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North Coast SBDC April Newsletter
April 1, 2011
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From the desk of the Executive Director 
It's hard to beat a fighter who keeps getting up. I found myself thinking that and other nice things about Crescent City recently.
On March 12, the day after the tsunami, I went up to get a first-hand look at the damage. I needed to report to the SBA folks in San Francisco on Monday to tell them what was happening, as the potential for SBA disaster relief funding is high. I had news reports and Barbara Burke was already doing an excellent job on the ground; still there would be more information and more credibility if I saw it myself. The people I met were a little hunkered down, a little in a daze, but also quickly getting organized and already in possession of a clear resolve. Over the next week, that continued. The leadership, city staff, harbor folks, clean-up guys, emergency response folks and the citizenry at large did a remarkable job of getting their ducks in a row. Barbara remained our presence at the various tables, letting business people know the SBDC stood ready to help.
On the Monday ten days after the tsunami, I was back in Crescent City to comment to the City Council on a key grant application. Certainly, the tsunami was on the agenda but it didn't dominate it. The meeting started with two touching moments, two nice pieces of Americana. First, the City recognized Gil Estrela, a still vital-looking man who was retiring after 32 years working in the city equipment yard. On the heels of that, reserve police officer Yeng Lo was sworn in as a regular-duty police officer. In the crowd were some three dozen of his family members, who cheered and clapped after he completed his oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States. Only after that did the meeting move on to the grant application, to clean up reports from the tsunami, and to the other necessities of governing.
Crescent City has seen more than its share of economic troubles and natural disasters. However, in both their response to the most recent disaster, and in the spirit and getting-on-with-it normalcy I witnessed in the city council chambers, there is the spirit of people who just keep getting up.
Sincerely,
Michael Kraft
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Small Business Success: Vita Cucina
Vita Cucina, owned by Michelle and Devon Morgante, is a specialty kitchen store that teaches culinary classes, caters events, and sells cookware and related products in Crescent City.
The Northern California Lead SBDC made a video to highlight their story.
Watch the video on You Tube!
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| | From triplicate.com: Vessel owner Thomas Adam's grandson Joe Smith looks at the damage of his grandfather's boat Photos courtesy of U.S Coast Guard |
SBA Sets up Office in Crescent City Harbor District
The Small Business Administration is on site to provide information and referrals to businesses affected by the March 11 tsunami. Loan programs are available at a rate of less than 3%. For more information call SBDC Business Advisor Barbara Burke at 707-464-2168.
Building Healthy Communities in Del Norte County
Building Healthy Communities is a 10-year strategic direction supporting the development of communities where kids and youth are healthy, safe and ready to learn. The California Endowment's program is administered through the Del Norte County Department of Health and Human Services. You can look at the program web site at http://www.mycalconnect.org/delnorte/Default.aspx
California SBDC Glimpse Modest Growth for Small Business in 2010
Despite sustained lulls in the national and state economy, California Small Business Development Centers saw the first signs of economic recovery from their clients in 2010-creating nearly 3,900 new jobs and retaining an additional 2,048 jobs that were previously slated for elimination. Read more...
Insight on the local economy from Executive Director Michael Kraft
Finally, we have good, solid news on the jobs front. We remain in a good news/bad news scenario, but the good news is truly good. A few weeks ago, I was at a meeting of Humboldt County's Workforce Investment Board (WIB), where the private sector folks in the room were guardedly optimistic, grounded but positive, about the economy going forward. Read more...
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Building the Humboldt Universe Online
April 6, 12-2pm
Arcata Theater Lounge
During this exciting 90-minute multi-media presentation (with time for Q&A), Andrew Davis will share how working together to build the Humboldt Online Universe will drive revenue for individual businesses. Pre-registration required. $30 general, $20 RTC/Humboldt Made, $10 student. Includes lunch.
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Social Entrepreneurship Symposium
April 8, 8am-5pm
Humboldt State University
Hear from youth leaders, empowerment champions, and community organizers! Attend workshops on grant writing, business planning, and business start up success. All students are welcome. Become a member of the Club! Event is free, and RSVP is requested.
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Humboldt Plan It Green Conference
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44th Annual Humboldt Film Festival
May 1-7
Humboldt State University
Local film makers night is Monday May 2, which will include short reels from the small business clients in our Film & Digital Media Flight. Come support our local small businesses and see the cool work that they do.
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Nine Small Business Owners Graduate from the Eel River Microenterprise Flight
Congratulations to the nine professionals that completed the flight program!
