2012 Entrepreneur of the Year

Entrepreneurs are a key element in every economy.  It is they who initiate and stimulate economic enterprise. Economic success is the result of inspirational entrepreneurial talent. And each year, the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards is where these individuals and their success are recognized.  This will be the chamber's sixth year participating.     

The Burgaw Chamber is proud to recognize Traditions Fine Gifts & Interiors as our 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Emily Warren graduated from Hoggard High School, and then attended UNCW, where she majored in English. From there, she went into the work force. She was employed at Printer’s Alley for six years, and there she discovered her passion for design. In fall of 2008, Emily and her mother, Pat Davis, teamed up and opened their design boutique in historic downtown Burgaw.

As business owners, the two developed a business philosophy based upon quality products and intimate customer service.  In a warm and inviting atmosphere, their boutique has an array of home furnishings, lighting and decorative accessories.  To simplify one's gift giving needs, the shop offers a selection of items for that special occasion.   

Traditions has attracted widespread acclaim for its blend of traditional and contemporary furniture.  Over the years, the company's sophisticated and distinctive style remains intact. Their profile includes an expansive collection of luxury residences in some of the area’s most desirable communities such as Figure 8, Landfall, River Landing, and Wrightsville Beach.      

Store hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 am until 5 pm and Saturdays 10 am through 3 pm.   Mondays are reserved for design appointments only.

Traditions was profiled last month in a special Coastal Entrepreneur Awards section in the April 27th Business Journal and they will be honored at the Coastal Awards Breakfast on May 18th at UNCW Burney Center.  We encourage fellow chamber members and community leaders to attend this spectacular event. 

Health & Wellness Expo 2012

The Pender County Health and Wellness Expo is taking place on Thursday, April 19th at the Burgaw Depot from 10 am until 6 pm.  The expo is designed to increase health awareness by providing health screenings, activities, materials, demonstrations and information to the public.  It will also be addressing good nutrition.  Fresh produce will be available at the farmer's market on the dock, and various vendors will be showcasing healthy and natural food products.           

At this event, we will be launching "Get Fit Pender," a wellness program intended to motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles.  Our partners include Pender Memorial Hospital, Fitness Fusion, Curves, Custom Fit Meals, Pender County Health Department, LiveFit Cape Fear and UNCW.    

    

Most people think of wellness as the absence of sickness; however, it is more than freedom from disease and illness.  Health is optimal well-being that contributes to quality of life.  Optimal health includes high-level mental, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical wellness within the limits of one's heredity and personal abilities. 

All too often, we take our health for granted until something happens. How ironic that the machine we rely on the most (our bodies) is the least that we spend time maintaining.   Processed food, tobacco, alcohol, environmental toxins, lack of exercise and sleep contribute to many illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure - many of which are preventable through a healthy lifestyle.

Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time.  Replacing these behaviors with healthy ones requires time and patience.  So, if you've been thinking about making some changes but don't know where to begin, why not sign-up for the Get Fit Pender program?     

The challenge begins Monday, May 7 and runs through Saturday August 4.  There is a registration fee of $25 which covers medical and fitness tests before and after the 12 week program.           

Incentives include: 

·       Reduced memberships to Fitness Fusion and Curves 

·       Discounts for Custom Fit Meals 

·       Weekly meet up group 

·       Monthly educational sessions and coaching

·       T-shirt

Sign-up and interest sheets will be available at the expo or by calling the chamber office at 259-9817.        

   

2012 Entrepreneur Award Nominations

The Burgaw Chamber proudly announces the call for nominations for the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year award.  The winner will be profiled in a special Coastal Entrepreneur Awards section in the April 27 Business Journal and honored at an awards breakfast May 18 at UNCW's Burney Center.  The event is hosted by UNCW's Entrepreneurship Center and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.  This will be the chamber’s sixth year participating in this wonderful event that honors exactly what the name says, the entrepreneur.   

In addition to the chamber's award, members are eligible to win Coastal Entrepreneur Awards (CEA) as long as they fill out the CEA application.  To apply or nominate a business, visit www.wilmingtonbiz.com/cea.

For the purpose of this award entrepreneur is being broadly defined.  Entrepreneurs include both founders of the company and those who manage the company – someone who assumes the risks of that business on a day to day basis and creates a sustainable enterprise.   

Any company that is a member of the Burgaw Chamber is eligible for the award.  The company must be actively engaged in entrepreneurial activity – creating new products or services for people. 

