Whether it's connections or coaching, networking or fundraising, two women in Marquette have the solution. And by bringing that networking and opportunity to local business owners, along with a snappy name, ZattaChat has created a unique community.
Billed as "a business community for those who dare,"
ZattaChat is the brainchild of co-owners Christi Pentecost and Nancy Caldwell, who began the operation about a year ago. Since that time, they have created an online community of more than 120 businesses, helped provide some of those same local businesses with grants, and held workshops and expos to foster entrepreneurship, development and community.
ZattaChat has developed a number of programs throughout the year to foster economic development in the local area. And more ideas are always on the way.
"It's for any small business owner that is looking to grow their business and connect," Pentecost says. "If they're looking to take their business to the next level, that's really our big role. It doesn't matter what stage they're in now, it's about where they want to go."
Curtis Hewitt, owner of two small businesses in Marquette--Utopia Tanning, Hair and Skin Care Spa and JC Advertising--has been working with ZattaChat over the past few months.
"We've crossed each other's path and helped each other out," he says. "We've been working really well together for the last six or seven months."
Hewitt has used ZattaChat for their website and classes, as well as their Beyond Success workshop. As a member of the website, he has also seen the fundraising ZattaCards come through his door.
"I think they are doing their best to promote business locally," he says. "I think Nancy and Christi are doing a great job."
The business is probably most known for the
ZattaCard program, Pentecost says, which is a fundraiser for local youth and non-profit organizations. For each ZattaCard that is purchased for $10, 90 percent of that money goes back to the non-profit. In turn, the purchaser of the card receives discounts at locally owned businesses, including everything from hotels to hair care to florists to floor coverings. ZattaCard benefits everyone involved, keeping more money in the community, while helping organizations raise the funds they need.
"The extent of the program is to keep that money going local," she says. "It's circulating that money around inside the community. We're trying to keep those profits from leaving the community."
They have also created a program to boost local businesses, called the ZattaImpact Grant, which held its first event in January. It gave out $1,700 divided among three different local businesses, with the goal of handing out more grant money at the next event on April 26. At each ZattaImpact Grant event, local philanthropists commit $100 to listen to a pitch by members of the ZattaChat community, and then pick one for which they want to make out a check.
Along with the grant and card programs, ZattaChat also sponsored the Beyond Success workshop which was designed by local psychologist John Olesnavage.
"It's to help business owners clarify where they're headed and what motivates them to be an entrepreneur," Pentecost says.
Hewitt says the workshop has been especially helpful for his business.
"You realize that there are a lot of people out there that there are dealing with the same stresses that are dealing with and the same pressure that you are dealing with, even though you aren't in the same business," he says.
Another service that ZattaChat provides is individualized business coaching and consulting, to help local businesses and entrepreneurs reach the next level.
"We listen to what the business owners need and then we try to fill that void," Pentecost says. "They are searching for that sense of community, (but) they don't always know where to look."
And where exactly did they get that name? When trying to come up with something to call their business, Pentecost and Caldwell wanted something zippy and sassy. The two words "Zatta" and "Chat" reflect attitude and communication, which in turn reflect small business owners and their community, Pentecost says. Since that time, everything they do has taken on the Zatta prefix.
As for the future, ZattaChat has already expanded to the Lansing area and hopes to keep expanding their business community to other areas in the state within the year. To find out more about ZattaChat, ZattaCard, the ZattaImpact Grant or any other ZattaChat programs, visit them online or drop by their office in downtown Marquette, located in the Masonic Center.
Claire Abent is a freelance writer living in Marquette. She left the warmer weather of Lower Michigan to attend Northern Michigan University, where she graduated with a degree in graphic communication. When she isn't behind a computer screen writing or designing, she enjoys running with her dogs, photography, vegetarian cooking and a warm pair of socks. You can follow her on Twitter @claire_suzanne.Like what you're seeing on U.P. Second Wave? Drop us a line and let us know what you think. We're open to comments, criticism, ideas, questions and everything in between. You can reach us via
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