2018 Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

NOVEMBER 24, 2018 A publication of The Examiner

Section E

Saturday, November 24, 2018

The Examiner

@EJC_Examiner

facebook.com/examiner.net

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Season’s Greetings!

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

The best way to celebrate the Holidays is with

Nadler’s Gift Boxes Gifts for every holiday budget....

#1 - Grab Bag

9.95

$

1 – 9 oz. Original Summer Sausage 1 – Colby Jack Cheese

#2 - Party Pack

24.95

$

1 – 9 oz. Original Summer Sausage 1 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese 1 – Pkg. Keebler Crackers

#3 - Slice and Serve $ 24.95 2 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Smoked Cheddar Cheese 1 – Colby Cheese 2 – Pkg. Crackers

#4 - Summer Sausage Sampler $ 28.95 1 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Colby Jack Cheese 1 – Colby Cheese

#5 - A Bit of Everything $ 34.95 1 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 2 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese 1 – Colby Cheese

#6 - Protein Pack

34.95

$

1 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks 1 – 4 oz. Pkg. Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks

#7 - Cheese Lover

34.95

$

1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Smoked Cheddar Cheese 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese 2 – Pkg. Crackers

#10 - Office Party

#14 - The Originals #17 - Small Frozen Meat $ $ 49.95 59.95 124.95

$

1 – Large Cutting Board 1 – Small Knife 1 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pkg. Crackers

#11 - Perfect Platter $ 54.95 1 – Large Cutting Board 1 – Small Knife 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese 1 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks

#8 - Sweet & Savory $ 37.95 #12 - Deluxe Protein Pack $ 1 – 1 lb. BBQ Beef Brisket 59.95 1 – 9 oz. Original Summer Sausage 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pkg. Keebler Crackers 1 – 8 oz. Austin O Farms Honey Bear 1 – Half Pint Apple Butter

#9 - Sweet, Savory & Spicy $ 47.95 1 – 2.5 lb. Original Summer Sausage 1 – 9 oz. Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 2 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese 1 – Pkg. Keebler Crackers 1 – 8 oz. Austin O Farms Honey Bear 1 – Half Pint Apple Butter

1 – Box of Original Beef Sticks 1 – Box of Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks 1 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 1 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage

#13 - A Touch of Heat $ 59.95 2 – Boxes of Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks 2 – Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 2 – Pepper Jack Cheese

To place an order visit us at www.nadlersmeats.com or call us at (816) 240-8124 5527 MO-224, Wellington, MO 64097

2 – Boxes of Original Beef Sticks 2 – Original Summer Sausage 1 – Cheddar Summer Sausage 2 – Colby Cheese #15 - Snack Pack 2 – Boxes of Original Beef Sticks 2 – Boxes of Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks

#15 - Snack Pack

69.95

$

2 - Boxes of Original Beef Sticks 2 - Boxes of Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks

#16 - Meat Lovers Gift Basket $ 74.95 1 – 1 lb. BBQ Beef Brisket 1 – 1 lb. Cured Ham 1 – Pkg. Cured Bacon 1 – 2.5 lb. Original Summer Sausage 1 – 9 oz. Cheddar & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – 9 oz. Pepper Jack & Jalapeño Summer Sausage 1 – 5.5 oz. Pkg. Original Beef Sticks 1 – 4 oz. Pkg. Cheddar & Jalapeño Beef Snack Sticks 1 – Colby Cheese 1 – Pepper Jack Cheese

2 – 12 oz. Ribeye Steaks 5 – 1 lb. Pkg. Ground Beef 6 – 4 oz. Ground Beef Patties 1 – 2 lb. BBQ Beef Brisket 4 – 7 oz. Pork Chops 4 – 5 oz. Boneless Pork Tenderloins 2 – 1 lb. Pkg. Pork Sausage 2 – 1 lb. Cured Bacon 2 – 6 oz. Cured Boneless Ham Steaks

