Page 5 - Scene Magazine 46-04 April 2021

Business Perspectiv
es
BY KARA BEER, PRESIDENT
Battle Creak Area Chamber of Commerce
into the unknown. A feeling of unrest and turmoil with not knowing what was in store for us. In the beginning we all thought we would be returning to the workplace after a few weeks, maybe a month or two. I do not believe anyone thought that we would be a year plus out of the day-to-day bustle that we were used to.
distributed $50,000 into the local economy to be spentd in the first quarter of 2021.
In many cases, not only were we working with our strategic partners and members to hold the line against this awful disease, but we were also closing the gap in other areas. From increasing access to capital, assisting with forms so that our members PPP applications were done, assisting with business plans, con- necting resources to entrepreneurs, and highlighting them to raise awareness, and so much more.
The last year has been incredi-
bly challenging for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic threw us all into a new way of operating. Long standing business plans were thrown out or piv- oted and new operational manuals were developed.
• Offering online payments for your membership, sponsorships, and more. • Implemented Field Trip Friday’s with
There is still work to be done. But as we revisit several of our members here in the upcoming year, we trust this will highlight not only challenges, but also the successes of our staff and partners as we look forward to 2021.
This past year the chamber has piv- oted from a strong networking platform to an even stronger advocating resource for our members, our community, our employees. Being your resource in nav- igating the storm, that sounding board, that out of the box collaborator in a virtual world.
established to better tell our story and our members.
We also continued to support businesses both within our established network and out to ensure those in need saw as little disruption as possible in access to federal resources, funding, and information.
Some things that happened in the past year that we want to make sure you are aware of:
• Launched new strategic direction in
and retaining your network.
• Partnered with SecondMuse and
local entrepreneurs for a virtual pop up shop for Small Business Saturday where I was one of the emcees with Tristan from Café Rica.
• Sold Out of our Holiday Chamber Gift Certificate program where we
As we looked through our emails and social media posts from the past 12 months, we are reminded that just one year ago we were all thrown
• Launched the inaugural year of LOVE Battle Creek and Calhoun County Awards in February 2021.
A year of progress amidst the global pandemic.
our members.
• New marketing strategies and tools
QUALITY SERVICE FOR OVER 60 YEARS
• Joined the statewide efforts of #Re- openMichiganSafely to #EndtheOf- ficeBan.
MICHAEL E. DOWNING REALTOR
• ASSOCIATE BROKER • HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNER
• 45 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • OVER 3,000 CLOSED TRANSACTIONS • RECIPIENT OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• MEMBER OF THE RE/MAX 100% CLUB FROM 1983 thru 2008, 2010-2018
Main Office: 269-968-6101 269-441-5564 • Fax 269-441-5235 H 269-963-2433 • C 269-967-6315
www.mikedowning.biz e-mail: DowningMik@aol.com
RE/MAX Perrett Assoc.Inc.,
317 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
8 TIME PLATINUM AWARD WINNER
January 2020.
• New website was launched.
• Implemented virtual meetings for net-
working, resource sharing, building
FAST EXPERT INSTALLATION FREE ESTIMATES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Located in Urbandale
at 1338 W. Michigan, Battle Creek, MI Hours: Tue-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm /
Mon 8:30am-7:00pm
Sat 9:00am-1:00pm
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
269-962-8779 www.battlecreektile.com
WOMEN IN BUSINESS I SCENE 4604 5
U.L.A.B.A. MEMBER