Onslow Business is published monthly by WordsWorking LLC and distributed free throughout the Greater Onslow County area.
The goal of Onslow Business is to provide accurate, factual information. The publication cannot be held responsible for any consequences resulting from errors or omissions. Onslow Business is not responsible for the content of its advertisers.
Pat Fontana & Staff pat@words-working.net 919-306-4242
Onslow Memorial Hospital 317 Western Blvd Jacksonville, NC 28546
Onslow Memorial Hospital Cafeteria
Congratulations to Onslow Fitness, the 2026 First Citizens Bank Small Business of the Year, and to Onslow Community Outreach, the 2026 Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award recipient!
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Returning to Work After A Stroke
Submitted by Onslow Memorial Hospital
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) is at the forefront of stroke care in our community. As an Advanced Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission since 2012 and a 2025 Stroke Silver Plus Award recipient with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition from the American Heart Association, OMH delivers evidence-based guideline-directed care to every patient who arrives showing signs or symptoms of a stroke.
OMH Stroke Nurse
Coordinator Jennifer Nguyen Davies, MPH, BSN, RN, has been instrumental in educating Onslow County residents on stroke prevention and connecting them with stroke screening resources. Here, Davies shares what you need to know if you or a loved one has recently experienced a stroke and is preparing to return to work.
Question: What is OMH’s approach to caring for a stroke patient?
Davies- Our priority is early recognition and screening our stroke patients for eligibility of clot-busting therapies; there are both medications and procedures that can reduce the severity of a stroke. We will also work to identify what health conditions played a role in your stroke to reduce your risk of another, and we will start you on the road to rehabilitation (rehab) and recovery.
Question: How can a stroke impact your life and ability to return to work?
Davies- After a stroke, your life is forever changed. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Another unfortunate truth is that strokes are not just a disease of the older adult; many people who experience strokes are still of working age with families who depend on them. Depending on the location of your stroke, you might continue having problems with talking, eating, walking and coordination, or even vision issues. At best, this might be missed days of work from hospitalization and rehab. At worst it’s loss of employment due to your newfound disability. Recovering from a stroke means finding a new normal.
Question: What is a major barrier to returning to work and what can we do about it?
Davies- After a stroke, daytime fatigue and headaches can limit a person ’s ability to work a full workday. Starting back to work part time, or having the flexibility to make your own hours can help you get back to work faster and more successfully.
Question: What resources are available to help stroke survivors return to work while maintaining financial stability?
When you’re ready to rejoin the market, there are some work
incentives available to help you regain your financial independence while keeping your disability payments in the transition period. The Ticket to Work program can help you maintain your disability benefits while reducing your dependence on them. Look for Employment Networks that include places that you want to work and apply for the network to gain access to career counseling help and assistance with accommodations. If you still require additional rehab specific to a career field, then look for a vocational rehab agency, like North Carolina’s Division for Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities.
Question: Are there Incentives for employers to hire someone with a disability?
When returning to your previous place of employment or looking for new employment, it can be helpful to discuss with your potential employers the benefits. Small businesses are eligible for the Disabled Access Credit every year in return for providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Employers are eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit for the first
year when hiring employees within targeted groups, such as those with disabilities. Life after stroke and living with disability does not have to be the end of your career, and it does not have to be a burden on your employer.
Question: Last words on Stroke Awareness Month and Returning to Work?
Davies- We always strive to provide the best quality stroke care for you, but fast and early recognition is a team sport. The faster you can get to the hospital, the better chance you have at reducing risk of death and disability. Know the signs of stroke and BEFAST.
Marking Milestones: Dream Vacations
Twenty-one years ago, Jerry March made the move from conducting business on a cruise to making cruises his business. Today, Jerry and Virginia March are in the top 2% of the Dream Vacation network of franchises, part of the elite Circle of Excellence.