#18 - Large Frozen Meat $ 199.95 4 – 12 oz. Ribeye Steaks 2 – 16 oz. Sirloin Steaks 4 – 5 oz. Cube Steaks 9 – 1 lb. Pkg. Ground Beef 12 – 4 oz. Ground Beef Patties 1 – 2 lb. BBQ Beef Brisket 8 – 7 oz. Pork Chops 4 – 5 oz. Boneless Pork Tenderloins 1 – 2 lb. Pork Ribs 4 – 1 lb. Pkg. Pork Sausage 3 – 1 lb. Pkg. Cured Bacon 4 – 6 oz. Cured Boneless Ham Steaks

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

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SHOP LOCALLY this holiday season

S

hopping is a big part of the holiday season, when families and friends gather to reconnect and exchange gifts. While the popularity of shopping online has grown, such practices are not always eco-friendly or timely, as gifts bought online must be packaged and shipped, wasting valuable resources and time that last-minute shoppers may not have.

The benefits of shopping locally go beyond convenience and the chance to reduce your carbon footprint. The following are a few ways that shopping locally this holiday season can directly benefit your community and the people who call it home.

Local economy

When men and women shop locally, they are putting money back

into their local communities. Local small businesses may be owned by your neighbors, and it can be comforting to know that your holiday shopping dollars are going to support a neighbor instead of a large corporation. Local businesses also employ your neighbors, so shopping local can strengthen the local economy by creating jobs that may not exist if you and members of your community fail to support local small businesses.

Community identity

Local small businesses go a long way toward creating a neighborhood identity, and that identity can create a stronger sense of community among you and your neighbors. In addition, a unique community identity can make your town more attractive to outsiders, and that appeal can improve the

CONTACT US Phone: (816) 254-8600 ADVERTISING displayads@examiner.net

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018

Small Business Saturday is created annually

by GateHouse Media LLC, and is distributed with various newspapers across the country and by King Features. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the management of the publication.

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value of local real estate while also attracting more people to local businesses in your neighborhood.

Customer service

The accessibility of customer service is another oft-overlooked benefit of shopping locally. When buying from Uniqueness of gifts national chains, especially during the The gifts you buy when shopping holiday season when such businesses locally also can benefit your commumay be overwhelmed with orders, nity. Gifts purchased from small local making contact with customer service businesses tend to be more unique than departments can be a trying exercise in items bought from national chains, patience. Long wait times on the phone as smaller retailers tend to sell more or online can make the process of conhomemade items than their national tacting customer service extremely competitors. Recipients of such items frustrating. But such frustration is rare may find such gifts more thoughtwhen buying from local businesses, as ful than mass produced items bought consumers can simply take their prodfrom national chains, and the unique- ucts into the store, where employness of homemade gifts may encourage ees can immediately address their the gifts’ recipients to visit your com- concerns. In addition, buying locally munity and do some shopping, further makes it more convenient for friends benefitting your local economy. and family members who also live in your community to return their gifts.

IT’S THE

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CALL JENNY PALMER AT 816-350-6383 TO ADVERTISE!

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

IN IT LONG-TERM The mind-set of millennial business owners

Other findings

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

M

illennial entrepreneurs are different than any other generation, with recent studies finding them better prepared to face disaster, retirement and cybersecurity issues and more willing to take financial risks and incur debt.

It’s been 12 years since the founding of Facebook, the creation of one of the best known millennial entrepreneurs, Mark Zuckerberg. With a wealth of more than $40 billion in 2015, Zuckerberg gives the impression that entrepreneurship is the norm for the millennial generation. However, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy found that less than 2 percent of millennials reported self-employment in 2014, compared with 7.6 percent for Generation X (born 1963 to 1981) and 8.3 percent for baby boomers (born 1944 to 1962).

While their numbers may be small, millennial entrepreneurs are in a committed relationship with their businesses, according

to a new Wells Fargo study. In an online survey of 1,000 U.S. small-business owners, majorities of both millennial and older owners said they started their businesses to control their future and be their own boss, wanting greater flexibility in where, when and how they work.

“We found that millennial small-business owners have a much longer-term horizon for their businesses than many may perceive them to have,” said Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo’s head of small business. “They recognize an investment in their business is an investment in their future.”

