Your Website Needs To Be More Than Just A Pretty Face
With a writer’s knack for clarity, Mark Whittaker serves small business owners overwhelmed by online marketing jargon. He not only helps them get results; he understands the numbers behind those results.
Mark shares his expertise with AHB in a live online presentation on Thursday, July 20. Tune in from home via Zoom or watch with us in person and enjoy conversation and a casual dinner in Sellwood.
Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Mark is owner of Whitmark Digital, a one-person digital marketing agency that helps really small businesses with their websites, search optimization, search advertising, web content, and social media. A newspaper journalist for 31 years, Mark has spent the last nine of those years building and managing newspaper websites. Beginning in 2010, he helped build a start-up digital marketing agency. He launched Whitmark Digital after Covid, believing there must be a better way to guide small business owners through the maze of online marketing strategies, tactics, and tools.
To learn more, visit https://whitmarkdigital.com.
JOIN US IN PERSON OR ONLINE:
DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 20, 2023 | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30 | Program 7:00
LOCATION: SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave. (at Tenino, one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon, 97202 (or join us on Zoom)
COST: $10 door for in-person meeting includes supper. Non-members welcome. No charge for virtual attendees.
REGISTRATION: Registration required. If you plan to attend, please send an email by Tuesday, July 18, to communications@ahboregon.org or call 503-232-2326. When you RSVP, please let us know if you plan to attend virtually, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Self-employment on the Road to Self-actualization
Join us Thursday, June 22, for a talk by Becky Luening, sole proprietor of a home-based graphic design and editing service called Becky Luening Book Arts. Drawing from personal and professional life experience, Becky will lay out her unique philosophy of what we call “work” and tell how following her heart and choosing to be a free agent at a young age set her on a path of self-development that continues to this day. She will also share some of the basic business tips she has picked up along the way.
IN PERSON WITH A VIRTUAL OPTION
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 22, 2023 | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30 | Program 7:00
LOCATION: SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave. (at Tenino, one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon, 97202 (or join us on Zoom)
COST: $10 door for in-person meeting includes supper. Non-members welcome. No charge for virtual attendees.
REGISTRATION: Registration required. If you plan to attend, please send an email by Tuesday, June 20, to communications@ahboregon.org or call 503-232-2326. When you RSVP, please let us know if you plan to attend virtually, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Build Your Business by Getting Involved In Your Community
Nancy Chapin, a co-founder of the organization that became Venture Portland, has been providing invaluable support for business districts all around Southeast Portland for decades—in volunteer, staff, board and advisory roles. Nancy will discuss how getting involved in the community can energize your business and bring greater success.
Bridget Bayer has expertise and has authored books on producing street fairs and marketing through events. She will talk about how to promote home-based businesses at community events, and how getting involved in small business marketing events can lead to long-term business relationships that help build your client base.
IN PERSON WITH A VIRTUAL OPTION
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 18, 2023 | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30 | Program 7:00
LOCATION: SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave. (at Tenino, one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon, 97202 (or join us on Zoom)
COST: $10 door for in-person meeting includes supper. Non-members welcome. No charge for virtual attendees.
REGISTRATION: Registration required. If you plan to attend, please send an email by Tuesday, May 16, to communications@ahboregon.org or call 503-232-2326. When you RSVP, please let us know if you plan to attend virtually, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Opening Doors to Fulfilling Work
Aubrie De Clerck, featured speaker at AHB’s April 20, 2023 meeting, is a career coach who helps people open doors to fulfilling work. She has over 15 years of experience in supporting people in entrepreneurial, corporate, non-profit, and education environments. Aubrie is known for being highly inspirational and deeply practical, meeting clients with warmth and acceptance. She calls her practice Coaching for Clarity.
Aubrie has developed a component in her coaching practice using a process known as Threads. “Threads are the things about us that don’t change. Things you do naturally. Your gifts. You couldn’t stop doing them if you tried. If you are looking for ways to talk about yourself and your business in a genuine and compelling way, Threads can help!”
Aubrie’s virtual presentation will be projected on the big screen at our in-person dinner meeting at the SMILE Station (details below).
DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 20, 2023 | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30 | Program 7:00
LOCATION: SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave (at Tenino, one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon, 97202 (or join us on ZOOM)
COST: $10 door for in-person meeting includes supper. Non-members welcome. No charge for virtual attendees.
REGISTRATION: To make sure we there is enough food for all who attend in person, please RSVP via email to communications@ahboregon.org or via phone, 503-232-2326. This is a hybrid meeting. People who prefer to join via Zoom are more than welcome to join us at no charge with prior registration. When you RSVP, please let us know if you plan to attend virtually, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Learn to Use Canva
CANVA is a free, cloud-based designing tool that is simple to use and learn. With its numerous templates, drag-and-drop interface, and thousands of design assets, anyone can create beautiful marketing materials, including flyers, postcards, social media posts, presentations, and video.
At AHB’s next monthly meeting, Thursday, March 16, 2023, Zoe Morrison will demonstrate this powerful tool for marketing, offer basic Canva tips and tricks, and provide a Q&A session afterwards. The virtual presentation will be projected on the big screen at our in-person dinner meeting in the Sellwood neighborhood of Southeast Portland.
Zoe Morrison has provided remote administrative tech support and social media services to home-based and small businesses throughout the country since 2007. An active member of AHB, Zoe is sole proprietor of a photo scanning service. Find her on Instagram @zoemorrisondigitalnomad.
DATE/TIME: Thursday, March 16, 2023 | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30 | Program 7:00
LOCATION: SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave (at Tenino, one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon, 97202
COST: $10 door fee includes supper; open to everyone.
RSVP: To make sure we have enough food for all who attend, we kindly request attendees to RSVP in advance via email to communications@ahboregon.org or via phone, 503-232-2326. This is a hybrid meeting, meaning people who prefer to join via Zoom are more than welcome to join us as well. When you RSVP, please let us know you plan to do so, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Start the Year Off Right with SCORE—and Flying Pancakes
Join AHB on Thursday evening, January 19, 2023, for a presentation by Peter Cantone Jr. (photo at left) of Portland SCORE along with an all-you-can-eat “breakfast for dinner” provided by renowned pancake flipper Sheldon Penner, owner of Chris Cakes Northwest.
The nonprofit SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals. Since 1964, the organization’s volunteers have provided education and mentoring to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. Thanks to generous support from the SBA and the selfless contributions of thousands of dedicated volunteers, most of SCORE’s offerings are delivered at no cost. Come to AHB’s January 19th meeting to learn how your business may benefit from the services and mentoring offered by SCORE volunteers in Portland.
pancake flipper extraordinaire
The success of Chris Cakes Northwest is found in its ability to turn standard pancake breakfasts into fun, interactive food experiences where people not only get fed, but get to celebrate the joy and laughter of being a kid again. Chief pancake flipper Sheldon Penner has prepared breakfast for hundreds of folks at special community and private events all over Oregon. In 2021, he made parking lot breakfasts for many of our region’s wildfire refugees. In addition to amazing pancake flipping, Chris Cakes Northwest recently expanded into Mobile Grillin’ offering large-scale catered lunches and dinners featuring grilled chicken, hamburgers, and/or hot dogs.
The in-person meeting takes place at SMILE Station, located at SE 13th Avenue at Tenino Street (one block south of Tacoma) in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland. Doors open at 6:00pm and the presentation starts at 7:00. There is a $10 charge for dinner. The meeting is open to the public and may also be attended virtually.
To reserve your spot at the in-person dinner, or to request the virtual meeting link, please send an email to communications@ahboregon.org, or call 503-232-2326.
Ten Great Tax-filing Tips for the Self-employed
Attention small business owners! You’ll want to save the evening of Thursday, February 16, for an up-to-date review of tax tips for freelancers presented by our favorite local tax preparer, Kevin Minkoff, CPA. Kevin will discuss a number of strategies you might employ to lower your Schedule C taxes. Possibilities include covering health reimbursement accounts, employing spouses and under-age-18 children, renting from your spouse, home office deductions, business vehicle deductions, de minimis fringe benefits, business travel, and the smartphone rule. Kevin’s informative talks are always followed by Q&A, and his lively presentation style makes tax talk quite entertaining!
AHB meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. We moved back to in-person meetings a year ago, but have retained a Zoom option for those who prefer attending remotely. There is plenty of space to spread out at the SMILE Station, and masking is optional.
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 16, 2023. Doors open 6:00pm, dinner served at 6:30, program begins at 7:00.
LOCATION: SMILE Station, S.E. 13th at Tenino (a block south of Tacoma), Sellwood Neighborhood, Portland, Oregon
COST: $10 door fee includes supper; open to everyone.
RSVP: To make sure we have enough food for all who attend, we kindly request attendees to RSVP in advance via email to communications@ahboregon.org or via phone, 503-232-2326. This is a hybrid meeting, meaning people who prefer to join via Zoom are more than welcome to join us as well. When you RSVP, please let us know you plan to do so, so we can send you the Zoom meeting link.
Take Your Business to the Next Level—Affordably
At the Thursday, November 17th dinner meeting of the Association of Home Businesses, presenter Sandy Hubbard, CSM, takes up the question: “What Does it Mean to Take Your Business to the Next Level – and How Can You Do It Affordably?”
Whether you want to grow your business, be more profitable, or just be more effective as a small business owner, there are things you can do – strategy-wise – to lay the foundation for stepping up to the next level. Sandy is a marketing consultant and strategist for businesses that use print, email, social media, video, podcasting, online platforms, courses, communities, and more. Her talk will include time for idea sharing and Q&A from the audience.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for pre-dinner networking at the SMILE Station on S.E. 13th and Tenino. First-time visitors are welcome to attend as our guest. Members and returning guests pay $10.
Please R.S.V.P. to help us with our meal arrangements. Email communications@ahboregon.org or leave a message at 503-232-2326. Virtual attendance is also possible (and free): just request a Zoom meeting link when you R.S.V.P.
Sorting Health Insurance Options for Small Businesses and the Self-employed
Do you find the health insurance market confusing? At AHB’s September 15th meeting, presenter Adam Reid will do his best to resolve your health insurance questions by reviewing the Marketplace (Obamacare), Medicare, and state and federal subsidy options. Adam’s presentation will focus on how self-employed people or very small businesses can get the very best health insurance for their needs. He will answer questions, and cover the different factors and options involved in choosing the right plan.
A licensed insurance agent since 2018, Adam Reid is a member of the team at Health Plans in Oregon, one of 24 Oregon insurance agencies selected by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace to help people sign up for and re-enroll for health insurance care plans.
DATE/TIME: Thursday, September 15. Doors open 6:00pm, food served at 6:30, program begins at 7:00.
LOCATION: SMILE Station (in the Sellwood neighborhood), SE 13th Avenue at Tenino (one block south of Tacoma), Portland, Oregon
COST: $10 door fee includes supper; open to everyone.
RSVP: To ensure enough food for all attendees, please RSVP in advance — via email to communications@ahboregon.org or via phone, 503-232-2326. Virtual attendance is also possible (and free): just request a Zoom meeting link when you RSVP.
9 Essential Productivity Tips
“You CAN manage it all, if you follow nine productivity tips,” says Zoe Morrison, virtual presenter at AHB’s June 16th in-person meeting. “Most of us have a world of productivity tools at our fingertips, but don’t know how to use them.”
In this session, Zoe, a self-described “digital nomad and Google evangelist,” will walk us through nine tools that can be used to streamline your work flow. She’ll compare apples to oranges, and provide insight into how to make the most of the tools at hand, whether managing a team of one or one hundred.
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 16. Doors open 6:00pm, dinner served at 6:30, program begins at 7:00.
LOCATION: SMILE Station, S.E. 13th at Tenino (a block south of Tacoma), Sellwood Neighborhood, Portland, Oregon
COST: $10 door fee includes supper; open to everyone.
RSVP: To make sure we have enough food for all who attend, we kindly request attendees to RSVP in advance via email to communications@ahboregon.org or via phone, 503-232-2326.