Dreamweaver Marketing Associates News and Views: LindaHandley

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Sunday, September 23, 2012

For Sale: Opportunity Franchising Event

NEWS RELEASE
September 09, 2012

Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

Building Bridges for Business anticipates another sold-out crowd at For Sale: Opportunity franchising event on October 9

PITTSBURGH – Building Bridges for Business – a not-for-profit organization aimed at empowering and educating Pittsburgh’s small business owners – is expecting another sold-out event on October 9 between 4:30pm and 8:00 pm EST at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. They are hosting For Sale: Opportunity, intended to connect established franchisors, funding on the spot with a new loan program, 401k funding experts, finding space for the business, and potential franchisees and business owners.

“Franchises have long been an important component in the structure of American business,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “Four out of five franchises succeed where as one out of five small businesses succeed after five years.” Franchises provide over 9.8 million jobs with a payroll of over $229 billion according to the International Franchise Association, IFA.

At the event, built around networking opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs, Rich Fitzgerald, Executive, Allegheny County, will deliver a message on the current state of locally owned small businesses. “Rich’s passion for small business development and sustainability in Allegheny County has been unprecedented,” stated Amanda Wodzenski President of Building Bridges. “We’re excited to hear him speak and know he will provide regional small business owners with insights, information and resources from a governmental perspective.”

In addition to providing franchises with an established presence in the Pittsburgh region with growth opportunities, the event will also target new opportunities for franchises outside of the Pittsburgh market and potential local franchisees. “We are hopeful this will be an opportunity for new franchises to partner with local entrepreneurs and drive new business to our region and tri-state area,” Handley said. “It is apparent that Pittsburgh is experiencing significant economic growth, and this event will serve as a wonderful opportunity for national franchises to partner with local business leaders.”

Previous Building Bridges for Business events include Small Business Works, held at the Kingsley Center in Pittsburgh’s East End in 2011 and 2012, Young Entrepreneurs held at GOOGLE Pittsburgh, and Welcome to Oz, held at downtown Pittsburgh’s Fairmont Hotel in October 2011 and featuring Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Obama’s chief of advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration. All of the organization’s previous events have sold out.

Partners for For Sale: Opportunity include, the Allegheny County Executive’s Office, the City of Pittsburgh, the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and the Small Business Development Center at Duquesne University. Major sponsors are Positively Pittsburgh Live, Brunnhuber and Associates, Comcast Business Class, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Staples, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh Business Times and Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association. Interested participants can register for the event on Building Bridges for Business’ website (www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org). To learn more, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business via e-mail at info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES FOR BUSINESS Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Building Bridges for Business 501(c) 3 aims at empowering and educating the region’s small business leaders by providing resources to start, manage, grow and promote their businesses. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched COFFEE WITH a trademarked Film Series and Pittsburgh's first-ever small business TweetChat.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates. Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping. Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business. www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Building Bridges for Business Empowers Pittsburgh Small Business

NEWS RELEASE

August 23, 2012
Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

Building Bridges for Business and Partners empower Pittsburgh Small Business Owners

PITTSBURGH – Building Bridges for Business – a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering small business owners by providing one-stop access to resources, information and partnerships – is achieving its organizational mission - providing small business owners with unprecedented connections to local agencies, contacts and other necessary business resources.

Founder Linda Handley

“Our team has certainly worked hard to push the organization forward and improve visibility among small business owners,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “We have also been very fortunate to have the support from a host of pivotal partnerships, particularly the offices of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.” In addition, Building Bridges for Business has partnered with local universities, such as the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and the Small Business Development Center at Duquesne University.

Sue Malone, President of Strategies for Small Business, after a recent event helping Pittsburgh Small Businesses for free, said, “Building Bridges does an outstanding job offering the small businesses of Pittsburgh an opportunity to soar." I am in many cities working with Small Businesses and I have never seen such dedication as I see in Building Bridges to offer such a unique opportunity for the small businesses of Pittsburgh." The organization hosted its fourth sold-out event this summer, Small Business Works, at the Kingsley Association. At the event over 200 local small business owners listened to a message from Malone, and every business that asked received assistance with funding, free advice on a formal business plan and/or free marketing collateral, such as logos and press kits.

