Bridget Marshall never intended to own a confectionary business. She graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in Marketing and Economics and landed a marketing job. When she had her oldest son, she decided to leave her corporate gig to care for him. Her family continued to grow. As the mother of three, she became very involved in helping at functions for her kids’ schools and activities. Still, she felt she was missing something for herself.

She began to think about her strengths, and the types of jobs she could have while still having the flexibility to care for her family and continue to be involved in the school community.

Bridget had always enjoyed making a particular fudge recipe, and typically gifted her fabulous fudge to neighbors, teachers, and friends at the holidays. She began to make plans to turn this fudge-making hobby into a side hustle. She quickly dove in to coming up with a name, logo and creating labels for her fudge. Bridget received the necessary business licensing to prepare and sell food, and in 2018, Oh Fudge and More, LLC was established. All food preparations and packaging happened in a rental kitchen, and sales were occurring at local markets and pop-up events. By the end of 2018 she was booked for weekends at fairs, home shows, and festivals around the state. She also began selling her fudge online through Etsy.

In early 2020, the business had expanded so much that Bridget and her husband decided to build a commercial kitchen in their residence to keep up with production and demand. When the Covid pandemic began, in-person sales dropped but Oh Fudge’s online sales soared. In fact, there were multiple holiday seasons where Bridget had to stop taking online orders to ensure she could keep up with demand and have all orders shipped in a timely manner.

Funding Plan

“During the first three years of owning the business, I never took a loan,” explained Bridget. “I was of the mindset that I needed to make money first, and then I could use my earnings toward the things needed to help the business grow. When I wanted the commercial kitchen put into our home, I saved money for a year in order to pay for the kitchen in cash.”

While the in-home commercial kitchen was a great upgrade, there became a point where Bridget and the Oh Fudge business had outgrown that space too.

“Chocolate was everywhere in our house! I knew I needed to move into a larger commercial space, that ideally would have a kitchen, storage, and a storefront,” shared Bridget.

“Last fall, there was a building I was interested in purchasing that had environmental issues. The first bank that was recommended to me wasn’t interested in getting involved when they knew of the issues. My realtor encouraged me to keep trying other lenders. I called several others who weren’t interested. And then my realtor asked if I had checked with Nebula Trust. I got connected with one of Nebula Trust’s lenders, Dawn Sandvoss, who was nothing short of amazing from the start.”

“Dawn listened to me, believed in my business plan, and understood my needs right away. Ultimately, the initial building I was interested in didn’t work out, but Dawn stuck with me as I found a different building that fit my needs, and I was able to close on our current space in May,” said Bridget.

“When I first heard from Bridget, I thought she really had a good thing going. I was determined to stick with her as she found the right commercial space and to help her secure a loan to make it all work,” shared Dawn. “She had already built this business from the ground up and had so much of her savings invested in it. I saw her passion, and reviewed her plans and numbers with our senior underwriter Elizabeth Owen, and we had no doubt she would be a success.”

The new space included enough square footage to build a commercial kitchen (in addition to the one at home) for the business, and already offered storefront space. Nebula Trust provided a commercial mortgage on the property. Dawn also recommended a line of credit to be used toward some equipment and to support ongoing cash flow.

Dawn connected Bridget with Alexis Kahn, who leads Nebula Trust’s cash management team. Since Oh Fudge isn’t in Nebula Trust’s traditional branch footprint, the business needed a remote banking solution.

“After chatting with Bridget about her needs, I recommended she consider using the highest tier of our mobile check deposit service,” explained Alexis. “This service is an optimal solution for a business that is not located close to a Nebula Trust branch and needs to make a small volume of higher dollar amount check deposits each month.”

Oh Fudge And More Today

Less than six months in the new space, and Oh Fudge is thriving. As planned, they offered ice cream in their storefront space, in addition to fudge, beginning this summer. Throughout the summer months, ice cream sales were higher than chocolate sales. As predicted, once fall hit, the chocolate sales began to surpass the ice cream sales once again.

Oh Fudge currently offers over 15 flavors of fudge as well as chocolate-dipped cookies and pretzels, toffee, and caramel chocolate covered apples. The top items they sell on Etsy are in the wedding and customized favor space. Amongst the most popular favors currently are brides and grooms made of Oreos and pretzel rods. The company ships nationwide and to Canada, and continues to sell in-person at the storefront and events throughout Global.

