Summer 2015 issue - Small Business Journal by Backporch Publishing LLC

Greater Monadnock & Southern Vermont

Small Business

Journal Issue 8 â&#x20AC;˘ July/August/September 2015 COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Boutique Gyms Work Their Niche YEA! Nurtures Young Entrepreneurs PLUS: Business-Friendly Lodging Listings & More!

July/August/September 2015

Yo u r l o c a l b u s i n e s s a dva n tag e

“savings bank of Walpole helps keep my business on a roll.”

since opening The bread shed, owner brittany Migneault has made quite a stir with her artisanal breads.

“With the support of the community and our loyal customers, my business has grown very quickly from day one,” says Migneault. “savings bank of Walpole is committed to helping entrepreneurs and their companies thrive. Their loans and great rates have been instrumental in helping the bread shed ramp up and get to the next level.”

at sbW, we understand that with success, new challenges often arise. That’s why we take the time to understand our customers’ businesses and financial goals. “savings bank of Walpole has a genuine commitment to the community and their customers and that’s why we bank with them.” great customer service from a bank that invests in the local community. need some bread? give stephen bianco, vice President/senior lender a call at (603) 352-1822 or email him at sbianco@walpolebank.com.

The savings bank of you.

of since 1875

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

SBW9409_BreadShed_8.5x11_JUN9.indd 1

6/9/15 10:45 AM

C O N T E N T S Greater Monadnock & Southern Vermont

Small Business

Journal

FEATURES Boutique Gyms Work Their Niche Business Profile: Young Entrepreneurs Academy

20 24

EDITOR’S NOTE

THE JOURNAL’S CONTRIBUTORS

TALK OF THE TOWN 6 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

COLUMNS THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR: Mikel Steadman

HINTS FROM HELAINE

EXPERT TIPS: How to Become an Effective Speaker

IN YOUR BUSINESS: Time and Energy are Precious

BEFORE & AFTER: The Keene Yoga Center

THE GREEN SCENE: Magical Earth Retreats

LISTINGS Business-Friendly Lodging

Business Directory

ON THE COVER... Paula Aarons, owner of Core Consciousness, at her studio in Keene. Aarons is part of a growing movement of boutique gyms that is becoming popular in the region and all around the country. Story on page 20. Courtesy photo.

Photos: (top to bottom): Mt. Monadnock by Marcia Passos Duffy; YEA! contestants by Ed Thomas; clock by Dreamstime; Jane Jones, courtesy photo; CrossfitKeene, courtesy photo; speaker by Dreamstime.

July/August/September 2015

Editor’s Note ...

had the honor of serving on the Young Entrepreneur Academy’s (YEA!) investor panel this past May. This was YEA!’s first year in the Monadnock Region; the nationwide nonprofit organization guides students in grades 8-12 through the process of starting up real businesses. Even more impressive than the students’ poised presentations in front of more than a dozen judges and a large audience, were their pitches to the judges in an informal meet-and-greet before the official event. I was approached by students with a smile, a firm handshake, eye-to-eye contact, and a sincere delivery of the features and benefits of their product or service. There was a confidence and freshness to their approach, rarely seen in children (or even many adults!). I was most taken by the team that ended up winning the contest, Gabriel Andrus and Jake Dennis. Their product, called Dash Kit, was by no means new to the market. It is a zippered bag with emergency items such as nail clippers, headache remedies and Band-Aids. But what got my vote was their attitude. They held their product like it was the best thing ever to hit the market. They told me that they had already sold dozens of the product and were customizing it for car dealerships in the region. “We can even put your logo on it,” they said, as I was practically opening up my purse to buy one. They weren’t slick or pushy. They were joyful, happy, playful. They were having the time of their lives. These kids made me realize one of the reasons we became entrepreneurs in the first place. Because if you’re not having fun (and making money of course) what’s the point, right? -- Marcia

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE AD IN THIS MAGAZINE! Enter our quarterly drawing for an 1/8 page ad (value: $120) in an issue of your choice. Also includes a free listing in our Business Directory for one year (value: $75). No purchase necessary to enter ... simply subscribe to the Journal’s monthly e-newsletter! To enter and subscribe to our e-newsletter, visit: www.monadnockSBJ.com/subscribe. Winner must provide a fully-designed ad to spec to claim the prize. The next drawing will be held on Sept. 30, 2015. Good luck!

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Greater Monadnock & Southern Vermont

Small Business

Journal

Issue 8• July/August/September 2015 PUBLISHER

Backporch Publishing, LLC

EDITORIAL

EDITOR: Marcia Passos Duffy CONTRIBUTORS: Betty Andrews, Nicole S. Colson, Katherine P. Cox, Helaine Iris, Carol Williams, C S Wurzberger

PHOTOGRAPHY Ed Thomas

DESIGN

Salwen Graphic Design

ADVERTISING SALES

Bill & Sue Hay, 603-357-0046 sales@monadnockSJB.com

The Small Business Journal of Greater Monadnock and Southern Vermont 16 Russell Street, Keene, NH 03431 603-369-2525, info@monadnockSBJ.com www.monadnockSBJ.com

The Small Business Journal of Greater Monadnock and Southern Vermont is published quarterly by Keene, N.H.based Backporch Publishing, LLC. It is distributed throughout the Monadnock Region and Southern Vermont the first two weeks of January, April, July and October. The Small Business Journal is a business-to-business publication that highlights news about the Greater Monadnock and Southern Vermont’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 the 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 Betty Andrews is on a mission to make written communications more concise, accurate, and easy to understand. She recently moved her business, Betty Andrews Writing Services, to Keene, where she enjoys making new friends and business connections. www.betty-andrews.com

Nicole S. Colson is a contributing writer for The Keene Sentinel, where she was on staff as a feature writer for more than 12 years. She also writes for Keene State College and Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. Colson lives in Swanzey with her husband, Dana.

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

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 Carol Williams owns EpS (Efficient Productivity Systems) and is a productivity coach, trainer, and Evernote Business Certified Consultant. She specializes in helping create systems for success in business and in life. She also coaches individuals and helps find calm in the chaos of our work and home lives. www. EfficientProductivity.com C S Wurzberger, a.k.a. “The Green Up Girl,” is on a mission to provide people with inspiration, motivation, resources and simple action steps so they can enjoy living a greener lifestyle. Check out her podcast, Greener by Choice on iTunes where she looks at green issues and spotlights green movement leaders. www.TheGreenUpGirl.com

July/August/September 2015

TALK OF THE TOWN

Business News from Greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro pThe Small Business Journal Wins APEX 2015 Award of Excellence KEENE — Backporch Publishing, LLC has been awarded an APEX 2015 Award for Publication Excellence in the print magazines and journals category for its quarterly local magazine, Small Business Journal. Marcia Passos Duffy, owner of Backporch Publishing LLC, also publishes The Heart of New England online magazine and was co-founder of the award-winning Monadnock Table magazine (that was acquired by the Keene Publishing Corporation in 2013), for which Duffy still serves as editor. APEX is an international competition that recognizes outstanding publications from newsletters and magazines to annual reports, brochures and websites. According to the APEX 2015 judges, the awards were based on excellence in graphic design, quality of editorial content and the success of the entry in conveying the message and achieving overall communications effectiveness. Small Business Journal has been publishing quarterly issues since October 2013. “Receiving an APEX award is quite an honor considering the Journal is relatively new,” says Duffy. “I think the award reflects the strong entrepreneurial spirit of our region that shines through in the stories in the Journal. Our mission, from the beginning, has been to give voice to the small business owners, the unsung heroes of our local economy. Considering that many of these awards go to large companies with a large staff, I’m so honored, as a small business person, to receive this award for our efforts here in our tiny corner of the New Hampshire.” Learn more at: www.monadnockSBJ.com. pNew Technology Collective Opens at Hannah Grimes Center KEENE — NEWT (the New England Web & Technology Collective) is a new private/nonprofit partnership between 6

Paragon Digital Marketing and the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship. NEWT operates as a group of Internet marketers, web developers, designers and app developers working together to develop their skills and innovate and inspire each other; it is located at the Hannah Grimes Center at 25 Roxbury Street in Keene. “The purpose of NEWT is to establish the Monadnock Region as a hub for web technology, digital media and related services,” says Zach Luse, owner of Paragon Digital Marketing. Through NEWT’s partnership with Hannah Grimes, the Collective also provides tools to develop these skills and ensure success for participants. NEWT participants have access to entrepreneurship training in the form of coaching and workshops in addition to support from other businesses participating in the Hannah Grimes incubator program. Hannah Grimes will also work with Paragon to build out programs and facilitate workshops and training for participants and the community as a whole. “At the center of NEWT is a shared office and co-working space that can be used full or part time,” notes Luse. The space gives individuals and organizations the tools needed to be successful in the industry, such as high-speed fiber optic Internet access, meeting rooms, “and a really cool space to gather and share ideas,” says Luse. That includes a full kitchen, shower, bicycle parking, coffee station and beer “from the coolest ‘kegerator’ around,” says Luse. Learn more at www. webtechcollective.com pParis for Lovers Tour in October If you ever wanted to go to the most romantic city in the world with your significant other, now is your chance. Claire Tamarelle, owner of Lily Goes to Paris (a tour company that offers slow paced, casual and loosely structured tours through the Left Bank of Paris and beyond) is offering a “Paris for

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Lovers” tour in mid-October 2015. The 7-day, 8-night tour will include, “a discovery of the most intimate and beautiful haunts of the side of Paris that most tourists never see,” says Tamarelle (pictured, far right). “The tour will lead us through the small and out-of-theway places … the places where the locals go.” These will include hidden gardens, cafes, bistros and restaurants, the canals and the back streets. Price includes accommodations at the “Hotel de Charme” in the high energy district of the Latin Quarter (home to the Sorbonne and other institutes of higher learning) and former home to Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Hemingway and many other intellectuals says Tamarelle. She notes that the tour will only accommodate eight people and has an emphasis on walking. “This is the best way to really get to know those wonderful hidden-away nooks and crannies of Paris,” she says. To learn more call 603-762-8500 or 800-701-1650 or visit www.lilygoestoparis.com.

pRiver Valley Artisans Tour Date Set WESTMORELAND — The River Valley Artisans will join with a worthy cause Columbus Day weekend, October 10 and 11. This year many of the artisans will be donating selected work toward a benefit raffle by the Winchester Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Much of the artisan tour will be centrally located in the village of Westmoreland at Fellowship Hall. Other artwork will be available for viewing at the artists’ studios nearby. Learn more: www.rivervalleyartisans.com.

pThe Inn at East Hill Farm Wins TripAdvisor Award TROY — The Inn at East Hill Farm has received the 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The TripAdvisor award, now in its fifth year, celebrates the excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommo-

dations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience. “Winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is a great achievement for the Inn at East Hill Farm and our entire staff,” says Sheri St. Laurent, owner of The Inn at East Hill Farm. “We would like to thank all of our guests who have taken the time to write a review about their farm experience (on TripAdvisor). Our goal has always been to provide a quality vacation experience and it is so special to be recognized by the very guests we are striving to please.” TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site that enables travelers to plan and book trips. TripAdvisor branded sites operate in 45 countries worldwide. The Inn at East Hill Farm, in business since 1946, is a year-round family vacation destination. www.east-hill-farm.com

pNew Guide Focuses on Region’s Art, Innovation and Culture KEENE — A new guide to the Monadnock Region’s art, innovation and culture will become available this July. The Portal, published by Make It So: The Monadnock Makerspace will include a meta-map highlighting dozens of points of interest, an event calendar plus quick reference (QR) codes (pictured)that allow users to tap into online resources and navigation tools via a mobile device. The Portal encourages event contributions. Those interested in submitting events or would like to become a sponsor of the new guide, contact Make It So: The Monadnock Makerspace at 603-852-2812 or email monadnockmakerspace@yahoo.com. Talk of the Town continued on next page.

