With the June 1 deadline to apply to our 2016 Impact Challenge fast approaching, Programs Manager Benjamin Telep-Simmons wanted to share the following 5 tips with those in the reSET community who are thinking of or are in the process of applying.
- Make a strong case for impact – Social and environmental impact can be created in many ways, directly and indirectly, and within many contexts. Great applicants think carefully about how their business can, or is creating positive impact, and have some semblance of a framework for how to evaluate and measure that impact.
- Evidence of customer traction – Traction can be measured in many ways, but none are quite as compelling as sales, and in particular, a growth in sales.
- Sound financial assumptions – We don’t ask you to upload spreadsheets of financial projections, but are more interested in the quality of the assumptions that underpin your cost and revenue models.
- Rounding out your team with advisors – If you are a solo entrepreneur, or have a small team, we look to see that you have supplemented your skill and expertise gaps with mentors and advisors.
- Compelling case for product/market fit – Strong applicants will present clear evidence that there is a market opportunity for their product/service, and that their business offering is designed to solve a clear customer problem.

Transform Your Business This Fall: Applications Open for reSET's Retail Incubator and Digital Marketing Mastermind Programs Hartford, CT – July 17, 2024 – reSET, the Hartford-based entrepreneur support organization committed to nurturing businesses with a social mission, is excited to announce that applications are now open for two separate programs designed to help entrepreneurs grow with impact: the Retail Incubator and the Digital Marketing Mastermind. Both programs are set to run this fall, providing invaluable resources and mentorship to early-stage and established entrepreneurs alike. Applications close at midnight on July 21, with classes set to start mid-August and run through October. “Both of these programs were developed because of demand from our alumni and local entrepreneurs,” said Sarah Bodley, Executive Director of reSET. “The Retail Incubator has been popular with Hartford-area founders preparing for fall and holiday markets, or opening their own storefronts. We developed the Digital Marketing Mastermind to help local entrepreneurs build an online business presence and stand out in the online world.” Retail Incubator The Floor-Plan Retail Business Incubator is a partnership between reSET and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community venture-building studio. Now in its fourth year, the program is designed to support product-based businesses in their stages of entrepreneurship. Participants will learn to understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, all to prepare their businesses for fall and winter markets. Entrepreneurs will gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.resetco.org/retail-incubator . Digital Marketing Mastermind The Digital Marketing Mastermind is tailored for entrepreneurs who already have a business and are looking to elevate their digital marketing efforts. This program will provide advanced strategies to boost online presence, engage with target audiences, and convert engagement into sales. Participants will learn from seasoned marketing professionals and peers, gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the digital marketplace. Entrepreneurs interested in more information on the program and application should visit https://www.resetco.org/digital-marketing-mastermind About reSET reSET is a nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. reSET specializes in social enterprise ― impact-driven business with a double or triple bottom line. In addition to providing coworking space, accelerator, and mentoring programs, reSET aims to inspire innovation and community collaboration and to support entrepreneurs in creating market-based solutions to community challenges. reSET’s goal is to meet entrepreneurs wherever they are in their trajectory and to help them take their businesses to the next level. Visit reSET | Where Great Companies Grow (resetco.org). # # #