Inside this Edition

Chamber Networking Events

Festival of Trees

Holiday Celebration Party

Entrepreneur Spirit

The 2009 Frankfort Festival of Trees will take place from Thursday,

November 12th

to Sunday, November 15th

, 2009 during Candlelight

Tour Weekend. We are hoping to make this an annual event and one

of the largest events in Frankfort. Similar Festivals have brought in

thousands of visitors and funds to support various causes. With your

help the Frankfort Chamber and Downtown Frankfort look to develop

an exciting family event full of lights, exhibits and activities that kicks

off the holiday season.

The Frankfort Festival of Trees will be a multifaceted event, allowing

the community and fellow business leaders to view the decorated

trees and vote for the People’s Choice, Judges Choice, and bid at our

Silent Tree Auction. A portion of the proceeds raised through the 2009

Festival of Trees Silent Auction will be used to focus on giving families a

new, stronger, confident start in life through counseling and other ser-

vices, through the United Way of Franklin County.

The displays of themed decorated trees will be a delight for Festival

visitors. There is no overall theme for this year, so designers are

encouraged to develop their individual exhibit. Sincere thanks are

extended in advance to all those designers/businesses/individuals

who will contribute to the display. This invitation is extended to any

designer/business who would like to contribute to the success of the

event.

For a complete Festival of Trees Handbook visit the Chamber website

at www.frankfortky.info or for a registration form check out page 5 in

this month’s newsletter.

100 Capital Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601, 502-223-8261 Website: www.frankfortky.info Email: chamber@frankfortky.info

From the Desk of Mark Schmitt, Chamber President Frankfort Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Executive Board

2009 President/VP Program Dev. Mark Schmitt, Mountjoy & Bressler, LLP

2009 President-Elect/VP Community Dev. Suzanne Simmons, Whitaker Bank

VP Small Business Development John Senter, Ocean Breeze, Inc.

VP Membership Development Rick Pogrotsky, Farmers Bank

VP Governmental Affairs Dave Weller, A T & T Kentucky

Treasurer Bernie Smith, CPA, Charles T. Mitchell Co.

Immediate Past President/VP Economic Dev. Phil Kerrick, CCE/IDA

Directors

Charles Booe, Rebecca Ruth Candy, Inc.

Robert Brewer, Community Trust Bank

Jake Fisher, Frankfort Regional Medical Center

Rex Fowler, CENTRIA

Christopher M. Hill, Christopher M. Hill & Assoc.

Barry K. Holder, Jr., First Federal Savings Bank

Larry Luebbers, MainSourcec Bank

Lloyd Lynch, The State Journal

Myron Moore, KY Employees Credit Union

Robert Prewitt, DLZ Engineering

Jim Wallace, Buffalo Trace Distillery

Rodney Williams, Citizens Commerce National Bank

Advisory Board Members

Tim Ford, Toyota Motor Manufacturing KY, Inc.

John Shasky, Fifth Third Bank

Jonathan Vaught, McAllen Solutions

Ex-Officio Board Members

Harrie Buecker, Franklin Co. Public Schools

Jacob Huber, Frankfort Jaycees

Co. Judge Exec. Ted Collins, Franklin Co. Fiscal Crt.

John Esham, Governor’s Office

Ivory Griskell, Kentucky State University

Joy Jeffries, Frankfort Tourist Commission

Mayor Gippy Graham, City of Frankfort

Emerson Jones, Farm Bureau Representative

Chamber Staff Carmen Inman, Executive Director

Suzy Burgess, Administrative Assistant Christina Norton, Membership Representative

Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce 100 Capital Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

P: (502) 223-8261, F: (502) 223-5942 E: chamber@frankfortky.info Website: www.frankfortky.info

The time is now for entrepreneurs to stretch their creative minds and begin planning for an exciting future. Entrepreneurs grow the economy by creat-ing jobs and through the opening of new businesses and by creating innovative ideas that spur local de-velopment. Frankfort is ready for this wave of new

