It feels like articles about holiday spending in recent years have all started with the same intro—costs are up, consumers are looking for value. While this year is no different, there are a few parts of the consumer landscape that present a unique set of challenges for small businesses.

According to the latest BizInsure holiday spending survey, there are a couple of things you should be doing to adapt and thrive this Small Business Season.

The 2024 Holiday Shopper: Budget-Conscious and Practical

Forget extravagant gifts and lavish travel plans. This year, it's all about essentials and value. Consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation (again or still, depending on how you look at it) so it’s no surprise they are prioritizing practical purchases.

Here's how your small business can cater to this mindset:

• Position Your Products as "Must-Haves." Communicate the value and practicality of your offerings. Highlight durability, functionality, and how your products solve everyday problems. Don’t assume it’s obvious and they’ll know. Spell it out for them.
• Embrace the Power of Bundling: Create attractive gift bundles at various price points, combining essential items that offer value and convenience for the shopper.
• Promote Gift Cards with a Personal Touch: Gift cards remain a holiday favorite. Offer beautifully designed cards (or gift boxes), perhaps with personalized messages or small add-ons to make them extra special.

Winning Over the Younger Generation

While overall trends point toward practicality, Gen Z shows a stronger inclination toward experiences and supporting small businesses.

Capitalize on this by:

• Creating Memorable In-Store Experiences: Transform your shop into a festive destination with interactive workshops, personalized consultations, or holiday-themed events that resonate with younger shoppers. Make it Insta worthy.
• Collaborating with Gen Z Influencers: Leverage the power of social media by partnering with relevant influencers who can authentically showcase your products and brand to their audience. Don’t know an influencer? How about a loyal Gen Z customer? Give them a reason to talk about you and share their experience.
• Thinking Outside the "Experience" Box: Even if your business doesn't sell experiences directly, find creative ways to incorporate them. A bookstore could host author readings, or a home goods store could offer decorating workshops.

Leveling the Playing Field with Retail Giants

Large retailers are often thought of as more convenient and less expensive. That’s why you have to change the conversation from dollars to value. When it comes to gifts do shoppers really want to give the cheapest gift or do they want to get the most value for their money? If it’s the latter (after all, who wants to be the cheapo) then you want patrons to know how shopping with you is more valuable. Ideas include:

• Offering Unmatched Customer Service. No large box store offers personalized attention, expert advice and product knowledge, gift wrapping, and a genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere like a local business. Big-box stores simply can't replicate that.
• Boosting Your Online Presence. Ensure your website and social media channels are top-notch. Use compelling images and descriptions. Ensure you have a seamless online ordering process.
• Providing Competitive Shipping and Delivery: While you may not have Amazon's logistics network, offer reliable and affordable shipping options, including in-store pickup or local delivery services. You don’t want inconvenience to be a justification for not shopping with you.

Harnessing the Strength of Community

This holiday season, community matters more than ever. Don’t discount its power. People are enjoying and feeling good about supporting local. Here’s how you can be an even bigger part of the community:

• Join Forces with Fellow Small Businesses: Collaborate on joint promotions, cross-promote each other's products, or participate in local holiday markets to expand your reach and create a sense of community spirit.
• Give Back Through Charitable Partnerships: Partner with a local charity to donate a portion of your holiday sales. This not only benefits a worthy cause but also enhances your brand image and resonates with socially conscious consumers. If you sell something that I child would be interested in, give a discount to those who are purchasing for an Angel Tree or a toy collection program. Let the nonprofit community know you’re doing that, and they may give you a shout out and direct some people your way.
• Nurture Customer Relationships: Actively engage with your customers through social media, email newsletters, and personalized in-store interactions to build lasting relationships and foster loyalty. Listen on social media and in online communities for people asking for gift ideas.

 

Don't Overlook the Holiday Essentials

Finally, remember the tried-and-true tactics that always contribute to a successful holiday season:

• Running Festive Promotions and Discounts. We could all use those right now.
• Extending Shopping Hours. Cater to busy shoppers by offering extended hours or special shopping events during evenings and weekends, making it more convenient for them to visit your store.
• Creating a Welcoming In-Store Environment: Ensure your store is well-stocked, neatly organized, and festively decorated to create a positive and enjoyable shopping experience.

You don’t have to convince people you are the cheapest store on the block. You just have to give them a reason to want to buy from you and that comes out of festive experiences and good value.

To register as either a candy vendor or for the window decorating contest, visit Civic Review - Permit & Licensing Software. 

The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Grain Valley will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions. 

Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel of judges review the essays, the top 20 students will be selected to advance to their local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge. The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce will host its local competition in the spring of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes worth at least $500 for the first-place student.

Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious prizes throughout the competition. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship. Winners from each of the local competitions across Missouri will be invited to take part in the state finals. The first-place winner of the state finals will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in the Fall of 2025.

 “Informed and active citizens are the cornerstone of a strong community, economy, and workforce. The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to host the National Civics Bee® to promote greater civic knowledge in Missouri,” Cory Unrein, Director of Business Development for the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce said.

“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee® provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation said.

For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Missouri, visit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce - National Civics Bee (growgrainvalley.org) or nationalcivicsbee.org.  

For interview requests or additional information, please contact info@growgrainvalley.org.

About National Civics Bee®

The National Civics Bee®, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust®, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee® helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee® is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.

If you want to remain top-of-mind with your customers (as well as nurture people who are interested in your business, but not yet buying from you), you need to be able to stay in touch. While social media may seem like a good first step, you’re limited in how often your audience sees your posts. And you’re not in control of the algorithms that impact that so…

You need to start building your email list. With a list, you can stay in touch and remain top-of-mind by sending newsletters, discount coupons, information on events, and specials. You’re more likely to be able to bring customers in the door with a strong list and it also gives them something to talk about and circulate among their friends. Plus, 92% of online adults use email regularly (not sure what the other 8% are doing when they’re online but whatever). And you don’t have to worry about the “social media powers that be” keeping your messaging from those you want to see it.

There are many ways to build a list. To capture online emails, you simply offer something of value (video, course, checklist, or other exclusive content) in exchange for an email. You’ll also want to be clear that they will hear from you on occasion. Make sure you give them the option to opt-out as well.

But how do you build your email list outside of a lead magnet?

25 Ways to Build an Awesome Email List

1.      Host webinars or courses.
2.      Run contests or giveaways. Incentivize sign-ups by offering prizes relevant to your target audience.
3.      Include sign-up forms on your website. Make it easy for visitors to subscribe on high-traffic spots like your homepage, blog posts, and landing pages.
4.      Promote your email list on social media. Encourage followers to sign up for exclusive content or updates. Let them know what they’ll receive. Discounts are a top motivator for sign-ups.
5.      Run targeted ads. Use social media advertising platforms to reach a specific audience and promote your email list sign-up.
6.      Add a sign-up form to your email signature.
7.      Offer referral bonuses. Encourage existing subscribers to spread the word by offering rewards for referrals.
8.      Run exit-intent popups. These popups appear when a visitor looks like they’re about to leave your website. Offer a last-minute incentive to subscribe.
9.      Partner with other businesses. Cross-promote your email lists with businesses that complement your offerings.
10. Host Q&A sessions or live chats. Offer valuable interaction and require email sign-up to participate.
11. Run interactive polls or surveys. Gather valuable data while building your email list. If results would appeal to your audience, offer to send them the conclusions for their email.
12. Offer free trials or consultations. Capture leads interested in your paid services.
13. Repurpose content into email newsletters. Provide ongoing value to keep subscribers engaged.
14. Offer a challenge. These can be live videos or pre-recorded content, or emails sent daily. Length of challenges can vary so get creative.
15. Run interactive content like quizzes or games.
16. Offer loyalty programs or rewards. Give subscribers points or discounts for signing up and taking specific actions (e.g., opening emails, referring friends).
17. Utilize offline methods. Collect email addresses at events, trade shows, or through in-person interactions.
18. Use a QR code. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, place a QR code next to your register that directs to a VIP customer list they can join. Give a discount on their next purchase for signing up.
19. Retarget website visitors. Use website retargeting ads to remind visitors who haven't subscribed yet about your valuable content and email list.
20. Create a CTA. Add a call-to-action to join your email list wherever you’re giving value such as blog posts, newsletters, videos, etc.
21. Leaving comments. While I’m not a big fan of this one, if you have an engaged and vocal audience, you can require an email address to leave comments on your blog.
22. Write for a third-party. Reach a bigger audience by writing for LinkedIn or Medium. Make sure you add a call-to-action to join your email list.
23. Tease content. Just as trailers for movies whet a moviegoer’s appetite to see the upcoming film, post small bits of content with “read more” links to see the entire article for the price of an email. Many newspapers have adopted this strategy.
24. Create a game. The New York Times has cashed in big on this approach. Want to know how you did against the Wordle Bot? You’re going to pay for that with your email (and a few dollars).
25. Guest blog. Write for someone else and add a CTA to join your newsletter to stay in touch.

