Issue #4 Monadnock Small Business Journal by Backporch Publishing LLC

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Issue 4 • July/August/September 2014

Monadnock The region’s voice of small business & entrepreneurship

Monadnock

MONADNOCK The region’s voice of small business & entrepreneurship

Cheryl Belair The Insurance Source

Monadnock Businesses Get Healthy

PLUS: The Insurance Source Celebrates 30 Years Are Your Business Goals “Smart”? The Region’s Business-Friendly Lodging & More! July/August/September 2014

Monadnock Small Business Journal

C O N T E N T S FEATURES Monadnock Businesses Get Healthy The Insurance Source: Taking Care of Us

16 18

EDITOR’S NOTE 4 MSBJ GIVEAWAY 4 THE JOURNAL’S CONTRIBUTORS

TALK OF THE TOWN 6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

COLUMNS GEEK STREET: Get Mobile Friendly!

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR: Scores Sports Bar & Grille

IN YOUR BUSINESS: Are Your Goals “Smart”?

THE GREEN SCENE: A Green Lawn Can Really Be “Green”

THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR: Writing That Matters

HINTS FROM HELAINE

LISTINGS Business-friendly Lodging

Business Directory

ON THE COVER... Cheryl Belair, co-founder and president of Keene-based The Insurance Source, at her office on Court Street. The all-women office celebrated 30 years in business this year. Story on page 18. Photo: Ed Thomas

Photos: (top to bottom): Mt. Monadnock, Marcia Passos Duffy; McMillin and Company employees, Ed Thomas; smartphone, Dreamstime; dancing Insurance Source employees, courtesy photo; mower, courtesy photo.

July/August/September 2014

Editor’s Note ...

Healthy Workplaces

I don’t even want to think about the bad health habits I had in my 20s, fresh out of college working at my first job in New York City. It was the early 1980s and smoking was allowed almost everywhere; there was even a “smoking car” on the commuter train! Confession: I was a twopack-a-day smoker. It was easy to keep smoking back then (lots of places to indulge) and my employer saw nothing wrong with the smoke cloud in my office. While my non-smoking colleagues sometimes coughed dramatically while walking past my desk, I was never encouraged by my employer to quit. There were plenty of other smokers on the 28th floor on Madison Avenue. I did finally kick the habit in 1986 because I was taking a new job in a non-smoking office. I remember crumbling up my last pack of cigarettes and tossing it in the trash. It was difficult to quit without the benefits of patches, gum or support at work. But I’ve never looked back. It’s helpful when employers don’t allow bad health habits in the workplace. But, honestly, I would have quit a lot sooner had my employer offered to send me to a smoking cessation workshop, or had free massages or acupuncture available to help ease the pain of quitting. That may have even enticed me to stay rather than look for higher paying job (maybe). Fast forward to 2014: A culture of healthy living has permeated our nation’s businesses (most are non-smoking). But more than that, employers are taking an active role to encourage healthy habits such as exercise, stress reduction and healthy eating. Why? Because healthy people tend to be happier at work ... and healthy people are more productive (and cost less to insure). In the Monadnock Region, many employers are stepping up to create healthier workplaces (see story, p. 16) and create a true culture of health. Not only do their employees benefit, but also their families ... and by extension our community.

Marcia

MSBJ GIVE-AWAY! Win a nutritional assessment and lifestyle evaluation! Enter today for a chance to win a nutritional assessment and lifestyle evaluation by Ruth Clark, a registered dietitian nutritionist, of Smart Nutrition (of Peterborough & Amherst, www.smartnutritionllc.com). Value: $135. For a chance to win, subscribe to MSBJ’s free e-newsletter. Visit our homepage to subscribe: www.MonadnockSBJ.com. Drawing will be held on Sept. 30, 2014. Good luck! 4

Monadnock Small Business Journal

MONADNOCK Issue 4 • July/August/September 2014 PUBLISHER

Backporch Publishing, LLC

EDITORIAL

Marcia Passos Duffy, Editor Donna Moxley, Proofreader Jillian Garcia-Miner, Calendar of Events Jaime Contois, Listings

CONTRIBUTORS

Ann Connor, Katherine P. Cox, Helaine Iris, Becky Karush, C S Wurzberger

PHOTOGRAPHY Ed Thomas

DESIGN

Salwen Graphic Design

ADVERTISING SALES

Jaime Contois, 603-504-2906 jaime@MonadnockSBJ.com

Monadnock Small Business Journal 16 Russell Street, Keene, NH 03431 603-369-2525, info@MonadnockSBJ.com www.MonadnockSBJ.com Monadnock Small Business Journal is published quarterly by Keene, N.H.-based Backporch Publishing, LLC. It is distributed throughout the Monadnock Region the first week of January, April, July and October. Monadnock Small Business Journal is a business-to-business publication that highlights news about the Monadnock Region’s small business community including start-ups, business success stories, local expert advice and features about emerging trends. This publication is copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. The views expressed in Monadnock Small Business Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of its advertisers, publisher or editor. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, Backporch Publishing, LLC assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

CONTRIBUTORS Ann Connor is a nationally recognized and award-winning business coach of AdviCoach. She works with entrepreneurs to identify their goals, steer them around a multitude of obstacles, and tackle their long-term challenges with a series of manageable steps. Connor has an MBA in organizational behavior from Suffolk University in Boston. www. connorteam.advicoach.com. Katherine P. Cox is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Keene Sentinel, SO Vermont Arts & Living, Monadnock Table, Around Concord, Here in Hanover and Image. She is a former editor at The Keene Sentinel and was a writer/producer for Captured Light Studio, Inc., a Keene-based video and interactive production company. Cox lives in Westmoreland. Helaine Iris is a life and business coach who has been featured in numerous publications including “O” The Oprah Magazine. She’s helped many entrepreneurs make a difference in the world, accelerate their professional success and achieve more complete and fulfilling personal lives. www.pathofpurpose.com Becky Karush is a freelance writer specializing in biography, early childhood health and agriculture. She also writes for national and international clients including Reader’s Digest International and the Tasha Tudor Museum. She lives in Swanzey with her writer husband, toddler son, and one-eared, high strung dog. Ed Thomas has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years. He produces photography for clients throughout New England for the advertising, architectural, industrial and editorial markets. He is also an avid nature and historical photographer. www.edthomasphotography.com

C S Wurzberger, a.k.a. “The Green Up Girl,” specializes in planning and promoting green events: corporate meetings, educational conferences, product promotions and more. She helps lead organizations to a sustainable future by reducing waste and costs, and rethinking events. www.thegreenupgirl.com

July/August/September 2014

TALK OF THE TOWN

Your guide to business happenings in the greater Monadnock Region and Monadnock Paper Mill. The Green Business of the Year is awarded by the Keene Cities for Climate Protection Committee in partnership with the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Hannah Grimes Center, Monadnock Buy Local and Monadnock Sustainability Network.

pMonadnock Food Co-op Named Green Business of the Year KEENE — The Monadnock Food Co-op received the 2014 Monadnock Green Business of the Year Award in April during a ceremony at the Monadnock Earth Day Festival. The annual award recognizes one socially and environmentally responsible business in the Monadnock Region. The business nominees for the 2014 award included the Amazing Flower Farm, Clark-Mortenson Insurance, Dave’s Automotive Enterprises, Hillside Springs Farm, Monadnock Food Co-op

pTwo Businesses Join Hannah Grimes Incubator Program KEENE — Two small businesses have joined the business incubator program at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship at 25 Roxbury Street: OneLove Imagery, LLC and Redbird Communication LLC. OneLove Imagery LLC, which offers high-end wedding photography, is owned by photographers Kristen Lenox and Dana Read (pictured at right). The business partners bring years of individual portrait photography experience to OneLove Imagery. Lenox is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and runs a separate photography

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business focusing on high school seniors. Read runs a successful newborn and maternity photography studio. The Hannah Grimes Center also welcomes Barbara Woods, owner of Redbird Communication LLC, which provides trainings and workshops in nonviolent communication to individuals and organizations to bring about more effective communication, creative problem solving, and overall enrichment into people’s relationships at home, work and in the community. Woods holds a BA degree in communication from Keene State College with an emphasis in conflict studies, and has studied extensively with trainers certi-

