Category: Micro Business Incubator Class

March 23 MBI Class featuring Keith Tinker

Keith Tinker discusses the need for insurance with a student.
Keith Tinker discusses the need for insurance with a student.

Upper Albany Main Street was proud to have Keith Tinker of Tinker Insurance as a presenter for todays Micro Business Incubator class. Keith shared his understanding of the insurance industry with the students and explained the history of insurance along with why small businesses need insurance, as well as individuals. He also lead the class into a very intriguing and insightful conversation on the economy and America’s future as a player in the world market. Thank you very much Mr. Tinker!

March 9th MBI Class Featuring Cherie Griffith-Dunn!

Cherie of VLO teaches about community development
Cherie of VLO teaches about community development

Today our MBI class was inspired by VLO of New England’s President and CEO Cherie Griffith-Dunn. Cherie has a wealth of knowledge covering community development from being a developer and went into great detail for our class on what skill sets are critical for success in her field. The spread of topics she covered included legal, OSHA, sales, marketing, underwriting, management, leadership, negotiations, and many others, and the class was very impressed with how dynamic of a leader Cherie is and how invested she is in her work. We are glad to have her as a valued Board member here at Upper Albany Main Street, and would like to thank Cherie for her continued involvement in our program and community!

MBI March 3rd Class Featuring Kim Hawkins!

Kim Hawkins
Kim Hawkins teaches about HEDCo

For todays MBI classroom presentation we are very proud to introduce Kim Hawkins, the Director of the Business Resource Center at the Hartford Economic Development Company.  Kim’s presentation came at a perfect time as HEDCo’s ability to lend to a wider range of entrepreneurs complimented our previous presentation from Dean Andrews of Bank of America, who spoke extensively on the differences between commercial lenders and community economic development funds.  Kim expounded on the success stories that HEDCo has funded in the past by micro-entrepreneurs who were extended credit they otherwise could not have acquired without their help, and explained why they were able to help these small businesses. Since HEDCo is independent from strict regulations due to their not being a bank that takes deposits, HEDCo has more freedom to invest as they see fit. This allows them to ‘never say no’ to an idea, and they will help develop the business venture’s plan until the investment becomes secure enough through due diligence to deserve a loan. Kim, thank you very much for your enlightening presentation and all that you have done for enabling Hartford’s economy!

MBI February 23rd Class Featuring Herman Todd!

Herman Informs the Students about his Business
Herman Informs the Students about his Business

Today we are very proud to welcome Herman Todd of Living Word Imprints as our February 23rd MBI class speaker! Herman has been running a ‘One Stop Print Shop’ for about 10 years now, and intrigued our students with the trials and tribulations of growing a small business to the level that his is currently at. His business started with an idea and a couple self training books on shirt printing and has grown exponentially to where they are now, delivering copy services, banners, signs, embroidery,  and much more. Thank you Herman for showing our students what dedication and confidence can do, and being such a great asset to our community!

February 17th MBI Class

Dean Andrews Presents

Upper Albany Main Street is proud to present this weeks MBI In-class presenter,  Dean Andrews,  a CFA and Bank of America’s Market Development Manager for the State of Connecticut. Dean provided for our students timely information on the country’s credit and loan scenario with excerpts from The Hartford Courant, and also insight into the Community Development Financial Institutions that are available for entrepreneurs in CT.  Thank you Dean for your fantastic presentation!

Retail Selling Tip 1-26-10!

Your selling tip for today is:

Ready to talk about your products?
Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Do you know your product knowledge?
2. Do you know the key features of the product?
3. Do you know the benefit to the customer of each key
feature?

4. Do you know where every product is in the store?

5. Do you know what’s out of stock? New?
6. Do you know what the competition is offering that’s
similar?

7. Do you know the prices?

Still think you’re ready?  It takes a lot to be ready to
present your products.
Get moving and learn everything you need to know.

Good luck…now Get Selling!