An elevator pitch is a concise and compelling synopsis of your background, experience, and what you offer in the thirty seconds or less it takes to ride an elevator. Here are some tips to consider when crafting an elevator pitch:
Know Your Audience: Spend time learning about and understanding your target audience before drafting your elevator pitch. Make your pitch specific to the requirements, interests, and pain points of the people you are pitching to, whether they are prospective workers, investors, or clients.
Begin with a Hook: Use an attention-grabbing hook or opening sentence to grab the attention of your audience right away. This may be with a question, an eye-opening figure, or a short story that connects to your expertise or service. The goal is to spark their interest and compel them to hear more.
Keep it Concise and Clear: Recall that you only have a little time to make your presentation, so be concise and clear. Every word matters. Refrain from jargon or technical terminology that might confuse your readers; keep your message brief and straightforward. Make an effort to explain your value proposition in an understandable language.
Emphasize Your Differentiating Features: What makes you stand out from the competition in your industry? Emphasize your distinctive abilities, accomplishments, and experiences to make an impression. Pay attention to the advantages you may provide your audience and why they should be interested in your offer.
Practice. Practice. Practice: Practice is necessary to create a compelling elevator pitch. After you’ve written your pitch, practice it until it comes easily and naturally. You may record yourself, practice in front of a mirror, or practice with a friend or coworker to ensure you maximize the time given.
Be Genuine: Gaining your audience’s confidence and credibility requires being genuine. When presenting, show off your personality and be sincere and enthusiastic. Instead of coming out as too prepared, talk from the heart and allow your passion for your idea or task to come through.
End with a Call to Action: Put a clear call to action at the end of your elevator pitch to nudge your audience to take the following action. Make it simple for them to carry on the conversation and look into options by giving them quick access to your website, LinkedIn connections, and follow-up meeting scheduling. Remind them who is a perfect referral for your business.
Be Flexible and Adaptable: Finally, be ready to modify your elevator pitch to fit various settings and circumstances. You never know when or where you might be asked to give a pitch, so be prepared to modify it at any time based on the situation and the people you’re speaking with.
Developing your elevator pitch skills is an important life skill that may lead to changes in your personal and professional life. You will be well-prepared to leave a lasting impression and take advantage of any chance if you create a concise, captivating, and genuine pitch.
La Incubadora Podcast is part of the Economic Growth Business Incubator, a local non-profit with the mission of providing training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. La Incubadora Podcast is born out of the need to put in video and audio a lot of the success stories we see here at the business incubator. We also want to answer frequently asked questions and connect with small business owners with the resources to succeed in business on your own time and wherever you are while you have access to a mobile device.
For today’s episode we’ll cover a little bit more information about Facebook Marketplace. We will unravel the intriguing concept of unwittingly owning a Business and its tax implications, particularly in the realm of online selling through platforms like Facebook Marketplace. We will explore scenarios where individuals may unknowingly find themselves in business roles and repercussions that it means for their taxes from understanding IRS criteria to proactive compliance.
Meet our speakers:
Our host, David Fuentes, will be diving deep into today’s topic with our guest speaker, Andrea Harrington. Andrea Harrington is a lawyer and team manager at Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid small business and nonprofits team based in TRLA Austin Offices. Andrea works throughout Texas to serve the areas representing micro entrepreneurs facilitating Pro Bono small business legal clinics and providing Community Legal education on legal issues relevant to micro entrepreneurs. Andrea represents domestic violence survivors in family law cases and in protective order cases. Andrea obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Harvard University in 1998 and completed her Log Degree at the University Texas school of law in 2003. Andrea offers invaluable guidance to navigate this terrain with essential knowledge and be prepared to manage your tax responsibilities effectively in the digital marketplace.
What work does the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid do?
Andrea Harrington says,
“Texas Rio grande Legal Aid is a non profit law firm and we provide assistance through a wide variety of areas of law from family law to public benefits, housing issues, landlord/tenant issues. We do have eligibility guidelines that we have to meet for our clients.
