Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter_Spring 2020

NEWSLETTER u Spring 2020 u

CHAMBER AROUND TOWN Oswego Chamber Introduces Flat Angie

Business & Industry United For A Better Community

WHAT’S INSIDE:

HOW WE HELP Resources to businesses during COVID-19

NOW OPEN

Check out some new businesses around Oswego.

HELPING LOCAL

F

lat Angie is a cutout of Angie Hibben, President/CEO of the chamber which is used every year at the golf outing as a fundraiser.

Golfers can pay $5 each to “take a shot at Angie”. If they hit ‘Angie’ they got an arm’s length of Raffle tickets. So with the COVID19 going on, I took flat Angie to several businesses in downtown to do shout outs to local businesses. Flat Angie will be appearing in various places around Oswego again in the future and look for her at the golf outing in the future.

Online shirt fundraiser

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REMODELING

BMF Remodeling LLC is a General Contracting Company that specializes in Custom Bathroom, Kitchen, and Basement Remodels.

We do not stop there we can help you with a Home Addition or by Building your Custom Dream Home.

There is no need to contact multiple companies because BMF Remodeling LLC will complete any of your home projects from start to ďŹ nish!

Give us a call at 630-273-1151 or 630-788-8629 for a free quote.

SM-CL1776646

A huge thank you to ALL the First Responders/ First Liners out there who have been working non stop since this all started.

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www.oswegochamber.org

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Oswego Chamber

offers resources to businesses during COVID-19

By Diane Krieger Spivak

C

OVID-19 has left countless companies reeling from the pandemic’s crushing economic impact. To assist local businesses during this critical time, the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce offers resources to help.

“As businesses give us information whether they are open, closed, have limited hours, and whether they offer curbside pickup or porch deliver, we can and do include that in our membership directory on our website,” says Chamber President/CEO Angie Hibben, . “This can be changed in a matter of minutes. We’ve also included in our quick links information such as the EIDL Program versus the Paycheck Protection Program” The Chamber’s Facebook page also reposts information on all area businesses. “Some are blogging because they are essential businesses, like what to expect if a plumber or electrician has to come to your home, some of the posts are updated hours and how they are handling deliveries/pickups.” u Continued on page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chamber Around Town ...................................................................................1 Resources to Businesses During COVID-19............................................... 3 Chamber CEO Letter........................................................................................4 Facebook Group ...............................................................................................6 Federal Assistance Programs........................................................................ 7 Ribbon Cuttings................................................................................................8 New Members...................................................................................................9 Fighting Anxiety................................................................................................9 Helping Local Businesses............................................................................. 10 Online Sales .....................................................................................................11 Meet Our Board ...............................................................................................11 www.oswegochamber.org

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Becoming a Member is EASY and Affordable!

Check us out online at www.OswegoChamber.org Call, e-mail, or stop on by!

Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce 73 W. Van Buren St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 • Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Spring 2020 3

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Chamber CEO Letter

W

hile we are in unchartered territory right now, my heart is warmed by the businesses who have stepped up and are helping the community, the creative ideas that have come out of all of this, the Virtual hugs I have seen on Facebook and the supporting of each other. My heart is with each and every one of you as you navigate the day to day of what to do if you are a first line/first responder; how will you handle now that some can do

curbside and some are reopening; will I be able to reopen and if so how. We are all doing our best in this troubling and scary times! Each and every day brings new info, new challenges, new fears and new triumphs.

Please reach out to Shayna and I with any thoughts, questions or concerns. If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find out the information that you need. I know we have been sending out A LOT of emails, but this is our best way to communicate with you right now and

ANGIE HIBBEN

President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce

try to keep you informed on programs and things that can help you and your business.

My thank you to everyone who has and continues to support the chamber, whether financially or just a quick hi and is there anything we can do to help you or the community! I know that Oswego will come out of this and be strong and vibrant again. I ask of you to be kind and to be respectful and to remember we are a community. #OswegoStrong

The way your educational year ended does not define the direction of where your ultimate journey will take you...

We are so proud of all of our 8th Grade, High School and College Graduates!

Go on to do incredible and wonderful things!

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www.oswegochamber.org

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Family.

Friends.

Community.

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support the Community of Oswego.

