In The Kn o w
The Weekly Newsletter of The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce   



Friday, January 18, 2019
Today's Featured Video

How to Ask for a Raise
Your should feel valued and appreciated...

In this week's video, Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul and Shark Tank host, explains how to approach your boss about a raise, especially if you're a woman. According to Corcoran, asking for a raise is a great way to determine your status within the company and how valued you are. If your boss wants you to stay, then they'll do everything within their power to keep you. However, there are things you can say when asking for a raise that would make a boss perfectly fine with seeing you leave.
2019 Committees Are In Need Of Members
Come to an introductory meeting to learn more.

This year marks the launch of a new and updated list of working committees at the Chamber. Committee involvement is a great way to put your passion and expertise to work to make things happen. It's also an ideal way to get you or your employees more involved in the local business community and allow them to work in areas that interest them. Please take a look at the entire committee list along with descriptions by clicking here . And mark your calendar for the introductory meeting dates set below. There is no need to RSVP. And you may attend as many meetings as you wish.
Wednesday, January 30th
10 a.m. - Workforce Training & Education
11 a.m. - Oil & Gas Committee
1 p.m. - Advocacy Committee
2 p.m. - Special Events Committee
3 p.m. - Retail & Restaurant Committee
Thursday, January 31st
10 a.m. - Veteran, Female & Minority Owned Business Committee
11 a.m. - Southern Business Committee
3 p.m. - Northern Business Committee
4 p.m. - Young Professionals

Recently, we asked our Chamber member financial professionals to offer some New Year's advice on how businesses, especially small ones, can do better in 2019 with regard to finance-, tax-, and payroll-related issues. Our third and final installment comes from John W. Cucarese, LUTCF, Founder and Principal of John Cucarese Financial Services .


There’s perhaps no better New Year’s Resolution than to ensure you take time to focus on your financial plans. Did 2018 go as you had hoped financially? Do you have a financial wish list for 2019? There is no better time than now to meet with us to discuss ideas and strategies.

Here are a few common issues we routinely see with our clients that you may want to consider:

  • Remember you have until April 15th of 2019 to continue funding many retirement accounts for the 2018 tax year, including Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and SEP IRAs. 

If you didn’t get around to opening such an account in 2018, now is the perfect time to establish one so that you have the full year moving forward to save for your future. There are many ways to do this. Contact us to schedule a free appointment to learn more.

  • Is all or most of your savings in the form of pre-tax dollars (i.e., a 401(k), traditional IRA, 403(b), etc.)? 

If so, you may be setting yourself up for a "retirement tax-trap” that is becoming all too common. If you believe tax rates will increase in the future (especially when you consider the state of our country’s debt and the status of programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid), perhaps you should consider a strategy that will provide you with tax-free money later in life. Pre-tax accounts essentially tell the IRS to “tax me later instead of today.” But ask yourself first if that makes sense if taxes will be higher in the future?

  • Do you wish to leave a legacy to those you love? 

Many of our clients do. However, they haven’t created an efficient way to do this. Many think they’ll pass along a 401k or other retirement account, without realizing how their heirs will be taxed on that money. Did you realize life insurance proceeds are tax-free to your heirs, allowing them to receive more and freeing you to spend your retirement money as it was originally intended?

Thank you, John! You can reach John by phone at 740-264-0238 or via email at jwcucarese@ft.newyorklife.com. Learn more about how he's been helping others in our community for over 13 years at www.SimplifyRetirement.com , or c lick here for a brief introductory video. 
John Cucarese Financial Services is located at 3911 Sunset Blvd, Unit 1, in Steubenville.
"God loves all of his children, and that all men are made in His image, and that figuratively speaking, every man from a bass-black to a treble-white is significant on God's keyboard."
--Martin Luther King Jr.



The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce will be closed on Monday, January 21st, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 22nd.
4th Annual Hank Kuzma Community Day
When: Saturday, January 26th, 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Game time is 2 p.m. for women and 4 p.m. for men.
Where: Franciscan University's Finnegan Fieldhouse. Get a great view of the games from the beautiful Baron Room, overlooking the basketball courts or get up close and personal and watch courtside.
Price: Tickets are on the house, compliments of Franciscan University's athletic department. The hospitality room will have refreshments throughout the day. Bring the family or your employees for a fun afternoon supporting our local University's sports program. Stop by for a quick bite or stay all day.
RSVP by clicking here or call the Chamber offices at 740-282-6226. A limited number of sponsorships are still available. Contact the Chamber offices for details.

The 2019 Hank Kuzma Community Day is graciously brought to you by the following sponsors:

2019 Investor To Investor Trade Fair
When: Wednesday, February 6th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Exhibitor Price: $150 (includes admission for two to Business After Hours)
Guest-Only Admission: $15 per person
RSVP or Register: Click here or access a printable registration form by clicking here .
Deadline for registration is Friday, February 1st.
For more info: Please contact the Chamber offices at
740-282-6226 or email Janet McLaughlin here .

One of the Chamber's most popular networking and promotional events of the year returns! The 2019 Investor to Investor Trade Fair is designed to promote member-to-member and local spending. This event is a mini-trade fair with Chamber-member exhibitors promoting their products and services in a casual "Business After Hours" setting. It's an affordable, convenient, and effective promotional event to start the new year. Last year nearly 60 businesses had display booths, and over 150 Chamber members and guests attended the event.

And one lucky exhibitor or attendee will win the grand prize giveaway of a premium media and marketing package. What better way to keep the promotional ball rolling in 2019 than with an assortment of advertising prizes from some of the top local media and marketing businesses?
Watch In The Know, your email, and the Chamber website for details.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Steubenville YWCA
February 12, 2019
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tri State Home & Garden Show
Friday, March 1st through Sunday,
March 3rd.
Modern Marketing 101:
A Helpful Infographic on Social Media Marketing

If you're struggling to obtain buy-in on implementing a social media marketing strategy at your business or start-up, here's a handy-dandy infographic from Ragan's PR Daily that makes a concise case for social media's importance to the greater success of your organization.

From last week: Iron sharpens iron, as the old proverb goes, and the same principle applies to social media marketing. Facebook has many marketing groups that give access to the strategies and lessons of other marketers. Larry Kim at Inc.com presents for your consideration an overview of 17 Facebook Marketing Groups you may want to consider joining.

 If you missed or want to re-read any of our previous Modern Marketing 101 installments, click here . We encourage you to print, save, share, and add these articles and resources to your business or organization's social media marketing manual.
Member Morsels
Remember to visit individual member websites by clicking on the business name or logo.

Faded Barbershop , located at 711 Franklin Ave. in Toronto, Ohio, is celebrating a Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Sunday, January 27th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be refreshments along with a raffle for a grand door prize.

Derek Takacs is a licensed barber and the owner of Faded Barbershop. His clientele includes everyone from young men looking for a nice taper to businessmen in need of a fresh combover and everything in between. Derek is a versatile barber and will deliver any hairstyle you are looking for, along with a beard trim or hot towel shave. He also offers discounts to veterans and senior citizens.

Hours of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Closed: Sunday & Monday.

Walk-ins always welcome. Derek aims to please his customers. If off-hours are requested, he will be sure to meet your needs. For more information, contact Derek Takacs at 740-317-9825 or by email here .
Follow us on Instagram at derekthebarber9825 or on Snapchat at
Planning a wedding or special event? Recently engaged or know someone who is?

Call today and book your wedding group rate with us! We feature 120 guest rooms, 4,500 square feet of event space and catering by Undo's Catering. Additional space available at St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville, now exclusively catered by Undo's as well. For more information on group rates at the Holiday Inn of Weirton , contact Bradford Degenkolb, Director of Sales at 304.723.5522 ext. 800. Or email Brad at b_degenkolb@yahoo.com.
Do you want your Morsel included in "In The Know"?
There's no charge. Just click the button below and fill out the short online form.
Deadline is Wednesday at noon.
Around the State. Around the Country.
Up-to-Date Information from the Ohio and United States Chamber of Commerce
Looking Forward: Twenty Years After Genaro Left Ohio's Managers
on the Hook

Sunday marked the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s decision in Genaro v. Central Transport (84 Ohio St.3d 293), where the court found that supervisors in Ohio can be held jointly and severally liable for employment discrimination claims.

