CONTENTS

Triumph Financial
DEPARTMENTS OTHER STUFF

10 COVER 13 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Realty & Reality Book Reviews
A Conversation of Spirituality in the Workplace Selling to V.I.T.O., Selling 101,
Written by T. Ricks Teamwork Makes the Dream Work,Get
More Refferals Now! and Purple Cow,
04 MARKETING 101
How to Buy a 100,000 House with No Credit 14 FEATURE
Written by Bedford Estes Are You a Team Player?
Written by Jill A. Brown
06 TECHS AND SPECS
Computer Security Guidance for Today’s 17 IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Emerging Small Businesses Local Non-Profit Announces
Written by Willie E. Brake New Business
Written by Someone
09 LOCAL TARGET
Art-trepreneur 18 SMALL BUSINESS BUZZ
Written by Joy L. Alexander Written by Janice Booth
 EDITOR’S NOTE

what does

IT TAKE
Thank God I have been blessed to return to you. Since the first issue,
we at Entrepreneurs of Detroit have received numerous e-mails and calls to E-Detroit Magazine
congratulate the birth of our publication. We know that there’s a need for a Detroit Office
business publication, so by all means we are here to serve. This editorial is 2727 Second Ave. Ste 304
Detroit, MI 48201
Part II of, “What Does It Take?” Let’s skip all trash talk and get straight to the 313580.5661
point. Life is about change, and your business is part of your life. 313.961.0965 fax
First, I believe that you (the entrepreneur) must learn and recognize
www.edetroitonline.com
your strengths and weaknesses. Criticizing yourself may seem hard, however,
it is a must. Secondly, be aware of your surroundings; please keep in consid- Publisher/Cheif Editor
eration the company you keep. Remember the old cliché, “You are guilty by Miles H. Dixon
mdixon@edetroitonline.com
association.” During my experiences in business I’m finding that people tend
to judge one by one’s constituents. As a new business you are trying to brand E-DETROIT TEAM
your name, and in doing so you have to strategically partner up with good- Contributing Writers
creditable companies. Don’t forget one of my most favorite words, research. Traci Ricks
tricks@edetroitonline.com
Research is yet still, a common denominator in businesses no matter what Joy L. Alexander
type or what level you are exploring. jalexander@edetroitonline.com
Dear readers, I know from experience that there is no easy business J. Brown
jbrown@edetroitonline.com
venture. Also, I can tell you that there is no absolutely positive one way to be Lawrence Millben
successful. As we travel onto our road of being wealthy, prayer and patience lmillben@edetroitonline.com
shall be our medicine. In essence, in the entrepreneural world it takes more
Photography
than words, paper, computers, or snappy magazine ads to be effective. After Sean D. Stringer
research, team-building should be your next focus. Teamwork means every- John Washington
thing. There has never been a great victory without teamwork, and as a busi- Joy L. Alexander
ness owner you automatically assume leadership position. As a leader you
Graphic Design Team
must enhance all of your communication skills. Listening should be factored Northern Light Graphics
into your everyday routine, because a good listener makes an excellent leader. stringernlg@comcast.net
Now, once you pick your team it is time for some action! Say No More Graphics
313.961-0961
Please feel free to call or e-mail me: Advertisement
248.663.2444 or mdixon@edetroitonline.com One Touch Marketing
313.742.1024
www.onetouchonline.com
Have A Blessed Day!
Volume 1, Number 2
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part
without written permission of the
publisher is strictly prohibited.
Miles H. Dixon
Publisher
ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 3
MARKETING 101
How to buy a $100,000 with no credit
I
know this sounds to good to be true,
but believe me it is very possible
and easy once you know how. There
are many ways to buy a house with
no credit, and as an investor I use
many techniques. Some of these same
strategies and techniques can be utilized
when you are looking to purchase a primary
residence. In this article, I will focus on one
method that I believe many have heard of,
but are reluctant to use when it comes to
purchasing a home to live in.
It is called a Land Contract. A
Land Contract, in reality, is just a promise
to pay. In other words, if you buy a house
under land contract, you promise to pay an
agreed upon amount on or before a specific
date. Once the terms have been fulfilled, the
seller will then deed the property to you.
You are probably asking, “Where
Bedford Estes is President of GBI Inc. a Real Estate investment company. He can be contacted by e-mail gbigroup@sbcglobal.net.
4 ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT
are these sellers that will sell on land con-
tract?” The answer is, they are all over. You
have many people who want to sell their
home, but there may be some underlying
circumstances that can prohibit them from
selling their house the old-traditional way.
Every time you see a For Sale By Owner
“There are many
ways to buy a house
with no credit, and
as an investor I use
many techniques.”
sign, there is the possibility that they will
sell on land contract. Many sellers don’t
even know that they can sell on land con-
By: Bedford Estes
tract until someone like you enlighten them
about a land contract being an excellent
way to sell a home.
Now, I know you are asking, “You
mean I can buy a $100,000 house with no
credit or money?” But remember, I said
no credit; you will have to come up with a
down payment that will be satisfactory to
the seller. Chances are you would have to
come up a down payment if you were going
to the bank and getting a loan to purchase
a house. So, this way all you have to do is
make the seller happy and you can begin
owning the home of your dreams. Elderly
people, and those with several properties
are a couple of sign that a Land Contract
may be the way to go.
Try buying this way! What do you
have to loose? But look at what you can
gain if you are successful.
TECHS AND SPECS

