Center for Rural Affairs
Business Update
Ce n t e r for Rura l Affair s | Lyo n s, N E | Po pul atio n 8 51 | s pr in g 2 0 16
dream comes true at
the enchanted bakery
Ana Gonzalez and her
sister Veronica serve cakes
at The Enchanted Bakery,
at 418 N. Eddy in Grand
Island. REAP services were
essential to the sisters
reaching their goal.
By gr ise l da rendon, l at i n o l oa n spe ci a list, g r ise l da r @ cf r a.o r g
T
hirteen years ago, Ana Gonzalez wanted to start
her own bakery. She had been working from home
making cakes for friends and family, but always
wanted to have a set location for a shop.
In 2008, Ana decided to open up cake sales to
the public. She started “Pasteleria Crystal,” baking
cakes out of the basement of her home in Hastings, Nebr.
Ana and her sister Veronica delivered the cakes, and
customers also dropped by to pick up their order.
The cakes were custom made for weddings,
Quinceaneras, birthdays, or just because. Besides doing
the baking and delivery, Ana and Veronica both held
part-time jobs outside their home.
“I always wanted to have my own place, my own bakery.
More than once customers asked when I was going to open
my bakery,” said Ana.
REAP services have been essential to realizing that goal.
Ana qualified for two REAP loans: one for the purchase of
a van to transport the cakes and the other for remodeling a
site for the new bakery.
As REAP’s Latino Business Specialist in southeast
Nebraska, I was able provide technical assistance on the
business plan and to assist with required permits and
services from the electrician, plumber, accountant and even
her attorney.
In 2015, Ana and Veronica finally accomplished their
dream. They opened “The Enchanted Bakery” at 418 N.
Eddy Street in Grand Island. Ana and Veronica now serve
12 menu items, which include Blueberry Cheesecake,
Chocolate Cheesecake, Cappuccino, Carrot, and 3 Leches
with Peach among others. The bakery is open all week from
Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ana gives this advice to entrepreneurs who have the
desire to start on their own: “Don’t give up on your dream.
Find the resources, ask the questions, and be persistent.”
Th e E n c h a n te d Ba ke ry
M i cr o B usin e ss Support & In formatio n E xc h a n ge
418 N. Eddy
Grand Island, NE 68801
308-383-2255
Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
facebook.com/Theenchantedbakery308/?fref=ts
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2 •REAP Business Update • Spring 2016
Top 10 Cybersecurity tips from
the small business administration
By Moni c a Brau n, W om en’s B u si n e ss Ce n te r D ir e cto r , m o n icab @c fr a .o r g
S
ecurity is important to all
of us, personally and as
business owners. With
critical information
provided by customers,
it is essential that proper
steps are taken to ensure your
records and their information are
adequately secure. Here are some
tips on Cybersecurity from the
Small Business Administration.
1. Protect against viruses,
spyware, and other malicious
code
Make sure each of your
business’s computers are
equipped with antivirus software
and antispyware and update
regularly. Configure all software
to install updates automatically.
2. Secure your networks
Safeguard your Internet
connection by using a firewall and
encrypting information. If you
have a Wi-Fi network, make sure
it is secure and hidden. Password
protect access to the router.
3. Establish security practices
and policies to protect sensitive
information
The REAP Women’s Business Center is funded
in part through a cooperative agreement with the
US Small Business Administration. All opinions,
conclusions, or recommendations expressed are
those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the SBA.
REAP and the Women’s Business Center and the
Hispanic Business Center are programs of the
Center for Rural
Affairs. The Center for Rural Affairs
is a private, nonprofit organization.
All SBA funded programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and/or persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) will be made if requested in advance.
Establish policies on how
employees should handle and
protect personally identifiable
information and other sensitive
data. Outline the consequences
of violating these policies.
4. Educate employees about
cyberthreats and hold them
accountable
Educate your employees
about online threats and how
to protect your business’s data,
including safe use of social
networking sites.
