Issue 6 • January/February/March 2015
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Monadnock The region’s voice of small business & entrepreneurship
B Corps: Doing Well By Doing Good Monadnock
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The region’s voice of small business & entrepreneurship
PLUS: Podcasting: Is it for You? Restaurants that Deliver Profile: HR Compliance 101 New Manufacturing: A Boon for the Local Economy
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Rebecca Hamilton of W.S. Badger Co.
January/February/March 2015
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B Corps: Doing Well By Doing Good Business Profile: HR Compliance 101
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EDITOR’S NOTE
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THE JOURNAL’S CONTRIBUTORS
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TALK OF THE TOWN
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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COLUMNS HINTS FROM HELAINE
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YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR: Beeze Tees
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EXPERT TIPS: Podcasting
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IN YOUR BUSINESS: New Manufacturing
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BEFORE & AFTER: RE/MAX Town & Country
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THE GREEN SCENE: Building Green
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THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR: Buttercup Embroidery
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LISTINGS Restaurants That Deliver
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Business Directory
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ON THE COVER... Rebecca Hamilton, director of product development for W.S. Badger Co., Inc., has been the driving force behind the Gilsumbased personal care products company’s award-winning Certified B Corp status. Story on page 20. Photo: Ed Thomas
Photos: (top to bottom): Mt. Monadnock in winter, Keith McKane; W.S. Badger Co. employees courtesy of W.S. Badger; recycling, courtesy of Building Green; Beth Signoretti courtesy Buttercup Embroidery; palm tree by Dreamstime; remodeled RE/MAX office, courtesy of RE/MAX Town & Country.
January/February/March 2015
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Editor’s Note ... Giving Back We’re all in business to make a profit, right? Why else would we spend hours of our time nurturing our small businesses? Why else would we “spend money to make money” by advertising, hiring consultants, accountants, marketing experts and more? The answer is simple: To make money. To earn a living. But sometimes when you get to a certain level in your business, profit is not quite enough. You may not be making millions, but you appreciate the fact that without the proverbial “village,” you wouldn’t have a business. And you want to give back. Our wonderful community has a remarkable history of business philanthropy. We understand, as a region, that it is important to not only be a profitable business, but to share our goodwill with nonprofits, our employees and the community. There is now another level of this kind of mindset that this issue’s feature story reveals: Companies that have their goodwill (to employees, the environment and the community) written right into their articles of incorporation. And a new state legislation that helps make this possible. Turn to page 20 to learn about a new way of making sure that doing good exists in your business for as long as your business exists. And learn how some local businesses are proving that “doing well” and “doing good” can go hand-in-hand. – Marcia
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
MONADNOCK Issue 6 • January/February/March 2015 PUBLISHER
Backporch Publishing, LLC
EDITORIAL
EDITOR: Marcia Passos Duffy CALENDAR: Jillian Miner CONTRIBUTORS: Don Brehm, Nicole S. Colon, Helaine Iris, Katrina Maloney, C S Wurzberger
PHOTOGRAPHY
Annie Card, Keith McKane, Ed Thomas
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Monadnock Small Business Journal 16 Russell Street, Keene, NH 03431 603-369-2525, info@MonadnockSBJ.com www.MonadnockSBJ.com Monadnock Small Business Journal is published quarterly by Keene, N.H.-based Backporch Publishing, LLC. It is distributed throughout the Monadnock Region the first week of January, April, July and October. Monadnock Small Business Journal is a business-to-business publication that highlights news about the Monadnock Region’s small business community including start-ups, business success stories, local expert advice and features about emerging trends. This publication is copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. The views expressed in Monadnock Small Business Journal do not necessarily reflect the views of its advertisers, publisher or editor. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, Backporch Publishing, LLC assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions.
CONTRIBUTORS Don Brehm is a seasoned N.H. entrepreneur and owner of 310 Marlboro, Business Center for Innovation + Technology, an 80,000 square foot commercial/industrial center in Keene that focuses on supporting early and mid-stage companies involved in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and advanced manufacturing. 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. 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 Katrina Maloney, a published poet and author, owns KM Research & Writing, a freelance writing business. She is a former college professor, having taught in natural sciences and education. She lives in view of Mt. Monadnock, and when not mucking out the horse barn, she plays violin and ukulele in local orchestras. www.katrinamaloney.net Ed Thomas has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years. He produces photography for clients throughout New England for the advertising, architectural, industrial and editorial markets. He is also an avid nature and historical photographer. www.edthomasphotography.com C S Wurzberger, a.k.a. “The Green Up Girl,” 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
January/February/March 2015
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Business news from greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro
GREATER KEENE: pLocal Nutritionist Available for Guest Speaking KEENE — Cindy Knipe, a registered dietitian nutritionist, is available for guest speaking engagements with local civic organizations in the Monadnock Region to present the latest in nutrition and health information. “This is a way for me to give back to those who volunteer so much of their time to our community,” says Knipe, who adds she encourages questions from the audience during her presentation. “Together, we can sort through the cacophony of information coming from popular media sources. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of licensed, registered dietitian nutritionists in our community.” Knipe
is licensed to practice nutrition counseling and nutrition therapy and has a private practice in Keene that provides personalized services with a whole foods approach. Knipe has advanced training in the field of eating disorders, and is an adjunct faculty member and has been an advisor for the Keene State College Dietetic Internship Program since 2005. She also serves as a nutrition consultant for the Keene YMCA’s Family BeFit Program. Learn more at www.whatnourishesyou-nh.com, or call Knipe at 603-738-5791. pArts Alive Hosts Regional Conference KEENE — Arts Alive has been selected to be the local host for the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) bi-annual conference on the creative economy, the Creative Communities Exchange (CCX), on June 2 and 3, 2015 in downtown Keene. “The hallmark of a
strong creative economy is the collaboration between the arts sector and nonarts partners,” says Dee Schneidman, research manager for NEFA. “CCX 2015 will take place in Keene ... a community that demonstrates strong cross-sector partnerships between the arts and local business, local government, the local colleges, the Monadnock Region, and Arts Alive, this year’s local host.” The CCX is a peer-to-peer exchange of the strategies used in successful creative economy initiatives around New England. This professional development event is for New England leaders who are engaged in creative economy and creative place-making projects that leverage the local creative sector in order to spur revitalization and growth of the broader community. Workshops are led by creative economy practitioners from various sectors, including but not limited to cultural nonprofits, media outlets, businesses, economic development, academia and government. “This
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 • Equiptment lending • Full service SBA lender Contact Philip today for products and services to fit your business needs.
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is an excellent opportunity and quite an honor for Keene,” says Jessica Gelter, executive director of Arts Alive. “We are expecting upwards of 250 guests from all over New England to converge on Keene for this conference ... To prepare, we’re pulling together a team of local business and arts leaders as a host committee to develop ideas that will let these visitors experience what makes our city and our region so culturally rich.” Organizations or businesses that would like to be involved in the host committee should contact Gelter at 603-283-0944 or office@monadnock artsalive.org for details. pEight More Local Businesses and Organizations Make Healthy Living Commitments KEENE — Eight more Monadnock Region businesses and organizations have made the commitment to make their workplaces healthier for employees. These organizations join the growing number of businesses and organizations
in the region that have taken tangible steps to improve the health and wellbeing of their workplaces by joining Healthy Monadnock’s Organizational Champion program. The new Healthy Monadnock Organizational Champions that have joined in the third quarter 2014 include: • Cedarcrest Center • City of Keene • Clarke Distributors • Keene Housing • Keene Senior Center • Markem-Imaje • Pfizer, Inc. • Southwestern Community Services These organizations have pledged to create healthier environments in the workplace, says Linda Rubin, director for Healthy Monadnock, a commu-
nity engagement initiative conceived and coordinated by Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene. For example, Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities, based in Keene, has created and implemented a breastfeeding policy for their organization, have done health fairs and other wellness initiatives, notes Rubin. To date, 86 of the region’s organizations and businesses have joined as Organizational Champions in the Monadnock Region’s healthiest community initiative, Healthy Monadnock. The program, free of charge, provides help and guidance for creating a healthy workplace. It also gives organizations and businesses recognition for their efforts, and hosts healthy living networking events. For more information on how to join Healthy Monadnock’s Organizational Champion program visit: www.HealthyMonadnock.org. Continued on next page.
