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Editor’s note: The following is part of an occasional Herald series about how Grand Forks small businesses are working to compete in a changing retail landscape.
GRAND FORKS – For Patti Lyden, the Business After Hours Showcase event hosted by The Chamber Grand Forks-East Grand Forks increases exposure for her workplace, Elle Interiors, and raises awareness of all the products the business offers. It’s an important occasion.
“This is a way to get our name out there,” she said.
Liden, a designer who specializes in bathroom remodeling, said Elle Interiors has been participating in the Business After Hours event for the past three years.
Leyden, who has worked for the company since it launched the Grand Forks business five years ago, said the company does not only do interior decoration, but also “does a lot of kitchen and bathroom remodeling.”
“We’re very busy,” Leyden said. “We’re off to a really good start.”
During the pandemic, homeowners turned their attention to their home environment, she said. “They started putting money into renovations instead of travel, and it never stopped. It stagnated. It was great.”
In July, the Herald gathered a number of small business owners to discuss local businesses, their struggles and successes. Only businesses facing challenges with online shopping were invited. Several acknowledged concerns in the face of changing shopping habits in the country.
As reported in a post-conference article in the Herald, more than three-quarters of U.S. consumers have made a purchase on the web, according to market and consumer data provider Statista. According to data, e-commerce in this country will bring in $819 billion in 2022, and digital shopping is predicted to continue to grow year on year.
Although e-commerce is growing, the majority of total retail sales still come from physical stores.
During the July meeting, business owners in attendance said it was important to get the word out about the role small businesses play in their communities.
One way to network is through the monthly Business After Hours, which are “a really fun, fun time,” Leyden said.
It offers many benefits to local businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, but the biggest benefit may be the opportunity to meet other business owners in a more relaxed and informal setting.
“In addition to showcasing our members’ businesses, our networking among businesses is unparalleled,” said Barry Will, president and CEO of The Chamber Grand Forks East Grand Forks. Falto said.
“This sociable environment is a great place to meet new and existing clients and customers,” he said.
More than 500 Chamber business members, about half of the business membership, participate in one or more business after-hours events each year, Wilfahrt said. “So the diverse group of people you meet is fun and often productive.”
Scott and Missy Reck, who own and operate 32 Northdale oil locations throughout the region, had their first booth at this fall’s Business After Hours Showcase event.
“Networking seems so important right now,” Scott Reck said. His father, Dale Reck, founded Northdale Oil Co. in Neche, North Dakota, in 1967. “We’re basically a small business based in town.”
His company “started getting really involved” in The Chamber and Business After Hours events, he said. “I think of Grand Forks as a big little town. We all need to buy in to be successful.”
Northdale Oil has been located in East Grand Forks since 2007, but “we’ve only expanded to the Grand Forks side within the last five years,” Missy Reck said. Because of his location, “[here]is kind of the face of our business.”
Business After Hours is especially helpful “for people who are visiting Grand Forks for the first time,” she said. And it’s also a way to meet other business owners.
George Scott said he started Grand Forks Bin Cleaners two years ago “with $1,000 to my name,” and now has employees in the residential and commercial service businesses. Ta.
Scott, who runs a full-service cleaning solutions company, said the Business After Hours showcase event “really takes us to the field.” “It lets people know who we are and puts us in front of people. … Word of mouth is big in Grand Forks.”
Scott especially appreciates these events where he learns about other businesses he can partner with and where his products and services can be purchased.
He said he buys apparel from Apex Apparel, buys supplies from Forks Vacuum and gets his pressure washer repaired from Home of Economy to “stay in business in town.” .
Scott works with other companies, such as Absolute Glass windows and Chris Schauer of gutter cleaning, to meet customer needs when he is too busy or the requested work is beyond his scope of service. I did.
“We’re in this together. We’re trying to keep the work going in this area,” Scott said. “We send work to each other.”
Businesses with deep roots in Grand Forks also benefit from after-hours events.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our business, which we don’t necessarily intend to do,” said Dave Zavoral, vice president of East Grand Forks-based construction company RJ Zavoral & Sons, Inc. It’s also an opportunity to stand in front of other companies.” I have a chance to. ”
“We can come together with a common goal in mind,” said Zaboral, who has been attending the Business After Hours showcase event for five or six years. “Running a business is not easy.”
Founded 72 years ago, Zavoral & Sons has approximately 200 employees and typically serves an area of 160 to 250 miles around Grand Forks.
Although many people consider Zaboral & Sons to be a large company, “we are essentially small,” said Zaboral, a former chamber of commerce board president.
For business leaders associated with the chamber, having a common goal “brings us together,” he said. “We support each other in different ways.”
Wilfart said chambers of commerce across the country have been organizing Business After Hours events for decades. Locally, the Chamber of Commerce has been hosting such events for at least 20 years.
Meetings are held regularly on the third Thursday of each month. If you are a Chamber member, there is no cost to attend and you also have a chance to win a monthly door prize of $500.
One chamber member’s name will be chosen each month, Wilfart said. “If someone from that company is present, that person wins the prize. If no one wins, he gets $100 added to the next month’s prize, so he gets $100 every month until someone wins.” and then he goes back to $500.”
After-hours events require a lot of planning.
Wilfahrt said the chamber sends an email to members once a year extending the registration date up to two years in the future.
“That’s why business after-hours events are scheduled or fully booked almost two years in advance. Any Chamber member can call the Chamber and host one. , you can be placed on a waiting list for several years in advance,” he said.
Wilfart said dates are booked through the 2024 calendar year, and 2025 is already almost fully booked. Usually, the company that hosts the event hosts the event.
During the event, representatives from the hosting company will speak very briefly several times about updates on their business and any other information they would like to share. Tours are also held regularly.
Every September, the Aleras Center hosts a trade show-style Business After Hours Showcase. Small businesses and non-profit organizations can set up a booth and showcase their business and offerings for a small fee.
“This will allow the chamber to be more inclusive of small business membership,” Wilfahrt said.
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