Their cruise career began when Jerry was working in a consulting business. The two loved to cruise and Jerry actually started meeting clients on board during their travels. When their CPA advised them that the tax rules about conducting business internationally were a bit complicated, she convinced them to start a travel agency instead.
Jerry took the first step, and become an independent contractor for Cruises, Inc. After two years, he decided to purchase a franchise of that company. At that point, he was running the cruise business on his own, as Virginia worked full-time as the director of the Perry Public Library in Ohio where they lived at the time.
The Marches moved to the Jacksonville area when Virginia accepted the position of Onslow County Public Library director in 2016. Around that same time, they rebranded their cruise business when the franchise Dream Vacations launched. Dream Vacations and Cruises, Inc. are sister companies, part of the World Travel Holdings umbrella organization.
That timing worked out well, as the Cruises Inc. branding was somewhat misleading to some of their clients. Virginia explains, “we had clients that we haven't heard from in a few years. They called back for a cruise and said, ‘we were allinclusive last year.’” She adds that they told their clients they could do those vacations as well, even though their brand name was cruises. Virginia says, “being able to rebrand to Dream Vacations when it came out 10 years ago was perfect.”
Virginia became a partner in 2016 and then went full-time in 2022, once she retired after 25 years in the library business. She also launched her own business consulting practice in 2022. She says, “that's been a different journey. I say that I'm the CEO and he's the CFO.” The two have traveled the world in the years since.
They have also hit some other significant milestones. The Dream Vacations network now has 3,000 franchises and Jerry and Virginia have remained in the top 2% since 2018. They survived the financial crash of 2008. They survived being shut down for 18 months during the COVID pandemic. Jerry says, “right now, the geopolitical arena is affecting us, but we ride it out.”
A critical part of the travel business is to take the trips that clients may want to take, to test out cruise ships and to determine the best places for them to visit at their destinations. Along the way, they’ve learned some very important facts about certain areas of the world. Jerry explains, for example, when going to Antarctica, “ you can only land 50 people on the surface at a time, which means your ship has to be small too. Your ship has to also be rated for icebergs and all that stuff for the hull.”
The Antarctica trip also involves a series of flights to get to Ushuaia on the southernmost tip of South America, in Argentina, and that small boat that goes through “what they call the Drake Passage,” Virginia says. She adds, “basically there's nothing stopping the Drake Passage. I think it's just circling that whole lower portion. Some of the roughest water in the world. And it takes two days, typically. It's either the Drake Lake, so it's really smooth, or the Drake Shake.”
Educating travelers is a large part of their job, Virginia says, adding that they guide their
Travel photos provided by Virginia March
clients “to make the best decision.” Jerry adds, “we try to educate them to feel comfortable or understand geography. And anywhere you're traveling, you need to be safe and aware of your surroundings.”
They both agree that travel will continue to be in their plans for many years, Jerry says, “because it's hard to shake it.”
Monthly networking session for sales professionals in all types of business, sharing ideas and encouragement
Thursday, May 28, 5:30pm-7:30pm Biagio’s Piazza (between Clove Hitch and Ransom Room) Jacksonville
A Network Empowering Women (ANEW)
Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 Their “meeting location changes monthly to feature a new business each month.” Check their Facebook page for the May location.
Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce
All events are free. To register visit the Chamber’s website: topsailchamber.org/events
Coastal Masterminds
May 19, 4pm Chamber office
Note: WomenConnect attendees order from menus at their own expense.
WomenConnect in Sneads
Ferry
May 5, Noon
Rick’s Restaurant
WomenConnect in Hampstead May 14, Noon
Nineteen Restaurant
Mornings with WomenConnect May 28, 8:30am (Note new time)
Southern Roots Grill
Men’s Business Alliance
May 12, 8:30am Chamber office
Topsail Young Professionals May 12, 5:30-7:30pm Share the Table, Hampstead
Veteran Business Collective
Chapter Meeting Thursday, May 21
6:00pm-9:00pm Carolina Ale House, Jacksonville
Breakfast Meeting Friday, May 1, 8am Blend Café
veteransbusinesscollective.org/ chapters-events
Richlands Chamber of Commerce
Last Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m.
200 S. Wilmington Street www.richlandschamberofcom merce.com/
Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce
Holds “networking events year-round, including our Business After Hours and General Membership
Meetings held monthly.” swansborochamber.org/
Professional Book Club
You Are A Badass at Making Money
Wednesday, May 13 10am-12noon Bistro 1940 618 New Bridge St., Jacksonville
She Means Business Roundtable
Meets “the last Monday of each month at a different location within the county. These meetups are free to attend and kid friendly!” Check their Facebook page for details on the next meeting.
Business Movements
Dairi-O Celebrates 2nd Anniversary
Dairi-O of Jacksonville is celebrating its 2-year anniversary with a community event on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Parkwood Drive and they’ re inviting everyone to attend.
The event will feature kids’ activities, and giveaways, as they thank the Jacksonville community for two great years.
Michelle Robertson, Dairi-O Administrative/Marketing, says “Jacksonville has been incredibly supportive of us, and this event is our way of giving back and celebrating with the community.”
Dairi-O, founded in 1947, is known for fresh, made-toorder burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and ice cream, with a focus on “Real Food Made Simple.”
JOED Hiring New Executive Director
Anthony Prinz, Jacksonville’ s Assistant City Manager, is optimistic that the new Executive Director for Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development (JOED) will be in place soon.
The organization received over 100 applications for the position. They narrowed those down to five very qualified candidates. After a series of interviews, presentation exercises, and on-site visits, one candidate was identified to be the candidate to whom an offer would be made.
That person has a lot of experience in economic development and marketing, Prinz says.
The focus in the process was on the organization’s strategic plan, to ensure the new Executive Director’ s experience and enthusiasm aligned with JOED’ s.
Prinz says “ we ’ve made a lot of progress and we have a really strong candidate.”
Darel’s Bakery is now The Filled Croissant
Darel’s Bakery & Sweets closed its brick and mortar location recently and has reemerged as The Filled Croissant Co., a food truck. The company is known for its croissants stuffed with lemon, chocolate, cream, and other popular fillings. Follow them at www.facebook.com/ thefilledcroissantco to learn more about ordering and locations.
Monster Mac Snacks Holds Ribbon Cutting
Monster Mac Snacks, the winner of the 2025 Pitch It! Onslow competition, held its ribbon cutting and grand opening on April 18. Damon Sonnier, along with his son Mac, operate the ice cream truck that serves popular frozen treats as well as snacks and beverages.
David Heatherly, Coastal Carolina Community College president, and April Priester, Small Business Center Director, presided over the event.
Send your business news to onslowbiz@words-working.net by May 29 to be included in the June issue.
Delicate Mercantile Opens in Richlands
Sheila Herring says of her new venture, “everything's just worked out. Every idea I've ever had, every dream.” That dream has become reality in the form of the Delicate Mercantile, a vendor market newly opened in Richlands.
Located in the building that used to house a Western Auto store on Academy Street, the Delicate Mercantile also features the handiwork of Sheila’s husband, Samuel. He and his father cut and installed the woodwork, according to Sheila’s designs, in just 11 days so the shop would be ready for its recent soft opening.
In addition to providing spaces for local crafters and vendors to display and sell their wares, the Delicate Mercantile is a gathering spot for sellers, buyers, friends, and families. Sheila says, “That’s what people did back in the day. They supported each other.
They knew each other by name. It wasn't just social media. They knew how to communicate in person. They knew how to trade goods, how to find resources, how to connect.”
While some of the products may be antiques or repurposed thrift store finds, most of the offerings are handmade crafts. The shop features about 30 vendors, Sheila says, between the sectioned off areas that are little stores in themselves and shelves located throughout the shop full of featured items.
Sheila adds that the shop is not in competition with Fantastic Finds, located down the road. In fact, the Delicate Mercantile’s store manager is April Butler, whose mother owns the other store and they are all supportive of each other.
Samuel’s woodworking expertise is also on display
with cutting boards and other handmade items for sale. He says that he remembers the original building and the restaurant across the street, Arnold’ s, that his family used to visit regularly when he was growing up in the area.
Sheila has worked as paramedic for several years but has had the vision for the Delicate Mercantile in her mind for a while now, she says. “I've had this idea for so long and I've gathered items for it for so long and I've been searching for a space.”
Below,
Grand Opening: Friday, May 1 Sunday, May 3 205 S Academy St Unit C, Richlands www.thedelicatemercantile.com
She adds “And when we found a place so close to home, I immediately knew, we have to jump on it. I saw the pictures. I saw the wooden
floors, how beautiful the walls were. And I said, this could be it.”
Above, Sheila and Sam Herring
the Delicate Mercantile
Lessons in Transition: Strengthening the Next Generation
By Bob Rodgers, SBTDC Asheville (Note: This
In the last issue, we discussed how nearly 70 percent of family businesses fail to make it to the second generation, often due to delayed succession planning, leadership gaps, and unresolved family dynamics rather than financial issues. The good news is that while the failure rate is high, it’s not inevitable. The families that do get it right tend to follow a handful of consistent practices and most of them have less to do with finance and more to do with discipline, communication, and preparation. As a business counselor, you can help guide families in putting these steps in place early to maximize the chances of success for the next generation.
START EARLY AND DEVELOP STRONG LEADERSHIP
is the second of a two-part series.)
One of the biggest differences in successful transitions is that they start early. Not “ a year before retirement” early, but five to ten years out. That kind of runway allows founders to step back gradually and gives the next generation time to grow into leadership rather than be thrown into it. It also takes the pressure off decisionmaking. When families aren’t rushed, they tend to make better, more thoughtful choices.
Another key factor is how the next generation is developed. In strong transitions, successors aren ’t just handed titles, they’re trained. They spend time in different parts of the business, learn how the financials really work, and often gain experience outside the company before stepping into leadership. Just as important, they’re given real
responsibility while the founder is still around to coach them. That combination of experience plus mentorship builds both competence and credibility.
Clear roles also make a huge difference, especially in families with multiple children involved. The businesses that avoid internal conflict are the ones that define who is responsible for what, and who ultimately makes the final decisions. It sounds simple but it’s often overlooked. Without that clarity, even highly capable siblings can end up working against each other instead of alongside each other.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION AND STRUCTURE
Communication is another area where successful families stand out. They talk early and often about expectations, ownership, and the future of the business. These aren’t always easy conversations, but avoiding them often leads to problems later. The families that navigate this well create space for honest discussion, even when there’s disagreement, and they don’t wait until a crisis forces the issue.
Many of the stronger family businesses also make a point of separating “family decisions” from “business decisions.” That might mean creating a simple advisory board, bringing in outside perspectives, or even just formalizing how major decisions get made. The goal isn’t to overcomplicate things; it’ s to create enough structure that decisions don’t come down to personalities or emotions in the moment.
Another important shift is how founders think about fairness. Instead of trying to treat everyone exactly the same, successful families focus on what’s fair for both the business and
the individuals involved. That might mean one child leads the company while others remain owners, or that assets outside the business are used to balance things out. It’s not always equal, but it’ s intentional and clearly communicated.
Finally, the founder’ s transition itself is often what makes or breaks the process. The most successful founders don’t disappear overnight, but they also don’t hold on indefinitely. They shift into a mentoring or advisory role and allow the next generation to truly lead. Ideally, that process should occur over a period of a few years, gradually transitioning decision-making responsibilities to the successor. That handoff of authority, not just responsibility, is what signals to employees, customers, and the family that the transition is real.
For business counselors, the opportunity here is significant. With so many transitions coming in the next decade, helping families put these practices in place early can have a lasting impact; not just on the business, but on the family itself. Because when succession is done well, it doesn’t just preserve a company, it strengthens the foundation for the next generation to build something even better.
The SBTDC is a business advisory service of the UNC System providing confidential, no-cost services for growing and developing small to midsized businesses and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Contact the Wilmington SBTDC office at (910) 962-3744 or uncw@sbtdc.org.
Pitch It! Onslow Voting Open
The 2026 Pitch It! Onslow viewing party held on April 20 at the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce debuted the seven contestants’ videos as they moved into the voting stage of the annual business competition.
Competitors had been recorded as they pitched their business ideas to three “bulldogs” in March. Those videos are now posted on Marine Federal Credit Union’s Facebook page and are open for voting.
Voting is counted by the number of “likes” on each
video. The likes must be posted on the MFCU FB page to be counted.
Marine Federal has teamed up with the Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center and with the Chamber of Commerce to host the annual competition.
Competitors pitch their business ideas, after successfully completing training and a business plan. The winner will be awarded $8500, second place will be awarded $4500, and third place will be awarded $2500.
Competitors in the 2026 Pitch It! Onslow are:
Sharonda's Sweet & Savory Soul Food
Tia Organizers
Ethule's Creations
Strong Arm Services
Sandals by Silvia
The Rolling Tea Botanica
Socialite Preparatory Academy
To vote, go to https:// www.facebook.com/ MarineFCU and “like” the competitor’s video.
May 04, 2026- Voting ends at 5:00pm
May 06, 2026 - Pitch It Awards Presentation- private event for contestants at MFCU from 34:30pm & live streamed via social media for the public.
Above, Small Business Center Director April Priester and MFCU VP Tricia Scott Left, the Pitch It! Onslow Watch Party
Small Business Guidance Being Eligible for Contracts
Chris Rabassi, CFCM Office of Small Business Programs Marine Corps Installations East
Marine Corps Installations East Small Business Programs provides fundamental information regarding the regulations, processes and support organizations related to Department of Defense contracts. End state is for businesses to be eligible and as competitive as possible for Department of Defense contracts.
Whether new to Department of Defense Contracting or experienced you must review the Small Business Administration website (sba.gov). The site is updated regularly and is a critical first step in doing business with the Department of Defense and the Federal Government. One outstanding resource is the Learning Platform selection. The Learning Platform has several modules covering all aspects and stages of business growth.
Being eligible means your business is (1) certified and current in the System for Award Management, (2) properly certified by the Small Business Administration, and (3) registered in Wide Area Workflow. Here are the details on being eligible: (SAM) System for Award Management. If you do not have a current registration in SAM, you are not eligible for Department of Defense contacts! Ensure your company is registered in and maintains a current registration in the System for Award Management (sam.gov). SAM processing time normally takes approximately 15 days and there is no expedited process
for “ emergency” renewals. Why? Once SAM has the registration it goes through a vetting and approval process at the Internal Revenue Service and Defense Logistics Agency. Even more reason for you to keep your SAM current! PLEASE NOTE: Workload, policy changes and other factors directly affect processing times, so processing times may exceed 15 days.
Checking Your Entity’s Status on SAM.gov – New Update (Federal and Non-Federal guidance). Each possible entity status is defined in this FSD.gov Step-by-step instructions on using the Check Entity Status tool, plus additional help on locating an entity’s Unique Entity ID, are available in this FSD.gov article:
(SBA) Properly Certified by the Small Business Administration. WomanOwned Small Businesses- (all categories) must certify with the Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov. All certification requirements and specific details are also located at www.sba.gov and WOSB.Certify Knowledge Base · WOSB.Certify.sba.gov. You will not be eligible for DoD contracts if you are not properly registered in the Small Business Dynamic Search Engine (https://
Stay in the know!
web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/ dsp_dsbs.cfm). The same certification requirement exists for all WOSB categories as well, and this has been a requirement since 2021.
All Veteran-Owned Small Business (all categories) must either be certified by SBA in SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) database at https:// veterans.certify.sba.gov; or has both represented its status as an SDVOSB concern in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submitted an application for certification to SBA’s VetCert database on or before December 31, 2023. Pending applications are available at https:// veterans.certify.sba.gov.
(WAWF) Wide Area Workflow. (Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (eb.mil)), help desk 1-866-6185988) You will submit all invoices through this site and you should be registered in this site as soon as possible. You do not need to wait until you receive a contract award.
(CMMC) The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0 https:// dodcio.defense.gov/CMMC/ About/) will be implemented in December of 2024. This new policy is extensive and can be challenging to understand at times. The North Carolina Military Business Center (www.ncmbc.us) provides valuable training on a regular basis regarding cyber security policies and procedures.
Subscribe to the Onslow Business newsletter (it’s also free!) and get news and updates delivered to your inbox weekly.
Other Useful Resources:
North Carolina Military Business Center (ncmbc.us): Great source of information and events regarding Federal and Department of Defense contracting.
Department of Defense Small Business Programs: https:// business.defense.gov/ Defense Studies Institute for Military Bases: https:// defensestudies.net/pages/ military-bases-and-units
State of the Child A Direct Impact on Local Business
Business leaders, child care advocates, and local government officials gathered for an informational session on the State of the Child recently at One Place in Jacksonville.
One Place Chief Executive Officer Dawn Rochelle, Chief Early Education Program Officer Autumn Bishop, and Chief Growth Officer Stacey Knox shared data on the current child care situation in Onslow County and presented some options for potential solutions.
Their key points included:
• The average annual cost of infant care in North Carolina is $11,720, which is more than the annual instate tuition for a four-year public university in the state.
• The average annual cost for two children in child care is $19.464, which is more than the average cost of rent in the state.
• 68% of local employers report child care shortages significantly impact their ability to hire.
• 71% of local employers report child care shortages significantly impact their ability to retain staff.
• The estimated economic impact of the child care crisis in Onslow County is $197.7 million to $3013 million in lost wages, productivity, and tax revenue.
Proposed solutions based on their research and community input include:
• Advocate for child care as critical public infrastructure.
• Explore employersponsored models such as NC Tri-Share.
• Support the continued work of the Onslow Child Care and Early Education Task Force.
Knox noted during the program that the child care issue impacts the operations and the bottom line of each business in the county.
Rochelle emphasized that the Tri-Share model, which involves business funding as well as private and government funding, is a viable solution. She also suggested that businesses could use child care assistance as a retention strategy, particularly as child care is such a major
Below, Information shared at State of the Child
factor in employee retention in this area.
For more information about the child care crisis and
potential solutions, contact One Place at:
(910) 938-0336
info@oneplaceonslow.org
Above, Dawn Rochelle, Stacey Knox, and Autumn Bishop
Administrative Professional of the Year Named
Submitted by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce
The Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce 2026
Administrative Professional of the Year is the Office Manager at Johnson Funeral Home, Tina Wagoner.
For 32 years, Tina Wagner has served as a loyal employee to Johnson Funeral Home, where her devotion is evident in every aspect of her work. She brings an unparalleled level of care and understanding to families she serves, offering comfort and support during their most difficult times.
The Annual Administrative Professionals’ Celebration, held April 21 at Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune, sheds light on the many contributions of the devoted
and valued administrative professionals. This is a great opportunity for management to honor an administrative staff member by treating them to a breakfast and an entertaining program in recognition of the valuable contributions and positive impact they have in our community.
Each year, nominations are accepted from businesses in Onslow County and approximately 20 administrative professionals are recognized at this event.