Our service saves you time and our choices save you money.

Our experienced team, with an average of over 25 years of experience, quotes your insurance with the top rated insurance companies in the industry – Giving our insurance customers an important advantage. 69A Island Street Suite 1 Keene, NH 03431 • M–F at 8:00 am

603-352-1810

Keene: Monday-Friday 8AM to 6PM, Saturday 9AM to 2PM Peterborough: Monday-Friday 9AM to 5PM Drop off any open hours • picK up DeaDline 4:30pM weeKDays

*Keene location only.

Visit www.masielloinsurance.com for online quoting

July/August/September 2015

TALK OF THE TOWN

Business News from Greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro

. pMonadnock Music Celebrates 50 Years PETERBOROUGH — Monadnock Music will celebrate 50 years of music this summer. The Festival runs July 10August 7 with 13 concerts; four ticketed concerts in Peterborough and nine free concerts across the Monadnock Region. The Season is highlighted by special anniversary celebrations. “We are planning many exciting events which acknowledge our past, celebrate our community, and look forward to the future,” says Gil Rose, Monadnock Music’s artistic director. “An anniversary like this isn’t only a chance to hang

out the flags and invite everyone to a programmatic feast,” adds managing director, Christopher Sink. “At 50, for any enterprise, you can say, ‘We’re still here. We’ve got stamina and we have the support of our market.’” The full season schedule and ticket information can be found on the Festival’s website, www.monadnockmusic.org.

Program from the Denver-based College for Financial Planning. Those who complete the program, pass a final exam and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the CRPC designation. This advanced training program focuses on the pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals. Study topics include principles of retirement planning, sources of retirement income, employer-sponsored plans, deferred compensation plans, plan distributions, investment strategies during retirement and planning for incapacity, disability and long-term care. Learn more at: www. edwardjones.com.

pAllen Mendelson of Edward Jones Receives Designation KEENE — Allen Mendelson of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Keene has achieved the professional designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. To achieve the designation, Mendelson completed the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) Professional Education

pKeene Mayor Proclaims “Independents Week” KEENE — The City of Keene joins Monadnock Buy Local and the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) to proclaim the week of July 1-7, 2015 as Independents Week. “I salute our community members and locally owned independent businesses

BEEZE TEES Strengthening your company...one employee at a time

Helping local businesses improve their culture in the Monadnock Region since 2001 A positive workplace culture is good for business: happier employees

fewer accidents

lower turnover

Learn more at my Hannah Grimes Center workshops:

S C R E E N PTheRBestIWay N ToTPrint I NToday! G

NO SCREEN OR SET-UP FEES!

Your Design Here

603-357-1400

WWW.BEEZETEES.COM

Quality Service - Fast Turn-Around - Competitive Prices

9/8 Core Service Values 10/6 Time Management 603-357-1928

11/3 Employee Handbooks 12/1 State & Federal Compliance Review Paula Mathews, President PO Box 713 Fitzwilliam NH 03447 603-831-2114 Paula@HRcompliance101.com www.HRCompliance101.com Paula with Sequoya Technologies Group

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Susan Gilbert, CPA Arlene Anderson, EA

Accounting & Payroll Services Tax Preparation for Individuals, Sole Proprietorships, Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, Fiduciaries, Non-Profits anderson@taxfolks.net

www.taxfolks.net

295 Park Avenue, Keene, NH

Jennifer Rockne in a press release. As a part of Independents Week, Monadnock Region citizens are encouraged to take the Indie Challenge and fulfill all of their needs at locally owned, independent businesses for one week: monadnocklocal.org/indie-challenge. Independents Week updates are at: monadnocklocal.org/independents-week.

and capitalize and build on creativity in the workforce. The toolkit is a follow up to Arts Alive’s February Arts & Business round table discussion at the Hannah Grimes Center; more than 35 artists and business leaders attended the discussion to learn the ways integrating arts could result in a positive impact for businesses. The toolkit, and the Arts & Business Alliance, will teach businesses to integrate creative activities in meetings, lead successful creative brainstorming sessions, implement projects that are creative outlets for employees, and encourage a culture of creativity and innovation. To learn more contact Owen Coursin at creativitytoolkit@ gmail.com or visit www.monadnockartsalive.org.

pNew Hire for Arts Alive

who are integral to the unique flavor of Keene,” said City of Keene Mayor Kendall Lane when he made his proclamation in early June. “Independents Week is a time to reflect on the importance of economic democracy and community self-determination by celebrating the nation’s locally owned independent businesses and the stake each citizen has in shaping their home town’s future,” noted AMIBA director

KEENE — Arts Alive! and the Arts & Business Alliance have hired Owen Coursin, an artist, educator and Masters candidate at Antioch New England, to direct the development of a “Creative Workforce Toolkit.” The creation of the toolkit, thanks to a generous donation, will allow businesses to integrate arts to build work culture

Talk of the Town continued on next page.

Going beyond business insurance Advanced, reliable and scalable technology solutions tailored to the needs and budgets of small businesses.

Business Insurance ● Employee Benefits ● OSHA 10 ● MOD Analysis ● Supervisor Training PRINT ● Employee Handbooks ● ACA Compliance Advice YOUTUBE LOGO SPECS

on light backgrounds

main red

gradient bottom

C0 M96 Y90 K2

C13 M96 Y81 K54

white

black

C0 M0 Y0 K0

C100 M100 Y100 K100

PMS 1795C

call your business class account executive for the monadnock region to find out more:

WHITE

on dark backgrounds

standard

no gradients

watermark

stacked logo (for sharing only)

PMS 1815C

BLACK

Guy S. Mitchell Account ExEcutivE ii/FiEld SAlES | nEw EnglAnd timE wArnEr cAblE buSinESS clASS

207-253-7360 118 johnSon roAd, portlAnd, mE 04102

clarkmortenson.com 102 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431 4 603-352-2121 Offices in Claremont, Keene & Walpole, NH; Brattleboro & Woodstock, VT

July/August/September 2015

TALK OF THE TOWN

Business News from Greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro

pLocal Online Retailer on Mission to Preserve Region’s Trails JAFFREY — If you want a USA-made T-shirt or sweatshirt, and want to preserve the beauty of the Monadnock Region’s hiking trails, visit www.HikeMonadnock.com. Hike Monadnock’s founder Ann Dea Whippen is donating a portion of every purchase to help support the Monadnock State Parks, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and other conservation efforts endeavoring to permanently protect property and maintain trails in southern New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region. Whippen’s idea began with the announcement on January 6, 2012, that federal grant money used to maintain and improve southern New

Hampshire’s recreational trails had been cut for the year, and possibly for good. Like many in the area, Whippen was concerned that, over time, locals and visitors wouldn’t be able to fully access and enjoy the state’s natural beauty. “As an avid hiker who lives, works and plays in this region, I decided to do something about the situation. HikeMonadnock. com is the result,” says Whippen. “From the beginning, we had a clear purpose — to not only run a good business, but also a business that does good at every level.” In addition to online, HikeMonadnock. com sells its colorful high-quality USAmade clothing — featuring the distinctive peak of Mount Monadnock — at the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce, and area fairs and festivals. “Be on the lookout for them at RiverFest on July 25,” she notes. Whippen hopes her business will raise awareness and encourage more visitors to the Monadnock region, where they can experience the area’s unique brand of mountain majesty firsthand. Learn more: www.HikeMonadnock.com.

pEuropean Esthetics Relocates PETERBOROUGH — European Esthetics, Wellness Spa & Tea Room, has relocated from Route 101 to 36 Grove Street, Suite 1 in Depot Square. The Skin and Body Spa is now tucked underneath Sarah’s Hat Boxes, next to the Waterhouse Restaurant. European Esthetics is continuing to provide holistic skin and body care services, as well as offering classes in wellbeing and self-improvement. “The serene setting along the Nubanusit River allows for the addition of a Tea Room with indoor and outdoor seating for the enjoyment of fresh brewed herbal teas,” notes Ellen Smith, owner (pictured). The menu of services has expanded with an assortment of 20-Minute Spa Services for those who just need a quick pick-me-

Critical Thinking Collaboration Character At Monadnock Waldorf School, your child will discover a lifelong love of learning.

www.monadnockwaldorfschool.org

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

High School Open Houses July 29 and August 12. Call to register! 603.357.4442

up and are limited on time, she notes. Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged to stay a while, she adds. European Esthetics has been in business since 1992; it offers quality skin and body care to the Monadnock Region. www.european-esthetics.com pLocal Business Woman Completes Master Mind Study Course FITZWILLIAM — Paula Mathews, founder of HR Compliance 101 LLC, just completed an eight-week Master Mind Study of the material contained in John C. Maxwell’s book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. This Master Mind group was composed of 12 other business professionals in the Greater Hernando area (Florida) and was facilitated by Trish Buzzone, a certified John Maxwell teacher. Mathews (pictured), who has facilitated workshops at the Hannah Grimes Center since 2010, will be celebrating her 14th business anniversary on September 4, 2015. She participates in regular workshops of this nature to better serve her clients, typically employers with 1-60 employees. Learn more about her services at www.hrcompliance101.com and catch up on her blogs. Her latest blog focuses on heat-related illnesses for employees and some unique employer solutions. pCrockett Log & Timber Homes Exhibits in World’s Largest Consumer Outdoor Show KEENE — Crockett Log & Timber Homes participated in the 2015 Great American Outdoor Show presented by the Outdoor Channel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The show, the largest consumer sports and outdoor show in the world, housed 1,100 vendors, and featured 200 seminars and demonstrations, daily celebrity appearances and more than a dozen special events and contests. Steve Brinser, managing partner of the Crockett’s New England regional

office was one of nine Crockett Dealers who took turns operating a 10’ x 20’ timber frame display booth. Dennis Richmond CEO, says that the company’s presence at the Great American Outdoor Show is one of many new marketing projects that Crockett will participate in this year. Crockett Log & Timber Homes, established in 1973 in Cheshire County, is a national brand that has built more than 5,000 log, timber frame, post & beam, and SIP homes from Maine to Florida. Crockett has regional offices in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania to better service its clients. Learn more: www.crockettloghomes.com

