As Naperville businesses move forward in 2012, they might be contemplating not only how to build and grow their business, but also how they could give back to their community.
Judy Phillip asked herself that when she started 
Extra Edge. She knows first-hand that having to manage everything a business entails on a day to day basis is enough to keep even the best organized owners awake at night. A neverending to-do list, staffing, business licenses, marketing, generating traffic or revenue for your business, legal issues, accounting, human resource issues, and so much more! Quite simply, Judy created Extra Edge so she could bring together her expertise and network of resources to help a multitude of owners overcome their challenges and find success. She excels at working with them to review their current business practices and marketing efforts, determine their strengths and weaknesses and show them what they can do to take them to the next level. Most of all, she wants to provide solutions to their biggest and most daunting business dilemmas to help them sleep at night!
Judy spent her entire career in the trenches, learning the ins and outs of running small- and medium-sized businesses, and now she's putting her experience and resources to work for others. She excels at networking and knows how to build strong relationships. Her company, Extra Edge, holds monthly events that focus on skills or techniques that every entrepreneur can learn more about in order to help their business run more smoothly. Judy works with a network of experienced Power Partners that can advise you on just about any business function. These experts are great at what they do on a daily basis. And Judy wants to bring you together to assist you in finding essential business solutions.
In addition to growing your business, you might be contemplating how you can give back to the community this year. Judy Phillip asked herself that same question last year and found a way to integrate charitable giving into her business plan. She now wants to help other area businesses do the same. When Judy started Extra Edge last March, she started talking with Hesed House of Aurora about that same time regarding how she could volunteer to assist them. The result was a yearlong campaign to raise money and awareness for the homeless shelter, as well as provide volunteers and host a large fundraiser for them. Judy chose to help Hesed House in part because of a presentation she had seen on the organization that moved her to tears. She thought some day she was going to help them out. She got the opportunity to do it with her Hearts for Hesed fundraiser, which raised about $25,000 that will transition at least 24 people from homelessness.
In addition to the benefit, Judy took it upon herself to help Hesed House with its marketing, using social media and a link to their website from Extra Edge's. Her goal was not only to market them but also create awareness and let people know this is going on in our backyards. She felt it was also a good experience for her clients because they now ask her to help them pick a charity for their company.
Judy said she will try to get all of her clients connected with local charities in the new year. She knows that many already give money to a variety of charities or sponsor charitable events, but she believes there is a better way. She thought if she could get businesses to do what she's done this year, it would be a great experience for them, and it will benefit the charities they choose. If you would like to set up or get involved with a cause marketing program for your company, Judy would be glad to help. After being very involved in Hearts for Hesed last year and seeing first-hand what can be accomplished, Profit Focused Principles is looking at some local charities to get more involved with. If you'd like to do the same, you can contact Judy at judy@yourextraedge.com, or by phone at 630-537-0073.
