about putnam partners

The investment someone puts into becoming a small business owner is more than just money. It’s more than time. When someone is trying to make a business work that they feel is important, that they’re passionate about and they love, they invest everything they have: their energy, strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, hopes, insecurities, their dreams, and their fears. They invest all of those things in themselves and in their community. Money all of the sudden becomes more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Some see more of their own demons in a day than customers or clients. And a lot of business owners are usually the last people who truly enjoy or appreciate any success because they have a problem with feeling secure about what they have and about spending without guilt and self-hate. 

I never really got that until I joined my husband’s law firm in June of 2018. I knew it would be hard work, but I honestly didn’t understand why he was so stressed or preoccupied with - what I considered - nonsense. We were fine. Business was good. Then one day it hit me. I didn’t understand because my investment in the firm wasn't the same as his. 

This is why I created Putnam Partners. I decided to go all in with everything I have. I created it for my husband. I created it for myself. I created it with the small business owner in mind. Through this, I want to bring people together to create a supportive group where we can learn from each other and cultivate relationships that will benefit small businesses and our community.

Putnam Partners is a select group dedicated to small business owners in West Virginia. Its mission is to help small business owners become successful leaders of companies with dedicated communities of fans. That might seem self-serving, but I don’t think it is at all. It’s my belief that community development contributes just as much to the economy as economic development contributes to the community. For that reason, Putnam Partners will do more than just a refer clients and exchange business cards. It will strengthen small businesses through education, networking, and most of all, support. 

--Elaine Freeman

For more information about how to join Putnam Partners, please feel free to message Elaine at info@parliamentmktg.com.