Free Birds United

Last week, the flock hosted its first guest speaker who generously and enthusiastically shared her story of redirection and re-education.  After a career and a masters degree in the unrelated field of publication design, this chick changed course and is now pursuing a Doctorate of Natural Health. For her, it just seemed the natural thing to do.

For the rest of us, who are just trying to keep pace with technological advances within our industries, the need for continuing education is clear.  In the words of my late mother:  “What are you a dummy?  You don’t want to learn?”  Take a class, call a friend, google a question to the virtual universe….the information you need is out there.

I have become a huge fan and ardent student of the on-line instructional series lynda.com. For a monthly ($25) or yearly ($250) subscription fee, one can access about a trillion different self-paced software training tutorials as well as a selection of FREE courses.

I have been enlightened (or simply acquainted) with topics ranging from:

HTML CODING ESSENTIALS to

CREATING MAIL LISTS & LABELS IN MICROSOFT WORD to

EXPORTING EXCEL CHARTS TO INDESIGN to

PORTRAIT RETOUCHING TECHNIQUES IN PHOTOSHOP.

This distance learning system works for me.  I can start and stop, go back, take notes, go back, go back, go back til I get it.

The founder of lynda.com, Lynda Weinman, is also an inspiring example of a successful free bird who continues to soar to new heights. Here’s her common-sense advice to the aspiring entrepreneur:

“Stick to your core competencies – don’t just start a business to make money or leave a job you don’t like. Find your passion. Follow it, and the universe will open!”

Check out this short interview with Lynda Weinman on WomenandBiz.com, an e-Magazine dedicated to the woman-owned business.

To see Lynda live, check out this video of Lynda Weinman:  The lynda.com Story on lynda.com. And for all you birds trying to make ends meet, this video lesson is FREE.

My recent trek to central Mexico and the monarch butterfly’s winter roosting/migration grounds was simply magical.  Virtual snowstorms of hundreds of millions fluttering jewels.

What these amazing little creatures endure to travel to their ancestral home is nothing short of miraculous.  Especially given the fact that they had never set a single delicate leg in Central America prior to their landing.  You just have to admire that fierce drive and determination.

Even without this migration miracle, the monarch’s life cycle is awe-inspiring.  From its initial stage as an eating-machine caterpillar to the strangely beautiful chrysalis, the monarch emerges as nature’s iconic beauty.

The concept of metamorphosis, the act of transforming oneself into something new, came up at the last meeting of the Free Birds.  Armed with enthusiasm and a marketing plan, one member of our flock shared her vision of a totally new career for herself that would take her from the confines of her office and out into the street.  Another chick is considering repackaging her experience and knowledge into a new identity and business model.  What is old is new again.

In both cases, the need for market research, competitive analysis and planning is mandatory when contemplating a career shift; some deep soul-searching won’t hurt either.  The Small Business Administration website offers some tools for new business ventures, especially their Write a Business Plan outline complete with sample business plans.  And the site even has a section called Getting Out should your venture go south with the monarchs.

Happy New Year, now back to business.

At the last productive meeting of the Free Birds, we reviewed the flock’s assorted biographies and résumés.  This is what we liked:

• Testimonials

• Indentations, bullets and clean organization

• Brevity

• Third-person narrative rather than first-person voice

• Chronological ordering starting with most recent entries

• White space

Of course, unique paper stocks, distinctive imagery and beautiful typography and graphic design were also appreciated.  Like a crow with a shiny object, we creative birds may have been caught up in the pretty things a bit.  But each of us left with a specific to-do list for improving the content of her résumé.

Some references to consider that I borrowed from the local library, yes, LIBRARY:

“Perfect Phrases for Résumés” by Michael Betrus – came in handy when I ran out of ways to say “Experienced”.   Some favorites:

•  Instrumental in….

•  Extensive involvement in….

•  Personally responsible for….

•  Consistently….

•  Expert in developing…..

“101 Great Résumés” by Ron Fry -  As a graphic designer, visual organization is second-nature to me, so it was interesting to see the array of organizational approaches and visual styles that the birds presented at our meeting.  This book lists 19 tips to a “great looking résumé” including:

1.  Limit your résumé to one or two pages.

7.  Don’t mix typefaces.

11.  Use generous margins.

18.  Shorten your line length.

As with everything, there are no absolutes and a grain of salt may be taken with any of these “perfect tips”.

So the one thing that I took away from the Contractor’s Job Fair (besides a canvas bag) was that in today’s economy, one needs to distinguish herself from the rest of the flock.  It’s that simple.

