In this issue:
Deadline extended for Sullivan County Business Builders
We've extended the deadline for our new Sullivan County Business Builders program.The program provides technical assistance to help micro-entrepreneurs who have minimal business skills training create strategic plans. The class will include 12 micro-businesses owners and will be conducted over seven day-long sessions.
Curriculum topics include: strategic thinking and planning, business and personal vision and mission, financial planning, goal setting, market research and analysis, target marketing, marketing strategy and tactics, sales and customer service, financial reports and analysis, business plan and strategic plan development, and plan presentations.
Applications are now being accepted. Please call 800.769.3482 or visit our Web site for more information.
Don't forget to claim your tax credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a special tax benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes.It has several important purposes: to reduce taxes on these workers, to supplement wages, and to provide a work incentive.
Workers who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return can get back some or all of the federal income tax that was taken out of their pay during the year. They may also get extra cash back from the Internal Revenue Service.
Even workers whose earnings are too small to owe income tax can get the EITC. What’s more, the EITC offsets any additional taxes workers may owe, such as payroll taxes.
Click here for more information or call 2-1-1 to find the nearest free tax assistance program.
Entrepreneur "boot camp" April 16-17
MicroCredit-NH members get half-price entry to the Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute, a two-day "boot camp" for community-minded entrepreneurs, April 16-17, at UNH in Durham.The Institute is where budding entrepreneurs learn about financing, marketing, managing change and solving problems in a venue that offers networking opportunities and support.
The charge for MicroCredit-NH members is $100. Click over to the Institute's Web site, and on the Registration page, type APRIL09 into the Coupon box.
We are the change in the air
Change is in the air. The signs are all around us: The last remnants of dirty snow, car windows opening, commuting home in daylight. We feel more energy and enthusiasm for our work.There are also signs that we may be emerging from the bottom of this recession. New Hampshire has not experienced the severe problems of other states, and I believe it is because microenterprises have kept creating and retaining jobs, generating income, supporting families and being innovative. You, the entrepreneurs and small-business owners, have been the state’s shock absorber in this pothole-filled economy.
MicroCredit-NH and our Business Resource Partners are committed to helping you steer your business around whatever challenges lie ahead. Our toolbox – all the services and benefits we offer at the Associate, Member and Leader membership levels – is available to you on our Members Only Web site and at our events across the state.
If we welcome changes in the business climate with the same spirit as we do the change of seasons, microbusinesses will continue to have a positive and powerful impact on the NH economy.
David Hamel,
MicroCredit-NH Director
Don't miss Howard Brodsky at Entrepreneurial Exchange May 28
Exciting news! Howard Brodsky, the co-founder, chairman, and co-chief executive officer of CCA Global Partners, will deliver the keynote speech at our Entrepreneurial Exchange May 28 at SERESC in Bedford.
|
Brodsky is an entrepreneurial legend. After college, he joined his family's business, Dean’s Carpet in Manchester, which quickly grew into one of the largest carpet stores in New England.
In 1984, Brodsky and fellow floor covering leader Alan Greenberg had a vision: to dominate the floor covering market by creating a unique solution that would allow independent carpet retailers to operate profitably in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Within just one year, they achieved their goal – and made floor covering history – with the launch of Carpet One Floor & Home as the first unit of CCA Global Partners. Initially, there were only 13 Carpet One Floor & Home members – today there are more than 1,000, and CCA Global comprises 15 affiliated companies.
"Connecting Tools, Techniques and Talents" is the theme of this year's Southern NH Entrepreneurial Exchange. Workshops will focus on integrated marketing approaches, including sales, blogging, social and e-marketing. As always, networking opportunities will be available
Don't miss out. Register now!
Fa La Lo:
Playful vision, powerful purpose
An idea took root when Liz Wright co-hosted a Portsmouth Community Radio program focusing on local non-profit organizations. After a guest on the show talked about her fair trade organization, Handcrafting Justice, Liz, her husband Scott Segee and their two sons volunteered with the organization, bought some items, and fell in love with how fair trade is mutually beneficial for the creators and purchasers of the goods.
The idea sprouted when Liz and Scott opened Fa La Lo in downtown Portsmouth. Fa La Lo is a retail shop that features fair and/or locally traded clothing, accessories and furniture from 10 fair trade organizations. Like the business name suggests, their playful vision is designed to make a strong impact in the local community and around the world - one product at a time – by spotlighting and supporting sustainable and mutually beneficial businesses.
Many of these beautiful products have a renewed life – what was once a pile of potato chip bags or telephone directories are now fashioned into spectacular purses, clutches and totes. In the age of green technology, the benefits of recycling, reuse and reclaimed goods, Fa La Lo couldn't be better positioned to make a bigger impact.
As Liz puts it: "Our primary focus is dignity of the human being. When you respect humans, sustainability follows."
60 vendors pack Berlin trade show
The Valley Ventures Business Group of Berlin hosted a successful 3rd annual Tradeshow on March 21, filling its vendor tables and creating an affordable venue for small businesses from across the state to showcase their products and services.
The event has steadily grown from its modest beginnings, attended by 10 vendors and 10 spectators. This year, close to 200 people inspected the offerings of 60 vendors. Radio station Magic 104/98.1 broadcast from the event and interviewed vendors throughout the day.
"This was a good way to introduce lots of newly formed micro- and small-business owners to the practice of putting together a booth, polishing their 'elevator speeches' and beginning to network with other businesses," said Lise Grondin-Danault of OSMOSIS, a Valley Ventures member. Vendor profiles may be viewed at Valley Ventures' Web site.
Read the Berlin Reporter 's event coverage.MicroCredit-NH is a non-profit business development program of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. MicroCredit-NH delivers business training, loans and networking opportunities to self-employed individuals and microbusiness owners statewide.
Fed stimulus benefits small businesses
The recently enacted federal economic stimulus package contains benefits for owners of small businesses. Some resources:Small Business Association's Economic Stimulus Package page
BusinessWeek article: The Stimulus' Key Small Business Tax Provisions
CNNMoney.com Special Report: Stimulus: What's in it for small biz?
Network with other businesses to promote your business, develop relationships, and maybe even make sales.$5 admission.
April 8, Portsmouth
Hilton Garden Inn dining room, 100 High St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.
April 14, Keene
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, 77-81 Main St., 6-9 p.m.
April 21, Bristol
Pat's Seafood & Pizzeria, Central Square, 6-8 p.m.
April 28, Littleton
Italian Oasis, Parker's Market Place, 106 Main St., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Full list of networking and orientation events.
The U.S. Small Business Administration's NH District Office has launched a Small Business Economic Hotline.The hotline provides free and confidential help on topics from marketing to business planning to financing options.
603.225.1407