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Monadnock Small Business Journal

and guidance to company management at their place of employment. “As you might imagine, in some industries, maintaining a workplace free from recognized hazards or improving the culture of safety within the organization can be a challenging endeavor,” says Tokarski. This research-based book focuses on the occupational safety and environmental support requirements unique to chemical process industries and other industrial facilities subject to laws defining EPA’s Emergency Management Program and OSHA’s Process Safety Management regulation. However, many of the concepts and topics can benefit other facility managers and safety professionals, regardless of industry type, he says. The book is available at the Toadstool Bookshops and other local bookstores.

fied through the Center for Nonviolent Communication; she has completed graduate work in the areas of community and cultural conflict, and mediation. Learn more about the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, which offers a range of office space options for both businesses and nonprofit organizations, at www.hannahgrimes.com. pKSC Grad Publishes Occupational Safety Book KEENE — Edward Tokarski (pictured, right), a recent graduate of the Keene State College safety and occupational health master’s degree program has turned his graduate research paper into a 168-page self-published book, The Safety Professional’s Role: In Support of Industrial Facilities Operations and Maintenance (O&M). The book, Tokarski says, largely serves as a “how to” guidebook for professionals working in the field of occupational safety and health who are saddled with the challenge of providing professional advice

pCity of Keene Celebrates Independent Businesses KEENE — The City of Keene has joined the American Independent Business Alliance and Monadnock Buy Local in declaring the week of July 1-7 “Independents Week,” a national celebration of locally-owned businesses. “We applaud the declaration by Keene’s mayor (Kendall Lane) to recognize our independent businesses and nonprofits,” says Monadnock Buy Local program manager Jennifer Risley. Monadnock Region residents are invited to take the “Indie Challenge” from July 1-7, 2014 as part of Independents Week. Individuals who sign onto the challenge will try fulfilling all of their needs at locally-owned, independent businesses for one week. Details are at www.monadnocklocal.org/independents-week. Talk of the Town continued on page 8

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July/August/September 2014

TALK OF THE TOWN pDiscover Monadnock Launches Website

PETERBOROUGH — Discover Monadnock — a project of Arts Alive and Monadnock Travel Council, with participation from the Peterborough and Keene Chambers of Commerce — has launched its website, www.discovermonadnock.com, to promote tourist-focused businesses, organizations and events. The site, which also can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts, is an effort to create a strong regional brand to attract visitors to the area’s many art and cultural events throughout the year. “Arts and culture not only make this region attractive, they are important economic drivers as well,” says Gordon Peery, editor and project manager for Discover Monadnock. “While nearly 10 million people live within a two-hour drive from the Monadnock Region many are not familiar with it,” says Peery.

“But those who have discovered the region inevitably love it.” Peery and the advisory board of Discover Monadnock asks that tourist-focused organizations participate by liking Discover Monadnock’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/discovermonadnock) and sending relevant links to the page to share. To learn more visit www.discovermonadnock.com. T.E.A.M. Jaffrey Welcomes New Executive Director JAFFREY — Melanie McDonald has been named by the board of T.E.A.M. Jaffrey as its new executive director. McDonald replaces Marie Cassady who stepped down in May to return to her native Arkansas to help support the growth of her husband’s business. McDonald, a downtown Jaffrey resident, has more than 15 years of experience in

the nonprofit sector including management roles in education, retail, marketing and development at the Sharon Arts Center, and as development manager at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in Vermont. She holds an undergraduate degree from Skidmore College, as well as a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Marlboro Graduate School in Brattleboro. T.E.A.M. (an acronym for “together everyone accomplishes more) Jaffrey is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing, revitalizing and improving the downtown area of Jaffrey by supporting existing commercial establishments, encouraging new business opportunities and promoting tourism. T.E.A.M. Jaffrey events include: Summer Concerts on the Common, Riverfest, Scarecrows on the Common, Downtown Cleanup, Trick or Treat on the Town, Plaid Friday for Downtown Businesses, and various fundraisers to support the mission. To learn more email teamjaffrey@myfairpoint.net or call Melanie McDonald at 603-532-7168.

Look for our fall issue the first week of October!

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Sept. 5, 2014

Monadnock Small Business Journal

pBlue-U Expands Services HANCOCK — Blue-U Defense, which has been training individuals in the areas of responsible firearm ownership, “stand your ground” law and practical personal defense, has expanded its training to help corporate, business, health and educational organizations deal with workplace violence situations. Blue-U Defense owners, Lt. Terry Choate (pictured, above) and detective Joe Hileman — both full time New Hampshire police officers — say that since the company formed two years ago the demand for these organizational services and training has increased. The team gives seminars on how business owners and employees can prepare themselves for violent encounters by utilizing high-

ly practical methods and techniques. Courses include: active shooter/workplace violence, understanding “stand your ground,” making responsible use of force decisions, recognizing the signs of drug abuse and distribution, practical personal defense, practical home security and convenience store/bank institution security. Course offerings are being expanded on an ongoing basis. Blue-U also offers business and home security assessments and, through partner organizations, executive protection services. “Few businesses realize that workplace violence is the number two cause of death in the workplace and the number one cause of death in the workplace for females,” says Choate. “This business and what it stands for is my passion,” he adds. “It is absolutely critical that everyone, both individuals and businesses, understand how important it is to train and be ready for an act of violence.” Learn more at: www.Blue-U.com.

pSign Business Looking to Pass Baton to New Owner KEENE — Custom Designs of Keene, a custom sign business that has been in the community for 45 years, is looking for a new owner. Jim Vitous, who has owned the company for 10 years and purchased it from Jim Pulaski (who retired from the business) says that he is ready to “pass the baton.” Vitous, who is a stay-at-home dad to twins, will be relocating to Indonesia, his wife’s homeland, in a few years. Vitous says he will stay on one year to transition the new owner and help service current clients that include many of the region’s hospitals, automobile dealerships and colleges. “I’ve tripled the business in 10 years ... and it is ready for more growth,” says Vitous. For more information about call Vitous at 802-280-8153 Talk of the Town continued on page 28

July/August/September 2014

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hat do customers experience when they interact with your website via their mobile device? While your website may be accessible via a smartphone, the way it looks on a phone or tablet could mean the difference between a customer gained … or lost. The Journal spoke with Mikal Steadman, owner of Steadman Media Group, a Monadnock Region-based web strategist and consultancy, about the implications of not having a mobile-friendly website. What are the statistics on how many “This is people are using their mobile devices the wave to access the Internet today? of the future A recent Pew Research study found and it is that 63 percent of adult smartphone here to owners use their device to go online. stay” And 34 percent of Internet users go online mostly using their phones, that is, they are preferring to use their mobile device over a desktop or laptop computer. The average American household has six mobile devices; people are buying and owning more mobile devices than actual desktop computers. In our family, we don’t even have a desktop … our kids don’t even know what a desktop looks like. We have iPads, laptops, iPhones and iPods. This is the wave of the future and it is here to stay. What does this mean for businesses with websites that are not mobile friendly? There are a lot of local websites I’ve seen that have not transitioned into mobile-friendly sites. Business owners don’t realize what kind of impression this makes on potential customers. Think of how you feel when you land on a website that appears on your smartphone in a tiny font. You have to blow it up, you can’t read it properly and have to scroll back and forth to see the pages. Chances are you will get frustrated and move on to another site. The impact on the user is, essentially, “Wow, these guys are not with it.” What should businesses do? First, business owners need to realize that having a mobilefriendly website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. And having a strategy that allows the ever increasing number of people who are accessing the Internet via a mobile device to view your site easily is critical to gaining customers — and gaining their trust. Remember, you may have great customer service in your brick-and-mortar … after all, you wouldn’t intentionally make it difficult for them to find your products or services in person. But without a mobile-friendly strategy you are sacrificing customer service because you are frustrating your customer. And a frustrated customer who can’t find what he or she wants is not going to buy from you. p Interview by Marcia Passos Duffy

Monadnock Small Business Journal

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR This column, sponsored by the Keene Young Professionals Network, is a look at young business owners in the region. This column will appear in the Journal every summer and spring. Learn more about the KYPN and their fun networking events by visiting www.keeneypn.org.

Benjamin Fournier, 29 Co-owner, SCORES Sports Bar & Grille, Keene What did you do before you opened SCORES? I got my bachelor’s degree in physical education at Keene State College. After I graduated I taught physical education at Cornish Elementary School. I was also a bartender on the weekends — to to help with student loans. Why open a sports bar? My business partner, Nick Leighton (pictured above, on right), has been my best friend my whole life. He is a business guy, good with numbers and the books. We always dreamed of opening a sports bar together. We thought that the one thing Keene was missing was a true sports bar environment. We wanted ours to have classy interior design that catered to business professionals and families.

