“Michael’s knowledge of PayPal and how to set it up was an important item from the session.” 

Barbi Dailey Helm Acres Nubians 

Vale, Oregon 

U  C  

April 30 OSHA

Confined Space Safety

April 30 OSHA

Conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

May 10 How to Become a Notary

Public—Education Seminar

May 14 Business Basics: How to Start Your Own Business

May 21 & 24 QuickBooks 2011

BizCenter 650 College Blvd. Ontario, OR  97914 

541‐881‐5772 bizcenter@tvcc.cc www.bizcenter.org Treasure Valley Community 

College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Volume 19; Issue No. 4

TVCC BizCenter ENews April  2013 

TVCC BizCenter 

In the Spotlight

Under the big blue sky of downtown Fruitland, Idaho is a shop specializing in screen printing and embroidery. Big Sky Sportswear works with businesses, school groups, sports teams, family gatherings, community organizations, clubs, and others fulfilling their screen printing or embroidery needs. After stints as a truck broker and a day care provider, Big Sky Sportswear owner Lucinda Day decided it was time to move to something new when her son started school. One day she passed by a guy with an embroidered hat and decided that was something she could do. She started reading trade magazines and went to California to look at a professional embroidery machine. With a leap of faith and a dose of courage, she decided to quit the day care business and start an embroidery business, initially from her home. To help with the career change, Day said she contacted the BizCenter and

worked with an advisor to develop a business plan. That assistance helped her obtain an SBA loan in 2000. In 2005, she decided it was time to take another big step, and she purchased Big Sky Sportswear in Fruitland. Day’s background as a truck broker taught her the value of networking and

sales. She continues to use these skills to promote her business. One piece of sage advice she got from another small business owner is “just be out there,” which Day takes to heart.

But Day’s involvement in events and groups is also driven by a strong sense of community appreciation and support. Day grew up in Weiser and still loves the National OldTime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival. (Not surprisingly, they ask her to design and make the event t-shirts each year.) She is active with the HomeTown Competiveness project that is in progress; is a member of the Payette County, Ontario, and Weiser Chambers

Lucinda Day (right), Big Sky Sportswear owner, stands with employee Carlos Carrillo by the screen print press.

cont’d. next page

TVCC BizCenter ENews  April  2013  Page 2 

This newsletter content is provided as a service for informational purposes only; any actions or decisions should be based on your own determinations and policies. This information does not constitute legal advice. When appropriate, you are encouraged to utilize professional advisors (e.g., accountants or lawyers).

of Commerce; was selected last year as the volunteer of the year by the Payette County Chamber; volunteers to chair several projects throughout the community— the list just keeps going. However, some of her volunteer work is less known but nevertheless just as important. For example, she volunteers to read each week with students at the elementary school. Big Sky Sportswear doesn’t just do work for sports teams and doesn’t just do athletic apparel. Although baseball season is one of her busiest, Lucinda Day also works on items for businesses, such as caps, shirts, or jackets, whether for employees or as promotional items. But it doesn’t stop with apparel — backpacks,

duffel bags, tote bags, and other items can also be screen-printed or embroidered. The shop can also provide promotional products such as coffee mugs and key chains. Day commented that her most memorable job was embroidering the presidential seal on a life jacket for President George W. Bush. While she doesn't actively pursue logo design as a separate business pursuit, Big Sky Sportswear can help create the graphic design for the project. Additionally, with Big Sky Sportswear’s in-house digitizing, a customer can have minor changes made to a customer’s stock logo or graphic—before the embroidery stitches start flying.

Big Sky Sportswear is now offering a new option for sports teams and groups. “Spirit Packs” make ordering easy. This online process allows a group to offer one or several items from which its members can go online and select the item(s) they want.

Payments can be made easily using PayPal.™

As the business grows, Day hopes to slowly turn more and more over to her talented staff. This will allow Day more time to focus on marketing and getting out to sell. Big Sky Sportswear currently has two full-time and three part-time employees, and the store remains open and staffed during regular business hours even with Day’s busy schedule and community involvement. Day strives to keep abreast of the industry and its trends. Moreover she continues to work to refresh and better her personal and business skills and knowledge. To help achieve this, she maintains contact with the BizCenter. Along with attending some of the classes that they offer, she also appreciates the feedback, advisory visits, and assistance they provide directly for her business. “The BizCenter is good at researching things and getting feedback and information to you,” Day says. She adds, “They are a fresh set of eyes.”