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January/February/March 2015
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Business news from greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro pThe Local Store Gets Publicity in The Boston Globe KEENE — The Local Store, located on Krif Road in Keene, recently got some ink in The Boston Globe which called gifts the newly-formed company offers “great gifts for homesick New Englanders.” The online store, which opened in the fall of 2014, sources artisanal foods from the Monadnock Region and elsewhere in New England. The company ships gift boxes for both individual and corporate customers, says co-founder and director of operations, Justin Somma. He estimates that the business gift-giving segment of his business will account for 75 percent of revenue. “Business gift-giving orders are in larger quantities ... 100 to 200 pieces for each order,” says Somma. While he expected most of the orders to come
in from the New England area, orders that have been coming in from all over the country, says Somma. “A lot of people are homesick for this region,” he says. Business gifts, which include a company’s logo on the packages (see photo on left for sample), range in price from $25 to $100 per gift. Learn more at: www.thelocalstore.com, or call 844-315-5011. pMonadnock Food Co-op Hires Grocery Manager KEENE — The Monadnock Food Coop has hired Keith Bourassa as its new grocery manager. Bourassa worked at Shaw’s Supermarket since 2000 and most recently served as deli and bakery manager at Shaw’s Wilmington, Vermont store. Bourassa is interested in healthy eating and is an avid long-distance runner. “Keith’s enthusiasm and commitment to healthy food and healthy living will be a great addition to our grocery department and the store as a whole,” says Monadnock Food Co-op
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general manager, Michael Faber. Learn more about Monadnock Co-op at www. monadnockfood.coop. pBensonwood’s Unity Homes Celebrates Second Anniversary WALPOLE — Two years ago in October 9, 2012, Bensonwood launched Unity Homes with the goal of making ultraefficient, off-site-built homes affordable for the average home buyer. To date, Unity Homes have been built along the East Coast as far south as Asheville, N.C. and as far north as Montpelier, Vt., and have been praised as possibly the “greenest prefabs on the market” by TreeHugger’s Lloyd Alter. The homes are designed to consume 50 to 75 percent less energy than standard newly-built homes. Unity Homes have four styles of two to four bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,028 to 2,450 square feet. The home models are the Tradd (a classic tall cape), Xyla (an American bungalow), Värm (a Swedish contemporary) and Zūm (pictured,
THANK YOU Monadnock United Way and our Partner Agencies want to thank all our donors and volunteers for helping to improve lives by investing in programs and people that will create long-lasting measurable change.
Your contributions to our community are greatly appreciated.
With Goal-ZERO, we help enterprises create cultures for success that encourage employees to do their very best work. “Paula doesn’t just do things. She teaches us how to do them.” — Gary Barnard, President MOLDPRO First 5 People to Score 100%
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Paula Mathews, President
Fitzwilliam, NH Paula@HRcompliance101.com 603-585-3139 8
Monadnock Small Business Journal
Donate online anytime at muw.org. Interested in volunteering, call 603-352-4209.
pLake Sunapee Bank: Ranked In the Top 200 Healthiest Banks HILLSBOROUGH — Lake Sunapee Bank was named to the 2014 edition of the Top 200 Healthiest Banks in America ranked annually by DepositAccounts.com, a bank account comparison site. Each year DepositAccounts. com evaluates the financial health of every federally insured bank in the United States — more than 6,500 total. Each institution is graded on a number of factors, including capitalization, deposit growth, and loan-to-reserve ratios, in order to determine a comprehensive health score. (In 2013, DepositAccounts’ health formula correctly pegged 100 percent of the bank failures as being in the bottom 2.5 percent or 1 star rating of all banks prior to their failures). Lake Sunapee Bank ranked 99th on the list. www.depositaccounts.com.
GREATER PETERBOROUGH:
above, a passive solar optimized modern). In the two years since its launch, Unity Homes has developed ways to raise the quality and performance of sustainably built homes while trimming cost to make them ever more affordable. According to the company’s website, it has already reached its original goal of trimming the typical build time to 30-35 working days for most projects and expects to get it down to around 20 working days in the future. Learn more at: www.unityhomes.com.
pLocal Dog Trainer Attends Conference PETERBOROUGH — Erica Marshall, of Wicked Good Dog Training of Peterborough, recently attended an educational conference hosted by The Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Marshall attended an all-day workshop given by Emma Parsons (author of the book, From Click to Calm: Healing the Aggressive Dog) about working with reactive/aggressive dogs. Marshall also attended seminars dealing with health and nutrition, play therapy for fearful dogs and positive reinforcement training and learning theory. She will be incorporating all she learned into her group classes as well as into her private lessons with clients. www.wickedgooddogtraining.com.
Continued on next page.
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January/February/March 2015
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TALK OF THE TOWN
Business news from greater Keene, Peterborough & Brattleboro pFast Internet Arrives in Hillsborough Area HILLSBOROUGH — Before even Concord and Manchester get it, residents in the small towns of Antrim, Bennington, Deering, Henniker, Hillsborough and Hopkinton, N.H. will have access to 1Gbps Internet service according to TDS Telecom (TDS). The company says in a news release that Gig service is now available for immediate installation in parts of Hopkinton, along with TDS TV, a new Internet Protocol (IP)-based TV service. Residents in parts of Antrim and Bennington gained access by the end of 2014. In the first quarter of 2015, Hillsborough, Deering and Henniker residents will gain access. “The launch of 1Gig service means TDS customers now have access to the fastest Internet service in the nation,” says Matt Apps, manager of Internet product management and development at TDS.
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
“With 1Gig, anything our customers do on the Internet will be incredibly fast. From streaming movies or TV shows to working from home, the experience is ‘lag-less’ and completely seamless.” The 1Gig service is about one hundred times faster than the national average Internet speed of 10 megabits. With it, customers can transfer HD movies in seconds and connect remotely to their office or telecommute seamlessly, even on multiple devices. “Having 1 gigabit really opens up new possibilities for telecommuting,” notes Apps. “The technology makes it possible for people to enjoy all the benefits of living in a smaller community while working for an employer based in a larger nearby city.” The company notes that customers with 1Gig bundles will automatically receive remote PC support at no additional cost. This service includes unlimited technical support along with device setup assistance, computer cleanup, PC optimization, and advanced Internet troubleshooting.
The company is also rolling out what it calls “Fiberville,” a concept where residents and neighborhoods are rewarded with special offers and discounts once 15 percent of a neighborhood pre-registers for TDS TV service. In addition to achieving Fiberville status, these residents will receive free HD for life. Residents can find out if their home is part of the 1Gig/Fiberville project area, as well as when service will be available, by visiting TDSfiber.com/where or calling 866-44-TDSTV. pAllen & Mathewson Named Top Family Owned Business of 2014
RINDGE — Allen & Mathewson Energy Corp, one of the Monadnock Region’s largest energy suppliers for propane gas and heating oil has been named one of the Top Family Owned
Businesses in New Hampshire for 2014 by Business NH Magazine. “Being a local, family owned heating oil and propane gas energy business in the Monadnock Region, we are grateful to have been recognized as one of the top family owned businesses in the state,” notes Tim Allen, president of Allen & Mathewson Energy Corp. in a press release about the announcement. The business has been operating since 1998. “I am very thankful to our many customers and all of the people on the A&M team for their contributions that have led to us receiving this recognition,” says Allen. Learn more: www. allenmathewsonenergy.com or call at 603-899-5131. pBryanne Kingsbury Elected to Monadnock Center Board PETERBOROUGH — The Monadnock Center for History and Culture has elected Bryanne Kingsbury to its board of directors. Kingsbury attended the University of San Francisco where
she graduated with a degree in International Studies with an emphasis in economics. She works Clark-Mortenson Insurance in Keene as an insurance and business solutions advisor. She is an alumni of the 2014 Leadership Monadnock program and also serves as a board member for the Monadnock Humane Society. Kingsbury and her husband Bryan are active members of their hometown of Harrisville NH’s Historical Society, where they serve as Incorporators. Learn more: www.monadnockcenter.org.
GREATER BRATTLEBORO: BRATTLEBORO — C S Wurzberger, a.k.a., The Green Up Girl’s podcast, “Greener by Choice” was just featured in iTunes “New & Noteworthy” and
currently has more than 44,500 downloads in its first three months; the podcast reaches people in more than 85 countries. Wurzberger’s weekly podcast series provides simple action steps, engages in conversations, and provides resources so people can enjoy living a greener lifestyle, she says. “And as a bonus, the podcasts features eco-friendly products, and spotlights green movement leaders who are making a difference around the world,” she says. Listen to free podcasts at www.GreenerbyChoice.com or iTunes. Wurzberger also notes that she has been hired by The Livestock Conservancy (www. livestockconservancy.org) to create podcasts. The organization is involved in saving more than 200 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. “I’m producing and promoting their new podcast series and the first two episodes just went live in iTunes.” Learn more at www.greenerbychoice.com. Send your news to editor@MonadnockSJB.com
Retirement May Be Far Off, But the April 15 Deadline for IRA Contributions Isn’t. You have only so many years to prepare for retirement. That’s why contributing to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is so important. Fortunately, you still have time to maximize your 2014 IRA contribution before the April 15 deadline. By contributing now, your retirement savings can have more opportunity to grow. Even if you already have an IRA elsewhere, it’s easy to transfer it to an Edward Jones IRA and begin receiving the face-to-face guidance you deserve.
