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CT Startup Finds Success with Laser Engraved Chocolate

HomeTag "how to start a business in Connecticut"

CT Startup Finds Success with Laser Engraved Chocolate

July 11 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Accelerators, Startups 0 comments Tags: Danbury Hackerspace, early-stage business, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET accelerator, startup, startups

Innovation Destination Hartford Website Curator Nan Price was in for a treat when she met up with the founders of Noteworthy Chocolates.

Jennifer and Michael Sauvageau are co-founders of Connecticut startup Noteworthy Chocolates.

Michael Sauvageau, Chief Executive Officer and Jennifer Sauvageau, Chief Creative Officer had owned an entertainment company prior to launching Noteworthy Chocolates. They gained a lot from that experience and shared some lessons learned, why they connected with Connecticut startup resources, and how they’re moving forward with their new business venture.

NAN PRICE: Laser engraving is very innovative. Your feature on Better Connecticut notes you’re the only ones who are doing it.

JENNIFER SAUVAGEAU: That’s true.

NAN: How did you come up with the idea? And when did you launch the company?

MICHAEL SAUVAGEAU: We spent three months researching it and trying it before we actually started in February 2016.

NAN: You started out at the Danbury Hackerspace. Can you talk a little about that experience?

JENNIFER: Sure. We were looking to start our next business. Since we had some experience with entertainment and events, Michael went to an expo to get some ideas. He didn’t find anything—except he noticed everyone gave away chocolate. At the same time, we were interested in lasers. It just came together. He returned home from the expo and said: I have this crazy idea. Do you think we could laser engrave chocolate? I remember saying: I don’t know, but it sounds cool!

At that time, the Danbury Hackerspace had just recently gotten a laser ago. So, we bought some chocolate bars, went over, and asked if we could use their laser to engrave chocolate. They said, “Sure!”

That’s how it all began. The Danbury Hackerspace was wonderful. We couldn’t have done it without them.

MICHAEL: Not only did they help us learn how to use the laser, they also helped us develop the business. Because it’s a hackerspace but it’s also a business incubator for local entrepreneurs. They’re really trying to help get startups get going. We were one of the first people to show that as a successful model for them.

JENNIFER: They definitely got a lot of chocolate!

MICHAEL: Right! For the first three months, legally we couldn’t sell any chocolate we were making because we weren’t FDA approved—but we could give it away. Also, there were a lot of mistakes, as we are learning.

NAN: It’s great that you knew connect with that startup resource. Did you work with any others?

JENNIFER: Yes, we worked with Nelson Merchan at the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), who is a great business advisor. He’s been very helpful. And we recently got funding through the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF).

NAN: Let’s talk about reSET. You obviously had startup and entrepreneurial experience. How and why did you get involved in the 2018 Accelerator?

JENNIFER: We got an email from them telling us we may be interested in the program. I remember thinking: This sounds like exactly what we need right about now. We had figured out the business concept, we had our processes in place, and we had the business running, but we needed to take that next step. We needed some business advice and we needed to learn some very specific things—that’s what reSET does.

NAN: What have you gained the most from the program?

MICHAEL: The ability to convey our story. If nothing else, we can now legitimately talk about our business and use the things we learned about how to tell our story—why do we have such a cool thing.

Also, we learned about getting data. We now have this whole iterative process of data analysis. Having been entrepreneurial but not gone to business school, there are a lot of things you sort of innately understand, but the learning part enables you to really dial in. It’s very concrete.

JENNIFER: We learned some tools you can place in an actual framework. Going from, “This is what I thought” to “Does it fit with how people do things?” We could recognize we were on the right track—and then learn new things.

NAN: Aside from funding, what has been your biggest startup challenge?

MICHAEL: It’s hard to get people to act. Even if you have a great idea, it can still be hard to get people to put you at the top of their mind, make a decision, and act on that.

JENNIFER: Especially for a new thing. Because there is nowhere else you can get custom engraved chocolate. It takes a while for people to incorporate the idea into one of the possibilities to consider. That actually ties back into what we learned at reSET, which is how to tell our story better, depending on what audience you’re talking to.

NAN: How are you marketing and getting the messaging out?

JENNIFER: We started funding with a Kickstarter campaign and had an awesome core community of people who helped us succeed with that. We also grew a pretty good Facebook following. Michael does a lot of networking because we really have a marketing budget of...

MICHAEL: Chocolate.

JENNIFER: Word-of-mouth has been great because we’ve been able to see how people experience the chocolate and we’ve been able to adjust along the way. And, now that we’ve felt these things out and figured out what people respond to, we can go to the next step, which is to start doing some digital marketing and building our mailing list.

Connecticut startup Noteworthy Chocolates creates innovative, laser-engraved chocolates.

NAN: What resources do you need most to move the company forward?

MICHAEL: We need better marketing materials, things to physically give people or digitally show them what we do. We also need to get our internal processes down for our custom orders.

JENNIFER: There are some infrastructure things, too. We need to hire some people. So, for that we need some funds.

NAN: What’s the best startup advice you’ve given or received?

MICHAEL: The advice I would offer is to learn to look at things sideways. Because you don’t get a good view of things if you’re looking from any one direction. You have to look at things from different angles and perspectives. You get a better picture of what the problem is, and it allows you to be more creative solution provider.

JENNIFER: I would say just start. Don’t try for perfect. Just do what you can when you can. Keep learning along the way and building on what you learn.

MICHAEL: As for advice received: Focus on what you do best and what makes you or your company special. Really identify what that is and nail that first. That’s the most important thing you can do. Everything else kind of follows from that.

NAN: Let’s talk about your partnership. You had a prior business, so you must work well together.

JENNIFER: We fit well together. I do all the writing, visuals, and website stuff and Michael does the numbers and finance and he makes the chocolate. I don’t worry about what he’s doing and he doesn’t worry about what I’m doing, because we’re both doing what we should be doing. I’m not trying to do what he’s good at and vice versa.

MICHAEL: Also, we recognize that the other person is in charge of their area. So, when we don’t agree on things, that person has the final say, whether the other person agrees or not. We’re not always going to be on same page, so I have to accept that, okay, this is her decision. I have to go with it and then be supportive of it because that’s the decision the company is taking. That can be humbling and challenging when you’re in a partnership with someone—let alone when you are married to someone.

We do particularly well because we are really good communicators. We can talk about things we don’t agree on without taking it personally.

