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

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

by | Aug 6, 2021 | GROW Blog

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

State Fair GROW Nebraska Store Entrance

Located near the bustling downtown area of Lincoln, Nebraska, The Refinery is making a big difference in the lives of up-and-coming small business owners. 

According to their website, “The Refinery provides refugee and immigrant women the opportunity to achieve economic independence and build social capital through business education and professional mentorships. We focus on serving women who are still in the process of learning the English language.”

The Refinery is a program under an organization called the ECHO Collective, started by Kelly Ross in 2020. 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. 

A new GROW Nebraska member, The Refinery is working with other small businesses to further lift up these entrepreneurs. The From Nebraska Gift Shop in the Haymarket is one of these businesses, and has provided a new home for the products of one of the talented women in The Refinery’s first cohort. 

A common thread from the beginning of this partnership, Cecilia Vargas has been an inspiration to Kelly, who was her ESL teacher for five years. Cecilia would bring and wear crocheted items that she had made herself, and Kelly wanted to help her turn that talent into a business. 

Ross said, “I should walk alongside her and help her start this business. That was the seed of the Refinery.”

After determining that Cecilia’s business, Best Knit, would benefit most from an in-person shopping experience, Kelly reached out to Janell at GROW Nebraska, who connected her to Barb Ballard at the From Nebraska Gift Shop, where Cecilia’s products have been a huge hit. 

“It’s been very rewarding,” said Ballard. “I love being able to feature Nebraskans and their handiwork. I’m always in awe of other folks’ talents, and Cecilia has literally some of the most amazing handiwork skills. Everything is meticulously done, and anybody who knows handiwork knows how much talent is actually displayed in these clothes, and has great admiration for them.” 

While this partnership serves as the first between the two organizations, they are looking forward to future collaborations. 

“It’s been pretty amazing how GROW has worked with Cecila and the Refinery in a store,” said Ross. “It’s amazing when you step back and look at it, because Cecilia’s from Mexico, but this is her home. This is a struggle for many refugees — feeling like they’re home. Being able to watch Cecilia represent Nebraska with the things she makes has been incredible.”

Kelly connected GROW with Cecilia, who told us, “My favorite part of selling my knitted products is that, thanks to this, I can make myself known with my work, and I’m able to get my products to more people. What has given me the most happiness is seeing the babies wearing my designs.”

GROW Nebraska is always thrilled to see Nebraskan entrepreneurs working together in order to lift one another up to new heights, and we can’t wait to watch Cecilia, The Refinery, and the From Nebraska Gift Shop grow in their successes!

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Story by Lauren Bonk, owner of the Curtain and Pen Copywriting Services, a GROW Nebraska member. Lauren hails from Kearney, NE, where she works as a freelance copywriter for small businesses, startups, and even larger corporate entities in need of professionally-written marketing content for their businesses and organizations. 

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

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

by | Jul 20, 2021 | GROW Blog

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

Baker's Candies Nebraska box

Kearney, Neb. — GROW Nebraska is thrilled to congratulate Glenn Valley Foods for receiving Russ’s Market’s Best Local Product Award for 2021! The award was presented on July 15 at GROW’s annual MarkeTech Conference in Kearney, Nebraska.

The Best Local Product Award was established in 2018 by 501(c)3 nonprofit, GROW Nebraska and Russ’s Market — an employee-owned grocery fixture in the state of Nebraska — in order to highlight what they consider to be an exemplary local business in the state. These award winners display dynamic marketing strategies and diligent promotion of their products, which can also be found on the shelves of Russ’ Market.

This year’s winner, Glenn Valley Foods of Omaha, Neb., might be better-recognized by its top-selling product: Gary’s QuickSteak.

“Gary’s QuickSteak — they do a great job of promoting their products in our stores,” said Director of Marketing for Russ’s Market, Marty Jarvis. “They work with us on advertising support, and give us bunkers with videos that talk about the product. On Facebook and other social media, they spread the word that their product is in our stores. They’ve also been at the Russ’s Wine and Food experience with their samples. They don’t let their product just sit on the shelves.”

Gary Rohwer, a restaurant industry veteran, has been active in Nebraska’s restaurant landscape since the early 1980s when he created what he deemed a “quicker cooking and higher quality steak” for his cheesesteak restaurant chain in Lincoln. Eventually creating the popular PepperJax Grill and forming Glenn Valley Foods, Gary’s extensive contributions have culminated in Gary’s QuickSteak, a top-quality beef, chicken, and corned beef offering that cooks from frozen to ready-to-eat in minutes.

