RISBJ - Issue 3 by Rhode Island Small Business Journal

Garden City Center

E AC E SP L E AB IC IL FF AVA

ROUTE 2, CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND

Join Garden City Center’s business community. Exceptional office space leasing opportunities, suitable for any type of business need, located in Rhode Island’s premier open-air, mixed-use center of shops, eateries, services and offices. Visit our website at: www.gardencitycenter.com

Office Amenities – At a Glance

Smithfield

95 295

246 7

Pawtucket

MA 44

Providence 6

East Providence 1

Seakonk

Cranston 195

North Swansea

95 295

West Barrington Warren

On-Site Convenience • Full-service Post Office • Office Max with Copy Max services and Fed Ex pick-up • Two full-service banks, including ATMs • Whole Foods Market • Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts • Six restaurants • Two hair salons • Walking paths for employee wellness • Shopping in over 55 upscale shops • Centrally located in Rhode Island with easy access to Routes 95, 295 and 37

Services • On-site management • On-site maintenance • 24/7 access to your office • Security • Free parking • Free use of office complex conference room

For leasing information contact: Joe Koechel, General Manager Garden City Center 100 Midway Road, Suite 14 Cranston, Rhode Island 02920 (T) 401.942.2800 ext. 24 jkoechel@wilderco.com

FROM THE FOUNDERS

Welcome to the biggest issue of RISBJ yet!

from the founders

Our cover story this month features NuLabel Technologies, a Providence based company founded in 2009 by Brown graduates Ben Lux, Max Winograd, and Mike Woods. The sole mission of NuLabel is to eliminate waste from labels using its Zero-Waste Label Solution. Unlike thousands of other students that graduate from one of our prestigious Universities only to leave after graduation, the Brown grads built a network in Rhode Island and utilized many resources making it an easy decision to call Providence their home. We’d like to welcome new authors Michael Martin, Joe Ranone, Larry Girouard, Daniel Aponte, Gerald Price, Danny DeHoney and former Mayor of Providence Buddy Cianci. With their help, and the continued support of our regular contributors, we are happy to see the April edition grow to 76 pages, bringing the small business community even more valuable content. If you are interested in becoming a contributor for RISBJ or if there is an article you would like to see in a future issue, please contact us. As an ongoing commitment to the small business community, RISBJ coordinated a Startup Rhode Island discussion forum. This forum featured Donna Harris, regional director of the Startup America Partnership, who spoke to over 50 entrepreneurial leaders from our state. In the forum, we identified both the strengths and weaknesses of Rhode Island and began to put a plan in place to address each of the issues. There will be a follow-up meeting later this month to establish our leadership team and create a plan of action. To find out more about the Startup Rhode Island initiative, visit http://ri.s.co. RISBJ is also pleased to announce its Cigar and Scotch Social at Sons of Liberty Whiskey Distillery on May 10 from 6-9pm. We welcome Scott Case, CEO of Startup America and founding CTO of Priceline.com. In this exclusive event, Scott will talk about the Startup America initiative and how it is helping startup companies around the country. Join us for this very unique event that will also feature music, food, whiskey, cigars and plenty of networking with some of Rhode Island’s top entrepreneurs. This is one you don’t want to miss! Space is very limited. Please contact us for ticket information.

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside this issue

the impact of labels NuLabel solution

collaborate or die!

so, you wanna be a very

BIG DEAL?

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Secretary Of State

STARTUPS 09 10 11 12 14

Mind Your Own Brand Key to Sustained Customer Relationships Starting a New Business JWU Students Get History Lesson Challenge of an Early Stage Company

FEATURED CITY City of Warwick

NETWORKING & WORKSHOPS

SBA HUBZone Program

SMALL BUSINESS 22 23 24 26 28 29 30 31 32 36 38 39 44 45 48

About the JOBS Act Mobile Marketing Pinning On Pinterest Giving It Away For Free Buddy on Business Extended Low Interest Rates Workplace Stories IRS Tax Tip Employees Eating & Exercise Habits Do Your Children Know Be Part of the Solution Score Tip of the month PeaceLove Website Copy That Sells Seeed Conference

FEATURED NONPROFIT New England Chapter of the American Diabetes Association

GOLOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS

56 57 58 60

Positive Business Lessons from a Lipstick Jamie Lind Ideas for Work-From-Home Parents

62 64 68 72 74

FEATURED CHAMBER CHAMBER CHAT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY CORNER BUSINESS | DIRECTORY www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SECRETARY OF STATE | Ralph Mollis

STARTING A BUSINESS IN RHODE ISLAND IS GETTING EASIER Ralph Mollis Secretary of State

For nearly a year, people dreaming of opening their own business have been able to find all the paperwork state agencies require to through an on-line forms library on Secretary of State’s website at sos.ri.gov. For example, the state requires business people to file 13 forms to open a diner and 14 forms to design landscaping. “In these tough economic times, we must be focused on creating jobs and getting the economy moving again. Our ‘Quick Start’ program not only make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in Rhode Island, it helps change the perception that our state is not business friendly,” explains Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis. To give you an idea of what business owner’s face, there more than 300 different forms just on the state level. Quick Start not only gathers all those forms in one place, its “Business Wizard” e-intelligence even helps users identify just the forms they need in order to open a specific type of business. Entrepreneurs no longer have to bounce from one state agency’s website to another to find all the forms they need. And thanks to the “Business Wizard,” start-ups will no longer waste their time filling out unnecessary forms. A lot of thought has gone into designing a system that will work right out of the gate. We invested a lot of time in listening to entrepreneurs and talking with state agencies. The documents are organized by business type ranging from accounting to yoga. Users can use a simple alpha search tool to find and download all the forms necessary to open their particular business.

“Quick Start” already is among the most popular pages on the Secretary of State’s website. In its first five months alone, it generated 9,909 page views. Others are taking notice. OSHEAN Inc. recognized the Secretary of State’s office with its Current Award for excellence in innovative technology advancement. According to the non-profit association of governmental and non-profit groups, “Starting a business in Rhode Island just got a little easier. In the past, perspective entrepreneurs were burdened with first identifying and then filing an abundance of paperwork required to launch a new company.”

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

IMAGE COPYRIGHT SECRETARY OF STATE A. RALPH MOLLIS’ PHOTOSTREAM

“My office is committed to using technology to improve the way government delivers services to the public. Beginning with the e-commerce tools we added in 2008, we are making it easier to do business in Rhode Island” said Mollis.

Whiskey & Cigar Business Social at Sons of Liberty Whiskey Distillery presented by

Special Guest Speaker

Scott Case

Gil Lantini President, Founder Ralph Coppolino Vice President, Operations Danny Angeli Vice President, Business Development James Pardee Jr Creative Director and Design Editor Mike Casale Graphic Designer Aaron Cadieux Video Production Manager Contributing Writers Daniel Aponte Robert Beadle Melissa Black Lisa Buben Michael Casey Buddy Cianci Jeffrey Deckman Danny DeHoney Michelle Girasole Larru Girouard Adam Harvey Dave Lubelczyk Dave Marcello Michael Martin Aileen McDonough Gerald Price Jr Joe Ranone Patricia Raskin Dennis Rebello Ronald G. Shapiro, PhD Tim Sullivan Nancy Thomas

Startup America CEO & founding CTO of Priceline.com Join the Rhode Island Small Business Journal on May 10th from 6-9pm and network with some of Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top entrepreneurs at Sons of Liberty Whiskey Distillery. There will be food, music and some amazing speakers. Did we mention Whiskey samples, Beer samples, a Whiskey glass and two cigars per person?

Tickets are limited so signup today to reserve your space! email events@risbj.com or visit www.risbj for more info. What: Small Business Social When: Thursday May 10th from 6-9pm Where: Sons of Liberty

1425 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown Cost: $65 includes:

food music whiskey samples beer samples one whiskey glass & two cigars per person

for a complete listing of our contributing writers and their bios, please visit www.risbj.com/authors

www.facebook.com/risbj twitter.com/risbj 401 489 6089 info@risbj.com www.risbj.com ÂŠMMXII Rhode Island Small Business Journal

sponsored by

Stefans, WRIK Entertainment, Startup RI, Sons of Liberty, Grey Sail Brewing Co, RISBJ

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Mind Your Own Brand | STARTUPS

by Dave Lubelczyk

MYOB

DO YOU HAVE A SPINE During the “60-second commercial” portion of a networking event, a chiropractor gave his laundry list of chiropractic services. Then he ended his commercial with the phrase, “Do you know someone with a spine? I can help them.” Everyone laughed and said it should be easy for him to find business “except maybe in Washington.” Even though the population of people with spines is very large, the ability for him to acquire customers may be harder than one might think. While everyone in the room knew people who “qualified” to be his patient, including themselves, the question that still lingered in their minds was who is an ideal patient to refer to the chiropractor? Because of that question, he will receive few referrals. The chiropractor’s lack of a specific target customer made his message too generic. He did little to connect his services to a particular audience’s needs. He therefore left people wondering what area does he specialize in, why is he different, why should someone go to this chiropractor instead of someone else, and most importantly why are his services important to me or someone I know? Many small businesses, like this chiropractor, are trying to be too many things to too many people. They assume the wider the audience the more likely their brand will succeed. These businesses consider everyone a possible customer. When it comes to reasons to buy, they are often relying on the potential customer to fill in the dots. Even though these small businesses spend a considerable amount of time telling us what they can do and how they do it, the customer never sees specific reasons to consider the company’s product nor why they should buy from that particular business. Small businesses need to focus on matching up with a narrow group of “the right people” and to stop watering down their offerings

and messages to appeal to the masses. By understanding who the business best matches up with, they can better identify potential prospects which fit the ideal target profile. Once a small business has established a list of ideal target customers, it can begin to examine the specific products and messages those customers are looking for. The company then can construct offerings, create extraordinary experiences, develop true relationships and build passion amongst those customers. This will make it easier to recruit and retain loyal brand advocates.

focus on matching up with a narrow group of “the right people” and to stop watering down their offerings and messages to appeal to the masses So instead of marketing to everyone with a spine, spend some time profiling the right people to do business with and develop products and messages which exceed expectations and turn these people into fans of your business who will do everything in their power to see that your small business succeeds.

Dave Lubelczyk Image Identity www.imageidentity.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

STARTUPS | Key to Sustained Customer Relationships Following are some examples of adding value through giving:

Recognition – Send a card/make a call/or send a special by Michael Martin

treat on a client’s birthday. It may seem over the top, but it works. A quick example: The first car my wife and I ever purchased was from a salesman who called us twice a year. He called us on our respective birthdays to wish us well and make sure our car was running well. No one we have done business with, before or since, has done this. Guess who we bought our second car from? (As an aside, this salesman sold the most cars at this dealer for six straight years. When I asked him how come, he told me he only did one thing differently then his fellow salespeople - follow up!).

Industry Information – If you work in an industry with a

In the world of sales there are two types of customers: current and future. For some reason, many businesses consistently take on the more arduous and time consuming task of attempting to acquire new customers, at the expense of better servicing and upselling their current ones. As a consumer, I’m constantly stumped as to why most businesses neglect to follow up, and be there in preparation for the next selling opportunity. In its most simple form, being there is a two pronged process that begins immediately after the sale is complete. The first step to being there is making sure that your customers are satisfied and comfortable with the purchases they have just made. This can be easily accomplished with a phone call or email, and should be done whether you are selling a product or a service. For your customers who are satisfied, this communication only reinforces the positive feelings they have about you. For your customers who have an issue or concern, this gives you the opportunity to correct the situation and turn their feelings of frustration into feelings of satisfaction. The second step to being there is to make sure that you are consistently communicating with your customers. This communication can be done through a variety of mediums, but it should be done consistently and done with the objective of adding value through giving. By accomplishing this objective you will separate yourself from others in your industry, be viewed as an authority in your field, turn current customers into future ones, and distinguish yourself as someone who cares.

long sales cycle or where purchases are made over a long timeline (insurance, mortgage, law, real estate, etc.) develop a newsletter (quarterly, semi-annually) that keeps your customers informed of how your industry is evolving. Are there new regulations, qualifications, government interventions, etc. This type of contact will let your customers know that you are still around and that you want to service their upcoming needs. In the last year I have done business with an insurance agent, a lawyer, a banker, and an accountant. The combined number of times that they have contacted me for any reason = zero! I know they could easily sell me more of their services, help me to meet my business needs, and build my customer loyalty with them if they would just contact me occasionally with pertinent industry information.

for your customers who are satisfied, this communication only reinforces the positive feelings they have about you Product Information – Make your customers aware of your newest products, latest technology, and featured services, and how they might benefit from them. My auto mechanic keeps me up to date on the services he provides via a quarterly newsletter. Every quarter he features a different service, and emphasizes the benefit that service may provide (i.e. improved gas mileage, improved safety, improved driving comfort, etc.). By constantly being there, he keeps me informed and reinforces the fact that he wants to earn my business. Go above and beyond, by following up with your current customers. Turn today’s purchase into future purchases and a long term relationship, by being there. Keep your customers informed through giving, and separate yourself from your competition. Then watch your business grow. Michael Martin, President, Pharmacy Compounding Marketing

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Starting a New Business | STARTUPS

by Joseph J. Ranone, Esq.

Thinking about starting a new business? If so, then you are undoubtedly attending to every detail to ensure the success of your new venture. However, one thing you don’t want to overlook is the necessity of Worker’s Compensation Insurance. The law in Rhode Island is straightforward: ALL employers with one or more employee are REQUIRED to obtain coverage. As with any start-up, financing is typically limited to those bare essentials necessary to get the business up and running. As a result, one may contemplate pressing on without workers’ compensation insurance. However, this decision can place both you and your new venture in serious jeopardy. For example, in a typical scenario where an employee is injured at work, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will pay the injured worker the benefits he or she may be entitled to. Those benefits may include weekly compensation during the period of time an injured employee is unable to return to work as well as payment of all medical bills necessary to treat the injury. It may also include compensation for scarring, disfigurement, loss of use and any settlement proceeds. If a dispute arises regarding the liability of the claim (i.e. the injury did not occur at work) or with the disability of the employee (i.e. the employee’s injury has resolved or the injury does not prevent the employee from performing their normal job duties), the insurance carrier will provide defense attorney(s) experienced in litigating such matters. All of these services are part

of your insurance coverage and are not unlike the benefits provided to you by your auto insurance in exchange for a monthly premium. Absent coverage, not only will the business be liable, but the business owner or owners may become personally liable for paying for all the benefits the injured employee is entitled to as well as attorney’s fees awarded by the Court to the employee’s legal counsel. To make matters worse, the State of Rhode Island can also levy fines against an employer for failing to have workers’ compensation coverage.

all employers with one or more employee are required to obtain coverage As with most rules, there often are exceptions. For instance, workers’ compensation insurance is not required for a sole proprietor or the partners of the business. There are also certain types of workers who are not covered by the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Act, however, that topic is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, when in doubt, contact a legal professional for advice regarding your particular venture before an injury puts an abrupt end to what may become a flourishing business.

Joseph J. Ranone, Esq. ranone law www.ranonelaw.com

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

STARTUPS | JWU Students Get History Lesson

JWU Students Get History Lesson While Delivering Technical Assistance to Local Business, On the Spot Tours

The opportunity for our students to participate in various types of work experience is one of the added benefits of a JWU education 12

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Imagine walking through the city of Providence and conjuring up images of centuries past just by dialing your cell phone. A city rich in history with extensive period architecture offers an educational experience for people of all ages – for free – by following The Providence Independence Trail. The Providence Independence Trail is a two and a half mile tour of more than four centuries of Rhode Island history, architecture, culture and folklore and is the brainchild of Bob Burke, successful restaurateur who has owned and operated Pot au Feu since 1986. A 4th generation Rhode Islander, Burke sought to create economic progress by integrating the knowledge economy with one of RI’s biggest revenue generators – tourism. His newest venture, On-the-Spot Tours, would deliver free information via printed maps, free-standing audio kiosks, phone IVR messaging, website; mobile app, pod cast and YouTube. The free content would be supported by revenue from advertisers and sponsors. In 2007, Burke began to lead the charge to promote Providence’s history and developed a walking tour that would be named The Providence Independence Trail (similar to Boston’s Freedom Trail). Permission to paint the sidewalks of the city had to be obtained from the federal government, the city of Providence as well as the state of Rhode Island. Painting of the distinctive green line was completed in August 2011. On the Spot Tours developed a sophisticated cloud-based telephone server to deliver digital content - free - to end users. Live tours done by guides in period costume would be offered to supplement the digital delivery and create additional revenue. Burke decided to enter the RI Business Planning Competition with On the Spot Tours and connected with the RI Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University. Having worked with JWU culinary arts students through his restaurant businesses, Bob was pleased to learn that the RISBDC connected for profit businesses to students in the university’s other program majors. An initial meeting with RISBDC staff resulted in a collaborative effort between the SBDC and the Hospitality College. Bob needed assistance with pre-planning and execution of a “grand opening” to create awareness about the Trail to businesses located along the route, RI’s higher education institutions, potential advertisers, group affiliated travelers, among others. Johnson & Wales University’s experiential education model presented the perfect fit for Professor Elizabeth Covino’s event management students to get hands on experience assisting On the Spot Tours with pre-planning and event execution. RISBDC graduate student employee, Laura Schwenk, along with Professor Covino and seven of her students participated in a Directed Work Experience (DWE) to deliver the first phase of the grand opening plan to Burke. The students experienced The Providence

JWU Students Get History Lesson | STARTUPS Independence Trail firsthand and set to work researching the various targeted audiences for marketing purposes. “The input from the students has been fantastic – they understand the electronic world in a way that I do not. Social media, web presence, Facebook, Twitter are all difficult to master but they understand it and have made huge contributions to the effort. In turn they are learning that when it comes to list building and growing grassroots support for the project there is nothing that substitutes for old fashioned hard work, handshakes and shoe leather. We married 400 years of history to the cloud out on the Trail and the students are pushing us even further. It is exciting to work with them.” Bob Burke, On the Spot Tours With the DWE in process, Bob turned to the RISBDC Business Resource Center for help with his Web site. School of Technology student, Adam Ropic, worked closely with Bob to develop customized emblems for marketing the Trail to Providence’s colleges and universities. Adam created variations on the schools’ brands to be used in Bob’s pitches to Johnson & Wales, Brown, RISD and other schools located in and around Providence. In addition, Adam provided the technical assistance Bob needed to create the zooming effect for locations on the Trail map located on the Web site. Said Burke, “Adam has been great –he understands

branding and always digs in to find just the right snippet of code to keep our website up to date. His work on our Trail emblems has been outstanding.” “The opportunity for our students to participate in various types of work experience is one of the added benefits of a JWU education,” said Covino. “Not only are the students getting a leg up on their competition in the job market, they’re helping a small business that will eventually impact the local economy.”

