H/V Chamber looking for 2016 Small Business of the Year

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2016 Small Business of the Year Criteria

 

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people

 

  • Member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Vance County

 

  • Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life

 

  • Provides critical service or product, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to delivery of goods and services

 

  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business

 

  • Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability

 

  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

 

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 252-438-8414 if you have any questions.

Deadline is Friday, April 7th.

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers, and the Small Business Center of Vance-Granville Community College,  are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 26 at noon, at Henderson Country Club.  Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an interesting presentation in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20/person by April 14th to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Granville Chamber Requests Nominations for Small Business of the Year Award

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The four area Chambers of Commerce – Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren, along with Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center, are sponsoring the annual Small Business Award Luncheon May 3rd at Henderson Country Club.

The criteria is as follows:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people
  • Member of the Chamber and located in the county
  • Viable, on-going business for three or more years
  • Provides critical service or product
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
  • Business is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone may nominate a business they feel deserves recognition and meets the criteria.

Companies may nominate themselves.  Past Granville County recipients are:  Cardiovascular Care; Stovall’s Gifts;  Preferred Communications; Royster, Cross and Hensley; House of Ribeyes; Lewis Electric of Oxford; The School of Graphic Arts,  Express Employment Professionals, Oxford Ace Hardware, Creedmoor Drug Company, Whitco Termite and Pest Control, F. O. Finch Insurance Agency and Floyd Management and Realty.

Nomination forms are available from a Chamber office or from the website, www.granville-chamber.com and are to be returned to the Chamber by April 13th.

 

Local Small Business Summit to be held April 6th at Warren County Armory

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has announced the complete lineup of presenters for the fifth Small Business Summit, which will be held Thursday, April 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center are partnering with the college to organize the event, which has the theme, “Driving Your Business: Staying Ahead of the Curves.” CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor. Other co-sponsors are Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, The Daily Dispatch, The Warren Record, WARR 1520 AM and WIZS 1450 AM.

The summit kicks off at 11 a.m. with an interactive session entitled “Google – Get Your Business on the Map,” led by Craig Hahn, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County. Participants are encouraged to set up a free Google/Gmail account prior to this workshop, if they do not already have one. Hahn will help local businesses “claim” their listings on the leading search engine, which will help their customers find up-to-date information. He will also review free tools that Google has available for increased visibility.

During lunch, the keynote address will be presented by Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, a nationally certified personal trainer and president of New Day Fitness in Roanoke Rapids. Her discussion is entitled “Put Your Dreams to the Test,” in which she describes a dream as “an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” She will ask participants a series of key questions that provide a powerful learning process that greatly increases the likelihood of success in achieving their dreams.

The afternoon features a pair of interactive sessions led by Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown has 15 years of experience in business coaching, community outreach, and social media insight. Her most recent accomplishment is becoming the author of “The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success.”

In the first seminar, “Business Apps Made Easy” (1-3 p.m.), Pennix-Brown will teach participants how they can save time and money using mobile apps that help with marketing, syncing calendars, saving content, and creating multiple posts on their social media accounts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPhone or Android phones or tablets along with their logins and passwords for existing social media accounts.

The second seminar is “Facebook Made Easy” (3-5 p.m.), in which participants will learn how to use Facebook pages to brand their businesses and engage customers. Pennix-Brown will cover how to start a page from scratch; how to schedule messages that save time; how to automate their marketing and keep people on their page; and apps that integrate to make their businesses stand out.

The purpose of the Small Business Summit is to engage, empower and enrich participants to help make their small businesses more successful through innovative marketing practices. “We welcome all aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profit leaders to participate in this inspirational, educational and motivational experience with us,” said Tanya Weary, director of the VGCC Small Business Center.

All sessions during the summit are free of charge. Lunch will be provided free of charge to the first 100 registered participants by CenturyLink. After that point, lunch is $10.

For more information, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Networking is the Name of the Game at the Chamber’s Quarterly Membership Networking Luncheon

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SIT, EAT, MINGLE AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS…

Thursday, April 13

We invite you, your guests and any other business leaders who are interested in helping their business grow to come out and join us for the Chamber’s Networking luncheon.  Meet other business professionals and exchange information and ideas.

This Quarterly Membership Networking luncheon is sponsored by Benchmark Community Bank and will be featuring keynote speaker Dr. Stelfanie Williams, President, Vance-Granville Community College.  This will be a unique opportunity to find out how the college meets the needs of the business community in its strengths and weaknesses; economic development and a strong education system go hand in hand – without it our community will not attract businesses; VGCC arms our citizens with the education and experience they need to be successful in today’s workplace. A strong educational foundation opens doors for our citizens, adds value to our local economies and enriches our community. Vance-Granville Community College is one of Vance County’s most valuable resources.  Their business center is designed to serve the educational and training needs of the business community, with an emphasis on small business.

Bring plenty of business cards and get ready to make lots of new connections at our Chamber Networking Luncheon.  Our quarterly Membership Networking Luncheon is designed to facilitate conversations and connection among Chamber members.  Attendees at the luncheon will be able to strengthen business relationships, hear topical speakers and enjoy a delicious meal.  The luncheon is all about business and building relationships!

