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Start-up Kit

Selling to the Government Hits New High in Missouri

Record $185.8 million level set by MO PTAC clients for FY '06

Business clients of the statewide Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (MO PTAC) have achieved a new 12-month level of business volume by recently reaching the $185.8 million mark in government contracts for fiscal year 2006, according to Morris Hudson, MO PTAC director based in Columbia. The procurement counseling service is part of the University of Missouri Extension's Business Development Program.

"Last fiscal year (which ended Sept. 30) our clients collectively received $185.8 million in government business through a total of 1,416 contracts with federal, state and local governments," says Hudson.

The previous best year for government contract volume by MO PTAC clients was fiscal year 2005 when 1,179 contracts were awarded achieving a total of $177.9 million.

Government agencies awarding contracts include offices from the departments of defense and energy on the federal level, the departments of corrections and transportation at the state level, and numerous local government offices. Individual contract amounts to MO PTAC clients during fiscal year 2006 ranged from a high of $10.2 million to a low of $4.22.

"The wide variation in contract amounts results from the broad array of goods and services required by the numerous government offices awarding contracts," says Hudson.

MO PTAC counselors are located in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Rolla and West Plains. They assist Missouri businesses in identifying government contracting opportunities for products or services associated with each company. Counselors also help client firms complete government registrations and certifications, understand regulations, and complete forms. MO PTAC specialists also work to develop product-specific databases to help clients pinpoint timely bid leads.

There are five MO PTAC counselors located throughout the state. To contact the one nearest you, go to www.missouribusiness.net/ptac/centers.asp.

Business Going Green

Energy Audit Workshop Designed to Save Manufacturers Big Bucks

What if your business could save more than $5,500 per year in operating expenses for a one-time investment of less than $7,900?

A.O.K. Auto Body in Philadelphia no longer dreads getting its energy bills since realizing major energy savings could be achieved at its 35,000-square-feet facility by replacing old lighting and ballasts, installing motion detectors in bathrooms, and putting timers on the water heaters and coffee pots. The company also replaced old thermostats, a refrigerator, an air conditioner and electric heaters with new, programmable energy-efficient models. The payback will be less than 1.5 years on equipment that should last an additional 20 years, and the facility is a much nicer place to work.

Owners, managers and engineers of small-to-medium-sized factories can learn how to use similar cost-effective methods to save on industrial energy expenses at the upcoming Energy Audit Workshops. The workshops are offered at the following locations and dates:

• Rolla – Jan. 30
• Kansas City – Feb. 7
• St. Louis – Feb. 21
• Columbia – April 11

"This workshop will help you evaluate your company's energy performance through diagnostic procedures to find areas to save energy and money," says Dr. Bin Wu, University of Missouri-Columbia professor of industrial engineering and director of the MU Industrial Assessment Center, who will lead the workshop.

Workshop topics will include: assessing energy uses; considering HVAC issues; evaluating steam and boiler systems; examining motors, pumps, air compressors and lighting; and managing industrial waste.

Costs are $150 per person, plus $50 for each additional person from the same company. The event is co-sponsored by the MU IAC, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers. For more information and a registration form, visit www.missouribusiness.net/ew/EnergyAuditWorkshop.pdf

FastTrac New Venture Training

Helping dislocated workers turn business ownership dreams into realities

Are you being downsized and want to control your own destiny as an entrepreneur? Then FastTrac New Venture business training is for you.

This leading entrepreneurship education program, developed by the Kauffman Foundation, has assisted more than 165,000 people across the country and abroad start or expand a business. In FastTrac New Venture you will look at all aspects of your proposed company including start-up issues, the competition, legal matters, marketing and financial aspects. While working on your own business idea you will learn how to develop a viable business plan.

FastTrac New Venture for dislocated workers is fast-paced and energizing, using guest speakers and lots of breakout activities. These sessions, offered by a partnership between the MO SBDC and the Missouri Career Options Project, are taught in an accelerated format to give dislocated workers a jumpstart on business planning and start-up.

Dislocated workers include Missouri residents or workers who have been downsized, laid off or who have taken early retirement. The program also covers those individuals who have been let go and are now in jobs for which they are overqualified. Training fees are covered by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development.

After the session participants may continue their business development training through one-to-one assistance with a business development specialist. Upcoming sessions start as soon as Jan. 23, in Kansas City.

