Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - September, 2022 | |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
September brings to mind back to school and back to work themes. Here at the CDP, we never stop working to help small business owners and entrepreneurs start, strengthen, and grow their businesses. We are pleased to share some of our Fall programs in this month's edition of Inside Scoop, as well as reveal our new Inside Scoop format. Please let us know what you think!
Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th. The 2022 theme, "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation", encourages us to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation. Here at the CDP, we know that we are stronger as a community when all voices are represented. We are pleased to include a link to SCORE's "Resources for Hispanic Entrepreneurs" as part of this month's Inside Scoop.
The CDP is pleased to announce that it recently received funding from Mass Growth Capital Corporation to grant micro-loans to businesses owned by members of underserved communities. MGGC’s program guidelines define underserved as businesses that are owned by racial or ethnic minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LBGTQ+ community, non-native English speakers, and people with low-moderate incomes, as well as those who are located in rural communities or are cooperatives. These funds from the MGCC, in addition to the CDP’s existing loan capital, will support small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. They also support the CDP’s ongoing work on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Workshops & Grants for Artists
Workshops & Grants relating to Food
General Business Workshops
Town Specific Programming
Upcoming Events
Other Resources for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
CDP's Small Business Services
To learn more about these workshops and programs, as well as other topics important to your business, please see below. As always, if there is a business topic that comes up for which you need more information or assistance, please reach out to us and we will help find resources to answer your questions.
Pam & Tricia
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Business of Small Business Roundtable
Oct. 27th 10:00-11:30
(virtual)
Being a small business owner means being responsible for making decisions across a wide variety of fields with many having long lasting consequences.
Everything from:
-how to structure your business
-the type of insurance required for the business
-how to recruit and retain staff
- mandated federal and state human resource policies.
Join human resources, insurance, legal and staffing professionals for a lively discussion about the business decisions small business owners and entrepreneurs must make.
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Improve Your Recordkeeping Practices At Any Stage Of Business
Nov. 1st 5:30-7:00
(virtual)
Whether you are a new or seasoned business owner, improving your record keeping practices allows you to improve your understanding of your business' cash flow and allows you to be in a position to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Join Pam Andersen, CDP's Director of Business & Credit programs and QuickBooks Pro Advisor to learn the steps you can take today, regardless of your stage of business, to improve your recordkeeping practices and put your business in a better position to succeed.
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GROW Program Information Sessions
WE CAN's GROW (Get Results with Other's Wisdom) Program empowers women entrepreneurs with support and tools to be successful in their business. The group meets with a knowledgeable facilitator over a period of several months. To learn if the GROW program is right for you, register for one of the following Information Sessions:
Monday, October 3, 3:00-4:00pm - Location TBA - Harwich area
Tuesday, October 4, 5:00-6:00pm - Cape Space, 100 Independence Drive, Hyannis
Thursday, October 6, 6:00-7:00pm - Via Zoom
Monday, October 10, 3:00-4:00pm - Via Zoom
To register: call 508-430-8111 or email registration@wecancenter.org
(Please specify which Information Session you want to attend)
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Artist Specific Workshops and Grants | |
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Make your Website
Work for You
Sept 27th 2:00 - 4:00 (virtual)
It's time to design a website that meets your real goals, instead of relying on the traditional artist website layout. In this workshop ushers artists through a discovery process guided by each artist's professional and creative goals and with the viewer's experience in mind. Participants will map out their website's layout, navigation, important pages, and "user actions" like sign-up forms or purchase buttons to create a design that works for them. While no actual website building will occur during the workshop, participants will leave with a roadmap that they can apply to their existing or a brand-new website on the platform of their choice.
Best suited for artists with an unconventional or multi-disciplinary practice struggling to represent it in website form.
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Fostering Relationships with Galleries and Museums
Oct 4th & 11th 2:00-4:00
(virtual)
Gallery and museum relationships are in the midst of a big shift. Access to certain gallery and institutional opportunities seem at once more open and more siloed. In this workshop artists will learn how to seek out and build relationships with gallerists and curators, as well as best practices for communications and the expectations and etiquette of moving through curatorial consideration.
Part 1: Relationship Cultivation (10/4)
Part 2: Communication Strategies (10/11)
Best suited for visual artists seeking representation or exhibitions.
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Cultural Sector Recovery
Grants for Individuals
Application Deadline is 11/1/22
Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals offers unrestricted grants of $5,000 to creatives and gig workers to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and set a path for growth.
To apply for this grant, an applicant must be: an artist or cultural practitioner active in any artistic discipline or cultural tradition; a teaching artist/scientist/humanist; or a cultural worker in the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences. In all cases, the individual’s work should be independent/self-employed.
