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FAQ's about E-Magnify
| FAQ's about the website | FAQ's
about Business
FAQ's about Seton
Hill University's E-Magnify center for women entrepreneurs
What programs and services does E-Magnify offer?
The mission of E-Magnify is to "enable the economic self-sufficiency of
women through advocacy and educational initiatives in entrepreneurship."
Beginning with middle school students and extending through the undergraduate,
graduate and professional life stages, the center has implemented diversified
and tailored programs encouraging entrepreneurial skills and economic self-sufficiency.
Please visit the About Us section to learn more about
E-Magnify's programs and services.
Does E-Magnify offer classes?
The E-Magnify EXPRESSSM program offers in-depth business training
that goes beyond the hurried rush of a seminar to provide the results of a degree
program—in less time. Designed for experienced entrepreneurs who are focused
on growing their businesses, this training will help achieve the results you
need. Current modules are listed here.
Additionally, E-Magnify partners with and supports other organizations
that offer business-related classes, seminars, and events. For information on
these, please visit the online Calendar
of Events. For information on classes offered by Seton Hill University,
please visit the Seton Hill website at www.setonhill.edu.
Does E-Magnify help fund small businesses?
E-Magnify does not provide direct financial assistance to small businesses or
business owners. For information on financing your business, please read Ask
E-Magnify: Start-up Grants series:
· Where's All the Free Money?
Government grant myths debunked (Part 1 of 2)
· Where's All the Free Money?
Government grant myths debunked (Part 2 of 2)
· Capital and Financing Sources
for Women-Owned Businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania
For links to websites on financing, visit the Financing
Web Links.
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Does E-Magnify offer one-on-one counseling?
Yes, E-Magnify does offer one-on-one counseling. Please click here to learn more.
What are E-Magnify's hours of operation?
The center is open during normal business hours, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday.
Please note that the University, including the center, is closed for all holidays,
including the full week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
How can I contact you?
For general inquiries, please email info@e-magnify.com.
For website inquiries, please email webmaster@e-magnify.com.
For more specific contact information, please visit the Contact
Us page.
Can I speak at one of E-Magnify's events?
For information on speaking opportunities, please contact Marlene O'Brien, Educational
and Entrepreneurial Events Coordinator, at obrien@setonhill.edu
or 724-830-4614.
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When is E-Magnify's next event?
For information on upcoming events, see the "What's New" boxes on
the homepage or visit the Programs
page.
Where can I get information about "Building a World-Class
Business," the center's annual women-focused, small business conference?
For information on our annual women-focused small business conference, please
visit the Programs page.
What is the AthenaPowerLink® program?
ATHENAPowerLink® provides professional advisory panels to women-owned
businesses to assist in business growth. Each advisory panel is tailored to
the specific needs of the company as defined by the business plan, goals and
objectives of the enterprise. The panel's goal is to ultimately help women-owned
businesses learn how to network better, access capital and implement best practices.
In southwestern Pennsylvania, the program is offered to women-owned businesses
in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties by Seton Hill University's
National Education Center for Women in Business through the National ATHENA
Foundation. For more information, visit the ATHENAPowerLink®
page or contact Shauna Soom, the ATHENAPowerLink® Program Manager,
at soom@setonhill.edu.
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FAQ's about the
website
Can I write for the website?
E-Magnify considers article submissions for publication. Please refer to the Write for E-Magnify section.
All submissions are subject to the approval of the E-Magnify staff. You will
be notified via e-mail if your submission is published.
Is membership to e-magnify.com required to access the information
on the website?
While the majority of information on e-magnify.com is available to all visitors,
select site features are available only to website members. Membership to the
website is free and includes access to online education modules, a listing in
the online business directory, among other benefits. Members may also elect
to receive the center's e-newsletter, E-Magnify Extra!. For more information
on website membership, please visit the Member Benefits
page.
Is there a fee to become a member of the website?
Membership to e-magnify.com is free. For more information on website membership,
please visit the Member Benefits page.
How do I contact you?
For general website inquiries, please email webmaster@e-magnify.com.
For more specific contact information, please visit the Contact
Us page.
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How do I submit my business to be listed on e-magnify.com?
Members of the website can list their businesses in the online business directory.
Please log-in
to your account and then use the online
business submission form. All submissions are subject to approval of the
E-Magnify staff. Not a member? Join
for free today.
How do I submit a networking group to be listed on the website?
To submit a networking group to be considered for listing on the website, please
use the online networking group submission
form. All submissions are subject to approval of the E-Magnify staff. Due
to the volume of submissions, we cannot respond to every request.
How do I submit an event for the calendar?
To submit a business event to be considered for listing on E-Magnify's online
calendar, please use the online
event submission form. All submissions are subject to approval of the E-Magnify
staff. Due to the volume of submissions, we cannot respond to every request.
Can I post job openings on the website?
Currently, the website does not post job openings.
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Does the wesite have a career section or a job search?
