EDGE Center Closing

EDGE Centers Executive Director resigned as of February 14, 2011 due to family priorities.

The Center will close it's doors at 241 W Ave A, Belle Glade, FL as of February 28, 2011.

Please contact Betty Boyer at 561-993-4343 for further information concerning records.

The current Board of Directors, Betty Boyer, Dr. James A Klaber, Paul Skyers and Derrek Moore want to thank all of the Supporters (see previous blog entry)of the EDGE programs that made it possible for new businesses and jobs to be created in the Glades.

The EDGE Center served the needs of the Glades Residents and small business owners in the Glades from 1997 til 2011.

Holiday Blessings

The EDGE Board of Directors and Staff
want to thank all of the following organizations
and individuals for their friendship, support and confidence
and to offer

Holiday Blessings for a Safe, Productive and Happy New Year.

City of Belle Glade Administration and Council Members
City of South Bay Administration and Council Members
City of Pahokee Administration and Council Members

WSWN Sugar 900 Radio
Sun News

Palm Beach State College Administration
Glades Day School Administration
Glades Central High School Administration

Palm Beach County Economic Development Office Staff
Hendry County EDC
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Florida Business Incubators Association
National Business Incubators Association
State of Florida Historical and Cultural Affairs Division
USDA
Pahokee Chamber of Commerce
Clewiston Chamber of Commerce
Palm Beach County Sheriffs Dept
Weed and Seed Administration

Palm Beach Community Development

Anthony's Fine Fashions
MODA Bridals and Tuxedo Rentals
Omar's Urban Wear
Jays Casual Fashions
GUS Distributors
Addiction Urban Wear
Missouri Dept Store
Muck City Fashions
Royals
Best Buy
Super Merchandise
Affordable Insurance of the Glades
We Care
Newkita Management Group
BPOE
McDonalds of Belle Glade
Florida Crystal
Florida Sugar Cane League
Goodwill Industies
Glades Gas
Lake Welding
Plant and Grow Tree Farms
George Boyer Enterprises
Glade and Grove
Lakeside Medical Center

Glades Home Health Care

Black Gold Steak House

Liggio Law Offices

Newtek Business Services

Grants to You

Lasergrade

Nowlen Holt and Miner Accounting

Fly-In Ranch

Glades Ag Services

Harmack Company

Youth Volunteers

Antkeria Smith

Paul Smith

Frank Brown

Little Hands Learning Center

Community Volunteers

Yolanda Hasan

Tracy Harrell

Trudy Nettles

Javier Tejada

John Ellison Jr

Dorothy Walker

Rev Willy Lawrence

Bank of Belle Glade
PNC Bank
Wachovia Bank

First Baptist Church of Belle Glade
Community United Methodist Church of Belle Glade
Rock Ministries

If your name is not on this list we invite you to learn more about how you or your organization can help the Glades Region Develop stable, secure businesses and jobs to enhance the safety for residents and improve living conditions in the Glades.
www.edgecenter.info

Betty Boyer-Chairperson Dr. James N. Klaber-Vice Chair

Paul Skyers- Secretary Derrek Moore-Treasurer

Suzanne Harper-Executive Director

West Palm Beach, Florida Insurance Litigation Attorney :: Jeffrey M. Liggio :: Jupiter, Florida Insurance Lawyer

West Palm Beach, Florida Insurance Litigation Attorney :: Jeffrey M. Liggio :: Jupiter, Florida Insurance Lawyer

The EDGE Center has added a new law partner. Check them out.

Women Owned Businesses Increase

Thursday's Daily Pulse - from Florida Trend, Florida's Source For Business

The EDGE staff is looking for volunteers to assist in planning a Women Business Owners conference that will be held in April 2011. This conference will give Women Business Owners in the Glades a chance to participate in a strategic plan for business development in the Glades Region (Belle Glade, Canal Point, Clewiston, Moore Haven, Pahokee, and South Bay), as well as an opportunity to showcase their business and products.

The first organizational workshop will take place on October 21st, at 10AM at the
Palm Beach State College Belle Glade Campus.

Everyone interested is invited to this very important session. Your participation will help to make your business grow. To reserve a seat please click here.

For additional information please contact Suzanne Harper at (561)993-3343 ext 1.


Lunch will be available following the meeting.


Join the women business assistance forum.

Agri-tourism a Family Fun Destination Brand

October 28th, 2010 11:00-1PM

Clewiston Chamber of Commerce

This workshop is a ground floor opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who is interested in learning more about starting a agritainment business.

This workshop is also for landowners in Hendry, Glades and Western Palm Beach County's who are looking for new uses of their vacant land and how to co-partner to get the most benefit of starting a agritainment business.

Guest Speaker Hugh McPherson,Maze Master built Maize Quest from the ground up. His experience helps build entertainment value through attraction selection and marketing know-how.
Maize Quest's operational and marketing systems were developed from Hugh's hands-on experience and his compilation of information from across our network of operators. Hugh's the 'Big Idea' guy who lives for creating innovations in maze-based entertainment. Are you looking for the next big idea?

Hosted by the Hendry County Economic Development Council and The Enterprise Development for Glades Entrepreneurs (EDGE) Center.

Fresh Food, Water, and Air will be served for lunch so please click here to reserve your seat.

Check out what is happening at the IFAS Extension office- Veggie Fever.

I think I see the muck monster!

What our Community Supporters are saying!

Our Community Supporters are the foundation of our Success here is what they have to say:

Letters of Support

City of Belle Glade Moving Forward

The City of Belle Glade has published two very professional documents that we want to share with you:

Organizational Review and Status Report 2010

Current and Future Projects and Programs 2009-2010

Agritourism/Agritainment

The EDGE Center is organizing a new Agri-tourism and Agri-tainment business committee to develop a new strategic agri-tourism business plan for the Glades.

An organizational meeting will be held on September 21st, 2010 at 11:30AM at the Lakeside Medical Center conference rooms 2 & 3.

This meeting is a ground floor opportunity that is open to all farmers, ranchers, and anyone interested in learning more about starting an agritourism/agritainment business.

This is an opportunity for land owners to discuss additional uses for their lands and for those business owners or individuals looking for a business venture to learn more about co-partnering.

Don't miss out on this very amazing opportunity that will put the Glades on the Map.

Fresh food, air and water will be served for lunch.

Special Guest Speaker - Hugh McPherson creator and operator of Maize Quest.

Limited seating please Click here to reserve a seat.

(Have you heard that the muck monster was spotted in the corn field behind the College?)

Check out what is happening at the IFAS Extension office- Veggie Fever.

Now you can make your appointment online!

appointment scheduling - by BookFresh

EDGE Stimulus Garden

EDGE Stimulus Garden

Lots of new items are available and your contributions help the EDGE programs to be able to keep serving the local Glades residents.

(561)993-3343 ex 2 Javier Tejada
edgectr@gmail.com

EDGE Stimulus Garden

The EDGE Center staff has planted and new garden and we need you help to make it grow. When you pick an item from the EDGE Garden is allows us to create more opportunities and fulfill more dreams for the Glades Communities.

Please visit the EDGE Garden often because we are planting new items daily. You can visit 24/7/365. If you need any help please call gardner Javier at 561-993-3343.

Earn Tax Credits from the State By Hiring new employees

If you have hired a new employee within the last six months you maybe entitled to a tax credit from the State.

We are currently scheduling FREE workshops on how to obtain these credits.

Call us today to reserve a seat.

561-993-3343 ext 2. or email edgectr@gmail.com

Open House Meet and Greet March 25th

You're Invited to attend the first quarter

Open House Networking Opportunity at the EDGE Center.

Learn about new community opportunities to expand your non-profit outreach or to market your for-profit business.

