There is something about opening day of the Major League Baseball season – especially when it is opening day for just about every team at the same time. Just seeing the green fields with a solitary outfielder, the low brick walls behind the symmetry of batter, catcher and umpire renews my love for the game. I don’t really pay attention to players – don’t know any of their names. And how and when did the Astros wind up in the American League and the Brewers in the National League? I just like watching the game in a sport where the team and the individual coexist as in no other sport.

2. Mobile Device Techs Celebrates Grand Opening - Saturday, June 22, 2013

Mobile Device Techs LLC, a locally owned mobile device and computer repair shop, is celebrating its official grand opening for the entire month of June.

3. Mobile Device Techs Celebrates Grand Opening - Monday, June 17, 2013

Mobile Device Techs LLC, a locally owned mobile device and computer repair shop, is celebrating its official grand opening for the entire month of June.

4. Business Licenses Drop 10 Percent - Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Whether the reason is access to capital or lack of customer demand, the result is the same: fewer entrepreneurs are filing business licenses in Shelby County.

That’s according to third quarter totals from the Shelby County Clerk’s office, which show a decline of 10 percent in the number of business licenses filed in the July to September period (1,435) compared to the same period in 2011 (1,592), according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

5. Biz Owners Weighing Health Care Law Impact - Monday, August 13, 2012

So far, it’s not easy to get a clear picture of how President Barack Obama’s health care law will affect Memphis-area small businesses.

That’s mainly because there are lots of business owners – including both supporters and even strident critics of the Affordable Care Act – who themselves don’t know what impact the law will have.

6. (Daily) Deal or No Deal? - Monday, April 9, 2012

The anatomy of a deal has become a fascinating study these days among businesspeople, grappling as many of them do with coupons, daily deals, special offers – whatever magic ingredient will bring customers through the door.

7. Small Biz M Partners With Business Over Coffee - Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A recently launched group called Business Over Coffee will partner with business-focused social community Small Biz M to expand on small-business networking opportunities for participants.

Founded by Sherri Henley, Business Over Coffee works with professionals who want to optimize their business through social media, educational exchange and networking events. SBM founder and small-business coach Robert Staub will merge more than 800 members from his group with Business Over Coffee’s membership of less than 200.

8. Staub Brings Small-Business Message Home - Friday, September 30, 2011

Small-business coach Robert Staub couldn’t have chosen a more ideal day and setting than Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Shelby Farms Park to complete his month-long, statewide “Grow Your Business Tour,” bringing strategy, support and camaraderie to Tennessee’s small-business owners.

9. Events - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Talk Shoppe will present “The Mastermind Principle: From the Book ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill” Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Better Business Bureau, 3693 Tyndale Drive. For more information, call Jo Garner at 482-0354.

10. Small-Biz Coach Begins Final Leg Of Statewide Tour - Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers are co-hosting the final leg of a statewide “Grow Your Business Tour.”

11. Grow Your Business Tour Takes Message Across State - Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Mid-South small-business coach Robert Staub is preparing to embark on a monthlong, statewide tour to bring his growth strategies to small-business owners in 13 Tennessee communities.

12. Business Growth Workshop Planned for June 22 - Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center will hold a workshop sponsored by Southwest Tennessee Community College to teach small-business owners how to grow their businesses.

The “Grow Your Business ‘Now’ Workshop” begins Wednesday, June 22, at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memphis Public Library & Information Center’s Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

13. Angel Investor Group Launches Local Chapter - Thursday, January 20, 2011

With small business lending still challenging despite signs of economic recovery and loosening credit, a Nashville-based group that connects angel investors with entrepreneurs will launch its new Memphis chapter Thursday.

14. Business Sense - Monday, November 1, 2010

Mark Luttrell has a little more than eight weeks under his belt as Shelby County mayor, and he’s spent much of that time on things that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

15. Outside the Box - Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The recession has proven to be a time of deep-seated uncertainty among business owners and stubbornly high unemployment that’s crippling consumer spending.

But behind the panic and the gloomy headlines, examples can still be found here and there of entrepreneurs doing what they do best.

16. Business Sense - Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Shelby County’s new mayor got an early start on letting the county’s business community know it will have an ally in the big office at 160 N. Main St.

17. Political, Business Leaders Present Plans to Jolt Economy - Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Memphis audiences are getting an earful from businessmen and politicians who want to be seen as modern-day Paul Reveres, sounding alarm bells about taxes, the fragile economy and what’s in store for corporate America.

18. Luttrell Appoints CAO, Transition Team - Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Shelby County Mayor-elect Mark Luttrell has begun preparing to take office in just a few weeks.

Luttrell, who won last week’s election for Shelby County mayor, takes office Sept. 1.

19. Obama Focuses On Small Biz Job Creation - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

President Barack Obama Tuesday called for Congress to pass a Small Business Jobs Package that would set up a $30 billion lending fund and provide other initiatives for firms to expand and add jobs.

20. Seminar Reveals Magic of Small-Biz Success - Friday, April 9, 2010

Chris Crouch said he hopes no one has seen the magic trick he plans to perform at a coming SmallBizMemphis.com seminar, but he’s certain the advice he gives won’t be laden with clichés.

21. Wharton Declines Forbes Radio Rebuttal - Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mayor A C Wharton Jr., who asked Memphians to write letters to Forbes after the magazine ranked the city No. 3 on its “America’s Most Miserable Cities” index, is declining an invitation to talk with the publication’s editor on a Saturday radio broadcast.

22. Small Biz: Where’s Our Stimulus? - Monday, March 8, 2010

The U.S. government has pumped billions of dollars into the economy to stabilize the banking system and keep money flowing, but not much is trickling down to small-business owners like Mitch Jacobs.

23. Biz Consultants Skeptical of Job Tax Credits - Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tax credits for hiring new workers in the $15 billion jobs bill passed by the U.S. Senate aren’t enough to spur Memphis small firms to add to their payrolls, according to local business coaches.

But the owner of a company that helps businesses take advantage of tax credits advises employers to keep track of hiring data anyway. They could still qualify for existing incentives with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

24. Fowlkes Takes Helm At Small Business Chamber - Friday, June 26, 2009

Becoming the executive director of the Memphis Small Business Chamber is another facet of coming home for Andre K. Fowlkes.

Although he’s a native Memphian, he brings a big-city perspective and financial expertise to the job. He’s lived in New York and San Francisco where he worked for high-profile firms Fisher Investments and Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, respectively.

25. Events - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council will host a forum today from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the MAAR office, 6393 Poplar Ave. The forum will discuss Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for commercial buildings and what it means for commercial brokers. Cost is $15 for nonmembers and free for members. For more information, call 818-2428.

26. Chain Retailers Increasingly Look to Memphis For Promoting Franchise Opportunities - Friday, July 20, 2007

Yet another out-of-town business has set its sights on Memphis as a hot market for expansion.

Columbia, Md.-based Signs By Tomorrow executives would like to open at least five stores in the Memphis area in the next few years, company officials said.

27. No Dunkin' For These Doughnuts - Tuesday, July 10, 2007

More than 300 people or businesses applied for new business licenses in June in Shelby County, representing a little more than 20 percent of those who filed licenses during the second quarter. During Q2, 1,458 licenses were filed with the Shelby County Clerk, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

28. Unstoppable - Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Wardell Seals, president and CEO of Heartbeat-CPR, recently sent an e-mail thanking everyone who helped get his business off the ground.

Seals, a paramedic and firefighter, started the business to teach emergency life-saving techniques, first aid, fire safety training and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training. His clients include local colleges, child care centers and senior service organizations.

29. The Real Story On Raising Minimum Wage - Friday, January 19, 2007

Plot: Minimum wage worker struggles to make ends meet
Setting: Anytown, Tenn.
Character: Single woman working 40 hours a week earning current federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour (Women comprise 60 percent of low-wage workers in the United States, according to the Fairness Initiative on Low-Wage Work at www.lowwagework.org.)
Opening Scene: It's a dark and stormy night. Jane wriggles out of her soaking wet store uniform.

30. Business Filings Down in Q3 - Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Former University of Memphis basketball player Tim Duncan held a grand opening ceremony Thursday for his new business, the PR Store, a marketing superstore. The store officially opened a few months ago at 6139 Poplar Ave.

31. Local Businesses Dig For Diamonds at 2006 Showcase - Monday, August 14, 2006

Aug. 14

SPIRCO and Metal Building Products host the AGAPE Child and Family Services annual Kids Classic Golf Tournament at noon. In addition to the tournament, golfers and their families can participate in a junior golf clinic, games, a silent auction and a cooking demonstration. Sponsorships start at $1,600 for teams of four. Contact Jason Burgess at 323-3600 or jason.burgess@agapemeanslove.org.

32. Robert Staub Appointed to NationalSmall Business Advisory Council - Friday, June 16, 2006
    Local small-business owner Robert Staub has been named to the U.S. Small Business Administration's National Advisory Council, headquartered in Washington.
    Staub, the founder and executive director

33. Check Out Zoo Documentary Wednesday on WKNO - Monday, June 12, 2006

June 13

The Center City Commission Revenue Finance Corp. meets at 9:30 a.m. in the CCC conference room, 114 N. Main St. Call 575-0540 for details.

The Small Business Chamber holds a free Cellular South workshop called "Customer Relationship Management (CRM)" from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the boardroom of Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Cost is free, but registration is required. Contact Robert Staub at 870-6934 for more information.

34. Smith Looks Forward to Helping Shepherd the Small Business Chamber - Monday, June 5, 2006

Following a divorce after 37 years of marriage, somewhere amid patching her life back together, Jan Canfield decided to spend her golden years as a businesswoman. A former teacher who's now in her early 70s, she owns The Flagpole and Banner Center, selling flags, poles and banners of all kinds.

