The Business Community for
Gluckstadt and Madison County,
The Business Alliance
Our Values
The Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance is passionate about helping our members succeed by cultivating leadership, increasing business visibility, facilitating connections and fostering positive community relations.
Our passion—growing business and strengthening community—is the foundation of everything we do. We believe that when businesses succeed, the entire community flourishes. That’s why we are committed to fostering connections, supporting local enterprises, and creating opportunities for growth.
Founded in May 2022, the GMBA has rapidly grown into the official Chamber of Commerce for Gluckstadt. While we are deeply rooted in Gluckstadt, our reach extends far beyond city limits. We proudly serve businesses throughout the region and welcome members from across the area. Our commitment is simple: we will always work hard to serve and support you.
As a membership-based organization, we invite you to join us. Your success is our priority, and we pledge to connect you with fellow business owners, potential customers, and the broader community. Together, we can create a vibrant, prosperous business environment.
Mayor Walter Morrison recognizes GMBA’s impact:
"Since the City’s inception, the Business Alliance has been a vital partner, instrumental to the success of our citizens and businesses. We would not be where we are today without the dedication of Elizabeth Tyler and her team."
Michael Petyak, Oakmont Financial Partners, shares his experience:
"Joining the Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance in August of 2022 has not only gotten Oakmont Financial Partners into the community, but has allowed me to connect with others that I may not have connected with otherwise."
Whether you're a startup, an established company, or a passionate entrepreneur, GMBA is here to support you every step of the way—no matter where you do business in our area.
Join us—because together, we build a stronger business community.
"You have our commitment and promise that we will work hard and always keep serving our members as the primary motivation behind all that we do."
Latest News & Updates from the Business Alliance
Enjoy a great day of golf while supporting the Gluckstadt Police Department.
Why the best business doesn’t always win, but the best known often does
Join us as we gather for prayer and inspiration
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Are You One of Them?
Get Ready to Tee off at the 2025 Stadt Scramble!
Customer research is not just another box to tick—it drives business profitability and long-term success. Yet, many companies fail to view it as a priority. Even though most businesses claim to be "customer first," they are not actually taking steps to be "customer first." A shocking 42% of businesses do not collect customer data. Those who ignore or underfund customer research often suffer from misaligned brand perceptions and waning customer loyalty. The data does not lie—80% of customers admit they're more likely to switch brands after just one bad experience. Conversely, companies that take a customer-centric approach—relying on research and real-time data to guide their strategies—are 60% more profitable than their competitors. How does customer research bridge the gap between user experience (UX) and profitability? The Unmatched Value of a Customer-Centric Approach User experience (UX) is more than a trendy buzzword—it's the foundation of a business's success. It's the secret behind high-performing products, superior customer satisfaction, and improved retention. UX is not just about ease of use; it's about delivering intuitive, seamless experiences at every touchpoint of the user journey. Businesses that understand their customers and prioritize their needs see tangible benefits, such as: 1. Stronger brand loyalty: Customers who feel heard and valued stick around. Positive experiences foster long-term relationships. 2. Improved retention and adoption: A product or service designed with user feedback at its core eliminates unnecessary friction, making the decision to stay or switch easy for customers. 3. Higher ROI: Optimizing products based on actual user behavior allows businesses to focus on what matters most, enhancing satisfaction and boosting profitability. The question isn't "Should I invest in customer research?" It's "Can my business succeed without it?" The Cost of Neglecting Customer Research Without adequate customer research, businesses operate blindly. They rely on guesswork rather than data, a costly mistake in today's competitive marketplace. Misaligned Brand Perception Failing to align offerings with customer needs results in a disconnect that can tarnish your brand reputation. Customers no longer tolerate subpar experiences, and brands that miss the mark quickly lose their standing. Decreased Customer Loyalty One negative experience is often enough for customers to switch to a competitor. Without robust research to predict and prevent pain points in the user experience, even small hurdles can have a significant impact. Slower Growth Businesses that ignore research lack the agility to pivot and solve the most pressing issues. By leveraging customer insights, teams can identify innovative opportunities, address problems preemptively, and even explore new growth pathways. The ROI of UX Research Investing in UX research isn't just a "nice-to-have." It's measurable. Here's how customer research maximizes ROI for businesses. Optimized Engagement Tracking user interactions provides valuable insight into engagement patterns. By leveraging this data, you can optimize experiences, ensuring your offerings stay relevant and valuable to your audience. Enhanced Profitability Every friction point eliminated through research improves satisfaction and streamlines the user experience. The result? Higher product adoption and fewer customer attrition rates, leading directly to increased revenue. Real-Time Adjustments Agile businesses prioritizing customer feedback