Metova, a mobile application developer, has been named to Inc. magazine’s 500|5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. Ranked 492nd overall, the company cited a three-year growth rate of 689 percent.

The Franklin, Tennessee based company, ranked fifth out of the 53 Nashville metro area companies that made the list. The company also ranked 47thnationally within the software industry.

SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

Recently, Business Leader and Who’s Who Magazines of Tennessee ranked the Top 300 Small Businesses of the South. You can find a listing of winners, as well as podcast radio interviews with many of the winners at www.BusinessLeader.com/Top300smallbusinesses.   About 50 of the winners were from the state of Tennessee.

We wanted to formally congratulate our top 300 winners and invite you to listen to a special one-hour radio show on wsRadio counting down the top ten winners.  You can access an archive of that broadcast Here.  We hope you will enjoy hearing from our winners.

2011 Women Extraordinaire Nominations are now open:

Business Leader is currently accepting nominations for its annual Women Extraordinaire awards in Tennessee.

The Women Extraordinaire Awards honor top women business leaders in Tennessee and will be selected based on the following criteria:

Candidate must be an influential leader within her company or business, with an extraordinary impact on its economic success and forward-thinking strategies; Candidate must be actively involved in the professional organizations and associations related to her industry; Candidate must be active in her community by utilizing her skills and/or time to promote philanthropic organizations or causes; and, Candidate must be a recognized mentor and example to other women in her industry, especially by maintaining a high functioning work-life balance.

Winners will (1) be honored in Nashville and Memphis on October 4th and 6th respectively; (2) be interviewed on wsRadio; and (3) be featured in our next Business Leader magazine issue.

Nominations can be submitted at www.BusinessLeader.com/WEX.

The nomination form takes less than five minutes to complete, and winning gives you a chance to be honored amongst some of the top leaders in Tennessee.

Company cites workforce, proximity to customers as reasons for the move.

Avure Technologies Inc., which makes high-pressure systems for industrial and consumer-goods manufacturing, will relocate its corporate office from the Seattle area to Franklin, Tenn.

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

If the government shuts down at midnight, what does that mean for Tennesseans. Marsha Blackburn said

Thursday April 28, 2011/Silent Auction and Cash Bar at 6 PM/Dinner at 6:30 PM

Franklin Marriot at Cool Springs

Speaker:  Stephen "Bubba" Miller former Philadelphia Eagle

Click here for more information and tickets.

Hosted by Jonathan Martin,

weekend co-anchor of Channel 4 News Today

 

The Easter Bunny is coming to town! The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department invites families with children ages 10 and younger to Breakfast with the Bunny on Saturday April 9. Breakfasts will be held at three locations: The Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Road from 8-10 a.m.; the Fairview Recreation Complex, 2714 Fairview Boulevard from 8:30-10:30 a.m.; and the Longview Recreation Center at Spring Hill, 2909 Commonwealth Drive from 9:30-11 a.m.

 

[Franklin / Fairview / Longview]

Reserve a spot for your child to enjoy this extra special event! A delicious breakfast of pastries, fruit and juice will be served; plus each child will have a personal visit with the Easter Bunny. Parents are required to attend with children. The cost for Breakfast with the Bunny is $6 per child. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a “first-come, first-served” basis until full.

Registration for the Franklin event is going on now, and payment must be made by Thursday, April 7. To register call (615) 790-5719 ext. 10.

Registration for the Fairview event is also going on now, and payment must be made by Wednesday, April 6. To register call 9615) 799-9331.

Registration for the Longview event begins Monday, March 28 at 10 a.m., and payment must be made within 5 days of registration. To register c all (615) 302-0971 ext. 10.

Counterfeit cash popping up in Franklin  CLICK HERE TO SEND A TIP!

(ARA) - Given the state of the U.S. economy, you might assume that turning your hobby into a small business right now isn't the best idea. On the contrary, launching your own small business in a down economy can be a very smart move -- if you plan in advance and set yourself up for success from the start.

