Jane Applegate is one of America's leading small business management and marketing experts. She is the author of four popular books on small business success, including the best-selling, "201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business," published by Bloomberg Press.

Applegate works with a select group of clients to create high-level marketing strategies, live events and sales training programs.

In recent months, she has worked with:  Merrill Lynch, New York Life Insurance, the New York Times, American Express and Assurant Employee Benefits. She's also created innovative marketing programs, special events, video and web content for: General Motors, MasterCard, JP Morgan Chase, ING and Sprint.

A former investigative reporter and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Applegate keynotes dozens of business conferences every year. She develops original content for web and print, as well as creating custom publications, including "Jane Applegate's Small Business Owner's Check Up."

In 1994, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Jane "Media Advocate of the Year," for her service to the business community.