Here are the top 4 ways to secure business grants:

Research and identify grants: Look for grants that align with your business goals and objectives. Check government websites, foundations, and non-profit organizations that offer grants for small businesses.

Create a compelling grant proposal: Your grant proposal should clearly state your business needs, goals, and plans for the future. Include details about your market, competition, and financial projections.

Build relationships: Network with people in your industry and attend events where you can connect with grantmakers. Building relationships can help you understand the grantmaking process and increase your chances of getting funding.

Demonstrate impact: Show how your business will have a positive impact on the community or industry. This can help increase your chances of getting funding and show the grant makers that their investment is well-placed.

Here are five major things that a business must have in order to be unique:

Unique value proposition: A unique value proposition is a clear and compelling statement of the unique benefits that your business offers to customers. This sets your business apart from competitors and provides a reason for customers to choose your business over others.

Strong brand identity: A strong brand identity, including a memorable logo and consistent messaging, helps your business stand out and be easily recognizable to customers.

Innovative products or services: Offering innovative products or services that solve problems in new and unique ways can help your business stand out and be seen as a leader in your industry.

Exceptional customer experience: Providing an exceptional customer experience that exceeds customer expectations can help you build customer loyalty and establish a competitive advantage in the market.

Distinctive culture: Building a distinctive culture that aligns with your values and mission can help you attract and retain employees who share your passion and commitment. This can lead to a highly motivated and productive workforce, which can be a competitive advantage for your business.

​Sustainability is everyone's business. No matter your industry, using the sustainability framework within your business will continue to address the current needs of your business while preparing for the future. Sustainability is important in business for several reasons:


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• Environmental protection: Sustainability practices help protect the environment and reduce the negative impact of business operations on the planet.
• Cost savings: Sustainable practices can lead to cost savings by reducing waste and improving energy efficiency.

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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13918724/
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Are you looking for insider tips on how to achieve your goals? Look no further! The Promising Presence Curated Connections LinkedIn group is connecting ambitions and curious professionals. The goal of the group is to provide tips and resources that will help take your company or personal brand to the next level! Start your business, get a promotion, whatever your goal is, we are here to help.
CLICK HERE to request to join today. 

You have a great business idea but now what? There are many factors that go into making sure your business is successful. You build your website and your social media pages. Your products and product placement are impeccable -- but something isn't connecting with your customers. Have no worries! We are here to help with that FOR FREE. 

There isn't a catch.  
We have been where you are and we know the struggle of trying to connect with customers so want to help share our failures and successes with you. 

One thing that helped us in the past was connecting with out businesses to gain exposure and grow our network. This is how Curated Connections started. 

What is Curated Connections?

Curated Connections is  a network started by the Promising Presence Company. The purpose is to

1. Allow businesses to promote their businesses for free.
2. Connect small businesses to other businesses in hopes of forming a partnership or to share knowledge.
3. Identify opportunities to host events to bring exposure to a particular industry.

Small businesses are always looking for an opportunity to stand out among the crowd. Marketing and advertising are essential to getting noticed in today’s business market. This is why you should consider partnering with Promising Presence to enhance your online presence.


Promising Presence focuses on assisting small businesses with creating cohesive marketing and business plans. Our approach is to help small businesses operate like corporations but using a small business budget. We understand the struggles of managing a small business while looking to expand, so our goal is to reduce the stress.

We are here to assist you with connecting with other entrepreneurs and consumers for free!  So what are you waiting on? Join Curated Connections TODAY!   http://www.promisingpresence.com/list-your-business.html​

Forming a LLC (limited liability company) is not as hard as most people think. Here are the steps you need to take to make your LLC a legal reality.





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Forming a LLC Overview

1. Choose an available business name that complies with your state's LLC rules.
2. File formal paperwork, usually called articles of organization, and pay the filing fee (Average cost for Louisiana).
3. Create an LLC operating agreement, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of the LLC members.
4. Publish a notice of your intent to form an LLC (required in only a few states).
5. Obtain licenses and permits that may be required for your business.

