Columbia News

Q&A 4Her – Shannon McLinden, Founder of FarmHouse Fresh

Entrepreneur and woman business owner Shannon McLinden has traded in vacations and quiet weekends with friends and family for busy days where every minute is practically accounted for. But she doesn’t seem to mind. As president of FarmHouse Fresh, Shannon is involved in every aspect of the hugely successful company. From thinking up new product ideas to designing them and making them a reality, she’s there for it all. Although she’s busy promoting her company’s new products which include Fluffy Bunny Shea Butter Body Cream, Honey Magnolia Sparkling Soak, Front Porch Punch Shea Butter Soap and her sister company, Summer Soles, line of peel-and-stick shoe liners of the same name, Shannon found time to chat with MyCity4Her. She shared invaluable insight about starting your own business and more in her Q&A 4Her interview. Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have? I’ve been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember, even crocheting towels and selling them around my neighborhood when I was in grade school. When I was in middle school I began writing stories and drawing pictures about creating perfumes and body creams and designing a retail space. So, yes, the foundation I envisioned has certainly come to life. But there is so much more. Every year we imagine greater evolutions for our company, and begin to apply ourselves to bringing them to fruition. What in hindsight would you say you underestimated about your industry or business [...]

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Antitrust Concerns For The Mid-Market Company

By Enterprise Legal Expert  Colleen Pleasant Kline, Esq., Partner at Miles & Stockbridge P. C. Most privately held businesses think very little of antitrust and pre-merger notification rules governing mergers or acquisitions. However, as it may be economical to grow your business by acquiring or merging with other similar businesses, it is important to know that even small to mid-market businesses may find such transactions subject to various antitrust rules. Whether your a female business owner of an increasingly growing enterprise, or a woman entrepreneur considering the future of her start up, it pays to be aware of legal implications and their role on the overall business – whatever the size of your company. Many larger companies are more familiar with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (“HSR Act”) which requires any transaction with a value in excess of $50 million as adjusted each year (currently $68.2 million) to complete a form and submit it to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) or the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) (collectively, the “Agencies”) for their approval of the transaction at least thirty (30) days prior to consummating the transaction. The HSR Act is intended to review such transactions to make certain that the acquisition or merger of the target company and the buyer does not create an anti-competitive effect in the marketplace. The failure to report can result in significant fines and penalties to the parties, and the government can require the transaction be unwound or [...]

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Three Killer Mistakes in Government Contracting – Part 2

By Gloria Berthold Larkin, Expert Guest Editor – Government Contracting and owner of TargetGov This is the second installment of a three part series detailing the mistakes companies can make when entering into the government contracting market. Even successful contractors will tell you that they have made many mistakes learning the ropes in this market. After all, it is a tough, complicated and rigorous market that demands expertise, dedication and perseverance before success is achieved. While all contractors have made mistakes when trying to enter or become more successful in the government market, successful business owners have learned from their mistakes, make the necessary changes and move forward to greater business opportunities and larger contracts. As you read through the top three killer mistakes listed here, note those that you recognize and make the changes now. You will start to see benefits and the doors that were slammed tight will start to open for your business. Killer Mistake #2 You Do Not Understand the Language: Whether you are starting at the local city level, the state level or even the federal government level, every segment has its own language, processes and procedures. If you do not understand the conversations, the acronyms or procedures, you make it much more difficult on yourself. Learn the Lingo: You will hear new terms and acronyms at every meeting, outreach session and conference. If you are unsure of what they mean, it is appropriate to ask. People [...]

