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Fifty-two weeks a year, Triangle Business Journal delivers valuable, local business news and compelling, authoritative information and insight to the Triangle community. More than 41,000 business professionals read the journal weekly to find out about the latest business records, the growth of high-impact businesses, and the most up-to-date business news that matters to them.

Behind it all is Char Grunwaldt, publisher of Triangle Business Journal and Greater Raleigh Chamber member.

Char is an integral part of her organization and the community. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, American Lung Association, Duke Children's Classic, Rex Healthcare Foundation, and Boy Scouts of America – Occoneechee Council. And she's been named Volunteer of the Year by NCEITA and has received the American City Business Journals' Eagle Award for Excellence.

Through serving on committees and participating in networking events hosted by the Greater Raleigh Chamber, Char says her company's visibility and revenue have increased. "We have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the top CEOs in the Triangle and to build strong relationships with them," says Char. "Those relationships have had a direct effect on the growth of our advertising and subscription revenue."

The Triangle Business Journal publication itself is also figuratively "rubbing shoulders" with many employees at businesses throughout the Triangle. Statistics have shown that more than four people read each issue of the journal, making it a popular publication in the workplace. Seventy-four percent of the journal's readership is from small businesses (under 100 employees), while the remaining 26 percent comes from companies with more than 100 employees.

Triangle Business Journal has been a member of the Chamber for more than 16 years. During this time, they have experienced first hand the value of the organization. "Bringing local businesses together makes our local business community much stronger and well-organized," says Char. "The Chamber offers a support network for area businesses and has diverse program offerings to help businesses of all sizes, from the one-person entrepreneurial company to the large corporation."

Ida Terbet is many things. She's the mother of six children, a philanthropist, and a Carolina Panthers fan. Her team of realtors ranks No. 1 with Keller Williams in Raleigh and the Carolinas -- sixth internationally. And she's a member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from Yonkers, N.Y., Ida moved to Raleigh from Northern California in 1986. One year later, she started her career in real estate. It's been a joy for her ever since.

The secret to her success? For one, Ida is a great spokeswoman for the area. "Raleigh has been blessed with a rare quality of life that includes great communities, diverse employment, the best schools, and all types of cultural and recreational activities," she says. "While Raleigh has drastically grown and changed since 1986, it has maintained its sense of community and pride."

Ida also loves people and giving back to her community." What I enjoy the most about real estate is helping people -- helping them find what they want," she says. "They are making important decisions, and I want to help them make the right one!"

As one of the area's, and the country's, leading real estate agents, Ida works hard to help people find the perfect home and fulfill their dreams. Her personal goal is to make every transaction for each client as professional, successful and stress-free as possible. And it's worked. Her company is thriving.

Ida attributes her success in part to the "fountain of networking opportunities" she has experienced through the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. "It has been wonderful to be a part of a Chamber of Commerce that has supported and encouraged Raleigh's business community, as well as provided such leadership to individuals and businesses like mine through this time of growth," Ida says. "I would encourage every business to be a part of the Chamber."

Most people only claim to have one job at a time, perhaps two. Ron Andrews, a member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, has five.

A man on a mission, Ron Andrews is regional sales manager for The Black Pages USA, owner of Andrews Enterprises and The Andrews Agency, founder and president of Movers & Shakers USA, key motivational speaker for Dream Chaser Seminars, and master of ceremonies and motivational speaker for The National Women's Spa Day Tour. His secret to success? Networking.

"We have been a member for over ten years," says Ron. "The Chamber has afforded us great opportunities to network with some of the Triangle's top companies, and as a result, we have acquired a number of large accounts."

A New Jersey native, Ron moved to North Carolina to attend North Carolina Central University. After graduation, he had the opportunity to run two black owned million-dollar companies based in Durham. According to Ron, this was a key experience that assisted in him being where he is today.

Ron has made history three times in his life already. He founded one of the first chapters of the American Marketing Association at a historical black university; served as campaign manager for the first-ever African-American mayor of Durham; and was the first person in Amcall Telecommunications history to earn the Emerald Eagle Award.

Sam Yehia is probably the only businessman in Raleigh, or perhaps the entire state, who claims to have Sir Walter Raleigh as his silent business partner. "Wally," as he affectionately calls his partner, is the other half of the popular Sam & Wally's Eatery, located in downtown Raleigh.

How is this possible? With a good, old-fashioned dose of humor.

According to Sam Yehia, Sir Walter Raleigh has turned in his broad brimmed, feathered hat for that of a Sam & Wally's baseball cap. The proof is in the Sam & Wally's Eatery logo. There he is, right next to Sam.

Having worked with many of the better-known hotel and restaurant properties in the Triangle, and the owner of the original Truffles candy store, Sam says that his partnership with Wally is a perfect blend of their personalities and expertise. "We both have an old world background and tradition but share strong ties to North Carolina," he says. "Wally is the ideal partner for me. He has given his name to the restaurant (not to mention the city), but stays in the background -- a true silent partner."

Another partner Sam appreciates is the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. A Chamber member since 1995, Sam & Wally's Eatery has benefited from referrals. "The Chamber has been a great source of information about other local businesses," Sam says. "We have catered many lunches that have been referred to us by a member of the fine Chamber staff."

They may not look like the chimney sweeps in the Disney classic "Mary Poppins," dancing on rooftops with soot on their faces, but Gerald and Sherry FitzGibbon with The Mad Hatter Air Duct Cleaning & Chimney Sweep Service, Inc. will get your chimney or air ducts just as clean ... without the spoon full of sugar.

Gerald and Sherry moved to Raleigh from Atlanta in 1995 to start their own business after working in corporate companies. They chose the area after reading articles that rated the community as being an up-and-coming place for new businesses.

"Within the first year we were contacted by the Chamber and encouraged, as a small business, to become better acquainted with the business community," Gerald and Sherry say. "And it's worked. At every meeting or event we have attended through the years, we always make at least one new contact."

As a family-owned and operated air duct cleaning company, Gerald and Sherry say that the Chamber has given their company credibility from the beginning. "Our customers feel comfortable doing business with us since the Chamber is viewed as a major player in the workings of our community," they say. "The Chamber consistently keeps us informed on new trends in business, economy predictions, and other issues important to us."

"We believe all businesses, especially smaller family-owned businesses, can really benefit from joining the Chamber. We are proud to be on the Board of Advisors at the Chamber."

Finding ways to treat people better, from clients to employees, is the hallmark of Mulkey Engineers and Consultants, and more importantly, of president Barbara Mulkey herself. An N.C. State alumnus, Barbara founded in 1993 what is now one of the fastest-growing engineering consulting firms in the Southeast.

How has she done it? In addition to being a skilled engineer and entrepreneur, Barbara is actively involved in the Greater Raleigh Chamber. "As a company, we've been able to make important connections with the area's business leaders, our elected officials, and our peers," Barbara says. "This has led to new business opportunities and helped fuel our company's rapid growth."

Barbara adds, "Aside from the business value, we also support the Chamber because of the leadership it provides in our community. From economic development to our quality of life, the Greater Raleigh Chamber leads the way."

From small beginnings has grown the largest, independently owned insurance and risk management firm in the Research Triangle area. The company? TriSure Corporation.

Linda and Cleve Folger and John Cramer founded TriSure in 1999 as a result of a merger of two independent insurance brokers (Triangle Insurance Services, Inc. and Cramer, Menard & Mathis, LLC). Linda is one of three partners with TriSure Corporation, and a dedicated supporter of the Greater Raleigh Chamber.

"The Greater Raleigh Chamber has been a tremendous means of boosting our visibility," Linda says. "By participating in the educational events and networking events offered by the Chamber, we have not only learned more about our community but have developed lasting business relationships."

Linda's company is dedicated to providing innovative and comprehensive solutions for businesses. TriSure's goals are multifaceted, in that they intend to achieve significant profitable growth, provide unparalleled professional service to their clients, and serve as community leaders. In order to achieve these lofty goals, Linda says, it is crucial for them to be known in the business community for their professionalism and expertise.

In addition to providing sales and marketing support to TriSure Corporation, as well as the personal sales of business insurance products, Linda's local community involvement includes a board position with the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and membership in the Cary Page Rotary Club, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Raleigh National Association of Women Business Owners. She is also a member of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters, the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors, and the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina.

She is a 1974 graduate of North Carolina State University and a native of North Carolina.