Here are 10 tips that all budding entrepreneurs can follow to make their dreams of owning a small business a reality in 2010:

1. Develop a business plan

While preparing a business plan is a requirement for any small business owner seeking to raise start-up funding through a traditional loan or venture capital, every business can benefit from this practice. Your business plan should define your business, its products and services, while outlining your business goals, operating procedures and competition.

2. Consider incorporating your business or forming an LLC

While many small businesses choose never to incorporate, there are many benefits to doing so. "Incorporating your business or forming a limited liability corporation (LLC) is important because it helps protect your personal assets from business debts and liabilities," says Karen Kobelski, general manager of BizFilings, a full-service online incorporation service provider offering small business owners fast, easy and economical ways to form a corporation or other business structure online or by phone. "However, incorporating isn't just about protecting your personal assets; other benefits of incorporation include tax advantages and greater credibility with customers and business partners, which can give incorporated businesses a much-needed advantage over non-incorporated operations."

3. Select an accountant and attorney

Many small business owners seek advice from accountants and attorneys. As you research your options, get referrals from friends and family and turn to professionals who have worked with other small business owners or companies in your specific industry.

4. Get necessary tax identification numbers, business licenses and permits

If your small business will rely on employees, a federal tax identification number or employer identification number (EIN) is required. Most businesses will also require licenses and/or permits to operate in your city, municipality, county and/or state.

5. Insure your business and investigate other requirements

Some industries have specific insurance requirements -- do your homework. It's also important to research additional government tax and insurance requirements that might apply to your business, particularly if you plan on having employees.

6. Open a business bank account

When you own your own business, it's crucial to separate business finances from personal ones, so opening a business account is key. If your business is not incorporated, most banks will require a DBA (doing business as); contact your bank about requirements prior to opening an account.

7. Arrange your business accounting and apply for loans

It is critical to properly account for all business disbursements, payments received, invoices, etc., whether you use an accountant or handle the finances yourself. If you don't have enough capital to start a business, seek funding from banks or through Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.

8. Establish a business line of credit

Establishing business credit will help reduce the number of times your company prepays for purchased products/services and helps establish a strong credit history, a beneficial practice when negotiating vendor and supplier relationships.

9. Ready your workspace

For home-based small businesses, make sure that you are meeting the zoning requirements for your area. Non-home-based businesses will likely require office space, which could lead to the purchase/lease of furniture and office equipment. Planning for this in advance will ensure that you have enough money to cover these costs.

10. Create a brand identity and start marketing your business

To diversify your business from the competition, you should establish your company's identity and start publicizing your products and services. Consider developing a unique business logo to include on business cards and letterhead, advertising your business in the local telephone directory, and developing customer leads -- from friends, family, and business associates. These activities will help potential customers find and remember your business and should reflect the personality of your organization.

Don't put your dreams of financial independence and doing what you love on hold until the world starts turning in your favor; start planning for your future today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - "Graduates these days may find freelancing either as meat and potatoes or whipped cream for their professional diet," says career services director Mary Kate Robinson at The Art Institute of Houston. Freelancing either provides the sole compensation (meat and potatoes) by working for multiple employers for different projects, or it adds to existing employment compensation (whipped cream).

Some graduates choose to be self employed by using specific skills to pursue work without a long-term commitment to one employer. Why? Freelancers will have many clients bringing challenges, interesting experiences and even perhaps a touch of the unknown.

Sometimes freelance work may not provide a constant stream of income. In order to maintain continuity of revenue, freelancers must take on many roles such as business developer, implementer of design, consultant, networker and marketer to keep the revenue stream coming. The freelancer does not have a large support staff, so most of the roles that must be portrayed involve effective communication. Successful freelancers must constantly be networking/marketing and selling themselves, always in the process of searching for the next project.

