Message from the President/CEO
While there are many struggles for a small business owner, the takeaway from our Small Business Awards Luncheon and Showcase is that our award winners are doing a great job navigating the challenging waters.

They showed us how a lot of determination and a little creativity can bring a small business big success. Our record luncheon crowd of almost 400 couldn’t help but be reinvigorated by their stories of hard work that led to great rewards.

You’ll hear one of those stories in this month’s Tuesday Talk with David Horesh, the owner and co-founder of this year’s Small Business of the Year, Oxford Pennant. The young Buffalo company has made great strides on a limited budget. As you will hear in our interview, its growth is mostly thanks to the free social media platform, Instagram.

The internet and social media have changed the landscape of the small business community. 
Read more .
VIDEO: Oxford Pennant, Small Business of the Year!
What is Oxford Pennant ? The Chamber's pick for Small Business of the Year! In this month's Tuesday Talk, A.J. interviews owner and co-founder David Horesh about the rapid success of this young Buffalo company! Check it out!
We'll be back next month with another Tuesday Talk on matters important to our community.

 Meet David Nasca, Pres./CEO of Evans Bank!

Date: Thursday, June 6
 
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm
 
Location: ACC, 400 Essjay Road, Suite 150, Williamsville

How about some
#MondayMotivation at Bar 1818?

Join us for Lunch Mob!

Date: Monday, June 10
 
Time: 12pm-1:30pm
 
Location: Inside Whole Foods Market, 3139 Sheridan Dr., Amherst

It's the newly-renovated Residence Inn Buffalo Downtown!

 Check out the patio with the fire pit and more!

Date: Tuesday, June 18
 
Time: 5pm-7pm
 
Location: 620 Delaware Ave., Buffalo

EBL SUMMER PROMIX!
Date: Thursday, June 27
 
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
 
Location: Labatt Brew House, 79 Perry Street, Buffalo

Join our future leaders at one of their biggest social events of the year!

Chamber in the News: Storming Crab and Dressbarn
WGRZ , WIVB and WKBW cover the Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening of Chamber member Storming Crab ! Check out the WIVB report here !
When the news broke that Dressbarn was shutting down all its stores, including the one in Amherst, Spectrum News asked A.J. to comment on the closure: "People like to point the finger that Amazon is killing retail. Amazon is challenging retail," Baynes said . “When you look at competitors like T.J. Maxx, over the last year, their stock’s almost up 25 percent. For retailers, the challenge goes to them to really re-invent themselves." Watch the full story here .
Work Fitness into your Family Fun!

When it comes to exercise excuses, “lack of time” is at the top of the list. But that’s not only for adults—kids are often juggling busy schedules as well. 

Sneak fitness into your days with bursts of activity. Shorter sessions make it easier to get active and can help you and your kids get in the habit of moving all day. Better yet, research shows that these kinds of short bursts of exercise add up. That makes for stronger hearts, healthier bodies and all-around happier kids and families.

1. Make family fitness a habit
Plan family outings that involve exercise. Go for a walk around the block as a family or take a stroll together on the 2-mile Independent Health Wellness Trail at the Outer Harbor.

If you have a toddler or a young child, take a trip to the local playground and have a game of chase. Organize a playgroup so your children can play hopscotch, jump rope or Frisbee with other kids.

2. Turn TV time into active time
When you or your kids watch television, turn commercial breaks into activity breaks. You can do jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, or sit-ups—whatever gets you moving. You can even do it as a family challenge when you’re watching a show together.

3. Rev up the cleanup
Have your kids make a game of picking up and putting things away as fast as they can around the house. Or choose an outdoor chore like weeding the front walk. Set a timer for five minutes and see how much everyone can get done during that time.

4. Ditch the car
Try running errands or commuting by bike or foot. Instead of driving your child to a friend’s house in the neighborhood, have them walk or ride their bike there. Have fun exploring Buffalo and Niagara Falls with your family while all of you ride a Reddy bike (see reddybikeshare.com).

5. Try a Fitbit or other wearable fitness tracker
Simply wearing a tracker may encourage parents and kids to accumulate more steps. Shoot for 10,000 steps a day.

Visit www.independenthealth.com/events to find different ways you can stay active with your family throughout Western New York.
Help fund scholarships! Click HERE for info!
Thank You Investors!
 Amherst Chamber of Commerce | (P) 716.632.6905 | (F) 716.632.0548 | www.amherst.org