EXPERTSDidyouknowpeopleare90percentmorelikelytouseaserviceproviderrecommendedbyafriendorfamilymember?Despitealltheadvertisingoptionsavailablethesedays,word-of-mouthisstillthemostimportantkindofmarketingintheUnitedStates.InAmarillo—whereeachofusisjustadegreeortwoseparatedfromeveryoneelse—it’sevenmoreimportant.That’swhywe’vededicatedthisentiresectiontowardlocalexpertise.Whateveryouneed,there’ssomeoneherewhocanhelp.It’sourpleasuretointroducethemtoyou.[SPECIALADVERTISINGSECTION]
[ SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ] 7625 FLEMING AVE. 806.350.3937 | RUSHLASIK.COM
What does your team do best? Rush Eye Associates specializes in world-class Contoura and Wavelight LASIK, treating those with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Our patients are able to enjoy the precision of laser vision correction procedures within a matter of minutes, thanks to the experience and expertise of leading LASIK specialists Dr. Sloan Rush and Dr. J. Avery Rush. Not only are our surgeons among the most experienced refractive specialists in the country, our dedicated team of eyecare experts are truly passionate about their work.
LASIKEXPERTSEYE
Rush AssociatesEye
How long have you been in practice? Having founded the practice in 1980, Dr. J. Avery Rush is a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology for our region. He was the first surgeon to bring laser vision correction to the Texas Panhandle. And then in 2010, Dr. Sloan joined the practice as the region’s first cornea and refractive surgery fellowship-trained specialist. Together, the duo has become known as the Texas LASIK Dream Team. Rush Eye Associates has just unveiled its brand-new, state-of-the-art facility built in the heart of Amarillo’s medical district with your comfort and ease in mind. How does your team maintain its expertise? The Rush Eye Associates team boasts more than 60 years of combined eye surgery experience and has performed more than 80,000 eye procedures and counting. Our team utilizes the most advanced laser vision correction technology available, while maintaining an expert knowledge of the latest breakthroughs. Both Dr. Sloan and Dr. Avery are Board Certified Fellows with the American Board of Ophthalmology and members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the prestigious Refractive Surgery Alliance. Why do your patients choose you? Rush Eye Associates is a world-class eye care practice that focuses on providing excellence in patient care with compassion and integrity. Our incredible team goes above and beyond for every person who walks through our doors, and our surgeons utilize the most advanced, cutting-edge technology available. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? Rush Eye Associates provides a variety of vision correction options beyond LASIK, in order to meet the vision needs of each individual patient. With few exceptions, there is a vision correction procedure available for almost everyone over age 18, regardless of the amount of prescription strength or degree of astigmatism in your glasses. In addition, some of the greatest new innovations in the past few years are related to the advancement of lens implant technology. Lens-based procedures are able to help correct both distance and near vision for patients over age 50 that may require more and more dependency on bifocals and reading glasses.
What do you enjoy most about your work? The most rewarding part of our practice is being able to change people’s lives for the better within a matter of minutes. The LASIK procedure is quick and easy, and the results are almost immediate. Our patients really enjoy the results, and we enjoy helping them through the process.
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VolkswagenStreetofAmarillo
What does your team do best? We decided a long time ago that the only way we were going to be successful in Amarillo and the Panhandle was by putting our customers and community first. It’s not just about saying it, but also acting on it. We truly believe that we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for the community that puts its trust in us day after day. How long have you been in the automotive industry? John has been in the automotive industry since 1980. He started his career in El Paso, Texas, and through the years has worked in every position at a dealership. He is now Owner and General Manager of Street Volkswagen. Sindy started in the automotive industry in 2011, working as a receptionist and promoting up, and now serves as the Comptroller at Street Volkswagen. David started as an intern after graduating from West Texas A&M in 2011, and is now the Marketing Director at Street Volkswagen.