Questions?
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Food Related Workshops and Grants | |
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FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food
Sept 26th 8:30 AM-5:00 PM at UMass Amherst
This course developed by the FSPCA is the “standardized curriculum” recognized by FDA; successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements for a “preventive controls qualified individual.” This Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) Blended Training course was developed to provide an alternative for individuals to complete the FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food course.
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Financial Analysis and Expense Planning workshop
Sept 28th 5:30-6:30 PM
(virtual)
Whether you are looking to launch a food business or have already started, having the foundation in financial analysis and expense planning is essential.
In this online workshop, you will learn:
- How to analyze your food business financial plans
- How to plan for your expenses
- How to improve your business financial situations.
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Agricultural Food Safety Improvement
Reimbursement Grant Program
Applications due 9/30
The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.
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General Business Workshops | |
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Health Insurance Options for Individuals, Families, and Small Businesses
Sept. 27th from 12:00-1:00
(virtual)
Do you need health insurance for yourself and your family, as a sole proprietor, or for your growing small business? Learn about the insurance options and ways you could save money on monthly premiums at a FREE webinar Sept. 27 at 12 PM
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Starting a Business at 50+: Demystifying the Mystery of Marketing
Sept. 27th 1:00-2:00
(virtual)
Learn how to design your first marketing strategy and how to leverage social media to raise awareness about your business.
During the webinar you’ll learn:
- Important elements of a good marketing strategy
- An overview of different marketing channels, including social media, and how to maximize each channels effectiveness
- Tips on how to incorporate your personal story in your business brand and more.
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Basics of Email Marketing, Part 1
Oct. 4th 9:00-10:00
(virtual)
Join SCORE mentor Dale Shadbegian, CEO and Lead Strategist at Cape & Plymouth Business Media, the Region's only business focused media company, for the first part of a two-part webinar providing a comprehensive guide to the foundation of successful email marketing, including building or uploading lists,
list segmentation and platforms and tools that will enhance your efforts.
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Introducing Eastham's NEW Exterior Improvement Program - Apply by October 21st
The Exterior Improvement Program aims to address the need for capital investment and upgrades to commercial space in Eastham, while providing a needed boost to local businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers a combination of grant awards and a streamlined project review process, with an emphasis on projects that improve the visual appearance of business properties, provide clear community and/or economic benefits, and increase voluntary compliance with local and state regulations.
Applications due October 21st
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Truro Expanded Childcare Voucher Program - Apply by October 31st
The Town of Truro is pleased to announce the expansion of the Childcare Voucher Program, which is NOW for Birth through 4-Year-Olds (only if they are unable to be accommodated at the Truro Central School) enrolled in a state-licensed childcare program, or a licensed pre-school or pre-k program that is not the Truro Central School Pre-School Program.
The program is available for children of Truro Residents, Town of Truro Staff, and children of employees and business owners employed for more than 20 hours per week by a business with a physical location in the town of Truro, provided that the Truro location is the primary location of the employee’s work for each month for which tuition assistance is provided.
Applications due October 31st
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Love Local Fest is Sunday, September 25th! | |
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Love Live Local’s September Love Local Fest celebrates locals’ summer
The free, family-friendly event highlights immense
home-grown talent
The Love Local Fest continues its 10th season which connects and supports our local makers, musicians, artists, eateries and neighbors at Aselton Park in Hyannis on Sunday, September 25th from 11 am- 5 pm.
It’s the ideal way to shop local, eat + drink
local, and celebrate the astounding talent that flourishes within our local community.
September’s Fest is generously sponsored by Cape Cod 5 and True North Events Rentals and will feature over 80 local artists, artisans, and brands who pop-up for the day.
Food trucks, such as Mom and Pops Burgers of Chatham, The Local Juice of Hyannis, and the Local Scoop of Orleans, will be in attendance and a craft beverage garden will be featuring libations from Cape Cod Beer, Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, and Truro Vineyards. Sunday’s live tunes will be provided by Catie Flynn Band (11:30am) and Alruda (2:30pm), playing on the stage sponsored by Vivid Events and WOMR.
Peppered throughout Aselton Park, the messaging behind the “Shop Local” movement abounds. Love Live Local CEO, Amanda Converse stated, “Small, local businesses are the backbone of our community, and we hope to shine a bright light on that at our events. When people show up for the Love Local Fest, we see it as them showing up for our
local shops, makers, restaurants and organizations.” Kelly O’Brien, the
nonprofit’s Event Manager added, “When shopping locally is made so fun and so
easy, it leaves a lasting impression that you take with you. We hope that
feeling continues to make a positive impact on the Cape’s economy throughout
the year”.
