Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape |
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Inside Scoop - March, 2022 |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
The official start of Spring is less than a week away and the first quarter of 2022 ends in two weeks. How are you feeling? Are you looking ahead to the Summer, or are you focused on getting your 2021 records in order? Either way, Community Development Partnership is here to help!
We have a great e-newsletter this month, with lots of timely workshops and articles. Be sure to check our our information sessions on the two new MGCC grants - the deadline to apply is April 4th. We also have workshops on Digital Marketing, Introduction to Instagram for Business, and Cyber Security, among other great offerings.
In honor of Women's History Month, this month's Spotlight interview is with Katherine Reed, CEO and co-founder of Chequessett Chocolate, just one of the many businesses that has used CDP's small business services. Chequessett Chocolate is an excellent example of CDP's mission of nurturing the launch and growth of small businesses through small business technical assistance and microloans. Today, eight years after the company launched, the company’s 20 employees produce close to 150,000 award winning bars a year. Chequessett Chocolate has served over 200,000 customers at their café and factory store, where they carry over 100 independent brands
March's Inside Scoop:
- Info Sessions on MGCC's Two New Grants on 3/22 and 3/23
- Digital Marketing Round Table on 3/24
- Meet CDP event at Truro Public Library on 4/5
- Introduction to Instragram for Business 4/28
- Cybersecurity: Identify Your Weaknesses Before a Cybercriminal Does on 5/5
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Spotlight: Katherine Reed CEO and Co-Founder of Chequessett Chocolate
- Management: How to Ensure Equity in Advancement in the Workplace on 3/21
- Building a Startup Budget on 3/31
- Legal Business Entities on 4/21
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Assets for Artists | Studios at MASS MoCA - The Art of Submission for Festivals, Museums and Beyond on May 24th
- Rockland Trust Small Business Big Dreams Contest - apply by 4/1
- Barnstable County Business Resiliency Program - deadline extended to 4/29
- MGCC Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power Grants
- Current SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs
- 11 Strategies to Help Generate Positive Cash Flow
- Help CDP expand its outreach to small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape
- Business Law Consults Available
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CDP Business Assistance staff is here to help - Make an appointment now
- QuickBooks Help
- Do you need a microloan or professional services grant?
To learn more about these workshops and programs, as well as other topics important to your business, please see below. As always, if there is a business topic that comes up for which you need more information or assistance, please email or call. CDP staff will help find resources to answer your questions.
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CDP Offering Information Sessions on the New MGCC Covid-19 Small Business Grants
CDP is offering two opportunities for small business owners to learn about two new Covid-19 Pandemic Response grants and to explore whether your business is eligible for one or both of these new grants.
Session 1: March 22nd 5:30-7:30 pm
Session 2: March 23rd 9:00-11:00 am
The deadline to apply for these grants is April 4th.
Both information sessions will be held over Zoom.
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Meet the CDP at the Truro Public Library on April 5th
Pam Andersen and Tricia Murray are hitting the road to spread the word about all that CDP offers. Join them at the Truro Public Library on April 5th at 5:00 pm to say hello and learn about all the ways CDP can help you boost your business.
Please help us spread the word about these events.
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CYBERSECURITY – HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESSES BEFORE A CYBERCRIMINAL DOES
May 5th 9:00 to 10:00 am
News reports on Data Breaches are becoming commonplace on the evening news. To conduct business in today’s world we are becoming more and more reliant on the internet, electronic commerce, and communicating electronically (either through Social Media or Email). Knowing what you can do to secure your environment and how to respond to a cyberattack before an attack happens makes a big difference on the lasting effects of an attack.
Join Paul Forni, the Information Security and Identity Theft Prevention Officer at The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod for this timely and informative workshop. Paul has degrees in Computer Programming and Computer Systems Management, as well as a number of industry related certifications. He has worked in community banking on Cape Cod for over 20 years, 13 of which focused on information security.
Participants will learn how to identify strengths and weaknesses and what they can do to secure their environment.
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SPOTLIGHT: Chequessett Chocolate
Inside Scoop, Spotlight features an interview with local organizations that are of interest to our readers. We will ask each subject the same five questions, focusing on the "why" of the organization, as well as accomplishments, challenges, and next steps. By asking the same questions each month, we will allow our readers to spot themes and trends.
We are pleased to interview Katherine Reed, CEO and co-founder of Chequessett Chocolate during this Women's History month. Katherine Reed and Josiah Mayo launched Chequessett Chocolate in 2014 after a fateful trip to Costa Rica. Back in Wellfleet near Chequessett Neck, Katherine and Josiah bought their first chocolate-making machine and began experimenting with processes and recipes. As they began and grew their business, they turned to CDP for small business support, including funding.