To learn more about the advantages of an Edward Jones IRA, call or visit today. Scott A Trendell, AAMS® Financial Advisor 178 Main Street Suite B Keene, NH 03431 603-352-1921
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HINTS FROM HELAINE Answers to your vexing business problems, by Helaine Iris Dear Helaine, Should I hire family members to work for me? What are the pros and cons? – FAMILY GUY
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
Dear Family Guy, Hiring family to work for you in your business can either be a blessing or a curse. Many small business owners do this quite successfully, in fact, it’s the reason some people go into business. That said, if you are contemplating it, make sure you have your agreements and communication in top-notch shape. Make sure everyone’s on the same page about the priority of good communication. Start from the very beginning clarifying roles, duties and expectations. Assume nothing. It can be helpful to set an initial trial period. Both parties agree up front to see how things work out for a limited amount of time. Build in safety clauses, so both parties feel free to be honest and pull the plug if it’s not working out. Bottom line: A successful family business takes willingness on each members’ parts to both risk — and push — the edge of one’s comfort zone. When it works well, it can be quite rewarding. And, when it doesn’t … well, you’ve all heard the stories. Dear Helaine, I often imagine myself on the show, “Shark Tank,” with my business idea! I can’t imagine I’ll ever get on that show, but I’m wondering where I can put my business idea to the test in the region … people who will give me honest advice about whether I should go for it or not. — SWIMMING WITH SHARKS Dear Swimming, I love this question. Often when I am consulting with small business start-ups, I ask my client to imagine standing up to the scrutiny of the “sharks.” The show provides the best example of reality checking I can imagine. It (sometimes painfully) points out the difference between fantasy and the viability of a business idea. It’s a great idea to assemble your own team of “sharks.” Every community has business leaders willing and often flattered to be consulted about new ideas. Use your network to uncover a few business owners willing to ask you hard questions and give you their considered opinion. This is essentially the purpose of your business plan, and another reason a business plan is so important. Put a team together of people who have no vested interest in you. Develop a presentation, give it your heart and soul and then prepare yourself for honesty and advice. After that, you will be more confident about going for it or not. 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.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR This column, sponsored by the Keene Young Professionals Network, is a look at young business owners in the region. Learn more about the KYPN and their fun networking events by visiting www.keeneypn.org. Tim Pipp, Owner Beeze Tees 116 Main St. Keene, NH www.beezetees.com Tim Pipp, 26, started his company, Beeze Tees in August of 2010. This young entrepreneur’s screen printing company has blossomed in the four short years he has been in business. And his business acumen has recently been recognized at the Hannah Grimes Center’s CONNECT event this past fall; Pipp won the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award at the event. We spoke with Pipp right before the grand opening of his new Keene Main Street location of his retail store.
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What did you do before you opened Beeze Tees? I was graphic design student at Keene State College. Why did you decide to take the entrepreneurial route (rather than getting a job with a company)? The economy in 2010 was awful and I have always been into entrepreneurial things. What has been your biggest challenge in starting a business? Funding. It was hard as a 22 year old to get money from a bank. What has been surprisingly easy? Nothing in particular. I think growing has been a natural thing but I wouldn’t say it was easy!
We are excited to announce the Keene State College inaugural YEA! class!
Tell us about your recent CONNECT award. I was named the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year. I am so excited and honored to be this year’s recipient. Even better, my dad flew up from Chicago to see me receive the award. What are your future plans for Beeze Tees? I think to start, I want to get settled into our new location. Then I would like to add some more equipment down the road. Any advice for young entrepreneurs? Go for it. Honestly, what better time to make a move like this than when we are young? I have learned a ton and I think the best way to do that is to ask questions. I have no business background. I learned a lot from others and from being involved in the community. p
Join uS in WElComing thE StudEntS of thE 2015 Young EntrEprEnEurS ACAdEmY progrAm. See their ideas and dreams become reality as they hear from exciting guest speakers, go on behind-the-scenes field trips, work with devoted business mentors, create business plans, and pitch to a panel of investors for real funding!
Mark your calendar for the BIG Investor Panel Event: Thursday, May 7th, 2015 at 6:00pm Bensonwood - Walpole, NH Contact Program Manager, Meredith Speranza, to learn more. Email her at Meredith.Speranza@keene.edu or call 585-429-0562.
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EXPERT TIPS
Advice you can trust from the people you know
Podcasting: A New Way to Market Your Business By C S Wurzberger
Y
ou may have heard about podcasts, or even watched a few (or many). But did you know that creating podcasts for your business can be an effective marketing tool? A podcast (a combination of the words “broadcast” and “iPod”) is a free radio/television-like show about certain topics such as green living, business, politics and others. Podcasts are produced by professionals and posted to the Internet for download. You can easily listen or watch them on your computer, smartphone, tablet, iPod or any portable media player. They can be downloaded individually or subscribed to so that each new episode of the podcast is automatically downloaded to your computer. You can subscribe to podcasts directly at the iTunes Store, Stitcher, or any of the other podcast directories that are available. There are thousands of podcasts to choose from and easy-tofind engaging topics. Popularity of podcasts skyrocket The podcasting movement is experiencing huge growth: There are more than 575 million active subscribers on iTunes, 315 million mobile device users, and more than 8 million downloads on Stitcher. Plus, in 2015 podcasts are being integrated into the following motor vehicles: Apple CarPlay will be in Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Jaguar, and Ferrari; Stitcher will be in GM, Jaguar, Volvo and more. That means with the touch of a screen you’ll be able to listen to your favorite podcasts without even using a smartphone or mobile device. Popular … but can it be effective for marketing? You bet it can. Podcasting as a marketing tool is more cost effective and less time consuming than SEO, or search engine optimization. Plus, it offers longer staying power since the podcasts are always available 24/7, 365 days a year without any additional work (unlike SEO that requires constant monitoring and tweaking based on algorithm changes).
Here are 7 top reasons why creating podcasts can be good for business: 1. Podcasts are more personal. The content is communicated directly to the listener via audio and video and it’s a more intimate way of sharing information compared to reading an email, website page or document. The host becomes a trusted adviser and friend who can make recommendations and guide actions. 2. Podcasts are easy to consume. Podcasts can be listened to and viewed on a smartphone, tablet, computer or selected automobiles at the listener’s convenience. 3. Podcasts are mobile. They travel wherever you do. You can listen on your morning jog, walk around the park, on an airplane or while you’re driving to work. 4. Podcasts are affordable to distribute. They are delivered digitally, so there is no cost for postage, printing or paper. Plus, you don’t have to worry about it getting lost in the spam filter. 5. Podcasts give credibility. When you provide expert and engaging content, your audience will see you as an authority and follow your recommendations and guidance. 6. Podcasts can expand your reach quickly via social media. Each podcast episode can be shared with your social media community and easily passed on to each of your listeners and followers. Plus, podcasts are an easy way to distribute your message quickly and last for years to come. 7. Podcasts can deliver amazing results. Unlike many marketing tactics that you can’t measure, podcasting is one you can. All downloads are tracked through your hosting company. You’ll be able to see daily, weekly and monthly downloads from each episode, what country the listener is in, and what technology they are using to consume your podcast, and more. Statistics show the average website visitor only spends 2.3 minutes on a site, while according to iTunes and Stitcher (podcasting platforms), the average podcast listener stays for 22 minutes. This shows podcasting gives you more time to share information with your prospects, keep them engaged longer, and improve your chances for generating revenue. The podcasting movement is here and you may want to think about learning more about the possibilities, and if using podcasts in your business is right for you. C S Wurzberger, a.ka., The Green Up Girl, is the podcast host of “Greener by Choice” and “Conservation Conversations.” Her shows currently have more than 44,500 downloads from more than 85 countries. You’ll find her podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and SoundCloud.
To get the 21-page guide, “5 Steps to Wildly Profitable Podcasting,” FREE for Journal readers (a $29.95 value), visit: http://conservationnation.tv/special-reports. Note that while this guide to podcasting, written by C S Wurzberger, is geared for those in the conservation industry, the tips and resources offered are easily applicable to any business. 14
Monadnock Small Business Journal
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IN YOUR BUSINESS
Opinions from local business leaders
New Manufacturing: Smart for the Local Economy By Don Brehm
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any believe that relying on manufacturing for regional economic growth and job creation is a poor choice. New studies, however, paint a different picture. These studies show that the number of additional supply chain and indirect jobs created by manufacturing is much greater than previously thought. New “smart” manufacturing may, in fact, be the best economic foundation of all. For Keene and the Monadnock Region, attracting businesses engaged in advanced manufacturing and technology, and helping them grow, is a very effective way to build a strong and diverse local economy. These businesses tap into global markets, attract young educated professionals and pay above-average wages. I believe that we, as a community, should be doing everything we can to encourage this type of business growth and development.
The multiplier effect
Some economists have downplayed the role of manufacturing in the future of the U.S. economy because they say new manufacturing is highly automated and doesn’t create a large number of jobs. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, on average, the “manufacturing multiplier” is 1.58. That means a typical manufacturing facility that employs 100 people supports an additional 58 jobs through jobs at suppliers.
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Some economists have downplayed the role of manufacturing in the future of the U.S. economy because they say new manufacturing is highly automated and doesn’t create a large number of jobs. But new studies paint a different picture.
However, new analysis in The Multiplier Effect: There Are More Manufacturing Related Jobs Than You Think, by Keith Nosbusch and John Bernaden of Rockwell Automation, finds that as manufacturing companies become more advanced, the multiplier increases significantly. The study states that, “In some advanced manufacturing sectors, the multiplier effect can be as high as 16 to 1, meaning that every manufacturing job supports 15 other jobs. Highly automated high-tech manufacturing regions already have employment multipliers closer to 3.5.” The findings of this new study bodes well for Keene and the Monadnock Region. The Keene area has a rich history of manufacturing. We’re very strong in advanced optics, precision machining and specialty printing technology. And to consider that every manufacturing job we have in the area helps to create and support three, four or five other jobs — from supply chain support and professional services to local retail and restaurants — is huge for our future economic health and prosperity. But attracting and growing innovative technology and manufacturing-based companies won’t just happen on its own. We need to provide the resources and tools businesses need to be successful, from capital investment and training to broadband access and affordable, flexible space. The ability to network, share and learn among peers is especially important. We need places in the region that serve as a hub of entrepreneurial, business, civic and academic resources to build a community of innovation, technology, and advanced manufacturing where start-up business owners can network, share and learn among peers. In that regard, the Monadnock Region, and Keene in particular, are blessed with several older buildings that used to house industrial-age manufacturing companies. Innovative new manufacturing companies can breathe life into these readily available buildings, providing new and expanded opportunities for existing local businesses and the local economy. p Don Brehm is a seasoned N.H. entrepreneur and owner of 310 Marlboro, Business Center for Innovation + Technology, an 80,000 square foot commercial/industrial center in Keene that focuses on supporting early and mid-stage companies involved in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and advanced manufacturing.
