JASON PAYNE Chair, NKY Chamber
NKY/Cincinnati SVP, Managing Director, Republic Bank
THERE ARE MORE THAN 33 MILLION SMALL businesses in our country, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, employing 61+ million Americans. Those numbers help explain why small businesses are often heralded as the backbone of our national economy - a statement that is especially true in Northern Kentucky. With nearly 1,800 members employing 175,000+ individuals, our economic health requires our region to do everything it can to foster, support and grow small businesses.
This is why the NKY Chamber constantly advocates for policies that benefit our business community, especially small business owners. This year’s small business edition of the NKY Business Journal is a showcase of the backbone of our economy and the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates our region. Each feature in this issue offers both inspiration and insight into what makes Northern Kentucky a place where prosperity and ingenuity coexist.
Our cover story on several local Biggby Coffee franchisees highlights how a small business can be everything from the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to capitalizing on an opportunity and creating generational wealth. Likewise, our feature on three long-standing Northern Kentucky businesses captures how simple things – quality customer service, culture and relationships – can create a legacy. The Small Business Spotlight features the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, shining a light on VIE Ability. The initiative not only helps an often underserved segment of our community with employment but also supports other businesses with their critical office supply needs.
This issue also explores the impact supporting small businesses has on Northern Kentucky and how your NKY Chamber is working in concert with other organizations to provide resources and tools for their success. This includes our friends at Northern Kentucky University and BE NKY detailing the financial impact of small businesses on our economy and how our partnership with the Duke Energy Foundation has helped entrepreneurs accelerate their goals. Our conversation with the chairs of the Florence, Fort Thomas and newly formed Newport Business Councils should inspire entrepreneurs to collaborate and join the conversation in those respective communities.
Northern Kentucky is a hub for commerce, a landing spot for innovation and a destination for experiences not available anywhere else – and all of that is possible largely because of our small businesses. As is the case with a new year, we look forward to the new opportunities and possibilities that 2025 brings – and our small business community stands to benefit from them all. NKY
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DRIVING forces in the economy on all levels, be it city, state or nationwide. Analyzing and understanding their impact throughout the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a specialty of David McAleese, Ashby Drummond and Cheryl Besl of BE NKY Growth Partnership as well as Northern Kentucky University’s (NKU) Janet Harrah.
McAleese serves as the research director at BE NKY Growth Partnership, where he collaborates with research analyst Ashby Drummond and Vice President of Marketing Cheryl Besl. In his role, McAleese conducts industry, labor market, and economic research that “provides the company with data support, analyzing and interpreting trends in demographics, economics, real estate and business so BE NKY staff are equipped with the latest information to assist clients and communities.”
Harrah is the executive director of outreach and senior director of the Center for Economic Analysis and Development (CEAD) within NKU’s Haile College of Business. CEAD conducts objective research and analysis on business, economic, and demographic trends to support the economic wellbeing of Kentucky's businesses and communities. Its activities include regional forecasts, workforce projections, industry surveys, and population studies. In short, when it comes to the local economy, Harrah and her BE NKY counterparts are among the top experts in the region qualified to offer their insights on the matter.
Here's what they had to say...
Q: Can you talk about the impact small businesses have on Northern Kentucky?
MCALEESE: The short answer is small businesses are critical. If we use a threshold of 100 or fewer employees, they make up almost all business establishments in Northern Kentucky which is consistent with the proportion nationally ... If you look at the overall state level, it's approximately 97%, so we’re very much in line with the rest of the state.
What we found is there are really five sectors that account for just over 50% of small businesses: (1) retail trade (13.1%) (2) accommodation and food services (11.6%), (3) healthcare and social assistance (11%), (4) construction (10.5%) and (5) professional, scientific and technical services (9.9%). Data at the county-level are limited, but if we assume that the three-county area of Northern Kentucky follows a similar pattern to the state level, which we have no reason to believe would be drastically different, establishments with 100 or fewer employees likely account for about 52% of overall employment.
DRUMMOND: Small businesses, those with less than 100 employees, make up around 96% of establishments in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties and play a critical role in our local economy. In 2022, which is the most recent data available for us, there are almost 7,900 total businesses or businesses under 100 employees. Over the last five years, that number has grown by 2.9%.
MCALEESE: The three counties of Northern Kentucky have seen an increase in new business applications and formations. However, we lag behind the rest of the state on a per capita basis and we know that Kentucky overall has an opportunity to improve attraction of venture capital. Northern Kentucky is not getting its “fair share” of new business growth, and this has been identified as a critical need.
BESL: There also needs to be a greater focus on entrepreneurship throughout the community and BE NKY pursued a Competitive Community Initiative that identified five critical needs. We’ve started that process, really looking at Northern Kentucky’s competitiveness and where we need to improve to ensure our economy and prosperity continue. Entrepreneurship is one of those areas.
We’ve also discussed the need for talent and upskilling, ensuring our workforce has the right skill sets for employers. A report by consulting firm Economic Leadership identified five critical needs: (1) Increasing the size and productivity of the labor force through attraction, retention and skill alignment; (2) regional branding with a consistent narrative; (3) improving private/public cooperation to enhance collaborative capacity; (4) coordinated housing and infrastructure planning to manage and accommodate growth; and (5) leveraging entrepreneurial support as an economic development driver to diversify the economy and build regional wealth.
MCALEESE: None of those five focus areas occur in a vacuum. Our efforts to increase investment and create high-paying jobs go hand-in-hand with supporting those more tradable sectors. As we bring in more jobs, there is increased demand for restaurants, entertainment and construction businesses, which then support and drive further growth. By creating an environment where we're continually generating good-paying jobs and growing the economy sustainably, we foster and create an environment that is conducive for small business creation.
HARRAH: One of the most important things for business owners is predictability. They need to understand what conditions will be like, particularly how city, county, and state governments handle regulations and taxes over time. Consistency is crucial. When rules change abruptly and frequently, running a business is challenging. This just doesn’t affect small businesses; it impacts all businesses. Without consistency, managing a business becomes much harder. For example, consider a potential tax on unrealized capital gains. While this isn’t about politics, it’s the kind of policy change that would significantly alter the business landscape.