Contrary to popular perceptions that millennials are focused on the short term and more apt to be serial entrepreneurs, the study found the generation is gearing up for the long term, seeing their business endeavors as investments in the future, with many already looking ahead to the next generations.

In fact, 80 percent of millennial small-business owners say they hope to grow their businesses over many years, potentially even passing it to their children someday, in spite of most (59 percent) not yet

“We found that millennial small-business owners have a much longer-term horizon for their businesses than many may perceive them to have. They recognize an investment in their business is an investment in their future.”

Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo

having children. By comparison, 66 percent of older small-business owners say they hope to pass down the business to their children.

While most small-business owners surveyed say they are extremely wary of taking on debt (75 percent of millennials and 78 percent of older owners), many millennials believe that business debt and financial risk are necessary for the growth of their businesses. About two-thirds of millennial owners say that some amount of business debt is necessary for growth or are willing to take financial risks in order to grow their business.

By comparison, roughly half of older owners hold these views.

• Millennials are more likely than their older counterparts to be better prepared, according to a recent Nationwide Small Business Indicator, a survey conducted by the Harris Poll.

Just more than half of millennials have a disaster recovery plan in place as opposed to 30 percent of Generation X and 29 percent of baby boomer business owners.

• The study found millennial small-business owners place more value on feeling passionate about their work, with 59 percent reporting passion as a motivation for starting their business, compared with 51 percent of older owners.

• Cybersecurity is all over the news, and 42 percent of millennial business owners said they have a plan in place, while only 12 percent of baby boomers said the same.

• Millennials are more likely than any other generation to offer a range of employee benefits such as retirement plans, medical plans, life insurance and paid leave, the survey found.

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

SHOP SMALL

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 Small Business Saturday® sits between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is dedicated to driving sales to small businesses on one of the busiest holiday shopping weekends of the year.

Support the Shop Small® movement and invest in the small businesses that help fuel our economy and community.

Customized sponsorships available NOW Promote your small business products & services to more than attendees!

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

NATIONAL

SMALL BUSINESS FREEPIK.COM

SATURDAY

Gather your team Tips to recruit top talent, efficiently

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

R

ecruiting top talent can be a challenge for small businesses with limited resources, but that’s why they should be using the latest tech tools to help them find and retain workers.

Not only do small companies have to compete with bigger businesses, the pool of potential employees is shrinking.

“The economy is strong, and job seekers are often entertaining multiple career opportunities. They want to know what’s in it for them when they’re exploring options,” said Sabrina Balmick, marketing manager at ACA Talent, a recruitment and retention company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The unemployment rate at the beginning of 2018 was the lowest since December 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Today’s job seekers are more informed than ever before,” said Scott Dobroski, community expert for job search platform Glassdoor.

Applicants are checking out potential employers to see not only what they’ll be paid but also how they’ll fit in. The top influences on whether a candidate accepts a job offer with

an organization are salary and compensation; company culture; and company reputation/employer brand, according to a Glassdoor survey.

Job sites can also help optimize recruiters’ efficiency with tools like “artificial intelligence in the form of chat bots, which allow job seekers to request information about a position and submit their contact information in just minutes,” Balmick said. “We also use auto-scheduling tools, which eliminate much of the back-and-forth between recruiters and candidates when it comes to selecting an interview time.” w Use social media to your advantage Job boards are no longer the leading way to recruit and hire workers.

“Post-and-pray is no longer effective. We live in an age of research and transparency. People want to understand the culture of a company and what the brand stands for before applying or accepting a job,” Dobroski said.

That means they’re checking out your company on social media and looking at your website for information. It could start with a Google search or “life@” plus the company name.

“If they don’t find it, that’s a red flag,” Dobroski said.

Third-party validation in the form of blogs’ question-andanswer forms can also be a valuable hiring tool, Dobroski said.

“Encourage people to share on their social media channels. Show what works well and what life’s really like at your company. Use your employees as your brand advocates,” Dobroski said. w Create a website with maximum impact “Companies should consider the audience when building a career website. … Companies should highlight why job seekers would want to work for them, whether it’s their great benefits or their culture, along with what makes the company stand out. Social proof in the form of testimonials from actual employees can be very helpful,” Balmick said.

