Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation (VHCDC)

Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation (VHCDC), a U.S. Treasury Department certified Community Development Entity (CDE), announced today it has entered into a referral agreement for small business accounting, insurance, and tax services with Richmond, Virginia based Anchor Accounting Services, LLC (AAS).

Under the terms, VHCDC’s existing and new clients can take advantage of a range of financial services, including accounting, bookkeeping, business liability and workmen’s comp insurance, payroll, and tax services. These same clients will also have access to health insurance, individual life and disability insurance, retirement planning, estate preservation, key position insurance, wealth management, charitable giving strategies, individual tax preparation, and auto, home, renters, recreational vehicle, and umbrella insurance. Further, this alliance extends VHCDC’s effective coverage and range of assistance to small business owners within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“This agreement is a win-win-win for VHCDC, AAS, and, most important, our clients. With AAS and its team of accountants, financial advisors and tax specialists, and its ability to service clients throughout the state, we now have the resources and additional expertise to serve a growing small business population in Virginia. We’re very excited about this alliance and look forward to helping even more of Virginia’s small businesses owners”, said James R Taylor, President of Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation.

New clients can access these services and obtain a free, no obligation consultation simply by submitting the VHCDC Client Intake Form available at < www.vhcdc.org/sbas > or by contacting Ms. Dasherra Walton, Community Outreach and Programs Manager at (866) 931-5760 ext 116.

RVA's Premier Networking Event!

RVA Link Up Expo

New Minority Biz Funding Program Approved

Fund My Business Inc., a nationwide SBA loan packaging and consulting firm, announced today a new outreach program to help minority owned business in the black and brown communities receive new funding from the $30 billion SBA loan guarantee program.

Effective January 1st, 2014 the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) approved new guidelines and qualifying requirements that make it easier to qualify and more businesses are eligible.

About the Small Business Administration

A small business is now defined as earning less than $5 million per year of net income and owning less than $15 million in net assets. Under these new alternative size standards financing is available from $50,000 up to $14 million. The funds can be used for working capital, equipment, inventory ,debt restructure marketing, payroll, building purchases with as little as 10% down payment, for franchises and new start ups.

For loan requests from $50,000 up to $350,000 the Small Loan Advantage loan is available and offers a streamlined application process and faster approvals. More information can be found on their website at FundMyBusiness.biz . A program unique to black owned veterinarians, dentist and medical practices is a 100% financing program that allows you to buy your own building or a practice with zero down payment up to $5 million.

About Fund My Business Inc.

Fund My Business Inc. is a California corporation and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. They are state approved SBA finance instructors and have access to SBA preferred lending providers that can provide funding to businesses in all 50 states and the territories. It does not matter where your business is located or where you bank. The SBA is a federal program and is the same in all 50 states. Howard Eley (pictured above) is a national recruiter for the company.

For more information, please visit www.fundmybusiness.biz/heley

FREE Business Webinar: Entrepreneurial Taxation 101

Thursday, April 10, 2014 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time (Add to Calendar)

Please click here to register and receive your login instructions

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http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EA52DF81834B3E

Business Uncorked

Uncork your potential and connect with members of area Chambers of Commerce and peer business organizations at this casual event in beautiful Hanover County. The agenda is simple: enjoy local wine and make new relationships. Your registration includes one FREE drink ticket and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM James River Cellars Winery 11008 Washington Highway Glen Allen, VA 23059 Click here to learn more and Register.

How to Reimagine Your Business and Reach Your Full Potential

Live Webinar

There is a myth – we call it the entrepreneurial myth or "EMyth" – that says just because someone starts a business they are an entrepreneur and have the knowledge and know-how to bring a product or service to the marketplace and create a company to support it.

The truth is many business owners start with a passion to work for themselves. It isn't until they begin to juggle all of the operational "hats" to keep the business they realize they don't know what they don’t know.

Let's face it. There's a lot to know about building and running a successful business.

That's why EMyth exists. From the beginning we've made it our business to understand why so many businesses fail to live up to their potential or fail outright. From that understanding we developed the most comprehensive and pragmatic business development program based on our unique philosophy. From start-ups entering the marketplace to more mature enterprises needing to reinvent themselves, the EMyth approach works.

Click to register and learn "How to Reimagine Your Busiiness and Reach Your Full Potential

How to Reimagine Your Business and Reach Your Full Potential 

Wednesday, September 11th 12 pm ET/ 9 am PT

Presented by: Neil Christiansen, CEO of Capital Financial Network and CEO of Evolve Coaching Group

2013 Training Conference & Trade Show

The Department of Enterprise Services
2013 Training Conference & Trade Show

Vendor registration for the trade show is open, and space is selling quickly.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to meet face to face with over 600 public purchasing managers, supply officers, public works contracting officers, facility managers, fleet managers and fiscal officers from state agencies, city and county governments, school districts, higher education institutions and other political subdivisions.

Click here to learn more

Boom or Bust Part 2: Racing to the Finish of FY13

Don't miss this interactive panel discussion about what small businesses can be doing to win government work in these last few months of FY13.