When asked about Glenn Valley Foods’ approach to promotion, VP of Marketing Jeff Bell said, “Really it makes my job easy — the product stands on its own. It’s high quality, cooks from frozen in minutes, and provides incredibly versatile meal choices.”

Because the company is relatively new, however, Jeff explained that, “Our goal is to get it out there to the marketplace. We’d like our product to become a household name, and so we don’t just get on the shelf and think our work is done. We’re going to the grocery partners and introducing our product, sending samples, telling them our story; we’re a family-owned business right here in the Midwest.”

GROW Nebraska and Russ’s Market are proud to partner on this award, and continue in their dedication to support and promote the local businesses and business owners who enrich life and the economy of our state.  

Russ’s Market has been a member of GROW Nebraska since 2009. B&R Stores, Inc., was founded in 1964 by Russ Raybould. During the past 55 years, the company has grown to include 20 stores under several banners including Russ’s Market, Super Saver, and Apple Market located in Nebraska and Iowa. 

GROW Nebraska is a nonprofit membership organization, serving over 400 Nebraska small businesses. The organization provides market access, education, and training to launch and connect Nebraska businesses to the global marketplace. GROW Nebraska’s educational programs and scholarship opportunities are funded in part by federal and state funding, along with generous support from foundations and individual donors.

Shop Gary's QuickSteak

Story by Lauren Bonk, owner of the Curtain and Pen Copywriting Services, a GROW Nebraska member. Lauren hails from Kearney, NE, where she works as a freelance copywriter for small businesses, startups, and even larger corporate entities in need of professionally-written marketing content for their businesses and organizations. 

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Doing Business On Amazon | GROW Nebraska’s FREE Monthly Webinar Series

Doing Business On Amazon | GROW Nebraska’s FREE Monthly Webinar Series

by | Jun 24, 2021 | Training

GROW Nebraska’s® FREE Online Training

 Doing Business on Amazon

How to Livestream Your Business to New Customers

What is it like for a business to be on Amazon? How much does it cost? How much can you grow? What does it take to be successful?

You’ll find out in this webinar!

Almost every consumer product business should be on Amazon. Amazon can handle shipping in a way that allows a business to scale without extra time from the owner. It takes time to be successful, but the best time to start is now.

WATCH NOW

This training is presented by Wesley Gizel. Wesley is the co-owner of Hometown Industries of Lincoln, NE. He has been working with Amazon for four years, and along with his partner has built their business on managing Amazon accounts. They currently manage the accounts of more than 30 businesses. Wesley also has a background in economics and accounting. 

This training is brought to you in part by the Center for Rural Affairs. Its mission is to “Establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship, and genuine opportunity for all while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities.”

Documentary on Robber’s Cave in Lincoln, NE now in post production

Documentary on Robber’s Cave in Lincoln, NE now in post production

by | Mar 12, 2021 | GROW Blog

Documentary on Robber’s Cave in Lincoln, NE now in post-production

LINCOLN, NEB. — A documentary is currently in postproduction on Robber’s Cave after a recent filming in Nebraska by Patton Productions of Knoxville, Tenn.

The documentary is based on the book Robber’s Cave: Truths, Legends, Recollections by Joel Green, author/historian/tour guide. Green’s book won a Nebraska Book Award for Nonfiction in 2019.

Robber’s Cave is owned by Sam Manzitto of Robber’s Cave, LLC and has been a GROW Nebraska member since 2020.

Narrated By

Emmy-winning television personality, comedian, and former talk show host Dick Cavett will be the voice of the Robber’s Cave Documentary.

Cavett’s familiarity of the cave spans back to his childhood growing up in the Lincoln, Nebraska, area. He revisited the cave in 2017 upon an invitation from Joel Green. Green personalized the visit as their host, driver, and private tour guide.

Storytellers

The cave’s story is also told through a series of in-depth interviews that includes an acknowledgement from broadcast communications pioneer and legend Ron Hull of NET Public Broadcasting.

Through interviews with the owner, author, historians, investigators, geologists, scientists, architects, and visitors, Robber’s Cave will follow the journey from the cave’s origin and lore to Nationally Registered Historic Place and present-day popular tourist attraction.

Green’s tours of the sandstone tunnels have helped establish Robber’s Cave as a 2020 Nebraska Outstanding Tourist Attraction finalist.

Airing On

Where might you expect to see the Robber’s Cave Documentary? At this time, we have a few preferred platforms both streaming and traditional broadcast, but have not yet chosen a final delivery network for airing.

