GROW News
October 14, 2009
Need some extra cash for the holidays? Why not work at a GROW Nebraska Store!
GROW Nebraska is currently interested in hiring GROW members to work at the Kearney and Grand Island retail locations and the Lincoln Holiday store.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please send resumes to
info@grownebraska.org. Please specify which store you are interested in working in.
SIGN UP TO WORK NOW >>
Do you have holiday items or new items? Send them to us!
Do you have new items or holiday items you'd like to sell this holiday season? If you have new products that aren't in our retail locations yet, now is the time to get them to us so we can get them in our system. Please contact us at
info@grownebraska.org for more information.
Marketing Workshops
Twitter Tense? Facebook Frets? Utterli Uneasy? Social Media Stressing You Out? We Can Help!
GROW Nebraska has teamed up with the University of Nebraska Extension Specialists to help you reduce your anxiety in keeping up with the social media marketing craze.
Social media marketing is
essential to increasing brand awareness and expanding your online business presence. However, if you don’t understand how it works, thinking about posting tweets, updating your Facebook page and incorporating your blog into the media mix seems overwhelming.
Not only will we teach you how to save time by being more efficient when using social media, but we are bringing the "Get Social Sessions" to you. Spots are filling quickly! Price is $10/person. If you have questions, call us at 888.GROW.NEB or e-mail us at
info@grownebraska.org. If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please sign up
HERE.
- October 28 - Fremont - 9-12 at First State Bank and Trust
- October 28 - Omaha - 3-6 at New Development Corporation
- October 29 - Nebraska City 9-12 at Kimmel Research and
Education Center
- November 17 - Valentine - 9-12 at Niobrara Lodge
- November 17 - Bassett - 3-6 at North Central Nebraska RC&D
- November 18 - Norfolk - 9-12 at Northeast Community College
- January 26 - North Platte - 3-6 at West Central Research and Extension Center
- January 27 - Chadron – 3-6 at Chadron State College Student Center
- January 28 - Scottsbluff - 8:30-11:30 at UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
- January 29 - Sidney- 9-12 at Western Nebraska Community College - Room 112
Get Your Products on the GROW eCommerce Site
GROW Nebraska is calling all members to submit their products to be on the eCommerce site! To qualify, all you need is for your product to be in the Kearney retail store.
Sales on
ShopGrowNebraska.org are up 133% from last year, and we anticipate this trend to continue through the holiday season. Additionally, GROW Nebraska is currently re-designing their eCommerce site to offer better functionality! These changes are anticipated to be done prior to the busy Christmas season.
Did you know that 60% of GROW Nebraska eCommerce orders are from outside of Nebraska to people who have no prior connection to our state? What a great way to expand the market of your product!
To find out which of your products are currently for sale, please visit
growneb.com/store/manufacturers.php and find your business name, then click on the link.
To have your products added to the eCommerce site, please fill out the online form
HERE. Once you have submitted the form, be sure to send pictures of your products to
erin@grownebraska.org. Without pictures we cannot post your product for sale! Pictures must be on a solid white background. If you need pictures taken of your products, please contact Erin at
erin@grownebraska.org.
Photographer Michael Forsberg to speak at Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center
Alda, NE
October 12, 2009
The Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center will be hosting nationally known nature photographer Michael Forsberg at a benefit event to be held Sunday October 25.
Mike will provide a multimedia presentation base on his latest book, “Great Plains – America’s Lingering Wild”. The book came together after traveling some 100,000 miles over the last three years crisscrossing the Great Plains from Canada to Mexico. It explores the wildlife, habitats and conservation challenges in the heart of the continent.
Nebraska lies at the heart of one of the largest eco-systems on the planet, and Michael’s book beautifully illustrates this region.
The evening starts at 5 p.m. and will include a social hour with Mike and Patty Forsberg. Hors d’evours and wine tasting from GROW member Miletta Vista Winery and a print exhibition from National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore will compliment the evening as well.