The input from the students has been fantastic – they understand the electronic world in a way that I do not On the Spot Tours will hold the official grand opening in honor of Rhode Island’s Independence Day. The students look forward to executing the event on Saturday, May 5, 2012, as the final deliverable of their Directed Work Experience and a great hands-on adventure working with an outstanding Rhode Island small business!

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

STARTUPS | Challenge of an Early Stage Company

biggest challenge of an early stage company the

by Larry Girouard

I have been in the workforce for longer than I care to admit, spending more than 45 years closely associated with the manufacturing community. I have worked for large Fortune 500 companies as well as high technology start-ups. This range of company size experience followed me into my consulting practice which I started in 2001. At Business Avionix I have had the opportunity to work with clients with $100M in sales, and some with no sales, just an idea. I have to admit, I love the passion that pervades the culture of an early stage company. Entrepreneurs, almost to a one, view the future with great optimism. For most, they feel that the biggest barrier to achieving their dreams is money. If they only had the funding to really jump start their company to the next level. Access to capital is the single most talked about issue in my early discussions with startups. Money is a means to their end. They are drawn to the allure of their business, and the lack of enough funding is seen as their biggest challenge to business growth.

opinion, the biggest challenge that faces the early stage company.

presents a significant challenge, and I dare say the Achilles heel, for the new company.

My first job out of college was as a mechanical engineer for the DuPont Company at the Louviers engineering building in Newark, DE. The engineer department had 2300 employees, which included 900 engineers and their support staffs. The one thing that was prominent at Louviers was that they had a process and system for everything. It took me weeks just to get acquainted with all the rules and regulations that I was expected to follow.

Why? Unless the company has a product/ service that is so unique that customers will queue up to purchase, the company will have a difficult time penetrating the market. Few companies have a “Pet Rock”, “Cabbage Patch Doll”, or “IPAD”, resulting in a compelling value proposition.

Let me fast forward 20 years to the day I started working for my first high tech start-up company as VP of Marketing and Sales. After 20 years enmeshed in the highly structured culture of two Fortune 500 companies, I was not prepared for what I was walking into. While this technology rich company had a leading edge product, the systems and structure addressing the way people did work was almost non-existent. I have worked with many small companies since the 80s, and this “non-compliant” culture has been threaded through most of them.

Certainly money is needed to grow a business, but most start-ups fail, and not because of lack of funding. This makes investors very cautious. Entrepreneurs often approach family members for cash which, in many cases, puts these funding sources in an uneasy position.

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy, and the energy of the entrepreneurial company is intoxicating. That said, the culture of a small company often takes on the personality of the entrepreneur, which in most cases is one of: 1. High drive to get things done 2. Good at influencing people inside and outside the company to embrace the corporate vision 3. Ability to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, and almost always on the edge of dropping some 4. Avert to compliance to rules and regulations of any kind

While many business owners spend their time chasing money, this is not, in my

The culture of a start-up almost always reflects the personality of the president. This

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

The foundation for differentiation must include more than just the product/ service the company was founded on. Most start-up companies do not have the systems and structure necessary to deliver a consistent product, or service. This is in part the result of the leadership characteristics of the entrepreneur. In a small company the culture usually mirrors the personality of the owner. The classic entrepreneurial profile, and the resulting business culture, results in inconsistent company performance in meeting customer needs such as “on time delivery”, “lead times”, “quality”, “timely response to quotes”, and others, that together result in a superior customer experience. Just having a good idea is not enough. Structure and systems must be designed into the business model in the beginning to ensure a complete “customer experience” if the business is expected to be sustainable over the long haul. In closing the loop, making the “access to capital” presentation to banks, and other potential equity partners, will be much easier with these types of controls in place. My parting suggestion ... Put yourself in the position of your customer, and what they will experience from all the touch points with your company, and a better business design will emerge from that thought process.

Larry Girouard, President The Business Avionix Company www.businessAvionx.net

HOSPITALITY AVAILABLE AT THE DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER SPORTING EVENTS CONCERTS MEETINGS SHOWS

Contact Providence Sports & Entertainment

401-680-4716 or jeff.guarino@providencebruins.com

401-273-5000 providencebruins.com

Special Offer valid online and by phone only. Not valid at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office. www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

warwick 82,672 1642 1931 49.62 sq mi

Population Incorporated (town) Incorporated (city) Area

Even as the state and the country continues to climb out of the prolonged recession, in Warwick, we have been fortunate to celebrate a number of exciting business-related developments.

In the past year alone, we’ve joined the owners of dozens of familyrun companies, like Fat Belly’s Pub, Baker’s Baskets, and Jordan’s Furniture, and representatives of national chains, such as Nordstrom’s Rack, Red Robin, and Eastern Mountain Sports, to mark expansions in, or relocations to, Warwick, and just recently highlighted two local businesses – Suburban Pharmacy and Rick’s Auto Body – that celebrated 50 years in our city. Recognizing that small businesses are, in many ways, the lifeblood of a community, the city, working closely with community partners, continues efforts to ensure that these enterprises thrive in Warwick. As you may know, Warwick is comprised of more than 30 villages, each with a special role in our history. Recent amendments to our zoning regulations will help to nurture small business development in the heart of Apponaug and Conimicut villages. New Village District Zoning – developed by our Planning Department with input from both areas’ neighborhood improvement associations – recognizes historic land use patterns and allows for greater flexibility in addressing the villages’ intrinsic characteristics, with a goal of revitalizing and creating new economic opportunities. The plan calls for new parking requirements and addresses building setback regulations in an innovative way. Mixed use districts are encouraged and will offer “live/work” opportunities, providing both valuable, local business opportunities and unique residential choices for citizens. The live/work concept reduces residents’ need to travel outside of the village to shop or eat, thereby increasing local business patronage and pedestrian activity, encouraging more physically active lifestyles, reducing fuel consumption and supporting environmental initiatives. The regulations will help improve properties’ appearances, enable development and redevelopment of Village Centers in keeping with historic development patterns and with an eye to the future, and give the city the ability to market individual villages as specialized destinations. Our Planning, Fire, Police, and Building departments, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Development (TCD), Licensing Division, Sewer Authority and other divisions involved in permitting and related issues are

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Warwick | FEATURED CITY

small businesses are, in many ways, the lifeblood of a community developing policies that will make it more convenient and efficient to do business here. We hope to have details of the “Making Business Easy” initiative finalized within the next few months. Meanwhile, a free service offered by TCD has been making it even easier for those looking to buy, sell, or lease properties to locate suitable space here. Our economic development website, www. movetowarwickri.com, is specifically tailored to business’ needs and offers a no-cost, searchable commercial property database, accessible to businesses and individuals alike.

needs. Available facilities are located throughout Warwick, and include those located in close proximity to T.F. Green Airport and the InterLink train station. The InterLink itself offers the city a unique economic development opportunity, which will be guided by our Station District Development Master Plan. New zoning amendments formally establish two distinct zoning districts, relax prior parking, height, density and setback requirements in the area and streamline the permitting process. Design, construction and landscaping standards have been developed to insure high-quality development in both districts. The goal is a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented hub that builds upon existing investments in the area to develop a sustainable, attractive, 24-hour live/work environment for the traveling public, attract new economic activity and enhance commuter ridership, promote parking, walkability and connectivity within the district, and create a strong, vibrant sense of place to appeal to businesses, residents, developers and tourists.

Each listing includes a color photo, zoning designation, address, square footage, amenities and whether the facility is for sale or lease. A “details” icon allows one to find the property ID number, listing/lease price and contact information. Properties can be sorted and searched by square footage. TCD staff will connect potential buyers or renters with the Realtor or property manager/ owner and also prepares a property sheet for companies interested in moving here, with information tailored to their specific

For more information about Warwick in general, how the city can help your business grow, or if you’re an existing Warwick business owner with questions, I invite you to call our Department of Tourism, Culture and Development at (401) 738-2000, ext. 6402.

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

EVENTS | Networking and Workshops

COLOR KEY:

upcoming

NET WORK ING WORK SHOPS and

Saturday, April 21 Marketing & Sales Planning SCORE 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Providence Public Library 150 Empire Street, Providence

Monday, April 23 Intro to QuickBooks RISBDC 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 2 sessions ending Monday, April 30 RISBDC Training Center, Xaviers Academic Center, Providence

Monday, April 23 East Bay Chamber Business After Hours Networking Bristol House of Pizza 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm 55 State Street Bristol, RI

Monday, April 23 Central RI Chamber Community Connections 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm $20 per person Carousel Grille 859 Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick

Networking

Workshops

Tuesday, April 24 7 Ways To Get More Business Today & Plan for an Abundant Future RI Small Business Recovery Program 9:00 am to 11:00 am Centerville Seminar Center, Building 2, Suite 5 875 Centerville Road, Warwick Wednesday, April 25 Do-It-Yourself Website Workshop RI Small Business Recovery Program 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Centerville Seminar Center, Building 2, Suite 5 875 Centerville Road, Warwick Wednesday, April 25 Center for Women & Enterprise HOW TO: Explore SBA Government Contracting Programs 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI Wednesday, April 25 Newport Chamber of Commerce WIB Semi-Annual After Hours 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Cory Farms Past & Presents 3124 East Main Rd., Portsmouth

APRIL

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RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Networking and Workshops | EVENTS 26

Thursday, April 26 Center for Women & Enterprise In-Transition: Market Yourself the Right Way 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI Thursday, April 26 Newport Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Hampton Inn & Suites of Newport 317 West Main Rd., Middletown

Tuesday, May 1 North Central Chamber

Friday, May 4 Center for Women & Enterprise HOW TO: Explore Entrepreneurship 10:45 am to 11:45 am 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI

Friday, May 4 Northern RI Chamber Marketing that Makes $ense 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Northern Rhode Island 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402, Lincoln

Friday, May 4th Center for Women & Enterprise HOW TO: Obtain Bank Financing 10:45 am to 11:45 am 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI

Business Boosters “Focus on your Business” North Central Chamber 255 Greenville Johnston, RI

Tuesday, May 1 Southern RI Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Networking 9:00 am to 10:30 am Camden’s Restaurant, Wakefield $15 pre registered

Friday, April 27 Center for Women & Enterprise

8:30 am to 10:30am Hope Club, 6 Benevolent Street, Providence RSVP by April 30 to Anita Lamothe (401) 949-0222 or Lauren McCarthy, Lauren@newberrypr.com

Thursday, May 3 Northern RI Chamber Speed Networking 8:00 m to 9:30 am Northern Rhode Island 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402, Lincoln

Thursday, May 3 to June 7 Center for Women & Enterprise Intro to QuickBooks™ 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI Fee: $195/six classes Registration is required

Monday, May 7 Newport Chamber Excellence In Business Awards Breakfast 8:30 am to 10:00 am Newport Officers’ Club, Naval Station, Newport Keynote Speaker: Carolyn Rafaelian, Owner and Designer, and Giovanni Feroce, CEO - Alex & Ani $25/pp or $199 for a table

Monday, May 7 Greater Cranston Business After Hours 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Mesa Cafe and Grill, Cranston

Wednesday, May 9 Northern RI Chamber Networking at Night 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Dr. Day Care 1201 Douglas Pike, Smithfield

West View Health Care Center 239 Legis Avenue, West Warwick Friday, April 27

11:00 am to 12:00 pm Host: Jody Sullivan, Executive Director, NCCC Guest: Jane Howington, City Manager, Newport WADK Radio

Social Media & Website Development SCORE 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Providence Public Library 150 Empire Street, Providence

COLOR KEY:

Networking

Workshops

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Saturday, April 28

Saturday, May 5 Accounting & Financial Management for Small Business SCORE 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Providence Public Library 150 Empire Street, Providence

LEADS Luncheon sponsored by

Friday, April 27

Let’s Talk Business

Wednesday May 2 Executive Briefing: Business Exit Strategy Planning Cost: $25 and open to the public. Reservations required; RSVP by April 30 to Lauren McCarthy at (401) 433-5965 or lauren@newberrypr.com.

Providence, RI

Newport Chamber of Commerce

Friday, May 4 Center for Women & Enterprise HOW TO: Choose Your Legal Entity 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor Providence, RI

132 George M Cohan Boulevard, 2nd Floor

Reservations required;

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Central RI Chamber

401(K): Employee Benefit Corner Office Financial

BYB: The Power of the Word of Mouth

Wednesday, May 2 or Employer Liability Seminar

Thursday, April 26 North Central Chamber Speed Networking – “Leads Power Luncheon” 11:30 am to 1:00 pm J & D’s Family Restaurant 46 Putnam Pike Johnston, RI

$20 at the door.

Thursday, April 26 Northern RI Chamber Eggs and Issues Breakfast Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox 7:45 am to 9:15 am Kirkbrae Country Club 197 Old River Road Lincoln, RI

Friday, May 4 First Friday Coffee Southern Rhode Island 8:00 am to 9:00 am Liberty Rentals 1321 Kingstown Road, Peace Dale

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

EVENTS | Networking and Workshops 09

Wednesday, May 9 East Bay Chamber Business After Hours Networking Grapes & Grains 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm 24 Bosworth Street, Barrington

Wednesday, May 9 Advanced Strategy and Profits Business Accelerator RI Small Business Recovery Program 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Centerville Seminar Center 875 Centerville Road, Warwick Building 2, Suite 5

COLOR KEY:

Thursday, May 10 Northern RI Chamber Eggs & Issues with the Federal Reserve featuring Dr. Robert Triest, VP and Economist Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Sponsored by Freedom National Bank 7:45 am to 9:30 am Kirkbrae Country Club 197 Old River Road, Lincoln

Saturday, May 12 How to Write an Effective Business Plan SCORE 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Providence Public Library 150 Empire Street, Providence

Wednesday, May 9 Center for Women & Enterprise Business Basics: Ten Steps to Starting a Business 10:00 am to 12:00 pm 132 George M Cohan Boulevard 2nd Floor Providence, RI

be sure to visit isupportsmallbusiness.com to view all updated and current events and workshops for this month MAY 09

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Networking

Workshops

SBA HUBZone Program | SBA

Mark S. Hayward Rhode Island District Director U.S. Small Business Administration

Small businesses can receive an economic boost from the U.S. Small Business Administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HUBZone contracting program.

SBA HUBZONE PROGRAM OPENS DOORS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTING

provides contracting assistance to small businesses located in economically distressed communities ...to promote job growth, capital investment and economic development in these areas

The HUBZone program provides contracting assistance to small businesses located in economically distressed communities, referred to as historically underutilized business zones or HUBZones, to promote job growth, capital investment and economic development in these areas, including Indian reservations. Rhode Island has 43 such designated zones. They are located in Providence (27), Pawtucket (4), Central Falls (4), Woonsocket (5), Newport (2), and the entire Narragansett Indian Tribe reservation is a HUBZone. For a small business to be HUBZone-certified, its principal office must be located in a HUBZone and at least 35 percent of its employees must reside in one of these specially designated areas, based on census tracts defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The company must also be owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a community development company, or an Indian tribe. As long as the small business continues to meet the eligibility requirements, it can enjoy uninterrupted participation in the HUBZone program. The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits for HUBZone-certified companies include competitive and sole source contracting and subcontracting opportunities and a 10 percent price evaluation preference from government agencies that purchase goods and services from HUBZone firms. The federal government has set a goal of delivering 3 percent of all federal prime contracts. The program uses modern technology and the Internet to provide service to small businesses and has been extremely successful because of its availability online. Small businesses can research their location via the Internet to determine if they are located in a HUBZone census tract. If they are, they can apply for HUBZone certification online using the Web-based application and usually receive a determination within 30 days. The online application features a streamlined presentation with pop-up menus directing applicants to an online guide to the federal regulations. The system also allows applicants to check the status of an application at any time during the review process. At any given time there are more than 6,000 HUBZone-certified firms in the program with a portfolio of businesses of nearly $10.5 billion. Although it is not a requirement, many HUBZone firms are minority-owned, womanowned, veteran and service disabled veteran-owned businesses and 8(a) firms.

For more information call the SBA Rhode Island District Office at (401) 528-4561, or visit www.sba.gov/content/applying-hubzone-program and check out the HUBZone Map at www.sba.gov/content/hubzone-maps. www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | About the JOBS Act

what small businesses need to know about the by Congressman Jim Langevin

Earlier this month, President Obama signed into law the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, legislation I supported to give hardworking entrepreneurs a better opportunity to start and grow their companies. It is critical for our economic recovery to encourage investment in high-growth industries and ensure our innovators have a fair chance to succeed. While this bill is not perfect, it represents a promising bipartisan effort to help address those goals. Below are some key details of the JOBS Act, which modifies federal securities laws and regulations to make it less difficult for start-up companies to raise capital. Moving forward, we must ensure proper oversight and strong protections against investor fraud and recognize that this bill alone does not match the scale of our economic challenges. We have an immediate opportunity to further boost the economy by passing a proposal to fund transportation infrastructure projects for the next two years. It already received broad support from both parties in the Senate, and I have cosponsored identical legislation in the House. I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion to accelerate job creation.

JOBS act provisions: Emerging Growth Companies The law reduces the costs of going public for startups by establishing a new category of “emerging growth companies” (EGCs) that qualify for certain regulatory exemptions until they either: (1) report at least $1 billion or more in annual gross revenues – an amount to be periodically indexed for inflation; (2) become a “large accelerated filer,” which SEC regulations define, among other factors, as a company with a global market float of

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JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS act JOBS JOBS

$700 million or more; (3) reach the fifth anniversary of their IPO’s offering date; or (4) issue over $1 billion in non-convertible debt over three years.