react faster, keeping their strategies ahead of the curve and minimizing missteps. The Future is Customer-Driven Organizations that put their customers at the center of their strategies are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and succeed in today's fast-changing environment. Focusing on user experience through consistent research is no longer optional—it's the new baseline for businesses that want to survive and thrive. The good news? Implementing customer research doesn't have to be complicated. With the right tools and mindset, any business can reap the rewards of a customer-centric approach. Start small. Start today. But most importantly, start using customer research to unlock the potential for profitability that you've yet to discover. Looking to enhance your user experience? Follow proven strategies for data-driven decision-making and empower your business to make the bold, informed moves your customers deserve. Need Help? Are you not sure you have the right strategy or have questions? The team at Edit Media is here to help. We offer a FREE consultation that could be the most valuable hour spent on your business. We build strategies for winning brands. Before investing in ads or making uncertain expenditures, talk to us. Visit Edit Media Consulting: https://www.editmediaconsulting.com/ or call our local office at (769) 300-1460. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ About the Author Adam Horlock has over 15 years of experience in media relations and operational leadership. Horlock has served in management and executive capacities, opening new offices for both the commercial foodservice and coworking office space industries. Additionally, Horlock has worked with FOX and Gordon Ramsay Productions and has multiple national television appearances with Ramsay on FOX and Ramsay's series "24 Hours to Hell and Back". Horlock has also worked with Food Network and celebrity chef Robert Irvine in the "Kitchen Impossible" series. In 2021, Horlock was named a contributing writer for Entrepreneur Magazine and is featured in national media such as USA Today, Yahoo! Finance, San Francisco Examiner, and TechTimes. Horlock launched Pinnacle Public Relations in 2022, working with brands in tech, fin-tech, healthcare, financial services, and startups. In 2023, Horlock co-founded and launched the Bourbon and Business Podcast©, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and multiple additional platforms. Horlock is also writing his first book, "The Lies Brands Tell Themselves, and the Truths That Set Them Free©." ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Edit Media Consulting launched in early 2022, and founder Alexandra Shockey has grown the agency with locations in Memphis, Nashville, Oxford, and now Jackson. Since the agency's formation, Shockey has grown the operation to serve clients across the US, primarily focusing on helping small- and medium-sized businesses succeed. Shockey launched Edit Media after nearly ten years of experience at FedEx, where she managed the Global Social Media and Media Relations teams. Her extensive storytelling experience has garnered national awards and recognition in the social media industry, with story coverage in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Wired, and all major broadcast networks. Shockey has more than two decades of media experience in which she has led marketing campaigns from business launches to product launches to global marketing initiatives. Adam Horlock and Alexandra Shockey officially merged Pinnacle Public Relations into Edit Media in January 2024.
Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance Now Accepting Nominations for "Rising Stars: Top 10 Under 40" Awards
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Small Business Season
Unfortunately, too many businesses believe they have no budget for marketing, don't believe it would help, or assume that having a good location or the right employees is a better option than marketing. Furthermore, too many think marketing and advertising are the same thing. This thinking contains multiple mistakes that will snowball into terrible outcomes for their revenue. True marketing is built through a comprehensive strategy encompassing various aspects, including messaging, market research, customer relationship management, sales strategy, and brand management. Built by the right strategy, a true campaign of messaging and a sales-funnel marketing approach is always a better, more sustainable, and most proven path to growth. Unlike other business investments that may yield immediate returns but fizzle out over time, a well-executed marketing strategy can continue to bring in new customers and revenue for years to come. Simply put, turnover rates have never been higher. Good locations can change after a few years. However, a solid strategy that develops a true go-to-market plan will continuously lead new and existing customers into your business. The Real Cost of Doing Nothing Many businesses fall into the trap of either assuming they have no budget at all for marketing, don't know where to make the right spends, or have too much of their revenue tied up in inventory, payroll, receivables, ads, or a lease. Businesses that spend money on advertising mistakenly believe that is a strategy. They invest in social media ads, school sponsorships, and even billboards without understanding whether these decisions are effective or if they resonate with their target audience. This approach leads to wasted resources and missed growth opportunities. Why is this the wrong approach? First, overhead. When monthly revenue is spent on a pricey lease, too much inventory, or payroll, there is no room for investment in the business. Like your retirement accounts, your business needs constant investment. Without a clear plan to continuously build customer awareness, people will drive by your location, not purchase your overstocked inventory, or add enough to the bottom line to justify a hefty payroll. Too many fall into this trap of buying or hiring more, thinking