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July 1, 2010
Ah, July...
This month I look at the State budget problems, the economic recovery status, and the local small business climate, it can be overwhelming!
There will always be business owners that must make the difficult
decision to close. Believe it or not, there are also opportunities for starting businesses, and the best successes are found in niche markets where there aren't already other businesses providing similar goods or services.
So how do we get through this? There aren't very many easy answers, and there are always very many difficult decisions that must be made, on a daily basis.
I recently heard that business owners are talking to each other; getting ideas, sharing resources, teaming up for promotions, and asking for help.
Asking for help can be one of the most difficult things a business owner, or any individual, will do in their life, and it can be one of the most rewarding leaps one will make as well. It might not even look or feel like asking for help when you are simply open to others who are willing to help.
If you or someone you know would like some assistance with a business related question or problem, please contact us because we are here to help.
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Grants & Programs |
Attention all Film and Digital Media Makers!
We
are currently taking applications for our upcoming business training
program, Film and Digital Media as Business.
The application deadline has been extended to July 9th!
There will be an informational meeting Friday July 2 at 5:30 PM. There is no need to RSVP; just come to our offices located at 520 E Street in Eureka.
The program includes lots of resources and activities to help you get your business going strong!
If you can't meet the application deadline of July 9th and you are really
interested please contact Tazsa to discuss your application and joining
the program.
The program starts on July 27th! 
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| People | |
The Del Norte Workforce Center is
hosting the 2nd Entrepreneurial Academy
for Future Business Owners.
During the week-long Academy, roughly 25 kids ages 14 to 21 will be exploring how they can turn their hobbies and
dreams into money-making businesses that will make them their own
bosses.
The week long academy features many guest speakers and interactive
learning
activities to keep teens interested. Students learn about themselves, their interests, who, what, where, when &
whys of establishing and running a business.
Students then create a business
plan, complete with business cards, advertising poster, and a Powerpoint
presentation of their plan. Students present their plan to a panel
of judges on Friday morning, with the top 5 going on to the evening competition,
where the top 3 win fabulous prizes, like Apple's innovative iPad, which can be used
to help them run their business.
Families and public are invited to the Friday
evening event, which begins with a "marketplace", where all students have a
booth and promote their business to guests. (Like vendors at a trade
show.)
What: Entrepreneurial Academy 'Trade Show' and Finalist Presentations
When: Friday, July 2, 5:00-8:00 PM
Where: Elk Valley Rancheria, 2332 Howland Hill Rd, Crescent City, CA
Food and refreshments catered by Elk Valley
Casino.
Come enjoy the spirit
and creativity of the young entrepreneurs in our
community!
Along with Rural Human Services, this
year's event is co-sponsored by North Coast Small Business Development
Center and Tri-Agency Economic Development
Authority.
Check out the website for a video on last year's event: http://academy101.net/
Please contact Tim Hoone for any additional
information at 707-464-8347, ext. 268.
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| Workshops |
QuickBooks Boot Camp for Beginners
Wednesday, July 21
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
CR Downtown
How to Start A Thriving Non ProfitFrom Concept to Creation Tuesday, July 209:00 - 11:00 amHumboldt Area FoundationContact Amy Jester at 707-442-2993 or amyj@hafoundation.org Please register before July 14 at 5 pm. |
Save the date...
Technology Boot Camp is
scheduled for October 6.
The 2010 Technology Boot Camp
is a full-day workshop for non-technical
small business entrepreneurs to learn about all aspects of using online
applications in their business.
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From the desk of the Executive Director
A shout out to Hank Sims and the
North Coast Journal, for Hank's Town Dandy
column on stasis in our region (http://www.northcoastjournal.com/news/2010/06/24/movin-on-up/).
While I love the North Coast, it is true that we get stuck in our
arguments for a long, long time. Witness, as Hank does, the Humboldt County general plan, at 13 years in the
making and counting. Stasis and a lack of energy result, and economic
prosperity gets harder to achieve.
