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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

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

How to Get Your Business to Stand Out in the Crowd

Michael Berry, President and owner of Boulevard Gardens (Omaha, NE) talks with the host about what he has done to better market and service the customers over the competition.  Key points – listen to the customer to hear their needs, have a quality product, live your mission statement and philosophy always, network to build relationships with individuals who could potentially promote your business, and educate the customer about your product.    View Video

Follow Your Passion When You Lose Your Job

Bruce Arant, a new business owner of Arant Creative Group (Omaha, NE) discusses his passion for producing illustrations for children and moving from a corporate job to owning a small business. http://www.arantcreative.com    View Video

Legal Recession Strategies

Attorney Sheri Wortman from McHenry Haszard, Hansen, Roth and Hupp, P.C. (Lincoln, NE) talks about how to deal with collections, working with creditors and if needed, options and steps for dissolving the business. (http://mchenrylaw.com)  View Video