Small Business Person of the Year shares her story October 29, 2009
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Listen to a truly inspirational story from the 2010 Excellence Award Small Business Person of the Year—one of 10 small business winners being honored this year.
Awardee Sirena Moore, Eloheim Cleaning Contractors, Inc., describes how she got started in a multi-million dollar business with her father and brother just a few years ago.
Sirena’s sponsor, Lynn Ozer of Susquehanna Bank—who has been on the awards selection committee for over a decade—elaborates on meeting so many incredible entrepreneurs who started their businesses from nothing and are celebrating their success with this prestigious award.
Join us at the 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses on November 5… to hear more great stories and enjoy valuable networking at a grand celebration at the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing.
Celebrating Small Biz: Coldlight Solutions, LLC October 29, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Coldlight Solutions, LLC, 2010 award for Technological Excellence of the Year. 
Award Category: Technological Excellence of the Year
Winner: Coldlight Solutions, LLC
Recipient: Ryan Caplan,
President & CEO
Ryan Caplan has always had a passion for technology, writing his first computer programs at the age of eight on an Apple II. His lifelong passion for technology, entrepreneurship and helping businesses find creative strategies to achieve their goals inspired him to found ColdLight. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz: Keswick Cycle October 27, 2009
Posted by megan in Congrats, Events, The Excellence Awards.1 comment so far
The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Keswick Cycle, awarded 2010 Retailer of the Year.
Award Category: Retailer of the Year
Winner: Keswick Cycle
Recipient: Brian Hackford, Owner
Brian Hackford has been connected to a bicycle since he was 12, relying on it to get around the Montgomery County countryside. He bought his first bike at Keswick Cycle—one of the original, and largest, Schwinn distributors in the nation, with a long-standing reputation for superior service. (more…)
Tips for greening your business from GreenNOW October 27, 2009
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From measuring and monitoring a company’s carbon footprint and finding funding to green a business to creating a cleaner work environment and boosting worker productivity, the Chamber’s GreenNOW program offered practical tips for businesses to get started and get a return on investment.
The DEP shared funding resources for businesses that wanted to become more sustainable, Green and Save offered 5 steps businesses can take to decrease their carbon footprint, and the founder of Mway talked about its green evolution over the past 28 years and continuing to meet customers growing expectations.
Going beyond green, the program included a special focus on how good health and hygiene practices can make a company more sustainable. A physician from SCA’s Tork® Green Hygiene Council presented compelling information for encouraging better habits for every business to improve health and reduce sick days.
Celebrating Small Biz: Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House October 26, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, awarded 2010 Non-Profit Organization of the Year.
Award Category: Non-Profit Organization of the Year
Winner: Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
Recipient: Susan Campbell, Executive Director, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was the first to open as a home away from home for families of critically ill children receiving treatment at local hospitals. PRMH now provides solace and sanctuary for 60 families every night—serving more than 30,000 families on 13,000 nights—and has served as a model program for nearly 300 Houses worldwide. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz: The EF Precision Group October 22, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is The EF Precision Group, awarded 2010 Manufacturer of the Year.
Award Category: Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: The EF Precision Group
Recipient: Bud Tyler, Vice President, New Business Development
A high-tech design and contract manufacturer for 32 years, The EF Precision Group (EFPG) started as a small, computer numerical controlled (CNC) machine shop in a two-car garage. The business has grown into a full-service, turnkey solutions company occupying 65,000 sq. ft, employing 76 people and generating $19 million in revenue last year. (more…)
Tell us your priorities for our advocacy October 21, 2009
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As you may have heard, we’re in the midst of a new advocacy campaign, called Relay. Essentially, we are reaching out to members and non-members throughout the region to identify the priority issues of the business community in four key areas: Business Climate, Infrastructure, Workforce and Quality of Life.
(Click here to see what the Inquirer, Courier Times and Technically Philly are saying about the campaign).
To get feedback, we created an online survey, which was sent to more than 25,000 Chamber members and affiliates, non-members, industry associations and local chambers. In addition, the survey is posted on our Web site (as you can tell, we really want feedback).
So, please complete the survey and reach out to your friends and co-workers and ask them to fill out the survey as well. And, consider adding a Relay graphic to your website, company intranet, blog or online newsletter, here’s how.
We know we are most effective when our priorities reflect the sentiments of the region’s entire business communit. Let us be your voice.
Celebrating Small Biz: Jan’s Boutique October 15, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Jan’s Boutique, awarded 2010 Family Business of the Year.
