Janet Haar grew up in a small business.
Haar said she was put to work helping with inventory at her family’s grocery store in Little Rock, Ark., since she was old enough to count.
After 12 years working with small businesses as the executive director of the Oberlin Business Partnership, she is set to retire at the end of the year.
Haar worked a number of jobs in different states including Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Pennsylvania before settling in Ohio.
Her experience working with businesses took off when she became the director of Council of Smaller Enterprises for the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Haar said about 16,000 businesses were part of that organization.
Eventually, she realized she wanted to do something different, which led her to Oberlin.
Her connection to the city came through her son Blake New, Oberlin College men’s soccer head coach.
Haar said he called her when the job opened up in 2010, at the recently merged Oberlin Main Street and Oberlin Chamber of Commerce, which would become Oberlin Business Partnership.
“When this job became available, my son called and said, ‘Mom, I think you need to come here,” she said. “I interviewed and I actually thought I was getting the job, but I did not get the job.”
While Haar did not get the opportunity in 2010, the job became open again a little over a year later; this time she got the position.
She said the organization’s board wanted someone with experience who could hit the ground running.
After taking the executive director role in May 2012, Haar immediately began researching the best ways to run an organization that functioned as both a Main Street and chamber of commerce.
In October 2012, the board did strategic planning to narrow down the organization’s goals.
It was out of this planning that the organization became Oberlin Business Partnership.
Haar said the organization has had success drawing businesses in and being able to serve them.
She said the renewal rate of Oberlin Business Partnership membership is well above average for similar organizations.
Haar’s time at the Oberlin Business Partnership was not without challenges.
During the coronavirus pandemic, there was an extreme strain on local businesses.
“We had to reinvent ourselves and most of the businesses had to reinvent themselves just to sustain themselves,” Haar said. “Even the businesses that are still here are recovering. Some stayed in business by the skin of their teeth.”
Haar said the Second Saturdays events that have run during the warm months over the past few years helped businesses since the pandemic.
These events centered around a farmers market, music, activities, nonprofits and businesses setting up booths outside.
“They were very successful for a couple of years,” Haar said. “Last year, wasn’t as successful because everybody is back to doing everything.”
There still are several other events that are helped run by Oberlin Business Partnership like the Classic Car Show, Family Fun Fair and Chalk Walk.
Haar also said holiday promotions that the Oberlin Business Partnership organized as well as the organization’s gift certificate program have been successful.
She said that from 2020-22, $53,000 in gift cards were purchased.
Haar also was a part of the Women’s Leadership Network and Leadercast Women’s events through Oberlin Business Partnership.
She said these events, that bring in women from all over the area, have drawn attendance of 800 people over five years.
“It was personally very meaningful to be a part of,” she said. “We did surveys after every one of them, and the last three we did, 100 percent of the women said they’d come back again. To me that says that we’re on the right track and women need this.”
Haar, who has lived in North Olmsted during her tenure at Oberlin Business Partnership, said Oberlin’s progressive nature has been important to her experience working there.
“One of the things that I appreciate about Oberlin is the acceptance of diversity,” she said. “Oberlin College is a champion of diversity as well.”
Although Haar no longer will work in Oberlin, she said she will continue to be involved in the community.
She said she already has offered to volunteer at Chalk Walk and wants to continue to be a part of Women’s Leadership Network.
Haar also said she will still be rooted to Oberlin through her son and two granddaughters who live in the city.
In retirement, Haar said she intends to spend more time with her seven children, 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