While e-magnify.com does not have a career section or a job search, you can
read articles on career-related topics, visit the Career
section of the Article Archives.
How do I nominate myself or another woman business owner to
be featured in E-Magnify's Entrepreneur's Corner?
To nominate yourself or another woman business owner to be featured in E-Magnify's
Entrepreneur's Corner, please email the following
information to webmaster@e-magnify.com:
· Business owner's name
· Name of business
· Location of business
· Phone number for business
· Business website address
· Number of years in business
· Short description of the nature of the business
· List of awards and press coverage received
· Nominator's name and phone number (if different from above)
· Nominator's relation to business owner (self or other)
· Nominator's email (if different from above)
Can I reprint or reuse articles and information from thew ebsite?
Contents are included on e-magnify.com solely for the personal use of website
users. You may not copy (other than a copy for personal use), modify, distribute,
transmit, display, perform, reproduce, transfer, resell, or republish any of
the contents of this website without the prior written consent of Seton Hill
University, which may be withheld in its sole discretion. Read the full
legal policy for this website.
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FAQ's about Business
Where can I find money to start or grow my business?
Contrary to popular belief, there are very few grants available to business
owners. There are, however, guaranteed loan programs available to start and
grow a business. For a discussion of this topic, please read the following articles:
· Ask E-Magnify: Start-up
Grants
· Where's All
the Free Money? Government grant myths debunked (Part 1 of 2)
· Where's All
the Free Money? Government grant myths debunked (Part 2 of 2)
· Capital and
Financing Sources for Women-Owned Businesses in Southwestern Pennsylvania
For information on financing your business, please read these
Financing articles.
For links to websites on financing, please visit theseFinancing
Web Links.
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What's the first step in starting a business?
The first step in starting a business is writing a business plan. The American
Express Open Small Business Network has created a workshop to help you create
a business plan. Try it out at http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/Tool/biz_plan/index.asp?aexp_nav=sbs_it_bizplan.
For a sample business
plan template, see this one adapted from the Center for Entrepreneurial
Assistance's "Entrepreneur's Guide - Starting and Growing a Business in
Pennsylvania."
For more information on starting a business, visit the Article
Archives, including the Starting
section.
How do I write a business plan?
For a sample business
plan template, see this one adapted from the Center for Entrepreneurial
Assistance's "Entrepreneur's Guide - Starting and Growing a Business in
Pennsylvania."
For an in-depth online workshop, visit The American Express Open Small Business
Network website. They offer an overview of the basic components of the business
plan and various "Toolboxes" full of samples, worksheets, and glossaries
that will clarify and walk you through the process. Try it out at http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/Tool/biz_plan/index.asp?aexp_nav=sbs_it_bizplan.
If you'd like personal counseling on writing a business plan, consider contacting
your local Small Business Development Center. A list of SBDCs throughout the
country is available on the U.S. Small Business Administration's website at
www.sba.gov/SBDC/sbdcnear.html.
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How do I become certified as a woman business
owner?
There are several types of certification for women business owners, including
federal, state, local, and private.
Federal Certification
To learn about Federal certification and procurement opportunities, refer to
this extensive list
compiled by Contract Assistance for Women Business Owners (CAWBO).
State Certification
To learn about Pennsylvania Women Business Enterprise certification,
please visit the following resources:
The PA Department of General Services (DGS) offers workshops throughout Pennsylvania
about certification of minority-owned and women-owned businesses as well as
obtaining contracting opportunities with the state. For a seminar near you,
check E-Magnify's online calendar, or use the website search function to search
for the term "doing business with the commonwealth." Visit the DGS
website at www.dgs.state.pa.us.
View the PowerPoint slides from the "Doing
Business with the Commonwealth" seminars. (Free website membership
is required to view. Log in to your e-magnify.com
account or become a member.)
Read the following articles for further information:
· Think You
Have What it Takes to Compete with the 'Big Boys' for State Contracts?
· Criteria
for Pennsylvania State Certification as a Minority-Owned or Women-Owned Business
· State Certification
Perspectives-Part 1 (of 3): An Overview
· State Certification
Perspectives Part 2 (of 3): Delving into Pennsylvania's Certification Process
· State Certification
Perspectives Part 3 (of 3): Women Business Owners Speak Out
For information on certification in other states, please check your
state website. (You can reach your state's website by using the following format:
www.state.abbreviation.us. For example, California's is www.state.ca.us,
and New York's is www.state.ny.us.)
For certification information, search for terms such as "WBE," "certification,"
"supplier diversity," etc.
Other Certification
Many local and private organizations provide certification for women and minority
business owners. The Women's Business Enterprise National Council offers one
of the most widely accepted certifications for WBO's, with more than 400 major
corporations across the country and a number of federal and government agencies
recognizing the certification. Visit their website for more information: www.wbenc.org.
Read the article Procurement:
A Classic Catch 22
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Where can I find procurement information?
For information on procurement, please see the resources listed in the above
question on certification.
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