Chamber 'Optimistic' About Shopping Season

It's Black Friday, the start of a time everyone hopes will be prosperous for local merchants, many of whom run small businesses. The economy has been a rough ride for the past few years, layaing waste to more than a few small businesses all across the nation. 

With that in mind, Patch wondered about the state of small business in Parsippany. For answers, we talked with Robert J. Peluso, president of the and its Visitor Center.

Parsippany Patch: I know the chamber spends a good deal of effort in attracting large businesses to the township. What does the chamber do for small businesses? 

Robert Peluso: The Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce works with all businesses and merchants in not only attracting them to the Parsippany area, but also in retaining and growing them.  We see a lot of home based businesses and consulting services throughout the Parsippany Area and we pride ourselves in also addressing their needs.  In order to support our small businesses, we launched the chamber's to support our business community, while providing benefits to our residents.  The GPR card drives business to those stores and businesses that want to provide discounts and promotions to our residents.  In addition, our chamber promotes our area restaurants and catering facilities through showcasing them at our annual Taste of Parsippany which is made affordable to most residents. Many of our services are focused on community and economic development for our business, residents, and volunteers, but we not only provide promotional and networking opportunities, but also employment outreach services that connect our business community with the Parsippany area's talented workforce.     

How does the chamber define a small business?

The chamber does not distinguish between small and large businesses since we treat all businesses equally.    

Are new small businesses starting up in Parsippany? Is growth a positive thing or is small business development in decline? 

New small businesses are constantly entering the Parsippany area because it is truly the place to be for businesses as well as our residents and volunteers.  We always strive to find a balance between the businesses and residents of our community. Positive business growth stabilizes our tax base, but we must be careful in preserving the quality of life we enjoy in the Parsippany area. 

How does the chamber encourage would-be entrepreneurs to take the plunge? 

The Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce is a Regional Resource Center for the U.S. Small Business Administration and works with SCORE as their resource partner to assist in mentoring small business owners.  In addition, we work closely with the northwest New Jersey Small Business Development Center, which provides private consulting sessions with experienced business advisors, workshops, and on-line databases for informational purposes.

In general, what are you hearing about how the economy is treating them?

The recession was not kind to small business owners, but the chamber is optimistic about the holiday season.  We anticipate as we are promoting "Shop Local—Shop the Parsippany Area," this may give a much-needed bounce to locally-owned stores. 

Any tips for helping small businesses survive and even thrive during this economy and through the holidays?

In order to support the small business community, we are promoting residents to shop local.  If we can provide any advice, it would be to develop a niche in the market through quality service.  Invest in marketing and participate in community organizations to drive business to them.  The Greater Parsippany Rewards card is one example on how to leverage the marketplace.  It's also free and open to non-chamber members in order to help our local economy, but do not dismiss the benefits of membership which provides free and discounted marketing services for the business community.  If you’re a business owner, treat people the way you want to be treated because word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising and all it takes is one purchase to create repeat business. 

What makes shopping in Parsippany great? Why should residents shop locally this holiday season?

The Parsippany area is a great place for shopping because many major highways lead to convenient local shopping areas where parking is free.  We have a good mix of small, medium, and large merchants that provide quality goods and services.  Many merchants provide coupons and rebates while making recommendations for holiday gifts.  

If you had to characterize the small business climate, would you cast it as gloomy and Grinchlike or jolly like Santa?

The small business climate is a challenge today. One day it's slow and the next day it's busy.  The chamber expects the holidays to give a bounce to small businesses in career opportunities and sales. It's the holidays and we all would like to think positive.