AUTOMOTIVEMARKETINGEXPERTS
How does your team maintain its expertise? As a team, we meet twice a week to discuss projects that can effectively impact our company and we don’t stop there— we’re always searching for ways to ensure our community benefits, too. We know we can’t just pursue traditional marketing and advertising and expect results like you’d see in big metro areas like Dallas or Austin. We also know the only way that our marketing and commitment to our community will be taken seriously is if we are passionate and sincere. We don’t just give money to worthy causes; we also invest our time. John, Sindy and David are board members for several local nonprofits, representing Street VW. Why do your customers choose you? They know we are honest. They know we will do anything we can to help our customers with their automotive needs. But it’s more than just helping and supporting our customers; it’s about being present for anyone who needs us. When our community calls, we are there to answer however we can. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? Through the years, people have asked why we invest so much in our community. At times other automotive dealers in the area and from other parts of the state and country have wondered about our approach. They didn’t understand that by taking care of our community, local people would take care of us and support us. Yes, we invest in ads on radio, TV, print, online and many other mediums, but our best investment has always been in our community. That’s the marketing in which we’ve found our best ROI. What do you enjoy most about your work? We can honestly say that we enjoy coming to work and getting the chance to make every day the best it can be. We love what we do here at Street VW and we really enjoy our daily commitment to our community. It’s a great feeling when people stop us and say something like, ‘Thank you for supporting an organization that I am passionate5000about.’S. SONCY ROAD 806.350.8999 | STREETVW.COM
EXPERTS DAVID NICOLAS MERAZ, JOHN LUCIANO AND SINDY ORTIZ
GLASS EXPERTS
What does your team do best? Customer service! We want to take care of our customers’ needs in any situation. When our customers call us, most often something stressful has happened—glass is broken or a loss has occurred. We do our best to empathize and take care of them in a time of trouble.
How long have you been in business? Wayne and Edythe Robinson opened Wayne’s Quality Auto Glass in 1986, and then in 2006, made the decision to purchase the Glass Doctor Franchise to better serve the Amarillo area as a full-service glass shop. How does your team maintain its expertise? Our technicians are certified and trained on how to properly install windshields. That training evolves with technology. Being a part of a franchise has the advantage of keeping us on the cutting edge of new products and services, from the latest design in shower doors to the recalibration of windshields. Why do your clients choose you? We are dedicated to providing the best experience possible, whether that’s on the phone or in our shop. We strive to take care of all our customers’ glass needs. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? Today, a majority of vehicles are outfitted with many different safety components, including a camera(s) on the windshield. This involves more than just new glass or a new windshield. In these cases, the vehicle must be recalibrated. We have the technology and training to recalibrate windshields to make sure these new vehicles’ technology and safety features are working properly. What do you enjoy most about your work? Our employees make this company what it is. They care about our customers and they care about the quality they deliver with every job. Our customers are amazing— they are like family! We love the Amarillo community. Amarillo is a big “little” town, and we feel blessed to own a business in this 2515city!BRITAIN DRIVE 806.358.7684
DoctorGlassofAmarillo
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STEVEN B. ROSSI, M.D.
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MEDICINEFAMILYEXPERTS
PhysiciansNorthwestGroup
What does your team do best? We are board certified family medicine physicians specializing in the care of the entire family, from newborns to older adults. We take the time to get to know our patients and their health needs. We consider ourselves a partner in their health. long have you been in practice? Steven Rossi, M.D., has 22 years of experience as a family medicine physician. John Slaton, D.O., has 12 years of experience as a family medicine physician. Seth Wilhelm, M.D., has nine years of experience as a family medicine physician.
How does your team maintain its expertise? Our primary care physicians continue their medical education by attending conferences and consulting with other medical professionals. do your patients choose you? We feel we are part of our community, and we want to take care of our community. We attend local events, and you can usually find us participating in local fundraisers for the important nonprofit organizations that help our community. We enjoy seeing our patients in the office and saying hello at the local grocery store.
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What is one thing the public might not understand about you? You and your family can receive comprehensive medical care at Northwest Physicians Group. Family medicine physicians can diagnose and treat many common care is available to the whole family including infants, children and adults. family medicine physicians of care with other specialists
provide: • Routine checkups • Health-risk assessments • Immunization and screening tests • Chronic illness management • Coordination
Our
conditions, including: • Heart disease • Stroke • Hypertension • Diabetes • Cancer • Asthma • Nutrition • Mental health Medical
Why
How
What do you enjoy most about your work? We love getting to know our patients, learning about their families and being a part of their healthcare journey. We know how important it is to find a provider you can trust, and we know by establishing a good relationship we will provide the best plan of care for our patients.
NWTPG.COM FOR LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
EXPERTS SETH WILHELM, M.D.JOHN SLATON, D.O.
