Small Business Archive

Mark Your Calendars for SPARKettes!

Published: February 10, 2010Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, EVENTS, FEATURES 1, FEATURES 2, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, NON PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Mark Your Calendars for SPARKettes!

SPARKette: (n) mini-SPARK! networking event for industry clusters within the creative economy.

SPARKettes are an opportunity for colleagues in an industry cluster to meet and connect at a scaled down, focused networking event. Whether you are part of one of the clusters, seeking services from them, or are just interested in learning more about a particular group, SPARKettes are here to help you ignite that connection!

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SPARKettes are held once a month, February-November 2010, with a different industry cluster addressed each month!

5:30-7:00pm

Upstairs at Jae’s Spice, North Street, Pittsfield, MA

FREE

Cash Bar

Hors D’ouevres and venue generously provided by Jae’s Spice!

Click here to RSVP to the SPARKettes of your choice!

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MONTH//INDUSTRY

FEBRUARY// VISUAL MEDIA
FEB. 9th, 2010
Publishers, Printers, Writers, Photographers, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Publicists, Marketers

MARCH//CULTURE AND HERITAGE
MAR. 23rd, 2010
Museums, Theatres, Theatre Companies, Garden Museums, Historic Homes, Libraries, Heritage Preservation

APRIL//VISUAL ARTS
APR. 13th, 2010
 Artists, Artisans, Galleries, Arts Agents, Collectors, Museums, Art Venues, Crafters, Curators

MAY//COMMUNICATIONS
MAY 11th, 2010
Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Television, Journalists, Bloggers, Publicists, Marketers

JUNE// FILM AND MEDIA ARTS
JUNE 8th, 2010
Film, Animation, New Media, and Supporting Industries

JULY//ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS
JULY 13th, 2010
Small Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Sole Proprietors, Freelance Professionals

AUGUST//YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
AUG. 10th, 2010
Young Professionals working in the creative economy

SEPTEMBER//MUSIC/PERFORMING ARTS
SEPT. 14, 2010
Musicians (beginners, teachers, and professionals), Actors, Theatres, Festivals, Venues, Managers

OCTOBER// EDUCATION
OCT. 12th, 2010
Museum Educators, Public and Private School Teachers, School Administrators

NOVEMBER// HOUSING SUPPORT
NOV. 9th, 2010
Interior Design, Landscape Architects, Architects, Builders, Home Product Designers/Makers, Real Estate Agents

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SPECIAL THANKS TO SPARK! LEAD SPONSOR

GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

If you live or work in the Berkshires, you are cordially invited to join Greylock Federal Credit Union.

AND

SPARKette SPONSOR


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Published: January 22, 2010Posted in: ARCHIVES, FEATURES 1, HAPPENINGS ARCHIVETags: , , , , , , ,
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

“Get Found in Social Media”

Wednesday, January 27, 9:00- 12:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield, MA

Registration fee: $25. Register online at www.clickbasics.com/workshop, email paulc@clickbasics.com, or call 413-637-2459

ClickBasics, an internet marketing and web analytics company, will present the workshop, “Get Found in Social Media.” Geared for a non-technical business audience, the workshop will be presented by Paul Carter, founder of ClickBasics Internet Marketing, Lenox, MA. Participants will learn basic concepts and receive practical guidance helping business owners and internet marketers tie social media to the bottom line. Seating is limited.

Berkshire Enterprises’ February Business Breakfast Forum: What was your greatest success and what was your greatest mistake?

Friday, February 5, 2010, 7:30-9:00 AM

3rd Floor Board Room, One Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA

Free. Email Steve Fogel at sfogel@berkshireenterprises.com or call 413-441-3688 to RSVP .

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Success depends on learning from experience including our mistakes. To err is human but to continue to err without analyzing what is going on and changing leads to failure. This forum will be a discussion of how participants have used their successes and failures to improve their businesses and their lives. The forum will be lead by Steve Fogel, Program Director of Berkshire Enterprises. Berkshire Enterprises Business Breakfast Forums have been held since 2001. The Forums are made possible through the generous support from Greylock Federal Credit Union, Legacy Banks, Berkshire Bank, TD Banknorth, and the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank in space provided by CompuWorks. The forums include an active discussion of techniques that work and can be implemented easily. A light breakfast is included. Berkshire Enterprises is a program of the Office for Workforce Development at Berkshire Community College.

