Think your startup should be recognized as one of the top entreprenurial businesses in Central PA?

Then make sure to enter the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation “Fab” 5 entrepreneurial contest – applications due March 3. The top 5 companies selected from the competition will receive thousands in service prizes including: invitations to and introductions at all Chamber/CREDC functions, a group of advisors, signage for the place of business, promotional assistance through CREDC, marketing materials, and more!

There are eligibility requirements, so make sure to check out the Fab 5 contest website.

Harrisburg Young Professionals Annual Meeting – TONIGHT! (2.27.08)

Make sure to check out the HYP annual meeting tonight from 5:30-7:30 at the new HACC midtown campus, 1500 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg. Of particular interest to most people is the part on the invite that reads, “Drinks and hors d’oeuvres are on us!”

There is no cost to attend, so if you’re interested in what the Harrisburg Young Professionals are all about and where you can get involved, make sure to check out the annual meeting. See you there!

Culinary Review: Carib Soul

I noticed today that in the back of the Broad Street Market there are two small food vendors that I’ve never noticed before; Aurora’s and Carib Soul. Naturally I ate lunch from one of them, and today it happened to be Carib Soul. The vendor just moved in a few weeks ago so I’m assuming you probably haven’t tried their authentic Caribbean cuisine. I tried the jerk chicken with peas n rice for a side. Well let me tell you, there’s no need for a knife when eating Carib Soul’s chicken, the tender meat just fell off the bone, exploding with delicious flavor and spice. It’s well worth trying, and I’d recommend trying it soon! They’ve got a number of great Caribbean meals to chose from and I plan on getting very familiar with the fare. Yet another great spot to eat at my favorite chow hall the Broad Street Market.

Saturday’s Market – A market that takes place every saturday (My take on it)

This past weekend, Saturday to be exact, I went to the Saturday’s Market off 230 East in Middletown. I was quite excited to be going as it took me about 4 years to understand from the billboard on 83 north what and where this market existed. It’s one of those billboards that you prepare yourself for as you pass it because it has so much information on it you really never understand anything about it. And I never really did glean any information about the market off the billboard, I just got frustrated enough to goodsearch (no body googles anymore) for the the place and found a primitive website with all the information I needed. Interestingly enough, the website was SaturdaysMarket.com, who would have thought?

Anyway, I finally get to this place and I’ll happily vouch that it’s worth the visit, or at least one. Some of the vendors in this place appear to have been born and raised inside their respective vendor space. However, there are a number of great food vendors and you can really find some interesting goods there, especially if you’re into salvation army type gear. I had an extra key made for my car from a gentleman who has been hand cutting keys for 37 years. Total price: $1.50. Not too shabby, although the market generally is a little run down. The website boasts over 300 vendors inside as well as a number out in the parking lot, and I would say it may be nearly accurate. All in all, the visit was worth it, and I would recommend giving it a try, even if your goal is just to photograph sweet mullets.

Find Interns for Your Central PA Business

You can spend loads of time and money searching for the right intern candidate, or you can simply log on to StayInventCentralPA.com to find interns; it’s fast, easy, and completely free. There are also a number of regional business resources on the website, including a comprehensive manual on how to start and maintain a quality internship program.

If your business currently doesn’t use interns, you’re really missing out on an invaluable resource. Allow me to explain:

Top 10 Reasons Your Organization Benefits from Hiring Interns

1. Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employees.
2. Almost 50 percent of internship students accept permanent positions with their internship employers. The retention of college graduates after 5 years of employment is 30% greater for internship graduates.
3. Employers can seamlessly convert student interns to full-time employees who can be immediately productive. Cost-per-hire is significantly decreased.
4. Increase name recognition of your company on campus.
5. Availability of continuous flow of motivated students for selection.
6. Students bring new perspectives to old problems.
7. The cost of recruiting internship students averages sixteen times less than recruiting recent college graduates.
8. Flexible and cost effective labor and skill needed to complete special projects.
9. Internship programs build positive relationships between businesses and schools.
10. Freedom for professional staff to pursue more creative projects.

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Hopefully by now you can see the value to both the intern and your organization. The best place to locate an intern for a Central PA company is StayInventCentralPA.com, where you can send your internship request to over 50 college and university career centers in one click! Did I mention it was completely free to use?

Upcoming Event: Savor the Flavor- A Taste of Carlisle – Feb. 24th

I just stumbled upon this event, but I’ll be sure to attend. Why? Does “25+ local restaurants participate as vendors” mean anything to you!? I like Carlisle, but I really like food, and so I’ve taken the liberty of doing some advertising for the Carlisle Chamber myself. Events like these are just great for people like me who want to try food from every restaurant without having to actually pay for dinner 25+ times over.

I’ve posted the event details on zvents.com and eventful.com, $25 for advance tickets, $10 with a college ID. (I keep mine for occasions such as these)

Does your business startup want free office space?

Well good luck finding it, but you could WIN 6 months free rent at the Murata Business Center in Carlisle, PA. That’s because Murata is currently holding a competition designed to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Applicants will develop a business plan and present it to a panel of judges at an event on April 29, 2008 . The winner will receive a prize package including 6-months free rent at the Murata Business Center and a board of advisors, among other prizes. The deadline for registration is February 19, 2008, and applications can be found on Murata’s homepage: www.muratabusinesscenter.com. There is contact information on the form in case you have any questions about the contest.

It’s free to enter, so there really is nothing to lose.

Culinary Review: The Kim Chee People

There really is nothing better to me than paying a small amount of money for a large amount of delicious food that is sold from an independent restaurant or food stand. That happened to be my experience today at the Broad Street Market. First of all, if you haven’t been to the Broad Street Market you are plain crazy, the place is overflowing with quality homemade foods and eats of all varieties for great prices. Take for instance the UNBELIEVABLE green chili curry I had from the Bankok Kitchen the other day. I’d venture to say it was the best meal I’ve ever had before. (yea I said it)

Anyway, back to the Kim Chee People. The Korean food stand has been in the market for only about a week, it’s run by two sweet ladies who really are more than willing (like most of the vendors) to make you whatever you want, however you like it. I tried the lunch special, for $5 I received: 1 chicken dumpling, 1 beef dumpling, steamed vegetables,  kim chee, fried rice, and a pile of spicy pork. I enjoyed it to the last bite, eating past the point of fullness. The moral of the story here is give the Kim Chee People a try, the food is good, the price is nice. And if you haven’t been to the Broad Street Market….. GO! This I command!