In this issue:
2009 advanced trainings will build marketing skills
MicroCredit-NH's first round of advanced trainings begins in July and is aimed at helping owners of small businesses sharpen their marketing skills.
The trainings will cover a different topic each month through December. Each month's topic will be offered at sites in Dover, Lancaster, Manchester and Wolfeboro.
Classes are limited to 10 participants and are designed to be more intensive and more hands-on than your typical workshop. Each session will offer specific tools and exercises and move participants toward the creation of promotional plans for their businesses.
Advance registration is required for these trainings. MicroCredit-NH Leaders may attend for no cost as part of their membership benefits.
Charge for all six sessions is $125 for other MicroCredit-NH members, and $210 for non-members. The cost per session is $25 for other MicroCredit-NH members, $35 for non-members.
The list of training topics and sites are available on the MicroCredit-NH Web site. Register through your Regional Manager or call us at (800) 769-3482.
NH Made will hold an Open House on Thursday, June 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 31 Ward Lane in Andover.
New Hampshire Made is the official statewide marketing organization whose mission is to increase the awareness of, and demand for, New Hampshire-made products and services through the power of a "New Hampshire's Own" brand identity program.
Speedway hosts WMUR job & career fair August 27
New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon will host WMUR's Project Economy Job & Career Fair II on Thursday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The previous Project Economy Job & Career Fair drew an overflow crowd.
Businesses interested in being part of the August Job & Career Fair should visit the WMUR Web site for details.
A separate online registration form for job seekers should be posted on the NH Employment Security Web site by late June. In the meantime, job seekers are encouraged to visit the online NHES Job Match System.
Responding to consumer trends
requires creativity and flexibility
A tough economy like this one is an ideal time to take a tough-minded look at your business. You don't need a national conference to be aware that consumers are seeking environmentally friendly products and services, to know that more people are examining labels to see where products come from, or to understand that when credit is tight, managing your cash is more important than ever.
With that knowledge, what changes can you make – or should you make – that will better position you to succeed?
Business owners who are nimble and creative in connecting to consumer trends survive economic slumps, and soar during the good times. Seek ideas and feedback from your regional manager and peer business group, and at networking events, and you can be one of them.
David Hamel
MicroCredit-NH Director
Michele's pops to the top of Best in NH
Michele Holbrook of Michele's Sweet Shoppe calls her product "Totally Awesome Gourmet Popcorn."
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Michele Holbrook |
Having tasted it, we completely agree.
And so do the editors of NH Magazine, who will bestow a "Best of NH 2009" on Michele's caramel popcorn June 25 at the Best of NH party at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Michele has been marketing yummy flavored popcorn made in her Loudon kitchen since December 2006. She had made small batches of white chocolate-coated popcorn as gifts and was constantly told, "This popcorn is awesome, you should sell it!"
So she did, and enough people have discovered her that Michele's is now a full family business (hubby and their three children all pitch in) with 20 flavors of TAGP listed on its Web site. All goodies are handcrafted in small batches and are available for shipping (except for the melty chocolate-covered items in the summer months).
Among the more exotic flavors: caramel apple-icious, buffalo supreme, dark chocolate orange and pizza.
Melissa Page named SBA's NH
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Melissa Page, owner of Melissa Page Cosmetics in Manchester, will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2009 New Hampshire Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at a ceremony June 3 at CR Sparks in Bedford.
Melissa has combined her own talent and initiative with the resources of MicroCredit-NH to transform the seed of an idea into a multi-faceted business. With a retail location, online business and freelance work, she is following a three-pronged approach to sustainability and growth.
When Melissa joined MicroCredit-NH more than three years ago, she was designing her own line of natural cosmetic and skin care products and selling them online. Early last year, she used a $5,000 loan to open a storefront on South Willow Street in Manchester that included a studio for make-up applications and lessons.
Melissa has taken every opportunity to learn new skills and expand her network. She has tapped the MicroCredit-NH tutorial series for accounting and financial education, learned how to write and distribute press releases to promote her business and participates regularly in business group meetings and networking events. She has more than doubled her revenue since starting her business in March of 2005.
She is also a member of the Southern New Hampshire Business Women's Network, and is on the board of the NH Mirror.
The SBA also recognized another of our nominees, Foster's Daily Democrat Business Editor Jerry Turner, as Small Business Journalist of the Year.
Congratulations, Melissa and Jerry!
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.
Leaders: Display your logo here
Do you remember which logos were featured in last month's e-Network?
Are they here again?
Is one of them yours?
If not, it could be. Advertising is an important piece of a marketing strategy. Repetition is one key to creating a recognizable brand or product.
For no extra charge, MicroCredit-NH Leaders can display a logo in the e-Network, and a small ad in the bi-annual The Network newsletter that is distributed across the state.
Leaders, don't miss your opportunity. Send us your logo and ad for display today. Link to specifications here.
Five MicroCredit-NH members won $20 gas cards in our annual survey drawing. The winners are:
Allen Voivod, Lakes Region Business Works
Michelle Therrien, Lakes Region Business Works
Donald Perkins, Upward
Jane Holmes, Jefferson Business Association
Vicki DeLalla, High Point Business Professionals
Congratulations to all!
Promote your business, develop relationships, and maybe even make sales.$5 admission.
June 2, Lincoln
The Common Man, 44 Pollard Rd., 5-7 p.m.
June 10, Dover
Christopher's Third Street Grille, 16 Third St., 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 18, Plymouth
The Common Man Inn, 231 Main St., 6-8 p.m.
June 25, Nashua
Martha's Exchange, 185 Main St., 6-9 p.m.
Full list of networking and orientation events.