that is the solution for growth. In reality, it prohibits growth. Second, being unsure of what it takes to build awareness, make the business unique, and continuously funnel new and existing customers into the business. This is the most critical part of opening and maintaining a business, even before hiring a CPA or attorney, picking a location, or hiring. Without a true plan to build awareness for the business, sales and profit cannot be sustained, and plenty of competitors will step in front of you, taking the attention away from your business. Without any mechanism for driving awareness and no unique differentiator for your business, your potential audience will go where they always have gone for similar products and services and not consider your offerings. Third, not taking awareness and building it into consideration, purchase, and continued loyalty. Your customer base should be your best sales force, not just your current or future employees. Without a process to ensure your customer base is your advocate and sales force, customers may overlook your business for other options. Investing in this process correctly is the most important decision you will ever make for your business, and it shows your customers that they are not just buyers, but integral to the success of your business. Stop Thinking It Is Spending - It is Investing With True, Measurable ROI If any of the points outlined above sound like your business's current approach, it's time for a change. Instead of viewing marketing as 'mere spending on ads,' start seeing it as an investment in a comprehensive, strategic marketing approach. This involves analyzing the cost-effectiveness of various channels, understanding your audience deeply, and continuously adapting to new shifts. This strategic approach will give you the confidence that your marketing efforts are not just expenses, but investments with a measurable return. Stop thinking you don't have a marketing budget. Instead, think about allocating your resources better to yield higher returns. Strategic investment in a true go-to-market plan is not just an option but a necessity for sustainable growth. Need Help? Are you not sure you have the right strategy or have questions? The team at Edit Media is here to help. We offer a FREE consultation that could be the most valuable hour spent on your business. We build strategies for winning brands. Before investing in ads or making uncertain expenditures, talk to us. Visit Edit Media Consulting: https://www.editmediaconsulting.com/ or call our local office at (769) 300-1460. About the Author Adam Horlock has over 15 years of experience in media relations and operational leadership. Horlock has served in management and executive capacities, opening new offices for both the commercial foodservice and coworking office space industries. Additionally, Horlock has worked with FOX and Gordon Ramsay Productions and has multiple national television appearances with Ramsay on FOX and Ramsay's series "24 Hours to Hell and Back". Horlock has also worked with Food Network and celebrity chef Robert Irvine in the "Kitchen Impossible" series. In 2021, Horlock was named a contributing writer for Entrepreneur Magazine and is featured in national media such as USA Today, Yahoo! Finance, San Francisco Examiner, and TechTimes. Horlock launched Pinnacle Public Relations in 2022, working with brands in tech, fin-tech, healthcare, financial services, and startups. In 2023, Horlock co-founded and launched the Bourbon and Business Podcast©, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and multiple additional platforms. Horlock is also writing his first book, "The Lies Brands Tell Themselves, and the Truths That Set Them Free©." About Edit Media Consulting Edit Media Consulting launched in early 2022, and founder Alexandra Shockey has grown the agency with locations in Memphis, Nashville, Oxford, and now Jackson. Since the agency's formation, Shockey has grown the operation to serve clients across the US, primarily focusing on helping small- and medium-sized businesses succeed. Shockey launched Edit Media after nearly ten years of experience at FedEx, where she managed the Global Social Media and Media Relations teams. Her extensive storytelling experience has garnered national awards and recognition in the social media industry, with story coverage in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Wired, and all major broadcast networks. Shockey has more than two decades of media experience in which she has led marketing campaigns from business launches to product launches to global marketing initiatives. Adam Horlock and Alexandra Shockey officially merged Pinnacle Public Relations into Edit Media in January 2024.
Why People Believe in Us
When I started Oakmont Financial Partners in July of 2021, we didn't have recognition in the community. Although I'd been an independent Financial Advisor since 2009, I was apart of an already established firm. Joining the Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance in August of 2022 has not only gotten Oakmont Financial Partners into the community, but has allowed me to connect with others that I may not have connected with.
Michael Petyak,
Oakmont Financial Partners
"Since the City's inception, the Business Alliance has been a vital partner, instrumental to the success of our citizens and businesses. We would not be where we are today without the dedication of Elizabeth Tyler and her team."
Walter C. Morrison IV
Mayor of Gluckstadt
As a founding member of the Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance, I've had the privilege of connecting with many local business owners and professionals. This networking opportunity has not only contributed to the growth of my business but has also fostered lasting friendships.
The business alliance is a powerful resource, offering a variety of programs aimed at strengthening and enriching our community for the benefit of all.
Robin Covington, State Farm
Covington Insurance Agency
Grow with us!
We make anything happen. Just contact us and we'll be there.