Ferndale Business Association Starts Up, Invites Public to May 18 Launch Event
(Crystal A. Proxmire, May 3, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – Is the Ferndale business community ready for a new networking organization? The founders of Ferndale Business Association certainly hope so, and they’re inviting members of the public to get together on May 18 to talk about the ways people can come together to help local entrepreneurs thrive.
There is not yet a board for the organization, but those involved so far are called “Ferndale Business Ambassadors and Advisors,” listed on their website as Toly Ashkenazi, Dan Martin, Julia Music, Mia Peroni, Oscar Renautt, Kate Reynolds, Jennifer Seiler, Juli Sigkris-Seymour, Carol Jackson, and Dale Vigliarolo. The official board will be formed in the fall, after seeing who in the community might have an interest.
Juli Sigkris-Seymour explained how the FBA got it’s start. “The birth of this new business association truly came out of need,” she said. “Ferndale had been lacking a core business networking epicenter ever since the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce ceased to exist after an attempt to rebrand itself at the very beginning of the pandemic.
“As the world began to ‘open up’ again, local business owners and entrepreneurs discovered that the organization was in fact defunct. Surrounding chambers of commerce have been very welcoming to Ferndale business owners, welcoming them to their membership, Royal Oak Chamber especially, which has been very helpful. But the community really saw a need for a local networking, business development type of organization to be formed.”
According to Oscar Renautt, “There is a huge need for networking events and a sense of business community. Business owners, employees, and residents desire to come together and discuss pressing issues in the business community, learn news and relevant local events and experiences. We have many friends and contacts in Ferndale’s business community who expressed the need for a local networking business league, and I felt that we are perfectly positioned and prepared to put the association together.”
Renautt is optimistic that the group will flourish because, unlike many Chamber organizations, Ferndale’s will have no staff.
“We are confident that our organization will succeed because our operational costs are low,” he said. “Our plan includes the introduction of the membership dues in 2024: a modest fee of $200 annually will fund 24 networking events – one monthly event in the morning over a cup of coffee, and one monthly event in the evening over a cocktail and appetizers. We will be changing the event locations often and thus helping our hosts by bringing traffic. In addition, we will be providing annual grants to small businesses to help our growing business community. Your membership fee will fund both – event costs and small business grants. But that’s in the future. The association membership is free in 2023 as we are continuing to grow, we decided to provide this promotion to our future members. As we are starting out, we are self-funded and primarily operate based on volunteer efforts.”
Sigkris-Seymour said “This is a business association, not a chamber of chamber. There will be networking events, yes, but what is different is the “green” and “online” presence only, along with the supporting of the members with opportunities to start up, grow and build their businesses , grow their brand and visibility via our grants and scholarships. As a member of three chambers of commerce myself, I am excited to be a part of a new business association that will help the core community business owners as well as our surrounding communities.” Sigkris-Seymour added enthusiastically, “Come check us out!!”
Dan Martin is also looking forward to the group’s launch, telling Oakland County Times, “I’m pleased that we are able to create a new model for business and promotion for the broader Ferndale area. Hopefully the Association will be able to contribute as a catalyst for local business growth.”
For realtor Jennifer Seiler, it’s about the people. “I really love connecting with the community and really hope to keep that connection going,” she said.
“We are looking forward to earning trust and to establishing a commendable and effective networking association for our members and for our community,” Renautt said. “Join us on May 18 th at 5:30 PM at 215West in Ferndale – we are hoping to share the details of our operational plans and our organizational model with you!”
More information about the event is on Facebook.
More information about Ferndale Business Association is at www.ferndaleba.com.
For more things to do, visit the Oakland County Times Event Page!
To submit event info email editor@oc115.com .
Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!