BIG SKY SPORTSWEAR 245 SW 3RD STREET FRUITLAND, ID 83619 208-452-5070

e-mail: info@bigskysportswear.com web: bigskysportswear.com

Hours: Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

cont’d. from p. 1

New Summer Workshops

Watch for exciting new BizCenter courses coming this summer! Topics will include such areas as:

Marke ng to the Construc on Industry  Presenta on Basics   Bidding & Es ma ng Strategies  Developing the Habit of Success   Microso ™ Excel  Web‐based Social Media Basics 

To find out more or to register, call the BizCenter at 541-881-5772. Check the BizCenter website as well for upcoming classes and information.

The BizCenter is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s fund-ing is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for handicapped individuals will be made if requested in advance. Contact Treasure Valley Community College BizCenter, 650 College Blvd., Ontario, OR. Phone: 541-881-5762.

TVCC BizCenter ENews  April  2013  Page 3 

® 

T  T  H  Y  G  A G  F  F  T  S  B  A  S ! 

Dates (2‐session class): 

Tuesday, May 21 Friday, May 24 

 

Time: 

12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

Loca on: 

TVCC Workforce Training Center Room 104 

 

Course Fee: 

$199 for both sessions which includes course material 

 

Instructor: 

Michael Braden, CPA 

This workshop is divided into two sessions.  Day 1 will get you acquainted with QuickBooks® 2011, using either the Pro or Premier versions of the accoun ng so ware, and help lay out some of the basics.  Day 2 expands on the first day’s basics and explores some addi onal areas of QuickBooks® and its built‐in features.  This course is intended to create a solid founda on for con nued personal development and experience using this so ware.   

Day 1 

  Learn how to: 

Set up your books correctly the first  me!  Navigate within QuickBooks  Set up a company file  Record your sales  Pay bills  

Day 2 

  Learn how to: 

  Create and customize company forms and reports  Perform basic job cos ng  Memorize transac ons  Reconcile credit card and bank statements

If you are new to QuickBooks or to bookkeeping, this class is a great star ng point. 

Call the BizCenter to register.  Sea ng is limited so call early to 

reserve your spot! 541‐881‐5772 

TVCC BizCenter ENews  April  2013  Page 4 

It is the policy of the Treasure Valley Community College Board of Education and the College that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in

career and technical education programs. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Human Resources Director located in the Student Services Center on the south side of the Four Rivers Cultural Center building, or call (541) 881-5835 or TDD (541) 881-5839.

 

  Brush up on your notary knowledge and get the answers to your ques ons!  Sponsored by the Oregon Secretary of State, this seminar is for new, current, and renewing notaries public.  A end this seminar to get a comprehensive and thorough examina on of notary basics: 

▪  What is a notary ▪  Responsibili es and liabili es of a notary ▪  How to notarize ▪  Notary cer fica on ▪  The notary journal 

This is a great opportunity to talk to the Educa on & Outreach Coordinator from the Secretary of State Office in person.  Date: Friday, May 10

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: TVCC Weese Building Room 110

Instructor: Heather Wilson  Oregon Secretary of State Office

Registration: Go online to http://notsem.sos.state.or.us/

For more informa on, call 503‐986‐2200. 

How to Become a Notary Public

  Education Seminar  

Don’t Miss the Health Insurance Deduction if You’re Self-Employed

If you are self-employed, you may be able to take a tax deduction for health insurance.

The deduction is for medical, dental or long-term care insurance premiums that self-employed people often pay for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents. The insurance can also cover your child who was under age 27 at the end of 2012, even if the child was not your dependent.

For more information and to find out if you are able to take this deduction, click here to read the IRS Tax Tip or check IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses.

Want some new questions to throw into your standard mix? Here are a few suggestions. These are tough ones, so be reasonable if you don’t get the perfect answer or if you encounter a moment’s hesitation. Just remember when interviewing, try not to use just questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”

1. Tell me about the last time a customer or worker got mad at you.

2. What was the last project or committee you headed up and what was its outcome?

3. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? 4. Tell me about the toughest decision you had to make in

the last six months? 5. If I were your supervisor and asked you to do

something that you disagreed with, what would you do? 6. Tell me about the last time your workday ended before

you were able to get everything done. 7. If the person will be in retail or sales, pick up a common

object (e.g. pen, calculator, PC mouse) and ask the job seeker to sell it to you.

