A variety of tools and resources are offered by the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce to meet the needs of small businesses, including counseling and guidance, educational programs, opportunities for small businesses to promote their products and services, and recognition of outstanding small businesses.

Guidance counseling

Chamber staff members in the Business Development Division offer their knowledge and experience by providing counseling and guidance to new and existing small businesses. The Chamber specializes in assisting those who are considering starting a small business, and can often provide recommendations on where to seek additional information and support. Existing businesses interested in expansion, or businesses relocating to the community will find the Chamber has a vast array of resources on those subjects, and can help seek assistance from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Chamber staff members also aid businesses in recruiting employees. Each member of the Business Development team makes referrals to partnering organizations such as the Small Business Development Center at the University of Arkansas, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the Small Business Administration, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and many more.

Center of resources

In addition to providing personal guidance, the Chamber hosts a Small Business Resource Center in the lobby. Featured in the resource center are books and pamphlets on a variety of topics related to small businesses. A highlight of the resource center is a useful publication of the Chamber, a booklet entitled, “Doing Business in Rogers & Lowell.” The book provides resources for the many details a potential small business owner needs to address, as well the answers to many of the questions that pop up when starting a business.

Continuing education

Once a small business owner has gotten up and running, many find they need specialized information on a variety of topics. Successful small business owners also know they need to continually provide education to their employees as they compete in a growing economy. The Chamber provides a variety of educational opportunities through Chamber University, a series of seminars and workshops offered throughout the year. Training seminars on customer service, marketing, networking, public relations and more are offered by leading instructors at an affordable price.

The Chamber also hosts regular programs featuring local speakers while focusing on up-to-the-minute topics. The popular FYI series is a member-to-member roundtable on topics such as dressing for success and drafting the perfect five-minute elevator speech. Facilitators are Chamber members who are willing to share their expertise with other members at no cost.

For those interested in learning about local issues that will impact their business, the Chamber’s Eggs & Issues breakfast meetings offer a forum for local leaders who share their expertise and knowledge with Chamber members on topics such as transportation and infrastructure issues, the housing market, and the economic forecast for the next 10 years. Both the Eggs & Issues sessions and FYI meetings are offered as a special, members-only benefit of investing in the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce.

Publicity machine

Getting the word out takes a large amount of a small business owner’s time. The Chamber provides countless opportunities for members to use tools and resources to promote their businesses. From one-on-one networking events to advertising that reaches the world, the Chamber has a useful tool for every business.

The Chamber hosts several networking events each month, at a variety of times and at various venues to make attending one convenient for all Chamber members. From the fun and informal meet-and-greet at each month’s Business After Hours, to the direct marketing of the Business-to-Business Luncheons, members have at least 10 opportunities each month to spread the word about their business to a captive audience.

Chamber staff members facilitate two Creative Referral Network meetings each week, ideal for small businesses to introduce themselves to the community. Monthly Business After Hours attract a wide variety of business people, while the quarterly Fiesta de Negocios or “business party” offers a festive atmosphere where minority business-owners feel comfortable meeting others. The semi-monthly Coffee Connection offers an alternative meeting time for busy professionals to meet in a convenient, central location in Lowell. Business-to-Business (B2B) Luncheons provide the opportunity for attendees to specifically target a small group for their five-minute spiel.

After networking, many small businesses take the next step in promotion, sponsorship of an event or program at the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber. Sponsoring an event offers a small business the opportunity to reach a targeted audience, and puts their name on an event or program, providing instant recognition. And sponsorship extends a business’ advertising budget, buying each sponsor more advertising space and frequency in a wider variety of media outlets than they could purchase on their own for the price of the sponsorship.

When marketing plans call for a small business to reach a specific audience of buyers, the Chamber’s advertising opportunities offer great reach at reasonable prices. Chamber publications such as the Membership Directory, the Manufacturer’s Directory and the Community Profile offer specialized information about the area. To hit the relocation and tourism markets small businesses need to place ads in the annual “Good Life” magazine as well as brochure placement in Relocation Information Packets which are mailed to ove