The project will be pitched to HGTV, Discovery Channel, Netflix, and History Channel. Once a network has been selected, Robber’s Cave intends to do another press release with more information.

In addition, a premier of the film is to be held in Lincoln at Robber’s Cave.

Documentary Location

Robber’s Cave is a 5,600 square foot sandstone structure located 3-4 stories underground with a rich history of over 150 years. The cave is adorned with a multitude of carvings as a result of its social gatherings and local folklore that includes the infamous Jesse James.

This cave is a time capsule recognized as a National Historic Landmark and recently added to the National Register of Historic Places – UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

Production Team

Owner and Director Daniel Patton – Patton Productions assembled his partners for the creation of the Robber’s Cave Documentary to include:

  • Producer Jim Johnson – Jim Johnson Productions
  • Director of Picture (DP) Jacob James Dean – DF Production Services, LLC.
  • 1st Assistant Camera (1st AC) Christopher Frith – Intempest
  • Production Manager Kayla Ingle – DF Production Services, LLC.
  • Assistant Producer / Script Supervisor Tabatha Breeden
  • Drone Operator David Morgan – Davino Photography

Intellectual Partner

Patton Productions worked closely with Joel Green, a Lincoln, Nebraska native, optioning his book as a basis for the documentary.

Green played an integral part of the documentary’s development providing constant support to the entire film crew with invaluable information, interview contacts, and historical resources. Green, a middle school teacher and a Robber’s Cave tour guide, took personal leave to assist in co-producing the project during the entire production process.

Nine-year-old and third-grader, Brooklyn Green, Joel’s daughter, is both interviewed and featured in the documentary. She hopes to someday follow in her father’s footsteps and write a cave book of her own.

Funding Partner

Owner of the Robber’s Cave LLC., which encompasses the property above the cave as well as the below-ground cave, Sam Manzitto is also an Executive Producer of the Robber’s Cave Documentary.

The cave began its history in 1869 as a brewery and Manzitto was the developer for a modern brewery in 2015 before the property changed to an event venue for private parties, corporate events, and weddings. Both Manzitto and Green were integral in the production process throughout filming the Robber’s Cave Documentary.

This is a press release from Robber’s Cave, LLC.

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New Partnership Gives GROW Members Space at Event

New Partnership Gives GROW Members Space at Event

by | Jul 10, 2019 | GROW Blog

New Partnership Gives GROW Members Space at Event

A new partnership between Lincoln’s From Nebraska Gift Shop and GROW Nebraska allows members a free opportunity to reach hundreds of farmer’s market customers.

Barbara Ballard, owner of the From Nebraska store in Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket, invites GROW Nebraska members to sample and sell food products on a Saturday morning during the Lincoln Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market.

It’s a great opportunity for business owners to test the waters on products. As a bonus, if sales are brisk, products may be sold from the shelves of the From Nebraska Gift Shop.

That’s what already happened with Herbal Gatherings mustard, a Lincoln-based company that offered tastings one Saturday.

“Depending on sales, we’ll decide if we will stock it,” Barbara said. “We try not to have 12 different kinds of salsa and 12 different kinds of mustard on our shelves. We try to be selective and put the finest products Nebraska has to offer.”

In addition, she looks for products with attractive packaging, a long shelf life and the ability to be quickly restocked. Products must also be manufactured or produced in Nebraska.

Barbara said she’d like to encourage at least two or maybe three businesses to offer tastings each week at the farmer’s market through October. Businesses will be offered space on the store’s outdoor dock at 803 Q Street to gain the most exposure. Owners must commit to being there and offering samples between 9 a.m. and noon or until the crowds thin down.

Between 300 and 600 customers will stop by the store during the farmer’s market to sample foods, cool off inside the store or enjoy wine slushies, Barbara said.

She recommends creating a unique display to go along with the tastings.

“We really encourage folks to have some kind of signage that tells about them,” she said. “People love a story. Tell your story in signage because you will have a little bit of a line.”

Barbara said From Nebraska will be expanding in January, and the farmer’s market opportunity reflects the new business model.

“Instead of just having a space on our shelves, you will have an opportunity to have your own display or kiosk,” she said.

To sign up for an opportunity to sell and sample at the From Nebraska Gift Shop during the farmer’s market, please complete the application here: https://grownebraska.org/member-opportunities/

All products sold during the Saturday events will be rang up by the From Nebraska Gift Shop register, and GROW Nebraska members will be paid wholesale price.

For more information about the From Nebraska Gift Shop, please visit the store’s GROW Nebraska member page. https://members.grownebraska.org/list/member/from-nebraska-gift-store-lincoln-539

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