GROW News
December 7, 2011
Below is this week's news from GROW Nebraska. If you have questions, ideas or comments please e-mail
info@grownebraska.org. We LOVE hearing from our members.
Norfolk Retail Store Closing To Make Way For New Opportunities
GROW Nebraska firmly believes that Nebraskan entrepreneurs have talents and ingenuity that need to be shared with the rest of the nation as well as the world. By expanding our reach, we can drive sales across the globe, bringing money into our state and boosting our local economy. This is why GROW Nebraska will be partially shifting our focus in 2011.
Often we get too wrapped up in local sales, marketing to our neighbors and friends but missing our target market as a whole. While it is important to sell locally, GROW sees greater potential in selling online. Our eCommerce and eBay platforms have steadily increasingly sales, and the cost to maintain these online platforms is significantly less. Hence, GROW will be closing our Norfolk retail training center as of Dec. 24 so that resources can be shifted to starting a new eCommerce platform by June 1.
This was not an easy decision. The Norfolk store has provided many of our members with new awareness in Northeast Nebraska, and we cherish the relationships we've gained. However, the low sales we've seen do not justify the cost of maintaining the store when we can achieve greater sales online for less. If you would like to continue selling product in a physical location in Northeast Nebraska, please contact
info@grownebraska.org for alternative options.
Also, if you have product in the Norfolk store, please contact us to set up a time to pick up your product or to see if there is anyone available to grab your product for you.
Thanks for your understanding. We look forward to offering continued promotion and retail opportunities in the future.
Are You up for Renewal?
2011 is quickly coming to a close; don't miss out on renewing your GROW membership so that you continue to have access to the wonderful opportunities we offer. Watch your e-mail for information on the services you took advantage of and the returns you got from your membership.
Remember, you are only up for renewal if you joined before April 1, 2011. If you're not sure if you're up for renewal, please e-mail
info@grownebraska.org or call 888-476-9632.
If you'd like to go ahead and renew now, select one of these options:
Renew and Pay Now >>
Renew and Be Invoiced >>
If you don't plan to renew, please fill out this form:
Take Exit Survey >>
3 Ways to get More Online Sales
If you want more online sales, YOU need to promote it when you are at craft shows or farmer's markets, demoing your products, anywhere you have an audience. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising – people NEED to know they can buy your product online. So:
1. Tell everyone where they can buy your product, including your web site, the
GROW eCommerce site,
stores, etc.
2. Give everyone a handout or sack stuffer that tells them where they can buy it online after you tell them.
3. GROW will make you a customized handout promoting your items on the GROW eCommerce web site at
ShopGrowNebraska.org. Click
here to view.
If you are interested in having a custom handout made for your business to print, promoting your items on the GROW eCommerce site, please e-mail
info@grownebraska.org.
REVIEW SAMPLE HANDOUT >>
Promote Your Business through the GROW Getter Or Just Save Big!
As many of you have probably noticed, GROW Nebraska has been piloting a promotion called the GROW Getter. Each Wednesday at 11 a.m., an e-mail is sent to all members, those who have signed up for our promotions list, and all of those who have purchased off of our eCommerce site. The GROW Getter will promote an item at 40% off retail price. 20% of this is covered by GROW Nebraska's cut, and 20% is covered by the participating business. If you have any questions, please contact
info@grownebraska.org.
This week's GROW Getter features a code for $30 off when you spend $99 or more! Check it out
here.
We are opening up the promotion to all product members. This is first come, first served. If you are interested in having your item added please fill out the form
here.
GROW Nebraska Offering Gift Card Service
Do you want gift cards for your business but don’t want to buy 250 or 500 at a time?
GROW Nebraska now has a gift card printer and can make custom designed gift cards for your business at a reduced rate without a minimum order! If you are interested in having GROW Nebraska print gift cards for your business, please fill out the form
here. We will then get in contact for you regarding pricing for the cards.
Sign Up Now >>
Sell Nebraska Products in Lincoln
Scott & Marsha Hunzeker, owners of Hunzeker Frameables, are opening a new storefront in Lincoln featuring products from Nebraska based businesses.
They are looking for a diverse selection of items to offer customers including packaged foods, home décor, candles, bath & body products, clothing, pet supplies, jewelry, accessories, photography/artwork, toys, books, etc. Handmade is not a requirement; the intent is not to open a “craft” store but rather a one-stop shop for Nebraska-made items.
It will not be a requirement that you wholesale your items; they will have multiple options for selling your products in their store and will try to make accommodations for all businesses interested.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the Hunzekers via e-mail:
sales@hunzekerframeables.com or by phone: (402) 465-8733.
Instant Savings on Gift Packaging with National Everything Wholesale
National Everything Wholesale has big business selection and homegrown service. They’re proud to be a family and veteran owned wholesaler founded in Nebraska in 1979. They understand the exhausting work, the endless worrying and perseverance needed to start and grow a successful business. It’s seldom easy, but often rewarding.
