Joe Vagnone, a business consultant with ENLIGN Business Brokers is author of “So You Want to Buy a Small Business?”. Vagnone can also be heard on Friday’s at 8:00 am interviewing small businesses from Statesville to Huntersville on WSIC 100.7 FM and 1400 AM.

This past Friday, January 20, 2017, Vagnone was awarded the Lake Norman Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award for 2016. Lake Norman Chamber Board Chair Callan H Bryan recognized Joe Vagnone not only for the six years of service on the 1,000 Member Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, but for the very significant role he has played being the sounding board for small business at the Lake.

In presenting the award, Bryan told the 200 business and community leaders attending the 30th Annual Meeting of the Chamber, “When it comes to Small Business – this gentleman certainly has its ear – Joe Vagnone has been the Business Growth Chair for several years and as such each year has both planned and emceed the Small Business Event during Small Business Week. He was also very involved with our Institute of Political Leadership and is the Voice of Local Biz Now on WSIC stations.”

Bill Russell, President of the Lake Norman Chamber, says Vagnone has been a strong advocate for business when it comes to transportation issues, signage, and land codes. “I still recall almost 8 years ago, when Joe would call citing his concern after sitting down with small business owners regarding signage and more recently I-77.We didn’t just take his concerns to heart, we tapped him for the Board of Directors and he was offered an opportunity serve as Business Growth Chair. Joe flourished in that role creating a Small Business Event held during Small Business Week focusing on a panel and series of speakers who could bring value to local businesses – whether members of the chamber or not.”

Russell said there were ideas Joe had which were tremendous in theory like a Small Business Certification Program, but were a little more complex than the chamber could wrap its hands around today. “I would still like to see us tackle that,” said Russell. “But for the time being we’re focused on doing the things we do well ... better and finding new programs which can increase our value and relevancy to our membership.”

About ENLIGN Business Brokers:
ENLIGN Business Brokers, which has its headquarters in Raleigh, NC and regional offices in Charlotte, NC, Greensboro, NC and Nashville, TN, provides seller and buyer services, professional negotiation, and valuation and marketing services to small and medium business sellers and buyers.

ENLIGN provides business owners wishing to sell their businesses with discrete, objective counsel and valuation advice implementing an innovative, comprehensive approach to marketing businesses for sale. Complete confidentiality is offered throughout the process.
ENLIGN, which is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source and the American Business Brokers Association (ABBA), requires that its agents and affiliates have owned a successful business of their own, hold an advanced degree and be members of IBBA working towards or having completed the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) accreditation.

For more information about buying or selling a business or becoming an ENLIGN affiliate broker, contact Jeff Snell at jsnell@enlign.com or visit the Web site at www.enlign.com. Photo courtesy of Ocaid Photography.