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May 2015

Missouri Syblings Win "Small Business Person of the Year" Award

May 4-8 was National Small Business Week and several organizations marked the week with a variety of activities celebrating small businesses. The Small Business Administration of the Federal government annually chooses a National Small Business Person of the Year and this year's choice was brother and sister entrepreneurs Alan Doan and Sarah Galbraith of Missouri Star Quilt Company of Hamilton, Missouri. The company has a retail store but also ships hundreds of quilts each day as a result of their online business and YouTube quilting videos. Missouri Star has 180 employees (source). The SBA defines "small business" in most industries as 500 employees or less.

Alan Doan and Sarah Galbraith of Missouri Star Quilt Company receive Small Business Person of the Year Award Small Business Administation Administrator Maria Contreras Sweet was on hand to present Doan and Galbraith with their honor. She made several stops during the week. On Monday she was in Boca Raton, Florida, at the headquarters of Office Depot where a panel discussion and other activities kicked off the week for about 400 attendees (source). Tuesday took her to Los Angeles to speak at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion (source). She visited San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday to celebrate businesses started by immigrants, New York City on Thursday discussing SBA counseling services and wrapped up in Washington, D.C., where discussions centered on contracting opportunities (source).

Small Business Week was begun in 1963 by President Kennedy. As part of the festivities, the SBA selects one "Small Business Person of the Year" from nominees from all 50 states. The 2015 winner will be announced Friday, May 8 at an SBA event hosted at the White House.

Here are some small business facts (source):

  • Businesses with 20 or fewer employees make up nearly 90% of US employer firms.
  • Small businesses create 2 of every 3 jobs in the US.
  • More than half a million new businesses are started each month.
  • Businesses with 20-to-499 employees see the most job creations

Events from the week were varied and far-flung. Here are some samples (source):

  • Monday: Huntsville, Alabama, mayor Tommy Battle kicked off the week at Twickenham Square. A press conference was followed by a block party.
  • Tuesday: The Ozarks Small Business Incubator presented its "EPIC 15" event in West Plains, Missouri, keynoted by Ted Amberg of Amberg Entertainment, followed by "EPIC Mix & Mingle".
  • Wednesday: 4 Hour Super Jam hosted by Infusionsoft consisted of a series of interviews with business growth experts covering a wide array of topics.
  • Thursday: #SMBTalk Twitter Chat on Small Business Productivity Hacks featured Business Trends CEO Anita Campbell and Peter Karpas, Global Head of SMB Product at First Data Corporation.
  • Friday: The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) of Cleveland, Ohio announced the winners of up to $20,000 in cash at Music Hall at Cleveland Public Auditorium.

Quick Industry News

Artisan Connection features a variety of gluten-free gourmet food products Artisan Connection Capitalizes on Gluten-Free Trend

As more people become concerned about the effects of gluten in the diet, gluten-free products are more in demand. Some of the most optimistic estimates place the market at $10.5 billion in 2013 and see it rising to $15.6 billion in 2016.

The Artisan Connection is a vendor who offers gluten-free products for gift stores. "Our cheese straws and gourmet grahams will satisfy even the most sophisticated of palates!" says Marilyn Santulli. "And, the added bonus is they are all gluten-free with no preservatives or artificial ingredients! Cheese straws come in traditional, jalapeno, and white cheddar & chive flavors. We have cheese buttons for a simpler taste. Our gourmet grahams are great all by themselves, or, can be used as a base for your favorite cheese or spread, and don't forget they make fabulous s'mores!"

In one survey, 31% of shoppers said they would buy more gulten-free foods if the selection where they shop was better.

PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
DecoBreeze Outdoor Misting Kit on Coppertino Fan
DecoBreeze Outdoor Misting Kit Is "Cool" Addition to Fan Line

DecoBreeze's Outdoor Misting Kit is an attachement that transforms a fan into a mister. The product connects to a garden hose and protects children and pets from outdoor overheating on host summer days. The attachment works on the company's extensive decorative fan line, but also fits most outdoor fans. It is easy to assemble and attache. Sugg. Retail $24.99.


NEW WHOLESALE WEBSITES

MikWright MikWright has a new CAMEO EZ© website. many great businesses base their success and longevity on the friendship of the founders. that's the formula working at MikWright. for over 20 years, MikWright has set the pace for outlandish, provocative humor. "The mik" is Tim Mikkelsen, who, the company's website says, was the class clown. "The wright", is Phyllis, who is "the vibrance behind MikWright". Pairing images from bygone days with contemporary humor, the company's Birthday and All-Occasion greeting cards are sure to bring a laugh.

CAMEO EZ© is the B2B e-commerce system developed by OmegaNet Inc., publisher of this newsletter, for use by retailers in ordering inventory for their stores. A partial list of CAMEO EZ sites can be found at the company's portals such as www.giftswholesale.com, www.accessorieswholesale.com, www.apparelwholesale.biz, www.decorwholesale.com, www.usmadewholesale.com, www.toyswholesale.com and www.usmadewholesale.com. A complete list of sites is available in the "Directory" on www.CAMEOEZ.com.