Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - November 2023 | |
Bringing you the latest tools to help your business. | |
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In this month of gratitude and Thanksgiving, we begin by thanking our clients, supporters, and collaborators for the opportunity to work together in nurturing the launch and growth of small businesses as a means of building a diverse year-round community of people who can afford to live work, and thrive on the Lower Cape.
While Thanksgiving is generally a day of celebration and an opportunity to gather with friends and loved ones, we must recognize that this holiday may be a painful reminder of a long and traumatic history for Indigenous people. The CDP acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of Nauset and Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) nations. Our friends at SEMAP (Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership) recommend this short video from the New York Times, discussing Native identity in America.
It is with gratitude that we acknowledge Veterans Day earlier this month. The CDP is proud of its small business clients who are Veterans and our collaborations with Veterans organizations and those supporting Veterans and military spouses. We are always interested in expanding our Veterans' programming. Please let us know if you have any ideas or know of any Veteran business owners on the Lower Cape who may benefit from working with the CDP.
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Saturday, November 25, 2023, is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. When you support small businesses, you help your community! A study commissioned by Love Live Local found every locally-owned store + restaurant you support this Holiday Season will recirculate 2-4x MORE into our local economy than their national chain competitors.
Need help finding local businesses? Love Live Local has a gift guide and Amplify POC Cape Cod has a directory of businesses owned by people of color.
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BE CYBERSMART
As we enter this busy holiday shopping season, make sure your business is vigilant about its cybersecurity. The Small Business Administration has some simple steps small business owners can take to prepare for ransomware attacks:
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Train your employees. Employees and emails are a leading cause of data breaches for small businesses because they are a direct path into your systems. Training employees on basic internet best practices can go a long way in preventing cyber-attacks. CISA, the nation's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, created this postcard on phishing, a form of social engineering that uses email or malicious websites to solicit personal information or to get you to download malicious software by posing as a trustworthy entity.
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Back up critical business data. Your data should be backed up regularly and should be accessible off-site, making cloud data solutions ideal options and unplugging backup drives from the internet.
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Use antivirus software and keep it updated automatically. Make sure each of your business’s computers is equipped with antivirus software and antispyware and updated regularly. Configure all software to install updates automatically.
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Secure your networks. Safeguard your Internet connection by using a firewall and encrypting information. If you have a Wi-Fi network, make sure it is secure and hidden. To hide your Wi-Fi network, set up your wireless access point or router so it does not broadcast the network name). Password-protect access to the router.
- Use a password manager and require multi-factor authentication.
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey. The survey takes 12 minutes to complete and is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. The questions ask about business conditions, financing needs, and the effects of the pandemic on your business. By taking the survey, small-business owners contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, and others—ultimately benefitting your business and other businesses like yours. Responses are confidential, and small-business owners do not need to provide any personal information.
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Like what you read in the Inside Scoop and other CDP e-newsletters? Want to be a part of the CDP's efforts to lead the Lower Cape in creating a diverse, year-round community that can live, work, and thrive? Come work with us at the CDP! We're hiring for roles that come with a vital mission, a talented and fun team, and great professional growth opportunities. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please send them my way. Learn more about opportunities to work with the CDP here. The CDP is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Artists - Workshops & Gatherings
Food Related Workshops, Grants, and Opportunities
General Business Workshops and Information
Other Resources for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
CDP's Small Business Services - Regional Office Hours
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.
We look forward to working with you!
Pam & Tricia
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CDP Small Business Referral Program - Refer a Business
Earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate
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Each month anyone who refers an entrepreneur or business owner to the CDP will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate from a local business. We will draw a winner on the 15th of each month. Here are the details:
- Be sure the person you refer to the CDP tells Pam or Tricia that you referred them
- One entry per referral - refer three businesses, earn three entries. etc.
- Drawing will be held on the 15th of each month
- CDP Staff, Board Members and Advisory Council Members are not eligible to participate in the referral raffle program (although we welcome your referrals!)
Congratulations to the November 2023 winner: Cole Daffinee will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Governor Bradford.
REFER A BUSINESS TODAY AND
YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY WINNER IN DECEMBER!
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Small Business Roundtable:
Focus on Taking Care of Business
January 10, 2024 10-11:30 AM (virtual)
Join the CDP, Amplify POC Cape Cod, and WECAN as we present a Small Business roundtable discussion focusing on Taking Care of Business. Hear from expert panelists and workshop participants about best practices surrounding organizing and insuring your business, human resources, and more. Panelists will include a business law attorney, a human resources professional, an insurance professional, and an employment law attorney.
Details and registration coming soon!
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QuickBooks Online
January 11, 18, & 25, 2024
9:30-11 AM (virtual)
Join Crystal Mucci, owner of CRM Bookkeeping & Consulting and a SCORE Subject Matter Expert, and the CDP to learn how to correctly set up your QuickBooks Online and then how to navigate the program. Topics include how to: write checks; collect money; estimate; invoice; track time; pay bills; make bank deposits; run reports; set up budgets; set up loans; buy and depreciate equipment; send out collections letters; turn estimates into invoices; memorize transactions and more. The final workshop will include a Q&A session, to address items that participants may need further work on.