A valuable website may showcase original photos of employees, your company’s mission, history and successes, involvement in the community, as well as how to contact the company or sign up for job opening notifications. w Make it easy Beyond all of the warm fuzzies like

a fun Twitter or Instagram account, companies should make the application process simple.

“No one needs to spend 30 minutes filling out your application — save it for the in-person interview,” Balmick said. “Instead, implement a form that collects contact information and possibly a resume, so job seekers can apply within minutes. This simple fix reduces much of the frustration job seekers feel about applying for jobs and will help increase your pipeline of applications.” w To save time and money, use video Video interviewing won’t replace face-to-face interaction, but it can be used to screen and select applicants and reduce unnecessary meetings.

“Video interviewing can be a great option if you want an in-person experience without scheduling on-site interviews. For small businesses, tools like Skype can be used during the early stages of interviewing to create a more personal feel,” Balmick said. “If a small business is hiring an individual who is relocating from another area, video interviewing may be a good first layer to save time and travel expenses.”

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

s t if G e t u n i M t s La

Nadler’s Meats n

BACKGROUND

For over 72 years Nadler’s Meats has provided products which are simply good - 100% natural beef products with no artificial coloring or flavoring. Nadler’s Meats will continue to provide high quality products using only the finest beef.

All Nadler’s products are made by owner, Glen Nadler, ensuring that only the best products make it to your family’s dinner table. n LOCATION

5527 W HWY 224 WELLINGTON, MO 64097 n CONTACT

816-240-8124 WWW.NADLERSMEATS.COM

n HOURS

MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM SATURDAY 8AM - 4PM SUNDAY - CLOSED n 2018 DEER GUN SEASON HOURS:

NOV. 10, 11, 12, 17, & 18 - 8AM TO 8PM NOV 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, & 20 - 8AM TO 7PM NOV. 22 - THANKSGIVING - CLOSED n 2018 HOLIDAY HOURS

(NOV 23 - JAN 2) M, W, F - 8AM TO 5PM TU & TH - 8AM TO 7PM SAT. - 8AM TO 4PM SUN - 10AM TO 2PM DEC. 23 – CLOSED DEC. 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE - 8AM TO NOON DEC. 25& 26 - CHRISTMAS DAY - CLOSED DEC. 27 & 28 8AM TO 5PM DEC. 29 - 8AM TO 4PM DEC. 30 - CLOSED DEC. 31 - NEW YEAR’S EVE - 8AM TO 2PM JAN. 1 - NEW YEAR’S DAY - CLOSED

Under The Awning Boutique

Michele Shanahan DeMoss President n

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BACKGROUND In Inde-

pendence, MO one gift boutique stands apart in its philosophy and mission. The shop is committed to giving back, locally and globally, and carries products which follow that idea. This unique shop supports causes and charities which inspire shoppers to turn their purchase into a solution for people and places in Independence and across the globe.

Under the Awning, named for the awning where the shop is found on Independence Square, supports a variety of causes. From whimsical hand-painted tea towels by a local artist to Candles that help feed chil-

dren, each item at Under The Awning is a reflection of the boutique’s purpose. n LOCATION

121 E. LEXINGTON AVENUE INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050 n HOLIDAY HOURS

Our unique storefront offers space to connect, be encouraged, and creates opportunities to give back.

Blu Bags • HOLSTRit Little Words Project Prayer Bowls Bridgewater Candle Company Farmhouse Fresh Project Hope Jewelry Tata Toga • Feya Candles Zoocchini • Water Wick Candles Donovan Designs Wordy Bird Dictionary & So Much More!

SUN CLOSED MON - WEDS 10 AM - 8 PM THURS 11 AM - 8 PM FRI & SAT 10 AM - 8 PM n CONTACT

(816) 866-0188 WWW.UNDERTHEAWNING.COM

121 E Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050 816-866-0188 | www.undertheawning.com

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

Metro Creative Connection

Expert advice on motivating

EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

N

o matter how likeable your employees are, all managers have to deal with poor performance at some point. Turning a lackluster employee into a star performer can be challenging.

