FROM MAK:

Growing a Specialty Food Sector - How Cool is That?!

 

A new network is in place to support the growth of a local specialty food sector in our region and encourage the use of local ingredients in that sector.  The Hannah Grimes CenterHannah Grimes MarketplaceNeighbor Made Kitchen and the Cheshire County Conservation District's Monadnock Menu's program are working together in East Keene to build on the early successes of burgeoning hub of local food entrepreneurs. The Citizens Bank Foundation has provided funding for the project. 

 

Theresa Darling, from TC's Pantry, is one of the start up businesses taking advantage of that network.  As a child, Theresa and her sister liked to sell iced tea and cookies from a hand-built, bright blue vendor stand on the corner of Little Bear and Big Bear Hill in rural Connecticut. They would tow it up the road with a rope and park at the intersection. "Boy, did we get excited when we made a sale! I still get that same feeling today," Theresa recounts.

 

More recently, she started to make from scratch comfort food for family and friends to help make ends meet while she was home raising her children. Soon, customers were calling her, which encouraged her to explore starting down a more serious business path. In February of 2012, Theresa struck a deal a local village store and began selling her ready-to-eat comfort food from the South Acworth Village Store.

 

As Theresa tells it, "The community has embraced TC's Pantry and given me the confidence to take the next step, which is to rent a commercial kitchen so that I can expand my market by selling frozen versions of my food that can be baked at home. The kitchen license at the general store only allows me to sell directly from that location - which is rather remote." 

 

When she's not cooking, Theresa works as a small business bookkeeper. In October of 2011, she was laid off from a non-profit that lost its state funding. She found work again in April at a meat processing facility but in December of 2012 was laid off again.  She says, "It is my goal to take TC's Pantry to the next level and allow myself to build my own sustainable future."

 

Business Description

TC's Pantry currently makes delicious made-from-scratch comfort food.  As she grows her business, she will start by specializing in her 5" and 9" chicken pot pies. The filling is made from premium chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and fresh herbs. The gravy is made from TC's own homemade chicken stock. The crust, which has been described by customers as "deliriously good", "outstanding" and "phenomenal," is a family recipe. It is the perfect recipe to be frozen and baked at home. It is flaky, elegant and made with pure New England butter. TC's Pantry also makes beef, butter bean and leek (vegetarian) and mushroom (vegetarian) pies. TC's Pantry does not use any artificial ingredients or compromise standards of quality and will incorporate local ingredients whenever possible.   

"I am confident in my ability to run a business successfully, as I have a business management degree from Franklin Pierce College and I have 15 years experience in bookkeeping and management, Theresa shares, "I have also had work experience in catering, packing, shipping, label and media creation and sales. I have a strong work ethic and I am very efficient in the kitchen."

 

Business Support

TC is working with the Hannah Grimes Center to develop her business.  Hannah Grimes and Neighbor Made work together to provide support to specialty food producers in the region.  Neighbor Made Kitchen, which is privately owned, is known as a helpful and friendly entrepreneurial hub for Keene's growing specialty food industry.  Theresa has also been working at the Hannah Grimes Center with Rich Grogan from the NH Small Business Development Center on her business plan and has consulted with David Deziel, Nebesek Marketing, on her marketing.  All these services are free.  She is planning to be part of the next class of the six-month Business Start Up program, a peer program facilitated by business coach Helaine Iris which begins in May.  The fee for that class is $600, but scholarship dollars for 75% of the fee are available for those who qualify.

 

In addition, Theresa is working with Denise Meadows, Marketplace Manager at Hannah Grimes Marketplace to bring her product to market.  Hannah Grimes Marketplace provides a thriving retail marketplace, education and support for local producers.  Sharlene Beaudry from Monadnock Menu's has met with Theresa to help her source local ingredients for her recipes.