Crowdfunding Current SEC regulations inhibit crowdfunding, defined as financing through the collective cooperation of people who pool resources, often through an online networking site. This measure enables small companies to raise up to $1 million per group in capital through crowdfunding, provided that each investor’s contribution does not exceed $10,000, or 10 percent of their annual income, whichever is less.

Revision of Existing SEC Exemption The JOBS Act makes it easier for small companies to raise capital by removing restrictions on general solicitation and advertising when these companies issue securities to accredited investors. Currently, they can only market their securities offerings to investors with whom they already have a relationship.

SEC Regulation Modernization The new law raises the offering threshold for companies exempted from registration with the SEC under Regulation A from $5 million – set in the early 1990s – to $50 million to help small businesses access capital markets without the costs and delays associated with the current securities registration process. The bill also aims to eliminate impediments to capital formation by raising the threshold for mandatory registration under Federal securities laws from 500 to 1,000 shareholders, and increasing from $1 million to $10 million the shareholder registration threshold for an issuer of securities. If you would like more details or have further questions, please call my office at 401-732-9400.

Mobile Marketing | SMALL BUSINESS Mobile Marketing is quickly becoming the new standard in small business. The most “Personal Computer” is now the mobile device. By 2013, mobile devices are set to overtake the PC as the first screen for all web access, without question mobile marketing will soar over the next 12 months.

MOBILE MARKETING by Daniel Aponte and Gerald Price Jr

the “APP”ortunity is here for small businesses

Big business has taken notice of the fact that social media outlets have quickly evolved from your desktop computers to your Mobile Smartphone. Using Mobile App technology, businesses like Dominos Pizza for example, have launched their own Mobile App to reach the consumer on the go, and in their case generated 2 million dollars of sales in the first 90 days of their Apps’ debut. The local small business owner needs to recognize this reality; customers aren’t sitting at home on their computers any longer searching for local businesses to patronize. If your Web presence is only geared toward traditional Internet surfers, you’re missing the next wave of marketing innovation. Any type of local business can also benefit from mobile marketing. Consumers are 51% more likely to purchase from a retailer that have a mobile website. People every day are now using their Smartphone to search for local; restaurants, retail shops, sports, weather, news, financial information, and even events/concerts. So it’s clearly evident the time is now for small business owners to “upgrade” their marketing strategies and go mobile!

what are your “APP”tions Small Business, can now seamlessly introduce Mobile Apps into their current marketing campaigns. This will allow them to create a synergy between their current traditional marketing efforts and the viral affects created by social media marketing. As a small business owner making this transition, you’re probably concerned about where you should start. Here are a few of your options. If you’re the business owner that has a well put together website, you could just simply consider making it mobile friendly. This will make it easier for the consumer to view your website on their Smartphone and/or Tablet. You could also look to develop a Custom Mobile App for the iTunes and/or Android market place, with this option there are more details to be considered. However this could

be the move that takes your business to the next level. The most appealing option to the small business owner may just likely be a Local Small Business Mobile App. They are easy to create, update, and fit well into almost any marketing budget. This web based app gives the local business owner the tools to expand the reach of their business, within their local marketplace. The fact of the matter is you must diversify your marketing mix to both protect and grow your business. Any one of the “APP”tions we discussed would be a move in the right direction; just having a website is not enough anymore. With the sale of Smartphone’s on the rise, having little or no mobile presence may cost your business dearly. Mobile marketing is on the move; don’t get left behind wondering what “APP”end. www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

by Lisa Buben

If you have been living und er a rock or just not online often you may not have heard of Pintere st. It’s the newest social netwo rk craze started over a year ago but with a big increase in users recent ly. From September to December 201 1 they had a 429% increase! And it’s still in a beta stage. That me ans you cannot just sign up immedi ately. You either have to wait for an invi te from a friend, or when you sign up, wait for them to invite you.

t As of February 2012 Pinteres It rs. has reached 11.1 million use h was the fastest website to reac of 82% . ever rs 10 million use y Pinterest users are women. Man to d users have become addicte of Pinterest spending an average Only e. ther th mon 89 minutes per nt Facebook has more minutes spe ial soc per month than Pinterest for networking websites.

u oard that yo like a pin b . ce ffi Pinterest is o r you home or in f o s may have at s, picture vorite photo If you pin fa c. That is paintings, et ’s d ki r o s d the ki terest online n do on Pin what you ca pin clip that s. There is a l from website to your too ownload on d st u m n u ca yo pin. You can begin to bar so you at you on boards th e lik u yo s g pin thin any boards can have m name. You board. You pins on each y an m d an ins and like in others p p re n ca then ents on leave comm r o s in p r other ur pins ove can share yo them. You . k and Twitter on Faceboo

Retailers were finding that Pinteres t was driving traffic to their website s via the pins. I saw it first hand with our Fancy Scrubs website. With in a week it became in our top 8 refe rrals on our Google analytics. It real ly was amazing.

t Pinterest raving abou as w e n o Every t concerned lawyers go until some e Pinterest ights and th d about copyr users starte to light and e m ca s ei rm te using th r t being sued u o ab y rr o to w lawyer usiness. A b r fo s d pinboar s in fear. ed all her pin actually delet

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The term s read: “You ack and agre nowledg e to that, e to the m extent p aximum ermitted by law, risk arisin the entire g out of y our acce use of th ss to and e site, ap plication, and site services content re mains wit h you....”

So what is a sm all business to do? Pin carefully. Pi n your own im ag es. Create more of your own imag es for your websi te or blog. Be very careful about w hat you repin. Only repin from sour ces you know and trust. Check th e original sour ce of the pin. You may like othe r pins and leave com ments on them just like you wou ld on Facebo ok to be social. That ’s what the so ci al networks are all about – be ing social and shar ing whether as an individual or as a business. Fo llo w your users an d engage with yo ur customers. Don ’t just pin your own stuff either. Yo u could look too promotional an d your accoun t m ay be shut down by Pinterest.

Pinning On Pinteres

t |

Many brands and companies are creating themes around their prod ucts or services. Whole Foods is a brand doing just that with some of their boards:

You can put a pin widget on your website or blog to have others follow you or come pin with you! If you have a we bsite you can also have a pin sh are button. If you have images yo u do not want on Pinterest there are ways to do that if you do not want your images shared. So me artists and photographers ha ve concerns about their works being re-used without a fee.

t Pinreach is another measuremen n tools that takes into consideratio g alon have you s how many pinboard , likes and s with the number of repin of number of followers and number is comments. Their scoring system s tool e thes do t Wha from -25 to 100. the find you do for you? They help t. most influential pinners on Pinteres Com pan ies love hav ing high the influencers pin their stuff and get ork. netw most reach via this social

terest s on Pin d n ra b r pula AMC Other po d, Gap, andâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s En L y, the ts E n d eve include strom an rd o N , w ans ere Theaters atriots. F P d y n la g m Brad New En ipes, To c re ir e th repining d more! n a s photo

You can be very creative with your boards and start following others on Pinterest as you would on any other social network. You can do searches on Pinterest for categories or other users. Brands have had contests on Pinterest giving away product for the most creative pinboards surrounding their brand.

There are also social measure ment tools for Pinter est. One is ca lled Pinpuff. It mea sures your pinfl ue nc e. It measures yo ur activity, mon et ar y value of your pi ns, how many re pi ns you have and ho w many likes yo u pin receive. The sc ores are from 1100 with 32 being the average us erâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score. Anything over 50 consid er ed the sweet zone and a score ov er 70 is consider ed celebrity st at us on Pinterest. The other is called PinReach and at their websit e you do have to re gister. It mea su res influence and analytics of your Pinterest accoun t.

are If you are a small business and be ld shou you ther whe wondering the of 82% er on Pinterest rememb users are female. If your business has a high female clientele I suggest you do give it a look at the very least. Happy pinning!

Lisa Buben Fancy Scrubs www.fancyscrubs .com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Giving It Away For Free

giving it away for by Dave Marcello

NOT A BAD THING ANYMORE Content, content, content. Yes, it’s a marketing buzz word right now and yes, it’s probably overused. But that doesn’t take away from its astounding potential for customer attraction purposes, particularly for small businesses. Creating useful and interesting content paired with a calculated distribution plan can be the perfect center piece to your inbound marketing system. Inbound marketing, as a reminder, involves “pull” tactics such as SEO, blogging, authoring white papers and even social media. Opposite of traditional outbound marketing (direct marketing, paid search, telemarketing, etc.), inbound marketing has a 61% lower cost per lead. Small businesses are the driving force behind the recent surge in inbound marketing and on average assign 43% of their lead generation budget to the discipline compared to only 21% for large corporations. So why the big push from small business here? It’s due mostly to the idea that proper use of inbound marketing can very much level the playing field. Securing customers is no longer about who has the biggest budget and the most 30-second television spots.

small businesses are the driving force behind the recent surge in inbound marketing and on average assign 43% of their lead generation budget 26

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Newsletters, videos, Facebook – these take time, effort and creativity, but minimal budget. That’s exactly what makes inbound marketing such a powerful weapon and a great opportunity for differentiation. Here are four things to keep in mind when developing your content building plans. 1. Value: Above all, you must provide information that is useful to your target customers. Content that includes how-to guides, checklists, insights into industry trends, etc. will position you as a go-to expert in your field and attract people interested in services or products similar to yours. 2. Authenticity: The good news is that there is only one of you in the world and that’s exactly what will lend authenticity to your content. People appreciate when you are true to yourself. Find your voice, define your brand, establish your goals and make sure those are consistently the foundation of your content creation process. 3. Creativity: The only downside to the influx of content out there right now is that it’s getting harder and harder to distinguish yourself from the competition on quality of content alone. Finding new, disruptive ways to engage customers is a key part of the process. 4. Distribution: The job doesn’t stop once your content is produced. You also need to determine a distribution plan based on your target market’s profile and the type of information you’ve generated. It’s not as simple as pushing your message through every single available channel (that’s an easy way to annoy a lot of people!). Be relevant, be timely, be interactive.

Dave Marcello Chief Disruptor DISRUPTIVE

Watch Video

Stefan’s offers an atmosphere that is low on pretension and high on relaxation. We offer an excellent selection of premium and boutique cigars and cigar accessories that you won’t find in most places. Our prices, ambiance, and lounge space (3500 square feet) are unmatched by our competitors. Sit on one of our many welcoming couches and catch a game on our flat screen televisions or our very own home movie theater system. Reserve the lounge for your very own private event that is catered to you and your personalized event needs. Stefan’s retro, contemporary, and south beach flavored decor is unlike any cigar lounge within the area and is guaranteed to be a great time.

Open Sunday Noon-9pm • Monday to Saturday 9am- Midnight

186 Broadway Providence RI 02907 | 401-272-9600 | www.stefansonbroadway.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Buddy on Business

The lack of access to capital, not just in Rhode Island but across the country, has been well documented. You know because as small business owners you live this reality every day. Many of you would love to purchase new equipment, increase production or hire more employees but you are frustrated by banks that aren’t willing to lend you the necessary capital. But don’t give up when the traditional big banks that got us all into this mess turn you down. There are alternative resources through which you can access capital that you need to start, update or take your company to the next level.

business

buddy

Rhode Island is a small business state. Our economy is powered by the entrepreneurial spirit of the thousands of men and women who risk money to make money and create jobs in the Ocean State. So it should be no surprise that when small businesses struggle the state economy grinds to a halt. One of the primary reasons for our struggles is that banks aren’t lending as much as needed.

by Buddy Cianci

For example, the SBA’s CDC/504 loan program is a partnership between the SBA and certified development companies that lends capital to small business looking to expand or modernize real estate and equipment. Additionally, the SBA offers Microloan Programs that help small business owners get access to up to

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Locally, there are also municipal programs like the Providence Economic Development Partnership that offer loan programs for companies looking to start up or expand. When I was Mayor, my administration saw these loan programs as one of our primary tools for redevelopment of Providence’s downtown and neighborhoods. By investing in small business owners with big ideas we were

love to purchase new equipment, increase production or hire more employees but you are frustrated by banks that aren’t willing to lend you the necessary capital

The Rhode Island Office of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) can be a tremendous resource in these difficult times. The SBA has several loan guarantee programs that can help you access capital. The SBA doesn’t loan directly but by guaranteeing the loan they reduce the risk of non-payment which makes their lending partners more willing to lend money to small business owners.

$35,000 in working capital through short term loans with SBA lending partners. These funds can be used to meet every day needs of your business such as purchasing inventory, supplies, fixtures, equipment and machinery.

able to finance businesses that improved the atmosphere of our city from Federal Hill to the Smith Hill. And the best part about it? Not only did small businesses get the funds they needed to succeed but, during my administration, these business owners also paid back the money and the taxpayers of the city got both a tangible and intangible return on investment. So look into these government programs when the banks turn you down. The key to making it through these tough economic times is taking advantage of all the opportunities that are out there and programs like these can go a long way to helping you sustain and grow even when the economy is lagging.

by Danny DeHoney

The economy may be plodding toward recovery, but it isn’t moving quickly enough to justify an increase in interest rates any time during the next two years according to the Federal Reserve. The Fed’s first announcement of lowered interest rates came during the recession in 2008, and the latest extension means that rates will remain at historic lows for longer than expected. So how might this impact you? A prolonged low rate environment has several implications for people at different stages of life. Some are positive, but others aren’t so rosy. The good news is that it makes borrowing money cheaper, which is great if you’re considering making a

lackluster growth, consumers will have no real motivation to spend, and it may be slow going if you’re looking for a new job or trying to increase your savings. The good news: It’s cheaper to borrow The Federal Funds rate is the interest rate that banks charge each other for overnight loans, and acts as the Federal Government’s primary tool for stimulating the economy. The idea behind it is that low interest rates encourage spending. In theory, consumers who have access to credit at low rates are more likely to borrow money for mortgages, cars or other purchases, and then use additional

today traditional investment strategies are unlikely to enable investors to meet their goals major purchase like a car or home. On the other hand, it indicates a slow economic recovery, which may negatively impact unemployment and the real estate market. If you’re saving for retirement, lower than expected yields on investments could actually impede your ability to meet your retirement goals if you don’t revisit and adjust your financial plan. What it means: The economic recovery is slower than expected. The Federal Open Market committee’s decision to keep interest rates low indicates that the Fed is not particularly optimistic about the economy and expects a slow recovery. If we continue to be plagued with high unemployment rates, sluggish consumer confidence and

capital for spending, which stimulates the economy and creates growth. If you’re looking to buy a house or car, or to finance student loans, you have a great advantage. With long-term loans like these, the cost savings from locking in a low interest rate loan can have a significant impact on your bottom line over time. If you’d like to see how this works for yourself, run two mortgage scenarios on an online calculator using the same amount and length of the loan, and compare a four percent to a seven percent rate. This doesn’t mean that you should rush out to borrow simply because rates are low; everyone should only take on an appropriate amount of debt as part of a well constructed financial plan. Interestingly, the economic environment

has also made lending standards stricter – so even though it’s less expensive to borrow, it may be tougher to qualify. The bad news: It may impact your retirement. Investors have long looked to bonds as a part of their overall asset allocation or as investment vehicles to produce retirement income. If you are planning for retirement – regardless of your age – the current economic environment may prove challenging. In the past, financial planners and investment professionals have looked at historical interest rates to create assumptions for return models. In plain English, that means they used interest rate numbers from the past to calculate how much invested money might grow, or how much income bonds would generate. Today traditional investment strategies, which typically have moderate interest rate assumptions behind them, are unlikely to enable investors to meet their goals. With rates at all time lows, consumers may find themselves rethinking their allocations or looking for guaranteed income elsewhere. Low interest rates may impact your financial goals positively or negatively – or possibly both ways. Consider meeting with a professional financial planner who can help you put together a plan to achieve your financial goals while taking into consideration the current low interest rate environment.

Danny DeHoney. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. www.ameriprise.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

renewing our“STORY” in the workplace by Dennis Rebelo

A lot of people consider “storying” an inborn knack or talent. Some listen intently, while others envy the natural-born storytellers around them. Truth is, natural “storying” with strategic intent can be learned by anyone. “Storying,” or storytelling, as a means of expressing personal identity has risen in popularity recently among career advisors and executive consultants. Leadership researchers have also become intrigued in studying the notion of storying. Among rhetorical strategies, telling a “good story” helps people make meaning. Several authors note that storying also increases the likelihood that a person’s identity claims will be accepted by others. We all have identity claims that we bring with us, especially when we enter a new workplace. With more pressure placed on executives to make meaning for their employees through storytelling, it’s clear why business scholars have become increasingly enchanted in studying narrative as a means of knowing, as a means of understanding work identity, and as a means of effectively leading organizations.

So, what’s my story going to be? You may wonder. That’s a question contemplated by so many people I meet these days—from workers in transition to new hires. With possibilities and opportunities ripening before them this group of professionals feel compelled to create or shape a “provisional” or “new” self. If their stories don’t make relevant meaning for others, their audience of leaders, peers, and followers may not validate their claims—yikes! What most of these professionals fail to see is that their storying “rights” expire about 90 days after joining an organization—yes, there is a shelf life to storying. It’s a estimated timeframe

of “story allowances” that new leaders and peers concede before zoning out the narrative. Winging and flinging stories around will never grant an employee a chance to renew or refresh the desired work identity they wish to have once that time period elapses.

The point is simple: Story matters. Structured storying is the answer to these desired claims. This answer, however, is not easily found. In today’s world, employees are no longer hitched to organizations for countless years. With so much “people-transitioning” happening at work, understanding the reason for an organizational change and the “why” behind it makes sense, especially for followers meeting a senior executive for the first time. In this case, the leader tells the story. If the story makes sense, you breathe another day. If the story doesn’t make sense, then perhaps the organizational shelf life becomes a bit limited. Meaning-making concerning work role transitions seems to have been glossed over in the past, but the confluence of identity, work and story seems to be inspiring a new focus in career counseling and narrative research. According to the 2010 essay “Identity as Narrative: Prevalence, Effectiveness and Consequences of Narrative Identity Work in Macro Work Role Transitions,” authors Herminia Ibarra and Roxana Barbulescu believe that the identity as narrative “is especially critical for our understanding of identity dynamics during the macro work role transitions.” So how do you story or share a story structure to renew your work image? You’ll have to consider the following factors: kindly look up

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and over

SMALL BUSINESS | Workplace Stories

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Personal identity is best understood in narrative form (past, present and future); Work places have cultures that dictate how (from a style perspective) to story best; Leaders and followers who story discover more in their storytelling; Storying is often a “live test” in which storytellers fail to understand their own intentionality so pre-reflection can help story shape before the telling and help a person’s point-making; Stories are culturally different or can be; Stories typically resolved unknowns; Great stories are sneaky and inspire the listener with delight; Metaphors help stories by making difficult concepts easier to understand and accept by listeners; Powerful stories are simple yet not simplistic; If a story causes doggie-head tilt reactions, it’s effectively grabbing listeners at the onset and increasing retention and retelling.

