Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Challenging times for small businesses

Belt Drive 1 Canadian Riders, Community, Motorcycle Community 6:30 AM

We keep hearing how there is new stimulus for small businesses to grow and hire people. 
YAH - right! 
 
I went to our local Community Futures office. I have a solid business plan, a good number of contracts that were attached to the plan that have a value that is more that I am looking for in funding. 
 
I was not turned down - the application was deferred, they now want 2008 financial reports, all the bike show stuff back to 2005 - the first year we hosted the shows, more contracts and a revised cash flow. 
 
HERE'S the kicker - even IF I had the time to prepare everything they want - they still want 1 - 1 collateral AND 9% interest. So, I stay doing things the hard way - one sale at a time. 
 
Everything is growing fast with this humble little rag and I would really like to raise some capital to help me manage the growth better. I need to consolidate some debt, buy some new computers and upgrade software... If anyone who reads this blog is at all savvy in the small business financing area I would appreciate some mentoring. 
 
I am now consulting for Mighty Peace Tourism and the new Jasper Motorcycle Rally that is going the be held in September this year. 
 
It's going to be a busy time around here as I am also going to be loosing Lori my data entry clerk at the end of June - well sort of, she's going to continue working for me but remotely - she will be taking over the event calendar administration duties and a few other duties on the web site. 
She is in love and going to be moving, so I am looking for a part time person to assist with general book keeping and filing for here in Grande Prairie. I can see the fire between Lori and her man and although I am sad for me, I am so very happy for her. She deserves to be in a good relationship and her man sure seems like a good one. 
 
Between Twitter, Face book, this blog, the Moose Jaw Times Blog and the column for the Northern Horizon and the Mirror newspapers and our own web site, newspaper, phone book, consulting and my charity work - well, let's just say my plate is full and I hope that one day very soon I can get out on my bike - if I don't I am going to explode I have PMS so bad. 
 
Stay safe and warm and if you are lucky enough to be riding - PLEASE - Ride like they can't see you - BECAUSE THEY CAN'T! 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Challenging times for small businesses

Belt Drive 1 Canadian Riders, Community, Motorcycle Community 6:30 AM

We keep hearing how there is new stimulus for small businesses to grow and hire people. YAH - right! I went to our local Community Futures office. I have a solid business plan, a good number of contracts that were attached to the plan that have a val… Read more »

14Mar2009

Belt Drive Betty joins the Moose Jaw Times Herald in a much bigger way!

Belt Drive 2 Motorcycle Community, riding community, Saskatchewan Motorcyclists 12:52 PM

As many of you may know, Fraser Wareham - head pressman for the Moose Jaw Times Herald is the rider in charge of seeing that our paper gets printed. The Moose Jaw Times Herald began printing our paper three years ago! The relationship with the Moose Jaw Times Herald has now grown and it is now official! I am a blogger for them and we will be assisting the Saskatchewan Motorcycle Community in getting it's news out in an even bigger way than we have so far! 
 
Beginning tomorrow I will have my own blog on the <a href="http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=231669&sc=156">Moose Jaw Times Herald Website</a> , simply called - Belt Drive Betty... 
 
I would love the assistance of my Saskatchewan riding friends in choosing a really great name for the blog as it's job will be to aide the motorcycle community in Saskatchewan in spreading the word about what's going on! 
 
It will also aide us in changing the perception of motorcyclists - the more places we have where we can communicate who we are and what we do the better off we are! 
 
I am still waiting on my call to find out if my business plan qualified me for the funding to assist in growing this thing. The not knowing is torture...patience is not what you'd call my strong suit! 
 
As soon as I know whether I got what I am looking for or need to jump more hurdles, I'll let you know! 
 
Until next time, 
Stay warm and safe and if you live where you can ride already - PLEASE - Ride like they are out to get you, because they are! 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Belt Drive Betty joins the Moose Jaw Times Herald in a much bigger way!

Belt Drive 2 Motorcycle Community, riding community, Saskatchewan Motorcyclists 12:52 PM

As many of you may know, Fraser Wareham - head pressman for the Moose Jaw Times Herald is the rider in charge of seeing that our paper gets printed. The Moose Jaw Times Herald began printing our paper three years ago! The relationship with the Moose… Read more »

