http://keepitquerque.org AIBA (Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance) is a small business association to promote a buy local attitude by residents to promote local businesses and improve the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area economy by keeping more money in New Mexico Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:59:00 +0000 http://snappages.com en http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/benefits-of-local-search http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/benefits-of-local-search Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:59:00 +0000 Becky Raichur, SonicSEO.com http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/benefits-of-local-search
What does this mean for businesses? There is a three-fold method for local businesses to take advantage of the birth of the digital advertising age: Search Engine Optimization, local search, and social media.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Any business that wants to stay competitive in the digital age needs to create and maintain a solid Web presence. This begins with your Web site; however, a cookie-cutter design and sparse content will not grab your audience’s attention.

Search Engine Optimization is a process developed to increase your site’s visibility by raising it through the natural (organic) listings on search engine results pages (SERPs). By achieving a rank within the top three spots on the most popular search engines—Google, Bing, Yahoo!—more potential clients will be able to find you and become your paying customers.

Local Listings
Search engines like Google and Bing have created local listing pages that give you another opportunity, in addition to your site, to reach out to your customers. Local listings present your clients with quick bits of crucial information about your business—name, location, business hours—along with a link to your site.

Obtaining a local listing is simple and can give you more of the attention your business craves. Consider the local listings as gateways to your site and, by clicking the link, customers are traveling the digital driveway to your home(page).

Social Media
With the advent of social media outlets, people are becoming more and more accustomed to interacting with friends, family, and businesses through the Internet. Your potential clients enjoy this interaction and expect to find your presence through Facebook updates and Twitter tweets. Whether they have already concluded their business with you or are just beginning their search, your social media profile can help you connect with and retain a relationship with customers.

Social media outlets are also excellent ways to promote your business by simply existing. In other words, through word-of-text advertising, previous clients can easily direct their friends—your future clients—to your profile, and you’ll be instantly connected. And best of all, it’s free!

The ways of traditional marketing campaigns have fallen to the wayside and online marketing has taken its place. With so many people using the Internet to find the products and services they need in their local area, businesses need to invest their time and money into the digital age. Solidify your online presence with SEO, local listings, and social media.

Becky Raichur
V.P. SonicSEO.com
Albuquerque SEO and Internet Markerting

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/good-news-and-bad-news-from-our-economy http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/good-news-and-bad-news-from-our-economy Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:09:00 +0000 Wayne Story, CEO, Marketing Strategies Rx Ltd http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/18/good-news-and-bad-news-from-our-economy Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) is working hard to improve the economy for you our Locally Owned business members.

First the BAD NEWS:
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Albuquerque area lost 2,800 jobs during the last year (Jan. 2010 to Jan 2011). That places us in the bottom 100 metro areas [...]]]> Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) is working hard to improve the economy for you our Locally Owned business members.

First the BAD NEWS:
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Albuquerque area lost 2,800 jobs during the last year (Jan. 2010 to Jan 2011). That places us in the bottom 100 metro areas nationally.

A total of 266 metropolitan areas showed gains in employment. "Losing jobs" is not a statewide phenomenon however. Both Santa Fe and Farmington are increasing employment. So what is happening in Albuquerque?

Now for the GOOD News:
Part 1 - New Mexico was the No. 1 ranked state in average income increase. Our income grew by 4.2% during 2010.
Part 2 - AIBA is launching a program to blast Albuquerque out of the economy doldrums.

AIBA is creating some BIG things for you our Locally Owned Business members. We are launching a massive consumer campaign and you can help. You are going to see billboards, ads in local print advertising and radio and TV announcing our new Buy Local, Grow Local, Thrive Local consumer awareness campaign.

We call it our 50 + 50 = $42 Million Project. AND you can help us spread the word.

Albuquerque area consumers and businesses are spending too much of their money on businesses with ownership in other states and the MONEY IS FLOODING OUT OF NEW MEXICO. It's filling the pockets of out of state internet businesses and national companies whose profits leave the state and never return.

Let's keep more of our money and wealth right here in ALBUQUERQUE. We are asking you and every consumer in Albuquerque to change their buying habits.