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What inspired you to open at the former Railroad Tavern location? I worked as a manager at the Railroad Tavern (where SCORES is now located) five years ago. Right away I saw the potential in this place. My vision was to change the whole atmosphere, and I think we’ve done that. We opened in September 2013. People who come in here for the first time are blown away. It has a completely different vibe than what was here before. It is a fun, clean, safe sports bar environment with great food. We also have live entertainment. Monday is trivia night, Tuesdays is gentlemen’s night, Wednesday night is acoustic music, Friday nights we have bands, Thursdays and Saturday nights we have DJs. What did you have to do make the transformation to a sports bar? We were in here every day for three months cleaning it up, We had a lot of hardworking close friends to get it into shape. We have 25 flat screen TVs with every major sports package available. We are a restaurant by day so families with children are welcome. After 9 p.m. SCORES is 21 and up. During the week we get a professional clientele that come in after work. The weekend is a great mix. What are your plans for the future? I do miss teaching … I liked being a role model for kids, but this opportunity was rare for a 29 year old. I’m putting all my eggs in one basket right now. It is a lot of work and I’m continuing to learn new things each day, but love every part of it. Teaching is a special part of me that will always be there and I plan to go back to it later on in my life. For now, this is where I want to be. p Interview by Marcia Passos Duffy July/August/September 2014

IN YOUR BUSINESS

No-nonsense advice from the local experts

Are Your Goals “SMART”? By Ann Connor

ikipedia tells us: “SMART’ is an acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives, for example in project management, employee performance management and personal development.” The letters S and M usually mean “specific” and “measurable.” The other letters have meant different things to different authors, but here is what the acronym means to most people in business:

SPECIFIC: target a specific area for improvement. MEASURABLE: quantify or at least suggest an indicator of

progress.

ASSIGNABLE: specify who will do it. REALISTIC: state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.

TIME-SPECIFIC: specify when the result(s) can be achieved.

There’s even been the term SMARTER goals as well, just add “evaluate” and “review.”

No matter the specific meanings of each letter in the acronym, the concept of SMART goals is not only a good one, it is imperative that any business or nonprofit organization set their SMART goals and work towards achieving them. And to avoid not-so-SMART goals. What’s not “SMART”? Let me give you a very simple example of a not-so-SMART goal: ”We will increase sales.” This is a goal, a good goal in fact but is it a SMART one? It’s not SMART because it is not specific, measurable, assignable, realistic and time-related. So, can we change this goal to meet the SMART criteria? Try this: “We will increase sales by 25 percent with the sales team hitting the goal by third quarter.” Now we have a specific, measurable, assigned, realistic goal that has a time line. Want to make it SMARTER? Change it to this: “We will increase sales by 25 percent with the sales team hitting the goal

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by third quarter. We will look at the status before end of August to be sure the sales numbers are on target with a 15 percent increase by that date.” We now have a SMARTER goal for the business to work towards. It may be specific to the sales team but the entire organization needs to be on-board to make the goal happen! Now it’s the business owner’s responsibility to effectively communicate what needs to be accomplished to meet the goal. Clear management makes SMART goals brilliant Setting the goal and creating the target is step one. The more clear management is, the more likely the goal will be achieved. Makes sense right? Well, all too often the owner or management will set their sights on a goal and forget to let the team know what is expected. Communicating the benefit to the organization is critical in accomplishing the goal. Be sure to outline the potential obstacles along with the potential solutions for those obstacles. Have clear action steps along with the assigned tasks. All the while, be sure to be tracking the progress so you can proactively approach this SMARTER goal with the whole team on board. p

12 Years of Service in the Community.

Thank You.

Twelve years ago, I opened my office in Keene. Through the years, I’ve met many of you and built long-term relationships. My primary focus has always been to better understand why you invest and to recommend specific solutions that can help you reach your financial goals. Thank you for letting me serve you and your family for the past 12 years. I look forward to working with you in the future.

To learn how Edward Jones and I can help you reach your financial goals, call me today.

Allen Mendelson Financial Advisor .

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Ann Connor is a nationally recognized and award winning business coach of AdviCoach®.

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July/August/September 2014

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THE GREEN SCENE

How local businesses are greening up by C S Wurzberger

A Green Lawn Can Really be “Green”! Now, I’m not just talking about the color. I’m talking about how it is maintained, fertilized and cared for. Home owners and lawn care specialists spend hours fussing over lawns, pruning, fertilizing, mowing and trimming. All with the purpose of having a lawn the neighbors are envious of and one that stops traffic as people drive by. But those “perfect” lawns come at a price to the environment. Traditional lawn care uses a variety of harmful chemicals that kill crab grass, grubs, insects and artificially fertilize the grass. It is proven that these chemicals also kill off wanted insects such as Monarch butterflies, bees and other organisms we need to keep our ecosystem in balance.

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There is a greener way! According to Patrick Masterson, owner of Lawn Envy LLC of Peterborough, an organic lawn care company, the most effective way to green up your lawn is to start with a soil sample. The soil sample provides pertinent information such as soil pH, and the macro and micro nutrients required to sustain a healthy lawn. Masterson says that his organic lawn care company also gathers information from the soil sample to determine what percentage of organic matter is present and creates a custom plan that helps to move from a chemical-intensive lawn care program to one that is organic and safer for the family, pets and environment. Higher cost ... at first To go completely organic vs. non-organic will initially cost about 15 to 25 percent more than conventional lawn care, notes Masterson. But the good news, he notes, is that within three to five years the lawn will sustain itself and the lawn care costs go down drastically. Even challenging lawn problems, such as grubs, can be controlled naturally, says Masterson. Nematode microbes are sprayed on top of the soil and they feed on the grub larva giving you a healthy lawn without the damaging chemicals. Learn more about how to move your residence or business landscape from a chemical-intensive lawn care program to one that is healthy, family and pet safe and organic by visiting www.arbico-organics.com. Learn more about Lawn Envy by visiting: www.lawnenvynh.com. With a few small changes you too can have a green lawn and ensure a greener, cleaner future for all. p C S Wurzberger, a.k.a. “The Green Up Girl,” is on a mission to help organizations reduce waste and lower their operational costs. July/August/September 2014

Monadnock Area Businesses Get Serious About Healthy Workplaces (And It’s Fun!) Fitness challenges, exercise breaks, massages, dance parties. These are just a few ways the Monadnock Region’s organizations and companies, large and small, are investing in the health and wellness of their employees. By Katherine P. Cox

n the surface, it looks simple — and just plain fun — but many of these initiatives have the potential to change the very culture of these organizations and save money in the long run. Providing support to quit smoking, eat healthy foods, exercise and even take more breaks makes sense to these organizations, and puts them in a league of champions. More specifically, they are Healthy Monadnock 2020 Organizational Champions, part of the Healthy Community Initiative of Cheshire Medical Center/ Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene. The goal: Make workplaces in the region healthier and improve the health and wellbeing of employees. From there, the hope is that the reach extends to the community at large.

What company wellness programs can do According to a 2013 study by the nonprofit Rand Corporation, 51 percent of all U.S. businesses now offer a wellness program to their employees. A Harvard University study found that a properly-designed wellness program can expect to yield an ROI in healthcare cost reductions of about 3:1; the study also found that for each dollar spent on wellness programs $2.73 is saved on absence and related costs after about three years. Other research has shown that benefits to organizations can include increased productivity, less absenteeism, stress reduction, improved communication among employees and better employee retention, Photo Thomas 16 by EdMonadnock Small Business Journal

notes Maryanne Keating, coordinator of the nonprofit Cheshire County Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL). This year, 11* of the 86 Healthy Monadnock 2020 Organizational Champions were invited to join a “Learning Collaborative” and take their already-established wellness programs to the next level, says Linda Rubin, director of the Healthy Community Initiative of Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene. The Journal visited some of these organizations to find out what healthy measures have been put in place for employees, what was working, what hasn’t worked, and what has been pure fun

Walking, massages and a “Zen” room At MacMillin Company, which was acquired by DEW Construction Company last year, almost all of the nine employees in the Keene office have participated in one or more of the programs in place, says vice president Ken Hoeppner (pictured left in green shirt with other walkers from MacMillin). For the “Get Moving Challenge” that began in April, the company purchased pedometers for those interested in counting their daily steps. The challenge is to take 10,000 steps a day, 70,000 a week. For those who want a little more exercise, there are five-minute exercise breaks that include planks, squats and strength work. The company even pays for monthly massages. “The fact that the company supports this cannot be dismissed,” notes Hoeppner. “Exercise breaks take time out of the employee’s day but improve productivity. In many ways, it improves attitude. People feel better about themselves when they exercise and don’t have to feel guilty about taking five minutes off to exercise or go for a walk.” The next goal for the office is to create an exercise room and a relaxing Zen space to “close your eyes, take a nap, do yoga … whatever you need to do,” says Hoeppner. And the ROI for all of this? “I believe a reduction in days off due to illness has got to have an impact,” says Hoeppner. Walking meetings, hosting a farmers’ market and more Peg Hauschildt, manager of the Wellness Program at Keene-based Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services (HHHCS), has seen the benefits to employees when they literally take steps to get healthy. “Every Step Counts” — a program that provided employees pedometers to track their activity during a seven-week period — was started at HHHCS in April 2013 and was “extremely successful,” says Hauschildt. Out of the 449 employees at HHHCS, 144 employees signed on. People lost weight, smokers quit and it boosted employee morale. And an unexpected benefit: Co-workers from different departments walked together and established new relationships, improving communication throughout the organization. More changes are in the works: healthy food vending machines, healthy food choices at meetings, an on site farmers market and walking meetings. “I believe that if you take care of your staff, they will be more productive and more alert. It’s certainly conducive to team building,” says Hauschildt. Every workplace has different health needs Not every “healthy living” idea works, as discovered at Monadnock Family Services (MFS), when a walking club proved unsuccessful. Instead, “stress reduction is a big issue with our employees,” says CEO Phil Wyzik. When the organization took a Centers for Disease Control assessment survey, stress was indeed a major

concern; plus employees wanted more health information. In response, MFS has instituted two weekly acupuncture sessions for stress, which Wyzik said are full and have been well received. “The feedback was so positive,” Wyzik says of health workshops, acupuncture sessions and health screenings. “The added benefit to any business is that employees feel valued, appreciated and engaged.” It’s not just the employees who benefit, but so do Monadnock Family Services’ clients; employees are teaching their clients the importance of healthy food and exercise. “We’ve had a healthy year. Our insurance costs are not going up next year,” says Wyzik. “Maybe our efforts have helped a tiny bit. As an employer, I think that’s pretty cool.” The ripple effect of healthy employees Cool doesn’t even begin to describe how Cheryl Belair and her employees at The Insurance Source (see profile on the company, next page) tweaked the five-minute exercise break to become a daily dance party at the office each day a 3 p.m. “We crank up the speakers,” says Belair, “and we dance. No holds barred. Everyone is smiling, laughing, giggling at each other, and we’re having a blast.” By 3:10 p.m. everyone is back at their desks, “and the whole feeling in the office has changed.” For many of the companies and organizations that are investing in the health of their employees, the initiatives are paying off in a healthier and more engaged staff and less stressful environments. What’s more, employees are embracing policies that have been instituted. At Hamshaw Lumber, which is now a tobacco-free business, controller Barbara Leatherman says she’s heard employees reminding customers to heed the tobacco-free space. “They’re taking ownership,” says Leatherman. “That makes me feel really good.” And it’s not just fun and games and bonding for employees: healthy habits translate into healthier employees, which has a real impact on the bottom line says Vicki Flanders, human resources assistant for the City of Keene. “One result we have seen from our employee wellness efforts is that our overall health insurance increase was held to 6 percent,” says Flanders. “Our rate increase this year is projected not to exceed 5.3 percent, which, compared to medical trend of 7.5 percent to 9 percent the last few years, is quite favorable.” p Katherine P. Cox is a freelance writer who lives in Westmoreland. *The 11 organizations and businesses that participated in the Learning Collaborative are: Keene Family YMCA, Cheshire Medical Center/ Dartmouth Hitchcock-Keene, The Insurance Source, Monadnock Family Services, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, Cheshire County Sheriff ’s Office, City of Keene, Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services, Markem-Imaje, the MacMillin Company and Hamshaw Lumber.

July/August/September 2014

Taking Care of the Community The Insurance Source Celebrates 30 Years

By Becky Karush / Photos by Ed Thomas

hirty years ago, Cheryl Belair co-founded an insurance agency in her Walpole home. “I remember signing the first contracts at the kitchen table with the dogs running around our feet,” she says. Today, much at The Insurance Source has changed. For one, its client base has grown to 3,000. The agency offers insurance for everything from homes, autos, motorcycles and more, including businesses of all sizes (plus disability, life and long term care insurance). And, instead of her kitchen table, Belair now sits in a grand front room of a historical 1890 building on Court Street in Keene, with a magnificent, gilt-edged mirror mounted above the mantle behind her. “Can you believe this?” Belair says with a laugh, waving at the grandeur. “We were on Washington Street for about 26 years, and when we moved over here, we figured out office space for everybody. Then the question was, where am I going to sit?” 18

Monadnock Small Business Journal

Connecting with the community It makes sense that this business owner and agency president sits front and center, right where every person who walks in the door can see her. For one, the spot allows Belair to connect with customers and friends all day long. “It’s a wonder I get anything done,” she says, rolling her eyes at herself. Her smile is bright and energetic. “But I love it. Some customers I have known for close to the whole 30 years.” From those very first years, Belair understood that her community and her business went hand-in-hand. “Listen,” she says. “This business is about taking care of people. They come to us with their most valuable assets and say, essentially, ‘I want you to take care of this.’ It’s a responsibility and honor to do that — and these are our neighbors, our local businesses, our friends. We have a huge commitment to do honest, forthright, exceptional work.” Belair also recognizes that the Monadnock community’s support for The Insurance Source is the reason it has succeeded more than three decades.

The ladies of The Insurance Source. Standing, left to right: Reed Graves, account executive; Lori Bourassa, assistant; Ana O’Donnell, account executive; Susan Johnson, receptionist; Pam Lynch, office manager. Seated: Cheryl Belair, co-founder and president. Photo below, courtesy of Cheshire Medical Center. Dance party, 3 p.m. sharp, every day. Be there or be square.

“Insurance Source is my first baby,” she says. “And the community helped me raise it. Now, 30 years later, it’s thriving, and it means the world to me to share that good vibe, that success, with my community.” Personally, Belair volunteers much of her time at business and community organizations. She says she is particularly proud of her fundraising work to help build the new Keene Family YMCA facility (she was recently elected to their board). As a nearly 20-year member of the Keene Elm City Rotary Club, Belair was a principal organizer of the Rotary’s Children’s Classic golf tournament and now helps with their Clarence DeMar Marathon, with a special interest in the DeMar Kid’s Marathon. Last year more than 700 local kids participated in the marathon; the proceeds from the golf tournament

and the marathon have helped thousands of at-risk youth in the Monadnock Region. “I am truly passionate about making the lives of people in our area better, especially kids,” says Belair. “And you know what ... I’ve got an incredible staff here that allows me to take the time to do these other things.” The power of a great team Belair credits the quality and loyalty of her staff both for supporting her volunteerism and for the agency’s longevity. All of her employees — all women — have been with her for close to ten years; the most senior, Pam Lynch, has been at The Insurance Source for 18 years. “If I didn’t have this team, there’s no way I’d be successful,” says Belair. “And being together eight to 10 hours a day, five days a week, work becomes like family — and you want to take care of your family. It goes both ways.” To that end, the hard-working family of The Insurance Source gathers every day at 3 p.m. for a five-minute dance party to boost late-afternoon morale, encourage physical fitness, and have a blast. The activity is also part of the agency’s work as an Organizational Champion for Healthy Monadnock 2020 (see story, p. 16), which aims to have the community be the healthiest in the nation by the year 2020. “A different person chooses the song for each day,” explains Belair. “Then we turn up the speakers and dance! By the

“The Insurance Insurance “The Source is is my my first first Source baby …… and and the the baby community helped helped community me raise raise it.” it.” me end everyone’s laughing and smiling, and you really feel like a new person. It’s a way for us to take care of ourselves so we can take care of our clients. And it’s fun.” With a little bit of luck A strong, supportive staff and an abiding commitment to do right by the community professionally and personally have served The Insurance Source well over the decades, says Belair. She also points to three other criteria for long term success. The first, she says, is a sense of humor. “You can’t get caught up in the little things that go wrong. A bad day? You have to put it behind you.” The second is a sustaining sense of meaning and purpose. “I have a heartfelt desire to take care of people,” she says. “Insurance is a good fit for me. I believe in what I do and in the need to do it right.” And the third? “Luck,” Belair says with a laugh. “I’ve been very lucky that the work and dedication I’ve put in have been paid back a bazillion times. If the luck holds, I’ll still be here 30 years from now.” And she’ll be in the front room on that day, saying hello to clients and friends, taking care of her community and taking the time to dance. p Becky Karush is a freelance writer from Swanzey.

