Oberlin Community Calendar  Are you up to date with community events happening around Oberlin? Or do you have an event that you wish community members were more aware of? The Oberlin Community Calendar is a resource that is available to all town and college residents and is on the OBP website at Oberlin.org. You can upload events yourself as well as see a full list of events posted by other community members. There is also a free email subscription for a weekly newsletter that summarizes upcoming programs. Just enter your email address in the box on the right side of the homepage. To view the calendar, visit:   https://environmentaldashboard.org/calendar/. The Environmental Dashboard Team hopes that you use this free resource to become an active and informed Oberlin resident! To contact the calendar team, email: dashboard@oberlin.edu.

Contact Information: 440-935-6342; email@rosenjones.com; www.rosenjones.com

Tell me a little bit about your business. I have been a professional photographer for 21 years and I opened my studio on Tappan Square in 2009. I absolutely love my job. I really enjoy working one-on-one with a client - helping them to show their individuality. I specialize in headshots, higher-ed, senior portraits as well as families and children. But I am excited to branch out into helping businesses create imagery to show off what makes them unique.

Tell me a little bit about you, your interests, passions, things we should know about you. 

Why did/do you volunteer to be a board of trustees’ member? I wanted to be a voice for downtown business owners.

What have you learned through your board involvement? There are a lot of exciting groups working in the Oberlin area and OBP has really done a fantastic job of connecting people and ideas. I learned a ton about CoWork Oberlin - which is a fabulous place and an even greater resource. I am excited to see how that space can grow in the coming years.

Would you encourage others to become involved as a board member, committee member, or program or event volunteer? If so, why?  Yes, of course! OBP does so many wonderful things, but it is always good to have fresh perspectives on what is important to the community and how we can grow opportunity for our citizens.

What is one piece of advice or input you would like to share with our readers?  Please support our local businesses as much as you can. Shop in the stores, eat in the restaurants, refer people to our service providers. If you can’t spend money, you can also help these businesses with posts on social media, likes and shares. Encourage your friends to come to Oberlin and experience all we have to offer - art, music, nature, great restaurants, cool shops, and a unique vibe.

Tell us a little bit about your business.  Evie Lou Oberlin is a spin-off of our flagship Evie Lou in Cleveland, OH. Evie Lou Oberlin opened in August 2020, taking over physical space of the much-loved Bead Paradise. While honoring the spirit of creativity that has long surged within these walls, ELO offers a curated mix of artful apparel, artisan accessories and chic home/dorm decor, with a dash of self-care thrown in.

Tell us a little bit about you – your interests, passions, things we should know about you.  As most small-business owners understand, I mostly work around the clock. But when I’m not working at the stores or the websites, I am a voracious reader of biographies and history, but also of current fiction and the classics. While I work on the websites, I like to have the TV on in the background – something with soothing British accents most of all! For that reason, my husband and I have done deep dives into long-airing BBC dramas and mysteries. 

Why did you decide to open your business in Oberlin? I find Oberlin to be at the intersection of Creative and Intellectual; there’s such a deep sense of community here and we loved the idea of being around youthful, idealistic enthusiasm.

Why did you join the Oberlin Business Partnership?  To learn more about the community and my fellow small-business owners, for mutual support and understanding of the region. 

Would you encourage others to join?  If so, why?  Who would avoid this wealth of insights into the local community and region? OBP has been invaluable in helping us to navigate opening our business here. 

What is some advice you would like to share with our readers – especially during the COVID-19 challenges? For customers, just a reassurance that their safety and that of our staff underlies everything we do. Clothing is steamed between customer try-ons, and all surfaces are disinfected multiple times a day. Our staff never removes their face masks between customers, and we also require that all customers remain masked while shopping. For those wary of being in the store with ‘strangers,’ we offer private shopping times before and after regular store hours, seven days a week. 

For fellow business owners, I do recommend offering private shopping time to customers who request it. It helps ease customers’ minds, along with making them feel appreciated – as all customers should be during these challenging times!

To receive monthly invitations, send your email address to obp.org@gmail.com or just click on "I'll be there!" below.

REMINDER 

CoWork Oberlin’s Resident Business Advisor, Megan Apple, is available to offer support and advice. She can be reached at megan@avirtualcertainty.com.

I (Janet Haar) attended a Profit Joyfully Network for Women session and would highly recommend it for any woman who wants to hear what other women are doing – how they are coping – what they need help and encouragement with – and perhaps share some successes and some areas where you would appreciate help. I left the session energized and with some excellent advice for a problem I presented. You can register here

Profit Joyfully Business Network for Women

Register here.

Profit Joyfully Six Week Intensive Workshop

The Profit Joyfully six-week intensive group gives you the space you need alongside like-minded female entrepreneurs.  We want you to have your business, your life, your way. A successful business requires three things: an audience, an offer and a way to connect the two.  That’s it. During our 6 weeks together, you will become unbelievably clear, and have roadmap for rolling out the life and business you are envisioning. Your deep understanding of what you are meant to do is the foundation to create a brand that resonates with your audience. Register here.

Want to see if you are a good fit? Just give Megan Apple a call at 216-704-6568 or email m.apple@coworkoberlin.org

The health, safety and well-being of Oberlin employees, residents and businesses is our highest priority. Although City buildings are still closed to the public, Oberlin services are still operational. Please visit www.cityofoberlin.com/coronavirus for how to contact City offices, and information on services, state of Ohio orders/advisories, assistance options, etc. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to date information!