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Day 3: Spaghetti

Kimberly Reddington · November 2, 2018 · Leave a Comment

In a small business, generally there are a minimal amount of employees, each one with a lot on their plate.

It’s so easy to get consumed by the teeny day to day details. But before you know it, the day is gone.

Make it a habit to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Set aside some time each day to connect and collaborate on the grand scale.

If you throw enough spaghetti against the wall, it’s bound to stick, right?

Day 2: Why Your Business Should Be Using Facebook Live

Kimberly Reddington · November 1, 2018 · Leave a Comment

There are so many free tools available for small businesses to utilize.

Example: Facebook live.

Some of the benefits?

Attention

Facebook notifies each of your followers you are going live. How’s that for grabbing their attention?

Engagement

It gives you a chance to engage with your following. They can ask you questions or comment while you’re going live – and you can answer them then and there!

Algorithm

Video is the play right now. It seems that algorithms are considerably favoring them.

Authenticity

You can’t fake it. People want to see the face behind your brand. The real, true you. Not all of us are movie stars – and that’s what makes it even better. It doesn’t matter if you mess up or stutter – you’re showing your true, vulnerable self – and that’s what builds a life long connection.

Relationship Building

Give your following the opportunity to see what’s going on behind the closed doors. This is also huge for relationship building. Your following will attach themselves more to your brand if there’s an emotional element involved, not just product, product, product.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about Facebook for your small business – feel free to give me a holler.

Danbury nonprofit seeks to help American artisan small businesses

Kimberly Reddington · August 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Republished from The News-Times

Thank you to Chris Bosak of The News-Times for this coverage of our nonprofit All New American – he told our story beautifully and I am ever so grateful for him spreading our word.

Made in America is not only a preference, but a necessity for a new local nonprofit organization.

All New American creates awareness and provides funding to small businesses through website exposure and grants. It specifically targets small businesses in the U.S. that handcraft artisan goods or foods. The products, of course, must be made in the U.S.

“In the last 50 years, there’s been such an assumption that everything comes from overseas,” Elizabeth Barek, co-founder of Danbury-based All New American, said. “But we are a country of builders and makers and inventors. A lot is made here and people are starting to recognize that. There’s an awareness that we do make great things. Quality is quality. Quality lasts. Junk doesn’t.”

All New American, through its website www.allnewamerican.org, highlights U.S.-made products by displaying photos and in-depth descriptions of the businesses. It has a featured business of the week, which gets prime real estate on the site’s home page.

The 501(c)3 nonprofit also provides funding to small businesses, often to cover the vendor costs to trade shows and pop-up shows. It also provides grants for equipment purchases.

The website features about 1,600 businesses, including 22 from Connecticut. The businesses range from little-known startups to nationally known brands such as Yeti. Products are not sold through the website, but links are provided to the individual sites.

“The website evolved into a nonprofit and I like where we are because we are in a position to help startups,” Barek said. “The website brings together all the amazing American craftsmen and makers, whether they are just starting or have been around for 100 years.”

Making a jump

Although their clients come from all over the country, the organization recently helped a local company, Luke’s Toy Factory, by covering the vendor fees for the American Field in Boston. American Field is one of the country’s largest pop-up markets for U.S.-made products.

Jim Barber, co-owner of Luke’s Toy Factory in Danbury, said the fair provided a boost for the small manufacturer of toys by increasing sales and exposure to customers and buyers.

“I think what they are doing is great,” Barber said. “They have been supporters of ours since the first day we started our Kickstarter campaign. That show was terrific for us to get into other markets. They’ve been very helpful.”

Barber is particularly fond of All New American because they are a local organization that asks little in return for their services.

“There are other places like that but they are always trying to make money off of you,” he said. “All New American really cares about made in America and putting Americans to work.”

Jim Barber and his son Luke make toys for 3- to 5-year-olds out of a small manufacturing facility near downtown Danbury. It recently started exporting toys to Europe.