Find just TWO (2) Locally owned businesses to spend $50 on products or services from each that would have gone to a company owned in another state. (AIBA members would be a great place to start.)

If just half the households in Albuquerque joined in our $50 +$50 = $42 Million Project, that would equal $42 Million in new business revenue for you our locally owned businesses.

THAT would create a ton of new jobs and we could thumb our collective noses at this never ending BAD economy news.

Will you help? Tell everyone you know. Tell every locally owned business owner you know to join us and HELP US Make This Happen.
1. Go to www.KeepItQuerque.org/memberform and download the AIBA application and get your friends to join AIBA.

2. Tell all of your friends to help us activate the 50 +50 = $42 Million Project in every home.

We ARE going to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Wayne Story
AIBA - VP Communications & Marketing
Dr. of Direct Results Marketing
MarketingStrategiesRx.com

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/04/create-an-identity-for-your-community-buy-local http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/04/create-an-identity-for-your-community-buy-local Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:23:00 +0000 Becky Raichur, SonicSEO.com http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/04/04/create-an-identity-for-your-community-buy-local
Buying Local Creates Identity
Albuquerque once centered around the local stores that line Historic Route 66. These stores created the iconic image of Old Albuquerque. Many of these local businesses still operate along Central Avenue and in Nob Hill. These businesses give that area of Albuquerque their unique identity for both people from New Mexico and tourists from around the world.

Tourism Supports Identity
Tourism can help a unique community thrive. In the case of Albuquerque, the Balloon Fiesta, for example, draws large out of state crowds and brings large amounts of revenue to the city. If Albuquerque has more local businesses for those out-of-state dollars to be spent at, the greater the chance those dollars will stay in the local economy.

We Maintain Identity
In today’s economy, money makes the world move. Once small local identities have been built and expanded, they must be financially maintained. Albuquerque residents must support their local businesses year round or many will struggle to survive. If residents spend their money at big chains, local businesses fail to succeed. Once they fail, Albuquerque will begin to lose parts of its unique identity. Without those special, local touches, Albuquerque could become a cookie-cutter city with no special flair of its own.

There are many compelling reasons to buy local, many of them are economic. One of the more personal reasons to buy local, though, is to have an active role in shaping and creating a community. These crafted communities represent the unique cultures and tastes of an area. Quite frankly, Ma and Pa’s is a lot more special than Blah and Blah’s.

Becky Raichur
VP, SonicSEO.com
Albuquerque SEO and Internet Marketing

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/21/root-root-root-for-the-home-town http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/21/root-root-root-for-the-home-town Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:51:00 +0000 Becky Raichur, SonicSEO.com http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/21/root-root-root-for-the-home-town
The University of New Mexico
That notion may seem like a stretch, but it’s not as far-fetched as it may seem. According to the University of New Mexico, sporting events brought in $49.8 million in total revenue during the 2009-2010 school year. Of this total number, $22.7 million directly impacted the local Albuquerque economy. Let’s take a look where those funds went to help the local economy:

• Roughly $4.1 million of the revenue was used to pay university employees at these events, thus supporting jobs
• $5.78 million came from tax revenue and went into the local budget
• $3.25 million was generated for local corporations
• $3.6 million was spent at local restaurants
• $1.8 million was spent at local retail shops
• $4.2 million was spent for local lodging

When looking at the overall numbers, slightly half of what the University of New Mexico generated from sporting events went directly back into the local economy. A lot of this income came from out-of-state visitors, but locals also deserve a big pat on the back for financially supporting UNM’s teams, too.

The Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes also provide direct revenue to the city of Albuquerque in the form of an annual “rent” payment. This payment of between $1 million and $2 million, based on an income and revenue agreement, goes directly to the city. It not only repays Albuquerque for the reconstruction of the old Albuquerque Sports Stadium, but is also a return on the taxpayer’s investment.

The Impact You Have With Apparel
Finally, buying team merchandise can help the economy. If we buy our Lobo gear from the University of New Mexico bookstore, we keep our dollars right here in Albuquerque at UNM. There are also plenty of locally based stores that sell retro Albuquerque Dukes and current Albuquerque Isotopes apparel. Check out these local stores for all of your team gear and help the local economy at the same time.