pDeep Roots Massage Donates to Sophia’s Hearth KEENE — Deep Roots Massage in Keene presented a “tiny check” donation for $754 to the Sophia’s Hearth Family Center. The massage company promoted a Mother’s Day gift certificate sale where a portion of the proceeds were donated. “We hope these efforts raise public awareness for both parties,” says Deep Roots owner, Mark Rebillard. “By aligning our sale promotions with ‘tiny check’ donations to local non-profits, we gain recognition for our brand while complementing our mission to support a healthier community.” www.deeprootsmb.com. pImpact Monadnock Appoints Project Director KEENE — The Board of Directors of Impact Monadnock has named Marjorie Droppa, PhD, the project director for a new Collective Impact initiative focusing on early childhood development in the Monadnock Region; Droppa had been acting as interim project director since February. Droppa will continue her work alongside Monad-

nock United Way and Spark NH building a coalition of support in the community for the initiative, including establishing an infrastructure to provide leadership, funding and resources, and creating an action plan that can sustain the long-term viability of the early childhood initiative. The initiative targets all children in the region from birth to age 5 and their families. Funding for this initiative is provided through grants secured by Impact Monadnock. Earlier this year, Impact Monadnock chose MUW in partnership with Spark NH to serve as the backbone organization for the early childhood development initiative. For more information, to share ideas, or to schedule a visit from Droppa to talk about the early childhood initiative, email her at marj@muw.org or call 603-352-4209. pBrattleboro Retailer Wins Award BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Artisan Designs recently received an Elite Retailer of the Year award from Jim’s Formal Wear, the largest formal wear distribution network in the U.S. with nearly 6,000 independent retailers. Vermont Artisan Designs provides tuxedo rental services for weddings, proms, and black tie events. The Elite Retailer of the Year award is based on rental volume, order accuracy, and exceptional customer service. Vermont Artisan Designs operates on three floors at 106 Main Street in Brattleboro. Downstairs is its tuxedo gallery open seven days a week for fittings and consultations; the street level floor offers a wide array of high-quality American-made crafts and fine arts; many of the items are locally made in Vermont. Upstairs there are 11 galleries with changing exhibits of paintings, sculpture and hand-fashioned furniture. Learn more: www.vtart.com. Send your Talk of the Town news to editor@monadnockSJB.com.

July/August/September 2015

THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR A snapshot of a local home business Mikel Steadman Steadman Media Group 6 High St., Troy, NH 603-903-8168 info@steadmanmediagroup.com www.steadmanmediagroup.com Steadman Media Group was founded by Mikel Steadman in 2012. The company’s vision is to help local organizations accelerate and optimize their go-to-market strategies and tactics, particularly within the areas of technology and cloud adoption. Steadman is a regular contributor to Dyn.com, LinkedIn Pulse and the Small Business Journal. Steadman has worked with NH Made, Morning Star Maple, Downtown Fitness Keene, among many other local companies. What did you do before you started your home business? Before launching Steadman Media Group I spent more than a decade traveling around the United States covering natural disasters, elections, and live sports events such as The Masters, The Stanley Cup Playoffs, March Madness, UFC, HBO & Showtime Boxing and NFL Football. Depending on the client and the event, I wore different hats, such as technical project management, broadcast transmission engineer, engineer-in-charge, or technical sales engineer. Tell us a little more about what Steadman Media Group offers. Whether you are transforming your business to SaaS or Cloud based offerings, launching new offerings, or need to revitalize your go-to-market approach and programs, wep lay the role in facilitating and accelerating execution by working with your internal team and resources in a practical yet information-based manner. We hold the strategic intention to ensure that execution matches the intended strategy. You have “go-to-market” as one of your service offerings. Could you tell us about that and the types of clients who utilize this service? Steadman Media Group helpsorganizations such as New Hampshire Made, Downtown Fitness Keene, Christian Life Fellowship, and ESPN Television/Radio Host John Brickley through the process by consulting, training, managing and building a beautiful, interactive, and maintenance-friendly go-tomarket strategy. Because organizations like this lack the experience and time to design, deploy and manage their go-to-market and Internetpresence, they trust my diverse background in project management, technical management and scrum-master management to help with market research, competitive analysis, positioning, m essaging strategy andtacticallaunch tasks. What has been your proudest moment in your business? My proudest moment in my business has been kicking the doors open for local leaders in how they perceive their brand, their 12

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

market, and the capabilities of themselves and their organization. Examples include: • Launching a year long project management, custom development, e-commerce and website solution for New Hampshire Made (www.nhmade.com), bringing national exposure via the Associated Press. • Executing a simple go-to-market and e-commerce solution for Morning Star Maple (Dublin, NH) and seeing folks make purchases from around the country. • Witnessing a Connecticut-based television sports reporter rise through the ranks of ESPN because we helped him build and launch a brand that’s accessible to the world. • Empowering a great local business such as Downtown Fitness for Women, helping them illustrate their passion to and for their customers via a website and social media. What is your source of inspiration or motivation? My sense of motivation and inspiration comes from God. I love my family. I love my work. I have an intense passion forgrowing, learning, andbusiness.But, the Bible has a great deal to say about motivation. Look, I know I can’t be a perfect Christian. After all, I am a human being with human thoughts, desires and tendencies. That does not mean that I can’t strive every day to be perfect in my ability to try. What do you do for fun when not working? When I am not working or studying something applicable to my work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We have a small tradition dubbed the “Steadman Family Saturday” when the four of us (my wife Lisa, and sons Noah [4]and Maxwell [3]) jump in our car or a train, and go somewhere for the day. We usually plan ahead of time and pick local spots like the Cheshire Children’s Museum, The Brattleboro Buddy Walk (Max has Down Syndrome), The Keene Air Show, Touch-a-Truck at Cheshire Fairgrounds, Lake Winnie Cruise, The Monadnock Speedway, Friendly Farm, New England Aquarium … well … you get the idea. The point is that we make time after a busy work week to remind our children that it’s just as important for mommy and daddy to align, connect and prioritize the family as it is our external commitments. p

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

Professional Graphic Design and Creative Project Management Services to meet the needs of your business.

Dear Helaine, I’m ready to hire my first employee for my small business. What do I need to know? – GROWING FAST

Ronna Rajaniemi • 603-239-4770 • PetaltailStudio.ne.rr.com

Dear Growing, Congratulations! Being ready to hire people means you are indeed growing. Many people are confused about the difference between actual employees and contract laborers. It’s easy to make a potentially costly mistake here thinking you can save yourself a few bucks by paying your help as contract labor. The IRS makes a very clear distinction between employees and contract labor. Do your homework. If it’s clear the person you want to hire falls into the “employee” category, you will have to begin paying payroll taxes (both state and federal), file monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and carry workers compensation insurance. There are reasonable payroll services, or you can do it yourself — most bookkeeping programs have a payroll module. Also, make sure you put a clear contract in place that outlines the roles and expectations so you can start the relationship on solid ground.

Dear Helaine, I am about to start a business and a friend asked me, “Are you approaching this from your head or your heart?” I wasn’t sure how to answer him, but in your opinion, what is the best place to start a business — from the heart or logically? – ALL HEART Dear All Heart, What a great question and my answer is: You need both. You definitely need your head on straight, and you also need your heart engaged in order to succeed. Starting a business takes everything you’ve got in the way of time, energy resources, focus and know how. If your heart isn’t in it, honestly, I don’t know how you would make it through the ups and downs of self-employment. Having passion for your product or being passionate about being a businessperson is essential. That said, you also must approach your start up with a clear head, and willingness to use logic and data to make decisions. p Helaine Iris is a life and business coach with Path of Purpose Coaching. Do you have a vexing business problem? Email Helaine at helaine@pathofpurpose.com. Your name will be kept confidential.

Let Them Know You’re Locally Owned: Over 300 locally owned businesses throughout the Monadnock Region are listed in Monadnock Buy Local’s online directory.

Get Your FREE Online Listing Today at www.monadnocklocal.org/join-us

July/August/September 2015

EXPERT TIPS

Advice you can trust from the people you know

How to Become an Effective Speaker By Betty Andrews

Telling the story of your business is a powerful promotional tool. Even if speaking isn’t a strength, you can fight the desire to stay rooted to your chair the next time you are called upon to speak.

hese few tips may help you be better prepared and feel more confident when you make your next presentation.

Prepare and Practice

People tend to put off what they don’t enjoy, so allow yourself plenty of time to prepare by thinking through exactly what you want to say and how you’ll say it. Whether you write out your speech completely or develop talking points, leave adequate time to practice. Practicing your speech many times before you present it will make it flow more smoothly, give it greater impact, and increase your confidence.

Collect Speech Writing Resources

Draw together resources that will make your speeches memorable. International coach of speech writers and speakers, Joan Detz, wrote three books on writing and presenting speeches and revises them regularly: How to Write & Give a Speech, It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It, and Can You Say a Few Words. These books are loaded with tips on how to increase the impact of your next presentation, and each suggests more resources to enrich speech content. Betty Andrews is a speech writer who spent more than a decade honing her own speaking skills at Toastmasters.

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Ask Organizers for Event Information

Ask event organizers to provide the following information: a draft agenda, the size and demographics of the audience, the room configuration and what kind of sound magnification system will be used. The agenda shows who is introducing you. Offer to write your own introduction. Your introduction should be tightly focused on why you are speaking about your topic, establishing your credibility before you say your first word. Don’t make the audience suffer through listening to your entire bio being read.

Observe Lectern Etiquette

As you approach the lectern to speak, the previous speaker will shake your hand and step aside for you to take your place behind the lectern. You pass off the control of the lectern in the same way to the next speaker. Many speakers find it necessary to refer to a script or notes while speaking. Be so familiar with your speech that you look up often to maximize eye contact with the audience. Do slide your pages across the lectern; don’t flip them. Don’t lean on the lectern.

Get More Help if Needed

Many people are helped by joining a local chapter of Toastmasters International, which provides opportunities to speak at meetings using material designed to increase both skill and confidence as you master a variety of speech projects. Toastmasters training prepares its members for both planned and impromptu speaking opportunities. Find a club at www.toastmasters.org. p

Travel wise.

On-Site Event & Employee Massage From Our Professional Team to Yours

Insurance Replacement Rentals Dealer Warranty Rentals 12 & 15 Passenger Vans Corporate Rates Available Locally Owned and Operated Free Pick Up Available

Quick and easy reservations.

www.usave.com

Deep Roots has been providing high quality on-site massage for Monadnockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employers since 2008. Our expert therapists train in state of the art evidence based techniques to quickly reduce stress and muscle pain. Our clients return to work relaxed and revived.

Location near you!

603-352-0734 / www.deeproootsmb.com

455 Winchester St. Keene N.H 03431

603-352-7900

Bring in any quote

pany

from another com

and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll beat it!

