Green Business Competition Winner!

REDC is pleased to announce Live Free Refillery as the winner of the THRIVE Green Business Competition. The $7,500 grant award will help this small business continue to grow through sustainable practices. This competition was open to New Hampshire-based businesses with initiatives that contribute to sustainability and have a positive ecological impact on their communities.

Live Free Refillery is a zero-waste grocery store, meaning that careful measures have been taken to offer goods in reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging. They are committed to making real and impactful change in the food and grocery industry. They specialize in local and organic foods, bulk foods, and non-toxic cleaning and body care products. They opened their store in July 2023 in Bedford, New Hampshire.

Owner Juliette Buell started Live Free Refillery as a culmination of 15 years of experience working in agriculture as a farm hand, a retail salesperson, a student, a researcher, and an Extension Educator. She also spent two years in the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa, which shaped her into an American who is committed to providing positive influence and solutions for the community.

REDC President Laurel Adams stated, "Congratulations to Live Free Refillery on their great submission for the Thrive competition. This award is a testament to your dedication, innovation, and vision for a greener future. Your commitment to making a positive impact on the planet through your business is truly inspiring."

This competition was the second of four in the THRIVE Competition Series, which is a program designed to commemorate REDC's 30th anniversary as well as provide money and momentum to help growing small businesses thrive in New Hampshire. REDC will award a total of $30,000 in grant prizes through four different competitions.

REDC will be announcing details for the next THRIVE Competition later this year.

REDC would like to thank Reagan Bissonnette, Executive Director of the Northeast Resource Recovery Association; Mark Zankel, Director of Community Solar at ReVision Energy; and Craig Jewett, President of Jewett Construction Co., for serving as judges in this competition.

SCORE Seacoast's 2nd Annual Women’s Conference

REDC Business Advisor Liz Salas had a wonderful experience speaking on the Financial Resources Panel at SCORE Seacoast's 2nd Annual Women’s Conference last week.

Kiva Updates

Join us in supporting a local business owner! REDC assisted Susan, owner of Sues Kimbap House, with a Kiva loan application, which is now live and ready for your support!

Based in Concord, NH, Sue’s Kimbap House is the new Culinary Artist in Residence with the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. This Kiva loan will assist Susan in purchasing equipment that will help her fulfill large catering orders and sell to over 200 events at the Bank Stage NH and the Capital Center for the Arts.

Susan states on her Kiva page, "I was adopted when I was a baby and have American parents. I grew up in Lee, MA with my 7 other adopted siblings and didn't have the opportunity to eat Korean food until I met my husband. I would love to have others experience Kimbap and other tasty items. My journey began in 1999 when my husband, Hyun, opened my world to the authentic flavors of Korea. Since then, we’ve crafted and savored Korean cuisine across New Jersey, Los Angeles, and even Sao Paulo, Brazil. Now, we’re bringing the adventure to you!"

By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, you can be part of the solution and make a real difference in someone’s life. 100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes to funding loans.

Click below to read more about this passionate entrepreneur and consider contributing to this crowdfunding loan:
 

October 16th, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Free | English | Virtual

REDC hosts a monthly virtual webinar to discuss Kiva, a global crowdfunding platform that provides small business owners in New Hampshire the opportunity to obtain a loan of up to $15,000 with 0% interest and $0 in fees. REDC clients and non-clients alike are welcome to attend. The next session is on Wednesday, October 16th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

During this free webinar, our advisors will walk participants through every step of the Kiva process, from submitting the initial application to loan disbursal and repayment.

If you know a small business that may be interested in learning more, please share this Kiva webinar with them.

New Loan Client

Stay Work Play's

Rising Star Awards

An initiative of Stay Work Play, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, the Rising Stars Awards celebrate and recognize New Hampshire’s remarkable young people and the employers that go the extra mile to recruit and retain them.

This event will be from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm, on Thursday, October 17, at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, for a signature annual event that will leave you feeling hopeful about the future of New Hampshire and inspired to get more involved to make the Granite State a place young people want to - and can - stay, work, and play.

If you know of a small business in NH in need of assistance, or someone interested in starting a new business, please share REDC with them.