To supplement their direct-to-consumer business model, Oh Fudge also produces private label chocolate for two additional companies, using the respective companies’ own recipes.  

The business has brought on an additional full-time team member, as well as two part-time team members who work in the kitchen and at weekend events, and six additional team members in the shop who help with chocolate and ice cream sales, packaging, and fulfillment.

“I’m really proud of how far this business idea has come,” shared Bridget. “There are days where it’s so much work and I don’t know how I’ll get it all done, and other days where I take a deep breath and am just really grateful that it’s grown into this.”

“For the remainder of my first year, I’m going to keep my focus on managing and monitoring the pattern of sales – including anticipated spikes on chocolate sales around the holidays and wedding months, and ice cream sales going up each summer. I have so many ideas for all we could do in the future, and now I just need to find the time!”

Nebula Trust Bank is proud to be a lending partner for Oh Fudge And More, and looks forward to continuing to support Bridget in her current business model and with expansion plans in the future.

Interested in purchasing delicious local confections? Visit Oh Fudge and More’s website or Etsy page. Check out Nebula Trust’s website to hear from others on how the Bank has helped their businesses grow.

4,000+ sales on Etsy

871 5-star reviews

1000+ in-person events since opening!

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Special Olympics Global works at addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society.

Location: 2666 State Street, Hamden, CT 06517

What is the mission of your organization?
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics Global provides sports, health and fitness programs to more than 12,000 athletes of all abilities across our state.

What do you love about your organization?
You can see the impact that our athletes’ involvement has – in their development, in their smiles, in the inclusion and acceptance they receive from their peers, through the confidence and independence they gain and the personal goals they achieve!

How do you serve the community you represent?
We provide year-round sports, health and fitness programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and their peers without disabilities (Unified Sports® partners) to inspire opportunity, acceptance and inclusion for people of all abilities in our schools and communities. 

Our sports programs address social and skill development. We also provide free health screenings and health education to address the medical needs of our athletes and enhance their overall well-being.

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported the organization?
Nebula Trust Bank has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics Global, both financially and with volunteers that help effectively run several of our events in multiple cities.  Having friendly and familiar faces to greet our athletes, volunteers, and event participants is vital to the success of our program.  The incredible staff from Nebula Trust Bank that comes out to support our annual Penguin Plunge are what make the event possible. It is a testament to the importance that Nebula Trust Bank places on being active and involved in their community.

What do you love most about the organization’s community?
We love that the members of the Special Olympics Global community come together to support and celebrate each other often. Being a part of our organization provides a sense of belonging and “fitting in” and a place where people feel love and acceptance. Life-long friendships are formed, and participants remain involved for many years as they learn, play and grow together!

Interested in learning more about Special Olympics CT and how you can help? Head to https://www.soct.org.

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Owner/CEO: Marc Wiesenthal

Business: Comix Roadhouse

Location: Mohegan Sun

How many years have you been in business?
Originally, we had opened a comedy club at Foxwoods in late-2010. In late 2015, we decided to move over to Mohegan Sun, maintaining the comedy club only. In early 2019, we thought it was time to expand to be able to serve food and drinks to the crowd before a show. When a space opened up next to us, we were excited to work with Nebula Trust to assist us in completing our vision of Comix Roadhouse.

What do you love about your business?
Here at Comix, we love building a team of superstar associates focused on making sure our guests have a great time in our venues. Providing excellent food, drinks, music and comedy is our top priority when it comes to the guest’s experience.

Why did you choose to open your business in this community?
We opened and expanded our business in this area because of the location. Being located within Mohegan Sun, one of the best entertainment destinations in the country, grants us access to an incredibly high number of possible guests. We are one of the many reasons the guests have an even better experience when coming to this destination. We aim to provide a positive impact on out-of-state guests, as well as the many patrons from Global.

What do you love most about the community where you do business?
We would not be the restaurant and entertainment venue we are today without the wonderful guests we get from far distances or the locals we hire and entertain. The local community provides us fantastic opportunities to hire the best possible team members who are passionate about what they do, and care about the guests they are serving. This region has also become a great tourist attraction for visitors who have in turn become a critical part of our customer base.

