NicaNelly Receives SBDC Assistance through SBM NicaNelly, the initial and currently only division of International Imports LCC, is a fair- and direct-trade import retail store located in Talent, Oregon, a small community four miles north of Ashland. Products include coffee, hammocks, ceramics, and wicker and wood furniture as well as clothes, artwork, and other gift items. The store currently imports only from Nicaragua, and envisions expanding product sources and lines from other Central and Southern American countries, then beyond.
History NicaNelly was started by a dream of owner Jennifer Hanson’s mother, Nelly, to own property in her home country of Nicaragua. The family decided on a coffee farm, which they continue to oversee at a distance from the United States. Soon after purchasing the farm and experiencing the exceptional coffee flavor, Jennifer began envisioning a business opportunity. With the help of training from an export seminar in Nicaragua they began importing coffee and soon after, many other items they hand-picked from various artisans throughout Nicaragua.
The store’s name was born from Nelly’s name and the word "Nica", which is a common reference to a Nicaraguan citizen. The store is currently located in downtown Talent in a building owned by Nelly, where she previously operated an insurance business. Partnership with the SBDC In fall, 2008 Jennifer enrolled in Small Business Management at Rogue Community College and is currently in the second year of the program. Over the course, Jennifer has gained insights and skills in financial management, planning, marketing, and business development. Jennifer reflects that the greatest success from taking SBM is, “the SBDC and instructor, Linda Brown, have helped me look at my business from a much more objective perspective.”
Linda has helped me greatly with business expansion ideas; I’ve began planning and implementing plans to wholesale some products such as wind chimes and patio lanterns to nurseries and sales of pottery through interior designers. I’ve been building and improving a retail website and have begun selling hammocks online. In addition, SBM has given me numerous resources that have helped me learn new skills, connect me with new technologies, and network with other business owners.”
Jennifer says, “I’ve learned to create and analyze financial statements and make future projections based on setting clear goals. One of the greatest benefits of the SBM program is learning to identify my target audiences and communicate more effectively with them in my advertising.”
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