GRO Greater St. Helens

05/08/2025

Hey GRO community!

Between our packed coffee meet-up, the eCommerce workshop, and that awesome Small Business Resource Fair last weekend, our calendar has been bursting at the seams!

We've decided to take a brief pause and skip our May 14th gathering while we gear up for Year 3 of GRO Greater (exciting things are coming!)

We'll be back with a fresh meet-up in June!

Need anything GRO-related before then? Just reach out to Jason Moon, GRO Navigator, Chrissy Marquardt, or Paul Vogel - we're always here for you!

Thanks for being part of our amazing entrepreneurial community!

-GRO Leadership Team

04/29/2025

T-minus 2 hours and 30 minutes until we're live with eCommerce Marketing Basics and best practices. Sign up for free and learn new tips to help your business "GRO"!

In this final class in our series we’ll focus on how to get your products discovered and expand your audience.

04/28/2025

Good headshots vs bad headshots... what's the difference and how do you avoid taking a "bad" headshot?

This article outlines helpful tips and tricks that will have you camera-ready for this Saturday's The Columbia County Small Business Resource Fair and the accompanying GRO Headshot Lounge @ The Columbia County Small Business Resource Fair where you can get your own FREE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT.

https://instaheadshots.com/blog/good-vs-bad-headshots/

You heard that right! It's FREE and a great tool to have for business. You can sign up in advance here: https://calendly.com/gro-sthelens-info/10min?month=2025-05

Walk-ups also available between 9am-1pm during the event.

📣Five Reasons You Need A Professional Headshot 📣

1️⃣Add to your business website: As a business owner, adding a professionally taken headshot adds a nice polish to your website, especially when coupled with information about your experience and the business itself. It’s an easy way to help your audience connect with you and personalize your brand
2️⃣Social media and professional network profiles: A picture is worth a thousand words, a first impression launched a thousand ships…or something like that. Either way, spiff up your social media with a photo showing you adulting.
3️⃣Newsletters or business mailers: Add a headshot to the bottom of your newsletters or business letters with a short note of signature. This is one of those little extra marketing touches to
4️⃣On your business card: Bring the personalization of your brand to your pocket for easy distribution. Handing over a card with your picture included after meeting in-person helps the customer remember you, or recognize you if meeting after receiving the card. Excellent for service businesses.
5️⃣In your business email signature: Email signatures that include your website, phone, email, name and title, are all helpful for building customer relations and making it even easier for those you interact with to share your details with others. Add your headshot to your email signature to make a type of digital business card.

A headshot is your personal brand in a picture. This guide covers what makes a good headshot—natural expressions, professional attire, clean backgrounds, and balanced lighting. Avoid common mistakes like poor lighting, busy backgrounds, or awkward poses.

04/24/2025

Oregon is full of inspiring entrepreneurs doing interesting and innovative things in rural areas across the state.

The Rural Blueprint is a podcast where they explore the untold stories of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community transformation in rural America.

Each episode dives deep into the inspiring journeys of leaders who are challenging the narrative of rural decline and building vibrant, sustainable communities from the ground up.

Check out this latest episode featuring an inspiring entrepreneur in Union, Oregon and how she built multi-million dollar businesses by providing services needed in her county.

Give it a listen!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Hu0UFS6ca4CUiMmmFDYd2

The Rural Blueprint · Episode

04/18/2025

Are you on our mailing list yet?

Keep up with upcoming events, entrepreneurial resources, networking opportunities, and more... Here's a peek at the latest that just went out.

- Next eCommerce class focused on eCommerce Marketing
- Free professional headshots & where to get them
- Next Entrepreneur Coffee Meetup

In this final class in our series we’ll focus on how to get your products discovered and expand your audience. While there are many avenues and opportunities with eCommerce marketing, we’re going to focus on basics versus building complex ad strategies or more advanced tactics.

