More pics from Biz Linc 2009

Bill Rancic from Apprentice

How YOU doin??

A vendor looking to partner-up

Biz Linc 2009

Visitor learning about SBS

We had our big day at Biz Linc 2009 just a few days ago and I can report that it was a successful event for the company.  All the hours, all the frustration, all the anxiety, and all the money that went into this event were well worth it.  The feedback we got from friends, fellow exhibitors, vendors, and visitors to our booth was all very positive.   I’m very proud of my team for handling themselves in a fun, friendly, and professional manner during a long day.  It takes a lot of energy, both physical and emotional, to run a trade show event.  I’ll admit that it took me about 2 full days to recover!

I want to thank everyone who came by our booth to find out about Steiner Business Solutions.  We enjoyed the conversations very much.   I truly enjoy being around business owners and entrepreneurs.  It reminds me time and again why I ventured out on my own and why I enjoy doing the work I do.  We’ve followed up with everyone who left us their information, and we’ve been fortunate to have already scheduled some follow-up meetings.  As I’ve said before – once people hear about and experience the way we do things, we rarely lose their business.

As a small business owner who started from scratch, I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished to date.  It may sound corny, but it’s always been a dream of mine to have my own company represent itself at a trade show.  You have to know that it’s the right time however; don’t let your ego or ambition dictate the timing.  I can remember signing up for a JMU alumni networking event last year.  The event administrator and a few friends asked if I was going to set up a booth display for SBS.  They said, “This is a great opportunity for you!”.  If my ego had made the decision, I probably would have done the booth.  Who knows how it would have turned out, but ultimately I decided against it because I knew the timing wasn’t right.  At the time,  I didn’t have the book of business or marketing collateral to support the decision to put myself out there; but more important – I didn’t have the confidence.

At Biz Linc 2009 – I had it all!

Good pic of our booth

Take aways from Retail Merchant Association Event

On Tuesday I attended “Navigate Your Loan Process” at the Retail Merchants Association.  The local SBA office, along with 12 banks were there to answer questions and outline the loan options available to small businesses through the SBA loan guarantee program.   There are currently 75 active banks in the SBA program.  I thought it was very useful and informative.  Not only did I gain some insight and knowledge that will help me provide better service to my clients, but it also exposed my business and the services I provide to the different banks in attendance.  The most important thing stressed by the banks when applying for an SBA loan is that every applicant needs a well thought-out and informative business plan.  This worried a few of the business owners sitting around the table with me.  Many of them just didn’t know how to produce a solid business plan.  Needless to say I handed out quite a few of my business cards – not only to the business owners, but also to the bank representatives who thought that many of their clients could benefit from the resources provided by Steiner Business Solutions.

The other key take away from this event is that the SBA is making loans.  Because of the 2009 Recovery Act, the SBA’s budget this year doubled; therefore allowing them to make more loans.  To spur the growth of loans, the SBA is now guaranteeing up to 90% of the loan and is not charging any fees.  The warning was put out…..get your loan done before the end of this year because the funds aren’t expected to be around in 2010!

Part of what we do here at Steiner Business Solutions is help you find financing – whether it be through traditional commercial lending, SBA backed lending, or private investors.  I invite anyone reading this to contact us if you’re looking for funds for your business.  We can help you put together a business plan that the banks are looking for.  We work hard to understand and keep up with the lending processes and develop working relationships with the various lenders – all with a purpose of  providing you an advantage that you might not have if you tried this endeavor on your own.

Glen Allen Business & Professional Association

June 26, 2009 by Trevor Dickerson

When Stan Bohanon moved to Richmond from Williamsburg, there were plenty of networking groups to choose from all over town. But Bohanon had the vision of building a different kind of networking organization. He’s now the Founder and President of the recently-organized Glen Allen Business & Professional Association.

Bohanon said he noticed there was a need that wasn’t being met with the current networking organizations in the West End. Many of the existing groups were too large and didn’t focus on building business relationships. Bohanon set out to create one that would cap its members at around 200 people and keep its sights on helping those who attend acquire highly-personal, hyper-local business contacts.

Bohanon set up a group on Meetup.com, a website devoted to matching people with others that share similar interests and forming meetups based on those connections, promoting the idea of starting a group in the Far West End. Interested business people soon came forward.

Dan Steiner, owner of Steiner Business Solutions, found the Meetup group and subsequently helped get the association on its feet.

“Stan came to me and found out what I did,” Steiner said. “He asked me to help him build his company and I wrote his business plan.” Steiner now serves as Treasurer of the organization.
“The biggest difference between us and an event such as one held by the Chamber of Commerce is our introduction system.” That system matches new members with businesspeople already in the group at organization meetings.

“We want to make sure that people that come in get effectively introduced throughout the room to people and their business opportunities. That’s the thing we keep focused on. They come to network, and we want them to leave thinking, ‘Wow, this was a good event and I got several new prospects.’”

Bohanon says he’s seen a lot of reciprocal business within the organization since its inception just over six months ago. “I’ve seen a lot of business being done from member to member.” He pointed out examples such as a landscaper using an accountant and vice versa, both of whom are members of the organization.

“We foster the building of business relationships. That’s really our job. Part of that of course is to give as many member benefits as we possibly can to make sure the member is getting true value for their membership.” Bohanon wants every member to get at least a tenfold return on their membership investment. Many members choose to offer discounts on products and services their businesses offer to other members as part of that commitment.

The Glen Allen Business & Professional Association hosts monthly “After 5″ networking meetings and has been gathering at one member’s furniture showroom, Cort Furniture on West Broad Street. Meetings will be moved into a ballroom at the new Wingate Hotel behind Dominion Chevrolet in Short Pump possibly as soon as the end of the summer.

The larger meeting space will allow the organization to initiate other plans it has in the works, such as vendor booths and more space for food catering tables.

Trevor Dickerson founded DowntownShortpump.com, where this story first ran.

Glen Allen Business & Professional Association

Steiner Business Solutions has recently become a founding member and officer of a newly formed organization, the Glen Allen Business & Professional Association.  Dan Steiner, President of Steiner Business Solutions, will serve the Association as Vice President/Treasurer.  We have already started talking to business owners in the Glen Allen, Innsbrook, Short Pump, and surrounding areas about memberships.  Interest in the Association has been very strong to this point and we’re excited about kicking off our first “member event” this summer.  Our website is currently under development, so be on the lookout for that.  More details are coming……..

BIZ LINC 2009

Steiner Business Solutions, a member of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, has signed up to be an exhibitor at “BIZ LINC 2009″.   BIZ LINC is the Richmond Region’s largest business-to-business trade show!

Event Details:

Date:  September 23, 2009

Location:  Richmond International Raceway – 600 E. Laburnum Avenue

Time:  8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Please stop by and say Hello!