Thriving Business Owner to Share Tips and Advice During SBA’s April 30th Web Chat

Release Date: April 23, 2009
Contact: Cecelia Taylor (202) 401-3059
Release Number: MA09-04
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Thriving Business Owner to Share Tips and Advice During SBA’s April Web Chat

WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Small Business Week, SBA’s Web chat series will shine a spotlight on 2009 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year Thomas E. Masterson, owner of T.E.M. Electric, Inc. of Lexington.

Masterson started his business 10 years ago, branching out on his own after more than 30 years in the electrical industry. Since then, the company has experienced success and growth, with the help of the SBA and its resource partners.

Masterson at first ran the company from his living room, using business management skills he received through the SBA’s Small Business Development Center Program. T.E.M. later became 8(a) and HUBZone-certified as a minority-owned business, which opened the doors to government contracting opportunities. Masterson has built a solid reputation in the government contracting arena as a subcontractor, and today is a prime contractor on federal contracts.

National Small Business Week will take place in Washington, D.C, May 17-23.
The National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up will be selected from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. More than 100 outstanding small business owners will be honored. For more information, including a schedule and registration information, visit www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com.

WHO: Small business owner Thomas E. Masterson will host the April Web chat on "Entrepreneur's Spotlight: Maintaining Business Success," to share his story of success, and provide helpful insights on the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship. Chat participants can receive helpful tips and advice on how to maintain business success.

WHAT: SBA’s Web chat series, provides small business owners an opportunity to chat about relevant business issues online with experts, industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. Chat participants have direct, real-time access to the Web chats via questions they submit online, both in advance and during the live session.

WHEN: April 30, 2009, 1 – 2 p.m. ET

HOW: Participants can join the live Web chat by visiting www.sba.gov, and clicking the "Online Business Chat" icon. Web chat participants may post questions for Masterson before the April 30th chat at http://app1.sba.gov/livemeeting/apr09/.