New Business Partners, New Relationships, New Friends

New Business Partners, New Relationships, New Friends

Written by: Katie Olcott, Community Development Coordinator, Schaumburg Business Association

If you are new to the business community, looking to get involved with local businesses, or even a seasoned veteran in the business world, ribbon cuttings are a great way to show support and foster new relationships. Ribbon Cuttings are typically held for a grand opening of a business and are the perfect way to get involved with your business community. As a business owner, or as an employee you might be thinking, do I really have time to take out of my day to attend this ribbon cutting? Instead of asking yourself that, ask yourself this, would I make time in my day to meet with a new client, or business partner?  

Look at ribbon cuttings as a way to foster new relationships and show support to your community. The new business owner will remember your company showing up for them from the very beginning and it is a great chance to meet other community members. People do business with people they trust. So, if you are there from the beginning and have shown your support, you are now on that list of people they will reach out to when looking for new business opportunities. For the new business owner, it lets them know they have a whole community behind them during this time of new beginnings.

Dan Origer with Estes Auto Body has been a member since 2003 and has been active since the beginning. Dan held a ribbon cutting at Estes Auto Body in 2018. His ribbon cutting was something very memorable to him and something he talks of often. Dan says that “one of the best support ideas is helping welcome new companies to the community with a ribbon cutting!” He continues “When Lisa, President of the Schaumburg Business Association, closed the SBA office and everyone from the staff showed up at my door for Estes Auto Body ribbon cutting. I was so appreciative that they would help spread the word and help my business get off the ground. The ribbon cutting has the opportunity to open new doors for relationships and the SBA office is there to support the new companies any way they can.” This is a great testament to how ribbon cuttings can begin new relationships and shows how the new business can feel the immense support from all that showed up.

If you are looking to be more involved in the community, keep an eye out for upcoming ribbon cuttings. Meet new people and show your support right from the very beginning. You have to be active and put forth the effort in showing support and you will see the outcome. People do business with people they trust.  New business partners, relationships and friends are all waiting for you. And yes, the giant scissors are real.

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