The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce recently completed the Maximum Marketing Course for eight established entrepreneurs in Putnam County. Participants in the course gained hands-on experience from the Georgia Small Business Development Center and are walking away with a customized marketing plan. A graduation ceremony was held for the class Nov. 4 at The Plaza Arts Center. Guests and local dignitaries were invited to hear presentations from the graduates on their experiences from participating in the course. Each student shared with guests the mission statement created in class and explained how his or her business stands out from the competition, which is identified by the marketing term “purple cow.”

In July of 2008 Putnam County was designated by Gov. Sonny Purdue as the 100th Entrepreneur Friendly Community in Georgia. As a designated Entrepreneur Friendly Community, the Chamber is responsible to create new programs to assist local small businesses such as the Maximum Marketing Course. Recently, the Chamber was awarded a $5,000 matching grant from the One Georgia Authority to conduct the series.

The Maximum Marketing graduates include Leslie Brown Clark, Sycamore Oconee Real Estate; Barbara Edwards, Lake Oconee Self Storage LLC; Lydia Ivanditti, The Plaza Arts Center; Bill Kennedy, Fowler Flemister Concrete Inc.; Nichole Mesik, Embry Farm Service; Regina Pennamon, Phoenix Cafe on the Square; Jim Richardson, Bella Maria Inc.; and Katy Smith, Better Hometown Eatonton Inc.

For more information on starting a business in Putnam County, call the Chamber at (706) 485-7701.