February 2015


   

ThePartyMatch is a innovative company that helps individuals discover, plan, and book parties and events. Thepartymatch.com offers a SaaS-based (software-as-a-service) CRM (customer relationship management) booking system with social networking features that serves the hospitality industry, specifically the party and event sector.   


 
Contact The Partymatch Today!

Congratulations!!
The Edge Connection would like to send out a huge thank you to The Edge Connection's clients and their family members, supporters, and sponsors who attended our 2015 Launch Party on January 23 to help celebrate small business success! We had over 250 in attendance and had a great time hearing stories of success and inspiration from our clients. Many thanks to our compelling and motivational keynote speaker, Jim Beach (School for Startups Radio). Missed this year's event? Do miss it next year - Save the date for January 2016!
Join In!

When customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected by customers. The Edge Connection is now a registered organization with AmazonSmile so every time you make a purchase on (smile.amazon.com) make sure you select The Edge Connection!
15 Must-Have Marketing Tools for 2015

Entrepreneurs are the masters of to-do lists, calendars and organization. We set goals in our sleep and evaluate our successes and failures daily. The "if you build it, they will come" plan won't get your business seen in 2015. 

 
Read More... 

4 Goals Every Small-Business Owner Should Set in 2015

Whether it's saving more money, eating healthier or spending more time with family, now is a time for making changes to improve upon our happiness. This applies to businesses too.

 


A $25,000 Grant Could Be Yours!
Fedex Small Business Grant Contest registration is open now until February 12, 2015. THINK BIGGER and share your passion and dreams for your business. Start imagining all the ways you could take it to the next level.


Support to Build Businesses: Guidance For Three Types of Female Entrepreneurs

Most women business owners are on their own as they create, grow and run their companies - but by finding expert and community support, they can accelerate their business growth process and shorten their learning curves, reaching their greatest potential more easily in less time. 

5 Lessons for the Fearless Female Entrepreneur

As female entrepreneurs and business leaders, we are often regarded as fearless. We've successfully batted away the outdated stereotypes and overcome obstacles that would derail many a man without even breaking a sweat.


How to Start a Restaurant
As increasing numbers of consumers want to dine out or take prepared food home, the number of food-service operations has skyrocketed from 155,000 about 40 years ago to nearly 960,000 today. But there's still room in the market for your food-service business.

Why Do Food Entrepreneurs Fail? They are Stuck in the Kitchen!

The path of a food entrepreneur is this: getting out of the kitchen, getting on the shelf and getting on the consumers plate. The downfall of food entrepreneurs is they get stuck in the kitchen, meaning they focus so intently on the "food"... thinking incorrectly that this is the path to success. Why does this happen?
Light meals to eat after a Super Bowl Binge!
Super Bowl Sunday can be a lot of fun but most often watching the game includes eating fattening foods and excessive drinking! Here are some light recipes to make after your super bowl binge.

            
 
Kale Salad                             Mango and Mint Green Smoothie

Mark Your Calendar For Innovative, Relevant,
and Inspiring Classes and Workshops!!

Plan for Profit- Analysis and Planning 
Starts February 2 l 
Mon & Wed, 6-9pm
The business analysis and planning module guides you through various phases of your business by analyzing the direction your company is headed and measuring its potential for success. Through careful analysis participants will have a clear understanding of their businesses' purpose and goals and will develop the formal structure in which to support them. Clients may choose to take this class outside of the Plan for Profit track and become "Edge Certified in Business Analysis and Planning." 
(Clients: $75 - $150 / Non-Clients: $250)
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Go Viral Workshop
February 12 | 12:00pm - 3:00pm
It's all about getting social with your media! Social media plays a vital role in establishing a very strong business in today's market place. Participants will learn how to make the most out of the time, energy, and money they spend on social media. Participants will leave the class with social media profiles as well as a targeted strategy to reach key demographics.This FREE three-hour course is a basic introduction to the world of social media.  In this class, participants will build and develop their social media profiles and learn basic tips and tricks to streamline their social media experience.  (Cost: Free!)
CALL 470-578-3228 TO SIGN UP TODAY!
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WOW! Business Branding  
February 16 & 17 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm  

A clear, credible and compelling value proposition is the key to creating distinctiveness. Make your brand stand out among your competitors and find your WOW! Join us for this two-evening workshop with Kelly Green to explore how you can build distinctiveness for your brand.  This workshop will cover "16 Ways to Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You" from the book "Where's Your WOW!" by Robyn Spizman and Rick Frishman. (Cost: $25, book included)       

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Advanced Social Media 
February 26| 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Social media is an essential part of business today.  Many business owners know the basics but lack some strategic planning and skill to help make their efforts effective in driving customer loyalty and increasing revenues.  This workshop, led by seasoned marketer, Miller Finch, of Miller Finch Media will discuss how to most effectively use social media for your business' desired outcomes. (Cost: $25/ $75 for Non Members)


Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.