Chamber launches counseling & resource center
EMACC moves into new offices in Red Bank
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Lynda Rose, president and CEO of the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, sits in the chamber's new Business Counseling and Resource Center. Reference books are available to small-business owners and members of the public.

RED BANK - - Nobody would argue that it's a short distance from Broad Street to Reckless Place in Red Bank, but the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce has certainly "come a long way" in the words of President and Chief Operating Officer Lynda Rose.

"I started with the chamber in 1987 in an office that was literally a hole in the wall with no bathroom," Rose said. "We actually had to use someone else's bathroom."

The chamber eventually moved to another location on Broad Street, but that location was not ideal either.

"We had more space, but maintenance was a real problem," Rose stated.

All of this changed recently when the organization moved to spacious new offices at 47 Reckless Place.

"Our landlord is just wonderful and maintains a beautiful property," Rose said.

Aesthetics aside, the chamber has actually utilized the additional space to benefit businesses, residents and visitors alike in the Eastern Monmouth County area by creating a new Business Counseling and Resource Center.

"The center is a natural extension of the chamber's educational programs and networking events," said Rose."

The center, located in a comfortable room complete with high-backed leather chairs, a shiny oval table and a lending library full of the latest books on business, will offer business counseling to current business owners as well as those considering starting a business.

"This will be the benchmark of the center," said Rose, "and now that we have dedicated space, we can advocate more completely on a one-on-one basis for people."

Rose clarified that the center's volunteer counselors are chamber members who are experts in their fields.

"Law, real estate, finance, marketing, banking, technology, insurance and public relations are just some examples of the industries represented," commented Rose. "Counseling sessions are also held in the strictest of confidence on an hourly basis," she said.

Rose also mentioned that one need not be a member of the chamber to avail themselves of the counseling. "Many people in the community are just looking for information," she said, adding, "There is no reason for anyone to walk away from this office empty-handed."

Rose cited an individual who called about starting a dry-cleaning business.

"The amount of environmental rules and regulations was just astounding, and I couldn't believe it," Rose said, adding, "I felt good about being able to help that individual."

Rose stated that the center can also serve as a meeting place for community groups and organizations that need space.

"The room will accommodate 10 people or less for board meetings or small gatherings. Recently, we were able to help the Kaboom! Fireworks on the Navesink committee, as they needed a place to receive orders, compile mailings and check e-mails," she said.

Rose also mentioned that the office has information in Spanish.

"Our database manager is bilingual, as many residents from the west side of Red Bank need advice without the obstacle of a language barrier," she noted.

While business is a large part of the center's focus, Rose is proud of the fact that the center will also serve residents and visitors to the community.

"The office has a wealth of information for people looking to relocate to the area, as well as information on schools, activities, tax rates, county parks, bus and train schedules and unique aspects of each community in the Eastern Monmouth area," Rose stated. "It is amazing the types of calls that the office receives," she said, "and many of these are personal in nature."

Rose chuckled as she recalled a call from a complete stranger wanting to know where her husband might be hanging out at night.

"I actually had my suspicions," Rose joked.

Yet the best memory of all, according to Rose, was the time a man came in seven years ago looking for an old love.

"He was stationed at Fort Monmouth and dated her during World War II. We actually found her listed in the phone book. The man contacted her, and they went out on a date. We told him where to go to dinner, where to purchase flowers, and where to find record player for her. He actually came back to update us, and though the woman was not interested in rekindling the romance, I was happy to have had hand in bringing two old friends together," Rose said.

The center will also be used as a way to assist people in finding employment, according to Rose, who thought of that idea herself.

"I call it matchmaking," she said, "and we will maintain a job bank from our members who inform us of openings in their companies. Then we will actually collect resumes and forward them to the employer members."

Rose took this a step further and said that the office will also teach jobseekers how to write resumes and effective cover letters.

"This is all about using the collective knowledge we've gained over the years to help people. If someone comes in here, we either know the answers ourselves or have the contacts to get the answers," she said. "I am a person who hates the 'I don't know' type of answer. The bottom line is that we are a resource to the community, whether it's business, personal or familial. We have the resources to give one-on-one."