Covid-19 & Virtual Resources
VSECU & United Counseling Service - Still Serving the Community
On March 25 at 5pm, Governor Scott issued a Stay in Place order for Vermont in response to Covid-19. Learn more about how VSECU and UCS are serving Vermont communities.
According to its website, "VSECU is a values-based financial cooperative that is open to everyone who lives or works in Vermont. Our vision is to inspire a movement that brings people together to empower the possibilities for greater financial, environmental, and social prosperity." Read more about its response "Covid-19 -Be Prepared Not Scared" and how it continues to serve its customers and community during these unprecedented times.
United Counseling Service is available 24/7 and have increased its telehealth services. For help call 802-442-5491. Learn more in its
March Newsletter filled with valuable information in response to Covid-19.
According to its website, "VSECU is a values-based financial cooperative that is open to everyone who lives or works in Vermont. Our vision is to inspire a movement that brings people together to empower the possibilities for greater financial, environmental, and social prosperity." Read more about its response "Covid-19 -Be Prepared Not Scared" and how it continues to serve its customers and community during these unprecedented times.
United Counseling Service is available 24/7 and have increased its telehealth services. For help call 802-442-5491. Learn more in its
March Newsletter filled with valuable information in response to Covid-19.
Emotional Fallout & How to Regain Control
Entrepreneur Network Contributor, Ben Angel shares how to handle the "emotional fallout" of the coronavirus outbreak and offers steps to gain back control. Read this three part series here and take his 60-second quiz.
Cybersecurity during Coronavirus
Check out the March 20 Blog where you'll find out what you need to know about protecting yourself, your employees and your business from hackers while remote working.
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Coping In Uncertainty
Check out our latest email Annoucement filled with resources to help you navigate during these unchartered waters!
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Bennington County Regional Commission's Covid-19 Resource Page
The BCRC has been compiling various links to Covid-19 resources for municipalities and communities on its Emergency Management page. Learn more about Foood Resources, Bennington County Mutual Aid - Organization that connects volunteers with those in need, neighborly best practices and more.
Brattleboro Economic Development Corporation - Resiliency Program
The BEDC has created an online Resiliency Program with a number of invaluable resources for business owners. It is also working with Federal, State, and Regional partners to ensure that businesses in the region have the tools necessary to respond to the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Navigating this information can be challenging, especially when trying to fill orders, do payroll, and try to provide safe working environment for your employees.
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Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Covid-19/Corona Virus - Business Resource Guide
Virtual Learning/Social Interraction Resources
Black River Innovation Campus - Community Chats - Virtual Storytelling + Exploration
BRIC will be hosting a Community Chat via Zoom every Wednesday at 6PM ET, starting March 17, featuring Vermont community members giving 5-minute primers on things they are passionate about and topics of expertise. Vermont is home to some world class movers and shakers, and it’s time to see and hear what they’re all about! Learn more here!
Entrepreneurial Learning Resourses
Check out this article from entrepreneur.com - filled with amazing resources on a wide variety of topics such as coding, budgeting, mentoring, decision making, management and taxes - "15 FREE Online Learning Sites Every Entrepreneur Should Visit"
Virtual Meetings & Free Conference Calling
Need to host a virtual meeting? No worries, check out this comprehensive article from Inc.com "5 Tips for Conducting a Virtual Meeting". Not only are there tips but it also provides resources to use such as WebEx and Microsoft Office Live Meeting. Of course, if you've never done video conference calling it can be a little frustrating, but don't dispair as this article in the Washington Post shows a lot of different tools being used and how to figure out which works best for your needs. Of course, don't forget to check out Doodle Poll, which is a really simple way of figuring out everyone's schedules, and of course there is Slack for project management. Lastly, check out this article for the best services for conference calling.
