Looking for a better return?

FROM MAK:

If you've got $25 sitting around earning nothing, have I got a deal for you! Make a no-interest loan through a new crowdfunding venue and your loan will be matched to become $50 to a promising local business. In an effort to expand financing options to our local business community, Hannah Grimes has become a KivaZip Trustee and our first business to become eligible for a loan is up on the KivaZip crowdfunding site. This site provides interest-free loans (not gifts like Kickstarter). We are hoping you, our Hannah Grimes Community, can help make her effort a success. Theresa Darling of TC's Pantry is already 80% of the way to reaching her funding goal. With your loan commitment, Theresa can get the full funding she needs to move into the Neighbor Made commercial kitchen and to move her new business forward.

We are excited to put our toe into the crowdfunding waters - it holds great potential for alternative financing for local ventures and is a fun, low-risk way for ordinary people to invest in businesses they believe in. If YOU are ready to put your toe in the water, the process is simple and takes just 5-10 minutes. Just log in to Theresa's KivaZip site and register as a funder. Payment is made through PayPal - you do not need a PayPal account to make the loan.

We welcome your feedback about becoming a lender. If you send us an email reporting on your lending experience, you will be included in a drawing to receive TC Pantry's first chicken pot pie to roll out of the Neighbor Made Kitchen. We warmly welcome you to join us at two upcoming events to meet Theresa. She will be at our April 12 Gallery Opening for Alicia Drakiotes and our Business After Hours on April 17.

We have more information a bout Theresa Darling, KivaZip, TC's Pantry and an effort underway to grow a specialty food industry in our region at our blog.

Keep up the good work,

Mak

Mary Ann Kristiansen
Executive Director
Hannah Grimes Center

PLAN TO ATTEND!

Hannah Grimes Center and
Hannah Grimes Marketplace host

Open Gallery for Alicia Drakiotes

Friday, April 12, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

At the Hannah Grimes Center, Keene

Join the Hannah Grimes community to support one of our local artists and member of the Hannah Grimes Marketplace. The exhibition "A Painters Journey" highlights works from the artists current collection which date 1986 to present. Works focus on local landmarks past and present, local scenery and East Coast explorations . Please join Alicia on this walk in a"A Painters Life".

Click here to register.

Business After Hours

With the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

At the Hannah Grimes Center, Keene

Cost: free to Chamber Members

Join the Greater Keene Business Community and Your Fellow Chamber Members for this Monthly Networking Event! Meet your fellow business leaders, and learn about the Hannah Grimes Center. Great refreshments, interesting information and fine company.

Click here to register.

BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT COACHING

Working on a 2013 business plan? Need a fundraising strategy for your nonprofit? Trying to make the most of your marketing dollars? Schedule a free session with one of the professionals available monthly at Hannah Grimes! Click here for a full list of available coaches. If you are interested, contact Jillian at Hannah Grimes or call 603-352-5063.

HANNAH GRIMES NEWS

Business Incubator Program Expands Boundaries for
Land Surveyor

According to Wendy Pelletier, "the greatest benefit of the program is the wonderful professional and business support from other members and the staff, and the NH Small Business Development Center, which has an office here as well." In addition to the business support and attractive office environment, she experienced an unexpected benefit: "renting an office here is more than just occupying a space it's like belonging to a family. It beats working from home all alone hands down. There is always someone around to chat with, share an idea with, or brainstorm with." Read more...

Upcoming WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

KEENE WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Basic Business Insurance and Risk Management Strategies with Scott Olmstead, March 29, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee.

Click here for registration and more information. Gain an understanding of the various insurance products available to properly insure your business operations.

RESCHEDULED: How to Conduct a Marketing Communications Audit with Peter Harris &
Sharon Bailly, April 2, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.,
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee.

Click here for registration and more information. This workshop will help you determine whether your marketing message is being delivered effectively and efficiently.

Board 101 Training With Dave Chase, April 2,
6:30 - 8 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Cost $25.

Click here for registration and more information. Board 101 is an introductory workshop for potential and new nonprofit board members who want to strengthen their knowledge about the key roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board and its individual members. More experienced board members might also benefit from this workshop as a refresher on the roles and responsibilities of a board member.

You Get What You Measure Series with Greg Hessel, April 8, May 13, and June 10, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Cost: $145 for the series.

Click here for registration and more information. This workshop will use a peer learning format to explore how participants' organizations currently use metrics, how they view organizational success, what they choose to measure, the assumptions underlying what organizations choose to measure and alignment of strategy goals and metrics.

Business Planning Workshop with Bob Vecchiotti, April 9, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee. Click here for registration and more information. If you feel your business' recovery is sluggish and you want a gut check of your current recovery plan, then this Advance Business Training (ABT) workshop is for you. In it you'll capture more opportunities than you first thought were possible. You'll look at how leadership can increase the contribution of your whole team. You'll be able to apply at least one idea to your planning initiatives.

Asset Location with Duane Goodell, April 17,
12 - 1:30 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee.

Click here for registration and more information. This workshop compares the characteristics of different asset types and the impact that they have on financial strategies. We will demonstrate how these different characteristics can have a significant impact on the outcome of your savings, your retirement, and your goals.

Government Contracting for Women with
Rachael Roderick, April 18, 1:30 - 4 p.m.,
Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee.

Click here for registration and more information. This workshop will introduce you to the many opportunities available to women business owners with the Federal government and its prime/sub-prime contractors.

GREEN: The New Color of Investments with
Kathleen Murphy and Todd Dahlstrom, April 19,
12 - 1:30 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee.

Click here for registration and more information. An opportunity for business owners and individuals to learn more about socially responsible investing.

Looking for More Events?

NH365.org

NH Small Business Development Center
NH Business Resource Center

NEWS & RESOURCES

Tips to Make Filing Your Taxes Less Taxing

Doing you taxes shouldn't be taxing. This year you can make preparing and filing your federal income taxes easier. These tips from the IRS can help: don't delay in filing, visit IRS.gov, use Free File, try IRS e-file, file on time, or if you need it - file an extension. Click here for more helpful resources.

10 Tips for People Who Hate Networking originally posted on Careerealism.com

Networking is not about working a room or telling everyone how fabulous you are. Real networking is building meaningful, lasting, mutually beneficial connections one person at a time. Read more...

For other financing options, visit the Hannah Grimes website.

2012 Hannah Grimes Center Key Partners