Tag: Small businesses

Talk of the Towns 12/14/18

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Joel Mann

Community concerns and opportunities: Developing Small Business Climate in Washington County

Key Discussion Points:

What is overall picture of Washington County? Historical perspective, Natural Resource base, Economics, Demographics… what are the most significant regional assets? What challenges does the region face?

Focus on the role of small business in the region… definition, contribution to economy and community life? Opportunities and challenges?

What led to the development of the new Machias Valley Center for Entrepreneurship? What is the core mission and how do you envision it working?
How will you develop the Nash Building… what will we see when the work is complete? How will this new center connect small businesses to other partners and resources?

What is happening with downtown revitalization, what buildings have been “saved” in recent years (including Machias Savings Bank building), and how does the Nash Building fits into the hopes and plans to continue revitalization work.

What do you appreciate about doing business and living in Machias region? If this entrepreneurship center had been operating when you were getting started, how might it been helpful?

Guests:

Charles Rutelitch, Exec. Director, Sunrise County Economic Council
Larry Barker, President & CEO, Machias Savings Bank
Bill Kitchen, Member, Machias Town Council 774-364-2518
Andrea Lyford, owner of A29 Marketing 207 271 3262

Doing Business 2/04/10

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

Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic: How Do I Really Do Market Research?

What are some of the issues people need to think about as they consider marketing their business?
How do these issues roll into the basic concept of what marketing is?
How do people take the concept of marketing to become an action?  Or is there basic strategy that applies to just about every business – small, very small or even medium sized?

Guests:

Stephen Fadel, Business Reference Librarian,  University of Maine, 5729 Fogler Library, Orono ME  04469-5729  207-581-3610; Stephen.fadel@umit.maine.eduhttp://www.library.umaine.edu/staff/fadel.htm

Christy Hemenway, owner, Gold Star Honeybees, PO Box 1061, Bath ME  04530; 207-449-1121   Christy@goldstarhoneybees.com; http://www.goldstarhoneybees.com

Janyce Boynton , owner, Sojourn Quilts, 208 Maple ST, Apt 2, Bangor ME  04401; 207-990-1571sojournquilts@myfairpoint.net; http://www.sojournquilts.etsy.com

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Doing Business 7/02/09

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

Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic:Smoking & Quitting: How Does It Affect Small Businesses
What made you interested in wanting to provide smoke free environments for yourself and your employees? What is a smoke free workplace or campus? I have heard that smoke free is the same as anti-smoking – what are your thoughts? It says on the Tobacco Free Maine website that “a smoke-free workplace is the best business move you ever made”. It says that smoke free workplaces are safer and save money. Your thoughts?
Guests:
Nancy Coffey, Human Resources, Mathews Brothers,
Kathy Feyler, owner, DISH Salon
Vyvyenne Ritchie, Program Administrator, Healthy Waldo County,

FMI: Resources:
Partnership for a tobacco free Maine (http://tobaccofreemaine.org)
Maine Tobacco Helpline – free, confidential, supportive, no pressure: 1-800-207-1230
Smoking in the Workplace Costs you Money (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/COM/content/div_NE/COM_11_1x_Smoking_in_the_Workplace_Costs_You_Money.asp )

Doing Business 11/6/08

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

Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Topic: The Costs of Buying Locally

Why start your own business and market a Maine product?  What are the direct costs are that are associated with buying locally?  What are some of the “costs” associated with inexpensive foods or products (that are not local)?  How does this all connect with the thought that if you use $1 locally it rolls over 7 times in the local economy?

Guests:

Constance & Keith Bodine, co-owners and Madeleine Bodine, Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery,  347 Carroll RD, Union ME  04862; 207-785-3024; keith@sweetgrasswinery.com;  http://www.sweetgrasswinery.com

Chris Roberts, owner, Barkwheats Dog Biscuits, PO Box 194, Stockton Springs, ME  04981; 207-449-1214, mainedog@barkwheats.com; www.barkwheats.com

Paula Roberts, co-owner,  Meadowsweet Farm, 105 Stevens Road, Swanville ME 04915; (207) 338-1265; meadowsweet@207me.com

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Doing Business 8/07/08

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

Topic:   Holding the Business Together When You Are Injured or Ill

GUESTS:
Cathy Roberts, President, Pieceworks, Inc.
P.O. Box 133,  Liberty ME 04949;  207-589-3451;  pcwork@midcoast.com; www.pieceworksinc.com
Cheryl Guadiana-Erskin, co-owner, Artlandish Sisters
252 Main RD, Islesboro, ME  04848; 207-734-9762 or 207-824-0063 or 401-783-6859; dcboobs@artlandishsisters.com; http://artlandishsisters.com

Resources:
MEMIC – Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company has a library of free, downloadable publications including several documents about workplace safety.   http://www.memic.com