Small Business Institute

"Your program about local economic development issues sounds interesting and innovative—and like it is a great benefit to the community."  Professor Dutch Leonard, Harvard Business School


This past academic year, UNH and the West River Neighborhood Association entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a working relationship to create and implement a new business dynamic along the Route 34 corridor in the City of New Haven. The West River neighborhood was the first in New Haven to be designated as a neighborhood revitalization zone and, subsequent to the signing of this Memorandum, the newly formed West River Neighborhood Services Corporation had developed a three-year business plan. The West River neighborhood comprises of 65 percent African-Americans, with only 8 percent of the businesses owned and operated by African-Americans. One of the primary goals in the plan is the development of a pool of African-American entrepreneurs to seek new or existing business opportunities in the West River Neighborhood Revitalization Zone. UNH's College of Business is collaborating with the West River Neighborhood Services Association on numerous components of the business plan. The collaborative activities done over the past academic year include the following:

• Explored investment capital opportunities for economic development.
• Pursued financial support for local entrepreneurs.
• Identified and cultivating local African-Americans with entrepreneurial/small business inclination.
• Explored potential opportunities to transplant existing businesses into the area.
• Establishing small-business training seminars and ongoing consultation opportunities to address issues such as business financing, business plan writing, marketing plans, business start-up, and managing the business operation.
• Designed and produced marketing and promotional materials to attract entrepreneurs.
• Designed and implemented workshops for developing entrepreneurs;
• Developing and implementing a Youth Entrepreneurs program and Young Entrepreneurs Competition; and established an advisory consultation board.

The following is a recent article from the NEW HAVEN REGISTER about these activities:

Young entrepreneurs score in contest -Angela Carter, Register Staff 05/14/2007 -NEW HAVEN - Meet proprietor Ta'Lanna-Monique Dickerson. She goes back and forth to New York City buying supplies for her jewelry and personalized glassware business "Midori Love" and takes orders from customers by cell phone and email.

What may surprise you is that she is a senior at Wilbur Cross High School. Dickerson, 18, claimed top prize last week in a young entrepreneurs competition sponsored by the University of New Haven's School of Business. "Wow, today's a great day," she said as she opened a $50 gift certificate to Best Buy.

She starts her freshman year at Temple University this fall, majoring in accounting and international business. Her long-term career goal is to maintain the jewelry and glassware company and eventually open a law firm in Los Angeles, specializing in sports and entertainment law. "My main goal is customer satisfaction," she said. Keep an eye out for her fliers, but otherwise you can request more product information by e-mailing midorijewelry247@yahoo.com. Dickerman and five classmates gave PowerPoint presentations of their business plans.

"The idea is to expose students to the practical realities of today's business world," said Tony Carter, professor of management at UNH. "The university has a responsibility to be involved in the economic development of the local community. We're developing young people, we're changing the definition of what a university campus is." Contestants had to decide on a mission statement and legal structure, sell their qualifications, establish time management and marketing plans and calculate costs for materials

Tied at second place were Jahaira Alvarado, who makes the customized, magnetic "Jariz Jewelry"; and Iryna Mohylnytska, who wants to open a restaurant in May 2020 called Halychyna, after a region in the Western Ukraine. They also received gift certificates.

When Carter asked Alvarado why she chose the concept of custom-made, magnetic jewelry she said: "I like jewelry. A lot of times, you go to the store and you can't find the right color scheme for your outfit,"

Third place ended up in a three-way tie between Talisha Lewis, for her Snap Smart poster board carriers; Jennifer Rivera, a maker of "Jennifer's Custom Beaded Jewelry"; and Mark Lisak, who wants to open Cafe Heaven and sell Colombian coffee. UNH works with youths interested in entrepreneurship in the West River neighborhood and around the city and is developing a Westside Entrepreneurial Center along with neighborhood advocates in the West River Neighborhood Revitalization Zone and the West River Neighborhood Services Corp.