Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - March, 2023 | |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
March is designated Women's History Month. Women are considered an "historically underserved community" and the present statistics on the gender pay gap explains why. The fact that white women earn $.82 for every $1 earned by a man, and women of color earn even less, is just one of the reasons many women start their own businesses. The CDP is pleased to report that of the 187 businesses with whom we have worked from July 1, 2022 to the present, more than half of the businesses (100), were owned by women.
Three women began Love Live Local in 2013 as a way to connect local businesses with customers and supporters. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary under Executive Director, Amanda Converse, Love Live Local has evolved into an organization that is dedicated to community advocacy and educating consumers on the importance of shopping local. Since 2020, Love Live Local has produced its own research in order to quantify, assess and analyze the importance of Cape Cod’s locally owned businesses on our local economy. Love Live Local's most recent report shines a spotlight on service providers. Personal professional services is a $1.5B industry on Cape Cod and employs 9.1% of the Cape's workforce. Local personal business services recirculate 50-85% more of their revenue into the local economy than their corporate competitors. Read the full report here.
Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Artists - Additional Workshops & Grants
Food- Additional Workshops & Grants
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 and 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 March 2023 winner: An Orleans Business owner will receive a $100 gift certificate to a CDP client business - we will report further once the Winner makes their selection.
REFER A BUSINESS TODAY AND YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY WINNER IN APRIL!
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Final Winter Boot Camp Session is TOMORROW! | |
Additional Artist Specific Workshops and Grants | |
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The Ultimate Guide to Publicity
Ariel Hyatt & Maya Azucena
March 30th 2:00 (virtual)
Learn how to generate press and land publicity! In this workshop, participants will identify the basic materials needed for a solid press kit and ways to set themselves apart, including generating a succinct press pitch, graphics, and brand. Participants will have a chance to draft their own effective pitch (the foundation of your PR) to catch the eye of bloggers and journalists alike, as well as learn how to avoid common mistakes when sending out a pitch. Participants will also discuss how to use an international lens for marketing, research and select media outlets to target and how to design a manageable timeline for generating publicity. Finally, participants will explore what to do with any publicity they receive, and how to leverage those successes to achieve broader career goals.
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2023 Capacity Building Grants for Massachusetts
Apply by April 17th
Assets for Artists' Capacity Building Grant Program pairs an unrestricted micro-grant with professional development tools for artists to design and build their creative future. Each Statewide grantee will have access to:
*An unrestricted grant of $3,000 paid out at a time of your choosing.
*Priority access to Assets for Artists online workshops for the year .
*At least one individual coaching session with an A4A trainer of your choice.
*Support for setting goals and making an action-oriented plan to reach them.
*Peer-networking opportunities with your cohort of fellow grantees.
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Food Related Workshops and Grants | |
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MDAR Grants Webinar
March 21st 4:00 - 5:30 (virtual)
This free webinar focuses on funding opportunities for farmers for Fiscal Year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30th, 2024). Grants covered will include:
* Ag Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)
* Climate Smart for Agriculture Program (CSAP) and
* Viability Programs including the Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP), the Matching Enterprise Grant for Agriculture (MEGA), and the APR Improvement Program (AIP).
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Start a Food Business
April 19th 5:00-6:30 (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.
In this workshop, learn about:
* Regulatory requirements
* Considerations for starting a food truck, catering or consumer food product business
* Best practices and resources for food safety, packaging, branding and more.
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Addiitonal General Business Workshops | |
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From Passion to Profit: How to Monetize your Passion
March 20th 10:00 - 11:00 (virtual)
This workshop is for aspiring women entrepreneurs and learn the essential strategies to transform your dream into a successful reality. Cover the essential strategies and best practices for turning your passion into a profitable small business. You'll learn how to identify your ideal customer, validate your business idea, and create a business plan that aligns with your passion and vision.
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Low-Cost, High-Impact Marketing Strategies for Women in Business
March 22nd 5:00 - 6:00 (virtual)
Are you a small business owner struggling to make an impact with your marketing efforts? Do you want to grow your business, but feel limited by a tight budget? Explore the most effective low-cost marketing strategies that will help you build your brand, engage with your target audience, and increase your sales.
Discover a range of marketing channels, including social media, email marketing, content marketing, and more. Learn how to create compelling content, develop a social media strategy, and leverage digital tools to save time and money.
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Cape Cod Blue Economy Pitch Contest
Apply by March 31st at 12 Noon
Pitch Contest April 19th 6:00 - 8:30
EforAll Pitch Contests are lively two-hour events that offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business idea to a friendly audience and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Business ideas across a wide range of industries are encouraged!
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Rockland Trust 6th Annual
Small Business, Big Dreams Contest
Apply by March 31st
Small Business Big Dreams contest will provide small businesses a chance to win $20,000 to help their business grow. Participants submit their background information and give an overview of their strengths, challenges, and plan for the future. The participants will be narrowed down to 3 finalists who will be featured in a video series as they prepare for their final presentation to a panel of judges. The panel will deliberate to choose the winner of the $20,000 grand prize. Both runners-up will receive $2,500.
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MGCC Loan Funds for Underserved Communities | |
MGCC Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power Grants | |
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MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners updated for 2023!
Schedule an appointment with Pam or Tricia today to see if your small business is eligible for these amazing opportunities.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
For 2023, MGCC increased the matching grant from a 1:1 match to a 2:1 match. This means businesses receive $2 from MGCC for every $1 raised in crowdfunding.
MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate-income and underserved entrepreneurs,& small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. Businesses must crowdfund a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $20,000 to receive a 2:1 matching grant from MGCC between $3,000 and $40,000. The combination of crowdfunding dollars and 2:1 matching grant from MGCC, businesses can earn $60,000+ through this program.
Eligible MA-based small businesses that have been nominated by MGCC’s SBTA providers may be funded up to $40,000.
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Digital Capacity Building Grant - now up to $10,000: Up to $5k for CAPITAL EXPENSES PLUS Up to $5k for DIGITAL SERVICES
MGCC's Empower Digital Grant provides funding (up to $10k) 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 for digital services and up to $5,000 for capital expenses without requiring a contribution from the business owner.
Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.
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Small Business Energy Assessments by Cape Light Compact | |
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Small Business Renters Can Save on Efficiency Upgrades
Start with a no-cost Business Energy Assessment to see if you qualify for huge incentives on weatherization and other efficiency upgrades.
Offer available through Cape Light Compact, your local Sponsor of Mass Save®.
Sign Up Now for a Business Energy Assessment
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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 | |
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.
Governor Bradford - Food Drink Entertainment
312 Commercial St., Provincetown
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Professional Services Grants Available for 2023
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.
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CDP Small Business Program Funders | |
The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: | |
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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
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WE HAVE MOVED! After 30 years at our Eastham location, we have relocated to 260 Cranberry Hwy, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653. Our office is open by appointment only. Staff phone numbers and emails remain the same. | |
Follow the CDP on Social Media! | |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | |
