Small Businesses, Stronger Together: Introducing the Small Business Council
August 10, 2026
Author: Angela (Ang) Blausey, Office Manager, Westerville Area Chamber
Did you know that 75% of our member businesses are small businesses?
It’s true!
The backbone of the Chamber is businesses with fewer than 10 employees. This is why we’re excited to announce our latest initiative, the Small Business Council.
The purpose of the Small Business Council is to create a consistent and intentional platform for Westerville’s small businesses to connect, access resources and influence advocacy efforts.
Amplifying the voice of our largest demographic, the Council works to elevate small business needs, guide relevant programming and strengthen the Chamber’s role in increasing visibility and engagement.
“Small businesses aren’t just the backbone of our Chamber but our community and local economy,” said Matt Lofy, President of the Chamber. “These businesses are facing a growing list of challenges in this current business climate unlike anything we’ve seen. It only makes sense that we begin to address them head on, together.”
Currently the steering committee, chaired by Chamber Board Vice Chair Stephanie Nixon of Waymakers Restoration, is focusing on how to connect area businesses with the tools they need to be successful. The steering committee is made up of various businesses from each district of greater Westerville, representing Genoa Township, down past 270 and out to Polaris.
We’d love to have your feedback on what your small business needs are. Please take this brief survey, if you haven’t already, to share what you’re facing and what would be most valuable to you. This information will help us prepare for the connections and resources YOU need for our upcoming Small Business Summit on September 16.
Our small businesses will have a chance to participate in the Small Business Summit. Come to connect with fellow small business leaders but also leave with tangible takeaways, new resources and the course of how your Chamber will lead the way (or advocate) for you.
Presentations at the Small Business Summit include:
- HR Essentials Every Small Business Should Know presented by Sharon DeLay, GO-HR
- Modern Marketing Strategies for Small Business Success, A Panel with Local Experts - Simone McKenna, @simonemckennaco, Matt Chimento, Chimento Agency, Ryan Keller, TriAd Marketing and Media
- The Legislative Landscape for Small Business, A discussion with State Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio and State Representative Brian Lorenz
Register for the Summit here.
About Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce:
For over 55 years, Chamber members have joined together to enhance the community's quality of life and the economic, civic and cultural growth of the Westerville area. Today, the Westerville Area Chamber unites 800+ businesses, professionals and individuals, creating a unique organization that works to improve business and build an even stronger community. The Chamber includes people just like you, who realize that collectively, through a business organization, they can accomplish more than what one can do individually. Get to know us on Instagram @Westerville_Chamber and on the web at http://westervillechamber.com Join us in shaping the future of Westerville’s business community.