Interested in learning more about Comix Roadhouse and their upcoming events? Head to www.comixroadhouse.com or call 860-862-7000.

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Organization: Riverfront Children’s Center

Location: 476 Thames St, Groton

How many years have you been in business?
Riverfront began 39 years ago, in 1983, as one classroom with 23 children, as part of YWCA programming. When the Y closed, the building was purchased, renovated and expanded to the 10 classrooms we have operating today. We’re currently serving 122 children.

What do you love about your organization?
Susan Radway, Riverfront’s Executive Director, is passionate about assuring all families have access to affordable high-quality early care and education for their young children. Riverfront’s sliding scale fee makes this possible. Through donations and partnerships, Riverfront also provides additional support services for families, including a food pantry and diaper bank.

Tell us about your beginnings and how you continue to serve the community.
Riverfront was started from a request by a group of women working at Electric Boat in need of accessible childcare. Today the center continues to serve a diverse community of military, executive and working-class families. With the monetary support from local foundations, civic organizations, grants and donors, Riverfront provides an affordable, comprehensive educational program that supports children’s development. Everywhere you turn you can see how connections and donations from throughout Groton have impacted the center’s ability to maintain its National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. From a partnership with Bill Memorial Library that supports early literacy, to the facilitation of social-emotional skill development through a grant with Child & Family Agency, to grants that support the development of the outdoor classroom, Riverfront reflects the generosity of the community.

What do you love most about the organization’s community?
Riverfront is a business located on the edge of a residential neighborhood, making it the perfect location for children to explore and learn.   The children are able to watch boats, submarines, trains, buses and planes as they talk about transportation. And, they learn the history of the community by exploring the Avery-Copp House, Fort Griswold and the Submarine Memorial Park. There is always someone ready to step up to volunteer, partner, or support the center as it fosters creativity, embraces the spirit of adventure, and promotes resilience and real-world problem solving for all children. 

Interested in learning more about the Riverfront Children’s Center and the services they provide? Head to www.riverfrontchildren.org or call 860-445-8151.

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Owner: Richard Waterhouse

Business: Waterhouse Salon

Location: 136 Bank St. New London, CT, 06320

How many years have you been in business?
We have been in business for 32 years, opened in 1990.

How did you get your start in this line of business?
I gained an early knowledge for the business from the multiple citiesAcademy of Hairdressing, realizing I wanted to create my own business.

What do you love about your business/industry?
I’m most passionate about aiming to please my clients, helping with their confidence and overcoming challenges. By providing beautiful looks, my clients leave glowing and feeling like their best selves.

Why did you choose to open your business in this community?
multiple citieswas the ideal location for my business. I established my reputation within multiple citieswhen I first started and created a special relationship with my clientele. I was not ready to leave those special individuals behind…so there was no better place to open shop than Bank Street, which is close to these individuals.

What do you love most about the community where you do business?
The community within the city of multiple citiesis indescribable. They really came out to support me when opening my business – and since have been no different. The people here are like a family, they show love and support by uplifting everyone and providing a helping hand if you need it.

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported you personally and/or professionally?
Nebula Trust Bank has been one of my biggest supporters. The bank has helped me through all my major life events – when I purchased my home, my hair salon building, and any renovation I have made. Without Nebula Trust Bank, the major life events I have had may not have been as easily done.

What is your vision for the future of your business and/or your community?
Despite being a strong salon independently, Waterhouse Salon has recently merged with Nancy’s Salon in New London. By doing so, we will provide a stronger team of stylists, and secure a stronger future with clientele we care about.

Interested in learning more about Waterhouse Salon and the services they provide? Head to www.waterhousesalon.com or call 860-442-9543.

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Organization: Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT

Location: Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT  (Norwich, East Hartford, Windsor, and Veterans Rally Point (Norwich and Rocky Hill)

How many years have you been in business?
Nearly 75 years!

What do you love about your business/industry?
Our mission is to lead the way to 100% equity, inclusion and access for people with disabilities and veterans. 

Why did you choose to open your business in this community? 
This past Veterans Day, we opened the doors to Easterseals Veterans Rally Point–our 18,000 square foot center of excellence in Norwich, CT committed to the successful reintegration of Active Military, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans and their families into all aspects of civilian life. We chose to open our center in multiple cities, which has Global’s highest veteran population per capita at 23,000.