You can go to www.trla.org/gethelp and there are prompts that can let you know what our legal intake hotline is that can get you started, if you need assistance. To go to through our eligibility screening and get some legal assistance and ,of course, we also offer legal advice to small businesses!
It is a service to the community ,all of our services are free to the community for eligible clients and we have offices here in Austin, all the way west to El Paso and all the way south to Brownsville!”
How does selling on Facebook Marketplace classify someone as a business owner? Does it affect me on my taxes?
Andrea Harrington says,
“The interesting thing about Facebook Marketplace is that people use it for various reasons. For example, if you have a new couch or you’re moving your baby from a crib to a toddler bed and you have to get rid of the old furniture and pull in the new furniture, that is NOT a business.
Other folks are using Facebook marketplace as a way to make some extra money, for example you may go to Goodwill on the buy by the pound day and you receive your items to resell them on Facebook Marketplace.
OR
You purchase furniture or toys, that may be a little bit beaten up, and refurbish them and sell them on Facebook Marketplace. You may be using that extra bit of income to top off your grocery budget, to be able to pay your car insurance
The MAIN thing to know is if you are regularly selling items via Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, Etsy, or any online platform. The IRS may consider these activities of you being engaged in a business. With that comes tax implications because the IRS is very clear that all businesses income should be reported and is taxable.”
What are KEY FACTORS that the IRS or tax authorities consider when determining whether someone is running a business?
Andrea Harrington says,
“It is considered a business once the intent is to earn more moneythan I spend, then that is considered running a business.
One should also take into consideration the regularity of operations. For example if you are listing one/two new items a week or one new item a day, then that’s a regularity of engagement of a platform for a business activity/ economic activity and it will be taken into consideration by the IRS.
Additionally, the production of income and ongoing efforts the person may take to improve their profits of the business. For instance if I am selling on Facebook marketplace but I am also advertising items on Instagram, those are going to be other efforts to further the interest of my business. Which would make it look more like business activity than just a personal transaction.”
David Fuentes: “That makes perfect sense, so there’s profit and then the regularity of operations. Right?”
Andrea Harrington: “Yes and the production of income. If you are bringing in income regularly, then it will become a factor.”
“For a long time people could sell on Craigslist , Facebook Marketplace, and eBay and you would get paid via PayPal or Cashapp and that was the end of the transaction but that’s changing.”
Are there specific thresholds or criteria that individuals should be aware of when it comes to selling goods online and triggering business tax obligations?
Andrea Harrington says,
“The big change that is happening this year, that is really important for people to know, is that these transactions that you’re doing if getting paid by Venmo, Cashapp, PayPal, or through Zelle. These payment providers are going to be sending out 1099-s to you. There has been a big change in the law, starting in 2024 if you make more than $600 in income through one of these payment apps you will be getting a 1099 that is reporting your income. If you think about it, what you have been selling on Facebook Marketplace. if you make more than $600 in a year which is not a lot, this is 50 bucks a month!
This year in 2024, which is the first quarter is already done, the threshold for receiving the 1099 is $5,000.
What does this mean?
If you make $5,000 in just one payment platform you will get a 1099. Something to keep in mind is that 1099-s are given per payment platform, so for those of you that maybe selling higher priced items such as jewelry or furniture you may hit that threshold in several payment providers, you will be receiving 1099-s from each payment provider. It is not aggregate for your whole business since it’s per payment provider so it’s really important to be aware that this hasn’t been an issue for a lot of Facebook Marketplace sellers for a very long time because the threshold used to be $220,000 and in 2024 it is dropping down $5,000 and further down to $600 for this upcoming year 2025.”
What piece of advice would you give to Facebook Marketplace users?
Andrea Harrington says,
“One piece of advice I would give is to start keeping records as soon as possible.
