Ravenna's Chamber of Commerce Boosts Local Business Dreams

Ravenna's Chamber of Commerce is stepping up its game to support local entrepreneurs. The Business Launchpad, a program designed to help new businesses take off, has already seen success with its first venture, E. T. C. Sports. Now, it's gearing up for its second business, The Record Arsenal, set to open soon. The idea behind the Launchpad is simple: give small businesses a safe space to test their wings before flying solo. Ryann Cline, the chamber's executive director, and Matt Ferrell, the president of the chamber's Board of Directors, saw a need for this kind of support in Ravenna. They wanted to create a program that could help local entrepreneurs get their start, even if it was on a small scale. The first business to take advantage of this opportunity was E. T. C. Sports. Mark Hartburg, the owner, spent four months building his customer base in the chamber's office before moving to a storefront next door. His success story caught the attention of Rod Flauhaus, who saw a video about the launch on the chamber's Facebook page. Inspired, Flauhaus decided to give his own business idea a shot.Flauhaus is no stranger to the music industry. He's worked in marketing and music for years, even owning his own consulting firm and working with big names like Jim Brickman, Amy Grant, and Michael W. Smith. Now, he's turning his passion for music into a business with The Record Arsenal, a store that will buy and sell used albums from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. He hopes to expand his inventory to include cassettes, memorabilia, and even turntables in the future. The Launchpad isn't just about giving businesses a place to start, though. It's also about helping them figure out if there's a market for their idea before they commit to a lease. For Flauhaus, this means he can test the waters and see if his business idea is viable before making a big investment. But the Launchpad isn't the only success story in Ravenna. E. T. C. Sports, the first business to use the program, has already seen growth and expansion. Hartburg, the owner, has been collecting sports memorabilia for years, and his business allows him to share his collection with others. He knows that some items may hold special meaning for his customers, whether it's a connection to a loved one or a special memory. The Record Arsenal is set to open in about two weeks, and Flauhaus is excited about the potential of downtown Ravenna. He likes the feel of the area and how visiting one small business can inspire a visit to another. With the Launchpad's support, he's hopeful that his business will be a success and contribute to the growth of the community.