- March 28, 2024
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For Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Executive Director Heather Kasten, the power is in connection.
As Alliance board members redefined the organization’s mission statement and tagline to provide clarity and vision to staff and members (see box, right), Kasten saw power in the change already. In the last six weeks, membership has doubled in pace, with 10 new businesses joining just in the first eight days of October.
August and September yielded 15 and 20 new member businesses, respectively, compared with the typical eight to 10 per month seen previously, she said.
“It’s gotten so exciting,” Kasten said, noting new membership coordinator Amy Gonzalez is building a prospect database of nearly 400 businesses.
Kasten said she feels like each day she’s going fishing, meeting prospective members at luncheons and events in downtown Bradenton and Sarasota.
She recruited two new member businesses while at the Goodwill Ambassador Dinner in September, and, at another luncheon last month, eight individuals approached her to join the organization.
“It’s the volunteers,” Kasten said. “They’re the ones out singing the song about the alliance. People come to me. It’s priceless.”
Word-of-mouth referrals are playing a key role in the growth, but the Alliance’s unique offerings, including new events such as the “Bon Appetit” Taste of Italy dinner last month and the “Sip and See” event also are contributors.
The Alliance will join Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Corp. and the merchants of Lakewood Ranch Main Street in a joint block party celebrating Main Street’s and the Alliance’s 10-year anniversary Oct. 16.
Kasten notes its the first time the Alliance has joined efforts with Community Activities, offering its member businesses a first-time event for connecting directly with residents.
“We’ve had businesses join just to be a part of that event,” she said.
Alliance Board Chairman David Fink agreed the Alliance is gaining momentum and noted the new mission statement and tagline will further define the Alliance’s focus.
“The core of the Alliance is relationships and connections,” Fink said. “People want to be involved in this area. This is the hottest area in our region. You’ve got an organization with a lot of buzz. You’ve got an organization with a clear vision.”
Contact Pam Eubanks at
[email protected].