How Obama's SBA Chief May Change the Agency

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January 28, 2009
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NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY How Obama's SBA Chief May Change the Agency As the President's pick to head the Small Business Administration, Karen Mills could transform the agency's approach to funding

Inside: This Week in SmallBiz How will the Small Business Administration change under Karen Mills, President Obama's pick to head the agency? While Mills' confirmation hearing hasn't been scheduled yet, those who know her say she will balance a financier's background with experience using government to promote small business needs. While Mills herself was unable to comment on her plans, in a previous interview she discussed the need for the SBA to develop an approach to funding that recognizes the varying financial needs of different types of small businesses. Also on tap: Flip through a slide show with advice for laid-off workers considering going into business for themselves. Then weigh in on a reader-suggested story about small manufacturers that have launched a grassroots campaign to win exemptions in a new product-testing law. Finally, participate in our ongoing search to locate the most promising social entrepreneurs in the U.S. You can use the nomination form below this note to suggest a company that aims to solve social problems and turn a profit. --Nick Leiber SEND FEEDBACK  |  E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS

MORE SMALLBIZ NEWS GETTING STARTED A Guide to Self-Employment Advice for recently laid-off workers considering going into business for themselves WHAT'S YOUR STORY IDEA? Toymakers: Up in Arms Over Product Tests Micro producers of children's products have launched a grassroots campaign to win exemptions in the new law that requires product testing SMART ANSWERS Why the BBB Changed Its Rating System A conversation with the nonprofit about its new letter grades, how the process works, and how to make it work for your small business ENTREPRENEUR'S JOURNAL Making a Do-Gooder's Business Model Work Blake Mycoskie, a former contestant on The Amazing Race, explains how he can give away a pair of shoes for every pair his company sells   SMALLBIZ SLIDE SHOWS SMALL BIZ 20 Steps to Self-Employment A checklist and resources for recently laid-off workers considering going into business for themselves SMALL BIZ Slide Show: Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis   SMALLBIZ PODCASTS Starting a Home-Based Business Rich Sloan, co-founder of Startup Nation, says traffic at his Web site for would-be entrepreneurs has increased dramatically during this recession. The good news? Starting a home-based business is easier and cheaper than ever before.   SMALLBIZ SPECIAL REPORTS Getting Top Talent Corporate Philanthropy Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under Home- Based Business Branding Franchising Raising Capital The ABCs of Business Plans SMALLBIZ  BUSINESS DIRECTORY Need Help? Find experts in your area in: Accounting Advertising and Marketing E-Mail Marketing Legal Services Public Relations Search Engine Marketing Web Design Web Marketing Web Hosting  BW MALL   SPONSORED LINKS Solar, Wind, CoGen - AESO  Hot Stock. Develops and Finances Energy Efficiency Projects. Effectively Manage Your Employee Time  Software & hardware allow you to integrate time tracking & payroll. View a 5-min demonstration here. Integrated Desktop Management Software  Desktop Management Software with Software Deployment, Patch Mgmt, Asset Mgmt, Remote Control & More. Riverbed WAN Optimization  Cut IT costs. Accelerate business performance. Eliminate HR Management Headaches with TriNet  TriNet offers complete integration of payroll and benefits on a single platform. Affordable, scalable and convenient. Buy a link now! This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 View our corporate privacy policy at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/privacy.html. To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2008, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

SEEKING NOMINATIONS America's Best Social Entrepreneurs Between now and Feb. 20, tell us who you think should be considered for our inaugural roundup of the most promising social entrepreneurs in the U.S. We'll profile 25 companies and ask you to vote on your favorite Nominate America's Best Social Entrepreneur >   BLOG The New Entrepreneur >> Proving that you're never too old to launch a startup, the Los Angeles Times reports on the remarkable story of 70-year-old entrepreneur C. Kumar N. Patel, the inventor of the carbon dioxide laser, the holder of 38 patents, and the former head of the physics and engineering departments at Bell Labs. "I had a midlife crisis at 60," he told the paper... —Stacy Perman, The New Entrepreneur Visit Our Other Blogs Auto Beat Bangalore Tigers Blogspotting Brand New Day Byte of the Apple Economics Unbound European Insight Fine On Media Games, Inc. GreenBiz Hot Property Investing Insights Management IQ New Technology in Asia NEXT: Innovation Tools & Trends NussbaumOnDesign Tech Beat Working Parents POST YOUR OWN COMMENTS ADVERTISEMENT Get Options Trading Ideas for Major Currencies Get currency options trading ideas with Trading Central's free FX Options Trade Alert. See opportunities as they arise, based on technical analysis. SMART ANSWERS KAREN E. KLEIN >> The Right Legal Structure for Your Business There are many variables to choosing the right business entity, but a good place to start is to prioritize liability issues over tax issues SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO KAREN >   VIEWPOINT CARMINE GALLO >> How to Handle Tough Questions Our columnist says by preparing in advance and sticking to a plan, business leaders can deliver convincing answers and stay in control when they're on the spot MORE CARMINE GALLO COLUMNS >>   Advertisement   Reader Poll: Special Issue Trouble at the office? In surveys, blogs, polls, and social media, BusinessWeek collaborated with readers to identify problems at work. Together we found answers.   Today's Tip Sales & Marketing Gaining attention in the media can help your company build market awareness. One way to stand out in today's busy media environment is to contribute your expertise. ... --Albie Jarvis, Senior Vice-President, Porter Novelli READ MORE >   IN YOUR FACE: BILL GATES TARGETS POVERTY Reader Sanjay Tandon Writes: " Without a change in perceptions and values, wealth can only go so far in impacting change. Having worked for Bill, I know him to be a man of great resolve. " Tell Us: Can Gates Convince Governments to Take Up Alms, Not Arms? >   BusinessWeek has teamed with J.D. Power and Associates to let you compare customer satisfaction and product quality ratings. Automobiles Cable/Satellite Providers Consumer Electronics Copiers Digital Cameras TVs Insurance Auto Insurance Collision Repair (Auto Insurance) Home Insurance Financial Services Full-Service Investing Mortage Service Online Trading Telephone/Wireless All-Distance Phone Providers Wireless Service Internet Service Providers   Advertisement   VIDEO VIEWS >> Selling Luxury in Tough Times The Cliffs Communities rely on word of mouth and strong relationships to bring buyers to sites in the Carolinas, says Jim Anthony, President and Founder     SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESSWEEK SmallBiz Print Table of Contents Get SmallBiz Free With Your Subscription To BusinessWeek Subscribe Now Customer Service SMALLBIZ FREE ONLINE COURSES Instructor-led classes on the latest topics for registered BusinessWeek users. Sign up now • The Wireless Mobile Office • Designing and Equipping Your Home Office • Setting Up a Wireless Home Network • Start-Up Basics for the First-Time Entrepreneur • Writing a High-Impact Business Plan • Raising Capital for Your Small Business