Success Stories

Learn All Things Digital: Maria Elena Duron Headlining 2022 MarkeTech

Mar 9, 2022

Maria Elena Duron will return to Nebraska for the first time since 2018 to bring her wealth of knowledge in all aspects of digital initiatives for any sized business

GROW Nebraska Welcomes Two New Board Members and Several Officers

Mar 4, 2022

GROW Nebraska welcomes two new board members and several officers bringing with them more knowledge about Nebraska, and it’s economy.

The Joy of Gifting Local

Jan 27, 2022

Between reports of shipping delays, supply chain issues, and travel restrictions this year, it was clear that many people were worried about holiday shopping… but here at GROW Nebraska, we know that gifting local is the only option you never have to worry about!

GROW Nebraska Foundation launches Google Training Series in English and Spanish

Jan 18, 2022

The GROW Nebraska Foundation along with the Nebraska Enterprise Fund is thrilled to announce starting Wednesday, February 2, 2022, a monthly Google training series will be offered in English and Spanish. The trainings will be presented by certified Google Grow Your Business trainers Dave Meyer and Sixica Devine.

MarkeTech 2022 Request for Presentations

Dec 21, 2021

Request for Presentations are OPEN for the 2022 MarkeTech Conference Request for Presentations are OPEN for the 2022 MarkeTech Conference Kearney, Neb. – GROW Nebraska builds a compelling annual event called MarkeTech featuring speakers with a wide range of...

Senator Deb Fischer visits the GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center

Dec 14, 2021

Senator Deb Fischer is committed to seeing small business owners receive access to the resources needed to not only keep their doors open, but to also help them grow! She has be a driving force in the GNWBC and continues to support it.

Little Town Gardens/Farmers Market 365

Dec 2, 2021

Little Town Gardens/Farmers Market 365 At GROW Nebraska, we love watching our members enjoy success while lifting up other entrepreneurs in the process. GROW member Little Town Gardens is doing exactly that with their Farmers Market 365 program. What began as...

Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center Holds Masquerade Ball and Auction

Nov 12, 2021

Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center Holds Masquerade Ball and Auction We’re excited to share information about the upcoming Masquerade Ball and Auction being held by the Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center (MOWBC) on Saturday, January 22, 2022 @ 5:30 pm - 11:30...

An Example in Service: Veteran Roofing

Oct 28, 2021

Originally founded in 2014 as Veterans 4 Veterans, and rebranded as Veteran Roofing & Construction in 2019, this company has spent the last seven years providing high-quality roofing and construction services to customers in central Nebraska.

GROW Nebraska Women’s business center hires Eden Butler as new client coordinator/office assistant

Oct 19, 2021

Eden Butler joined the GNWBC team on Oct. 12, bringing years of experience in both administration and marketing to the position.

Brownie Bar expanding with new location in West Omaha

Oct 8, 2021

When it was time to expand, how did Michael and Jim decide where the next location would be? They took it to Facebook and let the people decide.

BC Clark joins GROW Nebraska board as newest advisor

Oct 4, 2021

The GROW Nebraska Board of Directors is excited to welcome BC Clark, a longtime champion for small businesses in Nebraska, as its newest advisor.

Support local this holiday season with GROW Nebraska gift boxes

Sep 23, 2021

The GROW Nebraska Foundation is offering shoppers an easy way to make sure they’re supporting their state with customizable gift boxes.

Women entrepreneurs learn and network at GNWBC Sip & Learn events

Sep 6, 2021

As an organization, GROW Nebraska strives to be a useful business resource to the entrepreneurs in our state, and the Nebraska Women’s Business Center’s Sip & Learn events have been a fun, accessible addition to these efforts.

How HayBale Banners, LLC turned a Nebraska fixture into an innovative business model

Sep 6, 2021

By identifying an untapped need, and combining his creativity with the resources he had at hand, Rodney Keiser has managed to build a successful business that is both unique and relevant to our area: the Heartland of America.

The Refinery and From Nebraska Gift Shop work together to help women start their own small businesses

Aug 6, 2021

With The Refinery, Kelly has built a resource that not only provides education and assistance in the establishment and running of a small business, but also a support network for the women who are participating in this program.

Nebraska State Fair once-a-year opportunity for GROW members to get statewide exposure

Aug 6, 2021

“This event provides a great opportunity for our members to form new relationships and get exposure for their brands,” said GROW Nebraska CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke.

Beans & Steams Coffee House wins 2020 Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Customer Service Award

Jul 20, 2021

Beans & Steams is the winner of the 2020 Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Customer Service Award. But how did such a new business not only survive such a tough year, and also come out on top?

