from The Entrepreneurial Mind by Jeff Cornwall
The Better Business Bureau has implemented a new approach to rating businesses. Although it was put in place early in 2009, it is just now getting noticed as its impact is beginning to be felt in the market.
The new system uses a more detailed A+ through F letter-grade, which replaces the old system that rated businesses as either “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory”. (more…)
I’d like to welcome two new clients to the Meridian Design family with two shiny new websites:
Stratabands : The Art of Union
Stratabands is the new patterned metal wedding ring line from recognized mokume-gane artists James Binnion and Steve Midgett. These award winning designers have decades in patterned metal as masters celebrated for their fine art and specialties in mokume-gane wedding bands.
Steve and James founded XPM Corporation to develop a new industrial process to make patterned metals affordable and in combinations previously thought to be impossible. The XPM process enables new patterns and ring shapes and generates the perfect bond needed to join dissimilar metals. Most importantly, the new XPM process greatly increases the availability of designer patterned metals and dramatically reduces cost.
Buncombe Buckles
Buncombe Buckles Metalworks is a small, one woman company based in Asheville, North Carolina. Each buckle is designed, fabricated and finished by Celia Gray. Celia was trained in blacksmithing and metalwork at the Penland School of Crafts during a two year fellowship program from 2001 to 2003. She has a fine arts degree and is an exhibiting painter as well.
Celia has been making belt buckles as a side project to her artwork since she began her time at Penland in 2001. She decided to make it into a small business and Buncombe Buckles was officially named and began selling in 2006. Celia collects inspiration from repeated patterns, great color combinations, old quilts, vintage wallpaper, and weathered and worn surfaces. Each buckle is designed, made, cleaned, and finished with individual care.
from Seth’s Blog by Seth Godin
“Make money: not by building an internet company, but by using the net as a tool to create value and get paid. Use the internet as a tool, not as an end. Do it when you are part of a big organization or do it as a soloist. The dramatic leverage of the net more than overcomes the downs of the current economy.
The essence is this: connect.”
Stephanie Chandler has written a new book titled The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform. The book includes
a section on how to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Her book is a valuable resource for authors, and she has posted her
26 Ways on her website which is useful to us all.
“No matter what kind of business you’re in, you are an expert in something. One powerful way to grow your business is to become
known for what you do best. Because experts are the go-to people for services and products, establishing yourself as an expert gives you
an edge over the competition, generates interest from prospects and builds loyalty with clients.”