The Sandhills Chapter of SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) begins the spring 2011 edition of its popular small business seminar series Tuesday, Feb. 1, with "The Right Stuff."

The seminar begins at 6 p.m. in room 103 of Van Dusen Hall on the Sandhills Community College campus. This is the first in a series of six "Business Basics" seminars sponsored jointly by SCORE and the Small Business Center of Sandhills Community College.

"In today's fast-paced world of commerce, starting a new business brings more challenges than ever," SCORE said in a news release. "Having the right stuff, the kind Tom Wolfe described in his best-selling book and movie, to persevere through the trials and tribulations and manage the risks of starting and running a business, greatly improves the likelihood of success."

The goal of this seminar is to enable the aspiring entrepreneur to realistically assess the risk of starting a business by highlighting the various pitfalls that will likely be encountered and suggest strategies and tactics for success to overcome these challenges.

The seminar will show how to develop the "right stuff" to start a new business in a way that increases the potential to be a winner. Topics covered include why most new businesses fail, what it takes to be successful, tips on starting and running your own business, pitfalls that will destroy a new business and "it's all about you - visionary, manager, doer."

To register for the seminar, call the Small Business Center at (910) 695-3938. Registration will also be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the seminar.

SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit association of experienced business people who provide free, confidential business counseling to small business owners.

More information on SCORE's counseling activity and a complete description of each seminar can be found at the Sandhills SCORE website, www.sandhillsscore.org.

Social Media Classes Geared to Businesses

Social Media, such as Facebook, Youtube or Twitter, are playing an increasing role in many people's personal online lives.

It is only logical that this has spilled over to the business world. More and more companies employ a "Like" page on Facebook as one of their major marketing tools.

Local businesses can learn how to utilize effective strategies and improve their ROI by successfully using a palette of social media platforms through a free three-part social media seminar offered by I C & M . The sessions build upon each other and include a hands-on experience.

Classes will be held at 6 p.m. in the Sandhills Community College computer lab in room 154 of Little Hall. The schedule s:

n Feb. 7, social media basics

n Feb. 14, Facebook and Twitter

n Feb. 21, Youtube and LinkedIn

Only 25 spots are available. Sign up by calling (877) 426- 8880, extension 2, or e-mailing david@icmltd.com

Hawke Receives

Instructor's Liscene

Realtor Monica Hawke, of Weichert, Realtors-Larose & Co., has earned the North Carolina real estate instructor's license and is approved as a prelicensing and post-licensing course instructor.

She has begun teaching pre-licensing classes with Broker/Owner Cathy Larose at the Piedmont Real Estate Academy in Southern Pines.

Hawke, an experienced Realtor, has been a consistent top producing agent and mentor, the company said in a news release. Her real estate credentials include the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist designation.

Weichert, Realtors-Larose & Co. is at 190 Turner St., Suite D, in Yadkin Park in Southern Pines. The telephone number is (910) 693-3300.

Beltone Device

Earns Award

Beltone Electronics has received the prestigious International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award for the Beltone True.

The new generation of virtually invisible Bluetooth-compatible hearing instruments is among the first to wirelessly receive sound directly from television, cell/home phone, stereo, PC and iPod via a 2.4-GHz signal, a news release said. >

The Beltone True is different than other hearing aids because it allows hearing-impaired users to comfortably converse with those nearby, while still listening to music or watching their favorite television program.

It also eliminates the embarrassing high-pitched whistling of past hearing instruments, the release said.

"We are thrilled to be among the first in the nation to offer our customers this award-winning hearing aid," says Jason Orsik, president of Beltone Carolina Virginia.