THE LOCKDOWN

Computer Security Guidance for Today’s Emerging

Small Businesses
By: Willie E. Brake

O
ne of the largest problems in computer security is that
users have trouble believing that anything bad can
happen to them — until it does. The truth is that bad
things do happen, and they happen more often than you
might think. Surveys conducted by the Computer Security Institute
(CSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimated
that 90 percent of corporations and government agencies detected
computer security breaches in 2003. Of those corporations and
6 ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT
agencies, more than 78 percent acknowledged resulting financial
losses.
In today’s climate, it is evident that small businesses are relying on
technology to connect with customers, track inventory and manage
their financial well being more than ever before. Yet many small
businesses can’t justify the cost of in-house computer support
— which, in essence, may expose a small business to unnecessary
risk and make it more vulnerable to security
breaches that can totally destroy operations.
Do not let this happen to your business!
Many small business owners
believe that they do not need to worry about
security issues regarding computers. I’ve
heard some small business owners say,
“Who would want to target my business
when there are so many larger targets
available?” While it is true that small
businesses are not directly attacked as often
as larger counterparts, there are three flaws
with this reasoning. The first one is that
small businesses often end up as part of
larger attacks, like mass worm outbreaks
or efforts to illegally harvest credit card
numbers. The second is that because
computer security is becoming tighter than
ever at larger companies, small business
networks are looking increasingly tempting
to attackers. The third reason is that this
assumes that all attacks come from the
outside.
Regardless of how or why your
computer systems are attacked, recovery
can, and usually does, take a significant
amount of time and effort. Imagine if your
computer systems were unavailable for
a week. Imagine if you lost all the data
stored on all the computer systems in your
company. Imagine if your worst competitor
was able to obtain a list of your customers,
along with sales figures and sales notes.
How long would it take before you noticed?
What would these breaches cost your
company? Could you afford these losses?
It seems like common sense. You
wouldn’t leave your building unlocked at
night. The same is true with information
security, and a few simple steps can make
you a lot less vulnerable. Luckily, securing
your business is easier than you might
think.
With this 10-point, do-it-yourself
computer security checklist, provided by
Willie E. Brake of All About Technology,
Inc., a full service technology consulting
firm providing solutions for home users,
home offices and small businesses, you
can quickly and simply reduce the amount
of risk from hackers, viruses, and similar
threats. This checklist can be completed
without advanced technical expertise.
These are simple, straightforward tasks that
most computer users can do. So, why not
get started right now?