Supporting Albuquerque’s teams has always been fun and exciting, but now you know that it’s also helping our local Albuquerque economy. So whether we’re cheering for a Mountain West Conference or Pacific Coast League Championship, we’re supporting our teams and our city.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/08/why-we-need-to-spur-our-local-economy http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/08/why-we-need-to-spur-our-local-economy Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:46:00 +0000 Becky Raichur, SonicSEO.com http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/03/08/why-we-need-to-spur-our-local-economy
There are ways that individual consumers can, and should, make a change. Budget problems, cuts, and other government decisions are largely out of our control, but this doesn’t mean that we can’t work to have a positive impact on our daily lives. We can do this through supporting our local economies.

So why should consumers care about helping the local economy? Here are a few reasons why:

• It’s Our Economy: When we spend money at big business stores and they turn a profit, they generally seek to expand. Yet that doesn’t guarantee they’ll reinvest that money and expand here in Albuquerque. They can take that money and those expansion plans and open up a store somewhere else, with our money. A small, local business expands their store here, hires employees here and reinvests their money here.

• We Have a Voice: By buying local, we are using our voices to have a say in Albuquerque’s economy. The voice we use is money. When we spend our hard earned money locally, we can have an impact on our day-to-day lives. We’re saying that we support the local economy, and not bigger business that may or may not have a small, local economy’s interests at heart. By doing so, we are doing our part to keep our local economies going and to pull ourselves out of the current economic downturn.

• It’s Tough But Somebody Has To Do It: We know how easy it is to walk into a chain store because they’re everywhere and they advertise the lowest prices around. But this modern mentality of ease and laissez faire (the idea of live and let live) won’t help us fix the economy. When we start breaking old habits, and making that push for our money to get reinvested in our own communities, we take that first step on the road to putting people back to work and creating economic growth-- not only in our communities, but nationwide.

In these tough times, it seems impossible to make any sort of positive effect on the economy. Rather than worry and panic about the larger economy, which we can’t directly impact on a daily basis, we can make changes locally. We need to start small by making changes in our day-to-day lives to begin building a brighter economic tomorrow.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/18/nine-legal-decisions-every-business-owner-must-face http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/18/nine-legal-decisions-every-business-owner-must-face Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:07:00 +0000 Chad Mathis, Prometheus Legal http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/18/nine-legal-decisions-every-business-owner-must-face
1. Entity Selection: Whether you operate as a sole proprietorship, limited partnership, LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp, the choice of entity will have a major impact on the way you operate your business. Tax and liability implications differ based on the entity choice you make, and it must be a carefully considered decision.

2. Drafting an Operating Agreement or Bylaws: It is imperative for business owners to establish how their company will operate, from the management structure of the company to what happens if the company winds down. With no structure in place, businesses can fail after encountering even the most basic of problems.

3. Developing a Business Succession Plan: This step is crucial for any business owner. What happens when you decide to retire or, more crucially, if you unexpectedly pass away? Without a carefully considered succession plan, many businesses simply crater and disappear, without passing on the business or its value to loved ones.

4. Personal Estate Planning: Just as important as having a succession plan in place for your business is ensuring that the plan dovetails seamlessly with your personal estate plan. The last thing you want is all of your hard work to evaporate, leaving nothing of value for your family.

5. Obtaining Adequate Insurance Coverage: Planning for the worst can be the difference between your business surviving the long term or failing after encountering a bump in the road. Just as solid legal planning will protect you from frivolous law suits and high legal costs, insurance is absolutely necessary to protect yourself and your business from disaster.

6. Negotiating and Fully Understanding Commercial Leases: We receive many calls from business owners after they have had a dispute with their landlord. Many of these issues can be completely avoided by having your commercial lease reviewed before you sign it, to ensure you are not entering into a bad situation. New Mexico is a landlord friendly state, and business owners must understand their positions before entering into commercial leases.

