Just happen to go into Macy’s Harold Square today where I was delighted to see the Macy’s Flower Show. I couldn’t believe how they transformed the store. Photos Coming Tomorrow.

A Texas based resteraunt that serves up fresh food everyday allows it’s customers to pay as much as they want for their food. The idea - Waste no Want not. Their philsophy is that many resteraunts cause lots of waste by giving so much food to customers at a set price.

One of my clients is the Queens Economic Development Corporation. At QEDC I develop programs that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Queens, although can sometimes be the forgotten Borough is truly a forced to be reckoned with.  If it were an independent City, Queens would be the fourth largest in the United States. Queens is also a very entrepreneurial place with probably more businesses per square mile than one could imagine.

Since March is women’s history month I will be doing a series featuring womenpreneurs. So look for some additional posts. In the meantime, here is Video featured on New York 1 with some of our clients talking about opportunities for women that are looking to get started in business.

P.S.(check out my new do and tell me what you think)

CNN did a video on a guy that started a web based business after losing his job. I thought this was an inspirational story. There is a lot of opportunity out there right now, you just have to identify it. So with that I’m mind I’m doing to develop a series under “how to” on what you need to do to get started to create a web business on a budget. Have you started a web business because your out of work? Share your story. Check out the video below.

Van Jones a man most know for his work pioneering a U.S. wide green jobs effort has just been appointed to the Obama administration as Special advisor for green jobs. I’m really excited that someone I almost know  (by one degree of separation) has been appointment to the Obama team because it tells me know that I can one day realize my goal of working with/for his administration. Watch out, I’m coming too Van!

You can learn more about the work that Van Jones has done through the organizations that he founded the Ella Baker Center and Green for All. There will be lots of opportunities for business owners as green job programs begin to expand in our cities. Keep your ear to the ground on this one.

There’s a new expo series about going green. The launch event in Philadelphia is this weekend March 13-15th. Followed by New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. There is not too much detail on the website about the agenda but I’m going to check the Philly expo and possibly the New York. Anyone else planning to attend?

I’m starting this new category called “how to” it is meant to provide entrepreneurs with applicable skills that will help achieve your goals. I how you enjoy it.

Have you developed several business ideas but can’t exactly decide which one to start with? Many of us have, but the truth is you can’t do everything at once and be successful. I even carry around an idea book in my purse so I don’t let any brilliant ideas escape me. So how do you decide? This is one decision that must be made on paper. Written words provide a black and white picture but when you’re just thinking through things in your head all sorts of emotional shades of gray arise. On your piece of paper you are going to do a short evaluation based on a point system. Rate each category 1-3. One would be the low score and three the high score, then ask yourself the following questions and score your answers:

1) This idea is most aligned with my long term life goals. For example what do you think your purpose is in life and how does this idea contribute to you accomplishing your purpose.

2) How does this idea align with the lifestyle that I want? I.e. time off, family time, workload, desired income, hours worked per day

3) Are most of the resources that I need to execute this idea in place or reasonably attainable? I.e. start-up capital, experience or knowledge in the field, and people resources

4) How excited would I be about working on this idea everyday for the next 1-3 years?

5) I have physical evidence (research - articles, experts, survey of 100 or more people) that proves that there is a valuable market for the products and/or services that I would like to offer

Total up your responses and see where the truth lies. Then gage your reaction to how things panned out. This should really help you to make a good decision. Let me know how it works for you or shoot me a comment on what other things you might like to hear about “how to” do.

The book of the month for March is the Alchemist by Paul Coelho. It’s a fable about following your dreams. This book is such an amazing awesome read. It was introduced to me at a brunch get together with a group a fabulous women. I learned a lot that day and was also reminded about things I already knew. Not only find out about the book, which I went home and order immediately on half.com, but I also got a great recipe for French toast casserole. Yummy, I can’t wait to try it out. Any who, here is an excerpt from the book. Looking forward to hearing your opinions. I’m awarding a copy of the book at the end of the month to the best comment received on how you followed a dream you had and what happened.

Learn how to win money for your business with the Green Business Competition hosted by Green Spaces in NYC.

Glynn Lloyd a man with a vision started a Boston based company called City Fresh which initially provided meals to kids but has now expanded. The company was created with the idea of providing healthly ethnic foods, hiring local and sourcing local. An interesting twist is that the company recently sold a 49% stake through a partnership and so it’s to be determined how much they can maintain their social roots as they grow. The deal took City fresh from a $300,000 company to a $5million dollar business. It’s an interesting story of growing pleasure and pain. Check out the video “Meal Plan” which tells the City Fresh story.

Boston I believe really has a very significant urban farming / food movement going on. i wanted to share some photos from the Urban Farms that I visited in Boston last year.