Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is upon us. This month's Inside Scoop is full of information for small business owners at all stages of operation to help you have your most successful season yet. Be sure to register for Business of Small Business Roundtable on June 14th.

Our Spotlight interview features Ryan Hazel, owner of Rooter Ryan in Orleans. Ryan talks about taking the leap to start his own company in 2019 after working in the industry for almost five years. Even with the all the challenges of the past few years, Ryan has worked hard and established a successful business, outpacing his initial projections.

Congratulations to the Cape Cod Culinary Incubator on the opening of its state of the art shared-use kitchen located within KAM Appliances at 6 Aggregate Way, Hyannis. We look forward to working with them in supporting sustainable, small food businesses.

Pam & Tricia

SPOTLIGHT: Ryan Hazel of Rooter Ryan

Each month, Spotlight features an interview with a local business owner. We ask the same questions, focusing on the "why" of the organization, as well as accomplishments, challenges, and next steps. By asking the same questions each month, we allow our readers to spot themes and trends that may be helpful for their small business.

This month Inside Scoop is pleased to place the Spotlight on Ryan Hazel d/b/a Rooter Ryan in Orleans. Rooter Ryan offers emergency drain services for residential and commercial properties, including:

Ryan started his business in 2019 after working in the industry for almost five years. In the interview below, he shares his experiences and insights.

Why did you start ? Living and raising a family here, I knew I needed to start my own business, rather than being paid an hourly wage, to make a decent living. After working in the industry for almost five years, I saw an opportunity to provide quality service to customers at a fair price. There are 3 franchise companies that provide similar services, but I found that clients were asking for me by name even when I worked for a different company. Rooter Ryan offers clients prompt, professional service regardless of the size of the job. Rooter Ryan currently has a 98% recommendation rate, with recognition for the business' quality, value and customer service on the Home Advisor

What have you accomplished so far? I opened my business in May, 2019. Since that time, I retired all the debt I incurred in opening the business and was able to invest in additional equipment without financing. Rooter Ryan doubled its projections in terms of clients. Rooter Ryan presently serves over 60 food establishments across Cape Cod.

One reason for Rooter Ryan's success is the connections I made with other local businesses, especially plumbers and septic companies. We have an informal network of referring clients to each other. In particular, Cape Cod Septic Services and Aattaboy Septic Service jumped started Rooter Ryan's business and continue to send referrals.

What is the biggest obstacle you had to overcome and how did you overcome it? The nature of my business is the client has an emergency and calls me. Emergency calls account for over 80% of Rooter Ryan's business. As a result, I'm always on call. I can say "no", but I hate to do that to a restaurant customer during Saturday night service, or a residential customer with a house full of guests and no working bathroom. It can be hard on my family when I have to change plans to accommodate an emergency call. However, the flip side of so much of my business being on an emergency basis is that I have a lot of flexibility so I try to appreciate that.

Except for a brief foray into the NY flea market scene many years ago, this is the first time I have a run a business. I handle client bids and invoices, but I work with an accountant and a tax professional to handle other aspects of the business. As Rooter Ryan gets busier, I try to work smarter, not harder. For example, when I bought my first van in 2019, I ordered vinyl letters online and applied them myself. I recently upgraded my van and hired someone to hand letter the van for me. I could have done it again, but that was not the best use of my time and energy. It cost more to hire someone, but it freed me up to work on my business.

What role has CDP played in the start and growth of your business? When I decided to start my own business, I applied for a micro-loan through the CDP to purchase a van and equipment for my business. As part of my application, I created a business plan and cash flow projections. Once approved for the loan, I met with Pam periodically to review how my business was doing. I was able to repay my loan ahead of schedule.

What’s next for Rooter Ryan? I plan to continue to work hard to grow my business and client base. I expect that as I approach the 5 year mark in May, 2024 I will look at expanding Rooter Ryan. In the short term, I am going to explore increasing Rooter Ryan's digital presence with an updated website, possibly applying for an Empower Digital Grant through Mass Growth Capital Corporation, naming the CDP as the small business technical assistance provider.

In declaring May to be Small Business Month in the Commonwealth, Governor Baker encourages all of us to recognize the vital role small businesses play in keeping our local, regional, and national economies strong. Community Development Partnership is proud to partner with and assist small business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of business ownership by ensuring the small business community has access to commercial financing, technical assistance, and entrepreneurial education programs.

In 2021, the CDP provided 620 hours of education, training and technical assistance to 236 clients across all business programs and provided over $165,000 in microloans. CDP also helped more than 15 clients apply for COVID grant funding through Mass Growth Capital Corporation and SBA programs and provided $467,500 in CDBG forgivable loans to small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. How can we help you?

