You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.” This quote, originally said by Simon Sinek, is for entrepreneurs looking to inspire action as a mechanism for growing their business. The following article will speak to the importance of PURPOSE as the foundation […]
When Ed and Lea Arnold first started making peanut brittle as a unique holiday gift for a friend, they had no inkling that their love of cooking blended with a handcrafted recipe would become the ingredients for a future business, Vermont Peanut Brittle. As making peanut brittle became an annual event, their list of recipients […]
RANDOLPH, VT (Oct. 1, 2020) – Linda Rossi, State Director of Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC), announced the appointment of Katherine Paterson as the organization’s Program Operations Analyst. Paterson’s responsibilities encompass data analysis, the collection of key performance measures, developing and enhancing internal and external processes and resources and modernizing the organization of documents […]
NORTHEAST KINGGDOM, Vermont (Sept. 23, 2020) – Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) will virtually host two events during NEK Entrepreneurship Week, October 12 -17, 2020, along with eight other partner organizations. Participants can look forward to a week’s worth of fun and inspiring virtual events hosted by local makerspaces, coworking spaces, and resource providers. […]
Pandemic Helps Life Coach Narrow Her Business Focus By Amanda Kuhnert This summer Michelle Wiegers, a life coach based in Bennington, Vt., offered 30 hours of free coaching to 20 people suffering with chronic pain. “When COVID hit, I really wanted to reach people that are in pain because I know increased stress increases body […]
COVID-19 is forcing small businesses to make high consequence decisions about the health and safety of their employees and customers while maintaining their long-term financial viability. Confidently managing cash flow and allocating grants and loan money seem impossible in an environment where factors change daily. However, VtSBDC advisor, Steve Densham affirms that risk-taking is crucial […]
Operational cash flow is what your business has and uses to represent its value. It is based on the everyday activities of a business: buying and selling. It can be used to offset risks and navigate debt. “Cash flow is the basis for all financial success and challenges,” says VtSBDC advisor, Steve Densham. Learning how […]
A Dream Fulfilled When Lisa Phelps and Megan Mandigo opened Parlour in August 2016, their vision was clear: to bring high quality hair and spa services to Middlebury, VT. They also aimed to build and nurture a talented team of stylists and spa professionals who provide an extraordinary experience for every client. During the early […]
The Vermont Small Business Development Center is excited to launch The Starting Point, our new online blog. As a natural extension of virtual advising, the blog will be the new home for existing “Client Features” and include two new sections: “Business News” and “Tips and Tools.” As the demand for small business advising increased significantly […]
Burlington chocolate shop moves its business online By Amanda Kuhnert On March 15th, the day before Governor Scott ordered the closure of all restaurants due to the evolving Covid-19 crisis, the Toohey family temporarily closed their chocolate shop and café on Burlington’s Battery Street to customers. The following day, instead of filling retail cases with […]
