Yes, you can get freebies and money for your business - here's what to do, and what NOT to do.

This week's Brain Storm! issue combines several different resources to reveal legitimate ways you can increase your business' capital, worth and chances of securing a grant or government contract.

Freebies

There's more to be obtained freely than just money - how about services and assets, like free legal work and office furniture.

Venture Capital - from Individuals and Corporations

Not only is the private VC landscape changing, but so is the corporate one. Corporations are finding it more profitable to invest in related small-startups. Find out why.

Mergers and Acquisitions

What if somebody paid you millions of dollars for your business, but you still got to run it and pursue your business goals and dreams - with someone else's money? C'est possible!

Government Grants and Contracts

Find out about a really cool grant that may apply to you and your business that less than 1% of eligible applicants ever go for!

Upcoming freebies from Digital Business Books

[Read More!]

The May 2005 Issue of Inc. discusses the benefits and pitfalls of pursuing and maintaining ISO Certification.

From a personal standpoint, I have seen ISO pursued by major international corporations, as well as smaller independent businesses. I have seen it pursued as the result of an internal drive for quality and process improvement, and pursued reluctantly as the result of a command from the parent company.

I believe ISO certification is wasted on a company that doesn't truly strive for continued process improvement, and live to achieve the highest quality at the lowest possible cost.

[Read More!]

Life will never be the same now.

This week will be a little different for all of us. As I share in the podcast, today was the first day of the rest of my life. I achieved a short term goal for my business, and I experienced it's fulfillment today. So I share a Reader's Digest version of what it took for me to start and build a new business in its first year.

It's a little bit Business, Inspiration and Faith

all wrapped up into one, and so I'm not going to have 3 separate audio articles this week. Only one that details the last year's journey and lessons learned in my first year of pursuing my dream.

If you would like to share the lessons you have learned since you have started your business,

I invite you to call the http://www.BrainStorm-Podcast.com call-in recording line, or share your story in one of the online comment areas. You may be an encouragement to someone else struggling in those initial unsteady stages of entrepreneurship.

And don't forget the Digital Business Bookstore (http://www.DigBizBooks.com).

If you or any entrepreneur you know would like to be a part of DigBizBooks.com, send 'em my way. I want to stock the shelves with really great ebooks, audio books and video curriculums. For more details, go to the site and check out all of the benefits for anyone who participates (especially those that get on board by the grand opening!).

So have a great week - and I hope my ramblings will encourage someone out there to pursue their dreams until they come true.

Penny Haynes,
http://www.DigBizBooks.com

This week I will share with you listener responses to previous issues of Brain Storm! One commenter responded to the Blockbuster article by sharing his experience of trying to get a job with Blockbuster. Another commenter from Australia commented on the article which discussed Should Your Job Make You Happy. He found that the happiest employees were the ones that found jobs they truly liked.

If you would like to share a comment on the site, please do so, and we'll share it with the rest of the listeners. You can write comment on the blog page, or you call into our recording lines. I hope you'll take a few moments to share your thoughts with us.

Have a great and prosperous week!

Penny Haynes
Digital Business Books
http://www.DigBizBooks.com

and present:

Is Real Estate Investment Good or Bad? Take it from someone who knows...

The May 30, 2005 issue of Fortune magazine had an article on the gold rush for real estate investment. This subject is near and dear to my heart, since my husband is a real estate investor. Let me tell you, when things are good, they are very good, but when things are bad... [Read More!]