When Shakespeare wrote, “And though she be but little, she is fierce,” he could’ve been referring to small business. The term “small business” often seems like an oxymoron. What small businesses lack in number of employees, they make up for in dedication, drive, giving back to the community, and unique charm. Those things resonate with customers seeking authenticity, personalized service, and a sense of community.
But when it’s time to grow, and take your business to the next level, you want to make sure that the very thing about you that is so appealing isn’t lost. You want to maintain your distinct local essence, and strike that delicate balance between growth and preserving your identity in the hearts and minds of your audience. Embrace the Strength of Community Engagement At the heart of any local business's success lies its relationship with the community it serves. Strengthening this bond can be a catalyst for growth. Engage with the community through events, sponsorships, and collaborations with other local businesses or organizations. This involvement not only enhances visibility but also reinforces your commitment to your roots, no matter how many locations you open. Hosting workshops, supporting local causes, or participating in community events can continue your position as a trusted and valued member of the neighborhood. Moreover, actively seeking feedback from patrons and implementing their suggestions to tailor products or services can help you meet local preferences. This will continue to foster loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing. Leverage Digital Platforms But Keep the Personal Voice In the beginning, your social presence probably felt very personalized because you were likely the voice behind the business. But as you grow, your abilities are needed elsewhere. Posting to social media is likely one of those things you will outsource or entrust to someone in-house. But make sure you don’t lose your voice. Work with someone who will adopt the same tone and post on the things your audience is most interested in. Retain that local flavor that characterizes your business. Utilize social media platforms to share stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and testimonials, showcasing your business's personality and values. Maintaining responsive communication online, along with personalized service through other channels, creates a seamless blend of technology and tradition, enhancing the overall customer experience. Additionally, give your audience multiple ways to interact with you to obtain resolutions to their questions and concerns. You don’t want someone feeling like now that you’ve grown, you’re less responsive. Cultivate Unique Offerings and Specializations If your success is due to specializing in niche products, services, or markets, don’t give that up unless they’re no longer lucrative. Don’t think that because you want to grow, you need to appeal to a wider audience. After all, that specialization was a unique selling proposition (USP), and it helped you build what you are today—drawing customers seeking distinctiveness and quality over mass-produced alternatives. If that product or service is no longer as successful as it once was, try figuring out why. If your audience is the same, how have their needs or desires evolved. You can serve the same audience, but you may need to do it in different ways. Foster Partnerships and Collaborations Collaborations with complementary local businesses can be mutually beneficial, amplifying visibility and attracting diverse customer bases. For instance, a café might partner with a nearby florist for themed events or collaborate with a local artist to display and sell artwork within its space. Additionally, forming alliances with nearby businesses to create joint promotions or loyalty programs can encourage cross-pollination of customers, fostering a sense of community among various establishments. You see this in digital marketing all the time when senders plug their peers in their newsletters. They are simply sharing audiences. Expand Thoughtfully and Sustainably Expansion doesn't necessarily mean extensive physical growth. Consider alternative avenues such as online sales, pop-up shops, or partnerships with local markets or fairs to reach new customers without compromising the small business ambiance. Establishing and managing multiple locations isn’t for everyone. If you are interested in physical expansion, prioritize locations that align with your business's standards, values, and appeal. Think of your audience and its needs. Retaining a coherent brand identity across multiple locations is crucial to preserve the local feel when expanding your business's footprint. Take a look at Grimaldi’s. It opened in 1990, in a small neighborhood under the Brooklyn Bridge referred to as DUMBO. It started humbly as a local pizzeria; but quickly became part of the heart and soul of the growing community. As Grimaldi’s expanded into other markets, it could’ve shed its Brooklyn vibe, being just another pizza place. But it held onto its roots and sold New York-style pizza in a New York ambiance. No matter which location you visit—Las Vegas, Dallas, or Tampa—you will be in Brooklyn, NY back in the neighborhood. Invest in Employee Development and Customer Service The backbone of your business's success lies in your employees and the quality of customer service they provide. Invest in employee training because your employees are your business personified. They communicate your business's values and commitment to personalized service in every interaction. Happy and well-trained employees contribute significantly to a positive customer experience, fostering loyalty and word-of-mouth recommendations. Maintaining a high standard of customer service, coupled with a personalized touch, distinguishes local businesses from larger, impersonal corporations, creating a lasting impression on customers. Successful small businesses possess a distinctive charm that resonates with customers seeking genuine connections and unique experiences. While expansion is a natural progression, preserving your business's authenticity is imperative. Balancing growth and your special something is an art and takes practice and compromise. But with a strategic approach, you can continue to thrive, serving as a favorite in the community while embracing new opportunities for success.
