LACC, SCORE, plan entrepreneur forum on Oct. 19

LYNN – The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (S.C.O.R.E.) have teamed up for “Breakfast with Champions: Evolution of an Entrepreneur” to be held on Friday, Oct. 19 at Spinelli’s Function Hall, Route 1 South, Lynnfield, beginning at 7:30 am.Headlining are three prominent entrepreneurs: Kelly Delaney owner of Cakes for Occasions in Danvers, Larry O’Toole owner of Gentle Giant Moving Company, Boston Headquarters, and Brad York, owner of York Ford in Saugus.Panelists will discuss topics of delegating; letting go of control, balancing change; keeping a balanced perspective regarding the evolution of their business plan, motivation; setting a positive team atmosphere, and sound advise; what is the one piece of advice you’d give that’ guided you? Question and answers if time allows.Owner of Cakes for Occasions Kelly Delaney is recognized as one of the nation’s top baking experts, founded the company 15 years ago in a single oven in her mother’s home after receiving her culinary education from Ballymore Cookery School in Ireland and the Cordon Bleu in London. Delaney now employs 30 people and has over 8,000 wedding cakes to her credit. She’s won dozens of awards for her products including Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston and her “Pearls and Shells” cake was voted viewer favorite and featured on NBC’s Today Show for their Destination Wedding segment in 2004.Gentle Giant Moving Company was launched as a Massachusetts moving company in 1980 by Larry O’Toole, and has expanded to six major cities nationally. The company has always taken the “gentle” part of its name very seriously, doing everything possible to deliver professional, caring and competent full service moving services. O’Toole’s mission and goal is to make customers for life by making sure the team he assembles is the best and believes in the mission. Gentle Giant has won countless awards including Boston Magazines “Best of Boston,” the Globe’s Top 100 Best Places to Work and a four time Boston Better Business Bureau Small Business Excellence Award to name a few.Named one of the top 20 dealerships in New England for sales and satisfaction, Brad York’s business philosophy is simple, providing the highest quality of customer service and satisfaction is his number one priority.Brad York comes from a car-loving family beginning in 1977 with York Oldsmobile in Revere. After receiving his MBA in 1987 from Northeastern University, York worked the family business until he opened York Ford in Saugus in 1991.Now one of the largest Ford dealerships in New England, York Ford proudly employs over 70 people; many who have been with York for 10 years or more.With revenue estimated at $40 million a year the dealership has been Blue Oval Certified by Ford, which is a comprehensive customer satisfaction program which ensures the customer a top notch retail experience here at the dealership. To become Blue Oval Certified a dealership must meet a specific set of criteria for sales, service and customer satisfaction as well as problem solving and technological training requirementsYork has served as the President of the Saugus Rotary Club receiving a Paul Harris Award which is the club’s highest honor. In addition, he currently serves as the President of Temple Emanu-el in Marblehead and donates to countless charities and organizations around the North Shore.If You Go? Tickets are $60 per person and RSVP required asseating limited. A table of eight is $400. Sponsorship for the event is $500. To RSVP please call the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce at 781-592-2900 or [email protected]