Chamber Hires New Director

by Sarah Stephens Krupp Comment Closed

 

The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a new Director, Jocelyn Reinhart.  Reinhart was selected by the Chamber Board of Directors and begins her new role August 1. 

Jocelyn Reinhart is a graduate of St. Wendelin High School and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in Public Policy and Criminal Justice.  While in college, she served as an intern with the Portman for Senate Campaign, Republican National Convention, Hardin County Republicans, Community Improvement Corporation of Fostoria, and the City of Fostoria.  Most recently, Reinhart served as the Brand Ambassador for Clear Choice Exteriors.  She currently serves as the Fostoria Rotary Club President, is a member of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Fostoria, the Fostoria Kiwanis Club, and the Geary Family YMCA Board.  Reinhart resides in Fostoria with her husband and son. 

Sarah Stephens Krupp, who served in the role prior to August 1, accepted a position with the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation as a Project Administrator. 

“Jocelyn is a great addition to the Chamber and brings with her strong relationships and experience with small business and non-profit operations.” Stephens Krupp said of her replacement.  “I look forward to working with her as the Chamber Director and am confident she will continue to grow and strengthen the organization while bringing with her fresh new ideas.”

Of her new role, Reinhart says, “I am honored to be chosen as the new Chamber of Commerce Director. As a Fostoria native, I am thrilled to start this new position and to continue the growth that Sarah has accomplished over her years as the Director. I am thankful to the board of directors for accepting me into this new position, I am excited to hit the ground running.”

The new contact information for the Chamber Director is, Director@FostoriaChamber.com

Chamber Seeking New Director

by Sarah Stephens Krupp Comment Closed

Sarah Stephens Krupp, Chamber/Small Business Director, Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce will be changing roles as of August 1.  Stephens Krupp has accepted a position with Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) as a Project Administrator. 

“FEDC is a strong organization that has been instrumental in the development of the Fostoria Learning Center, community projects, large- and small-scale development and an advocate and partner of the Chamber for decades.  I am excited for the opportunity to take on new economic development challenges and to assist FEDC in serving its members and the City of Fostoria in even greater ways through building organizational capacity.” Stephens Krupp said.

“The work that Sarah has accomplished in her role as Chamber/Small Business Director has been exciting to witness and her advancement to the role of Project Administrator will give her new projects and challenges,” according to Renee Smith, President of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation.  “With Sarah in a new role and a new Chamber Director coming on board I think this provides our members and the community with new opportunities.”

Stephens Krupp has served as the Chamber/Small Business Director for 7 years during which the Chamber has grown and strengthened its financial footing. The Chamber, in partnership with the Fostoria Learning Center and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, has built a strong entrepreneurial network through various programs including CO.STARTERS.  Stephens Krupp will continue to facilitate CO.STARTERS and assist with small business and entrepreneurial development. 

Stephens Krupp added, “Transitioning to a new role at FEDC is really the best of both worlds.  It will allow me to assist the incoming Chamber Director, as needed, and develop the new Project Administrator role with FEDC.  I am looking forward to a new director bringing a fresh perspective to the Chamber.”

The Chamber Board of Directors has posted the Chamber Director position.  Interested parties should submit resumes to Renee Smith, President@Fostoriaedc.org no later than June 20, 2023.

Chamber Director Job Posting and Qualifications

LAUNCH Fostoria Business Competition Returns

by Sarah Stephens Krupp Comment Closed

The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), is excited to announce the third annual Launch Fostoria Business Competition.  Launch Fostoria is a three-part business competition consisting of an initial application, semi-finals, and finals.  

Launch Fostoria officially kicks off Monday, March 20 with applications available at FostoriaChamber.com/Launch until May 5.   Eligible applicants must be a for-profit business, that has not earned more than $250,000 in revenue in the past year and interested in opening or growing a business in Fostoria.  Qualifying applications will be reviewed, and 6-8 applicant businesses will be invited to move on to the semi-finals.  The semi-finals, on June 28, will consist of live pitches to a panel of judges followed by a question-and-answer session.  Semi-finalists will be given the opportunity to attend a pitch workshop to create and refine their pitch.  From the semi-finals judges will select 4-6 businesses to compete in the finals which will be a live event held in Downtown Fostoria on August 4.  The public will be invited to attend the finals and may pay $5 to vote for their favorite business contestant. 

“We have seen the success of the last two LAUNCH Fostoria Business Competitions and the tremendous community support.  We are excited for year three as it is a great way to jumpstart ideas, connections and small businesses while inviting the community to invest in an entrepreneur by attending the finals and casting a vote,” said Sarah Stephens Krupp, Chamber/Small Business Director.  “This is such a unique opportunity for Fostoria, and we are so grateful to everyone who has assisted us in making the competition a reality a third time.”

The winner of Launch Fostoria will receive a prize package valued at almost $17,000 thanks to event sponsors and donors.  The prize package includes a one year lease in Downtown Fostoria (or equivalent dollar amount in appropriate space), print advertising courtesy of The Review Times, $1,000 courtesy of the Shuff Family Small Business-Entrepreneur Grant, $5,000 in branding and marketing services courtesy of JYoakam Communications, $900 in trainings and courses at the Fostoria Learning Center courtesy of Northwest State Community College and the Fostoria Learning Center, one hour of legal advising valued at $250, three hours of accounting assistance valued at $875, CO.STARTERS course valued at $250 and a one year Chamber Membership valued at $200.

The competition was highly successful last year with over 350 people attending the finals.  $11,575 was collected from voting and passed on to the four finalists.  The winner of last year’s competition was Kris VanCuren Koester, Calico Charlie’s Candy & More who will be opening their physical location, 206 S. Main Street in Downtown Fostoria.  The 2021 winner, Jena Stearns, Beyond Laser Creations, has been operating a storefront located at 101 S. Main Street in Downtown Fostoria for about 18 months.

The Launch Fostoria Business Competition is part of the Fostoria Chamber and FEDC’s efforts to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fostoria.  Both organizations, for the last several years, have been working together to implement programs and resources to assist entrepreneurs, experienced and in-experienced, in starting and growing their ventures.  The organizations have hosted various entrepreneur events and trainings such as Get Started Workshops, starter, and maker events such as the Holiday Sip & Shop, CO.STARTERS courses, Advising Hours, Wayfinding programs and worked with the City of Fostoria to implement a Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. 

“Our work to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is really a grassroots effort to combat the shrinking physical footprint of national chain retailers and fill the gaps in retail and small business in Fostoria with homegrown, locally owned businesses” said Renee Smith, President of FEDC. 

This unique event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs/small business owners, the Fostoria community, and the citizens of Fostoria.  This is a way for the residents of Fostoria to actively participate in selecting a new business for their community.  “We look forward to seeing the applications and working through this competition to bring a new and vibrant business to our community,” said Sarah Stephens Krupp, Chamber/Small Business Director. 

A full event timeline as well as applications are available at FostoriaChamber.com/Launch