Let KOSBE Be the Conduit ... That Connects Your Small Business to New Customers & Resources
 


     









Did you know that every purchase you make is a vote for or against independent small business owners and their families, local job creation, and community economic self-sufficiency?  

Buying local shows you care about the livelihood of your neighbors and friends, and preserving local traditions, crafts, and trades.  Before you buy, review our listing of local small businesses that can provide goods and services such as childcare, landscaping, clothing, surveillance and security solutions, beauty products and treatments, home and office furnishings, transportation, graphic design, web site development, engineering, research, language translation services, specialty grocery items, catering and burial products.

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Now Offering Teeth Whitening & Eyelash Extensions | Experienced Licensed Estheticians | Private Spa Rooms
Kingsport Town Center (formerly Fort Henry Mall), Kingsport, TN
Phone 423-247-6262 (MAMA)

by Aundrea Wilcox
KOSBE Executive Director 

August 2008

Starting a business is the easy part.

Most small businesses (startups and established companies) do not have a documented business plan; if they do, the plan is generic and the owner has no intention to implement the plan presented.  It's no surprise that most new businesses fail before they reach the five-year mark.  Almost one in four of all businesses fail before two years and over half fail after five.  These statistics should scare straight any entrepreneur looking to start a business, but unfortunately they barely make an impression at all.  It's easy to set up a new company.  Walk down to the City Hall building.  Purchase a business license for $20.  Go to the bank and establish a business account for as little as $5 to $25.  There is no cost for a tax identification number if you apply online and are willing to wait a few days.  Face it.  Starting a business is the easiest part of owning and managing a small business.  The hardest part is planning.

Read More.            

Sign up for our short newsletter that provides new information whether you are considering a startup; have started up in fact, or are established in your small business. 

Read the latest edition.

 
  

 

2008 KOSBE Awards 

 Kingsport Chamber


Become a Chamber Member and start enjoying all of these great benefits instantly! 

Business After Hours
After Hours offer additional opportunities for networking. You'll meet potential clients, customers and suppliers from businesses of all sizes.

Fourth Friday Breakfast and Business Meeting
Monthly business briefings also provide a casual atmosphere to meet other business owners, service providers, corporate executives and community leaders, and make contacts essential to expanding your customer base.

Volunteer Opportunities
One of the most obvious benefits of belonging to the Kingsport Chamber is the leadership opportunity available through various programs of the Chamber including the Ambassador Program, the Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau (KCVB), the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), Keep Kingsport Beautiful, Leadership Kingsport, Government Affairs Program, Education and Workforce Development Program, 'Move to Kingsport' Program, and the nationally-recognized Fun Fest Program. 

Special Events Sign-Up for Office Depot Discount Program Now!
Kingsport Chamber members enjoy several special events throughout the year. The Golf Scramble and Annual Dinner are festive highlights to the Kingsport Chamber calendar, as well as several new events including the Tri-Cities Tennessee Women's Business Summit, Celebrity Roast, Annual Small Business Celebration, and regular Member Appreciation activities.


Shopping Discounts
Kingsport Chamber members save as much as 75% off a list of key office supplies including paper and extensive toner lists exclusively at Office Depot, with additional discounts for select items, and additional order size and in-store discounts on top of these savings.  There is no contract and no additional sign-up fee for this program. 


Membership Directory / Buyer's Guide
A listing of Kingsport Chamber Members that is often used for professional referrals to new members and local businesses, selecting catering options, identifying outsourcing alternatives, volunteer council member nomination/selection, soliciting general business community feedback, and recognition awards.

Supplemental Advertising and PR
Send a weekly broadcast email announcement to all Chamber Members by submitting a short announcement, which must be 100 words or less, include members complete contact information, and be received by Wednesday in order to run on the following Monday.  The Chamber is not responsible for errors  and omissions on the part of the sender, however, submissions may be truncated due to space constraints.  Otherwise, content will be published 'as-is,' and presumed to have been proofread by the sender prior to submission.  Use this channel to announce new store locations, modified hours of operation, job openings, awards and recognitions, product and service promotions, price changes, and other customer-oriented or public notices.

KOSBE is a proud Strategic Resource Partner

 

Ph (423) 392-8811 | Fx (423) 392-8839 | 151 E Main St | Kingsport, TN 37660
Contact Us | Office located inside Kingsport Chamber of Commerce

 


 
 
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