| State Farm agent expands with move
PRINCETON — Growing her small town business and providing the best insurance and financial services around is a priority for State Farm agent Lorita Hellman.With a new location and an expanded team, she hopes to better meet her client’s goals and objectives."The main thing I want to do is to have people, without a doubt, understand how very, very much we want to help them with their insurance and financial services, and in the right way," Hellman said."We want them to feel like they enjoy being here so very much that they don’t want to have their insurance anywhere else. That’s the kind of service we want to provide; that’s the ultimate goal," she added.As of Oct. 1 the business relocated to 324 N. Main St., to a newly-renovated Victorian building, that is more than 100 years old.With the move, Hellman expanded her business team to include her son, Adam Hellman, who will serve as an agency contact representative, and will greet clients, process payments and keep client information up to date.Also on the team are Susan Bastion and Barbara Kunst, both multiple line representatives, who have a combined 25 years experience, in addition to Lorita who also has 21 years of agency experience.They are both fully licensed in all lines of insurance with Bastion specializing in bank and commercial insurance, while Kunst specializes in health and life insurance."They are both also experts in property and casualty insurance on their auto and fire insurance line," Hellman said.With the move, Hellman said she would like to increase her clientele at a more rapid pace, with an emphasis on auto growth."We paid dividends last year; we lowered our rate; we’re extremely competitive right now," Hellman said.Hellman said she had her eye on the building, which had sat vacant for several years, and was ready to take the next step."I’ve always found this place to be extremely charming.
AvL Technologies gives $50,000 to business incubator
ENKA - AvL Technologies has donated $50,000 to establish a revolving loan fund at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College�s Small Business Center/Incubator to support young companies. �While the development of the incubator program and recruitment of companies has gone well, the program lacked a revolving loan fund to assist its clients,� said Russ Yelton, Small Business Center/Incubator director. �We appreciate the support AvL Technologies is providing start-ups through this generous donation.� AvL Technologies started in the Maple Building at A-B Tech in 1998 and became the College�s first successful small business incubation. The business employees 75 people, and designs and manufactures mobile satellite antenna systems typically used for live satellite broadcasts from television news trucks.
ASK SCORE: Financing your business
QUESTION: I am interested in starting a business in Collier County, but have limited financial resources. What are my options for obtaining a business loan? Benjamin W., Naples ANSWER: Benjamin, yours is one of the most common requests we receive. If your resources are limited, it is doubtful that you will be successful in securing a conventional business loan from a bank. However, there are a number of other available options you may consider: The Small Business Administration (SBA) makes guarantees for various types of business loans. Visit the financing section of the SBA's Web site to learn about their various products. See their finance planning section at www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/financestartup/index.html The SBA has a special section for women entrepreneurs at: www.sba.gov/services/specialaudiences/women/index.html.
Bank shareholder opposes Virgin bid
Sir Richard Branson's bid to salvage beleaguered Northern Rock has been met with opposition from the lender's biggest shareholder. A consortium led by Sir Richard's Virgin Group was named as preferred bidder to rescue the company, but hedge fund RAB Capital - owner of a 6.7% stake - said the proposals undervalued Northern Rock. The Virgin consortium is planning to inject £1.3 billion of funds into the group in return for a controlling stake of at least 55%. Part of the cash will be raised through new shares being offered at 25p each, giving Northern Rock an implied value of about £225 million - a fraction of the group's £5.2 billion value seen in February. RAB Capital chief executive Philip Richards said the events were a "step closer" to securing the business - but is pressing for a higher offer.
Business owners say they get a lot from chamber membership
Last week was testimonial time for Mooresville Chamber of Commerce members. The room was packed at the Mooresville Consolidated School Corp. Education Center, but chamber president Mark Chester gave every person a minute or so to speak his peace. Chester said it is a new tradition of the Mooresville chamber to use one of its monthly meetings as an informational meeting on new business members - and those who have been around for a while. Chester said the last time it was done, people asked for it again. He believes it is encouraging to newer entrepreneurs to hear the success stories of veteran business owners and chamber members. It was hard for most people to stay within the one-minute limit - many of them laughingly turned their backs on the little stop sign that chamber treasurer Angela Kath held up.
Business Briefs for Nov. 25, 2007
Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank opened a branch at 2550 Florida St in Mandeville. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Linda Dupuy, assistant vice president, will be branch manager and Brandie Stewart will be assistant branch manager. The telephone number is (985) 7272-5060. Conference set The Defense Energy Support Center is hosting a Small Business Networking and Training Conference Dec. 11 at the Marriott Baton Rouge at 5500 Hilton Ave. The conference is intended to improve small business participation in federal acquisitions from companies capable of providing energy commodities and services. Those include aviation fuels, naval fuel distillate, gasohol, gasoline, diesel fuels, heating oils, alternative fuels, ethanol; natural gas; aerospace fuels; electricity, including wind, biomass and geothermal renewable energy; and coal.
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