July/August/September 2014

THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR A snapshot of a local home business

Leaf Seligman Opening the Window-Writing That Matters, Troy, N.H. www.writingthatmatters.net

Any drawbacks to working from home? Possibly the distraction of a large dog who would much rather be out sniffing in the woods — but even she calls me to a deeper presence. It’s easy to get absorbed in what I’m doing and miss the beauty of the day. But the very work I do is about connecting to what matters; in large measure our lives are so filled with digital distractions it’s common to miss noticing how the light filters through the trees … or taking the time to sip a cup of mocha and truly inhabit the good fortune of indulging the senses so delightfully. What has been your proudest moment in business and why? Pride isn’t what comes to mind. Gratitude does. It’s a joy to connect with four women in Hancock at the public library for a morning of writing and reflection. It’s a pleasure to offer writing experiences for staff at the Cheshire Medical Center. I love collaborating with Robin Eichert because I learn so much from Robin and I get to apply skills drawn from years of writing, teaching and ministry in fresh contexts. What is your source of inspiration? My love of life. I am fond of saying, “Make everything you write a love letter to the world.”

Leaf Seligman, owner of Opening the Window-Writing That Matters.

Opening the Window-Writing That Matters offers writing guidance and experiences for individuals, groups and the workplace as a means to deepen connection, enhance meaning, develop authenticity and authentic leadership. Owner Leaf Seligman says her work ranges from helping individuals create a contemplative writing practice to leading group experiences based on a theme (such as gratitude, reconciliation or reclaiming the essential self) to partnering with Robin Eichert of PeopleSense Consulting LLC (Jaffrey) on workplace trainings that employ writing as a tool to learn best practices. What did you do before you started your business? I’ve taught writing since 1985 in a variety of settings: primarily college but also in the community and in prisons and jails. I spent the last 10 years as a Unitarian-Universalist minister until I realized I wanted to return to a writing-centered life. I’ve also been writing across genres since childhood. What are the benefits of running a business from home? The companionship of my dog, the warmth of a wood stove, the proximity to the kitchen. My home is a sanctuary so working from it grounds me in what’s essential. Do you know of an interesting home-based business for this page? Tell us! Email editor@MonadnockSBJ.com.

Monadnock Small Business Journal

Any business worries that keep you up at night? At first I wondered how this venture would come to fruition. Luckily I worked with a great life coach, Eric Russell, who instilled a sense of faith in the process. Worrying doesn’t accomplish anything and neither does a lack of sleep. What is your five-year business plan? To continue offering programs in the community and collaborating with folks who share my passion for connecting with what matters. I’m leading a five-day conference on Star Island (N.H.) in September called “Water From the Rock” that will incorporate writing, art, music and shared reflection. I hope to do more of that kind of work as well. What do you do for fun when not working? I play the banjo. I love to bake and cook. I take singing lessons. Of course I romp with my dog. But truthfully, this work is the wellspring of joy that feeds life’s river. p Interview by Marcia Passos Duffy

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July/August/September 2014

HINTS FROM HELAINE Answers to your vexing business problems, by Helaine Iris

Dear Helaine, I’m starting up a new business in the region and don’t have much capital. How wise is it to rely on credit cards to fund a start up? — CREDIT CARD LEERY

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Dear Credit Card Leery, Where to find capital is often a big concern for any small businesses start up. Most businesses owners have to be creative and cobble together what they can. Funding often comes from personal savings, equity, loans from family or friends, and sometimes this includes using zero percent or low interest credit cards. If you can find or negotiate a low rate with a credit card provider, this can be similar to getting a small business loan from a bank. Using credit cards should only be an option IF you have a solid sales plan in place and can demonstrate ability to pay the credit card back before costly interest kicks in. Either way, make sure you have a solid business plan in place so you can decide what’s best for your business with confidence.

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Dear Helaine, How do I come up with a catchy (memorable) name for my business? — NAMELESS IN KEENE

Dear Nameless, Finding a good name for your business (and getting the corresponding URL) is one of the most important things you can do. In this day and age of consumer over saturation standing out quickly and conveying with crystal clarity what your business offers is essential. Bottom line: Name your business in simple, clear language that offers a solution to your customer’s problem. Always keep your target audience in mind. Research and learn what makes a good name, brainstorm ideas, use the dictionary and thesaurus to find catchy, action-oriented words. Finally, get feedback; run your ideas by your potential clients and find out how they resonate. p

Helaine Iris is a life and business coach with Path of Purpose Coaching. Do you have a vexing business problem? Email questions to helaine@pathofpurpose.com. Your name will be kept confidential.

Monadnock Small Business Journal

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS July/August/September 2014

JULY July 2 (Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.) HR Compliance 101 Consulting. Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, Keene Jillian@hannahgrimes.com www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar July 16 (Wednesday, 1-3 p.m.) Consulting with a Professional Writer Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, Keene Jillian@hannahgrimes.com www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar July 17 (Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Peterborough Recreation Department, info@peterboroughchamber.com July 17-19 (Thursday-Saturday) Kitchen Karnival. Your Kitchen Store, Keene, shannon@yourkitchenstore.com July 17-20 (Thursday-Sunday) Hillsborough Balloon Fest & Fair. Grimes Field, Hillsborough, www.balloonfestival.org. July 18 (Wednesday) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce 39th Annual Golf Tournament. Keene Country Club chadlow@keenechamber.com

AUGUST August 15 (Friday, 7 a.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament. Crotched Mountain Resort, Bennington info@peterboroughchamber.com August 20 (Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Historical Society of Cheshire County, Keene info@keenechamber.com August 21 (Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Annual Social & Raffle. Renoir Renovation, Jaffrey, info@peterboroughchamber.com August 24 (Sunday) Welcome to Keene State. Downtown Keene businesses keenedowntowngroup@gmail.com August 30-31 (Saturday and Sunday) Art in the Park. Ashuelot Park, Keene www.monadnockareaartists.org August 30 (Saturday) Keene Music Festival. Downtown Keene www.keenemusicfestival.org

Photo by Marcia Passos Duffy

SEPTEMBER September 2 (Tuesday, 1-4 p.m.) PreBiz Workshop: 4 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Your Business. Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, Keene Jillian@hannahgrimes.com www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar September 3 (Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. Monadnock Country Club, Peterborough info@peterboroughchamber.com. September 4 (Thursday, 12-3 p.m.) Marketing and Communication Consulting Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, KeeneJillian@hannahgrimes.com www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar September 11 (Thursday) Day of Caring with the Monadnock United Way. www.muw.org, marianne@muw.org September 12 (Friday, 7:30 a.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Support Committee. Monadnock Community Hospital, Parmalee Building, Room 5, info@pterboroughchamber.com

September 26 (Friday, noon) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Lunch â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Learn with HR Compliance 101 Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bank, Peterborough info@peterboroughchamber.com

ONGOING First Tuesday of the Month (5:30 p.m.) Keene Green Drinks, Marriott Courtyard, Keene www.greenmonadnock.org/green-drinks 3-month Entrepreneur Project Ongoing, new class beginning every 4 months, Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Accepting applications, $600 fee with 75% scholarship funding available to those who qualify. Contact: jillian@hannahgrimes.com 603-352-5063 6-month Start-Up Program Ongoing, new class beginning every 6 months Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Accepting applications, $600 fee with 75% scholarship funding available to those who qualify. Contact: jillian@hannahgrimes.com 603-352-5063 This list was compiled by Jillian Garcia-Miner from the Hannah Grimes Center. Please send your calendar items for the summer 2014 issue to jillian@hannahgrimes.com before May 1.

September 16 (Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.) Three-Month Social Media Masters Course Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, Keene Jillian@hannahgrimes.com www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar September 17 (Wednesday, 7:30-9 a.m.) Rindge Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Franklin Pierce University info@rindgechamber.org September 24 (Wednesday, 7:30-9 a.m.) Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours The Malamine Cup, info@jaffreychamber.com

Monadnock Small Business Journal

Look for our fall issue the first week of October!