SMALL BUSINESS COMPUTER SECURITY 6. Backup critical data regularly

CHECKLIST
Before you begin, make sure these recommendations
concur with your company’s security policy. If you don’t have a
security policy, please contact us to learn why you should consider
adopting one.
1. Update your software regularly
Remain vigilant in checking for software updates and if there is a
patch available, install it! It is a simple way to avoid potentially
serious problems, yet many computer users fail to do so.
2. Protect against viruses regularly
Companies large and small can equally be crippled by viruses.
Make sure every company PC, server and laptop is fully protected
using a product such as Symantec Norton AntiVirus or McAfee
VirusScan and that the virus definitions are regularly updated.
3. Set up and properly configure a firewall
This isn’t as intimidating as it sounds - and it’s the most important
thing you can do to thwart hackers.
4. Tighten in-house security
All threats are not high tech. A casual intrusion or disgruntled
employee can cause serious damage too.
5. Require strengthened passwords and change them
regularly
If you and/or your small business uses simple passwords and/or
fail to change them regularly, your company is vulnerable to an
attack.
If the thought of losing everything stored in your computers
terrifies you, there’s a simple solution. Schedule back ups
regularly and verify that the backup is in good working order.
7. Safeguard your wireless network
Wireless networks are a great innovation, but they are more
vulnerable than cabled networks. Do all you can to reduce your
exposure.
8. Connect remote users securely
Remote access to your network may be a business necessity, but
it’s also a security risk that needs to be closely monitored. Check
your logs regularly for unauthorized users attempting to access
your systems.
9. Lock down servers
Your servers are your network’s command center. If your servers
are compromised, your entire network is at risk.
10. Lock down client computers
A lack of stringent administrative procedures could very well
possibly sabotage all of the security safeguards we’ve just
discussed.
It’s almost impossible to guarantee 100% computer security.
There is a proverb that says, “You can make a door only so strong
before it’s easier to come through the wall.” Still, you can achieve
a reasonable level of security and be prepared just in case breaches
do happen. Properly weighing risks and consequences against the
cost of prevention is a good starting point.

Willie E. Brake is an adjunct practitioner faculty member at The University of Phoenix and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of All
About Technology, Inc., a full service technology consulting firm providing computer sales, service, and technical solutions to end users,
home offices and small businesses worldwide. For more information log on to www.all-about-technology.com or call us directly at (313)
218-4888.
ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 7
Art-trepreneur
LOCAL TARGET

