News
How to Build and Grow a Successful Alternative Wellness Practice
In today's fast-paced world, many individuals are seeking holistic and alternative approaches to health and wellness. Building a successful alternative wellness practice requires not only a deep understanding of various healing modalities but also a strategic approach to growing your business. Whether you specialize in acupuncture, naturopathy, herbal medicine, or energy healing, creating a thriving practice involves balancing your expertise with effective business strategies. This guide will walk you
Gina's Giving Back: A Growing Tradition of Generosity
What began as a heartfelt gesture by a nurse bringing a Thanksgiving meal to her workplace has blossomed into a major initiative that touches thousands of lives. Eleven years ago, Gina, a dedicated healthcare professional, decided to share her Thanksgiving meal with co-workers and patients. That small act of kindness has grown into "Gina's Giving Back," a charitable organization delivering full turkey dinners to over 15,000 families in need each year. Originally intended to help a few local families
PACC to Install 6 New Board Members
The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) is pleased to announce the addition of six distinguished individuals to its Board of Directors. These new board members will be officially installed during the PACC’s Annual Dinner on November 13th, proudly presented by Community Credit Union. Since 1932, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce has been a cornerstone for the local business community. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the PACC works to promote, build, and sustain the most effective
GraVoc Expands Service Offerings with Acquisition of Human Centered Design Firm, Centric Park
GraVoc announced that it has completed the acquisition of Centric Park, a new-breed design agency providing CX strategy and digital product design services to customers nationwide. Founded in 2021, Centric Park redefines user experience design with a human-centered approach that examines how individuals interact with businesses and technology products. Centric Park uses groundbreaking research to inform the development of superior digital products. As a leader in CX strategy and digital product design,
IMMERSIVE GAMEBOX BRINGS ITS INTERACTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE TO NORTHSHORE MALL IN PEABODY
Immersive Gamebox, a leading world-class entertainment venue known for its enhanced group gaming platform, today announces the Grand Opening of Immersive Gamebox Peabody on September 13th, at the Northshore Mall. This is the company’s thirty-third location worldwide and its second location in the Boston area. This new virtual reality-like concept will house 8 individual Gameboxes. Each Gamebox offers roughly a dozen games and can host up to 6 guests per box. Over 1 million players worldwide have taken
Housing Success Story
For over 25+ years, Centerboard has been a key organization involved in providing permanent housing solutions and continues to support, educate and promote individuals and families to gain financial independence and stability. This summer, one of Centerboard’s residents shared their amazing success story about her experience from entering Centerboard’s scattered sites program in 2020 and successfully graduating and moving out of the shelter in 2024! Check out Sam’s story below and learn more about
GraVoc Ranked Among Largest IT Consulting Firms in MA by Boston Business Journal
PACC member, GraVoc, is excited to share that they have been ranked #20 among the Largest IT Consulting Firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal! This achievement is a testament to GraVoc's growth and resilience over the past 30 years, their innovative IT solutions portfolio, and their longstanding customer relationships. The Boston Business Journal’s Book of Lists offers a detailed look at the largest and most influential players in our local economies. The Largest IT Consulting Firms in
Rock the Spectrum Foundation
Since 2019, Rock the Spectrum Foundation has been focused on advancing organizations and community initiatives that foster inclusion and equity for people with autism. Rock the Spectrum was founded by three North Shore moms sharing the vision of giving their autistic children the same opportunities as other children and expanding awareness across the community. In 2023 Rock the Spectrum Foundation raised $110K, bringing their 5-year total to more than $260K. Rock the Spectrum partners with local
Celebrating Excellence at the INCredible Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Peabody, MA – June 13, 2024 – The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 2nd annual INCredible Awards ceremony at the elegant Olio Peabody on June 6th. This event brought together community members, local business leaders, and dignitaries to celebrate and honor outstanding achievements in our community. The evening was filled with inspiration as 11 awards were presented to recognize the remarkable contributions and successes of local businesses and individuals. The
We Need Innovative Solutions to Housing Crisis
Letter to the Editor: As representatives of the Peabody AreaChamber of Commerce, we write to highlight a pressing concern that affects not just residents, but also the business: the housing crisis. While discussions often revolve around various economic factors, it's crucial to underscore that the housing crisis stands as the single biggest obstacle for businesses in Massachusetts in retaining and attracting talent, far outweighing the minimum wage debate. Statistics reveal a concerning trend: the exodus
Tips, Tricks & Consideration For Using AI In Your Business
In the fast-paced world of business, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has become inevitable. For many business professionals, however, the thought of incorporating AI can be both exciting and daunting. If you are worried about using AI for your business, here are some tips, tricks, and considerations you should think about before diving in.Create, Implement, and Communicate an AI Policy: Begin your AI journey by developing a comprehensive AI policy that outlines the guidelines for its use
Fueling Good with the Disabled American Veterans of MA
(Boston, MA) Eastern Propane & Oil is announcing a new partnership with Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts as part of their ongoing commitment to New England Veterans. Beyond fully branding two propane delivery trucks with the DAV logo, Eastern has committed to a donation of one penny donated for every gallon of propane that is delivered through the trucks. This program was piloted with a veteran’s organization in New Hampshire and Eastern is thrilled to now raise money for Massachusetts
Gen Z: The Data
The oldest Gen Zer is 27 this year, while the youngest is just 12. Over the next decade, we’ll see this generation land squarely in the employment sector. What can we expect? According to research by Samsung, about 50% of Gen Zs polled admitted to wanting to own a business at some point. While business ownership is a big part of most people’s American dreams, what makes this generation different than previous generations is that they come out of school with the idea that “now” is better than later.