If you want to increase sales, you need to find a way to stay top-of-mind with your audience. An email list is one of the strongest, most versatile ways to do this. Your audience’s preferences on offers may vary so try several of these strategies and you’ll see subscribers (and sales) grow.

Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and is currently reading three books at once.

_______________________________________

Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

by Addie Rainbolt, GVCC Marketing Intern

Royer Funeral Home has three locations: Grain Valley, Oak Grove and Royer’s New Salem in Independence.

Ashley Fulford, Royer Funeral Home’s after care specialist, community engagement liaison and funeral director apprentice, said Royer Funeral Home has been offering a tradition of caring for 65 years.

Royer Funeral Home is family owned, Fulford said, which helps assure clients their loved ones are being cared for like family.

The funeral director staff travel between the three locations, Fulford said, depending on the family’s needs.

Royer Funeral Home also offers cremation services, Fulford said, which is “really nice because we can provide all that care in-house with our own crematory that we run and operate.”

All care Royer Funeral Home provides is done with sincerity. Fulford explains, “there’s just so much purpose around being able to care for someone’s loved ones in those last moments so they can say goodbye the way they need to.”

Although everyone is going to need funeral services at some point, Fulford said, Royer Funeral Home wants to begin and continue their relationship with the community outside of these services.

Royer Funeral Home initiates these relationships with the aftercare program and intentional community involvement.

Some of Royer's recent community outreach events include The Memorial Rock Garden Picnic, a “Don’t Dread, Plan Ahead” Q and A panel, the Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a graveside wreath making workshop.

This year, Royer Funeral Home will host two Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremonies, one in Grain Valley and one in Oak Grove. Royer Funeral Home will also host another “Don’t Dread, Plan Ahead” Q and A panel and Memorial Rock Garden Picnic next year.

Royer Funeral Home also wants to carry on the legacies of loved ones, Fulford said. “When someone passes away, you don’t want that to be the end. You want their legacy to continue.”

Intentionally creating and maintaining a relationship with the community helps accomplish this, too, Fulford said, because “your loved one lives on through you.” 

Website: http://royerfuneralhome.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royer-Funeral-Home/390956508050565

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royerfuneralhome/

Ashley Fulford, after care specialist, community engagement liaison and funeral director apprentice, and Funeral Director Chris Reynolds are committed to providing dignified, respectful, and compassionate assistance to families in their time of need. Photo credit: Cory Unrein, GVCC

Photo credit: Addie Rainbolt, GVCC Marketing Intern 

If you are in a client services business (especially one where your clients might return over and over), one of the best things you can do to set yourself up for success is to understand who you want to work with and who aligns with your skills and talent.  

If you’re just starting off, or you’ve fallen on hard times, it’s tempting to work with anyone and everyone. But you’ll end up sabotaging yourself in the long run when you choose to work with the “wrong” clients.

