FREE Stuff for your Start-up

As you all know, right now I am temping at "Elastic," but I do web design and other odd jobs on the side.  What I have learned from my experience is that you don't need a ton on money to get your business going.   Here's some FREE advice for you:

1) Business Cards

Its your calling card. You should always have a few on you, whether you are going to a networking event or to the supermarket.  You never know when or where a business opportunity may arise.  Be prepared.

You can professional looking business cards from Vistaprint.com for FREE!

In fact you can get LOTS of good stuff from Vistaprint, like magnets, pens, postcards, lawn signs and banners for FREE.  Sign up for their emails, and you'll start receiving great deals right away.

2) Facebook Page
You really should have a website, but if you are not able to design one for yourself, you can at least set up a Facebook Page for your business for FREE.  Ask your friends to help you get started by becoming a fan of the page.  Make sure you write a good description for your business and come up with a posting strategy to keep your page current. Try to do one post a week.

3) Business Plan This should really be the FIRST thing you do.  It helps you map out the strategy of your business and define who you are and what you want to do.  It helps you prepare for talking to investors, or potential clients.   A good business plan takes time and research.  You can find Business Plan templates for FREE on the internet.  Bplans.com has some great samples to get you started.

4) Business Phone Number
I suggest getting a phone number which is seperate from your personal cell phone.  Google.com/voice  offers a FREE phone number, with Voice mail, call forwarding, texting and more.  If you have a phone with internet, you can use this service to send and receive calls from your business.

5) Internet
I made it a mission to take my home office, outside of a home.  If you have a laptop, or Ipad, this is easy to do.  You can find FREE Internet at Starbucks, Barnes and Noble and Panera.  Check out my list of other free NYC locations here.


Barb's Top Quotes on FREE Stuff:
“The best things in life are free.” -American Proverb

“Smile, it's free therapy.” - Doug Horton

“Dreams are free.”

“Living on Earth may be expensive, but it includes an annual free trip around the Sun.”

“Ask yourself, "If all jobs paid $2 an hour, what job would I want to do?" When you answer that question, start doing it, even if you have to do it for free at first” Greg Aldrik

Official Recognition for Me and "The Office"

Its been over year since I was laid off, which is much longer than I ever expected to be out of work.  But I keep my head up and keep on truckin'...I know that things will change for the better soon. 

In the meantime, I am thankful for Panera, which gives me a place to call my "office."  Yesterday, I was featured in the Staten Island Advance, along with my "office mate" Joel Richardson of Soul Joel Productions.


I don't know how to describe it, but it feels really good to be recognized for making the best of a situation. 

Scenes from the Virtual Office (PANERA)

If you listen to the Comedy Point every Tuesday, you know that Joel and I have set up our “virtual” office at Panera. We joke around about it being an office, but the truth is, we virtually work there 2-3 days a week. Why Panera? You might think it’s the free internet, or the good food, or the coffee, or the friendly atmosphere. All good reasons, but the truth is: they don’t kick us out.

As you know from the show, I’m Joel’s virtual office manager. I campaigned hard for the title for over 2 weeks, after I found out that Rich Shultis hired a virtual assistant from India. My promotion was announced on the show at the beginning of the year. Now I am always on my best behavior. I wouldn’t want Joel to virtually fire me.


At first, Joel and I used to cram ourselves into a small booth in the back , but now we sit right in the front facing the windows so we can people watch. Plus, while I’m on the shy side, Joel’s a walking advertisement, what’s the point of hiding him in a corner? Seriously, not only does he drive up in his Soul Mobile, he’s always wearing at least one piece of Soul Joel Production gear. Even his computer is wrapped to promote his radio show (my Christmas present to him).

The kids love Soul Joel, giving him secret waves, thumbs ups and smiles behind their mother’s backs… And the Adults strain their necks to get a good look at this guy with the fancy computer, with his sidekick (me) sitting right next to him. Nobody can figure out what we are doing, but they know we are up to something.

Joel inadvertently names drops on his phone conversations, “Hey Reese…what’s up Reese? Yannis, good show last night.” Maddog!!! What’s up Bubbas?….Hello, I’m Joel Richardson, I’m a producer and I host a radio show.” People can’t help but look up from their coffee as he walks around talking on his cell. He’s not showing off mind you…he’s just making it happen at “the office.”

