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October 29, 2010 Hello, We're approaching Thanksgiving and we at the SBDC have much to be thankful for. We are fortunate to do creative work in a beautiful place. Through the hard work of many and with some luck, our organization's financial situation looks good for another year. The economy is coming back, though unevenly and slowly. There is a sense of busy-ness the past few months: airplanes are full of business travelers, for example, and new clients are streaming through our doors. Businesses that survived the downturn are now tougher, leaner, smarter-and will remain so. Our business basics workshops are full again, mostly of people looking to start a new company.
In the shadow of a recession, and in a noisy and nasty election year, it is easy to forget how fortunate we are. But we are. Happy Thanksgiving! |
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Direct to Consumer Marketing
Training for Business
Wednesday November 3, six experts in direct marketing will be in Humboldt teaching business owners and managers the most effective techniques in marketing directly to consumers. This includes branding, web and email marketing, retail, and business strategy.
"The Direct to Consumer Marketing program will provide practical, actionable insight and advice to start up and advanced entrepreneurs that will really accelerate their businesses," said Jacqueline Debets, Economic Development Coordinator for the County.
"These techniques are being implemented at HollyYashi with great success, so we're bringing the expertise here for more businesses to benefit," explained Debets.
Participants should bring a sample of their marketing materials, and complete the survey at the following link, so that information can be directed to their immediate needs:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTCMarketing
The program is open to about 40 businesses on Wednesday, November 3, 8:30am-5:30pm at the Samoa Women's Club. The cost is just $20 per person to cover the refreshments (paid at the door).
"This is a rare opportunity to access the best in the business," said Debets. Space is limited.
Call Sandy at 707-445-9035 to reserve a spot.
More information is available on the North Coast SBDC web site at www.northcoastsbdc.org/direct.
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| Events |
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For information and to RSVP: stories@fromthefire.org
Get your fire burning this winter!
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Internet Marketing
Training and Networking Group
The Humboldt Internet Marketing Group meets monthly to support local businesses with free internet training and networking. "Build Business with Search Engine Marketing" is the topic for the Wednesday, November 10 meeting from noon to 1:30 at the North Coast SBDC, 520 E Street, Eureka.  All are invited to share marketing success stories and questions. Media professionals will share their areas of expertise and offer resources. People with all experience levels are welcome. Agenda: Introductions noon to 12:20; Search Engine Marketing presentation by Robert Gluckson of Good Cause Marketing, with contributions from Bob Morse (social media) and Mary Cruse (video) to 1 p.m.; introductions and networking until 1:30. The group meets every second Wednesday. The following meeting is Wednesday, December 8. To RSVP or for more information call Robert Gluckson at 541-890-4621 or email Robert@GoodCauseMarketing.
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| People |
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AEDC and Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods to Host a Teen Business Fair
Do you know a teen who is looking for ways to make money?
Has he or she considered starting a business? Mowing lawns, babysitting or pet sitting are all ways to make pocket change, but doing those jobs with a purpose and a plan can help teens put together the elements of a business.
Arcata Economic Development Corporation and the Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods will be hosing a Teen Business Fair at the Teen Center on Nov. 18-19 from 4 to 6 p.m.
 Monica Topping, a local de-jay from KSLG Radio and entrepreneur starting her own line of jewelry called Rock Chick Designs, will be opening the event. She will followed by stories and Q&A from young entrepreneurs all under the age of 16.
The hands-on portion of the event will have participants brainstorming about business ideas, and working with business students from Humboldt State University's E-Club (Entrepreneur's Club) to develop a plan.
On day two of the event, participants will get hands-on practice learning skills that could be marketable for a teen-friendly business, including gift wrapping, waxing a car, walking a dog, making green household products and much more.
Students will leave this event with ideas about how to make their own money, a plan to do it, practice with a marketable skill, and practice talking with others about the product or service they have to sell.
Pre-registration is encouraged. Please call Susan at 822-4616 ext. 12 or email susans@aedc1.org to register or for more information.
Photo courtesy of Shelton Sabbatini.
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Grants and Programs
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Fall 2010 Request for Proposals
 The North Coast Small Business Resource Center is soliciting an open list of qualified business contractors to perform business support services as needed for various clients in both Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
If you are an experienced business consultant with expertise in areas such as Bookkeeping and Accounting, Marketing, Web/Email marketing using Vertical Response, Human Resource Management, Merchandising and Window Displays, Sales, Graphic/Website Design, Organizational Systems, Public Relations, Business Law, Imports/Exports, or Manufacturing/Prototyping, and would like to contract with the area's only non-profit small business support center, we encourage you to respond to this notice ASAP.
The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM November 19th, 2010.
All information is available at www.northcoastsbdc.org/rfp
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| Workshops |
Don't miss the third and final
Green Business Luncheon of the year,
"Friends of the Future Generation"
The world we know today is not inherited from our elders; it is on loan from our children. This luncheon will provide dicussion about innovations in learning and engagement of youth in entrepreneurship and workforce development. We will also discuss opportunities to get involved with Plan It Green's 5th Annual Building Green Communities Conference, "The Next Green Generation."
David Narum will discuss innovations in learning facilitated by the use of technologies and platforms such as laptops, handheld devices, wikis, interactive classroom tools, open source curricula, video-sharing, social media, and so on.
Steve Salzman will discuss local programs and activities geared toward encouraging youth to get involved in the emerging green economy through entrepreneurship or green jobs training programs.
David has been a professor and consultant since 1989. He is a principal at GreenWay Partners in Arcata, and is a member of the Project Kaleidscope Learning Spaces Collaboratory. He is currently working with the Herman Miller Company on the design of "innovation labs" for college campuses.
Steve is the Executive Director of Plan It Green and has been active in consulting and teaching in Humboldt County for over 20 years.
Join us Monday November 15 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at Hurricane Kate's in Old Town Eureka. Cost is $20 for lunch. Register in advance for this event or call Susan at 822-4616 ext. 12. Go to top
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The North Coast SBDC is in it's 25th year, and to celebrate the Del Norte office threw a party!
Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who contributed. A special thank you to the Elk Valley Rancheria for your generous support!
Gregg Foster, President of the NCSBDC Board of Directors (L) receives a proclamation from Del Norte County Supervisor Gary Hemmingsen (R).
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| Stat for this month. |
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, since the mid-1990s, small businesses generally have created 60 to 80 percent of the net new employment in the United States.
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 Sincerely,
Kathrine Bridgwater
Small Business Development Analyst
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