Marlene Titus of the Miller Center for Small Business at Carroll Community College and Matt Day of the Business Training Group at Carroll Community College explained some exciting programs that can help business owners and entrepreneurs. First, Marlene explains the services provided by the Miller Center for Small Business. Basically, they provide courses, resource center, marketing data base, etc. for new business owners and those trying to grow their own business. Most of the courses are taught by other business owners or retired business owners. They offer advice and guidance on how to successfully run a business. They hold events for networking and creating opportunities within the business communities.

 Guidance on funding is also a great resource that Miller Center for Small Business can provide. There IS funding available, its limited, but its out there. There are also tips on how to apply correctly for a business loan, despite the difficulties right now, there are correct and incorrect ways to approach the loan process.

 Mall explains the Pathways to Cyber Security Careers program, a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Labor that provides cyber security training to local businesses. There are also marketing training classes to guide users to properly guide social media and technology.

We also wanted to touch on all of new technology for the technologically challenged out there. There are a lot of great tools to use to stay connected to friends, family & your community: cell phones, social media, email, etc. But, there are many rules that you should follow to stay safe. Also, to avoid being a public nuisance.

 Technology Tips 101

1. When your on the cell phone or texting, the world does not go away. Pay attention to your surroundings and when using a phone is appropriate.
2. On Facebook, don’t advertise where you ARE.
3. When you are talking on a cell phone, you don’t have to talk 10 times louder
4. If an email thread or texting conversation is getting fiery, pick-up the phone and speaks to the person. This can avoid misinterpretation.
5. You don’t have to tweet about everything. Great sign to remember: “In case of a fire, exit building BEFORE tweeting about it”
6. If it has to do with computers, when in doubt, ask a 12 year old.

We were pleased to be joined by the interesting Jim Hindman, a successful entrepreneur, the founder of Jiffy Lube, the current CEO and founder of Energy Savers of America and legendary football coach at McDaniel College (then Western Maryland College). Our first question was one Mr. Hindman has been asked a thousand times: how was Jiffy Lube created? He explained that he has already made himself a millionaire by the age of 35 (which we discussed later) and was coaching McDaniel college football. One of his players was expressing his concerns with the job market and how there were no opportunities out there. After a conversation, the player challenged Mr. Hindman to creating another success story. Jiffy Lube was created to “unbundle services” to offer them at a lower rate and focusing on evevry day needs, such as oil changes. He also believed in franchising to give other the opportunity to own a business and jobs to local residence. The rest is history.

 We then began exploring the details and origin of his current project, Energy Savers of America. This company was created because of a number of factors. One of his previous football players had become an executive at IBM and contacted Mr. Hindman about the possibilities available. Mr. Hindman had been following and conducting research on the “fight for freedom from foreign oil”.  The issue was first examined for homes built before energy efficiency was explored. Also, a major goal was to avoid oil importing from overseas. From there, Energy Savers of America was developed as a franchise (like Jiffy Lube) to give Americans self-owned business opportunities, as well as create an energy efficient community. By offering energy audits, Energy Savers will   come to your home to conduct an “audit” to evaluate all the ways how you can save energy and save money by becoming energy efficient.

The ultimate idea is to become self-sufficient when it comes to energy and not reliant on expensive  electric companies. We also discussed some new technology that is not only efficient but all-natural. Mr. Hindman and his associate explained the development of anaerobic digesters that can create up 40,000 kilowatt hours (the average family uses about 10,000 kilowatt hours per year) using manure and other organic compost. It is a process that breaks down methane gas and uses to create energy. Mr. Hindman explains that his background growing up on a farm with horses and cattle helped the development of his ventures. He has always tried to “make something out of nothing”. To learn more about the alternative energy and making your home energy efficient, visit www.energysaversamerica.com.

