BBB Highlights Importance of Meeting Standards for Trust

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – As it marks its 50th year, the Better Business Bureau of Mahoning Valley boasts about 1,000 businesses that meet its standards for trust.

The BBB held its annual Meeting of Accredited Businesses on Thursday at the D.D. Davis Education & Visitor Center at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Fellows Riverside Gardens. The organization was established in 1974.

“BBB accredited businesses believe in setting themselves to a higher standard,” explained Melissa Ames, BBB of Mahoning Valley president and CEO. “So in order to become an accredited business, you have to meet our BBB standards for trust: advertising honestly, telling the truth, being transparent, honoring promises.”

The organization gave more than 327,000 business profiles on Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana county businesses this year. BBB also assisted over 1,900 consumers with dispute resolution issues and spoke to more than 5,000 businesses and consumers by phone.

“So this work is carried out by our staff every day, helping people solve their most immediate issue,” Ames explained. 

BBB is the source for users looking for information about businesses, she said.

“And businesses recognize the importance of the BBB torch because the BBB serving the Mahoning Valley has a 91% retention rate, one of the highest in the country,” Ames told meeting attendees. 

A video was shown at Thursday morning’s meeting recognizing BBB Trust Builders: Premier Bank, PNC Bank, Farmers National Bank and Huntington Bank.

“The Trust Builders are a group of banking institutions that invest in trust building and strengthen our community,” Ames said. 

The meeting also marked a change in BBB officers and directors. John Burgan of Burgan Real Estate is the chairman as Jeff Ryznar of 898 Marketing, chairman for the past three years, becomes an emeritus director. Ed Muransky of The Muransky Companies is vice chairman, and Rachel Barber of VEC is treasurer. Colleen Kelley of the Youngstown Business Incubator is secretary, and Jennifer Johnson of Aqua Ohio is past chair.

Ames recognized Ryznar and Becky Dearing Wall of Dearing Compressor, also a director who’s becoming a director emeritus, for their leadership.

“They’ve both been just wonderful to the BBB, and I’m very, very grateful to them,” she said.

Ryznar said the annual meeting coincides with the giving season.

“As it relates to the Better Business Bureau, all of us in this room run our organizations and businesses under the concept of giving,” he said. “And it’s giving the principles of what the Better Business Bureau has been established on … and it’s in giving our time, and giving trust to our companies and our clients and our customers …”

It’s also giving truth, integrity and trust in everything they do, Ryznar said. 

Ames also announced that BBB has partnered with Guild Quality in furthering its mission to give users the best experience. Guild Quality assists home improvement industry businesses. Reviews will be placed in BBB business profiles, giving users additional verified and trusted information.

“In 2024, BBB also continues to invest in the youth of our Valley,” Ames said. “BBB’s commitment to YBI’s Youth Entrepreneurship program will serve 325 Valley students and teach them entrepreneurial skills.”

The international BBB has teamed with Walmart to provide tips for holiday shoppers. Ames warned about using unfamiliar websites, urging users to check the website URL. Porch pirates – people who steal packages that have been delivered – are also active this time of year. She also warned that gift cards are for gifts, not unsolicited payments. 

Pictured at top: Melissa Ames, president and CEO of the BBB Mahoning Valley.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.