After all, there are limited hours in the workday. If you’re plugging just anyone into those spots, there may not be room for the clients that you find the most desirable.

Why Do I Need an Ideal Client?

There are two reasons you should get very clear on who your ideal client is—knowing who they are makes them easier to target from a marketing perspective and you’ll be more satisfied with your business in the long run.

But how do you know who your ideal client is? Isn’t your ideal client anyone who can pay?

Hardly.

Yes, you want someone who can pay but that shouldn’t be your only criteria. It’s important to understand how to identify the people you work best with.

Part of that is defined by the nature of your business or industry. But part of it is also how you want to shape your business.

First, ask yourself the following questions to understand your ideal customer. They may not all apply to your type of business, but they are a good start. Then use your answers to adjust your marketing and design a customer questionnaire to ensure you’re working with people who are a good fit for the kind of business you want to have.

15+ Questions to Ask Yourself to Identify Your Ideal Clients

While it’s tempting to work with “just anyone,” you will be more efficient, happier, less prone to burnout, and more passionate about your business if you are selective with your clients.

Ask yourself:

• 1.      What kind of industries or products align with my interests/values? Conversely, what do I not support or have interest in?
• 2.      What kinds of projects take my professional growth in the direction I’m most interested in?
• 3.      What kind of communication mediums do I enjoy? (If you have a specific client possibility in mind, pay attention to their communication frequency.) Does their style align with mine?
• 4.      What level of creative freedom do I prefer? Do I want to co-create or create alone?
• 5.      How do I feel about being micromanaged? Will I market myself as an expert or an assistant?
• 6.      How flexible am I with what I charge? Am I open to customizable projects or just specific services as laid out in my offerings?
• 7.      Do I want to be on retainer with a few clients who control my schedule or have many clients and the freedom in my own scheduling?
• 8.      Do I prefer working independently or collaboratively? Do I thrive when leading a project solo, or do I enjoy the energy and shared responsibility of a team?
• 9.      What level of responsibility do I enjoy? Do I want to check-in and get sign-offs or only on final deliverables?
• 10. What types of tasks energize me? Do I enjoy the creative aspects of brainstorming and ideation, the detail-oriented work of implementation, or the analytical challenge of problem-solving?
• 11. What types of projects align with my skills and interests? Do I want to do, teach, or consult?
• 12. Do I excel in projects that require strong communication, technical expertise, or creative vision?
• 13. What is my preferred pace of work? Short quick projects/deliverables or longer ongoing projects? Do I thrive under pressure and tight deadlines, or do I prefer a more steady and predictable workload?
• 14. What environment do I like to work in? On-site, at home, or the freedom to do either?
• 15. Is there a demographic I love? For instance, maybe you like to work with new business owners in their 30s because you understand their motivations and you feel invested in the outcomes.

If you take the time to understand your ideal client, you will be much more satisfied in the long run. There are many people in the world you can help but when you find that ideal demographic, your work will be even more rewarding, and your clients will feel it too.

Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and loves her clients.

_______________________________________

Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

by Addie Rainbolt, Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce Marketing Intern

Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC is an American Family Insurance agency in Grain Valley.

Alyssa Scholl, agency owner, said American Family Insurance provides auto, home, business, health, and life insurance, so essentially “anything you need to protect.”

Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC is licensed in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio, Scholl said, and has been open for three years.

While Scholl was originally located in Independence, she said, “I wanted to move into a community that was growing and booming, and Grain Valley was the place to be.”

Scholl said she grew up in Blue Springs and has enjoyed watching Grain Valley grow and prosper. Now that she is located in the heart of Grain Valley, Scholl said she has gotten to experience this growth first hand.

When deciding to move to Grain Valley, Scholl said she believed she “could leave a bigger impact in a smaller community” because small-towns do not typically have very many local resources. Scholl hoped to become one of these local resources.

Scholl said the biggest goal of moving Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC to Grain Valley was to get involved in the community.

Scholl said Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC is unique from other insurance providers because they have a small staff. A smaller staff allows Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC to be more personable with customers and involved in the community.

Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC strives to provide excellent customer service so each customer feels valued, Scholl said.

“We’re not just an 1-800 number,” Scholl said; customers “are more than welcome to come in, we can go out to them, we’ll take phone calls,” or whatever is required to make them feel valued.

“Because we are so small,” Scholl said, “we do know a lot of our customers” outside of the office setting. Moreover, Scholl said, “They know us, they know our life stories.” Getting to provide them with insurance simply allows Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC staff to further their friendships with customers and fellow community members.

People are more than customers, Scholl said, “they are somebody that matters to us.”

“I’ve always been one to help people in times of need and typically when people are calling us for insurance reasons, it’s not always a pleasant phone call,” Scholl said. So, Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC wants to be the calm in the storm for those customers.

According to Scholl, most people do not typically think about their insurance until they need it; however, “when those catastrophes do strike, customers want to know that we’re here for them.”

Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC. being local “gives people a sense of peace,” Scholl claimed. “We want to be sure we can provide that to customers when they do have something happen.”

Additionally, because community involvement was Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC’s driving force of moving to Grain Valley, Scholl said they are intentional about their activity.

Their recent community involvement includes sponsoring First Fridays, the Grain Valley Fair, and supporting activities at Grain Valley High School.

Ultimately, Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC is “really big on giving back” and “helping out,” Scholl said.

Alyssa K Scholl Agency, LLC is located at 115 SW Eagles Pkwy. Its operating hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Website: https://www.amfam.com/agents/missouri/grain-valley/alyssa-scholl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssaschollAMFAM

by Addie Rainbolt, GVCC intern

Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley is prepared to serve and become part of the local agricultural community.

Fairbank Equipment started in Wichita, Kansas, “as a supplier of propane equipment to the oilfield and agricultural industries,” according to the official Fairbank Equipment website. 

“Like a generational farmer who learns the lay of the land, [Fairbank Equipment has] grown and adapted over the years into the fertilizer application parts and equipment business we are today,” the official Fairbank Equipment website states.

Justin Moore, branch manager of Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley, said this Fairbank Equipment location has only been open for less than three months. “We’re trying to get our name out there and let people know we’re here.”

Moore said Fairbank Equipment services and sells applications and equipment for the agricultural world.

From sprayers, inductors and fertilizer spreaders to nurse trailers, hydrous gas equipment and custom-made tanks, Moore said, no matter what you are looking for, “you should be able to walk in and get an answer.”

Moore acknowledged that “the [agricultural] world is not a Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. world.” So, Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley is not held to this structure either. If a customer needs assistance outside of regular business hours, Moore stated, staff members will do whatever they can to help.

Additionally, even if customers have an “off the wall” request or a service or product only they need to buy, Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley staff will still do whatever is necessary to get these customers what they need.

Moore described Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley’s dedication to its customers; staff members will “do whatever is necessary to take care of the customer” and “listen to customer needs.”

According to Moore, at least two staff members are always in the store to help find products and answer questions.

This staff is experienced and knowledgeable, Moore said. “Our average tenure in the company is 17 years, so most of the [employees] here have been doing it for a long time.”

Additionally, the official Fairbank Equipment website states the company has “over 75 years of industry expertise.”

While the Grain Valley location mainly serves local farmers, they also ship products nationwide, Moore said.

Fairbank Equipment has 14 stores in the United States, Moore said, so if customers need a product the Grain Valley location does not have, staff members can most likely order it from another location.

The official Fairbank Equipment website states, “This network allows us to serve our customers across the entire country from any of our branches.”

The Grain Valley location allows easy access for local farmers and easy access for quick shipping from the city, Moore said.

Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley is set apart from competitors, Moore said, because it is “not tied up with corporate regulations and rules.”

“We have a lot more autonomy to do what we need to do in the store to take care of [customers],” Moore said.

Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley wants to be part of the community, not just a business in it, Moore said. So, they are purposefully and actively working to serve the community and become a staple in it.

“Our business is one that relies a lot on relationships,” Moore said, and Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley looks forward to forming relationships with the local community as their business grows.

Fairbank Equipment of Grain Valley is located at 615 NW Valley Ridge Ct. Its normal operating hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Website: https://www.fairbankequipment.com/our-locations/grain-valley-missouri/

  

Feature article and photos by Addie Rainbolt, intern, Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce

Mindful Evolutions has brought the trending art of Pilates to Grain Valley, MO, allowing its citizens to experience this fun way to exercise alongside fellow community members.

Christy Cater, owner of Mindful Evolutions, said Pilates is a unique way to move your body that is beneficial for everyone, regardless of age or skill level.

Nevertheless, beginning a new fitness journey may be intimidating, so Cater offers her expertise to guide clients through this journey.

Because many people do not know what Pilates is, Cater tells beginners that some of the moves are similar to those involved in gymnastics and martial arts.

“Pilates targets the core and spine,” Cater added, which supports overall body strength.

Cater quoted a common saying that after one Pilates session, you feel a change and after ten Pilates sessions, you see a change.

While this may not be accurate for all clients, Cater said that after one Pilates session, clients begin to carry themselves differently because they feel muscles working that they did not even know they had.

People who practice Pilates “train our body to work the small muscles that support the big ones,” Cater said. In other words, people who practice Pilates are creating a support system within their bodies. This support system makes even the little, daily tasks easier, Cater explained.

Noticing these daily tasks getting easier “makes [people] feel like they're turning back time,” Cater said.

At Mindful Evolutions, each new client begins with two 55-minute introductory solo sessions for $98 total, Cater said..

These introductory sessions allow clients to get familiar and comfortable with Pilates while allowing Cater to see what each client needs physically and mentally on their Pilates journey.

According to Cater, after these two introductory sessions, clients can either continue with solo sessions for $90 per session or join a group session for $28 per session. Duet sessions are also available; two duet sessions cost $84 for each client. All sessions are 55 minutes long. Clients have a 12-hour cancellation window.

Group sessions are capped at six people, so Cater can maintain an intimate and personalized Pilates experience for each client. This small class size allows clients to “feel like they matter,” Cater said.

This intimate Pilates experience also sets Mindful Evolutions apart from other Pilates studios or gyms, Cater said, because she intentionally prioritizes each individual’s story. Through this story, Cater is guiding, supporting and keeping her clients accountable.

Cater likes to begin every class with a transitional stretch sequence to get her clients’ minds in the right place, ready to move their bodies intentionally and further their physical and mental fitness.

Cater said she enjoys being “an impactful piece of the healing journey for people of all different ages through Pilates.”

“Whether you are 18 or 80,” Cater said, Pilates is beneficial because it targets form, breath and core connection.

Cater recalled her own discovery of Pilates, “When I found Pilates, there were women that were twice my age doing things I couldn't do.”

Cater said she not only wanted to be able to do those things, but she also enjoyed the “quiet and intimate” nature of Pilates.

After practicing Pilates, “I started to see my core change and I started to feel stronger,” Cater said. “I just fell in love with it.”

Considering her own story, Cater said she strives to lead Pilates sessions that she would want to take.

Cater also recollected one of her clients saying, “this is not exercise, this is fun.”

Pilates “is hard and you do sweat; you do get sore,” Cater said, “but it's just a different way of moving and it is fun.”

Mindful Evolutions is located at 117 SW Eagles Pkwy in Grain Valley. Hours are by appointment.

Website: https://mindfulevolutions.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mindfulevolutionspilates

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulevolutions/

AI is certainly the “Belle of the Ball” these days but it’s also coming under scrutiny. It can save businesses a lot of time, but many professionals are afraid of what the adoption might mean. Is it right for you and your business?

First, unless you are off the grid, you’re likely already using AI for your business. If you use a grammar check, you’re using AI. If you’re employing a voice assistant or navigational assist, you’re using AI.

“AI” is a catch-all term for a host of business tools and capabilities. There are platforms like Bard and ChatGPT that can perform anything from parlor tricks of asking it fun questions and enjoying its answers, to much more complex analysis through enterprise systems. Asking whether you should use AI is a bit like asking, “should I take transportation to get to my destination” when you’re already on a scooter. The answer depends on where you’re going and what method (of transportation) you are asking about. For instance, if you want some new website copy, you don’t need an enterprise AI system. The free version of ChatGPT is fine (with your guidance, of course).

Whether you should use AI depends on various factors, including the nature of your business, your specific goals, budget, and the resources you have available. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

Considerations in Using AI for Business

Business Objectives

First and foremost, consider how AI will align with your business objectives. AI can be used for improving efficiency, automating tasks, enhancing customer experiences, making data-driven decisions, and helping you do more with your limited resources.

Competitive Advantage

Evaluate whether AI can give you a competitive edge. In some industries, AI can be a game-changer, enabling you to offer better products or services, optimize processes, or gain insights that your competitors may not have. In other industries, it might be best used as a search engine or preliminary content creator.

Data Availability

AI relies on data. If you’re going to have it analyze anything for you, then you need to have access to relevant, high-quality data to train and deploy AI models. If you lack the necessary data, you may need to invest in data collection and management first.

Budget

AI development and implementation can be costly. Consider whether your business has the budget to invest in AI, which includes expenses for software, hardware, talent, and ongoing maintenance.

Skill and Expertise

Building and deploying advanced AI solutions require expertise in machine learning, data science, and software development. You can hire AI professionals, outsource the work, or seek AI platforms and tools that require less technical expertise. Your ultimate desired results will shape the forms of AI (the scale and complexity) that you require.

Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

Depending on your industry and location, there may be regulations and ethical considerations related to AI usage. Some countries have banned it or regulated its usage. The Biden administration has voiced some concerns over ensuring digital safety.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Some AI is free while some requires a minimal investment ($20 per month). Other types of AI require major company initiatives. There’s an entry point for every business and budget. Evaluate the potential ROI of implementing AI. How will it impact your revenue, cost savings, or customer satisfaction?

Risks

AI is not always right. If it doesn’t know the answer to your question, it won’t reply that it doesn’t know. It will find the closest answer it can. That means using this tool comes with uncertainties and risks. Question responses, edit copy generated by AI. Speaking of risks, let’s talk about a few cons before you decide on adoption.

The Cons Behind AI

These are all solid points and questions you can ask yourself when deciding to implement AI on a beginning or more robust scale. However, it’s important to note that AI is not without its cons. Content generated by AI is not protected by the US Copyright Office. The creators of platforms like ChatGPT are also quick to point out that mistakes (or hallucinations as many industry people call them) can happen when asking it questions or having it create content. It’s not great at stats or dates, sometimes even quotes (sort of like that best friend who knows a little bit about everything and occasionally says something where you question their source).

Some large companies have blocked internal ChatGPT use (for instance), including JPMorgan Chase, Apple, Verizon, Spotify and Accenture, according to AI content detector Originality.AI, with several citing privacy and security concerns. Additionally, Italy was the first western nation to ban ChatGPT citing that it was easier to ban it than regulate it. Business leaders have also expressed worries about employees keying proprietary information into ChatGPT and their sensitive information emerging as an output by the tool elsewhere.

Should you use AI in your business? Unless you’re making a conscious decision to avoid it, you probably already are. But how much of your operations are machine driven is a choice. While you may not be ready to jump on the AI bandwagon fully, there are a lot of business efficiencies it can help you with. Creating copy and written communications is one of these areas. But just as you wouldn’t place a plank of wood in front of a circular saw and expect a house from it, you need to guide the process to create exactly what you’re looking for.

Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and believes the world would be a better place if we all had our own theme song that played when we entered the room. What would yours be?

_______________________________________

Twitter: @christinagsmith

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith