And the Award Goes To...|Emerging Leaders Program Now Accepting Applications | Going Global

Going Global with Your Small Business Interested in exporting but not sure where to start? Learn about export financing, getting help entering the global marketplace and how to get paid by foreign buyers overseas in this blog post. > Read more And the Award Goes To...Celebrating Your Small Business Accomplishments Have you celebrated your small business’ accomplishments lately? Tonight, we’ll be tuning in to watch the Oscars – the Academy Awards – an occasion that acknowledges the finest achievements in the film industry in the last year. If you haven’t had the chance to step back and celebrate what you’ve achieved, here are a few ways this popular event can inspire you. > Read more Register now! SBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative: Training for America’s Small Business Executives Have you heard about SBA's Emerging Leaders Initiative? It's federal training that specifically focuses on executives of businesses poised for growth in historically challenged communities. Get the organizational framework, resource network and motivation you need to build sustainable businesses and promote economic development. > Read more > Register   How the Emerging Leaders Initiative Can Take Your Business to the Next Level If you are looking to expand and grow your small business in 2015, theSBA’s Emerging Leaders Initiative may be for you. The SBA is once again looking for small businesses to participate in our successful Emerging Leaders executive-level training program that provides the tools to help small companies sustain and grow. The Emerging Leaders initiative, now it its eight consecutive year, is an intensive training program for small businesses that have the potential for quick growth and job creation. > Read more Webinar: Choose a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business Get practical information and helpful tips to understand and compare the options to start and operate a retirement savings plan. The options provide an effective way to save for a secure retirement and most provide tax advantages for both employers and employees. Join our webinar Thursday, February 26 at 2 PM EDT. > Read more and register Harvard University Recognizes V-WISE as a “Bright Idea” Great news! The Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) program – which has trained more than 1,700 women veterans – has been recognized as a “Bright Idea” by Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School Innovations in American Government program. > Read more Calling All Comments! Proposed Rule for Government Contracting Are you a small business owner doing business with the government? The SBA recently published a proposed rule to implement Section 1651 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA), proposing to change several key areas that could impact you: The performance requirements applicable to small business and socioeconomic program set aside contracts and small business subcontracting The nonmanufacturer rule and affiliation rules The performance requirements for joint ventures Have comments? Visit the Federal Register online for information and to submit your comments by February 27, 2015. SBA Proposes Rule to Establish Mentor Protégé Program for all Small Businesses  The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 directed SBA to establish a Government-wide Mentor Protégé program for all small business concerns.  While SBA’s current mentor protégé program is only offered to eligible participants in the 8(a) Business Development program, the proposed Small Business Mentor Protégé Program Rule would create a new program that would be available to all small businesses.   Have comments? Visit regulations.gov for more information and to submit your comments by April 6.  3 Important Money Questions To Ask Franchisees If you’re going to risk some of your hard-earned money and buy a franchise business, you’re going to want to know how much money you’ll potentially make as a franchise owner. Expert Joel Libava explains how in this post. > Read more Rhode Island, Tiniest State with Huge Entrepreneurial and Innovative Spirit Read the latest from SBA's Javier Saade, who recently visited Rhode Island to learn about the state's companies making strides in capital investment and innovative research. > Read more Piles of Snow, Bitter Cold Boston: A Hot Innovative Global Leader From a health-tech and wellness company with their eye on a changing landscape in America, to a transportation and logistics player focused on fuel and resource efficiency, to a fitness social application developer, read about the entrepreneurial excitement in Boston.  > Read more Social Entrepreneurship: Starts with Intent, Followed by Action, Delivers Impact Get the scoop about this year's Social Enterprise Conference, which brings together academics, investors, public sector leaders, private sector entrepreneurs, non profit practitioners, and students passionate about all aspects of social enterprise – including impact investing. > Read more SHOP Marketplace Webinar Series The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a webinar series for small business employers, agents, brokers and other interested stakeholders, about important changes in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The webinar is every Tuesday, 2-3 PM ET from January 6 – February 24, 2015. > See the full schedule Affordable Care Act 101 Webinars SBA and Small Business Majority will host free Affordable Care Act 101 webinars so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces. Join us Thursdays at 2 PM ET. February 26: Click to Register March 5: Click to Register March 12: Click to Register March 19: Click to Register March 26: Click to Register In addition, Spanish-speaking small employers throughout the country can join representatives from SBA, HHS and Small Business Majority for ACA 101 webinars in Spanish on select Tuesdays at 4 PM ET.  February 24: Click to Register March 10: Click to Register March 24: Click to Register

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