February 2007

Sociologist, minority business owners assess challenges

When Alisa Warren got together with central city minority entrepreneurs late last month to discuss the challenges of starting or running a new enterprise, she found that their concerns largely mirrored those of other small business owners: finding capital sources, providing health insurance for employees and staying committed to a vision in the face of

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Government contracts present unique opportunity for minority-owned businesses

Measurable progress has been made in minority business development in the past several decades. Although there are still strides to be made, it’s safe to say that minority-owned businesses have moved from emerging to noteworthy in terms of numbers, employees and industry sectors in recent years. Since the 1980s, expanded government programs and enhanced contractor

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Maximizing the Minimum The implications of Missouri’s new wage law

In November of last year, Missouri voters approved Proposition B, raising Missouri’s minimum wage to $6.50 per hour, by a margin of 76 percent to 24 percent. Proposition B also stipulated that the state’s minimum wage be indexed to annual cost-of-living increases or inflation. Leading up to the election, proponents argued that the state’s lowest

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What would I blog about?

Do you want an outlet to tell your customers about your company personally? Are you frustrated because your e-mail messages won’t go through or you’re afraid no one is reading that colorful newsletter you spend so much money producing and mailing? Maybe you need to let out your inner blogger. I hope that by now

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Web Wonders: New Chamber of Commerce Web site more user-friendly

Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Don Laird says the Web site that the IDP Group designed and programmed for the organization, www.columbiachamber.com, has become “an important portal for people learning about Columbia.” Laird said that people are frequenting the new site more than the old, which results in 300-400 visits per day, sometimes more, depending

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Calling all women risk-takers

Is it still a man’s world? When it comes to entrepreneurship, more women are taking the leap to become business owners. “In Good Company,” a conference sponsored by the University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is designed to help women take that step. “We certainly acknowledge the contribution made by male entrepreneurs,” said Mary Paulsell,

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