Unrealized capital gains refer to increases in the value of assets that haven't been sold. This has become a contentious issue in tax policy debates, with some proposing to tax these paper gains to increase revenue from wealthy individuals who can accumulate significant unrealized gains over time. Taxing unrealized capital gains could negatively affect small business owners and individual homeowners by forcing them to pay taxes on the increasing value of their business before they've sold it or realized any cash. This could create cash flow problems, pressuring some business owners to sell parts of their company to cover the taxes.
Unrealized capital gains are just one example in a broader range of policy changes—such as shifts in labor regulations, tax structures, or trade policies—that can significantly impact the stability and growth of small businesses.
For instance, a small restaurant owner might see the value of their property increase, but until they sell it, they don’t have extra cash on hand. If they’re taxed on that increase before selling, they may struggle to pay it.
HARRAH: When you look at the headline numbers, they don't look too bad. Gross domestic product (GDP) is growing, the unemployment rate is relatively low, we're adding jobs and the rate of inflation is coming down. However, when you take a step back, while inflation is decreasing, that does not mean prices have come down. The unemployment rate, though still relatively low, has been rising for several months. While we're still adding jobs, the number of people filing for unemployment insurance is also rising, both for initial and continuing claims. Taking this in total, we're seeing an economy that's slowing its rate of growth. It's still growing, but at a slower rate, and there's still economic pain from the inflation that we've experienced the last few years. Growth is likely to be slower next year than in 2024. That's the bad news.
The good news is that the Federal Reserve is starting to lower rates, which means the cost of capital will come down. This is a significant benefit to all businesses, small and large alike, as it reduces the cost of borrowing and can stimulate investment and growth. Additionally, the easing of inflation could eventually lead to more predictable cost structures, which would help businesses with planning and pricing.
MCALEESE: Small businesses feel these effects acutely. There is still a lot of uncertainty. Over the past two years, the headlines have been dominated by “increasing inflation.” High interest rates have made it more challenging to invest in one's business and hire. Now that we've started to see some cooling in the labor market and the Fed has begun to cut interest rates, this will hopefully create more opportunities.
We're still on a solid growth trajectory in Northern Kentucky, and that will continue at least on a relative basis, to make our region a compelling place to do business and start new ventures. There’s uncertainty, but we have the tailwinds of good growth momentum. As a region, we have held up relatively well in the last couple of years, even dating back to the pandemic with the rebound we've seen since. The climate remains favorable for small business development.
AI has, in a relatively short period, spurred a lot of new opportunities. We've seen a lot of growth in that area on the small business front. The more technological innovations we see, the more they can help offset any slowdown in the overall economic environment.
BESL: Personally, I'm an optimist. We've been on a growth trajectory, and we hope that continues. Historically, even in downturns, you see a rise in small businesses. People decide to pursue something new, so there can be an uptick in small businesses and sole proprietorship during difficult times. Technology changes always spur innovation and new ideas. NKY
lifeblood of any thriving community and economy, acting as crucial engines for job creation and innovation. In regions like Northern Kentucky, they contribute to the local tax base, enrich community culture, and foster entrepreneurial spirit. However, small businesses often operate on slim margins and can be vulnerable to market fluctuations, regulatory burdens, and cash flow challenges. Legislation that supports small businesses is therefore critical to their survival and prosperity.
The NKY Chamber serves as the voice of its members on key legislative and regulatory issues in Northern Kentucky, Frankfort and Washington D.C. Each year, we identify legislative issues affecting our members. Here are a few recent measures.
Changes the statute of limitations for employment-related claims from five years to three years, bringing Kentucky closer to the federal guidelines and those of neighboring, competing states. It may also save Kentucky businesses administrative costs associated with protecting against possible litigation.
Requires the KY Department of Revenue to publish administrative writings and opinions. Provides KY businesses and residents greater transparency. Opinions will be posted on their website, https://revenue.ky.gov.
Allows Kentucky employers to offer voluntary paid family leave as an insurance product, providing temporary wage replacement for workers caring for sick family members, bonding with a new child, or supporting injured military or first responder family members.
To learn more about the government relations and business advocacy efforts of the NKY Chamber, visit www.nkychamber.com/advocacy or contact Tami Wilson, VP of Government Relations and Business Advocacy at 859-3806007 or twilson@nkychamber.com. NKY
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
can be one of the most important and daunting things for small business owners to obtain. A partnership between the NKY Chamber and Duke Energy Foundation, however, is helping local minority-, womenand veteran-owned businesses in Northern Kentucky overcome that challenge.
Developed in 2020 to help small businesses during the pandemic, the NKY Small Business Grants for Minority-, Women- and Veteran-Owned Businesses program has evolved. In 2023, the Duke Energy Foundation partnership with the NKY Chamber resulted in grants of varying amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 being distributed to 11 small businesses in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
Learn how three of the grant recipients have since used the funds to energize their businesses’ endeavors.
WHAT THEY DID WITH THEIR GRANT: The Joneses used their grant to expand their business by purchasing a Nissan NV catering van to allow them to transport a new gelato cart.
ARE GRANTS LIKE THIS
FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY’S SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY: The answer is a two-part one according to Joe Jones.
WHO THEY ARE: Covington-based dessert shop Golden Gelato is owned by the husband-andwife team of Joe and Vanessa Jones, who, after enjoying a 2018 hiking trip in Italy, turned their love of gelato into a business. “Golden Gelato is a community space where we offer small batch artisan gelato,” says Joe Jones. “We also offer full espresso and coffee service and have a lounge for night caps and after dinner.”
“There's a direct impact with the financial gift which allows us to invest in something to help our business grow that we might not have otherwise been able to afford. Having something like that in your corner really goes a long way at the end of those long but rewarding days where you say to yourself, ‘Wow! I'm not doing this on my own; there're all these great people behind me.’”
If you’re a small business owner in need of support, Joe Jones says when you are presented with the opportunity to apply yourself, take it.
“There are so many businesses that are in need and everyone is deserving,” he says. “No matter what phase of business you're in, there're opportunities and ways to reach your goals quicker than expected. Maintain a positive attitude and look for chances to get the help when you need it.”
INTERNATIONAL MARKET INDO-NEPALI GROCERY
8125 Connector Drive
Florence, KY 41042
www.uniqueinternationalmarket.com
WHO THEY ARE: Founded in 2023, Unique International Market is a family-owned business that serves as a cultural bridge in offering a diverse range of products from Nepal, India, and other Asian countries. The store features a wide range of products, including fresh produces, meat, fish, spices, dry goods, herbs and specialty products that are often hard to find, as well as non-food cultural artifacts. Also emphasizing ethical sourcing, Unique International Market plans to expand and grow as a cultural hub by hosting cooking classes and more, further strengthening its community ties.
