On November 10, 2011, Christa Kozy the president of my local Lake Township Chamber of Commerce hosted nationally known speaker Cinda Baxter to talk to local businesses about The 3/50 Project. At that event, we learned about how The 3/50 Project came to be, what its grown into today, and most importantly how we could use it to strengthen our own businesses.

On that day, I became a proud (and enthusiastic) supporter of The 3/50 Project. This is true, because it can be verified on my Facebook Timeline. :-)

One of the ideas Cinda Baxter presented was The 3/50 Project Window Display. The idea is to invite people who visit your business to write down on a postcard three locally-owned, independent businesses that they love and would not want to lose. Then display these postcards in your window, and have a contest.

So we did it. And, in just three weeks we had almost 200 postcards on display in our window.  Then at the end, we held a drawing and gave away three $50 gift certificates. It was a blast. And, we learned at least two things.

First, The 3/50 Project Window Display made people think about and ask the question: “What’s an Independent?”

We used The 3/50 Project’s definition of an Independent:

1. The majority of the business’ ownership is private, by employees, the community, or an area cooperative, and is resident to the community in which it’s based

2. The business operates out of a physical storefront or similar and is the only business residing at that specific doorway’s address (not a kiosk, home based business, etc.)

3. The business relies solely on its unique name and reputation (ie, does not “wear” a regionally or nationally recognized brand name)

Second, if you are a local business owner (or work for one) listed below, we raised awareness for you and your business. You’re welcome. We hope you do the same.

Bottom line, participating in The 3/50 Project Window Display helped our business and other local brick & mortar businesses at the same time. I think that’s what they call a “win-win.” Cinda Baxter is a good genius. We love her.

Here is the list of the local, independent businesses in Lake Township that our clients and patients love and do not want to lose:

1. Ashleigh Scott Salon
2. Aunt Cindi’s Donuts
3. Beginnings Salon & Day Spa
4. Beiler’s Penn Dutch Market
5. Best Bib & Tucker
6. Briana’s Elite Dance Studio
7. Larry D. Bucher, DDS
8. Carlo’s Trattoria
9. Central City Motorcars
10. Concorde Therapy – Hartville
11. Consign and Design Home Furnishings
12. Country Clean Car Wash
13. Country Flowers & Herbs
14. Clearwater Park
15. Creative Learning Preschool
16. Dahlman’s Carpet
17. Eaton Place
18. Erb’s Automotive
19. Excelerated Fitness & Pilates
20. Faded Velvet
21. Family Eyecare Center
22. Frontier Restaurant
23. Half Off Deals / NeoFill
24. HallStar Sports
25. Hartville Café & Coffee House
26. Hartville Chocolate Factory
27. Hartville Collectibles
28. Hartville Contractors Supply
29. Hartville Elevator Co.
30. Hartville Hardware
31. Hartville Health & Wellness Centre
32. Hartville Kitchen
33. Hartville Marketplace & Flea Market
34. Hartville Locker Services
35. Hartville Mercantile
36. The Hartville News
37. Hartville Sod Farm
38. Hartville Thrift Shoppe
39. Hartville Tire & Radiator
40. The Hartville Tool Exchange
41. Hartville Travel
42. Hartville Veterinary Clinic
43. Jim’s Autocare
44. Lake Community Federal Credit Union
45. Lakeview Golf Course
46. Lucky Star Chinese Food
47. Mel’s Barber Shop
48. Meet Me At Irene’s Restaurant
49. Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant
50. Pastore’s Dry Cleaning
51. Personal Fitness Studio
52. Posh Pet
53. R Grocery Outlet
54. Ramsburg Insurance & Financial Services
55. Seven Hills Golf Club
56. Tim’s Auto Services
57. TJ Nails
58. Tri-County Medical Services
59. Twice Is Nice Consignments
60. Two E’s in a Pod
61. Uniontown Veterinary Clinic
62. Walden’s Barber Shop

P.S. The top five vote getters were:

1. Hartville Health & Wellness Centre

2. Hartville Hardware

3. Hartville Kitchen

4. Hartville Chocolate Factory

5. Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant

So, who do you love and not want to lose?

CLICK HERE for The 3/50 Project Window Display Postcards