It is really important that you guys who are selling on Facebook Marketplace that you take the steps to at least start keeping records so you can deduct your business expenses from the money you are making reselling these items. If you’re going to a store and you’re buying by the pound and then you’re reselling some of these items of Facebook Marketplace, you NEED to get receipts of your cost of goods sold.
Another thing that folks need to be really aware of is if you are selling online on Facebook Marketplace or any other platform you should have a sales tax permit from the state of Texas and be collecting sales tax because it is another mandatory rule of the law and it affects all sellers.
It is crucial for everyone to learn what items you are selling are taxable and collect the sales tax on that, collect them, and turn them over on your filing deadlines.”
David Fuentes says,
“It really does operate similarly as a business? It is really useful because I have some clients here, for example someone who owned a tire shop and so they would resell used tires on Facebook Marketplace and that counts as a separate business operation in itself so it’s kind of wrapping our heads around this and specifically for tax implications.”
Andrea Harrington says,
“Yes absolutely!”
How can individuals who sell items online proactively ensure compliance with tax regulations and avoid unintended tax liabilities?
Andrea Harrington says,
“The MAIN way to ensure compliance there’s two big things that folks need to do, one is keep records. You will hear this from your business count to lenders at the bank from anyone who works with small businesses will tell you how important it is to keep good records of the money you spend for your business and keep records of the money that you’re earning from your business. This is because any tax compliance is going to be reliant on the quality of your records.
The other MAIN way to ensure compliance is to report because there is no way around it. You have to report your income, you’re able to deduct your but you must be aware and accept that there will be taxes due on your profit that you’re making from your operations.
Additionally you must research what your state sales tax obligations are and make sure that you’re going to be compliant with those as well. It’s the cheapest way to go about doing this otherwise you might get audited at a state level and on the federal level, which is expensive, if you are going to be having someone representing or helping you and any back taxes that were found to be owed you are going to have to pay as well as interests and penalties. In hindsight, the cheapest way to do this is to do it right from the beginning.”
What are some common misconceptions or pitfalls that people may encounter when it comes to understanding their tax obligations related to online selling?
Andrea Harrington says,
“So a big one is that people think that because they’re selling online, that they don’t have a real business so they don’t have any tax obligations. Additionally some haven’t formed a corporation or an LLC (Limited Liability Corporation) or filed a DBA (Doing Business As) so they haven’t formed a business, that is not a threshold that the state or federal government uses to determine whether or not you’re going to owe taxes on business income. What they’re looking at is the reality of the situation, are you engaged in economic activity that’s making you a profit? They are NOT looking at the formalities of whether you filed this paper or that paper. Like we said before, they are looking at the reality of what’s going on. The thing is that when you’re doing stuff online that is a record of itself, that’s evidence that’s out there. You can’t claim that you weren’t doing those activities when posts are up there, so it is essential to have that reality check of yourself and set a budget for these taxes. “
David Fuentes says,
“It’s really important to know before you start doing these things right otherwise you can find yourself in a hard place even without knowing this.”
As a lawyer specializing in this area, what advice do you have for individuals who may be uncertain about their tax status as online sellers?
Andrea Harrington says,
“In my experience people generally have a pretty good idea of what their status is whether or not they have a business, it just may be not the answer you wish it was. So my advice would be to be really honest with yourself about your selling activities online, whether its baby clothes, toys, clothes, etc, then you have a business. Like we said beforehand, if you are selling online to make a profit and you have come to terms with the reality of your situation, if you are uncertain do your record keeping because then you may not know if you are making a profit every month. With that you will find out whether or not you have a business. If you really aren’t sure, I can give you information you need. It may not be a huge profit, you might make $100 or $80 a month so I need to take care of this so you don’t get yourself into hot water. “
Additionally if you want more information specifically about taxes, the IRS has an excellent website, a YouTube channel, and a whole web page dedicated to small businesses tax issues!
The Texas Comptroller offers a lot of information on sales tax issues, so if you have any questions you can contact them if you are not sure whether you should be collecting sales taxes you can do that reading online.
