In honor of National Small Business Week, June 17-21, the Columbus Chamber is celebrating some of its small businesses and sharing their keys for success in the Columbus Region.
What does it take to build a successful business? Small Business Summit Award Finalists and Winners weigh in on some of the biggest challenges and best resources to thrive in the Columbus Region.
President and CEO of Manta Media, Inc., Pamela Springer shares her biggest challenge building a successful small business and why she is a member of the Columbus Chamber:
By Michael Hartley, VP of Government Relations, Columbus Chamber
Last week, Columbus
Chamber President Michael Dalby and I participated in a Washington, D.C. “Fly-In”
to promote the Columbus Region’s federal priorities with Ohio’s Congressional
delegation and U.S. Senators. These
priorities included transportation, advanced manufacturing, research and
development, military facilities related to a potential Base Realignment and
Closure (BRAC) round and other priorities promoted by the public/private
partnership of the Columbus Federal Funds Group.
Dalby joined the members of the Columbus
Partnership and other community leaders to participate in direct meetings with
Columbus Region Congressional Representatives Joyce Beatty, Steve Stivers and
Pat Tiberi, as well as meetings with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman. This provided Columbus business and community
leaders the opportunity to directly advocate for the region’s priorities with
our federal elected officials, as well as hear about the elected official’s
legislative priorities.
I joined a group of other government relations
professionals in meeting with chiefs of staff and/or legislative directors from
the congressional offices of Reps. Beatty, Stivers, Tiberi, Dave Joyce, Bill Johnson
and Sens. Brown and Portman. Joining
me in these meetings were representatives from The Ohio State University, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Columbus Regional
Airport and Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. These meetings represent a continuation of
consistent contact from the Columbus Chamber with the staff of our federal
elected officials to update them on the community priorities and opportunities
to work together on these issues.
The visit culminated in a reception with Ohio’s
Congressional Delegation and their staff with special guest Speaker of the
House John Boehner. The reception provided a great opportunity for networking
with Congressional members and staff from throughout Ohio. It is during these types of events that the
seeds for future collaborations and successes begin.
The visit was a great success and discussions are already
occurring on planning the next visit. Probably the most important deliverable from these meetings, both from
the CEO/community leader and elected official level, as well at the government
relations professional and staff level, is that the Columbus community is coming
together to “stack hands” on these federal priorities provides ColumbUS with a unique and powerful message
to our elected leaders in Washington, D.C. It is a message that helps get things done for our region.
Presented by: Chris Shirer, CEO and President of Madison & Fifth
Mobile is powerful, and it is everywhere. Smartphones are the place where up to 55 percent of all emails are read today. Is your website designed to be viewable on any screen and function on all devices? Find out about where mobile is today and walk through a checklist of options and opportunities that can help you decide how you can use this channel for optimal returns.
About Our Webinars: This is a special webinar presented by the Columbus Chamber. You can also participate in our monthly series of Smart Edge webinars every second Tuesday at 10 a.m. And view our library of past webinars on demand.
The Columbus Athenaeum is one of Columbus’ premiere wedding and corporate event facilities. The building was originally built as a Masonic Temple and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This historic structure has 10 rooms in a variety of sizes and designs, each with its own unique character and ambience. The rooms can accommodate parties with 50-900 guests. The Columbus Athenaeum has an extensive menu and décor options for bridal and corporate clients. Through Old World charm, modern conveniences, quality catering, and professional service, this conference and special events company prides itself on offering ease and convenience in the planning of any event.
Why We Are Members of the Columbus Chamber:
We joined the Columbus Chamber to connect with other local businesses and build relationships with those in the community.
Fun Facts About The Columbus Athenaeum:
The Columbus Athenaeum has hosted numerous events for political figures, professional athletes, Hollywood stars and prominent Columbus leaders. Their feedback has complimented our professional discretion regarding their event plans. A short list includes:
President Obama
Former President Clinton
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Past & Present Ohio Governors
"American Idol" Stars Fantasia Barrino and Chris Daughtry
John Ratzenberger (Cliff from "Cheers")
Jungle Jack Hanna
E. Gordon Gee
Thad Matta
Former President Warren G. Harding was inducted into the Masonic society in our building. His induction robe was found in the Oak Room and is now housed at the Warren G. Harding Home in Marion, Ohio.
