Dear Friend,

It's been a long, steady uphill climb for this little Shortbread Company That Could.

I've managed to attract the kind of customers I love (caring, smart, witty, resourceful and enterprising) because of where I focus my energy. And I put a LOT of energy into keeping an open mind, meeting and talking with new people, and always looking for a good cause that I can contribute to.

Last year, I was blown away by the enthusiasm of my customers after launching our first ever August Shortbread Challenge to help me boost my confidence and give to Hurricane Katrina victims.

VSC fans are more than just people who enjoy a shortbread snack with their coffee or tea. These are extraordinarily giving folks who I'm truly proud to know. Which is why...

We're making the August Shortbread Challenge an annual event.

Help Vermont Shortbread Company reach our goal of 300 shortbread box sales during our slowest sales month of the year.

We're donating 10% of the August Shortbread Challenge sales to a charitable cause (stay tuned for more details in our Blog and Ezine).

As an advance thank-you for your support, this issue of Short Bites is dedicated to YOU, small biz owner, and includes a few valuable online resources and ideas to help you grow a thriving business both on and off the web.

I am consistently amazed at, and grateful for, the high caliber of people I've met in my professional travels who have become loyal fans and customers of the Vermont Shortbread Company.

I wish the same for you in your professional pursuits.

Help Us Meet the August Shortbread Challenge: Order Fresh-Baked Shortbread Today

Our Flavors: Traditional (plain), almond, chocolate, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, lemon curd, walnut-cinnamon. Try them all!

Click here to order using our safe and secure PayPal payment system.

Click here to order using our safe and secure PayPal payment system.

10% of the August Shortbread Challenge sales will be donated to a charitable cause (more info to come in our Blog and Ezine).

Order Your Holiday Shortbread in August and Receive a Percentage Off

You provide us with a list of all your gift recipients (along with their flavor of choice and text for gift card) and then WE remember to send it out on the appropriate date. It's EASY. Get all your gifts done in one fell swoop and ensure yourself stress-free holidays.

• 10% discount if you order 10-14
• 15% discount if you order 15-19
• 20% discount if your order more than 20.

Order now!

Memorable Marketing: Small But Significant Ways to Nourish Your Growing Business

by Dina Giolitto

Something as ordinary as breakfast can become instantly delightful when you set out your best china, serve a tasty quiche, homemade shortbread with a side of fresh blueberries, and pour chilled mimosas for a few special guests. Likewise, you can transform everyday occurrences in the life of your business into extraordinary marketing that gets your readers thinking about you and excited for your service and product offerings.

1. Reach out, make contact.

Just like family and friends, customers require love, care and feeding on a regular basis. You need a way to talk to your future clients that feels personal yet saves you time. An ezine, or email newsletter, solves the problem.

Continue reading this article

Huntington, VT August 1, 2006--

The slowest month in the gourmet gift sales calendar is now a food entrepreneur's vision realized. Ann Zuccardy of Vermont Shortbread Company announces the official launch of her August Shortbread Challenge, a summertime promotion designed to turn the gourmet gift market on its head while generating funds for charity.

In July 2005, IBM Tech-writer-turned-shortbreadpreneur Zuccardy was experiencing her own shortbread challenge: two demanding jobs, a new home ravaged by floodwaters; a brand-new marriage, and a business in flux due to the absence of a commercial bakery.

Continue reading this press announcement

A Shortbread and Ice Cream Summer at VSC

Delicious idea: As one VSC customer pointed out, shortbread goes perfectly with ice cream. Chocoholics will love this dreamy ice cream treat:

Crumble up a few corners of your chocolate shortbread into a sundae dish or ice cream bowl.

Add a few scoops of chocolate, chocolate chip, cookies and cream, or fudge ripple ice cream.

Drizzle on hot fudge and walnuts, top with whipped cream... grab your spoon, and dig in!

Yes, we're still looking for reader-contributed ice cream and shortbread dessert creations! Send your recipe (and a photo of you eating it if you can get one before all the ice cream's gone) to either Ann at jsaz@gmavt.net or Dina@Wordfeeder.com.

If accepted, your recipe and photo will be published along with your name, URL and a short bio, in our upcoming Ice Cream and Shortbread E-Book.

Women In Government

Women In Government leads the nation with a bold, courageous, and passionate vision that empowers and mobilizes all women legislators to effect sound policy. This past July, Vermont Shortbread Company proudly contributed 50 shorties to the Women in Government's 8th Annual Eastern Regional Conference held in Woodstock, Vermont.

Want to be a featured VSC Customer of the Month? Send your shortbread testimonial, photo and website link to Ann Zuccardy at jsaz@gmavt.net.

LIKED THIS NEWSLETTER? Please forward to a fellow shortbread lover. Interested parties can type their email address into the signup box at the bottom of our home page to receive next month's issue in their inbox.

Vermont Shortbread Company will never share your email address. Feel comfortable knowing your information is safe here.

Copyright 2006 Ann Zuccardy, Vermont Shortbread Company. All rights reserved.