Michael Cassata Joins Rockland Trust as Business Owner Advisory Strategist
Hanover, MA - February 7, 2024 –Rockland Trust’s Investment Management Group (IMG) is expanding its services with the appointment of Michael J. Cassata as the Business Owner Advisory Strategist. In this newly developed role, Cassata provides business owners with the strategic support and guidance to explore succession planning and organization valuations while implementing strategies to minimize overall company transition risks.“As a relationship-oriented bank, we are continuously looking for
Letter to Editor: Tax Classification
Dear Editor, We are writing to shed light on an issue that affects not only the commercial sector but also has a profound impact on the residents of our community: the City of Peabody enjoys one of the lowest residential property tax rates in the Commonwealth which is subsidized by a higher tax rate on commercial properties. As representatives of the business community, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce feels compelled to highlight the interconnectedness of this decision and its implications for our
Peabody Area Chamber Welcomes 60+ New Members in a Remarkable 24-Hour Surge
Peabody, Dec 14, 2023 – The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) proudly announces it has welcomed an astounding 60+ new members within a 24-hour period, increasing its membership count to over 340 dedicated businesses and individuals. This surge in membership is a testament to the Chamber's steadfast commitment to fostering economic development post Covid and providing invaluable resources for businesses in the Peabody area.Contrary to the traditional approach of "what's in it for me," these new members
The Progeria Research Foundation. For the Children. For the Cure.
Peabody, MA: The Progeria Research Foundation – a local charity that is transforming an ultra-rare disease from total obscurity to global awareness and an FDA-approved treatment, and onward toward the cure!Progeria is an ultra-rare, fatal, genetic, “rapid- aging” disease. Without treatment, children with Progeria die of heart disease at an average age of 14 ½ years. Children and young adults with Progeria share a unique and similar appearance. Initial signs include skin tightening and growth failure. Other
Not a Retail Biz? You Can Still Be a Strong Part of Small Business Season
The holiday season is upon us, and 'tis the season for shopping! As a small business owner, you might think that participating in the "Shop Local" movement or Small Business Season is reserved for retail and restaurant establishments. That's not the case! Small businesses from every sector can actively join in on Small Business Season, which begins November 1 and goes through the end of the year. This initiative creates a vibrant, supportive local economy and helps businesses like yours reap the
Adobe Acrobat: Revolutionizing the Way Small and Local Companies Do Business
Adobe Acrobat is a versatile software suite that offers a wide range of benefits for small and local businesses. From document management to collaboration and security features, Acrobat is an indispensable tool for organizations of all sizes for many reasons: Efficient Document Management: Acrobat provides robust document management capabilities, allowing businesses to create, edit, organize, and archive documents seamlessly. With features like merging, splitting, and indexing PDFs, businesses can
Hasan Minhaj Teams Up with Adobe Acrobat to Empower Creativity and Collaboration
Paper’s out, people. Award-winning comedian, writer, and producer Hasan Minhaj has partnered with Adobe Acrobat to celebrate 30 years of PDFs and to promote the power of paperless creativity and collaboration in today's digital age. The partnership highlights the importance of using digital tools to streamline workflows and enhance productivity, especially in the current work-from-home era. As part of the partnership, Minhaj is featured in a series of videos showcasing how Adobe Acrobat
Partnering with Businesses to Provide Inclusive Employment Opportunities
As businesses across Peabody and the North Shore look to hire employees in a tight job market, Northeast Arc’s Supported Employment program is helping to fill these hiring needs. Northeast Arc supports individuals with disabilities or autism, and the supported employment team will match people supported by the agency to open roles at employers. People supported by Northeast Arc are employed at businesses in Peabody, including Starbucks, LifeTime Fitness, Big Y, Shaw’s, Omnicare (CVS Health), and Brooksby
Peabody Entrepreneurs: These Are the Pros and Cons of Opening Up a Franchise
As an entrepreneur, you’re eager to get to work. However, before you jump into franchise ownership, it's important to understand what goes into the decision. There are upsides and downsides to owning a franchise, and it's important to weigh both before making a decision. In this article, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce takes a look at the pros and cons of franchise ownership so you can make an informed decision. The Pros of Franchise Ownership There are several upsides to franchise
ChamberForGood: For Kids Only
