Penobscot County Cooperative Extension

Small and Home-Based Business -

Assistance to small and home-based business owners is available through workshops and business management publications. Business related topics can address marketing, pricing, record keeping, customer relations, Internet marketing and more. Customers can get answers to questions and also can receive one-on-one free, confidential visits in business. We particularly assist customers in the thinking and start-up stage of their business.

Workshops -

Consultations -

These are free one-on-one 1-hour sessions with Cooperative Extension’s Business and Economics Specialist, James McConnon and Louise O. Kirkland, Extension Educator. This confidential meeting is to assist small and home-based business owners with their specific questions. Such questions might address reviewing a business plan, tips on marketing, and much, much more.

Consultations are held year round.

Upcoming consultation dates are:

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

If you are interested in a session please call our office at 942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485 to make an appointment.

Pricing Your Products and Services

One key to business success is setting a profitable price for your product or service. This session will provide you with information on how to calculate the profitable price and address how price influences business decisions. Practical case studies will be used to demonstrate various pricing methods.

December 9, 2008
6-9 P.M.
Cost: $5.00
 

Marketing Tips for Business Success

Having a solid marketing plan is an important key to success. There are proven marketing strategies that can increase sales and improve your bottom line. In this interactive workshop, learn about innovative and creative ways to reach new and existing customers. A panel of successful small business owners will share their practical marketing tips.

January 12, 2009  (Snow date January 13, 2009)
6-9 P.M.
Cost: $5.00

Call the UMCE Penobscot County office at 942-7396 or 800-287-1485 (in Maine) for more information about workshops and events.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in a UMCE program, please contact your county office to discuss your needs.

Contact: Louise O. Kirkland, Extension educator
E-mail: kirkland@umext.maine.edu

• UMCE Business Education:
  http://extension.umaine.edu/business/default.htm
• UMCE Small Business Education Calendar:
  http://www.umext.maine.edu/smallbiz/Default.htm
• Maine Business Works:
  http://www.mainebusinessworks.org
• UMCE Business Virtual Resource Library:
  http://www.umext.maine.edu/hbbsite/html/home.htm
• Finance Authority of Maine:
  http://www.famemaine.com
• UMCE Small and Home Based Business Publications:
  http://extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu/
• Eastern Maine Development Corporation:
  http://www.emdc.org
• Small Business Administration:
  http://www.sba.org
• SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business:
  http://www.score.org
• Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community:
  http://www.womenworkandcommunity.org
• Internal Revenue Service
  http://www.irs.gov