W
hen most people think Eastern
Market, they think fresh
produce, meats, seafood,
and even tailgate parties during football
season. A chosen few know it’s also a
great vantage point for viewing the fire
works. Some may prefer the hustle and
bustle every Saturday morning in the
summer, when Merchants, and venders
spill onto Russell Street, and transform the
sometimes docile avenue into a carnival like
atmosphere. Where one can find everything
from custom jewelry, African art, and face
painting, to succulent ribs and one-pound
burgers Bert’s jazz club has become famous
for grilling. The entrepreneurial spirit is
alive and well in Detroit’s Eastern Market,
and amidst it, all nestled in an old sugar-
factory, lays one sweet operation, Johanson
Charles Gallery.
Kevin Hanson owner and curator
of Johanson Charles Gallery started
this venture with relatively no venture
capital, just an idea and a dream, and the
will to fulfill it. Kevin Hanson, a Detroit
native, was known for being able to
throw some of the hottest parties in town
without a moments notice. He was the national artist, often spoke of opening a A fugal and savvy businessman
go to man. Armed with connects such as, gallery to showcase art. One day while lives by minimal output for maxim return
D.J.’s, sounds, lights, local bands, caters, talking about it to friend, Artist and sculptor is never a bad formula for a successful
whatever....Kevin was the person to see. (metal) Chris Blahblah (creator of the business, in fact, when gas prices sky
Kevin lived in a loft above the then vacant freedom bell in grand circus park), Chris rocketed he stop driving his van and
Gallery, and threw sets in a smaller loft said, “whatever, put your money where buying a scooter to get around on, went
downstairs occupied by a friend, but as the your mouth is.” Kevin did just that with on boasting about the mere four dollars
parties got bigger he was then forced to find money received from a local investor. He it costs to fill it up. “I dig it, it’s not as if
the space to accommodate eager patrons. used three quarters of the seed money to it’s one of those little electric jobs.” Then
So, the space below the landlord he asked get the gallery up and running, and used he let me take a look; it looked like some
to rent. The space wasn’t even ready to the remaining quarter to throw a party kind of motorcycle-scooter hybrid. A 600
be renovated, and the landlord was about and announce its Grand Opening. It also cc monster-of-a scooter. He says you have
to leave town. And reluctantly replied, gets leased for record release parties, to keep the FUNdamentals in business
“We’ll see when I return from my trip.” Noir Leather Parties (fetish)… with to keep it fresh. Kevin realizes that one
Not taking maybe for an answer, Kevin, performers like: Z Blahblah, and bands must grow with business. Kevin has many
some friends, and several cases of their from Reggae, rap, Jazz, Funk, and Poetry. other ventures awaiting development,
favorite lager renovated the space by the The Sexypoetesses, The Pununy Poets, but for now, every-so-often, after people
time he returned. Realizing Kevin meant and members of The Last Poets have gather in the alley of 0000 Division in
business, and admiring the work they had been featured there. One night the gallery Eastern Market around midnight to party
done, the art-trepreneur was granted full featured the poetic styling of the one and into the wee hours of the morning. The
use of the premises. Now that his idea had only Dolomite! It is not my intention to gallery is open to the public (Gallery
materialized, all that was left to fulfill was paint a pictureof Kevin as the consummate times) throughout the month of October;
his dream. party animal, but parties are a constant it will showcase various artist, along with
Kevin, an avid ollector and art source of new contacts. Kevin never loses THREADS, a collaboration of metal,
devotee who had a rapport with local and sight of the bottom line. rubber, and cloth fabricators.
ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 9
COVER
REALTY
God, education and good customer service make good business
I
nspiratio is one word that popped into my mind as I sat
listening to members of Triumph Financial, LLC manage-
ment team, tell their story. Fed up with the management
and operation of the mortgage branch that employed them,
Aaron Ransom and Matt Johnson decided to take fate into
their own hands. From their bold move came the birth of Triumph
Financial, LLC, which operates Metropolitan Financial & Funding
Services Inc. (MET) and Metropolitan Real Estate Offices. MET
is a full service mortgage brokerage firm handling residential loans
statewide, and commercial loans nationwide; located in the heart of
Downtown Detroit. Ransom serving as President and Johnson as
Vice President, together they run the largest black operated branch
in Michigan; grossing over $100,000 monthly only after 8-months
in existence. If that’s not inspirational! What is?
There are three guiding principles that this company practices daily
for success.
Starting the Day Giving Thanks
Drive and determination isn’t the only thing that takes
part in their continuing success. “We’re a spiritually motivated
staff striving to do the right thing,” says Johnson. “Every morning
the first thing we do as a company is pray.” All of the company’s
30-employees join hands and pray before the start of each workday.
Employees have the option not to join in the prayer, but usually ev-
eryone willingly participates. Operating more like a family rather
than a company works. As the saying goes, “The family that prays
together stays together.”
Educating The Consumer
Another principle that the Metropolitan team prides them-
selves on is the education of their clients. MET is in the process
of teaming up with Fannie Mae’s Pilot Program, which is targets
African-Americans. Helping African Americans understand the
power of real estate and how to get a piece of the American Dream
of homeownership; they also provide home buying workshops and
seminars for potential homebuyers. “We take great pride in helping
families obtain homeownership,” says Johnson. Being black myself,
it seems as though we’ve come far, but in the realm of homeowner-
ship we’re still struggling to get a piece of the pie.
Metropolitan Financial General Manager, London Powell, shares
his knowledge and tips about home loans:
1. Nearly 95% of every mortgage payment you make goes
towards the interest of the loan.
2. Don’t refinance for the wrong reasons; make sure it’s worth
it. Consider all costs (closing costs, etc.) before you refinance
10 ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT
REALITY
just to lower your interest rate. Think about how much money
you will save each month and whether it’s worth it.
3. Having a mortgage not only gives you a home to live in, but
you also receive tax breaks yearly.
Providing Good Service
Good customer service is a trait that would help make any
business flourish. It definitely hasn’t hurt Metropolitan Financial &
Funding Services, Inc. Unlike most banks and financial institutions
MET won’t drop you at the door because your credit isn’t perfect.
“We work with our clients whether they have good or bad credit,”
says Mortgage Specialist Kenneth Reed.
Metropolitan Mortgage Specialists assist clients and guide
them through the steps of getting a mortgage. If that customer’s
credit isn’t satisfactory in the beginning, a MET representative ad-
vises the client on what to do so they can get it within six months to
a year. “We provide clients with a plan of action to make the dream
of homeownership come true tomorrow,” says Reed.
When a customer goes to MET they’re made to feel like a person.
Every Friday afternoon the entire staff sits down together for lunch.
Clients are invited to join if they’re in the office at that time.“We
make our clients feel like their part of our family.”
How to Prepare Yourself
for Home Ownership
• Pay your bills on time! Remember your credit/payment
history is very important. The higher your credit score is the
easier it is to get a loan.
• If your credit is not the best, give yourself six-months to a
1-year to repair or improve your credit before shopping for
a mortgage.
• Do your research! Use the tools available like the Internet,
real estate & business publications to learn about how the
system works.
• Stop paying your bills with cash! Its better to pay bills,
especially your rent with a check. It’s better to have a
checking account, because it provides a paper trail some-
thing that creditors can trace.
ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 11
 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Selling To V.I.T.O.
(The Very Important Top Officer)
Anthony Parinello
Selling to V.I.T.O. is a smash hit in my book!
This piece of work gives you tips that can be used
in the business world. If you are the nervous type
that gets all sweaty before that ‘BIG’ meeting,
Mr. Parinello lets you experience strategic
preparations before you meet with, The Very
Important Top Officer.