Panelists will include representatives from SBA and GSA, and several small business leaders in government contracting.

The event will be held in the Tower Club at Tyson's Corner, VA on Friday, June 28th from 7:30-9:30am

RSVP HERE 

WMADO Small Business Winners

LS Technologies Wins 2013 Business of the Year

Each year since 1963, the President of the United States has designated a week as National Small Business Week in recognition of the small business community’s contributions to the American economy and society.

In partnership with public- and private-sector small business supporters, the U.S. Small Business Administration sponsors special activities honoring the nation’s entrepreneurs at the local, state and national levels.

The presentation of prestigious awards highlights Small Business Week activities. At the district, state and national levels, these awards spotlight the outstanding contributions of small business persons, champions, exporters and young entrepreneurs, as well as those who have developed their small businesses into large ones. At the regional and national levels, awards will highlight the contributions of outstanding small businesses, prime contractors and subcontractors for the federal government.

The Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Congratulates the District’s 2013 Small Business Week Special Award Recipients:

• Tom J. Loftus
• President and CEO
• LS Technologies, LLC

2013 Small Business of the Year

After a distinguished 23-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration, Tom J. Loftus founded LS Technologies, LLC in October 2000. The company graduated from the Small Business 8(a) program in July 2012.

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom’s vision of engineering and telecommunications support to government markets gradually expanded to include acquisition support, program management, business and financial support, multi-tiered help desk, secure communications and emergency operations, enterprise strategy and solutions, operations and network control center, and information security support.

Tom’s business model is built on a true trust-based relationship with his customers. The company stepped in when the Private Branch Exchange at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Ogden Service Center failed and their contractor gave one day’s notice that they were going out of business jeopardizing their work. IRS had to find another qualified 8(a) firm quickly. LS Technologies met that requirement and had the personnel with the right skills. Most importantly, they understood the urgency for continuity of service to the American taxpayer.

“LS Technologies had a very successful experience as a U.S. Small Business Administration certified 8(a) business. With SBA’s help, LS Tech was able to grow a small business focused on engineering and telecommunications into a multi-faceted business that created more than 200 jobs” said Antonio Doss, District Director (Acting) Washington Metropolitan Area District Office. The 8(a) Business Development program is a nine-year program established to assist eligible socially and economically disadvantaged individuals develop and grow their businesses.

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• Vinson Xavier Palathingal
• President and CEO
• Amsco Global

2013 Small Business Exporter of the Year Award

Based in Tysons Corner, Va., and a leading exporter of American brands to the Middle East, Amsco represents over 1,000 U.S. manufacturers, offering Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing products, Engineering equipment, Spare parts, Building materials as well as Oil & Gas industrial products.

Middle Eastern clients, who were mostly disappointed with their prior U.S. buying experience due to lack of flexibility on the American side, love Amsco’s custom tailored account management approach. Customers wanted to work with an American company who understood their specific needs and industries according to their preferences including their business schedule and language. Using an SBA loan to start the business, Amsco met such needs often exceeding their client expectations. During his business trips to the Middle East, Vinson Xavier Palathingal sold the idea that “at Amsco, our clients can find the most responsive U.S. trading partner ever” and apparently that message combined with matching performance is producing results.

Amsco’s business is 100 percent export that grew from $500,000 in sales to $4 million in 2 years, with a goal to reach $10 million dollars by the end of 2013.

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• Founder and President
• Sudhir Arora, M.D.
• The Arora Group, Inc.
• 8(a) Graduate of the Year

Nearly a quarter century ago, Dr. Sudhir Arora founded the Arora Group, Inc., a medical staffing company that provides long-term healthcare staffing services. His business has grown from a kitchen-table operation to the thriving minority-owned small business that Healthcare Executive Exchange magazine labeled “one of the nation's premiere professional healthcare service providers for the U.S. government.”

The firm serves the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy as well as the Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce from its headquarters in Gaithersburg, Md. Through partnerships and ventures, the firm has created nearly 2,800 jobs in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Arora found his niche while working with the military. “As a practicing physician, I began wondering about the effect of HMOs and Health Insurance companies at a time when the public was losing confidence in organized medicine. Within the military, there are no external pressures from insurance companies and the like. At times we have had our hands so full that we’ve subcontracted part of our business to meet the demand for our services.”

Dr. Arora credits the SBA’s advice and oversight during the company’s early years with helping it avoid unnecessary risks, especially when deciphering the sometimes-arcane rules governing a highly regulated industry.  He especially cites the Advanced 8(a) Academy training held at Howard University Business School as instrumental in building a strong foundation in business development that proved critical for competing, growing, and thriving in the dynamic federal contracting arena.

Because a company’s record of past performance is perhaps the weightiest factor the government considers in healthcare staffing procurement, companies must exercise great care to maintain positive performance records.  Here, too, Dr. Arora believes that SBA training showed the Arora Group how to avoid common mistakes that could have devastated his small business.

By the time the Arora Group was preparing to graduate from the 8(a) Program in 2003, the company had a foothold across the country and already had begun mentoring another 8(a) company.