Check out these tips on how to motivate an underperforming employee from some workplace experts: “The better you understand what motivates your employees, the easier it will be to turn them into better performers. What does your employee value most — is it money, public recognition, work-life balance? Once you have a sense of what matters most to your staff member, you can determine the right type of ‘carrot’ to dangle in front of your direct report to motivate them to improve.”

— Amanda Augustine, career advice expert for writing service TopResume

“Second, tell the employee you personally would appreciate it if the employee worked hard and came to your office each day to discuss personal problems impacting his/her life.

“The result is that you are doing a good deed by being caring, kind and encouraging, and the employee will feel enthused to help you through being more productive on the job.”

— Michael Mercer, industrial psychologist, creator of pre-employment tests and author of “Hire the Best & Avoid the Rest.”

“Ask what their aspirations are to determine what interests and excites them most, and work toward adding that into their job function as feasible. We all want to be motivated in what we are working on, and by aligning our team member’s goals to their aspirations, they will be motivated to be a higher performer.”

— Kerry Wekelo, managing director, human relations/ operations, Actualize Consulting, Reston, Virginia “First, bring the employee in your office, close the door and ask the employee what is affecting their job performance. As the employee shares their personal problems, listen 95 percent of time.

When you talk (5 percent of time) simply express empathy and personal concern. Offer specific advice. You likely are the only person to listen with empathy and not tell the employee what to do.

of “The New ROI: Return on Individuals” “The best thing a small-business owner or manager can do is talk to the employee one-on-one.

Having some one-on-one face time shows the employee you care about them. Start the conversation by asking them how things are going, both personally and professionally, and be prepared to listen. As humans, we were given two ears and one mouth, and during these conversations it’s very important for owners and managers to spend twice as much time listening than speaking.”

— Marty Imes, founder of Culture Stoke coaching and training “Find out what someone is good at and leverage it. Ask about interests, find out what they like or want to do, watch to see what they do well or where you get positive feedback on their performance, and use formal evaluation tools like StrengthsFinder.”

— Amanda Ponzar, chief marketing officer, Community Health Charities, Alexandria, Virginia

“Most important thing is to listen to them.

No one goes into work intending to have a bad day or do the worst job possible. They want to be appreciated and respected. Ask them for suggestions and follow through.”

— Dr. Gayle Carson, creator of “Living Regret Free” and author of “Big Ideas for your Business” “Seek input from poor performers. Don’t assume you know what the issues are for them that are interfering with their desire or ability to perform. Asking and seeking input are signs of respect and being valued, which can significantly alter an employee’s attitudes and commitment.”

— Jane Dutton, professor emerita of business administration and psychology, and co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business

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“When I have a poor performer, the first thing I do is ask them, ‘What’s going on?’” Then, I listen. Employees who feel their leader genuinely cares about them tend to perform better. Listening to an employee shows I care.”

— Ashley René Casey, owner, Be Bold and Speak, a communication and leadership coaching and consulting firm “Recognize each team member as a whole person.

When you are willing to give flexibility because of trying personal times, you are showing love in a practical way that endears people to you. Whole people are more than cogs in a machine, and when they feel like they are appreciated and valued as more than Employee X, they rise up to exceed expectations.”

— Sarah McMullin, marketing director of Reading Horizons, an instructional software company “Express compassion. In almost every case, poor performance is rooted in fear of uncertainty. I’m not suggesting conducting an amateur therapy session.

I am suggesting stating the obvious, such as saying, ‘This isn’t easy. I know the task can be intimidating.’”

— Aaron Schmookler, co-founder and trainer of The Yes Works, a workplace-team training company “My tip would be to never assume that you know what’s driving behavior. … Communicate. Talk to your employees and seek to help and understand. By allowing an employee some flexibility without judgment, you will get a dedicated employee who will walk through fire for you.”