7. Developing Solid Contracts: How your business interacts with its employees, vendors, and customers is crucial to its success. Having solid contracts that are clearly drafted so that both parties fully understand what they are signing is the best way to avoid conflicts down the road, and to avoid placing your business in a weak contractual position.

8. Developing Corporate Policies and Manuals: Clearly written manuals and policies will ensure that your employees and management team follow company protocol, and will ensure that that the protocol itself is compliant with the law.

9. Building your Team of Experts: Careers in our society have become more and more specialized. Business owners often mistakenly believe they can wear all of the hats and take care of every detail of the business. Having a stable of professionals to guide you and your business is crucial to success in today’s business world, and will aid you in avoiding legal missteps along the way. A successful business owner will have a solid relationship with a quality accountant, insurance broker, banker, PR and marketing rep, and most importantly, an attorney.

For more information visit us at www.prometheuslegal.com.


]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/04/who-is-an-employee-dont-let-the-irs-fine-your-business-into-oblivion http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/04/who-is-an-employee-dont-let-the-irs-fine-your-business-into-oblivion Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:57:00 +0000 Chad Mathis, Prometheus Legal http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/02/04/who-is-an-employee-dont-let-the-irs-fine-your-business-into-oblivion
First, we’ll discuss the categories in which the IRS places workers in for the purpose of this topic. They fall into four categories: independent contractors, employees, statutory employees, and statutory nonemployees.

Independent Contractors

People such as lawyers, contractors, subcontractors and auctioneers who follow an independent trade, business, or profession in which they offer their services to the public, are generally not employees. However, whether such people are employees or independent contractors depends on the facts in each case. The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if you, the person for whom the services are performed, have the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.


Employees (Common Law)

Under common-law rules, anyone who performs services for you is your employee if you can control what will be done and how it will be done. This is so even when you give the employee freedom of action. What matters is that you have the right to control the details of how the services are performed.


Statutory Employees

If workers are independent contractors under the common law rules, such workers may nevertheless be treated as employees by statute (statutory employees) for certain employment tax purposes if they fall within any one of the following four categories and meet the three conditions described under Social Security and Medicare taxes, below.

- A driver who distributes beverages (other than milk) or meat, vegetable, fruit, or bakery products; or who picks up and delivers laundry or dry cleaning, if the driver is your agent or is paid on commission.


- A full-time life insurance sales agent whose principal business activity is selling life insurance or annuity contracts, or both, primarily for one life insurance company.

- An individual who works at home on materials or goods that you supply and that must be returned to you or to a person you name, if you also furnish specifications for the work to be done.

- A full-time traveling or city salesperson who works on your behalf and turns in orders to you from wholesalers, retailers, contractors, or operators of hotels, restaurants, or other similar establishments. The goods sold must be merchandise for resale or supplies for use in the buyer’s business operation. The work performed for you must be the salesperson's principal business activity.


Statutory Nonemployees

There are generally two categories of statutory nonemployees: direct sellers and licensed real estate agents. They are treated as self-employed for all Federal tax purposes, including income and employment taxes, if:

- Substantially all payments for their services as direct sellers or real estate agents are directly related to sales or other output, rather than to the number of hours worked



Common Law Rules for Determining Relationship
Facts that provide evidence of the degree of control and independence fall into three categories:

1. Behavioral: Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?
The behavioral control factors fall into the categories of:

- Type of instructions given (when, where, how)

- Degree of instruction (amount of detail)

- Evaluation systems (if details = employee, if end result = I.C.)

- Training



2. Financial: Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? (these include things like how worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools/supplies, etc.)
The financial control factors fall into the categories of:

- Significant investment (not dispositive)

- Unreimbursed expenses

- Opportunity for profit or loss

- Services available to the market

- Method of payment (wage v. flat fee)

3. Type of Relationship: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?
The factors, for the type of relationship between two parties, generally fall into the categories of:

- Written contracts

- Employee benefits

- Permanency of the relationship

- Services provided as key activity of the business

Businesses must weigh all these factors when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Some factors may indicate that the worker is an employee, while other factors indicate that the worker is an independent contractor. There is no “magic” or set number of factors that “makes” the worker an employee or an independent contractor, and no one factor stands alone in making this determination. Also, factors which are relevant in one situation may not be relevant in another.

