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Program helps new business people get their feet wet
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 |
PINELLAS PARK – A program established in 2001 to bring entrepreneurs together for mutual benefit has been hailed as a success and continues to grow despite a difficult economy.
The Business Visiting Program, a joint effort between the city and the Pinellas Park-Gateway Chamber of Commerce, is the brainchild of Mayor Bill Mischler, who saw a need for such a program.
Mischler’s concept that still exists today involves city officials from each department and representatives of the business community to visit new establishments as sort of a welcome committee.
Now under the stewardship of Cara Reed, the program helps business owners deal with a variety of issues that range from permit process issues to law enforcement. Often a police representative will be on hand to resolve a problem of, say, teenagers hanging around an area that might cause a decline in potential customer traffic.
“It is also kind of a networking process,” Reed said. “Business owners get to meet others who have experienced some of the difficulties of running an establishment.”
Monthly visitations occur the second Tuesday of each month.
Julie Roberts is the chamber’s Business Assistance Program specialist. She also is on the business Visiting Program team.
“The program’s concept in 2001 when Mayor Mischler created it is the same as it is today,” Roberts said. “It opens the lines of communications between the city, business leaders and new business people.”
As the BAP specialist, it also is Roberts’ duty to help business people through seminars, networking events and other programs.
“We are helping the business community in many ways during these tough economic times,” Roberts said.
Indeed, the chamber and the city, to some extent, helps to promote local businesses, resolve issues, recognize achievements and provide a wide range of educational and other services.
Reed, meanwhile, urges new business owners to contact her at the Neighborhood Services building, 7780 60th St., or by calling 541-0800.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
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