A Stimulus Program Entrepreneurs Can Access Immediately

The big debate in Washington centers on how quickly measures proposed in the stimulus package will make their way into the economy to help ordinary Americans – including, of course, small business owners. Well, Intuit Inc. has just announced a “Small Business Stimulus Program” that entrepreneurs can take advantage of right away.

Here is an excerpt from Intuit’s media release on the program (you can read the full release and elements of the stimulus program by clicking here):

“America's entrepreneurs are getting a much-needed boost to start and grow their businesses with a new initiative from Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU), maker of the best-selling QuickBooks® financial software. The company's "Small Business United" campaign features a stimulus package aimed at helping America's 27 million small businesses save money, get more customers and save time.

“The stimulus package includes:

• Free software and services from Intuit valued at nearly $1,000 per small business to help them succeed. Four out of five Intuit customers agree that using QuickBooks helps their business succeed.

• $315,000 in small business grants to give entrepreneurs the extra boost needed during a tough economic climate.

• $50,000 in donations to organizations that help budding entrepreneurs get started and advise existing businesses looking to grow.

“As part of its stimulus package, Intuit will give away both totally free and special offers of its best-selling solutions that help small businesses address their most critical problems: better managing their finances, getting more customers, paying their employees accurately and on time, and more.

“The offerings, available at http://www.smallbusinessunited.com/, include:

• Totally Free Software: Save money with accounting software: Based on customer surveys, 70 percent of QuickBooks users say that using QuickBooks helps them be more profitable, and agree that it helps them get paid faster. QuickBooks Simple Start Free Edition lets users easily track money coming in and money going out. The downloadable software is easy to set up and use, and also helps businesses get ready for tax time.

• Free Year: Get more customers with free Web sites: Intuit research shows that while less than half of small businesses have a Web site, more than 95 percent want one. The Intuit Website service lets businesses quickly set up professional-looking websites to attract more customers. The package, free for the first year, includes award-winning Web site-building software with easy point and click features and design templates, Web hosting, and toll-free phone support seven days a week. Charges after the first year start at only $4.99 per month.

• Free Six Months: Save time with free payroll service: To help small businesses accurately run payroll - and avoid costly mistakes and penalties - the Intuit Online Payroll service is available for free for six months and only $9.95 per month after that for new users, a savings of more than $300 per year. Simply enter employees' hours and run payroll with just a few clicks.

• Free Service: Get incorporated with free incorporation services: With more entrepreneurs entering the market from other jobs that are no longer available, Intuit is offering free incorporation and LLC formation services from MyCorporation, an Intuit company, until July 31, 2009.

• Free Six Months: Get paid faster with free credit card processing: Finding more ways to help small businesses get paid and maintain cash flow, Intuit is offering credit card processing services free for six months through Intuit QuickBooks Online Terminal. Transaction fees still apply.

• Free Download: Manage cash flow with free retail management software: To maximize profits by tracking sales and customers, Intuit is offering its recently announced retail software, QuickBooks Cash Register Plus, as a free download, a $300 value.”

Intuit is also encouraging entrepreneurs to help each other, and you can learn how you might be able to win up to $25,000 by sharing your success story or advice by visiting http://www.smallbusinessunited.com/.

Some organizations dedicated to helping business owners and entrepreneurs are also receiving support from Intuit to help bolster their training programs and outreach. SBE Council is one of those organizations.

These are certainly challenging economic times. Yet, entrepreneurs have an opportunity to explore new ways to operate their businesses and reach new and existing customers more efficiently. The package of tools offered by Intuit’s Small Business United campaign are the type of tools that can help stimulate efficiencies, sales, creativity and focus during this tough economic period.

Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO