Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - November, 2022 | |
|
Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
Thanksgiving is the un-official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Here at the CDP, we want to remind everyone of the importance of shopping local, whether it's on Small Business Saturday on November 26th, at the Love Local Fest on December 3rd which features three "graduates" of WE CAN's GROW program, or the Amplify POC Holiday Market on 12/9. Speaking of the GROW program (Get Results with Other's Wisdom), there are a few spots left for the 2023 cohort - contact WE CAN for more information. EforAll has created an alumni directory for all the businesses who have graduated from its programs, including six businesses on the Lower Cape. We also applaud the Lower Cape businesses honored at the SCORE Cape Cod breakfast. We are grateful to have so many fantastic local options for goods and services, and are thankful for all our collaborators who work hard to improve the small business landscape.
Thanksgiving has special meaning on the Lower Cape, where the Pilgrims stopped on their way to Plymouth. The CDP takes this opportunity to recognize that its office and the territory within which it works was once the land of the Nauset and Wampanoag tribes. The CDP continues its diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work both internally and in our programming. The CDP received funds from the MGCC for our microloan program specifically designated for those small business owners who live or work on the Lower Cape who are members of historically underserved communities. The CDP is proud to sponsor the Immigrant Entrepreneur & Small Business Expo and invites immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners to complete this survey to inform the content of the Expo. We are constantly looking for ways to expand our outreach and welcome any suggestions on how to do so.
If you are struggling with your business records from your seasonal business, it's not too late to get them in shape for tax season and to begin planning for the 2023 season. Schedule an appointment with Pam and Tricia online or in-person at our remote office hours in Chatham, Harwich, or Provincetown.
Lastly, we look forward to holding office hours in our new office space in 2023! The CDP is moving to 260 Cranberry Highway, Unit 1 in Orleans at the end of this month. Our offices will continue to be open by appointment only. Staff phone numbers and emails will remain the same. Stay tuned for more news about this exciting chapter at the CDP
Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Artists - Additional Workshops & Grants
Food- Additional Workshops & Grants
General Business Workshops
Town Specific Programming
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.
Pam & Tricia
| |
|
How to Approach and
Work with a Gallery
Dec. 6th 5:00-6:30
Provincetown Commons
(virtual option too)
Explore the pros and cons of being represented by galleries to help you decide if it is the right choice for you and your practice. We will discuss the value an art gallery can provide to an artist, and the responsibilities of the artist to the gallery and the gallery to the artist. We will also provide pointers on how to submit your work to galleries and get noticed!
| |
|
Networking - Business of Art Series
Jan. 10th 12:00-1 :30
Provincetown Commons
(virtual option too)
For this third installment of The Business of Art Series, join Marc Goldberg, a SCORE Mentor for solid, practical advice on networking.
This workshop will provide you with the practical tools that you can use to expand your sphere of influence and grow your business. You will leave this workshop with specific tools that you can use to plan, execute and follow up on your next networking opportunity.
| |
|
QuickBooks Online
3-part Workshop
Jan. 12, 19, & 26th
9:00-10:30 (virtual)
Join Crystal Mucci, owner of CRM Bookkeeping & Consulting and a SCORE Subject Matter Expert to learn how to correctly set up your QuickBooks Online and then how to navigate the program.
Topics include how to:
*write checks and pay bills
*track time, create estimates, and turn estimates into invoices;
*send out collections letters
*make bank deposits;
*run reports and create budgets;
*buy and depreciate equipment;
*memorize transactions and more.
| |
|
Immigrant Entrepreneur & Small Business Expo
Feedback Survey - Please complete or share!
| |
|
The CDP is proud to sponsor the
Immigrant Entrepreneur & Small Business Expo on January 28, 2023
We invite you to be a part of our efforts to educate, support, and inspire immigrants on Cape Cod to become successful entrepreneurs and small business owners. Coastal Community Capital, SCORE Cape Cod, International Business Relations and the CDP are hosting the Immigrant Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner Expo to provide skills and resources to immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners.
To ensure that the content and programming, we are asking immigrant entrepreneurs and busines owners to complete this brief survey The survey will close on November 19th, so please share your thoughts today. Thank you in advance!
| |
Artist Specific Workshops and Grants | |
|
Arts & Culture Policy Input Gathering
November 29th at 5:30
Cotuit Center for the Arts
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is partnering with The Cordial Eye and the Cotuit Center of the Arts to welcome MassCreative for an input gathering session to identify the needs of the Cape's creative sector.
This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on ways our new Massachusetts Governor, Lt. Governor, and our state representatives can prioritize arts and culture in our region
| |
|
Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty
Jan. 12 & 19, 2023 2:00 -4:00
(virtual)
Over two workshop sessions with Laura Baring-Gould an artist with award-winning installations, public artworks and small bronzes sold in galleries, juried shows and private commissions, participants will learn the importance of—and develop the building blocks for—a goal-oriented plan for their creative career.
This highly interactive course is intended for those ready to hone the direction of their practice, identify priority goals unique to them, better understand opportunities for investment, and emerge out of this crisis with an eye toward greater stability. Between sessions, Laura will also be available for an additional 30 minutes of “office hours” for participants to stay on to digest and discuss the learnings.
| |
Food Related Workshops and Grants | |
|
Start A Food Biz Workshop
Dec. 14th 5:00-7:00
(virtual)
CommonWealth Kitchen's Start a Food Biz workshop is perfect for aspiring food business entrepreneurs in the idea-stage and the about-to-launch phase of food business growth.
The workshop will cover:
1. Regulatory requirements for different types of food businesses
2. Considerations for starting a food truck, catering company, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) company
3. Best practices and resources for food safety, packaging, branding and more
4. Business Plan Overview
5. Case studies of strong food companies
The presenters will walk you through the next steps and finish the workshop with Q&A
| |
|
Apply for a MassDEP Commercial Refrigeration Grant by 2/3/23
This program provides financial incentives for retail food businesses, food banks, and nonprofit organizations to install more climate-friendly commercial refrigeration equipment and permanent refrigerant leak detection systems.
Program funding is available to new or existing retail food locations, food banks, and nonprofit institutions in Massachusetts that are installing refrigeration systems containing ultra-low-GWP (<10) refrigerants.
Grants are also available for retrofits and leak detection systems at existing facilities with refrigeration systems that use more than 50 pounds of high-GWP (>3900) refrigerant.
See the Program Requirements to learn more.
| |
Addiitonal General Business Workshops | |
|
Business Plan Basics
November 22nd
1:00 - 2:30 (virtual)
This workshop presented by the Center for Women and Enterprise will provide an overview of writing a business plan.
Topics include:
* Why you need to write a business plan
* Overview of each section of a business plan
* Research and writing tips
* Resources for help and support
| |
|
The Basics of E-commerce – How to Establish Your Online Presence
November 29th 1:00 - 2:00 (virtual)
In this SCORE workshop, learn the importance of having an online presence, how to build a website, increase online traffic and compare online advertisements.
You will learn:
* How to identify your real online competitors
* How to establish your online presence
* How to use SEO to reach your desired clients
* How to compare advertising options
| |
|
MA Health Connector Info Session
November 30th 12:00 -1:00 (virtual)
Health Connector for Business offers an easy way to provide health insurance that’s affordable for your business and your employees.
This information session will focus on health insurance options available to small employers and their employees through Health Connector for Business. It will also review available options for sole proprietors and owner-only groups who do not yet have the employees to qualify for a small group plan through the Health Connector for Business.
| |
Provincetown Economic Development Grants
Applications for Funding – December 29, 2022 Deadline
The Provincetown Economic Development Committee is seeking grant proposals for projects that meet their economic development goals that foster new business and year round economic development. The grant program is open to all individuals and businesses based in the Town of Provincetown. All funded programs/projects must create, enhance or preserve jobs in the Town of Provincetown; consideration may be provided for activities addressing the pandemic impact on businesses and labor market. Grant applications can be for grants up to $10,000.
The Deadline for application submissions is NO LATER THAN Thursday, December 29, 2022 by 5:00 pm in the Town Manager's Office, Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 for consideration.
All proposals must be made by completing a Grant Application. Guidelines and applications are available from the Provincetown Grant Administrator or at the Town's website Provincetown Homepage. Copies of the Guidelines and Applications are also available in the Town Manager's Office, Provincetown Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 or from Housing Specialist/Grant Administrator. For further information, contact Housing Specialist/Grant Administrator Michelle Jarusiewicz, at 508-487-7087, or email Michelle Jarusiewicz
| |
MGCC Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power Grants | |
|
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.
| |
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
Small Business Energy Assessments by Cape Light Compact | |
WE CAN Business Law Consults | |
|
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.
| |
CDP Regional Office Hours | |
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 | |
|
CDP Small Business Services
How Can We Help Your Business?
| |
|
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
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
W
| | |
|
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.
| |
CDP Small Business Program Funders | |
The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: | |
|
Mass Growth Capital Corporation
Cape Air
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Rockland Trust
Santander Bank
Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation
USDA Rural Development
| |
Follow the CDP on Social Media! | |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | | |
