Northeast Area Update | Dec. 17

It’s that time of year when bloggers are writing the year in review. In addition to that, bloggers love lists. So here you go, Upper East Side, here’s Three Cool Things Your Northeast Council Did in 2013:

1) Welcomed New Council Members

There’s nothing that gives an organization new life like bringing new people into the fold. In 2013, the Northeast Council welcomed Debbie Cohn from the Jewish Community Center and yours truly, Kasie Whitener, of Clemson Road Creative, to join the planning sessions.

While the Council has typically planned Business at Sunrise and Business After Hours events, both of our new members were asked to suggest additional events and opportunities to reach the Northeast Community on behalf of the Chamber.

Debbie and I brought new connections and new ideas and our influence can be seen on the 2014 calendar. Stay tuned!

2) Included Your Family

So many of our Northeast businesses are locally owned and in a local business, usually the family is supporting the business together. So in August we had a special Business After Hours that included kids, pets, and pony rides. We all went out to the farm at Longcreek Equestrian Centre on the night before school started back and had one last summer “hurrah!”

In 2014, we have a few events that will encourage dates, friends, family, and anyone else you can think of who supports your business and can contribute to the Northeast community. Even solopreneurs aren’t in business alone.

3) Reached Out to Inactive members

Sometimes the phone call saying, “Where ya been?” is enough to remind someone that there’s an organization like the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Northeast Council looking out for you. In 2013, we held focus group meetings where we reached out to inactive members and asked them what more the Council and the Chamber could do for them.

Out of those sessions came some confessions and revelations about the nature of solopreneur and micro-business challenges. In 2014, the Northeast Council has some plans to work harder to connect our solopreneurs and to help new members navigate the various events and opportunities the Chamber offers.

In the New Year we resolve to …

January 1 presents an opportunity to start fresh: a new outlook, a new year, a new opportunity to grow businesses and grow the Upper East Side. Your Northeast Council has a lot of fresh ideas for 2014 including an Academy Awards-themed Business After Hours (Feb 18^th) complete with paparazzi and movie stars and a Women’s History Month Business at Sunrise (March 27^th) focusing on the unique challenges of female business leaders.

Every year we get better. Our mission is to serve you.

PHOTOGS WANTED

In preparation for our upcoming Oscars event, we’d like to recruit some solopreneur photographers to participate and (of course) promote their businesses. Chamber membership is not required. Send a note if you or a photog you know would like to be part of Business After Hours on February 18, 2013.

Tell us how we can do better. Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | September 3

Upper East Side, Columbia, S.C. – Richland County School District Two got off to a roaring start last week and this week hosted the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Business at Sunrise at Westwood High School. The event included a speech by Midlands Technical College President Dr. Sonny White and a State of the District presentation by Interim Superintendent Dr. Debra Hamm.

Dr. White discussed the changing needs of the workforce and how Midlands Technical College and Richland District Two are collaborating to address those needs. The District’s motto is Inquire, Ignite, and Inspire and this year’s theme is “On the Road to Awesome.”

With input from the Parent Partnership and the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year, Patrick Kelly of Blythewood High School, Dr. Hamm provided attendees with a glimpse of the challenges and changes in Richland School District Two classrooms.

Modeled after the Stanford University Design School, Richland District Two has created programs that engage learners in creative problem solving and collaboration. Teachers have moved into facilitator roles as they encourage students to pursue education standards through study, observation, experimentation, and engagement.

While it is inspiring to see the hard work the District’s 3500 employees are putting in to ensure students’ academic and personal success, the challenges slide Dr. Hamm presented showed some real areas of need. For example, 49% of the District’s students receive free and reduced lunch and more than 400 students are homeless.

“We talk about homework,” Dr. Hamm said, “but some of these kids don’t have a home.”

The event wrapped up with ways the business community can get involved to impact the District’s success. Dr. Hamm and Chairman of the School Board, Dr. William Flemming, Jr., encouraged those present to volunteer in the schools, become a true partner with educators, and welcome students into their businesses to learn and grow.

Thanks, District Two for hosting our event and for providing such an enriching, energizing experience.

Now here’s what else is going on here on the Upper East Side:

Northeast Mini-Expo – September 26, 2013
Sponsorships and table exhibitor positions are still available for this annual event. Businesses from the Northeast are invited to attend and review one another’s offerings and services. The event takes place at the Village at Sandhill during our September Business at Sunrise time slot.

