Register Now for the Chamber and YP’s Lunch & Learn: Fair Labor Standards Act

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Don’t forget to register now for this exciting and informative Lunch & Learn opportunity about the Fair Labor Standards Act and the new overtime rule.

The program will take place on Wednesday, July 20th from 12-1:30 pm in the Stukes Meeting Room of the Florence County Library and will feature presentations and Q&A with a variety of speakers on the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA.) Lunch will also be included.

The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber and YP members, $20 for non-members and $15 for non-profit employees.

To register or for more information, click on the link below or call the Chamber at (843) 665-0515.

Lunch & Learn: Fair Labor Standards Act

SCnow.com Media Gallery: Band of Oz Performs at Florence After Five

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(Band of Oz image courtesy: SCnow.com)

Were you one of the many folks who filled the streets for Florence After Five last week?

If so, take a look at this gallery from the Morning News.

You never know, they might’ve caught a pic or two of you during all of the fun!

From the Morning News: “Florence After Five is a street party held in downtown Florence the final Friday of each month From April to October.

On Friday, hundreds of people started their weekend on Dargan Street listening to live music from Band of Oz, danced, and enjoyed music and drinks from local vendors.”

Click on the link below to go straight to the image gallery:

SCnow.com Media Gallery- Band of Oz Performs at Florence After Five

City Renames Portion of East Pine Street, “Ed Robinson Way”

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(image courtesy: Scnow.com)

According to the Morning News: “A section of East Pine Street between South Church Street and South Jeffords Street recently was renamed “Ed Robinson Way” after a state resolution was passed to commemorate the city’s longest serving councilman.

South Carolina Reps. Terry Alexander and Robert Williams co-sponsored a resolution to rename the state roads and hosted a dedication ceremony on Sunday afternoon, along with S.C. Sen. Kent Williams and Cumberland United Methodist Church – the church Robinson attended.

Alexander said this street naming is just a small way to remind the city of the legacy Robinson leaves behind.”

Read more by following the link below:

Morning News article on Ed Robinson Way

6 Top Tools That Will Have Your Business Growing in No Time

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It’s no easy task to reach a broad audience and convince strangers to trust your business.

Thanks to technology though, it’s easier than ever.

According to Inc Magazine, “Every new customer converted is a battle won for a small business. It’s no easy task to reach a broad audience and convince strangers to trust your business with their money, especially when you lack the established reputation of a larger company. Luckily, there are many growth strategies for small businesses out there, from segmenting your market to diversifying your company’s services, and there is plenty of room for small businesses to succeed, too.

To aid your company’s growth, it’s important to use cutting-edge technology and tools to make the process of running and expanding your business as efficient as possible. With that in mind, here are six tools you can use to expand your company’s reach.”

Here’s six tools you can use to take your small business to the next level:

Inc Magazine Article: These 6 Tools Will Have Your Business Growing in No Time

Florence After Five Free Concert Series Continues This Evening with the Band of Oz

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(image courtesy: Band of Oz Facebook Page)

Don’t miss the FREE concert tonight in the heart of Florence’s Downtown!

The Band of Oz takes the stage beginning at 6 pm.

The music continues until 8:30 and the event will feature vendors including: Victor’s, Crown Beverages, Rita’s, Wholly Smokin’, 1031, Clay Pot, Brooklyn South Deli and more!

Don’t miss out on the fun!

You can find even more details by clicking the link to the event page below:

Florence After Five Concert Series

10 Tactics to Get More Positive Online Reviews for Your Small Business

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Ever wonder how you can get a handle on online reviews of your small business?

According to the Small Business Administration’s blog, anywhere from 51 percent to 90 percent of consumers read and trust online reviews.

Even if we take the smallest number, that’s still over half of consumers paying attention to online reviews.

That makes good reviews critical for any kind of business where people look for and read online reviews of products or services.

The most important thing to remember is that you -can- have an impact on reviews affecting your business — it’s not out of your hands.

Here are ten tactics from the SBA:

10 Tactics to Get More Positive Reviews

Enrollment Underway for FDTC Entrepreneurship Program

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Do You Have What It Takes To Be Your Own Boss?
 

Starting your own business can be fulfilling and challenging.

The FDTC Entrepreneurship Program can prepare you for success.
 

The number one reason most business start-ups fail is lack of planning.

 
The FDTC Entrepreneurship Program has been designed to provide participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence needed to determine the feasibility of, launch and grow a new business.

This six-course program will provide the foundation of knowledge you’ll need to plan and manage your new business and to avoid the mistakes most common in failed start-ups. All courses are led by experienced entrepreneurs who have enjoyed business success and will share their knowledge and experiences in an open, easy-to-follow, discussion format.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
* Learn key assessment and feasibility techniques including design thinking, product definition, rapid iteration testing, and designing the minimum

viable product.

* Acquire tools for assessing product and market fit,including understanding target markets and marketsegmentation and performing effective industry and competitive analyses.

* Develop an understanding of how to grow and nurture the business through effective brand building, cash flow management and resource allocation, and embracing change and uncertainty for competitive advantage.

* Gain a better understanding of themselves as entrepreneurs including their motivations, roles, and

key responsibilities.

* Explore the notion of building a winning team and other common challenges facing founders and CEOs.
 Enrollment is limited. Classes begin August 15.
For more information, contact: Mitch House, Department Chair

FDTC Department of Business and International Programs

843-661-8166   Mitch.House@fdtc.edu

Town Hall Restaurant Opens its Doors this Week in Downtown Florence

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(images courtesy: Town Hall Facebook)

One of Florence’s most-anticipated new downtown spots officially opens its doors this week!

Town Hall is led by executive chef Bobby Hodge, who uses fresh and local ingredients to create New Southern dishes.

They’re located right across the street from the Chamber at 101 W. Evans Street!

Are you excited to try them out? Visit Town Hall’s Facebook page for more information:

Town Hall FB Page

Florence Downtown’s Weekly Newsletter

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Check out this week’s wrap-up of what’s taking place in Florence’s Downtown!

Follow the link below to learn more about everything from the FREE Florence After Five concert that takes place this Friday, to live music in the Renaissance Courtyard, the upcoming Farmer’s Market, events at the Library, Museum and much more!

Florence Downtown Newsletter

Pat Gibson Hye-Moore Wins Runoff in Seat Vacated by the Late Ed Robinson

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( Pat Gibson Hye-Moore (left) and LaShonda NeSmith (right)
From the Morning News: “Florence School District 1 Board Member Pat Gibson-Hye Moore defeated Florence County Democratic Chairwoman LaShonda NeSmith in the Florence District 2 primary runoff Tuesday, becoming the eventual councilwoman for the district represented for more than 25 years by the late Ed Robinson.
 
Moore took home 54.6 percent of the votes, while NeSmith held 45.4 percent –that’s 346 votes for Moore and 288 for NeSmith.
 
There will be a general election for this seat on July 26, but Moore will face no opposition on that ballot.”
Read the full article by clicking below:
SCnow.com web article- Moore Wins Runoff