Each week your Chamber is involved in a myriad of programs, events and meetings that are all devoted to advancing our mission to attract, retain and grow jobs for the citizens of Greater Philadelphia. This week, I decided to share with you from my perspective, some of what we are doing to advance free enterprise in our region.

The highlight of my day yesterday was to be part of our 27th Annual Excellence Awards celebration, which honored small businesses in our region.

We recognized a wide range of individuals and organizations that have worked long and hard to create jobs for folks in our City and Region. To see a list of all the winners, visit greaterphilachamber.com/sbea. You can also find stories behind all of our winners on our blog by clicking here.

My wife Kristin joined me for the event and on our way home we talked about how a small business success story can energize, uplift and instill a new sense of optimism

Over 400 attendees were energized last evening, and in part, I am very optimistic that our best days lie ahead.

And this concludes my “Journal from the Road”. This was just a snapshot of what your Chamber is doing to advance free enterprise in our Region.

- Rob Wonderling

Each week your Chamber is involved in a myriad of programs, events and meetings that are all devoted to advancing our mission to attract, retain and grow jobs for the citizens of Greater Philadelphia. This week, I decided to share with you from my perspective, some of what we are doing to advance free enterprise in our region.

I spent a portion of my day with several outstanding entrepreneurs. First, I learned how Zeiglers of Lansdale make their various cider products, and how they are building a national brand. Check out more on what they are doing at http://www.zeiglers.com/. In less than four hours, Art Balereit and his team can take a truck load of apples and make a whole lot of “preservative free” cider…and then have it on its way to a grocery store near you. Truly “just in time” and truly a company posed for growth in our region.

The next extraordinary entrepreneur I met with yesterday was Vinnie Bagdwal. He came to Pennsylvania from India about 10 years ago. He did not speak English and he and his young wife were expecting their first child. Vinnie has worked extremely hard – first as a convenience store cashier and than at a gas station. He caught the entrepreneurial spirit, took a risk, and eventually bought that gas station.

One hot summer day his station ran out of ice. He bought and bagged some by hand so he could serve his customers. He soon learned that other area gas stations were also running out of ice. He went on to hand bag more ice and began to serve these other stations as well. Now in less than five years he and his team serve our region at the Lansdale Ice Company. These guys are a big deal, supplying both large and small retail outlets.

These are just two great examples of Greater Philadelphia entrepreneurs who acted on their ideas

They also “network” at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to help grow their businesses.

Ideas, Risk taking, creating jobs. This is the road to economic recovery.

Very Cool!

- Rob Wonderling

Our County Breakfast Conversations visited New Castle County last week. More than 100 business executives, policy officials and economic developers came out to Claymont to talk about innovation and entrepreneurship in our region. Much of the conversation focused on the importance of developing partnerships. Click here to see pictures. Read more below.

Partnerships are key to growth in New Castle County and
Greater Philadelphia

A key to continued economic growth is building public and private partnerships that support small businesses and entrepreneurs, according to New Castle County executives speaking at a meeting last week, which was co-presented by the New Castle County and Greater Philadelphia Chambers of Commerce.

The Hon. Chris Coons, New Castle County Executive; Ernest Dianastasis, Managing Director, CAI, Chairman, The Delaware Business Roundtable, and Chairman, First State Innovation; and Dr. Patrick T. Harker, President, University of Delaware were the featured panelists at the Chamber’s New Castle County Breakfast. The meeting was attended by more than 150 business executives, policy makers and civic leaders.

Globalization has changed the way that companies and regions compete, said Dianastasis. Thinking beyond county borders, sharing resources, and marketing Greater Philadelphia as a cohesive region will be critical to continued success in the new economy.

“One of the major necessities is working collaboratively,” said Dianastasis. “The business community has to step back and look for a higher ideal…because ultimately the game is going to enlightened regions that understand that.”

The Greater Philadelphia region, including New Castle County, which is home to corporations such as DuPont and Astra Zeneca, has traditionally been geared toward large corporations. The current economy, however, creates a climate best suited for small and startup businesses.

“Innovation is now taking place in smaller businesses and individually,” said Coons. “We need to capitalize on that innovation here by creating a culture that rewards risk-taking.” He noted that New Castle County must make resources readily available to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

University of Delaware President Patrick Harker has also witnessed a shift. “Research isn’t being done in the corporate world anymore,” he said. “It’s taking place in our universities.” He added that in order for the University of Delaware to fulfill its mission as a major resource for state and regional economic development, it must form partnerships with business, government, and economic development groups that facilitate the practical applications of this research.

The New Castle County Breakfast, held at the Waterfall Banquet and Conference Center in Claymont, was also presented by Select Greater Philadelphia and sponsored by Wachovia, a Wells Fargo company.

The event was part of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s annual County Breakfast Conversations series. In its sixth year, the County Breakfast Conversations are visiting eight counties throughout northern Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania to explore Greater Philadelphia’s leading industry sectors.

The next county breakfast will be November 12 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia and will focus on regional tourism. Click here for more information or to register.

Each week your Chamber is involved in a myriad of programs, events and meetings that are all devoted to advancing our mission to attract, retain and grow jobs for the citizens of Greater Philadelphia. This week, I decided to share with you from my perspective, some of what we are doing to advance free enterprise in our region.

Yesterday I started my day by voting and learning that without warning SEPTA workers walked off the job. At a time in which a countless number of employed citizens are worried about their job security, getting to work on time really matters. The Transit Union just made that even more of a challenge. We encourage folks to check out http://www.septa.org/sip for alternative ways to get around during the strike.

