THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER PRESENTED BY:
DON'T BRING ME DOWN
Join Keith Galloway, Clear Leader Group, February 3 at 8:30 a.m. for a webinar entitled, ā€œFour Forces of Disengagement.ā€

Learn what employee disengagement is and what causes it. We will uncover the four forces of disengagement and how to overcome them. Learn how to lift employee morale creating a positive workplace culture that gets optimal business results.

Register in advance for this meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
BRING YOUR CUP AND SLIPPERS
The Blount Chamber is hosting AM Connect on Friday, February 12 at 8:15 a.m.


AM Connect is a virtual networking event designed to offer members the opportunity to build business relationships with other members and to gain exposure for their business or organization.

AM Connect is open to anyone associated with a Chamber member business. Participation is not reserved to the representative(s) listed on the Chamber membership. 
THE DIALOGUE WITH TACTION RX
This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 167th installment visiting with Amy Tankersley of TactionRX, which is a team of massage therapists who provide onsite chair massage to businesses in East Tennessee.

WHAT DOES TACTION RX DO?
We're on a journey to improve the quality of the workday in East Tennessee. We bring physical, mental and emotional relief where it's needed & often overlooked - the workplace. Helping you move, think & feel better at work is an important part of living your best life.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
Our team worked together for years at the Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm. We loved showing southern hospitality to guests from all over the world but also desired a way to serve our community. In exploring how to best accomplish this, we recognized the need to bring the clinically proven benefits of massage therapy into the workplace.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
All our therapists are licensed healthcare providers in Tennessee with well over 50 years of combined massage therapy experience. We have worked with individuals of every age, life stage and a wide range of health conditions. This is extremely important, as it allows us to tailor the massage experience appropriately for each individual. Our entire team also completes ongoing continuing education and training with the foremost experts in the field of bodywork.

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR?
We are deeply guided by the life and teaching of Jesus who consistently demonstrated the importance and healing power of safe, human touch.

DESCRIBE YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Our customers are organizations that prioritize and value their people, seeking positive ways to promote health and wellbeing during the workday. 

WHAT IMPACTS YOUR WORK?
Change in any of these environments is a source of stress. We exist to help people deal naturally with the harmful effects of stress on their wellbeing.  

NAME THREE THINGS YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU STARTED.
  1. That COVID-19 was coming the month before our initial launch date
  2. Technology is very helpful even for massage therapists
  3. What a welcoming and supportive community we have in Blount County!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
We do what we love, with people we love helping the community we love. What could possibly be better?

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
You can not pour from an empty vessel. Please take good care of yourself.
SBA RESOURCES TO RECOVERY
Small business operators take note of the following U.S. Small Business Administration resources available now to assist you in your operations.

First and Second Draw Paycheck Protection Program Loans now available! Find a lender & more information here.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans now available through December 31, 2021: for small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue- More info here.

Do you have a 7(a), 504 or Micro Loan already? SBA Debt Relief is available here.

Applying for an EIDL loan and need funds? The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly here.

Eligible applicants may qualify for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million here.
DON'T FORGET OPERATION THANK YOU
The Chamber's 23rd Annual ā€œOperation Thank Youā€ is being held March 29-April 1.

Itā€™s a New Year and we would love for your business to participate in this annual event. For $200 you can send us a SWAG (SWAG stands for Stuff We All Get) promotional item, gift card, gift certificate or promotional piece not to exceed 8 Ā½ā€ x 11" that numbers 1450 total. 

Multiple items can be sent for $200 each. We will distribute this material to all chamber members for you.

Please contact Amy Lawson at alawson@blountpartnership.com if you would like to participate. All items must be delivered to the chamber office by Thursday, March 18.
JOIN THE MAP PROJECT
Believe it or not, people still use paper maps.
ļ»æIn fact, over 60 Chamber members have already signed up.

That's why the Blount County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be partnering with the award-winning marketing and cartographic team of Town Square Publications to produce our Community Street Map and Resource Guide. This publication will help you market your business directly to area business owners, new residents and visitors for the next 18-24 months. Over 10,000 copies will be distributed via the Chamber of Commerce and through 150+ high traffic distribution points.

Advertising your business and our community via this print and online publication is very economical, but space is limited. A Town Square Publications representative will be contacting you soon but please donā€™t hesitate to reach your representative by calling the sales and marketing team directly at (865) 221-8877 or email marketing@tspubs.com to review the details and options.
MAKE A BREAKFAST DATE
STEP UP YOUR NETWORKING GAME
The January 29 edition of soft skills classes offered by the Blount County Public Library is quickly approaching.

ļ»æThis Zoom Webinar session is entitled "Networking Strategically." Build a network that is beneficial and strategic. Learn how to avoid networking traps and break out of the mold in order to advance project and professional goals.

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.  


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.
WEBINAR CALENDAR
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is hosting a myriad of online training webinars to assist you in all facets of your businesses. Take advantage of training opportunities with the SBDC at no cost.

January 26 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

January 28 from 10-11 a.m.

January 29 from 10-11 a.m.

February 2 from 6-7 p.m.
January 27 form 9-10:30 a.m. ($29)
Would you like to learn how to engage your audience, communicate clearly, and feel confident while leading virtual presentations?
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January 29 from 10-11 a.m. ($49)

Considered an expert in human behavior and organization dynamics, Greg Coker will share how to:
  • Build relationships when face-to-face communication is being minimized by screen-to-screen.
  • Work as a team in a virtual world.
  • Best serve customers.
  • Navigate the new realities of a virtual workplace.
  • To be an inclusive leader while collaborating with teams, generating new ideas and solutions.
  • Align Communication Styles that conveys warmth and presence.
February 4 at 10 a.m.

Developing relevant, original branded content can allow you to build trust, provide value, establish thought leadership andā€”perhaps most importantlyā€”recover momentum lost during COVID-19.
Learn why developing relevant original content can maintain and strengthen customer relationships when tangible touchpoints are diminished.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
January 25-31
January 30 -- Winter Woody Plant ID

February 1-7

Save the Date
February 12 -- AM Connect
February 25 -- Coffee Club sponsored by Tennessee Strategies
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
REMEMBER WHEN . . .
Topping the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1989 was "Two Hearts" by Phil Collins. "Two Hearts" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television in 1989.
NEWLETTER SPONSORS