Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Workers

Workers in four Georgia Counties may now be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from the severe storms and flooding beginning on September 18, 2009, and continuing. The counties are Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding. Presently, these are the only counties authorized for DUA benefits, but other counties may be added as federal officials assess the damage.

DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. DUA differs from state unemployment insurance in that it also provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees and others who are not eligible for Georgia’s regular unemployment insurance program.

In applying for DUA benefits, applicants will need to provide their social security number. Because verification of income may be required, applicants are strongly urged to bring proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Examples of acceptable documents include: copies of their most recently completed income tax returns, copies of quarterly estimated income tax payment records, or similar documents.

Under certain circumstance, DUA benefits may also be available to individuals who become the breadwinner or major support of a household because the head of household has died as direct result of the disaster.

Potentially eligible workers should contact their nearest Georgia Department of Labor Career Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Workers may call the Georgia Department of Labor’s toll-free customer service line at (877) 709-8185 or visit www.dol.state.ga.us to obtain career center information.

Toll Free Number to call for more information: 1-877-709-8185

Freelance Your Way to SUCCESS!

Say you've got no interest in rejoining the rat race after being laid off... Why not freelance Your Way to Success? On the next @ Work, our experts show you how.

And as always, we answer your workplace questions...

Tune in to @ Work this Friday at 3, right here on GPB.

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Check out these websites for freelance opportunities:

freelanceswitch.com — offering 101 ideas to get more freelance work
getafreelance.com — where you can bid for a job; fields with the greatest demand include engineering, telemarketing, scientific research, graphic design and marketing. (This is a for fee site.)

**Neither @ Work nor GPB recommends any particular website or service.**

More Tips for Mompreneurs

Mompreneur Resources

http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/magazine/mommy-launching

http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/magazine/resources-for-mompreneurs

http://www.millionairemom.com

http://www.metromom.com

5 Tips for Mompreneurs

1. Start with a clear vision

For a vision to be compelling and inspiring, it needs to be more than just a list of things you are going to accomplish. For a rich vision to move you it must be about what you’ll do – and who you’ll be – and how you’ll impact others’ lives.

2. Have a plan that works for you

The idea of a traditional business plan can be intimidating. What’s key is that you’re clear about your goals, that you have them on paper, and that you have a timeline in which to accomplish those goals. The plan and the timeline will undoubtedly change, but having a timeline and a taskline will keep you moving forward.

3. Create a success support team

Ask for help. Delegate whenever possible. Even if you are bootstrapping, be alert to “partnering your weaknesses”—barter, trade, negotiate – get creative in outsourcing those tasks in your business that don’t require your unique talents.

4. Make self-care part of your business plan

Balancing business and family responsibilities requires that you treat self-care like any other business essential. Set boundaries with both the business and with you family. Have “office hours” for yourself (even if they are anything but “regular”) and stick to them. Schedule self-care “meetings” with yourself and honor those commitments.

5. Find a community of support

Don’t try to go it alone. Women seek a nurturing environment whether with family or friends and leverage relationships in a way that makes sense and moves people forward. Using your natural connecting abilities, and find a supportive environment, either online, in-person, or both.


Launching and Growing a Business during an Economic Downturn

In spite of troubling economic times, launching or expanding your business doesn’t have to be out of reach. Here are five tips to consider when making your decision to start or grow your business:

Organic approach. Connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs and offering to exchange services to help each other’s businesses grow is a popular and effective strategy in launching on bootstrap budget. That is why it is so important to have professional organizations where you can meet and connect for support, tools and resources.

Side Launching. Transitioning from your full time job into your business is often a more comfortable starting point for entrepreneurs. Use evenings and weekends to start slowly on the side of your full-time job. This will give you the chance to measure success and determine whether your idea is truly viable before committing to it full-time.

Online Distribution of your product or service is often a more affordable entry point for those launching businesses. It reduces the costs of the traditional brick and mortar store fronts and allows for global accessibility to products immediately

Technology has changed the scope of how anyone can do business. Blackberries and Wireless Internet have made working from home or even the carpool line an acceptable method of doing business.

Investing in startup instead of stock market. It is possible taking a chance on starting a business or investing in a person you trust starting a business in some ways feels safer to those who are scared of the stock market right now.

Employment Issues - More sites to help you with your search:

http://atlantajobleads.wordpress.com/ (job listings)

http://www.skyresumes.com/job-board.aspx (job listings)

http://misspinkslip.wordpress.com/

http://www.joblanta.com/

Loss and Forgiveness - How to Move on

In light of the recent events at Yale University, we took a different route on last week's show. We were joined in the studio by Mark Victor Hansen, inspirational and motivational speaker,



trainer and author - to talk about loss, forgiveness, and passion. He is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and has recently authored a new book called, Cash in a Flash. If you would like a copy of the book, send us an email to atwork@gpb.org, we still have several copies left... Listen to this episode

Tune in to this week's show - as we resume with Freelancing - ... Join us this Friday at 3 on GPB!

Emory's Internet Tip of theWEEK!

SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business, is a website that aids entrepreneurs in growing their businesses. It also features a resource page specifically for women entrepreneurs and compliments today's AT Work theme: MOMPRENEURS.Take a look!

http://www.score.org/women/site.html

Meet the Experts

Each week on At Work we welcome two professionals in career development in the studio, LIVE as our At Work experts, along with a new guest. Brandon Smith and Emory Mulling have been sitting in with Valarie Edwards to give advice and answer your questions about your career and the job place.


Brandon Smith is a Co- Founder of Core Growth Partners, where he works with client organizations on discovering and developing their core strengths to continue success in their specific marketplace. Brandon is a professor currently at both Emory University's Goizueta Business School and Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business.







Emory Mulling is Chairman and Founder of the Mulling Corporation. Emory comes to At Work with a background in Human Resources which has lead him to consult with and mentor individuals to find the right career path for themselves. Emory has been an expert with At Work since the beginning of its conception in fall 2007.

This Friday on At Work: Mompreneurs; with Special Guest Angela Stalcup

Did you know that women are twice as likely to start their own business then are men? Some say that's because running a business is a lot like raising a family. On the next At Work, a new breed of small business owners: The Mompreneurs.





We'll tell you what it takes to start your own business and why calling the shots may be the smartest business move a woman can make. Join us this Friday at 3 for At Work here on GPB.




This weeks guest is Angela Stalcup.Angela is the Atlanta co-leader of Ladies Who Launch, a website and network of women entrepreneurs that come together to promote and support each other in launching and growing successful businesses and projects. For more information about Angela and her work log on to the links below.





Ladies Who Launch

Curvy Life

Angela Stalcup & Co.