Austin has a lot of resources for small businesses and for entrepreneurs! The City of Austin has a department dedicated to small businesses and there are lots of profits here in town that are also dedicated to assisting small businesses.”
David Fuentes says,
Perfect! We have several resources here in the city of Austin such as the IRS, and they also have a Small business and Self-Employed Tax Center which is a great resource and is the first website that popped up.
Appreciation
Huge thanks to Andrea Harrington for being our guest speaker, especially with all of these new changes and folks will have to adapt. None of us desire to deal with tax issues or the IRS, so it’s better to keep records before getting into trouble. It’s been a pleasure once again chatting with you and we hope that you find this episode entertaining and informative!
This episode was produced by Raycast media to be able to launch our podcast. Huge thanks to Raycast Media for this amazing partnership!
If you know someone else that could benefit from this episode share this article with them or share the Incubadora YouTube podcast! Remember that the Incubadora Podcast is part of the Economic Growth Business Incubator, a business incubator in Central Texas that offers training, coaching, and support to small business owners with barriers to achieving success.
If you would like to learn more about the economic growth business incubator and our services visit our website: https://egbi.org/ Thanks for listening!
As a Veteran, you’ve already demonstrated courage, commitment, and resilience in your service to the nation. Now, imagine translating those qualities into entrepreneurial success by starting or expanding your own business by tapping into government contracting opportunities. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers certification programs for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), providing a pathway to exclusive contracts and fostering economic growth.
You might ask, “why would I need a certification as a veteran owned business through the Small Business Administration?” Well, there are a few good reasons why this certification is a good idea for your business as a veteran. One, it allows you to compete for certain federal and/or state government contracts. It also will allow you to purchase government supply surplus items that can help you to continue to grow your business. And importantly, it underscores your brand as a veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned business to your customers and your community.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to achieve VOSB or SDVOSB certification.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Before diving into the certification process, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. For VOSB, veterans must own and control at least 51% of the business. For SDVOSB, service-disabled veterans must meet the same criteria. Confirm your eligibility and proceed with confidence.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Collect the necessary documentation, which typically includes:
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
VA disability letter (for SDVOSB).
Corporate documents (articles of incorporation, operating agreements, etc.).
Business financial statements.
Business tax returns.
Ownership and control documentation.
Step 3: Create an SBA Account
Navigate to the Small Business Administration (SBA) website and create an account. This account will be your gateway to the online certification application. Ensure you provide accurate information during the account creation process.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Select the certification program (VOSB or SDVOSB) and complete the online application. Upload all required documents and double-check the accuracy of the information provided. This step is pivotal in moving forward with the certification process. You want to make sure there are no delays due to not providing all the required information.
Step 5: Obtain a D-U-N-S Number
If your business doesn’t have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) number, obtain one. This unique identifier is essential for government contracts and will strengthen your application.
Step 6: Register on SAM.gov
Register your business on the System for Award Management (SAM) website. This no cost registration is a prerequisite for federal government contracting and complements your VOSB or SDVOSB certification. Importantly, this is a required registration to do business with the U.S. Government.
Step 7: Submit Your Application
Once your application is complete, submit it through the SBA’s online portal. This marks a crucial step toward unlocking exclusive contracting opportunities for your veteran-owned business.
Step 8: Await Verification and Approval
Patience is key as the SBA reviews your application. Be prepared for potential requests for additional information and respond promptly to expedite the certification process. So, please be sure to keep your eye on your emails from the SBA.
Step 9: Respond to Requests for Information
If the SBA requires additional information or clarification, respond promptly and efficiently. This responsiveness demonstrates your commitment to the certification process.
Step 10: Receive Your Certification
Upon approval, you’ll receive official certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB. This achievement opens doors to government contracts reserved only for veteran-owned businesses.
Step 11: Market Your Certification
Update your marketing materials, website, and government contracting databases to showcase your VOSB or SDVOSB status. This certification is a powerful tool in attracting both government and private-sector contracts.
