September 8, 2010

The Lyndon Area Business Association breakfast meeting was held at Lyndon City Hall, 515 Wood Road, Louisville, KY 40222. Approximately 32 attendees were present.

LABA President Hank Mangeot thanked everyone for attending. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Thanked Kroger Catering & Banquet Hall in St. Matthews for providing today’s breakfast.

Recognized New Members:

o Eileen Hawkins - Incredible Dave’s

o Aleese Fielder – Indiana Tech

Office Depot Discount Purchasing Plan – Reminded the group as a LABA Member they are eligible to receive terrific discounts through this plan. Please see Becky Kane who is here today to share updated purchasing cards.

Speaker – Today’s guest speaker is Michael Ashcraft, Center Director for the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) of Greater Louisville. Through his work at the Center he has assisted hundreds of small businesses start, grow and maintain their success and helped them access millions of dollars in small business loans. He has also worked with many struggling businesses to help them return to profitability, examining their market opportunities; marketing plans financial projections and operational procedures. We’re happy to have Michael with us today. Highlights from his presentation include the following:

· KSBDC Mission- Strengthen Kentucky’s economy through the delivery of high quality, in-depth and hands-on business consulting to existing and start-up businesses, creating both wealth & jobs.

· Economy continues to be the key issue facing small business

· Anticipate moderate economic growth & stubbornly high unemployment

· All size employers are shifting from full-time to part-time employees, outsourced services, partnership arrangements and other forms of contingent workers

· The number of one-employee businesses exceeded 22 million

· Recession caused in large part by a 10-year credit bubble

· Small business borrowing is still very difficult

· More Americans are focusing on their families, friends & community

· Benefit from market opportunities created by locally-oriented customers / Buy Local

· 6.6 Million home-based businesses

· Trends toward sustainability, clean technology and green energy continue to gain strength with consumers and businesses

· Mobile and social computing entered the mainstream in 2009

· Location technology & services – the driver is the GPS system in smartphones & cars

· Analytical tools lead to data-driven decisions

· Online Training brings professional education – small business use of online training will accelerate

For more information, please contact Michael Ashcraft at (502) 574-1378 or visit www.KSBDC.org

Introductions –All members were provided an opportunity to introduce themselves & their business.

Door Prize Drawing - Becky Peak with SYNERGY Home Care shared a door prize for the August meeting and today provided her 2-minute commercial. Karen Finlinson with Park Community Credit Union provided today’s door prize.

Upcoming Events –

o September 30^th – Business Connection 5-7pm BB&T, 2900 N. Hurstbourne Parkway

o October 13^th - Mayoral Forum Luncheon Meeting, 11:30am Lyndon City Hall

Meeting adjourned.