Highland-White Lake Business Association

As we approach the New Year, we begin with a new method to our business plans and a great start to the New Year. Bigger, stronger, better; whatever the case may be, the Highland-White Lake Business Association is here to assist our local businesses in their success. Established in 1981, the Highland-White Lake Business Association is dedicated to our community, and the success of our local conglomerates. Affordable rates allow neighborhood establishments to join the association and utilize the many benefits of the HBA. Along with membership comes various networking, advertising and promotional opportunities. The Highland-White Lake Business Association hosts several events annually providing members with the chance to become more involved with the community. Our luncheons and the TGIF Coffee take place monthly, and provide members with the ability to network within the organization. Sparks in the Park is sponsored by the association annually, and there are some innovative events approaching. On October 23rd, mark your calendar for the 1st Annual “Taste of Oktoberfest”, a fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund. At Veterinary Care Specialists in Milford, on October 30th, bring your pets to the Pet-A-PALooza and your pet could win prizes, or the chance to be a part of the Hi-White Parade. The events and fundraisers put on by the Highland-White Lake Business Association are done in an effort to keep our community shopping at local businesses, and our local businesses in the community. Please feel free to contact us at: (248) 889-1422 or visit our website: http://www.thehba.net/ .

National Small Business Week 2010

Celebrate National Small Business Week. With an estimated 27.2 million small businesses in the United States, small businesses are responsible for creating 60-80% of all new jobs each year. "Going Local Does Not Mean Walling Off The Outside World" by Michael H. Shuman says nuturing locally owned businesses means more of your dollars stay in your community. A diagram shows that of every $100.00 spent in local small businesses only $27.00 will leave the community versus $57.00. For more about Local First. The 3/50 project also is about keeping local businesses alive and flourishing. They ask "What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.L If half the employed population spent $50.00 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue." Check out their website 3/50 Project Local small businesses hire from within the community because these people are locals they provide more customer service and are great ambassadors for the business and community. Small businesses also give back to that community through support of schools and local non-profits. Small businesses purchase from other small businesses in the area and create the distinct one of a kind shops that are unique to the community. Remember Five Star Plumbing in Highland is a wholly owned local small business, even with a nationally known name linked to theirs. Check out our online directory of members and get to know your local businesses. They are involved in community events like Women's Enrichment Day and Sparks in the Park.

Small Business Week has been recognized since 1963 and on May 20, 2010, President Obama signed a proclamation for the observance of the 47th Small Business Week. To learn more about Small Business Week click on this link National Small Businesses This year women business owners have been recognized as small business persons of the year in 24 states, unfortunately Michigan was not one of those states. Let's change that! What local business women could you recognize for making a difference in your life and community? National Business Women's Week is officially celebrated the third full week in October each year. To find out more about the Business & Professional Women Foundation check out this link Women in Business

Why belong to Highland Business Association

If you are an independent business without the funds that franchises or conglomerates have for television ads, radio ads or even online ads how do you draw traffic to your business. If have an at home business or an online business it is typically even harder to draw attention to your business. Local business associations can assist in marketing your business in a variety of ways. They have networking events throughout the month that allows members to share what they do with other members. Every member of your business association becomes a promoter of your business. Every networking opportunity is also an opportunity to let the other members know what you have to offer, so when they are talking to their clients, customers or even friends they can send business your way. The Highland Business Association is almost 200 members strong. Some of the events sponsored are TGIF Coffee Hour (second Friday of each month from 8:00am-9:00am) hosted by a local business, Luncheons (4th thursday starting at noon) hosted by a local business, 25,000 copies of the membership directories are distributed to every home and business in the Highland and White Lake Townships, listing on their website, discounted rate to participate in the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo, Ladies Enrichment Day, monthly newsletters, advertising opportunites at a variety of events just to name a few.
The Highland Business Association coordinates many community service projects; such as, Red Box Food Drive, Movie Night at the Library, the Highland Christmas Tree Lighting and Sparks in the Park . The organization also awards college scholarships to outstanding area graduates.
All of these events truly support and promote your business and that may be reason enough to belong, but these activities also promote and support local communities and families. So whether you want to pay it forward because you have an established business or need assistance because you are a new struggling business consider joining the Highland Business Association where members become friend and business partners.