5. Require employees to use
strong passwords and to change
them often
Consider adding
multifactor authentication that
requires additional information
beyond a password to gain entry.
Check with your vendors that
handle sensitive data, especially
financial institutions, to see if
they offer this.
6. Employ best practices on
payment cards
Work with your banks or card
processors to ensure the most
trusted and validated tools and
anti-fraud services are being
used. Isolate payment systems
from other, less secure programs.
Do not use the same computer to
process payments and surf the
Internet.
7. Make backup copies of
important business data and
information
Regularly backup the data on
all computers. Critical data
includes word processing
documents, electronic
spreadsheets, databases,
financial files, human resources
files, and accounts receivable/
payable files. Backup data
automatically if possible, or at
least weekly, and store the copies
either offsite or on the cloud.
8. Control physical access to
computers and network
components
Laptops can be particularly
easy targets for theft or can
be lost, so lock them up when
unattended. Make sure a separate
user account is created for each
employee and require strong
passwords.
9. Create a mobile device
action plan
Mobile devices can create
significant security and
management challenges. Require
users to password protect their
devices, encrypt their data, and
install security apps to prevent
stolen information while on public
networks. Set up reporting
procedures for lost or stolen
equipment.
10. Protect all pages on your
public-facing websites
This applies to the complete
site, not just the checkout and
sign-up pages.
Source: www.sba.gov/managingbusiness/cybersecurity/top-tencybersecurity-tips
Spring 2016 • REAP Business Update • 3
R E A P W omen’s Bu s i ness Ce n t e r
‘Eye-Opening Training’ helps entrepreneurs with their businesses
By Monic a B rau n, W om en’s B u si n e ss Ce n te r D ir e cto r , m o n icab @c fr a .o r g
T
he REAP Women’s Business Center
co-sponsored two Business Plan Basics
sessions in February and March. We
partnered with the Broken Bow Chamber
of Commerce, Custer County Economic
Development, Sargent Area Economic
Development, Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and
Arnold Economic Development Corporation to hold a
session in Broken Bow.
We partnered with NGage (Gage Area Growth
Enterprise), Main Street Beatrice, and Beatrice Area
Chamber of Commerce to hold one in Beatrice. For
spring, we are partnering with Mid-Plains Center for
Enterprise to hold the Business Plan Basics sessions
in North Platte in April and May. One is also in the
planning stage for Northeast Nebraska.
Comments from participants included:
“Lots of information. The budgeting and start
up costs were an eye-opener.”
The Center for Rural Affairs REAP Women’s Business Center partnered
with NGage, Main Street Beatrice and Beatrice Area Chamber of
Commerce to hold a Business Plan Basics session in Beatrice. A
session is planned for North Platte in April and May.
“It made me think about things I hadn’t.”
“I learned answers to questions I had about
starting a business.”
“It gave me a lot more direction in the planning
for starting my business. I learned so much
about starting a business that I had no clue
about.”
We have also been offering Online Marketing
Strategies sessions in communities across the state.
If you are looking for information on building your
online relationships using websites, email
marketing, and social media venues, be sure to
watch for this session in your area.
Feel free to contact me, Monica Braun, to discuss
upcoming events or to request a session in your
area. Email [email protected] or call 402.643.2673.
A Business Plan Basics workshop was held in Broken Bow earlier
this year, partnering with the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce,
Custer County Economic Development, Sargent Area Economic
Development, Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and Arnold
Economic Development Corporation. Online Marketing Strategies
sessions have also been offered in communities throughout the state.
global affair, continued from page 4.
societies,” said Contreras-Sweet.
“If you can’t get a job,
entrepreneurship allows you to
create your own. And small
businesses not only create most
of the jobs in our global economy,
they also create a sense of pride
in local neighborhoods and
contribute tax revenues that can
help fund better services and
better schools.”
Contreras-Sweet was in
Bogota to announce the
Colombian government will
adopt the SBA’s Small Business
Development Center (SBDC)
model. In the U.S. the model
is comprised of 1,100 federally
funded counseling centers staffed
with experts providing ongoing
business and technical support
for aspiring entrepreneurs.