AmarilloNationalBank
What does your team do best? We offer easy, fast home loans for mortgage customers. Our loans combine the convenience of online applications with the speed and service of Amarillo National Bank. That’s why we are the largest mortgage lender in the Texas Panhandle. Every year since 2005, we’ve been named Amarillo’s Best Mortgage Company because of our local, hard-working Home Loans team. How long have you been offering home loans? The history of Amarillo National Bank extends back to 1892, when Amarillo was brand-new and residents were starting to build some of the city’s first homes. None of our current employees were around then, but ANB has been making home loans for 130 years. How does your team maintain its expertise? We have worked hard to build relationships with local real-estate agencies, developers and title companies to make sure we are familiar with every aspect of the home-buying process—especially in this market. We know the Amarillo/ Canyon area and we know local neighborhoods. Why do your customers choose you? We are local. Our loan officers live here. If you call when the bank is open, they will answer the phone. We know our customers and we know their neighborhoods, and in a world of online mortgage lenders based in other states, that kind of customer service stands out. Beyond that, ANB is very competitive in the market with rates and fees, and we offer a variety of loan products. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? The national average for closing a mortgage loan is 42 days, but in most cases, we close at least twice that fast. In fact, ANB typically closes eligible loans in two weeks or less. The big online lenders just can’t compete with that kind of speed. What do you enjoy most about your work? Home ownership is a major part of financial independence and a big part of the health of this community. We love playing a role in that! It’s always fulfilling to help people get into their dream homes—especially first-time homebuyers. We also enjoy building strong friendships and relationships with the area’s Realtors and real-estate companies. We work closely with them and are always inspired by their passion. | ANB.COM
HOMEEXPERTSLOAN
806.378.8000
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What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? We’ve put together an incredible small-business banking team at Summit Financial Center, located at 34th and Coulter and connected to Palace Coffee. From there, we can take care of almost every business banking need. Our team can open business accounts, cash checks and take deposits. We can help business owners set up business online banking, remote deposit capture machines, merchant processing and more. Summit also has fabulous mortgage lenders and a Raymond James financial advisor. In addition, Heath offices downtown as a part of our incredible small-business banking team. We truly can take the best care of a business and their employees. What do you enjoy most about your work? It’s definitely our customers, because their creativity and resilience always inspires us. We also enjoy the authentic and fun culture at ANB. Our team loves what we806.378.8000do!
AmarilloNationalBank
What does your team do best? We put our customers first! Our top priority, before making any loan decision, is to understand our customer’s business needs. As a family-owned bank, we aren’t publicly traded, so that means we can make fast decisions on behalf of our customers instead of putting shareholders first or worrying about Wall Street. How long have you been in business? ANB has been making commercial, business and agribusiness loans since 1892. We’ve been in business in this area for 130 years, which is almost as long as Amarillo has existed. How does your team maintain its expertise? We don’t just sit at our desks waiting for our small-business customers to call or come see us. We are incredibly involved in our community. You will often find us out “in the field” learning about our customers’ businesses, serving on nonprofit boards, and digging into the details of the local economy. Why do your customers choose you? We know that running a business can be tough, so we want to streamline our customers’ banking relationship as much as possible. By serving as their personal bankers—a one-stop shop for their needs—we help them focus on operating their business instead of worrying about banking.
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EXPERTSSMALL BUSINESS LOAN EXPERTS
What do you enjoy most about your work? We love our customers. Knowing that we have the ability to truly make a difference in their financial well-being—and the well-being of the next generation—is incredibly 806.378.8000fulfilling.|
AmarilloNationalBank
ANB.COM
What does your team do best? Our customers are always our primary focus. We establish special relationships with our customers to make sure their assets are managed according to their wishes today—and also with an eye on future generations.
PERSONALEXPERTSTRUST
ANB is family-owned and in its fifth generation of family leadership, so we definitely know the value of maintaining a legacy and passing that legacy on to the next generation. How long have you been in trust services? Trust, estate and wealth management planning is something our bank has been involved with since we began 130 years ago. We have been providing trust and estate services since 1950! Combined, our current team has decades and decades of experience. How does your team maintain its expertise? Laws, tax rules and regulations are always changing. They never seem to get simpler, and always seem to become more complex. With certified professionals on our team having financial, legal, accounting, and tax expertise, we are well-positioned to stay up to date with these changes as they happen. Why do your customers choose you? We are fiduciaries. That means we are legally obligated to put our customers’ interests ahead of our own. This helps our customers know we are always choosing the option that serves them best. We take pride in those relationships and make a point of understanding their needs, goals and risk tolerances. Maintaining and protecting family legacies is a huge responsibility. ANB is known as a fun workplace, but we take our trust and estate work very seriously.
