2014 Business Plan Competition

Hello, this is Letha Stowe, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

The joint Economic Development Committee kicked off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. We have four entrepreneurs participating in the challenge this year, including Toby Derth with Just Sew Pretty and Jeff Patalan with Franklin Currahee Sanitation. This year there are 14 prize package sponsors, totaling more than $8,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need to operate a successful business.

The Clean Up the Community Challenge 2014 Kick Off is March 1st. This year to be even better than last, and that’s a real challenge. Cash Prizes of $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2nd place and $250 for 3^rd place. Last year was extremely competitive with 21 teams and the results were the best in 10 years. The challenge is open to all citizens of Toccoa – Stephens County. The Chamber will have a team. If you’d like to join our team please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132.

The Chamber is now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County to help retailers and restaurants get an objective view of: staff customer service, facility appearances inside and out,  merchandising and the “overall” shopping experience.  What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas of need. It’s an ongoing process that makes a business better over time. The Chamber is here to help with this process. Call us today to learn more. 

Next Thursday, at 10am, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Evan Oglesby Foundation on Pond Street. Join us as we celebrate this nonprofit who is recognized for empowering our youth to achieve excellence in education and athletics.  

Also next Thursday is a Business-After-Hours with Cindy Mathews and the Mountain Ed Charter High school.  Come meet new people and make new business connections.  

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with Facebook? Need help with promoting your “Hot” Deals? Need help posting calendar events? That’s what I’m asking when I’m out and about visiting with members and delivering delicious Heavenly Dessert cookies. I look forward to hearing all about what you need to grow your business this year.   

That’s your weekly update! I’m Letha Stowe, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador with your Weekly Chamber Update!

Mystery Shopping is Happening!

Hello, this is Wendi Bailey your T-SC CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

Sometimes business owners overlook the importance of hospitality and customer service. Sometimes business owners may have a hard time objectively critiquing their store and their employees.  Therefore, they have no data to use to improve.  

The Chamber is now conducting “Mystery Shopping” in Toccoa-Stephens County to help retailers and restaurants get an objective view of: 1) staff customer service, 2) facility appearances inside and out and 3) merchandising and the “overall” shopping experience. 

What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas of need. It’s an ongoing process that makes a business better over time. The Chamber is here to help with this process. Call us today to learn more.  

I have a few announcements for you:

• Today, at 11:30am, our joint Economic Development Committee is kicking off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. We have four entrepreneurs participating in the challenge and 14 prize package sponsors this year, totaling more than $5,000. We look forward to assisting with developing their business plans and connecting them with the resources they need to operate a successful business.

• Today, at 2pm, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Stephens County Wound Care Clinic on Falls Rd. Come join Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrel and Bowen and Watson and celebrate the completion of the new $1 million facility.

• Also today at 5:30pm special Joint Business-After-Hours with Hart County and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.  The event is hosted by Vickery Place, a personal care home on Vickery Street in Lavonia. Come meet new people, make new business connections, and bring a door prize to promote your business cross county lines.  

• Finally. last night we had at 5:30pm, at the X-Factor Grill, you are invited to a travel presentation, called Discover Tuscany.  Last November the Chamber partnered with the Ionosphere Travel Agency to coordinate a group travel experience to Ireland.  New this year, we are partnering for travel to Italy! Call or come by to get information on the trip highlights and the discounts if you reserve your spot in advance!    

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? Need help with Social Media? Need help with posting Hot Deals? That’s what I’m asking when I’m out and about visiting with members and delivering delicious Heavenly Dessert cookies. I look forward to hearing all about what you need to grow your business this year.   

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

Sign up to Participate int he Mystery Shopper Program

Sometimes business owners overlook the importance of hospitality and customer service. Sometimes business owners may have a hard time objectively critiquing their store and their employees.  Therefore, they have no data to use to improve.  

The Chamber has developed a “Mystery Shopper” program designed to help retailers and restaurants with an objective view, good or bad, of: 1) staff customer service, 2) the facility appearance inside and out and 3) merchandise and the overall shopping experience. 

What makes a business better is the way it addresses the known areas of need. It’s not an event, it is an ongoing process that makes a business better over time. The Chamber is here to help with this process. Call us today to learn more.  

I have a few announcements for you:

• Today, at 10am at the Chamber Office, we have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Alan Glaze and his new company called Elite Glass. They offer shower doors, patio doors, tabletops, replacement windows, cut glass and mirrors for residential or commercial buildings. Please come by and celebrate with Elite Glass at 10am today.

• Next Wednesday, at 5:30pm, at the X-Factor Grill, you are invited to a travel presentation, called Discover Tuscany.  Last November the Chamber partnered with the Ionosphere Travel Agency to coordinate a group travel experience to Ireland.  New this year, we are partnering for travel to Italy! Come learn about the trip highlights and the discounts if you reserve your spot today! See you at the X-Factor next Wednesday.   