Updated 3/20/20 - To alleviate some of the strain when millions of people around the world are using phone carrier systems, freeconferencecall.com has provided the following tips if you are experiencing busy signals when trying to join a conference call or just trying to call family and friends:
Depending on your needs, location, and technology, there is sure to be a resource to help you during your remote working time. If not, email The Lightning Jar and we'll help you find the right tool!
Shireconomics 3.10.20
Check out Shireconomics! Dr. Joshua Sherman joins Matt and Jon to discuss his vision and development of Old Road Media in Arlington, Vermont, which showcases Vermont with its "four arms": development, production, distribution and promotion. Additonally, he also talks about how his suite of publications (Manchester Life, Vermont Magazine, Stratton Magazine and the News Guide) also showcase and promote Vermont living.
Free Well Being Activities
Guided Meditations - keep grounded
Core Power Yoga Classes - keep active
12 Famous Museums Offering Virtual Tours - all from your couch!
Check out this article from entrepreneur.com - filled with amazing resources on a wide variety of topics such as coding, budgeting, mentoring, decision making, management and taxes - "15 FREE Online Learning Sites Every Entrepreneur Should Visit"
Virtual Meetings & Free Conference Calling
Need to host a virtual meeting? No worries, check out this comprehensive article from Inc.com "5 Tips for Conducting a Virtual Meeting". Not only are there tips but it also provides resources to use such as WebEx and Microsoft Office Live Meeting. Of course, if you've never done video conference calling it can be a little frustrating, but don't dispair as this article in the Washington Post shows a lot of different tools being used and how to figure out which works best for your needs. Of course, don't forget to check out Doodle Poll, which is a really simple way of figuring out everyone's schedules, and of course there is Slack for project management. Lastly, check out this article for the best services for conference calling.
Updated 3/20/20 - To alleviate some of the strain when millions of people around the world are using phone carrier systems, freeconferencecall.com has provided the following tips if you are experiencing busy signals when trying to join a conference call or just trying to call family and friends:
- Download The Mobile App. Tap here to Download for iPhone, here to Download for Android. This will give you the ability to call in over WiFi. Our app also has smart call routing so when you dial-in using your phone we’ll route you to carrier networks that have the most bandwidth.
- Download The Desktop App. This lets you call in using your computer and also lets you stay better connected with screensharing and video conferencing. Tap the following link and scroll down to Download the Desktop App.
- Schedule meetings to start 15 or 45 minutes past the hour rather than on the hour. Carrier networks are less congested at these times. If you could please post this final tip out to your social networks it would be a huge help. Please use the hashtag #15or45. This will help not just us and our fellow conferencing companies but everyone in the United States who is trying to use phone networks.
Depending on your needs, location, and technology, there is sure to be a resource to help you during your remote working time. If not, email The Lightning Jar and we'll help you find the right tool!
Shireconomics 3.10.20
Check out Shireconomics! Dr. Joshua Sherman joins Matt and Jon to discuss his vision and development of Old Road Media in Arlington, Vermont, which showcases Vermont with its "four arms": development, production, distribution and promotion. Additonally, he also talks about how his suite of publications (Manchester Life, Vermont Magazine, Stratton Magazine and the News Guide) also showcase and promote Vermont living.
Free Well Being Activities
Guided Meditations - keep grounded
Core Power Yoga Classes - keep active
12 Famous Museums Offering Virtual Tours - all from your couch!
HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Due to recent health concerns over the corona virus, March events have either been postponed or canceled.
As such, April events will also not be scheduled until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
March 4 - "Joe w/Jo" @ Charlie's Coffee House - 8:30-9:30 am, 39 Bonnet St, Manchester
Want to meet other entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals in Bennington? Are you working from home and miss face-to-face connections and sharing ideas? Join us (coffee or your favorite hot beverage on us!) as The Lighting Jar brings its "Joe w/Jo" series around Bennington County to not only meet local business owners, but to also discuss topics of interest and support each other with best practices, advice and tips! Come meet the folks at Charlie's Coffee House and even say hello to Charlie!
