Janet Haar, Executive Director obp.org@gmail.com 440-503-5031 |
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August & September are traditionally “Back to School” months. Families are winding down travel and buying school supplies and clothes, sending their children off to experience college or their first jobs. The lead up to fall is also a time when organizations such as OBP look back and plan forward.
OBP is a member-driven organization that has worked to remain relevant, reinventing ourselves over the years to provide value to our members. That resiliency and forward thinking continue to keep OBP an essential partner for businesses and organizations in the Oberlin community.
OBP looks back by assessing our members return on investment in our organization, our mission and values, and whether they represent who or what we should be in the “new normal.” And we plan forward by listening to our members and the community through surveys and advisory groups and redirecting our organization to provide relevant resources and value.
OBP is beginning a strategic planning process and we will be reaching out to our members and nonmembers to help plan for the future. Members will be asked to complete a membership survey in the next few weeks. Some members and nonmembers will be asked to participate in in-person Advisory Groups this September. The OBP Board of Trustees began the strategic planning process at this month’s board meeting and we hope you will be willing to participate in our efforts to serve you.
OBP is excited about what the future holds for our organization and our members. We promise to connect with members, helping them grow and working to create a business environment that is robust and modern. We are here to help our businesses and community Connect, Grow and Thrive!
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We thank all our members for their support of OBP and of each other. OBP membership indicates a commitment to the business community in Oberlin and confidence in our local economy. OBP membership grants members credibility with customers and vendors, helps nurture new networks and provides opportunities for growth.
Here is some news about members
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We will be holding a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at FOR EWE: An Inclusive Fiber Community, a retail yarn shop and social crafting/education space located at 181 W College Street #23 in Oberlin. FOR EWE is a new business and new OBP member. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and weekly bulletin “What’s Up Oberlin” for information about the ribbon cutting ceremony.
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Longtime member, Tom Bethel, owner of Acoustic Music, shared some exciting news with us. “My interns and I have been working on redoing our mastering room since the beginning of summer. We now have new acoustics, all the audio wiring redone, a new setup of the mastering desk and all the equipment checked for proper operation. THIS WAS A BIG JOB AND THEY ALL DID PROFESSIONAL LEVEL WORK!!! I have three interns this summer. Rhys Davies, Will Palmison and Ike Osenberg. So far in the 27 years we have been in business we have had over 50 interns working and learning here. They always amaze me with their unbounded enthusiasm and professionalism."
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Aladdin’s Eatery – 5 W. Main St.
Terrie Fields, aladdinsoberlin@gmail.com
POWER - Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly –
Wide Awake, Inc.,
Sandye Brown, sandye@sandyebrown.com
Next Gen Music Outreach,
Dustin Gray, dustin.gray33@gmail.com
Dragonfly Transformations - Bodywork & Coaching LLC, 325 W College Street
Sheri Brockett, sbrockett97@gmail.com
Dental Care of Oberlin/ Elite Dental Partners, 309 W. Lorain Street
Meghan Saunders, msaunders@edpsmiles.com
Boyd Watterson Asset Management, 1301 E 9th Street, Cleveland, OH
Mill on Main, 95 S. Main St.
Common Ground, 14240 Baird Road
Evie Lou Oberlin, 29 W. College St.
Susan Scaparotti, susan@evielou.com
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Lisa Whitfield
FOR EWE An Inclusive Fiber Community
181 W College Street #23
lisa@4-ewe.com
I grew up in Philadelphia, PA, in a home where crafting was an important part of my family heritage. My career has been spent as a professional classical musician (I play viola) and music educator, but I've also found time to be a wife, mother of two awesome humans and two goofy pit bulls, diversity advocate, erstwhile blogger, and knitter. For Ewe is the realization of many of my dreams because I am at my most happy when I'm surrounded by yarn I can sniff and squish to my heart's content. Mostly, I'm so happy to be doing this because I know my grandma would be proud
For EWE's mission is simple: to provide a shopping and learning experience that is warm, welcoming, equitable, diverse, and inclusive; and to provide high quality products that are affordable, accessible, and represent a wide variety of fibers and dyeing techniques. If you want to shop or browse, or even if you're just curious about learning how to knit or crochet, For Ewe is the place for you!
Knitting and crocheting give the gift of community. I’ve made many new friends and met many wonderful people. The fiber community is not without its own challenges and shortcomings, but it is also full of love, joy, and acceptance. Here, among the squish of yarn, the click of needles, and the rainbow of colors we can find ourselves and our joy.
For Ewe began as a simple idea during a complicated time. In early 2019, a lot of black and brown fiber crafters and producers began to speak out about our experiences of bias and discrimination within the fiber community. As I listened to stories of folks who had been treated poorly in other situations in the past, I envisioned
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Josie Gruber, Digital Project Manager & Consultant
Bespoke Digital Solutions, LLC
440-707-6118
Tell me about your business. Bespoke Digital Solutions provides digital services to online business managers and consultants who do work related to education, training, or building community. Our main service offerings include website design and building online courses,
but we also enjoy finding ways to streamline business processes for our clients. For example, finding the right digital tool for a multi-step task to save your precious time. We love taking
your most tedious tasks off your plate!
Tell me a little bit about you – what are your interests, passions, etc. I love spending time outdoors. Walking, jogging, cycling, and hiking with friends or with the Cleveland Hiking Club.
I also enjoy taking photos of what I see in nature and sharing them on my personal Instagram account (@webgringa). I am passionate about creating opportunities for meeting new people which led me to forming the Meet Me in Oberlin social group in 2019.
Why did you decide to open your business in Oberlin? In 2019, a couple of my contacts had reached out to me about doing work for their consulting businesses, and working out of my home in Oberlin was the logical thing to do after moving here that summer.
Why did you decide to be a member of OBP? I wanted to feel more connected to the people and businesses in Oberlin. I love engaging with other professionals through the learning and networking opportunities OBP provides.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with our readers? Networking is often a free or low-cost activity for any professional and the possibilities are endless. Make sure to seek local or online networking opportunities to make connections and be seen by others in
a space other than your website or social media profiles. You’ll be glad you did!
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There are a number of cost-savings benefits available to OBP members through OBP's membership in the Northern Ohio Area Chamber of Commerce organization (NOACC). We are highlighting just a few this month and will highlight more in the coming months.
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Group Health Insurance - Chamber Saver Program. There is a full range of health insurance plans with cost savings usually reserved for larger companies. Businesses also get access to a large network of quality providers through Anthem. Premium savings of up to 1.4% on groups from 2-50 employees. Groups from 51-500 may be eligible for a 1% premium savings. Business must be a NOACC chamber Member. (All OBP members are eligible.) For a quote visit noacc.org or 844MedOhio.com.
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Anthem BlueCross BlueShield SOCA Benefit Plan. Group Health Insurance - SOCA BEnefit Plan (MEWA). Chambers of Commerce throughout Ohio have banded together to offer a new self-funded medical plan for small employers. NOACC and five other chamber organizations have collaborated to create a new health program that can lead to more rate stability and is a smart solution that offers potential savings for groups with 50 or fewer employees. For a quote visit noacc.org or 844MedOhio.com.
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Anthem Life. Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance is available to groups with one or more covered employees. Short- and Long-Term Disability is available to groups with two or more covered employees. Savings from 5 to 20% for groups of 20+ employees for fully insured plans. Visit anthem.com for more info.
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Community Energy Advisors - Chamber Energy Program. Community Energy Advisors (CEA) is a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) certified energy management firm that educates and empowers organizations to maximize the economics of their energy assets. CEA delivers a multitude of energy management solutions that positively impact customers' utility bill costs. For a free quote, visit ceateam.com/affinityprograms.
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Maureen Simen, Programs Manager obpevents@gmail.com 440-774-6262
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2nd Saturday in Oberlin August 13
Start at the East College Street Courtyard for activities and entertainment by OberlinKids and the Oberlin Community Music School.10-12 am.
Meet Spiderman and Mirabel from Encanto from 12 to 2 pm.
Sit for a professional portrait
by a caricaturist 12 to 3 pm.
Check out sidewalk sales and specials.
Restaurants are open - many offer outdoor seating.
Ben Franklin will be hosting live music and a book reading.
Enjoy the Open House at Mill on Main, 95 S. Main Street, 10am to 2pm.
Play our Discover Oberlin Bingo Game for a
chance to win an Oberlin gift certificate! . .
Be sure to stop at the OBP Welcome Table for
information and your Bingo card!
We want to promote how your business or organization is participating, so please contact Maureen Simen at obpevents@gmail.com to provide her with details.
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Join women from all around Lorain County and beyond for an Evening of Connecting and Conversation
6:00 p.m. | Thursday, August 11
Sunset Terrace in Lakeview Park
1800 West Erie Avenue | Lorain , OH 44052
In addition to networking and enjoying refreshments,
we will view and discuss Austin Channing Brown's video presentation,
4 Keys to Co-creating an Allyship.
An Allyship is a significant shift in your life towards investing
in commuinities around you and having the courage
to elevate your voice so that more people can be heard.
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We are excited to announce that the
AUGUST 11th Good Morning Oberlin meeting
will be in-person!
Meet us at the George Abram Pavilion (behind McDonalds) in Oberlin
to connect with people you may not have seen in awhile.
YES...we will have coffee, pastries, and fruit!
AND OF COURSE.....
We want to hear from YOU about
- what is happening in your organization?
- what programs and events are upcoming?
- what Oberlin organizations need to be aware of?
COME SHARE WITH US!!!
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Oberlin Business Partnership | 440.774.6262 | 23 E. College St. Oberlin OH 44074
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