For further support with this process, seek guidance from the SBA through your local Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program here.
Conclusion
Becoming certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB is a strategic move that not only honors your military service but also positions your business for success in the competitive world of government contracting. Follow these steps diligently, stay informed, and embrace the opportunities that come with being a certified veteran-owned business. We here at EGBI wish you good luck on your journey to unlocking new horizons for your entrepreneurial venture!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to EGBI’s Business Coach and Veteran Services Coordinator Monica Perras at perras@egbi.org or call her directly 737-239-0221. A business coaching appointment is at no cost due to a contract with the City of Austin.
A Toastmasters club’s ability to function effectively depends on its members’ commitment to serving in various officer capacities. Officer roles are the club’s core and significantly contribute to its growth and success. Volunteers willing to take on these tasks are crucial to the club. Getting more involved by assuming an officer role within the club benefits the club and the individual taking on the role. It’s a rewarding experience that offers numerous opportunities for growth, development, and meaningful connections.
EGBI’s chapter of Toastmasters will have David Fuentes as the President, Monica Peña as the VP of Membership, and Wendy Murphy as the VP of Public Relations.
We seek the club’s VP of Education, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Vice President of Education oversees scheduling and is the club’s expert on education awards, speech contests, and mentoring. They welcome and guide new members, assign mentors, emphasize the significance of quality evaluations and the Toastmasters Education Program, and promote participation in activities.
The Treasurer is the club’s primary accountant, writes authorized checks, deposits dues and earnings, and handles bank transactions. Their accurate and timely work dramatically impacts the club’s overall success. In addition, the Treasurer oversees tax filings, notifies members on due dates, and sends payments to World Headquarters. They manage the budget in coordination with the club’s leadership and actively participate in executive committee sessions.
The Secretary records minutes of meetings and keeps track of club records. They ensure the World Headquarters data are accurate by updating and distributing the member roster. In addition, they maintain club files, record executive committee meetings, and keep copies of the Club Constitution and Standard Bylaws.
Serving as an officer provides an invaluable opportunity to hone leadership skills in a supportive environment. We hope you consider taking on an officer role in addition to joining the Toastmasters.
In this episode we explore the groundbreaking work of financial health pathways and it’s transformative ISA Texas programs with Lourdes G Zuniga the organizations executive director discover how this community driven initiative is revolutionizing financial education and resources to uplift low income Texans from partnership opportunities for organizations to the streamline process for participant enrollment. Our conversation provides valuable insight into how ISA Texas is charting a course towards enhanced financial well-being for individuals and families across the state.
Lourdes G. Zuniga is a social impact leader a presidential leadership scholar and a founder member of the UNICEF USA Austin task force, a journalist from Peru and faculty for the Texas Justice Court Training Center, Lourdes drives innovative solutions to systematic issues and fights the criminalization of poverty and the justice system Lourdes supports philanthropy education in the Hispanic community and she was recognized by the Austin Business Journal as 2021 most influential women in Central Texas. ABJ 2022 best CEO finalist and several others, Lourdes has joined the inaugural bis Women Leadership Council and is a proud alumina from the LBJ Women campaign inaugural class. Her remarkable story as an immigrant who came to the United States with nothing, shapes her servant leadership and is the reason she has been recognized locally and nationally.
We share the conversation…
Christina- Can you provide an overview of Financial Health Pathways and the mission behind the “I Save Texas!” program?
Lourdes- Financial Health Pathways is an organization that is a little bit of a hybrid organization, we have two signature programs our “I Save Texas” and our “Financial Justice Program” that are designed to not just deliver education and content but help people practice and implement a lot of our teachings we realized after a few years with the organization that, you can deliver education to a lot of people but if the systems are not equipped to help people and allow people to develop their own path to success and to build their own wealth then we’re just basically conducting training so we decided to add an advocacy piece to that.
