"Remember your dreams and fight for them. You must know what you want from life. There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible: the fear of failure. Never forget your dreams, your silent heart will guide you. You can choose between being a victim of destiny or an adventurer who is fighting for something important.

From Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Yes To $500,000 Farm Reinvestment Grants

Connecticut farmers making long-term improvements to their operations are looking to approval of $500,000 in grant funds when the State Bond Commission meets July 13. Governor M. Jodi Rell has approved the measure, which would be awarded through the state Department of Agriculture’s Farm Reinvestment Grant Program.

Farmers who expand or improve their operations as part of a 10-year business plan and who complete the project within the year may qualify for matching grants of up to $40,000.

The grant awards provide seed money for projects that "enhance existing agricultural operations."

Projects may improve the farms’ operations cash flow, create new jobs, and expand municipal grand lists. Approved projects have included farm expansion through the greenhouse construction, new dairy facilities, cheese production facilities, commercial kitchens, wine processing and fruit and vegetable packing facilities.

It is anticipated that the $500,000 will be leveraged with more than $1.5 million in farmers’ funds for more than $2 million in total projects.

Spring (and Ice Cream) - Not So Far Away

Why writing down stories is so important - one tale of ice cream at a classic dairy bar in Connecticut.

Farmhouse Yarns, A Series of Opportunities

Carol Martin is founder of Farmhouse Yarns, a Connecticut company that sells yarn wholesale to some 450 yarn shops across the country.

Connecticut Yarn & Wool is a yarn shop in Haddam and the only store in the northeast where all lines of her sought-after artisan quality yarns can be found under one roof. A shoreline shop in Madison (25 Boston Post Road) serves as an outlet location and offers deep discounts on yarns.

Martin, a member of Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, has a degree in finance and accounting. She did well in the corporate world, selling precision fabricated steel for a living, worked for Parson's Company in Durham, then for Metal-Pro in Niantic while establishing a farm.

"It was not a conscious decision to get into the yarn business, it was a series of opportunities that evolved," she said. Martin was smart enough to recognize the opportunities. She was not afraid to take a risk, not afraid to fail, and those qualities have evolved into a half a million dollar business.

She worked five years full time while growing a business part time.

"Because I was traveling on the road in sales, traveling from Boston to New York City and throughout New England, I was fortunate," she explained. "After a day's work, I could research and find suppliers of wool and customers for my yarn throughout New England."

The corporate world experience helps build her business now.

Bursting With Color, Quality

Farmhouse Yarns is a wholesale company. The hand-dyed yarns and sold to more than 450 stores around the county. Connecticut Yarn & Wool is one customer. The store is managed and staffed by family and friends; Martin helped start it and remains involved, but it is a standalone business.

Martin raises her own sheep in East Haddam, a small flock that began by chance when she purchased two lambs, more or less on a whim and a gut feeling.

Today there are five mills that supply Farmhouse Yarns. One in Massachusetts, the Twist of Fate Spinnery in Connecticut, two mills in Pennsylvania, and another in Canada.



"Next I want to ensure the opportunities for all of the people who work with me," she said. "That each task and job is able to be accomplished by more than one person, and replace myself, so that if someone wants a vacation, gets sick, that the job still gets done.

"I do love it. There are days I have doubts, yes, some days are hard. But I love caring for the animals, the lambs and the mommas and hanging the freshly dyed wool. I just love that."

Plug In To Business Programs, Connecticut

Thinking of growing your business, expanding marketing development, or upgrading technology in an offshoot enterprise?

The state of Connecticut's outreach “Connecticut’s Business Connections” is offering regional business connection sessions across the state, an opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from DECD, Connecticut Innovations, the Connecticut Development Authority, Regional Revolving Loan Funds, ConnSTEP, and many others. The dates, locations and start times are:

March 18: 9 a.m. to noon, Wachovia Bank Building, 2nd floor, 900 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton;

March 31: 9 a.m. to noon, Western Connecticut State University, Ancell School of Business, president’s room, 218, Mill Plain Rd., Danbury;

April 9: 9 a.m. to noon, Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut Building, 173 Interstate Lane, Waterbury.

American Water Works, CWWA Conference

Clean water is taken for granted, yet it doesn't just happen.

The Connecticut Water Works Association, Inc. (CWWA) is an association of public water supply utilities serving more than 500,000 customers, or a population of about 2 1/2 million people, located throughout Connecticut.

Membership is open to Connecticut water utilities (investor-owned, municipal and regional). Businesses engaged in or associated with the manufacture, distribution or sale of products or professional services used by the water and wastewater industry may join as CWWA supporters.

The Connecticut Section AWWA and CWWA 38th Annual Joint Meeting at the Woodstock Inn in Vermont, is May 20 through May 22. Hotel registration deadline is April 29.