JENNIFER: I agree!

NAN: Anything you’ve learned along the way in this venture? Any major pivots?

MICHAEL: I think when you’re starting something new you must be adaptable to what you think is going to happen and the reality of what happens. You can’t just think: If you build it they will come.

JENNIFER: I don’t think that happens.

MICHAEL: No. We originally thought people were going to flock to us to send chocolate birthday cards once they had the ability—the reason they weren’t doing it before was because they didn’t have the ability. Well, we were offering that ability and they’re weren’t flocking. So, if that’s not the case, what is working? We found it’s our favor line—people asked us for them. We didn’t even have favors when we launched. But that’s a huge part of our business now.

We had to recognize that people don’t necessarily care about making birthday cards as much as we thought they would. But we do a lot of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day cards. We started paying attention to these things. We found enough brides who really like what we’re doing for wedding favors. And we realized what an appeal we have to other business owners, because we can provide a really good targeted gift that’s not too expensive and you don’t need to order a ton.

NAN: And it’s not a gadget!

JENNIFER: Right! That’s another thing that’s good about what we’re doing. It’s not just another thing that’s going to end up in a landfill or a drawer. The quality and sustainability have been a driving core value for us. The packaging for our gift boxes is 99% biodegradable. The gourmet chocolate is made by Guittard. It’s fair trade certified and allergen-free. We love chocolate and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it as much as we do.

Learn more about Noteworthy Chocolates

VISIT: www.noteworthychocolates.com
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Entrepreneur Creates Sustainable, Reusable Fabric Gift Wrap

March 01 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Women In Business 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, early-stage business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford startups, Harford area, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup

Glastonbury, CT-based startup Regift the Wrap created sustainable, reusable gift wrap out of colorful stretch fabric.

Entrepreneur Linda Longobardi recently launched Regift the Wrap, LLC. The Glastonbury-based startup is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator program, which is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Linda discussed her involvement with reSET and the ways in which her startup is making a social impact.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start your company?

LINDA LONGOBARDI: I launched Regift the Wrap in January, 2017

The inspiration came to me several years ago when I was watching my niece’s children wrapping and unwrapping random objects in the house. At the end of the night, there was a large crumpled up heap of wrapping paper on the floor. I knew as a society, we could do better. I started making tubular “sleeves” out of colorful stretch fabric that could easily slide over a gift box and tuck itself in without tape or scissors. As a bonus, it was reusable for many years to come.

IDH: Tell us about the startup and what makes it innovative.

LINDA: I import and custom make tubular colorful stretch fabric sleeves, coordinating stretch bands and accessories to wrap a gift in seconds. The product can be “gifted forward” and reused by the next 50 people who are lucky enough to receive it. It’s the gift around the gift!

IDH: Why did you become involved in the reSET Accelerator Program?

LINDA: I was urged to apply to this amazing program from three different people who were working with me in different capacities. Each one couldn’t say enough about the accelerator and felt my business would benefit greatly from it. I am thrilled to be accepted in the 2018 class.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

LINDA: When I researched statistics about wrapping paper, gift bags, bows, and other accessories, I found out that we spend approximately $3 billion a year on these products. In the month of December 30 million trees are cut down to produce paper wrap. And, right after the holidays, four tons of the discarded paper gets tossed into our over-burdened landfills.

Using stretch fabric to wrap your gifts eliminates waste and simplifies your life. And the recipient of your gift gets two gifts—the one inside the box and one outside the box. Everybody wins!

I am committed to this wonderful business because we must start being more mindful of what we are doing to the planet. We must come together and create solutions to the problems we are facing. This is not a hard thing to do.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a start-up?

LINDA: My biggest challenge is getting my product and its message out. No one really knows reusable stretch fabric is an option, so they are not searching for it online or in stores. I believe once they understand their choices, they will begin to “shift the way they gift” and purchase fabric gift wrap instead of wrapping paper.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

LINDA: I am more of a “concept” person and absolutely love creating things and solving problems. Having said that, I would benefit from people who have brought products to market and understand business better than I do. I would love a business partner at some point and may also seek investors.

IDH: What is the best advice you have given/received?

LINDA: The best advice I can give is to not be afraid of getting out of your comfort zone to fulfill a dream.

The best advice I have received is much harder to answer because so many people have given me such amazing advice. I would have to say my three wonderful daughters have encouraged me to pursue this because of its positive impact on the planet (as well as its ease of use).

Learn more about Regift the Wrap

VISIT: regiftthewrap.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, Instagram regiftthewrap, and Twitter@regiftthewrap

  • Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:
  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG Fit, LLC – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • FieldOwler — Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses
  • florapothecarie — Startup Launches Natural Beauty Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • Two Happy Homes – CT Company Provides Co=Parenting Tools

 

 

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CT Company Provides Co-Parenting Tools

February 20 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Women In Business 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, early-stage business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups

Entrepreneur Traci Whitney is Founder of Two Happy Homes, which is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator.

Two Happy Homes Founder Traci Whitney is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator, a program designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Traci joined the accelerator to get support to help grow her business. She told Innovation Destination Hartford about her startup experience and future goals.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When did you start your company and how did you develop the business concept?

Traci Whitney: The concept of my company came to me after my divorce in 2008. I quickly realized that, as a single mother, I could use some help organizing everything that goes on with my kids, and how to best communicate those with my ex-husband. I looked for a product on the market but was not able to find anything. It took some time to gather my ideas and enough funding to make it a reality. The website launched in 2012.

IDH: Tell us about the company.

TRACI: Two Happy Homes provides co-parents tools to help successfully parent between two households and communicate better on a day-to-day basis. The tools include a customized shared calendar and a note board that helps track expenses and payments and enables the sharing of vital family-related information.

IDH: Why did you get involved in reSET Accelerator program?

TRACI: Two Happy Homes has been growing, but at a slower pace than I would like. Now that my children are a bit older, I am focusing on growing the business so I can take it to the next level. The reSET Accelerator program seemed like a natural progression for me, and the support it provides has already proved invaluable.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

TRACI: Our goal is to create a more peaceful coexistence for co-parents and their kids. Many of these families deal with stress and anxiety following a divorce or separation, and kids often feel the effects. We want to simplify daily life for these families, so they can move on to the important job of raising and nurturing their children, without the added stress of organizing life between two homes.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

TRACI: My biggest challenge has been the battle of time and money, as I’m sure many startups often feel. When I started as a single mother I had little of both, and getting the company off of the ground was certainly a challenge. I still face some of these same uphill battles, but now that I’m able to focus on the growth of the company I’m working harder to procure more of both.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

TRACI: My future goals include adding new features to Two Happy Homes as well as modernizing the user interface to keep up with constantly changing technology. Marketing is also a focus for me. In the United States alone there are roughly 38 million co-parents, so reaching my core audience is a big task. I am currently seeking investments to fund these projects.

IDH: What lessons have you learned in your entrepreneurial journey?

TRACI: Being a part of this program has made me realize that I’m not alone in this process. Other startups have taken some time to get to where they are, and not everything in entrepreneurship works at light speed. My business is at a point where it’s ready to grow—and I’m ready to grow along with it—which I am very much looking forward to making happen.

Learn more about Two Happy Homes

VISIT: www.twohappyhomes.com
FOLLOW: Facebook and Twitter @TwoHappyHomes

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG Fit, LLC – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • FieldOwler — Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses
  • florapothecarie — Startup Launches Natural Beauty Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • Two Happy Homes – CT Company Provides Co=Parenting Tools

 

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Silicon Valley Mental Health Startup Creates a Presence in Hartford

February 13 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, Hartford, Hartford startups, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup

LARKR CEO and Co-Founder Shawn Kernes has established a presence in Hartford for his Silicon Valley-based startup.

Silicon Valley-based LARKR is one of many innovative startups in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

LARKR CEO and Co-Founder Shawn Kernes talked about the importance of establishing a presence in Hartford and what it really takes to launch a startup.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When did you launch the startup?

SHAWN KERNES: We officially launched LARKR in November 2017. The app is now available on the Apple App Store and will be coming soon to Android.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

SHAWN: For more than 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of leading burgeoning companies like StubHub, eBay, and Beyond The Rack, which all disrupted their respective industries for the better, utilizing the best of new technologies. Although the work was enjoyable and I was successful, after a while I began to feel as though something was missing.

Meanwhile, I saw my wife Chris Kernes, a licensed marriage and family therapist, gaining personal satisfaction and joy by helping hundreds of people overcome their personal challenges through therapy.

I knew I wanted to do something that had a social good component. Then, I learned that an estimated 30 to 50 million Americans aren’t getting the mental health care they need. Closing this service gap using modern technology became my passion project, and the idea for LARKR was born.

IDH: Tell us more about LARKR and what makes it innovative.

SHAWN: LARKR is an on-demand mental health app seeking to close the massive service gap that currently exists in mental health care. Through an easy-to-use-platform, the app connects patients across the country with certified mental health care professionals in real time from the convenience of their smartphones. In addition to therapy sessions, the app provides free tools for everyday mental wellness, including a daily mood tracker “My Story,” a daily good deed suggesting feature “Be the Change,” and guided meditations.

IDH: How does the app work?

The LARKR app connects patients across the country with certified mental health care professionals in real time from the convenience of their smartphones.

SHAWN: LARKR provides a convenient alternative for people who may not have access to or may not be comfortable with traditional therapy. Once users create a free profile with LARKR, they can be connected within minutes to licensed clinicians via live streaming video for 50-minute sessions. The platform also allows for multi-user sessions from different locations, which means couples can schedule a therapy session together while on their lunch breaks or parents can join their child’s session during the discussion of a particular topic.

In short, the app ensures that mental health care is readily available for anyone in need, anywhere and anytime.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

SHAWN: Typically, reSET’s Impact Accelerator works exclusively with local businesses, but its leadership team was so excited by LARKR’s mission that they invited us to participate.

The program’s thought-provoking workshops and powerful network, combined with its passion for changing the world through innovation and entrepreneurship, fit right in with LARKR’s company values.

Also, since Hartford is known as “the insurance capital of the world,” it is a valuable location for healthcare companies like us to establish a presence.

We are excited about the opportunity to utilize the Impact Accelerator’s tools and insights to help us reach more people in need of LARKR’s on-demand therapy services.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

SHAWN: As many as 50 million Americans who suffer from mental illness currently go without needed healthcare due to cost, lack of access to qualified local practitioners, or because of the outdated stigma that exists around seeking mental health care.

By minimizing the barriers that keep people from receiving care and making it easier for people to get the help they need, LARKR will not only improve the quality of life for millions of Americans, but ultimately save countless lives.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

SHAWN: All startups are hard. They are lonely, scary, and psychologically stressful. Great startups aim to change the world in some way, and resistance to that change can be daunting.

Our biggest challenges are related to awareness and stigma. People can’t use something they don’t know about, and won’t use something they are afraid will cause them embarrassment or even humiliation.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

SHAWN: Top of mind right now are: capital to accelerate growth, help navigating the insurance and medical establishment, and, of course, media support to raise awareness.

IDH: Any advice for other startups?

SHAWN: There are many important don’ts:

  1. Don’t get discouraged.
  2. Don’t fear competition.
  3. Don’t lose track of what's important.
  4. Don’t get married to your own ideas.
  5. Don’t forget to breathe.
  6. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can do it all yourself.
  7. Don’t expect others to do the things you don’t want to do (take out the trash, clean the kitchen, drive people home) and don’t be late for meetings—be the first person in and the last person out.
  8. Don’t pay yourself more than you really need. If you are a founder and are able to squirrel away money for a rainy day, you're doing it wrong. Your equity is your savings plan.

I would also add that no one will ever care more about your business, your customers, your success, or you, than you do, so roll up your sleeves and make it happen.

When asked what it was like to be an overnight success, I think it was Reid Hoffman who said, “It’s nice to be in the daylight after years of darkness.” Remember, startups don’t just happen, they take years of hard work, sleepless nights, fights, failure, and tears. But succeed or fail, they will be some of the best years of your life.

LARKR Co-Founder Jon Dabach also noted that the best advice he ever received was actually from me: Just do it. There are a million reasons not to create a startup and there are a million people who will tell you you’re crazy for even trying. But if you have an idea you really care about, something you can live and breathe day-in and day-out for years and not get bored, then just figure out a way. Beg, borrow, and steal and just start. There’s no template, no business plan, no mentor who knows everything—you just have to start.

