July CWiB Meeting Highlights

July’s featured speaker was Angelica Jenkins, Vice President of Regions Bank and Branch Manager at Northpark Covington. Ms Jenkins had a wealth of knowledge and speaks often to community groups. She spoke with the group formally, then stayed to network after the meeting. Dorian Blackman of Regions Bank also participated.

Ms Jenkins focused on tips for small businesses as well as the overall fiscal climate. Here are a few tips from the meeting: Suggestions for small businesses included starting your bank business account long before you start your business, keeping track of all business expenses, and separating personal finances from business accounts. It is best to have one’s personal finances in shape before you want to borrow, including checking out your personal credit as you start out. Online banking is an important asset to utilize for small businesses, and also QuickBooks for tracking finances. Some banks may have a technology they allow their customers to use like QuickBooks, so inquire with your bank. Ensuring you keep track of every single thing you put into your business or put out to support your business is important, as you can write these expenditures off your taxes. Another point that was made is the importance of knowing and tracking your business credit rating, which can be accessed though the online business analytic profile of Dun and Bradstreet (https://www.dnb.com/). Finally, having a bank that you see as your partner and source of support is important as you create and grow your small business. 

A special announcement was made regarding the creation of a “Folsom Community Business Newsletter” by Nicole Miller of Millermark Creations, LLC. This newsletter is being launched as an outgrowth of the Community Women in Business Meeting. The newsletter is a much needed addition to the business community in the Folsom area. Featured are the highlights from the CWiB as well as a new business directory! Inquires can be made via email to folsominbusiness@gmail.com. 

Following the meeting, a tour of Far Horizons Art Gallery was held, focusing on women artists and a tour of “The Stables”, a new bed and breakfast at Giddy Up Folsom.

RESOURCES
Ms Jenkins reported that Regions Bank provided this website for any small business, and also suggested these websites: Small Business Association  and Dun and Bradstreet

AUGUST SPEAKER: Dr. Mike Strain, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry
SEPTEMBER SPEAKER: Shilo Bruhl, Chief, Folsom Police Department