With all the talk of “investing” that you will see in this issue, I feel this is the perfect opportunity to discuss a few local community members and organizations that really help to make our community thrive. Now, understand that there are too many to list, so I really am just going to try to scratch the surface here.
I’ll start with a little background on me, and my hopes and vision for local small businesses. My first introduction to business was not exactly exciting. Many of you were probably used to seeing me drive around in my big camouflage JDog trucks. While the work wasn’t the most fun, I was able to use my “recogizableness” (is that a word?) to make some great connections. Through meeting people like Duane Desilets (Park Square Realty), Rene Gauthier (Nextgen Roofing), Nabil Hannoush (ShortStop Bar & Grill), and MANY more, I was able to use my platform as a business owner to do some good. Together we were able to hold fundraisers for local firefighters, Vets Inc, Homeward Vets…the list goes on. Things like these helped me realize that small businesses do more than just sell goods and services. Small businesses actually care about you, the members of the community! Now, as the Publisher of Westfield City Lifestyle, my goal is to help not only the community, but the businesses that make this community what it is. Through advertising, networking, and connecting, we can all get stronger. There are more options than Amazon out there, and I plan to show you as many of them as I can. From shops like Hilltown Chic, to Team Link Brazilian Jui Jitsu, to Circuit Coffee, Westfield has a plethora of growing opportunity.
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of helping small local businesses in the area. Executive President Amanda Waterfield knows very well what it takes to run a small business, as she has not only helped many in their ventures, but she has walked the walk herself. Here is what she had to say:
Q-How has being the GWCC Executive Director impacted how you view small business owners?
A-From my interaction with small business owners, it’s clear that running the business is as much work as doing the job; meaning that doing your own marketing, payroll, bookkeeping, customer service, and everything else that helps a business be successful takes a huge amount of time, energy, and focus. Small business owners’ work is never done.
Q-What do you feel is the biggest benefit to Chamber members?
A-Membership provides Chamber members with the support mechanisms that help a business succeed, including advocacy, visibility, education, and referrals.
Q-What is the Chambers goal within the community?
A-One of our goals is to serve as a resource for business referrals – if a resident is looking for a recommendation, we can provide informed direction. Our larger vision is to improve our communities by helping develop a richer business community, which contributes to more enjoyable places to live and work.
Recently, I had a chance to speak with the Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Col David Halasi-Kun. The 104th FW has been an integral part of Westfield since 1947 and has since been one of the largest employers in the city. I was lucky enough to spend just over 20 years there, so I have seen firsthand the bases dedication to the community.
Q- What is the 104th FW's main goal when it comes to local community involvement?
A- Our main goal when it comes to local community involvement is to tell the story of the 104th Fighter Wing and to make sure that our surrounding communities understand the contributions our Citizen Airmen make to defend this nation, and that the Barnestormers are ready to respond here in the commonwealth when called into service by the governor.
Q-Since taking command, how has being involved with the local community changed your views on supporting small area businesses?
A-Since taking command, I have a much deeper appreciation of the symbiotic relationship we have with local businesses. Our guardsmen work, live, and spend locally. We rely on our small business employers to recognize the importance of the work our guardsmen do, and to support their time spent training and deploying with the 104th. The Fighter Wing is a large economic engine in the community, employing over 1,000 people and injecting over $100 million annually into the local economies through payroll alone and millions more through the awarding of military contracts.
I want to thank Amanda and Col Halasi-Kun for their contributions here, and to our community. I also want to thank the vast amounts of others that help make our community a home.
Small businesses do more than sell goods and services. Small businesses actually care about you, the members of the community.
