In The Know
The Weekly Newsletter of
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
Friday, August 6th, 2021
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This Week's Featured Video
How the World’s Oldest Hat Shop Has Stayed in Business
for Nearly 350 Years
From the Business Insider.: Lock & Co. Hatters in London has been designing and selling high-quality hats since 1676. It has served celebrities and royalty throughout history, withstood a bombing in WWII, and now survived the Covid-19 pandemic which was the first time in history it had to close its doors. Watch the video by clicking "Play."
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Another great Ambassador Burger Bash was held this past Wednesday, once again showing the community support for the Chamber, local businesses, and the Anita Jackson Community Scholarship. Thanks to all who attended and our generous sponsors and donors. And hats off to the Chamber Ambassador Club for its dedication and hard work.
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2021 Burger Bash sponsors:
- A & B Pharmacy
- Apollo Pro Cleaning
- Capital Health Home Care
- Carriage Inn of Steubenville
- Dixon Health Care
- Edison Local Schools
- Eastern Gateway Community College
- Em-Media, Inc.
- Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Gables Care Center
- Hauser Furniture
- Illumination Financial
- Jarvis Law
- McBane Insurance
- Milestone Company
- New York Life/John Cucarese Financial
- Ohio Valley Down Syndrome Support Group
- Ohio Valley Vision Center
- Patriot Tap House
- ReSo, Inc.
- Sienna Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation
- Steubenville Kiwanis
- Trinity Health System
- US Bank
- Valley Hospice, Inc.
- Wells Township Haunted House
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Gift basket & door prize donors:
- Amanda's Gifts & More
- Gary Cain Realtors & Auctioneers
- Capital Healthcare - Carriage Inn of Steubenville
- Downtown Bakery
- Eastern Gateway Community College
- Exquisite Creations by Joel
- Federico's Foods
- Hancock County Savings Bank
- Holiday Inn of Weirton-Steubenville Area
- Milestone Company
- Naple's Spaghetti House
- Office Max/Office Depot
- Ohio Valley Down Syndrome Support Group
- Sleep Outfitters
- The Inn & Suites At Franciscan Square
- The Laurels of Steubenville
- The UPS Store – Steubenville
- Toronto City Schools
- Trinity Health System
- Valley Hospice
- Valley Wine Cellar
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Five Under Five
This week's list reminds us of what we may be overlooking.
Sometimes we forget the basics of being a small business owner. Make sure you have them covered, or your hard work and long hours may not be enough.
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Have a website. Even if it's just one page. List your products, services, location, hours, and phone number.....minimum. An online presence is not just suggested anymore. It's a given if you want new customers and if you expect returning customers to not eventually go with a competitor. If consumers look up your business online before they decide to buy from you, but you don’t have a website, many will suspect you’re not trustworthy. And these days, you can create and host a website for $20 per month or less.
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Respond to emails & phone messages. Nothing turns a prospective customer off more than being ignored. Set aside an hour each day and get back to people, even if it's to say you can't help them right now. One of those unreturned calls may have turned into a big sale, a long-time customer, or an income source during a slow time.
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Know "Marketing 101". Have a logo, a quality printed marketing piece, a professional headshot, and be able to say what your business does in one minute or less.
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Be professional & polite. Have a voicemail box that is not full and with a pleasant message. Don't post signs, inside or out, "yelling" at people with rules, what not to do, what you don't accept or what they shouldn't do. Stay off social media with personal and political commentary. Train your employees in customer service. Don't assume they know it or don't need ongoing reminders.
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Be humble. No business is immune to hard economic times, unexpected scenarios or bad luck. The novelty will wear off. A dry spell will happen. Just because you're booked for six months, doesn't mean that will always be the case. So don't let success go to your head. And give back when you can, whether it's time, money, product or expertise.
If you'd like assistance in any of these areas, contact the Chamber offices at 740.282.6226.
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Business Start-Up Web Chat LIVE
Part 1 - Monday, August 9th, 2021, Noon-1 p.m.
Part 2 - Wednesday, August 11th, 2021, Noon-1 p.m.
Have you ever considered owning your own business? Or are you in the early stages of starting a business? If so, join us for Business Start-Up Web Chat LIVE with Sue Gaiser, SBDC Advisor and business owner. The business start-Up Web Chats are an overview of issues related to starting and operating a business.
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Annual Oil and Gas Update Luncheon
On Tuesday, August 17th, the Chamber will host its Annual Oil and Gas Update Luncheon at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. This is a great way to learn about all the latest developments in Jefferson County and how your business may be able to benefit.
Sponsored by the Ohio Oil & Gas Association, Williams and MPLX MarkWest Energy, this popular event includes a delicious lunch followed by a panel of presenters and a question and answer session. The cost is $20 per person with advance reservation required. Register by clicking below or by contacting the Chamber offices at 740.282.6226.
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It's Time For Coffee & Connections!
Come enjoy the Chamber's most popular networking event.
Join us on Wednesday, August 11th, as we gather at Froehlich's Classic Corner to network and mingle with fellow Chamber member businesses and organizations.
Coffee & Connections is casual, fun, and the perfect way to share news about all that your business or organization has to offer. Bring business cards, marketing pieces, coupons, and/or giveaway items. We'll have you in and out in no time.
What: "Coffee & Connections"
When: Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 - 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
Where: Froehlich's Classic Corner, 500 Washington Street, Downtown Steubenville
How Much?: $15 Per Person. $20 for walk-ins.
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The 113th Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting
When: Wednesday, October 20th, 2021
Time: Cocktails - 5:30 p.m. Dinner & Program - 7 p.m.
