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Community Practice Feature: Invest and Share in Local Success

posted by TrueNorth Companies on Tuesday, December 31, 2024

As holiday spending hits new highs, Eastern Iowa businesses are stressing community support.

According to a recent Deloitte survey, the average American consumer is spending $1,778 this holiday season, an increase of 8% since 2023. Despite the uptick, the majority of polled consumers are opting to purchase from online retailers, department stores and mass merchants for two primary reasons: price and convenience. 

Amanda Zhorne, a TrueNorth client and owner of Craft'd, a coffee shop in downtown Cedar Rapids, understands the appeal. “As a small business owner, I understand the need that companies like Starbucks serve in our community, but I also want people to seek out small shops, like ours, because we operate with the intention of creating value right here at home.”

Craft’d opened in August 2021 and took on full operations the following summer. From the start, Zhorne has made a concerted effort to seek out local vendors when making business decisions because she feels they play a critical role in the community’s success. “While many larger corporations have processes in place to give back, local businesses are often the first to volunteer, support local programming and advocate for community development,” Zhorne explains. “For me, relationships are everything and I love seeing local businesses like TrueNorth contributing their time and talent to the same causes that matter to our business.”

Beyond a shared passion for the community, Zhorne values TrueNorth's accessibility and hands-on approach to insurance. "Having someone I trust to take on tasks, plan ahead and proactively follow up has been a huge help," she says. The support has given her more time to focus on running her business, knowing the shop’s insurance needs are fully met. 

Zhorne takes immense pride in sourcing local ingredients and doing her part to support local businesses. TrueNorth is committed to ensuring her organization and others have what they need to contribute to a thriving local economy in Eastern Iowa. "I believe every local business is just a neighbor or a friend striving to add value and do good in the community,” says Zhorne. “They deserve our encouragement and support." 

Cultivating a diverse local economy with NewBo City Market

For over a decade, NewBo City Market has played a vital role in fostering small business development in Eastern Iowa. On an annual basis, the business incubator hosts more than 300 annual events and attracts half a million visitors to the region while offering business opportunities and commercial experience to local entrepreneurs. 

In the past five years, NewBo City Market and its Executive Director, Julie Parisi, have navigated both a pandemic and a historic weather event. While no stranger to business risks, she feels a deep sense of gratitude for TrueNorth’s claims guidance and support, especially in the critical days following the 2020 derecho. “Having a local team make themselves available to help us navigate that claims process was invaluable.” she recalls.

Parisi also appreciates TrueNorth’s proactive approach to risk management. "They've taken the time to sit down and thoroughly assess the Market’s needs as we grow," she explains. “I feel TrueNorth is as concerned about our bottom line as I am, which makes all the difference as we continue to anticipate and plan for how the Market will evolve in the coming months and years.”

Earlier this year, TrueNorth’s Legacy Foundation made a substantial contribution to the Market's “Next Level Local” capital campaign. Alongside the generosity of others, TrueNorth’s gift will enable NewBo City Market to add a second level to their facility, enhancing community amenities and providing additional support to local entrepreneurs.

The partnership between NewBo City Market and TrueNorth exemplifies how businesses can work together to support area initiatives and jointly contribute to a vibrant local economy. "If NewBo City Market didn't focus on championing local business, we’d simply cease to exist," Parisi explains. The market's dedication to local entrepreneurs and small businesses is critical to ensure it remains a cherished landmark in Cedar Rapids. 

"NewBo City Market is deeply committed to supporting local, small and start-up businesses,” says Parisi. “I’m proud to say we work with local companies and in the process, we support local companies. Having a partner and resource like TrueNorth only amplifies our impact; when we're all steering in the same direction, we can further define what it means to live, work and play right here in Cedar Rapids.”

At TrueNorth, we understand that a vibrant community flourishes when local businesses and individuals feel secure, connected and inspired. Our firm’s Community Practice is dedicated to building partnerships, providing industry expertise and engineering solutions that add value to area businesses. 

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This article was reposted from thegazette.com, click here to view the original article.

ABOUT CRAFT’D

With a love for coffee and the community, Craft’d routinely partners with other local businesses to source and provide a one-of-a-kind coffee and catering experience. Located on the main floor of Smulekoff’s Lofts at 333 1st Avenue SE, the shop is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. More information is available on their website: www.craftdcr.com.

ABOUT NEWBO CITY MARKET

Located at 1100 3rd Ave SE, NewBo City Market's mission is to foster regional economic development by uplifting entrepreneurs and artists through an equitable business incubator, accessible public programming and a community gathering space. The Market aims to create a supportive environment for historically marginalized entrepreneurs to start and grow a business while cultivating a thriving social space for residents and tourists to experience arts and culture in Cedar Rapids. The Market’s “Next Level” capital campaign will add nearly 8000 square feet of new space for amenities and programs, including new space for shopkeepers, a grocery store, recording studio, mental health therapy office and food processing community kitchen. Market Shopkeeper Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more about the Market’s “Next Level Local” expansion project and capital campaign on their website: www.newbocitymarket.org/nextlevel.