ask themselves.

1. Am I better off being a skeptic and waiting until my competitors have joined a group that helps them shorten sales cycles, establish meaningful client relationships in my backyard, or would I be better off to start building these local relationships with new clients NOW?

2. If it cost little to nothing and there are so many other business owners, like myself, using this model and testifying to its effectiveness, why would I not participate, especially if I truly want to grow my business?

3. If after answering questions 1 and 2 I’m still convinced that I should proceed with business as usual, where can I find a good shrink? :)

Diogenes Ruiz

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/DiogenesRuiz

http://www.superheromusiclabel.com

——————-

inside919 has been a great tool for my business, EverChange, LLC (www.everchangellc.com). For starters, I have earned over 6 clients in the past year from other inside919 members.

There are a lot of tools on this website to help me grow my business. For example, I have the ability to create blogs, post videos, and upload pictures. The profile page is very handy and well laid out. I can click on someone’s page and get to know more about their business and decide if I want to connect outside of inside919.

The website also has features such as forums for people to post certain topics so we do not get bombarded with spam solicitation emails. For example, there is the “I need a…” forum which I browse to see if anyone is in need of my services, and if I see that someone needs something else and I know who could help, I send the information along. There is also the self promotion forum where people can post that their company has been in a newspaper article or some other accomplishment. In addition, you can post an event and invite contacts to join.

inside919 has helped me gain business contacts outside of the computer program. The after-hours events and local networking groups have helped my business. Using the advertising space also got me a couple of new clients.

Overall, I have enjoyed being a part of inside919 and have had very positive experiences with people I have met.

Juliet Hurley

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/JulietHurley

——————–

I came from New York State, brand new to social media and just networking-in-the-wild, trying to get more consulting clients in project and process management and get people to know my dashboard-based system. Not something that can be easily explained in a one minute spiel. Then the economy got worse, a long term client was no longer viable, and I really had to get going. That is when I was invited into Inside919 by a friend. It took some work and time, mostly to learn and “get it”, not social media and technology only, but most importantly the totally unique Inside919 “strategic-philosophy” and don’t-sell-just-help-the-other-person culture that became the soul of my networking and “being there, getting it and doing it”. With everybody constantly available and new ideas flowing formally and informally and people getting and already being “in the flow” of the helping stream, it was inevitable. I changed, my business changed! Now I have a nearly full schedule of business and it’s reaching critical mass! My big thanks to Pat, Martin, and everyone in and around Inside919! Happy New Year, it will be a great 2012! I can feel it coming, and it feels good!

T. Ho Haryadi

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/THoHaryadiMBA

————————-

Inside919 is a powerful tool in relating, engaging and connecting with other small and micro business owners.

The ComeOnInside community allows you to

a) Engage on a professional level with various people in various industries

b) Find similar interests and connections (i.e. Groups, Events, Tuesday AM Coffee Breaks, etc.)

c) Build RELATIONSHIPS. By learning what is at the core of another small and micro businesses passion, it inspires you to share their message with others.

d) Umbrella of various groups and networks (i.e. BNI, Coffee and Contacts, Training Centers, etc.) Inside919 allows you to engage with the PERSON not the industry, so you really get to know people on a business relationship level.

I have heard many people say that 919 is a powerful source of referrals and revenue for their business. For myself personally, it is absolutely true.

Angel Lebak

www.VirtualAssistantTrainingNetwork.com
Inside919 Raving Fan

—————————

Belonging to this network is a complete way of learning, integrating and ‘coming of age’ in modern day business. You are exposed to the most well meaning, authentic and intelligent business people in your area. This is a ‘real’ method for developing solid relationships that will allow you to help others while, eventually, receiving support yourself.

Olga

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/OlgaSantoTomasMonroe

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Inside919 is a fantastic community to be a part of – I recommend it to every local business person I speak with. The level of support available at your fingertips is unmatched by anything else I’ve found online and the physical events are a fabulous place to grow the relationships started on the site. I’ve been a member for about a year and during that time, I have made many great contacts, learned a whole lot from a wide range of people, gained clients and, more importantly, made some friends along the way.

I cannot recommend the network enough.

Gaynor Fries, Virtual Assistant
http://www.yourtriangleva.com

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/GaynorFries

————————

I’ve been a Inside 919 member since 2008 and a Network Insider since 2010. In this three year span of many economic ups and downs in the writing and publishing world, Inside 919 has been a wonderful constant for me. I’ve taken advantage of the numerous workshops and masterminds offered and I’ve strengthened my existing relationships with other business owners while I’ve forged new relationships at networking gatherings and online. I can’t wait to see what 2012 will bring in terms of business growth thanks to Inside 919! Thank you, Pat Howlett for making Inside 919 a core piece of my world.

Alice Osborn, Writer and Editor
Write from the Inside Out
www.aliceosborn.com

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/AliceOsborn

——————–

I began as a casual user of the Insider network and began to see a number of business people I know joining and contributing to the Forums, providing updates, posting events and participating in numerous other activities. A couple years ago I talked with an owner of a new coffee house and suggested she become involved in our network. She was reluctant to use social media but after speaking with myself and other members began participating. She offered her coffee house as a meeting place and for over a year a number of us meet for coffee on Tuesday mornings to help each other out with business questions, leads and so much more.

I became a network partner this year and have benefited from the training and close collaboration with other network partners.

At first this was only a time commitment but its great value led me to pay the monthly fee to be a network partner and use it for advertising as well as supporting this community. I have been involved with others on projects in the community as well. This network is the greatest value anyone could offer to a small business person and it began giving value before I had spent one dollar. Can’t beat that!

Drew Becker

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/DrewBecker

———————–

Well, over two years later I am still applauding this amazing network of businesses that want to help their community, but often reach out to help each other. I have met some incredible people with businesses that have now been hired by my company.
There is a wealth of information on so many subjects and many priceless. Yes, free!
Pat as you grow your brand across America, let business owners know how much we in Raleigh, NC appreciate the time and value you have built in your wonderful company. I am proud to be an inSider!

Sandra Burnett

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/SandraBurnett

The hCard Fundraising Program

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Inside 919 allows people to connect with others that they like and trust and want to do business with. It allows individuals to showcase their talents and expertise.

Bev Mahone

http://inside919.ning.com/profile/BeverlyMahone

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Everyone’s Blog Posts – Inside401 Local Business Networking

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