Christina-What inspired the creation of the “I Save Texas!” program, and how does it address the financial challenges faced by low-income families in Texas?
Lourdes- I wanted to be able to raise money to give it out to all the people that perhaps really want to build their wealth but they don’t know how and also because people think that you know saving money is difficult or painful and that’s why we ask $20 a month, it’s because I think that is pretty doable and most people think of money as “all or nothing” you kind of have to save and be miserable or you don’t save and you can enjoy life and spend money.
Christina- Who is eligible to participate in this program?
Lourdes- This program is basically for anyone over 18 years old, having a bank account and having a partnership with us. For us to enroll a participant we have to have a partnership agreement with their organization, so anyone that is an EGBI client will be able to enroll themselves in the program and answer the question of who referred you.
Christina-What steps are involved in completing the intake form and joining the program?
Lourdes- The intake form is really just a demographic, we don’t share this in a disaggregated way it’s just, we want to know who we’re serving. So it’s basically completing some assessment of demographics and also their financial health. There are eight questions that we ask, how confident do they feel about their insurance or how confident they feel that they make enough income to pay for their basic needs so they’re just very general questions.
Cleantech Open is the largest and oldest cleantech startup accelerator program in the United States, with the mission of finding, funding and nurturing entrepreneurs around the world with ideas to solve environmental and energy challenges. Through this annual program, new clean technology companies are connected with the people and resources that will accelerate their success. The startups selected in the different stages will be eligible for advice from specialized mentors in the sector, as well as prizes starting at $10,000 US dollars.
This call may result from the interest of emerging companies in the area of clean technologies, as well as research centers and academics. Interested parties may submit their applications until February 29 (with an application fee of $30 USD), or until April 14, 2024 (with an application fee of $75 USD).
I had no idea what it was. I had an invitation from a coworker, they had this idea for Toastmasters and so I started going over to Oak Hill chapter here in Austin to try and learn a little bit more about what it is and how these communication skills are developed. I went in not knowing anyone and not really knowing anything about Toastmasters. Then I slowly saw that each meeting runs very efficiently so you have an agenda and you have an hour to go through the whole meeting and part of the process is everyone having a role to play in the meeting, so we each hold each other accountable. Each Toastmaster meeting has a different role, so someone who counts who gives 10 minute speeches and initially I was very scared but then sometime in life you just have to raise your hand. That was my first moment where I got involved with Toastmasters. Ever since then I’ve been participating every Wednesday here at EGBI. I’m still learning more about what it is and how to form that community through Toastmasters.
Can you provide an overview of Toastmasters International and Its mission?
It’s an international nonprofit, focused on developing professional, personal skills, communication, and leadership. Toastmasters is creating a community and a safe space where you’re able to practice those skills. Some of us come from backgrounds where public speaking is something that can be very stressful. Getting into the meeting and learning the structures and roles. Toastmasters holds everyone accountable in different ways so they are learning pathways that you undergo depending on the skill that you want to develop whether it’s time management or organizing your speech. We offer Toastmasters in different languages. It’s for number 1: building community and creating a safe space. Then also having accountability and practicing speeches that are personal or professional. Toastmasters empowers entrepreneurs to refine their communication skills and excel in their business. It gives people an opportunity to practice their public speaking abilities and also their leadership abilities. Toastmasters really helps people be able to develop those fantastic skills.
How has being involved in Toastmasters impacted your personal and professional development?
I found myself in this professional and personal development purpose. It’s been very useful, I’ve never been very adept at public speaking. It’s always something that’s gotten me nervous, but once you practice something over and over again it becomes easier. Maybe that fear never goes away but it becomes easier and it becomes a routine. On top of that you learn to use your body language in order to communicate. It’s a big part of the way you try to engage with your audience. Another thing is being aware of your audience and conscious of who is listening to you. Whether it’s a bilingual audience or an audience of small business owners of community leaders. You have to adapt your speech to communicate your message. In my personal life whether we consider it public speaking or not we do this a lot in our family events. We want to be able to communicate quickly, efficiently, and be very vulnerable in our message but also have that organization so your message is clear.