Forming a LLC Full Details

1. Choose a Name for Your LLC

The name of your LLC must comply with the rules of your state's LLC division. (Typically, this office is combined with the corporations division within the secretary of state's office.) While requirements differ from state to state, generally:

• the name cannot be the same as the name of another LLC on file with the LLC office
• the name must end with an LLC designator, such as "Limited Liability Company" or "Limited Company," or an abbreviation of one of these phrases (such as "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Ltd. Liability Co."), and
• the name cannot include certain words prohibited by the state, such as Bank, Insurance, Corporation or City (state rules differ on which words are prohibited).

Your state's LLC office can tell you how to find out whether your proposed name is available for your use. Often, for a small fee, you can reserve your LLC name for a short period of time until you file your articles of organization.
Besides following your state's LLC naming rules, you must make sure your name won't violate another company's trademark.
 
Once you've found a legal and available name, you don't usually need to register it with your state. When you file your articles of organization, your business name will be automatically registered.

1.  File Articles of Organization

After settling on a name, you must prepare and file "articles of organization" with your state's LLC filing office. While most states use the term "articles of organization" to refer to the basic document required to create an LLC, some states call it a "certificate of formation" or "certificate of organization."
Filing Fees
One disadvantage of forming an LLC instead of a partnership or a sole proprietorship is that you'll have to pay a filing fee when you submit your articles of organization. In most states, the fees are modest -- typically around $100.
Required Information
Articles of organization are short, simple documents. In fact, you can usually prepare your own in just a few minutes by filling in the blanks and checking the boxes on a form provided by your state's filing office. Typically, you must provide only your LLC's name, its address, and sometimes the names of all of the owners -- called members. Generally, all of the LLC owners may prepare and sign the articles, or they can appoint just one person to do so.
Registered Agent
You will probably also be required to list the name and address of a person -- usually one of the LLC members -- who will act as your LLC's "registered agent," or "agent for service of process." Your agent is the person designated to receive legal papers in any future lawsuit involving your LLC.

1.  Create an LLC Operating Agreement

Even though operating agreements need not be filed with the LLC filing office and are rarely required by state law, it is essential that you create one. In an LLC operating agreement, you set out rules for the ownership and operation of the business (much like a partnership agreement or corporate bylaws). A typical operating agreement includes:

• the members' percentage interests in the business
• the members' rights and responsibilities
• the members' voting power
• how profits and losses will be allocated
• how the LLC will be managed
• rules for holding meetings and taking votes, and
• "buy-sell" provisions, which determine what happens if a member wants to sell his or her interest, dies, or becomes disabled.

1. Publish a Notice (Some States Only)

In a few states, you must take an additional step to make your company official: You must publish a simple notice in a local newspaper, stating that you intend to form an LLC. You are required to publish the notice several times over a period of weeks and then submit an "affidavit of publication" to the LLC filing office. Your local newspaper should be able to help you with this filing.

1. Get Licenses and Permits

After you've completed the steps described above, your LLC is official. But before you open your doors for business, you need to obtain the licenses and permits that all new businesses must have to operate. These may include a business license (sometimes also referred to as a "tax registration certificate"), a federal employer identification number, a sellers' permit, or a zoning permit.
 

 
If you are interested in learning more about our services or would like a consultation review of your business, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Additionally, you can add your business to our Curated Connections small business registry for free. It will provide other businesses and customers with a way to learn more about your company.
Curated Connections: http://www.promisingpresence.com/list-your-business.html
 
                                                                          

​To make a profit by spending on improving customer experience, you must first find places where the spending actually matters. Just as important, you should avoid spending on experience improvements that don’t actually matter. How do you find out what matters most to you customers? Create surveys and feedback loops that allow your customers to provide responses to what they enjoyed most.
 
By improving the customer experience and perfecting what matters most to the customer, you will see more returning customers which leads to consistent business revenue.