By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The River Region Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center to offer a free workshop this week to help small business owners find their target market for sales.

The seminar is set for Friday, Aug. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the River Region Chamber of Commerce main office, 301 W. Airline Highway Suite 201.

Representatives from the Small Business Development Center will be on hand to instruct business owners on how to research and define target markets for sales, as well as ways to keep a business fresh to increase new customers and retain loyal customers for more sales.

“Marketing is crucial to your business success,” said Chamber member Penny Freeman, who helped organize the event. “New and established businesses market continuously, especially during uncertain times. Owners need to stay competitive and hungry for customers.”

For more information on the workshop, contact the Chamber at 985-359-9777, or email ad min@riverregionchamber.com. More information can be found at www.riverregionchamber.org.

Also this week, the St. John Business Association will host a networking event Wednesday evening at Bull’s Corner, 1036 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace, starting at 6 p.m. The guest speaker for the event will be St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre, who will discuss his protection plans and its effect on businesses. Business Association members may bring a visitor to the dinner, and business representatives interested in joining the association may attend.