From: Kate Gibson
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 8:32 AM
To: 'abc@123.org'
Subject: News from the MERIT Program
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News of MERIT |
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Dear Marcia, If you know people who are considering self- employment, please
forward this newsletter to them. We start up a new group of training classes
in February in Salem. For more information about MERIT, please visit www.merit.chemeketa.edu. Thanks for your support of MERIT! Forrest Peck
If you're considering getting a tattoo, body piercing or
permanent cosmetics and are looking for a shop with a professional, relaxed
atmosphere, stop by Moonlight Tattoo and Body Piercing. The shop is elegant,
clean, and bright with lots of natural lighting - not your typical tattoo
shop! Owner Tami Wagner insists, "It's important that it feels more like
a professional doctor's office because the customers always comment on it and
appreciate it." Moonlight is open later than other shops in town, and offers
discounts for multiple piercings and birthday discounts. Get a discount on
your tattoo or piercing and give back to the community at the same time! Tami
also sponsors a canned food drive for the Salvation Army. If customers donate
15 cans, they get 15 percent off. And December 2009 through February 2010 it
will be possible to get a 25 percent discount for bringing in 25 cans. Stop
by her shop at 141 Lacaster Drive NE, Salem or call (503) 385-1191. Tami has 11 years of tattoo experience but just opened her own
shop in March 2009 after completing the MERIT class that winter. She first
heard about MERIT through the IDA program, a three-to- one matched savings
program. While MERIT helped her complete her requirements for the IDA, she
also learned advertising techniques and was able to make improvements on her
building and her business. The MERIT Program provides training and advising to residents of
Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. The program works with 15-20 interested
individuals each term, and provides hands on teaching, counseling, and
empowerment to assist people in getting their new businesses up and running.
These services are free to those that are income-qualified.
MERIT has a class where you can test your business idea in an
informal, confidential setting. We call this Entrepreneurs 101, and we now
offer it monthly in three locations. Best of all it's free!
The class is held the second Thursday of every month in each of these
locations. This month it will be held on Thursday November 12th at 9am in
Salem, at 12pm in Dallas and at 2pm in McMinnville. In December, the classes
will be held on Thursday December 10th at 9am in Salem, at 12 pm in Dallas
and at 2pm in McMinnville. To register for the next Entrepreneurs 101 class,
please call the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center at 503-399-5088.
MERIT's website recently got a make-over! The new site is more
complete and is easier to navigate. Please take a look at our website and
tell us what you think. Our site also features an alumni business directory. If you are
a MERIT grad who is in business and don't see your website listed, please
contact MERIT's AmeriCorps VISTA, Kate Gibson at kgibso17@chemeketa.edu. She will be
happy to add your business to our listing! Our site is up but it could still use a little help. We are
seeking volunteers with experience in web design or in building WordPress
sites to add some features to the site. If you are interested in donating a
couple of hours to MERIT, please contact Kate: kgibso17@chemeketa.edu
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email: forrest.peck@chemeketa.edu phone: (503) 399-5088 |
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