What we do at

The Creative Enterprises Network

"We're all about helping you build or grow an Internet presence for your home-based or small business. We provide information on the kinds of resources available to new start-up businesses, an opportunity to ask questions and get nearly immediate answers to your start-up questions, plus the services you need to develop and grow an online business, whether it's a small home business, or an existing bricks and mortar business looking for a web presence. And we provide those crucial services: web site design, professional writing services, promotional services and promotional products at the most affordable prices possible. But purchasing services from us is always an  option, not a necessity.

We also offer you a membership in an organization / association of true Internet entrepreneurs, where you're more than just a User ID and password. Here, you're a member with a voice. You'll have an opportunity to participate in collaborative projects and promotion for your business (see our member directory). You'll have the opportunity to work with other merchants to investigate off line promotional opportunities, and utilize cross promotion within your targeted field. Our members are people just like you, who are working hard to help your business grow right along with their own. There's definitely no "I" in this team! And no Internet scams either. All our members' sites are approved before they join. Only those selling real products and services (not get-rich-quick programs) are accepted.

And yes, we do have an annual membership fee -- $24.00. We don't apologize for that. We know that you will not only get your money's worth in terms of free information and suggestions; but that having a paid membership insures that you are in the company of people who are serious about building a business. Every serious-minded entrepreneur should be willing to invest at least this small sum to participate in an association that affords them this kind of support. Do the best thing you can possibly do for your small business web site this year -- become a member of The Creative Enterprises Network!

We hope you find our site, business services and shopping community to be of use in your search for small and home business information and ideas, and will look forward to getting to know you and your business!

Carol Daly, Founder

Founder and Member of The Creative Enterprises Network for small and home-based businesses

The Creative Enterprises Network           1226 Iron Gate Court           Rock Hill, SC 29732

IMPORTANT NEWS!

The CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) of 2008 passed through Congress in October of 2008 swiftly and without public notice or news coverage.  Its intent was to protect consumers (children in particular) from injury or death due to high lead or phthalates additives in products that are largely made overseas (ala the Chinese toy scare of 2007).

However, in its fervor to pass this law (before the November 2008 election, no doubt), those who passed it, did not do their homework or clarify their verbiage or intent. Literally every “manufacturer” (including the home-based woodworkers and doll makers here in the US) would have been put out of business in this grotesquely overly-broad and all-inclusive piece of legislation that even still considers buttons and zippers as possible sources of lead. (Have you EVER heard of a child getting lead poisoning from a zipper?) Needless to say, there is still much work to be done to add logic to this legislation.

 Through the efforts of thousands and thousands of American small and home-based business owners and handcrafters . . . including the members of this small business community . . . the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Congressmen from every state, and even our new President and his staff have been made aware of the problems (and the total lack of good sense) in this legislation, which really protects no one in its lack of clarity.

Gradually, the law is being amended and revised. The home-based crafter selling products, and the small toy store on the corner of your hometown are not completely out of the woods yet however.   Some totally strange standards still apply, but we now have some time to make sound decisions.  Originally this law and enforcement of it was to take effect Feb 10, 2009 and affect even items held in existing inventory.   Thankfully, that part of the law has been revised, now giving manufacturers until Feb 10, 2010 to have expensive 3rd party testing done for lead and phthalate content.

If YOU are a small business owner: retailer,  handcrafter, distributor of ANY products for children, including clothing, or if you even donate such items to non-profits, you need to keep up with this law -- click here to read details as it stands now in June 2009.