“Thanks to the support of our sponsors, donors and partners, we are reaching our goals and achieving our vision,” said Amanda Wodzenski President of Building Bridges for Business. “The contributions and support from so many organizations and individuals has made starting a business and sustaining a business in Pittsburgh simpler, and our local economy will continue to benefit as a result.” Major sponsors include Staples, Comcast, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Brunnhuber and Associates, and Pittsburgh Venture Capital.

Other live events – all of which have sold out – include fall 2011’s Welcome to Oz, featuring guest speakers Dr. Winslow Sargeant, chief council for advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration and Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, City of Pittsburgh at the Fairmont Hotel. Last summer, Google’s Pittsburgh headquarters opened its doors to local business owners and the organization held a Young Entrepreneurs event.

Aside from live events, Building Bridges for Business also launched Pittsburgh’s first-ever monthly TweetChat in September 2011, using the hashtag #SmallBizPgh and featuring small business experts, entrepreneurs and government officials from across the United States. At these events, local business owners can pose questions to the featured guests via Twitter.

This summer, the organization kicked off its Coffee With…SM video series, available on YouTube and the organization’s website. Geared towards small business owners, the videos feature guests – including Dr. Sargeant, city council members and successful small business owners – discussing current issues facing small business and sharing tips to help business owners succeed.

For more information, visit Building Bridges for Business’ homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Major sponsors include Staples, Comcast, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Brunnhuber and Associates, and Pittsburgh Venture Capital.
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Monday, August 20, 2012

Rieva Lesonsky Tweet Chat in September

NEWS RELEASE

August 10, 2012
Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder

Phone: 412.475.9010

E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

GrowBiz Media and SmallBizDaily.com CEO Rieva Lesonsky to Engage Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs in September #SmallBizPgh TweetChat

PITTSBURGH – Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, speaker and small business expert, Rieva Lesonsky (@Rieva) will provide insights and answers to questions from Pittsburgh-area small business owners via Twitter in Building Bridges for Business’ (@bridges4biz) monthly TweetChat on September 18 at 7 PM EDT.

Lesonsky, who is co-founder and CEO of GrowBiz Media and SmallBizDaily.com and served as the editorial director at Entrepreneur magazine for over 20 years, will offer information and resources on securing capital, networking, marketing strategies and women’s entrepreneurship in a free one-hour online event. Her expertise on the subject has led to frequent national media appearances, such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox Business News, The Martha Stewart Show and Oprah.

“Rieva has made small business her business,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “Through her career as a small business writer and editor and also as an entrepreneur, she has demonstrated a passion for small business success. We look forward to working in conjunction with her to provide our local small business owners with valuable insights that will help them ignite further success for themselves.”

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners, will feature Lesonsky, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The TweetChat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business’ homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES FOR BUSINESS
Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Building Bridges for Business aims at empowering and educating the region’s small business leaders by providing resources to start, manage, grow and promote their businesses.

Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business TweetChat.

ABOUT RIEVA LESONSKY

Rieva Lesonsky, founder and CEO of GrowBiz Media, is a widely recognized small-business expert and author of the bestselling book Start Your Own Business. Former Editorial Director of Entrepreneur Magazine, Rieva has been meeting with, consulting to and speaking to America’s SMBs—and the big corporations that want to reach them—for over 25 years. This experience has given her an inside perspective on what entrepreneurs want, how to connect with them, and how to help them grow successful businesses. Rieva has worked with B-to-B marketers including American Express, Dell, State Farm and many others, and with organizations including ASBDC, SCORE and the SBA, to market to and educate entrepreneurs. She is nationally renowned small business speaker who has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox Business News, The Martha Stewart Show and Oprah.

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Monday, July 23, 2012

Building Bridges for Business Decides Hugs Are Important Too!

P.O. Box 1155 Pittsburgh, PA. 15230
Phone: (412) 444-5197
Email: info@pplmag.com

For Additional Info:
Joanne Quinn-Smith Al Levine
412- 444-5197 412-973-9611
jqsdreamweaver@aol.com al@hugathonpittsburgh.com

To schedule interviews contact: Hank Walshak 412-831-3023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Building Bridges for Business Decides Hugs Are Important, Too!
Sponsors Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day

PITTSBURGH, PA, July, 2012 – Building Bridges for Business has joined the growing list of sponsors of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day. The announcement was made today by Joanne Quinn-Smith, AKA Techno Granny, Creative Energy Officer, Dreamweaver Marketing Associates; Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com; and Founder of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day

“We wanted to sponsor Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh Day, because making Pittsburgh better known in the Tri-State area and the United States benefits everyone here, from our residents to our businesses and charities,” said Linda Handley, Founder of Building Bridges for Business.