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Pitch to Grow Finals at Cape Cod Beer on 9/28 | |
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Support local businesses at Pitch to Grow Night!
Join us at Pitch to Grow Night on Wednesday, September 28th at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis!
Small diverse businesses looking to grow and expand will be given the opportunity to pitch their business idea that evening to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Entrepreneurs include 8 pre-selected finalists.
There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. Applications will be reviewed by a group of readers comprised of bankers, small business owners, nonprofit leaders and SCORE mentors. Each applicant will be assigned a SCORE Mentor and have access to financial planning assistance from a Coastal Community Capital team member. A total of five cash prizes will be given. The CDP is a proud sponsor of this event
Come be inspired by these local entrepreneurs. Click here to register now!
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MGCC Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power Grants | |
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MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners extended into 2023!
Schedule an appointment with Pam or Tricia today to see if your small business is eligible for these amazing opportunities.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
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.
Eligible MA-based small businesses that have been nominated by MGCC’s SBTA providers may be funded up to $20,000.
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Digital Capacity Building Grant
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 will now pay the Business Owner the grant funds upon submission of the Project Completion Certification Form. MGCC will cover up to $5,000 without requiring a contribution from the business owner.
Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.
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Small Business Energy Assessments by Cape Light Compact | |
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Save Energy & Get Incentives to Upgrade
Cape Light Compact is an award-winning energy services organization serving the energy interests of customers on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Start with a no-cost business energy assessment! A business energy assessment, available to building tenants and owners, will provide insight into areas for potential cost and energy savings for your business. Plus, you’ll get access to incentives of up to 80% off recommended efficiency upgrades. Questions? Contact Lindsay Henderson.
Schedule an Assessment Now
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SCORE Resources for Hispanic Entrepreneurs | |
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National Hispanic Month September 15 - October 15, 2022
The SBA, in highlighting National Hispanic Month, noted the following Economic Impact of Hispanic small business owners and entrepreneurs:
- Nearly one in four new businesses is Hispanic-owned.
- The nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States contribute more than $800 billion to the American economy annually.
- There are more than 300,000 Hispanic-owned, employer businesses located across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These enterprises employ at least one employee other than the owner.
- Hispanic employer businesses employ about 1 million workers, with more than $100 billion in annual payroll. The number of Hispanic-owned businesses that employ at least one employee other than the owner increased by 14% between 2012 and 2017 — more than twice as fast as the national average.
- In the decade preceding the pandemic, the number of Hispanic business owners increased 34% compared to an increase of just 1% among non-Hispanic business owners.
SCORE offers a specific resource center for Hispanic entrepreneurs, offering bilingual webinars and resources.
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How to Cover for Employees on Extended Leave | |
How to Cover for Employees
When They’re Gone for an Extended Period
After 2+ years of Covid-19, most small business owners have experienced situations where employees were out for extended periods of time. SCORE Human Resources mentor, Tiffany Delmore recommends the following best practices to ready should you find yourself in that situation again:
- Prepare for the unexpected through cross-team collaboration;
- Keep job descriptions and all associated procedures up to date;
- Maintain a prominent group calendar; and
- Support and encourage your employees in times of crisis.
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WE CAN Business Law Consults | |
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Free Business Law Consults Available
Free, half-hour legal consults in business law are available each month from WE CAN legal volunteers. Learn about the best way to organize your business, things to consider in drafting partnership agreements, understand your liability exposure, advantages of registering as a women owned business entity, and more.
Contact WE CAN to schedule an appointment for a Business Law Consult.
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CDP Small Business Services
How Can We Help Your Business?
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Individual Business Guidance
Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner who lives or works on the Lower Cape?
The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses, including:
*creating business plans, cash flow and other financial statements
*marketing and e-commerce
*business formation and organization
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Individual Mentoring through SCORE
A resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE’s mission is to grow small businesses one business at a time.
SCORE Cape Cod offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape.
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QuickBooks Help tailored to your needs!
Did you struggle putting your records together to give your accountant?
Do you use QuickBooks but need to learn how it can do a better job for you and provide you with the information you need when you need it?
CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.
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Need a microloan?
The CDP has microloans up to $50,000 for small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. Visit our website for complete program details and eligibility requirements.
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Professional Services Grants Available for 2022.
Many businesses are finding the need to change their business model in these turbulent times. The CDP has Grant Funds available to help business owners hire specialized consultants to quickly implement these changes whether in technology, legal or marketing.
Make an appointment to learn more and to help stabilize or grow your business.
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CDP Small Business Program Funders | |
The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: | |
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation
Cape Air
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Santander Bank
Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation
USDA Rural Development
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Follow the CDP on Social Media! | |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | | |
