Running a small business is a fantastic opportunity to build relationships within your local community. Whether you offer products or services, have a brick and mortar or do everything online. One thing remains true, we cannot do it alone. Forging relationships within the community is vital to small business success. We at HeartWired have found that other small businesses make for great partnerships.

Partnerships come in all shapes and sizes. For us we partner with local business owners quite often. Sometimes not so local in order to provide the services our clients expect and trust. In doing so we also are able to remain nimble and relatively affordable in providing the solutions that we offer. HeartWired is excited to announce that we have decided to expand our local commitment and partnerships in Jacksonville. We are one of the newest small business partners with our local hockey team, the Jacksonville Icemen.

Okay, we realize that you might be scratching your head. Why a marketing agency like ours would see hockey as a opportunity to develop relationships in our community? Let us share a bit about how that journey unfolded.

Many may or may not recall that Jacksonville as a city has a history with hockey teams.

I am sure many are thinking of if not the current team, the Lizard Kings (1995-2000). Or perhaps the Jacksonville Barracudas (2002-2008). There is actually some hockey history that dates back even further. Dating back to a league that no longer exists the Eastern Hockey League. The first true professional hockey team was the Jacksonville Rockets (1964-1972). They played both in Jacksonville as well as shared space in St. Petersburg, Florida. Little did we know until we were discussing the opportunity to partner with the Icemen, that our owner’s grandfather was a part in bringing hockey to town back in the 60’s. We would be remiss if we did not also mention the Cleveland Barons that moved to Jacksonville only to shut down operations a year later. Unknowingly besides being a fan of the game for many years, our owner has some local hockey history as well.

With all of that history, we are thankful that hockey is back in Jacksonville!

Which brings us to the 2021-2022 hockey season. A season that kicks off its first home game to a sell out crowd at the Jacksonville Vystar Veterans Arena. We announced the partnership briefly when we first signed up a few weeks ago. We like many other Icemen fans are looking forward to a fantastic All-Star season ahead. What better way to come together as a community than to cheer on our local team. Sure other sports teams have draw power, but local sports teams represent the community. A community we at HeartWired are proud to call our home.

Partnering with a small business within our own community to build relationships on and off the ice

If you take a moment and look at the Jacksonville Icemen website. You will see how involved they are right here in Jacksonville. Also you can see the other great small businesses that have decided to come alongside their local team. Many of these are small business owners just like us that see the value of being a part of something bigger than ourselves. Having the opportunity to not only cheer on the Icemen on the ice. Building relationships with other like-minded fans and business owners in the stands. As well as other moments off the ice during the season at various events sponsored by the Icemen.

We are looking forward to the drop of the puck and all the goals this year with the Icemen. If you would like to experience a game first hand, we would love to possibly have you as our guest, or put you in contact with one of the great team members at the Icemen. One advantage of doing business with a local team is they are able to cater more to your specific needs and budget. Joining the Jacksonville Icemen is a win win for everyone involved as we cheer on and support one another in our community.

See you on the ice!