Introductions!

Hi there,



My name is Kira, and I'm the marketing and community leader here at JumpUp. I'm convinced that I have the best job in at Intuit because I love what we're doing (helping new businesses get up and running successfully) and I love the JumpUp team!



A little bit about me...I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, and I started my first business at 22 called The Spanish Accent, which sent students of all ages to Latin America to learn Spanish. Since then, I've worked for startups and fast-growing small companies and have been at Intuit serving small business owners since 2003. Currently, I write a mommy blog and run a wiki devoted to the outdoors called WikiOutdoors. As my husband says, I could be isolated in the middle of nowhere and still have too many things on my plate!



My husband, Jeff is a professional chef and now the full-time caregiver of Sophie, our 7-month old daughter. Sophie actually runs our household these days, and we're loving every minute of it. We also have a dog, Roxie, who was our first baby. Sophie & Roxie join us on many adventures including hiking, kayaking and camping.



Like Sunondo, I extend a very warm welcome to everyone visiting and using JumpUp. Please let us know how we can make this a useful tool and community for you as you get your business up and running.



Kira

Hello everyone,

My name is Michelle Evans, from Middletown, NY, (the middle of the Hudson Valley in New York State). I started my own Internet Technology and Web-design company two months ago.

The company, BlueFinn Communications - offers affordable, end-to-end solution for establishing and sustaining an effective, results-driven Internet presence.



Our areas of expertise include:

eCommerce, Website Design ,Web Hosting, Merchant Services, Email Marketing, E-newsletter development and online distribution.

Prior to starting my own business I spent 20 years as a sales and marketing professional in the chemical and Life Science industry.



I am married with two children, the oldest is currently away in college and the youngest is in high school.

I look forward to many interesting, informative discussions over a many cups of coffee.

I encourage everyone to participate and make all the discussions, informative, insightful and interesting.



Michelle

Hello:

I am Michael Conant owner of MybikeID in Flagstaff AZ!

As of today 4/9/07 I am still waiting for my business website to go live!

I started this busines idea last September and have been working as often as I can to get it up and running!

I am still working full time and only have the money I do not use to paybills and eat to get this business going!

It's been tough but I will make this work...

I have been blessed with a sister who provides personal support when I hit the rough spots, a Brother on the east coast who has been my mentor and supporter with his marketing skills and availability when I have questions!

May you all find me a name brand some time in the future!

Hi everyone,



My name is Eirene and I'm the JumpUp.com team leader. Welcome! We are delighted to "meet" you virtually. It is my sincere hope that you find some helpful resources, information, or contacts for your business here at JumpUp. And, not the least, a friendly forum where you can exchange ideas and support.



A little about me... professionally, my background and experiences revolve around business and education. I started out my marketing career with a company that made educational software (Reader Rabbit, anyone?), did a twirl thru a dot-com startup, and joined Intuit five years ago. I really enjoy talking with (and learning from)our customers because I get to hear the most interesting stories!



On the home front, I've got two young boys. Alexander is two and a half and Nicholas is 9 months old. They are definitely keeping my husband Stephen and I quite busy.



Do drop a line about yourself!



Eirene

Hi folks !



My name is Gabe Grall and I'm a small business owner, have been for about 4 or 5 years now. I make signs and stickers for folks.



For a few years, we took our business on the road, We being me and my wife. We found that by going to fairs and events we could make a good amount of money, cover our traveling expenses and have fun at the same time. All the while looking for "Destiny City". We knew our business could find an ideal location, we just had to find it. We've settled on Mobile, Alabama.



Only down side to my business, is we only operate on Saturdays and Sundays at a flea market. We're selling close to $50k a year at that rate, but it could be better.



Any suggestions ?

Hi All:



I am new to this community and am retiring from a Fortune 50 company to start my own insurance agency with National Agents Alliance.



I am married and have a 9 year old daughter and we reside in Prescott, AZ.



I am looking for some help obtaining a free version of a business planning tool if someone could make a recommendation.



Thank you.



George

Hi Gabe & George,



Welcome to the JumpUp community! We are very excited to have you here and look forward to watching both of your businesses grow.



I am going to start two new topics for both of you. Gabe - I will start one on how to grow sales. Here's the link http://jumpup.intuit.com/forum...



George - I will start one for you on reco re: business planning tool. Here's the link - http://jumpup.intuit.com/forum...



Please edit/add to it if I don't capture your question correctly.



All the best, Kira

George

you can try the Small Business site at www.sba.gov.

This site has a lot of information and form that are very helpful.



website:



http://www.sba.gov/smallbusine...

Hi everyone.

My name is Brandon. I'm virtual staffing consultant. I help entrepreneurs, independent and small businesses to run their businesses more efficiently by using a Virtual Assistant. (VA's). Our VA's can provide services such as data entry, sales/marketing support, virtual receptionist services, customer follow up, editing, light bookkeeping and many other administrative/clerical services.



I also offer a referral partner program where anyone can make passive income just by referring people to me who may need a virtual assistant



Brandon

Hi Everyone!!! My name is Dennis, and I am in the long and somewhat challenging process of writting a business plan and developing a pool and spa business. I have what many around here have labeled as a "customer reach environment" for this type of business.



I am going to take the time to research, and compose an extensive, complete business plan, as I believe this will give me a little better chance of being successful with this venture. In reality this is a dream (after 30 years of making others lots of money with my efforts) to go on my own, and what I make or lose, is all on me. I am still working full time (60+ hours a week) so trying to have at least 3 hours a day for research makes for long days. BUT IT WILL BE WOTRH IT.



I am looking forward to learning and sharing with all of you.



Dennis

Atmore, Al

Well hey Dennis, I was unemployed and decided to get my own business. If you didn't have your job, you'd be pushed to get the business going.