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Q&A 4Her – Anna Jerstrom, Founder and Designer of Calavera, Inc

Anna Jerstrom spent nearly a decade of her life immersed in the demanding field of international investment banking but she longed for something different. Very different! She had dreams of attending a surfing camp in Costa Rica and once she finally did it, surfing became her life. She quit her job and moved to Costa Rica so she could focus her energies on becoming a surfing pro. While mastering the art of surfing, Jerstrom was faced with swimwear issues most woman deal with: tops and bottoms that won’t stay put, made worst by the demands of surfing. Because of this, Anna set out to make a better bikini and Calavera was born. Anna took time out of her busy day to talk to MyCity4Her and shared stories about her incredible journey including the best advice she’s received, the mistakes she’s made along the way and more in her Q&A 4Her interview. Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have? At the risk of sounding arrogant – Yes. You have to believe that it is all going to work out in order to “survive” entrepreneurship. It is such a tough and uncertain road and faith is a big part of what carries you forward. That being said, it is still an awesome and mind-boggling feeling to see something you care so deeply about resonate with other people. What in hindsight would you say you underestimated about your industry or business [...]

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Donna Glehello’s Goulibeur Shortbread – makes it’s debut on The Martha Stewart Show Tomorrow!

TV alert! Donna Glehello, owner of Breton Gourmet, is looking forward to her darling French shortbread to make a cameo on tomorrow’s (Friday, May 11) episode of The Martha Stewart Show! For a particular segment, Brenton Gourmet’s new line of delectable, all natural Goulibeur Shortbread will make its debut. The Martha Stewart Show airs on The Hallmark Channel at 10am EST. Please check your local listings for exact channel information. Before you take a look at Donna and her French gourmet treats on The Martha Stewart Show tomorrow, read a little more about her, her business and why Martha Stewart considers her cookies a “good thing” in MyCity4Her‘s interview: What made you decide to go into the cookie business? It was love at first bite the minute I saw the product in France.  I loved the history – 100 year grandmother’s recipe – 4 ingredients and the tradition of breaking & sharing a galette with friends and family. Oh and the best kept secret is it’s dessert applications. What do you think is the hardest aspect of bringing a product into the market when it comes to the gourmet or specialty food business? As in any market, it’s knowing your customer and understanding their needs and in the case of gourmet and specialty, they want exactly that–something gourmet and special!  I learned that in my very first meeting with Dean & Deluca. How will they react to another “cookie?” One look at the [...]

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Incite Creative to Design Center for Vein Restoration’s Patient Information Materials

Incite Creative to Design Center for Vein Restoration’s Patient Information Materials -  Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), with 18 clinics in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Michigan, is a rapidly growing group of clinics in venous insufficiency, the medical condition behind varicose veins and spider veins. As the company continues to thrive, it has been seeking ways to improve the communication of its services to its patients. As a result, CVR reached out to Incite Creative to help expand its offering of patient information materials. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of all adults in the US are affected by venous insufficiency, with conditions ranging from embarrassing looking veins to severely curtailed mobility due to pain, fatigue, ulcers, and more. CVR hired Incite Creative to design new patient brochures and handbooks — building on CVR’s successful web and print advertising campaign — to better educate patients and their families on treatment options as well as help to continue the building of Center for Vein Restoration’s brand. MyCity4Her recently caught up with Incite Creative’s dynamic founder and President Dina Wasmer and discussed the concept of working with people you love, targeting the right clients and more. Dina had the following to share regarding winning the prestigious contract, as well as her thoughts and insight regarding Marketing. Dina, this is a great coup for your firm – why do you think that Vein Restoration came to you to design their [...]

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Insurance Tips From MyCity4Her Affiliate Stacia Cook Cuthie Of Insurance Inc.

Getting insurance for a business can be a daunting process and sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start.  MyCity4Her affiliate and woman business owner Stacia Cook Cuthie of Insurance Inc. sent over seven valuable tips about insurance that any business or individual can use to help make the process a little easier. Insurance tips: 1. Shop both your Commercial insurance and personal insurance every three years to ensure you are receiving competitive pricing. 2. When selecting an insurance agent, know the difference between a direct underwriter and a broker. Direct underwriter: An agent that represents and works for one insurance carrier. Example: Allstate, State Farm etc. Broker: An agent that works for their client and represents several carriers 3. When purchasing commercial insurance, know the difference between General Liability and Professional Liability. General Liability Insurance protects your company from claims if your clients holds you and or your employees responsible for bodily injury or property damage, medical expenses, libel and slander caused by your company by accident or out of negligence. Professional Liability-Errors and Omissions Insurance protects your company from claims if your client holds you responsible for errors or the failure of your work to perform as promised in your contract. 4. When purchasing property insurance, know the difference between actual cash value and replacement value. Replacement Value means the cost to replace the property of comparable material and quality used .Replacing Old for new. Actual Cash Value means “fair market value,” the [...]