I’m blessed to work with transitioning executives, family businesses, and professionals who understand the value of storying. I feel such connection to the plight of those who suffer from story reluctance that I am using my doctoral studies at Saybrook to better understand how successful work role stories are formed. Telling a good story will undoubtedly foster organizational acceptance for individuals, allowing them to have real impact in the workplace, a feeling of settled-ness on the home front, and an internal feeling of confidence that motivates to continue to story and, above all, make meaning for others. Dennis Rebelo University Business Consultants www.universitypdc.com

SMALL

BUSINE

Health Insurance Tax Breaks for the Self-Employed If you’re self-employed and paying for medical, dental or long-term care insurance, the IRS wants to remind you about a special tax deduction for some insurance premiums paid for you, your spouse, and your dependents. Starting in tax year 2011, this deduction is no longer allowed on Schedule SE (Form 1040), but you can still take it on Form 1040, line 29. You must be one of the following to qualify: • A self-employed individual with a net profit reported on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business, Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040), Net Profit From Business, or Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming. • A partner with net earnings from self-employment reported on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., box 14, code A. • A shareholder owning more than 2 percent of the outstanding stock of an S corporation with wages from the corporation reported on Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. The insurance plan must be established under your business. • For self-employed individuals filing a Schedule C, C-EZ, or F, the policy can be either in the name of the business or in the name of the individual. • For partners, the policy can be either in the name of the partnership or in the name of the partner. You can either pay the premiums yourself or your partnership can pay them and report the premium amounts on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) as guaranteed payments to be included in your gross income. However, if the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums yourself, the partnership must reimburse you and report the premium amounts on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) as guaranteed payments to be included in your gross income. Otherwise, the insurance plan will not be considered to be established under your business. • For more-than-2-percent shareholders, the policy can be either in the name of the S corporation or in the name of the shareholder. You can either pay the premiums yourself or your S corporation can pay them and report the premium amounts on Form W-2 as wages to be included in your gross income. However, if the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums yourself, the S corporation must reimburse you and report the premium amounts on Form W-2 as wages to be included in your gross income. Otherwise, the insurance plan will not be considered to be established under your business.

For more information see IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses, available at www.IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Employees Eating & Exercise Habits

employees eating exercise habits by Tim Sullivan

are not as evident using aggregate numbers; individuals respond better to anecdotes and stories of individual wellness success stories. A year ago I ran across Drew Manning online. Drew is a fitness instructor and personal trainer in Utah. He has been the picture of fitness his whole life. His website features images of him showing off his ripped abs on his muscular 6’2” 193 pound frame. Being fit his whole life, he wanted to be able to better empathize with his clients by conducting a unique personal experiment he called “Fit2Fat2Fit”.

Motivating employees to change their eating and exercise habits is one of the great challenges to achieving better workplace wellness. A successful wellness program saves businesses money in terms of long term health care The experiment was planned to last one costs and worker’s compensation year. He would 1) start as a Fit person, 2) claims, while improving become Fat by not exercising and eating productivity, absenteeism “junk food” for six months, 3) change his and presenteeism. The diet to “healthy foods” for a month, 4) general workplace continue to eat “healthy food” and add atmosphere improves exercise to his daily regimen returning his as aggregate wellness body to Fit. The results would hopefully improves. A workplace give him some insights into what it was wellness program is like to be overweight, and experience the considered successful difficulties of regaining his healthy body insofar as the whole group after being overweight. of employees improves their diet, exercise and habit control. For a business, the rule of thumb is that as a group’s weight drops {often measured by Body Mass Index (BMI)} the group has a As part of the “Fit2Fat2Fit” experiment, lower incidence Drew posted his data and progress online of preventable and sent me the results of his data to diseases. The help relate his story. He weighed himself fewer preventable weekly, took body measurements, and diseases a group made video and written blog entries about has, such as type 2 what he was eating, feelings he was diabetes, heart disease, and feeling, and exercise on his website. many gastric disorders, the www.fit2fat2fit.com lower the long term health insurance costs. The In June 2012 he will be revealing the full benefits of a wellness results of his journey with ABC as well as a program to an individual new book chronicling the experience.

any doctor will tell you about the direct relationship between cholesterol and a person’s weight

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Employees Eating & Exercise Habits | SMALL BUSINESS edc_bbri_ad_final.pdf 1 1/13/12 The results: Drew is 6’2” tall, and started the experiment weighing 193 pounds. After six months of overeating, he tipped the scales at 265.2 pounds! Along the way he experienced increasing fatigue, shortness of breath, depression, and embarrassment about the look of his body. One month after modifying his diet only, he weighed 246 pounds- a loss of 19 pounds! After 3 months of diet and exercising, Drew weighed 217.7 pounds. In June Drew will reveal his final weight and his thoughts on the results of his experience One of the most interesting results of the experiment is the effect of Drew’s weight on his cholesterol and CRP numbers. Any doctor will tell you about the direct relationship between cholesterol and a person’s weight; as a person’s weight drops so does the cholesterol level. As cholesterol levels drop so does the risk factor for a person to develop heart disease. Unfortunately, Drew did not measure his original cholesterol when he started the experiment, but when his weight rose from 257 to 265.2 pounds, his cholesterol rose from 142 to 147. After he altered his diet from “junk food” to “healthy food”, his total cholesterol dropped from 147 to 116! Total Cholesterol

HDL

CRP

Weight

September 29

142

2.1

257

November 5

147

2.9

265.2

December 7

116

1.5

246

Date

Measuring C reactive protein (CRP) is another blood test measurement that is gaining credence as an indicator for the level of risk for an individual to heart disease. CRP is a measurement of inflammation. Excess inflammation in conjunction with elevated cholesterol levels has been shown in some studies to be indicator that plaque could be building in coronary arteries, which can lead to damage in the heart muscle. Normal levels of CRP are under 1. Like cholesterol, Drew did not

take a measurement of his CRP numbers when he started the experiment. However, it did rise from 2.1 to 2.8 when his weight went from 257 pounds 265.2 pounds. After his weight returned to 246 pounds his CRP numbers subsequently dropped significantly to 1.5!

workplace atmosphere improves as aggregate wellness improves While this experiment isn’t technically “scientific”, it does offer some good teachable lessons related to body weight, exercise and diet. Some critics of this study might feel that Drew didn’t spend a long time at his heavy weight to fully experience the struggles of an obese person trying to improve their wellness. His cholesterol numbers didn’t rise to levels one might expect for a similar person with his BMI, but I don’t think it was necessary for him to fully develop hypercholestemia in order to complete his experiment. Proponents of this study would point to the fact that in this test, one is looking at cholesterol levels for one person as they change due to alterations in just diet, exercise and weight! C

CMY

Do not try this study at home. If you are healthy, continue on your path. Alterations to diet and exercise will help anyone lose weight and therefore lower their risk factors to heart disease and other preventable diseases. If you want to read about the full fit2fat2fit experience buy Drew Manning’s book when it comes out in June. Tim Sullivan Life-Panel www.well-track.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

12:55 P

SMALL BUSINESS | So, You Wanna Be A Very Big Deal...

So, You Wanna Be A Very

Big Deal..... by Adam Harvey

In these difficult economic times, often the first thing business owners are forced to cut back on is advertising and marketing. But having budgetary constraints doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your name out there just the same. There are many things a company like ours can do to help you stay relevant and in front of people through new and creative advertising and marketing strategies. Together, we can keep your name at the top of the list wisely and efficiently. Have you ever wondered how people get picked for newspaper or magazine interviews, or how TV news reporters find people to interview for their stories? They go online and they look for names that keep popping up. The names that they find most frequently belong to experts in the field—people who write articles, give seminars, and make appearances at colleges and trade shows. The more you get your name out there, the bigger you become!

on in your industry and submit it for publication in a trade paper or industry blog. We do this as much as we can. In fact, you may have seen our writing at either About.com or iPhone Life. This is a fantastic way to start putting your name out there. If you fear you don’t have the writing chops to pull it off properly, there’s no shame in hiring a copywriter to put your thoughts into written form for you. After all, you’re too busy being an expert in your industry. You can’t be worrying about comma placement and sentence fragments!

HOLD SEMINARS: This might not be the most feasible option for everyone, but if you feel like you’ve built up a bank of knowledge that might benefit others, why not hold a seminar? That will expose you to lots of people in your industry who may be new to it or who are looking to expand their knowledge base about something specific.

Oh, but if you only knew how!

OPEN A BOOTH OR PARTICIPATE ON A PANEL AT A TRADE SHOW:

Last week we talked about Quora and how you can use it to establish yourself as an expert in your industry, but there are many other ways to become A Very Big Deal. By all means, use Quora, but add some of these strategies to your expert-making efforts as well.

This option may require some financial investment, but if you can swing it, it’s an awesome way to be seen. If you can’t afford to participate in the show, you can try to get on the board or the planning committee instead. Visibility is key and your presence will help you get that much needed exposure.

STAY CURRENT:

OFFER TO SPEAK AT A LOCAL COLLEGE:

Every industry has at least one trade paper. Start reading as many of them as you have time for to stay current with what’s going on in your industry. Knowing what’s hot and what’s new and being able to speak intelligently about it goes a long way toward making you look like you’re at the top of your game. And you won’t just look like you are—you will be!

Of course, you’ll be doing this for free. Just imagine all those optimistic, idealistic young faces hanging on your every word! As the expert at the table during a seminar or lecture, they’ll remember your words and discuss your ideas with their professor and classmates. Perhaps by participating in their seminar, you can even learn some things from them!

WRITE AN ARTICLE:

GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY:

Write an article or an opinion piece that’s relevant to what’s going

If the college crowd isn’t your thing, you could offer to speak to a

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

So, You Wanna Be A Very Big Deal... | SMALL BUSINESS

........... local organization—just as long as their concerns are relevant to your industry and you’re not walking in there with your sales pitch. Remember this is all about being an expert and not about selling stuff. That part comes later…

SEND OUT PRESS RELEASES: Send press releases every time something cool happens. So, let’s say you’re going to speak at a local college. Send out a press release announcing that fact and make sure you include your credentials. Don’t forget to use this opportunity to promote your writing and your seminars too! When people read about you in the paper, they can’t help but think, “wow! This person must be a really big deal!” Becoming a Really Big Deal doesn’t just happen to people. Folks who are Really Big Deals are that way because they got out there and they made it happen.

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

Do Your Children Know What You Do at Work by Ronald G. Shapiro

PROBABLY

During Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s My Mom and other related Education by Entertainment programs blindfolded middle and/or high school students are asked to identify which parent (to be selected from a panel of four or five parents) is theirs. The students are allowed to ask the panelists yes/no questions about what they do at work, but the answers to these questions are the only information provided. Typically, one student out of a panel of four to five students will correctly identify their parent! Their performance is at chance level! FREE Low E Glass with your Window Order!

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

On occasion students will perform better than chance in this activity. Indeed, this past week a panel of girl scouts performed 100% accurately. Performance better than chance is often due to an artifact, such as the parent says something rather than just holding their YES or NO sign, the parents on the panel do very different types of work, or the student knowing something unique about the parent (such as they refuse to use a cell phone or they have students write a story about a huge stuffed animal). More significantly, on occasion students perform well because they have either spent a day or two with their parents at work, attended a school assembly on careers or have extensive career discussions with their parents on a very regular basis. In all cases, after playing this game, students (even the high performing ones) and parents alike agree that they should spend more time speaking about work.

Do Your Children Know | SMALL BUSINESS There is a great opportunity for students to learn more about work on Thursday, April 26, called Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® day. Employers of all size are encouraged to participate. The program, which is sponsored by The Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation www.daughtersandsonstowork.org, is celebrating its twentieth year with the theme “Build Opportunity: 20 Years of Education, Empowerment, Experience.” The organization offers numerous ideas for conducting a successful day on their web site. Many organizations develop their own programs using some of the suggestions provided and some activities generated from their own initiatives. A small business

NOT

might simply encourage parents to bring their children to work, show them what they do, encourage the children to help out by doing a few work items, have lunch with coworkers and supervisors and their children. Programs receive very high ratings from participants. I have observed that the programs tend to increase student interest in thinking about their careers, improve parent-student communication, and improve employee morale.

I have also observed that workplace parent-student programs also provide an opportunity for communicating important messages to employees who are often too busy to attend or otherwise become impatient attending meetings. Instead, my observation is that when

their children are present the parents are appreciative and highly attentive at programs. The parent’s learning from the programs is, of course, reinforced when they discuss them with their children. Are there reasons to not participate? By design, the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® program is on a school day. Some parents or schools may not approve of students missing the day at school. Rather than not participate, some employers may choose to have their program in June after the school year ends. Other employers may find that their business commitments don’t permit having a program on April 26. In this case, businesses should consider having their program on another day, rather than not having it at all. In addition to hosting a Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® program some businesses, of course, have family days in which employees and their children have fun at a park, beach or other recreation area. While these days provide great opportunities for interaction, a family day does not afford the opportunities that a parent-child work program does, and should not be thought of as a substitute program.

one student out of a panel of four to five students will correctly identify their parent

Other career related programs for families might include businesses sponsoring youth groups. Also, businesses might consider offering a monthly evening Career Explorations program for high school students, focusing on different aspects of work during the school year. During the summer months, when high school students tend to be away from home, and college students tend to be home, businesses might consider sponsoring a monthly evening program, such as From College to Career to help students prepare for their career. Of course, these programs aren’t all altruistic. By helping students, parents might be less distracted with family issues and more loyal to the company. Furthermore, if the company is looking to expand in the future they may present a great recruiting opportunity. More information on these programs is available on the Education Resources Information web site www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED458500.pdf.

Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Independent Consultant in Human Factors Learning and Human Resources

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Be Part of the Solution

the American Dream is still very attainable Gordon D. Fox Speaker, Rhode Island House of Representatives

I recently had the opportunity to join with state legislative leaders from throughout the nation at an Economic Summit held at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles. I was a panelist for a very enlightening discussion called “What’s Working in States.” The message that I brought from Rhode Island is that the American Dream is still very attainable. But particularly with the great stagnation we have seen in Washington, it is my strong belief that state governments can, and must, play a critical role in the economic recovery. While colleagues from some other states may feel that government should just get out of the way, I made a case that states can be part of the solution, not the problem. The eyes of my colleagues were opened by the great example of pension reform which we accomplished last fall. The reforms we achieved in the face of some tremendous opposition made Rhode Island the envy of many other states. My colleagues far and wide had read about our state’s great achievement in Time Magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other publications, and were tremendously impressed that we confronted such a daunting issue that most state leaders have not yet tackled. There has been a great strain on state budgets throughout the country. As I explained to my colleagues from other states, we came to the realization that we had to reform our pension system in order to relieve this budget pressure. I want our state government to provide our children with the opportunity to attain educational excellence. I want us to offer job skills training programs to help our small businesses to grow and prosper. If an unhealthy percentage of our state’s budget is devoted to making pension payments, then our priorities are totally askew. The legislation that the General Assembly enacted last fall reduces the state’s

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

unfunded liability of nearly $7.3 billion to $4.3 billion. It reduced the state and local employer contributions from $689 million to $414 million, saving nearly $275 million in next year’s budget. Without the actions we took, the dangerous road we were traveled would have led to $1 billion in state budget investments in pension payments in the not too distant future. When you consider that the state share of the budget (not including federal funds) is a little over $3 billion, you can see that pension payments would have swallowed up an enormous share of our spending and would have left us with little to invest in education, job training and so many other priorities that are essential to our economic turnaround. The reforms we enacted simply couldn’t wait any longer. Another example of our state government that I cited to my colleagues in other states was the action we took to create the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. The development of this new district in the heart of Providence provides our state with an opportunity to create good paying jobs and invigorate new industries. The establishment of a knowledge district has the potential to create a brighter future for our state and our capital city. A focus on university-driven research and the medical and life-sciences industries is exciting and makes me very optimistic about our state’s future in these areas. Both pension reform and the I-195 commission were accomplished by state leaders working together in conjunction with the business community. While government investment can’t be the whole solution to turning our economy around, we certainly can be part of the solution by making important decisions on behalf of the people. I strongly believe in the future of our state, and I am proud to let others from around the country know of our success stories. I know we still have a long way to go, but by making the proper investments, we will be traveling on the right path to prosperity.

Score Tips | STARTUPS

of the month Use Testimonials In Your Marketing Efforts One of the best marketing enrichments is WOM (word of mouth). Everyone wants good references. Businesses cry for recognition. When someone recommends your business, it is the best type of marketing you can get. A way to come close to the WOM phenomena is to solicit recommendations and use these as “testimonials” to promote your business. Customers are influenced greatly by others. If not a friend they know, then by a third party they may not know. They respond favorably to others touting your product/service. It is called a “TESTIMONIAL” A picture of a customer with a quoted saying works best! Potential customers see themselves as the featured person praising the product (or service) and makes one more ready to buy. Use “testimonials” in sales literature, brochures, advertising, web page and any other marketing media. Be sure to use quotation marks. They make it “stand out”. One or two is enough. Depending upon the media, they can be changed regularly so as not to grow stale. Almost any business can find a satisfied customer to help put together a testimonial. If a picture is not possible, just a name and a statement in quotation marks works very well. One way to get testimonials, is to institute a customer satisfaction survey. If you can get email addresses, a low cost survey can generate good returns if you KEEP IT SIMPLE. Two or three questions is all you need. Ask for comments. You will learn about customer satisfaction and get some useful testimonials.

