Business Connections, April 2022

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The Shelby County Chamber BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

April ‘22 Chamber Events Tuesday, April 5 Ambassador Work Group 11:30AM - 1:00PM Wednesday, April 6 Career Readiness/Existing Business and Industry Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Wednesday, April 6 Chelsea Business Alliance Luncheon 11:30AM - 1:00PM Chelsea Community Center Wednesday, April 6 Small Business Work Group 4:00PM-5:00PM Thursday, April 7 Connections Luncheon 11:30AM-1:00PM Grande Hall @ Old Mill Square Friday, April 8 Health Services Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM

2022 SHELBY COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMIINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED Calera Main Street, Chelsea Business Alliance, Columbiana Main Street, Montevallo Main Street, Montevallo Chamber of Commerce and The Shelby County Chamber are once again collaborating on a joint Small Business of the Year program. The Small Business Awards program in five categories is part of this year’s annual Small Business Celebration presented in 2022 by Regions Bank. Completed nomination packets in five categories are due to The Shelby County Chamber by no later than Monday, April 18.

The five categories which will be recognized for the 2022 Shelby County Small Business of the Year are: uCategory I (1-5 Employees; Open 1 Year or More), uCategory II (6-10 Employees; Open 1 Year or More), uCategory III (11-20 Employees; Open 1 Year or More), uCategory IV (21+ Employees; Open More Than 1 Year) and uCategory V (Open Less Than One Year,

Less Than 25 Total Employees).

All 2022 nominees, and the recipients in each category, will be recognized and announced at the Shelby County Small Business of the Year Awards’ program scheduled for May 18. Nomination packets are available on-line at www.shelbychamber.org, or by contacting any of the host organizations.

For additional questions, please call The Shelby County Chamber by phone at 205663-4542, or via e-mail at info@shelbychamber.org.

Monthly Chamber Connections Luncheon Join us for the April Chamber Connections Luncheon, scheduled for April 7 featuring comments from Shelby County Sheriff, John Samaniego.

The event will be held in the Grand Hall at Old Mill Square, 104 West College Street, Columbiana, AL 35051.

The cost is $20 per per-

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son for Chamber investors and $30 per person for “Future” investors and includes a luncheon buffet. To allow for proper planning, reservations are required by no later than Tuesday, April 5.

Reservations can be made by contacting the Chamber at info@shelbychamber.org or by telephone at 205-6634542.

PELHAM, AL, 35124

Business After Hours at Just A Tish

“Future” investors.

Reservations are required, so please register via email at jordan@shelby-

chamber.org, by phone at 205-663-4542 or online at shelbychamber.org by noon on Monday, April 4.

April 29 Go & Grow Whether you’ve started your own business – or are thinking about it -- April’s Go & Grow Workshop offers attendees valuable information they can use!

A panel of successful entrepreneurs / small business owners including: Mechelle Wilder, Founding Partner, ARC Realty; Joe Meads, Principal / Owner and Laurie Stroud Franklin, Publisher, Birmingham Christian Family Magazine will share tips for how to start and grow a successful business. Topics discussed will be: uMarketing & Selling your idea / product uFinding funding

uFinding people uFinding mentors …and much, much more!

The workshop -- facilitated by Michael Smith of The Great, The Good and The Gone -- will be on Friday, April 29 from 11:30AM - 1:00PM at the Chamber.

There is no cost to attend, but lunch is available for $10 per person for Chamber investors ($20 for “Future” investors).

To ensure we have a proper headcount, please make reservations by noon on Wednesday, April 27 for this workshop by contacting Kirk Mancer via e-mail at kirk@shelbychamber.org or by calling 205-663-4542, or register online.

