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Health & Fitness

COSE, Lakewood Chamber Celebrate Small Business Month in Lakewood

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) are collaborating on a year-long effort called “The Year of the Small Business”, an initiative created by COSE to celebrate “small biz” in conjunction with its local chamber partners in the COSE Affiliate Program.  Currently, 15 local chambers across Northeast Ohio, including Lakewood, work closely with COSE to deliver resources and benefits to its joint member businesses.

COSE and the Lakewood Chamber are launching the initiative in Lakewood during the month of September to show appreciation for small businesses who foster local job creation, expand our region’s tax base and nurture our communities.

Small Business Month will begin with an invitation-only kick-off event on Thursday, September 5th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at El Carnicero, 16918 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.  The event, titled “Cinco de septiembre: Celebrating Lakewood Small Businesses” will feature Nuevo Mexican appetizers with tequila and margaritas.  Those attending can also learn how the partnership between the Lakewood Chamber and COSE can support their business. City officials from Lakewood will be present, and attendees will have the opportunity to win prizes, including an Apple TV. Cost: $10. 

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“We are so proud to partner with COSE on the Year of the Small Business campaign,” says Patty Ryan, President & CEO of the Lakewood Chamber.  “I think our members are going to be in for some surprises during September, and I encourage everyone to come out and participate in the events.”

Other events will take place during the month-long celebration, including a luncheon sponsored by Onix Networking on Friday, September 13th at The Clifton Club.  The event will feature a regional economic development panel discussion that includes: Steve Millard, President and Executive Director of COSE;  Deb Janik, Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Business Development for the Greater Cleveland Partnership; and Dru Siley, Director of Planning & Development for the City of Lakewood. Cost: $15/members, $20/non-members. Valet parking will be available. 

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Throughout the month of September, “street teams” from COSE and the Lakewood Chamber will be making surprise visits to local businesses in the Lakewood area.  They’ll be delivering “resource bags,” whose contents will remain a secret until they get there, but are sure to contain fun and valuable resources for local business.

To cap off a successful month of celebrating small business, the Lakewood Chamber and COSE will host an Ice Cream Social at Malley’s Ice Cream Parlor on Madison Avenue in Lakewood on Monday, September 30th.

A special website has been created for the “Year of the Small Business” campaign (www.yearofthesmallbiz.com).  The site contains articles and resources to help a small business move forward.  As an added bonus, if a small business person submits their biggest business goal for 2013, he or she will be entered to win valuable prizes, including $500 and $250 in cash, as well as a first class trip to COSE’s Annual Small Business Convention, free admission to the annual small business pilgrimage to Columbus called “COSE Day at the Capitol,” a free scholarship to a COSE Wellness Tracks class and more.

“COSE working with local chambers such as Lakewood is so important to the success of our local small business community,” says Steve Millard, President and Executive Director at COSE.  “Our missions are the same…helping businesses become successful on their terms.  Our ‘Year of the Small Business’ campaign gives us a great platform to collaborate with the local chambers in their communities.”

For more information on the Small Business Month kick-off event or any other events related to the “Year of the Small Business” campaign in Lakewood, visit call the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce at 216-226-2900.

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