The women are:

•  Jeannie Blaylock, co-anchor at First Coast News,

•  Jessie-Lynne Kerr, veteran reporter with The Florida Times-Union,

•  Jacqueline Nash, retired licensed clinical social worker,

•  Ellen Siler, chief executive officer of Hubbard House.

The Commission, in partnership with the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, will host a reception in their honor on March 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the University of North Florida (Building 12, Library),

Each of this year’s honorees will be featured on a specially designed commemorative poster, which will be unveiled at the reception. The poster will be placed in the UNF Thomas G. Carpenter Library where the permanent collection of commemorative posters is being exhibited. The poster honorees were selected from nominations received from individuals, women’s organizations, agencies and businesses.

This workshop will give attendees an overview what it takes to start a new business and so they can determine if it is right for them.

The workshop is offered free of charge. For more information or to register, call 800-450-4624.

“Our new team members bring with them a wealth of experience that will continue to promote the Chamber’s goal of driving high quality economic growth in the region and making Northeast Florida the best place to live, work and play,” said Wally Lee, president of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

More information about the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce is available online at www.OpportunityJacksonville.com.

Robin Shelly

Kelly Gerlach

Dawn Adams

In An Analysis of Small Business and Jobs, (www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs359tot.pdf) Advocacy economist Brian Headd notes that many of the new jobs are in new business startups, but an even larger share are in expanding firms of all sizes—particularly mid-sized firms with 20-499 employees.

“More and more, we’re finding that both new startups and ongoing high-growth firms have important roles to play in the labor market,” said Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy Susan M. Walthall. “Fast-growing firms scattered across the economy create a large share of jobs—and because no one can predict which idea will be the next to catch on, it’s important to create an environment in which a wide spectrum can start up and expand.”

Advocacy’s analysis of the quarterly Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that over the 15 years from 1993 to mid-2008, 31% of net job gains (jobs created minus jobs lost) came from the opening of new establishments. An even larger share—the remaining 69%—were from ongoing firms of all sizes that expanded. (These net figures are based on establishment openings minus closings and establishment expansions minus contractions.)   The business cycle is an important factor in the net creation or loss of jobs. In the current downturn, firms with fewer than 20 employees began losing jobs as early as the second quarter of 2007. From 2008 to the second quarter of 2009, these smallest firms accounted for 24 percent of the net job losses, while those with 20-499 employees accounted for 36 percent; the remaining 40 percent of job losses were in large firms with more than 500 employees.

The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small businesses to federal agencies, Congress, and the President.  It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues. 

For more information and a complete copy of the report, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.

The Annual Women in Business Awards recognize and honor women who epitomize success in today’s business world. The awards recognize four women in the following categories: Entrepreneur of the Year, Franchisee/Franchisor of the Year, Corporate Leader of the Year and Pioneer of the Year.

Entrepreneur finalists are Camille Clement Gregg, Outside The Box Consulting; Teresa K. Myers, Myers-Seth Pump Inc.; and Sgt. Teresa Meares (ret.), DGG Taser and Tactical Supply Inc.

Franchisee finalists are Lynne Coggin, BNI Northeast Florida; Lauren M. Little, Edible Arrangements in the Shoppes of Avondale and in the Shoppes of Bartram Park; Stacie L. Rine, JM Steil Inc –Massage Heights Town Center and Massage Heights River City.

Corporate Leader finalists are Alicia Somers, Regions Bank; Karen Brune Mathis, Dreams Come True; Lisa Gufford, The Crexent Business Centers; Stella Sigfusdottir, Spa Academia Inc.; Jessica Evans, Regions Bank; Katherine D. Way, SafariLand; Anna Brosche, Ennis, Pellum & Associates, CPAs.

Pioneer finalista include Jean Jones, Jean Jones, E.A. Tax & Consulting; Elizabeth Paulson, Junior Achievement Girl$ Program Manager; Debra Braddock, State Farm Insurance; Suzanne Bass, Suzanne Bass, Attorney at Law; Marilyn McCall Wiles, The Enterprising Women’s Leadership Institute; Arden C. de Saussure, Arden’s Kafe & Katering; Snowden McFall, Brightwork Advertising/Fired Up!; Nancy E. Allen, Solutions for Care Inc.; Jean G. Watson, Sweet Repeats Consignment Shop Inc.; Martha C. Pellino, The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce; Claudia Avery, Florida Cleaning Concepts; Sandy Bartow Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Ann Sabbag, Health Designs; Gwen Hutcheson Griggs, PARC Management LLC.