Source: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html

The keys are to look at the entire relationship, consider the degree or extent of the right to direct and control, and finally, to document each of the factors used in coming up with the determination.



Safe Harbor Provisions
There are safe harbor provisions which can aid an employer when determining how to treat workers. The following requirements must be met:

1. The institution has never treated the independent contractor as an employee, and has filed Form 1099's for him/her in a timely manner.

2. The institution has consistently treated workers in a substantially similar position as independent contractors.

3. The institution has a reasonable basis for treating the worker as an independent contractor. Reasonable basis means:

- Reliance on court decisions, published IRS rulings, and certain other kinds of technical advice; or

- In a past IRS audit, the institution was not assessed employment taxes for treating workers doing a similar type of work as independent contractors; or

- It is a recognized, long-standing practice for a large segment of the industry to treat certain types of workers as independent contractors.

- Their services are performed under a written contract providing that they will not be treated as employees for Federal tax purposes.



If you simply cannot come to a conclusion as to how to treat your worker, have them fill out IRS form SS-8 for a determination from the IRS. The form can be found here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss8.pdf

For more information on the difference between independent contractors and employees and how to avoid added tax liabilities for mistaking the two, visit www.prometheuslegal.com or email us at info@prometheuslegal.com.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/28/8-ways-to-protect-your-business-from-a-lawsuit http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/28/8-ways-to-protect-your-business-from-a-lawsuit Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:24:00 +0000 Chad Mathis, Prometheus Legal http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/28/8-ways-to-protect-your-business-from-a-lawsuit
1. Be Proactive

The worst thing you can do is ignore that you are exposed to litigation. The head in the sand approach just doesn’t work. Even ostriches don’t actually do this, despite what you may have heard. Analyze your business and locate potential hazards. Do you sell potentially dangerous widgets? Do you have difficulty keeping your employees satisfied and working hard? Are there competitors in the market that may attempt to put you under by utilizing the courts? Think now so you can minimize these risks with proper legal planning.

2. Always Get it in Writing

In this day and age, there is simply no excuse for not getting every single agreement in writing. I don’t care that your father sealed deals with a handshake. We know better now. Whether you are providing services, engaging a vendor, hiring an employee, or even providing an in-kind trade of services, get it in writing.

3. Arbitration and Liquidated Damages

Every agreement you enter into should contain language that dictates how disputes between the parties to the contract will be settled. A couple of common methods are arbitration clauses and liquidated damages. Arbitration can keep you out of the courtroom, and limit your legal costs. Liquidated damages set forth beforehand the amount that will be paid by a party breaching the contract.

4. Don’t Ignore Angry Customers

It is easy to assume that your disgruntled customer or client is off their rocker and ignore them in the hopes that they will go away. Unfortunately, the irrationally angry customer is often the one most likely to take you to court. Many people seek litigation in order to simply be heard. Isn’t it a better practice to listen to them now rather than in a courtroom?

5. Have an Attorney Draft or Review All of Your Agreements

Yes, attorneys cost money. However, they cost less when they are reviewing contracts than they do when they are litigating them in court. Too often business owners find themselves in legal trouble due to small discrepancies or omissions in their contracts. Build a relationship with an attorney you trust and make sure they are part of your team when it comes time to enter into contracts. Remember the number one tip? Be proactive rather than reactive.

6. Pay Your Taxes

Anyone who reads the paper knows that even established businesses seem to ignore this necessity. No one enjoys paying taxes, especially small business owners. Nonetheless, you have to stay on top of your payroll and gross receipts taxes or the government will come after you – and they always win.

7. Don’t Forget About Intellectual Property

Before choosing a name for your business, or naming a new product, you must conduct careful trademark searches to ensure you are not infringing upon the intellectual property rights of another. Trademark and copyright litigation can be very costly. Additionally, it is important to register your trademarks and copyrighted materials so that you can more easily protect them from others who may attempt to benefit from the goodwill of your business.