Today, Chequessett Chocolate is recognized as one of the 50 best chocolate companies in America. In the eight years they have been in business, they have spent over 70,000 hours grinding chocolate and served over 200,000 customers at their café and factory store, where they carry over 100 independent brands. The company’s 20 employees produce close to 150,000 award winning bars a year, going through 12 to 15 tons of cacao beans.
Why did you start Chequessett Chocolate?
I loved the fact that chocolate is equal parts science and art. Also, chocolate is a non-polarizing, joyful tool to teach people to lead a more considered life because if you’ve never thought about where your chocolate comes from, how many other things have you never asked that question of. Additionally, it was a way to carve out a business and livelihood for me living on Cape Cod. If it isn't there already, you have to make it yourself.
What has Chequessett Chocolate accomplished so far?
We are so proud to be going into our ninth season of business! During the past nine years we have been fortunate to win many awards. Our Costa Esmeraldas Bar and White Lemon Thyme Bar both won Good Food Awards in 2020. In 2021, three of our bars won awards from the International Chocolate Awards. Even our packaging has won Best Packaging from The Chocolate Alliance. We are most proud of being named as one of the best Chocolate Shops in both Massachusetts and America. We are looking forward to seeing what we will accomplish this year!
What is the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
Our biggest obstacle has been employee retention. Having a business in a seasonal environment has its challenges. Due to a lack of population density year round on the Cape it can be hard to find and retain a consistent staff. This is especially true with higher level positions.
How did you overcome that obstacle?
We are consistently working on this obstacle. We have implemented many initiatives to make Chequessett Chocolate a desirable place to work. We have raised wages and have even secured employee housing to help create a year round life on the Cape for our staff.
What's next for Chequessett Chocolate?
We have been in a period of scaling up our business and gaining square footage. This additional space will allow us to drastically increase the amount of ingredients we order, products we can produce, and give us the room to store it all. We are excited to grow into our new shell.
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Management: How to Ensure Equity in Advancement in the Workplace
Monday, March 21st
6:00-7:30 pm
Cape Media Center
17 Shad Hole Role Dennis
Diversity, equity, and inclusion represent interconnected goals meant to ensure that all individuals feel welcomed and valued among their peers. It is well-known that the unique backgrounds and perspectives contributed by a diverse workforce strengthen and improve organizations overall. The overarching goal of this panel discussion is to provide context and guidance for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within your business or organization in order to create a thriving, resilient environment for all!
This will be a free event, but please consider a donation to Leadership Cape Cod, or Amplify POC.
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SCORE BOSTON presents two
Business Foundation Workshops
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Building a Startup Budget
March 31st at 12:00
This webinar offered by SCORE will guide you through the process of creating a startup and operating budget. Whether you are already in business or working towards starting one, you’ll learn how to create a budget that will guide your spending decisions, monitor your financial performance and identify your cashflow needs. We will work through a specific budget example and distribute an Excel template for you to use for your own business.
Presenter: Michael Sandman, SCORE Boston Mentor
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Legal Business Entities Webinar April 21st at 12:00
Join SCORE Boston for a presentation on the legal issues facing all business owners.
Discuss the different Legal Business Entities and the difference and similarities between each. This webinar will go over all the information you need to determine which business entity is right for you.
Bring your questions to this one hour webinar.
Presenter is Bill Hulsey, SCORE Boston Mentor
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The Art of Submission for Festivals, Museums and Beyond
with Catherine T. Morris
May 4, 2022 02:00 PM (via Zoom)
Ever dream of having your art or music featured at a festival, museum or large public event? It’s important to be prepared and have the right mix of content that makes your work stand out. From your artist statement and resume, to building rapport with curators and event producers, this workshop will provide some best practices to prepare, package, and submit your work and helpful tips to get you in front of the right audiences. Over the last 20 years, mother, entrepreneur, and visionary Catherine T. Morris has focused her time and energy on creating platforms for BIPOC artists, producing shows, as well as mobilizing and engaging local audiences to experience the arts through a holistic lens.
Best suited for visual and performing artists. Open to artists across Massachusetts.
This workshop will be recorded! If you're unable to attend the live session, you can still register via Zoom and, if approved, we’ll send you a link to access the recording after the workshop is complete.
Presented in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council.
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Rockland Trust 5th Annual Small Business Big Dreams Contest
Rockland Trust's Small Business Big Dreams contest will provide small businesses a chance to win $20,000 to help their business grow. We’re asking participants to submit their background information and give an overview of their strengths, challenges, and plan for the future.
The participants will be narrowed down to 3 finalists who will be featured in a video series as they prepare for their final presentation to a panel of judges. The panel will deliberate to choose the winner of the $20,000 grand prize. Both runners-up will receive $2,500.
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Barnstable County announces
Business Resiliency Program
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 29, 2022
In recent years, local businesses on Cape Cod have faced unprecedented economic challenges. Barnstable County's Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Sea Grant are offering a program that aims to help Cape Cod small businesses develop plans to respond to and recover from disasters related to flooding and other storm events and build resilience in advance of an emergency.
