March Chamber News

C H A M B E R N

Spotlight: Excellence in Dentistry

Our spotlight for this month is Excellence in Dentistry; located at 1523 N Market St. in Troy, they have been serving the Troy Community for 50 years.

This interview with the owner Dr Mark Bentley, the Office Manager Gina Brenner, and the Public Relations Coordinator Nicole McFadden

Q: Your practice has been open since 1974, what was the inspiration behind starting this business?

A Dr Bentley: My parents owned a meat store, and I worked there from 8th grade through undergrad Near the end of high school, my father unexpectedly informed me that I was going to college at The Ohio State University My mother suggested that I become a dentist since I was good at working and talking with people and she knew I was talented with my hands When I graduated from dental school there was a lot of school debt An opportunityarosetobuytheTroypracticeofthelateWardSwinehartDDSand that’swhereitallbegan

Q: What was your mission at the start of your business? How does that compare to your mission now?

Linda&Dr Mark Bentley

A: Dr Bentley: Mission starts with: “You don’t know, what you don’t know” It’s funny, but it kind of started with a lime green quilt that my great aunt had given to us from her farm in West Virginia. My wife Linda and I had moved into our apartment, and she had painted the entire bedroom lime green to match.… I was looking up at this lime green ceilingandIrealized,Iwantedtobethebestdentisteverinthiscounty

From here we embraced the concept of the 3-legged stool LEG 1: Raving Fans- Give the patients what they expect plus 5% more LEG 2: Empowered Employees- Empower your employees to be able to correct mistakes and fail forward LEG 3: Profitability- No business can succeed without it Last is the SEAT- Integrity- We never confuse profitability with integrity, without integrity we don’t’ have a business Later in our career we added LEG 4: GratitudeWearejustsogratefulforanypersonwhowalksthroughourdoorandtrustsusenoughtobecomeapatient Ishare with our younger dentists that the words “I trust you ” has got to be so much more than a treatment and a transaction.Ourpatientssoonrealizethattheycantrustustoprovidethemthehigheststandardsregardingsafety, technology,sterilizationandcontinuingeducation.

Q: How many employees does your business have?

A:Nicole:Wehave39employees

Q: What moments/things have been most rewarding to you in this business?

A Dr Bentley: I would like to have our patients become obsessive about the care of their mouths I want them to maintaintheirteethingreatconditionfortheirwholelife Themouthaffectsthewholebodyandisamainsourceof inflammation Seeing our patients come in with optimal dental health is very rewarding I’ve been rewarded as well by all the fun I have with our patients and my staff Sometimes I feel it’s hard to distinguish between working and playing!Ourpatientsareourextendedfamilyandsomanycomeinwithgreatstoriestoshare Ourteammembers, inmyopinion,aresomeofthebestinthecountryandwelovehelpingpeopleachievebeautifulsmiles Ourmottois “Making a Difference, One Smile at a Time” and we have won the Miami County Reader’s Choice Award for Best Dentist,14yearsinarow!

Nicole & Gina: We find that our work in the community itself has been rewarding We have so many projects/programs that we have done in the past and currently We hosted Gift of Dentistry Day for 11 years Dr Bentley and staff have done mission trips to Jamacia and current staff have expressed interest in doing something likethatagainwithinourcommunityorothercommunities Wesponsoralotofsports/schoolteamsandwehavea free mouth guard program that we offer to the community We have sponsored events with the Troy Strawberry Festivalfordecades Wegotomanyschool/careerfairsbyparticipatinginpersonorbysupplyingdonationsoforal hygiene supplies We also donate hygiene supplies to pantries In the past, we have participated in the nationwide Halloween Candy buy-back program. We take toothbrushes to a lot of preschools in the area. We support the local 4-H auctions by buying our patients’ livestock projects. This is just a sampling of the many ways we support our community.

Q: What challenges have you had to face and overcome?

