BAPA presents

Business Breakfast Targets Tips and Tricks for Marketing 

 (June 2013) -- Does web marketing pay off? How can a small local business stay competitive? What does your store say about your business?

Marketing consultant Caroline Dwan will answer these questions and more in “Own Your Mile: Tips and Tricks to Locally Market Your Business” at the Business Breakfast sponsored by the Beverly Area Planning Association, Morgan Park/Beverly Hills Business Association, 95th Street Business Association and the Mount Greenwood Community and Business Association on Thurs., June 20, 7:30 to 9 a.m., in the BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr.

An accomplished marketing and sales professional with broad-based experience in marketing, print and digital advertising and non-profit fundraising, Dwan’s specialty is finding creative solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Dwan’s presentation will include how to apply big business marketing principles to small businesses, how to evaluate which media options are best for your business, and how to set goals and develop a workable and effective marketing plan.

“Small is the new big,” Dwan said of the popularity of small businesses that provide quality products and hands-on customer service. “Several of Beverly/Morgan Park’s small businesses have some very big ideas that are working quite well. Other businesses need to take a new look at what they currently do, and take advantage of the unique opportunities for businesses to work together for community-wide success. Local is trendy. There’s no better time for a small business to make a name for themselves in the community they serve. ”

For close to 20 years, Dwan has held a variety of advertising and marketing positions. Most recently, she was a Consumer Marketing Specialist for Ace Hardware Corp. Through Ace Hardware, she contributed to shaping national marketing programs while working with 900+ retailers on developing their annual local marketing plans and programs, brainstorming promotions, recommending advertising, and training associates and owners on the features and benefits of a loyalty program designed to create a one-on-one relationship with consumers.

Dwan’s career highlights include advertising sales for Chicago Sun-Times Media Group and Chicago Tribune where she focused on developing holistic marketing plans for small and medium businesses. At MNI (a Time, Inc. company), Dwan worked with Chicago's top advertising agencies and served high profile national clients including Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Panera Bread, Crayola and Disney.

Taking the initiative to dive into digital advertising, Dwan worked with two start up companies, becoming an expert on banner advertising, content management, newsletter marketing and direct mail.

Dwan and her husband, Dan Coogan, own Fat Tommy's and live near Kennedy Park.

Admission to the BAPA Business Breakfast is $10 or free for members of BAPA, the 95th Street Business Association, Morgan Park/Beverly Hills Business Association or Mount Greenwood Community and Business Association. Register online at www.bapa.org. For information or phone registration, contact Marcia Walsh, 773-233-3100 or mwalsh@bapa.org