One individual is then recognized as the Administrative Professional of the Year.
provided by the JacksonvilleOnslow Chamber of Commerce
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Photo
Troubleshooting Clients: Managing the Pitfalls of “Committee Decision-Making”
By Judi Maniscalco, Southern Skies Print Design Photography LLC
Collaboration has long been seen as a sign of a strong business. More voices, more ideas, broader perspective - on paper, it sounds like a clear advantage. In reality, many companies find themselves stuck in a cycle of committeedriven decision-making that slows progress, waters things down and quietly chips away at both time and profit.
We have all seen it! A marketing campaign that goes through round after round of revisions. A brand rollout that starts bold and ends up softened just to please everyone in the room. A straightforward marketing project or even something as simple as updating an office space - that turns complicated because too many people feel the need to weigh in. Everyone wants a voice but not every moment calls for a microphone.
What starts as collaboration often drifts into confusion. And more often than not, the root of it is simple: a lack of structure and clear boundaries.
When multiple departments or leaders are involved without defined roles, decision-making starts to splinter. Sales is pushing for speed, leadership is focused on image, operations wants practicality and marketing is aiming for impact. On their own, each perspective brings value. But without direction, they don’t alignthey play Tug-of-War. And you
can feel the shift when that happens.
Clarity starts to slip. Budgets stretch. Timelines drag. Strong ideas get trimmed down piece by piece until they’re safe enough for everyone, but strong enough for no one. At that point, it’s not just time that’s lost - it’s momentum, that push forward.
This becomes even more noticeable when outside partners are involved. I remember one specific instance ,with a packaging project ,that the client - instead of asking his sales people what they thought - asked his secretary who then asked her husband who wasn’t involved at all in the business!
Insert any business here: Whether it’s design, consulting, building, roofing, real estate flips - what should be a clean, forward-moving process turns into a loop. Feedback comes in waves, often not aligned behind the scenes. A project that started with a clear vision slowly becomes reactive, shaped more by opinions than by purpose.
That’s usually where experienced partners make the difference - quietly, but decisively. The best professionals don’t just execute what’s handed to them. They bring a sense of order to the process. They ask the questions others skip over. They recognize when feedback starts drifting away from the goal.
And they know how to guide things back on track without making it feel like a fight. In fields like design and print, where details matter and consistency counts, that kind of steady leadership is often what separates something that works from something that just gets approved.
Strong businesses tend to mirror that approach internally. They understand that collaboration works best when it has shape to it. Input is welcomed - but decisionmaking is clearly owned. When one person, or a small aligned group, has final say, things move. Conversations stay productive, but they don’t stall progress.
It also helps to start with clarity instead of chasing it later. When goals, audience and expectations are clearly defined upfront, there’s less room for things to wander off course. Without that foundation, people naturally fill in the gaps with personal preference - and that’s where friction tends to take root.
There’s a discipline, too, in how feedback is handled. The strongest teams don’t let it scatter across inboxes and side conversations. They gather it, align internally and present it with intention. Every piece of input has a reason - and ties back to the bigger picture.
And then there’s the part that requires a bit of backbone: leadership. Committee-style
decision-making often sticks around because no one wants to be the one to draw the line. But progress depends on it. Not every idea needs to make the cut and not every voice needs equal weight at every stage.
That doesn’t take away from the value of collaboration - it refines it.
When it’s done right, a variety of perspectives can strengthen a business. It can sharpen ideas, catch blind spots and lead to better outcomes. But without structure, collaboration turns into compromise - and compromise rarely produces anything memorable. Your business pays for compromise in the long run.
In today’s business climate, where clarity, speed and consistency matter more than ever, knowing how to manage decision-making isn’t just helpful - it’s a real advantage. The companies that get this right don’t silence voices - they guide them. They put the right structure in place to protect both the work and the people doing it.
And in the end, that’s what leads to better results - not just on paper, but where it counts.
