Marblehead is a great place to have a business -- and we are lucky to be here. This week, our local paper, the Marblehead Reporter, looks at five businesses, including CGPR that are using local resources to succeed. Thanks Marblehead!!

The small coastal towns of Marblehead and Swampscott pride themselves not only on their stunning views, but also their friendliness and community values. While times may be tough in our current economy, this has not stopped some great local businesses from thriving under the pressure. The common denominator that businesses Red Rock Bistro, Hestia Creations, Shubie's, CGPR and Harborside House seem to possess is a desire to stay local and connected.

Lauren Counter of CGPR says, "The area we live in is such a great venue for driving business success. It really is community effort. When businesses help other businesses, especially in down times, it's those collaborations that foster results."

From an ornament shop to a seaside bistro, below are five profiles of businesses to which local businesses frequent.

CGPR ADDRESS 24 Prospect St., Marblehead TELEPHONE NUMBER 781-639-4924 WEBSITE cgprpublicrelations.com


In brief, how did your business get started? Says owner Chris Goddard: I started the business in 1993 after serving as internal PR lead at Rockport. I knew I wanted to continue in PR and work with clients and companies that have products and services for which I have a passion. I started from my living room with Merrell and Killington as clients. From there, I just built the business, and as a result had to add staff. Here I am 18 years later in an office building that we own.

What is your business most popular for? CGPR is known for its strategic counsel and ability to serve as a business partner to our clients — not just a PR agency at the end of a phone line that writes press releases. We become part of our clients’ teams and provide sound business counsel, addressing communication issues that also impact sales.

How are you connected to other local businesses? Marblehead is a very supportive community for businesses like ours. We use and greatly value the businesses that are here and that have helped us keep the business here.

• We work with Shubie’s on a regular basis when we entertain clients. Carol Shube has been terrific in delivering a great spread at a moment’s notice.
• The Lynch van/Otterloo Y provides great Zumba classes for our staff that love to Zumba, along with Energy Within Studio and Drew Gustafson’s Achieve Fit training studio.
• Foster’s Promotions recently provided us with totes that embrace our mission: "Grow for It."
• The local UPS Store is there for us when we need something quick, and Staples delivers next day.

These businesses, in addition to the fact that Marblehead has great beaches and routes for running, are attractions for our team. In other words, you don’t need to be in New York City to offer New York quality PR. We have the talent to service national and international clients right here from Marblehead. We work with billion-dollar brands, such as W.L. Gore & Associates to Adidas.

More about CGPR
How long has your business been open? Since1993
Business type: Public-relations firm
Family involved: Chris Goddard and her husband, Craig Davis, run the business together. Davis is the numbers and IT expert and Goddard uses her creative juices for new business development.

Read more: Take 5, seaside - Marblehead, MA - Marblehead Reporter http://www.wickedlocal.com/marblehead/archive/x1293699024/Take-5-seaside#ixzz1OEMJJe5E