Category: Doing Business

Producer/Host: Jane E. Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Topic: Taxes and Small Businesses

Host: Jane E. Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Topic: The Courage to Grow & Change Your Business
What are some inherent advantages and disadvantages of changing? What are some of the issues you people need to think about as they consider changing their small or home-based business?

Guests:
Kathy Goldner, Publisher; Knitting Out Loud
111 Middle St., Stockton Springs ME 04981
(207) 322-7227; kathy@knittingoutloud.com; www.knittingoutloud.com
Craig R. Olson, owner; Artisan Books & Bindery
509 Pendleton Point Road, Islesboro, Maine 04848-5114
207.734.6852; craig@artisanbooksandbindery.com; www.artisanbooksandbindery.com
Cathy Roberts, President; Pieceworks, Inc.
PO Box 133, Liberty ME 04949
(207) 322-8943; pcwork@midcoast.com; www.pieceworksinc.com

Resources:Virtual Resource Library
http://extension.umaine.edu/hbbsite/html/home.htm
For those considering radically changing their business should consult their business plans and evaluate the proposed changes using the business planning framework. The UMaine Extension VRL has good resource information on business planning and sample business plans to review as they evaluate these changes.
Entrepreneur.com http://www.entrepreneur.com/
has articles (including checklists) on change and other important topics
Inc.com http://www.inc.com/
has articles (including checklists) on change and other important topics

Producer/Host: Jane E Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Topic: Branding
What are the connections between marketing, publicity and branding? Is the term ‘brand’ related to ‘branding’? From a business assistance/counseling perspective, when do you see issues that relate to branding appear? Why is branding so important?
Guests:
Ross Cottrell owner, Cottrell Designs
170 Lighthouse RD, Stockton Springs, ME 04981; 207- 567-4228; cottrelldesigns@roadrunner.com
Fritz Lyon, owner, TW Communications/LEO Marketing Partners
49 High St., Belfast ME 04915; (207) 338-6218
fritzlyon@myfairpoint.net
James McConnon, Business and Economics Specialist
UMaine Cooperative Extension, Orono ME 04473; (207) 581-3165
jimm@umext.maine.edu

Producer/Host: Jane E. Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic: Juggling: Time, Energy, Money, Kids and More!
What do you see as some of the advantages of being in business at home? What do you see as some of the challenges? Knowing these challenges, what does your business demand from you AND your home space?

Guests:
Kathy Goldner, Publisher, Knitting Out Loud
111 Middle St., Stockton Springs, ME 04981; 207-322-7227
kathy@knittingoutloud.com; www.knittingoutloud.com

Amy & Jim Grant, owners, Good Karma Farm & Spinning Company
67A Perkins RD, Belfast ME 04915; 207-322-0170;
jim@karmayarn.com; www.karmayarn.com

Rose Rapp, owner, The Farmetta
72 Rowe Hill RD, Morrill ME 04952; 207-322-8368
parchezee@yahoo.com

Call in show

Producer/Host: Jane E Haskell, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic: The Fiber of Your Businesses
What makes a “fiber art”? When you started in business, did you think of yourself as a fiber artist? Do you market your own work as a fiber art? How? Do you ever do cooperative marketing with other fiber artists or non-fiber artists or other businesses? What are the linkages? Are there other products or services that you implement to add value to what you already do? Who is your customer? What do you hear from artisans about isolation and being perceived as true businesses? How is your location of advantage to you? Do you align with buy local endeavors? Why do you feel there is this focus on fiber arts? Can you give an example of how your fiber arts business has positively impacted another business? What is the most important part of your business plan? How do you see the fiber arts in the scheme of importance to the state’s economy? If someone is thinking of their fiber artistry as a hobby, what are some tips or ways to turn it into a business? What are some of your challenges in this uncertain economy? We all take on risks, we are self reliant and creative in developing solutions. What are some risks you have taken on or creative solutions you have discovered? What networks exist for businesses that work with fiber? What is out there for resources for fiber artists? Do you feel connected with the full spectrum of the artisan community – particularly the generational spread? Do you have strategies to make the artisan and business side connect well? How do fiber arts fall in the sustainable dialogue? Is the resource sustainable?
How do you go about thinking of your work, your art, in supporting you? Does it? If not, what or who supports you? What do you, or other artisans, need to know more about to better support them as business owners?

Guests:

Michaele Bailey, owner, Basketful of Bunnies
49 Pember Road, Levant, ME 04456; 207-884-7065
Basketfulofbunnies@gmail.com

Deborah Bergman, owner
Purple Fleece
103 School St
Stockton Springs, ME 04981; 207-323-1871
Info@purplefleece.com
www.purplefleece.com

Jani Estelle, owner
Starcroft Fiber Mill
83 Pattee Rd, Monroe, ME 04951; 207-525-3562
jani@starcroftfiber.com
www.starcroftfiber.com

Andrea Rouillard, owner,
Full Moon Weaving
355 Waldo Station RD
Waldo ME 04915; 207-342-3286
Randa97@gwi.net

Resources: www.mainefiberarts.org