Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.

June is Pride Month in Massachusetts and across the country. The Small Business Administration reports that LGBTQ+ businesses in the United States contribute an estimated $1.7 trillion to America's economy, creating thousands of new jobs each year. At the CDP, we are proud to support LGBTQ+ business owners in their efforts to start, strengthen, and grow their businesses. On June 29th, join the Massachusetts District Office of the SBA and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce for a conversation in celebration of LGBT owned businesses. You may be interested in learing more about the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce certification for LGBTQ-owned small businesses. 

June also brings Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. The CDP observes this holiday and will be closed on June 20th. We are expanding our outreach efforts to be more inclusive of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners, and our staff welcomes and recognizes the importance of greater inclusion at all levels and in all communities. We are pleased to sponsor the BIPOC vendors at the Amplify P.O.C. Cape Cod Artist Market on June 18th at the Provincetown Brewing Co. Come support these vendors and join what promises to be a fun afternoon. 

Our Spotlight interview features Jess Georges, owner of Green Road Refill. Long time readers of this and other CDP newsletters may remember that Green Road Refill started as a mobile retail store ("Betty Bus") offering earth conscious products with the focus on reducing cape Cod's plastic footprint, while also exposing and educating our community about how taking small steps to live greener life can make a big difference in the health of our planet. In this interview, Jess talks about Green Road Refill's journey to a retail store in Brewster (don't worry, they still have a mobile store, "Sally Sud Shed") and what's next for Green Road Refill.

Our colleagues at Lawyers For Civil Rights recognize that growing wealth in historically disadvantaged communities is a critical civil rights issue. LCR is celebrating over 20 years of providing free legal assistance, business support, and technical assistance to minority, immigrant, and women business owners. Join LCR on July 21st for BizGrow, a day long event at Rowes Wharf Plaza in Boston, for free one-on-one legal consultations of particular interest to small business owners, including entity formation, tax, intellectual property, employment, leases and contracts. Can't make it to Boston on July 21st? LCR is hosting a number of virtual workshops in the days leading up to BizGrow.

June's Inside Scoop:



• Business of Small Business Roundtable on 6/14
• Spotlight: Jess Georges of Green Road Refill
• Amplify P.O.C. Cape Cod Vendor Market at Provincetown Brewing Co. on 6/18
• Get Comfy With Your Business' Back End workshop on 6/21
• Tax Filing Requirements for Small Businesses on 6/22
• MA SBA Virtual Café: LGBTQ+ Pride Month on 6/29
• Assets for Artists Workshops: Instagram Basics: Build a Following, Increase Engagement, and Understand Analytics w/ Francesca Olsen on 7/7 and Mindset and Money Matters on 8/2
• BizGrow Conference: a free day of business legal support for your minority, immigrant, or women-owned small business on 7/21
• MGCC Empower Digital Grant extended through June 2023!
• Truro’s Climate Action Committee encourages business owners to consider providing electric vehicle (EV) chargers for your customers
• Business Law Consults Available
• CDP Business Assistance staff is here to help - Make an appointment today
• QuickBooks Help
• Do you need a microloan or professional services grant?

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 email or call. CDP staff will help find resources to answer your questions.

Pam & Tricia

SPOTLIGHT: Jess Georges, Owner

Green Road Refill

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 Jess Georges, Owner of Green Road Refill. Green Road Refill’s mission is to help pave the way to a more sustainable lifestyle for its customers. Green Road Refill first started as a mobile business in May of 2018 offering a retail and refill experience promoting natural & earth-conscious products for a better body, home, and planet. It is now has a brick and mortar store in the heart of Brewster, but still brings its mobile store, "Sally Sud Shed" to the Falmouth and Orleans farmers markets, as well as the Love Local Fests and other events.

Green Road Refill customers bring their own bottle or container from home, purchase one of the glass or aluminum containers on site or pick a free one out of the donation basket. They can try a little or fill up a whole bottle - Green Road Refill has over 40 plant based products from shampoo and lotion to dish soap and laundry detergent. Additionally, they offer low to zero waste products for your kitchen bath and body, locally made and fair trade gifts and refillable all natural soy candles. By offering these necessities everyone uses on a daily basis, customers have a convenient way to shop, and feel good about where their dollar is being spent. 

Jess is a graduate of the EforAll Cape Cod Accelerator Program and the WECAN GROW program, as well as a recipient of an initial micro loan of $1,800 from the Lower Cape Outreach Council. Jess worked with CDP and SCORE to create a business plan and other start-up documents. In May, 2022, Jess was a featured panelist at the Cape Cod Women's Business Summit for "Start Ups and Side Hustles".

Why did you start Green Road Refill?

I’ve always considered myself a proud tree hugger and environmentalist. About six years ago I started to research plastic waste after always picking it up off our beautiful Cape Cod beaches.

I was alarmed and started considering how I could reduce my family’s plastic footprint, which led to me literally having a dream about opening a store that would give my community a fun and easy way to reduce the plastic in their own lives. The next morning, I began making that dream a reality. 

What have you accomplished so far?

Having a bachelor's degree in fine arts doesn’t get you very far in business. It took me over a year to launch our mobile business using "Bettie Bus", a retired school bus, as our store on wheels. Due to social distancing Covid protocols we decided to retire the bus and build our current mobile store, "Sally Sud Shed" - you can find her at festivals and farmers’ markets around the Cape. I am thrilled to report that as of November of last year my dream came true and we now have a storefront in the heart of Brewster in addition to our mobile shop!

What is the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?

The seasonality of the Cape for sure! Budgeting can be very challenging, not to mention soap gets really thick and can freeze, so those first couple of years lugging soap inside and outside left me with some empty pockets and an aching back.

How did you overcome it?

Saving towards my goal of having a stationary store was key. Now, not only am I able to tone down the physicality of the job, stay warm and cozy on those stormy days, but it is way more convenient for my customers to refill which allows me to grow a consistent, returning customer base.

What role has CDP played in the start and growth of your business?

Soon after I had my dream I remember sitting with Pam Andersen - she was so helpful. She answered so many of my questions and opened my eyes to a bunch of resources!

What’s next for Green Road Refill?

We’ll be riding the wave of our first high season in the store! I’ll also be polishing two plastic waste educational programs I have developed for both kids and adults in school and library settings for the fall.

Join the CDP in supporting Amplify P.O.C. Cape Cod in promoting BIPOC vendors at this fun event! To learn more about this event and Amplify P.O.C. Cape Cod visit Apmplify P.O.C. Cape Cod's website.

Get Comfy With Your

Business' Back End

June 21st 12:00-1:00

You have financial statements for your business--what knowledge can you gain from them? This virtual workshop will provide you with the tools necessary to understand your income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flow; all essential skills for operating a successful business.

Tax Filing Requirements

for Small Businesses

June 22nd 12:00 - 1:00

In this virtual workshop presented by SCORE and sponsored by East Cambridge Savings Bank, learn from Accountant and SCORE volunteer, Inna Kisselva about:

• Taxation of various business entities
• Tax Filing requirements
• Planning Opportunities for 2022
• And other tax topics relevant to Small Businesses

Join the Massachusetts District Office of the SBA and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce for a conversation in celebration of LGBT owned businesses. Resource partners and business owners will share their tips for success.

BizGrow Conference

Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston

July 21st 10:00 - 4:00

The BizGrow Conference is designed to connect existing and potential small business owners with free legal and business support.

BizGrow will feature a large team of pro bono attorneys and business executives from Boston's top law firms and companies who will be joining forces to support entrepreneurs with big dreams and limited resources. Join LCR for free one-on-one legal consultations of particular interest to small business owners, including entity formation, tax, intellectual property, employment, leases and contracts.

Business owners who are interested in receiving ongoing legal assistance may be referred to law firms for pro bono support.

Leading up to the BizGrow Conference, Lawyers for Civil Rights is hosting a series of virtual workshops including:

• Doing Business Online - 7/6 @ 12:00
• Food Labeling - 7/6 @ 6:00
• Entity Formation and Contracts - 7/11 @ 12:00
• Employment Law - 7/12 @ 12:00
• Crowdfunding - 7/12 @ 6:00
• Raising Business Capital - 7/13 @ 12:00
• Childcare Providers - Employment Contracts and Hiring Employees - 7/13 @ 6:00
• Employment Related Covid-19 Legal Issues - 7/14 @ 12:00
• Benefit Corporations - 7/14 @ 6:00 
• Intellectual Property - 7/18 @ 12:00
• Contracts, Invoices, and Payments - 7/18 @ 6:00
• Small Business Bankruptcy - 7/19 @ 6:00

MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners extended into 2023!

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.

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 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.

Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.

Truro’s Climate Action Committee encourages business owners to consider providing electric vehicle (EV) chargers for your customers

Why Install an EV Charging Station?

• A charging station promotes you as a green business which helps address climate change something customers appreciate.

• Eversource and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are offering incentives for businesses that install EV chargers, without costly changes to your electrical service.

• A charging station puts you on the map, several maps actually. Your business gets listed on the ChargeHub, EVConnect, Plugshare, EVgo among other applications, which map every EV charging station nation-wide, increasing your visibility.

• You become a destination. Customers will spend time at your business while they charge their vehicle.

• Increase your customer base through word of mouth. Customers will tell their friends.

• You’ll also add a small initial additional revenue stream that will grow as EVs become more prevalent.

Read more about the benefits of installing an EV Charging Station at your business.

Individual Business Guidance

Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner, and live or work on the Lower Cape?

The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses.

What are your business needs?

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.

Individual Mentoring through SCORE

SCORE offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape. Due to COVID19 all SCORE Mentoring Session are currently being help remotely. Please register with SCORE using the link below.