Pooler Magazine Jan/Feb 23

St. Joseph’s/Candler’s 84,000 square-foot campus, located on Pooler Parkway and I-16, combines hightech, digital technology and a high-touch friendly atmosphere for an unparalleled customer experience that completely re-imagines healthcare.

Services include:

• Surgical services (General Surgery, Orthopedics, Podiatry, ENT, Facial Plastic Surgery, Gastroenterology, GYN, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Robotic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery)

• Imaging (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, X-RAY, Mammography, Dexascan)

• Urgent Care

• Primary Care Physicians

• Specialty Care Physicians (Cardiology, ENT, Facial Plastic Surgery, Neurology, OB/GYN, Podiatry, Vascular Surgery)

• Independent Physician Practices (Coastal Empire Orthopedics, Gastroenterology Consultants, Low Country Cancer Care, Metro Surgical, Neurological Institute, Southeast Lung Associates, Thrive OB/GYN)

• Physical Therapy

• Medication Management

• Lab Draw Station

Based on high-tech innovations, convenience and the high-quality compassionate care that one has come to expect from St. Joseph’s/Candler, the Pooler campus redefines the patient experience and takes smart medicine to a whole new level.

CAMERA

Through a partnership with "Watch Me Grow," parents have camera access to their child’s classroom. Each classroom has two cameras so parents can get a peek at their little one any time throughout the day. We believe in open access throughout the day, which gives parents piece of mind.

1. Jenny Lynn Anderson, a graduate of Georgia Southern University, is a public relations and marketing strategist with 30 years of experience. She authored her first book, Room 939, in 2011 and can be found on national stages as an inspirational speaker. Jenny enjoys exercising and spending time in the kitchen. A Southern cook, she loves to teach others how to bake pound cakes.

2. Leidy Lester is a freelance photographer from Bogota Colombia with 8 years experience. She has traveled and worked all over the United States with studios such as Railyard Media. One of her proudest achievements is the work she did with models and highly experienced photographers in Las Vegas.

3. Cindy Reid has been a freelance writer for over 15 years. She has been published extensively in Effingham Magazine, Pooler Magazine, and other lifestyle magazines. A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, she embodies the saying “I wasn’t born in the South but I got here as soon as I could.” She can usually be found on a beach, a boat or at a pier at sunset.

4.

Katrice

Williams is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates the Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.

5. Laura Zielinski is a freelance graphic designer specializing in print design. With more than 17 years experience, Laura enjoys shaping stories through meaningful design. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her husband Keith and their three beautiful children, Alli, Matt and Claire.

6. Mabel , morale officer, enjoys roaming the backyard at home, sitting for hours on the back porch and coming to the office to greet visitors and encourage the staff. Mabel loves getting treats and taking long naps in her mommy’s office in the afternoons.

Christie Wilson Director of Advertising

Jan Southern, DPA CEO/Publisher

Devin Hollingsworth Account Executive

Penny Redmond Distribution

Claire Sandow Marketing Manager

Lexi Rockwell Marketing Assistant

DESIGN

DISTRIBUTION

Penny Redmond

Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:

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Happy 2023 Pooler! Congratulations on surviving another holiday season. 2022 was an eventful year. Now it’s time to take a breath, regroup and renew your energy for a wonderful New Year!

Do you have big plans for 2023? If so, that’s great! Good for you. If you don’t, that’s okay too. Maybe this year is just about maintaining…

Whether or not you made a New Year Resolution, we can all appreciate the desire to be happier and healthier in the new year. Some of us may want to gear up and be even more productivity than last year. Still others may want to find more time for selfcare, spending more time with family or just having more fun in general.

Either way, without our health, we cannot be ready for what lies ahead. It is so important take time for ourselves so that we are healthy and ready to help others. When referring to health, we need to talk about mental and spiritual well-being as well as physical health. More and more studies show that these three areas are intertwined. When one of them is off, it can throw off our overall balance.

135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Write to us and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send all letters via email to Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Jan Southern at Jan@ JDelSURMarketing.com

Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Pooler area will be considered.

CIRCULATION: Pooler Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to more than 250 locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at PoolerMagazine.com

Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

In this issue we learn about the importance of sleep, eating right and even our gut bacteria and its role in our overall health. We also get some advice on setting goals. One thing we know for certain is that drastic, rapid change is not sustainable. To make lasting change, it is best to set realistic goals and implement change in smaller, manageable intervals. During our busy days it is difficult to take the time to eat healthy foods, get some exercise, and take time to relax. Making small changes and building upon them seems to work best.

So, whether you want to eat better or just relax…I hope 2023 brings you all that you wish for including success, contentment, and good health.

Laura Zielinski

Jan Southern

Melissa McBride Stille Works for Clients—Not the Insurance Company!

Are you turning 65 and thinking about retirement and don’t know what to do? “Many people are trying to decide if they should retire and how that would impact their health insurance.” says independent insurance agent Melissa McBride Stille, “If someone is 65 years old and wants to stop working, knowing their health care options ahead of that decision is crucial because there are far reaching consequences.”

Melissa has been in the health insurance industry for 14 years and is the sole proprietor of Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage. She says, “DeWitt Insurance Agency has been in business since 1956. When I purchased the agency’s health department, I incorporated it into my agency name to keep the continuity within the community.” As a health insurance broker specializing in Medicare, she is dedicated to presenting her clients with the best health care options available.

She says at age 65 most people need to think about the pros and cons of Medicare options or continuing insurance through their employer. Don’t stress over the paperwork she says, “All you need is to bring me is yourself and your current group benefits. Don’t depend on your Human Resources department to help you because they are not insurance specialists. We can do a three way call between yourself, your HR dept and me so I can thoroughly assess your situation. Together we will optimize your benefits while tailoring them to your needs.”

Melissa can also facilitate your Medicare application with the Social Security office. “There are many factors, particularly with Medicare Part B.” Some scenarios involve penalties but they may not apply to you, that’s why working with a Medicare specialist is critical to obtaining the best outcome.

Each client presents individual issues. You may have a spouse who is dependent on your benefits and too young for Medicare. Melissa will help you compare the cost of staying at your current position and using your employer benefits plan, versus retiring and having your spouse obtain health insurance through the marketplace. Perhaps your spouse has a chronic illness or is in an assisted living facility—these are important factors in your decision.

Step By Step Process

Is Medicare Primary or Secondary Open enrollment periods

Deductibles vs out of pocket Spousal Considerations

All income levels need expert guidance

Melissa also works with Medicare recipients under 65, including those who have Medicare through Social Security Disability and with people using Affordable Care Act Marketplace insurance, and some group insurances.

“I care about each and every client and do a review of everyone’s health policies every year because there are so many changes annually,” she says. “I like to simplify things and present you with your best options.” She gives every client her cell number—it’s in all of her advertising so that every client, even future clients, can feel comfortable reaching out to her. She says, “I work for my clients, not the insurance company.”

If you have a question regarding Medicare or other health insurance options, give Melissa a call!

wishes everyone a HEALTHY

Story by Jenny Lynn Anderson | Photography by Emily Roscher

Asurname is more than just a name.

It tells a story and gives insight into a person’s ancestry. In the case of Salih Zeki Avci, it speaks to his heritage and the genesis of his company, Medef Defence.

The surname “Avci” in Turkish means “hunter.” And indeed, his grandfather, Salih Zeki Avci, was a hunter and the founder of an ammunition company in Ankara, Turkey.

Now the company has expanded its manufacturing operations to west Chatham County. Salih proudly represents the third generation—bringing manufacturing to Georgia and opening an 18,000-squarefoot facility near Pooler in March.

“In the early 1980s, my grandfather created the company from his great love and hobby of hunting. He was an excellent hunter and was very popular. He taught young people about the sport and was serious about the ethics of sustainable hunting,” explains Salih.

An expert at loading shot shells, his grandfather developed his hobby into a profession. Salih’s father, an engineer, continued to grow the company, and today, Medef Defence produces a wide

range of common calibers used popularly in competition settings as well as tactical scenarios for law enforcement and military.

“The decision to expand our manufacturing operations in 2022 to Chatham County was an easy one. We were already serving as an ammunition distribution center fulfilling orders to dealers throughout the United States. And

while centralized in Gainesville, Florida at the University of Florida, allowed him to visit and observe some of the most successful wastewater treatment facilities in both California and Florida.

This training was paramount for Salih, as his family business is the operation of manufacturing facilities. His family and their company as a whole strive for environmental safety and this training helped him put their most precise foot forward in leading the world in wastewater and pollution reduction management.

we have an e-commerce store that sells direct to consumers,” says Salih.

Salih holds a degree in business administration from University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Greenwich in London.

In 2011 the U.S. government granted Salih a Fulbright Scholarship to further his education on wastewater treatment and reduction management. This twomonth training scholarship program,

Salih has used his education to fine-tune his business practices and his overall experience to focus on a mission, raising awareness of the importance of recycling our limited water sources with exceptional care.

Taking the Company to New Heights

At age 39, the entrepreneur is primed to take his family-owned company to new heights. The company’s product lines include high quality ammunition for armed forces, law enforcement and civil guns, hunting bullets and clay shooting ammunition.

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“As you can imagine, shipping goods from Turkey to the USA is really expensive and what we saw in the market is that American people like to see Americanmade products as well as ammunition. Also, the port of Savannah and the state’s broad logistics network allows us to efficiently reach the domestic and global market,” he says. “We plan to hire 50 people within three years, which will include engineers, machine operators, sales and administrative employees,” notes Salih. “Being located in Georgia will give us a competitive edge because we’re close to the port and can bring in raw materials through Atlanta’s distribution line.”

Market Growth

The market size of the Guns & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in the US has grown 6.9% per year on average between 2017 and 2022. In particular, Georgia continues to attract global businesses like Medef Defence.

According to National Shooting Sports Foundation data, Georgia is among the country’s top 10 states for firearm manufacturing. Allen Mathews,

win-win for our economy. Both directly and indirectly, it creates a total of 9,045 jobs in Georgia,” he adds.

Looking to the Future

As he looks to the future, Salih is specifically aiming for product development. “The defense and ammunition industry has really opened up and the technology can be developed,” he explains.

In the United States, he can find raw materials, components, and parts and can reach the technology easier. “We employ a veteran who served in the Special Forces for the guns and navigation who leads our research and development and we have about five different products in my mind to develop,” says the CEO.

Currently, Medef Defence produces a variety of shot shells, as well as common rifle and pistol calibers. Options will likely expand as research and development allow production technology to meet the demands of the ever-growing market.

Salih admits it is a very delicate industry with enormous responsibility. “There is an ideal here where we must

“

“

a gunsmith in Statesboro, Georgia, notes one of the leading reasons Georgia continues to attract ammunition manufacturing firms is due to its friendly gun policies and skilled labor supply.

“Georgia has seen a number of ammunition companies expand into our state. In the last two years, Remington has relocated its headquarters to LaGrange and Norma Precision Ammunition, a subsidiary of Beretta Holding S.A., has relocated its U.S. headquarters, manufacturing site, warehousing and distribution operations to Chatham County,” says Mathews.

“Turkey has a long history of arms manufacturing and since they are an ally, we’ve had a lengthy relationship with them importing guns and ammunition over the years. Seeing them moving their manufacturing here makes sense because of tax laws, logistics and reduction of costs,” Mathews says.

Mathews also notes the impact of the firearms sector on job creation. “This is a

develop and make effective, good products, and furthermore meet these products with the right people for the right reason,” he explains. “Every day we face obstacles—opening up this facility, working in such a dynamic, fluctuating market, producing mistake-free products, building products from scratch–it’s very important to achieve quality every single step of the way,” he adds.

Nonetheless, these challenges give him passion every day. “When I came to the United States from Cyprus to attend college, I was profoundly affected by the experience. I felt the power of freedom. I saw the variety of ethnic groups and vitality of people serving for the same aim, same purpose with freedom of speech and it inspired me to work hard for this. I come to work every day with this in mind and I don’t take any of this for granted.”

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For more information about Medef Defence, visit medefence.net.

Meet Allen and Amanda Jenkins, the owners of two 24Seven Family Fitness & Tanning Centers, one in Pooler and a new one in Springfield. Born and raised in Effingham County, both Allen and Amanda were involved with fitness for years before becoming gym owners. The couple has been married—and in business together— for the last three years, although they have known each other for over 20 years.

Physical fitness has always been a central part of their lives. Allen was previously in the trucking business and says, “I have always been passionate about being fit.” Amanda, who worked in insurance and as a radio producer, actually worked at the Pooler 24/7 gym years ago, never dreaming it would be part of her future.

Then there’s the third partner—Max— the couple’s beloved Frenchton who comes to work every day. Amanda says Max has his own fans, “People come to the door and ask, ‘is Max here today?’ before they even come in!”

Together the three make an awesome team for their two 24Seven Family Fitness & Tanning Centers

A Member’s Perspective

Allen was a member of the Pooler 24/7 gym for 14 years before purchasing it in 2020. He says, “I worked out there so frequently that the previous owner said I should just buy the place, so I said maybe I will, and after some negotiations that’s

exactly what I did!” Being a member for so long gives Allen a unique perspective: “I run it like a member. If something needs to be addressed, I am on it immediately. If equipment is down, we get it back up in a few hours. We fix it all ourselves and are totally hands-on every day.”

It is always sparkling at 24Seven because they personally ensure that the facilities are extremely clean, down to the smallest of details. “We are absolutely adamant about cleanliness,” says Allen. “The soap and paper towel dispensers are always refilled and replenished, the gyms and tanning beds are always clean and inviting.”

Their attention to detail is integral to their success. Amanda says, “We have solid client and customer relationships. They know us and we know them because we are in the gyms every day. The members are very appreciative of all we do, and we certainly appreciate them.”

24Seven

As the name implies, the gym never sleeps. Both facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Both locations are conveniently located, making it easy for people to stop on their way to and from work. The gyms offer a wide range of weight lifting equipment. After purchasing the Pooler gym, all the equipment was updated, and their Springfield location is a completely new gym with all brand new equipment.

24Seven definitely has a weight lifting

focus, as Allen says: “We are an ‘iron gym’ and are heavy on body building.” There is a variety of equipment, however, including free weights, punching bags, new cardio equipment at both locations, and the list goes on. They also have personal trainers available. Members range from 14 to 75 years old and they are inclusive to all levels of fitness.

Amanda says, “There is no pressure here. If you are new, don’t let the gym intimidate you. We are always happy to answer questions and to point a member in the direction of help, including apps because there are so many out there.” Allen says,” It’s a friendly home. At its heart, 24Seven is a big family.”

Scanning the QR code to see rates or visit a location. Military, first responder and family discounts are available— and the tanning beds are included for members. Give it a try and you’ll be hooked!

Staying Healthy During Cold & Flu Season

By Kerri Dodson, MNT, MCHWC, Master Nutrition Therapist

It is that time of year again— cough and flu season. Have you ever wondered why some people never seem to get sick? Even when everyone around them falls, they are fine? Is it the seed or the terrain? Is it the virus or the host? Let’s talk about it.

Kerri Dodson, Master Nutrition Therapist, Master Health and Wellness Coach

Most of our immune system (70-80%) is found in our gut. There is a link between your nutrition, lifestyle, microbiome (bacteria found in your intestines) and immune system. If you understand the relationship between them, you can build a strong shield against viruses.

“Good” bacteria help you digest food, maintain the integrity of your gut lining (so you don’t have leaky gut), crowd out harmful pathogens and help your immune system distinguish between friend and foe. The microbiome is constantly changing, responding dramatically to the shifts in your diet, stress and lifestyle. Dietary changes do not just alter the composition of your gut bacteria but they also affect which of your disease-fighting genes get turned on or off which will influence your susceptibility to infection.

What you eat is incredibly important to your overall health. Think about it, is it cold and flu season or is it overeating, processed sugar, over-indulging in alcohol season?

The bacteria in your gut protects you by regulating your immune system to make sure you have the appropriate response when you encounter a virus. The strength of your immune system is dependent on the diversity of your microbiome. Those who tend to get sick often or who get severe viral infections often lack certain helpful bacterial species that are essential for regulating their immune response.

Scientists also know that specific bacteria in your intestines play a role in promoting health or promoting illness. Just as Escherichia coli helps synthesize Vitamin K, Akkermansia helps regulate glucose control. Pseudomonas aeruginosa overgrowth can cause ear infections. Therefore, proper ratios of both good and bad bacteria will facilitate a health gut microbiome and boost your immune system.

How Can You Keep Your Microbiome Robust?

There are several ways you can do this. First and foremost, only take antibiotics if it is necessary. Antibiotics not only kill the bad stuff but also kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which will allow for the overgrowth of bad bacteria. It takes your gut microbiome seven months to recover from one round of oral antibiotics, and that is assuming you are doing all the right things to help it along.

Secondly, eat foods that are high in fiber. The good bacteria love to feed on fiber, which will help make them more robust. Fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes all contain wonderful fiber. We know that if the good bacteria, Faecalibacterium

prausnitzii is robust, you will have a significant decreased risk of getting sick from a virus if you come in contact with it.

Thirdly, eat foods high in polyphenols. Polyphenols reduce inflammation and protect us from oxidative stress. Polyphenols also help good bacteria such as Akkermensia grow. Foods high in polyphenols include blueberries, cherries, pomegranates, blackberries and spinach.

Reduce your sugar intake along with your alcohol intake. Sugar is inflammatory and depletes your body of vital nutrients such as magnesium. Alcohol can decrease the intestinal barrier contributing to leaky gut.

Lastly, reduce processed foods. We all know this by now. Processed foods are fake foods and lead to inflammation and chronic disease.

How I Can Help as a Nutrition Therapist

Are you someone who seems to catch everything? Are you fatigued, have digestive issues or allergies? Microbiome mapping will show us exactly what is going on with your gut microbiome and whether it is robust, overgrown, depleted or compromised with pathogens, parasites, worms or fungi.

We can work together to balance your microbiome, increase your immune system, reduce inflammation, reduce allergies, improve digestive function, reverse chronic illness, and get you on a path to a vibrant, healthy life.

www.nutritioncoachkerri.com | 770-722-9580 | nutritioncoachkerri@gmail.com

HALEY CRANMAN

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New Author Publishes a Book About the Pandemic for Children

Story by Katrice Williams Photography by Leidy Lester

Ididn’t know it then, but the school year was going to be different. Have you ever heard of the word pandemic?

Me neither,” says seven-year-old Collins, the main character in Haley Cranman’s children’s book The Pandemic and Me: A Child’s Perspective which was released by Mascot Books Publishing Company on November 1.

Whether labeling it as remote, online or virtual learning, it was all a new way of describing school during the coronavirus pandemic. There were a lot of opinions about education expressed by the big people in the world—parents, teachers, school administrators and even government officials. But what about the children? How did they feel about their

world abruptly turning upside down?

Haley Cranman brilliantly captures the then new reality faced by many small children, revealing it through the perspective of her son Collins as he adjusts to online learning.

“I wanted the child to have a voice. We never really heard much about how the kids were coping,” she says.

Haley, a Savannah native, has been married to her husband Michael for 11 years. They are the proud parents of three: daughter Hannah and sons Collins and Jaxon. Haley, an educator at Life Springs Christian Academy, recently obtained her educational studies degree.

The Start

While growing up, Haley never enjoyed reading or writing much at all. However, that eventually changed. “I started reading to my kids when they were born; then the writing came. Now, I love reading and I love writing. I love

everything about it. I said long ago that I wanted to write a book,” she says.

It was during the pandemic that Haley’s writing talents came to fruition. During the spring semester of 2020, most schools transitioned to remote learning to ensure students’ health and safety. Haley and other educators became homebound as well.

Early on during online learning, Haley began observing Collins as he learned. She often jotted down notes after noticing what worked best for his learning—rooms he felt most comfortable in, what worked most to reduce distractions or ways she could complement his teacher’s instruction.

A Book is Born

Those notes, along with Collins’ overall experiences, all came together—Haley soon found herself staring at a rough draft. She enlisted the critique of one of her own professors at the time, Wenonah Gildon, to whom she sent a draft. Haley later reached out to Mascot Books.

“Mascot critiqued and edited it—it went through four or five drafts. Mascot did a lot of the legwork and helped me walk through how the story needed to roll. They were fantastic,” Haley says.

Moreover, Haley and Michael were impressed with Nidhom Illustrations; they were surprised with how much the young boy in the story resembled their son Collins.

“We went through hundreds of illustrators before going with Nidhom. It looks just like him,” she adds.

The couple was thrilled to see the final product for the first time. As Haley thumbed through every page, she was delighted.

Adapting to Online Learning

As her book reveals, Haley persisted to help Collins combat the challenges that came with being ripped from his structured school atmosphere and friends.

Like many kids, Collins did not readily adjust to the drastic changes that came with online learning. Haley knew the necessity of keeping Collins, her firstgrader, on track academically. What is more, Collins, like herself, had been diagnosed with ADHD at age five.

Haley has always refused for Collins to be characterized by ADHD. In fact, she does not mention it at all in her book.

“I don’t want him to be defined by ADHD. I tell him that his brain just works differently, and different is

amazing; he may have to work hard, but it’s going to be that much more worth it,” she says.

The story does, however, hint at it by mentioning certain behaviors of young Collins, such as him having difficulty sitting still or getting easily distracted at times; he did benefit from consistent changes in surroundings. Some hints from the story include: “The next day, Mommy gave me some Play-Doh to play with while I listened to my teacher. I did not even realize I had started to pay

Appreciation

Haley is grateful for the love and support of her husband Michael—her encourager and biggest fan. He has believed in her, taking pride in supporting her dreams, whether scheduling meetings and interviews or handling book signings.

“I’m really blessed. He has been great. He’s been taking the reins with everything involving the book,” she says.

Further, Michael thinks the world of his wife. “I can’t be more proud. It’s a major accomplishment. She amazes me every day. It’s a good book—a relevant book and a relevant topic,” he says.

Haley appreciates everyone who has championed her efforts. She remembers two of her biggest inspirations—her grandparents Edward and Gloria Collins.

attention.” In another instance, Collins mentions, “Soon Mom started letting me choose where to do my learning for the day. ‘A new view can help,’ she said.” Haley strived to ensure that Collins was paying attention to his teacher on the computer screen; the two reviewed the lesson at the close of each school day.

Collins’ teacher, LuAnne Cromley, made online learning a wonderful experience for him, and he began to better adjust to it.

“She understood him and made learning fun. Collins began to thrive academically. He eventually began to enjoy online learning,” Haley says. Collins concluded his online learning with a strong A average.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am without my grandparents. They poured a lot of love and faith into me, along with values and respect,” she comments. Collins is named in honor of them.

Besides finding a nice little nook at home to read a good book, Haley is a book store fanatic, often in search of an interesting page-turner. She enjoys playing video games with her kids, and she likes traveling.

The Pandemic and Me: A Child’s Perspective can be purchased online at Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.

Haley has already had several book signings. She is planning for additional engagements and related events.

The future is promising for the new author. ■

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When Matthew and Jamie Pratt founded Patriot Pros Roofing there were two values they knew they would never compromise—Quality and Integrity. They love helping people make the right decision on a very important asset, their homes. They do so with a relentless attention to detail and focus on providing the very best customer service.

“We approach every customer with a servant’s heart; eager to assist with honesty and integrity throughout the entire process,” Jamie Pratt says.

In addition to expert roofing services, Patriot Pros offers siding, windows, doors, gutters and fencing services as well. This allows the team to continue their attention to detail and quality to their customers’ other home renovation needs and gives homeowners one source to call whenever they have a project that needs attention.

Matt and Jamie Pratt are Rincon residents and love serving the Effingham County community as well as the surrounding areas from Tybee Island to Hilton Head.

If you are looking for expert work and excellent service for roofing, siding windows, doors and more, give them a call.

SweetOccasions&PartyBusLine,LLC

912-346-2505

After we rented out a bus ride 4 years ago, I quickly realized our area was missing something! Right then I knew I could offer our area a great service!

Already having transportation experience, I started putting together a plan—after looking around for a while and searching for the perfect bus for size and comfort, we found one, and SWEET OCCASIONS & PARTY BUS LINES was born! It is an idea that we put into a plan that turned into a service to offer our local county and surrounding areas!

At SWEET OCCASIONS & PARTY BUS LINE, we like to be creative and create family-oriented

tours—from cruising and looking at Christmas light decorations to offering adults the perfect transportation for a fun and comfortable ride to hit the town!

Our bus is for any type of occasion from weddings, proms, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties to just cruising the town! We take care of all your transportation needs in limo-style seating, and our bus has a TV, a system for karaoke and a sound system—you can just feel the subwoofers!

Contact us at 912-346-2505 for your next Sweet Occasion and let us transport you and your guests in style and comfort!

- DANNY DELOACH, OWNER

Come for the day. Stay for a lifetime. From kayaking and fishing on the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers, to wine tasting and shopping in unique locations, EFFINGHAM COUNTY IS A DESTINATION WORTH SAVORING. Explore the history, meet new friends and see why so many families and businesses call Effingham home.

OHANA SPINE AND ORTHO CARE

With their success treating patients and active involvement with the Pooler community, it’s no wonder Ohana Spine and Ortho Care was voted “Best Orthopedic” and their Nurse Practitioner Jason Auch-ller was voted “Best Nurse Practitioner” by Pooler Magazine readers.

Fresh off of celebrating their first anniversary In June, the dedicated medical professionals at Ohana are grateful to be honored by the Pooler community. Ohana Spine and Ortho Care takes pride in what they do. Their goal is to provide everyone with the best care and their top priority is to help their patients return to the high quality of life that they deserve.

“Ohana is not just our name, but it is our mission and goal. Ohana means family and that is how we strive to treat every patient. It’s who we are, and we are proud of it.”

They are a medical clinic for the treatment of interventional spine pain relief, orthopedic injuries, and sports medicine, as well as the everyday aches and pains. Many personal injury attorneys refer their clients to Ohana for expert medical treatment after an accident. Don’t suffer needlessly with headaches, back pain, neck pain, ankle, knee, and hip pain when relief is available at Ohana!

Sports injury? Sports physicals? Fracture? These are all treatable issues at Ohana Spine and Ortho Care. Scheduled appointments as well as walk-ins are welcome. And here you won’t find a cold waiting room. Instead, they have a comforting and inviting family room. They will listen to you, take your medical history, and perform diagnostic tests specific to your needs. The team at Ohana knows every patient

(912) 480-4555 | www.ourohanacares.com

POOLER: 412 SW US Highway 80, Pooler

BLUFFTON: 1 Mallett Way, Suite 102, Bluffton

is unique. That's why all their patients have customized treatment plans. As a full-service medical facility, they provide in house x-rays, casting, splinting/bracing, interventional spine procedures and more.

Call 912-480-4555 to schedule an appointment today!

Pickleball. Chances are you either play it all the time or you’ve never heard of it. If you haven’t heard of it, you will soon. And if you play it all the time, next year you will have several new local courts to play on. The YMCA of Coastal Georgia West Chatham branch will open renovated courts in early spring, and new courts are being built at the Pooler Recreation Complex at Isaac Laroche Drive.

In December 2022, the City of Savannah’s Recreation and Leisure Services hosted the inaugural Pickleball Winter Championship Tournament at Bacon Park Tennis Complex. They hosted local teams and player, plus athletes from Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The popularity of the sport just continues to explode, and more local tournaments will be coming in the next few years.

Increasing Popularity

Pickleball is having a moment. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, between 2019 and 2021 it grew by nearly 40 percent. Currently it is estimated that there are over 4.8 million pickleball players in the United States. Compare that to the 22.6 million Americans who play tennis, a game first played in the US in 1874, and you can see the phenomenal growth of this relatively new sport.

And it’s skewing younger. Pickleball players, also known as “picklers,” have traditionally been 55 years or older but today most players are under 55, and the under-24 crowd is actually the largest demographic of all players. Pickleball has been included in many school curricula, introducing the next generation to the sport.

Pickleball has been discovered and is going mainstream. But why pickleball, the sport with the funny name and weird racquets?

The Basics

It’s not a particularly new game: 2022 marked the 57th anniversary of pickleball. A purely American invention, it was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island outside Seattle, Washington. As the story goes, three dads took an old badminton court, raided the garage for beat up badminton racquets and ping pong paddles, and invented a game to amuse their bored teenage kids one summer day.

The name comes from either a founder’s dog—Pickles—or from a term used in the sport of crew.

Simple rules, small courts and handmade equipment has evolved into the unlikely juggernaut that is pickleball today. Essentially it is a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. The rules are simple, and the game is relatively easy for

PICKLEBALL HAS ARRIVED

Story by Cindy Reid

beginners to learn. It doesn’t require a fancy field or complicated court. It can be played either indoors or outdoors on a badminton-size court (20 feet by 44 feet) using a slightly modified tennis net (36 inches tall.)

Most people use public or private club courts, but you can create your own court on any flat surface, in fact people often measure and chalk their driveways and set up their own court using a portable net. These nets work well on a tennis court, at the gym, a vacant parking lot— anywhere with open space. You can even line up lawn chairs in lieu of a net as the area around the net is called “the kitchen” and is not used in play. There are also portable court lines you can use for setting up the parameters of the court.

If you can’t find enough room for a full-sized court, there are smaller nets that are easy to set up in a driveway or garage space.

Although it shares many features with tennis, it is an easier and less physically demanding game. The ball has less bounce than a tennis ball and the paddle is short and light, making it much easier to handle than a tennis racket. The game is slower paced and there’s less ground to cover; you could almost fit four pickleball courts onto one tennis court, and most picklers play doubles.

Even the serve is easier, in pickleball you serve underhand which are easier to hit and return. The ball is served diagonally.

Scoring is simple, most games are played to 11 points, win by 2, and points can only be scored by the side that serves.

pickleball mentions the fun aspect- lots of good natured trash talk and laughter. All ages and skill levels can pick it up and enjoy the game which can be played standing or in wheelchairs.

Experienced players can play quick, fast-paced, competitive games and there are many leagues and hundreds of tournaments around the country throughout the year. Pickleball tournaments are open to both amateurs and pros, which is very different than tennis.

Where to Play

Equipment

Equipment is relatively inexpensive as all you need is a paddle and a pickleball, a plastic wiffle-like ball. Pickleball paddles come in a variety of shapes, weights, and material compositions. The price of the paddle depends on the type of material. The cheapest are usually wood and cost between $15 and $35. Composite paddles range between $40 and $100, and graphite paddles cost between $90 and $200. The balls are around $1 each and last around an hour, so a 12 pack could last 5-6 sessions of a couple of hours each. Portable nets cost approximately $200.00 and can be ordered online.

It’s generally a social and friendly game usually played as doubles although you can play singles. Every article about

As demand exceeds supply, communities all over the country are building new pickleball specific courts. Tennis courts are often repurposed with painted lines indicating the smaller pickleball court so the courts can be shared.

As the sport grows in popularity leagues and lessons are being added at many community park and recreation departments, as well as at many YMCAs.

On the next page is a list of local courts, both in Georgia and South Carolina. Courts are added all the time so check with your neighborhood parks and sports facilities and you might be pleasantly surprised by new courts in the next year.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time for pickleball! ■

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Local Pickleball Courts

FREE COURTS

West Chatham YMCA in Pooler—Pickleball will return in late spring 2023 after renovations. Call for schedule.

Bryan County Recreation Department—courts at the Henderson Park/Timber Trail Branch Facility, Richmond Hill.

Chatham County Parks and Recreation—courts located at Lake Mayer Park in Savannah.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia/ Habersham/Savannah Branch gym has indoor pickleball courts.

The Salvation Army of Savannah—courts at their Community Center gym, free and open to the public.

PRIVATE & CLUB COURTS

The Hearing Bone’s Connected to the What?

by Dr. Casey Allen

When we think of hearing loss, most people only think of day-to-day communication and the challenges decreased hearing can cause with communication. However, there are a lot of other health issues also tied to hearing loss. A common misconception about hearing loss is that it is age-related. Age is a big factor in decreased hearing, but hearing loss is not biased in who it affects.

A great example to note is a reminder that we test babies for hearing loss before they are discharged from the hospital as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening.

Very often, people aren’t aware of hearing loss because it occurs slowly over a matter of years. The signs may be subtle—you keep having to turn the TV up or you struggle to hear your grandkids. Even after diagnosis, people wait an average of 10 years to get the hearing aids that’ll help them hear better.

That is a mistake best avoided since failing to treat hearing impairment can result in auditory deprivation—and over time, the parts of your brain responsible for hearing can shrink or atrophy from lack of use. Yes, you read that right…brain shrinkage can occur if you don’t treat your hearing loss.

Some other health issues often tied to hearing loss include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, increased risk of falling, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and chronic kidney disease. To further explain these related health issues:

•

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

It is believed that CVD can reduce blood flow to the ear and in turn cause damage to different parts of the auditory system. This damage typically results in a sensorineural hearing loss which is permanent and often managed with amplification.

• Diabetes—Hearing loss is two times as likely for those with diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Low blood sugar over time can damage how the nerve signals travel from the inner

ear to your brain. Both types of nerve damage can lead to hearing loss.

• Depression—Social isolation is a big consequence of hearing loss. We often hear patients tell us how they do not want to go to group activities or outings as they notice changes in hearing because they cannot participate in conversation.

• Falling—Hearing loss is tied to a 3-fold risk of falling.

• Chronic Kidney Disease

Sensorineural hearing loss is more prevalent in patients with chronic renal failure than in the general population.

These are just a few of the health concerns linked with hearing loss. There is no downside to using hearing aids and they absolutely help the majority of individuals who try them. If you think your hearing has diminished, it’s worth making an appointment with a Doctor of Audiology for a hearing check. The longer you wait the harder it will be to treat your hearing loss. As many hearing providers say, use it or lose it.

n AHAS has over 50 years combined experience with only Doctors of Audiology n We have all price points and can meet any budget n We have all the top-quality hearing devices on the market today n No interest 18-month payment plans available n Let us check if your insurance company has a benefit for hearing aids n Ear Nose and Throat physicians on site n The office is open for walk-in cleanings or minor problems 5 days a week

Overcoming nutrition-related medical challenges requires changing lifestyle and eating habits so that diet and exercise come together in manageable, achievable steps. Working with a medical nutritional counselor is an important piece of the medical-treatment puzzle.

Brooke Jackson, MSN-RN, CNS has a Masters in Nursing Education and is a practicing registered nurse, which gives her a unique trifecta of having medical, education and nutrition sciences.

As a medical nutritional counselor, she specializes in creating custom nutrition and lifestyle plans designed to meet patients where they are and how they live. Her services are meant for clients who have nutrition-related illnesses or whose quality of life is impaired by their weight, with patients often weighing 200-300 (or more) pounds.

Brooke says, “To truly overcome nutrition-related illnesses, clients need to pursue a holistic lifestyle where diet, exercise, and other key factors come

together. What you put in your mouth, how you move your body and how you live your life are infinitely more important, or at least as important as your medical treatment.”

She offers one-on-one counseling (remotely and locally) to create a nutrition plan based on your current weight, your food preferences, and your cooking abilities.

A nutritional consultation lasts approximately one hour and includes:

· Completion of a food diary.

· Complete personalized intake nutrition form.

· Laboratory data review and recommendations.

· Creation of customized plan.

· Schedule follow-up for implementation. Brooke is dedicated to helping clients achieve their weight loss and healthier living goals with manageable changes that will last a lifetime. Step-by-step, she is with her clients on their journey to a healthy life. Visit FedToDeath.com to schedule your consultation today.

Rebecca Benton

COUNCILMEMBERS

SLEEP IS GOOD MEDICINE

Sleep can sometimes feel like self-care that can wait or a reward you need to earn. However, the opposite is true. When it comes to your health, sleep is just as important as physical activity and nutrition.

While you sleep, your body is busy healing and repairing itself, learning and actively preventing chronic diseases. For most adults, getting healthy sleep means sleeping for at least 7 hours each night without waking up frequently, going to bed and waking up at roughly the same times each day and waking up feeling refreshed. Healthy sleep helps the body boost immunity, manage weight, reduce stress and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

“We know chronic insufficient sleep can have a detrimental impact on personal health and increase the risk of many diseases,” said Jennifer L. Martin, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Healthy sleep is also important for mood regulation and mental health, helping to reduce the risk of problems such as anxiety and depression.”

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 adults in the United States report getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night. Your daily routine—what you eat and drink, the medications you take, how you schedule your days and how you spend your evenings—can significantly impact the quality and duration of your sleep.

Tips to Improve your Sleep

These tips from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s “Sleep Is Good Medicine” campaign—which aims to emphasize sleep as a key pillar of health,

equivalent with nutrition and exercise—can help you create a healthy sleep routine to improve your health today and in the long run.

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends and during vacations.

• Set a bedtime early enough to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

• Use your bed only for sleep and sex, or when you are sick. Watch TV and work outside the bedroom.

• Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.

• Reduce fluid intake before bedtime.

• Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

• Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.

• Avoid drinking caffeine in the afternoon or evening.

• If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Do a quiet activity without a lot of light.

• Avoid alcohol before bedtime.

• Keep a sleep diary. Over a two-week period, track when you go to bed each day, wake during the night and wake in the morning. Also track when you exercise, nap, take medication or have caffeine or alcohol.

Even if you don’t think you have a sleep problem, talk to your doctor about your sleep and share your sleep diary. Together, you can figure out what healthy sleep looks like for you and how to get it. This can help prevent sleep difficulties before they become harder to treat.

We know chronic insufficient sleep can have a detrimental impact on personal health and increase the risk of many diseases.

There’s no need to leave Pooler when you need an MRI, CT scan, X-ray, mammogram or ultrasound. Pooler Imaging Center sets a precedent for medical imaging services in the area. For more than 10 years, they have been a one-stop-shop for a variety of imaging procedures at an affordable price. Here’s a few reasons why they’re different:

State-of-the-Art Technology and Services

In October 2022, Pooler Imaging Center added 3D mammography to their services. 3D mammography combines multiple images of the breast to create a full three-dimensional view, which makes it ideal for spotting abnormalities at an early stage.

Their office has a Hologic Dimensions 3D Mammography unit that utilizes the Affirm Biopsy Guidance System and the Brevera Breast Biopsy System to provide a complete tomosynthesis mammography experience to every patient, every time. Together, the stateof-the-art equipment allows for a quick and streamlined process for patient care.

Other procedures offered include: • MRI

• MR Angiography • CT • CT Angiography

• Ultrasound

• Ultrasound Guided Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration

• X-Ray

• 3D Mammography

Quick and Easy Appointment Scheduling

Same day scheduling is available for many procedures, and for some procedures like X-rays, walk-in appointments are available.

In-House Radiologists

Pooler Imaging Center has a team of radiologists in-house that reads images for other area hospitals and the most comprehensive group of fellowship-trained breast imagers in the region. Their radiologists are fellowship trained in specialized areas including breast imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, body imaging radiology, neuroradiology, and pediatric radiology.

Rapid Results

The staff at Pooler Imaging Center knows that waiting for test results can be stressful. All imaging results are read within 24 hours of the test so that patients and their physicians can have answers quickly.

Works with Your Insurance Company to Get You the Best Price

Pooler Imaging Center has a pre-certification team that will help you get your insurance coverage squared away to get the care you need without a delay.

A Passion for High-Quality Patient Care

Pooler Imaging Center is staffed by technologists who create a compassionate environment for patient care, offering options like sedation when necessary to ease anxiety. When you call, you’re certain to get a real person on the phone.

Another cough and cold season calls for healthy preparation, and while there may not be a foolproof plan for escaping pesky germs, taking preventive steps and practicing self-care can help protect your health.

You can catch a cold or flu any time of the year, but they seem more common during the cooler months.

“As much as we all would love a quick cure for the common cold, unfortunately, that doesn’t exist,” said Ian K. Smith, MD. “However, there are many options one can try to relieve cold and flu symptoms, including over-the-counter medications. These medications can provide fast and much-needed relief.”

Reduce the chances you’ll contract a serious illness this cold season by following these tips from the experts at Mucinex:

Make handwashing a priority.

Preventive measures like washing your hands often can significantly lower your odds of getting sick. In fact, handwashing is such a powerful tool against germs that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared it to a “do-it-yourself vaccine.” Wash regularly with soap and water for about 20 seconds, especially when handling food, caring for someone sick or after using the restroom.

Make overall wellness a way of life. Adopting healthy everyday

habits means your body is in better condition to fight off potential attacks by germs and combat an illness more effectively if you do get sick. A wellbalanced diet that includes moderate portions from each of the major food groups can help ensure you’re getting the nutrition and nutrients your body needs. Staying physically active can help promote a stronger immune system. Getting enough sleep and making sure you’re drinking enough water can also ensure your body is ready for whatever the season brings.

Stock up on necessary supplies.

If you do get sick, the best place for you is at home, where you can nurse yourself back to health. That means having the essentials on hand, like over-the-counter medications to treat uncomfortable cold and flu symptoms. Be sure to check last year’s leftovers, as some may have expired. A shopping list to fight common cold and flu symptoms should include pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, antihistamines, throat lozenges and cough suppressants, as well as plenty of facial tissue, a working thermometer, humidifier and more. Also update your supply of hand sanitizer and disinfecting cleaners and sprays to protect family members in your home.

Relieve bothersome symptoms. When you’re under the weather, treating your symptoms gives

you a reprieve and lets your body rest so you can get back to feeling better. A cough is a common cold symptom, and relieving chest congestion that causes you to cough frequently can make a big difference. An option like Mucinex Extended-Release BiLayer Tablets, with the No. 1 pharmacist recommended expectorant, is clinically proven to relieve chest congestion and thin and loosen mucus to make your cough more productive for up to 12 hours. If symptoms persist, contact your health care professional.

Do your part to prevent spreading germs. If you do get sick, know you can take steps to protect those around you. Simple acts like covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and using your elbow if you don’t have a tissue can be effective in preventing the spread of germs. It’s also important to wash your hands well and keep a distance from others to help prevent the spread of your illness.

Pooler

kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting, live music, train rides, visits with Santa, and more.

Local businesses join in collecting holiday gifts for the kids of Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center.

Downtown squares, busy sidewalks and Savannah City Market dressed in holiday style.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia has provided almost 10,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables and bread to low-access neighborhoods in Savannah. #YMCADayofGiving

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Angel

Effingham County Chamber of Commerce

Orchid Nail Salon

Patriot Pros Roofing

16

Pooler Chamber of Commerce 45

Pooler Imaging Center 41

Pooler Recreation Department

Prime Care of Georgia 16

Queensborough Bank 48, 52

S&P Automotive

Salt Table 37

Savannah Book Festival 36

50 Judiann’s Fashion Design Studios 49 Kerri Dodson, Master Nutritional Therapist 17

LaDell Organics

Low Country Foundation Repair 34 Mattress Now 34

OHANA Spine & Ortho Care

St. Joseph Candler

Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage 6

Strickland & Sons Funeral Home 42

Sweet Occasions & Party Bus Lines

West Chatham YMCA 32

Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming 8

SEVEN WAYS YOUR BUSINESS WILL THRIVE IN THIS ECONOMY

By Dr. Jan Southern, J. DelSUR Marketing Group

Every time you swipe your card, you feel the pinch of inflation. Everything costs more, including doing business.

It can be scary, downright terrifying running a business with economic hardships looming and consumers obsessing over inflation. It is tempting to begin cutting back— potentially cutting the very things that will help your business survive and even thrive during difficult economic times.

Marketing happens to be one of those business functions that should not be cut when times get tough. Even though it sounds counterproductive, you should maintain your spending. Marketing during a recession involves going against one’s initial instincts to hang back and wait it out.

According to Harvard Business Review, companies that maintained their marketing budget during tough times fared far better than those who cut their spending.

The key here is to be strategic in how you spend your marketing dollars and your efforts. Here are my suggestions for what you can do right now:

1 Make a Plan

I always say that you shouldn’t spend a dime on advertising until you have a marketing plan. A marketing plan identifies the best strategies and tactics specific to your individual business, goals, market potential, customer types, and budget.

2 Focus on Your Offerings and Customers that Deliver the Best Returns

After making that marketing plan, take a look at your product offerings. What items or services have the highest profit margins? Is there a service you provide that has very little expense but

brings in good revenue? What products have expenses and materials that may be less affected by inflation? Is there a product or service that you know your customers can’t live without even in tight economic conditions? Can you promote more of that?

Focus on the customer. What kind of customer is the most profitable, and does that intersect with your ideal customer? Identify the products or services that resonate most with your desired audience and create marketing messaging to attract them.

Focus your marketing efforts on the products or services that will bring you the best margins and the type of customers that are the most consistent and you will be more likely to weather any tough economic conditions.

3 Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust Your Pricing—But do it Carefully

The most successful businesses are thinking ahead about how they can be

profitable in the future and anticipating that things will get more expensive over time. However, you should be judicious about adjusting your pricing, as it’s a tricky balancing act. If you evaluate and determine that a price increase is needed, apply it in smaller increments over time, for example, when you’re onboarding a new client.

4 Add Value to Your Existing Offerings

If adjusting your pricing isn’t a viable option, consider how you can add value to your existing products and market them accordingly. Emphasize the features that give your products value compared to your competition and shed aspects that don’t contribute to your product’s quality.

For example, if you are a service business, can you offer a complimentary consultation to give the customer extra guidance and share more of your expertise? If you are a massage therapist, could you offer a free video on how to give yourself a scalp massage at home or offer a sample bottle of lotion for free?

5 Focus on Existing Customers

It is five times more expensive to attract a new customer than it is to sell to an existing one.

Your customers generally already know, like and trust you. You don’t have to explain your brand, show them why your product or services solves their problem or fulfills their need. Customers who have purchased from you are already aware and interested in you, so give them the tools to make their buying decisions as simple as possible. Provide easy to purchase add on items and introduce them to other products they may not have tried yet. When you upsell to existing customers, you just might increase your revenue with minimal effort and expense.

6 Keep Nurturing the Marketing Funnel

When times are tough, it’s more important than ever to nurture your marketing funnel.

The #1 marketing effort, no matter how busy you are, is to keep driving traffic to your business and pumping leads into your marketing funnel. Don’t wait until business slows to prime this pump.

If you are a brick and mortar store that means getting more and more people to walk in your store continuously. If you are a service-based business, this means building brand awareness, getting more inquiries, sending out more proposals then landing more sales.

Online this means driving traffic to your website or sales landing pages. This is where being efficient with your marketing efforts and thriving is critical. It is not efficient to run advertising and have those ads land the interested person on your homepage. You will want to have that person land on a landing page specific to the product or service that was advertised on the ad he or she was responding to in the first place. And even better, once they land on the landing page, they fill out a form and give you their email address.

Posting on social media is just one form of advertising. So many small businesses rest all of their marketing efforts on social media. Yes, social media is critical these days. And everyone

Capture emails by asking. You may obviously get an email address at the point of sale but what about on your website? Can you offer them a free download or a subscription to your newsletter when they visit your website? There are many clever ways to capture email addresses, which we can cover in future articles. Just know that cash is still king and email addresses are the keys to the kingdom.

7 Don’t Forget About the Physical Space

While online visibility is important, you also need to bring awareness to your business in the physical world.

Social media is getting very noisy and the algorithms work against us when trying to attract customers to our businesses. Google is essential as is a website. An online presence is critical but don’t forget we all live in the physical space.

More and more, people are getting screen fatigue. Take advantage of this newfound awareness. Get in front of your customers in real life. Network, host events, be the local print magazine, send direct mail to homes, partner with other companies and think outside the box on ways to get the most attention for your business outside of online tactics.

who follows your page is a potential customer, but there’s a catch. Most of those followers will not see every post you make—in fact only about 1-2% of your followers will even see what you post (thanks, algorithm!). You should still post to your page and those posts should be engaging, informative and reflect the character of your business brand.

Do you want to know the secret to reaching a larger share of your target audience? Collect your customers’ email addresses whenever possible. We do not own our followers on social media platforms. If Instagram disappeared tomorrow and you didn’t have your customers’ email addresses, you would lose hundreds or thousands of contacts. Email addresses are the most permanent (if there is such a thing) way to stay connected with current and potential customers virtually. You can also use these email addresses to segment your customer base and create informative newsletters or special promotions based on their buying habits.

Making physical connections is what will solidify your business in the hearts and minds of your ideal customers in your target market. So, don’t forget to include the real world in your strategy to combat the economic challenges.

Everywhere we turn we are hearing about gas prices and the tough economic times that may be coming. This doesn’t have to be a challenge. It truly can be an opportunity. Many companies transformed for the better during the pandemic. By being deliberate and intentional in your promotional efforts, you can maximize your resources and make this your time to shine! ■

For more information on how to grow your business through strategic marketing practices, visit JDelSURMarketing.com or call 912.295.5406

By being deliberate and intentional in your promotional efforts, you can maximize your resources and make this your time to shine!

POOLER EVENTS

1/7: IN THE END : The Linkin Park Experience 9pm | Victory North Savannah 2603 Whitaker St, Savannah

1/16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Camp 10am-3pm National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

1/25: Business After 5 5:30pm - 7pm | 103 San Drive Pooler

1/28: Space & the 8th: STEM+H Family Day 10am - 3pm National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

1/28: Bluffton Rotary’s Oyster Roast 5 - 8pm | Bluffton Oyster Factory Park

2/3: Ghost Pirates Foster Care Game Night!

7:30pm | Enmarket Arena, Savannah

2/4: Blitzed: How WWII Bombings Affected Brits (and still do) 11am National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

2/7: AM Chamber Chats 8:30 - 9:30am | Stir Coffee Co. 505 US-80 Suite A, Pooler

2/15: Knowledge Now Luncheon 11am - 1pm | Courtyard by Marriott 419 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler

2/16: Dreamy Eyes Valentine’s 9pm | 301 Williamson St. Savannah

2/23: Mania: The ABBA Tribute 8pm | Johnny Mercer Theatre, 301 W Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah

2/25: Children’s Museum of Pooler FUNdraising Night 7pm | Enmarket Arena, Savannah

JUDIANN’S FASHION DESIGN STUDIOS

About the Studio

Melinda Schuman & Robin Ketcham Owners, BMR Logistics Customers Since 2021

They care about our business as much as we do.