Berkshire Community College Professional Development Non-Credit Courses

Strong Boards Make Non-Profits Work

Designed for board members and executive staff. Topics include the structure, purposes and duties of the board of directors/trustees, fundraising roles, fiscal oversight, strategic palnning, hiring and dismissal of the chief executive and the role of volunteers and advisory boards.

WKS-1028-E1

2 Meetings, Mon. & Thurs., 3/8 &3/11, 9-11am

Location: Intermodal Education Center, Room 3, $75

Instructor: Gene Wenner, Non-Profit Consultant

Financial Management Skills

Learn to understand the procedures and processes needed to accommodate and meet the growing demands of federal/state regulations. Explore the easy use of available computer accounting programs that accommodate nonprofit practices, as well as successful means for relating donor information to the accounting system.

WKS-11152-E1

4 Meetings, Weds., 2/24-3/24, 6:30-8:30pm (no class 3/17)

Location: Melville Hall, Room 116, $80

Instructor: Gene Wenner, Non-Profit Consultant

Programming and Marketing Skills

Explore a strategic planning process to develop, implement and evaluate programs that meet a nonprofit organization’s mission. Learn to develop materials for marketing to specific audiences for fundraising or program purposes. Study public relations procedures and the means of communicating with the general public.

WKS-11153-E1

4 Meetings, Weds., 3/31-4/21, 6:30-8:30pm (no class 3/17)

Location: Melville Hall, Room 116, $80

Instructor: Gene Wenner, Non-Profit Consultant

To register, contact the Office of LifeLong Learning/Workforce Development  at 413-499-4660 or 800-816-1233 ext. 2123 or 2122

Bi-annual Taste of Philanthropy Conference

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA

Click here  to register for the conference!

The Taste of Philanthropy 2010 conference is expected to bring together over 300 nonprofit leaders, consultants and foundations. Morning workshops on all aspects of fundraising –from planned giving/major gifts, to corporate/foundation giving, marketing and stewardship — will be available. In the afternoon, after hearing Sheryl WuDunn’s inspirational talk, we’ll all come together to focus on building our skills for making the all important ASK!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Published: January 10, 2010Posted in: ARCHIVES, FEATURES 1, HAPPENINGS ARCHIVETags: , , , , , , , , ,
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

“Collaborations to Strategic Alliances:  Strategies to Sustain Nonprofits.”

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 2:30 – 5:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield, MA

$20 for Berkshire Chamber members; $30 nonmembers

Pre-registration is required. Visit www.berkshirechamber.com to register.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Nonprofit Business Council of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer a workshop to provide nonprofit leaders with advice and guidance on management issues. On January 20, Barbara Krasne, of KrasnePlows consulting firm, will give a seminar entitled “Collaborations to Strategic Alliances:  Strategies to Sustain Nonprofits.” Workshop topics will include: alliances—what they can and cannot do; organizational diagnostics; considerations for any strategic alliance; and case examples regarding how to proceed. In the event of inclement weather, a snow date is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2010 2:30 – 5:00 pm  Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Get Found in Social Media”

Wednesday, January 27, 9 am to 12:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield, MA

Registration fee: $25. Register online at www.clickbasics.com/workshop, email paulc@clickbasics.com, or call 413-637-2459

ClickBasics, an internet marketing and web analytics company, will present the workshop, “Get Found in Social Media.” Geared for a non-technical business audience, the workshop will be presented by Paul Carter, founder of ClickBasics Internet Marketing, Lenox, MA. Participants will learn basic concepts and receive practical guidance helping business owners and internet marketers tie social media to the bottom line. Seating is limited.

Bi-annual Taste of Philanthropy Conference

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA

Click here  to register for the conference!

The Taste of Philanthropy 2010 conference is expected to bring together over 300 nonprofit leaders, consultants and foundations. Morning workshops on all aspects of fundraising –from planned giving/major gifts, to corporate/foundation giving, marketing and stewardship — will be available. In the afternoon, after hearing Sheryl WuDunn’s inspirational talk, we’ll all come together to focus on building our skills for making the all important ASK!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!


Massachusetts SBA Launches Small Business Economic Hotline

Published: December 28, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, FOR PROFIT RESOURCES, RESOURCESTags: , , , , , , ,
Massachusetts SBA Launches Small Business Economic Hotline

Small business owners worried about surviving the current economic upheaval have a place to call for free advice:  The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts office at 617-565-5627 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jitters about the stock market, the tightening of credit, and concerns about specific business problems voiced by small business owners, resulted in the creation of this first ever Small Business Economic Hotline.