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The Pike County Chamber of Commerce had the privilege of welcoming Rebekah Luff, a dedicated AmeriCorps member, to work with us last Monday and Tuesday. Her contributions during her brief time home for the 4th of July holiday were greatly appreciated. She helped work on marketing and informational material for Pike County's participation in the Southern Indiana Regional Marketing Co-Op (SIRMC) and more.
Rebekah, a Pike County native and 2019 graduate of Pike Central High School (PCHS), and earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Indiana University Southeast in December 2022. We were thrilled to learn more about AmeriCorps and their work Understanding AmeriCorps and Its Mission AmeriCorps is a national service program dedicated to addressing critical community needs across the United States. Established in 1994, AmeriCorps brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in service projects that enhance education, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, disaster response, healthy futures, support veterans and military families. Accepted applicants commit to serving for a set period, typically 10 months, in various roles that directly benefit communities. These roles can range from mentoring students to disaster response and recovery, environmental conservation, and community health initiatives. One of the unique aspects of AmeriCorps is its focus on fostering civic engagement and leadership. Members receive valuable training and professional development opportunities, equipping them with skills that extend beyond their service term. They often work in collaboration with local nonprofits, schools, and government agencies to create sustainable, positive change. AmeriCorps embodies the spirit of service and community. By mobilizing individuals to tackle pressing issues and empowering them to become active citizens, AmeriCorps helps build stronger, more resilient communities. The dedication and impact of service leaders like Luff are a testament to the power of collective action and the difference it can make. Rebekah Luff's AmeriCorps Journey Luff's journey with AmeriCorps has taken her to various locations across the country, each offering unique experiences and opportunities to serve. Here are the highlights of her assignments:
Luff's next assignment will take her to Delaware, OH, where she will work at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Her tasks may include clearing a stream bed and surrounding areas of felled trees from a March tornado, removing invasive species, mulching, and maintaining trails. Additionally, they will collaborate with the Stratford Ecological Center on hay bale management and farm animal care. Why AmeriCorps? Luff chose to join AmeriCorps after completing college, seeking to gain experience in environmental conservation while having the opportunity to travel. The program offered both opportunities, along with a small living stipend and coverage of many necessities. Other members join AmeriCorps to become better leaders, meet people from across the country, develop a variety of skills, or earn the scholarship awarded at the end of service. Open to individuals aged 18-26, the program attracts people from diverse backgrounds, including recent high school graduates, those who found college wasn't for them, students taking a gap year, and graduates seeking direction for their next steps. To find more information go to www.americorps.gov AmeriCorps website. Pike County Community Foundation's Community Good Grants are NOW OPEN accepting applications.6/24/2024 ![]() PRESS RELEASE: June 20, 2024 Contact: Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact 812.890.4469 (cell) or [email protected] PIKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY GOOD GRANTS The Pike County Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for its Community Good Grants Program. The deadline to submit applications is Noon on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The Foundation awards Community Good grants to charitable partners located in or directly serving Pike County. Funding opportunities are available to support a broad range of local needs. Grants are normally given as one-time support of a project but may be considered for additional support or for expansions or outgrowths of an initial project. All organizations submitting grant proposals will be notified of the outcome on or before October 31, 2024. Charitable organizations can view details related to funding requirements and access the grant application via the Foundation’s website at https://www.pikecountycf.org/grants. Agencies and projects not eligible for funding include religious organizations proposing activities that support a religious purpose; political parties or campaigns; endowment creation or debt reduction; capital campaigns; annual appeals or membership contributions; and travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or school classes. For questions, contact Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at; 812.890.4469 (cell) or via email [email protected]. If you are in a client services business (especially one where your clients might return over and over), one of the best things you can do to set yourself up for success is to understand who you want to work with and who aligns with your skills and talent.