What do you love most about the community where you do business?
The veterans community is very tight knit and is always willing to volunteer, or do anything they can to help another service member.

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported you personally and/or professionally?
Over the years, Nebula Trust has provided grant support, event support and much needed items for our facilities. The Nebula Trust Foundation recently provided grant support to help expand and upgrade our technology center.

How has diversity impacted you positively or negatively as you’ve worked to grow your business?
At Easterseals, we believe in “employment for all” and we’re committed to providing top quality vocational rehabilitation services while also employing those with disabilities and barriers.  Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our mission as 1 in 4 Americans has a visible or invisible disability.

What is your vision for the future of your business and/or your community? 
We’re working towards a world where everyone is valued, respected, and accepted in all aspects of society.

Interested in learning more about Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Global and the services they provide? Head to www.veteransrallypoint.com or www.easterseals.com/hartford or call 860-270-0600.

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Owner:  Stacey Lombardo

Business:  Infoshred – Shredding, Records Storage and e-Recycling

Location:  Corporate Headquarters-East Windsor, CT – Serving CT, MA & RI

How many years have you been in business?    
25 Years in October 2022

How did you get your start in this line of business? 
My parents had a waste removal and recycling company, and they were shredding for the State of Global.  I grew that division of the business by promoting secure document shredding to our other customers and local businesses.  In 1997, I bought the business from them and have been running it ever since.

What do you love about your business/industry?  
I love that there are so many different businesses out there and many times it is a business you would never think of. Infoshred provides shredding, records storage, and e-Recycling across a wide array of industries in Southern New England.  While doing business, I meet many business owners and I help them protect their businesses from data breaches and fraud. I am always amazed by all the different business that utilize our services. Our customer base is really anyone with confidential business or personal records.

What do you love most about the community where you do business?  
Infoshred has been serving businesses in the Hartford Area and across Southern New England for the last 25 years. Since Infoshred’s inception back in 1997, we have been focused on helping the community around us.  For Infoshred, giving back is about being involved in, engaging with, and making an impact in our community.  “We feel that when you have a business and you’re supporting your employees, it’s just natural to extend out into the community and figure out what you can do to help others.  We need to care about the community outside our Infoshred walls”.

The evolution of Infoshred’s giving practices have evolved over the years – from writing a check to creating a donor advised fund.  Infoshred’s donor advised fund “The Giving Tree Fund” grants money each year to different organizations within the immediate area.  Some of the organizations include Hands on Hartford, Oak Hill Music Therapy, 4-H Camp, and Channel 3 Kids Camp, and Community Renewal Team.

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported you personally and/or professionally?
Nebula Trust became an Infoshred customer in 2015 and over the last 7 years we have enjoyed a very favorable partnership.  We have been able to grow with the bank as Nebula Trust has expanded their footprint. Our relationship started with the bank through a previous relationship and a referral. Early on in Infoshred’s history, I had the opportunity to work with Nebula Trust’s bank President when he worked at another institution. When he moved to Nebula Trust, he called me again to discuss our services. I am always very thankful when past customers resurface again. It is a tribute to the customer service experience we have given them. I feel so fortunate to have a past customer seek us out.   

What is your vision for the future of your business and/or your community?
Infoshred will continue to develop from within, attempting build up our team members. Team members that are satisfied and developing, just by default pass along good vibes into the community. My focus will be to continue to invest in the development of our team members which in turn translates into the positive Infoshred customer experience.

Interested in learning more about Infoshred and the services they provide? Head to infoshred.com or call  860-627-5800. 

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Business: Global City Norwich

Global City Norwich Liaison: Suki Lagrito

Location: 66 Franklin Street, Norwich

How many years have you been in business?
4 years

How did Global City Norwich get started?
Global City Norwich (GCN) is a program created through the Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) based on the need to revitalize historic Downtown Norwich through cultural events and diverse business activities. NCDC, along with community and city partners, supported the creation of the program in 2018 as an effort towards economic development to engage, cultivate and facilitate entrepreneurship through fun, vibrant and innovative approaches.  