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

the problem: companies consume trillion labels a year to label every from boxes to wine bottles. almost time a label is printed, half of it g waste. the waste is the label s line non recyclable, non stick backing. end not only throw away half of wha print, they also throw away h what they pay for. the liner is th expensive part of the label. the so nulabel has developed patent p liner free label technology that u activateable adhesive to eliminate t

Ben Lux, Max Winograd, and Mike Woods were supposed to be a statistic â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

one of thousands of college graduates who come to Rhode Island for college but leave to find work after a four year stint in the Ocean State.

But a 2008 senior year project changed everything for Ben, Max, and Mike.

Good Chemistry. Elegant Engineering.â&#x201E;˘

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

FEATURED COVER STORY | NuLabel Technologies Inc. How NuLabel Got Started The project originated in the Commerce, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship capstone course at Brown University, Ben, Max, and Mike were handed an industry problem from an adjunct professor, Steve Petteruti. Mr. Petteruti

The NuLabel Zero-Waste Label Solution In the Fall of 2009 after NuLabel was formed, Ben and Mike, with backgrounds in polymer science and mechanical engineering, respectively, invented what became the foundation for the NuLabel Zero-Waste Label Solution. Ben formulated an activateable adhesive that could be coated on traditional label paper but dried completely on roll form, so that the adhesive-coated paper is not tacky to the touch. Mike designed an electro-mechanical piece of equipment that could instantaneously activate the adhesive, so that the label could be applied to corrugated boxes and plastic containers. This hardware “activator” was then designed to retrofit to existing label printers to reduce the upfront costs to implement the NuLabel technology in a fleet of thousands of label printers at large customers. This NuLabel Zero-Waste Label Solution eliminated the need for the non-stick liner backing and could eliminate cost and waste for customers in a number of ways. Without the liner raw materials, the cost of the label itself is reduced. In addition, the NuLabel liner-free label is half as thick, which means more liner-free labels fit on an individual label roll, saving distribution centers and labeling operations time and money with fewer roll changes. And with the elimination of the backing that gets thrown in the trash, the NuLabel

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

spent nearly two years in the label printer industry working as VP of Engineering for Rhode Island-based printer manufacturer Comtec, which was acquired by Zebra Technologies (NASD:ZBRA) in 2000. The problem Petteruti gave the team: Every time companies like Walmart

Zero-Waste Label Solution also reduces companies’ carbon footprint. Every printer that uses the activator retrofit can eliminate several dozen pounds of CO2 every year. Hitting the Road and Taking Off A few months after creating the first proof of concept of the activateable adhesive, and with the backing of NuLabel’s first investor, the team went on a road trip to a

or FedEx print out a label, end-users throw away half of what they print and companies throw away half of what they pay for. The waste is the label’s non-stick, non-recyclable backing, the liner. The problem might seem small to a cocktail party guest with just one “Hello, my name is…” name tag, but large

Cherrystone (www.cherrystoneangelgroup. com) typically invests capital in earlystage companies that are developing disruptive technologies with strong intellectual property and that have solid management and advisory teams. NuLabel also had a champion among the Cherrystone membership – a key ingredient to winning over investor groups. Harry Schofield, now a director on the NuLabel Technologies

more than twice as strong as a traditional linered label on corrugated and 50 percent stronger on stainless steel third-party lab in Ohio to test the adhesive against current always-sticky adhesives found on linered labels today. The tests found the NuLabel activateable adhesive to be more than twice as strong as a traditional linered label on corrugated and 50 percent stronger on stainless steel.

board, spent over 35 years in printer manufacturing and thermal label industries. Prior to Cherrystone, Harry founded Atlantek, Inc., a Wakefield company that manufactured plastic card and photo printers for driver’s licenses and photo prints.

With third-party validation the technology could work and a proof of concept to show investors and customers, the team began raising money from local serial entrepreneurs and angel investors in Providence, Boston, and New York City. Within a year of those first lab tests, NuLabel had completed its first large round of angel investment, with its largest investment coming from Cherrystone Angel Group, the largest Rhode Islandbased angel investment group.

With a large capital raise complete, the NuLabel team began to grow. NuLabel’s first hire was Kathy Tabis, a Rhode Island native and veteran of the paper industry, as Senior Lab Technician. In 2011, NuLabel hired 10 new employees, and has already hired three more in 2012, bringing the total headcount to 16 engineers, chemists, and technicians. NuLabel plans to continue growing the company to 23 full time employees in 2013 and 50 employees by 2016.

corporations are spending millions of dollars on the cost of liners and throwing away hundreds of thousands of pounds of liner trash every year. With a clear problem affecting large companies and with trillions of labels printed every year, Ben, Max, and Mike

NuLabel’s future growth is also supported by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Jobs Creation Guaranty Program, which helped NuLabel obtain a line of credit from BankRI at an earlier stage than banks typically lend to startup businesses. Local Resources that Helped NuLabel Launch In addition to the backing of Cherrystone and RIEDC, NuLabel has received the support of several other Rhode Island based organizations. During the summer of 2009, NuLabel joined Betaspring (http://www.betaspring. com), the startup accelerator program in the Knowledge District. Betaspring provided NuLabel with hands-on mentorship, and the Betaspring partners connected NuLabel with its first investor and other future investors. Betaspring runs semiannual 12-week

saw an opportunity, and began the twosemester course studying the label market, tried-and-failed solutions, and the value drivers for customers. As the trio prepared for graduation, they also prepared to launch NuLabel Technologies, a company whose sole mission is to eliminate waste from labels.

Beginning as a founding team of three in June 2009 in a single room at the Rhode Island Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, NuLabel has grown to 16 full time employees in a 4000 square foot engineering and chemistry research and development center in the up-andcoming Knowledge District.

programs for technology companies around the world to launch in the Knowledge District.

NuLabel Vision

The Rhode Island Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (http://www.ricie.org) which NuLabel called home for several months after launch, provides low-cost office space to entrepreneurs as well as office hours and programming with seasoned entrepreneurs, lawyers, marketing experts, and other value-add members of the startup community. NuLabel also tapped into the local professional service providers for handson assistance with legal and accounting needs. Many lawyers and accountants in the Providence market provide discounted services to entrepreneurs which helps keep the company’s burn rate low and the entrepreneur focused on running the business instead of working on legal documents.

Now with the backing of venture capital, angel investors, the RIEDC Jobs Creation Guaranty, and the team of mentors and resources available in Providence, NuLabel is in the midst of what Max calls “the Year of the Launch,” where the NuLabel Zero-Waste Label Technology will be deployed in three different applications later this year: supermarket scale labels, pharmacy labels, and logistics labels. With the hopes of installing thousands of retrofits over the next year, NuLabel is poised to deliver savings on millions of labels, and to continue growing and expanding right here in Rhode Island.

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | PeaceLove

get your PeaceLove On! by Nancy Thomas

PeaceLove has been quietly at work in Rhode Island bringing together mental health advocates and the arts to create “peace of mind”. Their mission is to also build a positive symbol for mental health disorders. While there is a pink ribbon and yellow wristband for cancer, there is no positive symbol for mental health disorders. “My personal mission is to make mental illness cool,” says Jeffrey Sparr, artist and co-founder of PeaceLove. For Sparr, art became his way to live positively with his struggles with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). It was accidental that Sparr discovered how creating art, painting, specifically, could calm the conflict in his mind and allow him to go about a productive life. By founding PeaceLove, Sparr, along with his cousin, Matthew Kaplan, CEO & co-founder, and Amy Kinney, artist and program director, the message is getting out even beyond what one could consider the traditional community of mental health, and into our schools, groups, and work environments to help build peace of mind, promote a positive lifestyle and begin creating conversations of acceptance, understanding and hope. In a business environment, large and small, self-care and concern for wellbeing of employees is on the back burner for most companies. Even with skyrocketing healthcare costs, investing in programs that seek to identify and then assist the employee struggling with stress, personal issues, burnout and substance abuse are the rarity. PeaceLove is offering a creative option for employers to invest in bringing in programs to help bring collaboration, happiness, and motivation to the workforce, in general, and to help provide a resource link to those dealing with deeper issues. Sparr said, “We evolved to develop new partnerships and workshops with businesses to create a new kind of workplace wellness initiative, focused on relieving stress, team building, creating an expectation of positive self care in addition to high levels of output.”

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Some companies who are already working with PeaceLove are: CVS Caremark GTECH, Boston Consulting Group, and Newport Hospitality. In healthcare settings, PeaceLove is providing expressive arts programming with weekly scheduled programming at their studios, or if transportation is an obstacle, right at the healthcare setting, where they teach alongside the center’s staff. They are continuing to expand their reach and network of participating health care providers as their philosophy of expressive arts compliments this new model of care. Working in this way, they are able to empower and support patients, their loved ones and advocates as well as the professionals seeking to provide them with care focused on mental wellness. Healthcare partners where PeaceLove provides services to date: Fellowship Health Resources, Butler Hospital, The JED Foundation, the Providence Center, Trudeau Center, Bradley Hospital, The Kent Center, and Gateway Healthcare. Community programs include a variety of expressive arts workshops and Saturday drop in days. School programs are offered to help bring groups of children to an inclusive space to of experience, building peace, positive dialogue, and understanding, while also exploring the inner artist in all of us. PeaceLove takes its programs, onsite, to locations that want to do their workshops or groups can come into the studio space in Pawtucket.

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Website Copy That Sells | SMALL BUSINESS

by Robert Beadle

how to write persuasive, compelling website copy that sells, without appearing to be selling

When small business owners approach me to help them figure out why they are struggling to find customers, often I find the problem is in their website copy. Most owners are sensitive about being too pushy or “salesy.” The answer to this challenge is to write benefit-oriented website copy that promises a solution to a prospect’s problem or desire, followed by a clear call-to-action.

If you are new to writing headlines, a good way to start is with the phrase “How to…” followed by the benefit or result you offer, minus the pain or frustration they are feeling. Read the headline to this article again and you’ll see this formula in action.

You often only have ONE chance to make something happen with your prospect. It’s a statistical fact that the vast majority of your prospective customers will only visit your website once, never to return. Therefore, you must get them to take an action while you have their attention or risk losing them forever. How do you write effective website copy? Effective marketing copy follows several rules: <li> One: Start with a compelling, benefitoriented headline. </li> A common marketing error is to focus only on “features,” or worse, the business itself and how great it is. Remember, prospects care about the results you can produce for them, not how many bells and whistles your product has. Therefore, your headline must clearly state the benefit you are offering to your customer.

*Learn three techniques for clearing off your “mental desk” and consciously letting go of things outside your control - things that are robbing you of energy and mental focus. <li> Four: Close with a call-to-action. </li>

<li> Two: In the lead paragraph, show the prospect that you understand his or her problem. </li>

Why do you need

persuasive, compelling website copy in the first place?

Here’s an example of a bullet from a productivity training program:

The next step is to frame the problem or desire your prospects are experiencing in a way that demonstrates you understand them. When you are having difficulty writing a powerful lead, try the “If, then…” approach. Here is an example of a lead from a sales training program: “If you’re a speaker, trainer, coach, consultant or anyone using a presentationstyle sales approach, you’ve probably been giving your ‘heart and soul’ to provide amazing value to your audience. But if you’re frustrated because no matter what you try, you still can’t convert more than 10% of your prospects into customers, then you are going to love the secrets I’m about to share with you today.” <li> Three: List the benefits you offer in bullet format. </li> A powerful way to demonstrate the value you offer is to list the benefits of your product or service in bullet format. Create at least a dozen bullets that focus on solutions to problems, specific benefits and results.

For many businesses, the ideal action is for your prospect to buy from you. For those of us who have slightly longer sales cycles, the action should be something that allows us to engage our prospects. For example, you might collect the prospect’s name and e-mail address in exchange for a free informational report that helps them solve a problem. Whatever the action may be, it must establish a communication channel between your business and your prospect so that you can “nurture” them until they are ready to buy. However, never assume your prospect knows what you want them to do. Spell it out for them and give clear directions to “click the buy button” or “fill out your name and e-mail address.” Right now, take a moment to go through the copy on your website to see if it includes these four principles. Then reword it or seek the expertise of a trained copywriter to make your marketing work for you!

Robert Beadle Northeast Public Relations, Inc www.northeastpr.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Collaborate or Die Being an organizational design and talent development specialist necessitates that I identify and keep up on the new and emergent trends that are redefining how business is conducted in the postindustrial age new economy. This month I want to talk about a trend that is crucial for success in today’s business world: Collaboration. Collaborations are quickly becoming the stone in David’s sling that is helping small companies to slay their competitive Goliaths. Success in today’s fast paced world is dependent upon being fast, agile, lean and able to assemble superior intellectual capabilities. And Collaborations allow you to be and do all that and more, on an as needed basis. While the subject of how to design build and implement successful Collaborations is complex, nuanced and deep I want to use this article to define just a few of the fundamental principles that must be embraced at the outset if you are to become proficient at this critically important skill for 21st century executive.

You may be thinking that you already know how to Collaborate, and perhaps you do. But like with anything else, there is always more to learn. And as one who has done scores of them involving many large and diverse organizations coming together to engage in multi-million dollar deals lasting for years at a time, I can tell you that I am STILL learning how to refine my skills. So hopefully this article will be of value to you. So since I don’t have much space and you don’t have much time let me get to it.

Step 1 Make sure you don’t invite people to Collaborate and then treat them like a Collection! Nothing will turn people off to you quicker than making this mistake. The difference between a Collaboration and a “Collection” is that in a Collaboration people have come together as independent entities to work for a common goal. As such they

have expectations that they will be working with you and not be expected to be working for you. Collaborators also expect to be respected as equals and to have their wants, needs and boundaries viewed to be of equal importance as are yours and everyone else’s in the group. On the other hand a “Collection” is a group that has been assembled to work in an Org Chart type hierarchy to serve the priorities of the originator. They are not viewed as equals in either opinions or compensation. And as such you don’t get their full buy in. Which means that since you are not fully engaging them they won’t fully engage you either. This separation is disasterous for any Collaboration

Step 2 Leading Collaborations is a state of Consciousness Leading Collaborations is not about having power or authority over anyone. In order to lead your fellow collaborators you must gain their respect to the point where they choose to follow your lead and to allow you to influence them.

COLLABORATE

OR DIE

by Jeffrey S. Deckman

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Collaborate or Die | SMALL BUSINESS In order to achieve that you must “Lead with AIR”. And AIR is an acronym for Authenticity, Integrity and Respect. Remember that they are all equals and that you are heavily dependent upon them to succeed. So my suggestion is that you ditch any command and control leadership tendencies or temptations you may have. Use communication instead of domination, seek their input instead of simply issuing instructions. And earn their respect. Then earn it again, and again and again as you move things towards a successful conclusion.

Step 3 The most important people in a Collaboration, in order of priority are as follows: The Client The Goal The Other Collaborators You It is absolutely critical that you never lose sight of the needs of the Client. I know it can be tricky to keep your focus when the bullets are flying and things get challenging but you will almost never have a failed Collaboration if you firmly place and then keep the Client first in everyone’s mind.

COLLABORATIONS ARE QUICKLY BECOMING THE STONE IN DAVID’S SLING THAT IS HELPING SMALL COMPANIES TO SLAY THEIR COMPETITIVE GOLIATHS. Also, while it may seem counter intuitive to put yourself at the bottom of the list the fact is that doing so actually insures that you will succeed, and benefit, in ways far beyond that which you expected. You also insure that people will be willing to Collaborate with you the next time you call a group together to take on another Goliath.

Step 4

These people KILL Collaborations because they are incapable of sharing or being flexible. If you make the mistake of not vetting potential partners you will find yourself simply wanting to set yourself on fire! And the other members of the team will be willing to Collaborate with you to provide you with gas and matches just as a way of thanking you for getting them financially and professionally involved in an unfolding nightmare from which they cannot extricate themselves.

Conclusion Obviously there is much more to the art and science of designing and implementing successful collaborations. But if you follow these basic instructions your loved ones won’t have to worry about keeping a fire extinguisher handy when you come back from a meeting.

Assemble people who play nice in the Sandbox Collaborations by nature are about compromise, cooperation and communication. Nothing is worse than assembling a team, setting sail and then finding that one or more of the participants is selfish, stingy, petty, immature or a passive aggressive pouter.

out of the box thinking lending

Jeffrey Deckman Capability Accelerators www.capabilityaccelerators.com

Our clients know we’re here for them year-round, not just at year-end.

JAMES J. PRESCOTT PETER L. CHATELLIER DAVID A. FONTAINE JAMES D. WILKINSON DEBRA A. MITCHELL

AT BRAVER, IT’S THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS.

