Jewish Business News - August 2011

8/6/2019 Jewish Business News - August 2011

1/16

In This Issue:

Considering Starting

Your Own Business?

An Economists

Viewpoint

Is This Job Right

For Me?By Andrea D. Storz

Page 3

By Moshe Klein

Page 8

By Jewish Business News Staff

Page 10

By Jodie Jacobs

Page 4

OVER

100 Vendors

2,500 Business Networker

30 Employers

Empowering and Connectin

Small Business

August 25, 2011, from 1 to 7

at the Holiday Inn - Skokie,www.TheBusinessEvent.c

FREEEVE

BE BOSSYOUROWNStarting a New BusinessFrom the Ground Up


2/16

www.TheBusinessEvent.com

OVER

100 Vendors

2,500 Business Networkers

30 Employers

Empowering and Connecting

Small Business

August 25, 2011, from 1 to 7p

at the Holiday Inn - Skokie, IL

CONTENT FROM THE PUBLISHER

3 EMPLOYMENT

Is This Job Right For Me?

By Andrea D. Storz

4 COVER STORY

Be Your Own BossStarting a New Business From

the Ground Up

By Jodie Jacobs

6 FEATURED BUSINESS

Dreidels & More Is Tops in Judaica

By Karen Schwartz

8 IN MY OPINION

Considering Starting Your

Own Business?

By Moshe Klein

9 FEATURED NETWORKERS

9 BUSINESS ETHICS

Handling Idle Time at Work

Republished from the Business Ethics

Center of Jerusalem

10 SMALL BUSINESS FORECAST

An Economists Viewpoint

By Jewish Business News Staff

12 GUEST COLUMNIST

Putting on Your Corporate Face

By Elisha M. Prero, Esq. and

A. D. Maclin, Esq.

14 JOBS BOARD

On the cover:

Photos courtesy of iStock Photography

Publisher: Shalom Klein

Editor: Mira Temkin

Contributing Editors: Moshe Klein

Contributing Writers: Jodie Jacobs, Alan Maclin,

Elisha Prero, Karen Schwartz, Andrea D. Storz

Creative Director: Michael Borkovec

Advertising/Sales Coordinator: Leah Alpert

Advertising Sales: Janis Mason

Distribution Coordinator: Levi Gottlieb

Check www.thejewishbusiness.comfor updates.

2011 Jewish Business News. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in part or whole without permission

is prohibited. Editorial, publishing and advertising

ofces: 3564 W. Dempster St., Skokie, IL, 60076,

Phone: (888) 477-4466.

Dear Reader,

Can you believe it? Were about to start another year for

the kids in school, many businesses and the U.S. Govern-

ments scal year. For us at Jewish Business News Maga-

zine its Rosh Hashanah, the start of the year 5772. Lets

get the year and our business affairs off to a good start.

Whenever I look at my calendar, I start planning for the next appointment, the next

day, week, month, or year. This is a great opportunity to not get caught in crisis

mode, but rather to be pro-active. Establish goals and make sure each day brings

you closer to achieving your objectives, whether theyre personal or business.

Weve got big plans here at JBN! Since launching the magazine in January, weve

received hundreds of letters, phone calls, and personal feedback about what YOU

would like to see in our publication. Our next issue will be in October, followed by

quarterly issues thereafter. The larger publication will include new feature stories,

more frequent web content and other enhancements to provide our readers with the

highest quality business journalism youve come to expect from Jewish Business

News Magazine.

Looking forward to your continued feedback and wishing you a most joyous and

prosperous New Year!

To Success,

Shalom Klein

Jewish Business News Welcomes These New Businesses

Northshore Pet Chef, Rob Freeman

847-920-4PET (4738), www.northshorepetchef.comHealthy and fresh, all-natural pet food delivered free to your door, including Kosher dog treats.

Roth Sales Enhancers, Norman Roth

500 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60611 847-721-0738www.rothsalesenhancers.comA global sales training company that offers customized sales training programs for small and

mid-size businesses.

Sweet Bites, Marla Levitt

478 Central Avenue, Highland Park, IL 847-432-4440www.sweetbitesusa.comOffering divine Wee Bites, Cake Pops, Whoopie Pies and more. Where you can have your

cupcake and eat it, too!

2 Jewish Business News - A publication of Jewish B2B Networking, Inc. www.thejewishbusiness.com


3/16

Most of us spend more time on the job than we do with our families!

Then why do many of us dread it? Maybe we dont enjoy the tasksor spending time with people we dislike or feel were making less

money than we should.