What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? Hiring ANB as a corporate trustee or executor isn’t just about protecting wealth or seeking good investment returns. It can actually make our customers’ lives easier. If nothing else, it helps avoid a lot of heartache. As fiduciaries, we are held to the highest ethical standard. That requires us to follow a trust document or will to the letter, which puts the burden of hard decision-making on us rather than an individual or family.
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BARBECUEEXPERTS
JENNIFER AND ROBBY STAGGS
How long have you been in business? We are excited to be celebrating our 5-year anniversary. We have been in business since 2017 and competing in the barbecue community since 2014. We opened our second location in Oklahoma City last year. How does your team maintain its expertise? Our award-winning team competes in barbecue and steak competitions throughout the year, and continuously learns new techniques and methods to share with our customers. We love to talk barbecue!
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What does your team do best? As owners of Champion BBQ, we think it is important that we are active in the barbecue community and learning new techniques, finding hot new products and bringing what we have found back to our customers. We pride ourselves as being experts that can help the customers get their cook to the next level. We always keep something fresh and new in the store and keep our customers excited about barbecue.
BBQChampionSupplyAmarillo
What’s one thing the public might not understand about what you do? Owner Robby Staggs is a Steak World Champion and competes in barbecue and steak competitions throughout the country. He travels to educate others on barbecue techniques during the year. Owner Jennifer Staggs also competes and has done well in world and state competitions. We balance our business and our love of competing to increase our expertise for our customers. We sponsor many barbecue teams in Amarillo and Oklahoma that give us feedback and help us promote our stores. We sponsor events and give back by supporting local charities and raising awareness in our community. What do you enjoy most about your work? Sharing the love of barbecue and helping others create togetherness with their family and friends. We have introduced many people to the competition world and love to share tips and techniques for them to be successful in competitions or at home as a backyard pitmaster. We enjoy hearing about their last gathering and what they cooked. We love our customers and appreciate their support over the past 5 years! 806.418.6647
7306 SW 34TH AVE., SUITE 10
Why do your customers choose you? We take pride in our customer service and helping clients become better cooks. We love sharing our recipes and what we have learned over the years. The Champion BBQ team will go above and beyond for our customers to make sure they have a good experience. We have built the largest seasoning wall in the country and a huge grill assortment by researching the best in the industry. Our customers know they can find good products in our stores that we stand behind.
| CHAMPIONBBQSUPPLY.COM
Why do your clients choose you? Whether our commercial customers are purchasing additional inventory or funding a major expense, we want them to enjoy fast service and a personal touch. They also value decisions made locally, which sets us apart from many other commercial lenders.
On-going training is required regularly, and we also emphasize advanced lending-related training.
What does your team do best? We interact personally with the customer to provide the best possible commercial banking experience, including commercial loans and lines of credit. We know these resources are essential to helping businesses grow. Our lenders, as a group, have wide-ranging experience and we can accommodate most types of requests.
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SouthwestFirstBank
Business is about relationships, and our commercial loan customer’s experience is a constant conversation. We never forget its importance.
How long has FBSW been in business? We were established in 1907 and have been serving the Texas Panhandle for 115 years. How does your team maintain its expertise? We share ideas and experiences and have frequent discussions about the state of the economy and financial and business trends.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Amarillo is a great place to start and operate a small business—or a business of any size—and we love working with our commercial customers as they succeed. We are always inspired by the creativity and problem-solving we see in this area. Panhandle people work hard and are ready to meet all kinds of challenges. We get a lot of fulfillment when a commercial loan from FBSW helps them achieve success.
LOANCOMMERCIALEXPERTS
What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? We work with businesses of all sizes. Our commercial loans have covered everything from commercial purpose real estate loans, business operations and working capital loans to truck, fleet and company vehicle financing. We also provide a full range of bank services for all our commercial customers, including ACH origination, merchant credit card processing and remote deposit capture.