A Dr Bentley: When you graduate from dental school you are taught what perfection is, but you don’t know how to achieve it It’s been a process through my whole career Again, you don’t knowwhatyoudon’tknow Thatphrasehashadalotofmeaning inmylife

Nicole & Gina: One challenge that has been a current issue, is finding qualified employees that fit our culture and standards Andofcourse,there’salwaysthechangesoftheupsanddowns of the economy For example, the economic issues of 2008 and COVID

Q: What elements of your business do you think makes you so unique and so vital to the Miami Valley small business community?

A: Dr. Bentley: We have regular meetings with our staff. We have a morning huddle every day and go over our numbers.Ifyoudon’tknowyournumbersyouarelostbutontheotherhandweallrecognizeservicecomesbefore numbers. If we provide the best service the patients will come. This service is reflected in following the concept of the4-Leggedstoolconceptthatwaspreviouslymentioned.Weareverytransparentandupfrontinthisoffice.We monitoreachotherandwehavefunwitheachother Wealsohaveteamleadermeetingsandmonthlystaff/team trainingmeetings,whereweproblemsolveandmakesurethatweareallonthesamepage

Other elements include continuing education and making sure that we are on the cutting edge of dentistry I happened to marry a woman who pushed me into taking as many business seminars as clinical She supported me in this and without her we wouldn’t be here When our daughter, Megan, was five years old, Linda left her teaching career and started working in the admin area of our office Just the two of us were managing the office and we surely went through some chaotic times In the 90’s we brought dental consultants into the office and startedtobeseriousregardingthetwopillarsofdentistry thetechnicalaspectsaswellasthemanagement

Furthermore, dentists are required to take 20 hours a year of continuing education Our dentists far exceed that requirement WeencouragethemtogetoutandgettheireducationeveninplaceslikeCaliforniaandSeattle We want our patients to feel confident that our dentists have validity in the treatment plans they present Sometimes ethics go “out the window” with dentistry We make sure that never happens in our office This allows us to have a teamwhoarepleasant,caringandgenuinelyinterestedinsuperiorcustomerservice

StaffChristmasParty

Q: Are there any needs that you have not met in the community, that you would like to serve in the future?

A: Dr Bentley: I would like for our team to keep working on patient education I would like to see our community become more obsessive about oral maintenance and maintaining optimum dental health Hopefully, more and moreofourcommunitywillrealizetheeffectsoftheiroralhealthonthehealthoftheirwholebody

Q: What is something new you would like to do with your business, or start to offer more?

A Dr Bentley:Wewouldliketoaddmorespecialtiessothatourpatientsdon’tneed to travel for specialized services Our doctors are currently taking continuing educationclassestobeginofferingtheseservices

Nicole & Gina: Technology has really changed and we would like to further embrace digital dentistry, almost on a microscopic level We would like to grow more but we are limited by our facility size Technology has really changed dentistry including such things as scanners, digital impressions, artificial interpretationofdigitalx-rays,3Dimaging,etc

Q: What is something about Excellence in Dentistry that you think people would be surprised to learn about?

A Dr Bentley: We have 6 amazing Team Leaders and a highly educated and wonderful supporting staff of hygienists and EFDA’s and certified dental assistants and hygiene assistants along with the doctors This has enabled us to have over 1,300 5-starreviewsongoogle Almostunheardof!We’reveryproud ofourstaff,andIhavefuncomingtoworkeveryday

Nicole&Gina:Ithinkpeoplewouldbesurprisedthatwesupply hams and turkeys to local churches at Thanksgiving and Christmas time for those in need Furthermore, I think people would be surprised to learn that Linda and Dr Bentley used to answer the phones when they first started their business, and Dr Bentleyevenusedtodocleanings

Thank you to Excellence in Dentistry for this interview!

Dr MarkBentley

GinaBrenner

NicoleMcFadden

MemberoftheMonth

MemberoftheMonth

FirstFinancialBank

Our Member of the Month is First Financial Bank.

First Financial Bank is more than just your bank. We are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve, just like Troy. Through various philanthropic initiatives, volunteer programs, and partnerships with local organizations, our goal is to uplift and support our clients’ well-being. People and businesses can live fully in the moment knowing that First Financial Bank has the knowledge and resources to help them be prepared for the future. After all, helping our clients means helping our communities improve and grow.