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Monadnock Region’s Business-friendly Lodging Do you have business guests coming in for an overnight stay, or longer?

There are plenty of accommodations in the Monadnock Regions that cater to business clientele ... ranging from small B&Bs to large hotels with a national presence, and even conference centers and alternative lodging such as rustic cabins. Call ahead for details of specific business amenities and corporate rates.

B&Bs/Inns

Ashburn House 20 Upper Troy Rd., Fitzwilliam 603-585-7198, www.ashburnhouse.net Corporate rates: Yes. Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House 27 Main St., Swanzey 603-357-6624, www.bridgesinn.com Corporate rates: Yes-15% discount to business travelers who mention the Monadnock Small Business Journal. Carriage Barn Guest House B&B 358 Main St., Keene 603-357-3812, www.carriagebarn.com Corporate rates: Please call for details. Chesterfield Inn 20 Cross Rd., West Chesterfield 603-256-3211, 800-365-5515, www.chesterfieldinn.com Corporate rates: Yes. Greenfield Inn 749 Forest Rd., Greenfield 603-547-6327, www.greenfieldinn.com Corporate rates: 10% off for two nights. Hancock Inn 33 Main St., Hancock 603-525-3318 or 800-525-1789, www.hancockinn.com Inn at East Hill Farm 460 Monadnock St., Troy 603-242-6495, www.east-hill-farm.com Corporate rates: Yes. Inn at Valley Farms B&B, Cottages and Vacation Farmhouse 633 Wentworth Rd., Walpole 603-756-2855, www.innatvalleyfarms.com Corporate rates: 20% off. Little River Bed & Breakfast 184 Union Street, Peterborough 603-924-3280, www.littleriverbedandbreakfast.com Corporate rates: Yes. 26

Monadnock Inn 379 Main St., Jaffrey 603-532-7800, www.monadnockinn.com Corporate rates: Yes, for rooms and meeting space. Stonewall Farm B&B 235 Windsor Rd., Hillsborough 603-478-1947 www.stonewallfarmbandb.com Corporate rates: Yes. Woodbound Inn 247 Woodbound Rd., Rindge 603-532-8341, www.woodbound.com Corporate rates: Yes.

Hotels/Motels

Best Western Plus Sovereign Hotel 401 Winchester St., Keene 603-357-3038, www.bestwestern.com Corporate rate: 15% off; call for lower contracted rates. Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Keene 75 Railroad St., Keene 603-354-7900, www.keenecourtyard.com Corporate rates: Please call for details. Days Inn 3 Ashbrook Rd., Keene 603-352-9780, www.daysinnkeene.com Corporate rates: Yes (see ad on next page). Holiday Inn Express 175 Key Rd., Keene 603-352-7616 www.holidayinnexpresskeene.com Corporate rates: Please call for details. Riverside Hotel 20 Riverside Dr., West Chesterfield 603-256-4200, www.riversidehotelnh.com Corporate rates: Please call for details on meeting space special rates.

Monadnock Small Business Journal

The Lane Hotel 30 Main St., Keene 603-357-7070, www.thelanehotel.com Corporate rates: Please call for details. Jack Daniels Motor Inn 80 Concord St., Route 202, Peterborough 603-924-7548, www.JackDanielsInn.com Corporate rates: Yes, please call for details.

Alternative Lodging These locations are ideal for business retreats.

Alyson’s Orchard 57 Alyson’s Ln., Walpole, NH 603-756-9800, www.alysonsorchard.com A lodge and farmhouse. Corporate rates: 25% off the meeting room space if lodging is rented for same dates. Two night minimum. Barbara C. Harris Camp 108 Wally Stone Ln., Greenfield 603-547-3400, www.bchcenter.org Choice of hotel-style lodge rooms, 10 standard cabins with bunk beds, 10 adult cabins (seasonal) Nature’s Classroom at Sargent Center 36 Sargent Camp Rd., Hancock 603-525-3311 www.sargentconferencecenter.org Accommodations available September – May. Rustic cabins will sleep 52, 40 and, 10 and 8. Seven meeting rooms. YMCA Camp Takodah 55 Fitzwilliam Rd., Richmond 603-352-0447, www.camptakodah.org, peter@cheshireymca.org Four large hall spaces, 26 cabins. Corporate rate: Call for details.

Set on 325 wooded acres on the shores of Otter Lake, the Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center offers overnight lodging and meeting spaces for up to 200 individuals. Hearty, delicious meals are prepared and served by our professional staff. Recreational facilities include a 6,500 sq. ft. gymnasium, hiking trails, waterfront, high & low ropes courses plus a climbing wall.

603.547.3400 • info@bchcenter.org • www.bchcenter.org

Aimee J. LaBrake

The Small Business Marketing Solution 603-352-9780 • daysinnkeene.com

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15 Years Experience: • Writing Website & Brochure Content • Building Affordable Marketing & Advertising Plans • Blogging & Social Media Marketing • Advertising & Graphic Design • Event Planning & Management

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www.aimeelabrake.com

(603).933.2194 • aimee_labrake@yahoo.com

(603) 546-7200 • sales@wivalley.net www.wivalley.net Business • Residential • Community

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Monadnock Small Business Journal

TALK OF THE TOWN (cont.) pNew Company Provides Branding Solutions to Small Businesses and Nonprofits KEENE — Peter Harris Creative has launched a new company, Brand Fundamentals, now in operation at the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship at 25 Roxbury Street. Brand Fundamental includes Peter Harris and business partner, Greg Elizondo. The team works with businesses and nonprofit organizations to develop new brands, conduct brand audits and revitalize older brands. They offer workshops to help brand stewards fix broken brands and optimize healthy ones. Peter Harris has been self-employed in the marketing and design fields for more than 30 years. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies as well as micro enterprises, and has taught at the college level. Greg Elizondo holds an MBA in organizational and environmental sustainability from Antioch University New England. He provides clients with strategic consultation, digital marketing expertise, and web design and development services. Learn more at www.brandfundamentals.net or call 888-930-6511. pNH Center for Nonprofits Seeks Applicants CONCORD — The N.H. Center for Nonprofits is seeking applications for the next cohorts of the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship. The program, scheduled to launch this fall in the Monadnock and Seacoast regions, is designed to engage, prepare and inspire Fellows to serve on nonprofit boards. The Fellowship responds to the need for an expanded and diverse pool of community leaders who are ready to bring their talent, passion and commitment to volunteer board service. Understanding the time demands placed on everyone these days, the Center has crafted a Fellowship program which delves immediately into the core of what it means to govern by engaging the Fellows in a three-part dinner series with national board experts. “Board service brings the professional a new network, a new way of developing leadership and the opportunity to have meaningful impact. In return, the nonprofit benefits from fresh new energy, approaches and ideas,” says Mary Ellen Jackson, executive director of the Center. The Center is currently accepting applications and nominations for both Fellows and Mentors. The application deadline for Fellows is July 15, 2014. Learn more at www.nhnonprofits.org or call the Center at 603-225-1947. pBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group Makes Top 100 List KEENE — Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/ The Masiello Group has been named one of the top 100 largest real estate companies in the United States by REAL Trends 500, an annual research report that identifies the country’s largest and most successful residential real estate firms. This is the sixth consecutive year the company has landed in the top 100 in this coveted industry report, which ranks firms based on closed transactions. BHGRE/Masiello is the only real estate brokerage in New England that earned a top-100 placement for its performance in 2013. Learn more at www.massiello.com.

B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R Y Please support the small businesses that support Monadnock Small Business Journal!

Local Look NH Explore NH Like Never Before www.LocalLookNH.com

Note: Telephone numbers are 603 area code unless otherwise noted.