Its time to take control and identify realistic opportunities that

match your skill set, personality and nancial needs. Imagine wak-

ing up happy and looking forward to going

to work. Its possible! Money is a consid-

eration when job hunting, but not the only

one. Dont sacrice your mental health for

the paycheck.

Take an honest and objective inventory

of your skills. Analyze your strengths,

acknowledge your weaknesses and evaluate

your experience to develop a list of indus-

tries where your comprehensive package can

be valued.

Knowing how to accurately assess a compa-

nys culture is key in evaluating if the job is

the right t for you. While the interviewer

gauges your experience, you must establish

whether the employer is in sync with your

philosophies. The interviewer also wants to

determine how well youll t in.

Research the company before you apply. If

theres anything that strikes you as a red

ag, ask questions of interest during the

interview. Remember, your talent may be

under the microscope during the interview,

but its also your time to evaluate if the

companys culture can peacefully co-exist

with your values.

Can you realistically give up your week-

ends? Are you physically able to stand or

sit for long periods without handfuls of ibu-profen? Do you really edit copy? Can you

make that two hour drive everyday, in all

kinds of weather? After the job offer, you

have to deal with issues that will eventually

impact your performance and happiness.

Self-honesty will eliminate positions you

shouldnt have applied to in the rst place.

Finding the right t takes keen observa-

tion, research, in-depth skill assessment and

above all, honesty. Todays unemployment numbers scare people

into accepting jobs they may end up regretting. Take pride in whoyou are and what you bring to the table.

Is This Job Right For Me?By Andrea D. Storz

In addition to being the Job Counselor/Coach for the ARK and a Jewish

homeless shelter, Andrea Storz owns a successful job counseling business.

She teaches clients how to utilize tools for a more productive job search.

847-917-4141.

Jewish Business News - A publication of Jewish B2B Networking, Inc.www.thejewishbusiness.com


4/16

By Jodie Jacobs

Whether youre tired of ofce politics, a victim of downsizing or have a passion forsomething other than what youre doing, you may think youre ready to leap into the world of

entrepreneurship. But are you really ready?

When asked if people are crazy to take that leap given current economic conditions,

Marianne OBrien Markowitz, Regional Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration,

answered with an emphatic No. Theyre not crazy. Historically, recessions have produced

the strongest businesses, said Markowitz.

Instead, nancial experts say your chances of success relate to how prepared you really are.

You dont know what you dont know, said Jan Bauer, director of the Illinois Small BusinessDevelopment Center (SBDC) at the College of Lake County. SBDCs are among three primary

resource operations that provide free counseling services for start-ups. The other two are

SCORE and the Womens Business Development Center.

In Illinois, SBDCs are also connected to the states Department of Commerce and Economic

Opportunity. There are 36 centers throughout Illinois, most tied to local education institutions,

but some are associated with not-for-prot help operations such as the Duman Microenterprise

Center at the Jewish Vocational Service in Chicago.

SBDCs offer classes on the initial steps to take and questions you need to consider. The

class offered at Bauers center can be taken on line by anyone in Illinois. Counselors are also

available by appointment at each SBDC.

Markowitz and Bauer recommend you work with business experts as well as authorities in

that eld.

Getting started

Markowitz recommended two assessments: personal and business.

Are your business and personal goals well aligned? Going into business means a

lifestyle change. Consider how it will impact your life and whether its practical.

Create a business plan to learn whats feasible. Budget it out. See how much money

it will take. Youll quickly see if the concept can work.

At the SBA, we have the three Cs: Capital, Contracts and Counselors, she said. A lot of

businesses wait until its too late to get counseling. Seek assistance in the beginning so you

have an idea of what to expect. Once you have a business plan, take it to the counselors. Let

them poke holes in it. Through this process, youll learn what youre getting into, Markowitz

said.

She added, Dont expect to be protable in the rst six months. Its important to nail

projections. Consider whats most realistic.

Be Your Own BossStarting a New Business From the Ground Up



5/16


6/16

Dreidels & More Is Tops in JudaicaBy Karen Schwartz

A trip to Israel in 2002 motivated Lincolnwood residents Diane

Dubey and her husband, Stephen, a CPA, to open their store, Dreidels

& More at Dearborn Street and Delaware Place.

