Were you one of the first to run out and grab an iPad when they hit the market this spring? If you’re a more affluent 25- to 36-year-old, you would be part of Apple’s most fertile consumer market. That’s according to The Nielsen Co.’s latest iPhone and iPad User Profiles. I work for Nielsen, which is a market research company; the largest one in the world. And we measure what you buy and what you watch—including mobile and online services. (And yes, television, which is still a strong contender in this growing technological universe. There are just more and more ways to watch it.) One of the perks of my job is being the recipient of the latest tech toys, which is how I have come to be the owner of an iPod, a Flip Video Camera, a Slingbox, a Kindle, and as of today, an iPhone 4.

Women in technology

AUG. 18—TiE Pittsburgh will host “Women Who Lead Us On: Top Female Entrepreneurs Who Are Venturing Into the Newest Technologies” from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Offices of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., 20th floor, Downtown. The event will discuss the types of new technology companies that women are running, how the region measures up, funding and more. There will also be a panel discussion and a networking opportunity. Registration is requested and the cost is $30 for non-members, $35 at the door and $10 for students. E-mail Berni Bishop Pirollo at bbishop@tie­pgh.org.

Throughout this recession, I’ve gained clarity and confirmation that the financial information that I’ve shared with readers and clients over the years will help avoid financial setbacks and ultimately lead to financial prosperity.

Even if you’ve managed to remain gainfully employed, we’ve all been affected by this recessionary economy to some degree. For many of us, our cash flow has been negatively affected due to reduction in income because of low sales, salaries and hours being cut, bonuses and overtime being eliminated and/or merit raises and promotions being deferred to a later date. If you’ve been fortunate enough to keep your cash flow moving in the right direction, take a close look at your saving and investment portfolio. You’ll agree that because of the huge losses in the stock market most of us are poorer today than we were a couple of years ago.

To that end, let me share my Great 8 Start-up Essentials:

1. An idea: It should be fleshed out because you’ve done the knowledge and have identified a potential market.