If you’d like to be a sponsor or a table exhibitor, contact Lynn Turbeville or Paul Dunn at the Chamber by calling 803.733.1128.

Military Veterans’ Honor Event at Village at Sandhill – October 25, 2013
The Village at Sandhill and A Shoulder for Soldiers invite you to attend a benefit concert at the Village on October 25, 2013. The concert will feature a performance by The Bellamy Brothers, a Grammy-winning country music duo responsible for such hits as “Let Your Love Flow.”

For more information including sponsors, other media, and details about the Village at Sandhill or A Shoulder for Soldiers, visit the Village website.

Spotlight Available
Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | August 16

Upper East Side, Columbia – It’s back to school time! The relief of lighter summer traffic is over as Richland County II plans to bring the students back on August 21 which is less than a week away.

Two weekends ago we enjoyed the tax-free weekend to purchase school clothes and supplies. I hope our Northeast businesses saw dedicated “buy local” participants.

Here’s what else is happening on the Upper East Side of Columbia:

Northeast Business After Hours – Family Friendly! – August 20
Come out with your families for a couple of hours on August 20^th (next Tuesday) to the Longcreek Equestrian Centre located at 2000 Long Town Road East, near Windermere Country Club. There will be fun on the farm with a petting zoo, care and feeding demonstrations, and pony rides.

This is a business networking event with free food and drinks provided but also a great “End of Summer” party for family and friends. Bring a car full of folks!

Northeast Business at Sunrise with Richland Country School District II – August 29
Richland Country School District II invites Northeast area businesses to participate in a back-to-school program during our regular Business at Sunrise time on August 29. Dr. Sonny White, President of Midlands Technical College, and Dr. Debra Hamm, Interim Superintendent of Richland County School District II will address the assembly.

Breakfast will be provided at no cost. The event will be held in the Westwood High School main gymnasium and begins at 7:30 a.m.

Northeast Mini-Expo – September 26, 2013
Sponsorships and table exhibitor positions are still available for this annual event. Businesses from the Northeast are invited to attend and review one another’s offerings and services. The event takes place at the Village at Sandhill during our September Business at Sunrise time slot.

If you’d like to be a sponsor or a table exhibitor, contact Lynn Turbeville or Paul Dunn at the Chamber by calling 803.733.1128.

Spotlight Available
Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | July 25

By Kasie Whitener, Northeast Area Council liaison
President & CEO Clemson Road Creative, LLC

Upper East Side, Columbia – Summer is here even if it is a little rainier than in years past.

At our Business at Sunrise event today we learned that the wettest summer on record was actually 1962. The area received more than 70 inches of rain that year. We’re nowhere near that number.

Feels dryer already!

Also at Business at Sunrise we heard from Beth Bernstein, State House Representative for District 78. Here’s her Facebook page if you’d like to say, “Hi!”

Representative Bernstein is a freshman in the State House but she’s already been part of some pretty important decisions related to business. She presented a legislative update including some numbers on the increase in state budget allocations for infrastructure and education, a constitutional amendment to allow church raffles, and a plan to reduce the legislative session to save taxpayers some money.

She also said the legislature has put in place a tax credit for Angel investors who invest in qualified start-ups. The credit is 35% of the investment amount. There is also a tax credit available for renovating abandoned buildings which should entice some developers and business owners into revitalizing decaying areas of the state. That credit is 25% of renovation costs.

The Chamber is grateful to Beth for coming to speak to our session this morning and for taking questions from the businesspeople in attendance. She addressed concerns about adoption of the Core Curriculum in schools, the imbalance in property taxes on primary and non-primary residences, the rejection of Medicaid expansion legislation, the plague of partisan politics, and the efforts to remedy the election troubles in Richland County.

Most importantly, she reminded everyone in attendance that the best way to get legislators to take action was to let them know via email, visits, or phone calls that a particular issue needed attention or support. Get involved, she said, and we can get stuff done.

The next Business at Sunrise will be at Westwood High School on August 29^th and coincides with the onset of the new school year. We’ll hear from the new Richland Country District 2 Interim Superintendent Dr. Debra Hamm.

There is no Northeast Business After Hours in July. We’ll see you at Long Creek Equestrian Center on August 20^th for a family after hours event. 