35. Events - Thursday, June 1, 2006

National Seminars Group presents two business writing seminars today at Radisson Inn-Airport, 2411 Winchester Road. "Perfect Proofreading Techniques" is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, while "Business Grammar Made Easy" will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For information or to register, call (800) 258-7246 or visit www.nationalseminarstraining.com.

36. Events - Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The Memphis Bioworks Development Council meets today from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Cost is $20. Call 543-3570 for more information.

The Small Business Chamber presents "Memphis Chamber in Action" Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Regions Bank, 6200 Poplar Ave. For more information, contact Robert Staub at 259-1093.

37. Events - Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Talk Shoppe presents "Solutions to Environmental Toxins: Air/Water Purification, Healthy Homes, Healthy Bodies" Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Myers Educational Center at the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, 3693 Tyndale St. Contact Jo Garner of First Tennessee Home Loans at 759-7808 for more information.

38. Bigger Isn't Always Better ... - Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Small business owners are struggling. With the ever-increasing popularity of online shopping and a bigger-is-better mentality among national retail outlets, the local shop - the backbone of any community's economy - simply is losing the race to the big, bad big-box. And it's heartbreaking. Not only, in many cases, do entrepreneurs stake their family's entire livelihoods on making their ventures work, but these industrious risk-takers are, as local small business activist Robert Staub says below, the "local economic workhorse." Small businesses provide employment for as much as 80 percent of area workers.

39. Get Ready for Thursday's Small Business Expo - Wednesday, May 3, 2006

This year's Regions Bank/Small Business Chamber Expo and Conference is all business. The event, which drew 2,500 people last year, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. It will have almost 200 exhibit booths from local and national companies.

40. Q1 Business License Filings Up, Up, Up - Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Shelby County has started the year with business filings at a three-year high, and areas from Cordova to Hickory Hill are getting into the act.

Valarie Thomas, owner of Distinct Wrappers and Beyond, filed for a business license in early January in Cordova because that's where she and her husband live. The business makes custom candy bar wrappers for birthday parties and other special events.

41. Small Business Initiatives Help Growing Work Force - Monday, August 15, 2005

Across the county, the number of small business owners is climbing: According to a report issued this month by the Small Business Administration, small businesses provide jobs for more than half the private work force.

42. Archived Article: Quarterly Lead - Tuesday, April 19, 2005
By Andy Meek

Business Activity Slows in First Quarter

Business license filings hit by high fuel prices, slow spending

ANDY MEEK

The Daily News

The symbol that best sums up new business activity in Metro Memphis during first quarter 20...

43. Archived Article: Lead - Tuesday, April 5, 2005
By Andy Meek

Small Business Chamber Takes Off

Budding group gets set for first conference and expo

ANDY MEEK

The Daily News

Robert Staub can identify with small business owners facing big obstacles.

The Memphis real estate investor...

44. Archived Article: Tech (bluestar) - Wednesday, July 11, 2001
BlueStars final light fades away BlueStar Communications light fades away By SUE PEASE The Daily News BlueStar Communications, the company that blazed into the Internet Service Provider market in Memphis in 1999 at breakneck speed offering digital s...

45. Archived Article: Tech Focus (isps) - Wednesday, June 6, 2001
The doggy-dog world of ISPs Local ISPs stay afloat in shark-infested waters By SUE PEASE The Daily News A few years ago, Internet service providers were working at a fast and furious pace to gain as much market share as possible. But these days, man...

46. Archived Article: Tech Micro Portals - Wednesday, April 12, 2000
By SUZANNE THOMPSON Micro-portal sites cater to community needs By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News As the technology wave continues to crash on societys beach, whole communities are coming online, giving people a new way to connect with one another....

47. Archived Article: Tech Focus - Wednesday, April 22, 1998
Internet Names, First Step in Building Brand Online Whats in a name? Network Solutions analysis shows service-oriented names before .com nationwide; local companies still choose business names By CAMILLE H. GAMBLE The Daily News A recent analysis of...

48. Archived Article: Calendar - Monday, July 28, 1997
July 29 July 29 The International Television Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Davis Kidd Booksellers, 387 N. Perkins Ext. The topic will be video on the Internet. The speakers will be Robert Staub of LunaWeb and Steve Cox, who designs and deve...

49. Archived Article: Milestones - Friday, July 25, 1997
The University of Memphis Charles E The University of Memphis Charles E. Thornton Outstanding Journalism Alumni Awards will be given this year to Robert L. "Bobby" Hall and James E. "Jimmy" Hayslip. Hayslip has been associated wi...

50. Archived Article: Milestones - Friday, July 18, 1997
The International Television Association elected Tom Whittington, media producer for Memphis Light, Gas and Waters training department as its president for 1997-1998 The International Television Association elected Tom Whittington, media producer fo...

51. Archived Article: Tech Focus Chg - Wednesday, March 26, 1997
Net demographics íNet demographics Study shows Web shoppers more than doubled in the past 18 months; gender gap begins to narrow By CAMILLE H. GAMBLE The Daily News An increase in Web users actively shopping on the Internet is among the key f...