I’m looking forward to a fresh start, I hope you all are as well. I’m going to share my New Year’s Resolution with you all…to save money. We had a handful of life events in 2023 so a lot of money went out the door. Most of it reasonable. As we reflected on what was brought in, we were a tad ashamed that more had not been put away or invested. Wish me luck!

The article this month relates to helping small businesses saving money. There are four simple ideas listed. I like simple. Hopefully, if even one helps your small business save some money you will be happy. The chamber is a non-profit small business as well. I plan to definitely see where we can save some money and still provide incredible service.

If any of you were able to attend our Annual Meeting at the beautiful 1859 in downtown Loveland, the chamber offered a year in review. We also shared what to expect in 2024 that will be different. We’re thrilled to share, that the chamber will be doing more giving back and participating with our non-profits. I’m personally very excited about this!

BONUS article: Tax Credits for Small Businesses

Have a great year for ALL small businesses!

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CeeCee Collins is President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

She was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio, CeeCee Collins attended Carroll High School and has been a swimmer her entire life. She received her undergraduate degree at Xavier University where she also participated on the swim team for four years. She graduated from college in 1989 and began working at USA Today Newspaper as a Regional Marketing Manager. After marrying James Collins IV, they moved to Tampa, FL where she worked for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA for 6 years as an Executive Director.

CeeCee and her family moved back to the tri-state area after her second child’s birth. She continued to work for the Greater Cincinnati YMCA for 10 years part-time. CeeCee then pursued full-time work and became the Development Director at Ohio Valley Voices for 6 years. Throughout her years at the YMCA and Ohio Valley Voices she was active in the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (formerly the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce). She became the President of the Chamber in 2013.

CeeCee continues to enjoy working at the chamber and keeping up with her three children.  She and Jim live in Miami Township.

Over the past few years one of the topics the chamber has continued to share is, How to Build your Own Brand. This is a subject that continues to come up almost weekly as I meet with new and veteran business owners. It’s something that took me some time to truly understand myself when I first started working with the chamber.

Our Board of Directors encouraged me to build the chambers brand. Stick to the mission of helping and advocating for businesses but build WHO we are. A lot of people aren’t sure what a chamber does or represents. I always explain that when meeting with business owners. Our job is to help THEM (the business owners) succeed. How each chamber decides to accomplish that may look different based on the types of businesses they serve.

I also believe building your brand may look different based on the type of business and where the business is in their lifecycle. Are you new, or have been around for a while, but are a new owner? I’m thinking of the Railroad Barber Shop-they have a new owner who is doing an amazing job of building his brand by giving back to the community and getting involved. If you need ideas of how to build your brand, check out this article. I’m also always happy to meet and have many ideas.

Some people get humble and embarrassed on some of the ideas of building their brand. I tell them get out there, get involved, be in the parade with a big sign. Once I share with them that it truly isn’t about them, it’s about helping their business succeed. It seems to come together, and they understand they have to market and share how they are the best at what they do.

I’ve also included an article on the recent Barbie movie. It’s been so fun to watch Mattel market the movie and continue to build their brand. I grew up with Barbie, but I have a feeling with many changes in developments since the 1950’s that it was time for a Barbie makeover. The movie definitely accomplished that and I’m sure that doll sales have exploded once again!

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CeeCee Collins is President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

She was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio, CeeCee Collins attended Carroll High School and has been a swimmer her entire life. She received her undergraduate degree at Xavier University where she also participated on the swim team for four years. She graduated from college in 1989 and began working at USA Today Newspaper as a Regional Marketing Manager. After marrying James Collins IV, they moved to Tampa, FL where she worked for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA for 6 years as an Executive Director.

CeeCee and her family moved back to the tri-state area after her second child’s birth. She continued to work for the Greater Cincinnati YMCA for 10 years part-time. CeeCee then pursued full-time work and became the Development Director at Ohio Valley Voices for 6 years. Throughout her years at the YMCA and Ohio Valley Voices she was active in the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (formerly the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce). She became the President of the Chamber in 2013.

CeeCee continues to enjoy working at the chamber and keeping up with her three children.  She and Jim live in Miami Township.