Browse SCORE's comprehensive collection of resources and tools created especially for AAPI entrepreneurs.

Expert Insights for Asian American and Pacific Islander Small Business Owners Webinar

May 19th at 1:00

The Center for Corporate and Professional Education at Cape Cod Community College is offering a virtual workshop on the Express Program training grants on May 20th. The first half hour will share the training options available to your staff through CCAPE, explain how eligible employers can tap into the Express Program to fund part, if not all, of your training costs and help you evaluate how training can best meet your organization’s needs.

May 24 1:00 pm

The roadshow will be a unique opportunity to hear from MA workforce leaders and to share your perspective with them. Attendance will vary by event but speakers may include Lt. Governor Polito, Secretary Acosta, Secretary Peyser, and Secretary Kennealy, among others. The goal is to connect employers to new and existing workforce supports from the Commonwealth. 

Market Maker / MassHire Engagement Session. Learn about how the MassHire system can help your company build a pipeline of skilled employees. Meet your new Market Maker and hear how you can access more than $200M in workforce funding.

HireNow Workshop. Learn more about the new HireNow program - you can receive $4,000 per new hire to support hiring, training and retention.

Workforce Development Roundtable. Sit down with MA workforce leaders to share your perspective and discuss broader workforce trends in the state.

All attendees must register in advance here

Have a business or non-profit idea that's "Cape Cod Made?" Apply, get selected, and you’ll have 2 1/2 minutes to pitch your idea to a panel of judges (a la Shark Tank). EforAll Cape Cod pitch contests are a great place to present your idea, and receive valuable feedback from industry-expert judges. You might even win prize money to assist with startup! 1st place – $1,000. 2nd place – $750. 3rd place – $500. Fan Favorite – $500. Ideas in all stages are welcome.

Learn more about Billy Dean Thomas and register for this informative workshop

Please read more about both programs below and follow the links. If you think either of these programs is a fit for your business, conntact pam@capecdp.org 

or call 508-240-7873 x18.

MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate-income and underserved entrepreneurs, and small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. The objective of the is to provide entrepreneurs with new knowledge and skills for growing their business and advancing toward innovative approaches to obtaining capital through the earned support of local residents, neighborhoods, community members, and stakeholders alike by raising funding to match the amount requested in their grant application. 

MGCC's Empower Digital Grant provides funding (up to $5k) for tools and services to develop digital capabilities for your small business. MGCC will make these funds available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed. MGCC no longer requires a "brick & mortar", public-facing store front. MGCC will cover up to $5,000 without requiring the 20% from the business owner. MGCC will now pay the Business Owner the grant funds upon submission of the Project Completion Certification Form.

On March 15, 2022, the SBA announced additional deferment of principal and interest payments for existing COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program borrowers for a total of 30 months deferment from inception on all approved COVID EIDL loans. The extended deferment period will provide additional flexibility to small business owners impacted by the pandemic, especially those in hard-hit sectors managing disruption with recent variants, as well as recent supply chain and inflation challenges amid a growing economic recovery.

Supplemental awards are available to eligible applicants through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.

Applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant’s award date. Please note, this program is only available to those organizations that previously applied for the SVOG and received an initial grant.

Contact Holly Aker at VBOC for more information about VBOC programs. Schedule an appointment with Pam and Tricia to see how CDP can help you strengthen and grow your business.

The kitchen will be available for rent by members who have completed an application, obtained proper permits and insurance, and submitted all required documentation to Cape Cod Culinary Incubator. Individuals interested in membership and/or renting the kitchen should visit Cape Cod Culinary Incubator's website or email info@capeculinary.org.

Sandra Costello created this one-day Happy Headshots event to give clients a quick, enjoyable experience while also receiving the royal treatment.

Chatham Works is hosting Happy Headshots on May 24th. This session includes a 20-minute shoot, and two digital files for $179. You will walk away with images you love from a laid back portrait session!

CDP is actively expanding its outreach efforts to small business owners and entrepreneurs on the Lower and Outer Cape. If you are receiving this e-newsletter, then you likely have worked with CDP to strengthen and grow your business. Who better to spread the word about all CDP has to offer than a satisfied customer?! As one of our recent business owners put it, "everyone needs someone to talk to". You already know that CDP is a great "someone" with whom to discuss your small business goals and challenges.

Spend a few minutes looking at your Contacts and think about who you know that would benefit from working with CDP's Business & Credit Programs. Share this newsletter with business owners you know who might benefit from working with CDP. Encourage a small business owner to reach out to CDP. We work with businesses in all stages of growth, including inception. Help us fulfill our mission of Leading the Lower Cape in building a diverse community of year-round residents who can afford to live, work and thrive here.

CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.