ROBERT J. CIVETTI

Capital for all the right reasons 155 South Main Street

THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY www.bdcri.com 401 351 3036

Providence, RI 02903 401 421 2710 www.thebravergroup.com

NEWTON

BOSTON

TAUNTON

PROVIDENCE

CONCORD

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

SMALL BUSINESS | Seeed Conference

There’s a new kind of small business growing in Rhode Island and across the nation: social enterprises. These are businesses created to improve the community. Just as traditional businesses are created to fill a need in the marketplace, social enterprises are businesses launched to respond to a societal need.

we need to unleash the innovative power of social entrepreneurs

You may have been a customer of some of them. The Friendship Café on Broad Street is one of several businesses staffed by clients of Amos House, a social service agency. They also own a catering business, a packaged baked goods business, and a construction company – and they’re all thriving businesses that help support both the operation and the mission of Amos House. Edesia, a Providence manufacturer of a nutritional supplement for severely malnourished children that is being distributed globally, is operating two shifts a day, and through a partnership with the International Institute is employing 37 refugees. While some social enterprises are owned by non-profit corporations, many are not. Providence Granola, which is distributing its product in dozens of retailers, was founded specifically to create job opportunities for refugees. There are more than 120 social enterprises like this in Rhode Island, and that number is growing rapidly. In the last five years nearly every top business school in the nation has incorporated social enterprise classes and programs into its curriculum. Rhode Island is increasingly being viewed as a national leader in social enterprise

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

development. Last month, more than 400 social entrepreneurs, innovators, civic leaders, legislators, academics and students from 15 states traveled to Providence to explore the role of social enterprise in economic development. The Social Enterprise Ecosystem and Economic Development (SEEED) Summit, held at Brown University with the support of Social Venture Partners Rhode Island, explored the increasingly important role of social enterprise in our local, national and global economy. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Honorary Chair of the Event, said at the Summit, “When visionary Americans apply their entrepreneurial spirit to today’s most pressing issues, they challenge us to rethink how business and government can work together and grow the economy in Rhode Island and around the globe.” That vision is what motivates Social Venture Partners Rhode Island (SVPRI), a partnership of nearly 100 business and community leaders who are giving their time and resources to help nurture this growing sector of our economy. SVPRI launched the country’s first social enterprise co-branding marketplace, Buy With Heart, www.buywithheart.org/. The

Seeed Conference | SMALL BUSINESS

Point of Sale Solutions

response from social enterprises around the country has led the group to develop Buy With heart as a national program. SVPRI provides a range of services to social enterprises to help them succeed, including small loans and technical support. It works with high-school and college-age entrepreneurs. It helped the RI Legislature develop a new tax code for social enterprise, L3C, which will allow social enterprises to access both philanthrophic and venture capital. The Change Accelerator Incubator, and the Online Business Incubator that was developed as part of Broadband Rhode Island’s programming, are among a growing number of support services that are available to the business people and non-profit corporations building social enterprises. At the SEEED Summit last month, Congressman David Cicilline addressed an audience made up of leaders in local, state and national government, as well as business leaders engaged in social enterprise, and articulated the shared interest in this new approach. “As budgets at the federal, state, and local level get tighter and tighter,” he said, “and as elected officials and policymakers face ever more difficult decisions about

program and service reductions, the reality becomes clearer and clearer. We need some game changers. We need to unleash the innovative power of social entrepreneurs. And while budgets may be shrinking, we need to make the smart investments in enterprises with the greatest potential to deliver effective, efficient, and groundbreaking products and services that address the needs of our communities.” The conference concluded with Congressman David Cicilline announcing that he will submit for congressional action the first federal bill on social enterprise, the Social Enterprise Economic Development Bill. The SEEED bill will direct the Small Business Administration to better support social enterprise and to develop an office for social entrepreneurship, will make existing federal resources more accessible to social enterprises, and will establish a national commission on social innovation and enterprise. Rhode Island will continue its national leadership in this vital new sector, through Social Venture Partners Rhode Island. More on the organization, and the SEEED Summit, is available at www.socialenterpriseri.org or contact info@svpri.org

We Install and Service Point of Sale Systems for any Restaurant or Retail Business. Credit Card Services Available

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

FEATURED NONPROFIT | New England Chapter of the American Diabetes Association

POWERED BY SUBARU OF NEW ENGLAND More than 4,000 cyclists and over 3,000 volunteers and spectators are expected to be a part of the movement to Stop Diabetes as they participate in the 21st Annual American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure at any of the 5 sites throughout New England. All funds raised at the Tour de Cure events will go to support the Association’s mission – to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Individuals and teams composed of family, friends and co-workers are taking the ride of their life and helping raise funds to change the future of diabetes for nearly 26 million Americans living with the disease. Tour de Cure is designed for everyone from the occasional bike rider to the experienced cyclist with routes ranging from 5 mile family rides to 100 mile “century” rides and more. Routes vary by location – visit www.diabetes. org/tour for more information about the Tour de Cure event nearest you. Businesses are encouraged to participate either by forming teams or by sponsoring the ADA’s efforts. Subaru of New England has done just that, and teamed up with the ADA to sponsor the Association’s regional Tour de Cure series. “We are proud to sponsor the Tour de Cure to recognize the work of the New England chapter of the American Diabetes Association,” stated Ernie Boch Jr, President and CEO of Subaru of New England. “We invite cyclists across New England to join us in the Tour de Cure event nearest you to show your support in the fight against this disease.” Added Chris Boynton, Executive Director for the New England chapter of the ADA: “We are very pleased to welcome Subaru of New England to the New England Tour de Cure family. Their great staff and dealer presence throughout our six states will increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes but also spread the message of hope as we pedal together to Stop Diabetes.” The Rhode Island Tour de Cure event, held on June 10 in the South County area, extends the invitation to join the movement

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

as an individual, family or company. “We are grateful for the support of RISBJ to help us spread the word about how diabetes impacts a company’s bottom line,” stated Chris Boynton, Executive Director for the New England chapter of the American Diabetes Association. “There is an inextricable link between employee health and productivity.” Experts agree the most effective thing an employer can do to control healthcare costs and improve employee health and productivity is to encourage healthy living in the workplace. When the workforce is healthy, it is productive, has reduced levels of absenteeism, and requires less company and personal investment in health care expenses. A healthy workforce has a considerable return on investment. A report from the Partnership for Prevention and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates: 27% reduction in sick leave absenteeism, 26% reduction in health care costs and 32% reduction in worker’s comp/disability management cost claims. The diabetes epidemic continues to grow. Recent estimates show 1 in 3 American adults will develop type 2 diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. Currently, there are nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes. An additional 79 million American adults have pre-diabetes, and are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that healthy worksite and other lifestyle initiatives are effective. Type 2 diabetes and its complications can be prevented or delayed by 58% through lifestyle intervention. Losing 6% of body weight (15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) and moderate exercise (brisk walking) 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, can make a significant difference in lowering one’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Investing in awareness, behavior change, biometrics and environmental support can lead to short term and long term improvements in employee health and productivity. The ADA’s Stop Diabetes at Work resources can help. Visit www.diabetes.org/workplace for more information.

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

GoLocalProv.com is the “go to” local Web experience that breaks the biggest local stories, sports, high school sports, weather, news, politics, arts, entertainment — and allows users to go as deep as they wish. Branded, credible, and respected contributors from RI create the stories and content. Information is delivered through multimedia, written, and video platforms. All at GoLocalProv.com.

BCBS + Coastal Team to Share Savings for Improved Care Achieving real reform in healthcare requires three things: improved population health, a better experience for consumers, and more affordable care. While these goals are clear, how to achieve them has proved not to be. But there’s an increasing interest in payment reform as one likely answer. Redefining the Insurer-Physician Relationship Currently, provider contracts with insurers are “fee for service arrangements.” In other words, insurers pay physicians a discounted amount for each service they provide to the patient. The more services they provide, the more they get paid. Unfortunately, inherent in this arrangement is an incentive for sick care rather than preventative care. “Incredibly, up to one-third of all U.S. healthcare spend is waste, meaning that it is spent on things that don’t improve people’s health, such as unnecessary hospitalizations or redundant testing,” said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president and chief executive officer at BCBSRI. “Here in Rhode Island, where our members’ medical costs totaled more than $1.3 billion last year, that’s well over $100 million annually in unnecessary medical spend.” Shared Savings An alternative to this approach is a “shared-savings” arrangement that rewards physicians if they improve patient outcomes and achieve financial savings ahead of what the carriers set as reimbursement. If the physicians are successful, they share in the savings, and ultimately the cost of healthcare should improve. The concept of shared savings is catching on in contractual agreements between insurers and physicians in the state. Blue

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Coastal Medical, the state’s largest physician practice, have entered into an innovative, two-year shared-savings agreement aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient safety while slowing increases in costs. With Coastal serving 105,000 patients across 18 offices in the state, the pressure’s on for this new contractual agreement to succeed. And if it does, the hope is that the arrangement will catch on with other provider groups. Metric Incentives Under the terms of the contract, Coastal becomes eligible for additional financial compensation if it achieves best-in-class healthcare quality metrics established by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and manage the total cost of care better than the rest of BCBSRI’s primary care physician network. If it does, Coastal can share a percentage of any meaningful medical cost savings experienced by its group of patients. “One of the biggest frustrations physicians have had under the old fee-for-service model is that they simply can’t spend as much time caring for complex patients as they would like to. This agreement realigns the financial incentives to allow Coastal’s physicians to spend more time caring for chronically ill patients. Early detection of illness, better access to care, and closer attention to the needs of chronically ill patients improves their health and creates savings for the system. Patient care then improves, doctors are rewarded for doing the right thing, and care becomes more affordable.” said Al Kurose, M.D., president and CEO of Coastal Medical. If this new shared savings model works, it’s not just the physicians and insurers who will benefit by savings; patients will win, too.

Providence | GOLOCAL

Betaspring Mentors Entrepreneurs from Across the Country Betaspring hosted a prosperous open house Thursday in its new digs located in the historic Russell Irons building in Providence’s Jewelry District. The open house was made possible by many who donated their time and amenities. The sold out event attracted nearly 300 registrants, who had the chance to interact with the 16 companies featured in Betaspring’s mentoring program. Guests enjoyed refreshments from local establishments Catering Gourmet, Gasbarros, and Granny Squibb. Mayor Angel Taveras endorsed his enthusiasm and support for Betaspring and the progress in furthering development in the city. “Mentorship is key, and Betaspring knows that,” Taveras stated. “We are thrilled to have Betaspring here.” General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, and RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes were also present at last night’s open house. The 16 teams taking part in the intensive 12 week Betaspring accelerator program showcased their products and concepts last night during their 30 second pitches to the curious and eager and audience. Contrasting last night’s presentations to the original pitches conducted in earlier weeks of the program, companies have gained confidence and positive feedback from the experienced Betaspring mentors. Thumbs Up, a platform that lets viewers rate and share TV moments in real time, is a startup company that has benefitted greatly from the staff of Betaspring. Cass Sapir, founder of Thumbs Up, explained “When you have an idea for a startup, you have a tremendous amount of energy, but to harness that energy into an incredible product or experience is impossible to do by yourself.” He spoke very highly of the training program and proclaimed every mentor to be a perfect 10.

Expansion into the 95 Chestnut location is allowing Betaspring to offer graduating companies an additional 10 weeks of free office space, an option especially helpful to companies contemplating permanent re-location to Rhode Island. Prepmatic, test prep tools that increase standardized test scores through a fun approach, is one of the companies that will continue to utilize the supplied office space after the conclusion of the program. When Elie Schoppik, CEO of Prepmatic, was asked about his experience with Betaspring, he noted that “The mentors at Betaspring are the most humble people I’ve ever met. It’s incredible being surrounded by like-minded people all day everyday.” Schoppik’s partner and CTO of Prepmatic, Andrew Sohn, added: “Betaspring has proven to me that innovation can happen anywhere.” Betaspring’s network of over 80 mentors has connected the companies in the program with the expertise and resources they need to bring their startup to the next level. The financial support Betaspring offers the teams has had a significant impact on their development and growth. The financial benefits have also been a determining factor for some of the teams in their choice to permanently reside in Rhode Island after the completion of the program.

the mentors at Betaspring are the most humble people I’ve ever met it’s incredible being surrounded by like-minded people all day everyday Stephen Churchville, President of LessonWriter, a tool that turns today’s media content into structured lesson plans for classroom teachers, stated: “With a startup with minimal revenue, it is difficult to plan ahead. Betaspring has helped us crystalize our intentions and move ahead with our commitments.” Betaspring has brought an extremely realistic and tangible approach to starting a business and has helped the accelerator teams in inconceivable ways, according to Allan Tear, one of the organization’s founders “We’re trying to change the conversation about what is required to be successful,” Tear said.

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

GOLOCAL | Providence What do traditionalists, baby boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Yers share in common in the workplace? All four groups seek more flexibility for a better work/life balance.

Reasons to Add Workplace Flexibility

While each demographic is motivated by different factors – for example, Gen Yers want to spend time in ways that are meaningful to them while baby boomers may be sandwiched between caring for young children and parents – all feel stressed from spending too much time at work and too little doing everything else. To keep employees satisfied, employers are increasingly meeting employees’ requests for non-traditional ways to redefine the work day.

Defining Flexibility is Flexible Employers can define workplace flexibility in any number of ways, but at its core is alternative scheduling in terms of hours worked – and where. Popular arrangements include part-time hours or job sharing, leaves of absence, ability to move on and off the “fast-track,” telecommuting and virtual offices, and phased retirement for those employees who are not ready to completely call it quits.

Reaping Retention According to the 2010 SHRM-EIU Global Survey, C-suite executives believe their two biggest challenges with employee recruitment over the next ten years will be attracting and retaining the best people. By offering a flexible workplace, employers will attract candidates who would otherwise not have fit the job description or been interested in the role because of its schedule. The same flexibility will enable employers to retain key talent and avoid costly turnover and retraining issues.

The Boomerang Effect

Employees who are given flexibility are more likely to give back, putting in extra time at work when needed. In a 2011 survey conducted by Staples, Inc. of telecommuters who work for U.S. companies, 76% of these employees said they were willing to put in extra time and were more loyal to their companies since telecommuting. That’s because flexibility has been shown to drive morale and job satisfaction – and more engaged employees mean more productive ones.

What Works for One … When it comes to flexible schedules, one size does not fit all. Employers need to create workplace environments that make sense for them and their employees. With four generations of workers together in the workforce, employers need to be sensitive to this diversity and structure work options that suits each group’s needs – without sacrificing the company’s.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Providence | GOLOCAL

Alex and Ani’s Rafaelian RI Small Businessperson of the Year

Celebrating a substantial history as an established business, growth in the number of employees, innovativeness of products and contributions to the community, the U.S. Small Business Administration has announced Alex and Ani, Inc. Owner, Designer Carolyn Rafaelian, Rhode Island’s Small Business Person of the Year. The announcement means she will compete for the National Small Business Person of the Year. Rafaelian was evaluated on sustained expansion of the Alex and Ani retail stores, Made in America products, her impact on the community through charitable efforts and the economic impact she has made by creating local, national and international job opportunities. In 2011 alone, through Alex and Ani’s Charity by Design division, Rafaelian personally raised money for over 135 charitable organizations and/or individuals.

a blessing

an honor Rafaelian

“It’s a blessing and an honor to be selected for Rhode Island’s Small Business Person of the Year,” Rafaelian said. “A special thank you to Sherri Carrera for the nomination, Mark Hayward and Norm Deragon for delivering the good news and the continued support from the SBA Rhode Island District Office. I truly appreciate the acknowledgement of the accomplishments of my business and I am proud to represent Rhode Island.”

From Rhode Islanders and for Rhode Islanders: See it. Read it. Share it.

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

WOMEN IN BUSINESS | Positive Business

by Patricia Raskin

USE THE QPN MODEL TO CREATE WIN-WIN SITUATIONS I created the QPN Model which helps match your personal and professional qualities to the needs of your client or friend. Each letter represents a key component in the QPN Model. Q stands for qualities, which are the qualities you bring to the situation such as empathy, competence and efficiency. The P stands for purpose, which is your purpose in working with the other person or group. An example of your purpose is to help the other party create win-win situations, where everyone involved is satisfied with the outcomes. The N represents the needs of your clients in a business setting or your friends and family in a personal setting.

diminish because you are genuinely working on the other person’s behalf while honoring your own needs.

You create a win-win situation when your P=N, your purpose is equal to your client’s need so that everyone is satisfied with the outcomes. When you also match your qualities, the Q, to their needs, the N, you and the other party can relate more easily to each other. In this situation to help them create winwin situations, the other party needs the qualities of empathy, competence and efficiency that we outlined above.

Examine the “relatable” you. You can start with honoring your innate gifts, talents and abilities. Where do your talents and skills lie? What is your philosophy of life and work? Do you use initiative, innovativeness and intuitiveness in your work? How strong are your values and beliefs? Do you have a clear purpose and welldefined personalmission statement?

weave your skills, talents and abilities into a positive alignment so you can reach your goals Networking is a Q, or quality and is about building relationships, and investing time and energy in dealing with people to find out what their needs are and how you can match them with yours, thus creating win-win relationships. When you create win-win situations as you network and negotiate you will find strife and confusion

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Whether you selling a product or yourself or your vision or ideas, you have to be ‘relatable,’ which is not about selling out or being phony, and it’s not about manipulation. It’s about understanding the person you’re dealing with and bringing out that aspect of yourself that they can best relate to.”

The QPN Model gives you a framework to weave your skills, talents and abilities into a positive alignment so you can reach your goals and create win-win relationships at the same time.

Patricia Raskin Raskin Resources Productions www.patriciaraskin.com President of Raskin Resources Productions, Inc., is a radio talk show host, award-winning producer, media coach and speaker. She is the host of “Positive Business” on AM790 on Fridays from 3-5PM and “Patricia Raskin Positive Living” on WPRO -630AM & 99.7FM on Saturdays from 3-5PM.

LESSONS FROM A LIPSTICK

Lessons from a Lipstick | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I’m going to share a deep, dark secret with you…I used to sell lipsticks. I’m not ashamed of it, because selling lipsticks taught me a lot about how to run a successful business. For 10 years, I was part of a multi-level marketing company that has been empowering women through cosmetics/skin care sales for nearly 50 years. I credit this experience (along with what is apparently a genetic inability to sit in a cubicle for 40 hours a week) with providing the motivation to start my company, 3am Writers.

LESSON 1:

Look the part When I was, as my friends liked to call me, a Pink Lady, I was required to wear a skirt or dress for all business events. Not a pantsuit, or nice chinos, or cute jeans. A SKIRT or DRESS. This taught me a great deal about looking the part. When I wasn’t looking the part, I wasn’t feeling the part. Now I work from home, and I’ve traded my suits and heels for pink fuzzy slippers. But when I leave my computer hovel to meet clients in the real world, I make every effort to “look the part.” It gives me a boost every time!

LESSON 2:

Delegate the Minutiae I took to heart the advice given by one of the MLM company’s top sellers: “Get a cleaning lady. Every moment you have is precious. When you are cleaning your house, you should be saying to yourself, ‘I should be working my business, not this toilet.’” It taught me to view myself as an executive and invest my time accordingly. As my own business grew, I could do support others’ businesses! Do what you love, delegate what you don’t, and you will build a business that gratifies you and supports others.

LESSON 3:

Stop worrying about your competition In the company where I did my MLM stint, the philosophy was simple: follow the Golden Rule. To that end, we did not go after one another’s customers. This philosophy produced a camaraderie I had never seen in the corporate world, where everyone seemed to be out to backstab or blame one another. We held ultimate responsibility for our own success or failure, and if we needed to steal others’ customers to succeed, then we just weren’t doing it right. Strategy is important, but your strategy can’t be entirely based on how to grab customers from someone else. Get the focus back on providing your customers with the best products and services, and you won’t need to worry about them going anywhere else.

