TOP STORY
Program for female-owned businesses continues despite missing goal
Nell Merlino says that even though her Make Mine a Million $ Business program fell short of its ambitious goal to get 1 million female-owned businesses to $1 million in annual revenue by 2010, she hasn’t given up. She discusses how the program is continuing, the biggest stumbling blocks for female entrepreneurs and what the best businesses have in common. Bloomberg Businessweek
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BUSINESS TRENDS
More females in the labor pool may impact benefit strategies
Since about 52% of the workforce is female, employers who want to hang onto top talent will need to consider how to retain those workers as the economy improves — and family-friendly benefits will be key, says Fran Durekas, founder of employer-sponsored early-childhood education provider CCLC. There’s a wide range of benefits employers can offer, from on-site child care to resource and referral programs, she explains. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Workforce (7/6)
Microlending grows in tight credit market
Microfinance-loan applications were up 66% in 2009, according to a survey by the Aspen Institute, as tight credit requirements continue to hinder small-business lending. Cecilia Aspiazu sells clothing and beauty products out of her home in New York and is paying off her second $2,000 loan from Grameen America, which specializes in providing small loans to immigrant women. “It helps me to keep working and keep my business growing,” Aspiazu said. The Wall Street Journal (7/5)
Sam’s Club sets up loan program for members
Sam’s Club, the Wal-Mart warehouse chain, is establishing a program that will loan as much as $25,000 to members who are starting or expanding small businesses. The program, believed to be the first of its kind, will focus on businesses run by minorities, women and veterans, and an outside lender will handle the specifics. The Wall Street Journal (7/6) , USA TODAY/The Associated Press (7/6) , Bloomberg Businessweek (7/6)
OTHER NEWS
U.K. study shows women graduates have an easier time finding jobs This Is Money (U.K.) (7/5)
Why small businesses should be looking for opportunities in China USA TODAY (7/2)
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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Cheap samples help mom make a better lunchbox
Terri Denno says she got into the lunchbox business after her husband was laid off. Recognizing that “kids don’t like their foods to touch,” Denno said she created compartmentalized lunchboxes by mixing and matching containers she found online. Experts say she started her business right: creating cheap prototypes in small quantities to avoid an excessive, risky investment. The Wall Street Journal (7/4)
Online Video: Merchandising that Converts
What are the quantitative results retailers can hope to achieve by incorporating video into their eCommerce sites?
• Longer site view times
• Increased value of sale
• Improved conversion rates
Learn how to integrate video into your online merchandising strategy.
Social Media Buzz
10 things people always ask about Facebook marketinG
When it comes to Facebook marketing, companies always have the same basic questions, writes Maggie Georgieva. To sell bosses or brand managers on the medium’s potential, shape your responses by focusing on key talking points such as the need to be conversational rather than promotional, the platform’s ability to target specific audiences and the urgency of online reputation management. HubSpot.com (7/2)
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NAWBO (R) NEWS
NAWBO jointly releases Roadmap to 2020
The Roadmap to 2020, an unprecedented collaboration of the nation’s major women’s business organizations and entrepreneurial thought leaders, was released last week, launching a comprehensive action plan to achieve exponential revenue growth and job creation among women’s businesses during the next decade.