Quinn-Smith warmly welcomed Handley’s sponsorship. “Our thanks go out to Linda for her sponsorship of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh,” she said. “Building Bridges for Business and Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh are both about furthering a positive image for Pittsburgh. So it just makes sense.”

Sponsors for Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh plug into 1 million accumulated listeners of the PositivelyPittsburghLive ™ Radio Network, growing at 11.6 percent per month. This network scores 220,000 hits per month and 62,000 page views.

Hug-a-Thon sponsorships are available from $50 to $50,000. To fund a sponsorship, individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to call Al Levine, Community Relations & Development Director of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh at 412-973-9611.

Building Bridges for Business provides the resources, events and education to help you, the entrepreneur. Its arsenal consists of workshops aimed at your needs, partnerships with organizations around the city and county and events, both live and virtual, to answer your most pressing questions.

The first, annual Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day brings local, regional, and national exposure and recognition for the City of Pittsburgh and to four, non-profit organizations—Cancer Caring Center, Sickle Cell Society, Inc., Pittsburgh Passion’s Passion for Life Foundation, and Operation Troop Appreciation.

A number of activities during 2012 will culminate in a major event on September 6, 2012. The places to get hugs are tentatively scheduled at the City County Building, Market Square, Katz Plaza, and underneath Macy’s Clock from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. An evening gala will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites, Pittsburgh Downtown.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Join SBA's Ngozi Bell for July Twitterchat

Building Bridges for Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2012

Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

Small Business Administration Advocate Ngozi Bell Featured Guest for July #SmallBizPgh Twitterchat

PITTSBURGH, PA – Small Business Administration (SBA) Region III Advocate, Ngozi Bell (@advocacySBA) will answer questions via Twitter on July 10, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm EST in Pittsburgh's small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz).

As the SBA’s Region III Advocate, Bell works with federal, state and local policy makers and leaders, small business stakeholders and small businesses to identify new issues and concerns around policy and regulations that affect small business owners. Region III includes Pennsylvania, as well as, Delaware, the District of Colombia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Bell, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

“Ngozi will provide entrepreneurs in Western Pennsylvania with information on how the office of Advocacy’s resources can be leveraged to aid and spur small business growth locally and across the country,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “In addition, her background as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist will supply insight on how to start a business and catch the eyes of investors, which are necessary for sustainability and growth.”

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

About Building Bridges for Business
Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

About Ngozi Bell
Ngozi Bell was appointed Regional III Advocate by the Federal Government in November 2010. Regional advocates work with Federal, state and local policy makers and leaders, small business stakeholders and small businesses to help identify new issues and concerns around policy and regulations that affect small business owners, and they work closely with the chief counsel for advocacy.

Most recently, Bell served as vice president of Birchmere Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm that focuses on investing in and developing startup companies in the medical, cleantech, and technology sectors. Prior to that, Bell was a senior director of technology and marketing at LSI, Agere Systems, and Lucent Technologies.
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Monday, June 18, 2012

Building Bridges for Business Debuts Coffee With... Video Series

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2012

Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder

Phone: 412.475.9010

E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

PITTSBURGH – Building Bridges for Business debuted its new Coffee With...SM video series – another resource aimed at empowering and educating small business owners in Pittsburgh – on the organization’s YouTube channel. The videos feature successful small business owners and political and community leaders discussing their thoughts on issues that are crowd sourced via the organizations Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn accounts and website.

On July 2, 2012 Dr Winslow Sargeant, Obama’s Chief Counsel of Advocacy for Small Business, video will be shared. Dr Sargeant, who represents small businesses on regulatory matters, discusses the important role of small business in our economy and how to grow your business in these challenging times.

Current videos feature Pittsburgh City Council Members William Peduto and Corey O’Connor, Pennsylvania Candidate for State Representative Ed Gainey, political consultant Bonnie DiCarlo, Pittsburgh Black Business Directory publisher Connie Portis, Andre Weisbrod, president, Staar Financial Advisors and entrepreneurs Diane Daniels and Vern Alexander.

Topics discussed by guests in the video series include everything from the job market, small business growth and economic issues to sharing their favorite ride at Kennywood and, appropriately, how they take their coffee.

