Do You Dwolla?

by "Get it Done Girl" on December 22, 2010 · 0 comments

in Free Agency,small biz,Super Tools

For those of you who read my last blog post, you know I’ve been working with Culture Inc., a Des Moines-based community center that provides activities, support and workshops for youth, families and community members.

Well, their new website just launched and it looks fabulous, if I do say so myself…but what I want to share with you is that Culture Inc. is utilizing Des Moines-based Dwolla to receive donations in addition to PayPal. Click on their “Donate” page and scroll down to the bottom or check out their sidebar.

If you do any sort of commerce that requires payment, please consider Dwolla. At the low, low transaction cost of $0.25 cents, PayPal and credit card companies don’t stand a chance with their outrageous fees.

Dwolla Logo

Donate funds securely with Des Moines-based Dwolla. Funds will be transferred between your bank account and Culture Inc.’s bank account at an extremely low cost of $0.25/transaction bore by the recipient.
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Make your payment via PayPal by using a credit card or funds in your PayPal account. Funds will be transferred at a cost of 2.9% (up to $3,000) plus $0.30 per transaction. If you were to donate $1000, PayPal would assess a transaction fee of $29.30 which would reduce your donation to $970.70.

Culture Incorporated has established afterschool and summer programs that combine academics, recreation, and the arts to develop youth as leaders in their neighborhoods, schools and the broader community.

Culture Incorporated uses Five Principles of Creativity as its philosophy.

1) Creative expression and outlet is key for healthy balance; 2) Leadership skills can be developed in a fun environment;3) Teamwork is essential for individual greatness; 4) Research, goal-setting, project planning and management skills are key for successful outcomes; and 5) Exposure to Cultural Diversity is essential for developing successful adults

Culture Incorporated has provided after school and community support programming

in Des Moines Since August of 2008. We have touched the lives of over 300 youth and family members. Please help us to continue to strengthen your community.

Become a Culture Club Member

Help us double the number of youth we serve!

Your name or business logo will be proudly displayed as a sponsor

on the van and our website! Culture Inc. needs 10 people to make a

$2,000 donation toward a 15 passenger van!

Change the life of a child by sponsoring them in our all day, all summer immersion

into arts and culture program. Your name or business logo will be proudly

displayed on all SAA publications, flyers and on our website.

Culture Inc. is looking to provide 10 full scholarships

to our Summer Arts Academy @ $1,500

Change the life of a Des Moines family! Give them the tools and skills

needed to build a safe, strong and successful family.

We are looking to send 20 families of 4 on a family

building weekend retreat @ $600

We are looking to 100 people to provide 20 weeklong scholarship for school aged

youth to attend our Summer Arts Academy @ $150.00

We would like to provide 100 Art Supply Pack @ $60/each

Includes acrylic paints, canvas, sketchbooks, paintbrushes

Culture Inc. Building Fund– looking to raise $150,000

what can you contribute? $1, $5, $10, $20?

Dwolla Logo

Donate funds securely with Des Moines-based Dwolla. Funds will be transferred between your bank account and Culture Inc.’s bank account at an extremely low cost of $0.25/transaction bore by the recipient.
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Make your payment via PayPal by using a credit card or funds in your PayPal account. Funds will be transferred at a cost of 2.9% (up to $3,000) plus $0.30 per transaction. If you were to donate $1000, PayPal would assess a transaction fee of $29.30 which would reduce your donation to $970.70.

Think about how much money your business could be saving by using Dwolla instead of credit cards! Check out their website and learn how to start saving money today!

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Culture Incorporated: Please Donate

by "Get it Done Girl" on December 10, 2010 · 0 comments

in small biz

I got to know Culture Incorporated and it’s Founder Rachel Rockwell through a friend of mind and I’m so glad he made the introduction. Have you heard of it?

Culture Inc. is a community center that provides activities, support and workshops for youth, families and community members. Our 4,000 sq. ft. facility houses art and recording studios, a dance and exercise room, Apple computer/Rosetta Stone lab and 2 tutoring rooms.

We offer tailored, one-on-one arts education during the hours when youth are most likely to engage in destructive behaviors. Culture Inc. is not only a safe and nurturing place to be, but also provides dedicated resources to fostering skills in fine art, music, dance, beat production, creative writing and beyond.

Culture Inc. was incorporated on August 8, 2008, and after school programming began on August 21, 2008. On August 31, 2008, Rachel learned that a fire had destroyed the entire center. It’s been over two years since the fire, and Culture Inc. has since moved into their new location at 2332 Euclid Avenue. Talk about perseverance! The children have enjoyed meeting local artists and hearing guest speakers on mental health, name-calling, violence and bullying. Programming has included:

  • Tutoring
  • Yoga classes
  • Recording studio training
  • Dance
  • Jewelry making
  • Painting
  • Paper mache
  • Ukrainian Easter eggs
  • Vocal workshops
  • Attending the Broadway performance of The Color Purple
  • And much more

Read about Rachel Rockwell and what inspired her to found Culture Inc.

As you all know, operating a non-profit can be extremely difficult, especially when funding sources are scarce. If you are interested in making a donation, just give Rachel a call. I know she’d love to hear from you!!!!!

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The holiday season, typically beginning the week of Thanksgiving and lasting through the first week of the New Year, is a difficult time to generate new business. There are fewer networking events which are attended by fewer people. A lot of decision-makers take vacation. Budgets are being generated for the next year. We’re busy getting all of the shopping done, houses cleaned, parties attended and traveling to be with relatives. I get it.

The Get It Done Girl doesn’t do “down time” well. It’s just not who I am. So this is what I’m going to tackle during this 7-week slowdown:

  • Continue taking care of my current clients – they come first!
  • Develop a marketing plan and execution strategy for event planning (one of the services I offer)
  • Help a buddy start a business
  • Send greeting cards to past, current and prospective clients to say thanks for their business
  • Organize the information my tax accountant will need after the beginning of the year
  • Identify which past/current clients I’ll require a 1099 from and get those in the mail
  • Write and schedule blog posts
  • Review my LinkedIn profile and edit
  • Read 3 business books I haven’t had time to read
  • Research which Chamber of Commerce I’d like to join

What will you be doing during this slow-down? Anything I’ve missed?

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What I’m Thankful For

by "Get it Done Girl" on November 27, 2010 · 0 comments

in Free Agency,small biz

  • My husband who found me 8 years ago in the most unlikely of places
  • The love and support of my friends and family, specifically during the last couple of years of transition
  • My health – being able to participate in triathlon wasn’t even a thought a few years ago
  • The great community that IS Des Moines, Iowa. You make being a Free Agent worth it.
  • The possibility of “reinvention” – it’s tough, but our marketplace requires it
  • Mentors who have reached out to me to guide me through my process of reinvention

What are you thankful for this year?

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New Networking Opportunity

by "Get it Done Girl" on November 19, 2010 · 0 comments

in Free Agency,small biz

This past Tuesday night, a buddy of mine invited me to an ISED (Iowans for Social & Economic Development) Event at the The-New_Homepage_07Corinthian Church downtown. It was a vendor show/networking extravaganza/graduation party all wrapped up into one.

“Iowans for Social and Economic Development Development partners with community members, agencies, organizations and businesses across Iowa to provide comprehensive asset-building services. Each year, ISED helps hundreds of Iowans to build the foundation toward a stronger, more economically viable future.”

ISED offers several FREE programs and classes to small business owners and those considering becoming small business owners. They are starting a networking group called Alliance of Business Owners (ABO) and I just became a member. What a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s up-and-coming in our community.

What additional resources are you aware of that support and advise small business owners?

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