Donna Orender, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon. She will share insights into her “journey to success.”

The annual awards program is sponsored by Women Business Owners of North Florida, the Jacksonville Business Journal, the Professional Women’s Council, WOKV, AMP Promotional Products, Cave Productions and Pegasus Media.

The luncheon and awards program are sold out; however, names are being taken for a wait list. For more information go to www.wbonfl.org.

According to Kristina Obenza, JaxREIA executive director, the bus tour weekend begins with a Saturday seminar on purchase strategies, renovation analysis, and structure analysis. The seminar will be held at the JaxREIA office, 103 Century 21 Drive in Jacksonville. On Sunday JaxREIA will host a 41 mile motor coach bus trip throughout Jacksonville with stops at dozens of properties, with some that are in urgent need of rehab and some that are going through the rehab process. Participants will learn how to inspect investment properties, what to look out for and the hidden costs.

The bus tour will leave from the JaxREIA office.

“This is an invaluable opportunity for those who are seasoned real estate investors and those who are just beginning to join us for a fun and educational opportunity on our annual bus tour and seminar,” said Obenza.

Cost for the annual bus tour weekend is $309 for members; $359 for non-members. For more information, call 888-545-REIA (7342) or e-mail executivedirector@jaxreia.org. Visit the website at www.jaxreia.org to register online.

“The central Avondale business district is a prime example of a Town Center that continues to support the local community. Despite many changes in development trends, this area has begun a new era of improvement and is in an active growth mode,” said Garcia, who is also the owner of J Ashley Boutique in Avondale.

Garcia and the merchants association have worked to support the City of Jacksonville’s Vision Plan which began in 2004 as an effort to restore and improve a variety of neighborhood retail areas through a community-based initiative and with the help and resources of the City. The Avondale area was designated as a historic district in 1998.

“Given the specter of a jobless economic recovery and lagging consumer spending,” stated Todd McCracken, president of NSBA, “Exporting may be one of the few areas remaining where small businesses can grow right now.”

The 2010 Small Business Exporting Survey, conducted March 1 through March 5, 2010, among 250 exporting and non-exporting members of NSBA and SBEA, shows that, among small-business respondents not currently exporting, the largest barrier is a perceived lack of exportable products and services. Thirty-eight percent of non-exporters said they don’t know enough about exporting and aren’t sure where to start, and 28% cited concerns over getting paid from a foreign customer.

When asked whether they would be interested in exporting if some of these concerns were addressed, 43% said they would. Among current exporters, the chief concerns include their ability to get paid, and the complexity associated with exporting.

Underscoring the need for better assistance—both technical and financial—the majority of small exporters rely on earnings and savings of their business to finance exporting, not bank loans or government-backed programs. Furthermore, 96% of small exporters handle exporting operations within the company rather than use an external export management company.

The economic difficulties over the past two years, coupled with ongoing outsourcing, have put small businesses at a distinct disadvantage in the global economy. NSBA and SBEA have been urging for years that more must be done to emphasize the needs of small business within the scope of U.S. trade, and applauds the recent announcements by President Barack Obama and his administration to enhance exporting opportunities for small U.S. companies through the National Export Initiative.

“Today, though small-business exports represent less than five percent of the GDP, with aggressive support from the U.S. government, this contribution could be significantly increased,” stated said SBEA Board Chair Susan Corrales-Diaz, president of California-based Systems Integrated.

Please click here to access the full survey.

“The first year was about what was expected,” said store owner Jeanne Maron. “I stuck to the business model I created in the beginning, and it seems to work.  Customers are very receptive and I have a lot of repeat business.”

Maron, who has 23 years of retail experience, said her business model included several keys: having enough working capital to get through the first two years; expecting to work seven days week; treating all customers as special; and promoting, advertising, and using every avenue for positive publicity.

To help promote the business, the store hosts a daily wine tasting from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., focusing on a theme of the month.

The Gifted Cork (www.giftedcork.com) is located at 64-A Hypolita St., St. Augustine.

Deb Eveson

Eveson Allstate agency (www.Allstate.com/DebEveson) will have a grand opening event March 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be at 12525 Philips Hwy, Suite 206, Jacksonville, and will feature refreshments, prizes, networking, and the opportunity to meet team members.

The insurance agency is owned by Deborah A. Eveson, 904-400-6450.