For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides out-of-school time care. Our mission is to bring families and communities together to provide a safe space for all children to thrive during the out-of-school time hours. Our holistic learning approach helps children love, learn and grow while inspiring every child to leave their unique mark on this world. Every child is welcomed, included, and celebrated at FKO. We create custom experiences for every child with unique needs
Everyday Ways to Build a Better Business
As a business owner, your goal is to build a better business than the competition. You can do this by starting out with a solid foundation and then paying close attention to how you handle day-to-day operations. The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce offers the following guidance to help get you started. Lay the Foundation with a Business Plan Any successful business owner will tell you that a well-crafted business plan is essential to the success of a new venture. A business plan helps to
Meet the Board Member: Mary Bellavance
Mary E. Bellavance, Executive Assistant to the President GraVoc, 10 Centennial Drive, Suite 105, Peabody, MA. Tell us a little about your position: The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative support to the President. The Executive Assistant must be creative and enjoy working within an entrepreneurial environment and possess the ability to exercise good judgment in a diversity of situations, with strong written and verbal communication, administrative, and organizational skills. The
Meet the Board Member: Corey Jackson
Corey Jackson is a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) with Sarah J Consulting - Nonprofit consultants that empower nonprofits with organizational and fundraising strategy. Why is your business a member of the PACC? The PACC has always been a "Chamber for Good" both in having the program that highlights nonprofits in our region, but also in the way it promotes community and service among its membership. At various organizations I've been a part of, my chamber relationships have led to trusted
Meet the Board Member: Wendy Joly
Wendy, is an Executive Assistant at Rousselot, a gelatin plant located in Peabody, responsible for overseeing executive travel, meetings and all administrative issues at the plant.Why is your business a member of the chamber?Rousselot formally Eastman Gelatin, joined the Chamber 90 years ago. The chamber has always helped us be active in the community and has helped us keep up with the growing community.Why were you interested in serving on the board of the PACC? I wanted to be more involved with the
Meet the Board Member: Denise DeSimone
Denise DeSimone is the Marketing & Sales Manager for In The Game in Peabody. In The Game is a family friendly entertainment center that offers over 130 arcade games and four attractions including laser tag, virtual reality, rock wall and ropes obstacle course. We offer five private event spaces for both youth and adult events as well as a large mezzanine. Additionally, we have a scratch kitchen, brick oven pizza station and full bar that offers live entertainment. As the Marketing & Sales Manager I focus
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Meet our Board Member: Laura Meisenhelter
Tell us a little bit about your company, profession or service? North Shore Community Actions Programs, Inc. (NSCAP) is the designated anti-poverty agency for Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, and Salem. We also serve residents of 18 other communities in Essex County. NSCAP provides a range of programs and services in five key areas: Education and Training, Economic Stabilization, Housing and Homelessness Prevention, Fuel Assistance, and Elder Home Care. NSCAP is a vital member of the community; we recognize
Meet our Board Member: Laurene Wessel
Tell us a little bit about your company, profession or service? Community Credit Union was founded in 1955 to give families, local employees and small businesses an opportunity to manage their assets in a secure financial institution that holds it' members as its highest priority. Why is your business a member of the PACC - Community Credit Union takes pride in being a twenty year member of the PACC. Our membership reflects our commitment to the business community. We believe in giving back to the
Boost Holiday Traffic and Sales with These Proven Marketing Methods
Many small business owners have a love-hate relationship with the holiday season. They love the potential for extra sales and food traffic but hate the stress and uncertainty. If you're struggling to come up with holiday marketing ideas that will get people in the door (and spending money), never fear! The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce compiled a list of tried and tested holiday marketing techniques that are sure to help your small business succeed this holiday season.Host a Workshop Workshops are
Meet our Board Member: Brad Gosselin
Tell us a little bit about your mission and your role - Bridgewell inspires hope and empowers people experiencing life challenges to achieve their fullest potential. My role as Institutional Giving Manager is to work with our corporate sponsors and donors and also write all corporate, private, and foundational grants.Why is your business a member of the PACC - Bridgewell believes very strongly to be a part of the communities and business communities in the areas it provides services. A business can
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Meet our Board Member: Carolina Trujillo
Tell us a little bit about your company, profession or service? I am the executive director of Citizens Inn. Citizens helps families and individuals who are experiencing a housing crisis or food insecurity by providing them with a safe place to stay and a meal on the table offering tools to empower them to find permanent solutions to break the patterns of instability in their lives. Why is your business a member of PACC - We believe in the power of teamwork and understand that it takes more than one
Meet the Member: Ruggiero Family Memorial Home
Tell us a little bit about your company, profession or service? Ruggiero Family Memorial Home is a full service funeral, cremation and memorial service provider owned and operated by Joseph (Joe) and Cathryn (Catie) Ruggiero with the support of company founder Joseph (Joe Sr.). We have opened up a new location in the heart of Peabody with the goal of servicing the Peabody and greater North Shore communities. Ruggiero Family Memorial Home prides itself on personalized services to fit the unique needs
Meet the Member: Gravoc
Name of Business – GraVoc Owners: Cathy and Dave Gravel Tell us a little bit about your company, profession or service: For the past 28 years GraVoc has taken a common sense approach to addressing customers needs with technology based solutions. Our process is first to understand what problem or need a customer is trying to address, and then identify the best possible solution using technology specific to their need. Our tag line is “Our Business is Your Success” and that is the cornerstone of
Meet the Member: Spectra Networks LLC
Meet Joe Silva. Tell us about your organization: Spectra Networks is a comprehensive IT service company dedicated to assisting small to medium-sized businesses with IT solutions including specialties in Managed Support Services, Compliance and Security, Amazon Web Services, and IT Support. We tailor all of our IT services to each business’s unique needs. We start by listening to the needs and goals of the organization. Our team will review existing technology and develop an improvement plan with
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SBA Announces Working Capital Loan
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced 8/30/22 that federal Economic injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available in Massachusetts for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses due to drought that began Aug. 9.The declaration includes the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester in Massachusetts; and the adjacent counties of
Using Facebook Groups to Grow Your Business
In any community, there are several Facebook groups that have formed around living, working, and/or playing in your area. Some are private and you’ll need to request to join. Others are public. Some groups are loosely veiled business generators for community leaders or professionals who recognize how important it is to insert themselves into conversations about the community. Facebook groups are an excellent way to grow your business. Here are a few ways to do this in an existing group. Do Your
Meet the Member: Jessy ElGhoul
Tell us about your company? Salem Five is a Full-Service Financial Services Company. We employ some of the top professionals in retail, small business banking, lending, insurance, and wealth management -- enabling us to provide expertise that is uncommon among community and regional banks. At Salem Five, we understand the importance of helping our communities. Through the Salem Five Charitable Foundation, we are committed and continue to support a variety of community organizations ensuring vibrant
What's Your Biggest Marketing Challenge?
When a business operator finally decides they need someone focused on their marketing, and they resolve to hire for the position, it usually goes something like this: “This position will be in charge of posting to our social media channels.” But if that’s all you’re doing, you can put that in the hands of the nearest thirteen-year-old. If you’re contemplating stepping up your business marketing, you need more than a scheduler. You need someone who understands the different kinds of marketing,
Meet the Member: Sandra Batakis
Meet Sandra Batakis, Owner of Sandra Network Technology Support & Consulting. At Sandra Network, we help businesses by maintaining and securing computers and networks so you, the business owner, can focus on your business, not your computers. I started this business 28 years ago because I saw a need for businesses to have expert IT support. We handle all things technology related with expert support, with a deep emphasis on computer security. Our mission is to ensure all IT functions are streamlined, and
Are You Ready for These 3 Workplace Trends?
Workplace trends come and go like snack carts, but these trends may very well revolutionize the way we work because they are just so darn appealing to most employees. But before we go into these workplace trends, know that they are not for everyone. Your business may not be able to function if you put them into operation. There are some businesses that simply require employees in seats, seats that are customer-facing in a central location. But if you do have the flexibility to adopt some of these, you