energy with the redevelopment of the McClure Building, the opening of The Grand Theatre and opening of several locally owned businesses. In 2008, there were 29.6 million businesses in the United States, according to the Office of Advocacy and Small Busi-ness Administration. Small firms, those with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of these 29.6 million busi-nesses in comparison, the most recent data from 2006 shows there were about 18,000 large businesses. As stated above, small business represents 99.9 percent of all employer firms in the United States. These small firms em-ploy just over half of all private sector employees, and pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll. Small business owners also has generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years, and have produced 13 times more patents per em-ployee than large firms. Of the 119.9 million non-farm private sector workers in 2006, small firms with fewer than 500 workers employed 60.2 million and large firms employed 59.7 million. Firms with fewer than 20 employees employed 21.6 million. While small firms create a majority of the net new jobs, their share of employment re-mains steady since some firms grow into large firms as they create more and more jobs. Small firms’ share of part-time workers (21 percent) is similar to large firms share (18 per-cent). The Chamber salutes our small business owners and entre-preneurs. We are asking you to share your stories, challenges and successes for your businesses with fellow Chamber mem-bers and potential small business owners, entrepreneurs and developers. It is our desire to develop Frankfort into an Entre-preneur Friendly Community. For more information on small business development, advo-cacy, lending, and research check out the following websites:

Advocacy - - www.sba.gov/advo Economic research - - www.sba.gov/advo/research

Small firm lending - - www.sba.gov.advo/research/lending.html Small business profiles by state and territory

www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles

** Information provided by: Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy

The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce are businesses and individuals who are committed to the continual improvement of our community, our schools, our economy and quality of life. Your membership is unique: not only does your investment work to address these issues, but it offers you access to a variety of opportunities to strengthen your business throughout the year.

Welcome New MembersWelcome New Members

Allen Lorton Beck Studio Photography & Design

P.O. Box 1783, Frankfort, 40602 (502) 330-3087

Photography & Graphic Design

Jacqueline Green Brendan Reid Imaging-Upscale Consignment 859 East Main Street, Ste. 4A, Frankfort, 40601

(502) 352-2898 Upscale Consignment Store

Brenda Phillips Busy Bee Consulting

P.O. Box 4676, Frankfort, 40602 (502) 352-0852

Business Development/Consultant Services

Doris Tipton Capital Cleaners

634 Versailles Road, Frankfort 40601 (502) 848-4212

Dry Cleaning Services

Kayenita Gallagher Equus Run Vineyards

1280 Moore Mill Road, Midway 40347 (859) 846-9463

Winery & Vineyards/Event Services

Jill Pendygraft Four Roses Distillery

1224 Bonds Mill Road, Lawrenceburg 40342 (502) 839-3436

Distillery/Manufacturer

Steve Jajczyk Life Track, LLC

112 River Oak Drive, Frankfort 40601 (502) 803-6092

Medical Information Cards

Nancy Butler Mary Kay Cosmetics

327 Westland Drive, Frankfort, 40601 (502) 803-1331 Beauty Supplies

Please stop in and welcome our new Chamber members.

Remember, when shopping…..

SHOP local and Chamber members First

Welcome New Members ContinuedWelcome New Members Continued

Albert Harris Roppongi Unique Domestic & International Products

300 Murray Street, Frankfort 40601 (502) 682-8516

Gifts & Accessories/Apparel

Steve Wallin & Don Fain Versailles Printing

P.O. Box 255, Versailles, 40383 (859) 873-5497

Printing & Publication Services

Rachel & Neil Vasilakes Wildside Winery

5500 Troy Pike, Versailles, 40383 (859) 879-3982

Winery &Vineyard/Event Services

Thank You Renewals

Aaron’s Sales & Leasing Adelia’s Bakery & Café

Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill Blue Grass Energy

Bluegrass Radiation Oncology Center Bottoms Engineering Buffalo Trace Distillery

Camden’s Auto Repair, Inc. CENTRIA

Century 21 Commonwealth Real Estate Charles T. Mitchell & Co., LLP

Coldwell Banker Preferred Realty, Inc. Commonwealth Cancer Center

Commonwealth Property Management - Bruce Rankin Crossroads Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

Cunningham Electric Drs. Burch, Renshaw, Wix & Associates

Elkhorn Campgrounds Farmers Bank

First Christian Church First Federal Savings Bank Frankfort Animal Clinic Frankfort Heritage Press Frankfort Plant Board

Franklin County Board of Education Franklin County Farm Bureau Franklin County Fiscal Court Funeral Directors Assn. of KY Gene Burch Art Photography Gilbert & Sons Furniture Goodwill Industries of KY

Membership Renewals Thank You

Graviss McDonald’s East & West H2O Salon & Day Spa, LLC

Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company Jim Beam Brands Kelly Services, Inc.

