Small Business of the Year, Summer 500 Youth Jobs Return & Savannah Steel Tip-Off

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - hosted by Dee Daniels, features 2026 Chamber Business Award winner Adam Finns of Friedman’s Framing, named Small Business of the Year, discussing the company’s 124-year, five-generation evolution, its focus on customer service and quality control, new custom framing innovations, and upcoming happy hours and meet-the-artist events at its Eisenhower and Waters location.

In the Hot Seat, Chamber President/CEO Bert Brantley interviews Alderwoman Carol Bell about reviving the Summer 500 youth summer jobs program, including school-system partnership, a four-week commitment, soft-skills training, employer matching, and sponsorship options for students to work in nonprofits.

Superstar Spotlight highlights Savannah Steel Head Coach Coretta Brown previewing the new professional women’s basketball team’s May 15 season opener and May 22/24 home openers at Enmarket Arena.

The What’s Up segment covers the May 21 clay shoot funding military affairs advocacy, the Chamber relocation guide updates and advertising, a April 21 podcast launch party, and Small Business Week events including a May 5 mixer, reverse trade show, May 13 job fair, and May 28 military contracting workshop.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Explore upcoming events

From Bert’s Hot Seat: Carol Bell

From the Winners Circle: Adam Fins, Friedman’s Framing

Small Business of the Year

What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Erica Backus, Director, Communications & Social Inclusion, Visit Savannah

Jared Downs, Vice President, Governmental Affairs, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Superstar Member Spotlight: Coretta Brown, Head Coach, Savannah Steel

MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM

MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD

Follow for updates:

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Savannah Chamber Connect Intro

01:09 Small Business Winner Interview

01:58 Friedmans Framing Legacy

03:30 Customer Service Secrets

04:40 Quality Control Process

06:04 Innovation And Advice

09:24 Hot Seat Summer 500

10:51 Program Impact And Data

12:35 Relaunch Partners And Plan

18:24 How Employers Can Join

20:18 Superstar Spotlight Savannah Steele

21:32 League Details And Growth

22:11 Open House And Players Arrival

22:54 Hometown Hoops Roots

24:10 Savannah Steel City Love

25:00 Coaching Beyond The Court

27:29 Players Who Come Back

28:36 Home Opener Hype

30:44 Clay Shoot For Military

33:35 Relocation Guide Insider

40:19 Launch Party And Small Biz Week

46:45 Sponsor Thanks And Next Steps