Learn more about LARKR

VISIT: larkr.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @LARKRCOM

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • florapothecarie – Startup Launches Natural Beauty Product Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • tripBuddy – Startup Provides an Innovative Carpooling Experience

 

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Startup Launches Natural Beauty Product Line

February 12 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Women In Business 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, early-stage business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, Hartford area, Hartford area startups, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup

Entrepreneur Sami Jo Jensen is Founder + Chief Beauty Maker at florapothecarie. The Middletown-based startup is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator, a program designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Sami Jo Jensen is Founder + Chief Beauty Maker at florapothecarie, a Middletown-based startup participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator.

Sami Jo shared what she hopes to gain from the Impact Accelerator and the advice she’s received about being a business owner.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When did you start your company and how did you develop the business concept?

SAMI JO JENSEN: I launched florapothecarie in 2016, but I began making natural beauty products long before that.

It all started in 2009, when I discovered my favorite body wash contained a host of ingredients I couldn't pronounce. In researching these long-winded chemicals, I found many of them were linked to skin ailments from rashes and irritation to cancers and birth defects. I immediately tossed all offending cosmetics and got to work whipping up my own natural beauty concoctions in the kitchen.

IDH: What makes your startup innovative?

SAMI JO: florapothecarie is a line of 100% natural and cruelty-free beauty and skincare products, all handmade in small batches by me. I use hypoallergenic, vegan, organic, and fair trade certified ingredients that come straight from the earth and are safe for even the most sensitive skin—nothing artificial or toxic. My motto? You’re a natural beauty; keep your beauty natural.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

SAMI JO: Currently, florapothecarie is my side hustle, and I need help turning it into my full-time business. I didn’t go to business school, so there is a lot I have to figure out for myself and it’s not always as easy as Googling!

I know being a part of the reSET Impact Accelerator 2018 cohort will help me add structure to my business, define my growth strategy, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and learn, learn, learn!

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

SAMI JO: First, florapothecarie is built around the simple idea that we are already beautiful, we don’t need to “cover up,” and everything we need to care for our skin can be found in nature. The average adult woman uses 12 personal care products every day and teenage girls use even more. Between all of these products, our skin absorbs approximately 170 different chemicals per day, many of which have been linked to birth defects, cancers, and other developmental disorders. I want to help women embrace their natural beauty and ditch chemical-laden products.

Greater Hartford startup florapothecarie launched a line of natural beauty products.

Second, I wanted to create a product line that is truly vegan and cruelty-free: no animal testing of ingredients or final products and no animal-derived ingredients. More than 115 million animals each year are tortured in experiments conducted by or for major beauty brands even though humane alternatives exist. florapothecarie is certified cruelty-free and vegan by Leaping Bunny and PETA.

And third? florapothecarie is committed to the future of our planet. Ingredients are sustainably harvested and certified organic whenever possible. All bottles and jars are glass, so they are easily reusable, recyclable, and (unlike plastic jars) are impervious to chemical breakdown by essential oils. Gift boxes, tissue paper, marketing collateral, business cards, and shipping boxes are made from/printed on recycled materials and post-consumer paper.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

SAMI JO: Navigating tax codes and legalities of running a business has been the most challenging for me, as well as understanding funding options. Like many startups, I fell into the trap of pouring every penny back into the business rather than getting into the habit of paying myself right from the get-go. (I do now!)

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

SAMI JO: Knowledge and funds, of course! Understanding how to navigate those tax liabilities, legal obligations, and the funding landscape will surely help me gain a firmer grasp on florapothecarie’s growth potential. As mentioned in my initial pitch at the reSET Accelerator kickoff, my goal is to become self-employed and get out of my spare bedroom so I can open a retail location where products will be made, sold, and distributed through wholesale and e-commerce.

IDH: What is the best advice you’ve received?

SAMI JO: Last year, I was a guest on the Being Boss podcast with Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson. When I revealed to them that I wasn’t paying myself, they said, “If you never make it a priority to pay yourself from your business, you’ll never make it a priority to pay youSrself from your business. Even if you just start writing yourself a check for $50 a week…writing yourself a check from your business is an absolute must.”

Learn more about florapothecarie

VISIT: www.florapothecarie.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, Instagram florapothecarie Twitter @florapothecarie

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG Fit, LLC – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • FieldOwler — Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses
  • florapothecarie — Startup Launches Natural Beauty Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • Two Happy Homes – CT Company Provides Co=Parenting Tools
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Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT

February 08 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford CT Lifestyle 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, early-stage business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, Hartford area, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups, Wethersfield

CNG Fit, LLC Founder Brandi Kilbourne (second from left) says she launched her startup as “a fun and effective way to engage in fitness through dance.”

FitPartyMe a CNG Fit, LLC brand, is one of many innovative startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

CNG Fit Founder and CEO Brandi Kilbourne told Innovation Destination Hartford about the importance of making connections when launching a startup.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start your company?

BRANDI KILBOURNE: The concept of FitPartyMe was born back in 2013. Allow me to set the stage: I was a professional commercial hip-hop dancer in New York City and twerk dance classes were all the rage. A childhood friend of mine from New Orleans approached me with the idea to start teaching twerk fitness classes. Twerking is a dance staple in the South (where I grew up), making me somewhat of an expert! I loved the idea of teaching a dance style I’d grown up, on but really wanted to take it a step further. We eventually parted ways and I began working on what is now FitPartyMe.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

BRANDI: While developing this program, in trials, I began to recognize certain patterns of attrition in those who had fitness goals but, for whatever reason, couldn’t stick with a program. I was intrigued by how I could best design a program that seamlessly blended dance and fitness in a way that was welcoming and fun yet yielded real results.

I went on to obtain a certification in personal training from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and developed FitPartyMe, a fun, approachable, affordable, convenient, and effective way to engage in fitness through dance.

FitPartyMe started off with pop-up classes in New York and Connecticut a year and a half ago.

CNG Fit, LLC Founder Brandi Kilbourne instructs a FitPartyMe class.

It developed into FitPartyMe a CNG Fit, LLC brand, which is a membership-based community that gives members affordable access to live dance/dance fitness classes at our FitPartyMe gyms, online dance fitness programs, and nationwide pop-up dance fitness parties (which often include musical talent, health/wellness seminars, and exhibitors).

As of January 2018, we have a facility in Wethersfield, CT, where clients can come to our classes on a weekly basis.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

BRANDI: As a newbie entrepreneur with a tiny staff, I needed all the help I could possibly get. I needed to be in an environment where everyone is making their startup machines work. I needed to be connected with those who know more than I do about how to keep a startup machine running. The reSET Accelerator program was the answer.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

BRANDI: We donate 10% of our profits to a charity or non-profit every fiscal year. Additionally, we offer certain donation-based programs/classes, like our “Dance Lab,” where 100% of the class fees are accepted as donation and go directly to a local charity of choice (chosen by the class participants).

As we expand, we plan to partner with civilian re-entry programs on a nationwide level for military veterans and recently incarcerated individuals that will train and employ them in certain CNG Fit LLC departments.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

BRANDI: Our biggest challenge has been getting our market customer through the doors and exposed to our product.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

BRANDI: The most important resource for us to move forward right now is funding and working capital. FitPartyMe is currently operating a beta product version. To get the program to the next level, we’ll need more working capital/investments.

IDH: Any advice for other startups?

BRANDI: If something isn’t working, pivot.

Learn more about CNG Fit, LLC and FitPartyMe

VISIT: www.fitpartyme.com
FOLLOW: Twitter @FitPartyMe

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG Fit, LLC – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • FieldOwler — Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses
  • florapothecarie — Startup Launches Natural Beauty Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • Two Happy Homes – CT Company Provides Co=Parenting Tools

 

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Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired

January 30 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford IDH Global 0 comments Tags: early-stage business, East Hartford, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, global startup, Greater Hartford, Hartford area, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups

The founding team for Israeli-based Project Ray, one of the innovative startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. (CEO Boaz Zilberman second from right.)

Israeli-based Project Ray is one of many innovative startups in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

CEO Boaz Zilberman discussed the evolution of the startup, challenges the company has encountered, and the importance of creating a U.S. presence in Connecticut.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start your company?

BOAZ ZILBERMAN: The company evolved over time to become what it is today.

We started with pro-bono technology work we had done with the Israeli Library for the Blind in 2012. In the process, we recognized the difficulties of elderly people with visual impairment (about 75% of the 6 million visually impaired in the United States). It was challenging for them to utlize the current technologies available that enable the blind to use smartphones. (The technologies involve reading any element on the screen aloud and a special set of fingertipping.)

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

BOAZ: While working ith the community, we identified a new user interface concept, now a registered patent, that enables users to access different capabilities using a simple figure gesture on the screen.

Next was a long stage of trying to identify funding resources for the project. We managed to get funding from Israeli resources and Qualcomm Corp. in 2013, a time in which we “officially” launched the company and started the work. Throughtout 2014 and 2015, we developed the solutions, including ongoing product release cycles for friendly endusers around the world.

In 2016, we started actual sales of the product in Israel. Our sales increased considerably in early 2017, when we signed a distribution agreement with the Israeli mobile carriers that provides the solution free of charge f for any visually impaired person.

After securing this deal—and proving to ourselves that the business model we have to collaborate with mobile carriers works—we initiated the activity in the United States, which resulted in opening a U.S. office in Hartford and joining the reSET accelerator.

IDH: What makes your product innovative?

BOAZ: Project Ray provides accessible smartphones and related digital services for visually impaired people. Our unique approach is to provide a super-easy interface on the device that is the same across all applications and services.

In addition, we have a range of tactile interfaces in the form of touch buttons that enable people with different levels of visual impairment to use voice recognition, simple gestures, or physical keys to interact and use the device and applications.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

BOAZ: Being an Israeli company, we felt that we didn’t know enough about the go-to-market aspects of the U.S. market, especially as they related to impact ventures like us. Our gap of knowledge and understanding spanned a varity of issues—including finding the right channels to use, determining how to advertise to a niche segment, and identifying the government bodies that deal with the community as well as the non-governmental organizations involved.

Also important is the issue of funding. The concept of impact investing is relatively new and not clearly defined, and it’s of crucial importance to our expansion potential.

We had heard about reSET in the past, due to their work in the impact sector and the fact that we opened the office in Hartford. With their local presence, it was a “match made in heaven.”

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

BOAZ: Social impact for us is easy—we serve a niche segment of the community that is often ignored by technology giants.

Working with this community requires a high degree of specialization, a lot of patience, social skills, and superior technology. The personal drive is crucial to survive and continue in this market.

I think the drive to push it forward is a combination of the satisfaction you get when you see an elderly person exchange social messaging with his/her grandchild and the commitment of the few thousands of current customers who see us in the same way you look at Steve Jobs (assuming you have a smartphone!).

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

BOAZ: Clearly, understanding the needs and capabilities of our endusers.

Our ability to identify a user interface concept for the visually impaired is not trivial. Sighted people with a high degree of technology know-how will never be able to “see” things as the visually impaired do. Our ability to learn from what they do and the patience we’ve found with working and understanding them was the crucial, none-trivial aspect of it all.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

BOAZ: Connections and money.

Connections are required to speed and pinpoint the best go-to market channels. In our work with a small community of endusers and their caregivers, we cannot use general and expensive marketing channels. We must identify the best way to build awareness and approach users quickly and efficiently.

And money is required to finance the operation and build the infrastructure that is needed for marketing, training of potential users, and support.

In Israel, our day-to-day operation is managed by six visually impaired employees who run all the aspects of the business. Our immediate goal is to do the same in Connecticut. We are now seeking the first visually impaired employee to join us and help us drive the business forward.

IDH: What is the best advice you have received?

BOAZ: To listen to whoever and whatever you can—to judge with open mind—and be very stubborn and jealous for your own principals.

Learn more about Project Ray

VISIT: www.project-ray.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter @ProjRAY

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
More
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Food and Beverage Startup for Healthy Eating

January 22 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford CT Lifestyle 0 comments Tags: early-stage business, East Hartford, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, Hartford area, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups

Bare Life Founder Ali Lazowski is one of 22 startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator.

Ali Lazowski is Founder of West Hartford-based Bare Life, which is one of many startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Ali discussed some of her startup challenges and her experience with the accelerator.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start your company?

ALI LAZOWSKI: Cancer and chronic illness actually started Bare Life, not quite the typical startup plan. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2012 as well as Lyme Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I had been very ill for a while. Those diagnoses pushed me to adopt cleaner and healthier diet (gluten free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and organic).