Kentucky Coffeetree Café Kentucky Distillers Assn.

Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Kentucky Janitor Supplies

Kentucky Portable Toilet Services Kentucky State University

Kentucky Utilities Longhorn Steakhouse

Lyons Do It Best Hardware Lyons Lumber Company

Mackey’s Commercial Mowing Mackey’s Janitorial Service Manufacturing Resources

MBM Corporation McAllen Solutions

McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, Kirkland Mitchell’s Clothing Store Mountjoy & Bressler, LLP Peach Properties, LLC

Randle-Davies Construction Rebecca Ruth Cafe

Rebecca Ruth Candy, Inc. Rebecca Ruth Fudge Shop Republic Bank & Trust Co.

Reynolds Self Storage & Apartments Roy Peach Lumber

Skees Quality Services, LLP Smith Promotional Products

State Farm Insurance - Daniel Byrd Stites & Harbison

Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC Topy America, Inc.

United Way of Franklin County Wayne’s Pharmacy Whitaker Bank

Women’s Care of the Bluegrass

Frankfort Chamber

Kicks off Pot of Gold What is the Pot of Gold (POG)

The POG is a new program hosted by the Frank-fort Chamber of Commerce. It’s a great way to build attendance to your Chamber Sponsored Event. For every Chamber event, sponsors of the Pot of Gold (POG) have the opportunity to make it a POG event. If any member chooses to do so, your company can pay $50 towards the POG Pot, the Chamber kicked off the first drawing at Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery in September. No one won this drawing, so our pot will move growing by $50 each month until we have a winner.

The Chamber staff will place ALL Chamber

Members (that we have in the database) in the drawing. If there are members (employees at your company) whose name is not in the Pot, then we can add them when they register for the event. All names will stay in and new members will be added as they join the Chamber.

If a member is not in attendance and their name is drawn from the Pot of Gold, then the pot moves to the next Chamber Event location and another $50 is added.

I know all of us could use some EXTRA SPEND-ING MONEY – so make sure you attend upcoming Chamber Events and that we have you in our data-base.

If your company would like to Sponsor an Up-

coming Event or a POG Drawing, please call the

Chamber office at 502-223-8261.

I-Com Innovations “Dependable Solutions at

Dependable Prices” (502) 352-0047

Www.icominnovations.com

I-Com Innovations is offering Chamber mem-bers and their employees a 15% discount on repair and services (parts not included).

For more information call Chris at 352-0047.

-----------------------------EXHIBITOR FESTIVAL OF TREES REGISTRATION FORM--------------------- Date: During Candlelight Tour Weekend - November 12, 2009 to November 15, 2009 - McClure Bldg. Time: 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. (daily) 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (November 15 only) For more information, contact Carmen at 502-223-8261 or email chamber@frankfortky.info

To be included in the printed Festival of Trees program, we must receive your completed form no later than Mon-day, November 9, 2009. It is recommended that all designers read and become familiar with the information in the handbook.

Please complete this form carefully and completely. This form is used for the allocation of space at the Festival of Trees along with signage and program information.

Name of Designer ______________________________________________________________

Company affiliation (if applicable) _________________________________________________

Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________

City_____________________________State __________________ Zip Code ______________

Phone _______________________________________________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF ENTRY: Please describe in detail the theme, color(s) and overall size of your entry so it can be placed in the proper division. Please see the handbook for restrictions. ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Please print designer name AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON THE SIGN

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Title of designed items: (i.e. “White Christmas”, “A Jingle Bell Holiday”, “The Tribute Tree”, “Regal Red”, etc.)

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Description

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Required Signature Date

Thank You Designers and Volunteers of Festival of Trees

A Program of the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce & Downtown Frankfort Portions of the proceeds will benefit United Way of Franklin County and their agencies.

I agree to design and decorate the following item(s) for the Festival of Trees:

Large Trees 6’ Donated by:

Medium Trees 4’-5’ Donated by:

Small Trees 3’ - Table Top Donated by:

Number of Trees Donated

Important message for owners & managers

Co-Op Advertising is a Win-Win with Frankfort Choice

The “Make the Frankfort Choice” retail initiative to promote more consumer spending for Chamber member stores and restau-rants has been underway for nine years and will continue in 2009.

The Frankfort Chamber will focus on co-op advertising this holiday season and into Spring of 2010. The more participation we have—the more we can save you in Advertising Dollars.

Grow Your Customer Base! Advertising leads to increase store traffic and greater sales. Therefore, co-op advertising plans have been set up to help retailers pay for advertising.

How does co-op advertising help you? Co-op advertising dollars are like money in the bank. They expand your promotional budget and allow you to increase the frequency of your advertising. That means increased store traffic and sales!

How can co-op benefit me, the Retailer? Co-op advertising provides an excellent opportunity for smaller retailers to participate in high-profile advertising programs that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

How the Chamber can help your business! 1. The Chamber will work with you and other Frankfort Choice members to create ads at no additional charge. 2. The Chamber will schedule co-op ads to run through the holiday season and into spring. 3. The Chamber will market our co-op advertisers throughout the 2009 Holiday with an ad in Kentucky Monthly Magazine, ads in The State Journal, Capital Living, and other media markets in 2010 , we will also place ads in the Chamber newsletter, and on the Chamber Website promoting our advertisers.

How do I participate in the Frankfort Choice Program? The cost of participation in the Frank-fort Choice Program is $75.00, which will include your business until this time next year. The par-ticipant fees are used to cover advertising in newspaper, cable TV, and radio, along with expenses directly related to this “buy local” initiative.

Frankfort Choice Co-Op Advertising Participation Fax Back (502) 223-5942

Business or Organization _____________________________________________________

Contact Name_________________________ Phone #_____________________________

____ Bill Me _____ Check enclosed ______ Credit Card Card #: ___________________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________

Mark Your Calendars

October Membership “In the Know” Breakfast Tuesday, November 10, 2009

7:30 a.m.

Location: Thorn Hill Learning Center, 700 Leslie Avenue, Frankfort

$5 per person includes continental breakfast. Advance reservations necessary.

Our guest speaker will be Ronnie Dunn with the Frankfort Optimist Club. Ronnie will be reporting on the

“Special Friends Mentoring Program” sponsored by the Frankfort Optimist Club as part of the Frankfort

Chamber’s Partnership in Education series.

Ms. Dunn attended the First Lady Jane Beshear’s Dropout Prevention Summit in early September 2009.

Ronnie learned a great deal about the reasons why students drop out of school, the impact on those

students’ ability to maintain a stable lifestyle, as well as the impact on the economic development of

communities where the dropout rate is high. At the Summit speakers stated time after time that the

responsibility of the entire community—not just the schools—to work together to decrease the number of

dropout.

The Summit linked the development of relationships between caring adults and at-risk students to a

decrease in dropouts. We cannot wait until students get to middle or high school before we take action.

Please plan to attend this very informative Breakfast Meeting and start the process of learning how you can

make a difference in the life of a child.

Don’t forget to bring your business cards, and be ready to introduce your products and services to fellow

Chamber members.

If your business would like to partner with the Frankfort Chambers “Partnership in Education” please call

Carmen at the Chamber office. We will be looking at ways our Chamber members can assist in our schools

and community.

Faxback Reservation Form

Fax to (502) 223-5942, or Call (502) 223-8261, or E-mail assistant@frankfortky.info

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Name(s)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Company E-mail Address or Fax # if preferred

** Reservations or cancellations must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9th.

Thank you.

October Membership “In the Know”

Breakfast

E V E N T S A N D M E E T IN G S

Frankfort Chamber Ambassadors Monthly Meeting

Date: 2nd Tuesday of the Month

Time: 12:00 p.m. Location: TBA

Need More information - call Christina at (502) 223-8261

2009 Chamber Programs & Events

Event: Festival of Trees &

T’wis the Night Before Preview Party

Co-Sponsors: Frankfort Chamber

Downtown Frankfort

Date: November 11 - November 15, 2009

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: McClure Building, St. Clair Mall

Event: Business After Hours @

Frankfort Regional Medical Center

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2009

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Medical Pavilion - 2nd Floor

Event: Holiday Celebration Party

Sponsor: Capital Plaza Hotel

Date: Friday, December 11, 2009

Time: 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Location: Capital Plaza Hotel

Ribbon Cuttings

&

Open Houses

Business: Edward Jones

Date: 11/03/2009

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Location: 76 C Michael Davenport Blvd.

Business: Kentucky Employees

Credit Union

Date: 11/13/2009

Time: 11:30 p.m.

Location: 100 Moore Drive

Membership Meetings

Event: In the Know Breakfast

Guest Speaker: Ronnie Dunn

Frankfort Optimist Club

Topic: Community Mentorships

Part of our Partners in Education Series

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Time: 7:30 a.m.

Location: TBA

Frankfort/Franklin County Community

Education 700 Leslie Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 223-3110 Mike Rosenstein, Executive Director

Frankfort/Franklin County Community Education at Thorn Hill Education Center is offering the following

classes. Please call Gina at 875-1481 for class cost and to register

Excel 2007, November 2 and 4, 2009 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm Grant Writing, November 3, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Microsoft Word 2007, November 16 and 18, 2009

CHAMBER MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Frankfort Regional Medical Center’s labo-ratory has received ac-

creditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists, based on the results of a recent onsite inspection. CAP congratulated the hospital for the “excellence of the services being provided, according to a news release. The lab is one of nearly 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. “We are very proud of this recogni-tion from such a respected medical society,” said Michael Graff, pathologist and medical director of the laboratory. “A commendation such as this further validates the efforts of our outstanding staff in accepting nothing less than excel-lence.”

Lovers Leap Vineyards and Winery recently received the Con-

cord Gold medal for its “G”, an American Gewurztraminer wine, at the Wines of the South Competition in Knoxville, TN. Concordance Gold is issued when every member of the judging panel selects the wine for a gold medal. Only 14 awards of this level out of 471 entries were presented in the blind tasting. Lovers Leap also received two silver awards for its 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cynthiana and two bronze awards for Riesling and Sloppy Seconds.

WAKE UP TO GATOR AND CRICKET IN THE MORNINGS!

WESTSIDEWESTSIDE FAMILYFAMILY CHIROPRACTICCHIROPRACTIC

1100 US 127 South, Ste. C Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 223-2001

New patients are always welcome, so call (502) 223-2001 and make your appointment today. Check out our website ww.westsidefamilychiro.com

Advertising with the Frankfort Chamber

Website Ad Space Available

Is your company taking advantage of Chamber website ads or membership direc-tory links? If not, contact the Chamber at (502) 223-8261. The Chamber’s website re-ceives well over 10,000 visits per month.

Membership Directory Weblink: $35 Annually Website ad rates are: Banner Ad: $290 Page Ad: $150

Check out the Chamber’s Award winning site at www.frankfortky.info.

New Advertising Opportunity Offered

Dedicated Email Blast $75 Group Email Blast - $25

Send a Dedicated Email from your company only. Promote your business or specials. See Example below… SAMPLE of What your AD could say…. Looking for a way to say thank you this holiday

season!

Dear Great Employee,

Thank your for the your great

work this year enjoy this sweet

treat from Rebecca Ruth Can-

dies. Happy Holidays!

Unemployment costs a concern to business Article By Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Gov. Beshear’s Unemployment Insurance Task Force met earlier this month to review the recommenda-tions and proposals of two consultants hired by the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to

address the growing deficit and the long-term sustainability of the state’s UI Trust Fund. Kentucky has borrowed more than $430 million from the federal government to meet its UI obligations to the state’s unemployed, and economists project this deficit could increase to $630 million by the end of 2009.

The consultants proposed two options to address the state’s growing trust fund deficit:

• Option one would allow a federal unemployment tax offset to increase, which would slowly replenish the fund over the next ten years; and Option two doubles the taxable wage base employers must pay on their employees to $16,000 (currently $8,000 per employee) by 2011 and would more quickly replenish the fund.

Other recommendations included in the report were:

• Establishing a new top tax schedule with rates set at a full percentage point higher than the current top rate; and

• Tying tax schedules to payroll growth.

Until unemployment rates decrease, the business community will likely bear some additional costs to replenish the state’s trust fund. Kentucky must not place its employers at an economic disadvantage during this period of protracted economic recovery with burdensome new taxes. As the task force prepares to complete its work in November, the Ken-tucky Chamber continues to engage its members and advocate for an equitable approach to minimize any additional costs on employers.

