IEDC Announces Director of Entrepreneurship
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has named Bruce Kidd as its Director of Entrepreneurship with the goal of expanding the state’s efforts in encouraging the creation of new high-growth companies and small businesses in Indiana.

Bruce will work closely with entrepreneurs, universities, the venture capital/private equity community, and regional Small Business Development Centers to implement a strategy to produce more high-growth companies in Indiana and provide them the capital needed to grow and prosper. Kidd will be active in the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund, the Venture Capital Tax Credit program, the Small Business Innovation Research initiative, and the state’s Small Business Development Center network.

Don't Forget: Sign Up Today for Genius Groups, Bloomington's Newest Entrepreneurial Network
Starting in February 2006 the Small Business Development Center and inVenture present Genius Groups, a 10-part entrepreneurial development series that will challenge and energize 35 select small business owners. Each month you'll have the chance to learn from and network with inspiring Genius Entrepreneurs of Bloomington. You'll gain a fresh perspective on real-world challenges and relevant tools you can put right to work.

Featured Genius Entrepreneurs:
John Goode, MSP Aviation, Inc.
Peter Dvorak, Pinnacle Properties Management Group, Inc.
Tom Hirons, Hirons & Company Communications, Inc.
Jerry Arthur, Cook Pharmica, LLC
Alisa Wright, BioConvergence, LLC
Jane Martin, SpringMill Venture Partners
Ray Tichenor, T.I.S., Inc.
Richard Rechter, Rogers Group Investment
Marc Sattinger, Upland Brewing Company
William Oliver, Oliver Winery Company, Inc.

Each Genius Entrepreneur will cover a specific business topic, including how to increase sales, implement unique and effective human resources programs, develop targeted marketing strategies, prepare your company to sell, and much more.

Genius Groups is open by application only and space is limited to 35 entrepreneurs. For more information on how you can be a part of this select group, please contact Terri at the Small Business Development Center, 812-339-8937.

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!

Roots Restaurant, LLC
Roots Restaurant and Juicebar is Bloomington's award-winning vegetarian restaurant (voted best-in-class 2005). It is Indiana's only completely vegetarian restaurant. Roots Restaurant is unique in that a large part of the food served is locally made, locally grown, or locally raised. By bringing together some of the finest produce that Bloomington has to offer, Roots has some of the finest tasting, nutritious, and healthy food in the area.

Roots is distinguished not just by its food but by its practices. Over 40,000 pounds of vegetable scrap is composted yearly at a local farm, and used vegetable oil is being utilized for soapmaking and biodeisel production. Roots was awarded the Adaptive Reuse Award by the Downtown Bloomington Commission in 2005.

From initial construction to finished meal, Roots is committed to providing quality products, from dine-in to catering to their line of retail tea blends. Look for products from Roots that are made from local produce in cooperation with Indiana's small farmers in area grocery stores soon.

Visit Roots Restaurant at 124 N. Walnut St. (6th & Walnut). Hours are M-Th 11am-9pm; F-Sa 11am-10pm; and Su 11am- 9pm.

Managing Pay Raises in QuickBooks
It's much easier to make pay raises effective at the beginning of a pay cycle because QuickBooks will not permit two separate pay rates on a single salaried payroll item. However, if a pay raise must become effective mid-cycle on a salaried employee, apply the increase on the existing salaried payroll item, then create a new hourly payroll item and use it to pay the necessary hours at the old rate. You can change the wording of either item by simply editing it on the List Payroll
Items screen so the employee doesn't know an hourly rate was used.

• Indiana Health Industry Forum

• Pricing Strategies

• $100 Rebate on Microsoft Small Business Management Edition 2006

Start 2006 Off Right! QuickBooks/Peachtree Help is Here
The SBDC has experts on hand 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 expert 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 calling her directly at 812-339-8937.

View More Small Business Solutions

January 10: QuickBooks Basics
What: Learn the basics of accounting and how to set up QuickBooks software to fit your needs.
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Cost: $39
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)

January 10: Indiana Biomedical Entrepreneur Network (IBEN)
What: The Indiana Biomedical Entrepreneur Network (IBEN) strives to enable entrepreneurship in life sciences and medicine throughout Indiana.
Where: University Place Hotel and Conference Center at IUPUI
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: IHIF, 317-278-9973 (registration required)

January 10-31: Small Business Planning Course Orientation Sessions
What: Thinking of starting a business? Attend an orientation session to learn about the SEED Corp. Feasibility and Business Planning Course. Upon completion of the course, you may qualify for up to $35,000 in loans. You need only attend one orientation session below to learn about the course.
Where: SEED Corp., 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
When: January 10, 17, 24, or 31st:
          12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
          January 11, 18, or 25th:
          5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: SEED Corp., 812-323-7827 (registration required)

January 12: 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)

January 17: Tech Tuesday
What: Tech Tuesday is a series of video conference presentations with a networking and educational component for Bloomington technology businesses.
Where: inVenture, 501 N. Morton St., inVenture Conference Room
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 am
Contact: Terri Brown, inVenture, 812-335-7356

January 17: Life Sciences Lunch Series
What: The Indiana Health Industry Forum and Barnes & Thornburg present a monthly seminar series on critical issues in life sciences.
Where: Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington Campus
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Contact: BEDC, 812-335-7346

January 18: Icebreakers :: GET CONNECTED
What: Bloomington's after-hours networking event for tech-based businesses.
Guest: Jonathan Yates, Liell & McNeil
Where: Grazie Italian Eatery, 106 West 6th St.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: inVenture, 812-335-7356

January 19: Business After Hours
What: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce monthly Business After Hours
Where: Historic Bloomington Frosted Foods Building, 213 South Rogers
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Sponsored by: Mira! Salon and Day Spa, Tabor/Bruce Architecture and Design, Town and Country Real Estate, tutto béne wine café & more

January 24: Artists After Hours
What: Bloomington Area Arts Council Artists After Hours
Where: John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut Street
Topic: Getting Published
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Contact: Nancy Krueger, 812-334-3100

January 25: 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)

February 3: 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

February 20: eBay - The Basics of Selling
What: Learn how to sell on eBay the right way!
Where: SBDC, 501 N. Morton, Suite 106
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: $85 (includes lunch and book)
Contact: SBDC, 812-339-8937 (registration required)