News
Halide Photography Opens New Headshot Studio in North Reading
North Reading, MA — August 2025 — Halide Photography, a premium headshot business founded by Evan Schmidt, celebrated the successful opening of its new North Reading location this August. The 450-square-foot studio is designed to give professionals, executives, and teams a modern, stress-free photography experience. Clients benefit from guided coaching, multiple wardrobe changes, and in-person image selection—ensuring they walk away with headshots that project confidence, approachability, and
Strategies for Navigating Risks Every Founder Needs to Address
Launching and growing a business involves more than building products and finding customers. Every founder faces a landscape of risks—financial, operational, legal, and reputational—that can determine whether the company scales or stalls. Proactive management of these risks isn’t just defensive; it’s a growth strategy.The Categories of Risk Founders Can’t Ignore Business risks often fall into five broad categories: Financial Risks: Cash flow gaps, poor debt management, or revenue concentration in too
Your SSN & the BBB
This will be the first of a series on the Big Beautiful Bill signed into legislation. It is to keep you informed. We do not render an opinion nor get caught up with media or political blasts. It is solely to report the facts. You are our clients, and you should know. NO BS!!! President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act allowing those receiving a state or local pension to also collect Social Security benefits, assuming they had the “quarters”. This was a good act so that more money would be
Digital Stagecraft: Making Trade Shows Work Harder with Smarter Tools
A well-executed trade show presence used to be all about the booth—location, design, giveaways, and charm. Today, the physical setup still matters, but it’s no longer the centerpiece. What happens before the event opens and after the doors close carries just as much weight, and that’s where digital strategy earns its spotlight. By fusing traditional event marketing with smart, often overlooked digital tools, brands can extend their reach, sharpen their message, and engage audiences long after the floor
New “JUNK FEE” Rules
BOSTON – Ahead of the September 2 compliance deadline for new consumer protection regulations prohibiting “junk fees,” the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has released updated guidance to help businesses operating in Massachusetts comply with the regulations. Beginning September 2, these regulations become enforceable, and businesses must come into compliance. Promulgated earlier this year, the AGO’s “junk fee” regulations help consumers understand the total cost of a product or service upfront, avoid
North Shore Bank promotes 3 to VP, Reg Branch Mgr
PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS, JULY 23, 2025 — North Shore Bank recently announced the promotions of Vicki Cormier, Jonathan Johnson, and Erin Riley to vice president, regional branch manager. In this newly created position, Cormier, Johnson, and Riley will provide leadership and support to regions of North Shore Bank’s retail banking network, working closely with retail branch staff in several communities to deliver exceptional customer service, drive performance, and uphold the bank’s commitment to community
A Play Cafe with a Mission
The Children's Piazza is a play-cafe with a mission to promote healthy brain development in young children and support the emotional health of their caregivers, with access for all. About us: We have been serving the North Shore since 2014, and as a non-profit organization (incorporated as Community Play Workshop Inc) since 2023. Our play space is especially designed for young children to learn through self-directed play. Activities are geared toward optimizing social, cognitive, speech and motor
How Entrepreneurs Can Navigate Grants and Funding Programs with Confidence
Starting a business means embracing both the adrenaline and the unknown. Capital is the fuel, but finding the right source can feel like decoding a foreign language. Grants and funding programs are a lifeline, not a myth, yet so many early-stage founders get lost before they even start. It’s not that these resources aren’t out there—it’s that they’re tucked into a dense thicket of eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, and stiff competition. Understanding Different Types of Financial
Peabody Historical Society Spark's Curiosity!
Founded in 1896, we are a center for the collection, preservation, education, and enrichment of Peabody’s cultural heritage. With eight properties throughout the City, we steward an impressive archive of Peabody’s history.Let us spark your curiosity!Have questions about deed records on a property or old photographs of your building ?Interested in learning how to research your family’s history ?Would you like to take your family on a tour of one of the oldest continuously standing homes in the region ?Are
Unfair Unemployment Insurance Burden
Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce Joins Call to Protect Small Businesses from Unfair Unemployment Insurance Burden The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce stands with businesses in opposing efforts by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pass on the cost of a $2.1 billion unemployment insurance (UI) overpayment mistake to local employers. This error, which occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being placed on the shoulders of the business community—many of whom are still working to
Peabody, MA Small Business Owners: How to Move Forward on the CTA, BOI and FinCEN Changes
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
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
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 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
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