MovieStop, a one-stop store that offers new and used movies, makes its debut in Norfolk on Nov. 12 at the Janaf Shopping Center. Based out of Atlanta, MovieStop offers 10,000 new and used DVDs and Blue-ray movies in each of its 49 stores. The company has four other stores in Virginia in Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Newport News and Richmond.
MovieStop opens in Norfolk on Nov. 12
Nov
7
Oregon recession odds exceeds 50%
Nov
6
The Oregon economy firmed somewhat in September. The Oregon Measure of Economic Activity improved to -0.78 from –1.12 in August. The less-volatile three month moving average improved to -1.03 from -1.13 in August. The University of Oregon Index of Economic Indicators™ rose 0.2 percent to 89.1 (1997=100) in September, breaking a string of 5 consecutive monthly declines.
Further comments:
• While the Oregon Measure of Economic Activity showed improvement, it still indicates Oregon is growing below the trend of growth established over the 1990-2011 period. Manufacturing, construction, household and services sectors all contributed to economic weakness.
• Particularly sharp falls in US consumer sentiment and the interest rate spread weighed on the UO Index, while initial unemployment claims improved, falling to their lowest level since March of this year. Core ma
Groupon IPO Good for Day Traders, Not Long-Term Investors?
Nov
4
The Groupon IPO has investors scurrying for a piece of the pie. But some analysts say the initial public offering and its low float rate may be good for day traders, but bad for long-term investors.
It’s being hailed as the largest and most successful stock offerings of an Internet company since Google released its IPO in 2004. Already, the “daily deals” coupon leader raised $700 million, and is valued at more than $13 billion, citing a Reuters story.
On the surface, it’s a great day in the stock market. But some analysts caution that the low float rate of the Groupon IPO may come with some risk.
When the most anticipated initial public offering opened up for trading Friday, it was clear soon after that it was a success.
But to give a correct account of its overall performance, time must measure the amount of traders who hold or sell the stock.
The “float rate” is defined as the amount of shares of a security or IPO available for active trading.
As the G-Nothing flops, is Greece still in charge of its own sunshine?
Nov
1
As we await the result of a confidence vote from the Greek parliament, and its quite some Gordian knot, I raise the question of whether it matters who is actually PM of this nation.
Because when you strip away all the hype, words and communiques from the G20 process, the tangible results are: no money, no plan, no confidence enhancing measures, and in fact no clue. Indeed the only change is the absolutely huge pressure on the governments of Italy and Greece this weekend. Its seems a kind of fiscal regime change.
If you want to look at a remarkable example of sovereignty transfer in a crisis, then consider the astonishing example of Greeces Project Helios. Last week, I could not quite believe that at the EU Leaders Summit communique there was a specific sentence about this massive solar energy project.
Gov. Mark Dayton Rides Minnesota on Road to Economic Recovery
Oct
26
Gov. Mark Dayton has outlined low cost initiatives that can initiate hiring and help Minnesota ride on the road to economic recovery. A directive makes it mandatory for state investment managers to double amount of money that they deposit in community banks. The deposited money is going to be $100 million more than what local banks can loan out to start-up businesses that are willing to expand.
Democrats are going to produce action plans to streamline regulations, increase exports from Minnesota, upgrade state highways, and extend high speed internet and cell phone coverage. This is surely going to infuse comfort in employers looking to hire and produce opportunities for 218,000 people left jobless since the onset of recession.
Director of State Board of Investment, Howard Bicker, says change in federal banking insurance laws gives state the opportunity to purchase Deposit Certificates of $1.5 million per bank that is an increase from $750,000 previously.
10 Points on Where to Locate Your Startup
Oct
25
Youve got your startup brewing, you love the idea, youre gathering a team, and you want everything to be perfect. So do you move to Silicon Valley? Silicon Alley? Austin TX?
I know of people whove moved from where they were to where they thought they should be, before starting the company. Their assumption, when they do, is that the new place is better. It has better access to investment, management team, mentors, and sometimes even channels and such. 
Does that make sense? Do you move first, then start? Heres what I think:
- Business is to enhance life, not life to enhance business.
- Ive posted here both home is where business is good, and business is where home is good. I dont mind the contradiction. Its another example of how almost everything in small business and entrepreneurship is basically case-by-case.