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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
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
Art, Design and Business
Sally Buss, owner of Sally Buss Sculpture and Art (Heartwell, NE), is a creative person who specializes in transforming mundane farm implements into treasured works of art. Art, like innovation, is an experiment that requires flexibility in the original plan. Flexible planning is also required when owning an artisan business. Sally developed a business plan to help guide her and keep her finances on track. Having went through the NebraskaEDGE business training, Sally developed greater confidence in how she was managing her business operations. (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
Worry About the Right Things
Evolving a business from a small home space to commercial space requires good management of resources. Jim Hoing, co-owner of WhettStone Business Solutions (Omaha, NE) (http://www.whettstone.com) talks about how they grew their company by investing in people they knew they could work with and count on. Jim says a business owner should worry about finances, not the athestics. Don’t worry about making mistakes, but learn to correct mistakes quickly and honestly for the customer. Be open to adapt and evolve with the clients needs. Use your website as the front door to your company and use it to make money. View Video
Bringing a Food Product to Market
Add value to your farm or business by developing a food product and moving it to market. Jill Gifford, Program Manager at the Food Processing Center (FPC) (http://fpc.unl.edu), University of Nebraska-Lincoln talks about the processes needed to get a food product developed and on the grocery shelf. On the average it takes about one year and at least $35,000 to develop a new food product. Most difficult areas are converting the kitchen recipe to a manufacturing situation and package development that follows regulations and attracts the consumer. Contact the Food Processing Center for additional information (http://fpc.unl.edu). View Video
