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April, 2010

Moth Attack - Putting the Idea Cafe grant win to work!

Submitted by Megan Dean on Fri, 04/23/2010 - 11:59
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Hello, Idea Cafe! First off, a big thank you to the folks here at Idea Cafe for giving me and other small business owners opportunities like this grant. I know how competitive grants are through my non-profit experience, so I'm thrilled to be on the receiving end of a grant with so many deserving applicants. I found Idea Cafe because of the grant and stayed for the advice they offer those of us still figuring this out. Building bicycles is the easy part for me. Learning how to run a business was a huge challenge for me, and I learn something new about it and myself everyday.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Ink For Think

Submitted by Elena on Fri, 04/23/2010 - 15:07
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Ink For Think is a progressive new personal service providing handwriting analysis at the touch of a button. This exclusive service offers solutions to questions of character and provides access to a private Handwriting Analyst. This is a first-of-it's-kind business that is supplying a valuable service that was previously unavailable. No other handwriting analysis company offers this simple, quick, and efficient form of service.

Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Makeva Harold Foundation

Submitted by Elena on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 10:52
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Makeva Harold Foundation is a non-profit organization seeks to broaden the horizons of youth and adults at risk or in crisis through individualized need assessments, providing education, employment, therapeutic, and housing services intended for the development of independent, productive and successful members of the community.

Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Twin Cities Cheap

Submitted by Elena on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 10:59
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Twin Cities Cheap was developed in an effort to truly benefit both the consumers and the small to medium sized businesses of Minnesota. We have designed a unique marketing platform (patent pending) to generate competition needed for both parties to take full advantage of proposed discounts any one company can offer. We at TwinCitiesCheap.com are dedicated to help the people and business owners of Minnesota get together in a free market environment and plan to continue creating marketing and consuming opportunities for all.

Five Crucial Things You Must Do To Build Your Business With Social Networking

Submitted by Bonnie Jo Davis on Mon, 04/26/2010 - 13:11
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The age of social networking is more than upon us-it is becoming INGRAINED in us. Many of us are so addicted that we can hardly get out of bed before we begin checking to see status updates on Facebook and Twitter. Reconnecting with old friends and staying in touch with current ones are great reasons to use social networks-but what about using them to market your business?

The fact is, those same networks that you are using to share pictures and reminisce about old times can be great sources of income for your business. In addition, there are plenty of social networks out there that are made specifically for doing just that.

Cheap Alternatives to After-Hours Support

Submitted by David Liu on Tue, 04/27/2010 - 10:05
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If you need a way to engage your target market, think about upping the level of commitment your customer care department offers to your consumers. Are you a 9-5 office, with no after hour care? Or are you a service business that has trouble keeping up with incoming calls throughout the week because of staff issues?

Looking at Factoring in a Whole New Light

Submitted by Tracy Eden on Thu, 04/29/2010 - 11:09
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In the post-financial-crisis world in which we now live, most business owners and entrepreneurs view commercial financing in a completely different light than they did before. With traditional bank loans getting harder to obtain, many owners have had to look “outside the box” for the capital they need to sustain and grow their firms.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Heart 2 Heart Ranch

Submitted by Elena on Thu, 04/29/2010 - 12:15
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Heart 2 Heart Ranch provides riding experiences for youth and adults with disabilities. Lessons are also available for their siblings. The Old Wild West lives again where persons with disabilities experience first hand the world of cowboys and cowgirls. Riders come to the ranch as inexperienced Cowpokes and leave as happy Buckaroos.

10 Easy Ways to Increase Sales

Submitted by Terri Seymour on Fri, 04/30/2010 - 15:35
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One of the most common questions asked by internet business owners is “How can I increase sales?” Many articles, ebooks and reports have been written on this subject and trying to absorb that information just tends to make us more confused than ever! Below are some easy, innovative ideas to increase sales that anybody can implement into their online marketing strategies.