Local Businesses Learn about Marketing Best Practices
On Wednesday, September 23, the Talent Business Alliance and the Phoenix Oregon Chamber of Commerce hosted a free workshop at the Talent Library to help small business owners get more out of social media without touching their budgets. Market Like a Pro On a $0 Budget drew local entrepreneurs from both Talent and Phoenix who were eager to sharpen their marketing skills.
About the Facilitator
The session was led by Danielle Benitez, Executive Director of the Phoenix Oregon Chamber of Commerce. A longtime Southern Oregon resident who grew up outside Gold Hill, Danielle earned both her bachelor's degree in Business Administration and her MBA from SOU. She brings 16 years of Human Resources experience from local and regional employers, including Motorcycle Superstore, Rogue Credit Union, and Dutch Bros HQ, along with a decade of service on the local SHRM board.
A Practical, Approachable Session
Danielle walked attendees through free, no-cost strategies for building a stronger online presence, from choosing the right platforms for their specific businesses to structuring content that actually drives engagement increases event turnout. The workshop showed that business owners don't need a marketing background or a big budget to show up well online, just consistency and a people-first mission-focused approach. Attendees left with ideas for new tools to try a simple framework for planning content.
Effective marketing is within reach for any small business, it just takes clarity, consistency, and a willingness to start where you are and give yourself a little grace along the way. Thanks to everyone who came out, and to Danielle Benitez for sharing her expertise with the Phoenix and Talent business community!
Missed This One? Don't Miss the Next!
Don't worry if you missed this workshop! This is just the first in an ongoing series of free workshops designed to help local business owners grow their skills. Keep an eye on the Talent Business Alliance and Phoenix Oregon Chamber of Commerce websites and social pages for details on the next session, and come learn alongside your fellow Southern Oregon business community!
RISE Program
This workshop is part of the new RISE program, a new initiative of the Talent Business Alliance and the Phoenix Oregon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with SOREDI. RISE is a free support program for hospitality businesses in Talent, Phoenix, and the surrounding area, including restaurants, lodging, retail, recreation, and the tourism sector.
The RISE program is funded through the Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program. Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) administers the PIER program with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help communities like Talent and Phoenix recover from the 2020 Labor Day fires. PIER provides financial support to the eight most affected counties in Oregon, addressing unmet recovery needs, helping to rebuild infrastructure, and supporting economic revitalization efforts.