“Coffee With... gives successful small business owners and political leaders a chance to share their thoughts in an informal setting,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “It also gives the small business community of Pittsburgh a chance to ask questions and address issues that affect them with these individuals via social media and a chance to hear what leaders think about key issues.”

The video series – which is shot on location at Elements Contemporary Cuisine in downtown Pittsburgh – debuted in May, with further installments planned to be released throughout the summer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6SWIqZHa94&feature=youtu.be

“Coffee With...SM is an unique opportunity for to have information and access to business and community leaders in our region,” said JoAnn Forrester, President of SI Business Associates, a firm with over 30 years experience in business growth. Forrester continued, “It is important to know the players and find out how we can help one another grow our business and improve our community. Coffee With...SM is the perfect vehicle for this.” More on Coffee With... and Building Bridges for Business’ other development programs, is available on their homepage at BuildingBridgesForBusiness.org.

ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES FOR BUSINESS

Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Building Bridges for Business aims at empowering and educating the region’s small business leaders by providing resources to start, manage, grow and promote their businesses.

Since its inception in November 2010, Building Bridges for Business has hosted four sold out live events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.
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Monday, April 9, 2012

LA Comes to the 'Burgh via PR Twitterchat

NEWS RELEASE

April 10, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010

E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

Los Angeles PR Firm Founder and Expert Business Builder Lisa Elia Featured Guest for May 15 #SmallBizPgh Twitterchat

PITTSBURGH, PA – Award winning entrepreneur and public relations expert, Lisa Elia, will answer questions via Twitter on May 15, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm EST in Pittsburgh's small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Elia, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

“Lisa’s drive and passion for women’s entrepreneurship and her field of public relations will provide local entrepreneurs with prime advice on how they can achieve their dream of owning and developing their own small businesses,” said Building Bridges for Business founder, Linda Handley. “She brings business expertise to the table, as well as insight on how to appropriately market and promote business on a large scale, which will be an added bonus for our attendees.”

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

About Lisa Elia

Lisa Elia is a publicist, media trainer and CEO and founder of Lisa Elia Public Relations, a full-service PR firm in Los Angeles. She is an expert media trainer and speaker who has become known for her Women of Influence Program, media training services, annual events, and private coaching programs.

She has secured placements for her clients in major media outlets, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN, Redbook, In Style and hundreds of others. She has positioned clients for book deals, endorsement deals, positions as contributing editors to magazines and even their own TV shows.

As an entrepreneur herself for over 20 years, Elia has spoken at many events for entrepreneurs, sharing tips on publicity, internal communications, positioning oneself as an expert and a variety of other topics. She has created programs to teach people how to do their own PR and to improve their on-camera presence.
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Susan Solovic Tweetchat Presented by Building Bridges for Business

NEWS RELEASE

February 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com
Mail: 342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Susan Solovic, March 13, 2012 7pm Be among the first in Pittsburgh to join us for a TWEETCHAT #SMALLBIZPGH Building Bridges for Business

PITTSBURGH, PA – Award winning entrepreneur and author, Susan Solovic will answer questions via Twitter on March 13, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz) Sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Solovic is an award winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney is our guest.

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Solovic, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

A woman of many talents, Susan Wilson Solovic is an award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney. But behind every achievement, Solovic embodies ideas that make her universally—and intimately—relatable to all entrepreneurs: hard work, fortitude, and persistence. In a world of quick and questionable viral fame, Solovic is a rare commodity: she is what she preaches.
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Join Susan Solovic for a Small Biz Twitterchat

NEWS RELEASE

February 14, 2012

Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com
Mail: 342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Susan Solovic, award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney is our FEATURED GUEST AT February #SMALLBIZPGH TWITTERCHAT

PITTSBURGH, PA – Award winning entrepreneur and author, Susan Solovic will answer questions via Twitter on March 13, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Solovic, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

A woman of many talents, Susan Wilson Solovic is an award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney. But behind every achievement, Solovic embodies ideas that make her universally—and intimately—relatable to all entrepreneurs: hard work, fortitude, and persistence. In a world of quick and questionable viral fame, Solovic is a rare commodity: she is what she preaches.

