It's hard to have miss all the hype over Facebook and it's decision to go public. With an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of $38, Facebook opened at $42.05 at the start of trade on the Nasdaq but that was as good as it got. The stock began to fall soon after and eventually closed off the trading day at a fraction of 1% up (barely above its IPO). Many speculate that Facebook Underwriters worked feverishly behind the scenes in an attempt to stop or slow the slide that would have lead to the stock closing below its IPO. Facebook's Wall Street debut was painfully disappointing as the social media giant failed to live up to all the hype. Make no mistakes about the value of the company. Facebook is still worth over $100 Billion.
Analyst speculate a significant drop in Facebook stock price in the weeks to come. This may be bad news for the big shots who bought millions of shares on the first day but to the average Joe it will be a bargain and may be the best time to scoop up a few shares.  

Image by reutersmedia.net

What do you think, will Facebook rise to the heights of Google (IPO at $85 / share and closed today at $600.40)  or will it suffer the same fate as Groupon (IPO at $20 / share but closed today at $11.58)?

There's nothing like a good old "One Day Sale!" with the lure of a few door busters with lots of coupon clippings to get you up and out of bed in the wee hours of the morning. When retail giant J.C. Penney announced plans to discontinue coupons and "Sale" events and instead offer year round low prices in an attempt to "simplify bargain hunting" I was very skeptical and thought here's a plan that's destine to fail.
Back in January of 2012 J.C. Penney announced plans to permanently slash the prices on all of it's merchandise by at least 40% in a move designed to eliminate waiting for sale events to score bargains. This plan was unveiled just 6 months after Penney announced that former Target and Apple executive Ron Johnson will become its CEO. J.C. Penney stocks surged 17% on June 11, 2011, after the this announcement but after a 19% plunge in stock yesterday, May 17, 2012, Penney's stock is now down 24% for the year thus far. The plunging stock prices in combination with an even greater plunge in same-store and online sales, 18.9% and 27.9% respectively (during the first quarter compared to the year before translates to a loss of $55 Million.
There are no solid indications that J.C. Penney will revert to the old way of doing business but one thing is clear, they will continue to suffer tremendous losses without a revamp of their current strategy.

Here's one of J.C. Penney's ad campaigning everyday low prices over bargain sale event.

Are you attracted to everyday low prices or more likely to gravitate towards those so-called bargain big sale events?  

Is the housing market getting better? A new report on foreclosures seem to suggest that. According to RealtyTrac, total foreclosure activity for April (2012), including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, was down 5% from March (2012). That's the lowest level since 2007.

While there is still great uncertainty this is a step in the right direction and one can only hope that this trend continues. 

NOW AVAILABLE AT OUR RESOURCE CENTER

 FEDERAL TAX FORMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND SELF EMPLOYED

 EVERY TAX FORMS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF EMPLOYED  IS NOW  JUST A CLICK AWAY.

This addition to our resource center was completed two weeks ahead of schedule. Efforts are now being made to incorporate links to tax information relevant to small businesses for the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. We're constantly working to ensure that all information necessary to starting and maintaining a small business can be found in one central location. As we work towards that goal, we expect that the addition of information to our resource center to be a never ending process. .

The Discernible Business Reviews (TDB Reviews) is collaborating with Clarisel's Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network to create a support network for aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

An exact date is yet to be determined but in the near future we'll be having a preliminary workshop at TDB Reviews dedicated networking center - Kismet Caterers located on 1995 Westchester Ave in The Bronx. Topics of discussions will include: Ways to grow your business through free advertising; Making use of available cost free resources and building customer loyalty.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

• Professional Networking Environment
• Mics and Projector Screen to Aid in Bringing your Point Across 

• Free Chips and Dips + Beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic)

Stay tuned for more details.

This is a TDB hosted event and is free to all members of our network. 

Starting a Business:
At one point or another most of us dream of becoming a business owner “being your own boss” personally it has been a dream of mine for a long time. Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience that offers numerous advantages, such as the ability to be your own boss, set your own schedule and make a living doing something you enjoy. However, it is not as easy as it sounds (ask any small business owner and they will attest to that). Running a successful business takes hard work and dedication. 90% of start up companies fail during their first year. Why? Simply because they never took the time to sit down and write a clear and concise overview of their business – A business plan.
Here are a few key points to consider when writing your business plan:
• WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN:
A business plan is your road map to success therefore it should include the following: your mission/objective, your product/Service, your target market, sales and marketing, your competitors, your location, management, personnel, risk analysis, Use and Effect of Financing, Rationales, Start-up Cost Analysis, Personal Budget and Cash Available Worksheet, at least 2 years of Cash Flow Projections, and a Financing Request Form (if you are looking for financing).

There are many local small business development centers accross the country that will assist you to develop a sound business plan - for free. SBDC are usually located on college campuses around the country. Visit www.sba.gov for more information on startup assistance.