This case makes Ohio one of only a handful of states where supervisors as well as employers can find themselves a defendant in a lawsuit based upon an employee’s claim of discrimination in the workplace. Due to Genaro , supervisors at Ohio businesses are in a position where they must second guess their routine managerial decisions such as employee promotion, discipline, and hiring.

At the time of the Genaro decision, justices on the Supreme Court of Ohio routinely made law from the bench instead of leaving lawmaking to the people’s elected representatives in the Ohio General Assembly. 

Read the article in its entirety by clicking here .
A Motivated Outbreak of 2020 Recessionaphobia

Job growth is remarkably strong this far into the business cycle. The unemployment rate ticked up slightly, reflecting new entrants into the work force, while the workforce participation rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 63.1%. The continued wage and labor market growth reflects the underlying strength in the economy and optimism in the growth prospects going forward.  

It has been unkindly observed some meteorologists can’t predict yesterday’s weather. Economic forecasters typically fare little better, especially with regard to turning points, such as a recession’s onset. How is it, then, so many forecasters on the financial news programs predict a recession over a year away?

In defense of economic forecasters – and leaving meteorologists to defend themselves – one should note there is often little immediately apparent difference between contraction and a period of slow growth, which can occur even during the most robust expansion.

Read the article in its entirety by clicking  here .
  The Library Link
 Great Books About Business With Just A Click

Your link to success begins at the library. Each week in "In The Know," 
  you to a business book or magazine that will inspire, teach, inform, or elevate you, professionally and personally. This week's book is:

Leadership in Turbulent Times
by Doris Kearns Goodwin

In this culmination of five decades of acclaimed studies in presidential history, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin offers an illuminating exploration into the early development, growth, and exercise of leadership. Are leaders born or made? Where does ambition come from? How does adversity affect the growth of leadership? Does the man make the times or do the times make the man? In Leadership in Turbulent Times , Goodwin draws upon four of the presidents she has studied most closely--Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson (in civil rights)--to show how they first recognized leadership qualities within themselves and were recognized by others as leaders.

View or download the book by clicking here .
Today in History

- January 18, 1975 -

Barry Manilow's legendary career was set on fire when "Mandy" became his first #1 single.

As a child, Manilow developed a love for pop music and show tunes. He started as a writer and performer of commercial jingles, then became Bette Midler's piano player and later, musical director. Dionne Warwick eventually hired him to be her opening act. After seeing him perform, Clive Davis then signed him with Arista Records.

According to History.com, "At the height of Barry Manilow’s popularity, none other than Frank Sinatra himself said of Manilow, 'He’s next.' Yet even in his heyday, the more youthful arbiters of 'cool' were not kind to him. They called Manilow’s music bombastic and schmaltzy, even as Americans devoured his every release. But critics may have missed the point. Barry Manilow never fancied himself hip or cool—far from it. 'I have purposely tried not to stay in sync with the times,' he has said. 'I just do what feels good.'"

"Mandy" was just the first of over two dozen top-40 hits from 1975 to 1983, including “It’s a Miracle,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Looks Like We Made It.” All in all, he has sold over 75 million records in his career.

To see an early performance of "Mandy," click here , and for more info on Manilow himself, click here .
- 113' 7" -

The height of the largest recorded snowman ever built. We're in for some wintry weather this weekend, so please be safe!

Source: Fact Retriever
Questions about Oil & Gas?
These non-profit organizations are here to help you stay up-to-date on the oil and gas industry
in Jefferson County:

Get The Information You Need - The Chamber Staff Is Here To Help
Janet McLaughlin
Investor Relations Coordinator

Janet will assist you with utilizing your membership benefits, answering questions about member programming or how to promote your business through the Chamber.
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 or information about anything related to the Chamber.
Cassie Balvin
Administrative & Accounting Assistant

Cassie will assist you with event registrations, updating your membership information, questions about your dues or event invoices and any other Chamber programming questions you may have.

Contact Us
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
630 Market Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 740.282.6226
Fax:  740.282.6285