LESSON 4:

Run your business like a business The company I worked for sold cosmetics, which was light, frothy and fun. Make no mistake, however-it was serious business. We attended weekly meetings to stay focused and receive training on sales and business management. With my liberal arts college background, I’d never even seen a balance sheet before I became part of this MLM company. Suddenly, I had to start looking at numbers, working a plan to succeed. Enjoy your business, but remember—it’s a business, not a hobby.

with other people in my field, learn from masters of my profession, and refocus on my goals. In this day and age, we have unprecedented access to knowledge and motivation. Find a conference to attend or an organization to belong to, search online for articles and videos, subscribe to e-newsletters, and get involved in social media groups. You may think you don’t have time for these things, but taking advantage of opportunities to learn more about your business will reap benefits on all levels.

LESSON 6:

Treat everyone you meet like they are the most important person in your world Your business is built on you-your personality and connections will make your business grow. Everyone you meet could be a potential client or a connection to a great new opportunity. The founder of this MLM company used to say, “Pretend everyone you meet has a sign around their necks that says, ‘Make me feel important!’” I attracted many customers, recruits, and friends using this philosophy on everyone I met, and to this day, with my own company, I still do. So I guess 10 years selling lipsticks wasn’t such a bad idea after all!

LESSON 5:

Be a student of your profession I was lucky to be part of a company that provided wonderful training. At the huge annual conference at company headquarters (my husband called it “going back to the Pink Mother Ship”) I would meet

Aileen McDonough 3am Writers www.3amwriters.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

JAIME LIND

Today, the organization is a Rhode Island-based, woman and minorityowned consultancy, focused on strategic engagement and social impact initiatives for corporations, organizations and communities. George knew Jaime would be a great addition to the SI team, and he asked her to become his partner in the business a year later. Her role as chief messaging officer enables Jaime to draw on her program management and marketing skills to tell stories that will positively impact the lives of others.

by Melissa Black

Indeed, Solutions Inspired “walks the walk”. Jaime and George have been running an independent ministry of their own called The Elisha Project, bringing

Chief Messaging Officer, Jaime Lind discovered how rewarding community-based initiatives could be, and decided she wanted to make it her life’s work. After a long career in bank marketing, this bright, energetic professional with an extensive corporate background and passion for community involvement joined Solutions Inspired in 2011. Though some people live their entire lives without identifying their true calling, the Rhode Island residents Jaime has helped are thankful that she determined hers. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in business administration with a marketing concentration, Jaime entered the workforce at a direct marketing company in San Diego. Upon her return to Rhode Island, she landed in the marketing department of Citizens Financial Group. After several years and a succession of advancements, she accepted a leadership position with a small professional services firm. This move ignited her entrepreneurial spirit and led to her next venture as founder of a “virtual” integrated communications agency.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

A local community bank enlisted Lind’s company for a variety of projects, and eventually she was offered a position as their marketing director. At the bank, she developed and led a community-based financial literacy initiative, which prompted her to realize a need for businesses to be paired with relevant, meaningful and appropriate charitable efforts that they could participate in and implement in their own neighborhoods. Longtime friend and colleague George Ortiz shared Jaime’s passion for social impact, and founded Solutions Inspired in 2010. “While I was attending seminary in Georgia I realized that pastoring a church was not what I was called to do. So the next question was how could I bring that focus of “loving thy neighbor” to business? Bridging those two worlds of business and the love of Christ was my focus. Solutions Inspired came from that time in prayer. A company that focuses on what business needs and communities desire – unity and love in our every day through engagement and joint efforts.”

families together to feed Providence’s homeless, since last summer. Says Jaime, “Making positive contributions to our community is central to the Solutions Inspired mission. It is our raison d’etre.” When asked about growth, Lind says, “Solutions Inspired has taught me that growth is not always best measured in terms of gross sales or the length of your client list. Since it launched, SI had experienced significant growth in terms of its evolution. Because this business was formed to fulfill a need and to heed a calling, it has taken a great deal of

The key success factors of tomorrow require foresight and planning today effort (and sacrifice) to truly define who we are. Honing in on whom we want to work with, the types of projects we want to be a part of (and how we articulate it) has often meant turning down work and revenue because it didn’t support our

Jamie Lind | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT mission and failed our ‘impact’ litmus test. Evolution can be painful, but a steadfast commitment to living our purpose has made Solutions Inspired what it is today”. Jaime offers this advice to new business owners: “Never forget why you started your business in the first place. Of course we all hope to earn a good living and to leave a legacy, but in the beginning there is always a bigger dream; a passion for something that fuels our persistence. Hold tight to that fundamental purpose and make sure that it’s incorporated into every decision you make. In a world of information overload, authenticity is the key to building lasting relationships with customers and employees. It will help you stand out in the

MOVING BUSINESSES The “Go To” Mover of Choice.... in the Southern New England Area.

Solutions Inspired crowd and create a strong foundation for your business to stand the test of time.” Jaime Lind maintains a high-profile presence in the marketing industry. She has served as the Chapter President, Southeastern New England Region of the American Marketing Association for the past three years. In this role, she supports local marketing professionals in their education goals and helps them maintain their competitive edge. She’s also a progressive leader in the business community. Through Solutions Inspired, Jaime and George are providing services to support a need that many businesses don’t yet know they have. “The key success factors of tomorrow require foresight and planning today, but most businesses are too focused on the challenges that sit immediately in front of them to think proactively about community engagement and how it can be a game changer for their future.”

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

WOMEN IN BUSINESS | Ideas for Work-From-Home Parents I still remember days at my corporate job, dreaming of working from home - the perfect picture of balance and productivity. No interruptions, no office politics, just a quiet block of time to focus on the task at hand, and no commute! Little did I know that working from home would be triggered by my pregnancy. Ten years and two kids later, I have quite a different perspective on what it means to work from home! The joy and frustrations both came in waves - the flexibility to take business calls while walking my infant to sleep in her stroller was rewarding. On the flip side, seeing her crawling towards the litter box while I was out of reach on a client call made me long for the days of my quiet corporate office again! It was the swinging pendulum that became a daily routine. In hindsight, working from home has allowed me to spend a LOT of time with my kids that would not have been possible in a 9-5 office job. It has given us peace of mind after school, and on sick/snow days and saved tons of money that would have gone to day care. by Michelle Girasole

For new parents seeking the same benefits, here are some tips I can share that I’ve picked up along the way. The biggest challenge has been working when the kids want your undivided attention. After all, you’re home, so you must be available, right? Not always the case! Especially if you don’t want to become dependent on the “digital babysitters” of TV, video games and iPods, the ultimate question is: what to do with the kids? The Forbidden Box - keep a box of puzzles, craft materials, or coloring books and markers that can ONLY be used when you’re working. It became a special treat that always bought me enough time to make a quiet call, or finish a project that needed my focus. It was one way that we taught them about boundaries - when I was on the phone, I was off-limits. Some might call it a bribe. Hey, whatever worked! Flex-Time - When the kids were very young, many days I scheduled work around sleep and school schedules. Waking up an hour early to write my blog or check emails, allowed me to be 100% present while they were awake. Work during naptime, play until bedtime, work again for a few more hours. I was very disciplined about not letting household tasks get in the way of work during “sleeping hours”, and incorporated the kids into those chores as soon as they were old enough. It became stuff we did together.

ideas for work-from-home parents 60

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Ideas for Work-From-Home Parents | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Hire Helpers - Ask around for a referral to a young teen at the beginning of his or her babysitting career. Double win, as they get experience playing with your kids while you are home working, and you can shut the door, and know the kids are well cared for. Even just a few hours a day or week can work wonders. RI-Based Online Resources: I found these sites extremely helpful for inspiration. Anisa Raoof’s website, KidoInfo.com, is rich with ideas on how to keep the kids busy with things to do and places to go. They even put out a summer camp guide (http://kidoinfo.com/ri/camp-guide/), for parents who need longer blocks of time when school is out to have focused work. There are terrific options at many price points.

working from home has allowed me to spend a LOT of time with my kids that would not have been possible in a 9-5 office job Johanna Corcoran from MyFamilytopia.com, offers workshops titled, “Family moments in a fast-paced world” and “Glass half full: raising happy kids” lists many tips on the Facebook page and email newsletter for connecting with your kids during downtime. Kids’ Perception of Work I often wonder what my kids will do for work when they grow up. Their experience is that I don’t go to an office for 8 hours a day, but work sporadically throughout the day. They know I’m working when I’m on the phone or computer. What does “work” mean to them? Does all the juggling my husband and I do to be home when they get off the bus make a difference? Only time will tell, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Michelle Girasole Fresh LLC michellegirasole.blogspot.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

FEATURED CHAMBER | Northern Rhode Island Chamber

John C. Gregory, President/CEO 6 Blackstone Valley, Suite 301, Lincoln, RI 02865 401 334 1000 | www.nrichamber.com

To many The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce (NRICC) is a relatively “new” chamber because it has only been in existence since 1991. However the Chamber is a result of the merger of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce located in Pawtucket and the Greater Woonsocket Chambers of Commerce located in Woonsocket. .

of Commerce is the leader and founder of the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition. The coalition includes ten other Rhode Island Chambers.

However, business representation in the northern part of the state is not new as both Chambers had been in existence since the 1880’s placing them among the oldest chambers in New England.

Opportunities for Learning - Helping you run your business more productively is a high priority for us. We frequently organize seminars presented by experts in fields such as, developing leadership, hiring the best employees, business planning, and business software. In addition, the Chamber has partnered with several organizations throughout the state including the Export Assistance Center at Bryant University, the Small Business Development Center at Johnson and Wales University and the U.S. Small Business Administration to put our Chamber members in touch with the professionals they need to know.

The Blackstone Valley Chamber was one of the founding members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was among the very first chambers to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber. The Woonsocket Chamber was one of the first chambers to merge in smaller suburban chambers to become a more effective regional entity And though much has changed over the years, one thing that has been constant is best explained through our mission statement. The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce strengthens the economic climate through business leadership that fosters member and community prosperity. How do we do it? Advocacy-. NRICC has a full-time lobbyist on staff working for the interests of business at the local, state, and federal levels. We also publish Under the Dome, a weekly email newsletter that keeps members informed about the progress of bills that impact business and where the Chamber stands on such legislation. In addition to lobbying for our own members, the Northern Rhode Island Chamber

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Working with other business leaders we work tirelessly on helping to create an economic climate that will benefit all Rhode Islanders.

Community Development - Our community advisory groups, made up of Chamber member businesses in each city or town, provide advocacy, information, leadership, and serve as the Chamber’s eyes and ears in the local communities. Community advisory groups are established in Burrillville, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, and Woonsocket. The goals and projects of each group differ based on the needs of the community. Access - Members of the Chamber are part of northern Rhode Island’s strongest networking organization with access to nearly 700 businesses. The Chamber sponsors monthly breakfast and afterhours gatherings where fellow Chamber members can meet and network. In addition, the Chamber coordinates several major events throughout the year including our signature Annual Dinner, the Pawtucket Red Sox Welcome

Northern Rhode Island Chamber | FEATURED CHAMBER Home Luncheon, an Evening at McCoy, an Annual Golf Tournament, and the Legislative Reception where business professionals meet one-on-one with elected officials.

Events for Northern Rhode Island Chamber

This year we have added a new event a Wine and Beer tasting on May 24th. Members can also participate in one of our leads groups, the Executive Success Clubs and network with other business professionals. Every day people contact the Chamber looking for business referrals. It is our policy to refer only Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce members. As a Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce member, your business is listed in the searchable membership directory on our website.

We are governed by a Board of Directors of 35 companies who represent our membership diversity and we have a staff of 5 chamber professionals with over 60 years combined experience. Two of our staff members are graduates of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management program.

Eggs and Issues Breakfast, Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox 7:45 AM - 9:15 AM Kirkbrae Country Club , 197 Old River Road Lincoln, RI

Thursday May 3

Speed Networking 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402 Lincoln, RI

Friday May 4

Marketing that Makes $ense 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 402 Lincoln, RI

Wednesday May 9

Thursday May 10

helping to create an economic climate that will benefit all rhode islanders NRICC membership includes a diverse base including large signature companies like Amica, CVS and Fidelity as well as entrepreneurs. It includes many industries including manufacturing, retail and service

Thursday April 26

Networking at Night 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dr. Day Care, 1201 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI Eggs & Issues with the Federal Reserve featuring Dr. Robert Triest, VP & Economist Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Sponsored by Freedom National Bank 7:45 AM – 9:30 AM Kirkbrae Country Club, 197 Old River Road Lincoln, RI

The name of our weekly email publication and our cable access TV show says it all At the Northern RI Chamber of Commerce “Business Matters”. Hope to talk to you soon John C. Gregory, IOM President/CEO

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

CHAMBER CHAT | What’s New 1

Central Chamber Lauren E.I. Slocum, President/CEO 3288 Post Road, Warwick, RI 401 732 1100 | www.centralrichamber.com

New Members Continental Resources Inc CPU Diagnostics Floors To Go Mizu Japanese Steakhouse Mutual Property Associates The Thank-U Company Inc

East Bay Chamber Mark Matrone, Chairman 16 Cutler Street, Suite 102, Warren, RI 401 245 0750 | www.eastbaychamberri.org

Networking – Support – Advocacy. Our mission is to promote business as The Central Rhode Island Chamber the foundation for community growth of Commerce strives to foster the and well-being by being the most reliable business-to-business and business- 2 Cranston Chamber resource and leading advocate for Stephen C. Boyle, President to-consumer operations of our businesses throughout the East Bay and 875 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI members. We are thrilled to have surrounding areas. 401 785 3780 | www.cranstonchamber.com been a part of another successful Statewide Business After Hours event. The East Bay Chamber is comprised of We are working aggressively to The Central RI Chamber advocates a well-rounded group of manufacturers, revitalize the Rolfe Street Area with an for the interests of our members innkeepers, restaurateurs, lawyers, Earth Day Clean up on April 22, from both economically and legislatively retailers, medical professions, realtors 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In addition we through the Rhode Island Chamber of and many other professional men and will be holding meetings shortly with Commerce Coalition. To continue to women in a vast array of industries. the current business owners as well as bring our members top-tier service, we Though varied in profession, these the various landlords to move forward are spearheading innovative changes individuals have a common focus with mutually agreed upon revitalization. to our website and social-media business success. The East Bay Chamber Previous discussions have centered on outlets. By working closely with our of Commerce consistently strives to not making the area an arts and cultural members, the Chamber can continue only help our members but our residents district. We are proceeding with a to be a positive influence on the Rhode and visitors as well. reorganization of the various Chamber Island economy. benefits along with a media Spend a day in the East Bay! We advertising package and encourage you to dine and shop locally reintroduction of our energy and to patronize our members. program for small businesses and residential customers. Narragansett Sailing In addition we are in the process of launching a 4 East Greenwich new site that will further Stephen email Lombardi, Executive Director us at enhance our members 580 Main Street, East Greenwich, sales@ritelephone.com RI businesses and what we 401 885 0020 | www.eastgreenwichchamber.com provide for them. East Greenwich is well known for New Members VOIP PBX Features: its vibrant Main Street, waterfront, RIHANI International Inc. great restaurants, Auto Attendant & Voicemailhistory, colonial Alex & Ani architecture, and many community Transfer to Cell Phones Sysco Boston Voicemail to Email activities. The East Greenwich Chamber & Music on Hold Built In Zola Chiropractic of Commerce composed of business Web Portal for Administration Manpower and professional leaders will promote Edibile Arrangements and enhance business development Cranston Country Club through free enterprise and by fostering Rhodes on the Pawtuxet 888 856 cooperation between business, 5970 Whole Foods government and the community. 81 Market Western Industrial Drive Michael Buco/New York Life Cranston, RI 02921 Estner Chiropratic Center The year 2011 was a year of great activity www.ritelephone.com Capital Business Products and change for the East Greenwich Pinkberry Chamber. We added 42 new members as

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What’s New | CHAMBER CHAT well as launched a state of the art website. We believe the site will showcase our Chamber and its members in a better, up to date fashion. Mark your calendars for May 15th, when the East Greenwich Chamber will host Business After Hours with special guest speaker, URI President David Dooley. New Members @ Home Healthcare – RI Almonte Group LLC Chronomatic Inc. Diversified Financial Group East Greenwich Drizzle Pizza Gregg Mozzi Financial Inspirations Embroidery Lina Piccolina Martineau Davis and Associates Nakowicz Financial Services, Inc. Ocean State Health & Fitness Organical Botanical Pawtucket Red Sox Pickles Custom Catering Robert K. Dyer MD Dermatology LLC Robin Corning Sew Many Things Smyle Store LLC The Healthy Benefits URI Athletics @ The Ryan Center WorldPay

affiliation in the United Chambers of Southern RI. Our personal connection and commitment to our members remains our greatest strength. New Members Yankee Travel Smoothy Booty Cafe Trattoria Romana South Education by Entertainment Perry’s Neighborhood Bar & Grille A.D. Hoxsie Landscaping Inc. Consignments Ltd. Matthew M. Mannix Esq. Narragansett Fire Department Wellness/ Net View Web Design Sign Guild Inc. Spa Thayer Deborah Kelso

North Central Chamber Deborah Ramos, President 255 Greenville Avenue, Johnston, RI 401 349 4674 | www.ncrichamber.com

We are thrilled to be celebrating our 30th Anniversary – serving the small business community in the towns of Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, Scituate, Foster and Glocester – where it’s all about “Businesses supporting Community supporting Businesses”!

We welcome all business owners within our communities to learn more about the North Central Chamber of Commerce and its value. As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we will celebrate OUR members and the small businesses within our communities offering additional promotions – such as complimentary advertising in our local newspapers and more throughout the year! Buy small, buy local! Support small business, support each other! Again, at the North Central Chamber of Commerce, it’s all about “Businesses supporting Community supporting Businesses”! New Members Audrey Massart Photography Decadent Designs Bakery dSi Payroll iZigg – Ed Sousa Go Go Cast, Inc. Payless Auto Glass Serendipity Artisans & Crafters, LLC

let’s talk about

Narragansett Chamber Deborah Kelso, Executive Director 36 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 401 783 7121 | www.narragansettcoc.com

Narragansett Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering, nurturing and promoting a healthy business environment in Narragansett, Washington County and the State of Rhode Island Our focus on Marketing, Education, Advocacy and Networking helps our members achieve their unique business goals. The Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group representing a broad array of goods and services. Narragansett Chamber of Commerce membership has grown 15% in the last year due to our regional outreach and partnerships fostered through our

Our Mission is to develop business partnerships to enhance the climate of our region for business growth and quality of life, and to deliver the key ingredients for a business to succeed: Growth, Education and Networking, and additionally – Chamber Advocacy.