It is in this type of event when
you realize just how important the
work we do is in our many rural
communities across the country.
From July 1 to Dec. 31, 2015,
REAP’s Latino Business Center
staff trained 266 Small Latino
Microentrepreneurs, counseled
126, and provided 22 loans
totaling $373,100. At the end it
is not a small business.
Strengthening rural communities through small, self-employed business development.
Center for Rural Affairs
R u r al Enter pr ise A ssista n ce Proj e ct
14 5 M ai n S t reet, P O B ox 1 3 6 | Lyo n s, N E 6 8 0 3 8 - 0 1 3 6
c f ra.org | i nf o@ c f r a .o r g
Address Service Requested
Spring 2016
Questions?
Contact one of our helpful staff below!
RE AP L atin o Bus in e s s C e n te r
Building Small Business IS a global affair
By J u a n S a nd ova l , L atino B us ine s s C e nte r D ir e c to r , j ua ns @c fr a .o r g
Jeff Reynolds, REAP Program Director,
[email protected].
Monica Braun, Women’s Business Center
Director, [email protected].
Juan Sandoval, Latino Business Center Director,
[email protected].
Dena Beck, Senior Project Leader &
South Central Loan Specialist, [email protected].
Gene Rahn, North Central Senior Loan Specialist,
[email protected].
Jerry Terwilliger, Panhandle Loan Specialist,
[email protected].
Janelle Moran, Southeast Loan Specialist,
[email protected].
Nancy Flock, Southwest Loan Specialist,
[email protected].
Griselda Rendon, Latino Loan Specialist,
[email protected].
Kim Preston, REAP Administrative Assistant,
[email protected].
Y
ou know you are
passionate about work
when someone invites you
to attend the Global
Entrepreneurship
Congress in Medellin,
Colombia, while on vacation, and
you still think about attending.
That is exactly what happened
while I was visiting relatives
on my trip to South America in
March. The event that grouped
15 nations and several
international organizations
facilitated discussion on four key
pillars: creating jobs,
building international
collaboration, facilitating trade,
and promoting gender equity.
It was even more appealing
after I realized Maria
Contreras-Sweet, the head of the
U.S Small Business
Administration (SBA) was
part of this selective group.
“We all understand
the important role of e
ntrepreneurship in creating the
dynamic social fabric of our
—See global affair on page 3.
Sp rin g 2 016 RE A P Bus in e s s Update A wa r ds In s e r t
Center for Rural Affairs
2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Greg and Kristy Parr of
Norfolk, Nebr., have been
chosen as our Entrepreneur
of the Year Award recipients.
The award is presented annually to those who best exemplify
the entrepreneurial spirit that
defines and is so crucial to the
future prosperity of Nebraska’s
rural communities.
Custom Sports began in
the small rural community of
Neligh, Nebr., in 2004. The
business provides custom Tshirt and other sports apparel
and offers custom embroidery
in addition to screen printing.
By 2011, business was
booming. Greg and Kristy
decided to relocate to Battle
Creek, Nebr., where a larger
building was available. REAP
assisted with this relocation
through a loan.
In less than a year, Custom
Sports had outgrown their new
location. REAP was on hand
again to help with a move to
Norfolk, a shopping hub for
northeast Nebraska. The new
building was situated right
next door to the USPS office
and warehouse, which made it
much easier to ship products.
In early 2014, the Parrs and
Custom Sports were rewarded
for their excellent work and
quality products by a five-year
contract extension from the
Nebraska School Activities Association. They also provide
T-shirts and sports apparel for
individual schools and other
sporting events. Including
family members, Custom Sports
has nine employees.
REAP 2015 Friend of the Year Award
Pat Coldiron, owner of
Liberty House Bed & Breakfast,
Antiques and Gifts in Seward,
is the former Seward Area
Chamber of Commerce
Director. In that position, Pat
worked with REAP to sponsor
and promote business training
opportunities and meetings for
the community and the region.
