Whether it’s your first or 15th year of business, there are many business tools and tactics available to help take your business to the next level. From regularly attending local networking events to making sure your business is searchable online, these are just two strategies every business owner should consider implementing. On the blog, we go over these and six other ways you can help grow your business in Osceola.
A chamber of commerce functions as an association and network of businesspeople that promote economic development and collaborations with large and small business owners through events and meetings. Local chambers of commerce can also promote and advocate their members’ interests in the community at legislative meetings and luncheons. However, one of the biggest perks a chamber of commerce can provide to your business is that its function as an organization is to help you. Think of a chamber of commerce as a tool available for you to use in your business management utility belt.
According to Oberlo, “Google processes over 3.5 billion searches per day.” From the random questions like, “How many seeds are in a strawberry?” to more specific inquiries like, “How to start a business in Kissimmee,'' Google processes them all. When you build a website for your business, you’re able to tell online searchers about your company, where you’re located, and, most importantly, include target keywords based on your products or services. By building an online website for your business, you enable Google and other search engines to look at your website and recommend you to potential customers or leads.
Depending on what industry you’re a part of, there might be specific professional industry associations or groups that can help your business grow in Kissimmee or Saint Cloud. For example, if you’re a real estate agent, you might consider joining the Osceola County Association of Realtors. Associations like this allow you to network with other business members in the same industry as you and remove the “vetting process” that comes with lead nurturing and gathering.
Are you trying to find more local qualified business leads? Learn more about our Leads Groups!
According to Statista, Facebook alone has 2.9 billion registered users worldwide and 180 million Facebook users in the United States specifically. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok are just some of the most popular social media apps that your future customers are using. Similar to how your website works, your business’s social media profiles allow users to learn more about you, your products and services, and, more importantly, what other people think about you. From customer reviews to direct messages, social media allows you to have one-on-one conversations with your customers to learn more about their pain points and how you can help solve their problems in the present and in the future.
While networking with people may seem intimidating, it’s one of the best ways to build professional connections. At local networking events in St. Cloud and Kissimmee, you’ll be able to meet with other business owners face-to-face that are just as eager to make a connection as you. Check out our events calendar to see what upcoming luncheons, business after hours, and networking events we’re hosting throughout Osceola County.
Whether you are selling products or services, showing up and having a presence at local community events in Osceola County is another great way to grow your local business. Being in front of people and allowing them to see and test out your product can create fans of your products and business. If your company offers a service, demonstrating how your service works can help potential customers or leads better understand your service and solve their problems.
If you’re looking to reach new customers and grow sales, it might be time to consider purchasing low-cost advertising. But, before you go shopping around for media space, consider exactly who your ideal customer is. Thinking about your ideal customer’s shopping habits and how they get information before the media buying process helps you decide whether to run an ad on Facebook or run a coupon promotion with a local publication like Osceola News-Gazette. Make sure to ask for their reach, audience size, and markets before you buy to confirm you’re making the best decision for your business!
The Florida Small Business Development Center is an organization that helps people start, build and grow their businesses through training programs and strategy meetings. From business workshops to free business consultations, their organization can help businesses of all industries throughout their journey. One of the best features their agency offers is free business strategy consultations with one of their counselors. These counselors have representatives across eight counties in Central Florida, including Osceola County. These reps are knowledgeable about our market background and can help you with business management tactics and strategies.
These are just eight ways you can help grow your business in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, or wherever your business operates in Osceola County. Are you inspired and ready to take your business to the next level? Check out the benefits of joining our Chamber of Commerce and see what package would work best for you and your business.
It turns out this Chamber is full of talent! The Poinciana Area Council made a creative pandemic pivot last week by hosting their first ever virtual paint night via Zoom. The Poinciana Area Council has offered a scholarship award to graduating Poinciana-area seniors for over a decade. Since 2017, the scholarship has been largely funded by PAC’s signature event, PoincianaFest. This popular community and vendor festival has been held at the new Valencia College Poinciana Campus each October and drawn crowds of people who come out to meet local businesses, watch area students perform, create take-home crafts, and hear from community leaders. With the pandemic still in full force last October, it was not possible to host this event and benefit from the fundraising it provides.
2021 PAC Chairman Crystal Bethea of Riviera Spa Massage developed the idea of a virtual paint night to help supplement the scholarship fund as PAC prepares to reward two local seniors this spring. Attendees at this virtual event learned the step-by-step process of creating their own artwork from the comfort of their homes. Each attendee received a 12×16 inch canvas, table-top easel, and set of acrylic paints and brushes to complete their masterpiece under the direction of Valencia College art student Marie Scott.
The event, which ran from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, was fun and informative and attendees, many of whom made it a family affair with spouses, parents, and children, enjoyed showing off their works to each other via Zoom. The evening was sponsored by Riviera Spa Massage, Soni Family Practice, Quick Solutions, and Osceola Community Health Services. Check out some photos of the “Drippy Moons” created by our members below.
The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce (“Kissimmee Chamber”) is currently seeking proposals from parties interested in working with the Kissimmee Chamber to develop a cohesive brand identity and a comprehensive branding strategy for our large, multi-faceted, notfor-profit organization. The goal of this branding initiative is to enhance recognition and awareness of this organization as “champions for business and community” in Osceola County and its surrounding regions. Renaming of the organization and its related entities is an appropriate recommendation, but not required depending on the discussion. A sub-component of this initiative is to update the Kissimmee Chamber’s nine area council logos, overall brand standards, and corporate identity package.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with chapter 501.973 of the Florida State Statute, a Chamber of Commerce is defined as “a voluntary membership, dues-paying organization of business and professional persons dedicated, as stated in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the organization, to improving the economic climate and business development of the community, area, or region in which the organization is located.” The state statute also notes that “this section imposes no requirement for oversight or regulation of a business entity name, trademark, trade name, or other requirement for filing or registration under any provision of law.” Though we have traditionally touted the Kissimmee Chamber as founded in 1924, historical research indicates that the “Kissimmee Chamber” and/or “Kissimmee Board of Trade” predated this going back as early as 1910, and a Florida State Board of Trade was also founded in Kissimmee in 1912. As such, Kissimmee and Osceola County’s history of business advocacy and comradery has been central to the region for over a century, and the area has played a role in business concerns at the state level for just as long. Over the years, the Kissimmee Chamber has been the driving champion for business in and around Osceola County, Florida. Osceola County’s 350,000+ population makes their home in a diverse community situated amongst two municipalities surrounded by large expanses of unincorporated county land, within a dynamic, fast-growing region of our state. The business community in our region reflects this. To ensure that we are situated as the primary champion for business in this community, the Chamber is divided into nine miniChambers known as “Area Councils.” These area councils more directly reflect the specific needs of our various demographics and geographic regions. Current area councils are as follows:
We also have other subsidiary groups, including our Chamber Ambassadors and five leads groups.
Each council, leads group, and the Chamber Ambassadors are branded with an acronym and logo that reflect the universal Chamber logo. All area councils and other related subsidiaries are included in the Chamber’s one EIN tax number.
In addition to traditional chamber business, we also house a 501(c)(3) organization known as The Chamber Foundation, Inc.
As a chamber, we host several major events per year. Among the list are:
These events currently have, to varying and inconsistent degrees, branding reflective of our universal Chamber branding.
Past names of the Kissimmee Chamber have included The Kissimmee Board of Trade (early 1910s), The Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce (mid-century), and The Greater Kissimmee Area Chamber of Commerce (1970s).
From a marketing and branding perspective, several key concerns need to be assessed and addressed:
The details of the funds available to be awarded as a result of this RFP process are as follows:
Award Floor:$10,000Estimated No. of Awards:1Award Ceiling:$30,000Total Funding Available:$30,000
NOTE: The below listed expectations outline the ideal set of outcomes for this rebranding process. As part of their response, applicants should detail which of these outcomes can be achieved within the parameters of the funds available, as indicated above.
The selected firm will work with the Kissimmee Chamber Rebrand Committee to accomplish the following:
Please include the following in your response:
Please include a cover sheet as the first page of your proposal. This cover sheet should include:
Please include on the cover sheet of your proposal a statement that you have read all specifications and conditions of this proposal; agree to all terms, conditions and provisions; and are currently licensed to do business within Osceola County, the state of Florida, and the United States for the service you will provide to the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce.
Insured? Y/N
_________________
SCHEDULE
March 1, 2021 Release date for Request for Proposal
March 12, 2021 Final date to receive written questions
March 17, 2021 Release date for Addenda to answer written questions
April 1, 2021 Closing Date, delivered by 4pm
April 1-9, 2021 Written Evaluations (Committee)
April 13, 2021 Committee Shortlist Meeting
April 26, 2021 Oral Presentations
May 13, 2021 Recommendation of Top-Ranked Firm to the Board of Directors
May 13, 2021 Board of Directors Approval
In the interest of sustainability, interested parties should submit:
Please submit the above items in person or by mail to:
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber
ATTN: John Newstreet
1425 E. Vine Street
Kissimmee, FL 34744
All mailed submissions must be delivered by April 1, 2021 at 4pm EST. No exceptions will be made for late deliveries.
The Kissimmee Chamber reserves the right to reject any or all offers, to waive informalities, and to accept all or any part of any offer as may be deemed to be in the best interest of the Kissimmee Chamber. The Kissimmee Chamber also reserves the right to request clarification of information submitted and to request additional information of one or more respondents after the deadline for request for proposals. We desire to engage as many of the Kissimmee Chamber’s stakeholders as possible, and our goal is to complete this work by December 31, 2021 and unveil it at the Kissimmee Chamber’s Annual Meeting in late January 2022.
As a reminder, all proposals must be received in the Kissimmee Chamber office NO LATER THAN April 1, 2021 at 4pm. There will be no exceptions to this deadline. Proposals received after this deadline will automatically be disqualified.
Please direct all questions to my attention at 407-847-0108 or via e-mail: JNewstreet@theosceolachamber.com.
