Message from Executive Director

A Galaxy of Connection: Greater East Aurora Chamber Celebrates Business Excellence and the Power of Community

There are a lot of ways to measure a successful event—attendance, energy in the room, how smoothly everything runs. By all those standards, this year’s Business Excellence Awards: The Galactic Gala was a success.

But what stood out most to me on March 25 wasn’t any one moment. It was the feeling in the room.

In a world where everyone is busy and pulled in a hundred different directions, people chose to show up for each other. And that’s really what this event, and our Chamber, is all about.

Yes, the evening was about recognizing outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals. But more than that, it was about connection. It was about the reminder that none of us are doing this alone and that, when we support each other, we all move forward.

This year is especially meaningful for us as a Chamber. We’re celebrating our 81st anniversary, more than eight decades of supporting businesses, advocating for our communities, and helping create a place where people want to live, work, and play.

That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of the people who make up this business community.

Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible momentum. The Chamber welcomed new businesses, celebrated expansions and milestones, and continued to create opportunities for people to connect, whether that was at an event, in a workshop, or through a simple introduction.

Sometimes the biggest impact doesn’t come from a big moment.

It comes from a conversation. A connection. A door opening that you didn’t even know existed.

We’ve also continued to expand how we support our members, through increased visibility, marketing opportunities, and sharing your stories. And your stories matter. They’re what make this community unique. They’re what draw people here and keep them coming back.

At the same time, a lot of our work happens quietly in the background, advocating for businesses, helping navigate challenges, and making sure your voices are heard. It may not always be visible, but it is essential.

Because strong businesses build strong communities.

And when you have a strong community, you have something powerful.

What makes this Chamber special is that it’s not just an organization. It’s a network of people who genuinely want to see each other succeed. People who show up. People who support one another. People who understand that when one business does well, it lifts the entire community.

That mindset is what carried us through this past year—and it’s what will carry us forward.

We’re also looking ahead to an exciting milestone. Next year marks the 80th anniversary of our Business Excellence Awards, a tradition that reflects just how long this community has been committed to recognizing those who make a difference.

This year’s honorees set the bar high and inspired all of us. At the end of the day, this year’s Business Excellence Awards reflected who we are as a business community.

Not competitors, but collaborators. Not going it alone but building something together. And if this event was any indication, we’re headed in a very good direction.

Tips for Small Businesses on adapting to today’s economic “new normal”

District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Dr. Susan A. McCartney, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State University, on how businesses can navigate tariffs and market uncertainty.

The first piece of advice they provided was that businesses should not wait to adapt. It’s not like the pandemic, Reynolds told us. There is no certainty the current economic turbulence will settle. “You cannot put your head in the sand and ignore it. This is not a storm. This is the norm.”

While many small businesses aren’t seeing a tariff impact currently, some of our mid-sized businesses – many of whom are seeing disruptions in their supply chain or/and exorbitant price increases – are feeling the pinch. And it’s worrying.

Reynolds and McCartney gave the following tips on what small businesses should do to ensure they survive:

Revisit your business model.

1. Check on your breakeven point. How much price fluctuation can your business sustain and remain viable?
2. Reassess your supply chain. Who is the cheapest, who is fastest, who is adapting? Are there other sources and can you negotiate with your suppliers?
3. Implement artificial intelligence tools to reduce your fixed costs. “At this point in time,” Reynolds said, “if you don’t use AI you will be ‘AI’d.’”
4. Do a competitive analysis. Look at what your competition is doing – are they adjusting prices, are they boosting services, are they doing nothing? “Find out if your special sauce – that competitive advantage – is still special in today’s economic climate?” she said. If not, then it’s time to adapt. And alter your thinking – it may be an opportunity especially if the competition is waiting for things to settle down.
5. Evaluate your pricing and your target market. Understand your value proposition and be careful about publicly passing on price increases to your customers. Understand what the “perceived” value of the products/services you provide. Customers have a threshold, according to Reynolds, and small businesses need to know their target market. This means learning the characteristics of your customers and your perceived value.
6. Stay close to your finances – past, present, and future (projections). “Your numbers are talking. Your numbers are telling you something. If you aren’t listening to that story, you are missing out on a strong management tool,” Reynolds said.

Expand Your Opportunities.

Look for new customers and new revenue sources. Tariffs aren’t placed on services, so introduce a new service or experience. Pair a product with an experience. Again, know your target market – have your customers’ buying habits changed? Do your customers have a “shadow” – someone who is making the purchases for them such as a parent or spouse?

Collaboration and partnership with other businesses and organizations is a must. Look where you can partner with other businesses to build experiences around your product or service.

And, don’t stop talking to your customers. Constantly communicate your value proposition. Now is not the time to stop your marketing (or your Chamber membership!). Businesses should invest more in marketing and/or spend their marketing dollars smarter.

If you want to learn more about how you can navigate this “new normal,” please reach out to the Chamber. We can send you the slide show provided by the SBA and SBDC as well as put you in touch with experts who can assist you.

You are not alone.