. Screen Printing . Embroidery . Logo Design 149 Emerald Street Keene, NH In the Center at Colony Mill No minimum . Banners . Business Cards required! Purchase exactl y . Promotional Items what you need sales@geminiscreenprint.com Monday thru Friday 9am - 5pm . Team Uniforms . Corporate Apparel Saturday 10am - 2pm

603.357.3847

geminiscreenprint.com July/August/September 2015

IN YOUR BUSINESS

Opinions from local business leaders

Time and Energy are Precious Don’t allow others to drain them from you By Carol Williams

ur time and energy are two of our most precious commodities. Many of us are not aware how priceless these are and instead operate on cruise control. We often waste a lot of time and energy when we misunderstand events and situations in the workplace. For example: How often do you waste your time ruminating about a potential business or financial disaster (that may never happen)? What about wasting your energy over an offhand comment by a co-worker or business partner? We all do this. But often it is helpful to step back and see what is really happening in order to get some perspective and clarity.

Mostly likely, what you really may be upset about is your feeling of lack of control, a feeling most of us would rather avoid. When we look back on the interaction closely enough, we can take away lessons for the future. If you hear yourself complaining this way, stop and think about what you are saying. Try to learn from the experience: What might we have said or done differently? How might this have changed the outcome? Most likely the “lack of control” feeling resulted in perceived loss of time, draining precious energy.

Self-awareness & low emotions = higher productivity

You’re upset about what, exactly?

How often do you complain about things that happen? Do you even know what you are complaining about? For example, you may come home one night, complaining to your significant other: “At 5 p.m. my boss asked me to go to dinner with a client, and at 6:30 p.m. we left. So much for my night!” What is that saying, exactly? What are you saying? Are you saying that you would not have preferred to go to dinner? Are you saying you thought you were leaving at 5 or shortly after, you’d be done by 7, and you’d be able to return home at a reasonable time and now your evening has been “lost” with work versus home endeavors?

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

In my work as a productivity coach, I often hear comments such as: “My co-workers make me feel small. I know they are talking about me.” In this case, the first key idea to know is that nobody can “make you feel” anything. Yes, many of us learn how to “push buttons.” But, remember, the one whose buttons are pushed (you) ultimately has control of his or her response or reaction. The reality is that the employee is ultimately in charge of his or her emotions. And people who try to manipulate the emotions of others often have feelings of inferiority themselves. To keep stress in check, and save yourself a lot of heartaches, it is best to set up strong boundaries and even seek out ways to help the other person who is criticizing you. When you address these issues head-on, less time and energy is sucked away, leaving room for productive work. As a rule, when emotions run high, productivity is low. Strategies and tips work, but they work best with a strong foundation of self-awareness. So take steps to become more self-aware when you find yourself complaining and reacting to situations at work. Ask yourself: When are you the most calm and clear at work? When do you feel divided and unsure of yourself? Then, peel back the layers to identify the source. Operate in your best environment, and make sure you care for yourself. When you do, watch your productivity, focus and clarity skyrocket. p Carol Williams owns EpS (Efficient Productivity Systems) and is a productivity coach, trainer and Evernote Business Certified Consultant. She also coaches individuals and helps find calm in the chaos of our work and home lives.

OPENING JULY 1ST IN DOWNTOWN KEENE Working to build a community and establish the region as a hub for web and tech through collaboration and skill development. Learn more at: webtechcollective.com A Partnership Between

Make the Smart Move... With Applied Agility Call now for your chance to receive a free workshop for you and your staff.

603-660-6953 | www.AppliedAgility.com July/August/September 2015

BEFORE & AFTER

Local business office renovations

Keene Yoga Center 80 Roxbury Street, Keene

ryan Russell purchased a neglected old house on 80 Roxbury Street in Keene in September 2013. A year later Bryan and his mother, Josephine Russell, opened The Keene Yoga Center. The building, unused for more than 20 years, originally housed the Odd Fellows from 1950 to the early 1990s. “I feel good that we took an old building and gave it new life and vitality,” says Josephine Russell. “And we’re happy to offer yoga in a premier space.” The Keene Yoga Center now has three studios including a studio for hot yoga. The Center can accommodate about 30 people in hot yoga and around 75 in their grand room. There are also three showers for early 6 a.m. classes, “so people can have their yoga practice, take a shower and off to work they go,” says Josephine. There is also a reception room with tea available at any time before or after class. Bryan Russell did the renovations at the Center, which took a year. “I gutted the place and hauled off tons of debris,” he says. “Just the demolition took months.” Everything put in was new:

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Peterborough, Nh 15 Years exPerieNce

603-325-7109 specializing in the installing, sanding and re/finishing of all wood floors, stairs, and surrounding trim.

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

E R FO

walls, electricity, plumbing. “The only things that are original are the beautiful 1950s glass block windows and the beams in the ceiling,” he says. Josephine notes that her son was careful to be environmentally-friendly in the renovation. “The first thing he did was to replace the ancient boiler with a contemporary wood pellet boiler. We use wood that is local and renewable.” All paints used had no off-gassing. The floors installed were made from local birch, with radiant heat for yoga comfort. “Everyone who walks through the door for a tour has wonderful comments about the renovations and the décor,” notes Josephine. “The feeling is that of comfort and relaxation.” Learn more: www.keeneyogacenter.com p

R E T AF

A professional clean with a personal touch CommerCial Fully Insured & Bonded

(603) 209-9735

Voted best Cleaning Services

4 yeaorwS!

www.cheshirecleaning.com

in a r

Keys made to code Locks installed, rekeyed door Closer and exit device service office equipment/Furniture Keys and Locks

24 hour

LoCKout servICe

CommerCIaL • InstItutIonaL • resIdentIaL

Wayne Goodwin, CIL

603-252-5625

wgoodwin603@gmail.com bonded • insured MeMber #dVC6058

serving Keene, Peterborough and surrounding communities

July/August/September 2015

Boutique Gyms

Work Their Niche

By Katherine P. Cox

he New Year always brings a bump in gym memberships, with well-intentioned people signing binding contracts and laying our large sums for yearly memberships and sign-up fees. Only 67 percent of the 50 million people in the United States who belong to gyms take full advantage of those memberships. Large, full-service gyms and national franchises are not concerned: They bank on the numbers. But a growing trend in the fitness world is challenging the one-size-fits-all business model with scaled back, more personalized services — and the public is responding. People are signing up at fitness studios that are smaller, more specialized, more personal and less intimidating. These “boutique gyms” — or specialized fitness centers — have been going strong in the Monadnock Region and across the river into Brattleboro for several years. Locally owned and staffed by experienced fitness instructors, they offer an alternative to the full-service gyms with crowded classes, hefty membership fees and contract obligations. These small gyms are attracting a dedicated clientele. “The boutique studio model has been around for quite a while,” says Pamela Clough, who owns Keene Fusion Studios with her husband, Richard, at The Center at Keene. This model features small groups and personal attention, she notes. “People see the value of getting training for their specific needs and wants. The value for clients is that they’re never on their own. It’s safer.” Also driving the trend toward smaller fitness centers is the public’s growing awareness of the importance of exercise in maintaining good health. “People are becoming more educated about fitness and want to get the best possible workout from qualified instructors,” says Pamela Clough. “Smaller gyms are also good for those people who are just starting out and may need more monitoring,” adds Richard Clough. Smaller fitness studios offer everything from Pilates and yoga to TRX and cycling and have claimed more than 21 percent of the more than $21 billion market in 2013, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association, which tracks the industry. In the Monadnock Region, everyone has a specialty, although most have a blend of modalities, notes Pamela Clough. At Keene Fusion, it’s TRX suspension training, strength, Pilates, dance (Latin, swing, smooth) and Zumba. As with most fitness studios in the area, they also offer personal training. Affordable prices and flexible membership tiers allow people to take classes at different studios, where they can still get personal

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

attention and round out their exercise routines. “We have Zumba. We don’t do Spinning,” says Richard Clough. “That’s the beauty of it. People can go to all these places. Us and yoga. Or us and the Y, where they can use the pool. We’re enhancing each other.”

Small gyms: unique flavor

Smaller gyms each have their own individual “flavor,” says Sara Alderfer, owner of Body and Soul Personalized Fitness on Park Avenue in Keene. A personal trainer for more than 20 years, Alderfer was a group fitness instructor at a larger gym until opening Body and Soul two and a half years ago, where classes include cycling, TRX, Rip training and Pilates. “In my own space I can pursue what’s beneficial to people. In a smaller space I can do more good and meet people’s needs,” she says. “I can have a more profound impact on 15 people (in a small studio class) than 25 (in a large gym class). Everybody’s different and has unique needs. It’s much easier to address that in smaller groups,” says Alderfer. The Running Club at Body and Soul, sponsored by Ted’s Shoe and Sports, focuses on body alignment, posture, breathing techniques, heart rate training and up- and downhill speed in beginner and advanced classes. Unique to Body and Soul are Alderfer’s MELT classes, a new method “to get out and stay out of pain,” she says. Different size balls designed for specific exercises can address chronic conditions, she says. Alderfer is the only MELT instructor in the state. Body and Soul is also a designated Premier TRX facility, which means she is certified and trained in multiple levels and advanced TRX techniques. “It’s a more specialized, higher level of training, not just for instructors but also for members,” she notes. It allows Alderfer to host TRX training workshops, which provides another income stream for her facility, as do her workshops in heart rate training. As with most of the fitness studios in the region, there are no membership fees or contracts. “Cost should not be prohibitive,” says Alderfer. Because of her specialized training, “I can generate more income with workshops and personal training.” Que Viva in Jaffrey has grown from its former space at the Jaffrey VFW two and a half years ago to a new studio on Fitzgerald Drive that opened last year as demand outpaced the old space. Classes range from strength and high-intensity training to yoga and Zumba, all in a small group setting.

“There’s energy behind that group feeling,” says owner Sheilla Parkerson. “We are serving the needs of people who don’t need or care for all the things that full-service gyms offer.” Having worked in the fitness business a long time, she knows that fees and contracts are “a big turnoff.” Like the other studios in the region, Que Viva’s membership plans are flexible and affordable. From a flat monthly fee with unlimited access to class packages, there’s an option for anyone’s schedule, says Parkerson. It’s also good business. “I want to give incentive to people to come more,” she says.

A friendlier atmosphere

Smaller spaces — the average fitness studio in the area is about 1,200 to 1,500 square feet — not only keep costs down, but also allow for a collegial experience while working out. “A lot of people may feel inhibited in a bigger gym,” says Kristin Cassidy, who owns Bodhifit on High Street in Brattleboro with her husband, Jason Stebbins. “We want people to be comfortable and feel welcome; not intimidated.” In addition to cycling and boot camp-style classes, Bodhifit offers hot yoga and barre sculpt classes. “It’s a gathering place,” says Cassidy. “People really connect and support each other.” When Bodhifit opened five years ago, they were the only small gym offering cycling classes. They quickly incorporated yoga and fitness classes to meet the demand in the area and now have hundreds of loyal members. Sprockets, also in Brattleboro, offered only Spinning classes when it opened in 2010. Owner Joanna Albright has added TRX and yoga classes, but said the heart rate training she provides in her Spinning classes takes her cyclists to a higher level of fitness. “The mind-body experience is very much a part of what I teach,” she says. Albright keeps her classes small, no more than 12, so they can stay in control of form and heart rate “and really teach,” she says. Her studio, on the second floor of a building off Route 5, is intimate and non-competitive, says Albright. “It feels more like a home rather than a gym. There’s a huge sense of community; it’s why people keep coming. They enter as strangers and leave as friends,” she says.

