Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Thanks to a recently organized effort by local small business owners, a scholarship fund has now been established for entrepreneur-minded MHS seniors, and could be accessible as early as next spring.
Spearheaded by Ana Blair’s Boutique owner Vanessa Lazarz this past spring, the Merrill Small Business Group (MSBG) has not only grown to include 17 local businesses, but was founded on the principle of local entrepreneurial networking, to promote the small business community in the Merrill area.
“Owning a relatively new small business, I felt it would be a great idea to reach out to other small businesses to create an opportunity for networking and collaboration,” Lazarz explains. “Sometimes it may feel like you’re alone in a small business, even when you have several small businesses around you. By forming the Merrill Small Business Group, I hoped to build a sense of collaboration and communication amongst local small business owners.”
Lazarz launched the effort this past April, and was met with an immediate positive response from other business owners,
“This started out as an idea which I hoped would be embraced by the local small business community,” she explains. “When I reached out to other business owners, the response overall was very positive! Once we started building support, we moved on to create a Facebook page. To see the group grow to 17 members in just five months has been amazing!”
Once established, group members focused on a goal of creating a scholarship fund for future entrepreneurs.
The fund was officially established in July, and criteria for eligible recipients is simple:
•Applicants must be an MHS graduating senior, be a current employee of a Merrill area small business and/or have a family member own and operate a Merrill area small business and/or plan to establish small business in Merrill.
According to Lazarz, the current target goal is to reach the $3,000 mark by spring of 2019.
“Our mission is to promote the highest quality of life for our community, and empower the entrepreneurs of tomorrow through the camaraderie, positivity, development, growth and unity of the small business owners that support the Merril business community,” she said.
Current business members have hosted various events and donate proceeds to support the fund. Annual membership is $25, which is also donated to support the scholarship fund,
“Local small businesses give back so much to the community which is something we enjoy,” Lazarz adds. “But by working together we hope to take our community support to a higher level and contribute in a more impactful manner.”
Those interested in joining the Merrill Small Business Group are asked to contact Lazarz at Ana Blair’s Boutique (715) 409-0796.
The Merrill Small Business Group meets monthly at 9 a.m., on the first Tuesday of each month at various locations within the group. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m., Nov. 6 at the new First Street Coffee location at the Park City Credit Union Headquarters on South Pine Ridge Avenue.
Current MSBG members include: Ana Blair’s Boutique, Stacy Literski Photography, Utopia Salon, ReMax Excel Realty Lora Bladeo (contributes $100 per home sale to scholarship), First Street Coffee Station, Studio 808, Cosmo Theatre, Park City Exchange, CPR Computer Repair, Rural Mutual Insurance-Maria Volpe, Painted Door, Gress Chiropractic, Mudra Face Aesthetic and Body Work, Hersil Law Office, Ace Hardware, Ballyhoos and The Beacon.
*All MSBG members are easily and proudly identifiable via the posting of the group logo on their respective premises.