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BEFORE & AFTER
Local business office renovations
RE/MAX Town & Country, 117 West Street, Keene Remember this building on the corner of West and School Streets? The boxy structure was sandwiched between a couple of lovely old homes that had been transformed into office spaces. And its mid-20th century architecture stuck out like a sore thumb. Ranger Curran, owner of RE/MAX Town & Country on West Street in Keene says that the building never quite fit into the surrounding neighborhood. He could have up and moved the real estate office, but he says, “We love the location and felt we could build a structure that would enhance the feel and look of our West Street area.” Not only is the newly redesigned brick exterior more pleasing to the eye and the surrounding area, but Curran notes that the renovations have also included efficient and bright interior spaces. “The layout will enhance our ability to work together to provide better service to our clients.”
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R EFO
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The space will not only serve RE/MAX, but Curran says that he will allow nonprofits who may not have conference room space to use RE/MAX rooms for meetings. “So far, we have received tremendous positive feedback from the community,” he says. The real estate office, which has been in temporary offices on Marlborough Street during the renovations, plans to move back into its West Street location mid-January. p
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
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Before & After is a new column that takes a look at recent business renovations (inside and/or outside) of area businesses. Do you have a recent business renovation or upgrade you’d like featured on this page? Email us at editor@MonadnockSBJ.com. Please put “Before & After” in the subject line.
January/February/March 2015
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How Companies Can Do Well By Doing Good By Katrina Maloney
/ Photos by Ed Thomas
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et ready for a new wave of change sweeping the business landscape. Companies are no longer tied to only making a profit; they can now opt for a new corporate structure that allows consideration of the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. Many states are encouraging companies to embrace this “doing good” component. While you may be familiar with S and C corporations, starting on January 2, 2015, a third type of corporation has come into existence in New Hampshire — the Benefit Corporation. The official name of the legislation is SB215, the New Hampshire Benefit Corporation Act. New Hampshire joins 26 states that have passed legislation to create benefit corporation options for companies. In the Northeast, N.H. joins New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. More on the details of this legislation later in this article. But first, a look at what has been trending in New Hampshire — and around the country and the world — for several years now: The Certified B Corp.
Certified B Corps lead the trend of social responsibility
Above, Rebecca Hamilton displays Badger products, awards. Center: Badger employees at the company’s Gilsum headquarters. B Corp logo courtesy of B Lab. 20
Monadnock Small Business Journal
While benefit corporation legislation is new to many states, the fact is that some businesses have been operating outside the “just profit” paradigm for decades. Most recently, these companies have been able to show the world — through a certification program known as B Corp — that they are walking the talk. This rigorous third-party certification is awarded by B Lab, a nonprofit with the mission to “Serve a global movement of entrepreneurs using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.” Any company can work to become a Certified B Corp by having B Lab help it align its business practices and philosophy with the concept of the triple bottom line. That social responsibility component is strictly monitored by B Lab to ensure that a “material positive impact” is demonstrable to all stake holders. Stakeholders include shareholders, employees of the business and, by extension, both suppliers and customers. “We now have the ability to measure what really matters,” says Ashley Orgain of the company Seventh Generation, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, and a founding member of B Lab. “The Certified B Corp structure provides companies a holistic way to measure business success.”
“It is like getting your farm certified organic,” adds Holly Ensign Barston, an associate at B Lab.
Four NH companies hold B Lab certification
There are four companies in New Hampshire that are Certified B Corps. The first company to be awarded Certified B Corp status in the state was Gilsum-based W.S. Badger Company, Inc., which has been a Certified B Corp since February 2011. Badger was recently named as the 2014 “B Corp Best for the World,” an honor bestowed on companies around the globe that earned an overall score in the top 10 percent of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of the company’s impact on its workers, community and the environment. “As a mission-driven company, transparency and authenticity are vital to the health of our business,” says Rebecca Hamilton, Badger’s director of product development, and the driving force behind getting certification. “The B Corp certification is a tool that has helped us to build our mission into the DNA of our business. It has given us both meaningful metrics and a common language with other companies.” Hamilton says that while the impetus to become a B Corp was driven by internal company desires, it has also had a positive effect on customers’ perception of the company. “Customers want companies that they can trust,” notes Hamilton. “They can go on the B Corp website and see our impact report, what each score means, see previous reports and read about our mission.” In giving advice to other companies, Hamilton emphasizes that there are many resources for companies seeking B Corp status. “We would love to see New Hampshire be a leader in the movement,” she says. “Collaboration with like-minded businesses helps develop community. Support is available through the B Lab organization, and here at Badger too.” Veris Wealth Partnerships, a national company with offices in N.H., became a Certified B Corp in September 2011. Pete & Gerry’s Organics (located in Monroe) went through the process in May 2013. With Good Reasons, LLC, a small granola product company based in Keene, is the most recent N.H.-based company to become B Corp certified. Marcia Winters, owner, started the company in 2007, but only found out about B Corp this past summer. She felt that everything she had been trying to do on
her own meshed with what B Corp is all about. “I wanted to join this team,” says Winters. “All this is what I have been doing on my own anyway, and why not be recognized for it? I hope to use the listing to find other partners, people who are supporting a healthy economy, with fair wages for workers. It is what I am all about too.” There is, however, one major drawback to B Corp certification: It has zero legal status.
State’s legislation gives legal muscle to corporations that want to do good
While B Corp certification is available to any business willing to go through the certification process, a new N.H. state option to incorporate is now available: The Benefit Corporation (see sidebar, next page, for the difference between a Certified B Corp and Benefit Corporation). This legislation, spearheaded by work done by W.S. Badger, N.H. Senator Molly Kelly and others, including local company The Works Bakery & Cafe, adds legal muscle to businesses that go through the process of putting a priority on the environment, the community and/or their employees into their mission and working articles of incorporation. The law ensures that any social good component that is written into a company’s articles of incorporation can only be changed by a 2/3 majority stockholder vote. “This means that the company must make a very conscious choice to stop being a benefit business ... and the larger the number of shareholders, the harder this becomes,” notes Hamilton. This is an important point when considering that some well-known socially responsible publicly held companies have had their social good component jeopardized or threatened because of a sale (or hostile takeover) to a large corporation. The legislation ensures that any social good component inherent in a company’s articles of incorporation remain in perpetuity. “This would prevent a larger company from being required to sell to the highest bidder based on being required to maximize profits,” says Hamilton. “A company could instead choose to sell to a buyer who will uphold social responsibility.” For privately-held companies, the benefit corporation process is useful in keeping the social responsibility mission alive as a company grows, notes Hamilton. “Many businesses, as they grow, quietly lose their social responsibility mission.” It is important to stress that the N.H. Benefit Corporation status is separate from becoming a Certified B Corp through B Lab. The Certified B Corps companies do not have to apply with the state to become N.H. Benefit Corporations, and vice versa. But many companies can opt to do both, such as W.S. Badger, which will become a N.H. Benefit Corporation when the law goes into effect January 2, 2015.
How to become a N.H. Benefit Corporation
To become a N.H. Benefit Corporation, an existing business (with or without Certified B Corp status) can amend its articles of incorporation to include the statement that it is, indeed, a
January/February/March 2015
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benefit corporation. The law requires that, “A benefit corporation shall have a purpose of creating general public benefit.” The company would also need to follow an approved third party standard. (There are 11 approved third party standards that measure the benefit practices of a business; learn more at www.benefitcorp.net.) The important piece of the legislation, and the crux of the matter for certification, is the accountability clause.
Benefit corporations look at the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. While it may be easy to amend a business’s articles of incorporation, mission statement or informal philosophy in order to be a New Hampshire Benefit Corporation, what is at stake is the required behavior and responsibility of the board of directors of the company. Directors are required to not only consider the effect of any action upon the shareholders, employees (or workforce), its subsidies and suppliers, and the public, but also on the “local and global environment” (RSA 293-C:7). This is in contrast to the more traditional responsibilities boards hold to their shareholders — that of making a profit only. In fact, traditional business corporations are restricted in their ability to consider other factors than the bottom line in their decisions. Benefit corporation status gives legal rights to directors, allowing them to consider a wider number of factors than just financial gain when running the business.
A bipartisan team effort
Governor Maggie Hassan signed the New Hampshire Benefit Corporation Act (SB215) into law on September 3, 2014 at W.S. Badger’s offices in Gilsum (see photo at right). At the workshop about benefit corporations held at Badger the following month, N.H. Senator Molly Kelly spoke about the process of passing the Benefit Corporation legislation. “This was truly a team effort,” said Kelly at the workshop. “My co-sponsors, Senators (Jeb) Bradley and (Sylvia) Larson, recognized the importance of the meaningful aspects of this incorporation option for New Hampshire businesses.” At the event, Kelly praised Badger’s Rebecca Hamilton for being “the heart and brains of the process,” and said that the Senate committee also heard from college students and young entrepreneurs who want to work for companies that are able to consider more than just profit. “Young people want to do good even as they are making a living,” noted Kelly. “They want to do meaningful work. With the passing of SB215, we have opened up an option for businesses that is good for the state and good for business. It was a true cultural shift, and was successful because it was a bipartisan process.”p FOR MORE INFORMATION: B Lab: www.bcorporation.net New Hampshire SB 215 Final Version: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/SB0215.pdf
Katrina Maloney is a local published poet and author.
