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Getting Down to Business

As part of its strategic plan to accelerate business growth in the region, the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce created the Small Business & Entrepreneurs Council (SBEC). With small businesses making up a large part of the region’s economy – not to mention approximately half of the Chamber membership – incorporating a program tailored just for that group was essential.

Formerly the Solo Office, Home Office (SOHO) council, the SBEC has a mission to ignite business, networking and creativity in local companies with 20 or fewer employees. According to council leader Andrea Herran, owner/HR consultant at Focus HR Consulting, “I was asked to chair and create something new for 2011. Together, with Board Member Bonita Richter and Chamber President Janet Meyer, we decided on an educational focus to assist the small business owners in growing their business and, in turn, this would also grow economic prosperity in the Barrington area.”

At the newly formed SBEC’s first meeting in January 2011, council leaders and business owners collectively brainstormed topics of interest that should be highlighted in the coming year. “I believe that meeting really solidified the commitment of the members because the council was now about them and their needs,” explained Herran.

In its first year, the SBEC presented members with a variety of topical discussions headed by leading authorities in the community. Each month, 15-20 members gather at the Chamber offices to explore new business, sales and public relations strategies, Internet marketing and social media opportunities, legal and tax issues affecting small businesses, the balance of work and life, and other relevant subjects.

The benefits of these group meetings have unquestionably had a major impact on the area’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. “All members of the group are growing and the council provides the education that they may not necessarily receive or get on their own,” said Herran. “An added benefit of being a regular attendee to council meetings is being able to discuss business matters with each other and have other members be a sounding board for their ideas.”

The following participating members best describe the impact of the Small Business & Entrepreneurs:

“Being a member of the Small Business & Entrepreneurs Council has raised my awareness of strategic, technological, marketing and other issues I need to focus on in my business with the help of other local small business owners.”
—Scott Seagren, Vistage International

“Through the Monthly Member Presentations, participation in the SBEC has provided me with some excellent (and free) business advice. The presentations, provided by topic professional experts, would have cost a great deal of money if they had been attended anywhere outside of the Chamber. Being a new business within the community, it is imperative that you get your name and product out there for others to see. Through SBEC networking you are afforded the opportunity to make these contacts. To date, I am very pleased to have made contact with several business savvy individuals.”
— Dave Miller, Miller Insurance Agency

“Being a part of this group has helped me to realize how important it is to have my business properly ‘showcased’ on the Internet through the presenters and group members. We have such a diversified group with incredible knowledge to share – not only for business but on a personal level as well. Very informative.”
—Sally “Mustang Sally” Kazanis, Sally’s Horse & Pet Sitting

“What I like about the group is the interaction between everyone. If someone has a concern about how to handle an issue, many of us will offer ideas. I even signed up for a training class on how we should market our business and applied some of the business skills to what I do. Andrea Herran of Focus HR Consulting is a wonderful facilitator who really makes you think outside of the box.”
—Kathleen Rickert Nelson, Kathleen Nelson Fine Art, Inc.

“I enjoy attending the SBEC group for a number of reasons: networking with other businesses in the Barrington Area in an intimate setting with a core group; the education provided by guest speakers that enlighten and fine-tune my entrepreneur and business skills; and discovering additional special event opportunities through the BACC and also through members of the SBEC.”
—Mike Latone, TLG Power Brokers

“It has been wonderful being part of the SBEC group. The meetings I have attended have enlightened me in making crucial decisions for my business. One was to rethink my mission statement and figure out which social media to use and how. The talent pool in the SBEC itself is amazing and I have learned a lot just networking with everyone.”
—Medini Pradhan, Elegantly Expressed Gift Baskets


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