Chamber Launches Shop Small, Shop Local Campaign

If you don’t shop local, we won’t have local!

Small businesses are the heart of our community.

For every dollar spent locally $2 to $3.50 circulate around the community, helping boosting our economy through taxes which help our schools, safety forces, parks and neighborhoods.  Statistics show that 90% of small business owners donate money to charity while 70% donate time & money.  They are invested in our community and our community needs to invest in them.

The Chamber is launching a campaign to help raise awareness of who and what the small businesses are in our community and to help drive business their way.  It is a grassroots social media campaign designed to show the community the faces behind our local small businesses-the people you see at the grocery store, at school sporting events, at church and on the street- the business and individuals supporting our community non-profits and United Way, sponsoring your kids little league team and riding on a float in the holiday parade. You will begin seeing posts on our social media platforms and on our Shop Small, Shop Local tab on our web site featuring a local small business owner holding a red sign that says, “I AM SMALL BUSINESS” with the #ShopFostoria and #ThinkFostoria.  When you see these posts, please share them.  They only have an impact if we all share it, build awareness and take action by shifting our shopping.

So as you travel around town, you will begin to see red signs like this

in the windows of small businesses who are actively participating in the campaign.  Stop in and let them know you’ve seen their sign and will be sharing it on Social Media.

For the business it is free to participate.  They can complete a form on the Chamber website, www.fostoriaohio.org and we will send them free printables with the Shop Small Shop Local logo as well as thank you cards they can hand to customers that contain the #.  Once the business signs on I will stop out, get their photo holding the sign and post on Social media.

Small business invest in our community, let’s invest in them!  Shop Small, Shop Local Fostoria.

2017 Chamber General Election Guide

2017 General Election Guide

We encourage you to lift your voice and vote on November 7.  Fostoria sits in three counties which can make the voting process a little confusing.  Click on the link above for our “2017 General Election Guide” which will provide you with information on the issues as well as links about where to vote and what will appear on your ballot.

Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Thursday, October 19 edition of The Review Times for a comprehensive Election Guide including township trustees.

Small Business Roundtable

The Fostoria Chamber through a partnership with WSOS and their Economic Empowerment Project will host Hrishue Mahalaha, Managing Partner of Innovation Economy Partners, to facilitate a small business roundtable on Friday, October 13.  The roundtable will be held at the Fostoria Learning Center from noon -1:30 and its purpose is to gather key local business owners and managers to discuss ways in which their businesses could be better supported in the community.  The roundtable will discuss opportunities that reside in the regional ecology and those that lie within individual businesses.

Those interested in attending the Small Business Roundtable are asked to RSVP to the Chamber via email, sarah@fosotriachamber.com or by phone, 419-435-0486.

The Small Business roundtable as well as no cost short term business coaching are a few of the programs the Chamber is offering through the Economic Empowerment Project.

Fostoria is one of eight communities in the state participating in the Economic Empowerment Project with WSOS.  The project is grant funded through a Rural Development Initiative Grant.

Small Business Roundtable

Savvy Hair Expressions to Host Open House & Ribbon Cutting

On Tuesday, October 10,  Savvy Hair Expressions will host a Chamber Ribbon Cutting at 4 p.m. followed by an open house until 6 p.m.  Savvy Hair Expressions is located at 319 Perry Street and offers quality and affordability in hair, nail and skin care services for children to seniors, bringing a big city feel to their small studio salon–spa.

The open house and ribbon cutting is to celebrate three years in business and the salon’s new floor to ceiling facelift.  In addition, Savvy Hair Expressions received a Downtown Facade Enhancement Grant from the Community Improvement Corporation which allowed owner, Joy Walters to remove and replace unsightly and inefficient storefront windows as well as update signage.

The open house will have light refreshments and a raffle to win products and services.  Special guest, Tristan Thibodeau, of Honest To Goodness Health LLC, Scottsdale AZ. Masters in Science of Nutrition and Dietetics and Certified Holistic Health Coach will be on site sharing her unique specialties as well as participating in our raffle with the chance to win Free Personal Health, Nutrition and Wellness Consultations. All are invited to attend and help Savvy Hair Expressions as they celebrate three years, thank their existing customers, welcome new customers and show off their new and improved salon and spa.

Event Invitation

FASC to Bring Acclaimed Speaker Brad Hurtig

The Fostoria Area Safety Council will host acclaimed speaker, Brad Hurtig on Wednesday, November 15.  Brad’s message is “Find a Way”.  An accident shortly after finishing his sophomore year of high school resulted in the amputation of both of Brad’s hands.  Through hard work and determination he soon rejoined his football team.  In his senior year he lead his team defense, recording 111 tackles and received all-state honors while playing with no hands.  Brad has been featured on ESPN, has done a Ted Talk and comes highly recommended from other Ohio Safety Councils and the Ohio BWC.

In addition to speaking to the Fostoria Area Safety Council, Brad will present an assembly at Fostoria High School and will be sponsored by the council.

The November 15 Safety Council meeting is open to the public but RSVPs are required.  The cost to attend is $10 and lunch is provided.  All RSVPs must be received by October 26.  For more information about Fostoria Area Safety Council or to RSVP for the event, please call the Fostoria Area Chamber at 419-435-0486.