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Green Industry is Still Evolving
Michael Shonka, owner of Solar Heat & Electric (Omaha, NE), provides insight into renewal energy opportunities in Nebraska. Tax credits are available to help homeowners and businesses install solar panels, etc. to reduce electric consumption. (Check with the IRS to verify that these tax credits are still available). In Nebraska, space and water heating are the two largest needs which can be met by a solar-electric system. Like most states, Nebraskans now have net-metering which allows entities to sell electricity to and buy from the electrical grid. Wind energy is still evolving for urban use but does work well for rural areas. Technology is still evolving for the ethanol and methane industry. The challenges are applicability and financing. (http://www.solaromaha.com) View Video
Environmental Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Michael Shonka, owner of Solar Heat & Electric (Omaha, NE), shares his ideas on upcoming green entrepreneurial opportunities. If you are considering growing green, look for a niche market that has a revenue stream with long-term potential. New federal legislation will open opportunities. Possible businesses include: Energy consultant – assess how companies use energy and how they can reduce consumption and costs. A “sustainability coordinator” — company-wide evaluation of energy costs and long-term impacts of processes. Other green demands will be in reconstruction, engineering, and research. (http://www.solaromaha.com) View Video
Two Steps to Developing a Customer Base
Angela Graham, owner Graham Gallery (Hastings, NE), shares two keys steps to growing a niche retail business. Step one – interact with the community and establish your brand and reputation. Get involved in community activities to showcase your reliability and talents. The results will add value to the business and your products. Step two – develop a high degree of personal customization. Go beyond the routine sale to make the customer feel unique and valued. (http://www.graham-gallery.com) View Video
A Lifetime Experience of Farmers’ Markets
Robert and Ruth Johnson, owners of Johnson Farm Vegetables and Melons (North Bend, NE) share their 25 years of experience with Farmers’ Market. First step is to prepare the produce and package according to the sell, bulk or pre-packaged. Rent vending space by the season so people know where you are located each week at the market, bring own tent for cover. Price is set by comparison with retail stores or other market vendors. Customers vary – young and old, high and low incomes, ethnic groups. Customers are curious how product is raised and where it comes from. It’s important to establish a relationship with customers. Provide value and share recipes with customers. Information on available produce and a new recipe is add to their website each week. (http://johnsonfarmnebraska.com) View Video
Produce Measurement Regulations at Farmers’ Markets
Steve Malone, Administrator of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Division, shares the “how-to” on correctly packaging produce for a farmers’ market. If selling products by weight, the producer must have an authorized scale. Contact the Department of Ag for approved scales. Two options for selling produce: (1) sell from bulk, no packaging required. Customers select the product they want which is then weighed and priced according to the weight. (2) pre-packaged by weight. The packaging must have a label or placard that states the quality and price. Only one method can be selected for each product sold. For more information contact 402.471.4292 or http://www.agr.ne.gov/division/wam/wam.htm. A University of Nebraska publication on Weights and Measures is also available here. View Video
Community Networking Revitalizes Business
Angela Graham, owner Graham Gallery (Hastings, NE), explains how a developing a network of local artists and supporters has kept her business growing over the past 12-years. Now boasting 80 artists, Angela sees the benefit of continuing to facilitate her artist, customer and business networks. Each month, Graham Gallery features local artists and heavily promotes the gallery and their works. Artistic diversity also helps to expand the networks by drawing in additional customers. Downtown businesses, including a coffee shop, bread store, and bookstore, share the same customer base and work to develop a community culture, one that is creating a downtown resurgence. (http://www.graham-gallery.com) View Video
Woman of Steel Highlights her Artisan Business
Sally Buss, owner of Sally Buss Sculpture and Art (Heartwell, NE) discusses strategies that help her stay on task with her home-based, artisan business. To keep productivity high, Sally sets daily and weekly goals. Sally’s pricing is structured around an hourly rate, consulting hours, travel time, and materials used in the artistic piece. Watching inventory and gearing up for seasonal fluctuations to meet demand is important and takes planning. Sally’s work is placed in art gallaries and exhibited at different venues. She also provides custom work. Key to a successful artisan business is finding a balance between production and networking/marketing..both need to be done aggressively. (http://www.sculpturesbysally.com) View Video
Expanding Capacity with Interns
Dan Shundoff, Owner/President of Intellicom, Inc. (Kearney, NE) expands the capacity of his business through internships. By working with the nearby University, Dan developed an internship program that works for his business. More than 50% of the current staff had, at one time in their career, participated in the internship program. It’s hard work to provide a high quality experience for the students. First step is to build a job description with a start and end point. Once the task is completed and the credit hours reached, the internship is over. Interns with exceptional quality are then identified and hired as staff within the company. (http://www.intellicominc.com) View Video
Value of Technology Applications
Dan Shundoff, Owner/President of Intellicom, Inc. (Kearney, NE) states that technology is the competitive edge small businesses need. Having the correct line of business application for your industry is mission critical. These industry-specific software programs help to run the company, sales, and management of people. The key is getting value out of the investment and customizing it to your needs. Decide how critical the immediacy of communication is and purchase accordingly. Software and hardware, including mobile devices, need to provide business value and purpose. Use of virtual services help to reduce annual techology investments and allows businesses to pay for services monthly. (http://www.intellicominc.com) View Video
Nebraska Business Development Center Overview
NBDC is a hidden treasure to many Nebraska business owners according to Odee Ingersoll, Director of the Nebraska Business Development Center at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. NBDC is a one-stop shop for new, expanding and exiting business owners. Most services are free and include services such as loan packaging, premium market research, and business planning. Fee-based premium services include business valuations, manufacturing efficiency, and exit strategies. Read more
