Congratulations to the First Annual Fuse Business Innovation Award Winners
The South Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), celebrating its 20th Anniversary, and inVenture, Bloomington’s technology business incubator, spotlighted innovation, creativity, energy, and growth at the first annual Fuse Business Innovation Awards Luncheon. Area leaders gathered to recognize entrepreneurs who are doing things differently and making an impact on the community.

Bloomington Ranked on List of Best Places For Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur magazine and the National Policy Research Council have named Bloomington as the 36th hottest small city for entrepreneurs in the United States.

To create the list, an "entrepreneurial activity index" was used to measure the best places to start and grow a company. The index consisted of two key measures of entrepreneurship: business formation and business growth. The two measures were combined to calculate an overall entrepreneurial rank of best places to start and grow a business.

South Central Indiana's area economy is made up of many unique small businesses which often are overlooked. Each month learn about a local small business that you might have not known about!

Crawlspace Doctor, Inc.
Crawlspace Doctor, Inc. was established by Tom Saucier in 2002. Tom has been a member of the Bloomington/Southern Indiana community for 16 years. The first 13 years he was employed in the Pest/Termite Control Industry. During this time, Tom noticed that the crawlspace is the most neglected area of the house until a major problem occurs that warrants attention.

When friends and family came to Tom for advice regarding their concerns in their own crawlspace, he was unable to recommend someone that could successfully address all issues for total crawlspace good health. He began to envision methods and systems that should be put in place to control all conditions affecting crawlspace good health i.e., mold growth, cold floors, water problems, humidity, debris removal and vapor barrier. After extensive research and advice from professionals such as Home Inspectors, Builders, Plumbers, Heating and Cooling Contractors and various web sites; Tom realized that the current methods and thoughts for controlling issues in the crawlspace had to be revised. Tom applied his past experiences and new knowledge to concerns his friends and family had in their crawlspaces. The results were so dramatic and the need for this type of service was so apparent, that he founded Crawlspace Doctor Inc. To learn more, visit the Crawlspace Doctor website.

Tips on Budgeting
1. Think of a budget as a useful tool—a written financial plan that helps you set goals and measure progress.

2. Start by coming up with a sales revenue target. Make it your best estimate.

3. Based on past experience, estimate your cost of goods sold (e.g., 70 percent of sales) and subtract it from the sales revenue to come up with your estimated gross margin.

4. Forecast variable expenses (items such as travel and commissions that vary according to the level of sales) and fixed expenses (items like taxes and rent that stay the same, regardless of sales). Subtract these expenses from your gross margin to arrive at your estimated net income (before federal taxes). 

5. Break your annual budget into quarters and monitor your progress every three months to detect problems and make corrections.

November 2: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

November 4: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

November 10: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Bloomington Hospitality House, 110 S. Curry Pike
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Sponsored by: Bloomington Hospitality House

November 15: Tech Tuesday
What: Tech Tuesday is a series of video conference presentations with a networking and educational opportunity for Bloomington technology businesses.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Terri Brown, inVenture, 812-339-8937

November 16: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

November 16: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED
What: Bloomington's after-hours networking event for entrepreneurs' tech-based businesses.
Topic : Indiana 21st Century Fund
Speaker: Karl Koehler
Where: Upland Brewing Company, 350 W. 11th St.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: inVenture, 812-335-7356

November 29: WorkOne Small Business Appreciation Meeting
What: Informational meeting covering small business employment issues.
Topics: Letting Experience Work for You, Unemployment Insurance Changes and Updates,
Training Acceleration Grant, Work Keys, and WIA Got a Program for You
Where: Bloomington WorkOne, 450 S. Landmark Ave.
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Cost: Free, a continental breakfast will be provided
Contact: Seating is limited so please call to register by November 21st at 812-331-6000 ext 231

November 29: Artists After Hours
What: Bloomington Area Arts Council Artists After Hours
Where: John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Contact: Nancy Krueger, 812-334-3100

November 30: Business Orientation Start-up Session (BOSS)
What: Learn what it takes to start your own business and become your own boss
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Cost: $20
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

December 2: New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: NENR is a series of video conference presentations from industry leaders geared towards the information technology industry.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Marilyn Skirvin, Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 812-335-7346

• Year End QuickBooks Tips

• How Innovative Are You?

• Hottest Small Business Trends

Year End QuickBooks/Peachtree Help is Here
Start that New Year's Resolution early! The SBDC has experts on staff who can help you get ready for the new year by setting up your 2006 accounting books using either QuickBooks or Peachtree.

Work one-on-one with an advisor and learn how to:
• Create new accounting books or streamline existing ones
• Set-up or modify your chart of accounts
• Track when bills are due and pay them on time
• Record sales and track your profits
• Develop detailed reports that you can understand!

Get your business ready for the new year by for information. Or call Terri directly at 812-339-8937.

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