As a proud GROW Nebraska member since 2008, they believe their mission to promote and support homegrown businesses is critical to the long term success of local communities and the entire state. Regardless of size, they believe your business makes this state better!
$10 Instant Online Coupon: Exclusive to GROW Nebraska members only, they are offering this $10.00 instant online coupon towards any gift packaging online orders over $80 through December 31, 2011.
Shop today at
www.NPAPER.com. With thousands of items, customers enjoy a huge selection of the everyday to the exotic. When your brand and image matter, these gift packaging supplies range from the basic, to logo’d bags, and the hippest colors and patterns your customers want. These shipping supplies help you ship any item, any size, anywhere on the planet while surviving just about anything.
Checkout with this code: 10GROWNE
Do You Sell On eBay?
Do you sell on eBay? Want to support GROW Nebraska while selling on eBay? You can donate a percentage of your sale to GROW Nebraska while getting rid of extra items at your house or selling your product. When listing your item, select a donation amount or percentage of the sale to go to GROW Nebraska. This is a tax deductible donation! If you have questions or issues listing your item to donate a percentage to the program, please call us at 402.742.3121 or e-mail
info@grownebraska.org.
'Tis the Season to Promote Your Store Front
Does your business have a store front? If yes, we have a bonus to your GROW Nebraska membership! If you have a retail location, GROW will promote it as a location to purchase locally made products for the holidays. Check out the link below to see if your business is currently listed. If you need to be added to the list, please contact us at
info@grownebraska.org.
Check Listed Locations >>
Do You Have Shipping Supplies You Don't Need? Any old Packing Peanuts?
The sales on GROW Nebraska's eCommerce and eBay stores are over double of what they were last year! If you have any boxes, bubble wrap, peanuts, or other packing materials that you would like to recycle please let us know by contacting us at
info@grownebraska.org. We would be more than happy to use it for our holiday shipping.
Do you want to try Google Adwords?
GROW Nebraska recently received a Google Grant which allows us to use up to $330 per day in Google AdWord advertising. As of now, we are not using up our total daily budget, so we need your help. If you have products available on
ShopGrowNebraska.org and would like FREE AdWords for them, please fill out the form
here. This is a great opportunity to try Google AdWords for free before investing in them yourself.
New Members
State Studios - This Lincoln start-up is redefining the way small- to medium-sized brokers, and their clients, use software to do business. Developers at State Studios create apps and software that are user-friendly and fulfill all your business needs. Find out more
here.
Suleiman & Company - No matter how large or small the investment, this Lincoln company manages your money with the utmost care and personal concern. They offer lots of small business services, including options for retirement funds, financial analysis, and benefits for employees that won't break your budget. Learn more about them
here.
REAP Collaboration Opportunity for GROW Nebraska Members
REAP (Rural Enterprise Assistance Project), a project of the Center of Rural Affairs, would like to help GROW Nebraska members that do not have a business plan to develop one. They also help members that have a business plan but would like it reviewed.
Learn More and Sign Up Now >>
Promote your Product or Art on NTV
If you have not been featured on the NTV's The Good Life and are interested in doing so, please let us know so we can submit your information to the producers of NTV.
Learn More and Sign Up Now >>
Member News
Congrats, HomeSpun! - HomeSpun recently won $25,000 for their business. Learn more
here.
Congrats, 3 Paws! - 3 Paws is going to be featured in Menards' stores. Learn more
here.
Congrats, Russ Hansen! - Russ's artwork was discovered in a GROW store, and his work has been requested in Idaho! Congrats, Russ.
Do you have news about your business? Please let us know at
info@grownebraska.org.
Small Biz Day
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Omaha Branch is hosting the first annual Small Biz Day, December 10, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha Campus, Swanson Conference Center – Building 22. This is a free event and no registration is required.
This event is for individuals who want to learn how to start, grow, or get loans for a small business. It has breakout sessions on how to plan, market, and get financing for a new or existing business. There will also be sessions in Spanish. Free breakfast will be served, and resource booths from over ten different business support agencies will be available. Visit
smallbizday.kcfed.org for more information.
Daddy Waddy Weeviews wants to Review Your Product
Leroy Coffie of Daddy Waddy Weeviews, which reviews products for children and parents, is looking for GROW member products to review. If you are interested in having your product featured on
his blog, please contact him at
daddywaddyweeviews@live.com. Thanks!
Save These Dates!
The Center for Rural Affair's annual MarketPlace Event is coming up at the Ramada Inn in Kearney. Save these dates:
Nebraska Youth Entrepreneur Day & RZ Bounce: Tues., February 21
Nebraska MarketPlace: Wed., February 22
Watch your weekly updates for more information.