Raised in rural Missouri by entrepreneurial parents, Solovic learned early the meaning and value of becoming one’s own boss. At the age of 15, when most adolescents are preoccupied with growing up, Solovic had already started her own business giving baton-twirling lessons. She would go on to be the first in her family to graduate from law school—made possible by working full time. But later on, feeling that law was not her ultimate calling, Solovic tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit by building a company from the ground up. As CEO and co-founder of ItsYourBiz.com (formerly SBTV.com), Solovic led the company from a concept to a multi-million dollar, award-winning enterprise. In 2006, Solovic accepted the Stevie Award on behalf of ItsYourBiz.com for the Most Innovative Company under 100 employees; that same year, ItsYourBiz.com was voted the Best Investment Opportunity presenting to a Venture Forum event in the Silicon Valley.

Solovic is also a sought-after keynote speaker, as well as a small-business contributor for ABC News. She regular guest expert for Fox Business and Fox News, and she can be seen frequently on MSNBC, WABC, WCBS, CNN, CNBC and many other stations across the country. In 2011, Solovic launched a nationally syndicated radio show, It’s Your Biz with Susan Solovic, during which she invites leading entrepreneurial experts from across the country to share their unique perspectives on the world of small business. In conjunction with PBS, she created a feature program called Reinvent Yourself Now: Become Self-Reliant in an Unpredictable World. In addition to television and radio appearances, Solovic is a featured blogger on numerous sites, including Constant Contact, WSJ.com, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Fast Company. Recognized by major brands as the foremost small business expert, Susan can be seen currently on the AT&T small business website.

Solovic has written four bestselling books: It’s Your Biz; The Girls’ Guide to Power and Success; Reinvent Your Career: Attain the Success You Desire and Deserve; and The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business. A fervent activist for women entrepreneurs, Solovic services on the Board of Directors for IEEW (Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women). Previously, she served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of WIPP, Women Impacting Public Policy and Chair of the organization’s Executive Advisory Board as well as the National Advisory Board for the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). In 2009, Solovic received the Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship Leader of Distinction Award, and in 2008 she was the first recipient of AT&T’s Innovator of the Year Award for being a pioneer in a new industry.

Solovic is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Saint Louis University and also currently serves on the school’s advisory board for the John Cook School of Business Entrepreneurial Studies. Saint Louis University is one of the top-rated entrepreneurial schools in the United States.

Previously, Solovic served on the National Women’s Business Council, which counsels the President, Congress, and the SBA on issues affecting women business owners. She is also a past member of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University. And somehow she still finds time for hobbies: Solovic is an avid cook and pianist, and believes in living a healthy lifestyle. She has a passion for meeting and learning about new people and making a positive impact on their lives. Having reinvented herself time and time again--while still holding on to core principles--she is an archetype of the entrepreneurial spirit, which affords her a unique vantage point from which to share information and insight with business owners around the world.
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Twitterchat with Melinda Emerson for Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs

NEWS RELEASE

January 5, 2012
Pittsburgh, PA

FORBES - INFLUENTIAL WOMAN FOR ENTREPRENEURS FEATURED GUEST AT JANUARY #SMALLBIZPGH TWITTERCHAT

Melinda Emerson will provide live answers and resources via Twitter for Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs

PITTSBURGH, PA – Influential entrepreneur and author, Melinda Emerson (@smallbizlady) will answer questions from local entrepreneurs via Twitter on January 17, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in the third installment of Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners and leaders in Allegheny County, will feature Emerson, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

The #smallbizpgh Twitterchat is free, allowing interested users to engage and participate using smart phones, tablets and computers.

The third installment, in a series of Twitterchats, the #smallbizpgh Twitterchat is the first of its kind in Pittsburgh, allowing small business owners to network and ask questions from reputable and proven experts.

“The vision for the Building Bridges for Business community is to create an environment where entrepreneurs can grow and advance their business, support other business owners and develop as entrepreneurs who give back to their community,” says Building Bridges for Business founder, Linda Handley, who is also an entrepreneur, author and business adviser.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

Building Bridges for Business

Building Bridges for Business was founded in 2010 by entrepreneur, author and business adviser, Linda Handley in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, the Allegheny County Executive's Office, Duquesne University and Chatham University to provide resources for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County entrepreneurs on business growth, promotion, management and to aid indviduals hoping to launch a new business.

Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. Other events have featured key local small business figures. In 2012, Building Bridges for Business will host three more events, which are also expected to sell out.

Building Bridges for Business' goal is to create an organization that truly serves the Pittsburgh area's business owner and struggling entrepreneur by connecting them with resources and people who can guide them to success.

“We want to bridge the valuable resources in Western Pennsylvania with business owners and residents who want to start a business,” says Building Bridges for Business President, Amanda Wodzenski.

