Category: Micro Business Incubator Class

The Fall 2019 Semester Comes To An End

Upper Albany Main Street expresses its appreciation to the following businesses that participated in the Fall 2019 Micro Business Incubator Program:

  • Mr. Pizza of Hartford
  • KureRx Pharmacy
  • Chrysalis Center
  • B&L Cleaning Services
  • QP Cleaners
  • Save On Mobil
  • TNT Barber & Beauty Salon
  • P&L Electric
  • Recovery On The Green, LLC
  • TIEV, LLC

If you are interested in participating in the Spring 2021 Micro Busines Incubator Program, please contact Vinette McCaulsky Walker at 860-768-5747 by January 1, 2020.

 

Students Continue To Work With Their Assigned Businesses (10/7/2019)

Students continue to work with their businesses on a weekly basis.  Last week (September 30, 2019), students presented their step 1 presentations which provide the Professor with an initial assessment of the student-business owner relationships.  Students will work throughout the semester (10 remaining weeks), to accomplish their city-approved goal.  Business owners are encouraged to attend class sessions if they are interested in learning about various business techniques and skills.  Business owners may attend any or all of the following dates:

  • Chrysalis Center 10/7/2019 (speaking about nonprofit agencies within the Hartford community)
  • Small Business Association (SBA) 10/28/2019 (speaking about how Governments help new and growing businesses)
  • Gregory Woodward, President of the University of Hartford 11/18/219 (speaking about how the Micro Business Incubator Program is important to the University and community)
  • Final presentations 12/2/2019 & 12/9/2019 (please plan on attending your students final presentations – more information to follow)

Important Fall 2019 Semester Dates

Upper Albany Main Street welcomes all participating businesses and students to the fall 2019 semester.  Below is a list of upcoming dates:

  • September 4, 2019:  First day of class
  • September 9, 2019:  Business owners meet student (Hartford Police Department introduction)

The semester will end on December 9, 2019.

All students are required to participate 5 hours per week with their assigned business. 

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All classes are scheduled at the Handel Performing Arts Center (Community Room) for each Monday, from 10:45 am to 12:05 pm.  All business owners are welcome to attend.

Spring 2019 Micro Business Incubator Kickoff

On Monday, January 28, 2019, eight students from the University of Hartford Barney School of Business officially kicked off the Spring 2019 Micro Business Incubator (MBI) Small Business Practicum semester. Students met with their assigned business owners and discussed assigned projects for this semester. In addition, students enjoyed a presentation from Upper Albany Community Service Officer (CSO), Brian Ufferfilge regarding safety on the avenue.  Upper Albany Main Street wishes all students success with this semester’s projects and goals.

Bravo Supermarket Opens A Hot Bar

In addition to a wide variety of grocery items, fresh fruits and produce, you can now enjoy fresh food on the go! Bravo Supermarket, located at 1291 Albany Avenue, Hartford, CT 06112, has opened a hot bar. This new addition to Bravo is open during store hours and offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch Carribean cuisine. In addition, Bravo is participating in the Spring 2019 Micro Business Incubator Program. Upper Albany Main Street wishes Bravo Supermarket success in its future endeavors.

Fall 2018 Micro Business Incubator Class Launches

On September 5, 2018, the University of Hartford and Upper Albany Main Street launched its fall 2018 Micro Business Incubator (MBI) semester.  This semester, 15 students from the Barney School of Business will be paired with micro businesses within the Hartford community to assist with business plans, social media, websites, loyalty programs, point-of-sale, inventory barcoding, and more.  The MBI class will meet every Monday from 10:50 am to 12:05 pm at the Handel Performing Arts Center Community Room.

The Micro Business Incubator was developed in 2002 as a joint venture between Upper Albany Main Street, the University of Hartford, and the Metro Hartford Alliance.  Its purpose is to bring training, development, resources, and support to businesses throughout the Upper Albany neighborhood of Hartford.  The program’s philosophy is to “give a man a fish and he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.”

Businesses that are interested in participating in the Spring 2019 semester should contact the Upper Albany Main Street office at (860) 768-5747.

February 17, 2015 MBI Class

20150217_110352The MBI class is proud to present guest speaker, Dean Andrews, Bank of America’s Marketing Development Manager.  Dean provided timely information on the services of Bank of America and community development financial institutions that are available to entrepreneurs in Connecticut.  Upper Albany Main Street would like to thank Dean Andrews on his time and effort to further the Micro Business Incubator (MBI) class.

February 10, 2015 MBI Class

20150210_111937Sam Hamilton, Executive Director of HEDCO shared with the MBI students a wealth of information about the range of services they offer to help Connecticut small businesses and nonprofit organizations succeed.  He further explained that HEDCO provided small business clientele with access to capital needs that would be otherwise unmet or underserved.  He encouraged future entrepreneurs to transform an idea, a dream or a passion into a thriving business.  We want to thank Sam Hamilton for taking time out of his day to present to today’s MBI class.

February 3, 2015 MBI Class

20150203_112021The MBI class kicked off with Lucie Daley, Account Manager from Complete Payroll Solutions (CPS).  She informed the class that CPS offers a complete range of business solutions that effectively integrate payroll, employee benefits, and human resource management.  She also explained that CPS handles any size business solutions to help with every aspect of managing a business and employees on a daily basis.  Many students asked questions about how payroll services can assist the business owners on Albany Avenue.

Evay Cosmetics Manufacturer, Milbar Laboratories Presents To MBI Class

Upper Albany Main Street welcomes Milbar Laboratories to the Handel Preforming Arts Center as part of their Micro Business Incubator class.  Milbar Laboratories, the sole private manufacturer of Evay Skin Care products, spoke with the class on April 17, 2014 where the students were able to gain knowledge on the internal processed of having your own brand.  Gus Bezas, President of Milbar’s Global Strategic Development Division, touched on important areas such as FDA product testing, packaging the product, testing the formula, and risk management within your own brand.

From left to right: Professor Jeffrey Cohen (Professor, University of Hartford), Dennis Desrochers (Vice President of Global Strategic Development, Milbar Laboratories), Marilyn Risi (Executive Director, Upper Albany Main Street), Vivian Akuoko (Founder & CEO of Evay Cosmetics), Gus Bezas (President of Global Strategic Development, Milbar Laboratories).

Milbar Laboratories embraces innovation with an entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive their imaginative process; the result being an advanced science in skin care formulations that they continue to produce for companies ranging from startups to multi-billion dollar global companies.  Milbar produces products for Gap & Ulta.

The entire Upper Albany Main Street team and all of the MBI students from the University of Hartford would like to sincerely thank Milbar Laboratories as well as Vivian Akuoko, owner of Evay Cosmetics for devoting time to the success of the Micro Business Incubator program.