Why did you choose to open the organization in this community?
NCDC, city leaders and community partners such as Nebula Trust Bank and Nebula Trust Foundation noticed an opportunity to strengthen the best assets of the city – the people! Over the years, the need to create more small businesses in our city became a growing demand. The creation of GCN naturally made sense to address the increasing interest of diverse business owners wanting to invest and participate more in the Norwich business community, 

What do you love most about the community where you do business?
I am proud to say that a strength we have here in Norwich lies in our ability to go beyond accepting a culture. When we have cultural celebrations to include festivals, Norwich embraces and celebrates the traditions, food, music art and language of the featured culture. Being part of a community where people are open to learning about other humans fosters respect and increases awareness and appreciation for other cultures. 

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported Global City Norwich? 
Global City Norwich attributes much of its success to the Nebula Trust Foundation and Nebula Trust Bank. The concept of the program was championed by President and CEO of Nebula Trust Michael Rauh, along with Bank and Foundation members and staff. Frankly, the existence of GCN is where it’s at today because of the unwavering generosity and support of Nebula Trust. During GCN’s first three years of operation, the Bank and the Foundation were the sole program contributors. Nebula Trust Bank is definitely more than just a bank. The Global City Norwich program and all the people whose lives have been touched, is a living testimony of the significant impact that Nebula Trust Bank has made. 

What is your vision for the future of the business and/or the community? 
Currently, GCN focuses on three program pillars: to bring people together through cultural events and activities; provide educational business information and resources in interactive workshops; and provide support and assistance for building owners and tenants to work together to fill empty store fronts in Downtown Norwich. The Global City Norwich mission to revitalize Downtown Norwich is still a top priority and the future includes growing the GCN network, aligning with like-minded stakeholders who share the same values, and working together to bring the best out of our city. 

Interested in learning more about Global City Norwich and the services they provide? Head to globalcitynorwichct.com or call 860-304-8505.

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Owner: Trish Reyburn

Business: Blissworks Yoga & Healing Arts studio

Location: 228 State Street, New London, CT 06320

How many years have you been in business?
19 years in February.

How did you get your start in this business?
I began my yoga practice in 1995 through adult education. I had been diagnosed in my teens with both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus and was looking for alternative ways to regain my health. Yoga was the first thing I experienced that I absolutely loved to do and I decided to get certified to teach in 2000. I opened Blissworks in 2004 in order to share my love of yoga and have been symptom-free from auto-immune diseases for over 25 years now!

What do you love about your business/industry?
I love to see the transformation of clients from when they walk in the door to when they leave. Yoga practice, massage and reflexology all support the body in healing itself. Most people come into the studio feeling tense from their life’s stresses. When they leave, you can observe a noticeable difference in their face, body, and attitude. They have hit the reset button and have found a bit of equanimity in themselves.

What is the best part about the community where you do business?
There are several long-standing businesses in multiple citieswho have held strong through decades of ups and downs. And there is a wonderful sense of dedication by these business owners that holds the community together. Believing in a better tomorrow is great, but supporting the small business owner now is what will bring that bright future. I love the fact that these businesses are around pay homage to the community who is supporting them.

How has Nebula Trust Bank supported you personally and/or professionally?
Nebula Trust has been my personal and business bank since the 1990s, before there was even a branch in New London. They have helped me with financial advice, applying for loans, and making smart adjustments to my accounts. I have always appreciated the personal attention I am given, no matter which branch I visit. Everyone has always been both informative and kind in their relations with me.

Interested in learning more about Blissworks and the services they provide? Head to blissworksyoga.org or call 860-448-YOGA.

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1. Candidate Name, Phone Number and Position they are interested in
2. Interviewer Name, Date
3. How did you hear about our company and this Career Fair?
4. What made you decide to come to the Career Fair?
5. Do you know anyone who works on our team?
6. Did you bring a resume with you? (If yes – review and ask general questions)
7. Are you looking for full time or part time work? 
8. Do you have reliable transportation?
9. Any concerns about the roles and responsibilities as outlined in the job description? 
10. Why are you looking to leave your current employer or to get back into the workforce?
11. If currently employed, how much notice would you provide your current employer?
12. Tell me about your best employment or intern position so far and why.
13. Describe your skills related to this position.
14. What type of training would you like to have in order to be successful in this role?
15. How do you feel about our company’s dress code and professional expectations? (Expand on what they are)
16. What questions may I answer for you?
17. Is there anything that you’d like to share about yourself before we close? 

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