Some of the best freelance job opportunities come from professional associations, alumni, teachers, postings from the career services department and just plain recognition/visibility in the community. In essence, freelancers are sharing their skill set by all forms of communication, ranging from verbal and nonverbal presentations, an interactive Web page exhibiting work with satisfied clients available for referral, handing out business cards at a chamber breakfast/lunch or other event, and - probably most importantly - always sharing the passion of their work with everyone.

After freelancers have attracted the initial attention of the potential client, certain areas need to be discussed and covered - generally in a written contract - stating employer expectations, a timeline for completion, materials to be included and compensation - which may either be an hourly rate or project based. Often the freelancer requests a deposit of up to 50 percent and final payment due upon employer approval and completion. Communication is clear and misunderstanding can be avoided with a thorough contract.

Interestingly enough, some freelance jobs have potential to become full-time job offers.

"I did a small project for a company designing a logo," says Tim Spencer, a recent  Graphic Design graduate of The Art Institute of Houston, "which led to a full-time job offer with that company."

That is why, no matter what the size of the job, the freelancer should give 110 percent attention to time, talent and customer service as their next job may quickly come from a successful conclusion of a recent project.

After a designer or consultant builds a reputation, jobs may come more easily by referral, but in today's marketplace even a veteran freelancer has to be visible; freelancers are only as good as their last project. And generally that is what the employer remembers most.

"Make the most out of every opportunity -- whether it be your meat and potatoes or whipped cream -- it may lead to the next job," says Robinson. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - You might find the acronym confusing, but the APR (annual percentage rate) on your credit card is a number you should be familiar with. It's important because it describes the cost of your credit balance on a yearly basis. A healthy understanding of what determines this rate can help improve your financial decisions. You can save by assessing your current rates against competing cards or new offers, creating responsible spending and payment plans, and avoiding actions that might trigger a higher rate.

"It's important for you to understand your annual percentage rate when managing your credit. You want to be sure you know just how much you are paying each month on your loan," says Jennifer Ehresman, Bank of America Global Card Services customer experience executive. "Being knowledgeable about the factors that affect your APR will save you money in the long run."

Here are some tips to educate yourself about your credit card:

1. Read the account agreement. If you are already using a credit card or comparing different credit card offers, pay attention to the details. Make sure you know how much you are paying in interest and how it is calculated. Some cards calculate APRs, while others do periodic rates (a monthly finance charge or a daily charge). But some cards vary these interest rates based on your use of the card, such as a 14 percent APR for purchases, but a 15 percent APR for cash advances.

2. Variable APR versus fixed APR. The account agreement tells you if your card has a variable or fixed APR. Variable means that the interest rate can fluctuate up or down from the set amount - called the margin - based on a reference rate like the U.S. Prime Rate (level charged by most banks to their most creditworthy customers). For example, when the U.S. Prime Rate increases, your variable APR can also increase. Fixed APR rates don't fluctuate in this way, but they are not guaranteed - they can be changed based on market conditions. The good news with a fixed rate is that you will be notified first.

3. Higher or lower APRs. Which works best for you? It might always seem that having a lower APR is better, but not if you are a person who pays your balance off every month. If that's the case, then you should be more interested in other fees that might apply to you - like cash advances or annual fees - because the APR doesn't affect you.

4. Calculate how much interest you pay. If you maintain a balance every month, take a moment to look at how much you are paying in interest. The statement should tell you, but you can figure it out for a specific day. Your DPR (daily periodic rate) is calculated by dividing the APR by 365 (the number of days in a year). That number is multiplied by the account balance that day and by the number of days in the statement billing cycle, as shown on your statement. This figure might be a wakeup call, because what you pay in interest could be extra money in your pocket.

"Almost everyone reaches a point where they need a loan - whether for a mortgage or a start up business," Ehresman says. "Stay in control of your credit and you will be able to secure a loan with a more favorable interest rate, thus enjoying the benefits that good credit management offers."

To learn more on how to responsibly manage your credit, visit www.BankofAmerica.com/learn.

Courtesy of ARAcontent