WHAT THEY DID WITH THEIR GRANT: Bhim Dahal – who runs the market with several family members – says the grant was “incredibly helpful” in adding to Unique International Market’s infrastructure. This included purchasing new fixtures such as shelving and coolers, allowing the market to increase its product offerings and ensure frozen food’s stability and produce is fresh. “It made a noticeable difference in improving our customer’s experience and boosted our overall operational efficiency,” Dahal says.
WHY ARE GRANTS LIKE THIS IMPORTANT FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY’S SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY: Dahal grew up working on his parents’ small dairy farm, watching his parents work tirelessly which “planted a seed in me: a desire to one day run a business of my own.”
That, he says, is how he learned “how even the smallest business can make a big difference in people’s lives” – a reality now improved by the NKY Small Business Grants for Minority-, Women- and VeteranOwned Businesses program.
“With that grant, we were able to expand our product offerings and invest in better infrastructure, which allowed us to better serve our customers. The support didn’t just impact our bottom line – it made a difference in the customers lives, too,” Dahal says. “I am where I am today because of the inspiration and support from my family and grants like this help small businesses like mine stay competitive and continue to grow. I hope other small business owners in Northern Kentucky get the chance to benefit from similar opportunities; it’s not just about helping businesses survive—it’s about giving them the resources to thrive, so they can keep contributing to the communities that support them.”
226 W. Pike St., Suite 2
Covington, KY 41011
www.thriveselfdefense.com
WHO THEY ARE: Launched by friends Lauren Bailey and Lindsey Falcon in 2020, Thrive Empowerment Center is a trauma-informed community space offering education and creative- and movement-based therapeutic programs. The duo teaches personal safety through Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD), which identifies “the warning signs of interpersonal violence, effective boundary setting and learning to use your voice and posture to move through the world safely and with confidence.”
Other programs include yoga, dance, martial arts, writing and adult sex education.
WHAT THEY DID WITH THEIR GRANT: Falcon, a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor and Bailey, a trauma-focused social worker, used their grant to launch a women’s and LGBTQIA+ trauma-informed jiu-jitsu team. Additionally, the duo used a portion of the funds to buy new office furniture and equipment.
“Because everything we do is trauma informed, we tend to focus on female and LGBTQ+ participants because they're the marginalized groups that face the most gender- and identity-based violence. We've also done work with differently abled populations and refugee
groups, both of which are at increased risk for violence,” Bailey says. “We use jiu-jitsu to help people reconnect their brains and bodies, to get comfortable being still and being aware of the sensations in their bodies, especially when their bodies were once a crime scene.”
Falcon says that she and Bailey are firm believers that “safety should not be a luxury” and grants have helped defray start-up costs so service costs to individuals can remain low.
Bailey agrees grants like the one they received via the NKY Small Business Grants for Minority-, Women- and Veteran-owned Businesses program are nothing short of “a huge help.”
“Starting any small business is tough, especially starting a small business in a pandemic, which made it even tougher ... We started this business with our own savings,” she says. “Grants really have helped us to build a strong foundation of basic business necessities as well as to take risks with new programs... From our ribbon cutting on, we have felt so supported by the NKY Chamber, the city of Covington and by the local small business owners alike. This community is the greatest one to start a small business in and we hope to be here for a very long time.”
The NKY Chamber is partnering with the Duke Energy Foundation and Blue North to once again support small businesses by providing grants for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses located in Northern Kentucky in 2024. The Duke Energy Foundation and Blue North will each provide $25,000 to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a total of $50,000 in funds for businesses throughout Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, respectively; the 2024 grant recipients will be announced soon. NKY
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
Exploring how three small businesses have enjoyed decades of success in Northern Kentucky
EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS. THAT, ACCORDING to most Google search results, is the amount of time that the average small business lasts. In Northern Kentucky, however, there are several businesses that have shattered the benchmark with no plans of fading away anytime soon.
What makes a business able to not only survive, but thrive in Northern Kentucky? In the case of Kremer’s Market, ATech Training and Madison Design, it’s a combination of quality products, customer service, talent and the drive to ensure all three are respected and valued.
Discover what keeps the legacy alive for these Northern Kentucky small businesses.
755 Buttermilk Pike Crescent Springs, KY 41017 www.kremersmarket.com
Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. In Tom Heist’s case, it has also turned out be the road to prosperity.
“I never imagined in a million years that I would be here today,” says Heist, one of several siblings who now own Kremer’s Market of Crescent Springs. “I didn’t know what the future held, but I didn't think that this place would thrive the way it has, providing so much for both my family and our employees.”
Marked by its notable bright red color and barn structure, Kremer’s Market has been a mainstay of the Northern Kentucky community since namesake Urban Kremer built it in 1977. Now, nearly 50 years later, the grocery store is still going strong featuring produce from local farms and baked goods from the likes of The BonBonerie, Sixteen Bricks and more.
In addition to the goods and products customers can purchase for their own cooking, cleaning and other needs, Kremer’s is also well-known for its homemade to-go lunch and dinner options, complete with a daily special. Heist cites that as example of the personal touch that sets Kremer’s apart from some of its big box competitors.
“Our staff helps to create a wonderful lunch menu and phenomenal dinner menu,” he says. “It’s not just us making those decisions; it’s the employees making those decisions with us.”
Asked about Kremer’s longstanding success, Heist credits it all to a simple mantra: “Stick to your roots, stick to quality and satisfy your customers.”
“Our employees’ level of customer service is outstanding. They know our customer’s names like they’re entering the bar on the old TV show ‘Cheers,’” Heist says. “Tradition is something that we enjoy here as there are third generation customers shopping here with their grandparents and parents. I enjoy watching families come in and grow; the loyalty we show our customers and quality is our niche as we’re small enough but have enough family members of our own on hand to control what we do.”
“I'm fourth generation. We have fifth generation in here now, from my grandfather to my parents ... They’ve all had an influence and passed on their values about how we should run the business and how they wanted this place to be and that’s what we've done,” he says. “It's a phenomenal business because we have wonderful customers and employees who have helped get us here today.”
