Ohio has launched a $100 million tax program that benefits both entrepreneurs and investors. InvestOhio is a program seeking to spur investments in Ohio's 900,000 small businesses. The program offers a 10% income tax credit to investors who infuse new equity (cash) into companies having less than $50 million in assets and/or less than $10 million in annual sales.

     To take advantage of the income tax credit, investors are required to invest cash into a small business and then must retain ownership for a two- year holding period before the tax credit can be claimed. Small businesses benefit by the infusion of cash and are required to reinvest the cash within six months of its receipt.  Small business owners must also retain the purchased property for the entire two-year holding period.

     InvestOhio has a two-part application process. Part One is the registration piece, which kicked off November 14, 2011. Part Two is the actual application process and begins the first week in December. For more information on this $100 million program to see if it's right for you, CLICK HERE, or call (800) 848-1300.

     On Saturday, November 19, 2011, INCREASE CDC in conjunction with Discover U Consulting hosted Passion to Profit. This half-day seminar presented information to working adults on how to best start a business while keeping their day jobs.  Motivational speaker Carla Daniels, Owner of HMG Consulting, spoke to the attendees about clearly identifying their passions.  Nikki Swisher, Owner of Magnetic Institute, spoke on easy ways to start a business in 30 days.  Both ladies encouraged the audience to push through any obstacles that were preventing them from turning their passion into profit. 

     The seminar also included a panel discussion with four local intrepreneurs who shared their successes and challenges. The panlists whose companies represented the fashion, financial, landscaping, and marketing industries brought a personal touch to the seminar's topic and candidly responded to the moderator's questions.  The seminar was a success with over 80% of the attendees saying they were extremely satisfied with the overall experience.

This month, INCREASE CDC welcomes Carmen D. Dandridge to our organization as our Community Outreach Coordinator (COC).  As the COC, her tasks will include but not be limited to creating and fostering partnerships with community shareholders and increasing awareness and enrollment into INCREASE CDC programs.  Carmen holds a double B.S. degree from Franklin University in Applied Communications and Organizational Leadership.  Her professional background includes a 24-year career with AT&T/Lucent Technologies where she held a variety of positions from clerical to supervisory. She has completed her first year in the Ministry Training Center at Columbus Christian Center and wants to eventually become an evangelist.  On a personal note, Carmen and her husband Byron have four daughters, one granddaughter, one grandson, and one doggie.  Carmen believes she is perfectly fitted to our organization.  We agree, and we are glad to welcome her to our team.

Sheila M. Winston is the owner of SheilaMarie, LLC, a company specializing in outfitting the unique full-figured woman in unique denim fashions. Ms. Winston graduated from our Developing the Business Plan class in April 2011 and achieved one of her greatest successes with her dress shop's grand opening October 1, 2011. Ms. Winston's entrepreneurial vision has its roots in her childhood.  As a middle-school student, she began designing her own clothes and her mother done the stitching.  Before long, other students began to want the same look.  She believes patience pays off which explains why her favorite quote is, "Anything made well is made slow." Ms. Winston currently uses social media, such as emails and Facebook to advertise and is looking to eventually create and maintain a website to promote her business. She runs her operation with the help of three volunteers, and she invites all to visit her shop at 2250 Mock Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43219 or contact her at (614) 290-3805.  In addition to custom denim fashions, her shop offers accessories, jewelry, and difficult to find sizes in women's shoes. It's our honor to spotlight Sheila Winston this month, and we speak INCREASE over her and her entrepreneurial endeavor.

It's official. The first Entrepreneurs Conference & Expo held October 6, 2011 at the Concourse Hotel was a smashing success. The mood was festive and anticipatory as the conference welcomed over 130 attendees, 25 business exhibits and a motivational keynote address delivered by Jordan Miller, CEO of Fifth Third Bank.  During the lunch hour, Stacey Haney encouraged entrepreneurs not to give up during bad times by sharing her entrepreneurial experience.  Mr. Miller followed with the recommendation to revisit the business plan when moving forward with new ventures, products and services.

“The event was absolutely a blast,” stated Deon Cromwell of Ohio MBE.  “It exceeded my expectations 100%.  It was also good to meet other people in the business community and to network with entrepreneurial-minded individuals who are striving for success.

“I enjoyed it!” said Bob Allen of Dale Carnegie who was the presenter of the Master the Selling Process session. “I had a lot of fun and I hope the people that were in my group did as well.

Owner of Cookie Town World shared the same sentiments and was glad to find the information about the conference in the Ohio MBE.  “I didn’t plan on coming, but I’m glad I did.”

INCREASE CDC appreciates the support of Fifth Third Bank for helping make this year’s event such a success.  Stay tuned to www.increasecdc.org for updates on next year’s conference.

CLICK HERE for Conference Videos

(May 25, 2011, Columbus, OH )  INCREASE Community Development Corporation (INCREASE CDC) is proud to announce that twenty-four nominees will be recognized at the Seventh Annual Micro Entrepreneur Awards sponsored by Huntington Bank.  The event will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Columbus Christian Center Church located at 2300 North Cassady Avenue and will feature Kenny McDonald of Columbus 2020 as the keynote speaker.

Each year, Central Ohio business owners with five or fewer employees are nominated by the community and selected by a panel of judges to receive an award for their success and growth in business, professionalism and community involvement.

"Being nominated alongside so many great local brands is a great honor,” says Timothy Wolf Starr, owner of Small Business Beanstalk.

INCREASE CDC will also recognize the entrepreneurs and students of their Training program.  One successful graduate will be presented with the Alumnus of the Year award.

“Starting and managing a business is not an easy task,” says Deonna Barnett, Program Manager of INCREASE CDC. “Hosting an event like this is a way to keep the business owners in our community motivated and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of successful entrepreneurs.”

One award recipient will be selected by the community for the Community Choice award through an online voting process. Anyone can select an entrepreneur of their choice by visiting www.increasecdc.org between March 27^th and April 9^th.

The event will kick off with a networking hour and reception.  Businesses and organizations can participate by reserving a booth for the networking hour or by becoming a sponsor and providing product donations for the award recipients.

(May 21, 2011, Columbus, OH )  INCREASE Community Development Corporation (INCREASE CDC) welcomes Kenny McDonald of Columbus 2020 to speak at the Seventh Annual Micro Entrepreneur Awards sponsored by Huntington Bank.  The event will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Columbus Christian Center Church located at 2300 North Cassady Avenue.

As the leading officer behind the new economic development initiative, Columbus 2020, McDonald will explain what the project could mean for entrepreneurs and small business owners in central Ohio.

McDonald’s keynote address will precede the presentation of seven awards to business owners with five or fewer employees for their success and growth in business, professionalism and community involvement. One additional recipient will be selected by the community for the Community Choice award through an online voting process set to take place between March 27^th and April 9^th at www.increasecdc.org.

“This event has always played a key role in our efforts to strengthen communities through entrepreneurship,” says Bill Carter, Executive Director of INCREASE CDC.  “We appreciate McDonald’s support in this endeavor.”

The event will kick off with a networking hour and reception.  Businesses and organizations can participate by reserving a booth for the networking hour or by becoming a sponsor and providing product donations for the award recipients.

INCREASE CDC has trained over 700 individuals in their training program and helped start and expand over 250 businesses in Central Ohio. INCREASE CDC is a non-profit organization funded by the Ohio Department of Development, Franklin County Department of Economic Development, Ever Increasing Life Ministries, Ohio CDC Association, and most Central Ohio banking institutions.

Shelby Frederick
Shelby Frederick is the owner of Healing Oasis Total Body Therapy located at Salon Lofts in Pickerington, Ohio.  She graduated from the INCREASE CDC Developing the Business Plan course in 2009 and has since been on the move.


INCREASE: When did you decide to start a business in massage therapy?
Frederick: Back in 2007.

INCREASE: Do you have a specialty?
Frederick:  Yes. Healing Oasis specializes in deep tissue massage with a focus on relieving pain and stress.

INCREASE: What made you start this business?
Frederick: I have a passion for helping people.

INCREASE: How's business going? What's new?
Frederick: Business is good. I'm currently in the process of accepting medical insurance.

INCREASE: Who inspires you?
Frederick: I would have to say my parents. They have always supported me 100% even if they weren't sure about an idea. They have always encouraged me to reach for my goals and give it a try.


INCREASE: What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs?
Frederick: Make sure you have a business plan.  Just like the Bible says: "Write the vision and make it plain".

Learn more about Shelby Frederick and Healing Oasis Total Body Therapy by visiting www.healingoasis.abmp.com.