The Comox Valley Small Business Association, now in its 18th year in the Valley, hosts a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m. at the Filberg Centre's Evergreen Room. There will be networking from 5:30-6 p.m. The educational portion of the meeting runs until 7 p.m.
The featured presentation, to be presented by marketing veteran, Carolyn Touhey, is The Top 15: Marketing Tips to Soar In The New Year. In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas and the usual new year's 'Top this and Top that' lists, Touhey will present her top 15 recommendations to help you start or grow your business in 2015 and beyond. Touhey is owner of SmartBiz Strategy and has been a marketing consultant for more than 25 years. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and non-profits market creatively and cost-effectively. She holds an MBA and BBA with honours from Loyola University, and has taught for Loyola and Johns Hopkins Universities, in addition to hundreds of her own seminars and webinars. She says her company slogan represents her philosophy: Smart Marketing Equals Smart Business, commenting that it does not take a lot of money to market professionally, but it does take a strategic approach with image being a priority. The member spotlight speaker for the evening is Carmie Dixon, owner of Carmie’s Catering.
There is no charge to attend the meeting as a guest for up to two meetings per year.
Dues to join the group — which meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month except December, July, and August — are $95 per year.