Gary’s QuickSteak named 2021 Best Local Product by Russ’s Market

Jul 20, 2021

Glenn Valley Foods received Russ’s Market’s Best Local Product Award for 2021.

NE Game & Parks Commission partners with GROW Nebraska members to create special centennial merchandise

Jun 4, 2021

When the Nebraska Game & Parks needed to find vendors to create promotional items for its 100th anniversary celebration, GROW Nebraska provided solutions.

GROW Nebraska, partnership with The Rustic Patch help young entrepreneur grow her business, Perfectly Pampered by Alyssa

Jun 3, 2021

Thanks to GROW Nebraska and the Rustic Patch, 13-year-old Alyssa is poised for success.

NBDC’s “Enlighten” Offers Training for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

May 6, 2021

Enlighten is a virtual library of training videos for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Nebraska.

Learn all about Making the Digital Pivot at MarkeTech 2021

Apr 29, 2021

GROW Nebraska’s 2021 MarkeTech Conference is set to be more timely than ever, with a theme aimed at tackling the digital adjustments all businesses were forced to make in 2020.

GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center grand opening set for May 12

Apr 29, 2021

Nebraska’s entrepreneurial resource community has a brand-new member joining the group: the GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center (GNWBC).

GROW Nebraska able to help 43 businesses in McCook, Alliance/Hemingford and Sidney thanks to USDA grant

Apr 28, 2021

Owners at small emerging businesses in rural western Nebraska towns have learned valuable marketing skills and expanded their online presence thanks to a USDA grant and GROW Nebraska trainings.

David McBee to headline MarkeTech 2021 as keynote speaker

Apr 14, 2021

David McBee is an author, trainer, and professional speaker who will deliver two keynote addresses during the conference July 15 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE.

GROW Nebraska’s retail partnerships with state agencies ‘a win-win’

Apr 13, 2021

“What’s been unbelievably great is that once we get someone to the Buy Nebraska site, they are exposed to all of the other GROW products,” Anderson Ehrke said. “We may have gotten an extra sale for Lucky Jerky in Holdrege or some other small business. Once we get them to the site, we have a chance to sell them something else.”

GROW Nebraska to kick off Training Tip Tuesdays April 6

Mar 17, 2021

GROW Nebraska to kick off Training Tip Tuesdays April 6 The GROW Nebraska Foundation and the new GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center in Omaha are partnering with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship to bring established or aspiring...

All Big Businesses Start Small: Fat Boy Natural BBQ

Mar 16, 2021

All Big Businesses Start Small: Fat Boy BBQ Microsoft and Apple started in garages, and Facebook started in a dorm room. Meanwhile, Dorothy Lynch started selling her famous salad dressing at a Legion Hall in St. Paul, Nebraska. Todd Booth began his successful...

All Big Businesses Start Small: Platte Valley Auto

Mar 16, 2021

All Big Businesses Start Small: Platte Valley Auto Microsoft and Apple started in garages, and Facebook started in a dorm room. Meanwhile, Dorothy Lynch started selling her famous salad dressing at a Legion Hall in St. Paul, Nebraska. Todd Booth began his...

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GROW Nebraska® is a nonprofit 501c3 providing training and education to Nebraska businesses.

GROW Nebraska® Foundation Headquarters Marketing & Innovation Center

Younes Campus
421 W Talmadge Street Suite #1 | Kearney, NE 68845
308.962.6767 | info@grownebraska.org

Buy Nebraska Gift Store

Younes Campus
421 W Talmadge Street Suite #1 | Kearney, NE 68845
308.338.3520| kearney@grownebraska.org

Merchant Services

Do you take credit cards? Do you want lower credit card processing fees? We have a merchant program with risk free comparison options that can save you money.

PRIME Grant to Assist Low-Income Entrepreneurs

In the prior PRIME grant, GROW Nebraska® purchased technology equipment for 50 low-income participants and began an intensive training program to teach them to use the technology effectively. The current grant extends that training and allows those who came in at the end of that project to receive additional training as well as bringing in new low- and very-low-income entrepreneurs and small business owners for exceptional training and market access services.

Access to Micro Loans

GROW Nebraska partners with organizations like Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Center For Rural Affairs, and Small Business Association (SBA) to help connect members with micro loans.

Google AdWords *

Through a Google AdWord Grant, GROW Nebraska® offers the opportunity for members to explore this feature at no cost, which can be a great addition to your marketing plan. Google AdWords is an online advertising program used to create ads to reach people that use the Google search tool, who are looking for specific products–like yours. All ads run through the GROW Nebraska Foundation's Website.