POSTPONED - March 13 - Community Showcase: The Lightning Jar, The Northshire Bookstore, 4869 Main St, Manchester
Join us in the conference room when Chief Entrepreneurial Director, Joelle Greenland, AICP, presents The Lightning Jar--an entrepreneurial coworking space in Bennington and early stage business incubator that connects people to resources and assists their business dreams. Learn more at www.lightningjarvt.com
CANCELED - March 17 - "Digital Marketing for Small Businesses" - 9-10:30 am, $20 (RSVP here)
Charlie's Coffee House/Upstairs Conference Room, 39 Bonnet St, Manchester
Digital marketing expert Erin Lyons will show you the best tools and time-saving tricks to take the guesswork out of going digital. You'll leave with a DIY starter kit that will help you build a professional website and online presence in less than a week, with less than $200. This workshop is for business owners with little to no marketing or website experience. Coffee and breakfast goodies included.
- You'll learn how to:
- Build a beautiful, easy-to-use, affordable website
- Get found on Google through SEO
- Set up and use an email list to cultivate customers
- Set up online payment and booking systems
- Focus on the right social media channels
- Advertise online wisely
- Find inexpensive or free resources for photography, logos, and graphic design
- Find marketing professionals if you need more help
Erin Lyons is a content strategist and marketing consultant with more than 20 years of experience updating brands and websites for clients such as Johns Hopkins, Cornell University, United Rentals, Bennington College, Stanford Health and more. She resides in Sunderland, VT. Learn more about Erin at www.erinelyons.com.
CANCELED - March 24 - Spring Quarterly Meetup - Innovation VT/NH Group @ The Lightning Jar 5:30-7:30 pm
Quarterly meetup to check-in, swap stories, share resources, etc. What're you working on? What do you need help with? What gaps can we work on addressing as an ecosystem? Snacks and drinks will be provided. Also, come check out what the Bennington Area Makers (BAM) are up to in its space just around the corner! Can't wait to see you! Please RSVP by March 20th.
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February 5 - "Joe w/Jo" @ Powers Market - 8:30-9:30 am, 9 Main St., North Bennington
Want to meet and share ideas with other entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals? Join us (coffee or your favorite hot beverage on us!) as The Lighting Jar brings its "Joe w/Jo" series around Bennington County to not only meet local business owners but to also discuss topics of interest and support each other with best practices, advice and tips!
Come learn more about The Lightning Jar's mission to make your business dreams come true and Powers Market, who uses quality coffee from Tunnel City in Williamstown, MA. THANK YOU Powers Market for sponsoring this event!!!!
According to Powers' webpage, it was built in 1840 and is the oldest Vermont country store. While serving as a hub in the village, Powers Market has evolved over the years and continues to take pride in serving the local community and travelers alike.
February 12 - "Podcast & Pizza - When Work Takes Over Your Life" @The Lightning Jar - 12-1 pm
Are you feeling STRESSED out?! Do you have work/life BALANCE? The Lightning Jar is teaming up with United Counseling Service of Bennington County who will facilitate a round table discussion around Adam Grant's podcast, "When Work Takes Over Your Life".
Listen first to the podcast, which provides helpful strategies from various leaders in setting boundaries, saying "no" and managing "odd-hour" emails. Then come to this interactive event where Dan Merges, from UCS, will lead everyone in sharing their own stories of work/life stresses and how to manage them. Learn more here about Dan.
Listen to PODCAST here:
Things to reflect on prior to event:
-What do you want to learn or take away from this discussion?
-How is your work-personal life balance?
-Do you tend to integrate or separate you work and personal life?
-How would you rate your ability to set limits in your work life?
-Do you have strategies for managing stress in your life?
-Do you have self-care practices?
