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 Preshow #1 GrowReturn to index of stories... |
Now on New Hampshire Outlook: How a local farmer found a niche -- and built a business. In our Outlook on Money segment: How to launch your own business and survive. Then later: |
| Preshow #2 Dress Return to index of stories... |
Women find the strength to take flight in a surprising way. |
| Hello/Intro Grow Biz Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. How do you go from dreaming of a small business to opening one. Countless people often say they'd love to work for themselves-- but, don't know where to start. In our "Outlook on Money" report: Growing a Business: we talked to a vegetable farmer in Hooksett who launched a business 3 years ago and it continues to thrive. Roger Charbonneau shares his success story, and how he found resources and support here in the Granite State. |
| Growing a Business Char-Belle Farm Return to index of stories... |
Growing a Business Script VO: Roger Charbonneau is the owner of Char-Belle Farm in Hooksett. You'll find it in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It's a micro-enterprise Roger refers to as urban-ag. Roger: We've been in business for 3 years now, growing lettuces and herbs. VO: Charbonneau's vegetables are grown hydroponically through a process that uses water in place of soil. Roger: I have three different water tanks. This is the main tank. It's a 450-gallon water reservoir that's used to run the water through all the gullies on the tabletops. Roger: It's a self-contained system. There's no water being wasted. Roger: I'm told that the vegetables do taste much better. VO: This is Charbonneau's third profitable harvest. As a small business owner living and operating in New Hampshire, he's watched his dreams grow. Roger: I was a financial analyst at the Dept. of Veteran Affairs and I worked in loan servicing for 23 years. I had an opportunity to retire and before that retirement, the greenhouse was being run as a hobby. Roger: We chose hydroponic farming because it was unique and in order to get into business around here, we thought we would have to try to find something that was different than everybody else…. the environment is more easily controlled, and I think, personally, that we have a better tasting and a more nutritious product. Roger: it took almost a year for me and my family to help build the greenhouse. It took almost another six months to build the inside of the greenhouse. And then there was a learning curve. Some things grew well, other things didn't, so it's been a constant learning experience and it continues to be a learning experience. VO: Like many micro-business owners, Roger Charbonneau finds himself doing it all. Roger: Well as a small business owner, and being it, I don't have employees. My day consists of keeping the greenhouse clean, keeping the whole farm clean, from shoveling manure to attending business meetings, to planning the financial future of the farm, updating the business plan, selling at markets, trying to think of what the best direction is to go to to market the product, so it's everything. VO: One word of advice: don't over-commit. Roger: You need to pursue your dream, but you also need to keep reality in check… You have to find a balance… But you can do that and continue to pursue your business plans. Find the help. VO: He found that help through Micro-Credit New Hampshire. Roger: I've been involved with MicroCredit for a long time and they were really good at helping me see the big picture… VO: As its name implies, MicroCredit-NH assists businesses with 5 or fewer employees. Members are connected with peer groups designed around mutual support. They meet once a month. Roger: We have a forensic accountant, we have people who don't have businesses but are getting that groundwork started to develop businesses. We have artists. We have people who do framing… Roger: And initially, I was apprehensive that, jeez, there's nobody here that has anything to do with agriculture… how am I going to be able to get something out of this group? But giving it more and more thought, it was probably just as well that there weren't people with similar businesses, because then you can really get an objective view of what your situation might be. And that's why it works so well. Roger: So the one thing that the group has helped me to do is stay focused. Stay focused on my primary objective. Stay focused on my product. VO: Just this past year, Roger decided to expand his product line. Roger: Well what we have here are Arikana Chickens. These are the ones that lay the greenish eggs. And if I can just get a few. I can show you them. They're…It's just one part of the operation right now. Roger: we have one rooster called Hollywood. And one rooster is all anybody needs. VO: Charbonneau didn't stop at Micro-credit. He found resources just about everywhere he looked. Roger: NH citizens are generally always willing to share information to help their neighbors succeed. Roger: … The governor's office has made numerous commitments to small business…You can just pick up the phone and call some of these people. Roger: … There's interns at Southern NH University, there's interns at UNH that can help with, in my situation plants, but there's the tech schools too. Those students are, they're all looking for real world experience and to have an opportunity to go out and obtain that is invaluable for them. VO: Invaluable information for Charbonneau included everything from curing plant diseases to brochure design. Roger: you take your brochures to people at NH Made. …they recently had a conference and offered that some of their experts would critique your brochures and I brought mine and it worked out real well. …Brochures is a big thing Roger: I think for anybody interested in starting a small business in NH, that you need to, you can think about it and dream about it, but when push comes to shove and you really want to do it, you need to break out the paper and the pencil and start writing your ideas down … it's a lot of work, nobody is going to hand you anything. They're not going to hand you information, you're going to have to dig it out. And it's there to be dug out. Roger: But this is an example. The beautiful, green, healthy looking plant. It's…what we would think the finer, gourmet type restaurants would be interested in. And this is…a sign of what we want to produce here at Char-Belle farm. Roger: We are into growing produce, quality produce, for our neighbors in the community. And our product line for next year is going to be the tomatoes and sprouts, and the lettuces and basil … fresh, clean, quality produce. VO: Char-Belle Farm continues to grow. When asked about the future, Charbonneau is very optimistic. Roger: I have…great expectations. Whether they ever become reality, I'm not sure. I would really like at some point to use this as an educational facility for the local schools. I would like to pursue conservation, the conservation of water, run-off water from the barn and the greenhouse to water other plants, I would eventually like to incorporate fish into the greenhouse as a source of nutrients. VO: By staying positive about his product, focused, and attentive, Charbonneau believes he will succeed. ### REMOVED BITES AND TRACK: ROGER: One of the most important things in this system is that the waters continue to circulate. I have maybe 2 hours to react if, for some reason, the water does shut down to get it started. I have spare pumps, but it's not a very forgiving type system. Two hours to get it restarted, five hours maybe at the most, eight hours it would be…the crop would be history. Roger: I think for everybody, the first sale is always…so exciting. It was at the Manchester Farmer's Market on Concord St. It was the first time I had ever really attended a farmer's market. The tents, the tables, the set up, the quantity of produce, whether the people would be…accepting of your product. And so you do finally make the first sale and that's great. …It justifies all the work and effort you put into it. |