MarkeTech Conference

MarkeTech is more than a conference. It’s cutting edge training, valuable networking, and a technology showcase. Be inspired, be engaged, and work hands on with today’s most innovative tools.

MarkeTech provides organizations with tools and ideas advancing their businesses through collaboration between marketing and technology. As a member, save $100 on registration, learn more at www.marketechconference.org.

Free Monthly Training Webinars

Twice a month, on the third and fourth Thursdays, GROW Nebraska hosts free, open-to-the-public trainings. Participants can tune in from any location where they have phone or internet service. Each month GROW Nebraska® features different presenters and topics related to marketing or small business.

GROW Nebraska® also offers free Grow With Google Trainings the first Wednesday of every month. Our Google Trainings are offered in English and Spanish.

GROW Nebraska® Members are encouraged to tune into our "Tuesday Member Talks" which are for GROW Nebraska® Members only. Within these you can chat with staff and experts.

Visit our training page for information on future training dates and topics.

Upcoming Trainings

Social Media Training

Need help getting on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google Places? We offer free individual assistance to get you started in the social media world. This can be a valuable addition to your marketing plan. We will also post or repost information about your business on our social media platforms to make our followers turn into your followers, too, and you can feature videos about your business on our YouTube Channel.

Statewide Workshops

GROW Nebraska® offers a series of workshops focusing on technology and marketing for entrepreneurs. In today’s chaotic world, it is easy to get distracted by advertising proposals that derail our marketing budgets. Attending these workshops gives you a firsthand look at marketing and technology methods to increase the success of your next trip. Business owners, community leaders and marketing staff can accelerate their skills with a small investment of time and money.

Find out more about our upcoming workshops

One-on-One Consulting

We pride ourselves in communicating with our members about what they need and want. This service includes an initial consultation and as many follow-up conferences as each member desires.

"GROW Nebraska has provided marketing leads and encouragement to expand my markets." -Sharon Walde, Heirloom Treasures

"GROW Nebraska helped me find my niche in the market. I've been really happy with the services and opportunities that GROW has provided for me." -Ima Gene Mason, Im's Countryside Painting

eCommerce *

With the help of our ecommerce sites, our GROW Nebraska® members benefit from a strong web presence. Sell your products through our online platforms including BuyNebraska.com, Amazon and Ebay.

Shop Local

Selling and Wholesale

Members are able to join our Mark It to Market UPC program. ($25/code with $5 annual renewal fee). GROW Nebraksa has a UPC Program to help GROW Members get on Amazon and work with large businesses. GROW Nebraska works with number of partners for wholesale opportunities.

Exporting

GROW Nebraska® works hard to help Nebraska businesses reach markets far beyond Nebraska’s and our nation’s borders.

Retail*

GROW Nebraska members have opportunities to sell their products at our Kearney retail location on the Younes Campus, in pop-up stores and at the Nebraska State Fair.

Social Media

GROW Nebraska® is very active on social media, and we use these platforms to reach thousands of fans and followers with information about our members. Read our blog and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Tiktok.

Market Testing*

Through our market testing program, you can take advantage of mall and airport traffic that you otherwise would not have access to. You can set up a table any day of the week at our Kearney retail store. You can offer samples or just talk about your product to potential customers. Customers want experiential shopping; they want to meet the artist, author, designer or manufacturer. Think about it like a farmer's market or craft show but without the booth fee! It is a great opportunity to launch a new product, get feedback on a current product, and build your brand.

Proud Member Sign

Every GROW Nebraska® member will receive a "Proud Member of GROW Nebraska®" sign to post in their retail location, office, home or booth.

Request Photography

TV Opportunities

GROW Nebraska's connections offer members the opportunity to take part in valuable promotional spots on television that have a statewide audience. The cost of these spots would be prohibitive for small businesses, but GROW members can be featured on the NTV Good Morning Nebraska television show through the GROW Nebraska® spot at no cost. Being featured on these shows gives GROW Nebraska’s clients state-wide exposure and helps them brand their name and product. Thousands of potential customers listen to these shows. This is a media that is effective, and thanks to GROW’s efforts, members can access this remarkable marketing asset at no cost.

Member Webpage

We provide all of our members with a webpage within our website. It's easy for members to update with the latest information, videos, photos, events, and job openings. This platform for the webpage is a powerful successful tool for search engine optimization (SEO) and is key for small businesses looking for exposure in today's marketplace.

Product Photography*

In the age of online shopping, stunning product photos are more important than ever. GROW Nebraska can help you make your products shine with professional photography.