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April 2014 If you’ve been in business for any period of time, you are well aware that it takes more than just your product/ service and a smile. In order for people to buy from you, they need to first KNOW about you and what it is you sell. Then, they need to like you and your product (think they need what you offer) and then finally they need to trust you. All this takes place, usually, before a sale occurs. So what do you do to get these interactions started? You need to begin a relationship with those in your target market. What’s te best way to start that relationship? One of the most recent buzzwords in the business world is storytelling. And while this technique is very old, it has become the way to market these days. We want to know who we’re working with and why we should want to do business with them. Who doesn’t like a good story — the fisherman telling us that the one that got away was THISSSSSSS big, or who’s dad didn’t walk 10 miles uphill each way to get
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Issue 21, No. 4 to school when they were young? Storytelling in business is about why someone started their business, or how something they had done helped a client do something important. This month’s issue is all about the telling of stories – both on how you as a business can tell stories and as a way to get to know our authors better. Keep in mind that these ladies and gentlemen are entrepreneurs – just like you and I. They have products and services to offer as well as their expertise that they share with you each month. So, sit back, relax and enjoy a few stories.
Nancy
Celebrating the success of entrepreneurs everywhere. Advertising and feature inquiries send to: publish@celebratebusinesspublishing.com Subscriptions can be directed to: info@celebratebusinesspublishing.com or http://smallbizforward.com 701 N. Prairie Street Sturgis, MI 49091 269-651-3555 http://smallbizforward.com info@celebratebusinesspublishing.com © 2013 Twitter: @smallbizjunkie Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ bsuconnector LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ nancybecher Vol. 21, No. 4 Small Biz Forward is published monthly by Celebrate Business Publishing, a division of Business Success Unlimited. ISSN 2332-5887 No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All letters sent to Small Biz Forward will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication, copyright purposes and use are subject to SBF unrestricted right to edit and comment.
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If You Want Your Biz to Grow .... 5
Tell Me a Story ...................... 30
So What — Part 2 ................... 8
Security and the Entrepreneur.. 31
Welcome to Willowbrook ........... 10
Using Stories in Your
Keeping Your Business Safe..... 14
Marketing .............................. 32
Entrepreneurs — Our Job is Our Life and So is Our Health ..........16
Who’s the Next BIG Thing — Find Great Companies.............. 34
Women in Business ................. 20
Storytelling For Your Biz ......... 36
Being Connective—Storytelling to Connect You Better ............ 24
Attention, Please .................... 37
It’s Time to Think About Property Taxes ....................... 28
Calendar of Events.................. 39
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The Thrill of the Hunt ............. 38 BSU Membership Directory...... 45 http://smallbizforward.com
If you want your business to GROW, be open to new ideas and changes!
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had me running screaming away even just a few years ago. I’ve done it this way for 30 years…but I finally figured out that “my way or the highway” is not necessarily the best philosophy to take. If there’s a way to grow the business and to make money – just because it’s not my idea – why shouldn’t I listen and take advantage of it? It all comes down to the question: which is more important, your pride or the growth of your Do you ever watch the TV reality shows like Restaurant: Impossible or Show Me the Money? They are shows that are meant to help the entrepreneur with money and expertise from someone who’s “been there, done that”. The business owner contacts someone and says HELP!!!!! I need you to show me what to do to get my business growing. Yet, when the expert comes to the rescue, the business owner fights back, saying they’re not going to do what has been shown them they need. I myself have had someone tell me that they had been in business for 18 years and couldn’t imagine that I could tell them ANYTHING about running and growing a business that they didn’t already know. Two weeks later, there was a closed sign on their front door. I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 12 years old – starting my first business in my parents’ basement selling homemade arts and crafts. It was definitely in my blood. I’ve
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been doing something ever since. I put myself through college and have run my own business in a serious manner since 1978 when I opened Business Success Unlimited (then known as The Work Place). And believe me, I understand what these business owners are going through. The fear of not making it, of trying the unknown, or taking a leap of faith. As entrepreneurs we are doing the things that we love. We have invested our time, our energy, our blood, sweat and tears (and often our life savings) into our dream. And we have so much MORE invested too. It’s our baby and we don’t want to let an outsider in to change it. I get it. I really do. I’m that way too – at least I was. The thought of getting a partner (even with a needed influx of funds) would have
Be open to new ideas and suggesƟons!
