Norma Johnson Talks Business Perseverance, Healthcare Cooperatives at Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday on KFYO Mornings with Dave King and Matt Martin, Norma Johnson, executive vice president of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, joined the hosts to talk about how being at 50 percent capacity is affecting businesses, opening new businesses, healthcare for small businesses, upcoming events at the Chamber, and more.
The conversation started when Johnson spoke on the state of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson said that after all that's happened, she believes that Lubbock can be really proud of how businesses have been able to adapt, going on to say that it takes an entrepreneurial spirit to open a business at all. But despite all the new challenges thrown at people, they've still been able to adapt.
She mentioned, however, that many small businesses are very much looking forward to the "light at the end of the tunnel": an effective COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, when asked if the Chamber has been having trouble getting new businesses, Johnson said that surprisingly, they have still had new ribbon cuttings, with new businesses being able to tweak the way they work. She also said that existing businesses have been able to expand and take on new ventures, which she says is very encouraging.
Another topic that was discussed was healthcare, with an oral argument Tuesday (November 10th) at the Supreme Court over the Affordable Care Act.
Johnson was asked if healthcare systems are good for small businesses in Lubbock. Norma explained that in 2006, the Chamber launched a healthcare cooperative for small businesses, which she says was very successful, saving them millions of dollars. However, when the ACA came along in 2014, it took away a lot of the ability to innovate and create market based solutions that were right for Lubbock. She went on to say that they were previously able to listen, and offer products that were affordable and flexible for businesses, but the ACA created problems for that.
Finally, Johnson talked about upcoming events at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, such as the Chamber's Top 20 Under 40 this evening, which she says she is very excited for due to the quality of honorees this year.
"We've got 20 outstanding young professionals that will be recognized this evening as being the cream of the crop," she said. There are still virtual seats available for anyone who would like to attend, and those seats, as well as the list of 20 Under 40 can be found at lubbockchamber.com. They will also start having Small Business Saturdays coming up, which she says has never been more important than now.
Learn more at lubbockchamber.com and watch the full interview in the video above.
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