At the time, I just thought I was making hot cocoa and other recipes I loved; there really was no plan beyond feeding myself. In talking with people in my community, I realized a lot of people also wanted access to healthy food that didn’t taste like cardboard. Even though these have been the most challenging years of my life—and the challenge is not over—finding something I love to do, feel passionate about, and can possibly help other people has made it all worth it.

I launched Bare Life in October 2017.

IDH: Tell us about the startup and what makes it innovative.

Bare Life’s first product is an innovative instant hot cocoa, that’s organic, non-GMO, dairy free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, kosher, paleo, and vegan.

ALI: Bare Life is an allergen- and irritant-free brand, based in West Hartford, CT. Our mission is make crave-worthy, body-friendly foods convenient for people coping with chronic illness. Our first product is a unique instant hot cocoa, that’s organic, non-GMO, dairy free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, kosher, paleo, and vegan. We also have Sweets and Thanksgiving cookbooks coming out later this year.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

ALI: Why wouldn’t you want to be involved with reSET? Their team is so supportive, collaborative, and engaging, every time I talk to a team member it’s clear they just want to help us succeed. It’s truly a special place.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

ALI: It is very important to me to help people coping with chronic illnesses. Having a chronic illness is unbelievably hard. I am fortunate to have wonderfully supportive family and friends who help make my journey a bit easier. But I know not everyone has that.

If Bare Life can make food choices easier, help people feel less alone through our support groups, or create flexible employment opportunities, that would be an amazingly wonderful thing to me.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

ALI: I think my biggest challenge with Bare Life has been what started the company—my chronic illnesses. A startup requires a lot of energy, you’re working all the time and there are no days off. Balancing startup life and my health is no easy feat, and I am definitely not good at it yet. But as I continue to build my great team around me I know we can overcome this challenge.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

ALI: With a startup I think it’s always two things: financing and strategic advice or partnerships. We just completed our crowdfunding campaign and we raised about $10,000. We didn’t hit our big funding goal, but that allowed us to move forward with no margin for error. Mistakes are also always part of a startup. That’s where strategic advice or partnerships come in, like reSET. Hopefully I can learn from other people’s experiences and avoid repeating some of their mistakes.

IDH: What is the best advice you have given/received?

ALI: The best piece of advice I’ve received was from my father. I was at a crossroads and he told me to never make a choice, to stick with something, because the other choice seemed worse or harder. To always go with what felt right and that the rest would work itself out. So far, he’s been right.

Learn more about Bare Life

WEB: www.eatbarelife.com
FACEBOOK: /EatBareLife
INSTAGRAM: eatbareliefe
TWITTER: @eatbarelife

Find out more about startups participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator:

  • Bare Life – Food and Beverage Startup For Healthy Eating
  • CNG Fit, LLC – Startup Brings Fitness/Dance Workouts to Wethersfield, CT
  • FieldOwler — Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses
  • florapothecarie — Startup Launches Natural Beauty Line
  • Project Ray – Startup Makes Smartphones Accessible for the Visually Impaired
  • SKYWIREme – Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses
  • Two Happy Homes – CT Company Provides Co=Parenting Tools
More
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Social Impact Startup Engages Students in Career Development

May 15 2017 Innovation Destination: Hartford Social Impact Startups 0 comments Tags: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET accelerator, social entrepreneur, social impact, startup, startup resources, startups

CareerPath Mobile is one of many startups participating in the 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator, a program designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

CareerPath Mobile President/CEO Richard Portelance (left) and Managing Partner Ben Grinnell.

Innovation Destination Hartford spoke with CareerPath Mobile President/CEO Richard Portelance and Managing Partner Ben Grinnell about the startup’s involvement in Connecticut’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start the company and how did the two of you come together?

RICHARD PORTELANCE: About three and a half years ago I was part of a team that was doing some website and marketing work at Valparaiso University School of Law. After we finished the assignment, the executive director at Valparaiso approached me about a problem the school’s career services was having—their students just weren’t engaging. He asked: What can you do for me?

We did some research and realized the students weren’t engaging with the career center because it wasn’t offering them anything substantial. The school had an 87-page career planning guidebook the students were basically using as a doorstop. Our suggestion was to break it out into milestones and put them into a mobile format broken out by month. Each month there would be milestones to help the students be career ready.

After we built and launched that system, 99% of the students downloaded the app in the first week and started using it. By the end of the year, the first-year students’ completion rate for the career services program went from 17% to 84%.

IDH: So you could see there was something marketable.

RP: Right. About two months later I got call from the director of the Center for Professional Development at Dartmouth College. He told me he’d spoken to someone at Valparaiso Law School and they wanted to implement the system at Dartmouth. So that was how we started.

Once I realized it was truly a company, I brought some friends together who had capital to invest. We spoke about it and decided we needed a day-to-day operations person. Ben was the first person I called. Thankfully, he said yes, and we’ve been together since April 2014.

BEN GRINNELL: Rich and I crossed paths about eight years ago. He and I both worked at Canterbury School, which is a private school in New Milford. I worked in the academic office of the school, he was doing information technology.

When he reached out years later, it just so happened that I was looking for an opportunity working in a startup where I could help build something.

My background includes some work in entrepreneurial economic development. I helped develop business incubators where we brought in startups and provided support services—similar to what’s going on at reSET. So I understand the needs of a startup company.

IDH: Speaking of reSET, let’s talk about the tie in and the ways in which your company is making a social impact.

RP: It’s been part of our mission from the beginning. We always wanted to have an impact with our business. And certainly the way we help students engage in the career development process, to get to know themselves, and then hopefully get a better outcome—get a job that’s more appropriate to their skills, their interests, and their capabilities—can make a huge impact for this country.

Students are facing a crippling amount of debt. And a majority of students who graduate and actually do get a job find one that doesn’t correlate to their degree. That’s just wrong. So that’s the social impact we are trying to affect.

IDH: Anything to add, Ben?

BG: Just to put it into perspective, Rich mentioned student debt. If you’re underemployed, there’s really no way you’re going to make a dent in that student debt. The big picture is that we’d like to see students better prepared for the job market because they are facing a lot of debt.

Ultimately, your success as a professional starts when you graduate from college. And you want to start somewhere where you’re happy and confident and compensated appropriately.

RP: One more point on top of that is, smaller schools and under-funded universities are really struggling to survive because they can’t afford large career planning teams to help students get jobs. The only way they can really reverse that trend is to have more engagement points.