If you’re just starting off, or you’ve fallen on hard times, it’s tempting to work with anyone and everyone. But you’ll end up sabotaging yourself in the long run when you choose to work with the “wrong” clients. After all, there are limited hours in the workday. If you’re plugging just anyone into those spots, there may not be room for the clients that you find the most desirable. Why Do I Need an Ideal Client? There are two reasons you should get very clear on who your ideal client is—knowing who they are makes them easier to target from a marketing perspective and you’ll be more satisfied with your business in the long run. But how do you know who your ideal client is? Isn’t your ideal client anyone who can pay? Hardly. Yes, you want someone who can pay but that shouldn’t be your only criteria. It’s important to understand how to identify the people you work best with. Part of that is defined by the nature of your business or industry. But part of it is also how you want to shape your business. First, ask yourself the following questions to understand your ideal customer. They may not all apply to your type of business, but they are a good start. Then use your answers to adjust your marketing and design a customer questionnaire to ensure you’re working with people who are a good fit for the kind of business you want to have. 15+ Questions to Ask Yourself to Identify Your Ideal Clients While it’s tempting to work with “just anyone,” you will be more efficient, happier, less prone to burnout, and more passionate about your business if you are selective with your clients. Ask yourself:
Hello Pike County Residents and Trail Enthusiasts,
Let’s celebrate National Trail Day today, it's an exciting time to speak on the importance of trails in our community and share some news about a significant local project in the works. Quality of life is a cornerstone of any vibrant community, and here in Pike County, we are committed to enhancing it through the development of new and improved trails. The Buffalo Trace Trail We are excited to share information about the Buffalo Trace Trail project, a collaborative effort between Pike County, the City of Petersburg, and the Pike County Economic Development Corporation, with generous support from the Pike County Community Foundation. Together, they are working with VS Engineering to develop plans and a feasibility study for a trail that will connect two beloved parks: Hornady Park in Petersburg and Prides Creek Park in Pike County. Project Highlights - Distance and Connectivity: The Buffalo Trace Trail will add over two miles of new trail, connecting with the existing 5-mile fitness path and enhancing the network at both parks. - Safety and Accessibility: They are focused on identifying the safest and most affordable routes, with a particular emphasis on the Illinois Street area. This high-traffic zone, which includes healthcare facilities, businesses, and the Little League Park, will greatly benefit from the addition of a trail or sidewalk. - Community Impact: Many residents already walk and run along Illinois Street. The trail will be a valuable asset by making these activities safer and more enjoyable, fostering a healthier, more connected community. Why Trails Matter Trails are more than just paths through nature; they are vital infrastructure that enhances our quality of life. They provide safe spaces for exercise, offer recreational opportunities for families, and are an essential factor in attracting young talent to our area. Young adults increasingly prioritize quality-of-life amenities, and projects like the Buffalo Trace Trail make Pike County a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Looking Ahead Trails are complex projects that require time and careful planning. This project is currently in the feasibility and planning stages and we will share more information as it becomes available. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated as they move forward with this exciting endeavor. Stay Informed For those who want to stay informed please contact Ashley Willis at [email protected]. Your input and enthusiasm are invaluable as we work together to bring this vision to life. Happy Trails! Jill Hyneman Executive Director, Pike County Chamber of Commerce Celebrating Leadership and Community Impact: Pike County Leadership Program Graduation on April 23rd5/16/2024 Recently at the Azalea Path, the Pike County Leadership Program celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort. This event marked not only the culmination of months of hard work and dedication but also the beginning of a new chapter for these emerging leaders. With guest speakers Mayor Klipsch and State Representative Shane Lindauer in attendance, the ceremony was a testament to the profound impact of the Leadership Program on both individuals and the community.
This year’s graduating class: Jerry Blackwell from Pike County Courthouse Staff, Paulina Cazares from MiPatio, Rachel Cox from Kimball International, Reid Craig from Parsifal, Sara Davis from Parsifal, Logan Meneely from r3 Renewables, Kalee Riddle from Parsifal, Cheyanne Sallee from GE Tree Service, Clayton Sallee from GE Tree Service, Rhiannon Warnell from Moose Lodge, and Amanda Woods from Tri-Cap. The Pike County Leadership Program is not just about attending sessions; it's about actively engaging with the community, making connections and making a tangible difference. Over the course of ten full-day sessions, participants participated in various aspects of leadership, from communication, teamwork, managing conflict, and project management. This year, the graduating class undertook on a community project of beautifying the Nature Trail at Hornady Park and enhancing the walking trail at Winslow Park. At the Graduation, Cox and Davis presented the projects which included clearing the trail, signage and the creation of a butterfly garden at Hornady Park. Winslow Park is receiving some TLC and the installation of a small walking bridge. The success of the Pike County Leadership Program would not be possible without the efforts of its organizers and supporters. It takes many sponsors to put this program together and we are grateful for every one of them. Spearheaded by the Pike County Purdue Extension and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, the program is led by Brooke Goble, Executive Director of Pike County Purdue Extension, and organized by Jill Hyneman, Executive Director of Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The planning of the program is overseen by the Leadership Planning Committee, comprising Cindy Barber, Jon Craig, Brooke Goble, Jill Hyneman, Krista Robinette, Robin Smith, and Ashley Willis. With each new class, the program grows a network of leaders, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion to drive positive change in Pike County and beyond. It's exciting to hear that the next Leadership class will begin in October 2025. Keep an eye out for more details in the spring of 2025. The business landscape is noisy and crowded for most of us. But keeping your customers happy and engaged is crucial to your success and their return. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a powerful toolkit to elevate your customer experience in ways you might not have thought of. And it’s not about replacing your employees with robots.
As a small business owner, you can leverage AI to make your customers feel valued and keep them coming back for more. Help Your Employees Focus Where They’re Needed MostSome things you can automate, some you can’t. Some questions are easily answered (over, and over, and over throughout the day) and some require more thought. What if you could hand off all the simple questions to “someone” who will never become impatient no matter how many times it’s asked the same thing? What if you could trust the answer will always be given in a professional way from the first time to the thirty-first? Imagine your website anticipating your customers' needs before they even ask. AI-powered chatbots can greet visitors, answer basic questions, and even guide them toward relevant products or services. This not only saves you time answering repetitive inquiries but also provides immediate assistance, enhancing the customer journey from the very first click. And this assistant never sleeps. Trust your human employees with the “peopling” and relationship-building tasks and leave the virtual, repetitive work to AI. After all, how many times can you tell someone your address and hours without feeling a little robotic anyway? Help Customers Get What They Want QuicklyAI can also personalize the online shopping experience. By analyzing past purchases and browsing behavior, recommendation engines can suggest products that complement what a customer has already shown interest in. Recommendations greatly increase the likelihood of a sale. It also creates a sense of feeling understood, like the website is offering exactly what you need. Eliminate Frustrating WaitsBeyond sales, AI can revolutionize your customer support. One of the most common phrases you hear when calling any company these days is, “We are experiencing very high call volumes.” That’s usually followed by an annoying number of minutes that you will have to wait to get a human on the line. It’s not that more people are calling. It’s that more companies don’t have the staff to support the call volume. Some have turned to “wait in line” call backs but there’s another solution. AI-powered chatbots can handle simple inquiries, freeing up your staff for more complex issues. Chatbots can also be trained to answer frequently asked questions 24/7, ensuring your customers receive prompt assistance even outside of business hours. Gain Important Customer InsightThe power of AI extends beyond your website. By analyzing customer reviews and social media sentiment, you can gain valuable insights into what customers think of your brand. Using this data, you can identify areas for improvement and proactively address any customer concerns. AI can monitor social media and alert you if a customer expressed frustration, allowing you to reach out and resolve the issue before it escalates. Give Customers What They Want Without Hours and Hours of WorkFinally, another way AI can improve the customer experience is through repurposing content. Some of your audience enjoys podcasts, others blogs, or short video clips. It’s time consuming to do it all but you should to meet your customers’ preferences. In the past, repurposing took a lot of work. Today, there are AI products that can turn blogs into videos, videos into transcripts, and webinars into bite-sized TikToks and Reels with a couple of clicks. That way, you can give your customers access to the medium of their preference without spending hours repurposing it. Finally, AI is not a magic bullet. And it takes some time to “teach” it. But it is a powerful tool that can help you personalize customer interactions, streamline processes, and ultimately, create a more positive and memorable customer experience. Plus, it’s never going to ask you to buy a box of cookies from its kid or quiet quit on you. Discover Downtown Petersburg recently received a $1,000 grant from the Pike County
Community Foundation through the Pike Gives Grant Program. The Pike Gives Grant Program allows Pike County Community Foundation advisory board members to recommend $1,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by Bridget Butcher to assist with the cost of the Buffalo Trace Festival. For more information about funding opportunities through the Pike County Community Foundation, contact Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812-890-4469 or via email [email protected]. Pictured:(left to right) Mayor RC Klipsch; and Bridget Butcher, Pike County Community Foundation Advisory Board member. |
801 East Main Street in Petersburg, IN 47567
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