Stop by and join us at our virtual office, The Panera by Target. Have a coffee , and join our virtual fun.

REPOSTED from The Comedy Point with Soul Joel Blog.

Free Wifi in NYC - Manhattan

A friend of mine was looking for free wifi in NYC where he can set up his office and get some work done.  He's tried Starbucks and B&N but was having a hard time finding a seat.  I don't have that problem in my Panera on Staten Island (where I am typing this post), but I can see how this could be an issue in the city. 

In honor of my friend, I've put together this list of places with free Wifi in NYC.   Know of any others?  Please share!

Places with FREE WIFI in New York City:

DOWNTOWN - LOWER MANHATTAN

• Barnes and Noble - Tribeca 97 Warren Street  New York, NY 10007
• Barnes and Noble - Greenwich Village  396 Ave of the Americas at 8th Str. New York, NY 10011
• Union Square Park -- From 4th Ave to Broadway, between 14th & 17th Sts.
• Barnes and Noble - Union Square 33 East 17th Street New York, NY 10003
• New York Public Library- Tompkins Square, 331 East 10th Street 212-228-4747
• New York Public Library-Muhlenberg Branch, 209 West 23rd Street, 212-924-1585
• New York Public Library-Mulberry Street, 10 Jersey Street, 212-966-3424
• New York Public Library-Seward Park, 192 East Broadway, 212-477-6770
• New York Public Library-New Amsterdam, 9 Murray Street, 212-732-8186
• New York Public Library-Ottendorfer, 135 2nd Avenue, 212-674-0947
• New York Public Library-Hamilton Fish Park, 415 East Houston Street, 212-673-2290
• New York Public Library-Chatham Square, 33 East Broadway, 212-964-6598
• City Hall Park – Between Broadway and Centre St., from Barclay St. to Chambers St.
• 60 Wall St. Atrium -– 60 Wall St. near Exchange Place
• Bowling Green Park -– State Street and Battery Place.
• South Street Seaport -– South St. and Fulton St.
• Wall Street Park -– Wall St. from South St. to Front St.
• Stone Street -– From Broadway to Broad St.
• Staten Island Ferry Terminal -– Whitehall Terminal, South St. near Broad St.
• Winter Garden – World Financial Center atrium
• Vietnam Veteran’s Plaza -- 55 Water St.

 MIDTOWN

•  Juan Valdez Cafe - 1451 Broadway  (41st Street)
•  New York Public Library- Epiphany Branch, 228 East 23rd Street, 212-679-2645
•  Bryant Park - 40th to 42nd Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
•  Barnes and Noble - Citigroup Center160 E 54th Street New York, NY 10022
•  Juan Valdez Cafe - 140 East 57th Street
•  New York Public Library - 58th Street Branch, 127 East 58th Street, 759-7358
•  New York Public Library - 67th Street, 328 East 67th Street, 734-1717
•  Barnes and Noble - Lincoln Triange - 1972 Broadway New York, NY 10023
•  New York Public Library- Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library, 40 West 20th Street, 206-5458
•  New York Public Library-Mid-Manhattan Library - Fourth Floor, 455 Fifth Avenue
•  New York Public Library- Cathedral Branch, 560 Lexington Avenue, 752-3824
•  Barnes and Noble - 82nd and Broadway -2289 Broadway New York, NY 10024
•  Barnes and Noble - 86th and Lex - 150 East 86th Street New York, NY 10028
•  New York Public Library-Columbus, 742 Tenth Avenue, 212-586-5098
• Juan Valdez Cafe - 480 Lexington Avenue