We were in Israel, it was the middle of the Intifada, and there were

very few American Jews visiting Israel. Merchants were inviting

us into their stores, recalled Diane Dubey, former assistant vice-

president of communications and public affairs at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

We got home and my husband said we had to do something to help

the Israeli merchants, artists and craftspeople whose businesses were

devastated by the virtual lack of tourism and whose works at the

time, werent available outside of Israel.

The best way to help the Israeli economy, Diane and Stephen Dubey

decided, was to open their own store that highlighted Israeli arts and

crafts. Thus, in 2003, they opened Dreidels & More, in the building

where Stephen had his CPA practice.

It was tremendously exciting for both of us, Diane remembered. I

had been a dreidel collector for several years, and it was fun to turn

a passion into a business. Our trips to Israel became more interesting

and meaningful as we paid more attention to the beautiful Judaica all

around us and met the talented Israelis who had created it.

When tourism resumed in Israel and the economy rebounded,

Dreidels & More continued to sell Israeli goods, while adding Judaica

by Jewish artists from the United States and around the world.

Moving to the Gold Coast

In May, 2010, Dreidels & More moved to larger quar ters at 67 E. Oak

Street. They chose Oak Street, instead of the northern suburbs where

other Judaica stores are located. There arent other Jewish gift stores

in this area, Diane pointed out.

Its lovely being on Oak Street, Diane said. Its a very special street

and we know a lot of the other merchants. Its like a community,

and we belong to

the Oak Street

Council as wellas the Chicago

Convention and

Tourism Bureau.

Dreidels & More

sells Jewish-

themed gifts

and ritual items,

plus tabletop and

giftware from

such popular designers as Michael Aram, LObjet, Nambe and Quest.

They feature candlesticks, Kiddush cups, Torah pointers, washing

cups, mezuzahs, and other religious items, as well as a variety of

jewelry including bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Jewish books

(and cookbooks) and CDs are available as well as baby gifts, toys,

games and crafts. Customers can purchase candy from Illinois Nut

& Candy, and gift certicates are available.

Orders from all over the world

Well do special orders and help people nd what theyre looking

for, Diane said. We have one man in Texas who collects dreidels,

and whenever we have a new dreidel, we check in with him.

Well help guide our customers based on what they say theyrelooking for, she said. But we often get a sense that they may like a

new item thats not on the website yet, so well e-mail them a photo

and follow up once theyve seen a picture of the piece.

Weve shipped menorahs to Australia, mezuzahs to Belgium,

Yiddish CDs to Brazil, candlesticks to Curacao, a challah cover to

Durban, South Africa. In the US, weve been contacted by people

hungry for Judaica in places such as El Paso, Texas and Huntsville,

Alabama, as well as small towns in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.

We have people who attend conventions in Chicago who nd their

way to our store and then return, year after year. Were fortunate to

have a large proportion of out-of-towners, which is interesting and fun

because we get to know them and their taste in Judaica.

Dreidels & More is located at 67 E. Oak Street in Chicago. Bring

this article into the store and get 15 percent off your order. For

more information, call 312-266-6620 or visit their website at www.

dreidelsandmore.com.

A journalist and business writer for more than 25 years, Karen Schwartz has

written for the Chicago Tribune, Crains Chicago Business, LA Times, and

many other publications. She also writes marketing communications for in-

dividuals and organizations. She can be reached [email protected] by: Larry Engelhart / DejaViewsUSA.com



7/16



8/16

To start your own business or continue the job search? Thats the

question. If the recession is over, then why is it so hard for people

to nd good jobs? Why are so many small businesses failing withintheir rst year or two? Good questions. Unfortunately, there are no easy

answers.

Being in a dead end job without the ability to support your family is not

a good situation. To make matters worse, youre not condent the job

will be there long term. Management is complaining about poor sales

and layoffs are happening monthly. Should you stay because youre

lucky to have a job? Maybe nows the time to consider star ting your

own business. Could it be any riskier than your job situation right now?

In my opinion, not everyone is capable of starting and operating their

own business successfully. Some smart and talented people excel

in a job where theyre not responsible for nancing and managing abusiness. Knowing ones strengths and weaknesses and true talents is

the key to determining if small business ownership is for you.

Some benets of owning your own business:

Youre in charge

Pride of ownership

You take the risks, you reap the rewards

Immediate employment

Some reasons why it may be best to stay in the job market:

High failure rate of small businesses

Its a 24/7 commitment for the rst couple of years to getthe business off the ground

Lack of startup capital

No business experience

Your spouse and children dont want to go into business

with you (sometimes unavoidable)

There are many services available and support networks that will assist

new entrepreneurs with many aspects of starting and operating a business.