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Artist Specific Workshops and Gatherings | |
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2023/2024 Capacity Building Grant for Artists on the Cape and Islands
Apply by November 17 at Midnight
Individual artists are essential to a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem, but developing a successful creative career has unique challenges. That's why the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is offering the Creative Exchange Capacity Building Grant Program, a 6-month cohort program providing Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket artists with the entrepreneurial support they need to grow and thrive in the cultural sector.
The ultimate goal of this program is to increase the long-term financial resiliency and business success of these artists.
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Grants for Creative Individuals
Info Session December 8, 5-6:30 PM
Apply by December 11
Mass Cultural Council believes creativity is the key to solving many of society’s concerns. Advancing this asset helps to make the Commonwealth a preeminent place in the nation for it to thrive.
Grants for Creative Individuals are unrestricted grants of $5,000 to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners to equitably advance creative expression throughout our diverse communities.
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Food Related Workshops, Grants, and Opportunities | |
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Santander’s Cultivate Small Business - Like a Mini MBA for Food Businesses
* Info Session December 19
* Apply by January 14
This program is open to food businesses of all types, including restaurants, food trucks, bakers, food tech, and packaged goods companies. It’s ideal for people who have been running their food business for at least a year and are looking to strengthen their skills, knowledge, and peer network.
When is it?
The 12-week virtual program runs from March 28 to mid-June with graduation on June 27, 2024.
What does the program provide?
- Live virtual classes taught by Babson College MBA professors
- Curriculum built for food business owners
- Connections to industry experts in the food industry
- A network of fellow food entrepreneurs
- Capital grants ranging from $2,500 to $13,000
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Wholesale Readiness Program
for Food Entrepreneurs
January - May 2024 (virtual)
Are you an early-stage, but established food entrepreneur selling a consumer packaged good (CPG) or value-added product? Are you primarily selling direct to consumer and ready to begin selling to stores (or more stores!) in your region? Join this program for food entrepreneurs to learn from industry experts and entrepreneurs like yourself who have grown their CPG brands in the Northeast.
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Learn:
* Cost Analysis, Pricing & Profit Margins
* Market Analysis, Branding & Marketing
* Sales Strategy & Developing Relationships with Store Buyers
* Working with Food Distributors
* Production scaling
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General Business Workshops and Information | |
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Death by PowerPoint
November 20 Noon-1:30 PM (virtual)
This workshop, led by a SCORE mentor, will cover the core skills needed to deliver dynamic and engaging presentations, webinars, and pitches. This workshop is based on the presenter's decades of public speaking and technical trainings.
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How To Create A Marketing Plan For Your Small Business
November 30th 1- 2:30 PM (virtual)
Are you overwhelmed by all the marketing choices for your business? Not sure how or where to spend your time and money? It sounds like you need a marketing plan!
In this webinar, SCORE mentor, Patty Ross will help you create a marketing plan, define your brand, determine your audience and find where to advertise to get a positive return on investment.
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Boots to Business - REBOOT
December 9, 8:30-4 PM (virtual)
This Saturday class offered by the Veterans Business Outreach Center, is open to all Veteran students, Veterans of all eras, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military-connected family members who are interested in starting or growing a small business. Topics will include:
- What is Entrepreneurship?
- Idea vs. Business Opportunity?
- Doing Your Market Research – Customers and Industry
- The Economics of Small Business
- Selecting The Correct Legal Structure
- Financing Your Venture
- Business Planning
- SBA Resources For You
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Worth & Wealth Seminars
Wednesday evenings at 6 PM
through February 2024 (virtual)
The Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment is hosting the Worth & Wealth Seminars, a series of virtual workshops that provide Massachusetts women of all ages with skills and knowledge to become more confident in their financial futures. These seminars, hosted in Spanish and English, include these topics:
*Investing & growing your wealth
*Financial goal setting
*Salary negotiation and
*Planning for the unexpected
Participants will have the opportunity to receive 1:1 financial coaching and access to the program's Resource Guide .
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Small Business Energy Information | |
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Cape Light Compact
Energy Efficiency for Your Business - Start saving now
As a business owner, you know the importance of reducing costs whenever possible. Decreasing energy use through energy efficiency is a proven way to reduce costs while also enhancing the comfort and productivity of your workspace.
By participating in Cape Light Compact's energy efficiency programs (your local Mass Save® Sponsor), you have the opportunity to choose your path to energy savings. The program designed for you is determined by the amount of electricity you use each year and the type of project you are planning to undertake.
Not sure which path to take, or have questions? Contact Cape Light Compact at efficiency@capelightcompact.org or 1-800-797-6699 to discuss your project.
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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 Regional Office Hours | |
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Book an appointment with the CDP's Business & Credit staff
during the CDP's regional office hours throughout the Lower Cape!
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The CDP thanks these organizations for the opportunity to use their space to meet with clients and for their demonstrated support of small businesses and entrepreneurs on the Lower Cape. | |
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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.
Pine Tree Nursery & Landscaping, 200 Route 137, South Chatham 508.432.8878
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | |
