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FUELING IDEAS. IGNITING GROWTH.

Spark Sessions are blaze’s monthly in-person workshops designed to equip local business leaders with fresh ideas, actionable strategies, and meaningful connections. Each session dives into a relevant topic, whether it’s marketing, leadership, operations, or innovation, and offers practical takeaways that can be applied right away.

Led by industry experts and shaped by real business challenges, Spark Sessions are more than just a learning opportunity. They’re a space to collaborate, ask questions, and grow alongside other driven leaders in your community.

FRESH PERSPECTIVES. REAL STRATEGIES. DELIVERED QUARTERLY.

Ignite Insights is blaze’s quarterly newsletter created for business leaders who are ready to grow smarter. Each issue delivers straight-to-the-point insights on marketing, IT, leadership, sales, and the occasional deep dive into HR and other business essentials.

Real advice. Real ideas. Real results. Sent to your inbox four times a year.

REAL CONVERSATIONS. BOLD INSIGHTS. WEEKLY

Torch Talk is the blaze podcast built for local business leaders who want more than surface-level advice. Each week, we sit down with entrepreneurs, experts, and community changemakers to talk strategy, leadership, marketing, IT, and what it really takes to grow a business today.

Clear, honest conversations that inform, inspire, and connect.

ignite ideas, spark connections, and fuel lasting success

Built for the bold

blaze is a growth platform built for local business leaders who are ready to lead boldly. Powered by Fierce Creative Solutions, blaze delivers business insights, expert conversations, and community events—all designed to fuel meaningful results for businesses looking to grow, connect, and lead with confidence.


big ideas. real connections. local impact

The blaze Business Expo is where everything comes together. This annual event brings local business leaders face-to-face for a day of learning, networking, and bold conversation. From keynote speakers and expert-led sessions to interactive exhibits and peer insights, the blaze Expo is designed to energize your growth and elevate the power of local business.

Come to discover new strategies, connect with like-minded leaders, and explore fresh ways to move your business forward. You’ll leave inspired, equipped, and ready to take your next step with confidence.


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TV Advertising: What You Need to Know to Win

Speaker:

Channel 3 Cleveland

September 24, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

103 S. Mill St, Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627

Lunch will be provided

Ready to cut through the noise and reach your audience where they’re really watching? Join us for a high-impact session that breaks down everything you need to know about Streaming TV advertising—from targeting precision to measuring real ROI. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your strategy, you'll walk away with actionable insights to create campaigns that connect and convert.

Doors open at 11:45 AM.

REGISTER >

Cyber Smart: Protecting Your Business in a Digital World

Speaker:

Joel Hershberger - Logivision

October 9, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

103 S. Mill St, Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627

Lunch will be provided

Think your small-town business is off the radar for cyber threats? Think again. During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re breaking down why no business is too small—or too rural—to be targeted.

From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, digital threats don’t care about your ZIP code. This session will give you practical steps to protect your business, your customers, and your reputation. You don’t need to be a tech expert—just ready to take action.

Why Attend:

  1. Learn why rural and small-town businesses are just as vulnerable to cyber threats
  2. Discover the most common digital risks and how to guard against them
  3. Get a clear checklist of easy-to-implement cybersecurity best practices
  4. Understand how to create a “human firewall” with employee awareness
  5. Know how to respond if your business is ever compromised
REGISTER >

Marketing Budgeting for 2026 Speaker

Speaker:

Fierce Creative Solutions

November 17, 2025

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

103 S. Mill St, Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627

Lunch will be provided

More Information Coming Soon

REGISTER >
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FUELING IDEAS. IGNITING GROWTH.

GET UPDATES ON UPCOMING SPARK SESSIONS, WHERE BOLD IDEAS, REAL TALK, AND LOCAL LEADERS COME TOGETHER.

DELIVERED MONTHLY.

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From Likes to Leads: Mastering Social Media Strategy for Growth

Speaker:

Fierce Creative Solutions

Social media isn’t just about likes and shares—it’s a powerful tool to drive real business growth. In this engaging session, local business leaders will learn how to craft a results-driven social media strategy that turns engagement into leads and sales.

Join us as we break down the latest trends, platform best practices, and actionable tactics to help you maximize your online presence. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or decision-maker, this workshop will provide the insights and strategies you need to boost visibility, connect with your audience, and see a tangible return on your social efforts.

Expect to walk away with:

  1. A clear roadmap for an effective social media strategy
  2. Best practices for content that attracts and converts
  3. Insights into platform algorithms and how to work with them
  4. Tools and techniques to save time and increase impact

Don’t just post—post with purpose. Elevate your social media game and start turning followers into customers!

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HR Policies & Procedures Workshop Speaker

Speaker:

Renee West - HR Solutions

In today’s dynamic workplace, attracting top talent is only half the battle—developing and retaining that talent is where the real competitive advantage lies. As workforce expectations evolve, organizations must respond with intentional, future-ready strategies that prioritize employee growth, skill development, and long-term engagement.

This session explores the leading trends in employee development, training, and retention—what’s driving them, how they're shaping HR strategy, and what forward-thinking organizations are doing to stay ahead. From personalized learning paths and reskilling programs to purpose-driven culture and internal mobility, we'll unpack how HR can lead the way in building a resilient, future-ready workforce.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

-Identify emerging trends in employee development, learning technologies, and retention strategies that are shaping the future workplace.

-Understand the evolving expectations of today’s workforce around growth, feedback, career pathing, and meaningful work.

-Evaluate new approaches to learning and development (L&D), including microlearning, coaching, and skills-based training.

-Apply evidence-based strategies to improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, and foster a culture of continuous development.

-Design employee development initiatives that align with business goals while supporting individual career growth and retention.

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Sell More: Break Through Sales Roadblocks

Speaker:

Jordan Mullet - Senior Partner/Owner at Sandler by The Ruby Group

Your team is working hard, but the numbers aren’t where they should be. You’ve got big goals, aggressive targets, and a business to grow—so what’s holding sales back?

In this fast-paced Spark Session, we’ll uncover the hidden roadblocks that slow down sales and show you how to fix them fast. Learn simple, proven strategies to stop wasting time, push past comfort zones, and get your team closing more deals. No fluff—just real steps to turn effort into revenue.

Walk away with:

✅ Why sales stall and how to spot the bottlenecks

✅ Simple strategies to increase prospecting and conversions

✅ A fresh perspective on leading sales conversations with confidence

If you’re ready to sell more without working harder, don’t miss this session.

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Ensuring Organizational Success Through Effective Performance Conversations

Speaker:

Chris Beck - President of Branches Worldwide and Branches Consulting, Co. & Deanna Nichols-Stika - Consultant, Branches Consulting Co

Creating a culture that cultivates feedback is an essential part of any successful organization. However, as leaders, giving and receiving feedback is easier said than done.

This workshop is designed to equip leaders with the skills and confidence to conduct meaningful and constructive performance conversations. Effective performance discussions are essential for driving engagement, improving productivity, and fostering professional growth.

Participants will learn best practices and walk away with a tool they can implement immediately to conduct meaningful performance conversations.

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Marketing Madness: Don’t Leave Your Marketing to Luck!

Speaker:

Lindsey Chupp - Chief of Strategy, Founder Fierce Creative Solutions

A winning marketing strategy isn’t built on luck—it’s built on smart plays! Join us for Marketing Madness, an action-packed session designed to help you craft a game-winning marketing playbook for 2025. Whether you're looking to score big with brand awareness, break through the competition, or drive consistent growth, this session will equip you with the tools and insights to stay ahead of the game.

What’s in Your Playbook?

Full-court marketing strategies to drive results

Pro tips from industry experts on the latest marketing trends

Networking with a team of like-minded business pros

A slam dunk approach to mapping out your 2025 success

Don’t rely on lucky shots—take control of your marketing game and make every play count!

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Client Experience Reality Check

Speaker:

Is Your Client Experience as Good as You Think?

You think you’re delivering a five-star experience—but what if your customers don’t agree? It’s time for a reality check! Join us on February 26th for a no-BS Lunch & Learn at the Fierce Creative Solutions office, where we’ll dive deep into the real customer experience.

What You’ll Discover:
Client Journey Audit: Identify what’s working and what’s falling flat.
The Gaps You Can’t See: Find out where you’re unintentionally losing business.
Loyalty Boosting Tactics: Create experiences that turn customers into brand advocates.
Honest Feedback = Better Business: Learn how to capture and leverage real customer insights.
Actionable Takeaways: Walk away with immediate strategies to level up your client experience.

If you’re serious about keeping customers happy, this session is a MUST.

Claim your spot today—Before your competitors do!

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Streaming TV, Everything You Need to Know!

Speaker:

Upgrade Your Advertising with the Power of Streaming TV

Streaming TV isn’t the future—it’s the NOW! Are you ready to tap into its full potential and supercharge your marketing strategy? Join us for an electrifying Spark Session where we’ll break down the must-knows for streaming, so you can maximize your advertising impact!

Why You Can’t Miss This:

Pinpoint Precision: Target your dream audience with laser-focused ads.

ROI Like Never Before: Track, tweak, and optimize for maximum impact.

Unforgettable Ads: Learn what makes a streaming ad impossible to ignore.

Trendspotting 101: Stay ahead of the curve in the fast-moving digital landscape.

Expert Insights & Live Q&A: Get your burning questions answered by industry pros.

Do NOT get left behind—Get ahead of the game with your digital advertising and elevate your marketing strategy.

Save your seat now!

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Your 2025 Marketing Playbook

Speaker:

Start the year with a spark! Join us for Spark Sessions, an exclusive event designed to ignite your marketing strategy for 2025. Whether you're looking to amplify your brand, drive growth, or sharpen your focus, this session will provide the tools and insights you need to build a winning marketing playbook.

What to Expect:

  • Actionable strategies tailored to your business goals
  • Expert insights into the latest marketing trends and tools
  • Networking with like-minded business professionals
  • A collaborative environment to inspire fresh ideas
  • Let’s map out your success and ensure 2025 is your best year yet!

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LEAD A SPARK SESSION

Have insight to share? We’re looking for bold business leaders, experts, and community change makers ready to guide real conversations that fuel growth.

If you’ve got actionable strategies, fresh ideas, and a topic that matters to local businesses, we want to hear from you.

Ready to spark something big?

APPLY TO LEAD >