13Mar2009

Motorcycle Awareness

Belt Drive 0 Motorcycle Awareness 7:17 AM

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vfr7xi-5pDleGwEnT8r9n2p_4D6x-zqNrfUHjpNfb_tnc3iv5B44th_FcmXheXhHpBlgrjgJI0IwsATWc-1pb6YP3MBd1eyUBiuY7AIMJDyuhxUDSTWgOk6D8MQpNXKwZz4l/s1600-h/Rock+City+Poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312291008897934530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vfr7xi-5pDleGwEnT8r9n2p_4D6x-zqNrfUHjpNfb_tnc3iv5B44th_FcmXheXhHpBlgrjgJI0IwsATWc-1pb6YP3MBd1eyUBiuY7AIMJDyuhxUDSTWgOk6D8MQpNXKwZz4l/s320/Rock+City+Poster.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 206px;" /></a>We are all getting a bit antsy for Mother Nature to cooperate with us here in the north and let us go ride our motorcycles already. Motorcycle Awareness month is coming soon and many communities have events planned to remind other motorists that we are back! The Peace Country Chapter of AIM-Can is hosting Motorcycle Awareness May 2 and 3rd and it's going to be a great event we have 11 riding clubs confirmed to be attending about 15 vendors already and are waiting to hear from about 12 more! Saturday night there is a dinner, comedian, band and silent auction! It's going to be a great social weekend as we riders celebrate the beginning of what we all hope is a wonderful riding season. Our host hotels are: 
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Stonebridge: 12102 - 100 St Grande Prairie, AB T8V 5P1<o:p></o:p></div>
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1-888-419-4657<img alt="cid:image004.gif@01C9A16E.2A0FE8D0" height="1" id="Picture_x0020_18" src="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=24628937&postID=6353310895189200000" width="1" /><o:p></o:p></div>
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(780) 539-5561<o:p></o:p></div>
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www.stonebridgehotel.ca <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tell them you are attending the Motorcycle Awareness weekend when you book to receive the special rate of $99 plus taxes (Special pricing in effect until April 15/09)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Holiday Inn Express: 10266 117 Ave,</div>
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Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 7S5<o:p></o:p></div>
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(780) 814-9446 <o:p></o:p></div>
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1-877-814-9336<o:p></o:p></div>
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 Tell them you are attending the Motorcycle Awareness weekend when you book to receive the special rate of $149.00/Night Includes Breakfast (Special pricing in effect until April 15/09)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>For those of you lucky dogs that live where you are all ready riding - PLEASE - Ride like they are blind and out to get you! Because they are!</o:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Stay safe and warm...</o:p><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Belt Drive Betty</o:p></div>

Motorcycle Awareness

Belt Drive 0 Motorcycle Awareness 7:17 AM

We are all getting a bit antsy for Mother Nature to cooperate with us here in the north and let us go ride our motorcycles already. Motorcycle Awareness month is coming soon and many communities have events planned to remind other motorists that we … Read more »

12Mar2009

Good News

Belt Drive 1 Community, In the News 9:52 AM

Well gang, year end is done and balanced! 
 
Now I am in a position for the first time in a very long time to really market and work at what I do best. 
 
I am however in need of a full time, honest to gawd Office Administrator. Someone to keep everything I do straight and organized. 
 
I am working on a contract that if everything goes right will allow me the funds to be able to pay some one really well if they can bring the right skills to the table. 
 
Strong communication, excellent computer skills and phenomenal organizational abilities are needed. 
 
I also need one data entry clerk. 
 
If you know of anyone who is looking for a job send them my way. 
 
I have another round of meetings today and if you will all put your positive thoughts out there for me and this humble little rag, well, we should have the financing in place to really go hard and expand the services we provide. 
 
Powerful, positive thoughts and an ear to the ground for some great office personnel is how you can help me best right now! 
 
Stay safe and if you live in the North Peace - try and stay warm huh! -38 degrees - this is NUTS - Enough already. I want to ride my motorcycle. 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Good News

Belt Drive 1 Community, In the News 9:52 AM

Well gang, year end is done and balanced! Now I am in a position for the first time in a very long time to really market and work at what I do best. I am however in need of a full time, honest to gawd Office Administrator. Someone to keep everything … Read more »

10Mar2009

Almost done

Belt Drive 0 Canadian Riders, Community 6:15 AM

Other than I have to find an error in my chequing account I am pretty much done year end! YAH! 
 
I am not big on accounting - it's not my strength at all, BUT...I was reading the other day about how music assists with spacial work and working with numbers. Apparently uplifting music helps the two sides of your brain work together. 
 
I had always been of the school of thought that since I hated books I needed peace and quiet in order to get the job. I always dreaded doing them. 
 
So any way I decided to try working to some old 70's music on The Radio dot Com (GREAT music on the 70's Gold Channel)....well I have to tell you I never knew doing books could be so much fun. My husband thought I was a freak dancing around my office while I was waiting for the photocopier to copy a receipt or a cheque...when a great tune would come on, I'd crank the radio and sing at the top of my lungs. I actually liked doing the books, I had fun! so from now on... 
 
Anyway - so far the news feeds are kind of slow and what with Daylight savings time and the fact I still have a newspaper to put together and one more account to finish well, I'd best sign off for now! 
 
Have a safe and warm day... 
 
Belt Drive Betty

Almost done