For conference details visit www.ctawwa.org/2009conference.htm; for more information call Kevin Barber at (203) 866-4446 (extension 2031).

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply. Founded in 1881, AWWA is the largest and oldest organization of water supply professionals in the world.
The Connecticut Section AWWA is comprised of those members who live and/or do business within the state.

Tom Peters On 48 Things That Matter

Tom Peters
22 February 2009
Queenstown New Zealand

The Heart of Business Strategy: 48 Things That Matter

We usually think of business strategy as some sort of aspirational market positioning statement. Doubtless that’s part of it. But I believe that the number one “strategic strength” is excellence in execution and systemic relationships (i.e., with everyone we come in contact with).

Hence I offer the following pieces of advice in creating a winning strategic that is inherently sustainable:

Smile. Work on it.

Bosses, especially near the top: Formally cultivate one advisor whose role is to tell you the truth.

Commit to Excellence.

Apologize. Even if “they” are “mostly” to blame.

Hire enthusiasm.

Low enthusiasm. No hire. Any job.

Hire optimists. Everywhere. (“Positive outlook on life,” not mindless optimism.)

Hiring: Would you like to go to lunch with him-her. 100% of jobs.

Hire for good manners.

Do not reject “trouble makers” - that is those who are uncomfortable with the status quo.

Expose all would-be hires to something unexpected/weird. Observe their reaction.

Become a student of all you will meet with. Big time.

Hang out with interesting new people. Measure it. "

And for even more thought-provoking dialogue (and the rest of the 48 ideas), see Tom Peters's full list and site.

People, Exhibits, Ideas, Network At NOFA CT

That's Elaine Frost of Frostfire Farm located in Goshen, talking about Connecticut Women's Agricultural Network (CT WAgN) at the recent NOFA CT conference in Windsor.

CT WAgN is a network for women who farm, have an agriculturally-related business, or want to have one. (This includes producers of specialty goods, fiber, yarn and wool, wine, flowers, herbs, etc. Artisans, entrepreneurs, chefs, farm market participants and others are welcome to network and learn.)

Wayne Young of High Hill Orchards (located on a gorgeous farm that really is perched atop a high hill with the backdrop of Beseck Mountain in Meriden) offered sliced samples of his apples and talked about the winter CSA his farm offers. (A CSA is "community-supported agriculture" - in this case participants can choose a full share for four months worth of local organic fruits, vegetables/greens, and fresh cider . . . or just the fruit portion). For details or more information about the farm and orchard, call Young at (203) 294-0276.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

The World Economic Forum (WEF) invited 34 visionary companies as Technology Pioneers for accomplishments as "innovators of the highest caliber, and whose technologies will have a deep impact on business and society."

That includes "Cows to Kilowatts Partnership Limited" led by Dr. Joseph Adelegan, executive director and head of partnership in Nigeria that works to create a cheap source of domestic energy through the installation of sustainable bioreactor.

Opening remarks about life and business -

"Profit is a major driver of business, but it is clear that it cannot be profit at all costs . . . business ultimately has to serve not just shareholders, but all stakeholders. It must serve society at large. . . We are experiencing the birth of a new era, a wake-up call to overhaul our institutions, our systems and, above all, our thinking and our actions, and to adjust our attitudes and values to the needs of a world which rightly requires a much greater degree of responsibility and accountability," so said Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman, WEF.

Schwab opened the annual event in Davos, Switzerland, and spoke to some of the world’s most influential leaders and other thinkers who gather for an exchange of ideas and plans of action. (Members of the USA Leadership Team include business and industry representatives.)

"Entrepreneurship remains the key driver of wealth generation and the market economy is a fundamental pillar of a free and democratic society . . . economic progress without social development is not sustainable, while social development without economic progress is not feasible."

For more about the WEF proceedings, visit www.weforum.org. Photo: WEF Gallery.

Higganum Feed, Community Hub

Winds of change are blowing in Higganum.

The Country Market has left the village center. The former Higganum Drug Store building is vacant as well.

But Higganum Feed Store stands as a beacon and a landmark.

Inside, it's warm and the people are helpful (even fellow customers). The business not only is an Ace Hardware store, but also serves as a hub for the community. If you want to know what is going on in town, or need local hay, salt for your walkways, or a good answer to an odd question, this is the place.

According to the town historical society, Buckley Johnson constructed the feed store and it remained in the family until 1924. The Carlson family are long-time owners, and now their children run the business: Sheryl Nosal, Warren Carlson Jr., and sister, Lauri Milardo.

If Frank Ziobron, assistant manager, is behind the counter, he can find what you need inside the store or explain why local eggs are not available as much anymore.

Ziobron moved to town from East Haddam in 1983. He points out that Higganum Feed Store was built in 1880 and has been "supplying agricultural goods for more than the 100 years." The location has also served for years as a state check station for game.

"That will change next year," he said. "We'll miss that. I enjoying seeing and talking with the hunters, and the stories about the 'one that got away'."

Anglers stop here for bait in spring, from worms and shiners to eelworms, locally produced.

Good things find their way to Higganum Feed. From jars of golden honey produced Windy Hill Farm (Middlefield) to tins of RubIt! a fragrant skin care balm invented by entrepreneur Bobbie Davis of BKN Naturals, Branford. Each colorful tin contains a blend of olive oil and beeswax and other ingredients. After raves about how the formula worked for her own family and friends, Davis marketed and launched RubIt! as a business. Products include a version for dry skin, one for mechanics, and another to repel biting bugs.


And the red feed store has been re-created as a collectible by the Cat's Meow Company, alongside landmarks such as Gillette's Castle and the Griswold Inn. See that product line at the Merchant House, located farther south on Route 154. Or visit this link to see other merchants in Connecticut.

Change is the one constant to life in a river town. (Higganum is said to be the Indian word for Great Bend in River. The town is part of Haddam, proper, and fronts a beautiful stretch of the Connecticut River.)

The Country Market is in the process of moving to Tylerville (the village located south on Route 154, before the swing bridge over the Connecticut River that leads to East Haddam.)



At present, the building that was home to the market is being cleaned and renovated. News of its availability will be posted here as that develops. To learn more about the history of the building (it was a grocery, post office and bank at one time, and movies were shown upstairs) visit The Haddam Historical Society site.

Crossroads, Apply American Know-How

When stuck and spinning your wheels, either you figure a way out or have a long walk. In the current economic wheel-spinning, rut-chewing hole, there is ingenuity that is dormant and waiting to rise to the challenge across the United States. Every day in small machine shops and garages or home offices, problems are being solved for owner-operated businesses.

“Innovation leads to job growth directly and clearly,” said Robert Atkinson, president, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a non-partisan "think tank".

In a new ITIF report UC Davis scholars Fred Block and Mathew Keller analyzed a sample of innovations recognized by R&D Magazine as being among the top 100 innovations of the year over the last four decades. (See full report link here.)

The ITIF was launched in 2006 and is co-chaired by Jennifer Dunn and Calvin Dooley, former members of Congress.

The mission is to "formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity internationally, in Washington, and in the United States. Recognizing the vital role of technology in ensuring American prosperity, ITIF focuses on innovation, productivity, and digital economy issues."

'Cooking Up A Story' Via Internet

"It’s evident that videos have proliferated across the Internet into almost every nook and cranny, including the larger (aggregate) sites that collect videos, like YouTube, iTunes, AOL Video, to name a few. But look closer, and you may notice that many videos lack substance; and many videos resemble short versions of TV shows or news stories that originated from television. How many online videos tell a good story? How many good stories are told without the use of a celebrity, or a written script?"

That commentary is from Cooking Up A Story, a site that contains professional video stories about people and their passionate connections to food and sustainable living.

Owners Rebecca and Fred Gerendasy of Oregon operate a video blog, Cooking Up a Story and a Cooking Up a Story YouTube Channel. They produce film documentaries on sustainability, with a focus on food, agricultural pursuits, and food-related history. NPR recently interviewed the couple on All Things Considered.

Businesses are scrutinizing the online world for promoting and selling what they do, by using text and multimedia, or a combination. NPR recently introduced a show segment showcasing businesses on the Internet, All Tech Considered."

The Gerendasys are ahead of the curve.

Net Worth On The Line, Heart of Business

"Why is it that most of the best managed companies are operated by their owners? Think about Apple, Google, News Corp, etc. All of these companies are run by owners who have a huge amount of their net worth tied up in the business. The same is true of Microsoft until recently when Gates left the business for the most part. But even Gates still has a lot of money tied up in Microsoft. When these leaders make decisions, they are risking their own capital/net worth, not just the capital and net worth of shareholders who they supposedly work for, but really don't."

- From A VC in NYC written by Fred Wilson, principal of Union Square Ventures.

Opportunity, Micro-Loan Fund Grows

Connecticut is adding $200,000 to a program that provides small loans to women and minorities who are starting or expanding businesses.

Since its inception in 1999, the Micro-Loan Guarantee Program for Women- and Minority-Owned Businesses has loaned $3.5 million to 115 businesses and helped create 2,557 full- and part-time jobs.

There are more than 110,000 businesses in the state owned by women and minorities and they account for 136,000 employees.

The micro-loan program is administered through the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) and guaranteed by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Funding is provided through the Economic and Manufacturing Assistance Act Program.