UPTOWN

• New York Public Library- Webster Branch, 1465 York Avenue, 78th Street, 212-288-5049
• New York Public Library- Yorkville Branch, 222 East 79th Street, 212-744-5824
• New York Public Library- Bloomingdale Branch, 150 West 100th Street, 222-8030
• New York Public Library- 96th Street Branch, 112 East 96th Street, 289-0908
• New York Public Library- Aguilar, 174 East 110th Street, 212-534-2930
• New York Public Library- 125th Street, 224 East 125th Street, 212-534-5050
• New York Public Library-George Bruce, 518 West 125th Street, 212-662-9727
• New York Public Library- Countee Cullen, 104 West 136th Street, 212-491-2070
• New York Public Library-Fort Washington, 535 West 179th Street, 212-927-3533
• New York Public Library-Hamilton Grange, 503 West 145th Street, 212-926-2147
• New York Public Library-Harlem, 9 West 124th Street, 212-348-5620
• New York Public Library-Hudson Park, 66 Leroy Street, 212-243-6876
• New York Public Library-Inwood, 4790 Broadway, 212-942-2445
• New York Public Library-Jefferson Market, 425 Avenue of Americas, 212-243-4334
• New York Public Library-Kips Bay Branch, 446 Third Avenue, 212-683-2520
• New York Public Library-Macomb's Bridge, 2650 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard, 212-281-4900
• New York Public Library-Morningside Heights, 2900 Broadway, 212-864-2530
• New York Public Library- Riverside Branch, 127 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-870-1810
• New York Public Library- Washington Heights, 1000 Saint Nicholas Avenue, 212-923-6054  

 
Looking for free wifi on Staten Island, here's a list for you.

Top 10 Places with Free Wifi in Staten Island

I'm filing this blog posting from Panera in Staten Island, New York.

I came to Panera mainly for the free wifi, but in general, I find it a great place to "work." They have plenty of tables to set up shop, so that you are not disrupting their regular business, plus they have great coffee and very pleasant staff. I find this a great place to "work."

By "work," I mean the unpaid kind...job hunting, networking and whatever else I can think of to lead me to my next job. Yes, I could do this at home, but I find myself distracted by the latest case on Judge Judy and all the soap operas. I have to get out of my house.

Panera is just one of the many places you can set up your "office."


Here is my Top 10 Places to "work" when you are Unemployed
(AKA Top 10 places to Get Free WiFi)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm going to limit my picks to Staten Island, for two good reasons. One, I live here and two, this borough is seriously underrepresented. Research your own area and send me a list of recommendations in your area. I'll make a running list. I recommend this site as good starting point for your research http://www.wififreespot.com/

1) Panera
Free Wifi is one of the features Panera advertises loud and clear on its website. They WANT you to make yourself comfortable here. Looking for a Panera in your area? Click on this link

Panera Marsh Avenue (#4075)
280 Marsh Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10314
(718) 494-2450 | phone
(718) 494-2462 | fax

Panera Veterans Road (#4076)
2965 Veterans Road West
Staten Island, New York 10309
(718) 966-0304 | phone
(718) 966-0429 | fax

2) New York Public Library
If you are like me, its been years since you have been to the library. Go there...you'll find that it is a wonderful place to visit and get inspired. Browse the books (you remember what books are?) and enjoy the free wifi.

Here are the Staten Island Branches with Wifi
- Great Kills, 56 Giffords Lane, 718-984-6670
- New Dorp, 309 New Dorp Lane 718-351-2977
- Port Richmond, 75 Bennett Street, 718-442-0158
- West New Brighton, 976 Castleton Avenue, 718-442-1416
- Dongan Hills1617 Richmond Road, 718-351-1444
- Todt Hill-Westerleigh, 2550 Victory Boulevard, 718-494-1642

To see all the NYPL with Wifi, click here. (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the listings for Bronx and Manhattan.

3)Cargo Cafe
This is literally one of my favorite spots on Staten Island. You can bring anyone there and you just feel comfortable. The food is great, they have a pool table, and lots of seating. The free wifi is an added bonus.

Cargo Cafe
120 Bay St
Staten Island, NY 10301-2503
(718) 876-0539


4)Barnes and Noble
NOW, you can get free wifi here too! I was there a month ago and you had to pay by the hour, but B&N has had a change of heart. Wifi is now FREE.

Barnes and Noble
2245 Richmond Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-982-6983

For a B&N in your area, click here.

Well, I wanted to list 10, but as you can see, I could only get 4 main listings, but if you count all the libraries on Staten Island, and the Paneras, you get to 10. But now I am on the look out. I'll continue to update as I go. Fellow Staten Islanders...help me out!