Gallagher Graduates from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Intensive Entrepreneurship Training at Babson College

For Immediate Release – June 29, 2017

Gallagher Graduates from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Intensive Entrepreneurship Training at Babson College

National program helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity

Madison, WI –  Laura Gallagher, Wisconsin Trailblazer, Founder and CEO of The Creative Company, and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Regional Ambassador joined one hundred and forty-five entrepreneurs when she received a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Babson College and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses in May, 2017.

Her cohort of one hundred and forty-five entrepreneurs represented 38 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The small businesses in the national group at Babson represent a total of $174M in revenues and over 3,000 jobs from a broad range of industries including manufacturing, construction, retail, services, and non-profit organizations. The graduates join over 850 businesses that have successfully completed the Babson cohort and over 8,000 businesses served through the 10,000 Small Businesses program across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the UK.

The #10KSB initiative is a national program created to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital, and business support services.

“We’re proud of our graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative. These entrepreneurs put forth incredible effort to complete this program and we are confident their efforts will continue in growing their businesses. We are excited to watch their many successes,” said Kerry Healey, President of Babson College.

Babson has been partnering with Goldman Sachs and others on the 10,000 Small Businesses program since 2010, and has helped train over 250 faculty and staff who deliver the program primarily at community colleges throughout the United States, as well as through the national blended learning program at Babson College. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and business support services.

For 11 weeks since February, these small business owners connected with peers and worked together through practical business education delivered through a blend of online and in-person sessions.

“I applied in November of 2016, went through three interview rounds and accepted the full scholarship – as well as the challenge – in January of 2017. The program is as rigorous as they say it is. The expectations are high. But, you are alongside your comrades in business,” said Gallagher. “The average age in our group was 47 years old. I’m 49. In my growth group of 8, we represented technology, construction, science and manufacturing. Everything at Babson is by design. I had a coach, a growth group (8), a section (39 people), a cohort (146) and I’m now part of a national network of business owners who have also been trained on the growth strategies as well as business fundamentals. This was an all hands on deck experience. I am grateful to Goldman Sachs, my professors at Babson, my peers and the incredible support I received from my team at The Creative Company. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and grow.”

“The program is designed to be highly participative and immediately impactful, emphasizing peer-to-peer and experiential learning focused on their specific business,” said Babson Professor Richard T. Bliss, National Academic Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. “These business owners represent the best of the U.S. economy, and this program helps them grow their businesses, create new jobs, and strengthen our communities.  Nearly 70% of participants increase revenues and 50% create new jobs just six months after graduating.”

10,000 Small Businesses offers qualified business owners:

• Guidance in creating a customized growth plan that includes opportunity identification and feasibility analysis, financial management, leadership, negotiations, and marketing.
• One-on-one business counseling and a network of peer support from other small business owners, as well as leaders in the business world.

About Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is based on the broadly held view of leading experts that greater access to this combination of education, capital and support services best addresses barriers to growth for small businesses. 10,000 Small Businesses is guided by an Advisory Council on which Babson President Kerry Healey serves and is co-chaired by Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO Lloyd C. Blankfein, Bloomberg L.P. founder, president and CEO, and 108th Mayor of the City of New York Michael R. Bloomberg, Berkshire Hathaway chairman and CEO Warren Buffett, and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City’s Dr. Michael Porter.  The National Urban League and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are also represented on the Advisory Council, among other groups.

To apply for the 10,000 Small Businesses business and management education program, please visit www.10KSBapply.com.

About Babson College

Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds®. The to​p​-ranked college for entrepreneurship education, Babson is a dynamic living and learning laboratory where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society. We prepare the entrepreneurial leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to make a difference in the world, and have an impact on organizations of all sizes and types. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought & Action®​ as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

About The Creative Company, Inc.

The Creative Company is Wisconsin’s leading PR and Digital Agency where missional leaders of NPOs and companies go when they need to build, grow or change their story. Clients experience a responsive, connected, creative and data centric results-orientated leadership team of marketing professionals who believe that one person can change the world.  The Creative Company has also been recognized as one of the best places to work in Dane County, as a finalist for the Torch Award for Business Ethics and Integrity by the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, and one of the best Ad Agencies in Wisconsin. The Creative Company is located just 6 blocks west of the Wisconsin State Capitol in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.