8. Invest in Risk Management

Most business owners are aware that they need insurance coverage of various types. This is a crucial step to ensure that your business will not go under do to a simple mistake or accident. It is also important to assess and prepare for legal exposures before they occur. Whether it is a properly drafted employee handbook, the right entity structure, a well drafted operating agreement, or even proper warning labels on your products, there are many ways a business owner exposes herself to litigation that can be avoided by spending a bit of money up front to ensure everything is in place.

Business owners must constantly reevaluate aspects of their business to ensure they stay one step ahead of the competition in order to keep their doors open. Don’t forget to include legal exposure in your ongoing analysis of your business or a lawsuit may destroy everything you have worked so hard to build. Careful planning and a proactive approach will minimize your risk and minimize the impact when legal issues rear their ugly head.

For more information on protecting your business from lawsuits, visit Prometheus Legal at www.prometheuslegal.com.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/13/how-will-healthcare-reform-affect-your-business http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/13/how-will-healthcare-reform-affect-your-business Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:35:00 +0000 Chad Mathis, Prometheus Legal http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/13/how-will-healthcare-reform-affect-your-business
Only “applicable large employers” are subject to the mandate to offer coverage. If [...]]]>
Only “applicable large employers” are subject to the mandate to offer coverage. If your company employs fifty or fewer full time employees, there is no requirement to provide health insurance coverage. A full time employee is one who works on average at least thirty hours per week. This is good news for many small businesses in New Mexico. However, there are many companies with more than fifty employees that still operate as, and consider themselves, a small business. These companies will have to work the hardest to ensure they are in compliance with the new law.

If your company employs more than fifty full time employees you have two options. The first option is to forego providing health coverage for your employees. If you decide not to provide coverage, and even one of your employees is receiving the premium tax credit through the new state health insurance exchanges, you will be fined $2000 per month for each employee, less thirty employees. For example, if your business employs seventy full time workers, you will be fined $2000 X 40 employees. $80,000 per month is a hit most businesses just can’t handle. For those larger companies who believe it may be more affordable to simply pay the penalty, remember that the penalties are not deductible for income tax purposes.

The second option is to provide health coverage for your employees and avoid the penalties. If you do so, the coverage must meet some minimum requirements. Under your company’s plan, the premium payments must not exceed 9.5% of the employee’s income, or in the alternative must have at least a 60% actuarial value. If you fail to provide affordable insurance to full time employees, and one of your employees receives the premium tax credit by utilizing the new state health insurance exchanges, your business will be fined $3000 per month for each employee who is receiving the premium tax credit. The penalty is capped at the number of full time employees at the company.

For those businesses that employ more than two hundred full time employees, newly hired employees must be automatically enrolled in the employer plan, unless the employee chooses to opt out.

Tax credit for small employers offering health coverage. Beginning in the 2010 tax year, qualifying small businesses will be eligible for tax credits should they elect to provide health insurance for their employees. To be minimally eligible, a company must have twenty five or fewer full time employees with an average annual salary of no more than $50,000. To receive the full credit, a company must have ten or fewer full time employees with an average annual salary of no more than $25,000.

Finally, a disclaimer: The recently passed healthcare bill may never actually take full effect and impact your business. The House will soon be taking a simple yes or no vote on whether to repeal the bill in its entirety. This is a symbolic gesture as the Senate will not follow suit. Nonetheless, business owners of any political stripe should keep their eye on the 2012 election. Should the Republican Party retain control in the House, and take control of the Senate and the White House, the healthcare bill will likely be repealed in its entirety.

For more information on how healthcare reform may affect your business, visit Prometheus Legal at www.prometheuslegal.com.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/07/the-importance-of-buying-local http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/07/the-importance-of-buying-local Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:58:00 +0000 Becky Raichur, Sonic SEO http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2011/01/07/the-importance-of-buying-local
Locally owned and [...]]]>
Locally owned and operated businesses depend on the support of the community and, in return, offer quality products and a unique flare. Supporting local Albuquerque, New Mexico businesses has many economic, social, and cultural advantages including:

• Stable Money Flow: When individuals shop locally, their dollars will be invested back into the community. Rather than sending the profits to an unseen corporate headquarters, business owners reinvest their profits into other local operations. This cycle nurtures the lives of business owners, manufacturers, and customers of the same community.