Monday, April 11 Washington Update with Congressman Gary Palmer 11:30AM - 1:00PM Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel Wednesday, April 13 Women’s Business Council 11:30AM-1:00PM Jefferson State Community College Thursday, April 14 Govermental Affairs Work Group 8:30AM - 9:30AM Sain Associates - HWY280 Wednesday, April 27 Community Luncheon 11:30AM-1:00PM Grande Hall @ Old Mill Square For information on Chamber work groups and how to get involved visit shelbychamber.org or email info@shelbychamber.org Read more details or register for events online at www.shelbychamber.org or the Chamber office 205-663-4542. Unless otherwise noted events listed will be held at 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham 35124. CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER: Cancellation for a paying event must be made TWO days prior to the event.

205 - 663 - 4542

SHELBYCHAMBER.ORG

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Be ready to make some serious business contacts on April 5 from 5:30PM until 7:00PM at Just A Tish, Wine & More in Columbiana. The investment – which includes hors d’oeuvres and two beverage coupons -- for any Chamber investor is $10 per person and $20 for

Julie Gardner Joins Shelby County Chamber Professional Staff

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The Shelby County Chamber has welcomed Julie Gardner to the Chamber professional staff team.

Julie Gardner, who for the past two and one-half years served as Executive Director with the Greater Irondale Chamber of Commerce officially joined the Chamber staff team on March 21.

Gardner, received her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Carson-Newman University, and her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary with campuses across the United States.

Originally from Orlando, Flori-

da, Gardner moved to Birmingham in 2002. Her professional background, which also includes sales and business and life coaching, found her Birmingham business success by connecting and networking through area chambers.

During her tenure at the Greater Irondale Chamber, Gardner increased that organization’s membership by 160% and developed several new programs and opportunities for that business community.

“Our Chamber staff team has had the opportunity to interact with Julie at several statewide

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chamber functions, and we look forward to the enthusiasm and energy she will bring to our team,” Chamber President & CEO Kirk Mancer commented.

In her role with The Shelby County Chamber, Gardner will focus on the Chamber’s programming overseen by the Career Readiness / Existing Business & Industry and Tourism & Recreation work groups. “With the broad knowledge and skill set Julie has developed as the Executive Director at the Greater Irondale Chamber, Julie is an excellent addition to this Chamber,” Mancer concluded.

The Shelby County Chamber’s Program “10th Annual Student & Educator of the Year” The Shelby County Chamber is pleased to announce its “Annual Student and Educator of the Year” recognition program. Educators play a vital role in the lives of Shelby County children, impact our communities every day and help develop the workforce which our Shelby County businesses and organizations will need in the years ahead. As such, the Chamber has launched this recognition program to celebrate excellence in the teaching profession and inform our community of the exception-

al quality of instruction delivered throughout Shelby County. All nominees will be recognized, and three recipients (elementary, middle, and high school educators) will receive a one-time financial investment to assist their continuing development.

Shelby County students are our potential business and community

leaders and will comprise a significant portion of our workforce in the future. As such, the Chamber has launched this recognition program to celebrate student excellence in the classroom throughout Shelby County. All nominees will be recognized and five recipients (academic leader stand-out (2) and career pathway stand-out (2), Fu-

ture Leader) will receive a one-time financial investment to assist their continuing development.

The Chamber will recognize all of the nominations and announce the recipients at the April 27, program presented by America’s First Federal Credit Union and Co-Sponsored by Vulcan Materials and The University of Montevallo.

Chelsea Business Alliance April Luncheon The Chelsea Business Alliance’s next luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 from 11:30AM – 1:00PM. The program, sponsored by Columbiana Tractor, will take place at the Chelsea Community Center (11101 County Road 47, Chelsea). In addition to business networking and lunch, the program

will feature a presentation by Bruce Gouin of Express Employment Professionals.

For proper planning, reservations are requested by no later than Monday, April 4. Please contact Kirk Mancer by e-mail @ kirk@shelbychamber.org to make your reservation.

“Washington Update Luncheon” featuring U. S. Congressman Gary Palmer -- 6th CD On Monday, April 11, U. S. Congressman Gary Palmer will join with several chambers of commerce for a “Washington Update Luncheon” event from 11:30AM1:00PM at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel.