The challenge, especially among many free birds, is to get over the idea that we are bragging about ourselves or that we are unworthy of unabashed praise.   While many of us dedicate our work day to promoting stuff, organizations and other people, we find it uncomfortable to sing our own songs.  On key.

With that in mind, the latest homework assignment of the Free Birds United group is to write/rewrite/update and then share our bios (or résumés) with the rest of the flock.  Call it a hunch, but I have the feeling the birds will encourage each other to crow a bit more loudly.

Here’s a resource I came across recently that may help get you started: CeeVee.  This free, online résumé management service creates tidy resumes for web or print.  Of course, you’re still going to have to fill in the blanks.

Government Procurement Fair - October 20th

* BRAC = Base Realignment and Closure = $

CONNECT WITH PRIME CONTRACTORS TO PROCURE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

On October 20th (my 2nd wedding anniversary, btw) I may be flying down the beltway to check out the Annual Baltimore/Washington Region Government Procurement Fair.

Looks like the perfect environment to flaunt my new Woman Business Owner certification.

Sponsored by the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC), this event offers:

•   One-on-one counseling sessions

•   Exhibits & Sponsors (including such big acronyms as IBM, EPA, NASA,  MVA, U of MD, etc)

•    Presentations on connecting with the Fed Government, State of MD and Prime Contractors

Unfortunately, according to  BWCC, the Pre-Procurement Fair Workshop scheduled for October 7th has been sold out, but there is a wait-list:  www.bwcc.org

Lessons in social media from the Gray Bird

This past Wednesday, the Free Birds were enlightened on the finer (and general informational) points of social media courtesy of our very own Gray Bird, Renée Lemley. Renée’s imaginative and informative power point presentation was a tour de force and elicited thoughtful questions from the other birds.

ALL the birds flew away with the motivation and resolve to take control of their social presence as it relates to their business/identity through various social media applications.

Some next steps for the flock – aka Renée’s Homework Assignment:

1.  GOOGLE your name and your business to access your online presence.

2.  Setup Google Alerts on Your Name & Relevant Business Keywords.  Receive email updates when someone googles you OR be updated on topics of interest to you.

3.  For those birds still in the shell, setup your LINKED-IN account.

4.  For those with websites, review your site KEYWORDS.  Open your site and check the Source Code/View Code in the browser.  Descriptive?  Geographic?  Correct?  You may need a tune-up on your website.

5. Subscribe to GrayMatter Minute, and follow Renée’s blog for more on social media…it’ll be “time well spent”.

Official NWBOC seal of certification.

for certification as a WBE by The National Women Business Owners Corporation.

I received the official certification that WalkeWorks LLC successfully met the requirements and is a woman-owned and woman-controlled business.  Besides a frame-ready certificate decorated with an embossed gold seal, the packet of information also contained a list of public sector websites, tips for selling to Corporate America, a marketing pamphlet from the GSA Office Enterprise Development and a partial list of government agencies and organizations accepting WBE certification.

While I can’t imagine that the City of Grand Rapids, Lansing Board of Water & Light or the State of Missouri will be requiring my services, perhaps some of the foodservice and financial companies might need some new branding and marketing.

Looks like I have some research to do now that I’m officially a woman.

I received a voice mail message from a representative of the National Women Business Owners Corporation asking to schedule a site visit.  The purpose of the visit is to verify that I am indeed a woman, and that I am running a business out of my residence.

I speak with Ms L (full-time employee of Downtown Baltimore Partnership) and we schedule a visit for later in the week.   She assures me that there will not be a physical exam.  WBOC humor!  Apparently, there are some unscrupulous, wanna-be women out there who are only fronting businesses for their male buddies to win lucrative contracts.  Can you imagine???

This visit gives me the opportunity to tidy up and vacuum the fluffs of cat hair on the stairs leading to the WalkeWorks War Room.

Ms L’s visit only lasts 1/2 hour.  She checks out my spacious office and we retire to the kitchen table for some additional questions.  She is simply verifying my answers on the application.  The most challenging request is to describe a typical day.  I left out the Facebook lurking.

I’m told that my application is 80% complete at this stage and that she gives her official blessing that I am a woman.  Hear me roar.

I received official notice from NATIONAL WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS CORPORATION that my application for certification of a WOMAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE has been received and forwarded to the “appropriate certification committee.”

To follow is a list of documents required for the application.  As an LLC, my list of  documents differed from that required for a sole proprietor or for an S-corp.  There is also a seven-page form to complete for general info, history, external relationships, legal structure, etc.

