Advertising, Marketing, Videography and Connecting Local Businesses with the Community
- LKNConnect & Associates
Small businesses are the backbone of our Lake Norman Region; yet 2025 has quickly brought a unique set of challenges that demand diligence, assessment, and innovation. From economic pressures to finding, training, and keeping good employees, we are all navigating a complex landscape.
Our daily operational situation with monies, tariffs, and competition remains a concern. Higher costs for materials, labor, and overhead are squeezing our profit margins. While economic growth continues, many of our local small businesses struggle to balance price increases with customer retention strategies. Additionally, high interest rates have made borrowing more expensive.
While many of our small businesses now use AI to streamline operations, concerns over regulations and costs persist. It is very important to note that many of our businesses are using AI incorrectly. Ask the right prompts and get the right answers. AI requires careful planning to ensure all the information is accurate. Make sure you frame the right questions to get the right answers. It can be an “employee” if used as a functional business tool, not a generic search engine. Your preferences create your marketing ideas. Use it and you will get better at it.
Despite our challenges, our LKN small businesses and solopreneurs continue to show resilience through all we have been through. By leveraging innovation, fostering strong teams, and staying ahead of economic and policy changes, we are turning obstacles and challenges into opportunities as the year marches on.
Photo: Pixabay
Jim Vogel is a prominent figure in the Lake Norman and Cornelius, North Carolina business community. He founded and chairs the Lake Norman Small Business Network (LKNSBN), established in 2014, which operates on a “servant networking” model emphasizing inclusivity and community support without fees. Vogel has a background in internal communications from Ford Motor Company and Hendrick Automotive Group.
He also founded I.M.U. Social Media LLC in 2011, providing affordable social media services to skilled trades. As the Small Business Ambassador for Cornelius, Vogel supports local businesses and coordinates community blood drives, earning him respect as a regional leader.
I.M.U. Social Media for Skilled Trades
Town of Cornelius Small Business Ambassador
Chair, Lake Norman Small Business Network
www.lknsbn.com
919 244 6989
The information contained in this blog article is for informational purposes and is not presented for any other reason.
