In June 2023, VSJF Business Clients and Coaches met up at Bolton Valley Resort to work on their businesses and network together. Photo by Kelly Nottermann.
2023 was a big year for the clients we worked with through our Business Management Coaching Program. Our 11 coaches were fully engaged with 26 clients over the past year. Most saw increased sales into new market channels, improved profitability, new investments in equipment, and improved staff hiring and retention. All reported that having outside support and advice gave them more confidence to make tough decisions, explore new opportunities strategically, and be more intentional around leading their company. Read on to learn more about our progress in 2023 and some exciting new initiatives in 2024.
Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
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Business Coaching Thanks to the Community Navigator Pilot Program
With funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP), VSJF business coaches were able to work with 15 clients in 2022 and 2023 to provide highly focused, 9-12-month long coaching services geared towards solving challenges to the business’ development, including access to the right match of capital.
From Chocolate to Chili Peppers
Already growing at a steady 30% a year pre-pandemic, COVID-19 sent sales soaring at Butterfly Bakery of Vermont. “Everyone was staying home cooking and buying things off the internet,” says owner Claire Georges. “We grew by 300% in a couple of months. It was a different kind of pandemic pain." Claire has been working with Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund business coach Lawrence Miller to determine a path for continued growth, what systems she needs to sustain that growth, and how to have some fun while she’s at it.
Knitting a Business Together
With coaching support from the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Junction Fiber Mill owners Peggy Allen and Amanda Kievet, are finding more freedom in how they show up in their business. By getting ahead of systems such as budgeting, wholesale pricing, and HR, they are not only growing with intention, but also finding joy in ownership. "This transition of taking on the tasks of an owner instead of a worker has been painful at times,” says Amanda. "But I’m starting to find joy in it. I no longer feel guilty if I’m not on the floor because I see the value of the work we’re doing on the business."
Creating a Regional Food System
Richard Berkfield, executive director of Food Connects, has a vision that someday soon, Vermont farmers and food producers will be able to supply more food to more people in the region. In doing so, farms and small businesses will thrive and people will have access to healthy, affordable, locally produced food–especially those living in rural areas where food is grown, but not always available.
While that vision may call to mind verdant farms and colorful produce, for Berkfield, at the moment it’s about warehouses and refrigeration.
Read More Stories Like This:
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- Babette’s Table: Using Projections to Grow with Intention
- Bobolink Yarns: Scaling Back to Find Success
- Hemp and Cannabis Pioneer, Scott Sparks, Navigates Legalization in Vermont
- Pioneers of African Cuisine, Global Village Foods Finds Community in Vermont
Launched in 2023: Business Sense Training Series for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
Business Sense is a no-fluff source of information that gets right to the heart of what small business owners need: essential tools and informational resources to help their businesses grow. Written by our team of business coaches, this series shares their decades of experience in areas such as financials, operations, sales and marketing, human resources, leadership, and governance. Business Sense is designed to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners in various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology, with recommendations and practical advice to help their businesses not only survive but thrive.
Module 1: Financial Literacy
Module 2: Business Operations
Module 3: Business Leadership and Governance
Module 4: Human Resources (JUST RELEASED)
Module 5: Marketing (JUST RELEASED)
Module 6: Sales - Coming Soon!
Click to Access the Business Sense Tools
Business Sense - Financial Literacy Series Translated into Six Languages
With funding through the CNPP program, we worked with Virginie Diambou (Director- Racial Equity and Community Inclusion Office) at CVOEO in Burlington and her team of translators to make the Business Sense financial literacy series accessible in French, Spanish, Swahili, Nepali, Arabic, and Somali. A big thank you to everyone who was involved in this special initiative!
Click to Access the Translations
Tools of the Trade – Business Fundamentals for Energy Pros
New business mentoring program matches Vermont energy professionals with business coaches
Photo courtesy of Efficiency Vermont.
Launching in February 2024, this 18-month business coaching program is designed to improve executive business skills and enhance core operations for 12 builders / contractors in the energy efficiency and renewable energy business (this includes home performance and weatherization contractors, renewable energy and energy-efficiency oriented builders, electricians, and energy audit businesses).
Participants will learn to master a proven framework for building and sustaining their energy services business, recruiting and retaining their workforce, and capitalizing on Vermonter’s growing interest in renewable energy and energy-efficiency oriented solutions that address the global challenge of climate change.
Funding for this new coaching program is being made possible by the State of Vermont, Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems.
Food Supply Chain Coordination Work in 2024
With new funding made available by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets through USDA-Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program funds, VSJF will be supporting a new 3-year initiative aimed at developing appropriate scale infrastructure that can reliably and efficiently process, transport and market Vermont products to retail, institutional, and restaurant markets both within and outside the state. Middle of the supply chain infrastructure is essential for a resilient regional food system to scale and succeed and to achieve our regional food system goal of 30% regional self-reliance by 2030, as put forth in the recently released New England Feeding New England: Cultivating a Reliable Food Supply report.
Specifically we will coordinate project pipeline development, supply chain mapping and technical assistance provision, identify needed investments, and facilitate connections and learning amongst food supply chain participants. The goal is to identify and develop projects that will have high strategic impact, are financially viable, and efficiently serve a range of small- and mid-scale producers so that they can better access retail, institutional, and restaurant markets. We will also provide eligible RFSI Infrastructure Grant applicants and successful RFSI Grant recipients with wrap around support through VSJF’s existing Business Management Coaching program. And finally, we will provide wholesale readiness training to help mid-scale producers gain access to grocery, institutional, and restaurant markets. Trainings could include how to evaluate, select, and cost out distribution, packaging and branding, and identifying operational needs and efficiencies to be viable in wholesale markets.
We'll provide more details on this exciting new initiative in our next e-news edition!
Learn more about the VSJF's Business Coaching Program
How You Can Help
Our business coaching work not only supports small Vermont businesses, but the local economy and the community behind it. Please consider making a donation today to help our small businesses thrive.
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About Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the sustainable development of Vermont’s economy. We provide business assistance, network development, research and financing in agriculture and food system, forest product, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology sectors.
Funding for the VSJF's Business Coaching Program in 2023 was provided by US Small Business Administration (CNPP), State of Vermont, VHCB Farm & Forest Viability Program and client fees for service.
Read The 2023 VSJF Impact Report (Just Released)
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund | 3 Pitkin Court, Suite 301E, Montpelier, VT 05602