It's Good Business to Invest In Yourself!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 31, 2012

Jim Charapich

Invest in yourself this year. The best deal in Town is at your finger tips. The health care issue is coming at us like a freight train.  The messages that are encouraging food, health, and life choices are overwhelming. The messages vary from indulgence to weight loss.The bottom line is that it is no longer acceptable to be passive about your health.

With many of the decisions that we face, top on the list are often financial ones. I suspect that the health care industry is moving towards rewarding individuals for healthy choices while holding the same responsible for poor decisions. The transition in the health care industry seems confusing and yet there are a few things that appear universal.

First, our choices often determine outcomes. Proverbially, if we do the same thing and expect different results, our expectations will likely be disappointing. Make a decision to find solutions to the challenges that you face and gather the proper research from professionals in your life… Doctors, Health Professionals, Fitness Trainers, and others related to your health goals. We live in the greatest time ever to research solutions to our health goals.

Second, with your research in hand, set goals. Goal acronyms can help, such as S.M.A.R.T. - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Framed. It is important to do your research and use the research to set SMART goals. Goals are more about the journey than the end result. Having the goal in sight is important and exciting to achieve, however, the day to day small victories are especially motivating. Consider using smart phone apps for measuring and tracking your progress.

There are many options for basic fitness measurements such as calorie counting apps. Some of these apps also allow for calorie burn inputs for exercise. This is like having extra credit to work with in achieving your goals. Exercise can be fun when you know that you are getting extra credit for calories by tracking your exercise.

Finally, if your research allows, consider adding an element of competition to the fitness fun. There are many options here. One of the best local opportunities to compete with “yourself” is the Drop It program offered by the Culpeper Regional Health System. The Program will kick off in late January and offers an abundance of guidance in helping choose healthy lifestyles. Also, consider joining a fitness class to join others in fitness fun and accountability.

If you like competing with others, then consider signing up for a race. Again, using your research, choose a race like a 5K to begin with or something else that is consistent with your research goals. Careful here, signing up for a 5K can be a gateway, once achieved it can lead to a greater hunger. A hunger for a 10K, a Triathlon, a Century, a Marathon, or an Ironman… Today is a great day to sign up for the best race deals since most race prices go up after January 1st. Check out options at SetUpEvents.com, Active.com, or RegAthlete.com to name a few.

Merry Christmas Culpeper!!!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 24, 2012

Jim Charapich

Merry Christmas, clearly, warmly, sincerely, compassionately, and deliberately are the heart of the many greetings that I have heard this season. As I grow younger, it is ever more important to filter out the noise and hear the signals worthy of attention. Scripture puts it well in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.” (AJKV)

The heartfelt goodwill greetings of friends, associates, and neighbors this holiday season have resonated like a finely tuned instrument. As I have been in the shops and restaurants of Culpeper, I have found the mood warm and gracious. Some of this has to do with the holiday spirit. Some of it has to do with a steady local economy. Most of it, in my view, is a realization that we can make a difference in making our home a better place. One person at a time, one conversation at a time, one hand shake at a time, one smile at a time… As Brian Tracey says “if it is going to be, it is up to me.”

We were all moved by comments from Lisa Peacock, Director for the Department of Human Services, a few weeks ago. Her heartfelt comments to our legislators as they prepare for the 2013 General Assembly, paraphrased…”consider the needs of the community, they are not dollars in a budget, they are real families, real faces, real needs.” It takes an angelic leader to see the needs in such warm tenderness and to deliver the message with the clearest of heart… love.

Within the greetings for Merry Christmas, I also hear a confidence. There is a sense of optimism. This was most evident in the Grand Illumination of the State Theatre Marquee. The struggle through a tough economy with a persevering faith in the promise of an artistic renaissance in Culpeper is powerful. The lighting of the marquee was like placing the star at the top of our Community Christmas Tree, celebrating a very special gift.

With some expressions of Merry Christmas this season, I have heard a release from past hurt, a release from the things that hold one back, a release to hear a message that is bright and free from the noise and confusion.

Today, Christmas Eve, is a special time. We welcome the visit from Santa, delivering gifts representing a heartfelt best to loved ones on Christmas morning. However, the gift delivered in the many Merry Christmas greetings that I heard this season, prepares me for the celebration of Christmas morning, knowing that this “Merry Christmas” will last a lifetime.  

Merry Christmas Culpeper!!!

Valuable Principles for Business, for Life

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 17, 2012

Jim Charapich

Forgiveness, Thankfulness, and Mutual Respect are a recipe for peace during this holiday season. The pace of life can consume us in ways that try to restrict us from the solid footing of these principles. In today’s world of social media, we are often set adrift in interpreting words and phrases with meaning in the context of our all important perspective… And yet there is always more to the story.

As I heard recently in characterizing relationship disagreements… there is Her view, His view, and then there is the truth. The holidays are a time to allow yourself the freedom to embrace these principles… if for no other reason than you simply choose to do so… There is no argument against such sincere choices.

This discussion seems out of place for a business discussion. Why, because business is supposed to be about strength, profits, and goals… However, what value do they have unless they are enriched with the principles that are at the core of our nature? The better question is Why Not…

We are in a walk through this moment in time. The people and places are gifts given exclusively to us as travelers in this time and place. What is the true value of our efforts? What is the lasting gold in these experiences… Memories, Relationships, Good Will… Peace…

There is always the little devil on the other shoulder reminding us of the reasons to hold on to the hurts, pains, and transgressions… Where do they lead…

 Business principles… strength to forgive, profits from good will, and goals to serve as examples for those watching… As business leaders our opportunity to lead our community to greater prosperity is built on a strong foundation of such everlasting principles. One kind deed may be all that it takes to release a lifetime of good will and friendship.

I write this in memory of our dear friend Pennie. She was a faithful Chamber volunteer, generous kind spirit, selfless, inspiring others to see a bit of sunshine in every day. Penny passed away from a rapid form of cancer a few weeks ago. RIP Pennie – we will always remember the principles that you lived so well.

The "Shop Local - Support from Local Shops" Circle

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 10, 2012

Jim Charapich

They call “Black Friday” because that is the day that retailers go into the “Black” or turn a profit for the year. Yes, Black Friday is behind us, but the fact that a retailer’s success is largely determined by their success this time of year is important to recognize.  

As a community; schools, non-profits, and other organizations… we count on the generosity of our businesses during the year for donations to our many fund raisers. We use the items that they donate for prizes, silent auctions, and special rewards. Our businesses are asked daily for such donations and they deliver.

What does this mean to the community? Many of the donations go to help fund critical safety net services, educational resources, and for the needy. Public funding for the safety net is stretched only so far. Business donations are exponentially leveraged by the volunteer efforts of non-profits, fire & rescue, and schools.  

Knowing the generosity of our local businesses throughout the year, understanding the importance of their support to the quality of life in Culpeper, and that this time of year is vital for their success…. There is but one thing that keeps the system going in full circle. The cause and effect of this one thing is obvious and yet sometimes elusive unless we are reminded of the importance of these relationships.

The importance of supporting local business this time of year is critical. It is easy to forget the favors done during the year. Things are busy and we are creatures of habit. In fact we often search high and low for the best deal as we search for gifts to give.

However, our purchases are more than gifts for those that we hope to please on Christmas morning. Our purchases can also be gifts that give throughout the year. Our purchases are the very life of our local economy. The investment in our local small business through your purchases gives us the means to invest back into the community during the year; thus, keeping our safety net strong. Without a vibrant local economy our safety net would not have the resources to meet the needs that we face.

At this time of year when our businesses need you the most, at the time of year when you are spending for gifts and celebrations, consider investing your dollars in local small business. I have had more people tell me this year that they were able to purchase all of their gifts in Culpeper for their holiday giving. They say it with pride and satisfaction.

If you are a non-profit, school resource developer, or service organization please get the link to this article and send it to all of your volunteers. Please send the word out today. Support our local business, Yes the over used and yet critical cliché… “Buy Local” really does mean something. It means that when you walk into a business next year and ask for a support item, you will know that you supported them this holiday season in the spirit of making our safety net stronger.

Moving Forward Into 2013

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 3, 2012

Jim Charapich

The Culpeper Chamber will be a New Chamber on January 1^st. We are new every year! I would like to welcome the new Board Members that were appointed for an exciting 2013. Welcome Tom Boyd – ReMax Crossroads, Chris Ward – Maloney & Ward Insurance, and David Lochridge – Fantastic Sam’s; thank you for your volunteer efforts in helping to guide the Chamber to fulfill our mission.

Our mission is to be the voice of the business community working to promote, build, and support the most effective climate for economic development. We have helped cultivate the vibrant economy in Culpeper since 1915. I find a great deal of satisfaction in seeing the names of leaders in Culpeper as a part of the Culpeper Chamber history.

As I look back over the year. I find so many achievements. We have leveraged our member investment in the Chamber for significant returns. What have we done…. One of the most significant is the result of the advocacy with the Town & County in consummating the Water & Sewer Agreement. In the process of this agreement, we were at the table advocating the reduction of BPOL. We were successful in working with the Town to reduce BPOL by 20% this year. Every business in Town received an immediate return on their investment in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. We are mindful that there is more work to be done in working with the Town to reduce BPOL further. Please join us in this effort.

In addition, our members gain a great deal of visibility online through our web presence. This is not easily replicated. Our content, blogs, social media, and other information have been circulating in cyber space for years… All of which offer a broad and robust visibility in search results for the Chamber. Though this is not new, we have been a leader in online benefits. Our registration process, event management, and communication channels have developed with a strong team to deliver a trusted service to our business community. 

The net result for us this year is that we have grown 100 members organically through word of mouth; bringing our total membership count to over 570 members to date.  We work closely with other Chambers around the Commonwealth to benchmark our efforts with those of both large and small Chambers. One idea that came out of our State affiliation was the Women’s Business Networking Lunch. We had nearly 100 attendees for the first luncheon with plans to add two more this year.

All of this requires staff and a lot of volunteer time. We have built a solid, successful, and very thrifty organization. Our driving philosophy is to deliver relevant and meaningful value to our members and their associates.

We have some very new and interesting ideas to develop for 2013… Of course… what else would a good business be doing! Find out more about joining the network to expand your business opportunities. Contact the Chamber office at 540-825-8628 or go online atwww.CulpeperChamber.com .