THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY: |
|
Wake up to new business contacts at coffee club sponsored by AMR Rural/Metro from 7:45-9 a.m. on April 29 the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville).
Coffees are designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization in an "open house" setting.
Coffees are open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership.
|
|
Join us for in-person Supervisors Training, presented by Wimberly Lawson Wright, Daves & Jones, on May 14 at 8:30 a.m. at the Blount Partnership, 201 S. Washington St., Maryville.
$30 Chamber members / $50 non-members
Topics are "Evolving Law of Sex Discrimination," presented by Ed Trent and "Employment Law Changes And Concerns Under The Biden Administration," presented by Howard Jackson.
|
|
DISCOVER CONSUMER REALITIES |
|
May 26 from 8:15-9:45 a.m.
Presented by Mark Schaefer
$30 for chamber members / $50 for non-members
This program will change the way companies and organizations look at marketing, sales, advertising, and overall customer experience.
In this session, attendees will learn:
- How marketing, advertising, sales, customer engagement, and customer loyalty have changed forever
- Two thirds of your marketing is occurring without you
- Why this rebellion is redefining the business landscape
- A more human-centered approach to marketing
- How to build a brilliant business when your customers are in charge
All registrants receive a free copy of Mark's book Marketing Rebellion.
|
|
ARE YOU USING GOOGLE BUSINESS? |
|
April 26 from 2-3 p.m.
Discover Google tools that can help business owners work and manage their business. Plus, get insights on more online and timely resources for small businesses. In this webinar, Grow with Google speaker Dave Delaney will discuss:
- How to update critical business information online
- Keep customers informed
- Conduct virtual meetings
- Access important files from anywhere
|
|
BIZ LEGISLATION IN TN ASSEMBLY |
|
SB1135/ HB745. This legislation establishes the TN work-ready opportunity program through the department of labor and workforce development and department of education. It assesses adult displaced workers and high school students’ career readiness. Status: Has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee and it has been referred it to the House Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee.
HJR72. Proposes an amendment to Article XI, of the Constitution of Tennessee, which would add a provision establishing the right to work regardless of status of affiliation with any labor union or employee organization. Scheduled to be heard on the House floor on 4/28/2021.
SB775/HB776. TN Chamber priority item: Implements Excise Tax deductions on SERG, Small Business Relief and other Tennessee COVID-19 relief programs. Status: Enacted as public chapter.
SB1402/HB1039. This legislation would change the unemployment payout system by indexing benefits. If the state's unemployment rate is at or below 5.5% then the duration of the benefits would last 12 weeks. An additional week is added each time the unemployment rate goes up .5% up to 20 weeks maximum. Status: Senate has sent it to the Finance committee and the House has placed it behind the budget.
The Chamber is also supportive of a measure to implement career readiness testing options for every graduating high school senior in the state. The legislation will provide students the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognized, portable work readiness credential that is acknowledged or recommended by at least 816 Tennessee employers as an asset that allows the employer to grow its individual talent pipeline. This week, Chamber sent a letter to the General Assembly urging passage. Click Here to view.
|
|
An in-person hiring event is slated for April 27 from 9 a.m.-noon at Foothills Mall. Consider participating.
Anyone looking for a job or wanting career development opportunities is invited to attend. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. In addition to full and part-time positions, this job fair is designed for internships and service opportunities as well.
It is presented by Pellissippi State, Akard Commutator of Tennessee, Payroll Vault, Blackberry Farm, Cirrus Aircraft, City of Maryville, GEAR Staffing, Cherokee Millwright and TactionRx.
|
|
This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 169th installment visiting with Keshia Kincaid, owner of Wild Yonder Boutique which is an online women's clothing store.
Tell me more about the boutique.
I am in business to serve. First to serve the Lord, then my family, and my community - specifically women in the community. I realize how important businesses are to serving people through jobs as well as creating solutions to make people's lives easier. Originally it was going to be a "southern style" boutique but after the pandemic I thought that people needed more fun in their lives, so this boutique is an homage to the 80s/90s era, full of bright colors and fun styles.
How did you get started?
I grew up on a farm in Arthur, TN. When I was a teenager, my Mom would drive my sisters and me an hour and a half to go to Knoxville shopping. Those were the best memories for me. We got to eat out and have new clothes. I felt so "cool" wearing those clothes to school. That has stuck with me, I think wearing something you look good in makes you feel happier and more confident. That is what brought me to wanting to own a store. I want to help women feel happy and confident.
Describe your customers.