Originally founded in Massachusetts in 1984 before eventually relocating to Walton, ATech Training manufactures automotive electrical training devices that can be used to teach technicians how to diagnose and repair problems within them. The company is the only training equipment/manufacturer in the world to be Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE™) certified by the Automotive Service Association (ASE™).
Company President Laura Lyons credits ATech’s founders’ skill at building both quality products and relationships as the foundation for the long-term success the company enjoys today.
“They needed somebody to build their products, which is how they ended up in Kentucky and tapping Fred Hines, who was an instructor of electronics at what is now Gateway Community & Technical College,” Lyons says. “We started with some of the actual original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like General Motors and Ford and they were some of our first customers because we had unique products that nobody else had ... We still have products today that no one else has even worldwide. Building those relationships and getting involved with industry – we’ve been a partner with ASE for a long time – is what’s helped us stay successful.”
Lyons says that success is why they receive orders for their equipment from as far away as Malaysia and will be returning to Jordan to conduct training in the new year. Unique products would mean nothing without the individuals who create and train other people to properly use them, however.
Lyons says Kentucky’s location in one of the country’s original manufacturing belts has been key for the company, resulting in a strong workforce base from which it can find and recruit talent. Also factoring into its success is the culture she says the company has worked to cultivate; factors like flexible schedules and company lunches helping to add to employees feeling valued.
Lyons says the company is now planning for its future, noting how ATech already has a trainer on staff in anticipation of advances in and the rise of electronic vehicles (EV).
Despite the industries in which ATech specializes being stereotypically male, Lyons – “used to being the only girl in a room” during her Army days – says women have at times constituted 42% of the company’s workforce.
All those things have helped create and shape an environment where she says people know they will enjoy “a quality of life” where they can “come to work, feel they can contribute and have an impact.”
“We are a small business, and we've always wanted the best people we absolutely can have working in our positions. We've had people that were retired that would come here for a second or even third career or just work part-time,” she says. “We’re always trying to fill positions based on their skill set – can they do the job is first and foremost and the most important thing.”
515 Madison Ave.
Covington, KY 41011
www.madison-design.com
Jackie Roberto remembers well the plan that she and Julie Courtney, with whom she co-founded Madison Design more than two decades ago, put together for their business.
“In our mid-twenties, we quit our jobs – much to the dismay of our parents – and we traveled Europe for about five months. We were backpacking and we got the idea for Madison over there,” she recalls. “We were both freelancing full time, but we were meeting once a week devising our business plan, which, believe it or not, didn't have any financial information in it at all. It had all these goals about the kind of people that we wanted to work for, the kind of clients that we wanted to work for and the kind of work that we wanted to do – that was all summed up in the phrase, ‘Do cool work for cool people.’”
Fast-forward 25 years and they’re still doing just that.
“Through research, asking, listening and observing, we really get to the heart of a brand.” That’s how Roberto describes what Madison Design does for its clients. This includes creating logos, key messaging, taglines, brand guidelines and more representing their clients’ respective values and ideas. Now 17 employees strong, the firm’s
use of its five core principles of listen, stretch, excel, appreciate and include – “The Madison Way” – has resulted in work for the likes of Procter & Gamble, EyeMed, Mercy Health and Saint Elizabeth among others.
Roberto says having an open mindset and adjusting to rapid change have been key in the company’s success, the quality of the work and client experience have built Madison’s reputation. That has helped in attracting and retaining employees like Jonathan Albers, one of the company’s first hires who is now Madison’s third partner.
“Julie and I were working three 10-hour days, working Mondays together, then we alternated, and Jonathan was there every single day. We knew he was amazing and we couldn’t lose him,” she says. “That’s why we became equal partners.”
While the company is now able to revel in its success, Roberto says the road to it was filled with plenty of roadblocks. They overcame them, however, by believing in themselves, hard work and a little luck.
“In the beginning, we each freelanced full time, and then over the course of a year, we transitioned to building clients into Madison together ... But it's important to note that my
former employer became a client and Julie's referred business to us. Those things really helped us get off the ground,” Roberto says. “We were in our late 20s and fortunately the finances that we needed out of the business were pretty minimal – all our furniture was free. The building that we own now is where we started.”
Continuing, Roberto says, “The man who owned it at the time gave us the first year free of rent in exchange for doing the work ourselves in the apartment that we rented as our office. We just bootstrapped it.”
Steadfast in her belief “Northern Kentucky is 100% a place where you can have a long-term business,” she now looks forward to seeing other companies follow in Madison’s legacy footsteps.
“Since we started in Northern Kentucky 25 years ago, the growth has been phenomenal. We quickly fell in love with how eclectic it is, how human it feels all the time and it still feels this way – you feel the people in your city,” she says. “You can easily connect with the people that you need to with the other leaders or the other people making things happen in the city and in the region and it's just been phenomenal.” NKY
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
IF THERE’S ONE THING DAVID
Wallace has learned, it’s if you’re going to be successful, you’ve got to network – and that is one of the many truths he says drives the work of the Florence Business Council.
“You’ve got to get out and network; networking is the name of the game to promote your business. It helps you to grow professionally and get advice from other people,” says Wallace, Chairman/CEO of Heritage Bank and the Chair of the Florence Business Council (FBC). “That is the absolute, most important thing that we can do as far as a business council: provide those networking opportunities where people can find out what other businesses exist and services they have to offer by buying local. That drives our local economy and it’s invaluable.”
A partnership between the respective cities and the NKY Chamber, the business councils were established to “foster collaboration, promote economic growth and support the development” of community businesses while providing a platform for “networking, knowledge sharing and advocacy.” Florence was the first to launch in October 2023, with the Fort Thomas Business Council (FTBC), chaired by Nick Rolf of Gross Insurance, following suit in January 2024.
Business council membership is open to businesses, industry associations, government officials, educational institutions and community organizations operating within respective city limits. Monthly meetings are designed to provide a forum to discuss key issues, initiatives and each council’s progress. The first year of the FBC saw the organization cover a variety of topics, Wallace noting the city’s economic development plans, updates at CVG Airport and artificial intelligence, the latter’s popularity prompting a second presentation in the coming year.
While he acknowledges that similar councils have started and stalled out in previous years, Wallace is confident the FBC will endure by partnering with the NKY Chamber.
