Small Business

Happy 37th Birthday to Dr. Santresa L. Glass
Dr. Santresa L. Glass

(Photo Courtesy of Dr. Santresa L. Glass)

Most friends speak about they’ve had their “ups and downs” as friends, but we’ve never experienced any “downs.” For 16 years, you’ve been one of my best friends, and I’m grateful for our incomparable friendship. Too many people wait until someone’s funeral before sharing expressions of love, but we make our love for one another known weekly, even if it’s just a “love you” text. You’re undeniably beautiful on the inside and outside.

I’m so proud of all you have accomplished. When I think about the fact that my best friend is a pioneer in research on social media’s impact on small and medium-sized businesses, completing one of the earliest doctoral dissertations in this area, this makes me even more proud of you. I look forward to the future research you will conduct and publish in this area, and I look forward to collaborating with you on some empirical studies involving this interesting and important research.

The great work you’re doing through your non-profit organization, Cheesecake For The Cure, Inc., is commendable. Each day, your organization, under your leadership, works tirelessly to bring increased awareness about all forms of cancer—not just one or two forms as almost all other cancer-related organizations do. Again, you’re innovative and revolutionary approach to cancer prevention, education, support and treatment makes you a standout leader and thinker in this sector of the non-profit community. I’m intrigued to see what Cheesecake For The Cure, Inc. will do next. By the way, I hate cancer! (You already knew that, though.)

My prayer for you, on your 37th birthday, is to have a day of joy, peace, relaxation and reflection.

Without question, you’re one of the best gifts God has ever given to me.

Thank you for being who you are.

I love you.

Grace and Peace,

Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Working Around a Family? Why Bookkeeping Might Be Right For You!
Bookkeeper

(Photo Credit: The Win A News)

With the cost of childcare so high, more people are finding ways to have a home-based career, allowing them to provide for their families while still being home and available to them. If you have an affinity for mathematics and numbers and you’re organized and self-motivated, bookkeeping might be the perfect solution for you. It can be a career that ensures you can put food on the table while still being there to meet the needs of your family.

Why Bookkeeping is an Excellent Home Business

Starting a bookkeeping business from home is ideal, as it requires very little space and few overheads, so working from home is no challenge at all. Using your residence to run your business will ensure overhead costs remain minimal. More of your income will go into your wallet rather than being spent on business expenses.

To set up shop, all that is needed is a small amount of desk space, a computer, internet access, a telephone (either mobile or landline) and a handful of clients. Once you have the basics sorted, you’re up and running and the possibilities are limitless. Although it is a good idea, a home-based bookkeeping business does not even require space in the home for meeting clients, as that can be done away from the home at a public place or the client’s location.

Being a self-employed bookkeeper can offer ideal flexible work hours, making it easy to work around your family obligations and commitments.

Required Education and Certification

If you’re not already involved in bookkeeping as a career, it might be necessary to update or acquire the necessary qualifications. You must also decide if you will be doing BAS (Business Activity Statements) because, if so, you’ll have to complete specific qualifications for this as well. Certificate Level IV in bookkeeping is required as well as 1,400 work hours.

People looking to become a certified bookkeeper from home may want to consider getting their credentials from home. They can do this by completing a reputable online bookkeeping course. This can help to keep the costs to a minimum and you can work at your own pace. Completing the courses online will keep you home with your family, which was the original goal in the first place.

Business Activity Statements Agent

An excellent way to expand upon your business idea, increase your fees and generate more income with the same amount of work is to consider becoming a BAS agent. Any bookkeeper that wishes to handle Business Activity Statements has to meet specific requirements that include a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping or accounting and a minimum of 1,400 hours experience.

Consider all available qualifications as goals, as they will make you a knowledgeable, reliable and reputable bookkeeper.

Tips to Ensure Home Business Success

To ensure your business will be a success, and you will be able to remain at home with your loved ones, be sure to stay abreast of new software and training. It’s vital that you’re knowledgeable about the latest innovations to offer the best possible service to your customers. Your clients will expect you to have provide them with the best service and this comes through ensuring you’re employing the most sophisticated and current resources and practices. Clients are only likely to place their trust willingly in somebody who is as knowledgeable as possible about their trade, so make sure you fit this criteria for the greatest chance of success.

Before beginning, be sure to develop a strong business plan that will outline the expenses of running the business so you will be aware of how many clients you will need to earn your desired income. This should include the costs of certifications, training and software.

A good bookkeeper has a sound knowledge of tax laws as they pertain directly to the profession.

If you need help a business plan developed for an economic price, or you need help with improving your business, contact Paideia Realized, Inc. at paideiarealized@gmail.com.

Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fridays with Dr. Glass: How to Use Facebook to Grow Your Small Business
Facebook Image

(Photo Credit: PMC Network)

What impact has your use of Facebook had on your small business and your non-profit corporation?

Facebook is an incredible social media source to use. Almost every age and ethnic demographic uses Facebook., even though many have recently (the past 3 years) learned the basics: how to update a status, how to change a profile and cover photo, and how to use the hashtag (#). From small business to non-profit, Facebook has provided beneficial engagement and interaction between consumers, non-profit contributors, and I.

In what ways can Facebook be used to grow a small business?

Facebook can be used to grow small businesses in the following ways:

Personalized web address – Some small businesses do not have established websites or blogs for customers to peruse. When a small business owner creates a free Facebook business page, Facebook provides a website address that consumers can use to find said business; for example, https://www.facebook.com/magnoliassweethaven was created for Magnolia’s Sweet Haven, LLC.

Networking – Creating events, sponsoring giveaways, and connecting to other industry professionals present excellent networking opportunities. Cross-promotion of small businesses is an additional way of networking on Facebook. At Magnolia’s Sweet Haven, for instance, we work with cake pop, linen, and custom cookie vendors to create dessert tables for our clients’ weddings.

Be resourceful – Being an expert in your respective industry is information that should be shared as well as information that is wanted by consumers or readers. Facebook can be used to publish engaging industry information. The amount of times per day that small business owners choose to post is relevant to how often they appear in their followers’ Facebook feeds.

Market events – Consumers who follow a small business on Facebook are sometimes given incentives for free products or services. Food trucks will often post partial photos of where they are and ask consumers to comment with a correct guess for free food.

Link love – Small business owners should use their personal Facebook pages to link back to their Facebook business page as well as their website in the “Work and Education” bio section.

Are there any reasons a small business should not use Facebook for professional purposes?

I do not foresee why most small businesses would not want to use a free resource, marketing tool, and website for their entrepreneurial venture. Sometimes people find using social media off-putting, and there are some who find using social media will not contribute to betterment and success of their business. Bullhockey! You can reach a wider targeted demographic and make additional connections with the use of social media.

For an economical fee, would you be willing to help small businesses setup their Facebook business pages? For a monthly economical fee, would you be willing to help small businesses to maintain and add content to their pages?   

I am actually in the midst of launching a consulting and public relations firm with YOU, Dr. Daniels. I’m not sure if this is the appropriate time to announce it, but I just did. Services will include helping small business owners setup and maintain their social media pages, public relations, and start-up business plan writing. As time progresses, we SHALL make a more formal announcement.

Stay Connected with Dr. Glass…

Facebook: Magnolia’s Sweet Haven

Website: www.pamperedsweettooth.com

Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fridays with Dr. Glass: Health Concerns and the Sweets Industry
Woman Eating Chocolate

(Photo Credit: The Guardian)

When consuming sweets, it’s important for you to exercise moderation. If you make the choice to constantly overindulge in sweets, leading to excess levels of sugar in your body, you have no one to blame but yourself. While most of us love sweets, we all have a responsibility to consume them wisely. Today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Santresa L. Glass, a successful small business owner in the sweets industry and a small business and social media expert, about health concerns associated with sweets and how she works to mitigate those concerns in her own praxis. Dr. Glass also divulges Valentine’s Day specials Magnolia’s Sweet Haven, LLC is offering, so you should certainly check out those specials to experience what “Pampering Your Sweet Tooth” really is about—without depleting your bank account.

In what ways, if any, do you attempt to make your sweets as healthy as possible?

One of the main things that I and my interns strive for and execute is using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. There is a massive difference in the taste of baked confections when using the best and most readily available ingredients. We do not offer any sugar-free desserts, but always encourage our clients to indulge in moderation with our addictive confections.

What is your response to those who say it is those in the sweets industry who are helping to make us an increasingly unhealthy nation?

You cannot blame an entire industry for the nation’s problems with obesity. As with delicious savory dishes, one must consume sweets and desserts with limits. I believe in using good, unsalted sweet cream butter and advocate celebrating life with something sweet; perhaps cheesecake, in moderation.

What special plans does Magnolia’s Sweet Haven, LLC have for Valentine’s Day?

Magnolia’s Sweet Haven is running Valentine’s Day specials for the Savannah/Hilton Head areas. “Pampering Your Sweet Tooth” is something that we delight in doing year-round with mini-cheesecakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, wine-infused and traditional flavored cupcakes as well as dessert tables and candy buffets.

Connect with Magnolia’s Sweet Haven, LLC:

Website: www.pamperedsweettooth.com

Email: msweeethaven@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnoliasssweethaven

Instagram: instagram.com/magnoliassweethaven

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison