November 2016
A Publication of New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
Photo by VisitDelaware.com
w w w. N CCCC. com
Expo to Highlight Entrepreneurial Success Excellence, Power and Opportunities and Warner Bros. Records, clearing samples for such renown artists as Kendrick Lemar, J Cole, John Legend, Black Eyed Peas, Drake, Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Rihanna, The Notorious B.I.G., U2, Kid Rock, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Yela Wolf, Beyonce, Led Zeppelin, De La Soul and DK Khaled, to name a few.
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or the past 26 years, the Chamber has hosted the Entrepreneurial and Business Women’s Expo. The Expo provides a forum in which women with the entrepreneurial spirit and all women at all levels of business can connect with resources, business opportunities and educational workshops that inspire them to achieve both business and professional goals. In addition, the Chamber recognizes several women who have excelled in their business. This year, the Chamber will present the following three awards: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year
This award recognizes a business woman who embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and who is an inspiration and role model for others. This year the Chamber is pleased to Deborah Mannis-Gardner honor Deborah DMG Clearances, Inc. Mannis-Gardner, President of DMG Clearances, Inc.
With twenty-five years in the music industry, Deborah Mannis-Gardner has cornered the market in music clearances. After working for Diamond Time and RCA Records, and under the suggestion of her clients who missed her availability, Deborah established her own music clearance company, DMG Clearances, Inc. For the past 20 years Deborah has gained recognition not only in the music industry, but also in video games, featured films, DVDs, and television industries as well. Deborah works with top labels such as Atlantic Records, Sony Music, Capitol Records, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Bad Boy Records, Island Def Jam Recordings, Cash Money Records
Deborah’s featured film music clearances include Martin Scorcese’s The Aviator, Curtis Hanson’s 8 Mile, In Her Shoes and Lucky You, The Coen Brother’s O Brother Where Art Thou and Richard Linklater’s School Of Rock, also Notorious, More Than A Game , Christmas With The Kranks, and Take The Lead, Brotherly Love, Free The Nipple (Music Supervisor), and Entourage. She has worked with many film companies such as New Line Cinema, Miramax, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Revolution Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures. Deborah is currently working on Tim Bogart’s “Spinning Gold” and Allen Hughes HBO documentary about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine “The Defiant Ones” as Music Supervisor. Continued on page 3.
This Edition 2 I Chamber Events Matter 3 I As a Matter of Fact Expo to Highlight Entrepreneurial Success: Excellence, Power & Opportunities (continued) 4 I Legislative Connection This Election Should be a Wake-Up Call to a Dysfunctional Congress Chamber and UD’s Employee Wellness Program to Begin 5 I Economic Development Letters from Greece: The Journey of UNISCRAP in Emerging Enterprise Center 6 I Calendar of Events - Nov 7 I Calendar of Events - Dec 9 I Support Chamber Members New Member Listing 10 I Emerging Enterprise Center New Castle County is Open for Business 11 I Ribbon Cuttings
CHAMBER EVENTS MATTER Chamber Connections at Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Visit www.NCCCC.com & click Events Calendar
We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of our Network at Noon at Sullivans Steakhouse! Thank you to Bill White and his incredible staff for hosting this wonderful event. Many great business relationships have started right here!
W.I.N. Women Into Networking at the Hilton The women of W.I.N. had a special visitor, Deborah Mannis-Gardner, the Chamber's Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year! She will be honored this November 17th at our Entrepreneurial & Business Women's Expo.
Thank you to Lori Heckle, VP from Series Sponsor, PNC Bank, for providing a very valuable workshop on the importance of business credit scores and increasing your chances for a business loan. 2 I November 2016 I www.ncccc.com
Economic Development Council Luncheon
Congressman John Carney provided a riveting keynote address regarding the future of Delaware's economy and his thoughts on the state's economic development priorities.
Speed Networking
You have two minutes...GO! Speed Networking provides twenty five people two minutes each to give their elevator pitch. It's fast, slightly furious and fun, fun fun!
Chamber Orientation
Liounis Creations, introduces herself to other new members at the Chamber Orientation. Miss it? Come to the next one on November 8th to meet other new members or to learn more about the Chamber.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
AS A M AT T E R O F FAC T
Expo to Highlight Entrepreneurial Success Excellence, Power and Opportunities Continued from page 1. The Entrepreneurial & Business Women’s Expo is on November 17th at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Register today by visiting www.NCCCC.com!
DMG is the clearance agent for RockStar Games, Inc. in which she has cleared the music used in their well publicized video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, The Warriors, Midnight Club 3 Dub, Red Dead Redemption, LA Noir and Max Payne and GTAV; as well as helped bring designer Marc Ecko into the world of video games by clearing the music for Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, Numark’s DJ Scratch and 4MM’s Def Jam Rap Star. DMG has also worked as a consultant for other video game companies such as EA Entertainment and Activision. Some of DMG’s broadcast specials include concerts by Yolanda Adams, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Shakira, Beyonce, Rihanna, G String Diva’s, and BET’s Monica: Still Standing, Trey Songz: A Moment In Time, The Mo’Nique Show, Sunday’s Best and The BET Awards, BET Hip Awards and BET Honors as well as advertisements for Beats by Dre, Hewlett Packard, K-Mart, and Samsung. DMG Clearances is known for clearing difficult copyrights from Led Zeppelin, Prince, AC/DC, to 6 song Mash Ups, making DMG a leader in music clearances. Deborah recently secured the music for the Broadway spectacular “Hamilton” as it ran its course from the Public Theatre to sell out audiences at the Richard Rodgers Theater. Deborah is a single mom. Her 15year old son, Curtis Gardner, is in his sophomore year at Sanford School. In her spare time, Deborah volunteers for the Eugene Young for Mayor Campaign. Her favorite Chiropractor & Acupuncturist, Dr. Greg Serge of Body Mechanix in Hockessin, DE, helps motivate her and keep her healthy.
Business Woman of the Year Several years ago the Business Woman of the Year Award was introduced at the Women’s Expo to recognize a woman for her accomplishments and contributions to Delaware businesses and the lives of o t h e r business women. Kimberly Connell This year First State Elevator the Chamber is recognizing Kimberly Connell. Kimberly started First State Elevator, Inc. in August 2011 and she has continued to grow her business and achieve many goals. Kim gained valuable knowledge for overseeing residential and commercial job sites with Pulte and Anderson Homes. There she became one of only two women superintendents in Delaware and she received several Regal Awards. In 2008 Kim started working for an elevator company and quickly moved up to be the controller for the company. While there she observed processes that could be improved – this inspired her to start her own company. Although she was accustomed to excelling in male dominated industries, she found this particular industry had new and more difficult challenges, and it required her to gain in-depth knowledge of elevators, their mechanics and their operations. Kim’s focus on customer service and the needs of her customers is one of the primary reasons for her success. She finds solving their problems and helping them through a challenge very rewarding.
She loves supporting and connecting other business owners in their pursuit of success. As construction is her passion, she is also venturing into renovating and flipping houses. Kim is a single mother of two children ages 18 and 16. Lifetime Achievement Award Catherine Hopkins Grieco is the retired third generation owner of Hopkins & Sons, Inc. During her 35 years, Catherine worked in all positions at Hopkins & Sons and upon her father’s retirement she became Pres- Catherine Hopkins Grieco Hopkins & Sons, Inc. ident. Under her leadership, she was able to purchase a 65,000-square foot office/warehouse building in New Castle. She grew the business to five million dollars in gross sales, expanded the service fleet and service to larger corporate contracts. Along the
way she received numerous awards including Atlas Moving Agent of the Year, Best Family Owned Business, Best Place to Work and she was also recognized as the Delaware Entrepreneur of the Year. Catherine is a firm believer in giving back to the community as she is involved with many community organizations including: Goodwill Services of DE, DE Hospice, Girls on the Run, The DE Marathon, Junior Achievement and the New Castle County Chamber. Catherine lives by the phrases “if you think you can, you can” and “one can accomplish anything that he/she puts their mind and ambition to.” Our keynote speaker at the luncheon portion of this year’s Expo will be Liz Scott, Co-Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and mother of Alex. Join us for the luncheon to hear her inspirational speech. There are several ways to participate in the Women’s Expo. You can purchase a full day ticket that will include the workshops, awards luncheon and trade show. There is also an option to just attend the luncheon and trade show or just go to the exhibitor showcase from 2pm to 5pm. For more information and ticket prices visit www.ncccc.com
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LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION
This Election Should be a Wake-Up Call to a Dysfunctional Congress A
s we come to the close of what has arguably been the most acrimonious presidential election in the recent history, there is much on which we need to reflect as a nation, and much that needs improvement in our public life. We must call on our elected leaders in Congress to come together and begin addressing the real issues that face large and small businesses.
Visit www.ncccc.com & click Government Affairs
We are all familiar with the gridlock which has plagued Congress for the past eight years. Both parties own their share of the blame and have done their part to turn law-making and the governance of our nation into a zero-sum political game rather than an earnest effort that tries to create a solid economic foundation that will help businesses grow and in the process create jobs.
Washington continually put party before nation. The Chamber is here to advocate for our members and to assist in fostering legislation and policies that are conducive to prosperity and job creation. The manner in which our Washington has been operating for some time has hindered rather than improved our nation’s economic prospects.
The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce is not in the business of favoring one party over another. In fact, quite often our Democratic friends chide us for being too Republican and our Republican friends complain that we are too much in agreement with the Demo-
cratic Party. If neither political party is entirely satisfied, we must be doing something right. With that said, we are registered “B for Business.” That being the case, we advocate for our members at all levels of government. As we have sought to represent the interests of our members, and the business community in Delaware, we have observed
We are always at pains to point out that Congress has much to learn from “the Delaware Way.” Indeed, our three-member delegation to Congress remains, as it has been for generations, a paragon of constructive bi-partisan comity and decency. However, the three of them alone cannot tackle these problems. Whether or not it is time for a change in Congress is up to the voters and it will be up to the members of the newly elected Congress to follow a path of compromise the promotes economic growth and public confidence.
Voting is Serious Business T
he 2016 presidential campaign has featured two candidates that have extremely high unfavorable ratings but were still able to win their party’s nomination. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump squared off in three highly watched TV debates that pretty much lacked any substantial discussion of key issues and policies. They have also engaged in a series of personal attacks that normally occur at the lunch table in high school and not in a campaign for President. To say the least, voters have grown very tired of the campaign and can’t wait until it is over. But will they vote? In the last four presidential elections, almost 40% of the people who were registered to vote did not. Perhaps the voters
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have become so dissatisfied with the past presidential candidates they choose not to participate. One has to wonder if the bad behavior of both candidates in this election will further drive down the participation rate. On the other hand, will this feeling of dislike about the gridlock in Washington cause people to turn out in large numbers to vote for a brash outsider like Donald Trump? Will there be a record turnout of women voters who want to be part of history and elect Hillary Clinton the first female President? One thing is for sure, BUSINESS NEEDS TO VOTE. No matter what you think about the character traits of either candidates one of them will most likely be elected and be in a position to make deci-
sions that will impact your business. But where do they stand on important business and economic issues? Democrats tend to promote the Keynesian theory of economics. They offset additional spending with higher taxes on investments, large businesses, and highincome families. They address income inequality by providing more benefits for low-income families. Republicans are more likely to support the concept of supplyside economics which says reducing the cost to do business; including tax cuts, is the best way to increase growth. Businesses
use the extra money to hire more workers and invest back into their business. The increased wages and spending stimulate additional economic activity and creates more jobs and more jobs are the best way to address social issues. While there has not been enough discussion about the economic policies of each candidate it is important for you take some time to check out their web sites and learn where they stand on business issues that are important to you. Then make a decision and go out to your polling place on November 8th and vote, because every vote does count and voting is serious business.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Letters from Greece: The Journey of UNISCRAP in Emerging Enterprise Center
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n January of 2016, Uniscrap, PBC joined the Emerging Enterprise Center’s International Soft Landings Program. This program is designed for foreign companies that are looking to establish a marketing presence for their company in the United States. It provides them with an opportunity to research the opportunities, learn about the culture of doing business in the U.S., and to establish contacts, while they determine where exactly they want to locate permanently in Delaware. Uniscrap was introduced to the Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC) through the State of Delaware’s Global Delaware program, and is different than the traditional member of the Soft Landings Program. First, although Panagiotis Kollas, the founder of Uniscrap, is a Greek citizen and lives in Greece, he incorporated Uniscrap in Delaware. For the first six months, Panagiotis utilized the Virtual Incubation features of the EEC program. Then in June, he arrived in Delaware, and began the next step in his journey to launch his business. He stayed until October 21st, when he returned to Greece, where he intends to finalize some projects based on contacts and partnerships made while he was here.
technologies to convert waste; universities and research centers exploring new technologies; and the industries/ agencies that would most benefit from access to alternative fuels and recycled products produced from waste.
1) I learned how important it is to focus on the business plan as a living document, continually improving on the business, progress and results, as well as on the design and development of opportunities. 2) The support environment of Emerging Enterprise Center and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the support of other partners here, helped me to understand what I needed to do in order to lead my business efficiently, and create a sustainable business model.
It was an exciting summer for both Uniscrap and those of us at the Emerging Enter prise Center. Here are some of Panagiotis’ thoughts 3) I validated that technology and innovaon what he learned while here tion is a key priority in the ongoing success at the EEC: of Uniscrap. We cannot do business without “23rd of June to 21st of partnerships with research centers, October - U.S.: I would like to academia, and universities here in U.S. (Left) Panagiotis Kollas, Founder of Uniscrap, (Right) Frank The partnerships with them gives business DeSantis, Program Manager of Emerging Enterprise Center multiple opportunities all over the world. Uniscrap is planning to operate in a new and complex industry; recycling and resource management. Their core mission is to help increase the conversion of various waste streams to renewable energies, alternative fuels and other recyclable resources. Initially, the EEC helped Uniscrap identify a business model that connects key stakeholders: the producers of waste; vendors utilizing existing
4) Business Ethics and Accountability: Not all societies are paradise, however, the fact is the business ethics and accountability in the U.S. is at a very good level, and this helps remove some of the uncertainty for any new business.
share with all of you in Greece and other 5) Reaffirmed my belief that a business places of the world where I have friends, can and should provide Benefits and Impact what I have learned in my journey to Ithaca, to the Community. Continued on page 9. while here in United States (Delaware).
Economic Development Council Member List AAA Mid-Atlantic • ab+c Creative Intelligence • Bernardon • Christiana Care City of Newark • City of Wilmington • Commercial Industrial Realty Council Committee of 100 • Delaware BioScience Association Delaware City Refining Company • Delaware Economic Development Office Delaware Health Science Alliance • Delaware River & Bay Authority DelDot • Delle Donne & Associates • Delmarva Power DiSabatino Construction • Emory Hill Real Estate Services Facility Services Group • Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau Harvey, Hanna & Associates • Info Solutions LLC • Integrity Staffing Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay New Castle County Government • New Castle County Board of Realtor PNC Bank • Setting Properties, Inc. • Sonitrol Security Systems • TD Bank The Byrd Group • The Commonwealth Group • University of Delaware Whiting Turner • WILMAPCO • World Trade Center Delaware
Contact Bob Chadwick at chadwickb@ncccc.com for information on joining the Economic Development Council. www.ncccc.com I November 2016 I 5
NOVEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR !
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8:30 -11:30 AM How to Measure Your Social Media Success a business education program
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED All events are held at the New Castle County Chamber, 12 Penns Way. Call (302) 737-4343 for details.
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group 8:30 -10:00 AM Chamber Orientation, a FREE event (registration requested) 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM LNG Lunchtime Networking Group
8:30 - 11:30 AM Growth Wheel Workshop: Do You Know How to Drive Sales Success?
7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
Save the Date! WinterFestTabletop & Networking Expo 12/8
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group 4:00 - 5:30 PM Monday Money Makers Networking Group
9:00 - 11:00 AM New Castle County Open for Business The Mill at Nemours Bldg., Wilmington FREE event 8:30 - 11:30 AM Non profit Forum; Serving on a Non profit board 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM LNG Lunchtime Networking Group
4:00 - 5:30 PM Monday Money Makers Networking Group
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26th Annual Entrepreneurial & Business Women’s Expo Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington
3:00 -5:00 PM Mid Day Networking Connections Tonic Bar & Grill Wilmington
Chamber Closed for Thanksgiving
7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Small Business Small Business Owner’s Boot Camp Owner’s Boot Camp A FREE comprehensive A FREE comprehensive two-day education two-day education program program
8:00 - 10:00 AM CEO Think Tank Briefing Session
Chamber Closed
6:00 -7:00 PM China Trip Info Session
To register for events, visit www.NCCCC.com and click ‘Calendar’ BU S INE S S E D U C AT IO N
How to Measure your Social Media Success with
Brooke Miles from Delaware ShoutOut & Alec Shakir from Gain Website Thursday, November 3 8:30 - 11:30 AM 6 I November 2016 I www.ncccc.com
Do You Know How to Drive Sales Success?