There are even self evaluation tests available to help you gure out if

youre cut out for the business world. It may be inevitable that more and

more individuals are going to end up in business, whether they intend to

or not. With companies eliminating jobs and government budgets being

cut, there may not be anywhere else to go.

The most successful business owners are aware of the challenges.

However, as a small business owner for many years, I can tell you what

most others like me would say, there is no greater sense of pride and

accomplishment than owning your own business. Good luck making

your big decision and may all of your dreams come true!

Considering Starting Your Own Business?By Moshe Klein

Moshe Klein is an accountant and small business consultant. His rm, Moshe

Klein & Associates, Ltd. is based in Chicago and services clients throughout the

United States. To respond to his column, write to: [email protected].



9/16

Handling Idle Time at WorkQ. I sell in a store. When there are long stretches without a

customer, I do crosswords to keep my sanity. Do I have to tell

my boss?

A. While many people have a business-only attitude, many see

nothing wrong with turning to private affairs during down

time. Some employers tolerate this; one example is Internet

policy. When businesses rst found the need to introduce Internet

access to employees computers, they generally adopted very

strict, business-only policies. Over time, many rms adopted

more exible rules as they learned that the sky did not fall if

employees would occasionally check the sports news.

That being said, employers do have good reasons to be concerned

about this kind of conduct because:

1. Employees may be careful to do crosswords, read novels

etc. only during down time, but these pastimes have

a tendency to stretch longer. Maybe when there are no

customers, you can and should be doing other work.

2. Pastimes can be absorbing; when a customer comes in

you may be in the middle of a challenging clue and not

turn immediately to the customer. This is extremely

un-businesslike and is certain to turn away customers.

Even if you do put down your crossword immediately,

the customer is likely to get the impression that your

attention is not sufciently focused.

3. Doing other things during work hours can lead to a

bad attitude towards work. Just as employers demand

specic work attire, they generally demand a specic

work demeanor.

Maimonides writes:

Just as employers are warned not to steal the wages of the poor

[worker] or [even] to delay them, likewise the poor [worker] is

admonished not to steal the work [effort] due the boss. Idling a

little here and a little there, [ultimately] passes the whole day indeceit. Rather he must be strict with himself regarding time.(2)

It is true that you are not idling, but only passing time that is in

any case idle. But while this pastime may be harmless, you should

get the permission of your employer if you want to continue.

Locate these and other business networkers and create your own prole online at

www.jewishb2bnetworking.com/directory

Brent NovoselskyVice President, GCG Financial, Inc.My motto: The greater the challengethe more

glorious the victory.

My work: I am a nancial advisor managing

investments and insurance products.

What sets me apart: My experience and

background allow me to take a very exhaustive

and extensive view for my clients.

Janie MinkinOwner and Founder of Sage MediatedSolutions, L.L.C. My motto: Keeping families connected andmoving in a positive direction. My work: I can be of assistance in reaching aresolution that everyone can live with.What sets me apart: Mediation is a non-adversarial alternative to dispute resolutionwhere the parties themselves solve the issues withthe help of my objective third party oversight.

Debra LawrenceBusiness Employer Services &Community Relations, Illinois workNetCenters of Northern Cook CountyMy motto: Whatever it takes to be a creative lifesaver. My work: Through employer services outreach& community relations I help businesses accessresources and tools they may not know about.

What sets me apart: I look for win-win-winsolutions for business opportunities. Networking isas natural as breathing to me.

SOURCES: (1) Tosefta Bava Metzia chapter 4:12-13 (2) Maimonides

Code, laws of hire 13:7

The Jewish Ethicist is a joint project of Aish.com and the Business Ethics

Center of Jerusalem and is reprinted with permission. To nd out more

about Jewish values for the workplace, visit the Business Ethics Center of

Jerusalem atwww.besr.org.



10/16

An Economists ViewpointBy Jewish Business News Staff

Since the economy is one of the top news stories, and decisions made by

our elected ofcials will have an impact now and in the future, we felt

it was important for our readers to see how a leading economist views

the situation.

Ernest Goss is the MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at

Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Goss received his Ph.D.

in Economics from the University of Tennessee in 1983. Recently,

Dr. Goss shared some of his views about the challenges facing the

government relative to the debt ceiling discussions going on at the time

Jewish Business News Magazine went to print.

What does increasing the debt limit mean?

It will be a non-event for the average American. Not increasing the debt

ceiling will have several signicant impacts.