Selling 101
Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar is a classic. Selling made simple. This
book is honestly a keeper. Quick to read, funny, and
easy selling, I recommend this literature for anyone
in the Sales profession. On a scale from 1 to 10, Sell-
ing 101, is an 8.

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

John Q. Maxwell
Mr. Maxwell does it again. Does this man ever sleep!
Words cannot explain how connected I feel to John
C. Maxwell! Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
is on the money! Explore the facts about teamwork
and learn the importance of teambuilding! There
has never been a great accomplishment without
teamwork! Let the records show, that even God has a
team! Pick this book up at any bookstore, in the busi-
ness section, and I promise that
you will have no regrets!

Get More Referrals Now!

Bill Cates
Who does not need referrals? Bill Cates demonstrates
the power of referrals. Your business will not be same
after reading, Get More Referrals Now! Referrals
can increase your business dramatically in a matter of
days. Word of mouth is the oldest form of promotion
and now let word of mouth work for you by creat-
ing a referral system. I will recommend this book to
anyone who is interested in increasing business. Take
your time, learn more about referrals through the
insight of Bill Cates.

Purple Cow
Seth Godin
Purple cow can be described in one word, ‘remark-
able.’ Marketing is at its’ absolute best with this
hardback publication. Seth Godin keeps you on
the edge with huge ideas about marketing from the
ground level on up. I treasure this book like, How To
Get Rich, by Donald Trump; sorry, but you have to
buy your own. Purple Cow is a must have.

ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 13
FEATURE
Are You a Team Player?
We’d pick our teams strategically and plan how we were
going to win, and then it was game time. We would cheer on our
teammates as they went up to bat. If one should strike out, it just
made the next teammate strive harder to hit that ball. There were
no shouting matches, fits of rage, or threats made. Sure, the losing
team would sulk afterwards, but the next day we were all back at
the vacant lot playing again. Those innocent days of child play are
over.
We live in a society that strives to win, and win only, at any
cost to it’s players! Being a team player in today’s business world
sometimes requires more than knowing the strategy of productivity.
Instead, loyalty, humbleness and a lot of patience is needed in order
“We all failed! Either we were too preoccupied with
who’s way was best, or we didn’t communicate at all.”
to get the job done. I once took a test that consist of four teams,
five to a team. Each group had to work together assembling a single
product. All four of the teams failed. The test was to see if we had
the ability to work in harmony, more-so, than to finish the project.
Well, most of the groups wasted time on whose way was the best
way. While the other teams didn’t communicate with each other
at all, or either laid blame on the slowest member. No one worked
together, Whether it was to support their team as an individual or
to help each other so that the team could win. Competition can be a
good thing, but when you have team members that are striving for
the same out come, begin to compete against each other, the results
can be disastrous. There have been many businesses that have failed
because of lack of team work due to back biting, competition, and
yes, poor leadership skills. Balance and respect play a huge part in
working with individuals on a team.
Author John C. Maxwell quotes in his publication, The
14 ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT
By: Jill A. Brown
17 Essential Qualities of A Team Player, “To have a successful and
harmonious workplace, qualities such as competence, discipline,
adaptability, commitment, selflessness and preparedness are most
important.” There is also discourse on vital issues dealing with
being emotionally secure. Maxwell goes on to say that, “Another
characteristic of adaptable people is security.” People who are
not emotionally secure see almost everything as a challenge or a
threat. They meet with rigidity or suspicion of the team. But secure
people are not made nervous by change itself. They evaluate a new
situation or change in their responsibilities based on merits.
A lot of our negative views of others on a job are
characteristically brewed over from how we deal, or have dealt,
with people in our personal lives. Take trust for instance. If we’ve
had issues with trust, then this can have a profound effect on how
secure a person is with trusting a team member in the work place.
If we are use to carrying our on load, how can we unselfishly share
a task with another? Not balancing essential qualities can become a
game of competition among team players, when it is the opposing
team that they should be competing against.
However, we do have the power to change. “Blessed
are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape,” is one of
Mr. Maxwell’s favorite quotes. And how true a statement it is.
If we love our jobs or careers we will manifest change to make
productivity, for our team’s best interest. Learning to adjust to a
situation and being patient with others and especially ourselves is
a key factor to becoming a team player. Remember, Rome wasn’t
built in a day, nor was it built by one man. The more successful
members in your crew, the stronger it will be.