Full-service locksmith, door repair company opens in Madison, WI

For Immediate Release

June 28, 2017

Contact: Pat Mack, (608) 371-1626

Full-service locksmith, door repair company opens in Madison, WI

The Flying Locksmiths – Madison opened its doors this week, offering traditional locksmith services as well as door repair and replacement for residential and business customers.

“We view our top priority as customer service. We will do the job right every time,” said Pat Mack, president of the locally-owned and -operated company. “We take our responsibility as a locksmith very seriously.”

The Flying Locksmiths is a franchise based in Boston. Its mission is to be the top national locksmith company in the country for small and large organizations. The company has 70 years of experience and a national network of locksmiths and suppliers.

“We use technology to let our customers know when our locksmiths are en route. They also receive a photo of the technician as a safety precaution and our locksmiths are in company vans and uniforms.” Mack said.

The Flying Locksmiths also deploys electronic billing and payments to make the process convenient for customers.

The company gets its name from its founder who was a World War II veteran and pilot before creating the locksmith enterprise.

Services offered include lock rekeying, deadbolts, intercom systems, exit devices and crash bars, card access systems, door closers, handicap openers, file Cabinets and keys, desk locks and keys, door repair, door replacement, electric strikes, high security keys, door alarms, and master key systems.

The Flying Locksmiths – Madison is a proud member of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Madison, Inc. and Middleton Chamber of Commerce.

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CSR Position Open at Wisconsin Aviation

Wisconsin Aviation (Madison)

NOW HIRING

Customer Service Representative (CSR) at our Madison location. Several shifts are currently open.

Working at the front desk of our terminal. Working with customers/guests from all over the world. DISCOUNT ON FLYING LESSONS. If you have CSR experience, in the hotel industry a plus, please contact Kim in HR at kimm@wisav.com or 608-268-5000. Join our WisAv Team!

Neckerman is Hiring!

Summary of Position

We are currently seeking an ambitious, self-starter who is detail oriented to add to our Commercial Lines department. This is an entry-level position whose primary focus will be providing department and agency support by processing third party requests for our customer’s insurance information, corresponding with customers and insurance carriers on a variety of miscellaneous issues, and providing general assistance to Commercial Account Managers. To perform all the duties of this position, the Assistant Account Manager must eventually earn a Property and Casualty Insurance License. The Commercial Lines Assistant Account Manager is an integral link in the business relationship that is created by our agency, our clients, our companies.

As a Neckerman Insurance employee, you will be part of a growing and stable organization that provides career path development opportunities while serving a growing and profitable market. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well as a positive and success-driven, professional working environment.

Essential Functions

• Participate in basic client services such as issuing certificates of insurance, evidence of property coverage and auto ID cards.
• Assist account managers and sales team with policy administration, renewal preparation and preparing proposals.
• Process various documents such as policies, audits, cancellations, and reinstatements.
• Follow-up with insurance carriers on policy endorsements and renewals.
• Processing vehicle and additional interest policy change requests.
• Send renewal emails to Commercial Lines clients 90 days prior to renewal.
• Claim follow-ups with clients.
• Maintain client information in the agency management system and update reports.
• Serve as backup for the reception desk.
• Perform other tasks or projects as needed/assigned by agency management.

Qualifications

• Insurance experience preferred but not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and self-manage workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and ability to learn new databases and systems quickly.
• Enthusiastic, professional and organized.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other team members, insurance carrier representatives, and customers
• College degree.

Full-Time Employee Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Profit sharing 401(k) plan
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Flexible benefit plan
• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Continuing education and license reimbursement

If interested in this position, please send your resume and cover letter to Megan Wencel at mwencel@neckerman.com.

Lip Sync for Schools Event

Modeled after the popular Lip Sync Battle segments from “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” Lip Sync for Schools has sold out in its first two years. Featuring local celebrity performers as well as school principals and staff from the Madison community, the night is a celebration of Madison’s public schools. In addition to the entertainment, guests enjoy a live and silent auction, photo booth, buffet and a cash bar with the evening’s signature drink. Friday November 3, 2017 7:00pm-11:00pm. Tickets are $50 per person.