Cost: $60 Per Person
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Sycamore Center Summer Concert
This week's Sycamore Summer Concert will take place on Saturday, August 7th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will feature Shaina Thornton, Olivia Huval, and Jennifer Krause. The concert is free and open to all ages. .
"Cafe Sy" Coffee House will provide coffee, tea, soda, and baked goods (donations welcome). We hope to see you there. The Sycamore Center is located at 301 N. 4th Street in Steubenville.
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Member Morsels are free and an easy, fast way to reach hundreds each week. It reaches the entire Chamber database each Friday - that's over 850 local business owners, managers, and employees.
Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo. Submit your Member Morsel by clicking the button below.
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AROUND THE STATE. AROUND THE COUNTRY |
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New Business Filings in Ohio Keep Breaking Records: Why Businesses are Opening
Please Note: The Ohio Chamber of Commerce news blog is currently on a summer hiatus. To fill the gap, we're offering business articles from publications around the state.
From Journal-News: Ohioans continue to create new businesses at a torrid pace during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is “definitely surprising” to Fairfield business owner Bianca Stout.
“But I can understand why,” said the owner of Bianca Rose Salon on Nilles Road in Fairfield. “During the shutdown in the spring of 2020, many people found themselves with downtime they may have never had before. I think for those with an entrepreneurial spirit like myself, it gave time for reflection, time to really think about what the future holds.”
In June, 17,387 new businesses were created in Ohio. The state has surpassed 111,000 new business filings in the first six months of this year, according to data from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Five years ago, it took an entire year for Ohioans to create just more than 105,000 new businesses, said Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
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Why Immigration Reform Matters to Local Communities
Please Note: This is an editorial from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and its members.
Being a nation of immigrants isn’t just part of America’s identity, it’s part of the growth engine that’s made us the most powerful and prosperous country in the world.
But today our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of repair.
While for many years, the Chamber has talked about immigration’s national implications, it is foremost a local story.
It’s the story of families, of small towns, and of local communities. It’s the story of businesses and industries that have been created and prospered because of the ingenuity of an immigrant and the opportunity to start a new business.
At a recent Chamber event, Putting Communities First: How Immigration Reform Will Drive Economic Growth, business leaders described how the lack of reform hurts their communities and impedes America’s global competitiveness.
Read the article in its entirety by clicking here.
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Great Books About Business With Just A Click
Your link to success begins at the library. With each week of "In The Know,"
you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week:
An Ugly Truth:
Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination
by Sheera Frankel and Cecilia King
Once one of Silicon Valley's greatest success stories, Facebook has been under constant fire for the past five years, roiled by controversies and crises. It turns out that while the tech giant was connecting the world, they were also mishandling users' data, spreading fake news, and amplifying dangerous, polarizing hate speech. Drawing on their unrivaled sources, Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang take readers inside the complex court politics, alliances and rivalries within the company to shine a light on the fatal cracks in the architecture of the tech behemoth.
Click here to borrow a copy of this book.
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The Chamber is excited to announce that its podcast series, "In Good Company," is now live on the iHeartRadio app and site! Click below to listen or tune in via your cell phone or laptop at www.iheart.com by searching, "Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce." And watch for new episodes in the coming months. Have someone you'd like to have as our guest? Email suggestions to [email protected].
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Questions about Oil & Gas?
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Today in History
- August 6, 1948 -
Vicki Draves and Sammy Lee become the first Asian Americans to win an Olympic gold medal for the U.S.
From History: On August 6, 1948, American diver Vicki Draves wins gold at the London Olympics. Two days later, her good friend and fellow diver Sammy Lee takes gold as well, making them the first Asian Americans to win Olympic gold medals for the United States.
Draves was the daughter of an English maid and a Filipino chef and musician, while Lee’s parents were of Korean descent and ran what he called “a little chop suey restaurant.”
Both grew up in California, where public pools were whites-only and non-whites were only allowed to swim for a brief period one day a week. When he couldn’t use the pool, Lee practiced diving by jumping into a pit full of sand. Draves (nee Manalo) hoped to join the Fairmont Hotel Swimming and Diving Club but was barred due to her race—she eventually joined another club started by the Fairmont’s coach, going by Vicki Taylor to hide her racial identity.
Despite these obstacles, Lee and Draves rose to the top of the American diving scene, becoming friends in the process. It was Lee who introduced Vicki to Lyle Draves, who became her coach and husband...
To read this entire article, please click here.
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Tomorrow is
National Lighthouse Day!
Did You Know?
- Lake Erie has over 30 lighthouses along the US side of Lake Erie with 18 of those structures on Ohio's shoreline.
- Some are located on the mainland and others on small slips of land accessible only by boat.
- Long before we had GPS navigation aides, we had lighthouses. Like any major body of water, Ohio's lighthouses helped ships identify their location in relation to the shoreline.
- Many of the older lighthouses are no longer part of the US Coast Guard's responsibility.
- Lighthouses stand as beacons of safety and security and perhaps this is why they appeal to so many people, even land-hugging folks.
- Lighthouses are painted different colors and designs to make them daymarks. This was important so sailors could recognize a particular lighthouse during the day.
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Tricia Maple-Damewood
President
Contact Tricia with suggestions, input or feedback on member programming, how to get involved on a committee or special project or with questions related to Chamber membership.
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Hannah Ward
Administrative & Membership Coordinator
Contact Hannah with changes to your membership information, questions regarding events or programs, or assistance with scheduling an Eblast or Member Morsel.
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Craig Cribbs, Reso, Inc.
Billing Support
740-275-4940
Contact Craig with invoice or billing questions and to make a dues, event or sponsorship payment.
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Contact Us
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
630 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740.282.6226
Fax: 740.282.6285
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