Area chambers and the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance recently continued the Driving Forces series.
The first event in this year’s series was held at Elkhorn Area High School Feb. 19 and focused on retail.
Walworth County has a significant amount of retail between its unique shops, attractions, golf course, restaurants, bars, and offerings within our many fine resorts. Retail is a competitive landscape, especially when the online component is factored in.
The event featured the following retail experts:
Lyn Falk, a retail designer, consumer behavior specialist, and business strategist with over 30 years of experience creating intentional and engaging environments that bring brands to life. She uses her knowledge of design, business, consumer behavior and environmental psychology to craft interactive and emotionally engaging experiences that delight customers, elevate brands and increase bottom lines. Lyn has also been active in the revitalization of downtown districts across the Midwest, working to enhance storefronts and streetscapes, and recharge Main Street businesses.
Laura Leszczynski, artist, designer, strategist, marketer, speaker, author has over 27 years of business experience – having owned her own marketing and branding agency, co-founded a youth volleyball club serving 400 athletes, helped run a family owned bar and restaurant – and today, continues to execute creative deliverables to a wide range of industries and clients. Applying neuromarketing best practices and smart strategies, Laura uncovers hidden opportunities to help businesses create effective marketing campaigns that increase foot traffic and customer retention.
Jim Schoberg, owner, J. Robert’s Fine Men’s Apparel has been an independently owned and operated business in Elkhorn since the late 1800’s and owned since 1983 by Jim and Marilyn Schoberg. J. Robert’s is a full service, competitively priced men’s clothing store offering the latest fashions in tailored and casual clothing, shoes, accessories, and formal wear. All of the staff at J. Robert’s are experts on fashion and fit.
Phil Sassano, of The Design Coach, a full-service interior design, decorative contracting and creative services company with studios in Harvard, Ill. and Lake Geneva. Featuring a unique combination of services and expertise few firms possess, we design, create and install one-of-a-kind environments and signature elements for residential and commercial projects. His mission has always been simple, according to Sassano: Love where you live. A home should be a place of both peace and inspiration.
Sean Payne, general manager at Clear Water Outdoor, was born and raised in Lake Geneva. Brought up in the restaurant business, his background includes hotel, golf and the food and beverage industry. Today, with a plethora of online choices for shopping he said he commits himself to driving business by creating an unparalleled, in person experience for his guests. It’s all about building relationships and giving guests the opportunity to touch, feel and try on merchandise.
About WCEDA
WCEDA provides services that revolve around four distinct areas, according to its website:
- Business Retention – Arguably one of the most important aspects to economic development, WCEDA is dedicated to meeting with businesses throughout Walworth County and working with them to resolve issues that may cause them to consider relocating outside of the area;
- Business Expansion – Studies show that over 80 percent of new job growth in a community will come from existing businesses. To ensure that our local businesses have the resources necessary to begin an expansion process, WCEDA works with private and public sector partners on a regional and state basis to provide assistance selecting suitable sites and buildings, aggregating state regional and local data, navigating the development process, as well as identifying and applying for financial resources and incentives;
- Business Attraction – WCEDA works to attract new job opportunities to Walworth County by marketing the various benefits available to businesses that locate in our local communities;
- Business Startup – Entrepreneurs are an important aspect of our local economy. In an effort to assist them finance their business endeavors, WCEDA maintains a revolving loan fund designed specifically for companies with less than $1 million in gross sales and fewer than 50 employees. As an added service, WCEDA assists startup businesses as they search for suitable space to set up operations.
Walworth County Economic Development Alliance is at 400 County Road H (Gateway Technical College campus), South Building, Room 105, Elkhorn.
For more information call 262-741-8527 or visit walworthbusiness.com.