NOMINATION GUIDELINES

Submit typed answers to the following questions:

1. Brief description of business (less than 100 words).
2. Describe the need of the business and the value of its offering (less than 200 words).
3. Describe why you believe this business is entrepreneurial (less than 200 words).
4. Describe the company’s competitive advantage and why it will continue to be successful even during an economic downturn (less than 200 words). 
5. If you know a business that deserves this recognition, please take the time to nominate them.  Self nominations are encouraged as well.   

Please include your name, telephone number and email in case additional information is needed.  Incomplete nominations will not be considered.  The deadline is Friday, March 23.

Nominations can be sent via mail, fax or email.  The chamber's mailing address is PO Box 1096, Burgaw, NC  28425.  Fax number: 910-300-6116.  Email address: info@burgawchamber.com.  For additional information, please call the chamber office at 259-9817.    

   

President's Message

As the incoming president of the Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce it’s part of my mission to encourage area residents to support the businesses here.  Buying locally is not only neighborly, it is critical to helping build a community that supports the needs of those who live and work locally.

The “buy local” theme is often repeated at Chamber events.  We all want to support each other.  Need a florist, a banker, a barber?  Don’t take your business outside of Pender County; we need that business to stay here.  If you spend your money in the community it helps a local person keep their doors open and they, in turn, can support their families, schools and churches – and other local businesses.

I often have to remind people that the same can be said for supporting their local hospital.  Pender Memorial Hospital is a critical part of our community.  One that should not be taken for granted.  Pender Memorial Hospital is a designated Critical Access Hospital because it is more than 35 miles from the next nearest hospital.  The government has recognized that it is important to keep hospitals like Pender open to ensure people in rural areas have access to life-saving care when they need it.

Of course, a hospital needs to do more than stay open to provide top-notch care.  It needs to have the strength that comes from having a robust array of services and skilled physicians, mid-levels and other clinicians.  I’ve written before about the strength of our physician community.  I would also like to brag about the skills and caring of our staff.  Just a few weeks ago I received a wonderful letter from a physician who had just done a procedure at PMH for the first time.  With years, if not decades, of experience doing this procedure at other facilities, he said the skill, compassion and professionalism of the surgical staff at PMH were among the best he had seen.

We also have great people providing care in our skilled nursing and swing bed units and the emergency department.  You can also find our staff, often your neighbors, providing excellent care in our outpatient rehabilitation and diagnostics facilities in Rocky Point.

But like any business, for us to grow in the depth and breadth of services we can provide, we need your support.  The next time you need a procedure, a mammogram, or any number of medical services - urgent or otherwise - check us first.   There is a lot we can do locally and our close affiliation with New Hanover Regional Medical Center means if you or a loved one needs services outside of Pender we will seamlessly coordinate your care to help ensure you get the care you need, when you need it.

We’re all part of the same community.  Let’s continue to support each other in whichever business or service we’re in.

Return on Investment

I'm often asked by new and existing businesses a reason to join the chamber of commerce.  Without hesitation, I can rattle off a dozen benefits in one breath.  Now I know what you are thinking, because I’m the director, of course, I’m going to promote it.  However, what some people don’t realize is long before I became the director, I was affiliated with the chamber of commerce on a number of different levels. 

My husband and I moved to Burgaw 15 years ago and it was through the chamber we became acquainted with the businesses and the community.  We supported the chamber by attending chamber events, volunteering at chamber functions and doing business with chamber members.  By actively participating in the chamber, we contributed to our town, invested in our community and grew as individuals.  In fact, some of our dearest friendships were formed within the chamber.        

My positive experience with the chamber led me to where I am today.  For the past eight years, I have been the director of this small chamber.  During this time, I’ve interacted with a number of professionals and through these contacts, professional and personal growth occurs from both sides.          

With that said, a decision to belong to a chamber of commerce must not be a burden, obligation or loss of time - quite the contrary, it must be a personal and free decision, which will result in the improvement of possibilities to reach success in one's chosen business, and at the same time provide the opportunity to know other businesses and other people in the community. 

Regardless of the type of business you may be in, there are tremendous benefits for joining a chamber.  First and foremost, membership has a positive effect on your business image amongst consumers.  National studies show, consumers favor businesses that belong to chambers of commerce.  Your business image determines how your company is perceived.  This perception will happen whether you like it or not.  A business image is the combination of the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, opinions and visions people have about you, your products and your service.         

The old adage, out of sight, out of mind is true when it comes to networking.  Most chambers of commerce organize business expos, business after hours, ribbon cuttings and other type of business events through which they offer great networking opportunities for their members.  By actively participating, you have a chance to meet other business owners from different industries while promoting your own business.  Networking is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization.  It's all about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships.

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