• Job Production: Although large, chain stores boast the job opportunities they bring to a community, they don't brag about their turnover rates. With local businesses, individuals are able to find a stable job where they feel appreciated. Employees can work side-by-side with the owner and know their work is worthwhile.


• One-of-a-kind Selection: If you walk into a Target or Wal-Mart in Albuquerque and then another one in Tulsa, you are going to find the same products and the same store setup. This cookie-cutter business plan can be boring; local businesses provide a unique selection of products that you may not be able to find anywhere else.


• Community Building: In general, the employees and managers of large chain stores will not remember the names of all of their customers-it's just not feasible. However, locally-owned, small businesses can talk to you like a friend because you are their friend. Shopping locally lets you buy the products you need without feeling like an anonymous customer.


• Non-profit Support: Many thriving local businesses will give back to the community that has made them so successful. Churches, sports teams, children's organizations, and many other non-profits greatly benefit from the success of local businesses-which the entire community can then enjoy.

The next time you need to buy groceries or find the perfect birthday present for a special person in your life, think local. Your patronage can start the nurturing cycle of success for the entire Albuquerque community: you, business owners, manufacturers, non-profits, community. When an entire community is thriving, it is less dependent on chain stores and foreign-made goods. Shop local, shop success.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/12/14/green-academy-for-new-mexico-small-business http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/12/14/green-academy-for-new-mexico-small-business Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:09:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/12/14/green-academy-for-new-mexico-small-business
Albuquerque Business Academy
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:30am - 3pm (MST)

Learn more and download a brief application.

This Academy is intended for people who own or operate an existing small business. If you would like more information about this important initiative, please be sure to check out their website.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/09/buying-local-food http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/09/buying-local-food Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:22:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/09/buying-local-food AIBA Facebook page, a series on eating locally produced food.

In line with this theme, I've [...]]]> AIBA Facebook page, a series on eating locally produced food.

In line with this theme, I've written a blog post about my new attempt to purchase local food.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/03/the-event-formerly-known-as-lunch-n-learn http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/03/the-event-formerly-known-as-lunch-n-learn Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:06:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/06/03/the-event-formerly-known-as-lunch-n-learn
]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/30/listen-for-nob-hill-news-this-sunday http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/30/listen-for-nob-hill-news-this-sunday Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:09:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/30/listen-for-nob-hill-news-this-sunday
Listen for Nob Hill news this Sunday....May 2nd at 6:00 AM Tune in to Kiss 97.3 FM or Coyote 102.5 FM Community Talk with Univison’s Amy O’Brian. Amy will be interviewing Alfredo Barrenechea of Nob Hill Mainstreet. They will be discussing the importance of shopping local, [...]]]>
Listen for Nob Hill news this Sunday....May 2nd at 6:00 AM Tune in to Kiss 97.3 FM or Coyote 102.5 FM Community Talk with Univison’s Amy O’Brian. Amy will be interviewing Alfredo Barrenechea of Nob Hill Mainstreet. They will be discussing the importance of shopping local, Mainstreet’s contributions to our community and upcoming Nob Hill Nights events.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/07/i-love-albuquerque http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/07/i-love-albuquerque Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:26:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/04/07/i-love-albuquerque "I Love Albuquerque" Mixer and Contest Awards Presentation.

Jointly sponsored by AIBA and Local IQ - Mixology
Thursday, April 8 6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Wine Loft at Slate Street Cafe 515 Slate NW
Cash Bar and Free Hors d'oeuvres [...]]]> "I Love Albuquerque" Mixer and Contest Awards Presentation.