“The partnership allows us to provide a broader array of resources and also information to businesses in the Florence area, which has the most businesses of any community in Northern Kentucky,” Wallace says. “Our goals for the first year were to provide a networking experience for businesspeople and provide a program that continues to keep our local businesses updated on what's going on in the Florence area as far as opportunities, but also Northern Kentucky as a whole.”
A similar mindset and set of goals guided the first year of the FTBC according to Rolf, who says the organization is actively now focused on the new year. That is why the FTBC is now looking to follow-up on a business study Northern Kentucky University (NKU) conducted comparing Campbell County’s biggest city to others around the country. Rolf says the study identified key points that could benefit from improvement, which is why the FTBC is also creating a focus group “to address legislation and regulation hiccups.” Additionally, Rolf says the FTBC hopes to create an onboarding program for businesses, which would serve as a “welcome to the city”-style guide, explaining where to turn for support with various issues.
Joining the FBC and FTBC in January 2025 will be the Newport Business Council (NBC), which will be chaired by Mark Ramler, owner of Mansion Hill Properties and longstanding president of the former Newport Business Association. Ramler says attracting new businesses, filling vacant storefronts on Monmouth Street in particular, will be a top priority for the NBC in its first year. Additionally, he
hopes to see the council host networking events that will attract business owners from surrounding areas that may showcase how tourism can positively impact both Newport and the region. He believes the council can be helpful in working with the city for policy changes and incentives to achieve that goal.
Noting the importance for business owners to network, connect and coordinate, Ramler – who also owns Jerry’s Jug House on 7th Street – believes a unified front will be key to moving the city forward.
“Just one or two people saying something aren't going to make a big difference. However, if it comes from a collective group advocating for policy changes or the city to do things, then it's a lot more productive,” Ramler says, citing the NKY Chamber’s experience in advocacy as an added strength for the NBC. “‘A rising tide lifts all ships,’ as the expression goes. If everybody's on board and the NKY Chamber can offer expertise, it will be a help to the businesses.”
Rolf, who hopes the respective councils can come together for an annual event or dinner, agrees.
“In any organization, you're only as strong as the sum of all your parts. The more engaged membership we have, the stronger we will all be,” he says. “We're here to serve our members and deliver content that they're looking for ... We try to cater to as many needs as possible to make sure everyone feels welcome and is receiving value.”
Wallace believes the three councils could – and should – be the start of something more.
“We'd like to see more business councils throughout the region. At some point, we would also like to see even a larger representative council of the business councils that would create a leadership committee that can get together two or three times a year to go over issues that affect all Northern Kentucky,” he says. “For businesses, it's important to know what's going on in the local community and it really doesn't matter the size of the business. Our number one priority is the communities that we are in and serve ... That's what we're here to do.”
(continued from page 19)
NKY Chamber Member Relations Specialist Beth Farrer agrees.
“The NKY Chamber is focused on progress for all businesses in our region. Partnering with Florence, Fort Thomas and Newport to create business councils is not only a way to help small businesses get the resources and information needed for success, but also a way to bring each city closer together,” Farrer says. “My hope is as the councils mature, we can move beyond a singular city perspective and grow to include a what’s best for the business community as a whole perspective that will help all achieve their goals.”
The NKY Chamber Business Councils seek to help businesses in their respective communities connect and communicate more effectively through collaborative relationships. They are an integral part to the NKY Chamber’s regional success strategy and present the opportunity for others to move their respective business communities forward as well. Learn more about the NKY Chamber and the Business Council initiative by contacting NKY Chamber Member Relations Specialist Beth Farrer at bfarrer@nkychamber.com or by calling (859) 578-6399. NKY
Join us for an NKY Chamber regional update from Brent Cooper on growing, attracting, and retaining talent, building an inclusive business community, and uniting the region to advocate for an improved economy.
Thursday, November 21 | 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM | Turfway Park Racing and Gaming | NKYChamber.com/events
Join us for an Afternoon at the Races of networking with other Florence businesses while enjoying complimentary appetizers, happy hour drink prices, horse racing and more!
Wednesday, December 4 | 4:30 - 6:30 PM | Turfway Park
and Gaming | NKYChamber.com/events
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Purpose-driven initiative helps visually impaired individuals with employment and opportunities
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
OFFICE SUPPLIES, JANITORIAL PRODUCTS AND furniture ... are important supplies in the workplace. But as Steve Caruso, Director of State and Commercial Sales for the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI), can tell you, these purchases are not just part of doing business – it’s changing lives for people who are blind and visually impaired.
“When people visit our agency, they get to experience firsthand the full capabilities of those who are blind and visually impaired. Our BVI team members have roles from entry level support roles to leadership roles,” says Caruso of VIE Ability, an e-commerce division of CABVI. Approximately 30% of the team is blind or visually impaired and they continually look to add to that number.
Launched in 2013, VIE Ability sells more than 50,000 high-quality office products via B2B sales while also employing individuals who are blind and visually impaired (BVI). Selling everything from office supplies like copy paper, toner, pens and pencils to cleaning supplies and office furniture, VIE Ability serves as a full-time employer for dozens of individuals, bringing in more than $7 million in sales in 2023. In addition to working in a B2B capacity, VIE Ability also benefits from a contract with the state of Ohio where state agencies procure their key business essentials.
Sealing the deal with Ohio “a huge feather in our cap,” Caruso says VIE Ability continues to grow leaps and bounds every year.
“VIE Ability competes with the big box retailers as well as the biggest names in the e-commerce channel,” he says. “But
many companies aren’t aware of our entire offering and competitive pricing, so our local sales team continues to share the CABVI mission all over Northern Kentucky and greater Cincinnati.”
As noted by several institutions and agencies tracking BVI workforce figures, 44% of individuals with a visual impairment are employed in the United States. Additionally, a large percentage of the population is reporting they are not actively seeking employment. Transportation to and from a job poses a challenge for those who are visually impaired. “We do a lot of ridesharing here among our staff to help get the blind and visually impaired individuals to and from work; it's very family-oriented – everybody watches out for everybody,” Caruso says.
That mentality, Caruso says, is why he and so many others enjoy working at the agency and appreciate everyone who makes CABVI a valuable resource for so many.
“I was in the for-profit business for over 25 years, where everything was about profit margins and shareholders. But the difference is at CABVI, a mission-based, non-profit agency, the resources made from the sales allows them to hire more blind and visually impaired individuals and enhance the number of services we provide to the community,” he says. “It’s a more gratifying feeling when you see how your efforts directly impact people’s lives.”
Those are among the reasons that Caruso says VIE Ability has “far exceeded expectations” in furthering CABVI’s mission of meeting the needs of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s BVI community.
For any business looking to fulfill its workplace needs, he hopes they will consider VIE Ability, as the benefits from doing so will be substantial.
“We are booming which means we can hire more people, provide more services for the blind and visually impaired and that is the name of the game here. We really try to find companies that share similar values, whether they are small, mid-sized, or large businesses,” Caruso says. “Most organizations in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati are eager to help local agencies like ours that are making a positive impact in the community. We’re always looking for more companies like that to partner with us.” NKY
I was in the for-profit business for over 25 years, where everything was about profit margins and shareholders. But the difference is at CABVI, a mission-based, non-profit agency, the resources made from the sales allows them to hire more blind and visually impaired individuals and enhance the number of services we provide to the community.
Steve Caruso
The Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired AT A GLANCE
Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) 2045 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 221-8558 cincyblind.org
4,000 – The number of blind or visually impaired (BVI) individuals supported by CABVI’s Vision Services.
76 – The approximate number of BVI individuals employed at CABVI. Forty-six individuals work in manufacturing with another 30 in service-based jobs.
DID YOU KNOW?
As noted in the company’s 2023 Annual Report, VIE Ability had a 32% growth year with $7.3 million in sales in connection with the State of Ohio contract.
BIGGBY
franchise owners find their entrepreneurial niche through owning their own business
County and at some point, you will see it: the bold, black “B” surrounded in a shade of orange, a similar color scheme of the nearby professional football team with whom they became a proud partner in 2023. But instead of touchdowns and tailgating, the orange square logo in this case represents BIGGBY COFFEE, the all caps-coffee chain with locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.
In the case of six of the company’s Northern Kentucky franchisees – Shanna Novosel, Michael (“Tino”) and Amber Constantino, Rachel and Mike Leighton, Michael and Holly Chatterton, Carrie and Casey Williams and Amanda and Chris Ward – BIGGBY is more than just a great place to get a cup of coffee. It is how they’ve been able to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and become a part of the oft-heralded backbone of the economy, a.k.a. small businesses. To hear them talk, it becomes quite clear that while their businesses may be small in stature, the significance of them to their lives is anything but.
Founded in 1995 in East Lansing, Michigan, by Bob Fish and Michael McFall, BIGGBY COFFEE serves up a variety of coffee and tea drinks as well as hot chocolate, freezes, bagels, muffins and more. The company has grown substantially since that time, boasting 350+ locations presently.
“I grew up drinking BIGGBY COFEE, I was a customer at their first location back in 1995,” says Novosel, who left the corporate world in 2012 to pursue her dream of owning a coffee shop. “When I moved to the greater Cincinnati region in 2005, I missed BIGGBY, saw an opportunity in the market for such and made the move to bring a small piece of my hometown to my new home.”
In addition to owning two BIGGBY locations in Fort Mitchell and Florence, Novosel is now an Area Representative for the company. Founded in 2018, the program sees experienced local franchise owners/operators help facilitate the signing of, build out and opening of new locations within their assigned area. It is through Novosel that the Constantinos, Chattertons, Leightons, Wards, and Williamses all became BIGGBY franchisees, the latter’s Hebron franchise being named the company’s Store of the Year in 2022. Like Novosel, each ownership duo has a unique backstory, B, IGGBY enabling them to move their lives in a new direction.
Michael Constantino is an Air Force veteran/retired firefighter-turned real estate agent while his wife, Amber, is a member of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Vascular Access Team and is the current Kenton County Coroner. Chris Ward is the founder of EntryPoint Wealth Management, and his wife Amanda has transitioned from stay-at-home mother to entrepreneur. While his wife Holly continues her work in the finance industry, Michael Chatterton left a career in property management; Rachel Leighton worked as a nutrition and weight-loss counselor and her husband Mike is also the plant manager for Ernst Concrete’s Walton facility. Carrie Williams was a Kenton County Schools elementary science teacher and her husband Casey? He made his living working in video marketing before the pandemic made him reevaluate his career path.
Now firmly entrenched in their own respective franchises, each of the owners have found coffee to be a good entry point into the world of small business ownership.
“Coffee is one of those comfort items that helps many of us get started in the morning or get over that afternoon slump. For many, coffee is a ritual; it’s an affordable luxury,” Casey Williams says. “Even when people are tightening their budgets, a really good cup of coffee is still something they look forward to.”
Location(s): 7267 Turfway Road, Florence, KY 41042; 2111 N Bend Road, Hebron, KY 41048; and 10126 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison, OH 45030. The couple also owns a mobile BIGGBY COFFEE trailer.
About the owners: Amanda and Chris opened their first BIGGBY franchise in January 2019. Since then, they have built a strong business model, as evidenced by their Hebron location being named the 2022 BIGGBY COFFEE Store of the Year out of more than 300 locations. In addition to their BIGGBY franchises, the couple also owns Hawaiian Ice Northern Kentucky in Elsmere and EntryPoint Wealth Management in Edgewood.
Location(s): 6875 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, KY 41001
About the owners: Michael is an Air Force veteran, retired firefighter and a real estate agent who now runs daily operations at the Alexandria BIGGBY franchise he and his wife Amber purchased in September 2023. The couple chose BIGGBY for their first business venture because, in their words, “We enjoy coffee, and this would allow us to be part of a community. We felt this would be a great entry point into the small business world.”
Location(s): 64 Martha Layne Collins Blvd, Cold Spring, KY 41031
About the owners: The Leightons purchased their BIGGBY COFFEE franchise in December 2021. Michael got an early start in owning a small business when he owned and operated a small landscaping company he founded in high school for 10 years. “When the opportunity arose to open a BIGGBY COFFEE, it was a good fit for both of us.”
Location(s): 5068 Old Taylor Mill Rd, Taylor Mill, KY 41015
About the owners: The Taylor Mill franchise is the first business for the Chattertons. “I had an interest in coffee and the neighborhood feel of coffee shops. BIGGBY allowed for the local feel but also the support and knowledge needed to get started in the industry,” says Michael.