What are the primary benefits for individuals who join?
The primary benefits that I’ve seen so far is whether you have to prepare for your speech for personal or professional life. It helps having an audience accounting for the factors you can’t control. Toastmasters is a place to prepare you for the unexpected.
How does Toastmasters specifically benefit small business owners, and what skills can they expect to develop?
The way you communicate in your marketing can really help differentiate yourself. Toastmaster is where you learn how to do that because you have two minutes to communicate a clear message, you have to explain what you do as a business owner. Usually it takes 3 minutes for someone to stop listening so it learns how to communicate efficiently. It’s a skill that we’ll use either in a small business or in life.
How does Toastmasters foster a supportive and constructive environment for improving communication skills?
A big part of Toastmasters is constructive feedback, so we each tell each other what we do well. We recommend each other to go with our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. I have certain tendencies in my public speaking that I wasn’t even aware of until someone from Toastmasters analyzed the way I speak. Telling me from a place of development positively telling me what I did very well and what I could improve on. At first everyone is nervous, no one knows what to expect after it becomes “How are you?”, “How are your kids?”. You start building that community and start being intimate with one another. You’re not scared of being scared in front of anyone. It’s a positive and safe space. It’s through meeting each other every day and holding each other accountable but making it a fun and safe space.
For entrepreneurs hesitant about joining Toastmasters, what would you say to encourage them to take a leap?
I think the best thing is to just show up. The goal of Toastmasters is to get everyone to speak publicly. We always try to get people to speak publicly but that can come in different forms: “Hi, welcome in, can you tell us your name, last name, and what you do?”. That’s enough, the first step is showing up even if you’re scared of speaking publicly. Everything is volunteer based, I really recommend it if you have a fear of public speaking, it’s just a thing where you just put yourself in the position. Once you start doing it you realize you might even enjoy it sometimes and even if you don’t it gives you a voice, it’s a place to practice and prepare. So I recommend you to come in and try it and if you don’t like it you can say that you’ve done it and you tried it.
Can you share a memorable moment you’ve experienced here in Toastmasters?
My favorite part of Toastmasters is the community that’s built. I’ve been getting to know a bit more of our members and what they do and even beyond that a little bit more about themselves. There was a new participant, this was their first meeting. We didn’t have any speakers in our agenda so I asked for some volunteers and she shot up her hand, never really having met anyone in the room yet, kinda visibly nervous but also excited. She gave an amazing impromptu speech about the importance of getting out of your zone and the importance of raising your hand. It was very inspiring because you hear about their story, they get very vulnerable, they’re honest with the way they are feeling, but they’re doing a good job at it too. After that we saw a bunch of people volunteering. I asked for another ten minute speaker and someone shot up their hand and someone shot up their hand and gave a ten minute speech with little preparation. Later sessions we had people who had not participated in the first meeting, they have finally found their voice, confidence, and were able to present. Sometimes you just have to volunteer yourself, raise your hand, and figure everything out afterwards you get out of your comfort zone.
How can we find more information about joining EGBI Toastmasters?
You can visit our website here at https://egbi.org/toastmasters-en/. Our office phone number is (512) 928-2594. You can also email at david@egbi.org and I’m happy to share more information.
To find out more information about what we do here at EGBI look at our website here.
One valuable resource that can significantly impact the trajectory of a small business are grants. They offer the financial support required to fuel the growth of your business. In this article, we delve into various grants and grant platforms that could suit your business and the application process.
Each year, this competition grants $30,000 to 10 deserving business owners, with an added $20,000 grant awarded to a veteran entrepreneur selected from the pool of grand prize winners. To qualify, your business must be for-profit, employ fewer than 99 individuals, and possess a valid FedEx business shipping account number. This application opens on March 1, 2024, at 12pm ET and closes on April 1, 2024, at 12pm ET. Grant recipients will be announced on May 16, 2024. This grant application requires a short company bio with high-quality images that best represent your business and a two-minute video pitch.