She was a steady source of
referrals.
As a person passionate about
small business, Pat continues to
promote REAP Women’s
Business Center training
opportunities through her retail
establishment and her networks. Pat is an excellent mentor to new businesses.
Pat coldiron
Liberty House Bed & Breakfast
Seward, Nebr.
Custom Sports
Greg & Kristy Parr,
Norfolk, Nebr.
REAP 2015 Women’s Business
Center Entrepreneur of the
Year Award
If little Brock Adams hadn’t spit his
pacifier into the dirt at the Nebraska State
Fair three years ago, Larry and Colleen
Rickard might not have become
entrepreneurs. Poor little Brock wailed,
but the pacifier was too dirty to give back
to him.
Colleen developed the C-Pap Easy Clean,
LLC, which also can be used for pacifiers,
breast pumps, and any clear and
frosted plastic items (such as water
bottles). The UVC Light kills up to 99.9
percent of germs, viruses and other
micro-organisms on solid, non-porous
surfaces. And she did it from Axtell, Nebr.
After consulting with a patent attorney
professor, Colleen chose to pursue C-Pap
equipment and other kinds of medical
—See Women’s Business Center on next page.
RE AP Awards In s e r t | S pr in g 2 0 16 R E A P Bus in e s s Update
REAP Latino Business Center 2015 Entrepreneurs of the year
Arcadio and Ebodio Zepeda, owners of Tu Casa in
Norfolk, Nebr., have managed and owned a food truck
since 2007. They provide the authentic Mexican cuisine
they learned growing up in Jalisco, Mexico.
Tu Casa began eight years ago when the owners
started making and selling food at the soccer fields in
Norfolk. With the help of a small grill, a few ingredients,
Arcadio & Ebodio Zepeda, Tu Casa
Norfolk, Nebr.
and a canopy, the business was ready to go. It didn’t
take long for Arcadio and Ebodio to purchase a food
truck with the help of an SBA loan.
The brothers attended one of the first REAP Business
Plan Basics Training in Spanish in 2005. Right after the
class, they began to attend and support a local REAP
Roundtables group.
The Zepedas continue operating out of Madison during the week and Norfolk on weekends. They now cover
the Madison County Fair, Big Bang Boom (the Forth of
July celebration in Norfolk), as well as other community
events in the area.
Arcadio and Ebodio’s dream is to have their own restaurant and expand their menu and offer new
services. Since 2007, they have been writing their
success page by page. With these entrepreneurs, we
know there are more great things to come.
Colleen rickard
C-Pap Easy Clean, LLC | Axtell, Nebr.
REAP 2015 Extra Mile Award
The folks at the First Central
First Central Bank
Bank Loan Production Office
in Curtis are great partners of
Loan Production
REAP in Southwest Nebraska.
Gilbert Larson, Peggy Fritsche
Office
and Byron Brown have worked
with us over the years to meet
the needs of the community.
Gilbert and crew go above
and beyond to make deals
happen to sustain and grow
their community. They
put deals together with
entrepreneurs, the local
revolving loan, and SBA loan
guaranty. The foundation of
First Central Bank formed in
the early 1900s. It continues
a proud tradition serving rural
entrepreneurs.
Curtis, Nebr.
Women’s Business Center,
continued from previous page.
devices patients need to have sterilized.
The device won second place in the UNK
Business Invention Competition, and
every penny was poured back into the
business.
Colleen participated in numerous
training sessions offered by the REAP
Women’s Business Center. She also
attended the Women Entrepreneurs
Conference and participated in the
InnovateHER Challenge this year.
With numerous hours of pre- and postREAP loan technical assistance and a
Quick GROW Loan serviced by REAP, Colleen was on her way. Just over a year ago,
the C-Pap Easy Clean, LLC, won approval
from the Better Business Bureau and currently enjoys an A+ rating.