Location(s): 3966 Turkeyfoot Rd, Erlanger, KY and 1811 Monmouth St, Newport, KY
About the owners: The Williamses opened their first BIGGBY COFFEE franchise in Erlanger in February 2021, which was followed by their Newport location in March 2023. While the franchises are the first business Carrie, a former elementary science teacher, has owned, Casey’s background includes cofounding an education technology firm that was part of the UpTech accelerator program.
Location(s): 2498 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 and 8529 US-42, Florence, KY 41042
About the owner: Novosel purchased her first BIGGBY COFFEE franchise in Fort Mitchell in 2012, which was also the first in Northern Kentucky. She is an Area Representative for BIGGBY, which helps facilitate the signing of, build out, and opening of new locations in their assigned area.
Small business ownership, however, does not come without its challenges, especially for those whose BIGGBY franchise is their first business.
While their product is popular, Rachel Leighton says it’s a common misconception that owning a coffee shop is easier than other small businesses. Her fellow owners say there are several operational aspects – finding and retaining talent, the cost of goods and the amount of time required daily to manage everything – that are consistent challenges.
Knowing and being able to lean on each other for support has been a significant help. In fact, according to Amanda Ward, the support has been nothing short of “priceless.”
“These are people who share common goals, have valuable perspectives, understand your experiences and support each other in all kinds of situations. Of course, we all want to have successful businesses, but we have always understood how intertwined our success is with one another's and do all we can to lift each other up,” she says. “Whether it is sharing product, partnering on repairs, answering a phone call or even covering a shift, we want the best for each other!”
Michael Chatterton agrees.
“Having a sounding board and a group to bounce ideas off is critical,” he says. “I don’t think any of us have the perfect answers, and each store operates differently, but when you have someone you can ask for thoughts, ideas, and help, it makes a huge difference.”
The group says that difference is one they each feel in their dealings with the people they are proud to call customers and co-workers.
“Our customers have been so supportive from day one. They love our products and our staff. Even on the occasion when we make a mistake, it amazes me how nice our customers are by allowing us to fix it and make up for it,” Michael Constantino says. “Our staff is like our family. We care for every one of them and the lives they live. Even when someone must move on to bigger things, we are always cheering them on.”
Rachel Leighton agrees.
“I get to work alongside the most amazing people. When owning a small business feels especially hard, being in my store with my staff brings me so much joy,” she says. “They remind me of the bigger picture of owning a small business and the impact we have as employers. Our goal is to set the standard that once they move on from us, they never accept working where they are not valued and cared for.”
What’s next for the local BIGGBY franchise owners? With some having opened second or third locations within the past two years, none have plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Additionally, the support of the Northern Kentucky community is something none of the BIGGBY six hopes slows down anytime soon. Each owner says they cannot overstate just how crucial the community has been to their success – and not only in terms of buying food and beverages.
Novosel speaks fondly of how when she was hospitalized during her pregnancy, the community was “literally helping run my store.” Stories like that are not surprising to Michael Constantino, who says “the people in Northern Kentucky are what make it a special place.”
“When people find out a business is locally owned, you’re treated differently. There seems to be a focus to support local businesses,” he says. “Expectations are still high, but compassion and caring help you thrive.”
Carrie Williams – who credits the NKY Chamber of Commerce for helping “facilitate the personal connection that brought us into the BIGGBY world” – is certain the region will help them all continue to do just that.
“When you’re visiting BIGGBY, you’re supporting a family-owned business,” she says. “Small business ownership is a struggle every day ... But when you get a win, there’s nothing like it!”
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The biggest networking event of the year, Annual Dinner once again returned to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center to celebrate NKY Chamber members’ achievements over the past year as well as several honorees’ legacies of service. Congratulations again to all this year’s honorees. Thank you for everything you do to make our region a great place to live, work, play, learn and give back.
by BE NKY Growth Partnership
ANNUAL DINNER | NKY CONVENTION CENTER, COVINGTON
WOMEN'S INITIATIVE PROFESSIONAL SERIES | KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, ERLANGER
EGGS 'N ISSUES: BLINK 2024 | RECEPTIONS, ERLANGER
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NORTHERN KY & CINCINNATI
William E. Hesch CPAs, LLC, is pleased to announce its merger with MMB CPAs & Advisors, effective November 1, 2024.
William E. Hesch CPAs, LLC was founded in May 1993 by William E Hesch. Carrie Carroll and Cathy Henry have been working with Bill Hesch in providing tax preparation, tax consulting, and business consulting services for over
31 years from the same office in Oakley Square. Bill is also celebrating his 50th year in public accounting and is excited to continue practicing with MMB CPAs & Advisors, in the coming years. Bill, Carrie and Cathy will be moving into MMB’s offices at 4340 Glendale-Milford Road, Blue Ash, Ohio 45242. The merger is an ideal fit for two quality Cincinnati-based CPA firms that pride themselves in personalized service with highly experienced tax professionals who truly care about their clients from both the personal and business perspective.
Bill has been working over the past 10 years trying to find a successor for his CPA firm. Over the past 5 years, Bill had contacted Adam Hines and Kevin Krieg to join his firm. They joined MMB CPAs & Advisors and recently contacted Bill for this strategic merger. The partners of MMB CPAs & Advisors are John Michel, Adam Hines, and Kurt Marty and Kevin Krieg is a senior tax manager. Their firm has 16 employees and will be adding Bill, Carrie, and Cathy in the merger. The merger will provide more staff and more resources to support the tax preparation, consulting services, and business advisory services for Hesch clients. The merger also affords MMB room to grow its client base in the coming years.
To learn more, visit www.mmbadvisors.com.
NetGain Technologies, a leading Managed Service Provider (MSP), is proud to announce its recognition as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). Recognized by Cyber Risk Alliance on their international 2024 MSSP 250 list, this prestigious status
underscores NetGain’s continuous dedication to delivering exceptional security services. It is a major milestone that sets the company apart as both an MSP and a security leader.
NetGain Technologies has long been at the forefront of IT security, offering comprehensive solutions to meet the rising challenges businesses face in today's complex threat landscape. With a team of highly certified experts, led by Scott Logan, Director of Security Services, NetGain’s security framework combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to help protect small- to mid-sized businesses.