ATTENTION! SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS - Nominations for Kentucky’s Small Business per-

son of the year 2010 are due November 20th. Business owners from every state who have

been named as their state’s small business person of the year travel to Washington for three

days of small business related activities. One of the winners will be chosen as the National

Winner. Other awards include small business exporter, young entrepreneur, family owned

business, financial services, home-based business, minority, veteran and women. A special

award, entrepreneurial success, is presented to a large company that began as a small business. To obtain

information on the nomination process, contact Jeri Grant at 502-582-5971, ext. 224 or jeri.grant@sba.gov. KENTUCKY HISTORY CENTER—Highlighting History Fall 2009/Winter 2010 History Speaks!: "This Is Home Now: Kentucky's Holocaust Survivors Speak"

Wednesday, Nov. 4, noon

Arwen Donahue, former program coordinator in the Department of Oral History at the United States Holocaust Mu-

seum, and Rebecca Gayle Howell, photographer and faculty member at Morehead State University, will discuss the sto-

ries of Holocaust survivors who now live in Kentucky. Their presentation is based on their new book, "This is Home

Now: Kentucky's Holocaust Survivors Speak."

Food for Thought: "Kentucky: The Master Painters from the Frontier Era to the Great Depression"

Wednesday, Dec. 9, noon

For the past 30 years Estill Curtis Pennington has actively studied painting in the South. Join Pennington as he explores

Kentucky's paintings. A signing of his book, "Kentucky: The Master Painters from the Frontier Era to the Great Depres-

sion," will follow the program. Reservations are required by Dec. 4.*

Kentucky Historical Society Distinguished Lecture Series

Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, 7 p.m.

Dr. G. Kurt Piehler, former director of the Center for the Study of War and Society and associate professor in history at

the University of Tennessee, will speak on "The Common Soldier in Times of War and Peace."

Questions?? Please contact Julia Curry at 502-564-1792, ext 4414 to make reservations.

Faces of Entrepreneurship in our Community

One on One with Joe Graviss, Owner Graviss McDonald’s Restaurants Carmen Inman, Frankfort Chamber of Commerce

I have had the opportunity to meet some great and wonderful people in my time here at the Frankfort Chamber. Many

of our area business owners, managers and directors are extraordinary people trying to make our community a better

place for our future leaders, families and businesses.

In our Chamber Board meetings and various Small Business Committee meetings one thing always seems to be

brought up—Entrepreneurship. You might ask yourself what is Entrepreneurships? According to Wikipedia—

Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur which is a French word meaning one who undertakes an en-

deavor. Entrepreneurs assemble resources including innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform

innovations into economic goods. This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organiza-

tions in response to a perceived opportunity. The most obvious form of entrepreneurship is that of starting new busi-

nesses; however, in recent years, the term has been extended to include social and political forms of entrepreneurial ac-

tivity.

I could find numerous definitions for Entrepreneur on the Internet, but the one that caught my eye was from an Agri-

culture website. Their definition of Entrepreneur - A widely applied term, often used to describe passionate business

types that are prepared to go to the ends of the earth to make a business or project succeed.

With this definition in mind, I asked one of the most passionate people I know how they started their business, ideas

and suggestions for new business owners, and how he is able to maintain success in this economy. Ladies and gentle-

men, it is my honor to introduce you to Mr. Joe Graviss, Owner Graviss McDonald’s Restaurants.

1). How did your business get started? My Dad started working at a McDonald's in Louisville in 1961 and decided he wanted to be an Owner Operator and opened his first restaurant in Lexington (Versailles Road) in 1967.

2). How did you decide on this venture? In 1987 my Dad wanted to officially retire and asked my wife and I (I was a CPA at the time at Dean Dorton and Ford in Lexington) if I wanted to buy him out. McDonald's agreed to allow this only after I worked in the restaurants for 10 months (it usually takes 2 years, but I grew up in the business and already worked there as a teenager and remembered most of how to run the stations which helped a lot). I had to pay through the nose because my Dad "was never given anything and wasn't going to give anything away." The tax code highly favored in family gifts but not my Dad. So I made good friends at the bank and he got to stay in Florida. I then had to "put humpty dumpty back together again" as well as earn the respect of people who had been there a lot longer than me. I'm proud to say we have many folks who have been here well over 20 years and several over 25 and 30 years. Our Director of Operations, Jim Young, celebrated his 43rd anniversary this year. We've also been able to grow the business substantially. According to McDonald's, we're among the best in the Country now thanks to a lot of outstanding business people on staff and very proud of that feat and work everyday to keep it that way.

3). What suggestions or ideas do you have for potential new businesses? Find a niche and fill it better than anybody else , help others succeed and always keep a positive attitude.

4). How is your business able to maintain success in this economy? A great product, priced right, served fast in a clean and friendly environment. Being supportive in the community, being unselfish, grateful, helping others and following our mission of being better people and better business people everyday really makes a difference.

Joe owns restaurants in Versailles, Frankfort and Lexington and is very active in community

involvement, has supported well over 100 organizations in and around Frankfort this year alone

and is committed to all the communities he serves. Joe is the spirit of entrepreneurship and

makes a difference is so many peoples lives that Frankfort is blessed to have him as one of our

local business leaders.

Thank you Joe for kicking off our “Faces of Entrepreneurship in our community” series.

BIOGRAPHY OF JOE GRAVISS Joe Graviss is an Owner\Operator of eight McDonald’s Restaurants in Lex-ington, Frankfort, and Versailles, Kentucky with over 425 employees in total. His Bachelor of Hamburgerology came in 1989 where he made the Dean’s List, received the Team Leader award and a rare addendum to graduate tran-scripts from the professors at McDonald’s Hamburger University. Joe’s 8 res-taurants currently operate well within the top 20% in the Country as deter-mined by the McDonald’s Corporation. Graviss has served his community, the region and state in various capacities for many years. He has served the Federal Reserve Bank's 4th District as Business Advisory Council Member. He was a candidate for Kentucky’s 7th

District State Senate seat in 2004 and is currently Treasurer for the Dr. Daniel Mongiardo for United States Senate race. He’s the former Chairman of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority, former Chairman of Bluegrass Tomorrow (where he received the President’s Award in 2001, 2002 2003, 2007 and the Abercrombie Award in 2008), Co-Chair of the Woodford County Task Force on commercial, residential and small community design standards and the McDonald’s National Leadership Council Representative for over 175 McDonald’s Franchisees in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Graviss has been involved and an active board member of various organizations in the communities he serves including the Lexington Area Sports Authority, Woodford County Red Cross, Woodford County Theatrical Arts Association and former Treasurer of the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed to Kentucky’s Smart Growth Task Force and twice served as a panelist. He has served the Ken-tucky League of Cities twice as a panelist for their annual conventions. He was founder and President of the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of the Bluegrass until they merged with the Ronald McDonald House to become Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass. Graviss graduated Summa Cum Laude from Transylvania University in 1986 with majors in Accounting and Business Administration and minors in Political Science and History. He is a graduate of the Leadership Central Kentucky program given by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Graviss teaches The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People program as well as the time management curriculum What Matters Most within his organization. In 1997 he was chosen from over 14,000 other facilitators worldwide to be among the 5 recipients of the prestigious Franklin Covey “Facilitator of the Year” award. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and maintains his association with the Kentucky Society of CPA’s and the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Graviss also serves on the Nursing Home Ombudsman Association of the Bluegrass Board, Transylvania’s Board of Visitors, and the Midway College Board of Trustees. His wife of over 20 years, Debbie Graviss, is a long time board member and formerly the President and of the Woodford Humane Society where the board re-named their “Humane—itarian” of the Year award the “Debbie P. Graviss “Humane—itarian” of the Year” award in her honor. She continues her service as Co-Chair of their fabulous annual Freedom Fest Weekend. Debbie is an artist and designer who operates an art, graphic design and greeting card business. Joe and Debbie live on a small farm between Frankfort and Ver-sailles with a few bonsai trees, a couple of bicycles, his golf clubs, fishing poles, their Boxer dogs Ranger and Lilly and three cats--Trooper, Bitsy, and Pixie.

The Frankfort Chamber of Commerce Networking Events

We’ve had fun this year!!

Reality Store held in March 2009

Rodney Webber calls up the troops

during this hands on simulation.

Annual Golf Tournament June 2009

Above Eunice Montfort, Art’s Electric and Dennis Van Horn Signs Now and below Kenndra Siler, Ashwood Place show the love at our annual golf outing.

Get Healthy Challenge July 2009

Shown here are winners of the 2009 challenge with Chamber Director

Carmen Inman

Getting connected with our regional friends from Woodford, Anderson, Owen, and Mercer Counties at our

Business after Hours.

Frankfort Country Club

Business After Hours

In early 2009

Lovers Leap Winery

Business After Hours

In September

Thanking Our

First Responders

September 11, 2009

KECU employees Myron Moore and David Shera wel-come our first responders to the fifth annual BBQ event.

COMMONWEALTH CREDIT UNION’s 8th Annual “Christmas Miracles”

Silent Auction Fundraiser is HERE!

We join forces again this year with the Daniel’s Care Program of Hospice of the Bluegrass. Last year we raised over $15,000 for the children. This year we hope to raise even more!

Area businesses and Commonwealth Credit Union employees have donated over 200 festive gift baskets filled with lots of goodies and surprises! Everyone will have an opportunity to bid on their favorite basket(s) through silent auction. All proceeds of the fundraiser will go to brighten the holiday of terminally ill children in our state.

Themes of the baskets include:

• AUTOGRAPHED Balls from Coaches across the Commonwealth

ο Coach Brooks (UK Football)

ο Coach Calipari (UK Men’s Basketball)

ο Coach Mitchell (UK Women’s Basketball)

ο Coach Walz (U of L Women’s Basketball)

ο Coach Pitino (U of L Men’s Basketball)

ο Western Kentucky University � Volleyball Team Signed Ball � Men’s Basketball Team Signed Ball � Women’s Basketball Team Signed Ball � University of Kentucky � Weekend Getaway in Pigeon Forge � Horses – Tour of area Horse Farms, Prints PLUS Fun at area Race Tracks � Harley Davidson � Gift Certificates to help you GET FIT and improve your DANCE skills � Car Care � Travel – great way to see the State of Kentucky � Family Entertainment Gift Cards for Dinners, Hotel Accommodations, and lots more!

NEW THIS YEAR! All bids will be placed online at www.ccuky.org -select “Christmas Miracles” to place your bid(s). You can shop 24 hours/7 days!

What a great opportunity if you have not yet finished your holiday shopping! Everybody will be a winner! The terminally ill children will have a wonderful holiday and your family and friends will receive a great holiday gift. Bids will be accepted until NOON on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Congratulations to our Chamber Members

Lyons Lumber Company

100 Years of Service to the Frankfort Community.

Fit Time for Women

Happy 10 Year Anniversary!!

Early Years Orthodontics

will be collecting NEW gloves and mittens for the

Coats for Kids Organization

Bring donations to one of our three convenient locations 635 Comanche Trail, Frankfort (502)227-1931 109 S. Walnut Street, Cynthiana (859)234-5523 535 Wellington Way, Lexington (859)219-2344

Make sure to phone the office prior to coming to make sure we are there.

Donations will be taken October 19th-December 17th

Upon donation you will be eligible to win a new Sonicare toothbrush.

Be sure & ask for an entry ticket!

Frankfort Jaycees Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 5, 2009, 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Frankfort

For more information check out our

website at www.frankfortjaycees.com

Pre-Sorted Standard Permit No. 251 U.S. POSTAGE

PAID FRANKFORT, KY

40601

AAA of the Bluegrass Fit Time for Women Lovers Leap Vineyards Animal Resorts Franklin Co. Senior Center Mary Kay Cosmetics

Arbonne-Trish Pittman Frisch’s McAllen Solutions

A T & T Grasshoppers/Total E-Clips Miss P’s Kids

Avon Products Graviss McDonald’s Restaurants Phillips Hearing Center

Bob Allen of Frankfort Hidden Treasures Red Head Custom Cakes

Brendan Reid Upscale Consignments HoneyBaked Ham Roppongi

Busy Bee Consulting Howell Chiropractic Scentsy/Wickless Candles

Capital Plaza Hotel Julie’s Senior Helpers

Century 21Simpson & Associates I-Com Innovations Shoney’s

Commonwealth Credit Union Irish Sea Celtic Skirt Magazine

Cool Comfort Body & Sole Island Concessions Starbucks East/West

Crossroads Ford Juice Plus Stella & Dot Jewelry

Digital Expressions Photography Julie’s Boot Camp4 You Terri’s Catering

Eagle Lake/Smith Properties Lanham Media Service WEG Beautification

Elk Creek Vineyards LifeTrack, LLP Whitaker Bank

Family Tree Consignments Links2Frankfort.Inc.

A Time for All Seasons Business Expo & Showcase Thanks to Our

Corporate Sponsors

Special Thanks to our A Time for All Seasons Co-Chairs: Cathy Moore & Kenndra Siler, Ashwood Place Committee members: Betsy Mayes & Allison Langley, Commonwealth Credit Union and Maren Jajczyk, Avon

Thanks to our Exhibitors & Give-a-Way Sponsors