SFCC Newsletter   March 2023

The Wild West of Business

Chairman's

Note

Image

Casey Whitmarsh
SFCC Chair

 

We are nearing the end of the first quarter of 2023. Are you on track with your business? The ups and downs with dealing with Covid, the economy and inflation has many of us moving the bar and readjusting our business goals. The challenges presented to us as business owners over the last three years have had a lasting effect in many areas. 

In Back to the Future Part III, the final film in the trilogy, Marty McFly travels back to 1885, the old west, to save his friend Doc Brown. How many of us would welcome the opportunity to travel back in time to early 2020 to revisit some of the business decisions we made as the Covid pandemic was changing our world?

Would we have shut down for as long as we did in 2020? In some ways those early months were like the wild west as we were all treading in unknown territory dealing with new information almost daily.

But there have been some good, helpful lessons learned. Some of us now know our capabilities when it comes to working virtually. We've changed the way we deal with customers providing safe distancing and virtual options for doing business. 

As a Chamber we've had to adjust too. When things were locked down, we offered virtual educational webinars on top-of-mind topics such as Navigating PPP Loan Forgiveness and the State of Distance Learning. When it was safe to meet again in person, the SFCC hosted several STIR networking events so we could go back to the business of reconnecting with fellow members.

After hosting it virtually in 2021, last year we were able to hold our Back to Business Super STIR and Annual Meeting in person at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton. Those in attendance enjoyed it so much, we decided to go back this year to the winery to enjoy its rustic location, a delicious meal, and a great chance to network.

The Chamber's Annual Meeting is the Board's opportunity to update the membership on all we've accomplished over the last year and to discuss where the Chamber needs to go in 2023. I hope you will consider joining us on April 20. We are excited about where the Chamber is headed, and we'd like to hear your ideas too.

 

Until next month,

 

Casey Whitmarsh
SFCC Chair

Casey@CaseyWhitmarsh.com

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

 To Sponsor or Purchase Tickets    
 

#SFCCsupportingmembers

 

The Chamber is once again teaming up with Inova Blood Services to sponsor a much-needed blood drive.

 

Please consider signing up to donate on Saturday, April 29 between 9a-1:30p at South County High School. 

 

 

#SFChambercommunitypartner

 

Register Here 

Join the SFCC COMMERCE CARNIVAL

The Chamber is a proud sponsor of this year's Lorton Spring Fling at South County High School!

The event is expected to attract more than 1,200 people on Saturday, April 29* from 9a-2p.

The SFCC will be hosting a Commerce Carnival to highlight our membership! We invite all SFCC Members to become a Commerce Carnival participant!

Spring Fling Vendor booth space is normally open only to those who make handcrafted items or home-based direct sell businesses. Through the Chamber's Spring Fling sponsorship SFCC Members have an opportunity to be represented at this large community event.

The Chamber will highlight participating Member businesses (Legacy & Sustaining) at the Commerce Carnival! Come meet potential customers in a casual, fun atmosphere! 

 

#SFCCsupportingmembers

 

CLOCKS SPRING AHEAD ON MARCH 12

https://www.southfairfaxchamber.org/

Did you know that the U.S. adopted Daylight Savings Time in 1918?

 

RESERVE YOUR LOGO SPACE IN OUR FULL-PAGE AD IN THE SCHS ATHLETIC SPRING SPORTS PROGRAM

Logo space only $125

Email SFCCExecDirector@gmail.com if you are interested in this marketing opportunity!

 

2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair

 

The 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair hosted by Supervisor Pat Herrity, Connection Newspapers, and Fairfax County Public Schools takes place on 

Saturday March 11, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at West Springfield High School and on Saturday March 18, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at South County High School.

Chamber Chair Casey Whitmarsh will be presenting 'How to Prepare for an Interview.'

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It can help you have faster, easier communication with your customers and it can make your brand more relatable.

We have a very active social media following! Make sure to follow us and we will follow you back.  

 
UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Mar 11   Fairfax Co Teen Job Fair at West Springfield High School 11a-1p

  • Mar 12   Daylight Savings Time Begins

  • Mar 16   SFCC Board meeting 9a virtual

  • Mar 18   The Key to Homeownership: A Comprehensive Home Buyers Seminar, Patricia                         Dinkens 10a-11a
  • Mar 18   Fairfax Co Teen Job Fair at South County High School 1p-3p
  • Apr 20   Save the Date! SFCC Back to Business Super STIR & Annual Meeting 7p-10p
  • Apr 29   SFCC Blood Drive for Inova Blood Services, SCHS 9a-1:30p
  • Apr 29   SFCC Commerce Carnival at the Lorton Spring Fling, 9a-2p

For more event listings, go to: www.southfairfaxchamber.org.

Submit Your Calendar Events Here
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South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce | PO Box 68 | Lorton, VA 22199