This business continuity program builds on research-based frameworks, tools, and checklists created in 2021 to help Cape Cod business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and catalyze preparation and response plans for future disasters.
Twenty businesses will be selected by Barnstable County's Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Sea Grant to participate in the program, which provides 1-on-1 technical support to build a business resiliency plan.
Deadline to apply for the grant is April 29, 2022
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Community Development Partnership is always here to help you plan for continuity before and during a crisis, as well as thrive in altered circumstances.
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MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners
Please read more about both programs below and follow the links. If you think either of these programs is a fit for your business, conntact pam@capecdp.org
or call 508-240-7873 x18.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate-income and underserved entrepreneurs, and small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. The objective of the is to provide entrepreneurs with new knowledge and skills for growing their business and advancing toward innovative approaches to obtaining capital through the earned support of local residents, neighborhoods, community members, and stakeholders alike by raising funding to match the amount requested in their grant application.
Eligible MA-based small businesses that have been nominated by MGCC’s SBTA providers may be funded up to $20,000.
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Digital Capacity Building Grant Program - Updated 2/10/22
Update: MGCC will now pay the Business Owner the grant funds upon submission of the Project Completion Certification Form. This change allows business owners who previously couldn’t afford to start digital projects the flexibility to pursue projects by receiving funds before all projects are completed.
MGCC launched its Grant Program for the Development of Digital Capabilities on June 15, 2021 to provide funding (up to $5k) for tools and services to develop digital capabilities for your small business. MGCC will make these funds available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed. MGCC no longer requires a "brick & mortar", public-facing store front. MGCC will cover up to $5,000 without requiring the 20% from the business owner. Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.
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Current SBA COVID Relief Programs |
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Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant’s award date. Please note, this program is only available to those organizations that previously applied for the SVOG and received an initial grant.
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Paycheck Protection Program
If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through the SBA's online portal.
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11 Strategies to Help Generate Positive Cash Flow
Increasing Your Cashflow
What is one cash flow strategy to help generate a positive cash flow in a business?
To help you generate a positive cash flow, Brett Farmiloe, the author of this article, asked business professionals and leaders for their best insights. From bootstrapping the business to raising your rates, there are several strategies to generate a positive cash flow.
Here are eleven strategies to help generate a positive cash flow:
- Bootstrap the Business
- Talk With Vendors to Negotiate Terms
- Save on Production Cost with Technology
- Delay Expenses
- Start a Partner Referral Program
- Have Operating Assets
- Send Invoices Early
- Check Your Inventory
- Leverage Relationships
- Improve Productivity
- Raise Your Rates
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Help Community Development Partnership
Expand its Outreach to Small Business
CDP is actively expanding its outreach efforts to small business owners and entrepreneurs on the Lower and Outer Cape. If you are receiving this e-newsletter, then you likely have worked with CDP to strengthen and grow your business. Who better to spread the word about all CDP has to offer than a satisfied customer?! As one of our recent business owners put it, "everyone needs someone to talk to". You already know that CDP is a great "someone" with whom to discuss your small business goals and challenges.
Spend a few minutes looking at your Contacts and think about who you know that would benefit from working with CDP's Business & Credit Programs. Drop us a line to share a referral, or share this newsletter with business owners you know who might benefit from working with CDP. We work with businesses in all stages of growth, including inception. Help us fulfill our mission of Leading the Lower Cape in building a diverse community of year-round residents who can afford to live, work and thrive here.
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CDP offers Individual Business Guidance in a number of ways.
How can we help your business?
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Individual Business Guidance
Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner, and live or work on the Lower Cape?
The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses.
What are your business needs?
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Professional Services Grants Still Available for 2021/2022.
Many businesses are finding the need to change their business model in these turbulent times. The CDP has Grant Funds available to help business owners hire specialized consultants to quickly implement these changes whether in technology, legal or marketing.
Make an appointment to learn more and to help stabilize or grow your business.
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Individual Mentoring through SCORE
SCORE offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape. Due to COVID19 all SCORE Mentoring Session are currently being help remotely. Please register with SCORE using the link below.
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QuickBooks Help tailored to your needs!
Did you struggle putting your records together to give your accountant?
Do you use QuickBooks but need to learn how it can do a better job for you and provide you with the information you need when you need it?
CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.
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Need a microloan?
The CDP has microloans up to $50,000 for small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. Visit our website for complete program details and eligibility requirements.
We are able to lend to businesses that have a limited credit history, are too new to obtain a bank loan or need help developing a business plan or cash flow projections. We even work with local banks offering loan packaging to potential applicants.
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The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: |
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Rockland Trust
Santander Bank
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Follow the CDP on Social Media! |
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
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