Our building also houses a barbershop, infirmary and billiard room. These rooms are currently closed to the public but were once fully functional.
Featured Service:
Guests remember the unique setting and culinary experience. Event planners remember the ease involved in executing event logistics and the trust built through the entire process. With a long tradition for special events, the Columbus Athenaeum offers just the right space for small, intimate events or large, extravagant affairs. Planning your event at The Columbus Athenaeum is stress-free. A sales representative will guide you along the planning process and assist you to ensure your guests have an excellent experience. The building can host a variety of events including:
Meetings
Luncheons
Holiday Parties
Weddings
Trade Shows
Award Banquets
Fashion Shows
Lectures & Seminars
Political Events
Fundraisers
Galas & Benefits
Product Launches
Demonstrations
Association Meetings
The in-house culinary team offers a number of meal options including continental breakfasts, boxed lunches, hors d’oeuvres, buffets and served meals. The Columbus Athenaeum takes great pride in offering quality meals and service. Your guest will always be satisfied.
When it comes time to plan your next corporate meeting, holiday party or luncheon give us a call and your event will be a success!
By Shaun Frecska, Vice President, Membership, Columbus Chamber
No other local organization communicates with and works for as many businesses and leaders as the Columbus Chamber does. Our team is in the field engaging with all sizes and industries of business, allowing us to learn a lot from these conversations.
One of the most recent themes we are seeing is the concept of “corp-preneurs,” entrepreneurs working for an already established business.
Before the recession in 2008, there was optimism, energy and risk-taking. But surprisingly, since the recession, we continue to see these qualities in our business leaders, just in a different way. Sometimes we find that same entrepreneurial spirit within the confines of an already established business, as opposed to the traditional startup company.
Advantages for the Company, But Also for the Entrepreneur
Who gains the advantage in this situation? It could seem challenging for the company and entrepreneur, but it actually provides immense benefits to both.
For example, the working professional with entrepreneurial characteristics – such as a competitive attitude, far outside-the-box thinking and an aggressive drive to build personal wealth – is now employed by an established business, and may no longer be pursuing his or her own startup business.
This employer gains a competitive edge because it has added new and fierce “fighter-type” talent to take his or her business to the next level. Though this new staffer may not work the typical 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. schedule, work from the office or not be perceived as a team player, you can expect him or her to possess the initiative, drive and responsibility to win business and retain customers.
On the other hand, the corp-preneur has the opportunity to sharpen his or her business building skills, develop a strong business network and leverage established business strategies and tactics, without the risk of doing so as his or her own business. Other positives for the corp-preneur may include working a “normal” 8-5 schedule, not having to sacrifice personal property as collateral for loans and not having to wait the typical three years of operation before he or she see a profit.
Entrepreneurs in Your Business
There will always be entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. These small and nimble businesses drive us forward, developing new and creative ways to leverage existing resources or build entirely new resources.
But while the economy is rebounding, take advantage of the creative thinking and drive for success that these trend setters can bring to your business. It’s a win-win and another way we can work together to build an even stronger, more prosperous Columbus Region.
Coalesce Software makes doing business better through mobile technology; this mobile software company specializes in business productivity applications for sales teams, small and medium sized businesses, independent sales representatives and business development professionals.
Coalesce Software is the creator of two mobile service applications, Routzy and iFleet for Smart Service. Both increase productivity for service industry businesses and both work offline when the connection on your mobile device fails.
Skip Stringfield, serial technology entrepreneur, founded Coalesce Software in 2010. He maintains ownership and operation of Coalesce Software alongside My Service Depot, which creates desktop software for service based businesses.
Why We Are Members of the Columbus Chamber:
Coalesce Software is committed to helping businesses grow and become more productive with robust mobile applications. Alongside the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Coalesce Software is dedicated to supporting the continued development of the Columbus and central Ohio region and business community.
