FREE Web-Design Workshop

Part III of the Web-Marketing Seminar Series

By popular demand…a step-by-step guide to getting your business online with WordPress!

Wednesday, December 8 from 6pm – 9pm

City Council Chambers, City Hall 116 W. Beverley

Want to create or upgrade your own website? Then WordPress is for you!

Not only is it free to use but it is also one of the best content management systems available today.

WordPress is so easy to use that it is the choice for thousands of local small businesses, and it is so powerful that CNN, The New York Times, NASA and Yahoo! also run sites on WordPress. 

In this practical workshop, local expert Erik Curren, who has built more than a dozen sites on WordPress, including the international magazine TransitionVoice.com, will walk you through the steps of creating a basic site using WordPress.

For more information or to
register contact the Staunton
Creative Community Fund:

540-213-0333

joelle@stauntonfund.com

www.stauntonfund.com

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The Staunton Creative Community Fund excitedly announces the launch of the Staunton Green Loan Fund with the approved funding of Tidy Green, Inc., a Staunton-based “green” cleaning business serving the greater Shenandoah Valley.  Tidy Green, a two-year old company owned and operated by husband and wife team Jay and Tara Herrin, received Green Loan funding from SCCF to facilitate the expansion of their ever-growing business. 

Already serving a diverse clientele, Tidy Green has earned a reputation for excellence and a commitment to providing environmentally friendly, non-toxic, child and pet-safe cleaning services.  In a world where declining water and air quality has started having measurable impacts on human health, even within the relative safety of our own homes, Tidy Green takes the convenience of a reliable and detail-oriented cleaning service and kicks it up a notch with their devotion to community and environmental stewardship.

Read their full profile here!

On Wednesday, October 20th the Friendly City Food Co-op announced both the closing of a new $50,000 loan from the Staunton Creative Community Fund and the selection of its building contractor, Harman Construction Company.  The check was presented at the Friendly City Food Co-op’s storefront on Wolfe Street in Harrisonburg, where building renovations will begin shortly.

“We couldn’t be more exctied,” said Ben Sandel, President of the Friendly City Food Cooperative.  “Launching the Friendly City Food Co-op has truly been a community-based effort, with our members, lenders, and volunteers all playing a vital role in the process.”

“The Friendly City Food Co-op epitomizes the type of projects we seek to support, generating downtown revitalization, forging community-based partnerships, and building infrastructure that supports local farmers and healthy eating choices.  We are so proud to be helping the co-op reach its fundraising goals,” said Meghan Williamson, Executive Director of the Staunton Creative Community Fund.

Photo(s) by Aaron H. Johnston

Read a full profile of the Friendly City Food Co-op here!

Read more about the Friendly City Food Co-op here in the Augusta Free Press!

FREE WEB-MARKETING SEMINARS

Social media, website design, and marketing strategies for business!

Part I:  The 5 Myths of Marketing Online

Wednesday, October 27 at 6pm – 7:30pm, City Council Chambers, City Hall 116 W. Beverley

This interactive seminar takes a look at the big picture of online marketing and the top reasons why small business owners struggle with the world wide web.  Led by local experts, Erik Curren and Chris Graham, this seminar will explore strategies for improving online marketing success.

Part II:  Tools to Launch Your Business on the Web

Wednesday, November 3 at 6pm – 7:30pm, City Council Chambers, City Hall 116 W. Beverley

Ever feel daunted by the prospect of navigating the ins and outs of web-design when attempting to expand your business to the internet?  This seminar will provide a guide to understanding some of today’s most popular online templates and networks, like WordPress and Facebook, and give you concrete tools for utilizing them in the best way for your business.

Seminars led by Erik Curren and Chris Graham

For more information or to register contact SCCF:

540-213-0333

joelle@stauntonfund.com

http://www.stauntonfund.com

Attendees of this year’s Annual Virginia Microenterprise Conference, held September 30 – October 1, got a taste of sustainable economic development Staunton-style as the Queen City proudly served as this year’s host.  The conference brought together entrepreneurs and organizations from across the state to share strategies and ideas for improved small business development in Virginia.

The Staunton Creative Community Fund would like to thank George Bowers Grocery, the Friendly City Food Co-Op, Mary Baldwin College, American Shakespeare Center, Mockingbird, Sunspots Studios, Staunton Downtown Development Association, Valley Conservation Council, Historic Staunton Foundation, and many others for their help in making this year’s conference a resounding success!

We would also like to thank the variety of media outlets who covered the event.  See their coverage here!

Augusta Free Press:  Conference Focuses on Small Business

Augusta Free Press:  Business Conference to Highlight Local Success Stories

WHSV:  Staunton Business Success Studied by Virginia Business Owners

WHSV:  Small Business Conference Kicks-off In Staunton

Newsleader:  Small Business Advocates to Explore Staunton as Part of Conference

 

Megan Tiller, owner of Tiller Strings, sits among her new business inventory, purchased with the help of an SCCF microloan.

As the 2010/2011 school year begins, new business Tiller Strings combines local teaching, quality stringed instruments, and microfinance to serve the next generation of local musicians.

A long-time musician hailing from a wide variety of musical traditions, Megan seeks to provide an outlet where local musicians, strings students, and teachers can find high-quality instruments, music, and accessories for purchase or rental at the same price as online.  Tiller Strings specializes in “teacher approved,” high-quality violins, violas, cellos, and string basses and accessories for musicians and students of all ages and levels of experience.  Megan will also use Tiller Strings as a venue where interested buyers can find locally and regionally handcrafted instruments including guitars, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers, and more!

Check out her full profile here!

Read more about Tiller Strings in the Augusta Free Press here!

Now is the Time to Invest in Yourself!

Finance and Development Solutions for Business

September 29, 2010 at 8am  –  City Hall Council Chambers

The Staunton Downtown Development Association is offering this FREE seminar where presenters will provide information on creating a business plan, applying for financing, non-traditional funding sources, and how to value, buy, and sell a small business.  We will be hearing from: 

Meghan Williamson  of the Staunton Creative Community Fund

Ophie Kier of Valley Capital Finance Group

Dick Halterman of Murphy Business Brokers and Appraisal

Question and answer session to follow! 

Please RSVP:  SDDA, 332-3867 before September 23, 2010.

 

Staunton Green 2020 brings Staunton Green Drinks back to downtown Staunton. The event will take place on Thursday, August 12th at 5pm at the Depot Grill in Staunton. Come out and meet other green entrepreneurs, community members and nonprofit leaders to share drinks and creative ideas!

Check out another new profile of one of our amazing clients, Leslie Banta! Leslie is the owner and operator of Staunton Art Supply, click here to check out her new profile directly or click on the Meet the Entrepreneurs page above and check out all of our exciting Entrepreneurs today!

Check out our two new client profiles!

Our newest additions to our Meet our Entreprenuers page include Charlie of Charlie’s Tool Repair and Carey of The Sacred Circle. Click here to check out Charlie’s Profile and click here to check out Carey’s.