Wild Yonder customers like to have fun! They love to stand out, look cute, and be social. They sparkle inside and out and they come in every size. They shop at Wild Yonder to dress up for date nights and girls nights, as well as everyday and vacation wear!
What do you enjoy most about your business?
I love ordering and receiving inventory. It is really satisfying to get good pictures during photoshoots, and then creating content that will be eye-catching on social media.
|
|
SUPPORT THE PARKWAY DESIGN |
|
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual design public meeting until April 29 to gather public input on the proposed Pellissippi Parkway project from SR-33 to SR-73 (US-321). The proposed project consists of developing a new controlled-access four-lane highway with a concrete median barrier wall and grade-separated interchanges.
This meeting is being held to provide the public an opportunity to provide comments regarding the proposed project. Comments submitted through the project website will be addressed and become part of the official public transcript.
The Blount Chamber encourages its members to bookmark the website and make comments in support of the project. Allow 30 minutes to completely view the articles on the site.
|
|
GET IN OUR NEW LIVABILITY MAGAZINE |
|
SALES CLOSE APRIL 30.
The Blount Partnership is partnering with Livability Media this year to tell our story through the Livability Blount County, Tennessee print and digital marketing program. The purpose of this program is to showcase why our community is a great place to visit, live and work and to leverage the national reach of Livability.com.
In conjunction with those efforts. Livability Media staff have begin advertising sales for the 2022 Livability program primarily through Zoom meetings. As a community stakeholder, we encourage you to participate in these meetings to learn more about the opportunities that can help your business and our community maintain its continued economic progress. This program – and our external marketing efforts – can only thrive with your support.
Our Livability Media representative Collin Gatlin will be reaching out to you in the coming days. We also encourage you to reach out to Collin directly for more information at cgatlin@livmedia.com or 615-771-5576.
|
|
With spring and summer festivals ramping up, the need for volunteers is eminent. Here's a couple of opportunities to help out. Click the links for more details.
|
|
ARE PEOPLE A PAIN FOR YOU? |
|
The people pain you experience at work is predictable and fixable; discover how being aligned with yourself/others/job can help you reduce people pain and improve results.
Make plans to attend our next Success in 90 Seminar on Wednesday, May 5 at 8:30 a.m. the Blount Partnership (201 S. Washington St., Maryville).
|
|
WE NEED HEALTHY BOUNDRIES |
|
The April 30 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.
This Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Healthy Boundaries for Success at Work." Boundaries help us increase productivity by protecting the quality of our work. Learn how to use boundaries to work smarter and create more effective and productive working relationships.
All participants will earn .5 CEUs per session for participating. They will also receive an email survey two months after workshop participation to assess application of new ideas.
|
|
NEED ASSISTANCE IN
HR, MARKETING OR ACCOUNTING?
|
|
Have you experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in business or a business closure as a result specifically due to COVID-19
Through the CARES Act the TSBDC has received funding to hire industry professionals to provide consulting at no cost for our clients. If you need assistance in the areas of accounting, marketing and human resources contact our center!
Let our consultants help navigate the complexities of business ownership during a Pandemic.
Additional advising services are offered in accounting, advertising, banking, employee relations, employee selection, finance, HR, IT, management, marketing, operations, public relations, sales training, sources of capital
With barriers brought on by COVID-19, we believe small businesses still need that human connection to help identify pools of opportunity. With the simple press of a button, you can find yourself meeting virtually with a consultant who wants to help you and your business succeed on every level.
|
|
Every Monday through August 2
April 26 from noon-1 p.m.
April 27 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
April 27 from 10 a.m.-noon
April 29 from noon-1 p.m.
April 29 from 10-11 a.m.
May 6 from noon-1 p.m.
May 6 from 2-3:15 p.m.
May 12 from 10 a.m.-noon
May 13 from 10 a.m.-noon
May 12 from 10-noon
May 12 from 1-2 p.m.
May 18 from 9-10 a.m.
May 18 from 10 a.m.-noon
May 18 from 1-2 p.m.
May 25 from 11 a.m.-noon
|
|
April 26-May 2
May 3-9
Save the Date
|
|
BE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING US |
|
If you aren't following us on social media, you must. We are constantly updating information as each day progresses. So, give us a like and stay up-to-date as we move through this crisis.
And follow tourism updates here:
|
|
|
Here's a great way to offer Member-to-Member deals using your chamber member account. Check the deals.
Members can post Coupons and Discounts to this page at no charge. Click Here
|
|
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1981 was "Kiss on My List" by Hall & Oates. It became their second U.S. number-one single (after "Rich Girl" in 1977). It spent three weeks at the top spot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
