Economic Development News
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From Our Executive Director
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Over the course of the last week, local businesses have been thrown into this unprecedented crisis. What we thought of weeks ago as best-business practices no longer apply. As we try to adjust our everyday operations in light of current events, we must ask ourselves how do we stay nimble and innovative so that we can best support our local businesses during this chaotic time.
With the recent “shelter in place” directive, we need to come together as a community and support one another. Our health and government officials are actively working together to ensure the health, safety, and security of our nation. With this being said, we are continuing to watch all of our funding partners, including the SBA, for updates to support businesses that have been impacted.
If you're looking to stay on top of business information and resources as they come available, follow the
COVID 19 Resource page
at the Northcoast Small Business Development Center. If you have questions that are not about the event, that is not specific to an AEDC loan, the COVID Business Information line is 707-268-2527. The line is for business owners/managers/employees who are looking for business related resources and/or support services related to the COVID 19 Crisis.
We have reached out to all of our clients and have not been surprised to find that you are struggling due to recent events. If we're not currently working with you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us so that we can get you the help needed. While our offices won't be staffed, people will be working from home to make sure we stay on top of your needs.
And, while business is anything but usual right now, we do have some non-COVID 19 related news, including a new office manager. Welcome to Brandi! We're also continuing to move forward with Lemonade Day. Whether or not the event actually happens in June, families can participate with fun and educational activities while everybody is home together.
-- Ross
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Meet AEDC's New Office Manager
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Brandi Easter Joins the AEDC Team
We are excited to welcome Brandi Easter to AEDC as our new Office Manager! Brandi is a local commercial advertising photographer and has been our go-to photographer for AEDC and Lemonade Day over the past 10 years. She has photographed for clients since 1989, shooting for websites, product packaging, point of purchase, postcard mailers, billboards and more. While she’ll continue doing her photography business, we’re glad she’s here to help keep our office running smoothly.
What are some of your roles at AEDC as the Office Manager?
As the Office Manager, I am the first line of communication between our clients and the hard workers of AEDC. I make sure our day to day operations continue to run smoothly by fulfilling any needs we have here at the office.
How has your background as a business owner and photographer shaped you?
Being in business for 32 years has shaped my work ethic and my insight when it comes to my role at AEDC. My experience has allowed me to learn how to pay attention to detail and prioritize my time efficiently. It has allowed me to learn the ins and outs of how businesses operate.
What excites you about working at AEDC?
Well, I got the opportunity of being able to work with the staff from AEDC through my photography business. When I got to work with the board I thought they’d be really stellar people to work with, and it's been so enjoyable since! My role here is the next step for my career, I get to take on a whole new level of professionalism. It's now come full circle, I’ve been an entrepreneur and learned the ropes. Now I’m on another side of the circle, facilitating how others can do business.
What other hats do you wear in the community?
I’m an SBDC workshop presenter, but I’ve also been a Rotarian since 1997 with the Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise. I’ve also been a volunteer at KEET TV since 1993. My other hat is as a reef check diver—I help with impartial data collection to help inform decision making for fisheries management.
When you aren't working, where will we find you?
The ocean is my preferred place to be. I do free-diving and spearfishing and I’ve done it on a competitive level since 1997. Soon I’ll be taking a trip to Arkansas to participate in the Freshwater Nationals for Spearfishing Competition. I’ve also been a part of a lot of policy-making, having spoken before the Fish and Game Commission on various issues. More recently, I was a stakeholder in the Marine Life Protection Act and a representative for recreational divers.
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In 2007, Michael Holthouse started
Lemonade Day
as a fun way to
“empower today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.”
In 2011, Humboldt County was one of the earliest adopters of Lemonade Day. Since then, hundreds of our local youth have participated in this annual community event. One day out of each year hundreds of thousands of kids across the United States start, own, and run their own lemonade stands.
Through this process, youth learn the steps and planning necessary to start a business, they set a goal, create a plan, and then work at their plan to achieve their dreams. All while learning the importance of goal setting, business skills, and financial literacy along the way. Lemonade Day Coordinator and long time supporter Taffy Stockton says, “
each year I enjoy watching all of the amazing work that is done for Lemonade Day, including the work that follows after it.”
While we won't be having our April 1st kick off this year, those wishing to participate in Lemonade Day can still register online. After registering, participants get a workbook where parents will find valuable and fun activities to help their kids learn about goal setting, financial literacy, budgeting, and more. Parents and mentors can find additional resources by downloading the
Mentor App
from the
App Store
or
Google Play.
We’d also like to take this moment to say a big thank you to our sponsors, without your help and support this highly anticipated, annual tradition would not be possible.
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Community Sponsors:
Media Partners:
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COVID —19 and Your Business
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Check out this excerpt from the Times-Standard Business Sense Column, written by Director of the North Coast Small Business Development Center. To read the full article,
click here.
Here are some thoughts for business owners about how to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic organized according to NDN Collective’s principles of Regenerative Indigenous Communities.
Be generous
. These are the old-fashioned village lessons we all know about collective care and small-town reputations. Announce regularly the measures you’re taking to provide a safe place of business for your customers and employees. Educate yourself and your employees about prevention measures and the paid sick leave, disability, and unemployment insurance supports for employees affected by COVID-19. We’ve compiled lots of resources for you at
northcoastsbdc.org/covid19
.
Consider your fellow businesses.
If your revenues, margins, and cash flow are holding steady but your neighbors are drowning: buy from them. Order their supplies, meals, and services. Pay in advance for products and services to be delivered after the worst of the pandemic has receded. You could make the difference that keeps a micro business or self-employed entrepreneur in business. Remember: most self-employed folks don’t have access to state unemployment or disability benefits; they’re really scared right now.
Mirror natural processes.
What happens when a disaster’s coming on? A wise creature digs in and prepares. Deal with urgent projects now. Reschedule non-essential public events now. Line up your financial assistance options now. Which of your creditors and landlords are offering suspended payments or other help during the pandemic? Google “SBA Disaster Loan Application Paper Forms” and start assembling your financials now.
Then, when the wise get sick or hurt they go down for the count and don’t try to push through. Pause. Reschedule. Postpone. Move to the virtual space. Get extra financial help to get by. Your local North Coast Small Business Development Center advisers will help you apply for economic disaster loans and figure out how to manage expenses and maximize income during this difficult time. If you have employees and need to reduce hours or close up entirely, email layoffhelp@northcoastsbdc.org so we can help.
Finally, as soon as the storm recedes and the sun is out, you’re ready to start pushing up shoots again: announce reopening proudly, publish thank-yous to your employees and customers, offer sales to bring customers back.
Cooperation and Collaboration.
We’re really good at this when we need to be. Let’s get even better. Maybe someone has a 50-user license for a videoconferencing service but only needs 10 licenses most of the time; so share it. Hoarding won’t do you any good if your neighbors can’t find hand and surface sanitizers so maybe you go in on a bulk buy with neighboring businesses.
What help do we want from our local county and city offices — temporary tax relief, micro-business loans or grants, deferred utility payments, disinfecting supplies, public hand washing stations? Please sign up for this mailing list and tell us what you need so we can pass it on:
surveymonkey.com/r/NorthCoastBizCOVID19
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Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Fax: (707) 798-6130
Tel: (707) 798-6132
707 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Newsletter produced by
Lynette Mullen, Projects Delivered
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