Briefcase

Workshop about starting a business

The next Basis of a Successful Start workshop held by the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Marietta is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Washington State Community College’s Business and Technology Building, Room 103.

The first half of the workshop, presented by a business analyst, is designed to provide potential business owners with where to get information and how to get started. The second half of the workshop also guides participants through the process of preparing a business plan.

There is no charge for the workshop, but registration is required.

¯ For more information or to register: Julie Graham or Pamela Lankford at 373-5150 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Brown Bag summer sessions planned

The Brown Bag Lunch Series sponsored by the Small Business Development Center of Marietta will help business owners conduct an audit of their businesses to identify existing or potential problems.

The summer sessions will be June 24, “Management Audit;” July 22, “Operations Audit;” and Aug. 26, “Financial Audit.”

Using the Small Business Administration’s “Audit Checklist for the Growing Business,” management, operations and financial audits will be conducted.

All Brown Bag lunch events are free and will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce office at 100 Front St., Marietta.

Forum covers Ohio Healthy Families Act

A special forum to discuss the Ohio Healthy Families Act is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Lafayette Hotel. It will be conducted by Colleen Cook, from Theisen Brock; and Tony Fiore, Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s director of labor and human resources policy.

This new proposed state law would require every Ohio employer with 25 or more employees to provide seven paid sick days to all employees working 30 hours or more per week. Part-time employees would have to be provided a pro-rated amount of sick leave.

Currently, companies with 50 or more employees must comply with the federal Family Medical Leave Act, which requires employers to provide uncompensated time off for personal health conditions and certain family medical situations. The Ohio Healthy Families Act increases the number of companies that must comply with mandated paid sick leave and allows the leave to be taken for any medical condition including elective surgeries.

A buffet breakfast will be set up in the back of the room. The cost is $10.

¯ For more information or to make reservations: 373-5176.

LEADS Exchange meets twice in June

The Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce’s LEADS Exchange group will meet at noon June 11 and 25 in the MACC conference room.

The meetings, which are open to all chamber members, provide an opportunity for casual networking and meeting new people.

This month’s two-part session will feature Martha Brown from Faces By Design. She will focus on women entrepreneurs and her secrets of success.

Brown and her daughter, Isabella, cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new location of her business in the Frontier Shopping Center in Marietta on May 15.

¯ For more information: 373-5176.

Business After Hours aboard Valley Gem

The June Business After Hours sponsored by the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosted by the Valley Gem Sternwheeler on Thursday, June 12.

Those attending are welcome to bring their family for the event. Boarding of the boat will begin at 5 p.m. at the Valley Gem landing at Front and Washington streets, under the Washington Street Bridge. The cruise will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pizza and more will be served.

Reservations are requested. Cost is $10 for members, or $15 for member and one partner/spouse and up to two children. Each additional child is $5. Cost for non-members is $12.

¯ For more information or to make reservations: 373-5176.

‘Jeopardy’ game tests safety IQ

“Ergonomic Jeopardy” will be played from noon to 1 p.m. June 18 at the Marietta Country Club.

The game, which is being sponsored by the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce, is patterned after the classic TV game, but with a twist. Participants will test their safety knowledge and compete for prizes.

Cost is $12, which includes lunch.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Safety Council is co-sponsored by the Marietta chamber and the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Division of Safety and Hygiene.

¯ For more information: Lori Smith at 373-5176.

From local reports