— Dave Bookbinder, valuation expert and author

“Assess your employees or co-workers to learn which of these core values matter most to them: friendship, happiness, shared beliefs, family, opportunities to demonstrate worth/creativity, chance to learn and grow, involvement with the community, health, autonomy. Then see what you can do to provide or enhance at least one of them.”

— Marlene Caroselli, author, keynoter and corporate trainer, and author of “The Language of Leadership” “In order to turn a poor performer into a positive contributor, the manager must do a root/ cause analysis to determine the real issues for the poor performance. A great manager will do more than scratch the surface by calling the employee ‘lazy,’ ‘unfocused’ or ‘not driven.’ By honing in on the real problem and, if possible, offering solutions, the manager will gain an ally who is freed from worry and grateful to have a boss who cares.

Most employees would rather be contributors; however, only great managers invest the time and energy it takes in finding if the problem is due to a poor job fit, an at-home issue or a training issue.”

— Linda Murray Bullard, chief business strategist, LSMB Business Solutions, Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION A

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

mericans are born with an entrepreneurial streak, but innovation isn’t easy.

Nearly 54 million Americans are now working for themselves, according to a study commissioned by Freelancers Union and Upwork. There is always room in the market for new ideas, products, services and multimillion-dollar success stories — if one knows where to look.

In order to help aspiring entrepreneurs maximize their chances for long-term prosperity, WalletHub’s analysts compared the relative startup opportunities that exist in the 150 most populated U.S. cities using metrics ranging from five-year survival rate to office-space affordability to educational attainment of the local labor force.

The top 10 large cities to start a business are Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lincoln, Nebraska; St. Louis,

Great cities for starting a small business

Missouri; Salt Lake City, Utah; Charlotte, North Carolina; Springfield, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Amarillo, Texas.

Where to start As current self-employment figures have shown, an increasing number of Americans aim to become more economically selfreliant by working for themselves.

What tips do the experts have to offer aspiring entrepreneurs?

“People not only buy ‘what’ you do, but they also buy ‘why’ you do. Start with ‘why,’” said Scott De Rue, associate dean of executive education and professor of management at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Next, “build your founding team in ways that complement

your skill set, not duplicate it, and keep the team small. Have a bias for action and experimentation, but make a commitment to learning. It’s OK to make a mistake, just don’t make the same one twice,” DeRue said.

In an age where nearly 70 percent of people regularly shop online, according to global market research firm Mintel, things like e-commerce and a good social media presence are crucial.

“The entrepreneur should market his/her product in a manner that will outweigh the competition. One method is designing a unique website that is user-friendly and allows the potential customer to navigate the site easily,” said Dawn Mackiewicz, adjunct professor of business and management at Pine

Manor College outside Boston.

Mistakes to avoid Small-business owners also need to avoid mistakes like “thinking something is a blockbuster business because it is cool or unique. Have a business model that explains who the customers are and why they will pay you for your product or service,” DeRue said.

Two other big mistakes are not researching the market adequately and not developing a long-term plan.

“Effective planning and solid revenue forecasting is essential for business survival in a competitive business work,” Mackiewicz said.

Matching your location with your business is “quite important,” said Vinit Nijhawan, lecturer in strategy and innovation in the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. “Cities are known for certain areas of focus and as a result, both talent and funding resources are concentrated around that focus. For example, if one is starting a consumer-focused software platform, San Francisco is ideal, or if a life sciences company, Boston is ideal.”

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

All the Toys They Want to See Under the Tree!

Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce

Santa’s Secret

Lara Vermillion, President n BACKGROUND

Your Chamber is dedicated to promoting, developing, and facilitating a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper. That is our mission and why many, including myself, volunteer and stay involved.

As the business environment evolves, so must your Chamber. Technology is changing the way we do business. Our website is now responsive and has been updated with current information. We also created a color coded membership guide to easily locate Chamber programs and resources to help businesses promote, connect, and learn.

Gift Shop

The Blue Springs Chamber is an energetic, dynamic, and progressive organization that welcomes new ideas. Together we will continue to make Blue Springs the place to be!