Think Fast - Speak ClearlyLead Boldly with Jacksonville Toastmasters Every Tuesday at 7pm Miller-Motte College 105 New Frontier Way Jacksonville 3478.toastmastersclubs.org/ directions
Lunch and LearnFunding Foundations: Business Loan Basics (SSBCI-TA)
Tue, May 5 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce
Harnessing Critical Thinking for Small Business Success
Tue, May 5 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Leveling Up Your Finances - SSBCI-TA
Wed, May 6 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Smart Marketing for Small Business Owners
Tue, May 12 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
How to Find Your Customers - Webinar
Wed, May 13 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Writing with Purpose: Navigating the Path to Grant Success - Webinar
Thu, May 14 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Small Business OutreachDoing Business with the Government
Tue, May 19 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Time Strategies for Small Business OwnersWebinar
Tue, May 19 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Nonprofit Executive Roundtable: Protecting Your Nonprofit: Records Retention Policies that Work
Wed, May 20 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Boots to Business
Thu, May 21 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2 sessions ending Fri, May 22
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
BNFAC - Time Management for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Launch - Webinar
Tue, May 26 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Small Business Bootcamp
Wed, May 27 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Federal ContractingWebinar
Thu, May 28 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
How to Finance Your Business
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
The Entrepreneur's Survival Kit: Tools, Tricks, and Hacks That Make Business Easier
Wed, Jun 3 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
James S. Melton Vocational Skills Center
Lunch and Learn: Video Marketing Sells: An Intro to Video Marketing –Webinar
Thu, Jun 4 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Please note: If you attend a session at the CCCC SBC, complete the follow-up survey. The survey helps the SBC staff tremendously as they plan future sessions and when they report their attendance for future funding.
CEO Day and Member Photoshoot
The Third Space 516 Court St Ste 200 Downtown Jacksonville
May 12: 10a - 1p
Join Bayside Bookkeeping and Run It Right for a day of lessons, collaboration, and content.
Second Annual Community Update
May 20, 8:30am
Holly Ridge Community Center
Register online at topsailchamber.org
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Deadline is May 29 to be included in the June issue.
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A New “Third Space” For the Jacksonville Business Community
By Jessica Marshall
What is “The Third Space,” and what does it offer that people may be missing?
The Third Space is really about creating an environment that supports how people actually work and grow. A lot of us are used to working from home or wherever we can fit it in, and while that can work for a while, it’s not always sustainable
What this space offers is a sense of structure without pressure. You can come in, focus on what matters, and be in a setting that naturally encourages collaboration. At the same time, you’ re surrounded by others who are building their own businesses or pursuing their own goals, and that shared energy tends to elevate how you approach your work.
InventHer has evolved from a community into a space. What led to that shift?
It happened very organically. Initially, the goal was to create a functional, welcoming space. But as people started showing up, connecting, and supporting one another, it became clear that it was something more. People weren’t just coming into work; they were building relationships, exchanging ideas, and finding ways to support each other’ s businesses. That’s when it shifted from being a place you visit to something you’ re part of.
Being able to bring that community into The Third Space just allowed it to grow in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.
How would you describe the overall environment to someone considering visiting?
It’s focused, but it’s also very welcoming. People come here to get their work done, but there’ s a natural openness to connection.
It doesn’t feel transactional or forced. You might come in for a few hours of focused work, grab a coffee from a local vendor, and end up having a conversation that leads to a new idea or collaboration.
There’s a balance here between productivity and community that makes the experience feel both grounded and energizing.
Who do you feel would benefit from being part of this space
Anyone who is ready to be more intentional about how they work and grow. That could be a small business owner, a creative, or someone working remotely who wants a more structured environment.
It’s especially meaningful for people who feel like they’ ve been doing everything on their own. There’s something powerful about stepping into a space where support is available and where growth is something that’s shared, not isolated.