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MD 2012 Top 100 Event recap

Last night was the Daily Record Top 100 event at Myerhoff Symphony Hall. The event has been an institution in the women in business calendar and it is always interesting to see who attends, and who doesn’t. The nomination process starts no sooner than the awards are over and runs until January of the following year. This year 400 nominations were combed through – first by an initial group of judges (usually made up of several past winners and business community leaders) to reveal the real contenders and once that initial elimination round is over,  seven official  judges go over the filtered application and choose the year’s Top 100. This year’s Judges included Joan Athen (Managing Partner Gender Strategy, Ellen Fish (Executive Vice President CFG Community Bank & President of Network 2000) , Frances Hughes Glendening, Margaret Hayes (Director of Strategic Initiatives University of Maryland School of Nursing), Ferrier Stillman (Partner, Tydings and Rosenberg LLP), Patricia Tunstall (Retired Vice President Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Baltimore Branch) and Tom Linthicum (Executive Editor, Vice President The Daily Record.) For a complete list of this year’s winners and who was named to the Circle of Excellence – click here. Eligibility for the award obliges: The applicant must reside or work in Maryland; not eligible to win in consecutive years; and can win a total of three times and then be named to the Circle of Excellence for a sustained achievement. Criteria obliges: Professional – [...]

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Q&A 4Her – Andrea Eldridge

As CEO of Nerds On Call, entrepreneur and woman business owner Andrea Eldridge is involved in the ever-changing world of technology. Because of this, she’s had to learn to adapt her business model to accommodate. This has led to the expansion of her business that initially started as an onsite computer repair service to a company providing a full range of tech repairs with locations in California, Oregon and Washington. MyCity4Her.com caught up with Adrea and she told us what she underestimated about her industry, what she loves best about what she does and more. She also shares the best advice she’s ever received–and it involves monkeys. Intrigued? Read on for Andrea’s full Q&A 4Her interview. Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have? I never envisioned myself owning my own company, let alone being an entrepreneur in the technology sector. When I started my first company in 2002, my husband pointed out that when you work for yourself you have more control over your employment fate than you do working for a company–when someone else’s bad business decision can lead to your layoff. This lead to a fundamental shift in my thinking and allowed me to take the leap to starting out on my own. I’ve been lucky enough to partner with a great creative balance to my more structured way of thinking. As a team, he pushes me to try new directions while I figure out how to make it happen logistically. [...]

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Where’s Your Time Going?: Tips for Managing Interruptions in Your Work Day

By Leslie Shreve “Gotta minute?” How many times do you hear that during your day at work? It’s a common interruption from your staff, colleagues or leaders that causes you to break your focus, stop what you’re doing and give attention to the person standing in your doorway. If it’s not a person, then the interruption is from your office phone, cell phone or e-mail, which are all still demands on your time and attention and cause you to behave reactively instead of proactively. And reactivity can cause you to lose time and other equally important things, like losing track of tasks, deadlines and opportunities, especially if you’re not surrounded by systems you trust. It’s time to be more proactive about your time. It’s true… interruptions will never stop altogether and sometimes they can even be productive – holding a wealth of information (or entertainment) and chock full of great ideas and opportunities. However, timing is everything during your work day and while too much structure can put a damper on your day, structure is absolutely necessary for you to have freedom and a productive day so you can still take some interruptions without losing ground on your work day productivity. First, every professional needs to protect at least 20% of their day from interruptions - period. That means 80% of your day is “available” with your door open, if you have one. This also means you can answer the phone, cell phone or look [...]

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