The Startup Show

In a turbulent economy with a national unemployment rate that tops 10%, many people are getting into business for themselves, either by choice or necessity. In this special edition of "Your Business," we'll discuss everything you need to know to launch your own business. We'll see how Kim and Mark Benson started a bagel business two years ago with all of their remaining personal savings, and have quickly developed a loyal following. We'll also re-visit the stories of Stacey Koerner and Janice Moskoff and see how they used their professional experiences in the fashion industry to start their own businesses.

Panelists

--Erica Duignan-Minnihan, CEO of Minnihan Consulting, which provides financial advisory services to early stages companies looking to raise equity capital for expansion

--Gene Marks, President of The Marks Group, a firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses

Dollars & Sense: Roadmap to Startup

Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation, a site that provides guidance for entrepreneurs, discusses the most important steps people can take when starting a business.

Elevator Pitch

Deborah Ross, CEO of Deborah Ross Designs, pitches her line of personalized heirloom wine bags to the panel. Deborah is looking for capital to invest in a major sales push and hire a sales force.

WBSonline.com is a great resource for a variety of issues. You can browse timely articles or read up on topics like funding, human resources and technology.

1. Negotiate terms

2. Cooperative buying

3. Automatic payments

4. Tighten spending

5. Reevaluate existing accounts

Source: Entrepreneur.com

Small Biz Summit

Earlier this week, small business owners gathered at the Treasury Department to meet with members of the administration to discuss ways to loosen funding. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner pledged the administration's continuing support to helping small business owners secure credit. Kevin Galvin, owner of Connecticut Commercial Maintenance, attended the summit and will tell us about his impressions of the event.

Buy A Share

With the credit crisis making bank loans harder to come by, some entrepreneurs are coming up with some interesting alternative forms of financing -- their customers.  We'll meet a small business owner, John Halko, of Comfort Lounge Restaurant in Hastings on Hudson, NY who came up with the idea of soliciting funding through gift card purchases he calls "Comfort Dollars."  For every $500 dollar gift card purchased the customer receives a $600 credit - that's a 20 % return on investment. Halko has already raised almost $40,000.

Panelists

--Jerry Silberman, founder and CEO of Corporate Turnaround

--Kimberly Weisul, editor of BusinessWeek Smallbiz

Small Biz Tech: iPhone Apps

With more than 200,000 iPhone apps available for download, there is an app for just about everything. Dan Ackerman, senior editor for CNET.com, will show off some of the best iPhone apps to help you manage your business.

Dollars & Sense: Holiday Bonuses

The holiday season is just around the corner and that means it's time for holiday bonuses. Barbara Kurka, Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources for Katz Media Group, provides some tips on how to give your employees a meaningful holiday bonus.

1. Cross-train staff

2. Set standards

3. Encourage leadership

4. Limit distractions

5. Software for CRM and contact management

Source: WSJ.com

Less Accounting provides simple software to help you manage your books. The site also links to a handy iPhone app.

Tommy Baldwin, owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing, is something of a rarity in the world of national sports teams. He's a small businessman. Baldwin had worked for many successful NASCAR teams over the years, but when the economy went south, he found himself unemployed. Baldwin decided to set out on his own and create his own racing team. Find out how he has landed sponsors and secured funding for his team in these difficult economic times.

Panelists

--Jennifer Hill, Vice President at Astia, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth of women-led start-ups

--Lawrence Gelburd, instructor at The Wharton School

Dollars and Sense: The Power of Why

Simon Sinek, author of "Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action," and CEO & Founder of SinekPartners Corp, provides some creative strategies for building your business.

Learning From The Pros: B. Smith

B. Smith owns three restaurants and has been recognized by Elle Décor as one of America's ten most outstanding non-professional chefs. A true entrepreneur, Smith has also launched a line of home furnishings, and a line of specialty serve-ware. We'll find out Smith's recipe for success.