New Website Lists Black-Owned Businesses

A new internet resource tool is now available for procurement professionals wanting to review black business enterprises. Buyers can visit www.blacksuppliers.com to review top African American-owned enterprises from around the country. This site is produced by a collaborative between the Black Business Association, the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and the National Black Business Council.

Radio Show Featuring MBE Now Available Online

The "Biz Talk with Josh" radio show from March 27 featuring MBE magazine's publisher, Ginger Conrad, and associate publisher, Barbara Oliver, is now available online at www.biztalkwithjosh.com. To listen to the entire show, click on the "Radio" page and select Selection 12 (Biz Talk 03_27) in the jukebox on the left side of the page.

"Biz Talk with Josh," presented by nationally renowned entrepreneur and lecturer Joshua I. Smith on Radio One/WOL 1450 AM in Washington, D.C., is broadcast every Friday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. EST and can be heard from anywhere in the world via live streaming at www.wolam.com.

The radio show, which debuted in July, is a forum for small, minority, and women business owners and entrepreneurs. On the show, Smith interviews high-profile guests, takes calls from listeners, and shares knowledge gained from his own career as a successful businessman. Smith has been chairman and managing partner of The Coaching Group since 1998. Previously he was founder, chairman, and CEO of The MAXIMA Corporation, a 20-year-old consultancy that achieved a national reputation as one of the top African American-owned and fastest-growing firms in the United States.

Intuit Sponsors "Share Your Story Small Business" Contest

Intuit Inc., maker of the best-selling QuickBooks® financial software, is reaching out to America's entrepreneurs to give them a much-needed boost to start and grow their businesses. The company's Small Business United campaign features a "stimulus package" aimed at helping America's 27 million small businesses save money, get more customers, and save time. The package includes:

• Free software and services from Intuit valued at nearly $1,000 per small business to help them succeed.

• $50,000 in donations to organizations that help budding entrepreneurs get started and advise existing businesses looking to grow.

• $315,000 in small business grants to give entrepreneurs the extra boost needed during a tough economic climate.

According to a recent Intuit's study, nine out of ten small business owners surveyed said they rely on peers for support and advice. Tapping into this sense of community, Intuit is providing a way for small businesses to win up to $25,000 by sharing their success stories and advice.

Entrants can go to www.smallbusinessunited.com to share their experiences and survival tips. Judges will select 50 finalists to receive $5,000 and a Pure Digital Flip Video™ camcorder. These finalists are eligible to supplement their story with a video that will be posted on the site for public viewing and voting. This group will be narrowed down to four first prize winners, who will each receive $10,000, plus $2,500 worth of Intuit products. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000 and $2,500 worth of Intuit products and services. The deadline has been extended to April 24.

Intuit Inc. is a leading provider of business and financial management solutions for small and mid-sized businesses; financial institutions, including banks and credit unions; consumers and accounting professionals. Its flagship products and services, including QuickBooks®, Quicken® and TurboTax® software, simplify small business management and payroll processing, personal finance, and tax preparation and filing.

College Offers New Degree with Focus on Entrepreneurship

Rasmussen College in Rockford, Illinois, recently launched its new Business Management Associate's Degree program with a Specialization in Entrepreneurship to mentor and develop students with an entrepreneurial spirit. The new specialization at Rasmussen College teaches students how to be innovators by giving them the skills to combine ideas, resources, and customers to create a new business or a marketplace. Students learn the major concepts in management, human resources, marketing, accounting, business ethics, and customer service, while developing the necessary problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to be successful.

The new associate's degree is part of the School of Business at Rasmussen College. The program can be taken completely online or, it is offered at all 15 Rasmussen College campuses. For more information on the program, visit www.rasmussen.edu/programs/entrepreneurship-degree.asp.