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
Photo courtesy of W.S. Badger.
Certified B Corp vs. Benefit Corporation. Certified B Corporation (also known as “B Corp”) is a third-party certification for socially and environmentally responsible companies, similar to LEED for green buildings or USDA Organic for produce. Companies must meet a certain level of social/environmental responsibility, and pay an annual certification fee. The Benefit Corporation is a new corporate form (a way of incorporating your business) similar to conventional forms like C Corporations, S Corporations and LLCs. Benefit Corporations are required to create a material positive impact on society and the environment and to meet higher standards of accountability and transparency. Benefit Corporation status fits within the C Corporation status, but allows a company to write its social responsibility mission into its articles of incorporation, changing its legal purpose for being a business. The company is then required to follow and approved third party standard to measure its impacts and make this publicly available on an annual basis.
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PROFILE: HR Compliance 101
HR HELP FOR THE LITTLE GUY By Nicole S. Colson
/ Photos by Annie Card
“People trust me because I protect the company,” says Mathews, who compares her role as an HR consultant to a mama bear protecting her cubs. Human resources can be tricky
P
aula Mathews (pictured, above) started in the corporate world assembling bearings at a medical and aerospace manufacturing company before climbing the ladder to a job as the company’s benefits administrator. After nine years there, she went to work as human resource manager for 14 years for a medical product design and production company with 260 employees. “Their efforts and mine took diverging paths,” says Mathews. “You have to be able to look at (someone) and say this is a good company to work for, they’ll treat you fairly and honestly and there’s opportunities for growth ... When you cannot say that, from an HR perspective, it’s time to go.” When Mathews left her job, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue working for a large corporation. “I thought to myself, ‘Who’s helping the little guy?’” she says. “The employer with five, 10, 15 employees? He doesn’t need a full-time me, but he needs to comply with the regulations like the big guys do. A small business owner isn’t going to call the Department of Labor and OSHA and say, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ They can use someone like me.” That was the premise upon which she built her business, HR Compliance 101.
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Now in its 13th year, Mathews works with about 30 to 50 companies in New England and in Florida, where she has a second home. Her home during the spring, summer and fall is in Fitzwilliam. Her clients have between five and 50 employees. She describes the type of business owner who would need her services: “Maybe he decides he can make a better widget on his own than any others he’s seen out there. So he starts working part-time at night and on weekends in his cellar or garage. In two or three years, he gets too busy to do it on his own, so he hires employees and an office manager to do his books, answer phones and do customer service. That person then
Monadnock Small Business Journal
runs human resources and handles payroll, unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance.” But human resources, Mathews says, is a different perspective with its own set of requirements independent from the financial side of operations. Mathews schedules a first meeting with her client’s personnel in human resources, safety and compliance to assess the company’s current systems, forms, policies and procedures. She checks for compliance with more than 120 topics of state, federal and OSHA regulations. At the end of that first meeting, her client will know what’s in place that doesn’t need changing. And what is needed to come into full state and federal compliance based on that company’s number of employees.
Ensuring compliance
It’s Mathews’s job to know, for instance that a company with more than 15 employees needs to train supervisors on ADA hiring and interviewing and provide accommodations to meet disability discrimination compliance requirements. Or that a business with more than 10 employees needs to write an emergency response plan and train workers.
A company with 20 or more employees, she explains, has to meet the same regulations as one with 200. Based on that meeting, Mathews will supply a standard safety and human resource manual with all the necessary forms. She’ll also customize employee handbooks based on the company’s defined human resource policies and procedures.
A diverse portfolio of clients
Mathews’s clients are in the construction, retail, funeral, software development, manufacturing, food and financial industries. She’s always adding something new to her repertoire. When she signed on with her first funeral home, she became a member of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and learned about the blood borne pathogen program, which has to be put in place for a business with more than 10 employees. Compliance regulations also require funeral homes to allow proper ventilation and employees to wear protective equipment when working with formaldehyde. She’s also certified to train in forklift safety on construction sites. Within the first year of her relationship with a client, Mathews will work to customize the company’s programs and instill procedures laid out in the manuals. The second year, she helps polish the systems she’s helped put in place. By the third to fourth year working with a company, that client, she says, “graduates.” After that, she comes back when needed, a minimum of 20 hours of work per year. During that time, she may provide the annual refresher safety training that OSHA requires of employees or ensure policies and procedures are up to date to meet changing regulations. In addition to leading workshops on compliance and human resource issues, Mathews is often a guest speaker before industry and civic organizations. She is past president and a member of the Monadnock Region Chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) and a pro bono instructor and coach at Hannah Grimes Center. A growing sector of her business is employee recruitment. She helps with recruiting, interviewing and hiring employees (as well as disciplining and firing them). A concrete company she worked with added a dozen employees to its payroll. “People trust me because I protect the company,” says Mathews, and compares her role as an HR consultant to a mama bear protecting her cubs. She adds: “When a business has a good culture, high morale and happy people — everything comes together.” p
A SNOWBIRD BUSINESS THAT WORKS
P
aula Mathews promised her husband they wouldn’t have to spend winters in New Hampshire when they retired, so she began asking her long-time clients a half-dozen years ago if they would mind receiving support from her remotely. She got the green light and did a trial run, renting a home in Florida and operating her business from there. “I did conference calls and took minutes from meetings,” she says. “Ninety percent of the recruitment I did by phone and email and asked people to send correspondence to my P.O. Box.” When she realized she could operate her business anywhere, she purchased a home in Brooksville, in Hernando County, Florida, eight miles from the beach. She connected with the local chapter of BNI and joined the local Chamber of Commerce to network. She now operates her business from Florida from November through May and in New Hampshire the rest of the year. Her goal for her business in Florida? “To keep chasing new clients,” she says.
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THE GREEN SCENE
How local businesses are greening up by C S Wurzberger
Building Green, Inc.: Walking the Talk
J
erelyn Wilson is one of the founding owners and the outreach director for Building Green, Inc. based in Brattleboro, Vermont, an independent publishing company committed to bringing their members accurate, unbiased and timely green design information. Wilson is responsible for managing Building Green’s enterprise accounts that include architecture and engineering firms with more than 50 employees as well as more than 120 college and university libraries. Wilson’s role is to represent Building Green at conferences, and promote the company’s resources on sustainable design and construction to building professionals and relevant organizations and institutions. Building Green offers an array of media and information resources including: Environmental Building News, a suite of online tools, a directory of “green spec” products, and LEED user web tools. I recently spoke with Wilson about what Building Green offers to the green building community and how they green up themselves as an organization.
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.
Tell us more about Building Green and what you offer to building professionals. Building Green combines information with insight to help building industry professionals and policy makers improve the environmental performance — and reduce the adverse impacts — of buildings. We offer information resources and consulting services to help architects design and build construction projects from a whole systems perspective and take an integrative design approach that minimizes ecological impact and maximizes economic performance. Our publications are not supported by advertising, so our sole responsibility is to the reader. What inspires you to be sustainable personally and professionally? How did it all start? It all started back in 1985 when green was just a color. Our company Building Green was started by Alex Wilson my personal and professional partner. He saw a need for helping building professions understand the complexity around build environmentally friendly buildings. Alex is one of the most trusted voices on energy efficiency and environmentally responsible design and construction.
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
Building Green’s staff show off some of the green initiatives that are in place at the Brattleboro, Vermont, company. Continued on next page.
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What are some of the ways you green up your businesses? Our staff is very dedicated to the importance of understanding our environmental impact as a company and how we can continue to reduce our carbon footprint. We place a great effort on composting, recycling, and reducing the trash that is generated in the office. Since we are aware first hand of the negative effects of transportation on our carbon footprint, the staff also bikes to work. Plus, we offer flex hours and allow the team to work from home and conference in through technology. How do you manage it all? Do you have an in-house sustainability person? We don’t have an official sustainability person but together we all pitch in to make sure it happens. Angela Battisto, our operations director, keeps an eye on the building and air quality, while Sarah Rice, the office and accounting manager, handles all the data capture. Everyone steps up to do what they can. Sharing the responsibility works best. For example, we can reduce our cooling costs by interacting with the weather. On cool summer nights we open all the windows to let in the cool air. In the morning when we arrive at the office we shut all the windows, pull curtains (depending upon the direction of the sun) and our office doesn’t require air conditioning that day. Getting creative can be fun.
What words of wisdom can you share to inspire others to green up? Understand the consequences of your choices. Start the conversation with staff and coworkers, but don’t place judgment, just explore the territory. Bring folks together and begin looking at your impact. How much trash are you generating? What items can be recycled, composted, reused? How much electricity and water are you using? What simple ways could you be reducing your usage? Make it fun, gather data, put up charts and look at how things can change with a few action steps. Give people the freedom to take the lead on researching different ways to lower your carbon footprint and report back to the group. Getting everyone involved is the easiest way to make a difference. For more information, visit www.BuildGreen.com p
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
On-Site Event & Employee Massage From Our Professional Team to Yours
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Better training for the workplace is closer than you think.
Just think. Whether you’re hoping to: • Finish a degree • Improve job skills • Take classes just for fun …there’s something for you close to home. Keene State has • Hundreds of online learning opportunities • Occupational safety and health classes • Day, evening, and weekend classes • Credit and noncredit courses • Academic advising to guide you Register today! Visit keene.edu/conted or call 603-358-2290.
Think Keene State. Keene State College | 229 Main Street | Keene, NH 03435 | 800-KSC-1909 | keene.edu
January/February/March 2015
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THE BUSINESS NEXT DOOR A snapshot of a local home business
Buttercup Embroidery 158 Wilton Road Peterborough, NH 03458 www.buttercupembroidery.com 603-924-6867 Buttercup Embroidery, started in 2004, is a quaint little one-room monogramming shop located on Route 101 in Peterborough owned by Beth Signoretti (pictured) and Rhonda Brown. The company offers custom machine embroidery; they stitch monograms, names, business and team logos. It is a small company, and the business owners say that most of their customers are small businesses. They also offer handmade items with embroidery embellishment, personalized dog bandannas, tote bags, bookmarks, scarves, and more. We spoke with Beth Signoretti about her home business. How did you start your home business? Buttercup was started because at the time I was making American Girl Doll clothes and selling them on Ebay. Rhonda is the tech savvy partner — so she helped me list the doll clothes. It was becoming pretty successful, so I decided I wanted to get a home embroidery machine to add pretty embroidery to the clothes. After shopping around we were told that we should get an industrial machine and start a business because once people knew we could embroider, we would be in business anyway. So we decided to take the plunge and go full out. We bought a single head embroidery machine with 15 needles and before we even had the machine on hand we had our first shirt order. Did you always sew/embroider? I started sewing at around the age of six. I made clothes for my dolls by hand, stitched lovely trims and designs into my clothes. Eventually I took home economics and with my mother’s help I learned to use a sewing machine. Then I started making Cabbage Patch doll clothes to donate to my church. The ladies used to line up to buy them for their kids. I remember one time I was late — the ladies were quite upset! It reminded me of the times my mother and I would go to Filene’s Basement sales and people would grab things right out of your hand. It was very flattering
and exciting! I knew then that I would always be making things to sell. Even in college I made hair scrunchies for extra money. That is when I bought my first sewing machine. How did you determine if there would be a market for your business in the region? Peterborough is such a wonderfully creative town. I knew if any region would be looking for monogramming or creative embroidery embellishment it would be this great place. I also have quite a following online through Facebook and Etsy. I have two Etsy shops (Buttercup and Faerie Eye) and another one in the works (The Gypsy Fae). I also do contract work for other screen print companies that want to offer embroidery but don’t want the expense of the equipment. (Embroidery machines are as pricey as a high-end automobile.) Tell us more about your offerings for corporate customers. We love to monogram and personalize items, but we are not a kiosk in the mall with floods of customers so we have to rely on other sources for our bread and butter. The corporate/business logos and contract work helps us to be able to offer the monogramming and makes it so I can spend my time being creative which is what I love. Because there is only two of us touching these garments our attention to detail is higher and that keeps our customers coming back even though we are small. Any plans for expanding out of your home? For a while I thought about moving to a bigger space outside of the home but working from home has more pros than cons. Everyone always thinks bigger is better, but I am really content! I am working on making what I have more efficient with creative ways to store equipment and supplies. Everything has to have dual duty. I have decided it is okay to be small — like a buttercup! You have a more personal relationship with your customers and it really gives you that hometown feeling. What do you do for fun when not working? Not working? Well, I am an artist in every sense of the word. Visual and performance as well. I am a singer, actress and comedienne and I perform in a local variety show called “Frost Heaves” performed at the Peterborough Players. I also sang with the Granite State Opera. Any musical theatre is great for me! I think my most favorite hobby is making people laugh — I love improv and Frost Heaves keeps me bringing on the chuckles. p
Do you know of an interesting home-based business for this column? Tell us! Email editor@MonadnockSBJ.com.
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Make 2015 the Year You TRANSFORM Your Business Learn and grow in a proven local business incubator setting for businesses and nonprofits. Full-time, part-time, temporary, and shared office space options. Be part of the excitement at the newly renovated Hannah Grimes Center. Schedule a visit today.
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Aimee J. LaBrake
The Small Business Marketing Solution 15 Years Experience: • Writing Website & Brochure Content • Building Affordable Marketing & Advertising Plans • Blogging & Social Media Marketing • Advertising & Graphic Design
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!
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• Event Planning & Management
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Hancock 525-3342 | antrim 588-3600 | Jaffrey 532-5600 | new ipswicH 878-4860
January/February/March 2015
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS January/February/March 2015
Feb. 20 (Fri., 8:30-10 a.m.) Nonprofit Leaders & Members Roundtable. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Feb. 20 (Fri., 10-11 a.m.) Tweet Tweet for Twitter. Free. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Feb. 20 (Fri., Noon-2 p.m.) Create a Social Media Strategy in 2 Hours. $57. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com
January Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15 (2-5 p.m.) Career Launch Bootcamp. A series by LaunchingU; limited to 12 participants. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Visit www.launchingu.com events page for more information. Or call 603-357-6111.
Jan. 15 (Thurs., 6:30-8:30 p.m.) Keene Toastmasters. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 16 (Fri., 8:30-10 a.m.) Nonprofit Leaders & Members Roundtable. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com
Jan. 7 (Wed., 5:30 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala. Zorn Dining Commons, Keene State College. chadlow@keenechamber.com
Jan. 21 (Wed., 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Monadnock Developmental Services. chadlow@keenechamber.com
Jan. 9 (Fri., 10-11 a.m.) 5 Top Things People Fear About Facebook/ Social Media and How to Overcome Them. Free. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com
Jan. 23 (Fri., 10-11 a.m.) How to Best Use Social Media for Business. Free. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com
Jan. 9 (Fri., Noon-2 p.m.) Create a Social Media Strategy in 2 Hours. $57. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 13 (Tues., 8-9 a.m.) Content Marketing: Your Voice, Your Style, Your Intention. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 13 (Tues., 8:30-9:30 a.m.) Development Professionals Roundtable. Dublin School, Dublin. lshonk@mfs.org Jan. 13 (Tues., 9-11 a.m. or 10 a.m.-noon) Mastering Social Media (6 classes in a 3 month course, $600). Contact Jillian Miner at Hannah Grimes Center, Keene for course dates. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 14 (Wed., 8-9:30 a.m.) How to: Get Your Own UBP. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 14 (Wed., noon-1 p.m.) Identity Theft: Recover Who You Are and Find Your Life. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Jan. 15 (Thurs.,5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Bowerbird & Friends/Treat Goods. info@peterborough-chamber.com
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Jan. 23 (Fri., noon-2 p.m.) Facebook Strategy with Worksheets. $57. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@ hannahgrimes.com Jan. 28 (Wed., 5:30-7 p.m.) Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce After Hours. SAU 47, JRMS cafeteria. info@jaffreychamber.com Jan. 28 (Wed., 6-8 p.m.) Dupral Meet Up. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com
February Feb. 6 (Fri., 10-11 a.m.) All About Pinterest. Free. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Feb. 6 (Fri., noon-2 p.m.) How to Use Hootsuite to Dominate. $57. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Feb. 10 (Tues., 8:30-9:30 a.m.) Development Professionals Roundtable. Dublin School, Dublin. lshonk@mfs.org Feb. 18 (Wed., 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. RE/MAX Town & Country. chadlow@keenechamber.com Feb. 19 (Thurs., 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Peterborough Women’s Club. info@peterboroughchamber.com
Monadnock Small Business Journal
Feb. 25 (Wed., 5-6:30 p.m.) Community After Hours. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Feb. 25 (Wed., 5:30-7 p.m.) Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce After Hours. Sunflowers Restaurant. info@jaffreychamber.com Feb. 27 (Fri., 5:30 p.m.) Jaffrey Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation. Shattuck Golf Club. info@jaffreychamber.com
March
Mar. 10 (Tues., 8:30-9:30 a.m.) Development Professionals Roundtable. Dublin School, Dublin. lshonk@mfs.org Mar. 18 (Wed., 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Raynor Dental. chadlow@keenechamber.com. Mar. 19 (Thurs., 5:30-7 p.m.) Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Location TBD. info@peterboroughchamber.com Mar. 20 (Fri., 8:30-10 a.m.) Nonprofit Leaders & Members Roundtable. Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. jillian@hannahgrimes.com Mar. 25 (Wed., 8:30-10 a.m.) Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. Subway. info@jaffreychamber.com
Ongoing First Tuesday of the Month (5:30 p.m.). Keene Green Drinks, Marriott Courtyard, Keene www.greenmonadnock.org/green-drinks 3-month Entrepreneur Project with Ann Connor. Ongoing, new class beginning March 2, 2015, Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Accepting applications, $600 fee with 75% scholarship funding available to those who qualify. Contact: jillian@hannahgrimes.com 603-352-5063 6-month Start-Up Program. Ongoing, new class beginning every 6 months Hannah Grimes Center, Keene. Accepting applications, $600 fee with 75% scholarship funding available to those who qualify. Contact: jillian@hannahgrimes.com 603-352-5063 This list was compiled by Jillian Miner of the Hannah Grimes Center. Please send your calendar items jillian@hannahgrimes.com.
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January/February/March 2015
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Restaurants that Deliver In the middle of winter you may not always want to brave the drifts of snow to get lunch. So why not just order in? There are plenty of restaurants in the Monadnock Region that will deliver lunch right to your place of business. We’ve also included places that will cater your event, and even a delivery service that will pick up/deliver your meals. So stay warm and cozy in your office this winter ... and bon appetit!