Jointly sponsored by AIBA and Local IQ - Mixology
Thursday, April 8 6:00 - 8:00 pm
The Wine Loft at Slate Street Cafe 515 Slate NW
Cash Bar and Free Hors d'oeuvres

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/02/04/i-love-albuquerque-contest http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/02/04/i-love-albuquerque-contest Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:11:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/02/04/i-love-albuquerque-contest contest@local-IQ.com or via snail mail: I Love ABQ Contest, Local IQ, POB 7490, ABQ, NM 87102. Limit 2 entries per person. Deadline is March 5, 2010. Prizes for "Quirkiest" "Most Romantic" and "Best of Show."

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/29/nationwide-survey-shows-power-of-buy-local-campaigns http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/29/nationwide-survey-shows-power-of-buy-local-campaigns Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:23:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/29/nationwide-survey-shows-power-of-buy-local-campaigns
The survey also found that independent retailers in cities with active "Buy Independent / Buy Local" or "Local First" campaigns reported stronger holiday sales than those in cities without such campaigns. These campaigns have been launched in more than 100 cities and towns. Independent retailers in these cities reported an average increase in holiday sales of 3.0%, compared to 1.0% for those in cities without an active Buy Local initiative.

You can read the entire announcement from the American Independent Business Alliance here.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/15/aiba-newsletter-now-online http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/15/aiba-newsletter-now-online Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:34:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2010/01/15/aiba-newsletter-now-online AIBA Newsletter is now online, starting with the January 15, 2010 edition. [...]]]> AIBA Newsletter is now online, starting with the January 15, 2010 edition.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/02/governor-bill-richardson-to-hold-buy-local-press-conference-in-nob-hill http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/02/governor-bill-richardson-to-hold-buy-local-press-conference-in-nob-hill Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:14:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/02/governor-bill-richardson-to-hold-buy-local-press-conference-in-nob-hill
Governor Bill Richardson and Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragon will be holding a press conference on Thursday, December 3rd at 12:30 to encourage New Mexicans to shop local during the holiday season. The press conference will be held at Scalo on the patio. Refreshments will be provided. Let's all turn out to show our support.

Thanks to Martha of Martha's Body Bueno for sending in the tip.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/01/letter-from-leroy-pacheco-aiba-board-president http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/01/letter-from-leroy-pacheco-aiba-board-president Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:02:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/12/01/letter-from-leroy-pacheco-aiba-board-president
Here's some reminders to make [...]]]>
Here's some reminders to make the best of this wonderful season. Remember to give back! Go out and do something special for someone you know who needs help, support or just a hello. Remember, we are all in this together! Keep looking for ways to do improve your business! A warm smile and a heart-felt thank you can brighten any shopper's day.

As AIBA moves into it's seventh year, we want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous Holiday Season. Thank you for doing your part to make those local choices more visible to our community.

If you missed getting your copy of the AIBA Member Directory insert in the Thursday, Nov. 18 issue of the Albuquerque Journal, you can get additional copies by stopping by Exhib-it at 6207 Pan American Highway NE on the west side of I-25. First, give them a call (828-0574), let them know how many you want (to give away to YOUR customers), and they'll have them ready for you to pick up.

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/24/amy-baca-lopez-day http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/24/amy-baca-lopez-day Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:47:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/24/amy-baca-lopez-day
Now, Therefore, I, Martin Chávez, Mayor of the City of Albuquerque, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2009 as;

Amy Baca López Day in the City of Albuquerque, encourage all citizens to help and congratulate this outstanding member of our community.

Order No. 09-150

Martin J. Chávez, Mayor

AIBA, and Amy's role in its creation, are mentioned in the Executive Order. Go Amy!

]]> http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/18/aiba-buy-local-insert-in-albuquerque-journal-today http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/18/aiba-buy-local-insert-in-albuquerque-journal-today Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:47:00 +0000 Josh Gentry http://keepitquerque.org/blog/2009/11/18/aiba-buy-local-insert-in-albuquerque-journal-today Buy Local & Keep it Querque!

Do you own a business? Do you "buy local" whenever possible? Do you [...]]]> Buy Local & Keep it Querque!

Do you own a business? Do you "buy local" whenever possible? Do you love living in Albuquerque? Then you should be part of the Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance (AIBA).

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