I'll be taking entries and then doing a drawing through a randomizer (uh, anyone know a DEAD simple randomizer?)

Ummm. Who would know if you just closed your eyes and pointed at the screen?

Bonnie, have you ever looked at David Seah's productivity stuff? [link]

I really need to track my time better, because I'm easily distracted and tend to lose chunks of time. Ooh, look. Shiny.

Ginger, *I* would, and I would feel horribly guilty about not being as fair as possible!

It's a sickness...

I use Togl to track work projects, and it's useful to know how MUCH I'm working on a particular project, or section of project.

But you have to remember to HIT THE START BUTTON. Which is why I leave it open in a tab all day long; it stares at me, and I remember (mostly) to use it when I switch gears, or get a glass of tea and decide I have to clean the fridge, NOW, before I can possibly write anymore.

Okay, so I met this week with a buddy of mine who is wanting to start his t-shirt business. He's doing great; got a mentorship with a friend of ours who is also allowing him to use his shop during off hours. But he basically needs moved along in the process; he finds the various registrations and whatnot daunting. I have no fear regarding these things, so I put together a list of resources for him. You guys might be interested as well.

Legal advice on starting your new business, with a full 50 step checklist: [link]

Small business administration: lots of good info from the government here; for us I've selected their women-owned small business program. [link]

Service corps of retired executives. SCORE is a great organization that hooks you up with a retired businessperson in your field who can help walk you through many different aspects of your business, from startup to marketing to raising capital. I met with them in Santa Fe and they were fabulous, really friendly and unintimidating and helpful. [link]

Small business development centers: Also based out of the sba, like SCORE. The Indiana one I linked for my friend has specialty programs for minorities and women, but I've linked the general site here. You'll want to find your local. [link]

You'll also want to check with your secretary of state's office, for info, for registration requirements, and for your local legislation.

I can't remember if someone has suggested this (not sure if it needs a BS consensus), but I think that we should have a link in the header to a page of Buffista businesses, or to a bookmark on the Links page. Each link could have a one line description of the business.

Agreed. I totally forgot about that portion of the discussion in the glow of the shiny new thread.

And Vortex, do you by chance know anyone with a PR firm in DC? It's not for me, but for a local political issue (development of the Hine Middle School property). I used to have a great contact, but that company left town.

I'd like to make a referral to a community group that needs to get its voice heard.

Bonny, let me ask around.

Much obliged.

Bonny, insent to your profile addy.

Thanks so much!