| Tag Growing a Biz Return to index of stories... |
Roger Charbonneau made his first sale at the Farmer's Market in Manchester. Since then, he says his business has been constantly changing and developing -- to keep up with the growing demand. |
| Intro Conversation Return to index of stories... |
Small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy. They provide the bulk of our jobs -- spur innovation and new technological advancements. Still, 90-percent of small business owners fail. How do you make sure you're not one of them. Here to talk about that: Jennifer Murphy, the Southeast Regional Manager of MicroCredit-NH, and Warren Daniel, the Seacoast Regional Manager with the NH Small Business Development Center. WARREN: What is the BIGGEST mistake small business owners make?? *** Common trap: If I build it they will come. Q JENNIFER: What do SUCCESSFUL businesses have in common. Q JENNIFER: There are almost 115-thousand Micro-enterprises in NH. That sounds like a lot? Q WARREN: Is NH "small-business" friendly? How does it stack up against other NE states? Q What's out there in the way of RESOURCES? Q WARREN/JENNIFER: How do you know if you're the entrepreneur type? Are there some personalities that should NOT go into business-of-their-won? Q You need to Do MARKET RESEARCH - Talk with owners of similiar businesses & talk with potential Customers. ** Roger Charbonneau -- spoke with peers but in different businesses. Q JENNIFER: MicroCreditNH provides LOANS and business training. No-cost services or are there fees??? Q WARREN: How important is a BUSINESS PLAN or a strategic plan. Q Keep hearing that it's KEY to Follow the money. Need a cash-flow projection for one year. Are there WARNING SIGNS.you need to pay attention to??? Q Businesses need to GROW to stay Healthy. But --how SOON should you be thinking of growing the business. Is there a tendency to move to quickly on that front? Q JENNIFER: How soon should you be thinking of diversifying??? Q WARREN: Is it true that Small businesses have to jump through a lot of hoops to get credit??? Q Q ADVICE for those thinking of launching a business??? JENNIFER MURPHY & WARREN DANIEL |
| Intro Dress Success Return to index of stories... |
You only have one chance to make a first impression. How people judge you often occurs within a few seconds. Keeping that in mind, how you present yourself to a prospective employer is critical. Jeans and t-shirts may be comfortable to wear -- but, not on a job interview. Outlook's Phil Vaughn has more on options for women when they don't have the resources to buy the right clothes when stepping out into the business world. |
| Tag Dress Success Return to index of stories... |
Dress for Success in Concord helped outfit more than 200 women for new careers last year, all free of charge. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
For a look back at all of our "Outlook on Money" stories. including resources available to help you start your own business -- you can log on to our website at nhptv.org/outlook. There you can also find New Hampshire Outlook available online on-demand. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That concludes this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Thanks for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you next time. |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/21/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 7:55 minutes Now on New Hampshire Outlook: How a local farmer found a niche -- and built a business. In our Outlook on Money segment: How to launch your own business and survive. Then later: Women find the strength to take flight in a surprising way. Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. How do you go from dreaming of a small business to opening one. Countless people often say they'd love to work for themselves-- but, don't know where to start. In our "Outlook on Money" report: Growing a Business: we talked to a vegetable farmer in Hooksett who launched a business 3 years ago and it continues to thrive. Roger Charbonneau shares his success story, and how he found resources and support here in the Granite State. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Roger Charbonneau\Owner Char-Belle Farm |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/21/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 10:45 minutes Now on New Hampshire Outlook: How a local farmer found a niche -- and built a business. In our Outlook on Money segment: How to launch your own business and survive. Then later: Women find the strength to take flight in a surprising way. Small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy. They provide the bulk of our jobs, spur innovation and new technological advancements. Still, 90-percent of small business owners fail. How do you make sure you're not one of them. Here to talk about that: Jennifer Murphy, the Southeast Regional Manager of MicroCredit-NH, and Warren Daniel, the Seacoast Regional Manager with the NH Small Business Development Center. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Murphy \MicroCredit-NH; Warren Daniel\NH Small Business Development Center |
| key: Economy / Business Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/21/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 6:40 minutes Now on New Hampshire Outlook: How a local farmer found a niche -- and built a business. In our Outlook on Money segment: How to launch your own business and survive. Then later: Women find the strength to take flight in a surprising way. You only have one chance to make a first impression. How people judge you often occurs within a few seconds. Keeping that in mind, how you present yourself to a prospective employer is critical. Jeans and t-shirts may be comfortable to wear -- but, not on a job interview. Outlook's Phil Vaughn has more on options for women when they don't have the resources to buy the right clothes when stepping out into the business world. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Fran Marshall\Dir. of Development, Concord Community Music School; Stacey Michael\Concord; Joi Gordon\Dress for Success CEO; Darcy Walton\Dress for Success Volunteer; Anne Riley\NH Career Institute; Gerry Mitchell\NH Career Institute |
| key: UNH Return to index of stories... |
No UNH stories. |
| Tonight 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |