October 2015

 Even the smallest donation can change someone's life!
Check out these great opportunities to give:
     

Create It Kids Club
Create It Kids Club is an art and performance learning center that strives to build confidence in children ages 4-12. The center offers a Performing Arts program to teach children how to use their voices, imaginations, unique gifts and talents.
 
 
How to Sync Your Website and 
Social Media Efforts
Marketing through social media is all the rage. And you know websites are important to business. But should you be tackling both for your business? If so, how do you do it so it makes sense? Read below for some tips on how to make both, or one, work for you. 

What is Periscope and How Do I Use It? 
Periscope, the live streaming video mobile app purchased by Twitter in February of 2015, has been the talk of the 
town since its official launch on March 26.
While Periscope is hotter than a Phoenix sidewalk in July, it can be a bit intimidating to folks new to the platform. After all, you're going to be talking in front of a live audience and you want to at 
least look like you know what you're doing.
That's why this guide was created. Once you work your way through our guide, you should be ready not only to hold your first broadcast, but also to make it a success.
Ready? Periscope up! 

Up Next: The Greatest Era of Entrepreneurship and Small Business The World Has Ever Seen
There's a raging debate about the future of small business. On one side is a mountain of data that indicates entrepreneurship is  slowing . On the other side is the rising sentiment that it's easier than ever to start a new business, whether you're a 13-year-old sneaker-head or a 65-year-old consultant.
Part of the problem is that many of the metrics we rely on to plot the future of small business are simply misleading. For  example, one stat used to justify the decline of small business is that the number of startups as a percentage of total businesses has fallen from 15% in 1978 to 8% in 2012. But that's in large part because the total number of businesses has nearly doubled over the same period.

Why Your Startup Should Make Its New Year's Resolution Today
Today I am starting my New Year's resolution. You may be asking yourself why I'd do such a thing in the middle of September. That's a great question. The answer is that on Sunday night Jewish people all over the world ushered in a New Year. 
Still, this is the first time I've decided to make a 
resolution in September-usually
 I wait until January like the rest of the country.
But I am tired of putting it off, so I'm starting today.


Interested in becoming apart of a prestigious group of businesswomen? 
Well The Pearl Society is for you! 

The Pearl Society is comprised of Purposeful, Engaged And Resilient Leaders (PEARL), who are women leading micro-business, community organizations and local businesses or institutions supporting a common goal: a commitment to the success and empowerment of women-owned businesses. Leaders of The Pearl Society enhance The Edge Connection's commitment to enlighten, and encourage women entrepreneurs. Their financial support allows The Edge Connection Women's Business Center to provide relevant, powerful, life-changing support services to women as they follow the path to successful business ownership.

 
11 Grants for Women-Owned Businesses
You Need to Know About
In 2014, there were close to 9.1 million women-owned businesses in the United States, a 68 percent increase since 1997, according to The 2014 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report from American Express. This percentage increase exceeded the national average of small business growth by 1.5 times.
10 Inspirational Quotes From 
Women Business Leaders
Brandi Temple was a stay-at-home mother of four in Lexington,  North Carolina, with a sewing machine that was collecting dust when she turned her talent into a $10 million clothing line.
"My husband bought it for me for Mother's Day and it was a joke because he said, 
'Are you ever going to use it,'
" Temple told ABC News of the sewing machine.
 
Many thanks to the individuals and organizations who  support The Edge Connection and the entrepreneurs we serve. 
Together, we CAN make a difference!
   A special thanks to our benefactors who awarded grants or donated funds in July:  
   
          Melissa Evans         
Looking for other ways to contribute to The Edge Connection? 
Check out the links below!






Classes
 
Mark Your Calendar For Innovative, Relevant, 
and Inspiring Classes and Workshops!!

Start  
October 5th | 6:00pm - 9:00pm 
The financial planning module is designed to establish a forecast of future financial results that will determine the course of action the business will take to maximize resources for financial effectiveness. Fundamental for understanding cash flow, profit and loss, financial planning is essential for building revenues and managing costs. Efficient financial management allows businesses to successfully plan for growth and development. Clients may choose to take this class outside of the Plan for Profit track and become "Edge Certified in Financial Planning"
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Marketing Workgroup  
October 8th & 20th 7:00pm-8:30pm 
Cost: Free
Group leader and marketing expert Rick Wemmers will be discussing topics such as:
-Real world understanding/differences of Marketing, Advertising, Sales and Branding
-How to really understand why your prospects buy your product and where are all the prospects like your best customer.
-Why FOCUS is so vital to small/new business growth!
-How to leverage others dreams, desires, goals, unique talents to build your business.
-How to build greater wealth with your existing business.
  To register for this class please email our program manager at jfulsang@kennesaw.edu
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Bootcamp Day     
October 14th 7:00pm-8:00pm  
Cost: Free
The Business Fundamentals Bootcamp will be held October 14, 2015 at the Kennesaw State University Center, and is hosted by The Edge Connection!  The theme of this event is "Bootcamp Toolbox; Lessons on Keeping your Business Running and Thriving". More than 20 speakers will lead sessions focused on the functional areas of marketing, finance, law and human resources to 100+ attendees.  Click here for a list of speakers and their presentation topics! To register and for further info please visit: http://www.bfbootcamp.com/2015ATL
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Woman & Veteran Owned Business Certification Workshop  
October 20th | 11:30am-1:30pm (Cost: $30) 
The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program authorizes contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for eligible; women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) or economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs).
To be eligible, a firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be "small" in its primary industry in accordance with SBA's size standards for that industry. In order for a WOSB to be deemed "economically disadvantaged," its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the final rule.

At the workshop, contracting experts will address the initial criteria for certification, highlight tips on how to complete the electronic application, and provide useful strategies on how to market in the federal contracting arena.
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Sales Training Workshop 
October 21| 6:00pm-9:00pm (Cost: $30) 
 This series will turn everything you know about selling upside down. What you know about selling products will 'be kicked to the curb' to make way for a more authentic way to make money. This series will show you how selling can be easy and fun. Selling your products doesn't require a sales pitch or manipulation. Think of sales like this... selling is all about the relationships you have with people who know, like, and trust you. Once you have established those factors, then selling happens naturally rather than forced. This series will equip you with what you must know to sell your product to more people, even when you think you are not a salesperson!   
 
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SuperNova South Conference  
October 5th-October 9th  | 6:00pm-9:00pm (Cost: Free w/ code:SNSSHEREAN100

Now in our 6th year, SuperNova South is one of the Southeast's largest and longest running tech conferences. Fueled by a killer agenda of top-notch content, unparalleled networking, and cross collaboration, SNS is where the country's top tech minds come to learn, share & connect.

 
SBA logo 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.