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Small Business Council 

Bryan LePage, The Columbia Bank, Co-Chairman 

Develops programs to serve the needs of our small business sector in developing a number of initiatives to build on and strengthen the Chamber’s efforts to promote the businesses of our members. It has four primary focus areas:

  • Business Advisory Board
  • Educational Seminars
  • Networking Events
  • Power Networking Groups 
  • Member-2-Member Discounts

Any Chamber member is welcome to participate in Small Business Council events; however, the focus of our efforts is on maximizing benefits for the smaller members of the Chamber so they can see concrete returns for their membership investment.

Meets 1st Tuesday of every month at 8 a.m. at The Columbia Bank, Arundel Preserve  

To contact, call Bryan LePage at (410) 799 2553, or email blepage@thecolumbiabank.com. For general information regarding committee involvement, you can reach the West County office by calling (410) 672 3422 or via email at info@westcountychamber.org 

Key Accomplishments:

· We’ve formed! Our focus is to identify Chamber services and programs that will specifically create value for the smaller (under 10 employees) members of the West County Chamber

· Developed a Member-2-Member Discount Program providing all employees of a member company with membership cards entitling them to discounts offered by participating Chamber businesses. Over 20 businesses currently offering discounts with more added daily – add yours, or visit the Chamber website at www.westcountychamber.org to see a list of participating businesses.

· Rebuilding interest in the Leads Groups through restructuring, increased focus on the importance of referrals, and Visitors Days. Opportunity for Leads Group members only to display at any Small Business Council event.

· Held first of planned semi-monthly breakfast seminars designed to help small business owners grow their businesses. First was “The Economy, BRAC, and Your Business” with County Councilman Daryl Jones and County BRAC Coordinator Bob Leib; In May is “Harness the Power of Social Networking for Your Business” with social media consultant Glen Garnes.

Goals for 2009:

· Establishment of a Business Advisory Board to serve as a virtual Board of Directors to small businesses, answering questions about operations, human resources, financial management, marketing, planning, and other topics of interest to the community.

· Expansion of the Small Business Seminar series to topics including marketing, government procurement, security clearances, and more. We’re always open to new program ideas!

· Continued development and promotion of the Leads Groups to become more effective referral networks for small business owners.