 

Financing

Hannah Grimes is a KivaZip Trustee - which means it is a portal for local businesses to interest free loans provided by this new crowdfunding site.  TC's Pantry was the first KivaZip loan funded in New Hampshire.  She received $5,000 in interest-free loans from individuals who make interest-free loans to small businesses - in amounts as little as $25.  The purpose of this loan is to rent commercial kitchen space at Neighbor Made in Keene, NH. The kitchen has all needs covered including labeling equipment, a shipping center, and a full staff of industry professionals to advise entrepreneurs. The loan will also cover start-up costs such as licenses, permits, insurance, the utility deposit, a small amount of equipment, sales media, labeling, packing and beginning inventory.

 

It is a joy to work with such wonderful partners toward such an exciting goal.  We have great food traditions in this region and a number of noteworthy examples of success.  We are looking forward to expanding on that success.  Look for Theresa's product at Hannah Grimes Marketplace beginning in May.

 

Keep up the good work, 

 

Mak

 

Mary Ann Kristiansen

Executive Director

Hannah Grimes Center

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. 
Upcoming WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
KEENE WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS
12 Ways to Hire a Really Bad Employee...Or Not! with Paula Mathews, Thursday, May 2, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee. Learn more and register here
Every time you hire someone you don't know or haven't thoroughly checked out, you put your company at risk. HR Compliance will teach you some processes how NOT to hire a really bad employee.  

4 Things to Consider Before Starting a Business with Helaine Iris, May 2, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee. Learn more and register here

So you think you want to start your own business? In this workshop, visionaries will go over the four things you need to consider before starting a business. This workshop involves building the skills needed to run a business while realizing that passions needs to be tempered by reality. 

 

Estate Planning Workshop with Kathleen Murphy and Pamela Little, Thursday, May 9, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee. Learn more and register here
This seminar will focus on the issues to address when developing an estate plan and the importance of working with an estate planning attorney.  
 
22 Reasons Why Sharing Housing May be the Perfect Solution to Cure Loneliness with Annamarie Pluhar, Monday, May 20. 12 - 1 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. No fee. Learn more and register here
Do you know someone who lives alone? Of course you do, it's a very common living arrangement these days. In this workshop, you will discover 22 reasons why a person could have a better life by living with a housemate than by living alone. 

2013 Stonyfield Entrepreneurship Institute, Tuesday & Wednesday, May 28-29, Grappone Conference Center at the Courtyard Marriott, Concord. Cost: $275 which includes the program, Tuesday lunch and dinner, and Wednesday breakfast and lunch. Learn more and register here
The Stonyfield Entrepreneurship Institute was conceived by Gary Hirshberg in 1998 based on his experience growing Stonyfield Farm, Inc. Learn from Gary's humble start and future aspirations - and from other entrepreneurs, including keynote speaker Shazi Visram and case study participants from diverse industries. The agenda for the conference includes balancing financial social and environmental goals, marketing-building your brand, early-stage finance, cash flow, fiance, new media, and much more. This is an event you do not want to miss!  
 
6-month Start-Up Program with Helaine Iris, beginning May 16, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center, Suite C, Keene. Fee: $600, with 75% scholarship funding available for those who qualify. Learn more and find an application here
This intensive program covers content relevant to new business owners. You will learn the skills and receive the support you need to reach your business goals - in the company of other like-minded entrepreneurs. At the end of the 6 months, you will have a workable business plan ready to present to a panel for a group critique. 
 
6-month Entrepreneur Project with Ann Connor, beginning September 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Hannah Grimes Center, Suite C, Keene. Fee: $600, with 75% scholarship funding available for those who qualify. Learn more and find an application here
What's the Growth Plan for your business? The Entrepreneur Project is a rigorous program for high energy organizations that have moved beyond the start-up phase.  With a focus on structure, accountability and support, you'll create an Action Plan for strategic growth that will help you fully achieve your vision and deliver exceptional results.  Turn your growth plan into action! 
Looking for More Events?

 

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For five alternative and innovative financing options for your business, visit the Hannah Grimes website today! 
2012 Hannah Grimes Center Key Partners



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