From: Kate Gibson
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 8:45 AM
To: 'abc@123.org'
Subject: News from MERIT Program
|
You are receiving this newsletter because of your past or
current association with Chemeketa Small Business Development Center or the MERIT
Program. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add forrest.peck@chemeketa.edu to
your address book today. If you haven't done so already, click to confirm your interest in receiving email campaigns from
us. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. |
|
|
|
|
News of MERIT |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dear forrest, If you know people who are considering self- employment, please
forward this newsletter to them. A new group of training classes starts in
February in Salem! This newsletter is packed with additional resources to
help you start or sustain your business, read on!!
Instructor Scott Sadler commented that he was very impressed
with this group, whether or not they decided to go into business. The
feasibility process in the class allows the potential entrepreneurs to assess
their idea and decide whether or not to follow through. Many in Independence
decided not to. According to Scott, "In a society that encourages small
business growth, this has saved many people thousands of dollars and many
frustrations for the business owner by understanding the importance of
vetting the concept before implementation. I am proud to be a part of this
process." Fall classes have just begun with in Salem and in McMinnville
and they look promising! The wide array of business ideas these 33
participants bring to the table range from fine photography, to a specialty
salon to engineering consulting. We are looking forward to working with these
entrepreneurs. The next round of classes will be held in Salem and begin in
February. MERIT offers one-on-one technical assistance, scholarships for
advanced training, and help finding markets and sources of funding to
graduates of our training classes. There is no cost to attend for those who
are income-qualified. To get more information about the MERIT Program or to register
for an information session call Forrest at 503-399-5088 or check out MERIT
online.
MERIT graduate Amy Barr's business, the Itsy Bitsy Bakeshop, was
recently featured in Willamette Live and in the Statesman Journal. Amy bakes
gourmet cupcakes in a variety of unique flavors. She also offers custom
decorations for special occasions. She was inspired to start baking by the
home-made creations of her grandmother and aunt as a child. "Everyone
knows the best part of a birthday party is the cake, at least that's what I
always thought when I was growing up," Amy says. "It wasn't very
long before I was taking cake decorating lessons and baking up a storm. It
was my dream to turn my passion into a career." In 2009, Amy decided to
make her business idea a reality and the Itsy Bitsy Bakeshop opened for business
online. Amy is licensed to bake her cupcakes out of her home. They are
available by special order at her website: orders@itsybitsybakeshop.com. Her biggest obstacle to starting her business was her fear of
taking such a risk. "Honestly, my greatest challenge has been myself! I
knew I had a great idea, but I had a bout of cold feet that kept me from
diving in," she says. Amy benefited from the training, support, and
networking opportunities presented by the MERIT class. "I walked in the
door knowing a lot about baking and decorating, and next to nothing about
business. I walked out armed with a wealth of knowledge and the confidence to
get started." 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.
Got a business idea? Not sure how to get started? If
this describes you or someone you know we have good news. 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 will be held on Thursday October 8th at 9am in Salem,
at 12pm 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.
Are you or someone you know suffering from compulsive debting?
There is hope. The resources and support systems to help you stop accruing
debt and recover are available. "Debtors Anonymous is a fellowship of
men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other
that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from
compulsive debting." There is no fee to join and they are
non-demoninational. For more information, please consult their website: www.debtorsanonymous.org.
Using a nationally recognized training curriculum, we help
entrepreneurs in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties develop their business
ideas, learn the basics of running a business, and write a business plan.
MERIT supports the “underserved”— low-income, minorities, immigrants, women,
the disabled, welfare recipients, the unemployed, and anyone else who has
difficulty getting small business training or credit through traditional
means. We provide training and ongoing individual advising, and can direct
people to financial resources.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
email: fpeck@chemeketa.edu phone: (503) 399-5088 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
