by Susan Williams, President/CEO

We believe business is a way to do good in the world and that profit is good, because it allows us to continue to operate and to have a positive impact on the future of our community. Too often, businesses get villainized as greedy or insensitive, especially if customers aren’t 100% satisfied with a product or service. It can be easy to lose sight of the work that goes into building a business, whatever the scale.

At the Chamber, we’ve observed the selflessness that it takes for businesses to show up each day, to anticipate what the customer and community expectations are, and to persevere through the best and the worst of times.

Our local businesses have proven over and over their generosity, sometimes to a fault, and that is why profit is important. It is only when businesses are profitable enough to be sustainable for future operations, supportive of their employees, and committed to their obligations, that they can give back.

A community with vibrant and profitable businesses generates the resources, financial means, and human capital (like volunteers) to get things done.

The next time you ask for a donation or apply for a grant, consider the vision and sweat equity that was invested, allowing the “extra” that a business is willing to share.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s June 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.