When I was on unemployed, I 'd have to call in every week, there was a recording wanting to know if I made any money, "including self employment"...



"Self employment' hmm, I thought. What could I do ? I had seen a fellow in a truckstop in Atlanta doing this, so I bought a plotter and setup my own business.



I had some money coming from my Father's estate to start with, and to keep me fed while it grew. But that didn't last a long time. So if you start your business, working the 60 + hours a week on your own business will be the work you need.



I work all week part time in addition to my shop on the weekends, but I make more on the weekends than the 5 days I work part time.



Pools and Spas are kind of pricey. You'd have to buy a few wholesale, and then sit on them a while waiting to sell one. And have a crew ready to hire to install it etc.



My email is grgrall@comcast.net.

Gabe

Hello Everyone.

My name is Deepak Tilloo - Managing Director of Invitra Technologies Private Limited based in Pune, India.

Our expertize is in customized web based development. We have successfully executed more than 400 projects in last 3 years. I started this company in March 2004 with a team of 4 people. By His blessings and awesome support from my team we are a team of 30 software professionals working under one roof. We have one team who works on Microsoft platform using ASP.Net and MS SQL server as the database. Another team works on Open source like PHP with MySQL, Java, CGI / Perl. I also have designers who work on banners, logos, flash presenations etc.

We have developed many online e-commerce projects. Recently launched a portal for young audience for our Dutch client. Please check www.whoozz.com. We have been working with fortune 500 customers.

If you need any online development to be done, do get in touch with me at deepak@invitratech.com. Be it small business start up or a complex project, we assure you professional and quality work.

Cheers !!

My name is Dana Mitchell and I am an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. I have recently decided to go out on my own after working for a CPA firm for a number of years. I truly enjoy helping the small business owner hit the ground running with their financial software. Just to see the look on their faces and realize that tracking their business productivity is not as difficult as they thought it would be is very rewarding to me. Finding the time to maintain their books however, is really their challenge. I help with that as well, going into the client's office and maintaining their books or even working as a "virtual assistant/bookkeeper" for clients all over the country.



I am looking forward to networking with all of you and share our business knowledge.

Hello, everyone. My name is John. I've been a business owner for over 30 years my business has largely been tax consulting and accounting. I truly enjoy my work, particularly helping others solve their business and tax problems. I started in taxes right after graduating from college. What got me into that area was a conflict I had with the IRS. The IRS told me that I owed an additional $50 on my 1967 tax return which I refuted I had received a $200 refund and had no plans of giving any money back. I had filed a tax return myself based on a W-2 I received from 1 employer I received 2 more W-2's from 2 other employers later and out of total ignorance of the tax code, I filed two more tax returns. I was to get another refund totalling $300 instead of a refund, I received a letter from the IRS stating that I owed this additional money. I refused to pay and challenged them to prove it. They certainly proved it and that launched my career in tax consulting and preparation.

Hello all!



My name is Jason Dawsey and I am starting my new career by building a RV Park close to Mobile, Alabama. My family and I have been camping in our travel trailer many times but have zero experience in building and running a RV Park.



I am currently a Realtor and hope to keep that going while I get the RV Park going too. Mobile, AL is going through some major growth and I would love to be able to capitalize on that growth.



I am here to work on my business plan, marketing plan, website and just get some general knowledge from the school of hard knocks. (if someone else has been through the fire, just take their word for it)



I am married with 2 kids and have a great wife who is supporting me through this adventure.



I know there are several web site designers who are on this site and I am sure that if you guys visit my website, you will see that I need some help!

Hello,



My name is PJ Tucker and I've just started my own Web and Graphics design business. I've been doing digital graphics and web design for around 6 years. I actually went to college for web design for two years but decided to change majors to a business degree and got my BSBA. I'm working on my MBA now and running my business.



I'm married with two boys, 6 years and 8 months, so I'm constantly on daddy duty.



Nice to meet you all.

Hello!



My name is Gina and I'm a CPA who has decided to specialize in taxes. I have been a CPA for over 16 years and after gaining experience from working for national, regional and local CPA firms I decided it was time I tried to help taxpayers my way.



I have flat rate pricing for all the work that I do, which includes payroll taxes, individual and business taxes, tax planning, second opinions and tax repair.



I'm happily married with one amazing child.



Thanks for letting me into your community.



Best wishes,

Gina

Hi,



My name is Marcia Mayne. My business started out quite innocently about 7 years ago when I hosted a party for a friend who had just published her first book. Everyone had so much fun they kept asking when the next one would be.

What started out as a little party turned into a bi-monthly "literary salon." A couple years ago, I decided to turn my idea and hobby into a business. Through my company, Date with a Book, I promote and publicize books/author events.



Nice 'meeting' you all. Thanks for letting me join,

Marcia

Hello All,

I am Denise Magee, Founder and President of Quality Consulting and Billing, a QuickBooks Consulting, Training, and Bookkeeping firm in Tampa Florida. I hope to be an asset to any of you should you need assistance. We provide services via internet to anyone any where that uses QuickBooks.



Should any of you need services or have questions, I would like to help you.

Thanks,

Denise

Hello my name is Rosa,I live in Ohio.I have a gift basket busiiness,I have been doing this for 6 yrs. now.I am still learning.I have learned a lot from making mistakes. I have also had some help from other basketeers" I have a hard time with the marketing part of the business. I pass out biz cards to everyone that I meet.I even give them to waitress at restaurant .



I am married ,my children are all grown up. I also have 2 part time jobs outside of the home.I like to keep busy,right now business is slow.Please visit my web site www.rosabaskets.com.Let me know what you think!



I am looking forward to net-working and exchanging ideas with all of you.Please feel free to email me or call.



my email :rosabaskets@yahoo.com



Rosa