1.  Credit authorization and signature authority (had to ask my bank for this)

2.  Current financial institution statements for all deposit accounts and loans (2009 files)

3.  Signature cards authenticated by financial institutions (back to the bank)

4.  Birth certificate (couldn’t find = $12 to city of Baltimore via mail)

5. Driver’s licenses or other legal photo identification of all women owners (scanned)

6.  Financial statement, including balance sheet and profit and loss statement, for current period … and for three immediately preceding fiscal years.  (thanks to QuickBooks and my Federal tax returns 2008, 2007, 2006)

7.  Statement of Information (showing officers and directors of corporation, managers or members of LLC, or general partners) filed with the Secretary of State (included a note)

8.  Tax returns for the three previous fiscal years (Federal tax forms including schedules)

9.  LLC Operating Agreement/Management Agreement (included a note since it’s just me)

10. LLC Articles of Organization (back to my files from 2001)

11.  Authority to conduct business in state of operation and certificate of good standing (I incorrectly thought a tax return would suffice)

12.  Documentation (e.g., canceled checks, bank deposit slips, promissory notes, purchase agreements, wills, gift notes, judgments, settlement agreements) of how Applicant is capitalized (this was tough….but I dug up my very first checking account statement)

13.  Resumes of all owners, directors, partners, officers and other key personnel

14.  IRS Form SS-4 application and IRS letter providing Employer’s taxpayer identification number (back to my files from 2001)

15.  Lease/rental agreement for business site(s)/office(s) (I pulled my 2008 Tax form 8829 – use of residence for business)

Since I am the only member of WalkeWorks LLC, I did not have to supply records regarding management services, sharing agreements, proxies, voting trust agreements, etc.

In spite of my most diligent efforts to follow directions, I was contacted via email to provide some additional items including an official Status of Good Standing from the State of Maryland and proof of a business license.

Fortunately, I am up-to-date on my Maryland taxes (including sales, personal property and income tax) and my status was “Active” on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website/Taxpayer Services Division.  I had wrongly assumed that proof of WalkeWorks LLC’s “good standing” would be demonstrated in my assorted tax returns.

I was nervous about the “license” request and went to the Comptroller of Maryland site and researched State Business Licenses.

Had I been operating illegally for the past 8 years? Luckily for me, graphic designers, advertisers, creative directors or whatever else I can call myself do not require a license.  However, if I was a HAWKER or PEDDLER or owned a JUKEBOX, I would have had to fork over between $15 and $800 for a license.

So I forwarded screen shots of both the WalkeWorks LLC Active Good Standing Status and the FAQ page of the Maryland State Business Licenses.  Within 3 days I received my letter of application receipt.

Now I wait for 90 days for review/approval.

Did I mention that there a sight visit might be part of the certification process?

Good opportunity to clean up the office.

Why, are you?

I recently began the task of applying for “Woman Business Enterprise” (WBE) certification through the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC).  According to the NWBOC website, certification is an important business development strategy for two reasons:

“First, most local and national government purchasing agencies track and/or have programs for doing business with women business owners. Having WBE Certification is the only way the purchasing agents have confidence that a business representing itself as woman-owned is in fact woman-owned.

Second, in a similar manner many publicly-held corporations, as well as larger private corporations, also track and have programs for doing business with women-owned vendor companies. They, too, rely on WBE Certification.”

Years ago, (actually six years ago – 2003) my largest, most profitable client asked that I be certified as a woman-owned business as part of their mandated Supplier Diversity Program.  Before I could accumulate the required documents, tax returns, bank statements and financial records and write the $250 application fee check, another company had swooped in and acquired my client leaving me and my business in the dust.  Needless to say, I did not complete the certification process.

In hindsight, certification was probably the exact thing that I needed at the time to pursue new business opportunities.

Fast forward to 2009.  I’m going through the process again hoping to expand my market and see if I can mine some of those stimulus packages and government projects. Pulling tax records is a little easier now because I can access electronic files.  My Quickbooks can spit out a current profit and loss statement with a keystroke.  But did I mention the certification has a non-refundable $350 application fee?

I’ve sent in my application in a notebook binder complete with tabbed dividers per the instructions.  My Social Security number graces every page.  Now, I’m nervously waiting for notice of receipt and that I’ve compiled and organized my codex correctly.

I’d hate to be denied for incompleteness.  Did I mention the certification has a non-refundable $350 application fee?