Here to help life go right.®

Janna Misek Ins Agcy Inc Janna Misek, Agent 1136 Douglas Road Oswego, IL 60543 Bus: 630-554-1540 Mon-Thurs 9:00am to 8:00pm Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 12:00pm Se habla espanol

u Continued from page 3

Additionally, the Chamber has created two groups on Facebook: one for members and one for the public.

Individual businesses and communities can join and post immediately. “We are posting on any business in the Oswego area, whether they are members or not because we are better and stronger together,” says Hibben. “We feel it’s important to support all businesses in and around Kendall County so they can come out of this strong.”

Hibben also created a fun page on the website to help parents and other caregivers keep children entertained during the stay-in-place order.

The page includes games, recipes, projects, bedtime stories, and even how to cut kids’ hair.

With its office temporarily closed, the Chamber hosts between two and five Zoom meetings a week to discuss business referrals, marketing, struggles, billing and more.

“It’s more of a check-in and a way to see friendly faces,” www.oswegochamber.org

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says Hibben. These Zoom meetings also include updates and committee meetings.

Hibben plans to continue the meetings post-stay-in-place since some members can’t make networking events due to timing or travel.

The Chamber also sends out update emails from the Small Business Development Center, as well as e-blasts from members announcing special events, programs or offerings via email or Facebook.

Hibben encourages members and other businesses to follow the Chamber on Facebook and/or go to the Chamber website, email or call. “We’ll get back as quickly as we can to them if they need us to help them hook up with an agency or get information.” She also recommends the public consult the Chamber site for product or service referral.

“Shop and think local. Behind every business there’s the face of a family in your community.”

SM-CL1777392

State Farm, Bloomington, IL 69 W. Washington St / Rt 34 Oswego, IL 60543

(630) 554-9339

Ed Hettinger Owner

Matt Hettinger Sales

NOW IN OUR 15th YEAR

YOUR FRIENDS IN THE CAR BUSINESS

Ed and Matt invite you to stop by and see how over 60 years combined experience can make your purchase truly pleasant. We are currently celebrating our 15th year servicing the Fox Valley area.

We specialize in vehicles under $10,000 - many in the $4,000$8,000 range. All have been safety checked, serviced and should give you years of driving pleasure as a student, family, work or second vehicle. If you don’t see what you are looking for in our inventory regardless of the year, we will find that special vehicle for you.

We truly appreciate the many loyal customers and referrals we have had over the last 15 years. Make your next vehicle purchase from us and we will exceed your expectations.

Downtown by the railroad tracks!

Also visit our website at www.HettsAutoSales.com Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Spring 2020 5

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Projects and Things to do with the Kiddos

Facebook Group

ABOUT OSWEGO The Village of Oswego, located approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago, is ideally placed at the southern end of the Fox River Valley. With a population of 30,400, Oswego is the largest community in Kendall County, and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing communities in the country.

The Village was founded in 1833 and today provides a rich and expansive history, landscape, activities, events, culture, shopping and dining opportunities for its residents and visitors.

- Village of Oswego

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eeping families occupied during the state’s Shelter in Place orders is not easy, but one local professional, mother, grandmother is doing her best to help.

Angie Hibben, President and CEO of the Oswego Chamber of Commerce created the Facebook group: Projects and Things to do with Kiddos during our Stay in Place Order. The site started with a few shared ideas for crafts and recipes, but has blossomed over the last two months with links to activities, websites and of course, local business offerings.

“I try to post a variety of things for different ages,” Hibben says. “People are really creative and supporting each other.”

Hibben is a former preschool teacher in addition to being a mother of four and grandmother to six. She understands the challenges families face as they quickly shift to managing children learning from home while continuing to work and run businesses.

She has shared crafts, links to virtual tours of museums and zoos, and recipes for families to try. Of course, she continued to promote local businesses and their special offerings for families from Sanity Sacks, kits that include craft projects, games and more, to a local business that supplies cookie decorating kits.

These shared links to local business are also offering everything from make-your-own-pizza kits to teaching children how to create floral designs.

The page is open to anyone who requests permission to join. Hibben manages members and content, while missing her own children and grandchildren. Using options like FaceTime and Facebook’s Portal, she stays connected to her family near and far.

Hibben says she’s been inspired by the ideas and the feedback from the group’s members and she intends to continue the page beyond the quarantine period.

www.oswegochamber.org

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Chamber offers clarity

On Federal assistance programs

By Chris Walker

W

hen you consider what it was like in early-March and what it has evolved into today in May, things have changed rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the way businesses operate, altering the way they do their work, where they do that work, and how they manage their time and resources during an unprecedented time with a shelter-in-place order, travel restrictions and non-essential businesses locking their doors until further notice.

“Our true focus is to be a support for our small businesses in our community so it’s been a whirlwind,” says Aisha McBurrows, associate director, entrepreneurial services for the Women’s Business Development Center Aurora. “It’s been business as usual, but we’ve had to make adjustments with not being in the office. We had to switch a lot of our workshops to online or cancel things.”

Harriet Parker, manager of www.oswegochamber.org

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the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee Community College, says she’s been inundated with phones calls and emails looking for guidance. She has set up shop in a home office to continue providing valuable resources to her clients.

“I’m mainly helping people understand the different disaster relief programs, the difference between them and the forgiveness components and how to navigate through all of that while doing appropriate record keeping to get the most funds possible,” she says. “We’re talking to a lot of businesses about ways to survive, what things to do, including reaching out to their customers and maintaining those connections, which obviously is different depending on their type of business.”

The Village of Oswego is making loans available to small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, which is keeping Corinna Cole, economic development

director for Oswego, busy.

According to Cole, there’s a Rent Assistance Loan Program and a Restart Loan Program in place with applications considered first-come, firstserved on a rolling basis.

“I really want to get the word out that these loans are available,” Cole says.

“While this is very different from what I normally do this time of year, it’s definitely within the scope of what I am supposed to do. Obviously, this pandemic has disrupted life for everybody so we’ll keep providing services to meet the unique needs created, and as an economic development professional that means working with businesses dealing with the financial aspects/outcomes arisen from the pandemic.”

The tax and accounting services industry most definitely has seen its work affected by the response to the pandemic.

According to Jim Bailey of Bailey Accounting & Co., the U.S. government is sending stimulus checks to dead

people, which is obviously upsetting to their families and friends, while some taxpayers are wondering why they haven’t received their check yet, wondering when will it come or why they didn’t receive an additional $500 after having a child earlier this year. Obviously, those concerns are just a handful of reasons why clients have been lighting up his phone.

Meanwhile, the typical deadline for filing taxes may have passed, but with it being extended to July 15, obviously concerns have been placed on estimated payment due dates and more. Like COVID-19, tax season is far from over.

“I’ve been busier than normal,” Bailey says. “The interruption of the normal cycles of the January-April tax season has been a headache.

Nobody likes to pay taxes, but it is what it is. I’ve talked to tax professionals who have been around for 40 years and they’ve never seen anything like this where a due date or payment date has been extended by the government.”

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

Recent Celebrations

AQUADUCT 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY RIBBON CUTTING AND NETWORKING EVENT AQUADUCT PLUMBING SERVICES, LLC 74 Stone Hill Rd., Unit C • Oswego, IL 60543 630-504-9594 • www.aquaductplumbingservices.com

iLOVEKICKBOXING- OSWEGO RIBBON CUTTING iLOVEKICKBOXING - OSWEGO 1756 Douglas Road • Oswego, IL 60543 630-580-8216 • ilovekickboxing.com/oswego

LEGALSHIELD BUSINESS SOLUTIONS RIBBON CUTTING

MORE THAN CORE PILATES RIBBON CUTTING

LEGALSHIELD BUSINESS SOLUTIONS P.O. Box 922, Oswego, IL 60543 630-346-3940 • www.kathleenramsey1.com

MORE THAN CORE PILATES 83 Templeton Dr., D • Oswego, IL 60543 630-346-5705 • www.morecorepilates.com

SWEET TEMPTATIONS DESSERT RIBBON CUTTING

UPS STORE #1387 RIBBON CUTTING

SWEET TEMPTATIONS DESSERT 728 E. Veterans Parkway, 101 • Yorkville, IL 60560 630-553-8633 • www.sweettemptationsco.com

UPS STORE #1387 2427 Rt. 30, Suite B-103 • Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-9195 • www.theupsstorelocal.com/1387

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Meet Our Newest Members SOCIAL BUTTERFLY CONCEPTS Aurora, IL 60503 630-809-4495 socailbutterflyconcepts.com RESTORATION 1 OF FOX VALLEY 110 Kirkland Circle, Suite H Oswego, IL 60543 847-571-8564 restoration1.com/foxvalley OSWEGO FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL #4773 3511 Wooley Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 www.iaff4773.org 3:11 PROJECT 1460 SE River Rd. Montgomery, IL 60538 630-733-1879 www.the311project.com LAMPLIGHTER CHORUS Oswego, IL 60543 630-788-9001 www.lamplighterchorus.com SEWER SHARKS 118 Chesterfield Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 331-999-3700 www.sewersharksillinois.com PRECISION COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR 6 Stonehill Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 630-358-7036 www.precisionallautocare.com

JOHN GREENE REALTOR SANDY KOEHLER 2677 US 34 Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-7088 MY NEW CLOSETS (returning member) 2987 Carlsbad Cir. Aurora, IL 60503 630-730-4467 mynewclosets.com SELECT COFFEE CRAFTERS 6 Sherwood Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 630-551-8620 www.selectcoffeecrafters.com RJ3 AUTOMOTIVE 16 S. Cherry Drive Oswego, IL 60543 630-554-2920 INK 180 TATTOO 27 Stonehill Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 630-554-1404 www.ink180.com SUMMERS PLUMBING HEATING & COOLING 1111 S. Bridge St., Unit C Yorkville, IL 60560 317-858-5248 www.summersphc.com

Becoming a Member is EASY and Affordable!

Check us out online at

OswegoChamber.org Call, e-mail, or stop on by!

Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce 73 W. Van Buren St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 Email: info@oswegochamber.org www.oswegochamber.org

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SIX TIPS TO FIGHT ANXIETY

By Kevin Druley

T

he ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred stress and anxiety in people of all ages.

“We’re all having to adjust to a temporary, maybe, ‘new normal,’ and it’s kind of a really strange experience,” Oswego Wellness Co-Owner Courtney DeCarlo says.

While concerns over possible threats to physical wellness take hold, our mental wellbeing can understandably bear its share of burden.

With insight from DeCarlo and fellow licensed clinical professional counselor Anthony Kokalj, owner of Fox Bend Counseling, here are some tips to manage your mental health during the COVID-19 crisis:  STAY WITHIN YOURSELF. “Focus on the things that we can control as opposed to looking at the things that are out of our hands, out of our control, that people right now are struggling with,” Kokalj says.  STAY CONNECTED. Talk with neighbors – from a social distance, of course.

Call friends and family.

Embrace your inner Zoom or other preferred online meeting platform.  FOLLOW A ROUTINE. Wake up and go to bed at the same time, and eat,

shower, and exercise at familiar intervals. “We do much better when we have a little bit of structure and routine,” DeCarlo says.  BE PRODUCTIVE. Productivity boosts our self-worth, which influences our entire being. Find or re-start a hobby or complete a project around the house, especially if you are unemployed or furloughed.

“What can you do to utilize that time to be productive with something that’s manageable, something that’s realistic?” Kokalj says.  CELEBRATE THE SIMPLICITIES OF LIFE. Feeling like you’re in a perpetual state of cabin fever? Try to frame your mindset differently. Whether it’s a shared meal, outdoor walk, or board game night, cherish the added family time. “I’ve heard from a lot of people that they hope we don’t forget what we’re learning about ourselves and our families” once stayat-home orders are lifted, DeCarlo says.  CONSIDER COUNSELING. There’s not “a line in the sand” that determines whether you should seek counseling, DeCarlo says. “If you don’t feel well physically, you go to the doctor. If you don’t feel well mentally or emotionally, you can see a therapist.”

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Online shirt fundraiser

Helping local Businesses

By Vicki Petersen

W

ith traditional spirit weeks and other endof-year school events, spring is normally a busy time for Imagination Print & Design. With school buildings closed for the rest of the academic year, owner Kelley Rice and another staff member decided to brainstorm ideas on how they could use

their resources while benefiting other Oswego stores.

They decided to team up with the Oswego Downtown Business Association’s Light Up Oswego initiative and encourage people to support local businesses through an online shirt fundraiser.

More than 40 participating businesses have a shirt that’s

“Bringing my clients a seamless real estate transaction with my team of professionals.”

BROOK HENSCHEN BROKER

SM-CL1777557

Direct: 815.814.5940 brookh@kw.com brookhenschenregroup.com

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available for purchase. In turn, they’ll receive $10 back for every shirt from their business that’s sold.

Rice enjoyed helping the businesses design their shirts. Some businesses opted for designs with their logo. Other businesses got creative with the sayings, such as Floral Impressions’ shirt stating: Flowers can’t solve all problems but they’re a great start. Locked In Photography’s shirt reads: Locked In 2020.

Some local businesses that are deemed essential and still open decided to donate the money raised from their shirts to community organizations like the Oswego Junior Women’s Club. And the money raised from the Oswego Downtown Business Association shirts will go toward future community events. There’s also a donate button to support the association.

coming in. It’s really cool to see the excitement going into this fundraiser,” Rice says.

So far, more than $11,700 and over 1000 shirts have been sold for local businesses.

Many of the participating businesses are spreading the word about the fundraiser via their websites and social media.

Angie Hibben, President/CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, sees the fundraiser as an opportunity for people to thank local businesses for their past support of community and school events.

“These small businesses are integral to our community.

This fundraiser is just one way people can say thank you and support our local businesses,” Hibben says.

T-shirts, sweatshirts and women’s V-neck shirts can be ordered at LightUpOswego. com. The online store was open through Sunday, May 10th. As soon as orders are printed and filled, the online store will reopen for future orders.

“Every day we’ve had orders www.oswegochamber.org

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Chamber BOARD OF DIRECTORS KEITH MOORE

CHAIRMAN Black Dog Distillery keith@blackdogdistillery.com

BROOK HENSCHEN

COVID Crisis

Forcing Businesses to Turn to Online Sales

I

n a small community that thrives on human interaction and in-person sales, COVID and the resulting mandatory closures have sent many local businesses scrambling to find a way to stay afloat.

The one thing that has kept businesses in front of their customers? An online presence.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in people wanting to do ecommerce-based transactions,” says Andy Clements, president and CEO of Weblinx, a digital marketing and web design agency based in Oswego.

While some businesses, like restaurants, have generally been ahead of the curve for online ordering. Many local shops already have an online presence, but adding an online purchasing option has never been a necessity before now.

“People who have brick and mortar stores are looking into ways to sell online and then pick up curbside,” says Rachelle Koenig, owner of RocketWriters, an Oswego-based marketing and public relations writing and consulting business. “People are launching ecommerce sites so customers can see what they have in their stores.”

If building out a brand-new website shopping portal isn’t feasible either timewise or budget-wise, there are alternatives.

Clements has seen businesses use google forms or google docs to submit orders online, both of which are free and will work as a short-term solution.

In addition to putting up online shops, staying visible online and marketing to www.oswegochamber.org

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customers and potential customers is crucial during this time - even if it’s just saying ‘thank you’ or making sure they are doing okay.

“It’s definitely a little bit of a softer approach,” Clements says. “It’s reminding folks that you’re here, you’re in business and you’re here to help versus ‘I have this great product; buy it now.’”

Social media can also play a huge role in marketing right now due to increased time at home on smart devices. Social marketing can include sharing updates about your company, cleaning standards, or even showcasing products and what you are currently offering.

Koenig recommends shooting short videos and posting them online as another way to connect with customers.

“We’re all going to come out of our holes at some point and you want your business to be the one that people think of,” Koenig says.

“The more top of the mind you can be, the more likely people will go to you for products and service.”

No matter how businesses are choosing to adapt, the one thing to remember is that everyone in the community is in this situation together.

“Instead of thinking you’re alone in this, reach out to fellow business owners,” Koenig says. “Whether you’re feeling confident or scared, we are all committed to each other’s success. Believe that and reach out.

VICE CHAIRMAN Brook Henschen Real Estate Group BrookH@kw.com

SUE BILL

TREASURER First National Bank sbill@fnni.com

KRISTINE LARSEN

SECRETARY Kris Larsen Attorney at Law Kristenlarsenlaw@sbcglobal.net

ANITA PATEL

Best Western Oswego bwoswego@gmail.com

JASON KAPUS

Aquaduct Plumbing Services jk.aquaductplumbing@gmail.com

JAVAN BONHAM

NM Tripp Insurance Javan@nmtrippins.net

TAMMY SARTAIN

The Sartain Team - Keller Williams Innovate tammysartainteam@gmail.com

BRANDON POLASKEY

Impact Sports Rehab & Chiropractic impactsportsrehab@gmail.com

JONATHAN HENDERSON

CTS Fire and Safety jhenderson@ctsfireandsafety.com

KELLEY RICE

Imagination Print & Design kelley@imaginationpad.com

“If you need help, ask for help. If you can give help, offer to give help.”

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