Award Category: Family Business of the Year
Winner: Jan’s Boutique
Recipient: Peter Virilli, Chief Financial Officer
Jan’s Boutique, one of South Jersey’s finest women’s specialty apparel stores, is a fashion oasis for women looking for the “wow” factor. For over 35 years, the company’s core customers, numbering in the thousands, have faithfully shopped at this unique and innovative store for four reasons: carefully selected name-brand designers, the largest inventory selection in the region, affordable to moderate prices, and stellar customer service. (more…)
George Stephanopolous talks economy at our Annual Meeting October 13, 2009
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Watch George Stephanopoulos give his insight on the economy at our Annual Meeting last week.
Check our Twitter page for more happenings from the Annual Meeting (we live tweeted from the event!)
Celebrating Small Biz: McGrath Systems October 13, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is McGrath Systems, awarded 2010 Emerging Business of the Year.
Award: Emerging Business of the Year
Winner: McGrath Systems
Recipient: Mike Wiley, Chief Executive Officer
In just four years, Mike Wiley’s business went from a modest start in his parents’ Plymouth Meeting basement to one of the region’s top recruiting and staffing firms. (more…)
Corporate Speed Networking October 12, 2009
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Submitted by: Lori Kennedy, Shred Patrol, LLC
I just got back from the GPCC Corporate Speed Networking Event. I always enjoy these events. There are many new people to meet and businesses to learn about. My hope is to help as many as I can to grow their business. This is my third speed networking event and they get better every time. We even got our largest client from one! It was a pleasure meeting everyone and I hope to see you all again soon!
Click here to see more photos from the event.
Our next networking event is coming up on November 17 at Lucky Strike Lanes. Click here for more information or to register.
GreenNow on October 22! October 8, 2009
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GreenNOW is for businesspeople who want to learn how current trends in sustainability can help their business grow and profit NOW.
The half-day program coming up on Thursday, October 22, at Lincoln Financial Field’s SCA Club Lounge, will explore how adopting the latest sustainability practices can create an advantage for companies, especially as the nation emerges from the economic downturn. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz: Burman’s Medical Supply October 8, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Burman’s Medical Supplies and Specialty Pharmacy, awarded 2010 Best Customer Service of the Year.
Award: 2010 Customer Service Excellence of the Year
Winner: Burman’s Medical Supplies and Specialty Pharmacy
Recipient: Steve Burman, R.Ph., President and CEO
Steve Burman’s career in the health care industry started well before his graduation from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He began as a stock boy and eventually became a pharmacy tech at the pharmacy his father opened in Chester, PA in 1965. (more…)
Tell us your business priorities October 7, 2009
Posted by megan in Annual Meeting, Events, Public Policy.add a comment
At our 209th Annual Meeting this morning, Chamber president Rob Wonderling announced a new advocacy campaign that we are calling Relay: your position, our advocacy. In order for this campaign to be successful, we need your help!
Over the next month, we’ll be reaching out to more than 25,000 members and non-members throughout the region to identify the priority issues of the business community in four key areas: Business Climate, Infrastructure, Workforce and Quality of Life.
As someone invested in the future of our region, we hope you’ll take the time to give your input through our online survey.
We chose the name Relay because it implies a flow of information from you to us (the Chamber and our affiliates), and to our region’s policy makers.
Click here for more information on our Relay campaign.
Check our Twitter page for more info on what happened at the Annual Meeting this morning (we live tweeted from the event!)
Celebrating Small Biz Owners: Patrick McKenna, DMi Partners, Inc. October 6, 2009
Posted by megan in Congrats, Events, The Excellence Awards.1 comment so far
The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Patrick McKenna, 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Award: Young Entrepreuneur of the Year
Winner: Patrick McKenna, DMi Partners, Inc.
A successful entrepreneur, Ivy Leaguer, community volunteer, family man and sought after speaker on business, marketing and e-commerce issues, Patrick McKenna, now 30, started DMi Partners in 2003, determined to change the landscape of digital marketing. (more…)
Celebrating Small Biz Owners: Sirena C. Moore October 5, 2009
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The 27th Annual Excellence Awards: Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses are coming up on November 5! Small businesses and small business owners are the backbone of the Greater Philadelphia business community (and make up about 85% of our membership), which is why we think it’s important to recognize some of our region’s most successful small businesses for their innovation, diversity, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Each one of this year’s 11 winners has a great story to tell, and so we are profiling each of our honorees leading up to the awards. Continuing with our countdown is Sirena C. Moore, 2010 Small Business Person of the Year.
Award: 2010 Small Business Person of the Year
Company: Elohim Cleaning Contractors, Inc.
Starting her business career as seventeen-year-old mother of twin girls, Sirena Moore worked for major industry leaders in order to obtain the skills necessary to fulfill her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. At 21 she joined her father and brother to launch Elohim Cleaning Contractors, Inc., a full-service construction cleaning firm that provides a wide range of services to general contractors and construction management firms throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. (more…)