I also spent time with seven International Journalists who specialize in “global shipping and logistics”. They are in our region for the next several days to learn why Greater Philadelphia is “HOT” for the next “COOL” Atlantic wave of import/export opportunities. Special thanks to our affiliate Select Greater Philadelphia for hosting these foreign journalists.

Later last night I attended the annual MAC Alliance Conference, which featured over 1,000 venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. The attendees of this event will set the stage for recovery in the Greater Philadelphia region.

I ended the evening by having dinner with Mayor Nutter.

Go Phillies!

- Rob Wonderling

Each week your Chamber is involved in a myriad of programs, events and meetings that are all devoted to advancing our mission to attract, retain and grow jobs for the citizens of Greater Philadelphia. This week, I decided to share with you from my perspective, some of what we are doing to advance free enterprise in our region.

Mondays at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce always begin with the “How are we doing meeting”, as I regularly meet with Chamber management to take a pulse of what’s going on at our organization. Today was no different, except for the fact that this week we are gearing up for one of our signature events – the Excellence Awards on Thursday evening, where we honor the region’s small businesses. You can find more information about the event and this year’s honorees at http://www.greaterphilachamber.com/sbea.aspx

My Monday ended out of the norm as I had an awesome time at a panel discussion put on by the great folks at Refresh Philly. I was part of a diverse group of social media gurus, bloggers, and “next gen” virtual advocates. We had a great dialog on how the web can be used to transform political campaigns, government, and the voice of Free Enterprise in the region. Find out more about Refresh Philly at http://www.refreshphilly.org/

And Monday ended with a great win by the Phillies!

- Rob Wonderling

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.

Click here for information or to register.

 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.

Businesses today are inundated with more data than they can handle. With the volume of that data growing exponentially, ColdLight’s smart software, Neuron™, empowers their clients to make smarter, faster decisions. The easy-to-use software helps their clients quickly identify hidden patterns locked inside existing data. These patterns hold the keys to making more effective business decisions and gaining a competitive edge.

The Neuron engine uses advanced technology to automate the work of hundreds of expert analysts simultaneously, studying complex data and offering predictive insights. Neuron finally makes it possible for businesses of all sizes to employ predictive analytics in everyday decision-making, with the intelligence engine providing key insights and recommendations for action. Most importantly, business people can benefit directly from the power of predictive analytics without needing an advanced degree in statistics or mathematics.

ColdLight brings real-time predictive power to some of the largest companies in the world and has a rapidly growing customer base including leading service companies, major university hospitals, energy platforms, pharmaceutical companies, and consumer goods manufacturers.

Neuron is helping businesses take the perfect action at the perfect time to get and keep customers. By automatically identifying those customers most likely to defect and the optimal actions and tactics that are most effective in preventing the customer from leaving, Neuron is helping businesses become more proactive and effective at keeping their most profitable customers, even in the toughest economic environments. Neuron’s automated real-time predictions result in real time increases in revenue and profit.

 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.

Fast forward to age 28, when he left his portfolio manager’s job, headed to graduate school in New Hampshire, and started part-time work in a bike shop. He was hooked. By 1999, the original owners of Keswick Cycle sold it, and two years later he jumped at the opportunity to become a partner. In 2006, he opened a second store in Cherry Hill. Today, with a combined 18,000 sq. ft., they are superstores of bicycles and triathlon equipment and apparel for bikers, swimmers and runners.

Even while serving an ever growing cycling community, Hackford is most passionate about the multi-generational customer base of families who continue the tradition of getting their bicycles at Keswick’s: from the $100 kid’s bike to the $15,000 carbon-fiber Serotta road bike.

The staff—all of whom are biking enthusiasts—prides itself on mechanical and industry expertise, extended periods of trying before buying, a trade-up policy on old bikes, pick-up and delivery service, and daily availability. They’re simply people who love bikes—as a way of life, sport, low-impact aerobic exercise, and vehicle for spectacular sightseeing. They are submersed in it; not in selling a product, but in selling a lifestyle.

A model in the cycling industry, Keswick hosts repair clinics and seminars on commuting, nutrition and sports psychology topics, and organizes bike tours to places such as Vermont’s Kingdom Trails. They support major bike events in the region, sponsor 10 non-profit bike teams and clubs, and donate 100 bikes annually to Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Bike Works.

They’ve garnered many industry accolades, including twice-voted the coveted “Best of Philly” for best bike shop by Philadelphia Magazine and making Bicycle Retailer Magazine’s Top 100 Bicycle Retailers list for the last four years.

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.

Click here for resources.

Click here to see more photos from the event.

 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.The international phenomenon began with the dream of pediatric oncologist Audrey Evans, who saw families spend night after night at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia while their children received life-saving medical treatment. She envisioned a simple place where they could stay during such a difficult time.

During the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles were raising funds in honor of player Fred Hill, whose daughter Kim was in treatment for leukemia. The Eagles’ General Manager Jimmy Murray met Dr. Evans, supported her idea, and approached McDonald’s about committing proceeds from their Shamrock Shake sales to benefit the new House.

From a home-cooked meal and comfortable bed to transportation to the hospital, PRMH continues to provide a supportive environment for families during the most stressful time of their lives. The families are asked to contribute $15 per night, but most are so financially devastated by their child’s illness that they cannot afford it.

Last year, PRMH raised 90% of its $2.6 million operating budget, with the remaining contributions coming from Ronald McDonald House Charities representing the owner/operators in the region. PRMH’s caring and conscientious staff is supported in their mission by nearly 300 volunteers. They engage students from higher education institutions in leadership opportunities, and collaborate with many corporate partners and non-profits to provide a range of essential family programs.

PRMH also runs the Ronald McDonald Camp in the Poconos for oncology patients and their siblings, and, in 2008, opened a new House near St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

For more information on PRMH, check out this article!