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News of MERIT
Greetings!
Sign up for the next Launch Your Business series in May if you've taken Explore and Define Your Business and are within 6 months of launching the business.
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest news pertinent to our organization and microenterprise! Plus, keep us informed of how you're doing and how we can help you in the process of starting or growing your business.
Yesterday was May Day. Hope everyone is enjoying Sping!
Forrest Peck 
Program Director
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Sparkle of Excellence Awards Dinner
On April 19th, Job Growers, Inc. hosted its annual award ceremony and fundraiser dinner. Over the years, Job Growers has supported many MERIT entrepreneurs through its Sparkle of Excellence Entrepreneurial Scholarship. During this year's event, John Gimby, a recipient of the Entrepreneurial Scholarship in 2010, gave an update on his business success, and we're pleased to hear his business Omega Landscape Maintenance & Design is doing great.
This year Crystal Gonzalez of Casablanca Meal Delivery Services, Fabian Lopez of EarthTech Outdoor Services, and Scott Mills of Opt-e-web received this year's entrepreneurial scholarship. The scholarship will support business advising and training from MERIT and the Small Business Development Center. Congratulations to all the recipients! We look forward to working with each of you to strengthen your businesses!
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Constant Contact Boot Camp
This hands-on workshop is being facilitated by a Constant Contact representative and will teach the fundamentals to developing professional emails for your marketing efforts. You can attend on two different days, May 29th or 30th. To register, click on the date you'd like to attend below.
When: May 29 & May 30, 9am- 4pm
Where: Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry
626 High St NE, in downtown Salem
Fee: $199
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Launch Your Business Series in May
If you are within 6 months of launching your business, consider signing up for MERIT's own Launch Your Business series in Salem. This 7-week long series covers all the practical issues related to getting your business started and running, and the next one starts in May. Register on our website.
Salem:
Begins Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 6-9pm, 626 High St NE in downtown Salem
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Help us to build the dreams of entrepreneurs and the economic vitality of our communities !
MERIT is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Thank you for your support!
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Free Computer Training
If you are registered with a WorkSource Oregon Center, you can attend trainings on Quickbooks, Exel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint for free. The workshops will be held in the Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry at 626 High St NE in downtown Salem through the end of June. Read more about dates and times here. You can sign up for one the workshops at your local WorkSource Oregon Center.
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Bounty Market in Polk County
The Polk County Bounty is a network of members that promotes agricultural or agri-tourism businesses that produce locally owned, grown and sold products. The program encourages natural/green/organic processes, unique practices and unique products. Participation in the network brings marketing, advertising and promotional support. In the 2 years of hosting the Bounty Market, the Dallas Area Visitors Center reports that they had over 15,000 people visit the 67 vendors, spending over $107,000! As the market season approaches they invite your support as a customer, vendor and/or a sponsor!
Market applications are now on their website. If you know producers, farmers, artisans or hot food vendors that are looking for a new venue, please pass the word. You can sign up for the whole season, or just one week.
Market Dates: Thursdays from May 3 -September 27
Market Times: 2pm - 6pm
For more information, contact Bonnie Dreier: call 503.623.2564, email bonnie@dallasoregon.org
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Events and Resources for Women
Mama's Divine was started by Amanda Bresee, who attended MERIT's business training back in February 2011. On the website she describes the business as "an inspirational movement providing professional resources to assist women that are looking for a healthier lifestyle, deeper spiritual awareness, daily inspiration, new perspectives, support, and/or more fufillment and direction in many areas of life."
She has an Events and Resources page, where you can browse or submit events related to personal development, charity, entrepreneurship, family, or networking for women.
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Apprisen In Espanol
Apprisen, known locally as Consumer Credit Counseling Service, addresses money management concerns. They help people build financial knowledge, establish financial stability and develop financial confidence. And now their website is available in Spanish, here. ¡Bien!
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Food Co-op in Salem
If you saw the Salem Weekly article, then you know that a food co-op is in the works in Salem. Interested community members met back in February to discuss how to make it happen. The co-op would provide local, sustainable, and organic foods and goods -- focusing on what's in season in our area. The article quoted meeting attendee Cindy Kimball: "It's not going to happen if people don't make it happen; people have to step up and get involved."
For more information or to volunteer, contact foodcoopsalem@gmail.com.
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Forrest Peck
MERIT, MicroEnterprise Resources Initiatives & Training
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MERIT is a certified 501(c)(3) non-profit and a part of the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center. Stop by our offices at 626 High St NE, Salem to learn about the other great programs and services we offer!
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