CareerPath Mobile allows them to do that by making career services ubiquitous amongst all students. Everybody can access it. Everybody can have a CareerPath®. That’s going to help those schools to get ahead instead of being behind that curve.

IDH: Tell us about the product.

BG: The product itself is fairly simple. It’s software as a service. The software resides in the cloud and we license it to colleges and universities. We brand it with their branding so when a student opens it up it looks like it’s coming from the college.

CareerPath is a subscription model so we charge an annual fee, usually based on number of users.

IDH: And does that help you gauge how it’s working?

BG: Yes. And then we charge fees for additional services—for connecting it to their student information system or expanding within the university to their athletic department, health and wellness, or other groups on campus. That’s how we generate revenue. That’s our business model.

IDH: It sounds like there is also opportunity for growth.

RP: Yes. Things are changing within universities. Micro learning is starting to really take off for people who want to learn about something outside of the classroom.

Schools are starting to adopt that model for these co-curricular events. CareerPath Mobile enables students to get those micro learning snippets—15-minute blocks of something quickly on their mobile device.

We break it out into milestones where a student can click on milestone, such as etiquette or leadership, get the details about that milestone, and then compare themselves to their class. So whatever their group is—it could even be a small cohort of 15 students—they can see that 75% of their classmates have finished the milestone, so they better get going.

We do incentivize the students. We have a badging system built in. They really take advantage of that. They can stay engaged with their CareerPath whether it’s 2:00 a.m. or they are studying abroad.

IDH: How are you marketing?

BG: We have several ways to get our product out in front of people. Obviously our website. We also have an email marketing campaign with a national scope, so we are contacting schools all over the country. We go to a handful of conferences and workshops around the country to have face-to-face demonstrations and meet the people who are in the industry.

RP: What Valparaiso University did is very avant-garde for the school market, in terms of the mindset of schools compared to businesses. Typical businesses will take new concepts and run with them. Schools lag four to five years behind other industries. They are very cautious, they are a wait-and-see crowd. There will be a few entrepreneurs in the crowd, and everyone else will say: You try it, you fail at it or succeed at it, and then we’ll step in very cautiously.

So being mobile first and engaging students in this way is really just starting to happen now. We were fortunate to get that head start to really test this out at schools and to be in a position today to really accelerate that growth and be leaders in the field.

IDH: Any advice for people who are launching startups?

RP: I would say take your time. Don’t be afraid to seek out assistance from places like reSET. Make sure you do. Get an advisor. Make sure you understand your industry inside out and backward. The more patience you have, the better off you’re going to be at the end of the day. Because when you rush into it headlong, chances are you’re going to run into a wall somewhere.

BG: I would add to that, you have to be agile. We’ve had to pivot the business at different points based on what we learned. There was a learning curve in terms of learning about our customer and how our customer thinks and how they behave.

IDH: In addition to reSET, have you tapped into any other startup resources in Connecticut?

BG: A couple of years ago we connected with CTNext and applied to the Entrepreneur Innovation Awards. We got accepted and we pitched in New Haven. We didn’t win an award, but it was great exposure for us. It helped us understand CTNext in terms of what they can do and the different events they have to offer.

It also introduced us to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Connecticut. reSET is one of those entrepreneurial ecosystem members. So this fall when they started their accelerator, we knew we wanted to participate in the program.

When you’re in a startup, sometimes it’s as though you have blinders on. All you know is what’s in front of you. Programs like the reSET accelerator help to take away those blinders so you can look at the big picture and figure out the steps to take to get your company from Point A to Point B.

It’s really helped us look at the business from a different perspective. Also, the people who have run some of the workshop are really well-connected and very experienced in terms of either their entrepreneurial background or their work with entrepreneurs. It’s definitely moved us down the path to something a little bit bigger—and moved us a little quicker.

RP: I agree with Ben. We had been looking for something. We were fortunate to get selected by the Connecticut Technology Council as a Tech Company to Watch last year. So we’ve been around the circuit a little bit.

Last year we applied for the MassChallenge startup accelerator. We made it to the final round and we didn’t get in. That was disappointing, but I’m really excited about what reSET is offering, because the program fits our needs so well.

IDH: Do you feel the entrepreneurial ecosystem is building here in Connecticut?

BG: I think Connecticut is doing the right things. There are incubators developing around the state. Certainly CTNext and reSET are promoting entrepreneurship and we are getting a lot of value from being in reSET.

So yes, it’s fantastic and I’m glad Connecticut has recognized the entrepreneurial ecosystem can provide growth, jobs, and a positive business climate for the state. Will it help? Absolutely. We’re feeling it. We’re an example of how it’s helping.

RP: I agree with Ben. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, Connecticut is very well-intentioned. There’s a lot of opportunity here.

Learn more about CareerPath Mobile at www.careerpathmobile.com or follow on Facebook or Twitter @careerpathmobil.

Read about 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator participants:

  • Berkins Blend — Startup Concept Cyber Café Promotes Community Building
  • Hopewell Health Solutions –Social Impact Startup Provides Innovative Health Treatment Solutions
  • Impact Mart —Social Entrepreneurship Startup with a Mission to Solve Global Issues
  • Kulture Magazine —Social Impact Startup Fosters Innovative Youth Kulture
  • Supply InSight, Inc. —Social Impact Startup Provides RFID Solutions
  • WEWOOL —Social Impact Startup with a Mission to Help the Homeless
More
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Startup Concept Cyber Café Promotes Community Building

April 10 2017 Innovation Destination: Hartford CT Lifestyle 0 comments Tags: Berkins Blend Café, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Glastonbury, Greater Hartford startup, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup

Andréa Hawkins and Doug Barber are Co-Owners of Berkins Blend Café, which is participating in the 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator.

After both of their corporate positions were eliminated in November 2014, Doug Bar(ber) and Andréa Haw(kins) decided to combine their names and pursue their dream of opening a coffee shop and starting their own business.

They opened Berkins Blend Café in June 2015 and are currently participating in the 2017 reSET Impact Accelerator, which is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

NAN PRICE: Did you always have it in the back of your mind that you wanted to open a business?

DOUG BARBER: After the job eliminations, we wondered: What now? It was one of those now or never moments. I definitely wanted to own a business, and I’d been talking about opening up a coffee shop forever.

NP: You’re both coming from corporate backgrounds. Do you feel like it’s helped or do you feel like you’ve stepped into completely different territory?

