Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - August, 2023 | |
Bringing you the latest tools to help your business. | |
|
Ah, August.....
The sun is a little lower and there's a slight chill in the evening. Our summer visitors are starting to head home and our students have begun the back to school countdown. Here at the CDP, we are busy planning our Fall workshop schedule. It kicks off next month with Boost Your Creative Energy at The 204 Cultural Arts & Municipal Building in Harwich on September 28th.
August is a great time to check out the local bounty at our farmers markets. Whether fruits of the earth or fruits of the sea, you can find it there, along with lots of great local products. Use this handy link from our friends at Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod to find a market near you.
The CDP is proud of its work with Lower Cape farmers, fishermen, and other small business owners and entrepreneurs, In 2022, we offered 760 hours of technical assistance to over 250 small business owners. We also provided $264,000 in loan funds to nine small business owners, in loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. How has your business benefited from its work with the CDP? Please let us know!
August is also National Black Business month. Our friends at Amplify POC Cape Cod remind us that a great way to celebrate is by using the Amplify Business Directory to find all types of business owned by Persons of Color. Amplify is looking to expand its Directory - if you are business owner of Color, please register your business here.
The Cape Cod Commission is collecting speed test data to build baseline information on existing conditions of fixed and mobile broadband networks. Cape-based internet users are encouraged to take the speed test as often as possible and across different devices and connection types. The speed test is part of a broader initiative to assess user experiences and infrastructure within Barnstable County.
| |
|
Inside Scoop at a glance:
Artists - Workshops & Gatherings
Food - Workshops
General Business Workshops and Information
Important Surveys
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
| |
|
CDP Small Business Referral Program - Refer a Business
Earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate
| |
|
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 3 businesses, earn 3 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 August 2023 winner: Tracy O'Neill of Two Crows Creative Group will receive a $100 gift certificate to Sunbirdin Orleans.
REFER A BUSINESS TODAY AND
YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY WINNER IN SEPTEMBER!
| |
Artist Specific Workshops and Gatherings | |
|
Playwright Panel | Creative Exchange
September 21st 5:00-7:00
Wellfleet Preservation Hall
Arts Foundation Creative Exchange meetups are a relaxed and inclusive networking opportunity for Cape creatives highlighting a local artist or arts activity available in our community.
On September 21st, head to the Wellfleet Preservation Hall and join an engaging and educational panel discussion on Playwrights. Esteemed panelists include Joe Paprzycki and Gary Garrison!
| |
|
Staying Authentic While
Marketing Your Work
Daniel Callahan
Recorded Webinar
Offered by Assets for Artists, learn strategies and apply practical knowhow to promote yourself and your services with excellence and authenticity in both in-person and online spaces. Leave the workshop with a fuller understanding of yourself and some tried-and-true methods for presenting and pitching your art and your practice. This is an introductory level marketing course best suited for visual and media artists.
| |
|
Boost Your Creative Energy
September 28th 9:30-12:00
(coffee & networking start at 9:00)
The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building
Harwich
Join expert panelists, Paula Curran of Rock Harbor Design, Erika Nickerson of Beach Cottage Living, Janna Powell of High Point Vintage, along with Pam Andersen from the CDP, Kara Mewhinney, Director of The 204 and fellow artists, creatives, and makers to:
* build your community - who are your people?
* review your year to date - did your sales and revenue meet your expectations?
* increase sales and clear out inventory by the end of the year - what are your plans?
* position your business for success in 2024 - how are you using the slow months?
| |
Food Related Workshops, Grants, and Opportunities | |
|
Start a Food Biz Workshop
August 30th 5-7 pm (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:
* Regulatory requirements for different types of food businesses
* Considerations for starting a food truck, catering company, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) company
* Best practices and resources for food safety, packaging, branding and more
* Business Plan Overview
* Case studies of strong food companies - what to do, what not to do!
| |
|
Ready to Start Program
September 6th 5:30-6:30 (virtual)
4 week program-consecutive weeks
CommonWealth Kitchen's Ready to Start Program is intended to equip food entrepreneurs with the basic knowledge they need to start a food business. If you're considering applying to be part of a commercial kitchen, this is for you. Each week will focus on a separate topic, including:
* Market and Opportunity Analysis
* Business Planning
* Budgeting for Your Food Business
* Entity Formation
| |
|
Introduction to Ropeless Fishing
September 26th 6:00 -9:00 pm (virtual)
This course from the Center for Corporate and Professional Education at the Cape Cod Community College provides an introduction to working subsea with Ropeless Fishing. Learn about acoustic sound propagation, the effects of temperature and salinity, acoustic triggering, and positioning using range and bearing. Understanding the physics and fundamentals will make using the technology viable to operators.
Course includes virtual introduction on 9/26 and then an in-person, hands-on equipment training on one of 3 days in October.
Expected students include fishers in the lobstering industry, regulators, and those interested in participating in the Blue Economy.
| |
|
Farm Business Planning Course
Begins October 3rd 6:00-8:30
8 consecutive weeks (virtual)
In this course from New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, you will learn how to create a written plan to start or expand your farm, including how to:
* Create a mission and vision for your business
* Develop a budget and a plan to fund your business
* Create a marketing plan for your business
* Set goals and create a timeline for your farm business to grow
* Weave those elements together into a cohesive business plan
* Graduates of the course can apply to join the Incubator Farm Program offered by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.
| |
General Business Workshops and Information | |
|
Understanding Business Fundamentals
August 22nd 10:00-12:00 (virtual)
In this free, virtual workshop offered by SEED and Eastern Bank, participants will learn the fundamentals of owning a business.
Topics will include:
* creating a business plan
* getting business financing
* marketing
* business assistance resources that are available to entrepreneurs locally and regionally.
| |
|
H-2B Visa Info Session
August 23rd 2:00-4:00
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
or virtual
Join Tocci & Lee for the Cape Cod Chamber's annual H-2B Visa Info Session on how to access the H-2B Visa process for temporary seasonal employees. The processing and requirements for H-2B visa workers are significantly different from J-1 visa workers. Attend this workshop and get your questions about payroll and tax documentation, along with other issues, answered.
| |
|
Brand Clarity: Make your Marketing Easy & Effective
August 29th 1:00-2:00 (virtual)
In this workshop offered by SCORE, find out why branding is relevant for everyone to stand out and survive as an entrepreneur. Understand the steps to the brand strategy process and why you shouldn't spend a dime on marketing until you get brand clarity.
Attend this workshop and learn:
* How to be clear in your marketing so you don’t sound like everyone else
* How to discover your competitive advantage and communicate your value
* How to develop your visual and verbal content to build a solid brand
| |
|
Health Connector for Business: Affordable, Flexible Health Insurance
September 6th 12:00-1:00 (virtual)
Health Connector for Business offers quality, affordable health insurance options to help small businesses (with 1-50 full-time employees) save on their premium costs.
This information session will focus on health insurance options available to small employers and their employees through Health Connector for Business. They 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.
| |
Small Business Energy Information | |
|
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.
| |
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.
Visit Deepwater Dogs on the Cape Cod Rail Trail
Parking Lot, Rt. 137, Brewster
| |
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. | | | | |