Fun Facts About Coalesce Software:
The name Routzy was coined by Coalesce Software founder Skip Stringfield while he was on a boating trip with some Coalesce Software employees. Seems like the ideal place for someone named “Skipper” to brainstorm their next big business idea!
Bella, a Boston terrier, is the office pet. She makes her rounds sitting on laps and begging for treats from the staff.
We are hiding a huge disco ball in our warehouse. We’re hoping it will have a more recognized position in our new office space.
Featured Product:
The hallmark of Coalesce Software mobile products is robust and innovative software solutions that are affordable and easy to use.
Routzy is a mobile sales and contact management app for the iPad that is flexible enough to work with diverse types of businesses and their processes. Routzy eliminates the need for double data entry and has unparalleled analytics for the growth and efficiency of your business or sales team. An important feature that makes Routzy unique is the ability to access all data regardless of the iPad’s Internet connect, Google Calendar integration, and automatic data backup with Dropbox.
iFleet for Smart Service is the industry standard for service based business seeking enhanced mobility for their field based personnel. iFleet offers enhanced mobility for service based businesses currently using desktop software business management software, Smart Service. iFleet for Smart Service in concert with Smart Service is a great fit for any business with a workforce that spends more time in the field than an office, but needs to maintain regular contact with administrative personnel.
The Chamber recently received good news from our workers’ compensation partner, CareWorks Consultants, regarding our member savings in this program. In 2013 alone:
322 of our members enrolled for a total savings of $1,477,000!
This represents an average savings of $4,500 per business member.
With the average Chamber membership dues at $1,300, this represents over three times in Return of Investment.
In fact, three (3) members saved nearly $100,000 (each) in estimated savings.
Over 162 Chamber Members were represented by CCI at BWC court hearings. Saving time and money of our local business members.
As you can see, we strive to deliver upon your investment into the Chamber and our workers’ compensation program is a great benefit to all members. We encourage you to request a quote through CareWorks Consultants for the 2014 policy year which will be here before we know it. If you would like a quote, just request one. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific situation please contact Jason Bainum with CareWorks Consultants at (614) 526-7114 or via email at jason.bainum@ccitpa.com.
Presented by: Candace Klein, SoMoLend Founder and CEO. SoMoLend is a partner of the Columbus Chamber.
Most small business don’t realize the best source for funding is through the people that matter most – their customers. A crowdfunding platform, which pairs social networks and fundraising tactics, can build customer loyalty and community economic development in the process.
Join us for this webinar to learn key tactics for small business funding.
Understand how social lending works via a crowdfunding platform.
Hear proven approaches and pitches to communicate your loan need.
Learn some best practices and tips for fundraising to your customer base.
About Our Webinars: This is a special webinar presented by the Columbus Chamber. You can also participate in our monthly series of Smart Edge webinars every second Tuesday at 10 a.m. And view our library of past webinars on demand.
Best Courier is a same-day messenger service featuring 60-90 minute pickup and delivery to anywhere in Columbus, including court filings, scheduled deliveries, Port Columbus Airport drop off and retrieval, and immediate services to anywhere in the state of Ohio or surrounding states.
As a dedicated carrying service, Best Courier charges an hourly rate and provides customers with a driver, vehicle, and mail pickup to and from Twin Rivers and City Gate post offices. Best Courier has designed their service to fit your needs. Best Courier is your logistics specialist.
Why We Are Members of the Columbus Chamber:
We became Columbus Chamber members because we could see that the Chamber was making strides to become partners with their members. We feel that everyone we have spoken with at the Columbus Chamber has been there to help us to succeed.
Fun Facts about Best Courier:
Our owner, Joe Eckart, is a gourmet chef and cooks regularly for prospects, clients and staff.
Featured Service:
Our featured service is our immediate service. Our attorney firms and businesses downtown commend us on our 30-minute and two-hour downtown service. We have two bike couriers that go to and from the courthouse daily delivering packages and doing filings for our attorneys and CPAs. Our immediate, 60-90 minute service also is one in which we excel. We also provide a 20 percent discount to Columbus Chamber members.
By Michael Dalby, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber has a new approach to the way we service our members. This new approach includes one-to-one consultative support, providing the right connections, resources and solutions to help our member businesses thrive in the Columbus region.
