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The Big Connect: Mastering Social Media

Here at PowerLink, we have declared April as the month that we take the plunge into the wonderful world of social media! Our PowerLink CEO Circles will be focused on Social Media Engagement and Strategy. In addition to having an expert in the room to provide valuable tips for success and answer your questions, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with your peers and benefit from their experiences with social media.  In today’s culture, social media is the ultimate business tool. With 3 billion people using the internet, and 2 billion of them active on social media, it is a cold, hard fact that using social media platforms to market your business is not a just a passing fad. If your business does not have a presence on social media, you are missing out on utilizing the most inexpensive, targeted form of advertising available.

We have all made room in our budgets to upgrade and automate our businesses. We have found software or web services to automate everything from …
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Lessons Learned Over Lunch: Webinar with VBA

PowerLink is hosting a webinar with VBA to discuss the power of PowerLink Advisory Boards! Discover a way to become unstuck and feel more confident when making the decisions that will affect your business long-term. And all from the comfort of your desk! Register Here to join us at Noon on March 22nd, 2018 for this free webinar.  Listen in as two local business owners, Katie Heldstab of Leona's Ice Cream Sandwiches and Glenn Yocca of US Film Crew, discuss valuable lessons they have learned thanks to the help of their PowerLink Advisory Boards. Jessica Turcotte, VP of Provider Relations and Marketing at VBA, will also be on hand to discuss her role as a PowerLink Advisor. Learn more about our speakers and moderators below. Speakers Glenn Yocca of US Film Crew Glenn Yocca, founder and president of U.S. Film Crew, is an expert in window film installations.  In 1993 after attaining a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration Glenn began his career in Pittsburgh, PA  in the win…
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Success Stories: Hometown Spine and Sport

It is a proud moment at PowerLink when we watch our business owners finish their PowerLink Advisory Board cycle and continue their growth. To honor these businesses and celebrate their hard work, we have asked these owners to tell us about their experience. Here, owner Josh Slomkowski of Hometown Spine & Sport shares about lessons learned, expectations, and plans for the future. 

Could you tell us a bit about your business?
Hometown Spine & Sport is leading the movement in cutting edge pain management therapies that involve a hybridized blend of chiropractic, rehabilitative exercises and soft tissue treatments. We have molded our practice to treat more than just spinal related conditions to enable us to help people with non-spinal injuries as well such as rotator cuff disorders, carpal tunnel, knee tendonitis, and many more. Our patients always receive an in-depth examination and treatment that promote self-care management of injuries at home.

What were you anticipating when you…
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Carlow University: City of Pittsburgh Women-Owned Business Enterprise Event

This week, we bring you news about an excellent opportunity presented by Carlow University!
On Thursday, March 8th, Carlow will be hosting its Women-Owned Business Enterprise Event, where local industry leaders and business owners will have access to a host of networking and educational opportunities. 
Networking will be conducted during continental breakfast and lunch. Panel topics are broadly grouped under How to do Business and Technical Assistance, with speakers including Huntington Bank, the City of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania MBDA Business Center. PowerLink will be presenting at 1:00 PM and hosting a table--we hope you join us!
For more information and a complete agenda, please click here to view Carlow University's event page.
We are honored to be presenting with the group of professionals committed to the success of local women business owners. PowerLink has been committed to the success of local businesses for over 25 years, and started when two women wanted to give…
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Lessons Learned in the Indiana CEO Circle

Every process comes with lessons that we carry with us through the rest of our careers. After a year of hard work and great ideas, the members of our Indiana CEO Circle gave us the lessons that they learned. Always get the money up front. Small business can mean small profits, difficulty establishing yourself, and most worryingly, uncertainty. Until you feel established in your customer/supplier relationships, it is perfectly reasonable to expect payment in full or a 50% deposit. Once your relationship is established, more flexible payment plans can be enforced as is convenient. Until then, don't hesitate to be strict. 
Say yes to "fringe" business. Your best customer or most reliable supplier may not be found where you think. Always stay open to new and unusual markets--you never know who may be interested in what you have to offer. But if the business isn't as profitable, learn to say "no."
Treat a friend like a regular customer. If you are fortunate enoug…
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Pay it Forward 2018

Happy New Year and Welcome 2018!

In the fresh start of the new year, we are beginning our Pay it Forward campaign. As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to keep our services low-priced and accessible to striving small business owners. Our program fosters the growth of both companies and business owners alike, and our Alumna, Susan Weinzierl, shares her success story as the chair of this year's campaign.


As a PowerLink Alumna, I was asked to share my story so you could understand the impact PowerLink had on my business, and why I agreed to chair this campaign.

My husband owned a very successful printing company, and I was a stay-at-home mom. Then the news that no one wants to hear came to us. My husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Besides being devastated, we were at a loss. What do we do with the business? Grace comes in amazing ways…two people told me about PowerLink. I called and was welcomed with supportive and open arms. PowerLink agreed to form…
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Powerlink Call for Applications 2018

Powerlink is releasing its 2018 call for applications! We are looking for 50 select businesses to join our 15-month program. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our process, our application deadline for our first quarter cohort is January 19th, 2018. While our process is challenging, our results are tangible and real. On average: PowerLink clients report an increase in gross sales of 87% PowerLink business owners report an increase in employees of 75% PowerLink business owners report a 71% increase in personal compensation. 96% of PowerLink business owners have or would recommend PowerLink.
To join our process, businesses must meet the following criteria: businesses must have been in business for more than one year, have generated at least $100k in revenue, and have at least one employee or contractor besides the owner. Fees are dependent on 2017 revenue and start at $50/month. Financing may be available based on profitability and need. 
If PowerLink selects your busi…
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