A thriving niche owners love

Business is good and growing, but the owners of the small fitness studios in the area aren’t doing it for the money, some say. “I do it because I love it,” says Albright. Others are filling a niche in their communities. Tim and Marybeth Sweeney were traveling to Hadley, Mass., to go to the Pioneer Valley Crossfit, as it was the only Crossfit around. “Too bad there’s not a Crossfit closer to us,” they said to each other one day, the “aha” moment that spurred them to open CrossfitKeene four years ago. With introductory classes, foundation classes, advanced levels, open gym, private training and workshops, the Sweeneys have turned a former manufacturing space in The Silk Mill on Emerald Street in Keene into a “the third place” in people’s lives, as Tim Sweeney calls it, for its members. The other two places are home and work. Continued on next page. July/August/September 2015

Local Boutique Gyms “It’s like Cheers with barbells,” he says; everyone knows your name. “The growth has been solid, but it expands every year,” he says. He’s no fan of the full-service gym and thinks the success of CrossfitKeene is partly because “people are spinning their wheels at other gyms and not seeing progress.” Crossfit has an image of “next level stuff,” he says. “It looks fun. And people want a challenge. What brings people in here is something different. They’re looking for guidance. What keeps them here is they start seeing success.” That progress, in addition to accountability, is key to their success, notes Marybeth Sweeney. “If we don’t see you, we’ll reach out; call, email. We can stay on top of it.” Workout buddies also provide accountability, says Tim Sweeney, as well as a sense of community. “People bond through this,” he says. “It’s novel; it’s fun,” says Marybeth Sweeney. While the equipment may appear intimidating to some, the Crossfitters here are friendly and welcoming of men and women of all ages, she says. “I think Tim and I are good at creating good energy for the gym because we like what we’re doing,” she says. “We’re not in it for the money.” p

Body & Soul Fitness (Keene) www.my-body-and-soul.com Bodhi Fit (Brattleboro) www.bodhifit.net Core Consciousness (Keene) www.coreconsciousnesskeene.com CrossfitKeene (Keene) www.crossfitkeene.com Goulet Strength & Fitness, LLC (Keene), gouletstrength@gmail.com Keene Fusion Studios (Keene) www.keenefusionstudios.com Links Fitness & Indoor Golf Simulators (Keene) www.linksfitnessgolf.com

“We are serving the needs of people who don’t need or care for all the things that full-service gyms offer.”

Super Niche: Core Consciousness In the small, focused new world of fitness, Paula Aarons, owner of Core Consciousness on Roxbury Street in Keene (pictured at right) is truly concentrated. Aarons offers just three classes a week (in addition to private personal training) and specializes in working with people who have physical issues, are post rehab or want to supplement their fitness routines. With a focus on body function, she works with athletes such as runners, dancers and golfers (who want to improve their golf swing), for example. A certified instructor in Stott Pilates, a form of exercise developed with physical therapists, sports medicine professionals and fitness experts, she said “fitness is not one size fits all.” What works for one person may not work for another, she notes. Her three general fitness classes are geared toward specific groups: In the Monday Senior Pilates class, they work on balance, mobility and “the joy of movement,” Aarons says. The Wednesday morning class incorporates Stott Pilates exercises and yoga, and Friday is an intermediate Pilates that includes fascial release techniques. Fascial fitness, Aarons says, is about how tissue functions; it integrating techniques into movement. “It’s a whole new thinking about how to build elasticity and strengthening the fascia through different types of movement.” Learn more: www.coreconsciousnesskeene.com. 22

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Que Viva (Jaffrey) www.quevivafitness.com) Sprockets (Brattleboro) (www.sprocketscyclestudio.com StaFit for Women (Keene) www.sta-fit.net Supreme Fitness (Brattleboro) www.supremefitnessvt.com Courtesy photos. Previous pages: members at CrossFitKeene. Top: Sheilla I. Parkerson, owner, QueViva Fitness LLC (r), and Gina Wright (l), instructor.

Your degree is closer than you think.

STA-FIT for Women Keene Circuit Exercise Center

Just think. Whether you’re hoping to: • Finish a degree

Zumba • Low-impact Aerobics • Yoga

• Improve job skills

815 Court Street, Keene, NH 603-357-8880 • www.sta-fit.net jackie@sta-fit.net

• Take classes just for fun

Monday-Friday 6AM-8PM, Saturday 8AM-12PM

option two: MSBJ - 1/8th page ad - SuMMer 2015 ronna raJanieMi at petaltail Studio graphic deSign 603-239-4770

Keene State has • Day, evening, and weekend classes • Credit and noncredit courses • Classroom and online learning • Academic advising to guide you Fall registration begins July 6; classes start August 31. Visit keene.edu/conted or call 603-358-2290.

Think Keene State. 229 Main Street | Keene, NH 03435 | www.keene.edu

Service Credit Union is the perfect fit for your business. Our global reach and in-state accessibility offers the convenience, expertise and value of a local institution with the strength and resources of a national bank. Service Credit Union is large enough to handle your most ambitious business objectives and perfectly positioned to support our members and their business’ growth. Headquartered in New Hampshire since 1957, we also have the responsive and personalized service you can only get from a local, member-owned credit union. • Long-term, fixed-rate commercial mortgages • Equipment lending • Full service SBA lender Contact Philip today for products and services to fit your business needs.

Philip Rentz Business Development Officer Lebanon, NH Tel: 603.422.7861 Fax: 603.448.9624 Email: prentz @ servicecu.org

federally insured by ncua

Must be a member of Service Credit Union or eligible for membership.

July/August/September 2015

JOURNAL PROFILE:

YEA! Young Entrepreneurs Academy

These Kids Mean Business By Nicole Colson

ome of the most successful businesses of our time were created by people younger than 30 years old. Consider Steve Jobs, who founded Apple Computer when he was only 21; co-founder Steve Wozniak was 26. Then there’s Mark Zuckerberg, who started Facebook as a 20-year-old college student. These young adults were barely out of their teens when they started out in the business world. And they all have one thing in common that contributed to their successes: They had a dream someone believed in. Now the Monadnock Region has a unique program that helps nurture the dreams of entrepreneurs as young as 12 years old. The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), piloted this January at Keene State College for the first time in New Hampshire, is a program that gives middle- and high-school students a leg up in starting their own businesses. The Academy is open to students in Cheshire County and beyond. The Academy teaches young people in grades 6-12 the process of starting and running a legitimate business or social movement over the course of a full academic year.

From dog-walking to YEA!

YEA! was developed at the University of Rochester in 2004 and became a nonprofit organization four years later. Today, the national program is at 111 sites in 37 states and it continues to expand. As of last year, YEA! graduated 2,298 students who have started more than 1,700 businesses and social movements. Meredith Speranza, 26 — Keene’s YEA! program manager — is well-qualified to run pilot program: Her mother, Gayle Jagel, is the founder and CEO of the national YEA! program.

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

Speranza says that her own desire to start Left to right: Sa a dog walking and muel Foucher pl aying his hand grooming business -crafted Amé violin; the Ski as a seven-year-old Taco; MacKenz ie McGreer, hold when she was growing a product fr om her business, Le ing up in Rochester, tter Gallery. New York, was the inspiration for the YEA! program. “There were no resources to teach me how to start my own business,” recalls Speranza. “My mother told me I needed to market what I did. I have vivid memories of putting brochures in mailboxes around the cul-de-sac.” Today, Speranza, who lives in Swanzey, not only runs the YEA! program, but also works for C&S Wholesale Grocers as the company’s talent and organizational development manager.

Dreams encouraged

“Anyone can take this entrepreneurship class — it’s hands-on,” says Speranza. “They can dream as big as they want and turn anything they want into a business.” The traditional structure of the program is 29 weekly threehour classes from November to May. “Students can just be thinking about a business but they don’t need an idea or any business experience to apply,” she notes. “They just have to have passion — something they love to do or are really good at. We can figure out where that special talent or skill intersects with a business opportunity.” To apply, students must complete an essay, submit school transcripts and a letter of recommendation and attend an interview.

As the founding partner for New Hampshire, Keene State College is working with YEA! and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce to connect the region’s middle- and high-school students with business and community leaders to help them develop their education in entrepreneurship before they attend college and enter the workforce. Keene State College is interested in developing the program throughout the state.

the is

The seeds of business ideas germinate

Over the course of the program, students brainstorm business ideas, write a business plan, interact with business professionals (who volunteer their time), take field trips to local businesses, pitch their business plan to potential investors, obtain funding, legally register their businesses, participate in a trade show and CEO round table, and launch their own businesses or social movements. During the first class, Speranza said there were 60 business ideas written on the chalkboard; 10 businesses moved forward. Among them were Samuel Foucher’s Amé Violins, (named for the French word “l’amé,” which means “the soul”). Foucher, who has played the violin for two years, crafts his own in his workshop using hand tools and such locally-sourced woods as aged spruce and curly maple. Each violin takes him about eight months to create. “They’re not factory-made, they are individualized and competitively-priced,” says Foucher of what makes his product unique. Foucher worked as an apprentice with a violin maker in Nelson, and the experience inspired his business. Mackenzie McGreer has started a letter photography business (called Letter Gal-lery) that combines her love of her hometown and photography. Her hand-made gifts help people remember their visit to Keene using her custom-made photos that spell out words of the customer’s choosing. “The photos can incorporate things like local signs, architecture or nature — someone’s happy memories or favorite landmarks,” says McGreer. “They can spell out their own names with my photos, for example.” She sells her products online and will have free-standing displays set up in local retail stores. Continued on page 26

Dash Kit! Gabriel Andrus and Jake Dennis did not expect the survival kit they developed would take them all the way to Phoenix. The Walpole middle-schoolers Winners of the local YEA! competition, worked together to develJake Dennis (l) and Gabriel Andrus (r). op their business Dash Kit, a Photo by Ed Thomas. product that is a collection of essential items (think nail clippers, lip balm, deodorant, toothbrush and bandages) in an enclosed case that can be kept in a vehicle console. The business partners were named the winners at the local Young Entrepreneurs Academy’s investor panel, a culminating event held at Bensonwood Homes in Walpole in early May that resembled the television show, “Shark Tank.” The pair went on to compete in the Saunders Scholars Finals, the academy’s regional competition held the following week in Arizona. The young CEOs who completed the program pitched their businesses to a panel of investors that consisted of several businesses and organizational leaders from the Monadnock Region. Potential investors asked business owners questions such as the wholesale price of their product, whether they have local competitors and how they plan to expand their business. Products and services pitched to the panel ranged from personalized computer tutorials to art supplies and frozen yogurt. The majority of business owners asked investors for around $400 to augment funding from family and friends — Andrus and Dennis received $1,095 (they asked for $402) plus an anonymous $100 donation. Dennis and Andrus have theories why their business won the local competition. “We had proof of concept … we already made 32 sales,” says Dennis. “Plus it’s very cheap to make. We have a high profit margin.” “We were confident in our pitch … we related to the audience,” adds Andrus. “Our product is very clear. There’s no mystery.” July/August/September 2015

Left: The first graduating YEA! class in the Monadnock Region waits their turn to give a six-minute sales pitch to investors. Far right: Dash Kit creators Gabriel Andrus and Jake Dennis make their presentation. Right: The YEA! investor panel asks presenters the tough questions.