Local Non-Profit Announces New Business
It is no secret that local non-profit organizations are
struggling to make ends meet because of funding and budget cuts.
It seems like no matter where you turn, everyone is cutting back
financially, but Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is fighting to
support is mission with its new business venture, Certified Cleaning
Concepts.
Certified Cleaning Concepts serves a dual purpose in the
community. First, it provides high-quality commercial and indus-
trial-janitorial services to businesses and organizations in the tri-
county area. Second, the revenue from the businesses is reinvested
into Goodwill’s employment and training programs.
Being a State of Michigan-licensed proprietary school has
allowed Goodwill to train, educate, and certify men and women
who want a career in space-building maintenance. This directly
supports Goodwill’s mission to help individuals become self-sup-
porting citizens through training, work experience, and employment
in the community. The program graduates are hired to fulfill Certi-
Tamika Gardner
Public Relations Manager
Development & Public Relations
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
3111 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48208-2962
(313)964-3900 x315
IN YOUR COMMUNITY
fied Cleaning Concept’s janitorial contracts.
“More and more non-profits are establishing businesses so
they don’t have to rely so heavily on government dollars for fund-
ing,” says Program Manager Dan Williams, “When times are tough,
you really need a back-up plan, and this business will become a
security blanket to keep our training program running.”
Certified Cleaning Concepts is ready for business and
hopes to add many more businesses and organizations to it’s grow-
ing list of satisfied customers. “It is a good feeling to come into
work and know that you are making a difference in peoples’ lives,
and are helping businesses leave a lasting impression,” concludes
Williams.
Goodwill is also a tier-1 supplier to Daimler/Chrysler,
Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. It houses an industrial
plant inside its headquarters in Detroit. And provides paid work
experience for hundreds of Goodwill trainees yearly.
ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT 17
 By: Janice Booth
The first issue Administrator’s Leadership Award, and the 8(a) Graduate Firm of
of Entrepreneurs the Year Award. Kwame Jackson, first runner up in the Apprentice
of Detroit was a reality show, received an entrepreneurship award during National
hit, and responses Minority Enterprise Development (MED) week (September 7-
were great. I 10). It was for his achievements on the showwhere he competed
received phone as an executive of one of Donald Trump’s successful companies.
calls and set Jackson is a native of Washington, D.C., and holds a MBA from
appointments Harvard University. Another special award will be given to the
with Small plaintiffs in the historic Brown vs. Board of Education case.
Business own- This year’s conference will
ers to discuss feature: forums on technology, work- Top 10 Reasons To Love
how to start shops on business solutions, a panel Small Business
their own discussion on competitive advantages 10. Small businesses make
Federal Government for minority businesses, and two panels up more than 99.7% of all
departments. They were excited about, moderated by the SBA to discuss employers.
“stepping outside-the-box” of the normal business proven strategies to maximize federal 9. Small businesses create
atmosphere and looking at the possibilities of working with the procurement opportunities. Senior staff more than 50 percent of
Federal Government. Some had tried to incorporate the Federal from the Bush Administration will be the nonfarm private gross
Government into their businesses years ago, but never got past the present each morning for the Meet Domestic product (GDP)
mountains of paperwork. I informed them that times have changed, Your White House breakfast sessions. 8. Small patenting firms
and the paperwork load has improved with today’s new technol- Congratulations and good luck to the produce 13 to 14 times
ogy. One frequently asked question was, “Can you team or partner Region V winner for the top-award, Mr. more patents per employee
with other small businesses in the Federal Government Business?” Joseph Yel-Lieng Huang-- President of than large patenting firms.
The answer is, YES! The Federal Government allows teaming and American Systems Technology, Inc. 7. The 22.9 million small
partnering with other Small/Large Businesses, but you must follow located in Troy, Michigan. businesses in the United
the guidelines put in place for each opportunity. Also, I say to you, In closing, I would like to States are located in virtu-
know your team players and make sure you are all working with share with you, the U.S. Small Business ally every neighborhood.
the same values regarding handling day-to-day business; as a team, Administration-Office of Advocacy’s 6. Small businesses em-
both parties are responsible for what products and services the news release dated February 13, 2004: ploy about 50 percent of all
government receives. “Top 10 Reasons To Love Small private sector workers.
The United States Small Business Administration an- Businesses; The Heart of the American 5. Home-based businesses
nounced, June 15, 2004, that the total of Prime Contract Dollars Economy.” account for 53 percent of
awarded to Small Businesses in the 2003 fiscal year was 65.5 Bil- ••• all small businesses.
lion in Prime Contracts. This set a new record for Small Business- The Office of Advocacy, the “small 4. Small businesses make
es. It represents 23.6 percent, a percentage over the expected 23.0 business watchdog” of the government, up 97 percent of exporters
percent. To provide more information about Small Businesses and examines the role and status of small and produce 29 percent of
awarded government contracts, the SBA, in co-sponsorship with business in the economy and indepen- all export value.
Staples, has introduced an online newsletter, SBA Solutions. For a dently represents the view of small 3. Small businesses with
free subscription, go to http://web.sba.gov/list and select New SBA business to federal agencies, Congress, employee’s start-up at a
Solutions Newsletter. and the President. It is the source for rate of over 500,000 per
WASHINGTON-Ten minority-owned businesses from small business statistics presented year.
around the country received the U.S. Small Business Administra- in user-friendly formats and it funds 2. Four years after start-up
tion’s regional Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award. research into small business issues. half of all small businesses
The regional award winners have businesses that offer services For more information, visit the Office with employees remain
ranging from, environmental engineering and telecommunication of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/ open.
infrastructure to maintenance of military family housing units. One advo <http://www.sba.gov/advo>. 1. The latest figures show
of the 10 regional award winners will be honored as the National that small businesses cre-
Minority Small Business of the Year. Besides the national win- ate 75 percent of the net
ner, other awards announced during the conference were the SBA new jobs in our economy.
18 ENTREPRENEURS OF DETROIT