In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat in September 2011 to offer vital resources from small business experts to entrepreneurs via Twitter.

Melinda Emerson

Melinda Emerson is a Philadelphia-based author, speaker and small business coach whose proven techniques have aided over 2500 small business owners in growing their business.

She has been featured on NBC Nightly News, in the Wall Street Journal,U.S. News and World Report and Black Enterprise. In March 2010, Emerson published her first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works.

Known as @smallbizlady on Twitter, Emerson also hosts her own weekly Twitterchat using hashtag #Smallbizchat.

Emerson's day job is as founder, president and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, a full-service multimedia production firm, which she founded in 1999. Clients of Quintessence Multimedia include Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Comcast and Radio One. The firm has received eight Telly awards for outstanding production.

Prior to her work at Quintessence, Emerson worked as a television producer for ABC and NBC. Emerson has also been an adjunct professor at Delaware State University and featured as a guest lecturer at a variety of colleges and universities.

Emerson is a graduate of Virginia Tech and has also attended executive education programs at Harvard University, Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia. She resides in suburban Philadelphia with her husband and son.

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Friday, September 9, 2011

Building Bridges for Business Hosts Welcome to Oz

Pittsburgh, PA – September 7, 2011

Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide

Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and Building Bridges for Business will host Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide to educate and empower business owners. The third seminar in the SOLD OUT series will be held on October 10, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel. The key note speaker will inspire attendees and 15+ resources will share strategies to be sustainable and grow their business.

The five organizations partnered and will host the October event and several other events scheduled in neighborhoods in the greater Pittsburgh region. Every event provides access to education and the region’s amazing business resources. Details for the October 2011 Welcome to Oz event are located on http://www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/.

These events will allow participants to expand networking opportunities and meet valuable business resources at the same time. Fifteen sustainable and green companies will be on hand to share cash generating/environment saving techniques. Major sponsors include The Pittsburgh Technology Council, The Pittsburgh Business Times, Fireman Creative, c-leveled, Enterprise Rent a Car, Cold Cypress, solutions4networks, Louis Plung and Comcast Business Class. Register for this event at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will be providing opening remarks. "Small businesses are the lifeline of neighborhood business districts and their success and growth is key to maintaining a livable and vibrant City", said Ravenstahl. "Through opportunities like this, we hope to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success by educating them on the many tools and existing programs that are currently available."

The event’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Winslow Sargeant Chief Advocate for Small Business Research and Regulatory Affairs. President Obama appointed Winslow to this role in 2009. His background:

• Entrepreneur/Small business start up owner, Co-founder, Aanetcom—A Fabless semiconductor company in Allentown, PA Company was acquired: for $800M in March 2000 by PMC Sierra

• Government Official: National Science Foundation, Program Director, SBIR/STTR Program

• VC experience: Kauffman Fellow, Managing Director, Venture Investors, LLC (2006-2009)

• President Obama Appointed: Nominated, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, 2009, a Senate-confirmed position
Received Recess appointment, August 2010

"The vision for the Building Bridges for Business community is an environment where entrepreneurs can grow and advance their business, support other business owners, and develop as entrepreneurs giving back to their community," says Building Bridges for Business founder Linda Handley, an entrepreneur, author and business advisor. "We want to bridge the valuable resources in Western Pennsylvania with business owners and residents who want to start a business," says Amanda Wodzenski, President of Building Bridges. Building Bridges for Business was created based on the need Handley and others saw in the area understanding that small and start up business owners have limited finances.

Building Bridges for Business focuses on business growth, promotion, management, and people who want to launch a new business. In the past year, Building Bridges has grown and showcases over 30+ Pittsburgh resources. Building Bridge’s goal is to create an organization that truly serves the "small" business owner or struggling entrepreneur.

There is no fee or yearly membership rate to join as a general member of Building Bridges for Business. That is one of the major factors that differentiates Building Bridges from other business and networking groups. Additionally, Building Bridges has plans to offer educational webinars empowering and educating entrepreneurs throughout the year. The variety of programming, allows Building Bridges for Business to provide value to the greatest number of education and business resources regardless of budgetary and time constraints. Visit www.BuildingBridgesForBusiness.org for a full listing of resource partners, educational opportunities and events.

Linda Handley
Building Bridges For Business
342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Contact: 412.475.9010
info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org
http://www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/

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