Local business leaders lend a hand

Among the 50 or so business professionals students heard from during the program were: an attorney who talked about legal structures for businesses (sole proprietorship, LLC, et cetera) and patents; a commercial accountant; an insurance firm representative; a banker, and professionals in marketing and media/communications. “Students who required manufacturing services for their business researched who to call and set up a meeting,” says Speranza. “That’s where a mentor can play a huge role in implementation of a product, helping someone figure out who will provide manufacturing, how and at what price. Students have to figure out the per-unit cost to set a retail price and look at monthly and yearly sales projections to determine when they will break even and make a profit.”

Speranza says the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program needs funding, sponsorship and support in New Hampshire. Funding pays for everything from buses for field trips to money that is invested into businesses at the investor panel event at the end of the program. Fifty percent of the students who graduate from the academy continue their business for at least a year after the end of the program, and 20 percent go on to start second or third businesses, according to statistics provided by the organization. “Some may buy out their business partner or add different elements to their business,” notes Speranza. “Some will start small and get their product manufactured, others a few years from now may open their own retail store. The Academy opens the door to a number of possibilities.” p

for ALL your insurance needs!

10 main street peterborough, nH 603-924-7155

Bellows-Nichols has been rooted in the Monadnock Region since 1836. We are locally owned and our employees are all local residents who have a strong commitment to the local community with an emphasis on personal service and excellence!

www.bellowsnichols.com Hancock 525-3342 | antrim 588-3600 | Jaffrey 532-5600 | new ipswicH 878-4860

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

“Fifty percent of the students who graduate from the academy continue their business for at least a year after the end of the program, and 20 percent go on to start second or third businesses.”

now leasing! Proudly owned By

The

Guernsey Building

70 Main STreeT PeTerBorouGh, nh 03458

Located in historic downtown Peterborough, at the corner of Grove and Main Street. Steps from Peterborough’s best restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and services. Multiple configurations of office space available at competitive rates. From 200-12,000 contiguous RSF available. Tenant and guest parking. Newly renovated with historic charm.

SChedule a Tour Today!

603.672.0300 x127

rjfinlay.com July/August/September 2015

THE GREEN SCENE by C S Wurzberger

Magical Earth Retreats: Connecting Children With Nature

an you remember the last time you played outside and enjoyed nature? What about your kids? Magical Earth Retreats is a nonprofit organization that offers a variety of summer camp programs that connect children — and adults — to nature through art, music and outdoor adventures. They have camp locations in Brattleboro, Marlboro, Wilmington and Readsboro, Vermont. Don and Jane Jones, who co-founded Magical Earth Retreats, have a dream to connect children and adults with nature. I spoke with Jane Jones (pictured, next page) about their organization, vision, and the cool outdoor adventures they offer the community.

Jane, what’s your vision for Magical Earth Retreats?

Our vision is to bring as many children and adults to the mountains to experience mother earth in order that they understand our connectivity with everything while creating love and beauty in everyone’s garden of life. Some of these children will come from inner cities with very little knowledge of the natural world around them. These children will be sponsored, and their expenses will be paid for by Magical Earth Retreats.

Purchase a pro-rated Summer Share! A full share too much for you? Try out our new half share. Visit our farm store in barn: Local eggs, cheese, ice cream and Orchard Hill Bread as well as veggies and fruit in abundance. Plants for your own garden out at farm stand. Open daily sunup-sundown. www.traciesfarm.com • (603) 568-6102 72 Jaffrey Road, Fitzwilliam, NH

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

POOLE ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANCY Helping Protect Natural Assets Since 1996

What kind of cool things do you do at nature camp?

Our summer camp adventures (ages 6-12) are designed to bring out a childlike playfulness and engage all the senses at the same time. Some of the adventures include exercise, writing, science, music, dance, art and craft projects. There is also time for daydreaming and being grateful. For example, we create walking sticks, track animals, draw and paint leaves and trees, create musical instruments from objects we find in the woods or meadow, or create art and craft projects from similar items to bring home and treasure.

PO Box 890, 741 Beard Road Hillsborough, NH 03244 vox/fax: (603)478-1178 www.eannpoole.com E. Ann Poole, CWS, Principal eann@gsinet.net

Continued on next page.

Your local solution for WordPress and Joomla websites

@theNEWT 25 Roxbury St, Keene, NH

(603) 903-0793 â&#x20AC;˘ http://4webinc.com July/August/September 2015

Why is it so important to connect children with nature?

There is a severe nature deficit disorder in the world today and it’s our goal to eliminate this one child at a time. Magical Earth Retreats is filling a need, particularly for school children, to connect with nature and art at the same time. Art programs have been drastically cut from our school system and field trips into nature are virtually non-existent. Children in the inner city have little or no contact with nature. As such they are unable to understand the importance of saving the planet, nor do they understand how we are all connected. p C S Wurzberger, The Green Up Girl, is on a mission to provide people with inspiration, motivation, resources and simple action steps so they can enjoy living a greener lifestyle.

ts PO c u d ur Pro o Y e ak

We M

Dunning Displays has been making high quality Point of Purchase products since 1906. Offering excellent quality, service and “direct-to-market experience.” We offer permanent floor and counter displays as well as promotional items such as signs, sidewalk menu boards and back bar displays.

(603) 445-5591 ext. 16 • sdiorio@jhdunning.com • www.dunningdisplays.com 30

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

It Takes Courage, But Saving Money Is Worth It.

Get Free Savings Tips

Put Away A Few Bucks. Feel Like A Million Bucks.

Feed The Pig.org

Aimee J. LaBrake

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

Making Marketing Easy, Fun & Affordable

aimeelabrakeconsulting.com

(603).784.5560 aimee@aimeelabrakeconsulting.com

July/August/September 2015

CALENDAR OF EVENTS July/August/September 2015

JULY

July 7 (Tues. 8-9:30 a.m.) Equip Yourself with Tools to Create a Respectful Workplace. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar July 10 (Fri. 8 a.m.-noon) Listening.: It’s Very Professional! (with Bob Schaumann of SCORE). Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar July 13-Aug. 7 Kids on Campus at Keene State. Grades 1-8. To register: 603-358-2290, hjasmin@keene.edu July 15 (Wed. 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Noyes Volkswagon, Keene. chadlow@keenechamber.com July 16 (Thurs. 6-7 p.m.) Intro to Quickbooks. The River Center, Peterborough. 603-924-6800

July 22 (Wed. 5:30-7 p.m.) Jaffrey Chamber After Hours. Monadnock Humane Society, Swanzey. info@jaffreychamber.com July 27 (Mon. 9 a.m.-noon) Strategic Coaching Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar July 31 (Fri. 8:30-9:30 a.m.) The Entrepreneurial Equation with Edward Jones. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene.

AUGUST

Aug. 3 (Mon. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.) How to Brand and Package Your Product. Hannah Grimes Center. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar Aug. 4 (Tues. noon-1:30 p.m.) Strategic Planning Workshop for Your Business. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

July 21 (Tues. 9 a.m.-noon) HR Compliance 101 Coaching Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Aug. 13 (Thurs. 9 a.m.-noon) Make Me More Productive: One-on-One Virtual Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

July 21 (Tues. 11 a.m.-noon) Social Media Coaching Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Aug. 14 (Fri. noon-1 p.m.) Brand Fundamentals. Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce. chadlow@keenechamber.com

Aug. 18 (Tues. 9 a.m.-noon) HR Compliance 101 Coaching Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Sept. 15 (Tues. 9 a.m.-noon) HR Compliance 101 Coaching Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Aug. 18 (Tues. 1-2 p.m.) Computer Basics. The River Center, Peterborough. 603-924-6800

Sept. 15 (Tues. 11 a.m.-noon) Social Media Coaching Half Hour Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Aug. 19 (Wed. 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Caitlin & Petrovick Architects PC. chadlow@keenechamber.com

Sept. 16 (Wed. 8-9:30 a.m.) Handling Problematic Employees: Techniques for Resolving Performance Issues While Protecting Your Organization. With employment attorney Benjamin Wyatt. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.wyattlegalservices.com

Aug. 20 (Thurs. 8:30-10 a.m.) Vision, Mission and Strategic Planning with Steve Wood. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar Aug. 20 (Thurs. 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Dara’s Paw Spa. staff@peterboroughchamber.com Aug. 24 (Mon. 9 a.m.-noon) Strategic Coaching Hour Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 16 (Wed. 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Langdon Place of Keene. chadlow@keenechamber.com Sept. 17 (Thurs. 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. TBA. staff@peterboroughchamber.com Sept. 25 (Fri. 9 a.m.-noon) Small Business Forum. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Sept. 7 (Mon. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.) How to Brand and Package Your Product. Hannah Grimes Center. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Sept. 26 (Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) Monadnock Wellness Festival. Peterborough Chamber Center. staff@peterboroughchamber.com.

Sept. 10 (Thurs. 9 a.m.-noon) Make Me More Productive: One-on-One Virtual Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center.

Sept. 28 (Mon. 9 a.m.-noon) Strategic Hour Sessions. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar

Sept. 11 (Fri. 8:30 a.m.-noon) Six Week Start Up Lab with Steve Silverstein. Hannah Grimes Center. www.HannahGrimes.com/calendar Sept. 14 (Mon. 9-11 a.m.) Three Month Entrepreneur Project with Ann Connor. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene.

ONGOING

Ongoing, Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. Job Seekers Meet Up The River Center, Peterborough. 603-924-6800

The Small Business Journal is a proud supporter of the following nonprofit local organizations:

If you are a local business, please support a local nonprofit or two this year! Our community will thank you!

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

ladies: save the Date… for the fIrst worlD of women ConferenCe!

saturday, nov. 7, 2015

At the Invest In Yourself women’s conference, registered attendees will choose from a variety of informative workshops, have opportunities to connect with other women, shop, and indulge in spa services. Plus… enjoy a delicious luncheon catered by Shree’s Kitchen, and wrap up the day with a fabulous comedy show featuring Linda Belt.

8AM to 5PM United ChUrCh oF ChriSt 23 CentrAL SqUAre Keene, nh

For updates and registration information, send an email with your name and contact information to WorldOfWomenNE@gmail.com

sOmEthiNg NEW, iNspiriNg aNd fuN fOr WOmEN! worlD of women

Find us on Facebook Badge

CMYK / .eps

5 Reasons why your business belongs in the Small Business Journal

Readership is highly targeted to the Monadnock and So. Vermont regions’ small business and entrepreneur community.