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FOR A FREE 1 MONTH TRIAL VOIP PBX Features: Auto Attendant & Voicemail Transfer to Cell Phones Voicemail to Email & Music on Hold Built In Web Portal for Administration

888 856 5970 81 Western Industrial Drive Cranston, RI 02921 www.ritelephone.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

CHAMBER CHAT | What’s New 7

Newport Jody Sullivan, Executive Director 35 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 401 847 1608 | www.NewportChamber.com

On May 7, 2012, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 2012 Excellence In Business Awards where Carolyn Rafaelian, Owner and Designer, and Giovanni Feroce, CEO, of Alex & Ani will be the keynote speakers. The Excellence In Business Awards are presented annually to honor outstanding business achievement in Newport County, RI in seven categories: micro business, large, medium and small business, nonprofit, woman- or minorityowned business and entrepreneur of the year. The 2012 winners will be kept a surprise until they are recognized at the Awards Breakfast on Monday, May 7, at the Newport Officers’ Club, Naval Station Newport from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The Excellence In Business Awards are sponsored by Carey, Richmond & Viking Insurance and The Newport Daily News.

After 24 years of service, Karla Driscoll is retiring as the Executive Director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. We wish her well in her retirement! The Board of Directors took this opportunity to implement a new strategic plan with the emphasis on economic development that focuses on attracting and delivering innovative services to help members grow and thrive. The NK Chamber has developed new programming and initiatives which will be rolled out over the coming year. New Members Merrill Lynch Fresh Connections Adecco St. Paul’s Nursery School Deep Blue Technologies Updike Newtown’s Coffee Roaster First Point Power Alhambra Building Corp. Weichert Realtors Handles Unlimited Wildwood Catering Grenco Excavation NDK Dental

New Members AvPorts (Newport State Airport) 9 Southern RI Elizabeth Berman, Coordinator Building Performace Engineering 230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI Designated Editor, Content & Social 401 783 2818 | www.srichamber.com Strategist dubdubdub Web Design & Marketing 10 Things you probably didn’t know Four Season Repairs about the Southern Rhode Island Grow RI Chamber of Commerce: Hilary B. Photography Montana Emu Ranch 1. We host 2 networking events every Peaceable Market month. First Friday Coffee on the first RI Kitchen & Bath, Inc. Friday of every month and Business Shape Up Newport After Hours on the third Wednesday Sole Desire of every month. Toppa Brothers Landscaping 2. As a member you can write articles UpTheLadder.co Enterprises Inc. for our newsletters which are Van Beuren Charitable Foundation published monthly. WLWC TV Providence 3. Our conference room is available for rental. 8 North Kingstown 4. We have a great gift certificate Toby Aaron, Chair program with over 200 participating 8045 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI local businesses. 401 295 5566 | www.northkingstown.com

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

5. Our tourist and information center is widely used by visitors and the local communities. 6. Our website receives hundreds of hits every day. 7. Ribbon cuttings and grand opening services available. 8. Display your business outside of the Chamber office. 9. Notary and certificate of origin available for free. 10. Hundreds of referrals given weekly. New Members Blackledge Real Estate & Consulting Minuteman Press New England Grass Fed, LLC Subway of Exeter Deep Blue Technologies Experience Real Estate GRENCO Excavating & Septic Services Little Medeiros Kinder Bulman & Whitney, PC New Leaf Landscaping, Inc. Province Mortgage Associates, Inc. Richmond Country Club TownePlace Suites by Marriott in NK Accutrust Mortgage Attorney Title Services Brad Smith Photography Dragon Palace of Wakefield Narragansett House Rentals Peitsch Co. Fine Art Supplies Pier Liquors Smoothy Booty Cafe Wild Wood Catering

your chamber not listed contact us today so we can add your information and new member list for the next issue

chamberchat@risbj.com isupportsmallbusiness.com

What’s New | CHAMBER CHAT

New Members for Northern RI

The Met : Hope Artiste Village

Kiwi Burst 401 651 7178

1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island Tuesday, May 1, 2012 6pm-10pm

Feeney & Foster CPA’s www.feeneyfoster.com

Honoring Donald R. Grebien, Mayor of Pawtucket with Celebrity Host Barbara Morse Silva, NBC 10

Lucier CPA, Inc. www.luciercpa.com

Your donation of $50 grants you admission to an evening of live music, great food and drink, and a wide variety of artistic expression throughout the venue. There will be a silent auction, raffle and even a PeaceLoveTini, all to benefit PeaceLove Foundation. Dress is casual so feel free to wear your favorite PeaceLove tee!

Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. www.rmsmortgage.com The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina www.newporthotel.com Rebecca E. Dupras, Attorney at Law www.redlaw.net

Create Peace of Mind™.

For more information visit peacelovestudios.com

get your PeaceLove on!

Monique Desormier, Esq. 401 333 3377 Gentry Moving www.Gentrymoving.com Ideal Weight Loss RI www.idealweightlossri.com Hanna Instruments Inc. www.hannainst.com StratCon, Inc. www.stratconst.com Above and Beyond Tree Service www.aboveandbeyond-treeservice.com Chemtex www.chemtexinc.com Cypress Design Co. www.cypressdesignco.com Furniture Bank www.furniturebankri.com B. Baptista Electric, Inc. 401 723 5800 Southern New England Computer Services www.snecsllc.com

Annual Dinner

“Night of the Rising Stars”

…..celebrating our 30th Anniversary!

Flashback to the 80’s! Monday, May 21, 2012 Crystal Lake Golf Club

100 Broncos Highway, Route 102, Mapleville, RI

5:00 pm Cocktails & Mini Expo • 6:30 pm Dinner, Awards Presentation, with Guest Speaker Jim Hummel and more!

Join us for a productive networking opportunity while enjoying Cocktails, then followed by a fabulous dinner, Awards Presentation – “Rising Star”, “Community Service”, “Small Business of the Year”, Scholarship Presentation, Guest Speaker Jim Hummel and more!

Tickets are $50 per person.

To promote your business during the Mini Expo – tickets are $85. Call the North Central Chamber of Commerce at (401) 349-4674 or register online at www.ncrichamber.com. The North Central Chamber of Commerce proudly serves the towns of Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, Scituate, Foster and Glocester. As a reminder, it’s good business to do business with Chamber members!

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PROPERTY FOR LEASE

269 Greenville Avenue, Johnston:

Bright office/retail/general business space! Unit C: Former tanning salon. $700/month Unit E: Former Law/Financial Planning office. $1400/month. Ample parking. 3 phase electric. RILiving.com MLS #1010162

100 Centerville Road, Warwick:

PRIME office space with great visibility!! 10ft. ceilings, very bright, like NEW inside. GREAT VALUE- only $1300/ month. Located at the top of Tollgate Rd at Rt. 117, 1 mile to exit 10 and Rt.95. RILiving.com MLS #1012975

250 Centerville Road, Warwick:

Bright and sunny second floor space. Six offices, reception and very large conference or training room. Beautiful setting with ample parking. Bld F St F has 2,500 sq ft expandable to 5,000 sq ft. RILiving.com MLS #992333

47 Sandy Bottom Road, Coventry:

Large store (5250’) that can be divided into three; 1000, 1250, or 3000 sf. Very busy plaza on a busy feeder road. Join ReMax, Anytime Fitness, Subway, Liberty Tax, Northeast Karate & others. $12/psf base, depending on size and improvements needed. RILiving.com MLS #1007209

1370 Plainfield Pike, Cranston:

By Walgreens at Atwood and rt 14. AMPLE PARKING in newly paved lot in rear and front. Great visibility Corner lot. Use for Retail, Restaurant, GB to Medical. 4,800 sq ft Stand Alone Building plus full 4,800 sf basement for $3,750 per/mo. RILiving.com MLS #981196

500 Callahan Road, North Kingstown:

Flexible space in Quonset Business Park. Major highway access, minutes from I-95. Rail, Airport, shopping and shipping. 3 phase, 400 amp service,20 ft ceiling, loading docks, overhead doors. Flexible use and floor plans from 3,000 to 40,000 sq ft. from $3.75 psf. RILiving.com MLS #1005917

25 Concord Street, Pawtucket:

Former Deblois/DB Mart Executive Offices. Nice, flexible and inexpensive office space. Only a minute from Rt. 95/ Smithfield Ave (Rt. 126) Exit. RILiving.com MLS #1009672

Butler

24 Quaker Lane, Warwick:

1,000 sf street level retail - $900 mo. 1,000 - 3,000’ sf (3 units) 2nd level, bright second floor space from $750 mo. with high ceilings and sky lights. Zoned general business. By Kent County Courthouse & “Miracle Mile” Rt.2/Rt.117. Great highway access & signage. RILiving.com MLS #987502

Realty Group

747 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston:

Individual office space from 200sq ft to 14,000sq ft. Busy Pontiac Avenue near Rolfe Square- walk to everything. Good for start up or incubator space, you can add space as you grow! RILiving.com MLS #994568

20 Centerville Road, Warwick:

Great Apponaug location! Former school; solid brick construction. Very nice 2nd floor space; owner on 1st floor. Space plan attached. Quick highway access and walk to Apponaug Village amenities! RILiving.com MLS #988739

126 Prospect Street, Pawtucket:

Busy medical office Bldg. Easy hwy access next to Pawtucket Memorial Hospital. Private suites or shared common area suites. Plenty of parking.Landlord pays most expenses. Many extras. Be part of diverse group of pediatricians & other health care professionals. RILiving.com MLS #1005939

75 West Industrial Park, Cranston:

1,100 sq ft - Nicest contractor condo around. Centrally located right off I295 by Comstock Industrial Park. 14’ overhead door, man door, office or storage, restroom, sewers, sheetrocked with electric all around. Mop sink . $1,000 mo. HE lighting, gas heat. RILiving.com MLS #1007412

Many more Commercial Properties @ www.ButlerRealty.us ....

Commercial • Investment • Residential

or email Jeff Butler at jab@ButlerRealty.us

401-886-7800 www.ButlerRealty.us

Looking to Buy or Lease? Call the Butler !

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Trusted Real Estate Service Since 1977

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

297 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick:

1st floor all set up for daycare. 2nd floor-up to 4 office suites. Owner is vacating building to enable sale to owner/ occupant. Tenant thru June 2012. $895,000 RILiving.com MLS #1008318

2025 Nooseneck Hill Road, Coventry:

2.2 acres on busy Rt. 3, $900’s. L shaped lot with frontage on Rt. 3 (Nooseneck Hill Road) and Harkney Hill Road. Heavy traffic, & great demographic. Corner and light access. Can be combined with 2011 Nooseneck Hill Road (MLS# 1006843) $399,000. RILiving.com MLS #972242

444 Wellington Avenue, Cranston:

279 285 Main Street, East Greenwich:

Normandy Rooms and Ron’s Barber Shop (owner), same owner over 28 years. Tenancy surprisingly stable, some over 10 years. Ron will vacate and consider sale of his salon business. GREAT cash flow and location!! NEW gas heat system! $625,000 RILiving.com MLS #984569

1130 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown:

Very nice 1st floor office at sought after Meadows Office Park. Two private offices, conf., reception, closets. Owner may hold 1st mtg. Condo fees are $265/month. $113,500 RILiving.com MLS #1012754

111 Airport Road, Warwick:

Wellington Industrial Area. M2 Zoning with heavy 3 phase power. 3 Overhead doors. Visible from interstate with easy highway access. Manufacturing, Industrial, Warehouse or other use. Newish roof. Central location by corner of Park and Wellington. $329,000 RILiving.com MLS #999673

Very nice 2nd floor office space. Tastefully decorated, good paint & carpet, possible office furnishings (nice stuff!) Three offices, conference, reception, lav., plus large basement storage. $180/month condo fee. $89,000 RILiving.com MLS #1012762

111 Hopkins Hill Road, West Greenwich:

79 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich:

½ acre – 16 acres Very fast growing area off Exit 6A near GTech, Amgen & Centrex. Front pad is busy Dunkin Donuts, balance of site permits office, retail, warehouse & light industrial. Traffic count 15,000 and growing! Multitude of possibilities- 6 other avail. lots. From $150,000 RILiving.com MLS #855989

Great commercial site!! 1.5 acres, 239’ lot frontage – $300K ! Adjacent 7.28 acres, also 239’ frontage - $500,000 Town water, gas. Zoned highway business, many potential uses!! On heavily trafficked Route 3, right off of Exit 6, Rt. 95. Coventry and West Greenwich are two of RI’s fastest growing areas!

Butler

RILiving.com MLS#’s 971654, 971662,971664

Realty Group

Commercial • Investment • Residential

401-886-7800 www.ButlerRealty.us

660 Tiogue Avenue, Coventry:

High profile three street corner location. Just 2 blocks North of Arnold Road- Very busy area!! Sewers recently installed in this section of Rt3. $850,000 RILiving.com MLS #955312

18 Highland Street, West Warwick:

RI’s oldest continually operating hotel. Rare opportunity, great cash flow possibilities, 15 room boarding house (could be 21) plus bar and function room. Bar is closed, owner is retiring, proven winner ready for new energy!! $475,000 RILiving.com MLS #994597

132 Meadow Street, Warwick:

Office/Mfg Wrhse combo.Great value for user. Nice,clean,bright space! This bldg has been substantially updated& is turn key ready to go.Owner can also modify to suit! Lease option available. $575,000 RILiving.com MLS #1013527

7265 Post Road, North Kingstown:

7.82 acres on US Rt.1. Zoning permits apartments/office/ medical/retail. Many possibilities!! Will build to suit, sale or lease, or land only. Great location. Dozens of acres and walking trails behind property. Adjacent 5+- acres also available. $1,200,000 RILiving.com MLS #856381

Many more Commercial Properties @ www.ButlerRealty.us .... or email Jeff Butler at jab@ButlerRealty.us Trusted Real Estate Service Since 1977 Looking to Buy or Lease? Call the Butler !

www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

COMMERCIAL NEWS PROPERTY SOLD! Butler Realty Group involved in two major commerical transactions. 47 Sandy Bottom Road, Coventry RI

Participants Broker: Jeffrey A. Butler Phone: 401-886-7800 Brokerage Co.: Butler Realty Group Co-Broker: Jack Braverman(401) 490-6444 Co-Brokerage Co.: Stone Tower Properties Landlord/Seller: Edward P. Flanagan Jr. Tenant/Buyer: V H Partners, LLC Type of Business: 26,000sq ft Multi Tenanted plaza, with ReMax Central, Legin Dance Studio, Anytime Fitness, Subway, Liberty Tax, a Karate School, and Salon. Porch & Patio Pool is vacating 5,200’ which is now available for lease, it is dividable down to 1,000 sq ft. The new owners plan on exterior renovation for the older section and have already begun working on parking lot, handicap access, and landscaping. 70

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

2258 Post Road, Warwick RI

Participants Broker: Jeffrey A. Butler Phone: 401-886-7800 Brokerage Co.: Butler Realty Group Co-Broker: Don Morash (401) 732-0011 Co-Brokerage Co.: Abbott Properties Landlord/Seller: JAC York, LLC Tenant/Buyer: Caprice Realty, Inc. Type of Business: Porcaro & Associates, CPA, Greg Porcaro Principal Porcaro’s accounting firm and Advantage Payroll Services will occupy most of this 8,000’, 2 story signature building, with a full basement, that most recently housed Coldwell Banker Real Estate. It has prominent presence on Post Rd, and abuts the State Airport Property.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

10 TIPS for Tenant Retention in a Lessee’s Market Information Provided By Butler Realty Group | Source Realtor Magazine

1. Approach tenants early. In a market with vacancies in the high double digits, start lease renewal negotiations 12 to 24 months in advance. 2. Don’t bring in competing tenants just to earn an extra buck. In a tough market, it’s tempting to take any lease, but ignoring noncompete lease clauses can cost you a tenant, get you in a lawsuit, and undermine percentage rents.

our successes | office • 695 George Washington Highway (Route 116), Lincoln, RI • 50,000 square feet of new build-to-suit, class “A” office space • Leased to CVS/Pharmacare for F. H. French

3. Invest to avoid functional obsolescence. Spending on upgrades may hurt the bottom line over the short term, but improvements will pay dividends in long-term tenants.

• 11 Blackstone Valley Place, Lincoln, RI

4. Educate tenants and owners about what the market is doing. Market knowledge about vacancies and any new properties coming online will help keep rent negotiations realistic on both sides.

• 28,000 square foot, class “A” office building

5. Avoid guessing games. Offer a fair deal, use comps to explain your offer, and communicate your position clearly.

• Leased to CVS for Blackstone Management

6. Keep the decision makers happy. The boss and office manager will notice factors such as HVAC and janitorial services. It’s a lot easier to replace a poor cleaning service than a tenant. 7. Don’t slack on face time. It’s not enough simply to provide a lot of services to tenants. Being available in person can sway that renewal decision. 8. Never go on the defensive. When a tenant calls to complain, you should listen, empathize, and solve the problem. Don’t make excuses.

• 1275 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI

9. Treat an existing tenant the way you’d treat a new one. Take an interest in each tenant’s business and stay in touch with tenants regularly, not just when they complain or it’s time for a renewal.

• 34,000 square foot class “A” office building

10. Put the real estate first. If a property is well-maintained, it gives tenants a reason to stay.

• Sold to Dream House Mortgage for The Cranston Company, LLC • 1351 South County Trail (Route 2), East Greenwich, RI • 24,000 square feet of new, build-to-suit class “A” office space • Leased to daly.commerce for Blackstone Management • 1 International Way, Warwick, RI • 30,000 square feet, build-to-suit, class “A” office space • Leased to GSA (Homeland Security) for VAS Realty

mgcommercial.com www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue three

BUSINESS | Directory 3am Writers

Black Ink Virtual Assistance

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Rhode Island Telephone

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gogocast.com

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