Westfield Bank appoints Brent Bean as Vice President,Business Development Officer Westfield, MA—James C. Hagan, President and CEO of Westfield Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Bean as Vice President and Business Development Officer. Bean, who previously served as Assistant Vice President, Business Development Officer, has been appointed to Vice President, Business Development Officer, and will continue to establish relationships with new and existing customers focusing on commercial
Starting a business in West Hartford isn’t just about having the right idea. It’s about setting up the right foundation — the investments that stabilize your operations, build credibility, and let you scale with confidence.L;DR Focus first on infrastructure (legal, financial, digital). Prioritize investments that save time and reduce risk. Work with professionals where expertise matters most — legal formation, accounting, branding, and tech. Don’t skimp on community visibility; being
Westfield Bank funds Future Leaders with $2,500 Donation to YMCA of Greater Hartford’s Y-Bell Power Scholars Academy Westfield, MA—Westfield Bank is pleased to announce a $2,500 donation to the YMCA of Greater Hartford in support of the Y-BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) Power Scholars Academy, a partnership between the Y and the national nonprofit BellXcel. This initiative empowers students from the Hartford region with academic enrichment, confidence-building experiences, and the readiness to
WESTFIELD BANK APPOINTS JAMIE GARCIA AS SENIOR LENDER FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT Westfield, MA— James C. Hagan, President and CEO of Westfield Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jamie Garcia to Senior Vice President and Senior Lender for the state of Connecticut. This appointment recognizes her exceptional contributions to the Bank’s growth and her continued leadership in shaping its future success. Garcia, who previously served as Senior Vice President and Team Leader of Middle Market C&I
Launching or scaling a small business often means convincing new customers to trust you quickly. One of the most effective ways to establish credibility is through visual branding. The way your brand looks communicates volumes before a single word is read. Below are strategies to help your business create a consistent, trustworthy brand presence. Why Consistency Builds Confidence Trust begins with recognition. When customers repeatedly see the same color palette, logo, and tone across channels,
Running a small business comes with an abundance of unknowns, but few owners stop long enough to plan for the truly disruptive ones. Natural disasters, cyberattacks, supply chain breakdowns, or even a sudden illness can all push operations to the brink. While these threats seem distant until they’re not, having a clear-eyed emergency strategy in place can mean the difference between recovery and permanent closure. Preparation isn’t just about stockpiling supplies—it’s about building the kind of resilience
Building small business partnerships in your community isn’t just about networking events and handing out business cards—it’s about trust, mutual investment, and creative collaboration. If you want to create meaningful connections, you have to go beyond the surface and find ways to bring value to the businesses around you. Partnerships thrive when they’re built on authenticity and shared goals rather than just transactional benefits. Whether you’re running a coffee shop, a boutique, or a local tech
Customer referrals are a key driver of business growth and trust. They attract new clients while strengthening the perception of your brand. Strategic actions tailored to your audience can boost referral rates effectively. Consistent engagement and providing exceptional value encourage customers to share their experiences. Personalizing interactions can also deepen loyalty and inspire recommendations.Strengthen Customer Loyalty with Tiered Rewards Creating a tiered loyalty program can be a powerful tool
In the fast-paced world of business, the efficiency of your warehouse operations can be a game-changer. Picture a well-oiled machine where every component works in harmony—this is what optimized warehouse management can do for your business. It not only drives productivity and cuts costs but also sets the stage for exponential growth. Are you ready to transform your warehouse into a powerhouse of efficiency? Buckle up as we delve into actionable strategies that will elevate your operations and propel your