Valley Forward the young adult group making a media splash is having an event at Trio in downtown Roanoke on Wednesday, March 14 at 5:30 pm. Nearly 100 people have registered to attend from the evite list. If you would like to learn more about this group and its initiatives, then attend the event. For more info, email John.

In today’s New River Valley Real Estate edition of the Roanoke Times fellow blogger Jeremy Hart was featured along with his professional partner Aaron Doyle in a nice article on real estate blogs.

This piece shed light on the importance of businesses incorporating blogs into their overall marketing strategies. Those who have blogs for business purposes can relate many stories to its advantages.

If you would like to learn more, then come to a bloggers workshop this Thursday, March 15 from 12 noon - 2 pm at WDBJ 7 community room in Roanoke.

In the April edition of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance there is an excellent article "Take a Flier on a Friend" by Anne Kates Smith. The article discussed the importance of "friends and family" funds to start small entrepreneurial efforts.

The article mentions that $100 billion "friends and family" money is used annually to fund 3 million start ups. This compares to only $25 billion through venture capitalists. The average amount invested by friends and family is between $20,000 and $25,000, and further, 58% of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. started with $20,000 or less.

This data would appear to support adequate funding to start microbusinesses in the region, and less emphasis on VC monies.

Cameron Johnson argues for entrepreneurs to start small. With friends and family money, you can do just that.

In fact, Prosper.com is a site connecting small investors to entrepreneurs just starting out.

With the costs of entry so small now to start your business and adequate friends and family monies available with the wealth transfer between generations, now is the time to start your business in the region.    

The City of Roanoke and the Department of Business Assistance is hosting Entrepreneur Express: Moving Your Business Forward Workshop and Expo on April 4 from 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Admission is free, but requires registration.

Roanoke native Cameron Johnson will be the keynote luncheon speaker as he discusses his experiences as a 12-time serial entrepreneur at the age of 22, as well as, his new book "You Call the Shots".

If you have ever thought about working for yourself as opposed to someone else, but do not have an idea or know how to get started, then this is the event for you.

You must register by March 29 to attend this FREE event. Space is limited to 200 participants with a number of the spots already filled. 

Someone recently sent me this intersting article as to what one college fraternity is doing to become more involved in the local business community in Lincoln, Nebraska. Notice how the fraternity and a YPO are mkaing the connection between colleges and young professionals.

The Executive officers of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter announced that on February 15, 2007 Alpha Epsilon joined the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. This is the first time that any Greek organization has joined the city commerce.

Alpha Epsilon joined the Chamber of Commerce to increasingly become a more active member of the Lincoln, Nebraska community. "The city has given us a lot and we would like to return the favor," said Adam Olson, Vice President. Alpha Epsilon will be attending, workshops, grand openings, tradeshows, meetings and various other events where members will be given the opportunity to network with other chamber members. "This is a great opportunity to speak with future employers about the possible internships and jobs after college," says Olson.

Alpha Epsilon will also use their chamber membership to aide in their annual philanthropy events benefiting MS. The chapter will be able to recruit members and businesses to donate time and/or money to their events.

Jon Faue, Chapter President, was asked to serve on the Lincoln Chamber’s Ambassadors Board as a link between the City of Lincoln, the Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Greek Community. "The staff at the [Chamber of ] Commerce was very excited to have our chapter as a member, and very interested in us getting involved," Faue commented. "All of our chapter’s members have the opportunity to be as active in the Chamber of Commerce as they want to."

Alpha Epsilon’s first event is on March 8, where its members will get the chance to join the Lincoln’s Young Professional Group. This group is designed for Lincoln’s young professionals (age 20-40) to engage in their community professionally, personally, and philanthropically. Jon Faue remarked, "The executive board is encouraging all members to join this group as a great way to get involved."

City Magazine recently did their readers "Best of" series. The local issue deserving more attention was attracting and retaining young adults between the ages of 18-34. This was great exposure for the initiative to receive. Thanks to City Magazine and its readers for continuing to keep this issue front and center. Please email their editor offering your support. 

The anticipated release of the Roanoke College and Business Council study on quality of life amenities in the Roanoke Valley was released yesterday. The Roanoke Times covered this in today’s paper. Your comments and feedback are welcomed…