March 25th, 2-5PM

At The EDGE Center, Inc 241 W Ave A, Belle Glade, Fl 33430

Please RSVP by 03/23 by calling 561-993-3343

edgectr@gmail.com

Sponsored by:

Hungry Howies, Draw Bridge Cafe, Homewatch Caregivers, Black Gold Steakhouse, Da'Bazaar, True Value Hardware, Glades Corny Fest Committee, EDGE Board Members, Plant and Grow Nursery, Elephant Imprints, MODA, Jay's Casual Corner, Addiction Urban Wear,

Free Coaching Resources for the Business Executive

Welcome to our free resources page where we offer tangible consulting resources with valuable business development information designed to help you—all at no charge!

People tell us we’re CRAZY to give away our knowledge for FREE so why do we do it? Because when you see all the great ideas we have in just this one area, you’ll want to know more about our business coaching and consulting services and how we can help YOU! And that’s good for us.

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Free Calculators

Want an early warning alert on whether you're cash flow positive? Not sure where your break even point is? Want to know how small changes in your business process will affect you? Get your answer here using these on-line business calculators!

Break Even Calculator-
How many sales do you have to make to break even, anyway? This break even estimator will help you get a handle on that number and allow you to see the results of simple "What if?' scenarios.

Cash Flow Early Warning Calculator-
How long does it typically take you to collect on your accounts receivable? Are you paying your accounts payable too soon? Download this quick and easy formula to monitor your cash flow position. Even better, add it to the spreadsheet you use to track your business performance! This method provides a snapshot comparison of your accounts receivable vs accounts payable; it is most accurate in a business model that typically has a large number of routine sales.

Cash Flow Calculator-
Believe it or not, many businesses are "profitable" when they go under. They don't survive because they don't monitor their cash flow. Use this cash flow calculator to see where you are and model "What if?" scenarios.

Start Up Costs Calculator-
Got a great business idea? Want an estimate of what it would take to get it off the ground? Use this calculator to estimate what it would take to get the doors open and ready for that first sale.

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Free Report

The Business Growth Accelerators Guide to Surviving The 'Great Recession'! is over 50 pages of recession-resistant marketing knowhow.

Contact us and get your free copy today!

 

 

 

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Free PC and Mac Software Quick Reference Sheets

Can't remember that software function or keyboard shortcut? Looking for a handy, single sheet, quick reference guide to your Windows or Mac operating system, or a Microsoft or Adobe software product? Check out these excellent one-sheeters listing the most popular functions and shortcuts.

Software Quick Reference Guides-
Instructions – Follow the link to open a new window, then RIGHT CLICK on the guide you choose:
To open each quick reference guide — select "Open in new window" to open in a reader window
To save each reference guide – select "Save as..." to download to your computer.

Call us today by (561)993-3343 ext 2.

Typical Mistakes

Here's a few of the most common mistakes business owners typically make in trying hard to grow their business. Do any of these look familiar? We will help you fix these problems and restore the dream that lead you to open your business in the first place.

Competing on price or being “the low price leader”. Small and mid-cap businesses can't compete in this arena, so why are you competing by the “big boxes” rules? Do you compete by their rules in other areas, too?

Filling the role of Master Technician in your business, while the CEO slot you're supposed to be occupying is empty. Is no detail too small for you check on? Do you have to approve EVERY decision? Is everything reviewed on a case-by-case basis in your organization? If so, you're functioning as an over-controlling master technician, instead of an effectively delegating CEO.

Cutting out all marketing effort and budget in an economic downturn. Marketing is everything you do to tell your target market about how you can help them. . .and how to contact you to get that help! If you cut out all marketing effort to save money in a recession, then you've just stopped sending your message out! What happens to your bottom line when new customers can't find you and established customers slowly stop coming back?

Not knowing the basic elements of how to effectively market your business. Effective marketing means telling everyone in your target market how you can help them. So, marketing doesn't cost, it pays! Are you one of those making the huge mistake of running a yellow pages ad, hanging a sign on the door, then waiting for enough customers to find you?