Spotlight Available

Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | June 24

By Kasie Whitener, Northeast Area Council liaison
President & CEO Clemson Road Creative, LLC

Upper East Side, Columbia, S.C. – Over Father’s Day weekend we had my daughter’s fifth birthday party at our home in Longcreek Plantation. Supreme Bouncers provided us with a great Disney Princesses jumping house. It was a huge hit!

Check out this Northeast area business, Supreme Bouncers, for a great selection, great prices, and great service on recreational bouncers.

This week we’ve got a Chamber event where you can win a spotlight on this very blog! Read below for details and come out and support the business community of Northeast Columbia this week.

Monday, June 24, 2013

The Farmer’s Market is getting into full swing at the Clemson Extension campus on Clemson Road. Come out and meet local growers, crafters, and artisans. There’s live music, boiled peanuts, plants for the yard as well as soaps, breads, and veggies.

The Farmer’s Market is open from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. every Tuesday through September.

Business After Hours took place last week at Quaker Steak & Lube. Thanks to our hosts and to everyone who made the event a success! We are taking a break from after hours in July but hope to see you out again in August for a post-work beverage and networking.

Making your July 4^th plans now? Don’t forget to include Village at Sandhill’s “Freedom Festival presented by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.” The event begins at 1 p.m. with games, rides, balloon art, glitter tattoos, and inflatable rides for the kids. Stay for the duration and see exhibits by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, live music from 5:30 until 9:30 and the Midlands best fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

“Freedom Festival presented by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union” is totally free and open to the public.

Spotlight Available

Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | June 10

By Kasie Whitener, Northeast Area Council liaison
President & CEO Clemson Road Creative, LLC

Upper East Side, Columbia, S.C. – It is summertime already and the Famously Hot Columbia is already getting some fun stuff cooking! As you plan your backyard barbecues, think about coming by the Clemson Extension Campus Farmer’s Market for fresh ingredients.

Making your July 4^th plans now? Don’t forget to include Village at Sandhill’s “Freedom Festival presented by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union.” The event begins at 1 p.m. with games, rides, balloon art, glitter tattoos, and inflatable rides for the kids. Stay for the duration and see exhibits by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, live music from 5:30 until 9:30 and the Midlands best fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

“Freedom Festival presented by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union” is totally free and open to the public.

June 11, 2013

The Farmer’s Market is getting into full swing at the Clemson Extension campus on Clemson Road. Come out and meet local growers, crafters, and artisans. There’s live music, boiled peanuts, plants for the yard as well as soaps, breads, and veggies.

The Farmer’s Market is open from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. every Tuesday through September.

June 18, 2013

Quaker Steak & Lube will host the Northeast Area Business After Hours on June 18^th. Come out for snacks, networking, beverages, and a chance to win prizes from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Quaker Steak & Lube is located at 941 Spears Creek Court in Elgin.

Spotlight Available

Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).

Northeast Area Update | May 28

By Kasie Whitener, Northeast Area Council liaison
President & CEO Clemson Road Creative, LLC

Upper East Side, Columbia, May 28, 2013– Were you able to attend any of the Small Business Week events last week? Send us a note and tell us which ones worked best for you, which ones surprised you, and which ones you’d love to see again.

Did you make any valuable connections? Tell us about those, too, and you could end up in a Northeast Connections spotlight. As our community grows, it’s our connections that will keep business local.

Here’s what’s happening this week:

Tuesday, May 28

The Farmer’s Market is getting into full swing at the Clemson Extension campus on Clemson Road. Come out and meet local growers, crafters, and artisans. There’s live music, boiled peanuts, plants for the yard as well as soaps, breads, and veggies.

The Farmer’s Market is open from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. every Tuesday through September.

Thursday, May 30

This Thursday the Chamber hosts Business at Sunrise on the Upper East Side featuring a panel of real estate professionals. These folks will discuss everything from development to financing and share some insights on growth in the Northeast.

Come out to Spring Valley Country Club for breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. on May 30^th.

Spotlight Available

Want to see your business highlighted in the Northeast Update? Come out to a Business at Sunrise, Business at Midday, or Business After Hours event and drop your card in the fish bowl for a chance to win. I’ll run an exclusive post detailing your business offerings, personnel, and achievements.

Have some news about the Upper East Side to share? Leave a comment or send me a note via Twitter (@ClemsonRoad) or email (info@clemsonroad.com).