DELIVERY: KEENE
Amicci’s Italian Pizza, Keene, 355-3535 Athen’s Pizza, Keene, 352-5370 Cherry Garden, Keene, 357-0543 Cheshire Village Pizza, Keene, 357-4604 China Wok, Keene, 352-2808 Chili’s, Keene, 352-1984 D’Angelo, Keene, 357-0401 Domino’s Pizza, Keene, 357-5534 Elm City Bagels, Keene, 355-8255 Elm Street Market, Keene, 352-0430 Feng Tong Chinese, Keene, 352-8600 Fritz, Keene, 357-6393 King’s Garden, Keene, 357-0364 Kristin’s Bistro & Bakery, Keene, 352-5700 Local Burger, Keene, 355-3993 MacDougall’s Tavern, Keene, 355-3900 Marco Polo, Keene, 357-3464 Panera Bread, Keene, 357-9100 Pizza Down Under, Keene, 355-1190 Pizza Hut, Keene, 352-0799 Pizza Pie, Keene , 357-2500 Park Avenue Deli, Keene, 352-5845 Ramunto’s, Keene, 357-3555 The Tokyo Express, Keene, 355-3888
DELIVERY: PETERBOROUGH Bagel Mill, Peterborough, 924-0887 Grappelli’s Pizza Co, Peterborough, 924-6776 La Mia Casa, Peterborough, 924-6262 Peterborough Pizza Barn, 924-7119
DELIVERY: OTHER TOWNS
A-1 Pizza, Hinsdale, 256-3262 Ed’s Crossroads Pizza & Subs, Fitzwilliam, 585-7077 Hillsborough House of Pizza, 464-5339 Jaffrey Pizza Barn, Jaffrey, 532-8383 Lee & Mount Fuji, Marlborough, 876-3388 Main Crust Pizzeria, Marlborough, 876-4500 Mediterrano Take Out & Dining, Hillsborough, 680-4319 Pizza Haven, Rindge, 899-2828 Pizza Pie, Rindge, 899-2080 Sandwich Master, Rindge, 899-2211 (Rindge/Jaffrey only)
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Monadnock Small Business Journal
Spofford Pizza, Spofford, 363-9933 Sunflower’s Café, Jaffrey, 593-3303 Walpole Grocery, Walpole, 756-9098 Yanni Pizza, Hillsborough, 464-4700 Note: Some restaurants may charge a delivery fee, deliver to certain areas only, and/or have other requirements. Please call restaurant for more information. All phone numbers are 603 area code.
BUSINESS EVENT CATERING
Aesop’s Table Café, Peterborough, 924-1612 Athen’s Pizza, Keene, 352-5370 Audrey’s Café, Marlborough, 876-3316 Bantam Grill, Peterborough, 924-6633 Brewbaker’s, Keene, 355-4844 Brown House Bakery, Harrisville, 827-3100 Burdick’s Grocery, Walpole, 756-9098 Country Life, Keene, 357-3975 Elm City Bagels, Keene, 355-8255 Elm Street Market, Keene, 352-0430 Enchanted Bakery & Café, Spofford, 363-8914 Fireworks Restaurant, Keene, 903-1410 Free Range Chick Catering, Keene, 209-4248 Golden Wok, Jaffrey, 593-5290 Grappelli’s Pizza Co, Peterborough, 924-6776 Jake’s 5-Star Convenience, Keene, 352-1731 Keung Gardens, Antrim, 588-5023 King’s Garden, Keene, 357-0364 Kristin’s Bistro & Bakery, Keene 352-5700 Lee & Mount Fuji, Marlborough, 876-3388 Little Zoe’s, Keene, 358-6001 Luca’s Mediterranean Café, Keene, 358-3335 Margarita’s, Keene, 357-4492 Mayfair Farm, Harrisville, 827-3925 Mediterrano Take Out & Dining, Hillsborough, 680-4319 My Place Market & Deli, Keene, 357-5223 Panera Bread, Keene, 357-9100 Park Avenue Deli, Keene, 352-5845 Peterborough Pizza Barn, 924-7119 Pizza Haven, Rindge, 899-2828 Pizza Pie, Keene, 357-2500 Prime Roast, Keene, 352-7874, (coffee catering)
Ramunto’s, Keene, 357-3555 Rick & Diane’s Restaurant, Antrim, 588-3388 Sandwich Master, Rindge, 899-2211 Shree’s Kitchen LLC, Keene, 313-2974 Sunflower’s Café, Jaffrey, 593-3303 The Pub, Keene, 352-3135 The Works Bakery Café, Keene, 357-7751 Twelve Pine, Peterborough, 924-6140 Unbridled Chocolates, Keene, 876-4700 Walpole Grocery, Walpole, 756-9098 Waterhouse, Peterborough, 924-4001 (in restaurant only) Waxy O’Connors, Keene, 357-9299
FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE Adventure Taxi (Keene area), 355-1484
Did we overlook a restaurant that delivers/caters? Let us know and we’ll post it on our social media pages and our e-newsletter. We will also revisit restaurants each year in the winter issue … so if we missed one you can catch us next time around. Send information on your favorite restaurant that delivers (or caters) to: editor@MonadnockMBJ.com.
5 Reasons why your business belongs in Monadnock Small Business Journal
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Learn more at
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m ay fa i r ★ fa r m catering and events on or off-site: ★ formal or informal gatherings dinners & events
★ drop off or full service
contact us today to discuss your event!
★ have your company picnic or corporate outing at the farm! farm to table ★ field to plate
603.827.3925 ★ info@mayfairfarmnh.com 31 clymers drive ★ harrisville, nh ★ www.mayfairfarmnh.com
It’s time to purchase summer shares! Delivered to your door or picked up at the farm. Raised without pesticides. Harvested, washed and packed fresh that day. Options for 3 share sizes, eggs, bread, raspberries, blueberries, cut flowers, herbs, chard, kale, mesclun and lettuce mix to meet your individual preferences. www.traciesfarm.com 72 Jaffrey Road, Fitzwilliam, NH • 603-209-1851
January/February/March 2015
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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.
Please support the small businesses that support Monadnock Small Business Journal!
ACCOUNTING Anderson & Gilbert Keene NH A Full Service Accounting Firm 357-1928, anderson@taxfolks.com www.taxfolks.net
Halvorson New Media, LLC Hancock NH Social Media Strategies, Training and Content Creation for Small Businesses 525-3391, chris@halvorsonnewmedia.com www.halvorsonnewmedia.com
David Beal CPA Keene NH Serving Our Community for More Than 20 Years 358-6300, davidbeal@yahoo.com www.davidbeal.com
Paragon Digital Marketing Keene NH Digital Marketing Excellence 399-6401, zach@paragondigital.com www.paragondigital.com
Hogancamp PC Keene NH Accountants and Business Advisors 352-2233, www.hogancamp-pc.com
Prospect Communications W. Chesterfield NH Driving Growth. Delivering Results 256-6372, mike@prospect-comm.com www.prospect-comm.com
Lynn C. Rust, CPA PC Swanzey NH Helping You Solve Your Financial Puzzle 358-6565, info@lcrcpa.com www.lcrcpa.com
Salwen Graphic Design Keene NH Full Service Website & Graphic Design for Marketing & Communication, 357-4693, nancy@salwen.net, www.salwen.net
White Barn CPA Marlborough NH Helping You Be a Better Steward of Your Financial Future 876-6633, info@whitebarncpas.com www.whitebarncpas.com
Time Frame, Inc. Peterborough NH Your Local Source for Labels, Decals and Promotional Items 924-6611, jeff@timeframe.com www.timeframe.com
ADVERTISING/MARKETING/ COMMUNICATIONS/DESIGN Aimee J. LaBrake Peterborough NH Making Marketing Easy, Fun & Enjoyable! 933-2194, aimee_labrake@yahoo.com www.aimeelabrake.com
Yasvin Designers Hancock NH Communication. Design. Video. 525-3000, mhavey@yasvin.com www.yasvin.com
Annie Card Creative Services Peterborough NH Creative Marketing Strategies and Solutions 924-6605, annie@anniecard.com www.anniecard.com Fletcher Media Group Peterborough NH Creative & Integrative 924-6383, jfletcher@fletchermedia.com www.fletchermedia.com
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ARCHITECTS Catlin & Petrovick Architects, PC Keene NH A Local Firm with a National Presence. 352-2255, mpetrovick@c-parchitects.com www.c-parchitects.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
Monadnock Small Business Journal
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
CATERING/RESTAURANTS Enchanted Bakery & Cafe Spofford NH Magical Taste of Homemade 363-8914 enchantedbakery@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/enchantedbakery La Mia Casa Peterborough, NH Made By Hands, Not Pans 924-6262 lamiacasanh@outlook.com www.facebook.com/lamiacasanh Mayfair Farm Harrisville NH A Small Scale, Diversified Family Farm 827-3925, info@mayfairfarmnh.com www.mayfairfarmnh.com
BANKS/CREDIT UNIONS Bank of New Hampshire Antrim, Keene, Hillsborough New Hampshire’s Local Bank 800-832-0912, www.banknh.com
Shree’s Kitchen Keene NH Catering Authentic Indian Cuisine 313-2974, sri@shreeskitchen.net www.shreeskitchen.net
GFA Federal Credit Union Peterborough NH Better Value. Better Service. Better Banking. 924-9654, www.gfafcu.com
The Pub Restaurant & Caterers Keene, NH Home of the $1.19 Breakfast 352-3135, mhowe@ne.rr.com www.thepubrestaurant.com
NBT Bank Keene NH For Everything That Counts 352-0674 www.NBTBank.com
The Works Bakery Cafe Keene NH Delicious Sandwiches Made With Humanely-Raised, Hormone-Free Meats 357-9787, www.worksbakerycafe.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 CAR RENTAL U-Save Car & Truck Rental Keene NH Where The Road Leads, U-Save 352-7900 , keenenh@rentusave.com www.usave.com CARPENTRY/WOODWORKING Thomas James Woodworks Keene NH 465-8882, tom.woodworks@gmail.com www.thomasjameswoodworks.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
