As we celebrated Independence Day this week it caused us to think about independent businesses and the people who run them. Starting, and maintaining, a small business is both a major undertaking and a labor of love for many entrepreneurs. From their original concept for a business to the time they cut the ribbon to celebrating milestones like an anniversary or an expansion, the people who own and operate small businesses are pouring time, effort, and money into their company. They make choices every day about products and services to offer, items on a store shelf or restaurant menu, where to locate their business, who to hire, equipment to buy, and much more. These individuals have provided capital and secured loans. They have to be savvy about both their chosen profession and their finances. It’s a lot of work, and we are fortunate to have help available for small business owners.

The US Small Business Administration was formed over 70 years ago as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business to strengthen the nation’s economy. Through the SBA help has been made available in a variety of forms for small businesses, including formation of the Small Business Development Center. We are fortunate to have an SBDC office right here in Chautauqua County with a capable staff of advisors to help answer questions, get entrepreneurs on the right track, and help keep them there. Whenever we are asked about how to start a business, we recommend people talk with the SBDC staff at JCC.

For federal government purposes, small businesses are defined as those with fewer than 500 employee. But we have hundreds of businesses here in Chautauqua County that get by with far fewer and many of them are true “mom and pop” operations where their business represents their family’s livelihood. Many have created a family legacy in our communities through the operation of their family businesses.

Freedom is a word we love to use as Americans. We hold up the Bill of Rights as a beacon for how to maintain our independence. The freedom that allows us to go into business for ourselves may not be listed in the US Constitution, but its underpinnings are clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence with a focus on “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Today, we proudly salute all the men and women in this country who have taken those words to heart. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. Please support local businesses.

Join us for the Chamber’s Brand Launch Party

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is rebranding, and we hope you’ll join us to get a first look at our new look! We will hold a Brand Launch Party Thursday, July 18 from 4-6pm at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown. Everyone’s invited!

For the past several months our Board of Directors and staff have had the privilege of working with the Mr. Smith Agency in Buffalo on a new brand. This work included an in-person discovery session with lots of time for discussion about our values and goals, and several follow-ups to review how we can visually represent our mission: to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County.

This rebranding process is a direct result of our strategic planning process last year. Strategic directions highlighted in the plan were to facilitate collaborative relationships between businesses to promote economic activity for our county, unify and streamline the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce through utilization of a consistent brand structure, clarify who we are and what we do, and lead the way and excel at boosterism and serve as the spokespeople for business. We began the process last year by adopting new mission and vision statements and are refocusing our work around that mission. The new brand is a visual representation of our mission, and we are excited to show it off!

This Brand Launch Party will also provide a summer networking opportunity with the Chamber. You can enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar from 4-5pm. We will have a brief presentation at 5pm with our special guests from the Mr. Smith Agency, and then there will be more time to mingle, and courtesy of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute you can see the incredible artwork on display including the extraordinary exhibit Five Minutes in Nature from Kevin Ebi and Amy Tan’s Backyard Birds. Advanced registration is not required for this event but is appreciated for our planning purposes. Feel free to bring friends and colleagues! Registration is open now through the Chamber’s web calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!

Branding Through Storytelling and Images Workshop July 22

The Chamber of Commerce is proud to host award-winning writer and filmmaker Travis Carlson for a Business Builder Workshop July 22 on Branding Through Storytelling an Images.

Carlson is a Chautauqua County native. He worked for five years with the Buffalo Bills and Sabres as a cinematographer before co-founding Pan-American Film Division in Buffalo. Pan-Am partners with local and national businesses to help them communicate with their customers or other businesses. Their original work includes the one-shot feature film Mother’s Day, as well as dozens of short films, three of which earned screenings at the Cannes Film Festival SFC. Pan American’s latest project is the book Mafia: Buffalo -vs- the Multiverse. It’s a true fantasy adventure that incorporates AI-developed images into the ultimate Buffalo Bill’s Mafia fan journey in a graphic novel style.

This Business Builder Workshop promises to be an engaging session for all local businesspeople. It will be held Monday, July 22 from 1-3pm in the Key Auditorium at the SUNY Fredonia Science Center. There will be plenty of time for a question-and-answer session with Travis at the end of the event. Register online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

Jamestown Cruise-In Returns August 9

One of Downtown Jamestown’s largest events returns August 9 as the Chamber of Commerce presents Jamestown Cruise-In from 5-9pm. This annual display of classic cars, hotrods, and cool vehicles always draws a crowd. This spectacular event is back for its 31st year! Enjoy live music by In Crowd, support local businesses with food and beverage purchases, and join in all the fun with another People’s Choice Award as spectators can text the number of their favorite car. Vehicle registration and sponsorship opportunities are open online now through the Chamber’s web calendar. Jamestown Cruise-In is sponsored by Cummins, Shults Auto Group, 3 C’s Catering, Elegant Edibles Catering, Axiom Office Imaging, Chautauqua Patrons Insurance Company, Affinity One Federal Credit Union, LaBella Associates, National Grid, Brooks – TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, and AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital.