The class includes: Jennifer Bowman of White Mountain Café in Gorham, Beth Cape of Barron Brook Inn in Whitefield, James Davis of Defining Light Photography in Lancaster, Jennifer DeMoras of Memos of New Hampshire in Lancaster, Barbara Grant of Enchanted Acres in West Stewartstown, Kevin Hammond of Hammond Construction in Lancaster, Michelle Hinds of Colebrook Country Club in Colebrook, Brian Ingerson of Web Development and Computer Services in Whitefield, Laura Jamison of Laura Jamison Guardian ad Litem in Berlin, David Lipkin of Lakeview Cedar Log Homes in Pittsburg, Magdalena Randall of Polish Princess Bakery in Lancaster, and Alice Umlah of Northeast Exterior in Pittsburg.
Need tax help? Ask the right questions
From a tax perspective, you may need assistance and decide to hire a professional with experience preparing returns for businesses similar to yours.
When interviewing tax professionals, ask a few questions to see if they have what you need:
Experience: Has she worked with a similar size and type of business? Is he familiar with your particular type of business?
Services: Does she offer electronic filing – the safest and most efficient way to file your tax returns?
Price: What does he charge for services? If the IRS examines your return, what is her policy on assisting you?
References: Ask for a list of clients you can contact.
Every request is an opportunity
How well do you follow up on requests?
People ask for favors. They ask for help. They ask for feedback. They ask for referrals/leads. They ask for ... you name it. Do you put these requests on the back burner, maybe even forgetting about them altogether?
Here's another way to look at requests: Each is an opportunity to network and build relationships. You can create a win-win relationship every time you respond to a request in a timely manner. Networking builds your relationships with real and potential partners. Customer service builds your relationships with the people who use your products or services. All are part of your business circle.
Consider making time to manage requests, in and out of your business circle. You never know where it may lead, but it is likely to create positive results.
David Hamel
MicroCredit-NH Director
Members enjoy half-price for Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute
Once again, MicroCredit-NH members will enjoy a half-price discount to the Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute March 25-26 at the Courtyard Marriott Grappone Conference Center in Concord.
The Stonyfield Institute is among New Hampshire's best events for community-minded entrepreneurs. Billed as a "boot camp," it offers stimulation as well as information about financing, marketing and managing change – all from entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses right here in the Granite State.
This year's institute is presented by The Carsey Institute and the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire.
MicroCredit-NH members pay just $125 for both days. Contact Susan Colucci at The Carsey Institute or call her at 862-2821 to get the discount coupon code before registering online.
Coming soon: Enterprise Energy Fund
Starting this spring, MicroCredit-NH will offer a low-interest loan and grant program to help businesses finance energy improvements and renewable energy projects. The goal is to reduce energy costs and consumption, plus promote economic recovery and job creation.
The Enterprise Energy Fund, administered by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority(CDFA) and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, can help finance energy improvements in buildings owned by microbusinesses.
If you have questions about the Enterprise Energy Fund and its uses, please contact Jennifer Murphy Aubin by email or at 224-6669, ext. 227.
Information will be posted on the Web sites of CDFA and the Community Loan Fund as it is available.
One of MicroCredit-NH’s newest members, Dana Wallace from The Professional Bookkeepers, offered a free QuickBooks class Jan. 13 at the Marriot Courtyard in Manchester. Left to right are Cheryl Santarelli of Snap Fitness, Jen Wiechers and Jaime Raynor of Living Your Intentions, MicroCredit-NH Regional Manager Peggy O’Keefe, and Wallace. |
Here's synergy for you: Kelly Gale's KLG Architecture in New London (you can see it at upper right) is sporting a new logo designed by Janice Loz of Screaming Woman Design. Kelly has also contracted Dawna Vinal of Lakeside Sewing and Boutique to create business shirts featuring the new logo. All three women are members of the Raising Granite Business Solutions group.
Kathie Fife of Artemis Natural Resource Designs is featured in the Feb. 2010 issue of New Hampshire Magazine in an article titled "Redefining Rich: From Watchdog to Shutterbug."
Dr. Lauren Hoffman of Abundant Health Chiropractic is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive Feb. 4 at the American Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 425 Reservoir Avenue, Manchester. Blood will be drawn from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Roxie Zwicker of New England Curiosities co-hosted the Ghost Chronicles radio show on toginet.com in late January. If you missed it, catch the podcast. Roxie is a member of the Empowered Entrepreneurs group.
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.
Free workshop on Contract Essentials
Feb. 16
On Feb. 16, Attorney Gina Norris of Wiggin & Nourie, P.A. will offer a free workshop on essential issues to consider and address in your business's contracts and agreements.
The workshop is noon to 1 p.m. in the conference room at the Amoskeag Business Incubator, 33 S. Commercial Street, Manchester.
There is no cost to attend, but please register by emailing Jesse Cloutier or calling (603) 629-9511.
Have you checked the offers in the MicroCredit-NH Marketplace lately?
Throughout February, ADP is offering new clients three months of payroll services at no cost (and 25% off for current cutomers).
ADP's services for employers of all sizes include payroll, Human Resources, 401(k)/retirement, time and attendance, expense management, and much more.
Learn more about the ADP offer, or the other deals at MicroCredit-NH Marketplace!
Feb. 17, Groveton
Stones Pizza, 19 State St., 5-7 p.m. $5.
Feb. 18, Nashua
Marthas Exchange, 185 Main St., 6-9 p.m. $5.
Feb. 24, Bradford
Candlelite Inn, 5 Greenhouse Lane, 6-8 p.m. $5.
Full list of networking and orientation events.