Columbus Chamber Blog: Columbus Business News

Member Spotlight: Jersey Mike's Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs began in 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The Westerville location is the oldest here in Columbus and currently the only corporate store out of 13. Nationwide Jersey Mike’s is a franchisee chain of over 500 stores and growing. 

Why We’re Chamber Members:

Look to us to cater any business meeting to household event. We pride ourselves on being greatly involved in our local community of Westerville as well as city events, such as those of 200Columbus.

Fun Facts about Jersey Mike's:

The original sub shop is still there today in Point Pleasant and managers-in-training use that location during their two week training course. 

Every year March is designated as our Month of Giving where a city’s stores cooperate with each other and decide on a children’s charity to raise money for that month.

This summer Christine Rampone of the US Women’s Soccer team is our national advertising spokesperson.

Featured Products:

Jersey Mike’s is a nationally recognized restaurant praised for both the high quality service and freshness of their product. Everything from the bread to the roast beef is prepared on premise to ensure the freshest possible food. Our subs are sliced and prepared right in front of you with the authentic taste of Mike’s Way - onion, lettuce, tomato, vinegar, oil, and spices.

www.jerseymikes.com

Member Spotlight: Jim Lubinsky - Re/Max

Jim Lubinsky has been a licensed realtor for 22 years and 18 years with Re/Max Affiliates. His mission is to assist his clients in improving and enriching their lives through ownership of a home that supports their life, goals and dreams.

Why We're Chamber Members:

We participate in many Chamber events especially the networking programs, such as Business AfterHours. 

Fun Facts about Jim Lubinsky: 

We have accumulated many industry awards i.e. “Re/Max Lifetime Achievement” and “Columbus Board of Realtors $25 million award."  We have assisted over 1,000 individuals and families in buying and selling homes.

Featured Service:

We help our clients make critical decisions successfully by providing accurate data and personal insights into the matters that are important to them. We provide daily email updates to clients for “new listings” that match their criteria so they can respond with timeliness to new opportunities. We put our client’s best interests first in all matters.

http://www.jimlubinsky.com/

Young Professionals Spotlight: Tasha Booker

Since 2009, the Columbus Chamber has spotlighted a local young professionals organization each month to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. We have recently expanded this series to also feature young artists, entrepreneurs and professionals who are helping to make Columbus a talent magnet city. Meet Tasha Booker, the Young Professionals Spotlight for August.

Name: Tasha Booker
Title: Director of Development & Public Relations
Employer: I Know I Can
Number of years you’ve resided in Columbus: 33
Your neighborhood: I grew up in Northeast Columbus and currently reside in Canal Winchester though I pay City of Columbus taxes!
 
What YP or professional organizations are you involved with and in what capacity?
Founding member and Chair of the Education Committee National Coalition of 100 Black Women Central Ohio Chapter; WELD Ohio; Board of Directors, First Night Columbus

What do you value most about Columbus?
The diversity in people, culture and artistic expression.
 
How have you made a difference in Columbus?
I like to believe that my personal and professional journey has been an inspiration to young women particularly women from modest backgrounds. I am often asked to speak to young women and share my story of perserverance and persistance. Through my work at I Know I Can, I am helping young people reach their potentional by obtaining a college degree.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You have to trust yourself enough to make decisions that may be unpopular, and be confident enough to deal with the consequences.

What one word best describes Columbus?
Community

What is your favorite event or activity in Columbus?
Any street festival. I love the Columbus Arts Festival, Jazz and Rib Fest, Red White and BOOM! I enjoy being around people and celebrating all that our city has to offer.

The Chamber develops strategies to attract, retain and engage YPs because they are an energetic, educated and highly-mobile workforce – the future of our region. Sharing information about activities hosted by local organizations is one way the Chamber keeps YPs connected to the community. If you'd like to stay informed, sign up here to receive Activities and Events for Young Professionals, a weekly email from the Chamber to keep YPs connected to the community. Learn more about YPs here.

What Does Innovation and Design Mean to Columbus? Find out at the Young Professionals' Exchange Forum on August 28!