Annette Roberson said, “It’s also an excellent opportunity to showcase your business, promote your products, and find that next business partner or unexpected supplier for your business needs.  Sponsor one of our luncheons!  Exhibiting at this Member Networking Luncheon is just one way that you can connect with lots of members in one place.”

For more information, please contact Annette Roberson at annette@hendersonvance.org or call 252-438-8414.

Jennifer Woodlief Named Maria Parham Employee of the Month

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Maria Parham Health has announced Jennifer Woodlief, HR Specialist in the Human Resources Department, as Employee of the Month for February. Jennifer has been employed at Maria Parham Health for almost 11 months and is already an example of an exceptional employee. Jennifer has lived in Vance County since she was eight years old and still calls this her home. Jennifer is married and she and her husband, Joe, have three children; Hunter and Madison who are nine and Bryson who is eight. After high school, Jennifer earned her Associates Degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix. . When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys watching her children play sports, photography, camping, hunting, fishing and painting.

Here’s what those who nominated Jenifer had to say about her:

“Jennifer always exemplifies exceptional customer service. Even when the HR department is super busy and a lot of people need many things from her, she is always nice, polite and courteous to everyone.”

“Jennifer is always willing to help any other department and is an exceptional team player.”

Words of wisdom from Jennifer:

“Always find the good in everything, every situation and every one.”

Thank you Jennifer for all you do for our hospital.

H-V Chamber Announces 2017 “Meet Me In The Street” Concert Series

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host another season of “Meet Me in the Street”, a series of concerts offered free to the local community.

The first concert for the year will be held on Thursday, May 25 and will feature “The Konnection Band”. This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and Oldies.

The second concert is set for Thursday, June 22 and will host “Steve Owens & Summertime”. A band with a beach music focus and chart-topping songs since their start in 2011, Summertime presents a mix of Carolina Beach Music, soul and rock-n-roll.

The third and final concert of the season is on Thursday, September14 and will feature “Liquid Pleasure”. After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, this band has become a multi-cultural icon. Veteran member Melvin Farrington says “We love being in touch with people like us, who love a variety of good music, and appreciate hearing it performed live”. Liquid Pleasure presents a mix of Oldies, Beach Music and Disco.

In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids section will also be included this year. So bring the whole family for an evening of food, friends and fun!

Sponsors for this year’s concert series are: CenturyLink, Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health – Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 – Silver Sponsors; and Express Employment Professionals – Bronze Sponsor.

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for 2 Presenting Sponsors and more. For more information, contact the Chamber at 438-8414 or annette@hendersonvance.org.

VGCC announces Small Business Summit; fitness entrepreneur to keynote

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has scheduled its fifth Small Business Summit for Thursday, April 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The event, presented by CenturyLink, is free of charge. Local partners helping to organize the summit are the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

Business representatives and interested members of the community are invited to attend. Registration is now open at tinyurl.com/warrenton-summit.

With the theme “Driving Your Business: Staying Ahead of the Curves,” the event will include interactive sessions on innovative marketing practices for small businesses, using Google, mobile apps and Facebook.

Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, a nationally certified personal trainer and president of New Day Fitness in Roanoke Rapids, will be the keynote speaker. She has been an award-winning entrepreneur for 30 years, building her business from a 1,200-square-foot facility to an 18,000-square-foot facility over the last 10 years and opening a second business, New Day Health and Wellness Studio. Crowley-Deloatch is a graduate of East Carolina University with a passion for both fitness and leadership. Her inspiring lunchtime presentation will be entitled “Put Your Dreams to the Test.”

Lunch will be provided free of charge to the first 100 registered participants by CenturyLink. For more information, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Economic Development Update 03/01/17

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Schewels Furniture Celebrates 120 Years with Ribbon Cutting

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Hendersonians take note: Schewels Furniture store is celebrating 120 years in business!  With the help of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, vendor representatives, and staff, Schewels Store Manager, Charles Hearn, officially cut the ribbon and welcomed chamber members, Henderson officials, and area businesses on Tuesday, February 21st.

When Elias Schewel, a Russian immigrant, began peddling household goods like adirondack chairs in a horse and buggy in 1897, he could hardly have imagined that his fledgling enterprise would have grown to 52 stores in three states.  Today the company he founded is owned and operated by his fourth generation descendants, Marc Schewel and Jack Schewel. Schewels is a legendary company that was founded on the principles of comfort, innovation, and industry-leading craftsmanship offering gorgeous stationary furnishings to the iconic recliner, where you can always count on quality and awesome customer service.

Schewels consistently provides great opportunities for savings and special deals to their customers.  They offer newsletters, sales circulars, and emails about new sales – all completely free. Let them help transform your house into a home.  If you want to take advantage of the many great offers from Schewels stop in today at their location of 940 S. Beckford Drive in Henderson.  You can also check them out online at www.schewels.com or call them at 252- 492-7066.  Schewel Furniture happily accepts Credit Card, Check Card, Debit Card and eCheck payments and now easy online payments without the charge of a processing fee for any form of online payment.