How do we do it? With a great team of passionate, business-minded professionals connecting our members to business intelligence, advocating for them at the local, state and federal levels, and providing customized business solutions. This team includes Christy Bertolo, one of our member resources specialists at the Chamber.
Christy is a connector− whether it’s to the latest market research, advice on the latest social media trends, potential clients, or how to hire an intern.
In this article, she answers some questions she frequently receives in her role.
What do members say is the the most valuable benefit of membership?
We’re really a relationship-oriented Chamber and truly have one goal: to help businesses thrive. The more I know about a member the more I can help. Sometimes it may be referring them, or sending them an article that I read that they may be interested in, or helping to promote their upcoming event through social media and different networks.
All of these require almost no time from my members other than our first initial meeting. We are not a “one size fits all” Chamber. We do our best to offer customized solutions as fast as we can.
You can have a major impact on the success of a large number of the region’s businesses. How many members are you able to connect with per week?
In a typical week, I have approximately six to nine face-to-face meetings with members, as well as conversations with an additional 30 throughout the week via email or phone. I have 90 different industries represented in my community, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises, and women- and minority-owned businesses. Every day is a new adventure and I often know of resources that could help my members, regardless of the situation.
What are some of the most common business challenges, and how can the Columbus Chamber offer resources to overcome those?
The number one challenge I hear is “time,” and many people assume the Chamber can’t help with that. But this is one area where we definitely can help! I often tell my members before you spend 20 to 30 minutes trying to find it online, spend one minute and call or email me.
Often times, I have access to whatever you are looking for and can save you a lot of time and headache trying to find it yourself. Questions range from locating the best resources to include in a recruitment guide, where to post an internship, utilizing best practices for creating press releases, or creating a research list of companies within Franklin County with 20 to 200 employees.
What is the most unusual request you have gotten from a member, and how did the Columbus Chamber provide a solution?
Most of the requests we receive may seem unusual! A lot of members will rely on me to help find them information. Because of the credibility of the Columbus Chamber, many companies will provide me with information they normally wouldn’t release, knowing I am calling on behalf of another member.
For example, I contacted a state prison warden to find out more about hospice care in prisons, the process and trends. I also received a call from a company who needed to import a large piece of machinery from Poland. Fortunately, I had a few members that could help them go through the process.
What is an example, or two, about how you’ve helped our members save time or money?
I recently had a meeting with a new member and during our conversation they mentioned that they were struggling meeting the demands of their orders with such a small staff and maintaining the level of service they had built their company on. I knew they would benefit meeting one of my members that they could outsource some of their kitting to. They met a few days later and have been working together ever since. Their partnership has continued to evolve and together they’ve now reached new markets.
Every week our research team is able to save my members time with customized reports. While this is available to only Growth Connect Members or higher, many have found great value in this resource. These members can request, via email, reports on wage data for specific jobs, industry lists and market data in their competing markets. We have a lot of local business intelligence that can help.
Is there one thing you wish more members knew about?
I wish more knew that when we say “Call us,” we mean it. It’s really that simple. In my previous career, I wore every hat; I was the HR, payroll, procurement and janitor, and often times spent more money trying to save money than just asking for help. We are here to help our members and are very passionate about what we do.
What about other businesses in the region that are not members yet?
I’d like to ask them one question: “Where else?” Where else will you have access to:
Numerous data sources that you can tap into by merely asking.
Someone to call when you need help finding a new vendor or partner for your business.
An organization that advocates on the behalf of small business, regardless of the industry, and the list goes on.
What is your favorite part about helping Columbus region businesses thrive?
I get to hear the stories first hand, the history of the business, their challenges, successes and failures. I’m a small town girl with big town dreams, and I love helping people. I get the opportunity to work with so many different companies and organizations. I get to brainstorm with nonprofits and help connect them with businesses, which in turn raises more awareness about their causes. I get to connect members with the resources to hire new talent, helping them fill jobs faster. I especially love telling the story. We have amazing companies in the Columbus region with moving stories that too many people have never heard.
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