WREN PROGRAMS and INITIATIVES
WREN began by helping low income women start businesses, but it wasn't long before this work led us into new territory. Today our mission embraces business development, creating and supporting markets for local artists, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs, arts and empowerment workshops for girls, education and advocacy around buying ''local'', Main Street revitalization, pursuing sustainable models for rural economic development and acting an access point for community and business networking.

ENTREPRENURIAL DEVELOPMENT and SUPPORT
Since 1994 WREN has assisted over 1,500 people in achieving greater economic security through entrepreneurship. This support includes a variety of entrepreneurial classes and events, in-depth business development programs, and other opportunities listed below.

WREN BETA (Business and Entrepreneurial Technical Assistance) PROGRAM
In 2007, to address the needs of our community, WREN developed the BETA (Business and Entrepreneurial Technical Assistance) program. WREN staff members are trained as instructors in the Core Four® business planning course and as business coaches for this comprehensive program. The nationally known, award-winning Core Four® curriculum is integrated with WREN's own brand of business coaching, marketing assistance and networking. The course covers successful strategies for business including marketing, financial management and operations planning. Classes are scheduled on a year round basis and we are available to help our entrepreneurs as the need arises. For North Country artists who are challenged by being in business, we designed a BETA module specifically for the "creative economy." Since September of 2007, 110 participants have graduated from the BETA program.

WREN SUCCEED Program
The SUCCEED program is designed to take entrepreneurs to the next level by addressing specific training needs that WREN has identified and that members have requested. SUCCEED gives participants a solid background in Business Communications, Financial Planning and Web Marketing (currently the most popular request). Group sessions of Business Coaching help to integrate class work with the real life issues of starting or running a business, and puts personal goals into proper perspective with business goals.

Vendor-Readiness Classes
To ensure that vendors are prepared to enjoy the maximum benefit of participation in the Local Works Marketplace and/or Farmers Market, WREN provides classes in packaging, pricing, marketing, customer relations and booth display. Ongoing workshops are scheduled throughout the year as need is identified. All business owners are encouraged to take advantage of these learning opportunities.

WREN MARKET ACESS PROGRAM
"I have a great product or service, but where are the markets?" This is often the greatest challenge for rural business owners. Since 2000, WREN has made Access to Markets a key part of our mission. As we often do, we have used a ''community'' approach in addressing this challenge and have focused on developing opportunities that can benefit many simultaneously.

In the world of economic development organizations, WREN's Market Access program is unique. It provides real business world experience and technical assistance to first time entrepreneurs and existing businesses, giving them the opportunity to sell or promote their products through the various aspects of the program. Our Market Access program has assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs. Taking a page from our own entrepreneurial training book, WREN has learned much about self-sustainability; we have turned our retail store, gallery and farmers market into important sources of earned income for both our members and the organization. It is an important element of our holistic approach to incorporate training, coaching, networking and market access into the services we offer our members. It is with this methodology in mind, that we operate the following programs:

Local Works Marketplace
When our retail store (formerly known as WrenOvation!) opened in 2000, we had 52 vendors; today the store supports over 200 product-based businesses. Products are reviewed for store readiness. The review includes assistance with product packaging, display, marketing, pricing and quality control. The store program provides more than the typical retail experience; we offer valuable, honest feedback. Local Works also provides a venue for buyers seeking unique locally made products. Products are taken on consignment, with 60% going to vendors and 40% towards supporting the store itself. Since opening, the store has generated over three-quarter million dollars in sales and serves as a retail anchor for Bethlehem's Main Street. Click here for information about selling your product in our store. The store is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Gallery at WREN
In rural northern New Hampshire, opportunities for artists and art appreciation are limited. Galleries are few and far between; funding for the arts is virtually nonexistent.  In a reaction to this void, the Gallery at WREN was created in 2001 as a cultural outlet for the creativity of a community, a place where local artists could display and sell their work, where the public could learn about and appreciate art.  Today a new show opens each month. Painters, photographers, sculptors and multi-media artists have exhibited their work, as well as a number of new and student artists. Artists receive 60% of sales; WREN puts 40% back into the operating budget. The mere presence of the gallery has helped revitalize the economy of Bethlehem. For more information about the Gallery, click here.

Local Works Farmers Market and Outdoor Marketplace
To expand the market access that we offer beyond our retail store, and to initiate the process of getting our community to "think local and buy local," WREN now hosts a twice-weekly farmers market and outdoor craft marketplace from  the end of May through mid-October. This is an ideal launching pad for beginning entrepreneurs to get visibility, publicity and to start growing their customer bases. The market experience itself is WREN at its purest – connecting small entrepreneurs with the local residents and tourists, creating a focal point for the community, bringing more foot traffic to our village business district and increasing local prosperity overall. Vendors have the opportunity to sell locally grown and produced food, baked goods, flowers, plants and crafts in a relaxed outdoor venue. The 2009 Local Works Farmers Market and Outdoor Marketplace is open every Wednesday, 3-6pm, and Saturdays, 9am-1pm, from the May 23 to October 10.For more information email localworksnh@gmail.com. Click here for more information and application.

Incubator Office Program
One of the greatest challenges facing emerging entrepreneurs is affordable office space. WREN currently has three economically priced offices in our WREN Central building. Ten Health and Wellness professionals rotate use of two of these spaces; the third is used by a financial consultant. The presence of these businesses boosts the physical vibrancy of WREN and the economy of Bethlehem by bringing more customer traffic into the village on a regular basis.

WREN RESOURCES
One of the best aspects of ''community'' is sharing. WREN has pursued funding for a variety of resources that many of our members could not individually afford or organize on their own. These include:

WREN's Technology Center
For entrepreneurs and those living in a rural setting, so much depends upon access to and an understanding of technology. In 2000, we opened our Technology Center as a place where members and the wider community could access hardware, software, and affordable training that they couldn't find elsewhere in northern New Hampshire. That same year, WREN received an AOL Rural Telecommunication Leadership Award for these services. Every year hundreds of women, men and children use our Center to access the Internet, work on projects, and other technology tasks. The Center offers beginner and advanced classes. Check out our current class offerings.

Multi-Media Resource Studio
In 2005, WREN was selected as one of nine grantees for the Hewlett Packard (HP) Microenterprise Acceleration Program. This award provided over $150,000 in technology planning, equipment, and software, allowing us to completely update our Technology Center. We also launched our Multi-Media Resource Studio that offers advanced print and website development tools, including a digital photo shoot space.

Business Directories
WREN takes every opportunity to advocate on behalf of supporting the local economy and educates the public about the impact of keeping local dollars circulating within our region. WREN's On-Line Member Business Directory not only promotes our members' enterprises, it also lets you search for the services and products you desire. As part of our "Buy Local, Local Works" campaign, WREN has also published the Local Works Business Directory, a free 56-page handbook featuring business listings from over 230 member businesses. Designed and produced by WREN, the actual listings were written by the business owners themselves, with a minimal amount of editing. Copies are available at WREN.

On-Line Resources
Looking for information on business start-up, hard to find supplies, retail trends, and a whole range of other topics? Check out our on-line resources.

WRENzine
WREN publishes a magazine, the WRENzine, three times a year. The WRENzine is a highly acclaimed publication where members are invited to write columns, publish photographs or share experiences; it also provides market access and advertising opportunities. Viewed by over 1500 households and businesses, it is considered by members to be one of the most important assets of their membership.

e-WREN
WREN'S weekly email broadcast is a valuable resource for upcoming events, classes, news and more. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter.

Equity Awards for Low and Moderate Income Women Entrepreneurs
Sometimes money makes all the difference, as we discovered in 2005 when two generous funders gave WREN $13,500 to award to nine low or moderate income women business owners. Since then, as local partners, we have been able to provide 35 women with equity awards through the Citigroup Women and Company® Microenterprise Boost Program and the Fairy Godmother Fund, an initiative of the Ms. Foundation for Women. read about one of our equity award winners here. You can read about one of our equity award winners here.

Women's Investment Groups
Many North Country women don't have retirement plans or savings. We host two investment groups (Nest Egg and Gold Diggers) that bring women together once a month to collectively educate themselves about investment opportunities and to develop a group stock portfolio.

Networking Events
The WREN Community knows like to work AND play. Many of our WREN events are free and open to the public. Check out our events page to find out more.

OTHER PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

Membership
WREN chose to become a membership organization in our second year, reinforcing the notion of community. Through membership people invest in our work, feel a sense of ownership in the organization, and shape WREN''s development. Members live near and far and in as many as 13 states. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join. Members receive The WRENzine (published three times a year), a weekly email newsletter, discounts on classes and store/gallery purchases, and more - all while supporting our work.

The WINGS Program for Girls
Created in 1997, the "Wings of the Wren" program is a way that we share the richness of the WREN Community with girls of the region. Girls ages 8-14 are invited to take part in free workshops and adventures. In the process, they get to know themselves, each other and the women who volunteer to oversee the program. WINGS emphasizes the arts as a pathway for self-knowledge and creativity. Call us if you'd like to teach a class or volunteer for a Wings outing. All Wings events are listed in the WRENzine and on this website under ''events''To add a name to our Wings mailing list, call WREN Central at (603) 869-9736.

Main Street Bethlehem Revitalization
As part of WREN's commitment to community building, we also work to make our own hometown a better and more prosperous place. Bethlehem, New Hampshire was known as a ''premier tourist destination'' from the 1890s through the 1950s. But this ended as the travel patterns and expectations of Americans changed. Over the years, the town's grand hotels and businesses disappeared. When WREN relocated to Bethlehem in 1999, many of the store fronts were empty and little Main Street economic activity was evident. As we began to operate our retail store, we also put energy into bringing new life to our downtown. Thanks to a USDA Rural Development grant, we launched the ''The Stars Come Out in Bethlehem'' project. Convening residents, civic leaders and business owners, the group identified a number of short and long term revitalization goals. We began our Street Banner Project, a volunteer driven effort to create original, hand-painted banners for the Main Street. Today WREN supports the development of both summer and winter designs. WREN also partners with the Colonial Theater, the nation's oldest, continuously-operating movie house. The theatre, operates from May through October, offering independent and foreign films, as well as live performances. To learn more about the Colonial and its film and performance schedule, click here Colonial Theater.