2 3 4

Your ad will reach 15,000+ business people who are looking to buy business products and services. Your business events and news will be promoted on our news section and social media (Facebook and Twitter).

Rates are affordable! Ads start at $120 per insertion; $75 per listing in the Business Directory page. All display advertisers get a FREE Business Directory listing for an entire year plus a link (with the business tag line) on our website!

The Small Business Journal is local. We understand the Monadnock and So. Vermont regions. We’re here to help your business thrive!

Learn more at

www.monadnockSBJ.com

July/August/September 2015

Business-Friendly

Lodging

Do you have business guests arriving for an overnight stay, or longer? There are plenty of accommodations in the Monadnock and the Brattleboro areas that cater to business clientele. Accommodations range 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 for specific business amenities and corporate rates.

B&Bs/Inns

Ashburn House 20 Upper Troy Rd., Fitzwilliam, NH 603-585-7198 www.ashburnhouse.net Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House 27 Main St., Swanzey, NH 603-357-6624 www.bridgesinn.com Carriage Barn Guest House B&B 358 Main St. Keene, NH 603-357-3812 www.carriagebarn.com Chesterfield Inn 20 Cross Rd., W. Chesterfield, NH 603-256-3211, 800-365-5515 www.chesterfieldinn.com

Greenfield Inn 749 Forest Rd., Greenfield, NH 603-547-6327 www.greenfieldinn.com

Inn at East Hill Farm 460 Monadnock St., Troy, NH 603-242-6495 www.east-hill-farm.com

Stonewall Farm B&B 235 Windsor Rd., Hillsborough, NH 603-478-1947 www.stonewallfarmbandb.com

Forty Putney Road 192 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT. 802-254-6268 www.fortyputneyroad.com

Inn at Valley Farms B&B 633 Wentworth Rd., Walpole, NH 603-756-2855 www.innatvalleyfarms.com

Woodbound Inn 247 Woodbound Rd., Rindge, NH 603-532-8341, www.woodbound.com

Halladay’s Harvest Barn Inn 16 Webb Terrace, Bellows Falls, VT. 802-732-8254 www.harvestbarninn.com

Little River Bed & Breakfast 184 Union St., Peterborough, NH 603-924-3280 www.littleriverbedandbreakfast.com

Hancock Inn 33 Main St., Hancock, NH 603-525-3318 or 800-525-1789 www.hancockinn.com

Monadnock Inn 379 Main St., Jaffrey, NH 603-532-7800 www.monadnockinn.com

LIFE HAS TAUGHT HIM THINGS NO CLASSROOM COULD.

LEARN HOW TO FIND, TRAIN AND CULTIVATE A GREAT POOL OF UNTAPPED TALENT. ACLYUPP4006_Mag_HalfPgHrz_v1b.indd 1

8/28/14 10:44 AM

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com ACLYUPP4006

Date: 8/28/14

ACLYUPP4006_Mag_HalfPgHrz_v1b

Version: 1

Page: 1

Ken

Hotels/Motels Best Western Plus Sovereign Hotel 401 Winchester St., Keene 603-357-3038, www.bestwestern.com Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Keene 75 Railroad St., Keene, NH 603-354-7900 www.keenecourtyard.com

Days Inn 3 Ashbrook Rd., Keene, NH 603-352-9780, www.daysinnkeene.com Jack Daniels Motor Inn 80 Concord St., Peterborough, NH 603-924-7548 www.JackDanielsInn.com

Alternative Lodging These locations are ideal for business retreats. Alyson’s Orchard 57 Alyson’s Ln., Walpole, NH 603-756-9800 www.alysonsorchard.com

Hampton Inn Brattleboro 1378 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 802-254-5700 www.hamptonbrattleboro.com

Barbara C. Harris Camp 108 Wally Stone Ln., Greenfield, NH 603-547-3400, www.bchcenter.org

Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Brattleboro 100 Chickering Dr., Brattleboro, VT 802-257-2400

Nature’s Classroom at Sargent Center 36 Sargent Camp Rd., Hancock, NH 603-525-3311 www.sargentconferencecenter.org

Holiday Inn Express & Suites/Keene 175 Key Rd., Keene, NH 603-352-7616 Riverside Hotel 913 Gulf Rd., W. Chesterfield, NH 603-256-4200 www.riversidehotelnh.com The Fairpoint Inn (Formerly the Lane Hotel) 30 Main St., Keene, NH 603-357-7070, www.thelanehotel.com

YMCA Camp Takotah 55 Fitzwilliam Rd., Richmond, NH 603-352-0447, www.camptakodah.org

Did we miss a business-friendly accommodation? Let us know! This listing appears in each year’s July/August/September issue. Email: editor@MonadnockSBJ.com

Better Better Business Business Loans. Loans. The cure for common banking. The cure for common banking. Whether you are a start up, 5th generation th Whether you are anon-profit, start up, 5or generation company, a DBA, locally-based company, a DBA, non-profit, or corporation, we are here to help!locally-based corporation, we are here to help!

Better Business Loans: Better Business Loans:• Term Loans • Real Estate • Real Estate • SBA Loans – we’re an • SBA Loans – we’re an SBA Preferred Lender SBA Preferred Lender • Equipment • Equipment

• Term Loans • Lines of Credit • Lines of Credit • Short-Term Financing • Short-Term Financing

Rachel’s here Rachel’s to help! here to help!

Fine dining with a view… Outstanding cuisine six nights a week by reservation

Rachel O’Leary Rachel O’Leary Development Vice President/Business Vice President/Business Development

Fifteen elegant suites and guest rooms

603-924-9654 603-924-9654 roleary@gfafcu.com roleary@gfafcu.com

West Chesterfield, New Hampshire

603-256-3211

Keene’s Oldest Family Restaurant and Premier Caterers Since 1969

Better Banking. Better Banking.

131 Winchester Street, Keene, NH

603-352-3135

www.thepubrestaurant.com

Full liquor license on & oFF site catering Fully insured Private Function room ————— • ————— sHoWers reHearsal dinners Family reunions comPany Picnics

1 Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, NH 1 Jaffrey 31 Road, Sonja Peterborough, Drive, Rindge, NH NH 31 Sonja Drive, Rindge, NH

gfafcu.com gfafcu.com Ashburnham | Gardner | Hubbardston FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA

July/August/September 2015

B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R Y Note: Telephone numbers are 603 area code unless otherwise noted. ACCOUNTING Anderson & Gilbert Keene NH A Full Service Accounting Firm 357-1928, anderson@taxfolks.com www.taxfolks.net Hogancamp PC Keene NH Accountants and Business Advisors 352-2233, www.hogancamp-pc.com Lynn C. Rust, CPA PC Swanzey NH Helping You Solve Your Financial Puzzle 358-6565, info@lcrcpa.com www.lcrcpa.com ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ COMMUNICATIONS/DESIGN Aimee LaBrake Consulting Peterborough NH The Small Business Marketing Solution 784-5560 aimee@aimeelabrakeconsulting.com www.aimeelabrakeconsulting.com Annie Card Creative Services Peterborough NH Creative Marketing Strategies and Solutions 924-6605, annie@anniecard.com www.anniecard.com Halvorson New Media, LLC Hancock NH Social Media Strategies, Training and Content Creation for Small Businesses 525-3391 chris@halvorsonnewmedia.com www.halvorsonnewmedia.com Salwen Graphic Design Keene NH Full Service Website & Graphic Design for Marketing & Communication, 357-4693 nancy@salwen.net, www.salwen.net ARCHITECTS/HOME/BUILDING Catlin & Petrovick Architects, PC Keene NH A Local Firm with a National Presence 352-2255 mpetrovick@c-parchitects.com www.c-parchitects.com

Please support the small businesses that support the Small Business Journal! Crockett Homes of Central New England Spofford & Westmoreland, NH Always and Forever Local 363-4606, jscott@crocketthomes.net www.crocketthomes.net Crockett Log & Timber Homes Keene NH Green Living Since 1973 800-566-7714 jdodson@crockettloghomes.com www.crockettloghomes.com 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 Weller & Michal Architects Harrisville NH We Strive For Excellence Within Real-World Limitations ... Because Design Matters 827-3840, info@wapm.com www.wapm.com ARTS & CULTURAL Arts Alive! Keene NH Advancing Arts and Culture in the Monadnock Region 283-0944 info@monadnockartsalive.org www.monadnockartsalive.org AUCTIONEERS The Cobbs Auctioneers Peterborough NH Fine Antiques and Art Auctions 924-6361 www.TheCobbs.com BANKS/CREDIT UNIONS Bank of New Hampshire Antrim, Keene, Hillsborough New Hampshire’s Local Bank 800-832-0912, www.banknh.com

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

GFA Federal Credit Union Peterborough NH Better Value. Better Service. Better Banking. 924-9654, www.gfafcu.com NBT Bank Keene NH For Everything That Counts 352-0674 www.NBTBank.com Savings Bank of Walpole Keene and Walpole NH The Savings Bank of You 352-1822 or 756-4771 www.walpolebank.com Service Credit Union 403 Winchester St., Keene NH No Dream is Too Big. No Idea is Too Small. 603-352-0475 or 800-936-7730 www.servicecu.org BUSINESS INTERNET Time Warner Cable Business Class Guy Mitchell, Account Executive 207-253-7360 CAR RENTAL U-Save Car & Truck Rental Keene NH Where The Road Leads, U-Save 352-7900 , keenenh@rentusave.com www.usave.com

The Pub Restaurant & Caterers Keene NH Keene’s Oldest Family Owned Restaurant 352-3135 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 Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Improving Quality of Life for All Citizens of the Greater Peterborough Region 924-7234 info@peterboroughchamber.com www.greater-peterborough-chamber.com Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce Bridging Commerce and Community 464-5858 www.hillsboroughnhchamber.org

CARPENTRY/WOODWORKING Thomas James Woodworks Keene NH 465-8882, tom.woodworks@gmail.com www.thomasjameswoodworks.com

CLEANING SERVICES Cheshire Cleaning, Inc. Keene NH Commercial Cleaning Services in the Monadnock Region 209-9735, info@cheshirecleaning.com www.cheshirecleaning.com

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

COACHING/CONSULTING AdviCoach Richmond NH Making Your Success a Reality 239-3693 michelle@connorcoachingteam.com www.connorteam.advicoach.com

