We will provide the candy and other handouts, but would love some young professionals to join us! If you’d like to volunteer, please contact us at flex@venangochamber.org.
Can’t attend but want to join us at a future community event? We’re planning to decorate a tree for the Barrow-Civic Theatre’s display this year. Stay tuned for details!
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) October 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
Tell us about Franklin Insurance. Franklin Insurance Agency is located in downtown Franklin. We are an independent insurance agency, which allows us to work with a wide variety of reputable insurance companies to satisfy your needs. We don’t work for the insurance companies; we work for you!
What is your role at Franklin Insurance? My role as an Agent and Customer Service Representative at Franklin Insurance is to help individuals, families, and businesses with their income, retirement, and protection planning. Additionally, I specialize in creating individualized and comprehensive financial snapshots for clients.
What is your favorite part about your job? The community involvement! Everyone at Franklin Insurance Agency is invested in making our local community thrive. We are passionate about supporting small local businesses. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our agency partnered with the Franklin Retail Association and gave away thousands of dollars in Franklin Retail Association gift cards that could be used at local businesses. In 2022, Erie Insurance awarded us the “Giving Agency of the Year” award and made a $3,000 donation to the The Arc in our honor.
What would surprise people about Franklin Insurance? We are 100% employee owned! Being part of an employee-owned company has advantages for both the employees and the consumers. Studies show customers receive greater value when working with an employee-owned company. Employee ownership offers employees the opportunity to feel personally invested in the success of the company, which leads to better service to our consumers.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about the business? We offer all types of coverage needs including auto, home, life, business, and health insurance as well as provide a full-service notary.
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) September 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
Tell us about New York Life. New York Life is the largest mutually owned life insurance company in the United States, as well as a top 25 money manager in the world. We have offices all over the country, however, I work out of our Pittsburgh-Johnstown office.
What is your role at New York Life? My role as an Agent at New York Life is to help individuals, families, and businesses with their income, retirement, and protection planning. Additionally, I specialize in creating individualized and comprehensive financial snapshots for clients.
What is your favorite part about your job? My favorite part about working for New York Life would have to be meeting networking and meeting new people. I have built a majority of my clientele base is here in Venango County so I am constantly getting involved in events in the area and doing everything I can to meet people.
What would surprise people about NY Life? I think when people hear “New York Life”, they think we only offer life insurance. When in reality we are a top 25 money manager in the world, in addition to being a top provider of business solutions and retirement. Some of the things we offer include: life insurance, annuities, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, business retirement solutions, and so much more.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about the business? A couple fun facts that stuck out to me when I started with New York Life are that they were established the same year that Florida became a state, as well as they are one of only two companies in the United States that have perfect financial strength ratings across the board.
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) August 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
Tell us about Black Bear Hemp Dispensary. Black Bear Hemp Dispensary is a retail chain of stores located in Meadville, Grove City, and Clarion. We offer customers high quality hemp products and offer a true dispensary experience. We are able to assist a wide array of customers from those suffering with debilitating conditions, to people who could use support sleeping or dealing with anxiety, and even those who are looking to just enjoy the recreational side of the plant as well. Our staff is highly experienced in the medical marijuana industry and has applied the lessons learned from that industry to Black Bear.
What is your role at Black Bear? I am the CEO, I wear many hats from developing overall business strategy, to installing compliance practices, operational excellence initiatives, and of course lead janitor. Overall, “leading the team toward our mission of becoming the local trusted resource for cannabis products” is probably how I would best describe it.
What is your favorite part about your job? Building a business with my family, Carrie, my wife is my right hand with the business. Black Bear would not make it far without her. She leads all of our marketing and educational materials and is really the heart and soul of the team. We have been very blessed with great employees and even though are other employees are not related they definitely feel like part of the family.
What would surprise people about Black Bear? Black Bear has really been able to help out the community. The people who shop our stores are friends and neighbors that I have grown up around my entire life. Being able to help residents of Venango and surrounding counties feel better though the knowledge I have gained has been amazing. We have been able to improve many people’s health. On top of that we donate hours each month volunteering and funds to support local charities when we can.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business? After nearly two years of being open for business, we still haven’t found anywhere else you can get a THC slushie. Come visit us and try one!
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) July 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
Looking to share or get involved with volunteer opportunities? Share them on our FLEX Facebook Group and connect with other individuals wanting to make a difference.
Don’t forget to snap some photos while volunteering this summer and share them online with the hashtag #flexinthecommunity. Let’s showcase all the incredible ways we are making a positive impact together!
This article was published in the Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange’s (FLEX) June 2023 edition of the FLEX Your Ideas (FYI) Newsletter.
