By Tricia Burke, president of OEC, Office Environment Company

As president of the Louisville Chapter of NAWBO and president of a locally owned and operated 101-year-old office furniture and office supply business (Office Environment Company), I am passionate about buying locally. There truly is a cause and effect between where we spend our money and how it is invested in the community.  Versus getting on my soapbox, I have taken the liberty of including an excerpt from the LIBA (Louisville Independent Business Alliance/Buy Local First/Keep Louisville Weird) website, which highlights three key areas – the multiplier effect, product diversity and community investment.  Please take a few minutes to read this article … and then a few more minutes to go to the website and find out the full story about LIBA.  A LIBA Business Membership is $100 a year – a worthy investment for a vital economic cause.  Office Environment Company has just joined.  Why don’t you consider it?

WHY BUY LOCAL?

The Multiplier Effect:
Independent local businesses employ an array of supporting services, circulating money in and strengthening the local economy. They hire architects, designers, cabinet shops, sign makers and contractors for construction; local accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, attorneys, advertising agencies help run it.
Dollars spent at community-based merchants create a multiplier effect in the local economy that typically amounts to three times that of a chain. Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a chain, $13 remains in the community while $45 remains when spent with hometown businesses.

Diversity of Available Products:
When a fewer number of larger stores dominate a community, it is the national chains that choose what reaches customers, and options dwindle. A multiplicity of independent retailers creates great diversity of products available to shoppers.

Support for Community Causes:
Local owners have a natural interest in their communities’ long-term health. Community-based businesses are essential to charitable endeavors, and their owners frequently serve on local boards and support numerous causes.

Each time we spend a dollar, LIBA encourages you to weigh the full value of your choices, not solely to yourselves immediately, but for the future we want for Louisville.

In the Member's Area of the web site is a NEW Buy NAWBO 1st program where NAWBO Members, Sponsors and Partners can offer discounts on goods and services to NAWBO Members. You can access it under Membership and Programs, but you must be logged in to see the discounts offered. There are already quite a few great deals available. To see information on this new program, visit the Buy NAWBO 1st page on the NAWBO Louisville web site.

If you have special offers for NAWBO members and are interested in participating in the Buy NAWBO 1st program, send the details to Lesa Seibert, Xstreme Media, so you can be added to the Buy NAWBO 1st listing on the NAWBO web site.

Double Kudos to Allegra Print & Imaging - East
Allegra Print & Imaging – East recently awarded $40,000 in free printing and graphic design services to the recipients of this year’s Allegra Print & Imaging FootPRINT Fund® for nonprofit friends.  The 2008 award recipients are: American Red Cross, Assumption High School, Brooklawn Child and Family Services, The Child Connection, DebRA New Family Advocate Program, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, KSI Stroke Association, Project Women Inc., RoseHaven and Women 4 Women. Each organization received up to $5,000 to be used in 2008.  Since 2003, they have awarded over $200,000 to nonprofit organizations and associations. 

Congratulations to co-owners Denise Spalding and Jennifer Eberle, also, for being selected to GLI's High Impact Program!  The High Impact Program is a public/private partnership, initiated by Mayor Jerry Abramson, funded by Louisville Metro Government and administered by GLI, that identifies and serves fast-growth companies, companies with the potential for fast growth and those companies that enable growth in others.

The Right Environment
NAWBO President Tricia Burke was profiled in a column called “The Peak” in the March 28 issue of Business First.  She discussed her preparation being president of OEC, Office Environment and her involvement in her family’s business.  And, she mentioned NAWBO, GLI and the YMCA as offering great opportunities for networking. 

Bikinis and Bifocals’ BIG GIVE Is a Huge Success
Diane Ormerod and Kim Waterman, co-owners and founders of Bikinis and Bifocals, believe in providing women opportunities for connections that make a difference in their or other women’s lives.  This month they provided this in a big way.  Kim’s niece, Kristi Hackeman, was selected to be a participant in the WDJX BIG GIVE event on March 12.  She immediately asked Kim if Bikinis and Bifocals would sponsor and help her with the event.  Utilizing the Bikinis and Bifocals.com network of women, they were able to collect over $34,000 in donations in just 24 hours!  All the proceeds went to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 

ProMoter Inc. in Today’s Woman
Polly Moter’s company, ProMoter Marketing Communications, was featured in the March issue of Today’s Woman.  The magazine followed a job applicant on interviews and listened in as Polly gave her networking tips, including advice to visit a NAWBO meeting.

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
Phoenix, Arizona
June 12-14, 2008

Corporate Partner/Sponsor News

Business First’s New Home
Business First opened new offices on March 31 on the second floor of the Starks Building.  Their phone – 502-583-1731 – and fax – 502-587-1703 – remain the same.  Many thanks to Publisher Tom Monahan for serving as one of our WBOY judges during what must have been a very busy time for him. 

Changing Hats
Rita Hall has changed homes too – moving from BB&T to Fifth Third. 

Business Opportunities for M/WBEs
On Thursday, April 17th, MSD - along with the Louisville Water Company, E.ON U.S. and Louisville Metro Government  - will host the 5th Annual Joint "Window of Opportunity" Reception.  The primary objective of the reception is to afford both minority and woman-owned businesses an opportunity to interact with public utility companies and government, as well as prime contractors and consultants. The event is free and will be held at the Galt House East-Grand Ballroom C, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Attendees must RSVP in advance by calling Joy L. Walker, MSD Diversity Analyst, at 502.540.6503 or emailing walker@msdlouky.org. 

A New Step in Internet Marketing for Small Businesses
ChamberClicksTM offers a cost-efficient service through the Chamber that enables small businesses to advertise to targeted, local audiences on a network of more than 30 popular search engines, without requiring the small business owner to spend the hundreds of hours necessary to learn and manage it themselves.

To sign up for the next webinar on April 23 at noon or to find out more, call 800-461-0584 or go to www.chamberclicks.com/gli/webinar.

Corporate Partners:

Gold Level: BB & T; Norton Healthcare; Persimmon Ridge
Silver Level: Fifth Third Bank; Kentucky Lottery; MSD; National City; PNC; Stock Yards Bank & Trust

Corporate Sponsors:

Allegra Print & Imaging - East; Business First; Davis Jewelers; Dixie Florist; GLI; Jewish Hospital Medical Center East; Kentuckiana Healthy Woman; WVEZ Lite 106.9; Louisville Magazine; Masterson's; Today's Woman; Underwired; Xstreme Media, LLC

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