 The Temple business community recently gathered to elevate their social media skills with a Half-Day Digital Bootcamp, held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the Hilton Garden Inn – Temple. Organized under the Small Business Connect initiative by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, the event aimed to empower small business owners with social media strategies for Facebook and Instagram. The seminar began promptly at 8:00 am with a warm breakfast, setting the stage for a day filled with insightful learning and networking. Attendees received printed materials to guide them through the half-day sessions, ensuring they had the necessary resources to make the most of the training. Amanda Robinson, Founder & CEO of The Digital Gal Inc. and a Meta Certified Lead Trainer, flew in from British Columbia, Canada, to lead the boot camp with her extensive knowledge and engaging presentation style. The first session, titled Creative Optimization for Facebook and Instagram, provided a deep dive into crafting and optimizing engaging content for these platforms. Amanda shared best practices for content creation and demonstrated how to use the Meta Business Suite to test and iterate performance. Attendees left this session with an understanding of how to identify tools and creative formats that build a strong community on Facebook and Instagram, as well as strategies for increasing business awareness through posts, Stories, Reels, and Live videos. After a brief intermission, the second session, Instagram Deep Dive: Designing and Optimizing Your Instagram, delved into the creative features of the platform. Amanda revealed innovative techniques for engaging audiences through impactful posts, Stories, and Reels. Participants learned how to create visually appealing content that aligns with their brand identity and target audience, develop effective caption-writing techniques, and incorporate their brand tone of voice into their Instagram content. The seminar was not only a learning experience but also an opportunity for local business owners to network and share best practices. The hands-on approach and real-world examples provided by Amanda Robinson made the sessions impactful, equipping attendees with actionable insights to enhance their social media strategies. As part of the Small Business Connect initiative, launched in 2023 by the Temple Chamber of Commerce, this boot camp exemplified its mission to resource small business owners with expert training to accelerate and enhance their businesses. The positive feedback from participants underscored the event’s success and the value of the knowledge gained. This half-day digital boot camp was graciously provided by Meta and supported by the 2024 Small Business Connect sponsors--Extraco Banks, Hilton Garden Inn-Temple, Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp, P.C., and McLane Intelligent Solutions. The Chamber looks forward to continuing its support of local businesses through more events and training sessions under the Small Business Connect initiative. For those who missed the event, stay tuned to the Temple Chamber Facebook page and website, www.templechamber.com, for future opportunities to participate in these transformative events designed to take your business to the next level. 
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The Rotary Club of Temple, the Rotary Club of Temple-South, Temple College, and the Temple Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the completion of the third cohort of Launch Temple. Six aspiring entrepreneurs graduated from the 10-week program on July 16, 2024.
Launch Temple is part of the LaunchMyCity family of programs, modeled after LaunchDETROIT (Michigan) and LaunchRALEIGH (North Carolina). LaunchMyCity is a program of Rotary International, the community service and global humanitarian organization located in over 200 countries. The program strives to develop successful entrepreneurs by expanding access to comprehensive business training and financial and business resources. Launch Temple is a collaborative effort between the two Temple Rotary Clubs, Temple College and the Temple Chamber of Commerce, which provides training, mentorship, and networking to cultivate local entrepreneurs. The program is offered at no cost to qualified applicants and held at Temple College. The curriculum is derived through LaunchMyCity, with Temple College staff providing instruction. James Skinner, MBA, Director of Adult Education and Literacy at Temple College instructed the 10-week program. The program has training sessions with topics including Business Models, Market Research, Funding, Legal Strategy, Marketing and Branding. The participants walk away with a complete business plan to help them navigate the journey of an entrepreneur. Some of the program participants did so to strengthen an existing business. Others participated to gain a great foundation to start their business on the right foot. The Temple Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the graduates of the third cohort of Launch Temple! The six Launch Temple Graduates are:
For more information visit www.LaunchTemple.com. Since 2012, Kenny has served as an Ambassador for the Temple Chamber of Commerce, where his presence is marked by an unwavering positive spirit and a genuine warmth that endears him to everyone he meets. Despite being soft-spoken, Kenny has a knack for making people laugh, and is rarely seen without a big smile on his face. Clad in his signature blue coat, Kenny is a familiar sight at ribbon cuttings and other Chamber Signature Initiative events. His dedication and enthusiasm make him a true Champion for the Chamber of Commerce, and he wholeheartedly believes in the value of fostering connections and supporting local businesses. A proud graduate of Temple High School's Class of 1987, Kenny has been a fixture in the hospitality industry for many years. His journey with Marriott began in 2006 at the Fairfield Inn Marriott in Temple, where he worked until 2010. Since 2011, he has been a vital part of the team at the Residence Inn Marriott in Temple, currently covering sales for both the Temple and Killeen locations. Kenny's professional commitment is matched only by his dedication to his community, making him a beloved figure in both spheres. Outside of work, Kenny is all about family, friends, and fun. He cherishes the relationships he's built over the years, especially with fellow Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and staff who have now retired. This close-knit group meets monthly to share drinks and stories, maintaining the bonds formed during their time as Red Carpet Ambassadors. Kenny's zest for life extends beyond his professional and social circles. He is an avid participant in Obstacle Course Racing, a passion ignited by his good friend Josh Champ, a former Red Carpet Ambassador. Since 2017, Kenny and a group of friends have trained together, completing three Spartan Trifectas from 2017 to 2019. This adventurous spirit also leads Kenny on spontaneous weekend getaways to San Antonio or Dallas, accompanied by a few close friends who share his love for travel and exploration. Kenny Kelly is more than just a dedicated Chamber Ambassador and a hospitality professional; he is a true embodiment of community spirit and positivity. His life is a testament to the power of kindness, laughter, and the importance of staying connected with those who matter most. Whether he's cheering on a new business at a ribbon cutting or tackling a challenging obstacle course, Kenny's infectious enthusiasm and genuine nature make him a cherished member of the Temple community.  |