Mid Day Networking Connections at
with
Tonic Bar and Grille
Frank DeSantis Program Manager Emerging Enterprise Center
Tuesday, November 29 3:00 - 5:00 PM
China Trip Information Session A Free event to learn about the 2017 trip to China
Wednesday, November 30 NCC Chamber of Commerce 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 10 8:30 - 11:30 AM
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
DECEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR !
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8:30 -11:30 AM What are the Pros’ Secrets to Success? A Business Education Program
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED All events are held at the New Castle County Chamber, 12 Penns Way. Call (302) 737-4343 for details.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group 9:00 - 11:00 AM New Castle County Open for Business Open House for small business owners 5:00 - 8:00 PM WinterFest Tabletop & Networking Expo at Doubletree Hilton
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
4:00 - 5:30 PM Monday Money Makers Networking Group
11:30 AM -1:00 PM Producer’s Lunch Networking Group 4:00 - 6:00 PM Holiday Sip-n-Shop at DBCC Savvy Resale Shop, Wilmington
Chamber closed
8:00 - 9:30 AM Fortune Referral Group
Chamber closed
7:30 - 9:00 AM ChamberPro Referral Group
Chamber closed
Chamber closed
To register for events, visit www.NCCCC.com and click ‘Calendar’
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Achieve Logistics Systems Transport Transportation (302) 264-0123
First State Elevator Elevator Inspections/Consulting (302) 369-3160 www.FirstStateElevator.com
MyLifeBroker.com Financial Services (302) 559-9791 www.mylifebroker.com
Tornado II Janitorial Services Cleaning Services/Supplies (888) 281-9028 www.tornado2janitorial.com
ARS Fleet Service Automotive (302) 998-0628 www.arsfleetservice.com
JADE Biotech LLC Medical (724) 388-0869 www.jadebiotechllc.com
Pure Genius Pictures Video (302) 379-4906 www.puregeniuspictures.com
Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel Medical (703) 989-2564 www.wearvta.com
Christiana Pleasant Dental Medical (302) 738-3666 www.christianapleasantdental.com
Jerry's Artarama of Wilmington, DE Retail/Wholesale (302) 268-1238 www.wilmingtonde-jerrys.com
Salvation Settlements, LLC Insurance (302) 389-6266 www.salvationsettlements.com
Vince's Sports Center Sports & Recreation (302) 738-4859 www.vincessports.com
The Mill Wilmington Business & Professional Services (302) 751-6455 www.themillspace.com
Year Up Education/Training (267) 272-9439 www.yearup.org
Visit www.NCCCC.com & click ‘Directory’
Davidson Development Company Real Estate (302) 440-3850
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Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller Legal Services (302) 731-8349 www.mwm-law.com
List complete as of October 25.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
EMERGING ENTERPRISE CENTER How to Write a Powerful Marketing Plan in 2+ Hours
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New Castle County is Open for Business
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nice, intimate crowd attended our workshop on Writing a Marketing Plan in 2+ Hours with Kay Keenan of Growth Consulting. Miss it? Check out our upcoming workshop on November 3rd on How to Measure your Social Media Success.
ichele Morin from Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity gives advice to attendees about their business at Open for Business. Check us out every Fourth Thursday of the month. Find multiple resources for your business in one place at one time in this free program to assist with start-ups or businesses looking to expand. Visit the Chamber’s events calendar at www.ncccc.com to register for the upcoming New Castle County is Open for Business event on November 15th at The Mill on Orage Street in the Nemours Building in Wilmington.
Thank you to Costco for providing the breakfast and to K Video & Web Productions for recording the event.
Letters from Greece: The Journey of UNISCRAP in Emerging Enterprise Center Continued from page 5. The successful business has to deliver impact (social, environmental and financial Impact) otherwise it is not a healthy community.
the Sharks Video Pitch Competition and Annual Luncheon. Both provided great opportunities to network and meet valuable business contacts.
6) U.S. professionals listen to you carefully: My conversations, so far, at the Emerging Enterprise Center with Frank DeSantis showed me how important it is to listen carefully, analyze and educate. This process makes us better as humans. We learn more and become more productive.
Successful Progress of UNISCRAP
7) U.S. has a tolerance for all the people that make impact and have great work and skills. Delaware is amazing! They value the efforts of hardworking individuals.