For over 160 years, First Financial Bank has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our clients while focusing on our core values of integrity, innovation, and community involvement. We offer a wide range of products and services from mortgages to business loans, all with personalized solutions and tools to make banking, and life, a little easier.

Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

MemberDiscoutProgam MeetTheBoard

Treasurer: Bonnie Harris Frey

Company: Owner of Harris Jeweler

How long have you been in that role?

I grew up in the family business and am the 3rd generation owner. I took over the company after my father retired in 2009 and have since purchased the company.

Why is it important to be part of the Chamber Board?

The Chamber does a lot of things for businesses of all sizes but as a small business, we get a ton of benefit from the constant promoting that the Chamber does of our instore events as well as events they put on during the year to help drive traffic to local businesses. I also get to network with and meet many people in our community while giving back as well!

Family: Both my husband, Matt, and I were born and raised in Troy and we can't imagine raising our two children, Cooper (9) and Chloe (6) anywhere else!

Favorite Local Spot: We are in that phase in life where we very rarely have time away from work/kids sports. When we do, we enjoy going to the Caroline or the Troy Country Club. We love downtown Troy and all it has to offer, the summer concerts are great for the whole family!

Alicia Dunning is the new Event Coordinator here at the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce. Alicia is a Bowling Green State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Organizational Communications. She also obtained a career focus in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. She previously worked alongside a wedding coordinator in Toledo Ohio while perusing her degree.

When she is not working, she spends time with her fiancé as well as their dog, Gus. She enjoys binge watching her favorite shows like Gilmore Girls and How I Met Your Mother as well as reading and spending time with friends.

MemberDiscoutProgam 85thAnnualDinnerAwards&Recognition

Ambassador of the Year

JoeLaber CupofJoeMedia

Strawberry Festival Recognition

TammyWelkerWalkup 2023FestivalChairman

Small Business Excellence Award

PurebredCoffeeCo.

Medium Business Excellence Award

Chick-fil-ATroy

Large Business Excellence Award

HobartFillerMetals

President's Award

CitizensforTroyCity Schools

ESSENTIAL TIPS

In today's digital era, video has emerged as a cornerstone of a brand’s content strategy. It’s highly engaging and can signi cantly boost your brand's visibility and sales.

But where do you start with video? Here are our tips for getting the most out of your video marketing.

PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME

Before the cameras start rolling, it's crucial to set the stage Ensure the area where you’ll be lming is tidy and free of clutter Pay special attention to the background – it should be visually appealing and free of any sensitive information.

The success of your video also depends on the people featured in it. They should be well-informed about the video's purpose and their roles. Review the storyboard and production schedule with everyone involved to ensure all are aligned with the vision and ow of the shoot.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

Your smartphone might suf ce for quick, organic social media content However, consider investing in quality equipment for more polished, professional videos, including a good camera, lighting, microphones, and editing software If investing in equipment and hiring a videographer seems daunting, partner with an outsourced video marketing agency like Marketing Essentials.

LEVERAGE YOUR VIDEO CONTENT

Once your video is ready, it's time to put it to work You can repurpose a single video across various platforms Upload it to your social media channels, embed it on your website, share it on your YouTube channel and use it as a tool in your sales processes The key is to ensure your video reaches your target audience through the right channels

At Marketing Essentials, we can handle all of your video marketing needs, including mapping out the video strategy, production planning, scripting and storyboarding, shooting, editing, and posting on your website and social media channels Contact us today to learn more

By Tyler Louth, Chief Executive Of cer at

Marketing Essentials (mktgessentialscom) Submit your marketing and sales questions to Tyler at connect@mktgessentialscom

Scan or click here to view our digital advertising services:

Last month, chamber members were challenged with an HR Audit Assessment If you haven’t completed the assessment yet, you can do so by visit this link

Federal employment laws come with their own set of rules for covered employers, making it crucial for employers to know which ones apply to their company

The size of your organization, determined by the number of employees, plays a pivotal role in determining your compliance obligations.