Through the NASE Growth Grants program, your small business could secure up to $4,000 in funding. Grant applications undergo quarterly review according to the schedule posted on the NASE website. To qualify, membership in NASE is required, and applicants are asked to submit a business plan. Evaluation criteria for grant allocation include an assessment of the identifiable business need, a detailed plan for the use of grant funds, the potential for the grant to address the identified need, and the expected impact of the grant on the business.
This database offers a broad spectrum of opportunities customized for small businesses and contains more than 1,000 federal grant programs. These grants are from a variety of government agencies and cater to a diverse range of entrepreneurial pursuits. With eligibility criteria and monetary value varying widely, these grants provide support across a broad spectrum of business endeavors.
This database is similar to the one listed above and is an expansive online platform dedicated to listing hundreds of small-business grants sourced from across the United States. However, compared to the one above this is not through a variety of government agencies.
Starting a new business comes with its challenges, but if you’re a veteran in the state of Texas, there’s a unique opportunity to ease the burden. The Texas Veterans Commission Veteran Entrepreneur Program offers a Veteran Verification Letter (VVL), a powerful tool that not only recognizes your service but also provides tangible benefits. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of obtaining a VVL and unlocking significant cost-saving advantages.
Eligibility Check
Before diving into the application process, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Veteran Verification Letter. To qualify, you must have: – An Honorable/General Under Honorable US Military Discharge – 100% Veteran-Owned (can be more than one veteran owner) – A new entity formation between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025
2. Click on the “Connect with a Business Consultant” button to initiate the process.
3. Complete the three-part questionnaire provided by the Texas Veterans Commission.
Step 2: Information Gathering
Prepare the following documents before initiating contact with a Business Consultant: – DD214 – Member 4 or Service Copy 2: Ensure it shows discharge status. – VA Letter of Service Disability: Must include branch of service, dates of service, and discharge status. – NGB22 (Texas National Guard Only): For Texas National Guard members. – Verification of any name changes: Include relevant documents like Marriage Certificates, Divorce Decrees, etc.
Step 3: Contact with a Business Consultant
After completing the questionnaire, a Business Consultant from the Texas Veterans Commission will contact you directly. Be ready to share the gathered information and discuss your business plans.
Benefits of the Veteran Verification Letter.
Upon successful verification, you’ll receive a Veteran Verification Letter. This document holds significant advantages for your new business: -Waived $300 Registration Fee: Say goodbye to the initial registration fee with the Secretary of State. -Five Years of State Franchise Tax Exemption: Enjoy the first five years of your business without the burden of state franchise tax.
Conclusion Obtaining a Veteran Verification Letter through the Texas Veterans Commission can be a game-changer for your new business. Not only does it recognize your military service, but it also provides substantial financial benefits. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be on your way to unlocking opportunities that will make a meaningful difference in the early years of your entrepreneurial journey. This is a great first step towards many more to come.
Thank you for your service, and best of luck with your new venture!
Please do not hesitate to reach out to EGBI’s Business Coach and Veteran Services Coordinator Monica Perras at perras@egbi.org or call her directly 737-239-0221. A business coaching appointment is at no cost due to a contract with the City of Austin.
From company-paid health care coverage to onsite child care, research shows that family-friendly policies lead to higher employee attraction, retention, satisfaction, and productivity.
Are you curious to learn how you can make your company more attractive to working parents and increase your revenue at the same time?
The newly launched Best Place for Working Parents® Greater Austin initiative from Early Matters Greater Austin (EMGA) offers a free and confidential survey that you can complete online in under 5 minutes.
After completing the assessment, you will gain a real-time snapshot of how your business fares in relation to other local companies. Businesses that qualify for the designation will have an immediate opportunity to promote themselves as a designated Best Place for Working Parents®.