• Finalization of the Core Business Model of Uniscrap based on an innovative collaborative ecosystem that combines research centers, governmental agencies, technology providers, and industry
8) We worked hard, and played hard! I learned that there can be a social aspect to work. We had a lot of fun at events like the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Craft Beer and Crab Festival as well as the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Swim with
In addition to the learnings, Uniscrap was able to make some significant progress, during the period at the EEC, we achieved: • Partnership with Delaware Energy Institute (University of Delaware)
• Began the development of a concept that would allow for Uniscrap to establish a technology and innovation program with UD’s STAR Campus, to give students an opportunity for research, design and
development of projects in the United States the first contracts with Municipalities of and Europe. Region of Attica around the activity of • Developed a pool of advisors and sup- compost production through portable sysporters (U.S. Compost Council, CHP Part- tems that treat food waste. Apart from that nership – EPA.gov, First State Community we are going to also focus on Combined Loan Fund, Small Business Development Heat and Power systems solutions that treat biomass waste.” Panagiotis Kollas, Center, PTAC) Uniscrap PBC • Participated in several business education Uniscrap is a great addition to the workshops conducted by the EEC Emerging Enterprise Center Soft Landings • Expanded our products in the following Incubator program, and we look forward categories (with specific vendors): to Panagiotis’ return in the Spring! Compost Accelerators Production (Organic To find out more about the EEC, Nitrogen), Wastewater Heat Recovery syscontact us today at 302-737-4343 or tems for residential and industrial buildings, info@eecincubator.com. Combined Heat and Power Systems. (Vendors from Canada and U.S.)” Over the next six months, back in Greece, Uniscrap will be working hard to connect the pieces of the business model in both the U.S. and Greece. Specifically, the goal is to develop opportunities and www.ncccc.com I November 2016 I 9
CONNECT SAVE GROW DART Finds Resources Through the Chamber By Sharon L William, Delaware Transit Corporation- DART First State
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Visit www.NCCCC.com & click ‘Join’
elaware Transit Corporation (DTC), DART First State, joined the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce in July 2015, and as the Marketing and Outreach Manager, I decided to attend my first networking event. During this event, I met several people and shared my business card; however, one company in particular stood out. It was Delaware ShoutOut. Brooke Miles, the President of Delaware ShoutOut, shared her “business story” with me. I was intrigued with her social media company. As a new employee with DTC, I was not aware at the time that we were seeking a social media presence. I became aware at one of our staff meetings. I took immediate advantage of this opportunity and set-up a meeting with Brooke. During our meeting, we realized that her approach to developing such a program would blend well with our company. She developed
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a proposal, which was reviewed by several at DTC. Once the propos-
al was approved, Brooke began to work on our social media strategy, plan, training and execution. It was all presented in an easy, understandable package. Delaware ShoutOut is now listed on the State of Delaware vendor list as an approved vendor. All of this business started with a handshake and an introduction between two professionals at a New Castle County Chamber of Commerce networking mixer. So the next time you receive a reminder about a networking event at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, think twice about attending, you never know the opportunities that await.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Beads by Carol compliments the style and grace of your special outfit with fabulous and affordable custom designed bead jewelry using luxurious pearls, crystals, natural gemstones, glass and ceramics. Visit www.beadsbycarol.com
Delaware ShoutOut transforms busy entrepreneurs into social media rock stars! They are your go-to source for small biz social media management in the First State. Visit www.deshoutout.com
One Easton is the most sought-after location in town. They’re adjacent to the University of Delaware, steps from Newark’s bustling business and entertainment district, and close to major area employers. Visit www.oneeaston.com
Calvert’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning celebrated it's one year anniversary as being a part of the largest residential HVAC company in North America. Visit www.onehourairde.com
Radar Energy, an Independent Consultant with Ambit, providing electricity, natural gas and solar services in deregulated markets across the U.S. Their focus is to be the finest retail energy provider, offering cost effective choices for today's energy conserver. Visit www.radarenergy.myambit.com/start-a-business/energy-526
The Vape Saloon Newport LLC is a retail e-cigarette store providing customers with excellent customer service, and a vast array of every vaping product. The store is set like a bar, where customers can feel relaxed while they get set up with the best device to facilitate their quest in quitting smoking. Visit www.vapesalooncentral.com www.ncccc.com I November 2016 I 11