While some laws, like the Equal Pay Act (EPA), apply universally to all employers, others, such as the threshold is reached. Additionally, certain laws, like COBRA, may have exclusions for specific types of employers, such as churches.

Employers Of All Sizes

The following federal employment laws apply to all employers, regardless of size:

Equal Pay Act (EPA)

Fiar Labor Standard Act (FLSA)

Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

Based on Employee Count

The following federal employment laws apply to employers, with a certain number of employees:

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

To review the entire chart, click here

Welcome New Members! Welcome New Members!

3-G Furn Group, LLC ( Ashley Homestore of Troy)

(937) 552-5022

Category: Furniture

Havenar Waste Removal

(937) 570-3091

Category: Services

Lawn Plus LLC

(937) 839-5296

Category: Landscaping & Outdoor Lighting

Alliance Business Professionals LLC

405 Public Sq STE 237 Troy OH 45373

(937) 980-9269

Category: Business & Professional Services, Accountants, Tax Preparation

The Huntington National Bank

(937) 698-5258

25 Lowry Dr. West Milton OH 45383

Category: Mortgage Banking, Financial & Investment Services, Insurance

PK Title

(937) 418-1903

1861Z Towne Park Drive Troy, Ohio 45373

Category: Real Estate Services, Title Services

Troy Storage, LLC

(937) 688-8769

2601 West Main Street Troy, OH 45373

Category: Property Leasing & Management

MemberBenefit:BasiCarePlus

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BasiCare Plus looks to provide care that fills the gap left by insurance programs, give assurance that a person has a convenient and affordable care when they need it, and provide affordable access for the day to day needs for basic health and mental wellness related events.

82% of all illnesses are served by telehealth. BasiCare Plus provides access to an MDLIVE physician for you and your family anywhere in the country by phone or video!

BasiCare Plus Highlights:

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Click here to learn more.

FFromourPartner:TroyDevelopmentCouncil romourPartner:TroyDevelopmentCouncil

In January 2024, the Board of Directors of the Troy Development Council named Annette Ryan-Baker President. With this announcement, Annette Ryan-Baker became the first female President of the non-profit economic organization on the fortieth anniversary of the organization’s formation in 1984.

Annette Ryan-Baker, Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Sales Manager with Greenville Federal Bank, has been with the bank for ten years and joined the Troy Development Council (TDC) Board of Directors in 2020 Ms Baker shared that she is interested in the work of TDC due to its ability to attract new jobs and address workforce development issues, such as lack of childcare, workforce housing, and transportation

Regarding being the first female President of the TDC, Annette stated, “…I am honored, and I look forward to seeing many others that will come after me, given the talent in the Troy area. I’m passionate about the position and strive to make a difference I thank Greenville Federal for their support in allowing me to pursue this opportunity ”

When asked what advice she would offer young women in the community aspiring to leadership roles, she said, “Believe in yourself, set clear goals, and seek a mentor to help you develop your path Advocate for your needs (work, relationship, or community). Understand that challenge is a natural part of life and that stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to great rewards. Never believe that it is too late to explore educational opportunities as many local employers will pay for education, but few seek it.”

Click here more information about the Troy Development Council, or contact Joseph A. Graves, CEO.

Did you Know?

Did you know that the Chamber can help you expand your reach on social media?

Are you looking for more traction on your social media posts? Are you looking to reach more than just your followers? A great way to reach more followers and get your information out on social media is to have the Chamber share that information on our page.

If you would like to have your post shared by the Chamber, you can do any of the following:

Tag Us in Your Post or in the Comments

Direct Message Us on Instagram or Facebook

Use the Hashtag #MyTroyChamber

By having the Chamber share your post, your reaching a group of followers that may not know about your business. Expand your reach by using the Chamber!

MEMBER FACEBOOK GROUP

Did you know that the Chamber has a Members Only Facebook group?

The purpose of the group is to find connections, share current promotions, business needs and additional resources

LETS CONNECT

Follow the Chamber on social media platforms to stay connected

Use our hashtags: #MyTroyChamber #RememberAMember

Want us to share your post? Be sure to tag us in the post or in the comments and we will do our best to share and help you with added reach.