CLEANING SERVICES Cheshire Cleaning, Inc. Keene NH Commercial Cleaning Services in the Monadnock Region 209-9735, info@cheshirecleaning.com www.cheshirecleaning.com COACHING/CONSULTING AdviCoach Richmond NH Making Your Success a Reality 239-3693 michelle@connorcoachingteam.com www.connorteam.advicoach.com John C. Cook & Associates Walpole NH Nonprofit & Fundraising Consultants 904-4091, cookandassoc@yahoo.com LaunchingU Keene NH Career Coaching for College Students & New Graduates 357-6111, sue@launchingu.com www.launchingu.com Path of Purpose Coaching Spofford NH Inspiring Entrepreneurs to Success in Life and Business 363-4252 helaine@pathofpurpose.com www.pathofpurpose.com PeopleSense Consulting LLC Jaffrey NH Improve Hiring, Job-Fit, Performance and Leadership 532-5888 robin@PeopleSenseConsulting.com www.peoplesenseconsulting.com Solutions for Today Keene NH Solving Your Quickbooks Challenges 903-1047, pam@solutionsfortoday.net www.solutionsfortoday.net Sterling Business Corp. Peterborough NH Small Business Breakthroughs, Individual Solutions 924-9401, sbc@sbcnh.com www.sterlingprintmail.com COMMUNITY BROADBAND WiValley, Inc. Keene NH Your Local Provider For Fiber, Hybrid and Wireless Broadband Solutions 546-7200, brianf@wivalley.net www.wivalley.net 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 Everything Dog Keene NH Got Dog? Get Solutions. 499-6207, denise@denisemazzola.com www.everythingdognh.com Wicked Good Dog Training Peterborough NH Positive Training with Positive Results 732-7214 wickedgooddogtraining@gmail.com www.wickedgooddogtraining.com
ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL The Green Up Girl Keene NH Reduce Waste, Reduce Cost, Rethink Events 802-258-8046 cs@thegreenupgirl.com www.thegreenupgirl.com Poole Ecological Consultancy Hillsborough NH Serving the Needs of Clients & Allied Professional Since 1996 478-1178, eann@gsinet.net www.eannpoole.com EDUCATION/TRAINING Antioch University New England Keene NH Explore. Empower. Transform. 877-595-9873, www.antiochne.edu
FINANCIAL SERVICES Compass Financial Group Harrisville, NH Helping You Navigate the Financial World 827-3022, dean@cfg3.com www.cfg3.com 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
Keene State College Continuing Education Keene NH Wisdom to Make a Difference 358-2290, www.keene.edu/conted
FITNESS CENTERS Links Fitness Golf Keene NH 24 Hour Gym Access and Golf Simulators 499-8016, www.linksfitnessgolf.com
River Valley Community College Keene/Claremont NH Envisioning the Future – Our Future by Design 542-7744, www.rivervalley.edu
FLOORING Abel Hardwood Flooring Peterborough NH 15 Years Experience 325-7109
Work Ready NH Community College System of NH Offers Assessment, Skill-building and Certification of the Skills Employers are Looking For 542-7744, www.rivervalley.edu
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
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Keene State College Keene NH Start as a Student, Graduate as a CEO! 585-429-0562 Meredith.Speranza@keene.edu ENERGY EFFICIENCY Walker Design and Building Harrisville NH Begin With an Energy Efficient Audit & Finish With an Energy Efficient Home 827-9999, sunquest2020@hotmail.com www.walkerdesignbuilding.com www.walkerbasementtransformation.com
Core Consciousness Roar Your Core Keene NH 358-5146, pmaarons@gmail.com www.coreconsciousnesskeene.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 W.S. Badger & Company Gilsum NH Powerfully Pure Body Care for Health, Fitness & Natural Beauty 357-2958, custserv@badgerbalm.com www.badgerbalm.com Young Living Essential Oils Swanzey NH Rose Karluk, Independent Distributor 209-4010, garskarluk@yahoo.com www.RoseKarluk.marketingscents.com HOME/BUILDING Crockett Log & Timber Homes Keene NH Green Living Since 1973 800-566-7714 jdodson@crockettloghomes.com www.crockettloghomes.com HUMAN RESOURCES HR Compliance 101, LLC Fitzwilliam NH Creating Workplaces That Work for Everyone 585-3139 paula@hrcompliance101.com www.hrcompliance101.com INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Sequoya Technologies Group, LLC Peterborough NH Providing Complete IT Support to More Than 70 Small Business & Nonprofits throughout N.H. 924-7977, sales@sequoyatech.com www.sequoyatech.com True North Networks Keene NH Straight Answers. Bright Solutions. 624-6777 www.truenorthnetworks.com Worldwide Computer Solutions Keene NH 358-6776, info@wwcs.com www.wwcs.com INSURANCE Bellow-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
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Masiello Insurance Agency, Inc. Keene NH Our Service Saves You Time and Our Choices Save You Money 352-1810, donnac@masiello.com www.masielloinsurance.com The Insurance Source, Inc. Keene NH The Source for All of Your Insurance Needs 357-2219, www.insurancesource.com LAWNCARE/LANDSCAPING Lawn Envy - Organic Lawncare Peterborough NH The Difference is Passion 996-1097, info@lawnenvynh.com www.lawnenvynh.com LOCKSMITH Goodwin’s Locksmithing Walpole NH Service You Can Trust 252-5625 wgoodwin603@gmail.com MEETING SPACE/GOLF COURSE Angus Lea Golf & Tennis Club Hillsborough NH 464-5404, anguslea@gmail.com www.anguslea.com Keene Country Club Keene NH 352-0135, diane@keenecc.com www.keenecc.com Monadnock Country Club Peterborough NH A 9-hole Public Golf Course and Function Hall 924-7769 beverlymonkton@myfairpoint.net www.monadnockcc.com MEETING SPACE/LODGING Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center Greenfield NH Year-round Conference Center on Otter Lake 547-3400, info@bchcenter.org www.bchcenter.org Days Inn Keene NH Best Value Under the Sun 352-9780 jim.narkiewicz@gmail.com www.daysinn.com NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Repco Development Technologies Greenfield NH New Product Development and Commercialization 397-3005, info@RepcoDT.com www.RepcoDT.com NONPROFIT Monadnock Buy Local Keene NH Helping Our Local Economy Grow www.monadnocklocal.org
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Monadnock United Way Keene NH There for All of Us 352-4209, kathy@muw.org www.muw.org
At the Top Aimee LaBrake, Small Business Marketing Consultant out of Peterborough recently challenged her client, Tim Allen President of Allen & Mathewson Energy Corp. of Rindge to a morning hike up Mt. Monadnock. They made it to the summit in an hour on the White Arrow Trail.
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 Copies & More LLC Peterborough NH Your Neighborhood Source for All Your Copy, Packing and Shipping Needs 924-7088, www.copies-more.com Gem Graphics Keene NH Your Image is Everything 352-7112, steve@gem-graphics.com www.gem-graphics.com Gemini Screenprint, LLC Keene NH Your Identity is Our Business 357-3847, stacey@geminiscreenprint.com www.geminiscreenprint.com Hilltop Flags LLC Antrim NH Your Online Flag Store 494-1912, www.hilltopflags.com Moonstruck Press Keene NH Several Technologies Behind 357-7993 moonstruckpress@gmail.com www.moonstruckpress.com
Monadnock Small Business Journal
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!
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 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 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 STATIONERY Steele’s Stationers Peterborough NH An Old Fashioned Stationery Store With a Modern Twist 924-7203 steelesstaioners@hotmail.com www.steelesstationers.com TEAM BUILDING Monadnock Art Parties Kristina Wentzell Keene NH Uncork Your Creativity. 903-5902, Kristina.wentzell@gmail.com www.monadnockart.com VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES Home and Business Services Unlimited Tewksbury MA HBSU ... Our Success is Your Success! 978-640-1900 michael@kcvisualsunlimited.com www.kcvisualsunlimited.com
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
Consensus Technology Peterborough, NH The People Are the Business 924-4084 pamela.gleeson@ consensus-technology.com www.consensus-technology.com Steadman Media Group Troy NH Web Strategist & New Media Solutions 903-8168 mikel@steadmanmediagroup.com www.steadmanmediagroup.com
Business listings: $75 per year, or FREE for one year with any purchase of a display ad. Book your display listing today! Limit one category per listing. To book listing contact us at: info@MonadnockSBJ.com, www.MonadnockSBJ.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
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Committed to Your Success & Keeping NH Strong S I N C E 1 8 31
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Save Your Valuable Time With Treasury Management Services for Your Business Bank of New Hampshire will help make your money work harder for your business. Use our Treasury Management Services to eliminate time-consuming manual procedures and speed up collection times. We’re proud to offer your business: Collection Services
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Monadnock Small Business Journal