For more information on the FastTrac New Venture dislocated worker training or for an application, call Susan Henson, business development specialist at 816-407-3492 or e-mail: hensons@missouri.edu. Information is also available online at www.missouribusiness.net/career/fasttrac_dislocated_flyer.pdf

At Your Service

Profile: Jackie Rasmussen

Jackie Rasmussen, business development specialist in Camden County, recently received MU Extension's Pat and Tom Buchanan Professional Development Award. Her assistance helped Missouri Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC) clients in the Ozarks increase sales by $500,000 and create 15 jobs in the past year.

Jackie, a native New Zealand who came to the United States on a scholarship, graduated from Oklahoma State University with an MBA. She has been providing assistance to small business owners for the past 14 years.

Get to know Jackie in the following Q&A.

Q: What's the most rewarding part of working with your clients?

A: The rewarding part is seeing some of those people put things in action. Even if the business doesn't work out, it's rewarding to be part of helping people make wise decisions.

Q. Who were some of your more unique customers?

A. A couple from California, Mo., took advantage of the higher end coffee boom by starting a mobile coffee business. They drove, in a truck, to businesses, construction sites, sporting events, etc. It was an innovative idea for the area. They took a risk in starting it, and to date it seems to be working out for them.

Over the years, I have worked with individuals who have raised and sold ostrich meat, started a public transportation business, and started a myriad of retail and service businesses catering to the lake area's unique tourist and second-home population.

Q. If you could launch your own business, what would it be?

A. I would be interested in opening or offering a leadership development consulting service. It would provide opportunities for groups to do fun activities that reinforce leadership and team skills.

Q. What are some of the challenges that the Ozark area faces?

A. A challenge in the lake area is that the "big box" stores have come in the last 12 to 24 months. This poses a challenge to how to become successful. Many previously successful companies have had to explore how pursue a more niche market in order to compete.

Q. Do you have a piece of advice to those starting out?

A. Take time planning, understanding data, understanding customers. Go slowly.

Q. Why should people come to the MO SBDC?

A. We are here as a resource to help individuals secure information. A lot of times that assistance is available at a low cost or at no cost. Why not come and see what it's all about?

Jackie assists small business owners in the lake area (Camden, Miller, Laclede and Pulaski counties) by providing educational opportunities and counseling services on topics related to owning and managing a business. Contact Jackie at rasmussenj@missouri.edu or phone 573-346-2644.

IRS Roundup

Two methods available for calculating 2006 telephone tax refunds

In May 2006, the IRS announced that individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations who paid a long-distance telephone excise tax can request a refund on their 2006 federal income tax returns.

To request a refund, businesses (including sole proprietors, corporations, and partnerships) and tax-exempt organizations must complete Form 8913, Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid. To complete this form, determine the actual amount of refundable long-distance telephone excise taxes paid for the 41 months from March 2003 through July 2006.

The IRS also now offers a formula to allow businesses to estimate their excise tax refunds. Rather than gathering up to 41 months of old phone records, it is possible to calculate the percentage the bill that was made up of the tax based on the September and April 2006 bills. That percentage is then applied to the total phone bills for the refund period.

Businesses should attach Form 8913 to their regular 2006 income tax returns. Tax-exempt organizations must attach it to Form 990-T.

For examples, more specifics and links to other relevant publications, see the complete story at www.missouribusiness.net/news/irs_news_111606.asp

-- Internal Revenue Service Media Relations Office

Making Your Stamp

Personalized stamp used to promote barkery business

Businesses can advertise using personalized postage

Businesses across the country now have one more way to literally send a message about their company and products with the expansion of the U.S. Postal Service's popular customized postage program.

Customized postage allows a customer to personalize postage with pictures or images using Customized PC Postage® technology. The Postal Service has contracted with three qualified PC Postage® vendors to produce customized postage to be used on first-class mail, priority mail and express mail for personal and commercial use.

Endicia (www.pictureitpostage.com), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com) and Zazzle (www.zazzle.com/custom/stamps) have added the commercial application to their existing agreements for the production of postage for personal use, said Nick Barranca, USPS vice president, product development.

"Expanding the way customized postage can be used is a bonus for businesses who want to create awareness for their products or services, build their brand and develop strong customer relationships," Barranca said.

This is the third phase of the market test for customized postage. It will run through May 16, 2007, with an option for the Postal Service to extend the test for a second year. The third phase removes the restrictions around commercial images that were in place for the second market test phase.

The first two phases of the test, which began in 2004, allowed the Postal Service and qualified vendors to determine the viability of the product and to gauge the interest of consumers in creating their own personalized postage.

Read the full stories and archived prior newsletters on our website at www.missouribusiness.net/newsletter/index.asp

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