Mayfair Farm Harrisville NH A Small Scale, Diversified Family Farm 827-3925, info@mayfairfarmnh.com www.mayfairfarmnh.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 SCORE Keene NH For the Life of Your Business 352-0320, www.MonadnockScore.org COMMUNITY BROADBAND WiValley, Inc. Keene NH Your Local Provider For Fiber, Hybrid and Wireless Broadband Solutions 546-7200, brianf@wivalley.net www.wivalley.net COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSAs) Tracie’s Community Farm Fitzwilliam NH Growing Local Food and Community Since 1999 209-1851 www.traciesfarm.com CONSUMER ELECTRONICS iCracked Keene NH I Can Fix That! 734-5320, www.icracked.com CUSTOM DISPLAYS/ SPECIALTY CASES J.H. Dunning Corp/Dunning Displays North Walpole NH We Make Your Product POP! 445-5591, www.jhdunning.com DOG TRAINING/RETAIL Everything Dog Keene NH Got Dog? Get Solutions. 499-6207, denise@denisemazzola.com www.everythingdognh.com Under One Woof Antrim NH Loving the Dogs of Antrim and Beyond Since 2006! 588-2030, www.underonewoof.info Wicked Good Dog Training Peterborough NH Positive Training with Positive Results 732-7214 wickedgooddogtraining@gmail.com www.wickedgooddogtraining.com ECOLOGICAL CONSULTING Poole Ecological Consultancy Hillsborough NH Helping Protect Natural Assets Since 1996 478-1178, eann@gsinet.net www.eannpoole.com

The Green Up Girl Keene NH Reduce Waste, Reduce Cost, Rethink Events 802-258-8046, cs@thegreenupgirl.com www.thegreenupgirl.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 River Valley Community College Keene/Claremont NH Envisioning the Future – Our Future by Design 542-7744, www.rivervalley.edu The Monadnock Waldorf School Keene NH Enrolling Nursery Through High School 357-4442 www.MonadnockWaldorfSchool.org WorkReadyNH at River Valley Community College Strengthen Your Workforce With WorkReadyNH 542-7744, www.rivervalley.edu Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Keene State College Keene NH Start as a Student, Graduate as a CEO! 585-429-0562 Meredith.Speranza@keene.edu FINANCIAL SERVICES Edward Jones/Allen Mendelson Keene NH Making Sense of Investing 357-7023 allen.mendelson@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com Edward Jones/Scott Trendell Keene NH Making Sense of Investing 352-1921 scott.trendell@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com MetLife Keene NH Retirement, Life Insurance, Disability, Long Term Care 352-2246, asoney@metlife.com www.newengland.metlife.com Northwestern Mutual Manchester NH Matthew J. Toepfer, Financial Advisor 206-6093, matthew.toepfer@nm.com www.nm.com/matthewtoepfer Primerica / Matthew Snow Keene NH Helping Families Become Debt Free and Financially Independent 237-1344 matthew.snow@primerica.com www.primerica.com/matthewsnow

Interested In startIng an employee campaIgn? call us! Donate online anytime at muw.org. Interested in volunteering, call 603-352-4209.

July/August/September 2015

FITNESS Core Consciousness Keene NH Specializing in Pre- and PostRehabilitation 358-5146, pmaarons@gmail.com www.coreconsciousnesskeene.com Links Fitness Golf Keene NH 24 Hour Gym Access and Golf Simulators 499-8016, www.linksfitnessgolf.com Sta-fit for Women Keene NH Start Today & Feel Inspired Tomorrow 357-8880, www.sta-fit.net FLOORING Abel Hardwood Flooring Peterborough NH 15 Years Experience 325-7109 GOLF COURSES Keene Country Club Keene NH 352-0135, diane@keenecc.com www.keenecc.com HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE Cindy Knipe, RDN, LD Keene NH Nutrition Counseling and Medical Nutrition Therapy ... What Nourishes You? 738-5791, cynthiaknipe@gmail.com www.whatnourishesyou-nh.com Deep Roots Massage & Bodywork Keene NH Professional and Affordable Massage for Every Body 352-0734, mark@deeprootsmb.com www.deeprootsmassagemb.com 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 Sapient Wellness Keene NH Improve Your Clarity & Focus for Work and for Life 903-3758, www.sapientwellness.org Young Living Essential Oils Swanzey NH Rose Karluk, Independent Distributor 209-4010, garskarluk@yahoo.com www.RoseKarluk.marketingscents.com

HUMAN RESOURCES HR Compliance 101, LLC Fitzwilliam NH Creating Workplaces That Work for Everyone 585-3139, paula@hrcompliance101.com www.hrcompliance101.com

At the Top! Pictured, Ann Dea Whippen. Ann Dea is the owner of Hike Monadnock, an online retailer based in Jaffrey, offering Monadnock inspired clothing with a mission. The company sells colorful, USA-made T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies with the Hike Monadnock logo featuring the distinctive peak of Mount Monadnock. Every purchase helps preserve the natural beauty of the Monadnock region. Learn more: www.hikemonadnock.com.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY True North Networks Keene NH Straight Answers. Bright Solutions. 624-6777 www.truenorthnetworks.com

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!

Worldwide Computer Solutions Keene NH 358-6776, info@wwcs.com www.wwcs.com INSURANCE Bellows-Nichols Insurance Peterborough NH Personal Service for Over 175 Years! 924-7155, www.bellowsnichols.com Clark Mortenson Insurance and Financial Services Keene NH Be Ready for Anything 357-2219, info@clark-mortenson. com, www.clarkmortenson.com 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 LOCKSMITHS Goodwin’s Locksmithing Walpole NH Service You Can Trust 252-5625 wgoodwin603@gmail.com LODGING/MEETING SPACES Days Inn Keene NH Best Value Under the Sun 352-9780. www.daysinn.com Chesterfield Inn Elegant Suites & Guestrooms W. Chesterfield NH 256-3211, info@chesterfieldinn.com www.chesterfieldinn.com Stonewall Farm B&B Hillsborough NH 532-8341, stonewallfarm@gmail.com www.stonewallfarmbandb.com NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Repco Development Technologies Greenfield NH New Product Development and Commercialization 397-3005, info@RepcoDT.com www.RepcoDT.com

Small Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

NONPROFIT Monadnock Buy Local Keene NH Helping Our Local Economy Grow www.monadnocklocal.org Monadnock United Way Keene NH There for All of Us 352-4209, kathy@muw.org www.muw.org 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 PHOTOGRAPHY Cheetah Design Studio Peterborough NH We are a Photography, Photo Booth Rental and Web Design Company Servicing New England 673-6431 info@cheetahdesignstudio.com www.cheetahdesignstudio.com Edward Thomas Photography Marlow NH Professional Photography for Business; 30+ Years Experience 357-5939 ed@edthomasphotography.com www.edthomasphotography.com PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES (Embroidery, Mailing, Printing, Screen Printing, Signs) Beeze Tees Screen Printing Keene NH The Best Way to Print Today! 357-1400, info@beezetees.com www.beezetees.com

Bulldog Design Keene NH Get it Local. GetBullDog.com. 369-7171, joe@bulldog-design.com www.getbulldog.com Gem Graphics Keene NH Your Image is Everything 352-7112, steve@gem-graphics.com www.gem-graphics.com Moonstruck Press Keene NH Several Technologies Behind 357-7993 moonstruckpress@gmail.com www.moonstruckpress.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 www.shippingshack.com PROJECT MANAGEMENT Applied Agility, LLC Weare NH Your Project Management Edge 660-6953 info@appliedagility.com www.appliedagility.com REAL ESTATE/OFFICE SPACE Hannah Grimes Center Keene NH Weaving Together Business, Local Economy and Community. 352-5063, www.hannahgrimes.com

Make it So: Monadnock Makerspace Keene NH Imagine Where We Can Go 852-2812 monadnockmakerspace@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/ MakeItSoMakerspace New England Web and Tech Collective (NEWT) Keene NH Collaboration, Skill Development, Coworking & More 399-6400, www.webtechcollective.com RE/MAX Town & Country Keene NH Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results 357-4100, info@remax-keene-nh.com www.mykeenehome.com R.J. Finlay & Co. Nashua NH A Full Service Real Estate, Construction and Building Materials Firm 672-0300, www.rjfinlaycom Tousley Property Management LLC Keene NH Big or Small, Space for All! 352-9071, info@tousleyproperty.com www.tousleyproperty.com RESOURCE CENTERS The River Center A Family & Community Resource Center Peterborough NH 924-6800, www.rivercenter.us SCREEN PRINT & EMBROIDERY Gemini Screenprint, LLC Keene NH Your Identity is Our Business 357-3847 stacey@geminiscreenprint.com www.geminiscreenprint.com SEPTIC SITE WORK Septic Manager Sullivan NH Septic Site Work From Start to Finish 847-9158, septicmanager@yahoo.com www.septicmanager.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 TEAM BUILDING Monadnock Art Parties Kristina Wentzell Keene NH Uncork Your Creativity 903-5902, Kristina.wentzell@gmail.com www.monadnockart.com

Music All Around Keene NH Music and Percussion Workshops for Team Building & Staff Development 357-4693, nancy@salwen.net www.musicallaround.net 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 VIOLENCE PREVENTION Blue-U Corporate Resources Hancock NH Corporate Training in Response to Violence 759-7803, www.blue-u.com WEB DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING/HOSTING 4Web Inc. Keene, NH Joomla & WordPress Development 903-0793, heidi@4webinc.com www.4webinc.com CharlesWorks Peterborough, NH Doing Our Best to Provide Your Web Development Needs Since 1998 924-9867 robin@charlesworks.com www.charlesworks.com Steadman Media Group Troy NH Web Strategist & New Media Solutions 903-8168 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

✔ Office space rentals start at $350/month and include: • heat/hot water • snow/trash removal • high-speed Internet Keene’s • ample free best Kept secret on-site parking in affordable business office space! • loading dock • ADA compliant elevator to second floor ✔ Perfect for start-ups or as incubator space ✔ Spaces range from 300 to 7,000 square feet ✔ Walking distance to downtown Keene ✔ Common area maintenance charges are FREE for the life of your lease

one year with any purchase of a display ad. Book your display listing today! Limit one category per listing. To book listing contact us at:

Big or small, space for all!

160 Emerald Street , Keene, NH 03431 • 603-352-9071 info@tousleyproperty.com

sales@MonadnockSBJ.com

July/August/September 2015

Like us on Facebook (YEA Keene State College)

The learning is real and experiential, but most of all…

FUN!

Apply today to join the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) at Keene State College. In this 29-week program, students will brainstorm business ideas, fine-tune that idea, and write a business plan with guidance from a business Mentor. In addition, there are fun, behind-the-scenes field trips, visits from guest speakers, and students will register with the State of NH for DBAs. Students start REAL businesses or social enterprises! At the signature event, the Investor Panel, students will pitch for funding to a panel of esteemed investors, and then launch their company. The program ends with a Trade Show to show their products and services to the public as well as formal graduation ceremony. At that point, they are no longer considered students, but rather, CEOs!

ApplicAtion deAdline is August 7, 2015 Classes begin in November. The Academy meets once a week (Thursday’s) on campus at Keene State College from 7:30pm. Program tuition is $495 and scholarships awarded based on need and merit. 40 4:30 toSmall Business Journal • www.monadnockSBJ.com

To learn more and download the application, please visit the YEA! website at keene.edu/campus/ outreach/yea/ Questions?

Contact Program Manager Meredith speranza 585-429-0562

Meredith.Speranza@keene.edu