Chamber Announces Outlook Luncheon with Lt. Governor

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Pamela Evette, the South Carolina Lt. Governor, will be the featured speaker on Wednesday, March 17th at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce’s Outlook Luncheon.  The luncheon will be held at the Florence Center. The community and local business leaders are invited.  The program will include the announcement of the Small Business Person of the Year which is sponsored by Dedicated Community Bank and the Public Servant of the Year which is sponsored by Francis Marion University.  Luncheon reservations are limited because of state COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

To register, please click here.

Florence’s Former O’Dowd, Carolina Theater In Line for Renovation & Restoration

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It’s highly unlikely anyone alive remembers when it wasn’t there, and it’s equally unlikely anyone takes much notice of it today — though it remains and is a survivor. And it’s about to get a second act, or maybe a third act — fourth act? “It’s been through more renovations than we thought,” Florence Assistant City Manager Clint Moore said. The more demolition crews dig into Florence’s historic downtown theater — once the O’Dowd and then the Carolina — the more city officials learn of renovations and redesigns of which they were unaware, said Moore, who is overseeing the project for Florence.

To read the full story, click here.

The Florence Chamber Fostering a New Business Resource

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is currently fostering a partnership with Grand Strand SCORE to establish a Pee Dee SCORE Branch. The goal is to develop additional resources for our local small business communities through mentoring and education.

SCORE is a nonprofit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration dedicated to the formation and growth of small businesses throughout the United States. It provides free business advice and mentoring, offering low or no-cost business training and sharing free business templates and resources. While we are a few weeks away from an official launch, we do recommend the virtual business courses listed below and are available for free in February. If you have any questions, please contact the Florence Chamber at 843-665-0515.

Simple Steps to Exiting your Business (virtual)

Date: 2/9/21 Time: 12-1:30 pm

This 3-part series workshop, developed by MassMutual and SCORE, will help you plan for the next stage for your business, for yourself, and for generations to come. Part 1: Succession Planning, Part 2: Retirement Planning, Part 3: Estate Planning

for more information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/simple-steps-exiting-your-business-9

 

Marketing at a Glance (virtual)

Date: 2/18/21 Time: 12-1:30

This presentation is for the business owners who want to properly market their products (or services) by attracting new customers and retaining existing ones (virtually or in person).
The following topics will be covered in this presentation:

– Definition and 4 P’s of Marketing
– Marketing Plan, its benefits and requirements
– Market segmentation and your targeted market
– Importance of effective messaging for Digital Marketing
– Marketing Strategy, Goals and Cost

For More Information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/marketing-glance-0

 

Making Money from Home in 10 Steps (virtual)

Date: 2/23/21 Time: 12-1:30pm; For More Information Click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/making-money-home-10-steps

 

Digital Technology for Business optimization and Growth (virtual)

Date: 2/25/21 – Time: 12-1:30

This workshop provides owners with information on multiple topics, including the role of the small businesses in the U.S., challenges, trends, market changes and the use of technology for the business growth. The following topics will be covered:
-Overview of disruptive technologies
-Examples of existing solutions for various areas in small business operations (CRM, digital marketing, customer service, etc.)

For more information, click here: https://grandstrand.score.org/event/digital-technology-business-optimization-growth

Virtual Business Session: How to Do Business with our Local Government and School Systems

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The program, sponsored by the chambers PRISM initiative, will help share the opportunities that exist for small, minority and women-owned businesses to offer their services to Florence One Schools, the city of Florence and Florence County.  This informative webinar will provide overviews on the procurement process for taking advantage of opportunities you may never knew existed.  Guest panelists include individuals from: Florence One Schools, City of Florence and Florence County.  Attendees will learn:  The language and process basics of doing business with the above entities; The different goods and services that are needed from local vendors; How to register as a vendor; How to prepare proposals and find bid opportunities.

To register online, click here.

PRISM & Chamber to Host Next Level Strategies for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Webinar

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This free event will be held via Zoom.  This event includes a presentation from keynote speaker, Rhonda Midgette, Vice President of Human Resources at TD Bank and owner of Insightful HR.  The webinar will dissect the essential subject matter in promoting diverse, equitable and inclusive practices across all sectors of business and community.  Top Of Mind Challenges:  DEI Best Practices, Community Action Items & Q&A.

To register online, click here.

Styletype Clothing Joins Chamber and Celebrates with A Ribbon Cutting

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday, January 14th in the courtyard at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce celebrating Styletype Clothing’s membership in the Chamber.  Owner Brianna Charles cut the ribbon while Chamber ambassadors, family and friends joined the celebration.  Styletype Clothing is a home-based, online women’s clothing company.  Charles said she provides casual, urban and luxury clothing for women.

To read the full story, click here.

Price Professional Services Hosts Ribbon Cutting

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Price Professional Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, January 19th celebrating its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. The business is located at 2600 W. Palmetto St. in Florence. Owner Shakeita Price cut the ribbon. Joining in the celebration and showing their support were chamber ambassadors, family and friends.

To read the full story, click here.

Brockington Property Management Group Hosts Ribbon Cutting

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Brockington Property Management Group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, January 13th as a new business in the area and a new member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Chamber ambassadors joined Kimberly Brockington Franks, Owner, as she cut the ribbon. Brockington Property Management Group is located at 80 Dogwood Lane in Quinby. A full-service property management group, Brockington Property Management Group opened approximately five months ago. As a full-service property management group, the group handles apartment communities, single-family homes, multiple family homes and duplexes.

To read the full story, click here.

American Airlines Returns Service at Florence Regional Airport

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American Airlines has returned to flight service at the Florence Regional Airport, effective January 5th. The first arrival was yesterday; first departure was this morning,” said Connie Anderson, executive director of the Florence Regional Airport.  “They are starting with one arrival and one departure a day.”

To read the full story, click here.

Joint Business Planning Series Announced

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The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, along with Francis Marion University’s Kelley Center for Economic Development, have partnered to present a small business development series for individuals looking to start a business and for current business owners.  The three-session program will offer advice on improving existing operations and details to understand before you try to start a new business.  It’s always a good idea to be prepared before starting a professional venture because strategies don’t always go as planned. Things will go wrong and being prepared will help establish the fundamentals to adapt.  This business series is meant to offer much of the informational background needed to help entrepreneurs who want to learn how to write a business plan and how to adjust to the financial hurdles likely to be encountered along the way. We will also cover understanding and using financial statements as well as the lending process and financial options for small businesses.

To get more detailed information or to register, please use the links below for each session.

The Essentials of Business Planning for Funding and Growth – Register here.

By the Numbers: Reading, Understanding, and Using YOUR Financial Statements  – Register here.

Breaking Down the Lending Process and Financial Options for Small Business – Register here.