Located on the I-80 Alda exit 305, the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center exists to provide a place where people of all ages can connect to nature along the Platte River. You can register for the event by contacting the Center at 308- 382-1820 to reserve your place or go to
www.nebraskanature.org for more information.
What are you doing to help GROW your business?
Are you doing something that is helping your business to GROW? Let us know so we can share with other members! If you have any "words of wisdom" let us know at
info@grownebraska.org.
Midwest Franchise Seminar
Get into Business for Yourself, Not by Yourself is the theme for this comprehensive seminar offering franchise education, resources and networking opportunities with franchisers seeking to provide business opportunities.
When: Nov. 12, 2009
Where: Marcus Theatre at Midtown Crossing
3201 Farnam St., Omaha
What: Daylong franchise education and networking opportunity
Who should attend? Anyone interested in franchise business opportunities, services and resources.
Whether you want to start a business, have a business, but want to learn more, or want to attract franchisees to your community, the Midwest Franchise Seminar is for you!
You’ll hear from franchise business experts including executives of leading brands including Dunkin’ Donuts, Supercuts, Maid-Rite and Home Instead, just to name a few. Breakout sessions will cover how to get started, the financials of franchise operations, legal aspects of franchising, panel discussions with franchisees and franchisers and much more!
The cost for this information-packed event is just $100. The price includes daylong education and networking opportunities, continental breakfast, lunch and admission to the trade fair and reception.
Franchise opportunities start as low as $25,000. Financing sources will be available at the event.
Register online today and get more information on sessions and speakers at OmahaChamber.org/Franchise Questions: Contact Renae Connolly at
rconnolly@SelectGreaterOmaha.com or (402) 978-7943.
Member News
Congratulations to Margaret Kring with My Fair Lady’s Fashions in Holdrege. She has recently purchased her building and finished remodeling and is celebrating all week with an open house.
Monson Family Foods is competing for $20,000 to launch their dreams. They are one of four finalists competing in the Invest Nebraska new venture competition. The winner will be eligible to collect up to $20,000 in equity investment for a new venture start-up or business expansion and will also be eligible to compete against winners from other regions of the state for a $50,000 prize during a final competition in Lincoln December 11th. Good luck!
Congrats to Sonia and her crew at Kernal Krazy Popcorn. Region V Foundation recently received nearly $100,000 in grants to install a new cooker/mixer at the Kernal Krazy plant in Tecumseh from the USDA. The foundation owns Kernal Krazy and provides work and training to people with disabilities. The project is expected to retain eight jobs at Kernal Krazy Popcorn.
New Members
Grab Bags - Chris Heffner, Lincoln, NE
Grab Bags are creatively designed bungee cord purses made from scratch out of the highest quality materials. Each purse is expertly hand crafted with unique and attractive bungee cord handles. Every bag is its own distinct creation. Learn more at
grabbagonline.com.
Creations By Valerie - Valerie R. Robert, Plattsmouth, NE
Photo note cards, all-occasion cards, calendars, matted photographs, and matted/framed photographs. Learn more at
creationsbyvalerierose.com.
Otoe Steakhouse - Melvin Giittinger, Otoe, NE
All Natural blend of spices that is great on steaks, chicken, veggies and much more.
Dawn E. Bryant Originals - Dawn E. Bryant, Thedford, NE
Dawn E. Bryant Originals offers custom and artisan stone, silver, copper and wire wrap jewelry, fine art and photography as well as watch batteries and jewelry repair.
Midwest Laboratories - Ken Pohlman, Omaha, NE
Provide analytical testing in the areas of agriculture, environmental, feed, food and fuels. Sampling supplies provided to account holders. Learn more at
www.midwestlabs.com.
Journey West Photography - Ronnie Reid, Kearney, NE
Journey West offers digital photography.
Erstwhile Farm - Lanette Stec, Columbus, NE
Farm grown goodness ... natural pork, pasture raised, antibiotic free; eggs - natural, from pasture raised hens; in season fruits and vegetables - chemical free and farm fresh.
