Natural Entrepreneur of NH: supporting and promoting new business activity in Northern New England

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Why a new publication?

Entrepreneurism is alive and well in the State of New Hampshire, and small business is a key economic force. New Hampshire has about 33,000 businesses, where 95% (over 30,000) have fewer than 50 employees, and 75% have fewer than 10 employees. And there are over 50,000 self-employed workers in the State. New company starts are on the rise, in part as a result of the economic downturn of the past few years. But don’t be fooled, it’s not simply a matter of “I can’t find a job so I’ll start my own business,” as the per capita income in NH is 6th in the nation. The “Live Free or Die” State has a tradition of independent-minded resourceful self-starters with an old New England work ethic.

New Hampshire’s government and industry supports this entrepreneurial activity. Statewide, regional, and local business resources are actively provided by the State Dept. of Resources and Economic Development (DRED), the university system, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), business and trade organizations, regional economic development councils, local Chambers of Commerce, and more. New Hampshire’s taxes and laws are friendly towards business, and the State is naturally an attractive place to live and work. Governor Benson’s 2004 Start Up New Hampshire business plan contest, with prizes of $250,000, recently drew over 200 entries from around the State.

The State also has a number of statewide and regional business publications, both in print and on-line, aimed toward executives and managers, which provide business news and interest stories, including New Hampshire Business Review, Business NH Magazine, and Interface Business News. And of course, there are a plethora of national publications, both in print and on line, with business information for entrepreneurs and small business executives, for specific target industries and for every interest. Certainly these deliver value, or else they wouldn’t stay in business.

So what is the impetus for a new publication?

Interviews we’ve conducted with entrepreneurs and small business owners around the State revealed that, while useful for keeping abreast of local business news and events, the existing local business publications do not necessarily provide information directly useful for managing and improving one’s own business operations. On the other hand, national business publications often lack a sense of community and local relevance.

Even in today’s internetworked world, entrepreneurs and business people can greatly benefit from the support a community provides. A good analogy is the verified success of small business incubators, which catalyzes the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful.

Natural Entrepreneur is a business advice publication, which imparts important elements helpful to nurture and grow successful businesses, including,

Sense of community,
Business advice and tips from local experts,
Case studies of local businesses,
Sharing and analysis of business issues and solutions between entrepreneurs

In some ways each NH business is unique and different. Our research indicates that business owners will appreciate a consistent flow of business help and information coming to their desktop, especially when it is from colleagues and experts also within New Hampshire. There is comfort in belonging to a community, especially when follow up help is near. Natural Entrepreneur aims to reinforce the business community throughout the State of New Hampshire, including businesses in Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan counties.

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