​Local business owners Jacob Rodriguez (Dapper & Dashin’ Salon), Gram Short (Bulldog Auto Detailing), H.B. Macey (Perry Office Plus), and Paul Carr (Paul Carr Consulting) led a panel discussion moderated by City of Temple Communications Manager Lindsay Francis for the Chamber’s June Small Business Connect.
 
The discussion was a deeper dive into a session presented at the Governor’s Small Business Summit earlier this year. Each panelist described tactics and tools they use to attract customers and measure the performance of their marketing dollars.
 
“We began funneling our Facebook ads to our website, which led to more qualified leads and higher conversion rates,” shared Gram Short, owner of Bulldog Auto Detailing.
 
Consultant Paul Carr suggests taking small but significant steps, such as adding a Facebook pixel to your website for better tracking of prospects and customers who come to your website via the social platform.
 
“You want to look for opportunities to show the customer experience,” advised Jacob Rodriguez of Dapper & Dashin’ Salon, noting that salons are notorious for taking videos and pictures of the back of clients’ heads. “Capture their smiling faces after your services. That’s what really conveys the experience.”
 
H.B. Macey of Perry Office Plus touts their customer service as a key component of how the business markets itself. Macey acknowledges Perry Office Plus can not compete with Amazon, although the online behemoth is considered a direct competitor in the sale of office supplies.
 
“We identified where Amazon has weaknesses and made them our strengths,” he continued. He pointed out that while you can order office furniture on the website, Perry Office delivers and installs your office design. Perry Office also has dedicated account managers that keep a pulse on what their clients purchase to learn more about what they’re not buying from Perry and why.
 
Small Business Connect is a quarterly breakfast series aimed at business owners seeking to connect with and gain knowledge from proven, successful business leaders. Join us in September for the next one. Check the Chamber calendar for dates.

At the beginning of May 2023, the Temple Chamber of Commerce joined the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC), created by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This coalition was created to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, legislation, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, guard, and reserve. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.
 
“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. Army Futures Command, as our support for our nation’s military remains unwavering,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This coalition and its partners will play an important role in helping attract more military missions to Texas, ensure our brave men and women in uniform can benefit from the best economic opportunities, and bring together community and business leaders in military communities at the state and federal level. I look forward to working with the TCDC as we continue to support our nation's military and service members across Texas.”
 
TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, industry, and economic development perspective. Current partners include:

• Abilene Chamber of Commerce
• Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
• City of Texarkana
• City of Del Rio
• Dallas Regional Chamber
• Del Rio Chamber Foundation
• El Paso Chamber of Commerce
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
• Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center
• Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC)
• Kingsville Chamber of Commerce
• Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
• San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
• San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
• Sheppard Military Affairs Committee (SMAC)
• Temple Chamber of Commerce
• United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
• Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
  
  

The TCDC partners will work to avoid reductions in infrastructure, personnel and funding and seek to attract new missions and increase defense-related employment.
 
“Texas Coalition of Defense Communities brings together local Chambers and organizations from all over Texas who have a direct connection to one or more of the 15 military installations.  We are here to add strength to the message radiating out from the group to maintain a strong commitment and support for the military and our local economies,” says Rod Henry, Temple Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
 
TCDC will speak with one voice to our state and federal representatives, spearheading important advocacy on items that impact the state of Texas’ military missions.

Join us for the second Small Business Connect Seminar on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn. This quarterly seminar brings together local small business owners and entrepreneurs who are eager to enhance their businesses through valuable resources and opportunities.

The upcoming seminar on June 27 focuses on "Marketing & E-Commerce Tools for Small Business." Local business leaders will share their experiences, tools, and strategies for business growth in a panel discussion.

Small Business Connect is made possible with the support of Meta, Extraco Banks, Ludwick Montgomery & Stapp, McLane Intelligent Solutions, and the Hilton Garden Inn.

Don't miss out on this chance to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, gain practical knowledge, and network with influential business leaders. Save the date, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, and join us at the Hilton Garden Inn for the Small Business Connect Seminar.

Register now to secure your spot and take your business to new heights.