“This award is a wonderful achievement for NetGain as a Managed Service Provider,” said Scott Logan. “We have always been known as a great MSP with a robust security offering. Now we are globally recognized as an MSP and MSSP which is a powerful statement in our industry.”
Easterseals Redwood – a nonprofit leading the way to equity, access and workforce inclusion in our community – celebrated the grand reopening and ribbon cutting for its new Farmer Family Foundation Regional Impact Campus on Sept. 25. Following a $30 million comprehensive campaign for capital, program and sustainability funding, the enhanced facility strengthens the nonprofit’s mission of supporting people with disabilities, military veterans, and individuals facing economic disadvantages.
With its first philanthropic gift received from MacKenzie Scott in 2020, the renovated campus in Walnut Hills marks the organization’s most ambitious philanthropic effort to date. It now includes the Klekamp Family Military and Veteran Center, the region’s first “one-stop shop” where veterans can access the resources they need for success in civilian life.
The organization has doubled the space for its $4 million annual packaging and fulfillment business, creating more jobs for the community. It also expanded workforce solutions and job-readiness programs to help with talent attraction and retention, opened Cincinnati’s only assistive technology center for people with disabilities, and launched a construction academy to train and connect individuals to sustainable careers in construction.
Philanthropic support for the project includes MacKenzie Scott; Farmer Family Foundation; Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; Peter and Laura Klekamp; Paul Heldman & Deborah Kirshner; The Kroger Co. Foundation; Jewish Vocational Service; and many others.
Easterseals Redwood works each day to create a community where everyone has a place and is welcome. Through partnerships, innovation, and a personcentered service delivery model, the organization has developed inclusive environments and programs that work.
Congratulations to Sylvia Buxton, President and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle Americas Business Unit, who has been inducted into the 2024 National Candy Sales Association (NCSA) Candy Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Orlando, FL, and is one of the highest honors in the confectionery industry, recognizing lifetime career achievements, loyalty to the industry and going above and beyond job requirements.
"This year’s Candy Hall of Fame celebration epitomized the best of the confectionery industry,” said Teresa Tarantino, Executive Director of NCSA. “The event celebrated creativity, passion and the legacy these individuals have contributed to our industry. Their work inspires us all to continue giving back in meaningful ways that help build and strengthen the worldwide confectionery industry.”
Buxton has more than 30 years of experience in the confectionery industry, and has been in her current role since 2018, leading the Americas business unit including brands such as Airheads and Mentos. Under her leadership are more than 2,000 employees across the U.S., Canada and Mexico and now encompassing LATAM Export. She is the only woman on the company’s global executive team and is a dedicated advocate for women’s leadership, mentoring aspiring professionals and actively contributing to industry events. Buxton is also active in the local Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky community, serving on numerous Boards of Directors. She was honored as one of the 2022 Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky by the Women’s Initiative of the NKY Chamber and recognized as the 2024 Woman of Influence by the National Confectionery Association Women’s Leadership Group.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected alongside several other well-deserving colleagues for induction into the NCSA Candy Hall of Fame,” said Sylvia Buxton, President and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle North America. “This recognition is not just a testament to individual achievement, but a celebration of the collaboration, innovation and passion of the entire industry.”
REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS AND MORE AT NKYCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS
11/18 Connect Hour & Business After Hours | Rising Star Casino, Rising Sun | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
11/19 Eggs ‘N Issues: Regional Economic Outlook | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30 – 9:15 AM
11/20 2025 Legislative Session and Business Advocacy Preview | Triple Crown, Florence | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
11/21 Florence Business Council: Regional Update | Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, Florence | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
11/26 AI Super User Boot Camp for Small Businesses - Week 1 | Virtual | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
12/1 RYL Class of 2026 Application open for current High School Sophomores
12/3 Eggs ‘N Issues: Transportation | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30 – 9:00 AM
12/3 AI Super User Boot Camp for Small Businesses - Week 2 | Virtual | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
12/4 Getting the Most of Your Chamber Membership | NKY Chamber, Ft. Mitchell | 9:00 – 10:00 AM
12/4 Florence Business Social: Afternoon at the Races | Turfway Park, Florence | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
12/5 WI Professional Series | Boone County Public Library, Burlington | 8:30 – 10:00 AM
12/5 Fort Thomas Business Council: Holiday Business Social | The Post | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
12/10 AI Super User Boot Camp for Small Businesses - Week 3 | Virtual | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
12/11 NKYP Holiday Party | Buffalo Bar, Ludlow | 5:30 - 8:00 PM
12/12 HR 100: Morning of Impact | Life Learning Center, Covington | 8:00 – 10:00 AM
12/17 AI Super User Boot Camp for Small Businesses - Week 4 | Virtual | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
1/8 HR 100: TBD | NKY Chamber, Ft. Mitchell | 8:00 – 9:30 AM
1/9 NKYP: Lunch ‘N Learn: Prysmian COO Paul Furtado | Prysmian, Highland Heights | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
1/9 Business After Hours | TBD | 4:30 – 6:30 PM
1/14 Government Forum | TBD | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
1/16 Florence Business Council | TBD | 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM
1/23 Fort Thomas Business Council | TBD | 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM
1/27 Women’s Initiative Connect Hour | Location TBD | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
1/28 Eggs N’ Issues: State of NKY | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30 – 9:00 AM
1/28 Newport Business Council: What’s New in Newport | The Prestant, Newport | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Northern Kentucky Business Journal is published bi-monthly by:
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
300 Buttermilk Pike Suite 330 P.O. Box 17416
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017
859-578-8800 NKYChamber.com
The Business Journal is a benefit of membership and included in membership fees. Annual subscription rate for nonmembers is $30.
Periodicals Postage Paid USPS-548630 at Covington, KY.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 330, P.O. Box 17416 , Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017-0416.
Subscribers: Please send address changes by e-mail to info@nkychamber.com.
© 2024, The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and by the individual authors. All rights reserved.
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Brent Cooper | bcooper@nkychamber.com
Marketing & Communications
Shannan Boyer | shannan@scootermediaco.com
Design & Photography
Ben Gastright | bgastright@nkychamber.com
Vice President, Membership–Sponsorship Sales
Lynn Abeln | labeln@nkychamber.com
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Diana McGlade | dmcglade@nkychamber.com
Staff Writer
Tabari McCoy | tabari@scootermediaco.com
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