With everything from ads to the news being on our phones and accessible worldwide, it feels like we’ve shifted away from truly supporting our local communities. Juniors at WB, Marely Barba and Hannah Grubbs have a solution.
The Laker Business Spotlight club is a new club at WB which highlights the local businesses in our area.“Our club is dedicated to supporting and promoting local businesses by sharing their stories with the community,” said Barba.
“Each month, we select businesses to highlight through social media, interviews, and video content,” Barba added.
No matter if it’s a mom-&-pop restaurant, a boutique, or a nail salon, it is all fair game for getting promoted.
Grubbs enthused, “We promote any local business that is interested in partnering with us!”
Members of the club also have a very unique opportunity of networking with these local business owners in order to gain more connections around the community.
“We aim to promote a wide range of businesses so that members can explore their interests,” she said.
According to the Forbes Finance council in a 2022 article, “The 2019 Small Business Profiles show that small businesses added 1.8 million net new jobs in the United States during the latest year studied. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they help push economic growth.”
“By spotlighting businesses, they benefit from awareness being spread throughout our community about their offerings and contributions. With a focus on building connections, we aim to help members grow a range of important skills,” explained Barba.
A lot has been said about the purpose of the club, but what will typically go on in a club meeting and what work is put in outside of the club?
Grubbs said, “In club meetings, you can expect to work with other club members on researching more businesses, contacting businesses, creating promotions for our partners, or crafting other content.”
She added, “Outside of the club, members would be asked to research and try to find more business connections. Depending on your specific committee, members may visit businesses and engage with the owners or workers.”
Speaking of committees, there will be a few different committees members can be a part of when joining the club and those committees will decide what they work on and do each meeting.
“Each committee has leadership positions for members who want to take on a larger role. These leaders help guide their committees, organize tasks, and bring new ideas to the club,” Barba explained.
No matter what committee members join, they will have a very vital role in the club and get to make so many new connections with local business owners.
If this sounds interesting to you, make sure to check their instagram @laker.business.spotlight and to stop by Ms. Strobridge’s room #300 when their next meeting will happen!
