What would it take to put your business on the map?  What would you do to have 160 free marketing representatives for your business?  How big an ad agency can you afford?  There is an alternative. . .

Become part of the Wilson Boro Business Association and help yourself and all the other businesses in Wilson Boro.  Together we can accomplish what none of us could do alone.  We are your neighbors.  Let's help each other.

We met again at LaBella's Pizza, 1715 Butler Street.  On their day off.  Merely saying "Thank you" isn't enough, so drop in and buy some great food.  Then leave a few business cards to share with their customers.  (That's one marketing rep!)    The other six people who attended shared information about their businesses and what they are doing to make them better.  (That's seven marketing reps!)  When we meet again in 2 weeks, join us.  Seven could become seventeen with a little help from you. 

So what did we talk about?  Take a look:

• Maps.  Mark Hartney (Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce) could not attend personally so he sent info to Rob Pitera (East of West, Inc.) who printed a sample map for us to view.  Also Sam Sanguanito (Chrin's Automotive) brought an example of Plainfield Township's map and members display.  Bud Latsch (PCStopNShop) brought examples of brochures and membership flyers created by Phillipsburg businesses.  We all agreed that something as elaborate as a printed  Wilson Boro Business Association map with advertising surrounding it would take a bit more cash than our unfunded organization currently has. 
• But Wait.  How a bout a different map?  There is a partial alternative to a printed map.  How often do you search for a business on the internet?  Or get directions to somewhere?  What would you do to put your business on the map?  Well, you can!  Go to http://www.wilsonbusiness.org/ and register your company.  We will soon have an automatic way to link WilsonBusiness.org to your company's website.  Now you can be helped while helping your neighbors.  (How many free marketing reps is that?) 
• Website Marketing.  Bud and Rob and Sam and Carole Helm (Helms Sales and Service) talked about which website features are available to small businesses at little or no cost.  (Now you have several more reps pointing people to your business.)  We also briefly discussed what features WilsonBusiness.org's website could offer small businesses. 
• A Demonstration.  We even suggested that we should provide a demonstration of how a website can advertise a business.  Call it "show and tell."  It's probably safe to say that many of us don't know what a website can do, nor do we know enough to do it ourselves.  But if you know what is possible, then you can find out what is affordable (like a free listing on WilsonBusiness.org). 
• Information Cards.  Rob Pitera will be placing downloadable info on the website so that you can print Wilson Boro Business Association information cards.  It's a business card sized paper that shows our new Logo, our website, an email address, and the goals we agreed were our guiding lights.
• Goals and Guidelines.  When you agree to a goal, it's a lot easier to reach it.  When you print your goals and read them frequently, they help motivate and focus you on what you need to do and how you intend to do it.  Here are goals we all agreed were important to us as folks who live and work in Wilson Boro.
  • to increase awareness of all the businesses in Wilson Borough
  • to provide you with a place to network and meet your fellow business owners
  • to offer suggestions and support for improving your business and your Borough
  • to provide community service and a positive outreach
  • to provide "strength in numbers" and a voice in local and regional government
  • to increase the pride we all share in the place we live and work
• Reaching Wilson Boro Businesses.  Remaining silent helps no one.  We will ask one of the larger businesses in the Boro to assist our Association (and their own business) by funding a mailing to the 160+ businesses in the Boro.  The mail will include a copy of our meeting summaries and specific information on how to reach our website and register your business on it.  Of course, we'll also let people know who the sponsor was/is.  (Any volunteers?)
• Demographics.  Who lives in Wilson Boro?  What businesses could provide services and skilled workers to prospective new businesses?  Just because your business isn't retail doesn't mean that you couldn't help and be helped by the existing Wilson Boro businesses.  You have to sell to somebody; you have to have workers; you need to know how the Boro and its occupants can help you.  You need to know that Wilson Boro has what you need to succeed in business.  Otherwise, why come here or stay here?
• Helpful Info.  Our Boro Hall and its staff have information that is useful to you.  Things like: when is recycling and trash pickup?  Where to I get those bright yellow signs for my recycle bin?  When are Boro meetings?  Where are they held?  What is the Steering Committee and what do they do?  Our WilsonBusiness.org website has some of that info and has links to the rest.  Check us out. 
• Perhaps our local unemployment office or Career Links can help us determine what industries would be appropriate for Wilson Boro, and what types of job skills would be needed.  Also, what job skills are available to a business considering us as a location.

Topics/Agenda for our next meeting include:

• More info on maps. 
• More info on how to make a website effective, i.e., how you can make your website more effective.
• How to find and reach out to our fellow businesses.
• What specific community services can we as a group perform or provide during this holiday season?  Food baskets for canned goods (to be distributed by Boy or Girl Scouts or another civic group)?  Collection points for donated toys (help Santa make several children happy)?  What would it take to make you a Good Samaritan?
• More details on each business in our directory (remember to register).

If this isn't enough for you, come to our next meeting and tell us what you want.  And also tell us what you are willing to do to get it.  Together we can accomplish great things. 

Let's get going.