FBSW.COM
Why do your customers choose you? Our customers have come to expect the best quality furniture and exceptional customer service when they visit Rockwood. We’re committed to Amarillo and our clients, who often feel like family.
ROCKWOODFURNITURECO.COM806.358.8778 HENRY REMPEL AND JAKE STEPHANIEANDREMPEL[SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ]
A lot of people have misconceptions about Rockwood Furniture Co. For starters, people have a certain idea of what “Amish” furniture is. However, Amish furniture is not a style, it is a standard of excellence. It is furniture that has evolved into styles for today and remains timeless for generations to come. We carry furniture for every room in your home, as well as outdoor living spaces. We strive to have every style available in multiple price ranges as well. We truly want to have something for every home and budget.
What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do?
How does your team maintain its expertise? Throughout the years, we have forged friendships and business relationships with each of our Amish craftsmen and their families. We make a trip to visit them at least once a year, where they are happy to share their skills with us. They are committed to expanding their artisan skills and creativity into evolving styles. We keep up to date with the finest accessories and offer only the best quality in every item we sell.
What does your company do best? At Rockwood, we offer solidwood, handcrafted furniture. We specialize in customization, enabling the customer to choose their style, wood species and stain color. Our clients can adapt any furniture item and create a showpiece for their home and lifestyle.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Meeting with the Amish, picking out new styles for the showroom, and meeting new people from all walks of life are at the top of the list. But our absolute favorite is when we have a customer that is so happy they share photos with us of their homes and new furniture. It’s a pleasure knowing we have contributed to enhancing their lives and living spaces. 11570 I-27 |
FURNISHINGHOMEEXPERTS FurnitureRockwoodCo.
How long have you been in business? This year, we are celebrating our 15-year anniversary. Ten years ago, we built a larger showroom in our current location on I-27. Since then, we’ve grown our inventory, even adding a beautiful mattress showroom with the industry’s best brands. We also enclosed our patios, and feature the area’s largest selection of comfortable outdoor furnishings.
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What does your company do best? We curate and implement effective, sustainable and dynamic marketing strategies for companies with a focus on value-based returns.
ADVERTISINGEXPERTS
GriffinWink is a locally based agency with global reach, and we leverage our combined knowledge and expertise to provide unparalleled service for our clients—creating value and setting the foundation for incredible growth.
How long have you been in business? GriffinWink was founded in 1975. We now have offices in Amarillo, Albuquerque and Lubbock. How does your team maintain its expertise? Our team manages relationships with industry leaders like Google, Meta and Podium to stay on top of an ever-changing industry landscape. We are also big fans of webinars and workshops led by industry-specific thought leaders. Why do your clients choose you? We are committed to growth.
What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? We are more than a singular type of agency—we combine traditional and digital methodologies to apply what we like to call a tradigital approach to marketing. Not only are we one of only 40 agencies selected for Google’s Elevator Program, we also maintain working relationships with traditional media providers (TV and radio). We work with clients of all budget sizes to capitalize on growth opportunities. We bring an inline approach to balance brands regardless of the media mix. We are here to help you launch, grow and evolve.
What do you enjoy most about your work? We challenge traditional thought every day and dream of innovative ways of stepping outside the status quo. We work in an ever-evolving industry and we are invested in growth and expansion—for GriffinWink as an agency and for the benefit of our customers. It is extremely rewarding to see designs, commercials, magazine ads, and videos come to life and serve as elements leading to the success of our clients. Celebrating with them through their achievements and serving as a trusted advisor keeps our entire team energized, motivated and 806.206.6120excited.
GriffinWink Advertising
PREPARATORYCOLLEGESCHOOLEXPERTS
9301
What does your team do best? We prepare students in grades 6 to 12 for success in college and beyond. Our students are already planning to attend college when they arrive at Ascension, but they come here for the tools and skills to become confident, collaborative lifelong learners who are prepared for success in college and in life. Ascension Academy instills in them a challenging, faith-affirming environment to maximize their potential. How long has Ascension been open? Ascension Academy began as the shared vision of a group of concerned parents and educators in the 1990s. They recognized the need for an independently run secondary school that would provide a safe, nurturing, faith-respecting, and academically challenging environment for young people in the Amarillo metro and surrounding area. The Ascension Academy Board of Regents welcomed the school’s first group of students in September 2000. In August 2006, Ascension Academy moved into its permanent facility off Soncy Road.
Why do families choose you? At Ascension, you’ll find a close-knit community that recognizes each student’s individual gifts and talents. Students feel safe to be themselves and are included in and encouraged to be a Scholar, Artist, Athlete and Leader—the Four Pillars of a well-rounded individual. Students have opportunities across all Four Pillars—the sky’s the limit.
What’s one thing the public might not understand about what Ascension does? We have a diverse student body that ranges in social and economic status, athletic ability, artistic expression and academic skills. We have a dedicated College Guidance Counselor to help upperclassmen pinpoint where they would best begin their college careers, what schools specialize in general or specific areas of study, and coach them to maximize scholarship opportunities, internships and dual credit programs.
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How does your team maintain its expertise? We are members of several key independent school organizations and further leverage the role-specific groups within these organizations to engage with leadership in accrediting organizations, as well as with our peers in independent schools across the country. Our faculty are subject-area experts in their fields of study, and spend countless hours staying on the cutting edge of learning to support our students. Our College Guidance Counselor communicates with college recruiters and college admissions officers to discover new admission processes, added programs/majors, and up-and coming careers.
What does your team enjoy most about their work? We enjoy seeing the development of our students from the first day they arrive on campus to the day they graduate. From working with prospective students and their families as they begin their journey with Ascension, to watching them mature and develop their unique gifts and talents, and then watching them head off to college as confident young people ready to conquer the world, it’s truly a rewarding experience. ASCENSION PKWY. 806.342.0515
AscensionAcademy
What does your team do best? We find ways to show kindness and love for fellow team members, the community and our members. How long have you been in business? 87 years. How does your team maintain its expertise? We are constantly looking for talented individuals to join our team. Our employees are experts in their fields, bringing new knowledge to share and help grow our credit union. Why do your customers choose you? We are committed to the community and we put our members’ needs first. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? While our roots and credit union were formed from education, anyone who lives, works or worships within 10 miles of any of our branches can become a member of Education Credit Union. What do you enjoy most about your work? I love to encourage and foster creativity in others, and then watch their
EXPERTS MARCUS SMITH, INTERIM CEO[ SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ]
EDUCATIONCU.COM806.358.7777success.
EducationCreditUnion
CREDITEXPERTSUNION
What’s your area of expertise? I lead and train a team that is responsible for helping customers with their journey of finding the perfect vehicle and showing them how to use the features on their vehicle. What do you do best? I feel like I am very good at listening to customers’ needs and helping them discover their wants, along with helping them if they have any issues. How many years of experience do you have? 9 years How do you maintain your expertise? I am constantly learning about leadership and new ways to be the best for our customers. I want to make sure they have an exceptional experience with us. I attend a couple of automotive-specific conferences a year to further sharpen my skills.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Being able to help people and transform my employees into 4500leaders.S.SONCY ROAD | STREETTOYOTA.COM806.355.9846
EXPERTSEXPERIENCECUSTOMERSERVICEEXPERTS ToyotaStreet
COURTNEY PASCHAL [ SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ]
Why do your customers choose you? Street Toyota has an excellent reputation in Amarillo because we are involved in the community and take care of our customers. I follow that example. I am involved in Toastmasters International and No Boundaries International, along with a few other boards and groups in the Amarillo Community. What’s one thing the public might not understand about what you do? We have a BDC (Business Development Center). This is our call center for the dealership. We schedule appointments for our customers so we can have everything ready for them when they arrive to speak with a sales representative and look at a vehicle.
EXPERTSCLEANING
What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? Some people see “dry cleaners” and think that is all we do: dry cleaning. But we offer a lot more than that! We launder, and can use light to heavy starch. We wet clean. We will “wash ’n fold” your home laundry if you’re short on time or energy. We even provide linen services. Customers love our concierge service, which offers pick-up and delivery to your home or office. What do you enjoy most about your work? We cherish community outreach. As a local business, we believe strongly in giving back to the community that has been so wonderful to us over the years. We take opportunities to sponsor local fundraisers. We also donate free cleaning to several organizations and nonprofits in town. We are always looking for new ways to give back and support our community!USCLEANERSAMARILLO.COM
CARON TURNER SANSING AND TAYLOR VAN VALKENBURG
DRY U.S. Cleaners
EXPERTS
What does your company do best? Dry cleaning and laundry. From suits and dresses to starched jeans, and even your bedding. We do it all.
How long have you been in business? We have been family-owned here in Amarillo for 27 years and counting! How does your team maintain its expertise? We are members of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), which provides continuing education and a wealth of resources from experts in our field. We stay up to date with the newest technology and best products. At the trade show we attended this past summer, we purchased advanced new dry-cleaning machines and presses, which will allow us to maintain the quality of the finished product. We also have experts come to our production facility to train our employees in proper procedures for the worst kinds of stains, like getting wine stains out of your blouse or your kid’s glue out of your pants. Why do your customers choose you? We work hard to be a local business you can trust. We believe that we produce the best product at the best prices with the best service. We also stand by the service we provide, and our customers trust us to take care of them if we miss the mark.
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EXPERTSAUTO/HOMEINSURANCEEXPERTS
InsuranceFarmersMasseyLeslie
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What does your team do best? We are very good at helping our clients understand their policies so they can make educated decisions on coverage. We are also excellent at helping clients through the claims process. How long have you been in business? 13 years. How does your team maintain its expertise? Like the Farmers Insurance commercial says, we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two. That’s a catchy tagline, but there’s a lot of truth to it. In the insurance business, experience is a very valuable lesson. We also keep up with our licensing requirements and attend seminars and conferences as available. Why do your clients choose you? We are very friendly and genuinely care about our clients. Insurance is still a “who do you use?” kind of business, and people trust recommendations from their friends and family. So we do our best to provide the kind of personal service that will result in a recommendation. Also, we are always looking for ways to help our community and I think that resonates with local people. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? As insurance agents, we don’t set the rates or decide coverage in a claim. Those are the things that are most likely to frustrate the public, and they are entirely out of our control. What do you enjoy most about your work? I love getting to know my clients. They become like family. 2700 S. WESTERN ST., SUITE 700 FARMERSAGENT.COM/MMASSEY806.352.7388
EXPERTS
What do you enjoy most about your work? The connection that’s created with bringing someone’s idea to life. Blending strategy and intuition into each design. The freedom to run my business and lead my team from INSTAGRAMWALCOTSTUDIO.COManywhere.@WALCOTSTUDIOHELLO@WALCOTSTUDIO.COM
MARKETINGCREATIVEEXPERTS
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Walcot Studio Deidre Dixon
What’s your area of expertise? What do you do best? I’m Deidre Dixon, the Founder and Creative Director of Walcot Studio. We’re a comprehensive brand design studio, offering lifestyle-focused branding and modern growth strategies for small businesses. How many years of experience do you have? I started the consulting aspect of my company in 2015, because I believed small business marketing needed both aspects of design and strategy elevated. I also saw the processes of designing a brand and building a website to be a stressful obstacle for business owners instead of the fuel behind making a profit. I then began to grow my business from consulting to branding and web design. Over the years, I’ve grown from a solopreneur with a handful of local clients, to a fully remote team serving clients across the U.S., Canada, Australia and the UK. How do you maintain your expertise? I have a BBA in Marketing that was basically outdated as soon as I walked across the stage, so I have to contribute everything I’ve learned to hands-on experience. Over the years, I’ve intentionally built my team with people who share the same core values but have specific skill sets that support our clients as technology and the needs of our clients’ businesses evolve. Why do your clients choose you? Our clients crave impact and, together, we design unforgettable brand experiences that engage their customers. We design brands that are stunning and strategic, unforgettable identities, and intuitive experiences. What’s one thing the public might not understand about what you do? Branding shouldn’t be seen as another cost counted against your marketing budget. There’s a time and a place for DIY—your brand is not one of them. Branding is an investment; do it with purpose the first time. A cohesive, well-articulated brand increases the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and will save advertising money down the road.
AVANTGARDENAMARILLO.COM806.322.3598WEST[SPECIALADVERTISINGSECTION
What does your team do best? We create elevated designs. We love to take our customers’ ideas and put our signature modern twist on them! There’s no mistaking an Avant Garden floral design. We truly listen to our customers and what works best for them. How long have you been in business? Avant Garden officially opened in October 2019. Even though our storefront has been open for about 3 years, our team has a combined 35 years of knowledge and expertise. How does your team maintain its expertise? We are believers in continued learning and collaboration! Whether it’s a new book or a web-based class, our designers are always mastering new techniques to bring to our clients. Why do your clients choose you? We pride ourselves on customer relationships and top-notch service. Our team goes above and beyond to make sure every arrangement is perfect. Whether you only need one floral arrangement, or a full-scale wedding, we pay attention to every detail and follow through with expectations. Rachelle Tuls, our owner, has created a beautiful, curated boutique and florals that stand out in Amarillo. What’s one thing the public might not understand what you do? One thing people may not know is that we’re not just an ordinary floral shop. We’re a one-stop shop for any occasion. If you need a small arrangement, come in and grab something from our graband-go collection or pick a gift from our curated boutique. In addition to our gift items, we also facilitate parties and weddings of any size. Our entire team is highly skilled in designing, planning, and coordinating events.
EXPERTS
2475 I-40
EXPERTSDESIGNFLORAL GardenAvant
What do you enjoy most about your work? We are fortunate enough to have clients that fully trust us to create arrangements— we love the freedom to be creative. We come to work every day and get to create beautiful things for our clients!
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PerformingAmarilloArtsCenter
What’s your area of expertise? Dance instruction. We create space and opportunities for children to find a passion for performance arts through structured activity. What do you do best? My entire staff and I are committed to providing a safe space for students to openly express themselves through movement and inspire them to pursue happiness, inside and outside of the studio. We foster creativity and a love for dance in every child who comes into our space. How many years of experience do you have? My mother walked me into my first dance class at the age of 3, and dance has been a constant journey in my life since then. Now with more than 20 years of teaching experience, I can confidently say I am meant to be here. This is my passion, love and expertise. How do you maintain your expertise? I am grateful to spend time furthering my education in dance/tumbling/acrobatics technique, instructor training, and mentorship studies. As the leader of my studio, I am continually striving to raise our service to new heights, from empowering my staff to bettering family/studio relationships. Ultimately, we are creating new opportunities for our students! Why do your students choose you? I truly desire for our families to choose APAC because of our core values and our commitment to making a positive impact on young lives. We also offer an outstanding program designed to produce technically advanced dancers, who can choose to pursue collegiate and professional dance paths. What’s one thing the public might not understand about what you do? It’s more than a dance class. It’s more than the steps. It’s more than great technique. It’s about the experience, commitment and memories made—we love what we do and cherish our opportunity to share that passion with our students. What do you enjoy most about your work? The relationships made with clients who became family and students who I now call “my own” are invaluable and forever a motivation to continue growing and enhancing the experience we create at APAC.
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INSTRUCTIONDANCEEXPERTS
@AMARILLOPERFORMINGARTSCENTERINSTAGRAM806.418.4271|AMARILLOPAC.COM EXPERTS SCHAE BURLEY[SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ]
EXPERTS PROCESSINGPAYMENTEXPERTS
TRACERCOCARD.COM806.373.4166 [ SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ]
What’s one thing the public might not understand about what you do? The electronic payment industry is a very technical system that is complex. I like to make it simple; I provide services that help businesses improve their bottom line and increase the efficiency of their operations. Our Point of Sale Systems for retail and restaurants save businesses time and money with detailed reporting capabilities. Additionally our kNOwPAY service reduces or eliminates fees paid per transaction, allowing a business owner to pay NO processing fees. Crypto the latest payment technology that is often not well understood, yet there is a turnkey solution which allows merchants to accept this alternate form of payment with no risk or volatility. What do you enjoy most about your work? I love this industry. It is constantly changing and advancing consumer payment processes and how commercial accounts receive payments for their services.
1220 S. GEORGIA ST., SUITE C
What’s your area of expertise? Electronic payments. What do you do best? Merchant services: payment processing provider, point of sale systems, value-added features. How many years of experience do you have? 25 years. How do you maintain your expertise? Continuing education at trade shows and conferences. Why do your clients choose you? The main difference is my depth of knowledge of the industry and how to select the best solution for each specific business. I have access to multiple processing platforms, gateways, POS systems, value-added services, as well as system integrations that set me apart from most of my competition. Not to mention the rates and service level provided are unmatched by other service providers. Plus, clients are supporting local when they choose to do business with me.
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