Spending huge sums of money and time on marketing seminars. . .and then tucking all that great information into a file drawer, never implementing what you've learned. Is that last seminar handout still in your file drawer, with great ideas unimplemented? What return on investment (ROI) are your getting from that behavior?

Not using marketing dollars wisely. You don't have a business growth marketing plan of your own, so you get drawn into every marketing rep's sales pitch for their form of advertising. But your poor ad response means you're just putting dollars in the marketing rep's pockets. . . not yours!

Continuing the same fruitless behaviors over and over. . .and expecting a different result! Many business owners don't know what to do or where to turn when their (or their advertising rep's) strategies don't work. So, they continue to pay for the same fruitless strategies over and over again. Does this sound like you?

And the list goes on and on!

How to Maintain Sales Revenue in the Great Recession

The goal of every business is to maintain net income during the Great Recession. Yet, that goal may seem impossible to achieve when your patrons are spending less, in general, and cutting back on discretionary spending, in particular. What Marketing and sales strategy should you use to maintain, or even increase, your net income during the current economic contraction?

Sales are not down everywhere

First, let’s dispel the notion that business sales are down in every category and market. Even in the hard-hit-hospitality industry, venerable McDonald’s actually saw an overall sales increase in 2009. So let’s explore what sets those businesses that can increase sales in this economy apart from others that are floundering.

Get into your patrons’ heads

Any successful marketing or sales strategy depends on understanding how your patrons (your customers, clients, or patients) in your target market think. So crafting a successful sales strategy for our current economic situation must start with understanding what your target patrons are thinking under these conditions.

Most patrons (and small and mid-size businesses) currently have an outlook best described as siege mentality.  They’re listening to the bad news of the highest unemployment levels in more than a quarter-century, the actions banks are taking that further restrict credit and seeing the effects of the downturn on their friends, patrons and colleagues.

How patrons behave in a recession 

Personally, your patrons may fear the imminent loss of their jobs, may be working fewer hours or may have had their limits recently lowered or interest rates raised on their credit cards.

In response to these internal and external pressures, consumers typically begin hoarding cash, cutting back on discretionary purchases (ranging from entertainment to regular dental examinations) and reducing the dollar amount spent to buy necessities (such as buying a half tank of gas instead of filling up).

Even if some of your patrons are not personally affected, they will usually avoid conspicuous consumption and high-dollar purchases to avoid alienating their peer group during tough economic times.

So the key to maintaining your sales revenue and profitability during the economic downturn is understanding what your patrons are thinking, how that thinking changes their buying behavior and adjusting your marketing strategy to meet their new needs accordingly.

Next time, I’ll share how to use your new insight to create some recession-busting business strategies that will help you maintain, and even grow, your sales in the Great Recession.

Now that you understand your patrons’ current outlook, what should be your business strategy? Share yours with me at results@edgecenter.info

Suzanne Harper is the executive coach and business growth consultant at the EDGE Center. Learn more at www.edgecenter.info

Happy Holiday

All partners of the EDGE Center are invited to participate in the EDGE Center's shop at home program that started on Dec 1st thru Dec 24th. The EDGE Center is offering FREE gift wrapping to anyone who purchases their holiday gifts in Belle Glade, Pahokee, or South Bay.

Look for the signs at participating merchants through out the Tri-Cities area. All merchants can participate in this program by simply telling their customers that they can get their purchases wrapped for FREE at the EDGE Center at 241 W Ave A, Belle Glade.

In addition the EDGE Center is also a Toys for Tots collection Center and will be wrapping the toys for the kids. Please help those who are less fortunate by dropping off a new toy for a kid.

For more information or to make a Toys for Tots DONATION call 561-993-3343 ext 2.

