How can you get involved in REN?

•  Contact us if you know of families or individuals who would be interested in our programs

•  Attend an upcoming REN Small Business Marketing Tools and/or Start Your Own Business Workshop

•  Attend events that are put on by rural business people, such as the Shrimp Harvest in Morgan County

•  Help us promote REN's rural entrepreneur development group, known as the Future R ural E ntrepreneur D evelopment (FRED) Group. FRED is a group open to anyone that wants to improve their business skills, learn about possible enterprises and new trends, hear from experts, and share ideas with others who have similar business interests and experiences. Membership is free-of-charge and the group meets periodically.

•  Ask for a one-on-one consulting appointment.

•  Watch for updates and more resources on the REN Website and visit the REN Library, which has a broad and rich selection of entrepreneur books and publications.

How to Join The Rural Entrepreneur Online Network
The Rural Entrepreneur Network Online is an invitation only network. In order to join, please email your request to hhrcd@hhrcd.org.

Many REN Online Benefits Include:

The Rural Entrepreneur Network Online makes it possible for FRED Members to communicate and network with one another. Members of the Rural Entrepreneur Network Online can create a profile page, post blogs, and network with one another.

Join Today!

Join Future Rural Entrepreneur Development (FRED) Group! A great opportunity for Rural Entrepreneurs!

Member Quotes

“The technical information has been outstanding.”

“The outside speakers have been enlightening.”

“I enjoy the camaraderie and encouragement from other members.”

“The topics have been helpful in my understanding with my business.”

FRED Brochure
To learn more about the FRED Group and meeting location, click on the PDF link provided to view the FRED Brochure.

Lending Library and Resource Center

REN provides rich business information to its FRED Members through the FRED Resource and Information Center . This information Center includes a list of books that can be borrowed by the FRED Members (click on the link provided to view the list of available books in PDF Format).

Certification
As part of the ongoing FRED Group, those who attend at least one REN Workshop and six FRED Meetings receive a certificate of Rural Entrepreneur Education. The FRED Group has currently awarded nine certificates.

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Meeting Location

The FRED Group meets periodically at a convenient Indianapolis location off of I-465 and West 71 st Street . The address is 6041 Lakeside Boulevard , Indianapolis , IN 46278 . Please click on the link provided to view a map (available in PDF Format). Parking is convenient and the meetings are free-of-charge. Call or email the office for a schedule of meetings.

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Past FRED Handouts

Below is a list, with available links, of past FRED meeting and mailing handouts and other helpful resources. These handouts are provided as an information resource and may not be reproduced or sold without the express permission of the originating entity.

JULY - 2008
• 14 Survival Tips for Managing during Economic Downturns http://www.topsitepromote.com/infodatabase/survival.html
• Preventing Employee Theft at the Points of Sale http://crimeprevention.rutgers.edu/crime/emp_theft/pos.htm
• Flyer – Upcoming REN Events (available in PDF format)

JUNE - 2008

• Ways in Which an Accountant Can Help http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/operating/finmgmt/accountant/services.html
• News Release - 2008 Rural Entrepreneur Excellence Award; Recipient in Johnson County – Mallow Run Winery (available in PDF format)
• An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Starting a Business in Indiana (from the Secretary of State) http://www.in.gov/sos/business/corps/guide_print.html
• Flyer – Announcing Small Business Consulting Sessions (available in PDF format)

MAY – 2008
• REN Newsletter – Spring 2008 (available in PDF format).
• Indiana Small Business Development Center http://www.isbdc.org/web_resources.aspx

APRIL – 2008
• Planning Your Business – A business plan provides a guide.
• Organic farm in Indiana is on farm sustainability tour – Farm World – Wed, March 26, 2008
• 10 Rules for Small Business Success http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol19/rules.htm

MARCH – 2008
• Center for Rural Entrepreneurship www.ruraleship.org
• Top 10 Small Business Tax Deductions http://sbinformation.about.com/od/taxes/a/Topeducation_ga.htm

FEBRUARY – 2008
• Indiana MarketMaker http://in.marketmaker.uiuc.edu/index.asp
• Ten Rules to Help with Pricing Confidence www.businessknowhow.com/money/pricingrules.htm
• Indiana conference explores business of shrimp farming – Farm World – Wednesday, January 23, 2008

JANUARY – 2008
• What Entrepreneurs Are Like http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/entrepreneur_main.html
• The Best Ways to Delight Customers http://business-success22.blogspot.com/2007/12/best-ways-to-delight-customers.html

READ PREVIOUS FRED HANDOUTS!

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