• Who have you told about the CBI?
• Who have you sent to the CBI?

The Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI) serves all types and sizes of businesses including for profit and non-profit; small, medium and large; start-up, mature and those transitioning to new ownership.

The CBI provides Business Coaching for entrepreneurs, Executive Coaching for corporate executives, Retirement Coaching for exiting owners, and work force development training for employees.

With the resources of Roane State Community College and other subject matter experts we can meet your needs and the needs of your business.

CBI CLIENTS

We consider the re-start of the CBI as February 18, 2013.  Beginning with that date through the end of 2013, the CBI served 69 unique clients with Business Coaching sessions.  By the end of 2014, there were 129 clients who had requested Business Coaching.

COACHING HOURS

During 2013 Holly Hanson provided 200 hours of confidential Business Coaching.  In 2014 she provided 250 hours of coaching.

During 2014 the CBI implemented a mentor program and matched some clients up with mentors with business experience in a similar field.  The mentors provided 69.75 hours of coaching.

VOLUNTEERS

During 2014 the wonderful CBI volunteers provided 243 hours of help at Make Camp, fundraising events and other opportunities when help was needed.

WORKSHOPS

During 2013 the CBI provided 45 workshops.

Throughout 2014 the CBI provided 118 workshops, more than doubling the number presented the previous year.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING HOURS

The CBI helped to improve skills of the local workforce by providing 854 hours of training in 2013.  In 2014 the number of workforce training hours provided was 926.

 CBI TENANTS

In 2013 there were 3 tenant businesses in the Cumberland Business Incubator.  Two businesses graduated from the incubator.  At the end of 2014 there were 6 tenant businesses in the incubator.

FUNDRAISING

The largest fundraising effort during 2013 focused on building and installing the Cumberland Business Incubator sign on Cook Road to provide a means for tenants to identify their location and to assist clients in finding the CBI.  The sign project included the TCAT CAD design students, welding students, autobody painting students and carpenters working with the Homestead Timber Frame crew.

In 2014 the Lunafest film festival was a fundraising event to provide scholarship funds for Make Camp.  The cost of the camp was covered by camp tuition and a Roane State Community College President’s Imagination mini-grant.  The goal was to have 12 campers.  There were actually 18 campers for the week long July event!  A lasting memory of the 2014 Make Camp is the Little Free Library located right outside the CBI windows.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2015

CBI TINKER SPACE

A major project for 2015 is the development of the CBI Tinker Space, a membership-based, hands-on STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and Making) learning center filled with tools and a community of members and volunteers willing to teach what they know to young and old alike.

Initial funding was provided by a Small Business Administration prize. The goal is to provide access to tools and mentors for everyone in the community, particularly underserved populations, with a focus on workforce development related to manufacturing.

We are accepting donations of equipment and funds to purchase equipment to supplement the SBA prize money.  Thank You to the businesses and individuals that have already provided donations.

Items already in place include:

• 3D printer
• Band Saw
• Miter Saw
• Router
• Vinyl Cutter
• Laser Cutter
• Embroidery Machine

Additional equipment on the wish list include:

• Table Saw
• Planer
• Lathe & tools
• Shaper
• Drill Press
• Electronics Station

CBI SIGN EXPANSION

With the current tenant signs in place, the CBI Cook Road sign will be full.  In spring of 2015 we hope to add one of two extensions to the sign and as additional tenants are added, complete the sign with the final extension.

CBI NEEDS

We welcome more volunteers as presenters, mentors and Tinker Space dream coaches.  If you like putting things together, we currently have a number of assembly projects and construction projects to complete the Tinker Space.

We will be looking for Tinker Space members – “Early Birds” will even benefit from special pricing while we wait for more equipment!  We want individuals, youth groups, retiree groups, women’s groups – everyone – to experience hands-on learning with us.

We count on you to help spread the word in the community that we are here to help anyone in business, or anyone who likes to tinker, so remember we’ll be asking you:

• Who have you told about the CBI?
• Who have you sent to the CBI?

Thank you for your support in 2013 and 2014.  We look forward to a fabulous 2015.  May this be the best year yet for you and your business.

 

 

 

Holly Hanson

Director