There’s no one right answer. However, the general mannerisms and dialog will tell a lot, and the specific responses can be used to judge skill sets and reactions to different circumstances.

TVCC BizCenter ENews  April  2013  Page 5 

Small Business and Self‐Employed Tax Center 

Star ng, Opera ng, or Closing a Business 

Self‐Employed Individuals Tax Center 

IRS Video Portal at h p://www.irsvideos.gov/ 

Star ng a Business 

Deduc ng Expenses 

Businesses with Employees 

Filing and Paying Your Business Taxes 

Publica on 15, Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide (PDF) 

Publica on 15‐A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide 

Publica on 15‐B, Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits 

Publica on 51, Circular A, Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide  

Publica on 225, Farmer’s Tax Guide 

Publica on 535, Business Expenses 

Publica on 587, Business Use of Your Home 

Publica on 583, Star ng a Business and Keeping Records  

Publica on 1518, Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self‐Employed (PDF) (Contact the BizCenter to get a free copy of the small business tax calendar!) 

Publica on 4591, Small Business Federal Tax Responsibili es (PDF) (or order a free copy from the IRS) 

Small Business/Self‐Employed IRS Help 

Tools to Help Educate Employees 

Employers — educa ng your employees about tax compliance has never been easier!  The IRS has pulled together links to informa on sources, including widgets, publica ons, the IRS You Tube channel, and the Outreach Corner.  The Outreach Corner has audio and video files, social media tools, and much more.  This page is a  go‐to spot for employers to find tools and informa on to help in educa ng their employees about tax compliance.    Check out this helpful page at —    www.irs.gov/Individuals/Educa ng‐Your‐Employees‐About‐Tax‐Compliance. 

This  me of year, a lot of people are thinking about taxes.  As employers, you have taxes to pay on your business and your employees.  Employees also have tax responsibili es.  The IRS has materials and tools to help business owners 

understand small business taxes as well as to help employers educate their employees about tax compliance.  These tools are a good resource to pair with guidance from your tax professional or accountant and the TVCC BizCenter.  The BizCenter advisors can work with you to help provide an understanding of tax requirements.  They are able to help explain some of the terms 

and concepts found on  forms and in IRS brochures,  and they can point out some important due dates and deadlines.  If you are struggling to put your arms around the tax and repor ng requirements, give the BizCenter a call at  (541) 881‐5772.  Aside from the actual tax forms and associated instruc ons, below are some of the helpful links and items from the IRS. 

TVCC BizCenter ENews  April  2013  Page 6 

Next sessions start April 17 and then repeat again starting on May 15. Cost is only $110 for most classes.

 Career · Hobby · New Interest?  Whatever the reason, if you want to expand your knowledge, try an online class. Through the TVCC BizCenter, you can register for a wide range of highly interactive courses that you can take entirely over the Internet. Two new lessons are released each week during the six-week class. You do not have to be present on the day that a lesson is released; lessons can fit into your schedule. There are hundreds of classes to choose from. Hone business skills, investigate a new profession, take up a hobby — you decide with these easy-to-enroll classes.

For more information about the classes and an online learning catalog, click here.

(www.ed2go.com/tvccdel)

For registration, payment information, or any other questions, please contact:

TVCC BizCenter 650 College Blvd. Ontario, OR 97914

Phone: 541-881-5772 Fax: 541-881-5511 E-mail: bizcenter@tvcc.cc

Effective Business Writing Improve your career prospects by learning how to develop powerful written documents. If you communicate with others in writing, you need this course to help you identify and eliminate problem areas. By the end of this course, you'll know the secret to developing powerful written documents that immediately draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue until your very last, well-chosen word.

Stocks, Bonds, and Investing: Oh, My! Learn how to make wise investment decisions. This is an enjoyable class that goes through the fundamentals of investing. The course will not only teach you about the stock markets, 401k plans, and retirement, but it will also address personal financial issues that are essential to your success as an investor. The instructor won’t just throw out a bunch of terms; you’ll get explanations of important concepts.

While many references indicate that “can not” and “cannot” are interchangeable spellings, cannot is the more common and preferred spelling in most circumstances. Some writers and grammar guides even go so far as to say that cannot is always one word.

However, in these instances, can not may be better:

■ When the “not” forms part of another construction or thought

Sally can not only sing but she can also dance.

■ When you want to add emphasis “No, you can not put the wet dog in the clothes dryer.”

Wiz Bitz  -your monthly learning tidbit Can not or Cannot