DB: It is different territory, but I think the background has certainly helped. We weren’t afraid. We were able to dive in and use our previous management experience and critical thinking skills to figure things out. For example, when we weren’t able to find a general contractor, we decided to save money and manage the build out ourselves.

ANDRÉA HAWKINS: I think to Doug’s point, we didn’t really have a fear about running a business, it was more of figuring out how and where we were going to do it.

NP: Do you have experience hiring and managing employees?

AH: We both had been in management positions. I have an operations and project management background and managed large projects for a long time.

At the beginning, what I think was different for us—we were used to having experienced employees, people who could take a task and get it done. You didn’t have to take them through step-by-step. But we hired a lot of young people initially. We realized you’ve got to be way more hands-on with younger employees.

Plus we were still establishing our processes and learning what we needed to do. Doug, I remember you noting that at the beginning, how it was exhausting to have to answer so many questions all day long.

DB: Right. When we’re working with experienced staff, they know what their task is.

NP: Why a coffee shop?

AH: I don’t drink coffee! Doug loves coffee and I love Doug. So that’s my connection to the coffee.

DB: I am a coffee fanatic. There are a lot of roasters and a lot of coffee choices here in Glastonbury. We wanted to do something different. I fell in love with this blend from Portland, OR while we were attending Barista training. I couldn’t find anything like it here on the East Coast.

We also offer nitro coffee—it starts with cold-brewed coffee, then we add nitrogen to give it a beer-like consistency—it pours like a Guinness.

But the atmosphere here is as just important as the coffee. We want people to feel welcome. We want them to sit and stay (but not all day or we will never make money!). We have Wi-Fi and computers for our customers to use. There’s a community table, so people can gather. So that’s what I think sets us apart. We’re really trying to create a sense of community.

NP: Would you say that’s your social impact tie-in?

AH: I think so. We’re really focused on giving back to the community. Also, we offer a significant discount to fire, police, and military personnel.

DB: Public service is important to us.

AH: Yes, they serve us every day. But we’re also creating a space where people can meet. My mother is actually sitting over there with her former boss, Frank. He lives in town and he’s here every morning. We have several University of Connecticut professors who come in and work as well as Pastor Mark who sits here for hours most days and meets with his congregation.

NP: You’re really building community.

AH: Yes. That’s exactly what we want. They’re all divergent types of groups and people. And sometimes there are people here alone, reading or writing books or on the Internet. We have a few authors who come in.

NP: To that end, how are you marketing?

DB: Word of mouth has been the best.

AH: I use Facebook to post a lot about the business.

Andréa Hawkins and Doug Barber of Berkins Blend Café pitch their startup at reSET.

NP: Let’s talk about the reSET accelerator. How and why did you become involved?

AH: It was through Rich Brown at the MetroHartford Alliance. We started talking about the business to determine our next step from a growth standpoint. He told me to check out the reSET accelerator. He thought we would be a great candidate for the program.

NP: What are you hoping to gain from the experience? Is business growth your primary focus?

AH: It is.

DB: That and the connections that being a part of a group like that can bring. We don’t want to just grow without doing it the right way. Sure, we could go out and open another shop, but we want to ensure that we’re well positioned.

AH: Yes, the business coaches have been really great. And more importantly, our involvement in the accelerator exposed us to them.

We’re working on really understanding why we’re doing well. We haven’t mastered that yet. We have a general sense of why that is, but we need to understand what the levers are in the business before we venture out and do it again. Sheer luck is not really a strategy.

NP: Tell us something we don’t know about what’s it’s like to open up a startup or to be an entrepreneur.

AH: I would say it’s probably that there are so many surprises you just don’t know about. Our first year we didn’t know what the business cycles were going to look like. We had no idea after the holidays people really don’t want pastry and coffee. They want to pay their bills and lose weight.

So in January there’s always a little slump. We learned that we need to do marketing at the end of December so we get some new people in and sort maintain the level of sales we want.

DB: To that point, we opened on June 19. In the middle of the summer everyone went away on vacation. That was a huge eye-opener. Last summer we saw that but nothing as significant as that first year. So you can throw predictability out the window. It’s very hard to predict.

AH: The other thing is people assume that because you own a business you’re wealthy. They don’t know how hard it is to run a business, just to break even, which we’re starting to get to now. And it’s a nice feeling to be at break even.

There are also the expense surprises. That’s the big one. You can’t really plan for how many sales you will have or much staff you’re going to need over the course of a year, so it’s hard to plan your tax liability. Then you’ve got to plan out payroll taxes and unemployment insurance. How do you forecast for all of that when you don’t have any experience?

DB: We’re figuring it all out.

NP: You’re going into your second year. How would you say the business has evolved since you first opened?

DB: There are still surprises and there are still frustrations—but it’s our frustrations, it’s not the corporate frustrations raining down on us with demands. It’s stuff we need to do.

We’re reviewing some things like our merchant services our point-of-sale system. At the time we went with what we thought was the most economical, but there might be other alternatives out there. So we’re starting to take a look at those systems individually and see what we can do to be more efficient and more cost-effective.

The startup experience has taught us a lot of things, so now we are going back and seeing what we can do to tighten up expenses.

NP: One year from now where do you want to be in your business?

DB: Once we kind of figure out everything, I think I would like to have this packaged and offered somewhere else in another location.

Andréa coined the term “concept cyber café” when we were at reSET. I like that phrase because it’s not just a coffee shop where we’re offering a bunch of different varieties of coffee. The coffee is important. The smooth quality of the coffee is important. But the atmosphere is equally important. That vibe people get when they come in.

And the customer service. With our employees, we’ve found the right people who enjoy interacting with our customers and want to offer them a clean, comfortable environment and quality food choices.

AH: I would say in a year my goal would be that we’re making enough money to think about taking that next step.

I don’t want to have another venture just to say we have it and be back where we started trying to break even. Maybe we should enjoy a year of making money...

NP: First things first.

AH: Right. What’s interesting is we’re coming into our second year. We signed a five-year lease. So in a few years we’ll have to decide do we continue to stay here? Do we look for another location to move?

DB: Do we do both?

NP: Those are all exciting questions—we’ll have to see what happens.

Learn more about Berkins Blend Café at www.berkinsblendcafe.com or follow on Facebook and Twitter @berkinsblend.

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