• Next Thursday, at 11:30am, our joint Economic Development Committee is kicking off the 2014 Business Plan Competition. There is still time to join other entrepreneurs and participate in the challenge. Let us help you refine your business plan and connect you with resources, to assist with operating a successful business.

• Next Thursday, at 2pm, is a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Stephens County Wound Care Clinic on Falls Rd. Come join Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrel and Bowen and Watson and celebrate the completion of the new $1 million facility.

• Next Thursday, at 5:30pm, is a special Joint Business-After-Hours with Hart County and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.  The event is hosted by Vickery Place, a personal care home on Vickery Street in Lavonia. Come meet new people, make new business connections, and bring a door prize to promote your business cross county lines.   

So, what can the Chamber do for you today? That’s what I’m asking when I’m out and about visiting with members and delivering delicious Heavenly Dessert cookies. I look forward to hearing all about what you need to grow your business this year.   

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

Now Recruiting Participants for the 2014 Business Plan Competition

Our joint Economic Development Committee is Chaired by Matt Skilling of Sanders, Rank & Skilling and Stacy Miller of CB&T. We are currently recruiting for the 2014 Business Plan Competition. 

Do you know an entrepreneur with a business idea you think could win cash and prizes? We are inviting local entrepreneurs, new startups and existing home businesses, with feasible business ideas, to participate in this year’s challenge. We want to connect them with small business resources, the business students from Toccoa Falls College, and local business professionals, to help develop or refine their business plan, and assist them with operating a successful for-profit business in Toccoa-Stephens County.

There will be a kick-off luncheon in February with last year’s winners, The Dance Studio – Marlee Joiner and The Lan computer services – Keith Ord. Please call the Chamber to get more information on the 2014 competition today!   

I have a few announcements for you:

Today at 10am we have a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony for 2 new Chamber members. There are two businesses partnering up, That’s A Great Deal and owner Charles Hall and across the street from them is McGarity’s Starter and Alternator Repair and owner Steve McGarity.  The ceremony will be at That’s A Great Deal on South Big A Road next to the new beautiful empty lot that was formally T’s Restaurant. Another reason to celebrate! We hope to see you there!       

Next week there are two great opportunities to NETWORK and MARKET your business. Tuesday at 5pm is the Chamber 101 class that teaches you how to get the most from your Chamber membership experience. And Wednesday at 12pm is the monthly Chamber Lunch at BJ’s Restaurant. Bring your business cards and plan to promote your products and services at both events next week.  

The T-SC Chamber is here for you! Visit our website regularly for information and reach out to us if you want more. And when I drop in for a visit, and a cookie break, please don’t hesitate to let me know how we can help you and your company during the new year.

That’s your weekly update!

I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.  

Welcome to 2014! Did you make a new year's resolution?

Welcome to 2014!  Do you have a new year's resolution?   

As we head into the new-year, please consider a membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Being a Chamber member is like being a team player for your community. Chamber involvement provides you with endless networking opportunities and helps build a solid foundation for your business.

Did you know you get a free directory web page with the purchase of a membership? Did you know there is a brochure rack and business card holder display, dedicated for members in the Welcome Center? Did you know members can attend free seminars to stay informed of hot topics?

The Chamber is also a tool to help you develop your leadership skills. There are over twelve different committees to serve on in the “Toccoa-Stephens County Tomorrow” visioning program initiative. All address important issues and are available for you to get involved with. Whatever your interest is, we invite you to join us and help make 2014 a wonderful new year.    

I have a few announcements for you:

Next Thursday, January 16^th from 12pm-1pm in the Mitchell Allen Room is a Lunch- N-Learn seminar on the Small Business Health Options Program called SHOP. Come meet UGA Health Navigator Cassandra Hunter to learn what the SHOP Marketplace is, how to qualify and the benefits of using the SHOP marketplace. Call the Chamber at 706-886-2132 to learn more.

Our Economic Development Committee is recruiting now for the 2014 Business Plan Competition.  Do you know an entrepreneur with a business idea you think could win cash and prizes? Please call the Chamber to get more information on the competition today.

   

Finally, the Humane Shelter is a Chamber member and they asked us to help them get the word out that they need supplies including towels, blankets, bleach and canned cat food.They also need volunteers. Please call the shelter today and register for the next volunteer orientation this Sunday at 2pm.

Being a Chamber member is like being a team player for your community. Chamber involvement provides you with endless opportunities and helps build a solid foundation for your business. The Chamber cares and wants to help. Join us today and make a difference!

That’s your weekly update!

I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County CoC President with your Weekly Chamber Update.