Located inside Oak Grove 70 Truck stop!

n LOCATION

1000 W MAIN ST, BLUE SPRINGS, MO 64015 n CONTACT

(816) 229-8558 WWW.BLUESPRINGSCHAMBER.COM

Stop in for those Last Minute Gift Ideas!

Oak Grove Petro

OAKLEY SUNGLASSES

n BACKGROUND

Almost twenty years after truckstop entrepreneur Bill Moon began operating Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa; he decided to launch a business venture in his home state of Missouri and purchased what was then called the Oak Grove Truckstop in 1982. The truckstop consisted of a moderate store, restaurant, diesel fuel pumps and two-bay repair shop. In 1997, Oak Grove 70 Truckstop was literally torn down and rebuilt from the ground up. A $10 million investment in the property resulted in a new restaurant, store main building, shop and fuel center. Wendy’s and Dairy Queen also opened on site in the new food court.

Oak Grove 70 Truckstop became a Petro Stopping Centers franchisee in 2001, opening the door to more trucking fleet contacts.

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TY BEANIE • NFL PRODUCTS LAZY ONE PJ’S HUNTERS RESERVE JERKY n WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

LARGE SECTION OF DINING EXPERIENCES, SHOPPING, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, STATE OF THE ART TRUCK WASH, CLEAN SHOWERS n

LOCATION

301 SW 1ST STI-70, EXIT 28 OAK GROVE, MO 64075 n

CONTACT

OPEN 24/7 816-690-4455 www.oakgrovepetro.com

GNC PRODUCTS SIRIUS XM BLACK FRIDAY DVD’S

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THESE DEALS!!!

301 SW 1st St, Oak Grove, MO 64075 (816) 690-4455 | www. oakgrovepetro.com

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

NATIONAL

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

About the week The U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week is April 29 to May 5.

According to SBA.gov, “Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

“More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.”

Lock it down New tech for business security, safety

FREEPIK.COM

The week is a celebration of small businesses, including awards and educational events held across the country and live-streamed at sba.gov/ nsbw.

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

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By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

The coolest gadgets aren’t only fun to use, they can help your business become more productive. Some tech tools make business more efficient, while others bring connectivity and the internet of things to the office. Check these smart tools out:

InstantCard

WattUp

$7.25 per card Instantcard.net InstantCard is a fast way to order photo ID cards for your employees online. You can use your own design or have InstantCard create your card for free. Just fill in the details for each employee and upload their photos. InstantCard will ship the cards the same day. No minimum quantity — you can even order a single card. Options such as holography are available for an extra charge.

Prices coming soon energous.com In 2018 WattUp is expected to deliver over-the-air charging, enabling users to power up phones, tablets, fitness bands and other devices within a 15-foot range of a transmitter. It works with a radio frequency system, similar to Wi-Fi. A WattUp receiver in each device converts the signal into battery power, and the system is customizable. It can prioritize devices that have the lowest battery power or let all devices sip power equally through the day.

Tile Sport $35 thetileapp.com If you don’t want your company’s property like laptops or phones to go missing, attach a Bluetooth tracker.

Powerful and durable, the Tile Sport has a range of 200 feet, a big crowd-finding network and a loud alarm. A proximity meter lets you know when you’re getting closer to your lost item, and it’s protected from spills, puddles and submersion up to 5 feet for 30 minutes.

Kwikset Kevo $179.99 amazon.com Security is crucial for small businesses, and today’s forward-thinking business owners are embracing new security methods like smart locks. The Kwikset Kevo is a Bluetooth-enabled, touch-sensitive deadbolt lock that can be opened with a fob, smartphone or even Amazon Echo voice commands if paired with KevoPlus hub ($99). It tracks exactly who is locking and unlocking the door. Users can send keys to others via an app, allowing access to co-workers, and unlock the door from a phone for guests or deliveries.

LastPass $2.50 a month for teams of 50 and under lastpass.com Small businesses are big targets for hackers, and weak passwords are like welcome signs for those bad guys. A password manager like LastPass remembers all your passwords so your employees don’t have to. The built-in password generator creates long, randomized passwords, stores digital records and shares information only with people who are supposed to have it. Employees get their own vaults to store app and website logins and easily access passwords across different computers, smartphones and tablets.

