9 Success Strategies for Young Businesses
Launching a business is a thrilling journey filled with possibilities and challenges. While no year is without challenges, the first few are particularly so for most businesses. Many naive owners think that if they can make it through the first year, their success is guaranteed. However, that isn’t the case. The first year actually has the lowest failure rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of small businesses fail within their first year. The failure rate increases to 30% by
Christina Metcalf
How to Craft Irresistible Offers for Your Biggest Holiday Sales Yet
Small businesses everywhere are enjoying the trend of shopping local. Many organizations, including the Chamber, understand the importance of helping the community realize the value of small businesses. Even with this help, your local business still has two major challenges—marketing (making sure people think about you when they’re ready to buy) and convincing them that shopping local is not an expensive undertaking, especially when 69% of people are saying they’re going to reduce non friends and family
Christina Metcalf
Should I Use AI for My Business?
AI is certainly the “Belle of the Ball” these days but it’s also coming under scrutiny. It can save businesses a lot of time, but many professionals are afraid of what the adoption might mean. Is it right for you and your business?
Christina Metcalf
10 Ways Nonprofits Can Work with the Chamber to Finish the Year Strong
December is a critical time for nonprofits, as it marks the final stretch of the year to achieve fundraising and community impact goals. But what you might not realize is how a chamber of commerce can help your holiday giving campaigns. The chamber can be a valuable resource to support your mission going into December and beyond.
Christina Metcalf
Sustainable Eco-Friendly Practices for Businesses on a Budget
Whether it’s coming from mounting pressure from your city or state or requests from customers, the call for sustainability is growing louder. Small businesses, just like their larger counterparts, have a crucial role to play in reducing their ecological footprint. But for small businesses operating on tight budgets, embracing eco-friendly practices might seem like a daunting challenge. Sustainability doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, there are numerous creative ways in which you can make
Christina Metcalf
10 Fears You Need to Overcome as a Successful Business Owner
Starting and managing a business is no small feat. While you may feel empowered to start a business or work for yourself, it can be daunting. You may be facing a myriad of fears and uncertainties. Unfortunately, there’s no magical time that they go away. It’s not like once you pass the five-year mark, you become fearless. No, you must work at that and leverage your resources. So, let’s explore the most common fears for business owners and the strategies for addressing them. One solution that can
Christina Metcalf
Spooktacular Business Ideas for a Thrilling Halloween Season
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, Halloween offers businesses a bewitching opportunity to embrace the spirit of the season and boost customer engagement. With a little creativity and a dash of spooky flair, you can draw crowds and appeal to your ideal customers. Here are some spooktacular Halloween-inspired ideas to help your small business shine during this spine-tingling season.
Christina Metcalf
Increasing Revenue with Experiential Selling
As costs rise and drive up the costs of goods, your customers are looking for value. Providing quality products or services is no longer enough. To truly stand out and succeed, you need to deliver unforgettable, engaging, and emotionally resonating experiences to your customers. This shift toward experiential selling has become increasingly vital, particularly in crowded and competitive niches. So, let’s delve into the concept of experiential selling and explore how you can refocus your business plan to
Christina Metcalf
A Solid Tip for Getting More Bang for Your Marketing Buck
Do you have a limited marketing budget? Do you think what you can accomplish with your budget is less than ideal because you don’t have the money of a large company? While that may seem true, there is one thing you can do to really move the dial and maximize your small marketing budget. Sure, there are many ways to get “free” marketing through social media and growing your referral network but using funds in a targeted way can have a huge impact on obtaining more customers and showing the community who you
Christina Metcalf
10+ Tips for Saving Money on Your Business Expenses
While the MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index reached its highest level of confidence since COVID in Q3 of 2023, there are still many businesses that are battling rising costs and trying to make every dollar count. According to the report, 33% of small businesses are saying the U.S. economy is in good health (up 9% points from Q2). The report read, “Small businesses also feel better about their own business health and cash flow: Two in three (66%) report that their business is in good
Christina Metcalf