Congressman Palmer -- first elected to represent Alabama’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives

in 2014 -- will provide attendees with a Washington update.

The luncheon event is co-hosted by the Chelsea Business Alliance, the Homewood Chamber, Hoover Area Chamber, Greater Irondale Chamber, Mountain Brook Chamber, Shelby County Chamber and Vestavia Hills Chamber.

The investment, which includes

lunch is $20 per person for investors / members with the host organizations and $30 for future investors / members.

Reservations are required no later than noon on Thursday, April 7, so please contact The Shelby County Chamber via e-mail at info@shelbychamber.org or by phone at 205-663-4542 or register online to secure your place.

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New Investors

(January 26 - February 23, 2022) Chen Law, LLC Hoover

The Highlands Community Birmingham

ARC Realty -- Kristi Sayers, Agent Lincoln

Twist Ballroom Studio Pelham

Manville Material Handling Solutions Pelham Premier Assisted Living Helena Ray & Poynor Properties -Shane Plyler, Agent Birmingham Reverie Custom Creations Birmingham Destined Events Birmingham Lindsey Kenwright-REALTOR Helena

European Wax Center Birmingham OFC Workscapes, Inc. Pelham Reemo Wireless, Inc. Pelham Advanced Landscape Services, Inc. Pelham Pro Health Home Health & Hospice Birmingham Selective Selections By She Pelham

Your Chamber at work

(January 15 – February 11, 2021) - Responded to 83 requests for business & community information.

- Notarized 5 documents for Shelby County Companies.

- Promoting Chamber investors as well as Chamber & Community events through the following Social Media outlets: - Facebook: 22 “new follows”, 3,625 “views”, 17,104 “post reaches” and 5,866 “total followers” - Twitter: 22 “tweets”, 1,206 “tweet impressions”, 269 “profile visits”, 3,029 “followers” - Instagram: 1,491 “followers” - LinkedIn: 682 (72 new) “followers”

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Access our member directory

2022 TSCC Officers and Board of Directors (as of 1/28/22) OFFICERS (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE) Chamber Chair Brian Massey Ascension St. Vincent’s Chair-Elect Mechelle Wilder ARC Realty Vice Chair, Business Development & Support Kelly Thrasher Fox Hand Arendall, Harrison, Sale LLC Vice Chair, Communications & Marketing Lee Dorrill Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Vice Chair, Community & Career Development Kevin Morris America’s First Federal Credit Union Vice Chair, Finance & Administration April Harry Warren, Averett, LLC Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs Mike Swinson Spire Alabama, Inc. Vice Chair, Investor Relations Daniel Listi BBH / Shelby Baptist Medical Center

Vice Chair, Tourism & Recreation John Collier Regions Bank Immediate Past Chair Chris Grace Barge Design Solutions, Inc DIRECTORS Rux Bentley Rux Carter Insurance Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College

Steven Smith Specification Rubber Products Melinda Bennett Candlewood Suites – Alabaster Traci Fox T Fox SalonSpa Kimberly L. Jackson Alabama Power Company Will Norwood Valley Bank

Laura Clarke SYNOVUS

Benji Sawyer Sawyer Solutions, LLC

Jeff Purvis A. C. Legg, Inc.

Chad Scroggins Shelby County

Guy Locker SouthWest Water Company

Gretchen DiFante City of Pelham

Amiee Mellon University of Montevallo

Meribeth Gilbert McLeod Software

Melissa Dixon Charles Dixon Industries

Bruce Gouin Express Employment Professionals

Daniel Holmes Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

Keith Richards Taziki’s Mediterranean Café

Khiari McAlpin Vinehouse Nursery

Chris Stricklin Dunn Companies

Maurice Mercer KATs Delivery

The Hon. Brian Puckett (Ex-Officio, SCMA) City of Helena

Kyle Mims Edward Jones Investments – Kyle Mims Agency

PELHAM, AL, 35124

Amy Sturdivant (Ex-Officio) 58, INC