by Kristen Ashby as seen in Brecksville Magazine
On Oct. 18, the Brecksville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fall in the Valley fundraiser hosted over 175 guests on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The event, which featured a three-hour, round-trip ride through the Cuyahoga Valley, raises money for the chamber and provides scholarships to Brecksville/Broadview Heights high school students.
“This year’s event was
awesome,” said chamber President Debra Branske. “We had four cars, and several
local restaurants donated food.”
Guests on the train were treated
to corn and lobster fritters from Creekside Restaurant & Bar, chili from
Burntwood Tavern, and a variety of other hors d’oeuvres. Chamber of commerce
restaurant owners donated the food. Close to $5,000 was raised at the annual
event.
Founded in 1968, the
Brecksville Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit, member-based organization
dedicated to advancing the economic growth of Brecksville. The chamber’s
mission is to make Brecksville conducive to future and present business, and to
help business owners attract new customers.
“(The chamber) leads to
Brecksville buying Brecksville, promoting Brecksville residents and the
community to utilize the services and purchase the goods of our local
businesses,” said Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby. “We have enjoyed many
Brecksville residents investing in our community by bringing
their business here,” he added.
“These businesses hire our
mothers, our brothers, our sisters, our kids,” added Branske. “So we want to
help them be successful.”
In exchange for an annual
fee, chamber members get access to discounted benefits and services, including
health and dental insurance, credit card processing, payroll services, and Web
design. In addition, members benefit from low-cost marketing opportunities and
training sessions. The chamber hosts monthly luncheons where members can
connect with one another, exchange stories and advice, and build camaraderie.
It also offers after-hours events hosted by various members of the chamber,
which gives members a comfortable setting to learn about each other and promote
their business.
“I get to know the other
people in our community who are running local businesses,” said Sean Sullivan,
owner of Fitness Together and treasurer of the chamber’s board. “This makes me
comfortable to send my clients to them. Our clients trust me when they ask if I
know of a plumber or an electrician in the area, and I am always happy to point
them in the right direction.”
By the same token, the
connections Sullivan has made through the chamber of commerce have brought him
new customers, as well. It’s also helped him learn best practices in the
industry.
“I believe in strength in
numbers. I realize that I don’t have all of the answers, and it’s extremely
valuable for me to share ideas with other local business owners – to bounce
ideas off of them,” Sullivan said. “Someone in the chamber may have already
experienced what I am considering trying, so they can share how it worked for
them.”
Branske, who works as a
business development representative for Third Federal Savings and Loan in
Brecksville, said she agrees with Sullivan and thinks the chamber’s biggest
accomplishment has been unifying the local business community. “Bringing businesses
together gives them the resources they need to improve their business and be successful,”
she said. In order to continue doing that, Branske’s main goal over the next few years is to recruit new members and
diversify the chamber’s membership.
“When I started as president,
we had maybe 80 members and we’ve now grown
to 120,” she said. “In five
years, I hope our membership has doubled.”Although the mission of the chamber
has not changed in its nearly 50-year history, the passion and involvement of
its members has continued to grow. New and younger board members like Sullivan
have brought an increased energy to the group, Branske said, and everyone has
benefitted – including the Brecksville community.
“Brecksville has a deep sense
of community support,” Sullivan said. “From the school district and the sports
teams to the community center and local businesses... the people in this city
will get behind you and support you as long as they see you getting involved
and showing the same support. We take care of each other around here.” Sullivan
said members of the chamber share a sense of solidarity and are quick to offer
each other help. Many times, this help comes in defined perks, such as 10
percent off video editing services or custom framing. But mostly, it’s the
friendships that develop between neighbors and business owners.
“Before I got involved as an
active member with the chamber of commerce, I felt like I was alone running my
own little business in my own little corner of town,” Sullivan said. “Now, I
have a host of business associates and colleagues in town who are in the same
boat as me. But more importantly, I have a group of friends that I have come to
rely on.”
Business owners interested in
joining the chamber can call 440-526-7350 or submit an application online at
www.brecksvillechamber.com. ∞
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