Paragon Digital Marketing Keene NH Digital Marketing Excellence 399-6401, zach@paragondigital.com www.paragondigital.com

ACCOUNTING Anderson & Gilbert Keene NH A Full Service Accounting Firm 357-1928, anderson@taxfolks.com www.taxfolks.com David Beal CPA Keene NH Serving Our Community for More Than 20 Years 358-6300, davidbeal@yahoo.com www.davidbeal.com Lynn C. Rust, CPA PC Swanzey NH Helping You Solve Your Financial Puzzle 358-6565, info@lcrcpa.com www.lcrcpa.com White Barn CPAs Marlborough NH Helping You be a Better Steward of Your Financial Future 876-6633, info@whitebarncpas.com www.whitebarncpas.com ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ COMMUNICATIONS/DESIGN Aimee J. LaBrake Peterborough NH Making Marketing Easy, Fun & Enjoyable! 933-2194, aimee_labrake@yahoo.com www.aimeelabrake.com Annie Card Creative Services Peterborough NH Creative Marketing Strategies and Solutions 924-6605, annie@anniecard.com www.anniecard.com Fletcher Media Group Peterborough NH Creative & Integrative 924-6383, jfletcher@fletchermedia.com www.fletchermedia.com Halvorson New Media LLC Hancock NH Social Media Training and Strategies for Businesses and Nonprofits 603-525-3391 chris@halvorsonnewmedia.com www.halvorsonnewmedia.com

Peter Harris Creative Keene NH Big Ideas for Small Companies 903-0218 info@peterharriscreative.com www.peterharriscreative.com Prospect Communications W. Chesterfield NH Driving Growth. Delivering Results 256-6372, mike@prospect-comm.com www.prospect-comm.com Salwen Graphic Design Keene NH Full Service Website & Graphic Design for Marketing & Communication 357-4693, nancy@salwen.net www.salwen.net The Marcommer LLC Keene NH Specializing in B2B and Industrial Marketing Communications 832-302-4101 marcy@marcommer.com www.marcommer.com Time Frame, Inc. Peterborough NH Your Local Source for Labels, Decals and Promotional Items 924-6611, jeff@timeframe.com www.timeframe.com Yasvin Designers Hancock NH Communication. Design. Video. 525-3000, mhavey@yasvin.com www.yasvin.com ARCHITECTS Scully Architects Keene NH Extraordinary Architecture and Planning for Our Community 357-4544, dvs@scully-architects.com www.scullyarchitects.com

SISR Architecture, LLC Marlow NH Sustainable, Innovative & Socially Responsible Building Design 446-7024, christina@sisr.us www.sisr.us

La Mia Casa Peterborough, NH Made By Hands, Not Pans 924-6262 lamiacasanh@outlook.com www.facebook.com/lamiacasanh

Weller & Michal Architects Harrisville NH We Strive For Excellence Within Real-World Limitations ... Because Design Matters 827-3840, info@wapm.com www.wapm.com

Mayfair Farm Harrisville NH A Small Scale, Diversified Family Farm 827-3925, info@mayfairfarmnh.com www.mayfairfarmnh.com

ARTS & CULTURAL Arts Alive! Keene NH Advancing Arts and Culture in the Monadnock Region 283-0944 info@monadnockartsalive.org www.monadnockartsalive.org

Shreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen Keene NH Catering Authentic Indian Cuisine 313-2974, sri@shreeskitchen.net www.shreeskitchen.net The Social Grove Peterborough, NH 924-4454, thesocialgrove@gmail.com www.thesocialgrove.com

ATTORNEYS Beasley & Ferber Concord NH The Elder & Disability Law Firm 225-5010, info@beasleyferber.com www.beasleyferber.com BANKS/CREDIT UNIONS Bank of New Hampshire Antrim, Keene, Hillsborough New Hampshireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Local Bank 355-3553, www.banknh.com

The Pub Restaurant & Caterers Keene, NH Home of the $1.19 Breakfast 352-3135, mhowe@ne.rr.com www.thepubrestaurant.com The Works Bakery Cafe Keene NH Delicious Sandwiches Made With Humanely-Raised, Hormone-Free Meats 357-9787, www.worksbakerycafe.com CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Keene NH Your Friendly Source for Information About the Monadnock Region 352-1303, keenechamber@ comcast.net, www.keenechamber.com

GFA Federal Credit Union Peterborough NH Better Value. Better Service. Better Banking. 924-9654, www.gfafcu.com Service Credit Union Keene NH No Dream is Too Big, No Idea is Too Small. 352-0475, www.servicecu.org CAR RENTAL U-Save Car & Truck Rental Keene NH Where The Road Leads, U-Save 352-7900 , keenenh@rentusave.com www.usave.com CATERING/RESTAURANTS Enchanted Bakery & Cafe Spofford NH Magical Taste of Homemade 363-8914 enchantedbakery@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/enchantedbakery

Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Peterborough NH Improving Quality of Life for All Citizens of the Greater Peterborough Region 924-7234 jburnett@peterboroughchamber.com www.greater-peterborough-chamber.com Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce Hillsborough NH Bridging Commerce and Community 464-5858 www.hillsboroughnhchamber.org

July/August/September 2014

COACHING/CONSULTING AdviCoach Richmond NH Making Your Success a Reality 239-3693, aconnor@advicoach.com www.connorteam.advicoach.com Heart-Centered and Profitable Fitzwilliam NH Coaching for Fitness, Health and Childbirth Practices 978-616-9561, melanie@ heartcenteredandprofitable.com www.heartcenteredandprofitable.com. John C. Cook & Associates Walpole NH Nonprofit & Fundraising Consultants 904-4091, cookandassoc@yahoo.com LaunchingU Keene NH Career Coaching for College Students & New Graduates 357-6111, sue@launchingu.com www.launchingu.com Path of Purpose Coaching Spofford NH Inspiring Entrepreneurs to Success in Life and Business 363-4252 helaine@pathofpurpose.com www.pathofpurpose.com PeopleSense Consulting LLC Jaffrey NH Improve Hiring, Job-Fit, Performance and Leadership 532-5888 robin@PeopleSenseConsulting.com www.peoplesenseconsulting.com Solutions for Today Keene NH Solving Your Quickbooks Challenges 903-1047, pam@solutionsfortoday.net www.solutionsfortoday.net

ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL The Green Up Girl Keene NH Reduce Waste, Reduce Cost, Rethink Events 802-258-8046 cs@thegreenupgirl.com www.thegreenupgirl.com Poole Ecological Consultancy Hillsborough NH Serving the Needs of Clients & Allied Professional Since 1996 478-1178, eann@gsinet.net www.eannpoole.com EDUCATION/TRAINING Antioch University New England Keene NH Explore. Empower. Transform. 877-595-9873, www.antiochne.edu Keene State College Continuing Education Keene NH Wisdom to Make a Difference 358-2290, www.keene.edu/conted Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing Keene NH Business and Education Developing Our Workforce 358-2296, www.keene.edu/conted/rcam River Valley Community College Keene/Claremont NH Envisioning the Future – Our Future by Design 542-7744, www.rivervalley.edu ENERGY EFFICIENCY Green Energy Options Keene NH Renewable Energy Products 358-3444, geo@usasolarstore.com www.geosolarstore.com

Sterling Business Corp. Peterborough NH Small Business Breakthroughs, Individual Solutions 924-9401, sbc@sbcnh.com www.sterlingprintmail.com

Walker Design and Building Harrisville NH Begin With an Energy Efficient Audit & Finish With an Energy Efficient Home 827-9999, sunquest2020@hotmail.com www.walkerdesignbuilding.com www.walkerbasementtransformation.com

COMMUNITY BROADBAND WiValley, Inc. Keene NH Your Local Provider For Fiber, Hybrid and Wireless Broadband Solutions 546-7200, brianf@wivalley.net www.wivalley.net

FINANCIAL SERVICES Compass Financial Group Harrisville, NH Helping You Navigate the Financial World 827-3022, dean@cfg3.com www.cfg3.com

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS iCracked Keene NH I Can Fix That! 734-5320, www.icracked.com

Edward Jones/Allen Mendelson Keene NH Making Sense of Investing 357-7023 allen.mendelson@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSAs) Tracie’s Community Farm Fitzwilliam NH Growing Local food and Community Since 1999 209-1851 www.traciesfarm.com

Edward Jones/Scott Trendell Keene NH Making Sense of Investing 352-1921 scott.trendell@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com

