Education

The Chamber offers multiple educational opportunities for both Chamber and community members. Education events are posted on the events calendar and are often posted about in the weekly Snapshot newsletter. 

Members can also learn from:

• Our Monthly Luncheons, the first Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Canterwood Golf and Country Club
• The Gig Harbor Young Professionals Meet & Greets, the 3rd Thursday of each month (times and locations vary).
• Our Public Affairs Forums every Thursday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Zoom

More details for these events can be found on our calendar.

Resource Materials

Retail is often an area where employees hone their customer service soft skills. The Washington Retail Association works with RISE Up to help train and certify retail employees. Why hire a RISE Up graduate? Retail Careers as stepping stones. 

SCORE Online Learning

For those who prefer flexibility and enjoy online, self-paced learning, SCORE professionals offer free online workshops and webinars. Course topics cover everything business from A-Z. Check out SCORE’s website for more information. 

SCORE Business Mentors

Meet once, or meet many times, one-on-one with professionals who possess the knowledge and experience needed to help you start, grow, or improve your business. This free service takes place at the Chamber each Wednesday. Appointments are available with SCORE mentors at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.

Please contact the Chamber at (253) 851-6865 to schedule your appointment. SCORE volunteers can also give you information for online mentoring as well as a list of local resources.

Three mentors work in rotation, Jeff Freedman, Hans Herrmann, David Wemmer.

Jeff Freedman

I can help you start up your business from idea generation to finding and opening your new location. After you open, we will work together in identifying opportunities to survive and grow your business. You have so many great ideas in your head. I ask the questions that get you to write them down for us to explore. Having started a small business, I know there are a lot of challenges - in all areas of business. I will help to get you through them, now and even after you are a business success!

Background experience in: Start Ups, Sales, Credit Administration, Dispute Resolution, Business Law, Marketing, Contract Bidding, Human Resources, Business Buy and Sale.

Started and operated a retail appliance business in Seattle for 16 years. Have prior industry experience in: Equipment leasing, Food processing, Retail operations, Insurance, Notary public. 

I am also the Chair of the South Sound/Tacoma SCORE Chapter. I can help you navigate the SCORE website and work with you on your mentoring request.

JEFF's Full Bio

Hans Herrmann

I am a senior marketing professional with nearly 30 years of experience and have a wide range of core competencies. I currently work for a large energy company, serving in customer engagement/outreach and marketing management positions. My extensive marketing background has allowed me to build on integral strengths, such as; promotional development, community relations, lead generation, loyalty marketing and consumer research. I firmly believe that the most creative marketing is the most effective, which is why I strive to help position my clients with a unique point of difference for greater sales impact. I am passionate about what motivates the consumer and developing strategic initiatives in order to turn product/service interests into transactional relationships.

My areas of expertise include: Business Plans / Startup Assistance, Marketing, Public Relations & Sales.

HANS' Full Bio

David Wemmer

Profit and loss optimization, Business leadership across multiple channels and markets, Leadership of multi-cultural and multi-site organizations, business start up, consolidations & closures, Lean manufacturing / six sigma implementation. Additional areas of influence: Business Optimization, Talent Acquisition / Organizational Development, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Assimilations, Balanced Scorecard Metric Creation, Strategic Planning and Execution.

Areas of expertise include: Business Plans / Startup Assistance, Human Resources, Operations, and Product Development & Manufacturing.

DAVID's Full Bio