Congrats to the June Small Business of the Month - CanvasOne.com

The Greenville Chamber announced CanvasOne.com as the June 2009 Small Business of the Month.

Each month the Greenville Chamber recognizes a local small business for its accomplishments by honoring it with the Small Business of the Month Award. To view a complete listing of all 2009 Small Business of the Month award winners, visit www.greenvillechamber.org/newsletters/SBOTM.htm. To nominate an organization for this award, click here. For more information on this program, contact Claudia Wise at 864-239-3728.

About CanvasOne.com
Intrigued by the notion of creating original, ready-to-hang artwork from personal photos, drawings, and memorabilia, Betsy launched CanvasOne.com in March of 2006. A booth at the 2006 HBA Southern Home Show proved to be an excellent starting point for CanvasOne.com . Soon afterwards, CanvasOne was chosen to produce canvases depicting signature shots of the Cliffs Golf Courses, as well as pop art canvases of celebrities for the BMW Charity Golf Tournament. Also in 2006, CanvasOne collaborated with British artists, Wyllie-O’Hagen, to produce “The Hope that Surrounds Us”, a canvas celebrating ovarian cancer survivors, in support of the South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

Artist, Greg Joens, has been with the company since its inception. Greg creates original pencil drawings from photography, pop art, digital paintings, restorations, collage-art, colorizations and also commissions original religious art for churches. Greg’s commemorative canvas of Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, was recently chosen by the Fuller Center in Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate Mr. Fuller’s life’s work. Greg’s art on canvas has been presented to former President Jimmy Carter, Jack Black, Gary Player, and the most recent 2009 GROW conference keynote speaker, Stephanie Shaeffer.

Over the past three years, CanvasOne has expanded to create unique partnerships with other companies in the Upstate, offering turn-key art solutions to their clients. For example, Pazdan-Smith Group architects called on CanvasOne to produce fine-art giclée canvases from the works of Greenville photographer and conservationist, Tommy Wyche; Mr. Wyche’s photography is featured in the new IMA Associates Building. Additionally, CanvasOne partners with Food Equipment Company providing original and affordable artwork to the restaurant industry. The Village at Pelham Hospital and The Cascades feature canvases from local, fine-art photographers, Kevin Silvey and Lynn Pilewski. Providing secure installation of canvases and guaranteeing their quality, has contributed to CanvasOne’s reputation as not only a strong local business, but one that enjoys a wide range of both national and international clients.

A philanthropic mindset has led Betsy to ensure that CanvasOne returns a portion of its profits to the community. To that end, CanvasOne has donated canvas to support the American Cancer Society, Bridges From Augusta, The Greenville Humane Society and numerous other area charities. CanvasOne has also donated canvas portraits to families of pre-mature babies, in association with Indigo Skye Photography.

An active member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Betsy participated in the 2009 GROW Conference. She is an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and currently serves on the legislative committee of United Methodist Women. She also serves on the Board of Wade Hampton High School’s PTSA as the head of the newly-formed Business Partner’s Program. She volunteers with the Wade Hampton High School Cross Country Team, the Greenville Fine Arts Center Drama Program, Paris Elementary PTA, as well as several other organizations. These organizations benefit not only from Betsy’s time and energy, but also have been recipients of donated CanvasOne artwork used in fundraising campaigns.

MERGE RECOGNIZED AS MAY 2009 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

The Greenville Chamber announced today that Merge was recognized last month during the Chamber’s Board of Directors meeting as the May 2009 Small Business of the Month.

Each month the Greenville Chamber recognizes a local small business for its accomplishments by honoring it with the Small Business of the Month Award. To view a complete listing of all 2009 Small Business of the Month award winners, visit www.greenvillechamber.org/newsletters/SBOTM.htm. For more information on this program, contact Claudia Wise at 864-239-3728.

About Merge:
Since founding Merge in 2002, Adam Landrum has focused on building the leading digital strategy firm in the southeast by providing digital marketing and strategy services for established, mid-sized companies.

In 2007 Merge moved from Atlanta to Greenville. A 1996 graduate of Clemson University, Adam knew the Upstate would also be a great place for him and his wife Shely to raise their four children. That decision turned out to be a great move not only for the Landrum family, but for Merge as the company continued to experience great success and progress thanks to the wealth of resources and potential the Upstate offers mid-sized businesses.

Because of Merge’s commitment to excellence, the company has experienced tremendous growth both in revenue and in staff. Since Merge’s 2002 launch, revenue has increased by more than 50% each year. Merge has created eight new jobs for the local economy since relocating to Greenville.

The Merge team has worked on a variety of projects with a client list that includes T&S Brass, Furman Co, Oobe, and Table 301. With each project, Merge commits to creating not only a great functioning and well-designed website, but an online presence that aligns clients’ web objectives with their business objectives in order to reach their business goals.

Merge’s good fortune has allowed the company to give back to the community through volunteer work with a variety of organizations including Hands on Greenville, The Rotary “Read to Me” Program, Holiday Lights, Meals on Wheels, The Frazee Dream Center, The Greenville Chamber of Commerce and PULSE. Merge has also provided free and discounted web services for non-profit organizations.

In the future Merge will continue to serve the community and grow its business in Greenville. Future plans include adding as many as fifteen more positions within five years while striving to be the leading digital strategy firm in the southeast.

About the Greenville Chamber:
The Greenville Chamber is the largest business organization in the Upstate, serving more than 2,200 members. The Chamber's mission is to build one of the premier business communities in the world by: Leading through collaboration, building community prosperity, being the voice of business and enhancing quality of life. For more information on the Greenville Chamber, call 864-242-1050, or visit http://www.greenvillechamber.org/.

David Chamberlain, Ambassador of the Month

Each month the Greenville Chamber highlights one of its ambassadors as the Ambassador of the Month. David Chamberlain was recognized in April 2009.

David was born in Maryville, TN. He attended UTK and majored in agriculture. He has 28 years of sales marketing and management experience in the fields of agriculture financial services and food services. In November of 2002 he started Integrity Business Solutions and after buying out his partner, he is now the sole owner. David has coached baseball at the Mauldin Recreation Department for the last 8 years and serves on the advisory board of the Greenville office of Easter Seals. David attends Disciples Unites Methodist Church where he sings in the choir.

Congrats David!