In building your business, do you think of yourself as a thought leader? If not, how can you build your brand, or your name, throughout the industries or geographies of your target market? I so enjoyed meeting Britton in Austin, Texas, when I was there in July on the Fab 50 Tour – turns out we have two very cool mutual friends. Britton says it best, although my video camera was all wonky and I do apologize for the cloudy video and editing. Visit Manasco Marketing for more on this important aspect of business building.

Meeting Ricci Near in Austin was a highlight this year. She is the host of Inspired Rockstar – and is the “one and only” Internet Fame Coach. I liked her immediately upon talking with her about building small business. This video was originally set aside due to lighting issues but with a little treatment (by @teresaberry)  it seems to work. The fuzziness does not do her justice, however – sorry, Ricci!

The next Fab 50 Tour stop – where we talk all about sales innovation and collaboration to grow revenues will be at the fabulous & luxurious  Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. After a morning in Portland with the Bob Burg – Endless Referrals event I am a sponsor of, we’ll head to Vancouver, WA for our two hour extravaganza.

If you are an entrepreneur, small business owner, sales professional or part of a non-profit in the Vancouver / Portland area – we’d love for you to attend. You’ll see many folks like yourself – and we’ll work to create two hours of innovation, inspiration, and real-world tips, resources, and connections to help you grow revenues as soon as you leave.

Cost? Zero!  This tour is sponsored by some great folks, such as Biznik, Testimonial Director, Compendium Inc., Totally Chocolate, and locally by the great Heathman Lodge.

In fact, we’ll have door prizes, chocolate, and amazing people in attendance. Several people will get to be video recorded with their 1-2 minute tip for growing business through innovation. Contact me directly if you are someone who would like to gain visibility through this means. No strings attached!!

Stay tune for more information on this tour stop and others – get inspired and grow your business – it helps your community.

Joseph Hillman, Little Red Plane Design

I met Joe Hillman on my Boston and Providence trip. He is a graphic designer and I loved his story about how the company got its name. An innovative name and story behind the name is a great way to differentiate your business in the market place.

Not only is it memorable, but just like with Joe, he lit up when he first shared the story with me – it conveyed the passion and revealed more about him as a person – and owner of the business.

What story do you have to share with the world? Are you conveying it?

Linda Snyder of Ladies Who Launch

Linda Snyder is a great connector and collaborator for women in business. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her this year and enjoy her energy and passion for helping entrepreneurial women grow their revenues. She is the local Owner and Market Director of Ladies Who Launch - a networking community designed to make entrepreneurship accessible to every woman.

I often see her on Facebook and Twitter – she is out there!

Are you getting “out there” for people to find you, and for you to connect with who can help you grow business?

I’m behind in my blog posts so just a quick note to say that Austin and Dallas were GREAT. I met some wonderful entrepreneurs whom I will be telling you about in posts to come.

Then I took a family vacation to the Bay Area and amazingly, met MORE fantastic entrepreneurs – in and outside of San Francisco’s Terminal Building as well as all around the urban renewal project of Jack London Square in Oakland.

Stay tuned – check back. Great stories to follow.

The Small Biz Innovation Tour sill be in Austin, Texas in two weeks. Please join us at Texas Coworking for our Biznik event, Get More Connected with Biznik and Grow Your Business or for the hour immediately following – both will connect you to subject matter experts for small business as well as amazing entrepreneurs.

Drop a note if you have questions – and please attend if you want to:

- Get a video recording created for possible posting on one of the business blogs – we are shooting 1-2 minutes on a tactical tip for small business owners done by other business owners as well as by subject matter experts on communication, PR, sales, marketing, finance, attitude, and communication skills.

- Network with amazing people. Meet local and national/international experts you may not have met yet.

The events are FREE and they are fun. Hope to see you at one of them.