We also wanted to explore Jim Hindman’s unique success story. He explained that as young as the age of 6, he recognized that the need to work to gain in life was necessary. His family was struggling and he decided to shine shoes and deliver papers to make extra income. He later found his way out of the “economy ghetto” by playing football. His talents took him to new places and opened many doors. In his late twenties, he dove into the field of hospital administration. He quickly advanced. At the age of 30 he was working at the Kansas City Kennedy Space Center in the medical administration department. He got a call from the Vice President…of the United States! Mr. Humphries himself called Jim Hindman to come work an important project at Baltimore County General. Hindman accepted and became very successful. Through his advancements, Mr. Hindman made himself a millionaire by age 35! His hard work, determination and great success are all something to be admired. He continues to lead others and gives inspiration to many.  

We were excited to be LIVE at the new Gunner’s Grille at Taneytown! First, we were joined by the owner of Gunner’s, Brooke Hagerty. She was previous the general manager of Bud’s at Silver Run and after gaining years of experience, she decided to follow her passion for food and service and open her own location. They opened up on May 4^th, 2011 and Taneytown has welcomed the new location with open arms. She is excited to keep spreading the word and growing the already busy restaurant. Her talented chef and wonderful staff helped make for the smooth transition.

Brooke shared some amazing food with us during the break, including Charlie’s favorite – crab cakes! Check out their delicious menu at www.gunnersgrille.com!

Next, we welcomed Randy Goldstein, owner of BizMarquee.com, Inc. He customized and designs websites for local businesses and he is also a software developer. He believes websites are the “face” of your business and home base. It displays all of your company’s information and, many times, it is the first way people “meet” your business.  Websites are meant to bring in business, so it has to look professional, easy to use and find on search engines. Randy shared the “secret” of getting your website higher on search engines like Google. He said, it really is no secret, there is actually a downloadable PDF right on the Google website. You just have to take the time to follow the instructions.  

Websites are completely customizable and range in price, options and complexity. BizMarquee had the pleasure of designing the Gunner’s Grille website and it looks amazing!

Randy also shared his story about how he got into his second gig – stand up comedy. He is hilarious and has won competitions, including Baltimore’s Funniest Person!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Gunner’s Grille! We enjoyed the great food and great audience!!

Kim Bell of SpeechPathways reaches children and some adults to assist with speech impairments and language disabilities. They are moving their office to the new Meadow Creek Shopping Center off of Route 140. They are excited to expand! Zoe was a trained, professional ballet dancer and after having two children with disabilities, she wanted to share her love of dance with them. After her children did not “fit” the requirements of most dance studios, she decided to create a dance program specifically for handicapped children.

Kim and Zoe met after Zoe was searching for answers for his son’s delayed development. Kim helped diagnose Zoe’s son with Apraxia. They worked together, became friends and later created a partnership.

Kim explained her work at SpeechPathways to help patients overcome speech problems and help parents find solutions or answers to their children’s lack of speech development or other issues. Children should be developing and rapidly growing their vocabulary by age 15 months. If that is not the case, there may be a developmental problem.

Zoey’s organization focuses on the art of dance and tailoring lessons, routines by using their skills and abilities. They show children that you don’t have to have the typical dancer qualities to be a beautiful dancer. By using the children’s natural skills and abilities, they can learn how to be their own type of dancer. They also offer Maryland’s only wheel-chair based dance program. The name of the program is “How We Roll”. She shared the many joys of helping these children and their parents see that they CAN be a dancer or a performer in their own beautiful way.

The two organizations are moving into the same building to team up and offer a wide variety of children activities and assistance. By combining both therapy that some may need with creative outlets and social interaction, they can help kids in numerous ways.

To contact SpeechPathways, you can visit www.speechpathways.net or call 410-374-0555. You can find B’more Abilities’ website at www.basac.org or call 443-769-0507. Check out their websites for upcoming events and information!

Our guest co-host, Jeannine Morber, owner of Morber Marketing group, shared her training and workshops on what to do and not to do on social medias and how to use technology to grow your business. She is extremely familiar with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. By using these social medias, you can connect you and your business to an abundance of other people, companies, social groups, etc. She also covers the DON’TS when using these forms of marketing. Visit www.morbermarketing.com form more tips on growing your business.