Florence RAIN – Meet our New EICs – Entrepreneurs In Community!

The team at RAIN is thrilled to announce that we have hired two Entrepreneur-in-Community positions in Florence!

In our Ongoing Effort to help emerging Entrepreneurs, Startups, and existing businesses, RAIN is excited to introduce two new members to our team, Elaine McMillan and Lynda Colter-Bergh.

Please join us and introduce yourselves and get to know them better. Find out how they can help you and your business. We want to hear what you need!

The role of the Entrepreneur-in-Community (EIC) is to be local entrepreneurial community champions. The EICs are the “eyes and ears” on the ground and will perform in-person and remote support for small business activities, event organizing and promotion, outreach and recruitment, and general ecosystem building. The EICs will be working closely with Florence’s Rural Venture Catalyst, Ariel Ruben, who is the dedicated small business support person for Lane County. As our work continues to grow and expand in these changing times, we recognize the importance of having local champions in each city to directly support community building activities.

Meet Florence’s EICs: Elaine McMillan and Lynda Colter-Bergh

Elaine McMillan is an award-winning entrepreneur in Florence, Oregon. She has lived in Florence for most of her life and is a graduate of Siuslaw High School. Her family includes her husband and her two children, and a small brood of pets. Elaine enjoys the beach, agate hunting with her family, and using aromatherapy as part of her daily lifestyle. She currently is overseeing operations at both her local businesses and working on site. Operation duties revolve around both customer & staff relations, marketing for Beauty By Delivery Wellness Spa & Homegrown Public House & Brewery. She also is a published author for Brewing Wellness, her online business. Elaine is known for her commitment to her hometown, by creating community projects and networking with other local businesses. Bringing the community together for a greater cause is the primary focus while working in Florence.

Lynda Colter-Bergh believes everyone has a mission in life. She developed an individualized coaching method that empowers her clients to identify, embrace, and integrate their personal mission into their lives, oftentimes through their work. Her unique approach creates the momentum which inspires her clients to achieve authentic joy. For those in business, she has also been an Independent Merchant Services Rep for 11 years, giving her the ability to save her clients money when they process credit cards.
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The Oregon RAIN Team supports Oregon entrepreneurs by connecting them to strategic resources for launching and scaling growth-focused business ventures, including mentor connections, educational and training programs, and access to capital.
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WHAT IS OREGON RAIN?
Oregon RAIN is a nonprofit organization run by experienced entrepreneurs that offer free support to entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups in Oregon.

HOW DO WE HELP?
RAIN connects entrepreneurs & businesses with resources that include: programs, training, people, mentors, connection to financial opportunities & physical assets. We’re always available for one-on-one free consulting.

WHY DO WE HELP?
RAIN’s goal is to build strong business communities that encourage the growth of rural economies and create job opportunities.
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These free resources are made possible by partnerships with 20 cities, 5 counties, 3 foundations, the USDA, and others private funders:
Adair Village, Albany, Brownsville, Canyon City, Coburg, Creswell, Florence, Halsey, Harrisburg, John Day, Lebanon, Lowell, Monroe, Newport, Oakridge, Philomath, Prairie City, Sweet Home,