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The Chamber’s primary purpose is to advocate for local business, help them build strong foundations and provide networking opportunities. To accomplish this, the Chamber has reached into the heart of the community and hired three part-time employees who are students at Valdosta State University. All current part-time employees are not just students at VSU, but are deeply invested in their campus. Their campus and community involvement drew them to the Chamber. Tyler Tucker is a former community service coordinator at VSU who has been employed part-time by the Chamber as its Government Affairs Assistant for five months. “Throughout my daily activities, I am tasked with managing and enhancing the VoterVoice database functionality used by Chamber members, monitoring critical pieces of business-related legislation, and assisting the Chamber President with activities associated with the Government Affairs Council.” Tucker said. Additionally, Tucker also helps to coordinate trips and programs such as the annual Legislative Lunch, Meet the Candidates, Members to be Heard sessions, GAC meetings and Washington, D.C. trips. “Working at the Chamber has given me the perspective of working as a legislative assistant, project manager, researcher, event coordinator, graphic designer, and much more,” Tucker added. Tucker is not the only part-time help at the Chamber; Bryan Tillman has been a Communications and Administrative Assistant for the Chamber for over a year while balancing his classes and being the assistant cheerleading coach for VSU. “I coordinate for the Leading Business of the Week spotlights and Ribbon Cuttings. I am also responsible for writing the press releases for events, and I assist with the administration and operations for the Chamber,” Tillman said. Tillman hopes his presence is a helpful one at the Chamber. “The best part of the job is interacting with the public and being able to make someone smile. I hope to inform others with knowledge of the Chamber and how they can benefit from our exceptional resources,” Tillman added. Another VSU student who is contributing to the success of the Chamber is Chandler Davis, the Business Development Assistant. His focus is split between advising local business interested in the Valdosta area and coordinating the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). “I deal with all the demographic and infographic information for business owners that want to discover income ratio, the market and things of that nature. As for YEA!, I help kids ages 11-18, start their own business. By the end of the program, they’re business owners!” Davis said. Davis hopes to acquire the skill set necessary to take his talents to the corporate sector. The Chamber could not complete their daily tasks near as efficiently without these three. They are grateful for this connection with VSU.  
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The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber kicked off its third year of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) on October 15th with a record breaking 17 students! These students, ages 11 to 18, have a keen drive to launch and run their own, real business and represent Valdosta City Schools, Lowndes County Schools, Open Bible Christian School, Valwood School and Cook County High School. Throughout the year, students will work in close cooperation with local business leaders, community leaders and educators. These individuals use their personal experiences to demonstrate how to develop business ideas and objectives, write a business plan, pitch to investors, obtain funding, register with governmental agencies, establish e-commerce and a web presence. By the end of the academic year, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which may be continued after their graduation from the program. “The Chamber is so excited to offer this forward-thinking program,” expressed Betty Morgan, YEA! Program Director. “We believe in providing the means to encourage these young students to embrace their creativity and passions and hope that empowering them at such a young age will inspire them to do even greater things in the future.” Classes are held every Tuesday from 5-8pm at Valdosta State University’s Langdale College of Business and instructed by Vicki Layne. The YEA! students will continue their classes through the spring and finish the year with a “Shark Tank”-style pitch in front of an investors panel and compete for real start-up money. None of this could be accomplished without the support of local businesses. Local businesses have embraced this program, providing all 17 students with scholarships. For more information on the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, contact Betty Morgan at 229-247-8100 ext 234.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Your CBD Store, Valdosta with a ribbon cutting on October 30, 2019 to celebrate their grand opening and provided education in the Valdosta-Lowndes community about CBD products. Established by Dr. Shane and Kristen Sikes, Your CBD Store is devoted to helping their customers find the product to help their needs in a comfortable and welcoming environment. “We are the only dedicated CBD retail store in Valdosta,” said Dr. Kristen Sikes. “We are committed to helping each customer find what fits their needs, and CBD products come in various forms and dosages to help meet those needs. We have created a warm, friendly environment where one can sit down and feel comfortable asking questions.” Dr. Shane and Kristen Sikes are passionate about educating the community on the benefits of CBD while offering a natural option to help the needs of people. Dr. Sikes stated, “We love this business because we are different. Our products are high quality, our products and our brand are transparent. We have created a space where people can come in and speak with us one on one and leave knowing they can contact us any time with any additional questions or concerns. We get to share and educate our community on the therapeutic benefits of CBD and offer a natural option to help meet their needs.” Your CBD Store are proud and excited new members of the Chamber. “We have made connections with businesses who have been able to be an excellent referral source for us and us for them,” said Dr. Sikes. “We have gotten out of our comfort zone and been able to network and build relationships. We have used the SEEDS Center to provide information to help us market as well. We are excited about the possibilities!” According to Dr. Sikes, Your CBD Store recently won awards for the best CBD tincture and best CBD pain cream. For more information about Your CBD Store visit 1810 Plum Street, Suite G or call 229-333-8262.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored 1st America Home Medical Equipment as the Leading Business of the Week for October 28, 2019. 1st America Home Medical Equipment has provided home medical equipment to Valdosta-Lowndes and surrounding counties for more than 25 years. They offer a complete line of the latest equipment in the home medical equipment industry. Chief Executive Officer, Brad Bailey stated, “Our C-PAP department is fully stocked with over 50 different styles of masks to ensure the proper fit and a good night’s rest. Our state of the art C-PAP machines are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible which allow us to directly dial in to your machine to diagnose leaks, compliance, etc. without the patient ever having to bring their machine to us.” 1st America is passionate about the customer they serve each day. “Helping other people always feels good and we get that opportunity every day,” said Bailey. “Our staff is amazing as well.” 1st America has been a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber since they opened. Bailey stated, “Being a member of the Chamber has given 1st America Home Medical Equipment exposure to opportunities that we otherwise would not get. The networking opportunities are limitless as well.” According to Bailey, joining the Chamber is a must for all small business owners! For more information, visit 1st America Home Medical Equipment, LLC at 428 Northside Drive or call, 229-242-3433. The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years. Marcotek Digital Office Solutions proudly sponsors the 2019 Leading Business of the Week program. For more information visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Smalltown Broadcasting with a ribbon cutting on October 24, 2019 to celebrate their relocation and brand new facility. Smalltown Broadcasting currently consists of four radio stations, three in South Georgia and one in Florida. The Valdosta station Talk 92.1 hosts Scott James Matheson, owner of Small Town Broadcasting’s show, The Scott James Show. Office manager Jessica Knight states that acquiring the new studio has given the company the equipment that’s need to take them to new heights. “We plan to utilize our new video production room, which will allow our customers to provide a fresh take on advertising.” Knight said. Knight adds that in addition to advertising, the new station will be able to better serve the Valdosta community. “We strive to be the voice of the community and to help them be heard. We have local guests on the show daily. We discuss local news, and we value the community’s feedback.” She said. This is the latest in a string of success for Matheson, as he is the new President of Leadership Lowndes. Smalltown Broadcasting is a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. The Scott James Show even features a thirty minute session specifically dedicated to the Chamber twice a month. “The Chamber has helped to increase our profile, introduce us to businesses and business owners, and offered us many referrals throughout the years. We’re so glad to have the opportunity to share this celebration of our new location with our community and friends.” Knight said. For more information about Smalltown Broadcasting, please call 229-259-9301 or visit them at 2325 US HWY 84 East.  The Home Depot hosted the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) students in grades six to 12 on October 22, 2019 for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a thriving retail business. Peter Layne, Store Manager shared tips about breaking into the industry, how to overcome challenges, and what skills it takes to keep business growing. “I’m happy to do whatever I can to help young entrepreneurs develop their leadership skills and help guide them toward the path to success,” said Peter Layne. “Our company is so excited to have these talented young entrepreneurs visit with us. YEA! provides a terrific opportunity for the young people in our community.” The Home Depot offers tours to YEA! students as part of their mission to help educate youth in the community. Peter gave valuable insight to the students as to how The Home Depot was founded. In 1978, two entrepreneurs, Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, envisioned a superstore that would have an immense variety of merchandise with competitive prices and unbeatable customer service. With hard work and determination, they opened the first two Home Depot stores in Atlanta in 1979. Now with over 2,200 stores, their mission remains the same; to offer competitive pricing and unbeatable customer service, which sets them apart from their competition. In addition to lessons inside the classroom, YEA! introduces students to all types of businesses through field trips as well as a variety of executive leaders through guest lectures and business mentorship. By engaging in this hands-on approach to learning through field trips such as this, students gain a real-world understanding of the dedication it takes to be a business owner. YEA! is a 26-week program that teaches students how to launch and run their own, real businesses. By the end of class, students will be the CEOs of their legally formed businesses or social movements. For more information, visit yeausa.org.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC, CPA as the Leading Business of the Week for October 21, 2019. Established in 2005 by Nick Valenti and Denise Rackley, Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC, CPA is a public accounting firm providing many services to their clients. Their services include, income tax compliance and planning, business accounting, financial statement auditing, review and compilation, and business consulting. Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC, CPA is passionate about providing the utmost level of professionalism to the clients they serve. “Our mission is to maintain the highest level of competence and professionalism while delivering solutions that provide 100% satisfaction to our clients,” said Nick Valenti, managing member. “We are very proud of the success we have had in meeting this goal.” Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC, CPA has been a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce for 14 years. “Being a member of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce has provided direct benefits to our business by providing useful business information and providing opportunities to promote our business,” said Valenti. “The collective force of Chamber membership creates a powerful voice for the benefit of the local business community, and that makes a difference for all of us!” For more information, visit Valenti, Rackley & Associates, LLC, CPA at 208 West Park Avenue or call, 229-247-8005. The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years. Marcotek Digital Office Solutions proudly sponsors the 2019 Leading Business of the Week program. For more information visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Greater Valdosta United Way, Inc. with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 to celebrate their new facility. Greater Valdosta United Way seeks to create positive change by bringing resources together to help people in the community. “I love what I do because I enjoy helping other people and constantly making connections,” shared Melissa Register, Development Coordinator. Register and her counterparts are happy to connect other nonprofits with leaders in the community to raise funds and awareness so they can focus on the work they need and love to do. This organization of good will now has a permanent home for the first time in its 65 years of operation, which was more than worthy of a celebration. The new home to Greater Valdosta United Way is none other than a 110 year old historic house located on Patterson Street in the heart of Valdosta. The staff has worked hard to maintain the house’s charm while making it a professional environment with a warm, empathetic vibe to all who enter. The organization is constantly looking to aid and support others. They are currently the voice for 19 local nonprofits throughout five counties in South Georgia. The new location brings the capability to serve not just the Greater Valdosta United Way employees and their company, but the entire community. “We renovated a building behind our new location to utilize as a classroom for financial literacy classes and to also use as a meeting place for small nonprofit agencies and their board meetings,” said Register. Greater Valdosta United Way has been a member of the Chamber since 1977. Many of the connections they make for fellow nonprofits start with help from the Chamber. “The Chamber helps us connect with all the right businesses and donors in the community,” Register adds. For more information on Greater Valdosta United Way, call them at 229-242-2208 or visit them at their new location, 1609 N. Patterson Street.  The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Renasant Bank presented IDP Properties with the October Small Business of the Month Award. Owned and founded by current president Rhett J. Holmes, IDP is a full-service real estate development firm that invests in and redevelops communities. They specialize in development, acquisitions, property management, construction management, and consulting. “IDP is a business founded on three principles: integrity, diversity, and purpose. It’s the reason we all come to work every day and why our business continues to grow.” Holmes, said. “We believe our purpose is to strengthen communities and leave a lasting positive impact.” While planning many types of developments, IDP’s primary aim is to provide affordable housing to many families, seniors, and singles so that they may have an opportunity to live in a modern, clean, and quality built apartment. IDP operates mainly in the southeast, developing in states such as Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, but they have made a substantial commitment to their home base of Valdosta. IDP believes in community involvement and aims to gives back both monetarily and with their time to the community. Quarterly, the IDP team participates in some form of community service. “Most recently, we have opened Freedom Heights Apartments in Valdosta, located off Bemis Road. This apartment community offers affordable one, two, and three-bedroom units along with many amenities. Also, we have developed The Ashley House, an affordable senior community in downtown Valdosta.” Holmes said. IDP is mainly dedicated to The Ashley House. They hosted on a cookie decorating party for the seniors at The Ashley House. They had musical entertainment, snacks, and all the supplies the seniors needed to decorate sugar cookies. “The residents had a wonderful time and were so proud of their creations. Many of these residents don’t have families, and this was a wonderful way we were able to give back and provide them with holiday cheer.” Holmes added. They also provide financial support for several Valdosta charities, including Habitat for Humanity, the FCA Spring Banquet, the Boys and Girls Club, the Coleman Talley Food Drive, and the VSU Foundation. As for plans for their developments in Valdosta, IDP has recently purchased the former Bank of America building on S. Patterson Street in downtown Valdosta. They plan to repurpose the building to create something the entire community can utilize. They are also building another senior community complex to be named “The Ashbury.” Like the rest of their Valdosta properties, it will be a certified green building to align with their mission of being an environmentally conscious company. For more information, visit IDP Properties at 123 N Patterson St or give them a call at (229) 219-6760.  The Chamber Ambassadors honored Socialyze Gaming Lounge with a ribbon cutting on October 4, 2019 to celebrate their grand opening in the community. Providing a friendly and competitive place for passionate gamers, Socialyze Gaming Lounge offers an array games for people of all ages to enjoy. “My business is a combination of what I love to do, and what I learned over the years I worked at Publix,” said Kevin Jenkins, owner and founder. “Socialyze Gaming Lounge provides a comfortable atmosphere for all gamers to come together and enjoy their favorite games, win prizes, meet new gamers and bring together the gaming community in Valdosta.” After exploring gaming tournament across the United States, Jenkins decided the Valdosta-Lowndes community needed a place for gamers to interact while engaging in a hobby they share and love. “Lowndes County did not have a dedicated major location for gamers to compete and socialize with each other, “said Jenkins. “Seeing this need inspired me to establish Socialyze Gaming Lounge. There is a strong community of gamers all over the world, and Lowndes County deserves to have a location where our local gamers can engage with the greater gaming community across the world.” According to Jenkins, the college-age population is known for having a strong connection to technology and video gaming. “With three local colleges full of gamers, Lowndes County is the perfect location for Socialyze Gaming Lounge,” said Jenkins. “This business will give our local college students the gaming lounge and experience they have been asking for without having to leave our community.” For the future, Jenkins plans to host gaming competitions for competitors and spectators. “I plan to expand the availability of gaming options as well as seek to become a major stop in world-wide gaming competitions,” said Jenkins. “Socialzye Gaming Lounge would be hosting highly publicized gaming competitions, drawing both competitors and spectators from all over the region to experience this unique opportunity right here in Lowndes County.” Socialyze Gaming Lounge is a new and excited member of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. Jenkins stated, “Ms. Betty Morgan at the Chamber provided some valuable information on how to start a business as well as continued motivation to follow my passion and my dream.”  |
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