Business Connections, June 2024

The Shelby County Chamber

BUSINES S CONNECTI ONS

June ‘24 Chamber Events

Go and Grow Workshop: “Hands-on Workshop: How to Grow Your Business with LinkedIn 2.0"

Sponsored by Valley Bank

On June 13, the Chamber’s Go and Grow Workshop will be an interactive workshop featuring Michael Smith, the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Michael will be facilitating a “hands-on” interactive workshop on the how, what, when, where, why and how of utilizing LinkedIn to help grow your business. Building on previous workshops, topics covered during this hands-on and interactive workshop will expand on:

• How to tweak your profile to increase views

• Target people you want to do business with

• Build your connections the fast and smart way

• Ways to “post,” “like,” “comment” and “share” that build your business

Participants should bring their laptops or tablets and be ready to work on their LinkedIn profiles.

The workshop will be from 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. at the Chamber. The cost to attend is $10 per person for Chamber investors or $20 for “future” investors. Register by emailing Karen Williams at karen@shelbychamber.org, calling 205-663-4542 (ext. 107) or visiting shelbychamber.org.

One-on-One Business Consulting Available June 13

If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur with a “can’t miss” idea, the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence is available to meet with you on June 13 for a one-on-one sit-down meeting to discuss your idea.

This opportunity, which is coordinated through the Chamber’s Business Resource Center, provides small business owners a confidential opportunity to seek some outside advice on their business or idea.

As of press time, there are currently two

remaining timeslots, which are roughly 30 minutes long, for this complimentary business consulting with Michael Smith, the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence. These one-on-one sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they will be by appointment only. There are no walk-ups for these sessions. Contact Karen Williams, the Chamber’s Manager of Business and Workforce Development, at karen@shelbychamber.org for availability on June 13.

Ambassador of the Month

Congratulations to Cindy Edmunds for achieving “Ambassador of the Month.” Cindy is a real estate agent with ARC Realty, and she has been helping buyers and sellers in the Birmingham area for 20 years. She loves what ARC stands for: “A Relationship Company.” Cindy feels that is what makes the difference in working with an agent from ARC Realty.

“We care for each other like a family at ARC, and we show that same care with our clients,” Cindy says. “Whether you need to upsize, down size, move across town or move across the country, I can help!”

Cindy works with a lot of first-time home buyers, as well as people relocating to Birmingham for the first time. She feels that her

listening skills, patience and attention to detail is what makes her a great agent. Through all of Cindy’s networking, she has built a strong database of connections with various trades and contractors, which is also very helpful to her clients.

Cindy has been married to her college sweetheart, Kirk, for 35 years. They have lived in North Shelby County throughout the duration of their marriage. Cindy and Kirk have two grown children. Cindy loves spending time with her family and friends, going to concerts and sporting events, reading and traveling. If you have a real estate need or question, you can contact Cindy at 205-229-2774 or cedmunds@arcrealtyco.com.

Chelsea Business Alliance Quarterly Luncheon Meeting

The second quarterly luncheon meeting for the Chelsea Business Alliance Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chelsea Com-

munity Center. Our meeting will feature a presentation from Irons Media Group on the benefits of online marketing to help grow your company’s business.

The investment, which includes lunch, is $20 per person. To help us prepare properly, register by noon on Monday, June 3 to Kirk Mancer at kirk@shelbychamber.org.

Quarterly Investor Reception

Is Your Organization Taking Full Advantage of Your Chamber Investor Benefi ts?

Join us on June 18 for The Shelby County Chamber’s Quarterly Investor Reception

Yes, there is such a thing as a

free lunch, particularly on June 18! We invite you to join your fellow investors and Chamber staff for some business networking and to learn about how to get the most out of your investment. Whether your business is a new

or long-time investor, make arrangements to join us from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Shelby County Chamber to ensure you and your colleagues are getting the most out of your yearly contribution.

All guests will get a free lunch.

Reservations are required, and space is limited. Register by Monday, June 17 at noon to Jordan Powell at jordan@shelbychamber. org. Those interested can also call 205-663-4542 or visit shelbychamber.org to register.

It’s bringing dreams into reality personal.

Business dreams really do come true. At least, they did for Kristy Keiffer. Since 1993, Kristy has trusted AmFirst with her personal financial needs. So when she dreamed of franchising a Frio’s Gourmet Pops in 2018, she knew where to go for great rates on equipment loans and reliable business checking. We helped Kristy make her business dreams a reality. Because Frio’s Gourmet Pops is more than just a business. It’s personal.

amfirst.org /business

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2024 TSCC Offi cers and Board of Directors

OFFICERS (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE)

Chamber Chair

April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC

Chair-Elect

Kevin Morris

America’s First Federal Credit Union

Vice Chair, Business Development & Support

Rux Bentley Rux Carter Insurance

Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing

Jeff Purvis

A. C. Legg, Inc.

Vice Chair, Community & Career Development

Amiee Mellon University of Montevallo

Vice Chair, Finance & Administration

John Collier Progress Bank

Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs

Melissa Dixon CDI Janitorial Services

Vice Chair, Investor Relations

Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College

Immediate Past Chair

Mechelle Wilder ARC Realty

DIRECTORS

Traci Fox T Fox SalonSpa

Kimberly L. Jackson Alabama Power Company

William Norwood PNC

Benji Sawyer Sawyer Solutions, LLC

Chad Scroggins

Shelby County

Teresa Vick Regions

Holly Dean Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Meribeth Gilbert McLeod Software

Bruce Gouin Express Employment Professionals

Nedra Moore Creations Galore and Moore

Chris Stricklin Dunn Companies

Chris Wilder Sealing Equipment Products Company

Josh Coker Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Julie Godfrey

Shelby County Instructional Services Center

Scott Gossett Spire Alabama

Wade Kallaher

Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company

Keith Strickland Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood

Terri Williams AT&T - Alabama

Tampia Anderson The Arc of Shelby County

Ken Delgreco Urban Home Market

Alec Etheredge

Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

Micah McLaughlin Irons Media Group

The Hon. Brian Puckett (ExOfficio, SCMA) City of Helena

Amy Sturdivant (Ex-Officio) 58 INC (as of 11/07/23)

Flowers & Occasions (March 13-April 12)

Your Chamber at work

March 13-April 12, 2024

- Responded to 59 requests for business and community information

- Promoting Chamber investors as well as Chamber and community events through the following Social Media outlets:

- Chamber Facebook: 68 “new follows,” 6,950 “post reaches” and 7,160 “total followers”

- X (Twitter): 21 “tweets,” 568 “tweet impressions,” 56 “profile visits” and 2,950 “followers”

- Instagram: 1,717 “followers,” 337 “post reaches” and 7 “new follows”

- LinkedIn: 1002 (8 new) “followers,” 50 “unique visitors” and 1,004 “post impressions”

- WBC Facebook: 526 “followers” and 786 “post reaches”