By Robbie Banks,Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Join our region's future leaders at the next Young Professionals’ Exchange: idUS | A Celebration of Innovation & Design on Tuesday, August 28 from 4-5:30 p.m. at DeVry University. Sponsored by the Columbus Chamber, YP Exchange forums provide an opportunity to network and learn about some of today's important topics and issues.

For this YP Exchange, we are hosting a panel discussion that will feature several collaborators who are participating in idUS, a multi-day experience of innovation and design that exemplifies Columbus’ identity as a smart and open community from September 28 to October 8, 2012. The discussion will be moderated by Melanie McIntyre, editorial director of The Metropreneur. Panelists and presenters include:

• Andy Aichele - Curator, TEDxYouth@Columbus
• Irene Alvarez - Account Supervisor, Fahlgren Mortine
• Michael Bongiorno, AIA - Principal, DesignGroup/Director, Columbus Design Week
• John Daugherty - Chief Creative Officer, Vital Companies/Co-Director, FFOCOL
• Amy Lowe - Community Affairs Coordinator, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)/Event Coordinator, EcoSummit 2012
• Shannon Morrison - Creative Director & Principal, IM Creative (producers of idUS)

After the YP Exchange, please join us for the Columbus Chamber Business AfterHours hosted by DeVry University from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Admission for YPs is free for both the YP Exchange and Business AfterHours. All are welcome to attend. Register to attend now.

This event is a perfect opportunity to be informed, ask questions and discover opportunities to be actively engaged with idUS personally or on behalf of your company or organization. (Not to mention, terrific networking with other YPs and experienced professionals immediately after at the Business AfterHours.) Please help us spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (hashtag #ypx). We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces there!

Member Spotlight: Absolute Care

About Absolute Care:

Absolute Care is a Supportive Living Agency, providing in-home support throughout Franklin County to clients with Developmental Disabilities (DD). We are a small hands-on agency focusing on the quality of services being provided to each client. Absolute Care is diverse in its experience with serving and supporting clients from a wide range of abilities, to clients who have mild to severe expressive behavioral challenges, specializing in dual diagnosis, and clients who have concentrated medical needs. 

Why We’re Chamber Members:

Absolute Care joined the Chamber to be introduced to a community that we can partner with to share ideas and serve as a resource by providing assistance and support toward the achievement of common goals.  We are interested in making connections, fostering strong working relationships and boosting community awareness. 

Fun Facts about Absolute Care:

Absolute Care was started in 1999 by our founder and CEO, Mark King. Mark received his undergraduate degree in psychology from The Ohio State University and began assisting individuals with disabilities through a large supported living agency in Franklin County. This opportunity provided him with many diverse experiences and an understanding of the career path he wanted to pursue.

In June 1997 Mark was then approved for Independent Providership and in September 1999 Absolute Care was officially registered to provide home and community based Waiver Services. 

Featured Service:

Our mission is to enrich the lives of adults with disabilities through care that is tailored to each individual’s specific needs and goals. We encourage participation in daily living skills, decision making and community involvement while fostering a sense of productivity and independence.

http://www.absolutecare.org/

 

Member Spotlight: Lean and Six Sigma

Lean and Six Sigma process improvement consulting for any size business. If you are suffering from errors, delays, complaints, or high costs, Ohio Six Sigma will analyze the factors, determine the root cause(s), reduce or eliminate them and prevent future problems. If your clients are demanding a higher level of performance, Ohio Six Sigma will help you improve your quality systems and to unlock the innovation potential of your team.

Why We're Chamber Members: 

There is a strong base of local businesses in central Ohio that would benefit from applying Lean and Six Sigma, and Ohio Six Sigma is here to help.

Fun Fact: 

Tracy Owens’s new book, Six Sigma Green Belt, Round 2, was published by Quality Press in 2011. 

Featured service: 

Lean and Six Sigma can be deployed as comprehensive programs throughout the entire organization, but that is a commitment that not everyone is willing to make at first Ohio Six Sigma will start with a half-day evaluation and action planning so you can decide how fast and how much you want to us to work for you.

www.ohiosixsigma.com