Marcia Lawrence

The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer another important benefit to our members. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas (CCEKS) and 45 local chambers across the state, has created an association health plan (AHP): Chamber Blue of Kansas. This AHP offers … Read more

Read this week’s Let’s Talk Business column in The Emporia Gazette. In many communities, ours included, the pandemic sparked a groundswell of support for small businesses. As the pandemic subsides, however, it is time to take stock. Many customer trends have changed for good. Curbside pickup, e-commerce, and digital experiences are here to stay. It … Read more

Read this week’s Let’s Talk Business column in The Emporia Gazette. Did you know that researchers now say there are five distinct kinds of workdays? A person’s productivity depends on which kind of day they’re having: ideal, toxic, disengaged, typical, or crisis days. The knowledge of what kind of day you or your employees are … Read more

Read this week’s Let’s Talk Business column in The Emporia Gazette. Here in the United States, we are preparing to celebrate Independence Day this weekend on July 4. Now is a good time to reflect on what independence means, both individually and collectively in America. The Boston Tea Party, a political protest led by American … Read more

The right tech tools can help any business operate more efficiently, but the costs can quickly add up. Here are six small business tech tools that offer free plans for small businesses. Slack is one of the best internal communication apps for small businesses. It allows you to communicate with your employees without getting caught … Read more

Read this week’s column in The Emporia Gazette here. Proud to be an LGBTQ entrepreneur? Since June is Pride Month, it’s a great time to remind LGBTQ business owners that there are certifications and resources specifically designed for them. There are 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses in the United States, and these companies bring in an … Read more

Read this week’s Let’s Talk Business column in The Emporia Gazette.  The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce is participating in a new association healthcare program that will help local businesses of all sizes potentially lower their health insurance costs. Chamber Blue of Kansas takes the buying power of more than 37 Chambers throughout the state … Read more

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off National Homeownership Month on June 1. As part of this nationwide celebration, USDA is highlighting programs that help people in rural, Tribal, and underserved areas buy, build, and repair affordable homes and to pay their rent in America’s smallest towns and communities. Expanding opportunities for homeownership … Read more

Read this week’s Let’s Talk Business column in The Emporia Gazette. Social media is currently the number one channel used by marketers to attract new customers and engage with existing audiences. With each app’s unique intended functionality and use, business owners handling their organization’s social media need to understand how engagement differs by platform. On … Read more

Business owners, large and small, make hundreds of decisions every single week. How many of those decisions, though, are backed by hard data? Monthly reports like balance sheets and cash flow statements enable businesspeople to make data-driven decisions regarding growth and scale. A sometimes-overlooked report that should be consulted is customer loyalty. Customer loyalty is … Read more