From top left, they are:
Erica Canevari - Back In Balance Horseshoeing
Leandra Young - Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth
Jen Briar-Bonpane, LCSW - Hum Mums parenting magazine
Cammille Layton - Salubria Wellness massage therapy
Chris Miller - Advanced Computer Solutions
Beth Dunlap - Paradise Flat Farm
Kyle Visser - ShredTec
Christine Justesen - Blue Jay Nursery
Not pictured: Jocelynn Rudig - Red Cap Remedies
The flight included individualized counseling, group workshops, peer networking, and AEDC's Prosperity Scholarship. Each participant presented their business plan to the group at the commencement of the flight. This was a truly remarkable group.
Thank you to the Town of Scotia for use of the Winema Theater, Susan Seaman at AEDC, all of the wonderful workshop presenters, and the Business Advisors; Alfredo Corral, Mike Nerat, Tina Nerat, Stilson Snow, and Janet DePace for your contributions!
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Hiring Your First Employee
April 6, 5:30-7pm Prosperity Center Hiring your first employee can help you to the next level. Let our panel of business experts explain the necessary steps to become a first time employer, including defining legal issues, doing cost-benefit analysis, determining business needs and designing the hiring process.
Free. No RSVP. Walk-ins welcome.
Contact: Economic Fuel
Finalist Presentations are on April 25-26, see web site for more details!
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What Every Business Should Know
April 19, 4-5:30pm
Fortuna River Lodge
Don't just 'keep' the books, master them and take control of your bottom line. Time is money, so it pays to learn the best practices of productivity. The panel will discuss how to take your business to new heights and teach you basic financial principles critical to your success.
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Getting Started With Government Contracting
April 12, 10am-1pm
Prosperity Center
Learn about the certification qualifications, benefits and application websites for the following federal and state certifications. There are SBA programs as well as State of California certifications that can benefit your business. Free.
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Small Business & Contractor Outreach Workshop
April 18, 9am-12pm
Humboldt Area Foundation
Learn how and why becoming a certified Small Business or Disabled Veteran Business (DVBE) with the State can benefit your business! Learn about State agencies that are advertising to purchase goods, services,
and contracting. Free.
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Web Sites with WordPress
April 7, 6-8pm
Prosperity Center
If your business doesn't have a web site and you want to build your own or have a static 'business card' web site that you want to replace with something that can be easily maintained and fresh, this workshop is for you. Attendees should be new to WordPress. $20 fee, payable via PayPal or at the door.
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Electronic Payment Processing
April 20, 6-8pm
Prosperity Center
Local business owners of all types are encouraged to attend and learn how taking payments at events can increase revenue. Whether you are a storefront business with occasional events or your business is focused on fairs and festivals, there is much to learn at this workshop. Free.
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Thanks to our new youth entrepreneurship sponsors!
In the last month, several organizations have made commitments to support youth entrepreneurship efforts related to the Decade of Difference: 20/20 Initiative. They are:
- The Mel & Grace McLean Foundation
- The Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Shasta College
- The Eureka Southwest Rotary
Community involvement is the linchpin of the 20/20 Initiative. We need the time, ideas and financial support of many to raise expectations and performance for our region's kids. Many thanks to these organizational leaders for jumping into the wheelbarrow!
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Registration for the Young Entrepreneurs Business Challenge closed on March 21st with 34 teams signed up for the challenge. In total, 58Humboldt County high school students will be competing on the 34 teams. Competing teams are from Alder Grove Charter School, Arcata High School, Eureka High School, Ferndale High School, Fortuna High School, North Coast Learning Academy and Six Rivers Charter School.
The mission of the Young Entrepreneurs Business Challenge is to inspire students to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. There are up to three $5,000 awards to individual high school students or student teams who present business plans for the most viable businesses. The awards are to be used to further the students' proposed business ventures as outlined in their plans. To help get their businesses off the ground, winners are awarded up to ten hours of consultation with the North Coast SBDC.
To learn more about the competition and to sign up for competition updates visit www.humboldtyebc.org.
The Young Entrepreneurs Business Challenge logo was designed by Lucy Hawj, a Eureka High
School student who is in the DECA program. Make sure to visit the website to check it out!
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 Since today is April 1, here's a link to 50 easy April Fools Day jokes and pranks you can play on your friends, family, co-workers, or anyone else you care to bother. Have fun!
Sincerely,
Kathrine Bridgwater
Small Business Development Analyst
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