inVenture: Advancing Innovative Businesses December '08 
Small Business Spotlight

Urban Fitness Studio, LLC provides first class wellness services to the Bloomington community in a private and inviting environment

Allison Chopra, M.S.
After working in the private, corporate and recreational segments of the health and fitness field, Allison Chopra, M.S., decided to create a company that presents the best of what she has experienced.  Urban Fitness Studio, LLC is structured on private, truly tailored exercise programs and responsibility - both business and community.

Founded in August of 2008, Urban Fitness Studio, LLC provides wellness services to the Bloomington community.  These services are seen most commonly in the form of Personal Training sessions conducted in a quiet and private studio in the Graham Plaza on the corner of 6th and College.  The sixth floor corner view of the courthouse square adds to that special feel.

Urban Fitness Studio, LLC is different from any gym.  Because of the private and aesthetically pleasing space and the lack of heavy machinery, the studio caters both to those who are looking for a private environment and who may be unmotivated by the typical gym scene.  Clients love the professional and personal feel that Allison brings to each session.
{For more about Urban Fitness Studio services»

 
News in a Flash

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!

Happy Holidays


Expo 2009 Booth Registration Begins Soon!
The Bloomington Business EXPO is South Central Indiana’s largest one-day annual business event, presented by the Small Business Development Center and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Join the team and take to the field at this year’s Business EXPO and you will be on your way to scoring big with new customers. Each year more than 150 area business professionals and community members gather at the Convention Center to showcase new products and services. This one day event averages over 3,000 customers; imagine these customers walking through your doors in one single day!


US Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award Nominations
Now more than ever, it is crucial to support outstanding leaders in the small business community.  At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we strive to recognize successful small businesses and hope that you will join us by promoting the 2009 America's Small Business of the Year Award, to your members.

The award recognizes organizations demonstrating excellance in key areas including customer service, staff development, community involvment, and financial performance.  Blue Ribbon Award winners and regional finalists will be announced in March 2009, and the Small Business of the Year Award winner will be announced at the May 12 awards luncheon during America's Small Business Summit 2009.

As the Indiana Small Business Development Center, we hope you will nominate several of your members and encourage them to apply.  Nomination is free, and the awards timeline is as follows:

  • January 5, 2009 - Nominations due
  • February 2, 2009 - Applications due
  • March 2, 2009 - Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners announced
  • March 16, 2009 - Regional finalists (7) announced
  • May 11-13, 2009 - America's Small Business Summit 2009

Please post the above timeline and link to the nomination and application forms on your events calendar.  To learn about the awards program or discounted group pricing for the 2009 summit, contact us at summit@uschamber.com or (202 778-2429.


Indiana Companies to Watch Celebrates
Indiana Companies to Watch celebrates high-performing, second-stage companies in the state. Known for their performance in the marketplace, innovative products, unique processes or philanthropic actions, these companies represent a wide range of industries from all corners of Indiana.

This is not an award of the "top" or "best" companies — the companies selected each year make a point about Indiana's diverse economic landscape. They make an astounding impact on the state's economy by collectively providing thousands of jobs and contributing millions of dollars of revenue. Do you know of a company that's worth watching? Nominate that company. If yours is such a company, apply directly

Upcoming Events

December 3:  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 St., Suite 106A
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost: $25
Contact: SBDC, 812-330-6272 (registration required)

December 5:  New Economy, New Rules Seminar
What: Pediatrics Research at Work:  "Connecting Research with Kids"
Where: IU Research Park, 501 N. Morton
Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Contact: SBDC, Terri Brown 812-330-6272

December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30:  Community Chats
What:  A weekly series to discuss issues facing Bloomington and the broader region.
Where: Village Deli, 409 East Kirkwood Ave.
Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

December 17:  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 St., Suite 106A
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25
Contact: SBDC, 812-330-6272 (registration required)

December 4:  Business After Hours
What:  A networking program of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Where:  John Waldron Arts Center
Time:  3rd Thursday of each month, except for the month of December due to the holiday's, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Contact:  Chamber of Commerce, 812-336-6381

 

USeful Links
Web sites to help your business succeed.
Answers.com
Monroe County History Center
GSI US
Patent, Trademark and Copyright Assistance
Market Research Resources

Management Tips

Basic Tools for Tax Professionals

Deductions Your Small Business Shouldn't Miss

 
Tips of the Month

Want to improve the way you run your business?  Entrepreneurs, academics, and consultants from diverse industries offer practical advice on a variety of topics each business day. {Learn more»} 

Effective Business Planning
When your business is still in the planning stages, it is important to know your mission. Start by clearly defining your business idea and being able to articulate it succinctly. Then examine your motives. Make sure that you have a...
{Learn more»}
 

QuickBooks Year End Accounting Tip
Providing your accountant with your financial information has been made easier through QuickBooks software. Simply create an "Accountant's copy" of your company file and deliver it to your accountant! Under the File menu, select "Accountant Review" and then "Create Accountant Copy." QuickBooks will do the work for you!

Avoid Costly Mistakes When Buying or Selling a Business
The business valuation process is used to determine a fair market price for a business. Evaluating the worth of a business is critical when buying or selling a business or part of its ownership. It is the only way one can accurately judge the value of a business. Many business owners will evaluate their business annually as
another way to measure their company’s financial health. {Learn more»}

 

SBDC Business Solutions

New Online Courses at StayExempt.orgStayExempt.org, the web-based version of the popular Exempt Organization workshops, has added new mini-courses on the redesigned IRS Form 990 to the online materials already available.

The site now has the original five virtual workshop sessions, five mini-courses that cover topics important to tax-exempt organizations, and five mini-courses discussing aspects of the redesigned annual return (Form 990) for exempt organizations.
{Learn more»}

Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center
Who is Self-Employed?
If you are in business for yourself, or carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor, you generally would consider yourself self-employed and you would file Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ with your Form 1040. Not sure if you are self-employed or an employee? Refer to Independent Contractors vs. Employees
{Learn more»}

Thank you to the financial supporters and partners of inVenture and the South Central IN SBDC: Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association, City of Bloomington, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, Monroe County Government and the US Small Business Administration.

Sponsor:

Kiva   Site logo

This newsletter is produced by the inVenture and is intended to keep our clients and partners informed of current programs and small business issues. Out of respect for your time, we will only send one announcement a month. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please to be removed from our mailing list.

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inVenture: Advancing Innovative Businesses