Happy Holiday from the Board of Directors and Staff

Community Events Committee planning Annual “Glades Corny Fest” Oct 30&31

Historical Avenue A between 200 and 300 Blocks.

The Community Events Committee was formed on September 9,2009 and have been working very quickly to put together this years first community event.

This event will take place on Oct 30 & 31 on Historical Avenue A between the 200 and 300 block. From 10AM-7PM.

Plans are for 40 booths with local arts, crafts, and food. Local non-profit organizations are invited to inform and raise funds for their projects.

The Mariachi Mexico International Band will be performing as well as local step dancer teams. King Samuel Sounds will DJ the event.

There will be contests for all age groups.

Kids 7-15 can enter the “Draw the Muck Monster” contest 1st prize will be $100 dollars all participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Ages 7-12, 13-17, 18-? Corny Costume Contest – 1st place prize per category will be $100 2nd place will be $50

Ages 15-30 Corn Eating Contest 1st Place $100 2nd Place $50

Ages 30-? Cornbread recipe contest $1place $100

All ages Step Dancers competition 1place $100

All Booths will be judged for design and content. 1st place winner will be given free advertising for a year on the EDGE website.

Reservation for Booths will be accepted until 10/25 call 561-993-3343 ext 3 or 906-2612.

Sponsorships for contests are available. Ad's in program start at $25.00

Visit the website at www.cornyfest.com

Antkeria Smith and Paul Smith complete the EDGE Youth Entrepreneur Success program

At the EDGE Center's Social Reception held on August 7th, 2009, Antkeria Smith and Paul Smith students of the Youth Entrepreneur Success program were awarded a certificate of completion as well as other gifts provided by sponsors of the program.

The following is a list of the Sponsors and Donors who made this program and event a success:

Palm Beach County Economic Office
Bank of Belle Glade
Belle Glade Elks Club
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons
WSWN Sugar 900AM Radio
Palm Beach County Palm Tran
H & A Department Store
Jays Casual Fashions
Stitch works Plus
Omar's
Affordable Insurance
Miss Priss Boutique and Spa
Anthony's fine fashions
Potter's Garden
Fly-In Ranch Resort
Plant and Grow Nursery
George Boyer Enterprises
Performance Auto Services
Black Gold Steak House
McDonald's
Lake Hardware
True Value Hardware
Advance Auto Parts
Mr E the Magician
Donna Anderson - benefits auctioneer
Mary Evans - City of Belle Glade
Gwen Holley - City Council Member Belle Glade

The contributions by all of these businesses and individuals made it possible to fulfill the dreams of these young people who are planning their futures. We are all blessed to have a community that cares.

New Board Officers

The EDGE is very sad to say good-bye to two icons at the EDGE Center. Mr. Douglas Green and Reggie O'Connor.

Mr. Green and Mr. O'Connor have served on the EDGE Centers board since 1997. Their contributions to the growth of the EDGE is innumerable. We won't be able to replace their contributions to the Glades but we hope that we can build on them.

Three other board members have stepped up to fill their positions as secretary and treasurer on the board as well as an open position for vice chairperson.

Dr. James Klaber who has served as a volunteer mentor for the EDGE Center since 2006. He has helped organize workshops and numerous other training opportunities. He is the instructor for Path to Success program that is a fast track course that prepares a startup business for entry into the EDGE Center's Incubation program. Path to Success Courses are 8 week courses twice a week for 3 hours. The course teaches how to write your business plan, how to obtain financing, how to develop an agressive marketing plan. It also gives the clients the opportunity to test the feasibility of their ideas. He previously served as the incubator manager for the TED Center in Delray until he retired last April.

Mr. Paul Skyer- has served as a mentor for the EDGE for several years. He is the Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Resource Center in Riviera. He has assisted with many of our minority clients and enterprise zone applications.

Mr. Derrek Moore- has served as a member on the board since Jan 2009. He is currently the finance director for the City of Pahokee. Mr. Moore's financial guidance has kept the EDGE Center on track.