​The last few weeks of the year tend to be incredibly exciting in the business world. Here are a few best practices from our staff to help you end 2016 organized and ready for a phenomenal business year in 2017!

By: Charlie Chambers, MBA, CPA, CMA Lead Consultant, Small Business Development Center ​

While there is nothing wrong with a vision to “save the whales”, the real reason for a business to exist is to MAKE MONEY!  It seems like we are in a time where making money is somehow evil.  Unless a business makes money, why should the owners go through the effort and hard work.  While paying employees fairly is important and even necessary, the owners deserve the opportunity to make a return on their investment and create wealth.  Think about it:  If business owners do not make money, how do you think your retirement funds (is IRA’s) will grow.  The investments inside the retirement funds require the owners to make money in order for the stock prices to rise, pay dividends, and reward their employees.
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In summary, go make money.  It will be the most effective way to “save your whales.”

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I think it is normal for most business, big or small, to return to what they have done for years. It just seems to be easier that way. We are already familiar with it. We know the process. We can predict the results. The list goes on and on. Many times we have a difficult time admitting that the results are not what we had hoped for or even what they once were.

​Owners:
Greg & Heather Shepherd, Bowling Green, OH
Greg and Jenny Neville, Bowling Green, KY
Established: 2006

​Stadium Salsa is a line of delicious, all-natural salsas and tortilla chips made right here in the Toledo Region. Known as the “Official Salsa of the Toledo Mud Hens, “Official Salsa to the Toledo Walleye, “Preferred Salsa to Western Kentucky Athletics”, and the “Official Salsa to the Bowling Green Hot Rods”, Stadium Salsa, LLC was founded during local tailgates. Says Greg Shepherd, “We are a sports family that enjoys tailgating, family get-togethers, etc.…and our ‘go-to’ was also making fresh salsa. We were asked by a small local store if we could make enough for them to sell. Not knowing what we didn’t know, we said, ‘sure.’ Hence, the ‘hobby-gone-wild’ story begins.”

​In my opening Chairman’s message I wrote about the talented, energetic, and inspiring group of young professionals living in the Toledo Region. When I took on the role of EPIC Toledo Chairman for 2016 I couldn’t wait to see the ways these talented individuals would continue to shape our community. We’ve had an incredibly impactful year of programming and our region’s eager young professionals are gathering in droves to experience it together. As we move into our 10th year, it is evident EPIC Toledo has a crucial responsibility to the success and growth of our region.
EPIC has been able to provide unprecedented growth opportunities in three key elements to the development of our budding YP’s – LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY IMPACT, and NETWORKING. Today I want to touch on Leadership. 

Last week, EPIC Toledo members gathered at Manhattan's Pub 'N Cheer in Downtown Toledo for our monthly Social. We partnered with Food for Thought to make lunches for Toledo area residents. Socials are an opportunity for our members to meet new people and connect over complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. We will be announcing 2017 EPIC Toledo events on www.epictoledo.com soon!

Owner: Matt Hartman, President/CEO
Established in Findlay, Ohio on Oct. 1, 2001
 
Tour de Force, Inc., celebrating 15 years of business this year, develops, sells, implements, and supports the Tour de Force suite of CRM (customer relationship management) and BI (business intelligence) software solutions. Their solutions provide the tools and features that sales organizations need to be more efficient and more effective.

By: Jim Yates & Sarah Pawlicki, Eastman & Smith Ltd.

​​On May 12, 2016 OSHA issued a final rule revising its recordkeeping and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses requirements.  In addition to requiring electronic submission of workplace injury and illness information, the regulations include new employer requirements regarding creating and communicating procedures for reporting workplace injury and illnesses and new prohibitions regarding discrimination against an employee for reporting a workplace injury or illness.  These revisions will require employers to review and revise several policies and procedures. 

By: Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​Members of the Tax Committee had a discussion with Congressman Jim Renacci, representative of Ohio’s 16th congressional district and member of the House Budget Committee and House Ways and Means Committee. He outlined his federal tax reform plan and shared some of the challenges for implementing significant tax policy reforms. Members of the committee provided feedback on a number of issues presented. He has also been an advocate for an annual Fiscal State of the Union address similar to the President’s State of the Union address. Information about his tax proposal can be found at http://renacci.house.gov/index.cfm/simplifying-americas-tax-system.