February 20 - HUBZONE Certification Program Workshop @ The Lightning Jar - 1-3 pm
Are you Eligible to get special advantages when selling to the government? The Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VT PTAC) is offering a FREE workshop to help you learn more about the HUBZone Program and how to get certified! A guest speaker from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on-site to answer your questions. Vermont has several HUBZone areas, including Bennington which was recently added!! Find out benefits and eligibility and if it makes sense for your business to become qualified and get a competitive edge when bidding on federal contracts as the program's set-aside contracts limit competition to the only HUBZone certified businesses. Register for free at https://vtptac.ecenterdirect.com/events or 802-828-5237.
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January 8 - "Joe w/Jo" @ The Roasted Bean - 8:30-9:30 am, 336 North St.
Want to meet other entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals in Bennington? Are you working from home and miss face-to-face connections and sharing ideas? Join us (coffee or your favorite hot beverage on us!) as The Lighting Jar brings its "Joe w/Jo" series around Bennington to not only meet local business owners, but to also discuss topics of interest and support each other with best practices, advice and tips! Come meet Angelica, who has owned The Roasted Bean for 3.5 years, and makes an INSANE cup of coffee. Did we mention she only uses socially responsible coffee sourced from Mexico, South America and Africa?!
January 14 - Buzzword Bingo @ The Lightning Jar - 5:30-7 pm
Who doesn't love bingo!! Anyone who has ever watched enough TED Talks or Shark Tank knows that after awhile you start to here the same buzz words over and over again: I'm out! Break-even. Margin. Overhead. Here's where the fun starts: get a random board with such buzz words, play against others and watch how no one nods off but hangs on every word just to shout "BINGO!" or "Funded!" Enjoy food, drink, prizes, and most of all - TONS of fun!
ROTARY CLUB MEMBER?
I am honored and thrilled to be the guest speaker at the Bennington Rotary Club's first meeting of the year and decade on January 17, 2020! I'll be presenting my vision for The Lightning Jar and what's in store for 2020. Can't wait to meet all the members and learn more about this wonderful organization - and of course, I get to share an exquisite lunch with them at Mount Anthony Country Club from 12-1:30 pm. See you then!
LIGHTNING LEARNING SERIES
January 27 - Financial Planning Basics @ The Lightning Jar 12-1pm
Want to learn about financial planning but don't know where to start? Look no further as our own Wally Lother presents the basics in a fun and interactive atmosphere at The Lightning Jar. Wally is the Financial Advisor for VSECU. He is a born and raised Bennington resident that got his bachelors in Business at North Western University Johnson (formally Johnson State College) in 2007.
With a passion for helping investors reach their financial goals he approaches a smart money philosophy. Individuals, businesses and organizations all have multiple financial objectives that they desire to accomplish and, in many cases, attempt to accomplish at the same time. Wally helps by working alongside individuals in helping asses where their money should be allocated to turn it into smart money working for them.
RSVP here for this FREE event!
Come Join Me! - StartUp 802: An Entrepreneurial Mindset
Jan. 22- Feb. 26, 2020 @ Community College of Vermont; Wednesdays - 6-8:30 pm
Six Weeks of fun and learning! Understand and develop entrepreneurial attitudes, behaviors and skills | Identify social and situational factors that encourage or inhibit entrepreneurial behavior | Identify the required steps to launch a new business | Evaluate potential business ventures in the current economic climate. Find out more at http://www.lightningjarvt.com/start-up-802.html
Lightning Library - New Books to Borrow
5 New books are available to borrow for up to 14 days.
1) Lean Startup - Eric Ries;
2) The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lenciori;
3) Start With Why - Simon Sinek
4) The Local Economy Solution - Michael Shuman
5) Scrum, the Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time - Jeff Sutherland;
Start With Why, Simon Sinkek. An oldie but a goodie. By now you've either heard about or watched Sinek's viral Ted Talk video - How Great Leaders Inspire (over 47 million views), but reading the book is a game changer. It was for me (check out December Blog post), but don't take my word for it, check out what Good Reads says about the book and let me know if it made an impact. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7108725-start-with-why
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