Richard Nixon referred to a "silent
majority" while campaigning. I think we've got a "silent plurality" of people
here. These are moderates who don't yell loudly but are probably a larger group
than either the far left or far right...the folks, and I have nothing but love in
my heart when I write this, who have us stuck. I'm guessing moderates would
have voted against the Calpine project proposed some years ago (given the
chance), would vote for the Richardson's Grove
realignment (again, given the chance), and might go either way on the Marina project (where, at least in Eureka, they will have a
chance).
What to do? If you're one of those
middle-of-the-road folks, stop fearing the cars racing to your right and left
and speak up. Seek solutions with the folks on the right and the left;
hopefully you/we can talk with them if they are not able to talk with each
other. Email your County Supervisor and tell them you really want
that general plan before the current group leaves office (click through here for
email addresses http://co.humboldt.ca.us/board/).
Look for organizations that work that fertile middle ground and help. There's a reason that I serve on the board of Humboldt Plan It Green, for
example. They are a local environmental organization founded by architects and
engineers who (gasp, splutter) like to build stuff, think we can do so
responsibly, are generally positive about the future and prefer education to the
lawsuit.
Imagine what it could be. After
all, it got me thinking enough to invoke Hank Sims and Richard Nixon in the same
bit of writing...and -this is rare- sort of agree with
them.
-Michael
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| Events |
Going 'Green' in Humboldt County
Two workshops are designed to assist business owners.
"How To Green Your Business
Affordably"
The Redwood
Coast Energy Authority is excited to present the next workshop in our
Humboldt
Energy Independence Workshop Series.
This free workshop will be held on Thursday, July 8th, at 6:00 PM
at the Redwood Coast Energy
Resource Center, 517 5th Street, in Eureka (between F&G).
The workshop will last around 2 hours, and will focus on the incentives and
financing opportunities available to green your locally owned business.
Space at
this free workshop is limited, and pre-registration is required.
To reserve
your
space, please call RCEA workshop coordinator Oliver Hulland at (707)
269-1700.
Attention
building contractors: are you ready for the
new CALGreen Building Code?
1/2 day seminar Aug 10th
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fee:
$75
Continental
Breakfast Included
Will provide an
overview of the new mandatory standards, voluntary tier
structure, compliance checklists and publication dates.
Full day Aug 11th
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fee:
$175
Breakfast and
Lunch Included
Will go in-depth into the residential
and commercial code.
The speaker will
provide answers to your specific code
questions. Continuing education credit available.
More info is at www.humboldtplanitgreen.com or call 707-822-0597. Space is limited, please register early.
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| News |
LA Times recently reported that the SBDC's that are hosted by Community Colleges in California face immense funding challenges.
The budget crisis in California has resulted in the state cutting funding to community colleges. In turn, the community colleges (via the State Chancellor's Office) eliminated the SBDC funding for the centers they hosted.
The loss of State funding results in the loss of the opportunity to apply for matching Federal funds. This has large impacts for those centers, and it has some impact on a number of other centers.
While the North Coast SBDC is not hosted by a college and therefore not
affected, we want to bring your attention to the issue.
Read the full story here.
Kristin Johnson, State Chair of the California SBDC Program, responds by encouraging California leaders to fund the State SBDC programs and outlines the importance of supporting small business for economic recovery.
Read the press release here.
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| Stat for this month. |
The North Coast SBDC ranks 1st in utilization of services per capita.
Humboldt County and Del Norte County residents take advantage of SBDC business counseling services at thirteen times the rate of citizens of the State of California as a whole. |
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In reflecting on the economic conundrum, I think of a class I took in college
where the professor had one simple message above all else: take care of
yourself. What does that mean? To take a 10 minute walk, eat a piece
of fruit or a vegetable, or simply just sit in silence, every day, for example, we
as individuals are allowing the opportunity for sustainability.  Sincerely,
Kathrine Bridgwater
Small Business Development Analyst
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