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

Blue Ridge Bank WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

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Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. has been operating in Eastern Jackson County since 1958, helping its community grow and helping local families achieve their financial goals.

We do this by offering financial products and services that help our customers succeed. We believe in investing in the areas we serve and support local businesses. As a community bank, decisions are made locally and with real people in mind. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

n LOCATION

BLUE RIDGE BANK PROUDLY SERVES THE COMMUNITIES OF BLUE SPRINGS, INDEPENDENCE, LEE’S SUMMIT, RAYTOWN, AND KANSAS CITY. n HOURS

MONDAY – FRIDAY 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. SATURDAY HOURS VARY BY LOCATION. PLEASE VISIT BLUERIDGEBANK.COM/LOCATIONS.HTM FOR MORE INFORMATION. n CONTACT

(816) 358-5000 WWW.BLUERIDGEBANK.COM VISIT A BRANCH TODAY!

l a c o L

k n a B

The Annual Women of Distinction Awards Banquet began in 2016 to celebrate the important role of women and their contributions to the communities throughout Jackson County.

Annually, we celebrate 20 of the most distinctive women representing business, government, education, community and not-for-profit areas. These amazing women will be recognized at the March 21, 2019 awards ceremony with detailed biographies featured in the annual Women of Distinction publication, published by The Examiner.

Since 1958

Nominations Open December 1, 2018 Go to www.examiner.net to submit your nomination!

Sponsored by:

www.speakschapel.com

Member

FDIC

BlueRidgeBank.com 816-358-5000

FOR MORE INFORMATION or tickets, call 816-350-6339

Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

Independence Chamber of Commerce n BACKGROUND The Independence Chamber of Commerce has been serving local businesses since 1920. Our goal is to help increase the profitability of local businesses, support workforce development, and improve the prosperity of Independence. We are a membership organization that consists of small and large businesses who are committed to making a difference in the Independence community. We always welcome new members and are eager to assist them in expanding their leadership and vision. We take interest in our community very seriously and are proud of the partnerships that have been built with our members in providing job

opportunities, arts, culture, and other initiatives that help Independence continue to thrive. n LOCATION

210 W TRUMAN RD INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050 n HOURS

MON - FRI 8:30 AM - 5 PM n CONTACT

(816) 252-4745

NOV. 22 -- DEC. 31

Downtown Dazzle BACKGROUND Downtown Dazzle is an annual experience of festivities and fun connecting attendees to Kansas City’s downtown neighborhoods during the holiday season, November 22 through December 31. Hop on the free KC Streetcar to connect to downtown’s holiday events and happenings. From Crown Center and Union Station to the Crossroads and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to the Power & Light District and City Market – visit the mobile-friendly KC Streetcar site at KCStreetcar.org and jump to the Streetcar Tracker for real-time location of the Streetcars. Downtown Dazzle is majorly funded by the city of Kansas City, Missouri’s Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund.

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Downtown Dazzle’s signature and free-to-the-public event, the Urban Homes Tour, is on Saturday, December 8. Explore numerous downtown residential properties and experience what it’s like to live like a downtowner! n LOCATION

VISIT KC VISITOR CENTER 1321 BALTIMORE AVE. KANSAS CITY, MO 64105 n CONTACT

WWW.DAZZLEKC.COM

Build memories for a lifetime during Downtown Kansas City’s all-encompassing holiday experience, a tradition five years running that features five festive neighborhoods and something for everyone, including tours of trendy, urban homes, exclusive shopping offers with the Dazzling Deals booklet and other seasonal sights and sounds full of winter cheer.

DazzleKC.com • #DazzleKC

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Small Business Saturday - Saturday, November 24, 2018

Presented by:

SATURDAY JANUARY 19TH, 2019 HILTON GARDEN INN Guest Speaker

FRANK

The only American NOT on the planet when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred.

Sponsorships Available For more information or to purchase tickets contact the Independence Chamber of Commerce (816) 252-4745 www.iChamber.biz

CULBERTSON