Harry S. Dent says that the stimulus plan is doomed to fail and that by early to mid 2010 we will enter a deeper downturn or “great depression“almost regardless of what the government tries to do.

Our guest on this segment of the Smallbiz Brain is an expert in helping people who are over fifty start their own businesses.

Jeff Williams is the CEO and Chief Coach for Bizstarters.com, this resource was selected by the editors of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine as “The Best Entrepreneurial Web Guide For People Over 50”.
In 2007 he launched the Virtual Incubator Coaches Network to connect experienced 50+ business start-up coaches with 50+ entrepreneurs to help them plan, launch and grow their businesses.
He’s the author of eleven workbooks, guides and DVDs on business start-up, including his newest workbook:“The Ultimate Boomer Business Start-Up Guide”.
Jeff’s a frequently contributor to Kiplinger’s, BusinessWeek.com, Fortune.com and MSNBC.

In this segment, Ron Patel describes the process he used to create his small business, Just Dine In, a restaurant delivery and marketing company.

Our guest on this segment of the Smallbiz Brain has more than 25 years of experience in buying and selling businesses. Tom Marx is the President and founder of Marx Group Advisors—- the company specializes in mergers and acquisitions with a focus on providing those services to the Automotive and Heavy Duty aftermarkets. The Marx Group is headquartered in San Rafael, CA with offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles

Born and raised in the Philippines, Margarita McClure spent a good part of her life thinking she would end up with a career or a business in the food service industry. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Administration, then received an Associate Degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco where she graduated at the top of her class.

In my interview with Michele DeKinder Smith, founder of JaneOutOfTheBox, she talks about her progression from researcher to entrepreneur. Michele has created a wonderful entrepreneur-personality-typing system to help women celebrate their strengths and work on their weaknesses in business.

In my interview with Dr. Ritch Sorenson says that family businesses make the some of the most most important contributions to the American economy. He also is a true believer in the success of family businesses.Dr. Sorenson holds the Opus Chair in Family Enterprise at the University of St. Thomas- Opus College of Business’ /Schulze School of Entrepreneurship. In that role, he integrates family business concepts into the broader business school vision, serves as a family enterprise ambassador to the larger business community and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses.
Sorenson’s work has been published in many journals including Family Business Review, Journal of Business Venturing Group and Organizational Studies, The Leadership Quarterly and Academy of Management Executive.

Our guest on this segment of the Smallbiz Brain has 30 years of managerial experience in line and staff positions in Fortune 500, entrepreneurial, and educational contexts. Since 1989, Bill Monson has been in leadership roles in executive education at the University of St. Thomas first as Director of the Executive MBA program and now as Director of the Center for Family Enterprise. Prior to these positions he managed a start-up venture, was the Manager of Corporate Management Development at Medtronic, and was Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in Management at the College of St. Thomas.

Jennifer Bays joins me on the Brain to discuss “Womens’ Online Magazine”. Find out more about this fast growing social platform for women entrepreneurs.

About Steve Olson

Steve Olson is a leading authority on franchising. He is Publisher of Franchise Update Media Group, an industry resource for over 2000 franchise organizations. He has recently authored the book, “Grow to Greatness: how to build a world-class franchise system faster.”

With nearly 30 years in franchise consulting, sales and executive management, Steve specializes in accelerating expansion for emerging and established franchise brands. He has served on franchise boards and is a frequent columnist and speaker on the subject of franchising.