Ashley HomeStore rebrands to Ashley
Ashley HomeStore is refreshing its corporate stores nationwide with an elevated in-store shopping experience and modern look and feel, according to a news release from the company.
Tampa Bay is one of the first markets to undergo the refresh with stores in Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Clearwater and Pinellas Park getting a new look, as part of the rebrand.
The new stores feature an open-concept, updated mattress gallery, and new interior design elements, the release said.
Ashley’s new store layouts will showcase trend-forward styles and highlight new product offerings inspired by current design trends.
The rebrand seeks to maintain relevance among consumers while attracting a younger demographic of customers who are looking for an upscale and on-trend look at an affordable price point, the release added.
Empowerment Conference
Women in business who are looking for inspiration, who want to learn about practical tools that can be useful for entrepreneurs and who want to meet other like-minded women may want to check out the Women in Business Empowerment Conference. The event has a slate of featured speakers. It is scheduled for Sept. 15 from 8 .m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Residence Inn by Marriott, 2101 Northpointe Parkway, in Lutz. The registration cost is $20 and the deadline for registration is Sept. 8. Register via https://rb.gy/iduj0.
Temporary NTBC location
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has moved from its Highland Oaks Boulevard location and had expected to move into its new location on Aug. 1. However, that space is not yet ready, so the chamber is temporarily operating at 4&CO in Land O’ Lakes. Its office hours are Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The chamber also can host meetings, so be sure to check the location of events when registering.
The chamber’s physical address is 16703 Early Riser Ave., No. 208, in Land O’ Lakes.
Florida’s unemployment rate
Florida’s unemployment rate was 2.6% in June, a full percentage point below the nation’s rate, according to a news release from FloridaCommerce.
Florida also charted the lowest unemployment rate among the nation’s 10 most populous states for the 13th consecutive month, FloridaCommerce reported. The state’s unemployment rate has been lower than the nation’s rate for 32 consecutive months, according to the release.
In June 2023, Florida’s labor force grew by 2.4% (+257,000) over the year, outpacing the national labor force growth rate of 1.8% during the same period, the release added.
U-Haul teams with Savory Roots
U-Haul Co. of Florida has announced that Savory Roots signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Dade City community. Savory Roots, at 14326 Seventh St., will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers and support rental items, according to a news release.
Small Business Executive Program
Are you a small business owner? If so, you can apply for the upcoming Tampa Bay Small Business Executive Program (SBEP). The program will teach small business owners how to think differently and to work on your business in a classroom environment with 24 other entrepreneurs.
Small business owners can join the fall cohort for free and graduate with a certificate from the Jim Moran Institute and Florida State University, according to a posting in a North Tampa Bay Chamber newsletter. The SBEP is ideal for CEOs, entrepreneurs, presidents of small businesses, and immediate successors of businesses.
To find out more and to sign up, reach out to the North Tampa Bay Chamber, at NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
City of Zephyrhills is hiring
The City of Zephyrhills is hiring. It is seeking employees in these roles: Chief wastewater plant operator; crime scene technician I; customer service representative – utility billing; equipment operators; GIS technician/community planner; parks maintenance; patrol officer; sanitation workers; utilities worker; and other positions. To find out more, visit ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/Jobs.aspx.
Get help with SCORE mentors
Running a business can be challenging and issues pop up that you don’t always know how to handle. That’s where SCORE mentors can provide useful advice, to help you manage through unknown territory, according to a posting by the organization.
SCORE mentors can help with such questions as:
- How do I get started in launching a business?
- How do I market my business?
- How can I find funding for my business to survive?
- Can you provide guidance on managing my business’s finances?
For those and other business issues, feel free to contact SCORE. Their mentors often can provide direct assistance, or point you in the right direction to get the help you need.
To get started, visit SCORE’s website, at SCORE.org.
