How much planning for the year ahead do you do?

For me, the earlier I have vacations or larger purchases planned out and nailed down, the better. I know I have trips planned in March and May, and I can think ahead on how that impacts meetings and availability. I have ideas for how the fall will look, and I have an outline of a concept of a plan for how 2026, 2027 and 2028 will look. That may sound crazy to some when I say that – my best friend always laughs at my years-out concept plans. But he does like that our annual trip in March is already planned out, and all he has to do is just show up.

To me, it is a best practice that I picked up in my personal life from the business world. Few people like surprises. In business, surprises can equal unexpected costs and roadblocks. The best-laid plans might take time and effort, but they also provide flexibility when problems arise, as they have pivot points and opportunities to think about what doesn’t need to be thought about.

It's like menu planning. In my home, we plan the menu on Wednesday for the following week, with groceries being purchased on Friday. That way we have a meal plan and my wife and I can know what to expect for the next few days. Now, if one of us has a meeting or if there is a need to eat out, we can pivot and adjust as needed. It works for us, but others feel it is too constricting. I see it as streamlining and allowing us to focus on spending time together when we’re home at night and not on what to eat for dinner.

Similarly, I know 90% of the books I am going to read this year because I keep a running list, and in many cases, already have the books. I like to have the plan in place so I can just execute it. Of course, not everything works perfectly. But for me, the solid base is a good thing.

Have a great week, 

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Local Business Highlight

By Reid Bickley,

Business Development Specialist

Noodling Around Dover:

Ichi Ramen Dishes Up Delight

The phrase "Ichi Ramen" translates to "one ramen" in Japanese, but a visit to Dover’s newest Japanese-Korean restaurant brings a flavor-filled menu that goes far beyond just one type of ramen.

For those who have never experienced authentic ramen beyond the familiar 30-cent grocery store packets from their penny-pinching youth, Ichi Ramen offers a whole new world of flavors. From the moment you step inside, the bright and colorful ambiance, coupled with the mouthwatering aroma of simmering broths and sizzling ingredients, creates an unforgettable experience.

Even if you weren’t hungry when you walked in, you certainly will be by the time you take your seat.

The menu is thoughtfully crafted with a variety of ramen and noodle dishes to suit every palate.

"There are so many more options than just noodles," said co-owner William Zheng. "For those who might be intimidated by trying this type of cuisine for the first time, they can opt for an array of appetizers that are simple and delicious!"

True to his word, I found the Chicken Karaage with chili sauce to be a must-try.

William’s journey began in New York City where he worked in various roles honing his skills before bringing this concept to Dover. The passion for quality, service, and authentic cuisine is evident in every aspect of Ichi Ramen.

"We pay close attention to the quality of the food we serve and make most things in-house, like our rich, flavorful bone broth," William said. "We also put a lot of thought into the atmosphere, creating a warm and welcoming space where everyone can feel at home."

Chicken Karaage, top, and Okdol Bibimbap with Beef, bottom.

This new eatery is ready to welcome you with open arms and a bowl of comforting, delicious ramen.

Ichi Ramen is located at 274 Central Ave. in the old Wing-itz building.

It is open seven days a week: Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Be sure to stop by and say hello to William and his team!

Increase followers with a social media campaign

In today’s digital world, social media is a key marketing tool for small businesses, but consistency on social media is one of the biggest challenges small business owners face. Many entrepreneurs are running their businesses solo, juggling daily operations and struggling to keep up with their online presence. A Content Calendar can be a great tool, helping business owners save time and stay organized.

A well-structured content calendar allows businesses to plan posts, ensuring they align with goals, seasonal trends, and customer interests. With a clear schedule, business owners can maintain a steady stream of engaging content without the pressure of constant posting. It also helps to balance messaging and ensures important dates or events aren’t overlooked.

Creating a content calendar is simpler than it seems. Start with what you hope to achieve. Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website/foot traffic, or boosting sales, identifying your objectives is the most important first step. Then, outline content themes for each week or month that align with those goals.

To make the process easier, utilize tools like templates and scheduling platforms which help organize content and track performance. By planning ahead, you'll not only maintain consistency but also build a compelling social media presence that keeps your audience engaged and invested in your brand.

Tip of the Week!

Share fun or surprising trivia about your industry or products. Encourage followers to guess answers in the comments to boost engagement.

Milestone Moments/Business Anniversaries

We are ending the month of January with special shout-outs and kudos to some of our local businesses:

• Congratulations to The Brunch Club for celebrating their very first anniversary! Cheers to many more years in Dover.

• We salute Statix Salon and Spa for 20 incredible years in Dover. May you share 20 more years in our community!

• We are filled with pride about Teatotaller being selected for the Human Rights Campaign-Queer to Stay Business Award! Congratulations to Emmett and the Teatotaller team!

• Huge shout out to Nikki Nocella, of Stalk Restaurant for celebrating 5 years in Dover, as well as being named one of The 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists! What an accomplishment!

If you have an upcoming accomplishment or news about your business that you want highlighted in our Down to Business newsletter, feel free to reach out to us via email at: Dover-BusinessDevelopment@dover.nh.gov

Business Development Highlights

Last week we discussed ways ways to set your business up for success in 2025. Well, the Office of Business Development is no different. Here are some things we’ve been working on in January to get ready for an exciting 2025.

Newsletter format: You’ve probably noticed that Down to Business looks a bit different. We’re rolling out some more recurring article types (including this one) to make it easier for our readers to find the content you’re looking for. We’ve also switched to a Tuesday release date to give you plenty of time to use the Community Calendar to plan out your weekends 😉.

Staff training: Business Development Coordinator James Burdin is a proud member of the Leadership Seacoast Class of 2025. This program will help him understand a variety of challenges facing our industries, our workforce, and our community and help him build the relationships and tools to solve those problems. Business Development Specialist Reid Bickley is throwing herself into social media marketing. Follow her progress in our new “Post Perfect!” newsletter series. We’ve even heard there may be some Instagram Reels coming this Spring, so make sure you’re following @dovernhbusinessdevelopment to see how we do!

Thinking about the future: We’ll be continuing to help the Dover Business and Industrial Development Authority with updating its strategic plan. The Planning Department will be kicking off an update to the 2015 Land Use Analysis chapter of the Dover Master Plan.

Finally, the Strafford Regional Planning Commission is launching a new regional master plan called Forward Thinking for their service area. This is a great opportunity to think about how Dover interacts with our larger region, and you can participate in their first outreach survey here. 

Question of the Week

The Office of Business Development is asking a “question of the week” to get your feedback on topics related to our local business community.

This week's question: What do you view as the most important industries for economic development funding?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/ppgfgk

Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In the latest episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Ryan Pope and George Regan from New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority about the state's housing challenges.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at https://bit.ly/4gd5h1b.

Business Event Happenings 

Complete Listings

Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events.

Click here or on the calendar below to find more community events!

Click here to add your events to the community calendar.