On this episode of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce podcast Business LO, Chamber Member Heather Graves Ramsey interviews government affairs expert Paul Glass about how government affairs committees engage members, build relationships with elected officials, and advocate on issues affecting businesses, including regulations, permitting, fees, taxes, transportation, insurance costs, business retention, and land development. Glass emphasizes that “business friendly” means officials listen, understand business impacts, and apply consistent processes; he urges business owners to pay attention via chamber communications and city agendas, bring concerns first to the chamber, invite officials to visit businesses, and follow up to maintain accountability. He also advises prospective candidates to prepare for major time demands, fundraising, public scrutiny, and family impacts. Chamber CEO Liz Hartman shares chamber updates with What You Need to Know in LO, including September ticket sales for the October 3rd Wine Walk, booking 2027 networking hosts, rebooting the Downtown Business Group, and upcoming affinity group meetings, including Women’s Lakeside Leaders on September 23, 2026.

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Website

Visit us at 311 B Avenue, Suite E

(next to the Post Office, across from the fire station and the Beacon Building/Lola's)

We offer a wide range of membership tiers and benefits, so browse through our options on our website and pick the one that’s right for your business or organization.

Questions? Call 503-636-3634

For help with your own Podcast Show contact Michelle O’Dell, Modcast Productions michelle@modcastproductions.com

This episode of Business LO is all about beautifying our fair city! We appreciate it so much that our podcast cover art highlights our love of the signature flower baskets all over town.

You may be wondering who and what is behind all this. We are excited to feature Jonn Karsseboom, owner of The Garden Corner in Tualatin, also known as the "Garden Rebel." As he says on his LinkedIn profile, "Under the guise of 'work' I play the entire day long outside...creating all kinds of hanging baskets for every season and every occasion."

We also have Beth Oliphant Hoover, Executive Director at The Oliphant Hoover Community Charity, who will discuss the story of our beautiful, bodacious baskets around Lake Oswego. Heather Graves Ramsey, owner of Coach to Brilliance, leads the conversation and specializes in executive coaching and leadership development.

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Website

Visit us at 311 B Avenue, Suite E

(next to the Post Office, across from the fire station and the Beacon Building/Lola's)

We offer a wide range of membership tiers and benefits, so browse through our options on our website and pick the one that’s right for your business or organization.

Questions? Call 503-636-3634

For help with your own Podcast Show contact Michelle O’Dell, Modcast Productions michelle@modcastproductions.com

Business LO, a Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce podcast hosted by Michelle O’Dell, features a guest-branded episode with Sage Notion founders Zoie Newman and Dylan Clifford, who provide Human Resources support for small and mid-size businesses. HR should be a trusted, human-centered resource, and proactive HR saves money, prevents culture damage, and improves retention through clear values statements, codes of conduct, and compliant processes. The conversation also covers Paid Leave Oregon—often misunderstood compared to FMLA—and how supporting employees through leave builds loyalty, with an example of helping an employee during a family emergency. They highlight Oregon compliance issues such as confidential employee files and required safety meetings or committees. Learn how training and development are key drivers of retention and productivity, and better understand the importance of encouraging healthy conflict while addressing abuse.

Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce Website

Visit us at 311 B Avenue, Suite E

(next to the Post Office, across from the fire station and the Beacon Building/Lola's)

We offer a wide range of membership tiers and benefits, so browse through our options on our website and pick the one that’s right for your business or organization.

Questions? Call 503-636-3634

For help with your own Podcast Show contact Michelle O’Dell, Modcast Productions michelle@modcastproductions.com