Monadnock Small Business Journal

MetLife Keene NH Retirement, Life Insurance, Disability, Long Term Care 352-2246, asoney@metlife.com www.newengland.metlife.com HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE European Esthetics Peterborough NH Offering Organic Skin, Nail and Body Care to the Monadnock Region 924-9123 ellen@european-esthetics.com www.european-esthetics.com Five Element Acupuncture Keene NH Promoting Health, Preventing Disease 369-7965, pamelabys@gmail.com www.acupuncture5e.com W.S. Badger & Company Gilsum NH Powerfully Pure Body Care for Health, Fitness & Natural Beauty 357-2958, custserv@badgerbalm.com www.badgerbalm.com HOME/BUILDING Crockett Log & Timber Homes Keene NH Green Living Since 1973 800-566-7714 jdodson@crockettloghomes.com www.crockettloghomes.com HUMAN RESOURCES HR Compliance 101, LLC Fitzwilliam NH Creating Workplaces That Work for Everyone 585-3139 paula@hrcompliance101.com www.hrcompliance101.com INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Sequoya Technologies Group, LLC Peterborough NH Providing Complete IT Support to More Than 70 Small Business & Nonprofits throughout N.H. 924-7977, sales@sequoyatech.com www.sequoyatech.com True North Networks Keene NH Straight Answers. Bright Solutions. 624-6777 www.truenorthnetworks.com Worldwide Computer Solutions Keene NH 358-6776, info@wwcs.com www.wwcs.com INSURANCE Masiello Insurance Agency, Inc. Keene NH Our Service Saves You Time and Our Choices Save You Money 352-1810, donnac@masiello.com www.masielloinsurance.com

The Insurance Source, Inc. Keene NH The Source for All of Your Insurance Needs 357-2219, www.insurancesource.com LAWNCARE/LANDSCAPING Lawn Envy - Organic Lawncare Peterborough NH The Difference is Passion 996-1097, info@lawnenvynh.com www.lawnenvynh.com MEETING SPACE/GOLF COURSE Angus Lea Golf & Tennis Club Hillsborough NH 464-5404, anguslea@gmail.com www.anguslea.com Keene Country Club Keene NH 352-0135, diane@keenecc.com www.keenecc.com Monadnock Country Club Peterborough NH A 9-hole Public Golf Course and Function Hall 924-7769 beverlymonkton@myfairpoint.net www.monadnockcc.com MEETING SPACE/LODGING Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center Greenfield NH Year-round Conference Center on Otter Lake 547-3400, info@bchcenter.org www.bchcenter.org Days Inn Keene NH Best Value Under the Sun 352-9780 jim.narkiewicz@gmail.com www.daysinn.com The Woodbound Inn & Resort Rindge NH Seasonal Cuisine ... Unique Pub Fare 532-8341, laura@woodbound.com www.woodbound.com MORTGAGE LENDERS Envoy Mortgage Dover, NH Specializing in Residential Financing for All of Your Home Purchase and Refinancing Needs 680-1311, www.envoymortgage.com NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Repco Development Technologies Greenfield NH New Product Development and Commercialization 357-3005, info@RepcoDT.com www.RepcoDT.com

NONPROFIT Hannah Grimes Center Keene NH Weaving Together Business, Local Economy and Community. 352-5063, www.hannahgrimes.com

Gem Graphics Keene NH Your Image is Everything 352-7112, steve@gem-graphics.com www.gem-graphics.com

Monadnock Buy Local Keene NH Helping Our Local Economy Grow www.monadnocklocal.org

Hilltop Flags LLC Antrim NH Your Online Flag Store 494-1912, www.hilltopflags.com

Monadnock United Way Keene NH There for All of Us 352-4209, kathy@muw.org www.muw.org

Moonstruck Press Keene NH Several Technologies Behind 357-7993 moonstruckpress@gmail.com www.moonstruckpress.com

OFFICE FURNISHINGS Budget Blinds Keene NH A Style for Every Point of View 354-7801, www.budgetblinds.com/keene Carbone’s Window & Awning LLC Keene NH Your Window, Awning & Flooring Specialist 352-1932 www.carboneswindowandawning.com PET TRAINING Everything Dog Keene NH Got Dog? Get Solutions. 499-6207, denise@denisemazzola.com www.everythingdognh.com Wicked Good Dog Training Peterborough NH Positive Training with Positive Results 732-7214 wickedgooddogtraining@gmail.com www.wickedgooddogtraining.com PHOTOGRAPHY Edward Thomas Photography Marlow NH Professional Photography for Business; 30+ Years Experience 357-5939 ed@edthomasphotography.com www.edthomasphotography.com PRINTING/MAILING SCREEN PRINTING/SIGNS PROMOTIONAL ITEMS Beeze Tees Screen Printing Keene NH For All of Your Apparel and Promotional Needs! 357-1400, info@beezetees.com www.beezetees.com Bulldog Design Keene NH THINK LOCAL. GETBULLDOG.com 369-7171, joe@bulldog-design.com www.getbulldog.com Copies & More LLC Peterborough NH Your Neighborhood Source for All Your Copy, Packing and Shipping Needs 924-7088, www.copies-more.com

PrintFUSION Keene NH Built on Service Focused on Solutions 283-0007, info@printfusion.biz www.printfusion.biz Signworx Swanzey NH Small Town Service World Class Results 358-1003, info@signworx.com www.signworx.com The Shipping Shack Keene & Peterborough, NH Packing, Shipping, Mailboxes & More! 352-4249, 784-5564 shack2@comcast.net www.shippingshack.com PROJECT MANAGEMENT Applied Agility, LLC Weare NH Your Project Management Edge 660-6953, info@appliedagility.com www.appliedagility.com Facilitated Change Harrisville, NH Project Management Consulting & Training 762-0235, www.lisasieverts.com REAL ESTATE RE/MAX Town & Country/ Ranger Curran Keene NH Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results 357-4100 info@remax-keene-nh.com www.remax-keene-nh.com

At the Top Mikel Steadman, founder of Steadman Media Group, climbed Mt. Monadnock for the first time in the summer of 2009. After his departure from a life on the road, settling down and starting a family in Troy, Mikel was motivated to reach the apex of this treasured landmark. Since then, Mikel has hiked to the top of several of the area’s mountains including Mt. Washington. Would you like your climb to the top of Mt. Monadnock immortalized on this page? Send your digital photo to editor@MonadnockSBJ.com. We look forward to seeing your “At the Top” photos!

REMODELING & CUSTOM CARPENTRY Butler Restorations LLC Antrim NH We Love to Solve Mysterious Problems & Have the Skills & Equipment to Fix Almost Anything! 464-9639, www.shorthillstudio.com STAFFING The TPI Staffing Group Keene NH The People You Want, with the Skills You Need and the Service You Deserve 352-4155, www.tpistaffing.net

VIOLENCE PREVENTION Blue-U Corporate Resources Hancock NH Corporate Training in Response to Violence 352-4155, www.tpistaffing.net WEB DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT/ CONSULTING 4Web Inc. Keene, NH Website Design to Meet Online Business Development Goals 903-0793, heidi@4webinc.com www.4webinc.com

STATIONERY Steele’s Stationers Peterborough NH An Old Fashioned Stationery Store With a Modern Twist 924-7203 steelesstaioners@hotmail.com www.steelesstationers.com

Consensus Technology Peterborough, NH The People Are the Business 924-4084 pamela.gleeson@ consensus-technology.com www.consensus-technology.com

TRANSPORTATION Thomas Transportation Services, Inc. Keene NH For Every Road You Travel 352-5550 frank@thomastransportation.com www.thomastransportation.com VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES Home and Business Services Unlimited Tewksbury MA HBSU ... Our Success is Your Success! 978-640-1900 michael@kcvisualsunlimited.com www.kcvisualsunlimited.com

Steadman Media Group Troy NH Web Strategist & New Media Solutions 242-6070 mikel@steadmanmediagroup.com www.steadmanmediagroup.com WRITING TWP Marketing & Technical Communications Peterborough NH Our Words Mean Business — On the Web and in Print 603-924-0935 write@twriteplus.com www.twriteplus.com

Business listings: $75 per year, or FREE for one year with any purchase of a display ad. Book your display listing today! Limit one category per listing. To book listing email us at: info@MonadnockSBJ.com. Or visit www.MonadnockSBJ.com

July/August/September 2014

There’s something for everyone this fall at Keene State College! Complete the degree you started, or pursue. . . • Professional development • Personal enrichment • Learning in retirement

Classes begin August 25. Contact Continuing Education now for more information and personal advising - 603-358-2290 - keene.edu/conted

A brand for the Monadnock region celebrating our natural and cultural resources. A perpetually updated resource for residents and for tourists. Shopping Recreation Arts and Culture Heritage Resources Events Calendar An informative page for each of the 40 towns in the region. Check it out to find out what’s happening! Check in tell us what’s happening with your town or organization, so that can be included. DiscoverMonadnock.com

Monadnock Small Business Journal