Ever wondered if there is a faster, cheaper, better phone system for your small business? There is! It’s called VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol. If you’re not using VoIP chances are you’re paying too much and missing out on the incredible flexibility, features and customization that a VoIP phone system offers.

Host Mary Foley talks with Dorothye Brodersen, co-owner and CFO of Infotel Systems in Richmond, VA. For over 20 years Dorothye and her husband Chuck have been providing businesses high-quality, reliable phone and data systems like the big companies but with the advantage of local, personal support. As technology has evolved, Infotel Systems has been right there to make the best options available, including the biggest shift in phone technology is decades – VoIP.

Get your geek on to listen and learn:

- What is VoIP phone service?

- Why is VoIP better and cheaper?

- How can VoIP help my business?

- Why should I switch to VoIP for my business if my current phone system works just fine?

- If I use VoIP can I stop carrying around and charging 2 mobile phones – one for business and one for personal?

- What’s involved in switching to VoIP for my business?

As a U.S. small business owner did you know that the federal government offers loan programs to help you grow your business – that often have advantages over other lending options?

Host Mary Foley talks with Rob Anderson, Director of EVB’s Government Loan Program, who shares his deep experience with government loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Virginia Small Business Finance Authority (VSBFA). After owning a bike shop for 8 years, Rob is a unique banker who truly understands the challenges of running a business – and why government loans are a great way to grow your business.

Listen and learn:

• What’s the real difference between a government SBA or VSBFA loan and conventional bank loan?

• If small business government loans are readily available, why do people believe they are difficult to get?

• What are the advantages of a government loan?

• What are the most common types and terms of government loans for small business?

• What terms can I expect from a government loan?

• What does it take to qualify for a SBA or VSBFA loan?

Whether it’s end of year tax considerations, starting a new business, or being smart about managing your existing one, an experienced accountant can be a true partner for a successful business.

Host Mary Foley talks with Taska Parker of T.S. Parker CPA about practical ways an accountant can help you be a better business owner.

Listen and learn:

- What business owners need to consider regarding taxes at the end of the year

- Essentials you need to have in place when starting a new business

- The top 3 bookkeeping habits of smart business owners

- The most effective way to respond to possible ACA changes

- The best time to talk with your accountant when business growth happens

- Why your “numbers” tell a story about your business

Some believe that successful selling is an art. Shelly Pereira who has generated more than $35 million in sales says it’s much more of a process – a process that has fundamentally shifted.

Host Mary Foley talks with Shelly Pereira of Verance Consulting about what’s changed and her savvy selling process for every business owner and business development professional.

Listen and learn:

• How the selling process has changed

• Savvy strategies to find new business leads

• How to determine if someone truly is a qualified lead

• How to connect with someone who has a different personality

• Smart ways to stay in touch with prospects who aren’t ready to buy

• Practical tips about how to ask for the sale without feeling awkward or pushy

• What is a Fractional Sales Manager and how to know if you should consider having one

Creating a powerful brand can seem like magic dust. We know it when we experience it, but how do we create one for our own organization that makes a real impact - especially in a world with communication overload.

Host Mary Foley talks with Laura Wagner, Co-owner and Chief Creative at Studio WY about what it takes to create brand magic.

Listen and learn:

- The real difference between branding, marketing and sales
- How to truly know if you have a good brand
- What to look for in a brand audit
- How Laura and her team came up with EVB’s “Big Believers in Small Business”
- The risk of not paying attention to your brand

As workplace regulations become more complex, keeping up on the latest can be a challenge for every small business owner. Host Mary Foley talks with Shanita Byrd, SVP and Director of Human Resources at EVB, who explains what employers need to know about the new Federal overtime regulations and updates to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Listen and learn:

- What are the new Federal overtime regulations and who is affected
- The real impact of the overtime regulations on budgets and employee moral
- The key to implementing this new regulation within your organization
- What cost increases to anticipate for this year’s ACA enrollment
- Options for employers who aren’t required to provide healthcare insurance

Every woman in business knows it takes money to make money. But what are the smartest ways to get money to build your business? Host Mary Foley talks with Beth Bettley, SVP and Director of Small Business Banking at EVB, who shares the truth about credit, debt and lending that every business woman needs to know.

Listen and learn:

• Why women often think they don’t qualify for credit when they really do
• The most common reasons small businesses need a loan
• The risk of mixing personal and business debt, and how to separate them
• When to use a credit card and when it makes sense to apply for a loan
• What documents you really need for a loan application
• Why you can’t be forced to have someone co-sign a loan
• What EVB considers when evaluating a woman’s business that other banks may not

Is your business making the revenue you envisioned? Are you feeling stuck and unsure what will get your business where you want it to be? Host Mary Foley talks with Zee Worstell, CEO of AccelerateHER, about four shifts woman need to make for real business growth.

Listen and learn:

- What is limiting the revenue potential of many women business owners

- Why passion isn’t enough to create a truly successful business

- One of the biggest mindsets that women need to embrace to earn more

- Practical steps to get a handle on your business finances

- The difference between a network and a strong support system for your business

Not having enough or the right people can be a huge barrier to serving clients and growing your business. Host Mary Foley talks with Tawanda Johnson, CEO of RKL Resources, about what it really takes to find, select, and retain great people for your business.

Listen and learn:

- How to truly figure out if someone “on paper” is truly a great fit 

- What behavioral interviewing is and why you should use it for employees AND contractors

- When to do recruiting yourself and when to makes sense to get outside help

- What to do when finding the right person is taking longer than your business can spare

- The top 3 ways you can retain great people

Plus hear her answers to our zany, fun, quick questions to really get to know Tawanda!

Welcome to the POWER Plug Podcast brought you by EVB, the first community bank in Virginia to reach out to women in business with a customized program designed to help you grow, make money, and succeed. In each episode expect to hear engaging interviews filled with advice, insights and recommendations to charge you up and build your business!

In this episode host Mary Foley talks with social media expert and PR maven Christina Dick, founder of TFB Agency in Richmond, VA. Christina has designed and implemented social media campaigns with A-list businesses and organizations such as Walmart, GEICO and Capital One. Now she is applying her big business expertise to small business success.

Listen and learn:

- How small business can be just as savvy, smart and effective using social media as big business

- The top 3 social media mistakes by businesses she sees again and again

- The short list of keys to any successful social media initiative

- Recommended social media platforms and tools that she recommends

- What you need to do now to create or re-create your social media plan for your business

Plus hear her answers to 13 fun, quick questions to get to know every guest!