04/14/2025

Join Columbia County SBDC for their FREE Small Business Munch-N-Learn on Social Media Marketing 101 ⭐️THIS THURSDAY, April 17th ⭐️ in Vernonia, Clatskanie, or Scappoose. Zoom option available!

💡 Marketing Tips Monday: Craft Your Perfect Elevator Pitch!

Ever been asked "What do you do?" and found yourself rambling or drawing a blank? A strong elevator pitch is like a lighthouse in the business world – it guides potential customers straight to your door!

This week, we're breaking down the 30-Second Elevator Pitch Formula that will help you clearly communicate your business value:

1️⃣ WHO you help: "I help [Target/Ideal Customer]..."
2️⃣ WHAT problem you solve: "...who struggle with [specific problem]..."
3️⃣ HOW you solve it: "...by providing [your unique solution/service]..."
4️⃣ WHY you're different: "...that uniquely [key differentiator]..."
5️⃣ RESULT you deliver: "...so they can [specific benefit/outcome]."

For example, a local bakery might say:
"I help busy Columbia County families who struggle to find time for home-cooked meals by providing fresh, made-from-scratch baked goods that uniquely use local ingredients and family recipes, so they can enjoy wholesome treats without the hassle of baking."

Ready to put this framework into action? Join us for our FREE Small Business Munch-N-Learn on Social Media Marketing 101 on Thursday, April 17th in Vernonia, Clatskanie, or Scappoose.

🔗 RSVP on Eventbrite today: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2025-munch-n-learn-series-3898863

04/09/2025

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out for our first Entrepreneur Coffee Meet-Up this morning at Beyond the Forest.

We appreciate the opportunity to connect with all of you and hear more about your business stories and aspirations, and share about GRO programs.

Stay tuned for the next one...

cc Columbia County SBDC / Columbia Economic Team / Keep It Local Columbia County

04/09/2025

Do you provide a service to the local area and are looking to gain awareness and more customers? Bookkeeping, cleaning, IT services, HR advisement, insurance broker, marketing services, hiring, etc.

Columbia County SBDC is offering this opportunity for FREE. If you are a B2B service provider and want to participate in this showcase, submit your vendor request here: https://forms.gle/6Q2U7wqPj69GY6jH8

📆 Save the Date!

In celebration of Small Business Month,The Columbia Economic Team, along with the Columbia County SBDC, Keep it Local, and GRO Greater — invites you to connect with the local experts who can help your business thrive!

We are excited to bring to you Columbia County's First-Ever Small Business Resource Fair!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 3rd
🕘 Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
📍LOCATION: John Gumm Building and Civic Center, 251 St. Helens Street, St. Helens

This FREE event brings together the essential services every business owner needs. Meet bookkeepers, marketing professionals, lenders and financial advisors, business advisors, consultants and more.
PLUS: Attend free business classes throughout the event to sharpen your skills!

Whether you're launching a startup, expanding your current business, or looking for new growth opportunities, this Resource Fair delivers the connections and knowledge you need to succeed in Columbia County.

Mark your calendar — you don't want to miss this opportunity to build relationships with the service providers who understand our local business environment!

Are you a B2B service provider? Showcase your business for FREE! Submit your vendor request here: https://forms.gle/6Q2U7wqPj69GY6jH8

Interested in sponsoring or have questions? Contact Sierra at [email protected].

04/09/2025

See everyone in the morning! 9-11am at Beyond the Forest with the GRO Greater, Columbia County SBDC, and Columbia Economic Team members.

👉 Reminder, happening tomorrow!

Join GRO Greater St. Helens for an Entrepreneur Coffee Meetup at Beyond the Forest — where your morning beverage is on them! Meet the GRO Leadership Team, connect with fellow business owners, and discover how the GRO Greater program can help grow your business and support your entrepreneurial journey.

Event Details:

📅 Wednesday, April 9th

🕙 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

📍 Beyond the Forest – 250 S 1st St, St. Helens, OR

💻 RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1278208553285240

We look forward to seeing you there!