The entry fee for American Field is between $800 and $1,200.

“We help small business around the country, but it’s really cool when we can help out the local businesses,” Kim Reddington, co-founder of All New American, said.

Other Connecticut companies on the site include: 3Dux/Design, from Bridgeport; Amy Kahn Russell, of Ridgefield; Churncraft, of New Canaan; Dunes and Duchess, of Danbury; Griffin Lee Artisans, of Stamford; Noteworthy Chocolates, of Bethel; Paul Shampine, of Newtown; and TidePieces, of Westport.

Last fall, All New American held its first fundraiser, an artisan fest at The Makery Coworking space in New Milford.

“It’s important to see and meet the people behind the brands,” Reddington said. “There’s a power to telling the story behind the brands.”

A legacy organization

Barek started All New American to honor the memory of her brother, Frank Weeden. He founded in 1994 the high-end designer candle company Ana Candles, which rose to prominence from its beginnings in Trenton, N.J. After designing the candles, he enlisted the help of Barek to bring the products to market.

The company sold $100,000 worth of candles during the four-day New York International Gift Show in 1996, Barek said. The candle business boomed until the recession hit in 2008, she said.

Weeden died at age 53 in 2013 from pancreatic cancer and the family sold the business. Weeden was also a former mayoral candidate and civic leader in Trenton.

“(All New American) started as a legacy website to do something to celebrate what he was,” Barek said. “My brother was an artist, believed in made in America, and was a community leader. All New American encompasses all of that. Many of the companies are community oriented.”

Moving forward

Barek has a professional background in product development and wholesale. Reddington is the social media and website design guru.

“I’ve always helped small businesses grow,” Reddington said. “That’s how our passions are aligned.”

Until this year, All New American has been a self-funded organization. The owners are now looking to raise funds through events and grant writing.

Barek sees the potential for the organization to focus on two or three small businesses and help in a more meaningful way. The focus of the nonprofit, however, will always be on American-made artisan products, she said.

“The emphasis is on American small business because that’s the heart of our economy and their hearts are local,” she said.

The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338

Welcome to IGTV

Kimberly Reddington · July 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment

This past week I was super pumped about having the opportunity to launch my very first IGTV channel for On the Mend Medical Supplies & Equipment in Southbury, CT – the best medical supply company in the league. Check out their new IGTV here.

A few quick things to know about IGTV:

-Anyone with an Instagram account can start a channel
-Video must be uploaded through the feature
-There are no live videos
-Videos must be recorded vertically
-Videos can be up to 10 minutes for most accounts, up to 1 hour for specific, larger accounts
-Your IGTV channel shows up first on your IG profile, even in front of your story archive (if you have one)

I was so pumped I started my own the same day. Check it out here. 

Need a hand setting up yours? Give me a holler!

By Choice – Not by Chance

admin · June 11, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Throughout this past year my life has changed dramatically. By choice, not by chance. I made the decision to consume myself with the work that I love. (iTribeMedia) Instead of saying to myself “next month I will start” or “what if someone doesn’t approve of what I am doing”, I pushed doubts, fears and potential criticism aside – and come to find out this has been the most unreal ride I could ask for.

I understand it is difficult to stay away from the social media scene, but where does that really get you? Sometimes an hour would pass by and I could not comprehend where the time went. With nothing to show for it. Now I deposit my time into the work that matters. Efforts that not only help artists and entrepreneurs build their business platforms, but efforts that bring me the utmost real self-satisfaction, which in no way did I receive while entranced in social media. Our time is more valuable than ever.

I needed to share this because I know I am not the only one that was sucked into the daily routine. (Even cutting your social media time in half will produce tremendous results!) I urge you to consume yourself in the work that you love. The work that matters. If you need help building your platform or would like to collaborate creatively, please let me know and let’s get this show started. This is your chance.

“We are our choices.” -J.P. Sartre

*Featured photo taken at Tarrywile Park & Mansion

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