A) First, the U.S. would not default on its debt obligations, but will

continue to retire maturing bonds and pay regularly scheduled

interest payments.

B) Second however, the U.S. Treasury, in consultation with the president,

would have to prioritize government outlays other than obligations

related to debt. This would mean social security payments could

be delayed or U.S. Government vendors would not be paid until the

situation is resolved.

C) Third, its very likely that interest rates on U.S. bonds and T-bills

would rise dramatically as global investors seek safer bonds.

What does it mean to raise spending in relation to GDP?

Raising government spending relative to GDP simply means that

a larger share of the nations output is composed of government

spending and less of private spending. The problem with this shift

is that productivity growth is much lower in the public sector, thus

overall U.S. economic growth would be slowed. This would affect

all Americans as they would experience slower wage growth, smallerretirement packages and higher interest rates. We economists call it

crowding out. As government debt grows, interest rates rise, which

discourages business investment.

Compare increasing the debt limit to consumers increasing their

credit limit.

There are several differences. Lenders will only allow consumers to

run decits for a limited time. The federal government has no such

constraint (except that imposed by politics). The federal government

can continue to add to their accumulated debt. However, this will slow

economic growth as investors demand higher interest rates, which

will choke off growth. A second option available to the government,

but unavailable to consumers is the governments ability to print more

money, putting more currency into the system. However, this resultsin excessive ination and mounting stress on the banking system.

Our readers have shared many comments over the past year regarding

difculties in nding jobs or making a prot from their companies.

Borrowing and debt is similar to cholesterol there is good

cholesterol and bad. Lets hope that our elected ofcials in charge of

running America can nd the wisdom to solve the debt problems in

time before its too late.



11/16

Call Edward Silverman at 224-554-8048 to explore

the world of an AXA Advisors financial professional.FINRA Registered Branch, AXA Advisors, LLC 1751 Lake Cook Rd. #200, Deerfield, IL 60015

Phone: 224-554-8048 FAX: 847-236-4123 www.chicago.axa-advisors.com

AGE 62476 (05/11)

AXA Advisors, LLC, is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Knowing where you stand in your career can make the difference between achievingsuccess and only dreaming about it. Its time you owe yourself a reality checkbutwhat do I know? - the 800lb gorilla in the room

Dont let todays market volatility put your professional future on hold.

AXA Advisors, LLC can help.

Strength and leadership you can trustTraining and professional developmentDedicated management teamSuperior marketing & sales supportPersonal wealth building strategiesAdvancement and management opportunities

AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600) member FINRA, SIPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. Financial professionals offer

securities through AXA Advisors, LLC (member SIPC) and as agents of AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries offer the annuity and life

insurance products of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY,NY) and those of unaffiliated carriers. AXA Advisors, AXA Network, and

AXA Equitable are affiliated companies.

GE-53467 (1/10)



12/16


13/16



14/16

Marketing Creative Director,Chicago, ILCandidate will drive the strategic direction for all of our diner

and restaurant facing marketing for all of our brand initiatives,

ensuring that all of our necessary communications are fully

integrated.

Web Analyst,Chicago, IL

Candidate will assist with the gathering of insight from customer

data to measure customer value, customer engagement, and

understand customer behaviors.

News Analyst,Chicago, IL

Seeking individual who is adapt at assimilating information from

hundreds of press sources, who can then accurately summarize

these stories and incorporate the signicant points.

Support Service Worker, Elgin, IL

Responsible for the preparation of patient trays, nourishment and

snacks, rotating foods and supplies, cleaning cooking equipment,

food service equipment and the main kitchen.

Ofce Coordinator,Chicago, ILPerforms complex clerical duties such as copying and distributing

training material, correspondence control, posting of training

schedules, receptionist duties and timekeeping.

Visitor Services Representative,Chicago, ILPart-Time. This individual will greet guests, provide excellent

customer service, and process cash or credit transactions for

tickets.

Accounts Payable Clerk,Chicago, IL

Will perform clerical accounting duties, includes reviewing,

inputting, ling and complete processing of all accounts payable

documents and assisting team with all clerical duties.

Associate Director of Development,Oak Park, IL

Will be responsible for managing fundraising strategies that

address foundation and corporate funding goals and both

cultivation and fundraising events.

Find out more about these jobs and over 100 more online at

www.jewishb2bnetworking.com/jobs



15/16



16/16

Jewish Business News - August 2011

Documents

Transcript of Jewish Business News - August 2011