GROW News
June 9, 2010
6 Month Survey
We're half way through 2010 already, and we would like to know about your experience so far with GROW Nebraska this year. Please fill out this short 6 question survey to help us evaluate how we're helping Nebraska businesses. If you have any questions or immediate concerns with our program, please e-mail us at
info@grownebraska.org or call us at 888.476.9632.
Fill Out Survey >>
Welcome Winsome
GROW is pleased to announce our new Western Nebraska Coordinator Winsome Backer. Winsome graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2006 with a BA in International Business and Spanish. She has worked in Economic Development in Nebraska for the last 2.5 years creating customized training opportunities for business owners in rural west central Nebraska. She has also been involved in creating financing opportunities for potential and existing business owners through microenterprise loans.
Winsome will be handling the flavors project, social media networking, Nebraska Enterprise Fund database, friend campaign and special project. She will be helping with duties previously held by Ashley Blickenstaff as she heads back to school to get her Ph.D. later this summer and by Sara Stevens-Stehl who is now only helping with special projects.
Fabulous Friends: A Little Help from Everyone Can GROW Nebraska
GROW Nebraska is launching their Fabulous Friends Campaign, searching for 1000 people to donate just $10 each who believe in GROW Nebraska and Nebraska businesses and entrepreneurs. Donating just $10 puts your name on our “
Partners and Donators” web site page. You can become part of the
GROW Nebraska Cause and track our progress in this quest. Donating is easy. You can donate through the
GROW Nebraska Cause, on our
web site, or by mailing in your donation to the GROW Nebraska headquarters in Holbrook.
P.O. Box 7
Holbrook, NE 68948
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at
info@grownebraska.org.
Video of the Week
Do you want to become a Fabulous Friend of GROW Nebraska? Every donation, no matter how small, helps to keep the program going. Watch this video to see why you should become a Fabulous Friend.
Sign Up for the State Fair General Store
Employees Needed
Are you interested in working in the GROW Nebraska General Store at the State Fair? It is a paid position and we are looking for all shifts. We prefer to hire members that can work three or more shifts. If you are interested in working please e-mail
info@grownebraska.org.
It’s A Grand Affair On The Presentation Stage!
The Nebraska State Fair will be upon us very soon. Plans are underway to again have demonstrations on the presentation stage. This is a great way to showcase your business. Show off your skill, whether it is cooking, wheat weaving, metal work or more. Be creative - the possibilities are endless. Times are available from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm beginning Saturday, August 28 through Monday, September 7. They are filled on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in participating please let us know at
info@grownebraska.org.
Have Your Product In the State Fair Store
Before we know it the State Fair will be upon us. Do you want your product in the store? If so, please sign up today! Prices are no charge for 2010 bundle members, $30 for members who work at least one 6 our shift, $50 for members who do not work, and $150 if GROW has to take down, haul and pack your product. This year's State Fair store is in Grand Island from August 27 through September 6. The store hours are 9am-9pm.
GROW will also be offering some training. Please let us know on the sign up form which topic(s) you like best.
If you have any questions about the 2010 State Fair store opportunity, please e-mail us at
info@grownebraska.org.
Sign Up Now >>
eValueWeb
Regular maintenance is a part of everyday living. Cars' oil levels need to be regularly checked. Children need yearly physicals. Even chimneys, air conditioning units and furnaces need looking after. Well, guess what? The same holds true for web sites.
Web sites are one of the most advantageous marketing tools available to business owners, allowing them to not only be “open” 24/7, but to reach customers and clients around the world. However, web sites also require constant monitoring and updated information, graphics, and usability features or functions. A web site featuring old information or outdated graphics could negatively impact business.
To help Nebraska business owners avoid the pitfalls of bad or ineffective web sites, GROW Nebraska is offering the affordable eValueWeb critique. The cost is $30 for basic GROW members, or $15 for GROW bundle members. Non-members will pay just $205 for the critique (includes GROW Nebraska membership through December 31, 2011). Registration deadline is June 30 and completed critiques will be received by August 1.
A jury panel of web industry experts in e-business strategy, graphic design, marketing and usability testing will rate the web sites in audience/purpose, graphics, navigation, content, functionality and search engine optimization. This year’s panel professionals include:
GROW Nebraska member Ann Wooledge of Wingsets in Lincoln was glad she participated in a past critique. "I can say the money was certainly well spent. Their comments were very constructive and helpful."
eValueWeb and membership applications are available on the GROW Nebraska web site at
www.grownebraska.org. To find out more about eValueWeb, call GROW Nebraska at 888.GROW.NEB (476.9632), or e-mail
info@grownebraska.org.
Sign Up Now >>
Do You Have an Upcoming Event?
If you have an upcoming event, please let us know by e-mailing us at info@grownebraska.org or filling out our
online form. Additionally, you can submit a photo to be listed with your event and send us pictures of your event following for inclusion on our Flickr page. This service is free to all members.
Who Sold Online This Week?
These GROW Nebraska members sold items on the GROW Nebraska eBay and eCommerce stores this week.
New Members
E-Ship Center Columbus Area - Columbus, NE
The Entrepreneurship Center at Central Community College offers workshops, seminars and other events to educate and promote business ownership in the communities that it serves.
TheRuralMall.com - Inavale, NE
The Rural Mall is a virtual mall with over 170 national stores and many local listings. Grants support projects such as GROW Nebraska, eCommerce development for rural business, internet marketing training, existing business internet marketing grants, start up business grants. It also supports telecommuting advocates working to bring a variety of careers into rural areas.
Member News
Do you have news about your business? Please let us know at
info@grownebraska.org.
Nebraska Entrepreneur’s Show
The 13th Annual Kool-Aid Days will be held August 13-15 this year in Hastings, Nebraska, to celebrate the invention of Kool-Aid by Edwin Perkins in 1927. They continue to grow the festival, with added events, larger crowds, and more opportunities for you. They expect upward of 40,000 guests to attend Kool-Aid Days 2010.
The Entrepreneur Show is one this year’s new events. They are looking for quality Nebraska products and quality Nebraska Entrepreneurs for the show. The show will be held in the former middle school in Hastings, Nebraska directly across from Saturday’s Kool-aid events. They are also included in the Kool-day advertising which is quite extensive.
They have 35 booths available, and have priced the show so that all of you can afford to come including food vendors who would like to give samples of their food.
Booths are on a first come, first serve basis.
$60 w/table and chairs
$50 w/o table and chairs
$25 non refundable deposit
$200 to $400 for entire rooms
$100 to $200 deposit
Please call for room sizes
If you have your own insurance, they ask that you put that on file with the show. Please remit with your contract and deposit.
They will also be blogging about each of the vendors at least once between now and August plus each vendor will be placed on their web site.
Contact Information
Kathy Haigler
Joyful Promotions
402-460-0000
katheryn@joyfulpromotions.com
www.joyfulpromotions.com
Facebook Fan Page
Joyful Promotions