SBA employees will listen to callers’ concerns and respond directly or refer calls to professional business counselors at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Centers, Center for Women and Enterprise or SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business, who volunteer to help entrepreneurs start, build and sustain their businesses.  SBA will make every effort to respond to calls within the same business day.   The advice is free and strictly confidential.
“Here in Massachusetts, the SBA is taking this proactive step.  We want small business owners in the state to know that we are a resource for them and we stand ready to field questions and to hear concerns.  In addition to SBA resources and SBA partner resources, the SBA is able to make referrals to other state or community resources around the state to help small businesses navigate and get the answers they need,” said Bob Nelson, Massachusetts District Director.

Click here to learn more about resources from the the Massachusetts branch of Small Business Administration!

Be part of the filmmaking industry in the Berkshires!-Berkshire Film and Media Commission Launch Party

Published: November 24, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, HAPPENINGS + EVENTS, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETIN, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Be part of the filmmaking industry in the Berkshires!-Berkshire Film and Media Commission Launch Party

The aim of the Berkshire Film and Media Commission (BFMC) is to promote and facilitate filmmaking and new media opportunities in Berkshire County, western Massachusetts. In a state known great tax incentives, BFMC agregates area resources, locations and talent to:

  • attract film, television and new media productions;
  • maintain an online production guide and locations library;
  • network local industry professionals;
  • develop film-related educational programs.

The Berkshire Film and Media Commission serves as an economic and cultural engine for Berkshire County and surrounding areas.

To be a part of the Berkshire Film and Media Commission Launch Party RSVP  to: info@berkshirefilm.com!

Sunday, December 6, 4:00PM to 7:00PM
Elaine Bernstein Theater at Shakespeare & Company
70 Kemble Street
Lenox, MA 01240 US

View Map

  • Find out what BFMC has been up to and the films that have been scouting our area.
  • Network with local filmmakers and production support businesses.
  • Appetizers – Cash Bar

You must RSVP to gain FREE ADMISSION! Space is LIMITED so reply early!

For more information about BFMC visit www.berkshirefilm.com or email info@berkshirefilm.com

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Calling All Holiday Gift Products and Services Vendors!

Published: November 13, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, OPPORTUNITIESTags: , , , , , ,
Calling All Holiday Gift Products and Services Vendors!

The Colonial Theatre and My Versatile Secretary have collaborated to bring you The Colonial Theatre Holiday Shoppe!

The Colonial Theatre Holiday Shoppe is seeking Berkshire vendors of all types: restaurants, artisans, cultural venues, not for profit organizations promoting events, and health and wellness services.

Contact Mary Vasquez-Slack, The Colonial Theatre Holiday Shoppe Vendor Coordinator, for an application.

Click here for more information or Click here to see a list of Holiday Shoppe dates!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Tricks of the Trade 2009-2010!

Published: November 3, 2009Posted in: HAPPENINGS ARCHIVETags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Tricks of the Trade 2009-2010!

Tricks of the Trade is back!

This eighteen part seminar series is produced by MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center in collaboration with Berkshire Creative, Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development and IS183 Art School to keep our Creatives in the know!

Each month, Tricks of the Trade seminars will focus on a different area of creative professional development. Seminars will be held throughout the county, ensuring outr creative workers can easily connect with these resource. See below for upcoming November Tricks of the Trade seminars!

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December: BRANDING

How does one artist stick out in a crowd?… and how does the artist find the crowd to stick out in?
In this age of information and advertisement overload, savvy companies understand the importance of targeting their market and creating a strong brand. A good brand appeals to all the senses, through all channels and yet continues to deliver the same message. Artists, too, must meet the challenge of branding and promoting themselves.

Jonathan Secor, MCLA’s Director of Special Programs, will interview some of the Berkshire’s branding gurus to explore the key components of a good brand and the most effective methods of delivering that brand.

Tuesday, December 8th, 6:30 p.m. @ MCLA Gallery 51 with
David Carriere, Author of ‘Publicity: 7 Steps to Publicize Just About Anything’ with a focus on publicity

Wednesday, December 9th, 6:30 p.m. @ Lichtenstein Center for Arts with
Kevin Sprague, Photographer, Owner of Studio Two with a focus on target market

Thursday, December 10th, 6:30 p.m. @ IS183 Art School with
Mitch and Seth Nash, Co-owners of Blue Q with a focus on branding

All workshops are 630:830pm and free, but do require pre-registration. For more information on the workshops and/or to pre-register, please call MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center program coordinator, Jessica Conzo at 413.663.5253. Full calendar (November-April) coming soon!

Thank you to our sponsors:

appelkan -1

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

BeCreative BarCamp Sneak Peek!!

Published: October 22, 2009Posted in: BERKSHIRE CREATIVE, EVENTS, FEATURES 1, HAPPENINGS + EVENTS, LOCAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETINTags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
BeCreative BarCamp Sneak Peek!!

Next Week, Berkshire Creatives from around the county will descend on the Berkshire Museum for a night of ideas and creativity at the the second BeCreative BarCamp!

Below are just a handful of presentations that will be part of the BeCreative BarCamp!

Click here to see the full sneak preview of BeCreative BarCamp presentations!

Barbara Bonner
“The Generosity Project”

Chris Collins, Lee Cultural Development
Cultural Development in Lee and potential collaboration with other community organizations and individuals

Claudia Gere, Claudia Gere & Co. LLC
For Aspiring Authors: Establish your authority as an author and a clear path for writing/publishing your nonfiction book

Phyllis Kornfeld, Inside/Outside Envelope Project
Incarcerated Men and Women Making Art for a Cause

Kit Latham, Kit Latham Search Marketing
Search Engine Marketing – SEO – SEM – leveraging the power of Social Networks (Facebook – Twitter – Flickr – EvE Online)

Kipp Lynch
Start Making Sense: Visualizing Data

Carrie Saldo, Mission Inc.
Dr MincLove: Or how we learned to stop sucking and love the Berkshires

Click here to RSVP to attend the BeCreative BarCamp or here to volunteer!

HEALTHCARE REFORM HELP FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS NONPROFITS

Published: October 20, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, NATIONAL NEWS, NEWS BULLETINTags: , , , , , ,
HEALTHCARE REFORM HELP FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS NONPROFITS

Americans for the Arts reports on the “America’s Healthy Future Act“

“After weeks of intense negotiations and a lengthy amendment process, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee completed work on the fifth and final congressional committee-level healthcare reform legislation. The bill, now awaiting consideration for passage on the Senate floor, contains good news for small nonprofits. These organizations will be able to apply a tax credit against their federal withholding taxes as a key incentive for extending and maintaining healthcare coverage to employees. Partly because of the efforts of a national coalition of nonprofit organizations that included Americans for the Arts, Finance Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) included a provision that would seek to achieve nonprofit parity with for-profit employers who currently have an array of incentives to expand coverage in every version of healthcare legislation being considered. The bill also includes the creation of a new insurance marketplace that will allow both individuals, such as self-employed artists and small nonprofit organizations, to compare and buy health insurance plans at competitive prices. For more information on healthcare and the arts, please contact Associate Director of Federal Affairs Gladstone Payton at gpayton@artsusa.org.”

Click here to visit Americans for the Arts online and learn more about national arts advocacy and more!

Are you a Massachusetts based artist? Click here to learn more about healthcare for you at Healthcareforartists.org!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Small Business Training

Published: October 9, 2009Posted in: FEATURES 1, HAPPENINGS + EVENTSTags: , , , , , , , , ,
Small Business Training

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center’s Berkshire Regional Office conducts low-cost workshops and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses.

Fall Schedule:

Untangling The Financial Web
Stuck in a web of confusion of how to get financing and where to go? Learn how to get to ‘yes’ by understanding your financing options, the requirements and the decision-making process utilized by lenders and grantors.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Your First Business Plan
This workshop will focus on management fundamentals from start-up consideration through business plan development. Topics will include financing, marketing and business planning.

Thursday, November 12, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Create-a-strategy Marketing
Without a marketing strategy, you’re fishing without a pole! Learn to create a seven sentence marketing strategy that informs and drives your marketing campaigns, media selection, messaging and marketing budget. Learn how to delight the few to attract the many, and how to target your niche.

Thursday, December 10, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

All seminars will be held at MSBDC Berkshire Regional Office, 75 North Street, Suite 360, Pittsfield, MA

Cost: $35 per seminar

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

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