business? To me I’d rather have an increase in income, more people knowing about (and using) my services and products, and to have a happier life in the long run, than to have a business that is run strictly with my own ideas and implementations: especially if that business is failing. What about you? To go back to the TV programs I was talking about earlier…a few of the shows end with the consultant walking away because they just couldn’t get the people to cooperate. But most of the time after kicking and screaming, the business owner gives in, because they know that what is being proposed is the right thing to do. And by the end of the how, their
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business is turning a profit and is on the road to growth. Amazing! When we get out of our own way, look at the possibilities!!!! This has been a hard lesson for me, as well. But, several years ago, I moved from BIG CITY to little town and took a successful business down almost to nonexistence. For about five years, I was one of those people who thought that everyone else was at fault and that I wasn’t going to change anything. They had to come to me, I wasn’t going to change what I did for them. I did it the right way and THEY needed to do it my way. However, a year or so ago, I met a group of people that were vibrant and excited about growing their businesses. They were willing to work with others, to learn from each other, to share their ideas with each other. It was an eye opener for me. I realized that if I wanted to get back into business and to not wind up closing everything down, I needed to get active with this group. At the same time, I became quite ill, and didn’t know if I’d be able to work. So, after turning to God, and to this remarkable group of people, guess what?
My business is growing. I’m becoming a known expert. The training programs have a buzz and this magazine has new subscribers, new advertisers and new readers each and every month. I thank God, and I thank the people who showed me it’s okay to let other people help you. Maybe this is something that would help you too!!!!
Join me now for an amazing business opportunity. Who do you know in Canada? Contact me direct: debmark.nerium@yahoo.com http://debmark.arealbreakthrough.com
Nerium’s achievements include: Being the youngest company ever to make the Global 100 List from Direct Selling News One of the Most Successful product launches in history, hitting $100 million ins sales in first year of business Awarded the BRAVO Award for Growth from Direct Selling News
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GEEK SPEAK So What, Part 2: How to Communicate the Only Thing Your Clients Care About The second is Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
Last month’s article showed that your prospects only care what you do insofar as how it gets them a result they want, or a solution to a problem they have. This month I’ll show you how to communicate the result your ideal client wants so you can gain their interest, trust, and ultimately their business. A few decades ago, a man gave a speech. It basically went like this:
It’s no contest; the second version is much more memorable than the paraphrase I presented above. Why? Because the original speeches use language that engages the senses and imagination. They create a world that draws you in and makes you part of it, and you cannot walk away without being moved. This is exactly how you should communicate the result you provide to your prospective clients. Turning “So What?” Into “Wow!” The first step is to identify the result you give your clients.
“Wouldn’t it be great if all our kids could get along? Wouldn’t the world be a better place then?” About 100 years before that another man gave a speech, essentially saying: “Many years ago some people came together to start a nation based on some new principles about how to run a government.” Inspiring stuff, yes? Yeah, right! In case you didn’t guess, the first speech is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” specifically the part that says: “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
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First, write down all the services or products you provide. Now identify a concrete, tangible benefit each provides. There should be a lot of overlap here. You can feel free to group your various services together according to the different benefits. From the list of benefits, a particular direction should emerge. What is the thing which your various benefits provide? For example, if you provide health services for retirees, what is the end goal of all the things you do? Here’s an example using the feature/benefit/result progression from the previous article:
•“I provide diet counseling targeted toward unique, individual needs.” feature •“Eating the right diet for your body type and other needs will help you have more energy and better mental health.” benefit “You’ll feel 10 years younger and finally be able to start doing the things you’ve wanted to do in your retirement!” result! Having trouble translating your services into results? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! We who spend every day immersed in the jargon of our businesses often have difficulty doing this. The key is to take everything you do through the “So what?” test. Keep asking “So what?” from the perspective of your target client until you’re left with a point at which you can go no further. Also, don’t forget to think about the larger benefits you provide. In addition to the direct benefits, what other financial, spiritual, emotional, or health benefits might your service give, not necessarily as a direct result, but that could be expected to follow? Often these wider benefits can be crucial in articulating your result.
The Importance of Engaging Imagination Did you notice how the result I listed above allowed the prospective client to begin imagining him/herself differently? This is the most important step. That’s what turns ho-hum into a fantastic What statement that will really get your prospective client’s attention. When you think of your result, ask questions like “what actions will this enable my clients to take?” and “in what measurable, noticeable ways will this make their lives better?” Then tap into those benefits using language that triggers their imagination. Make them see themselves after you’re doing great things for them! If you can do this well, I guarantee you’ll start getting their attention in ways that will lead to more paying clients.
Do you want the peace of mind that comes from knowing how to use the Web to generate a steady stream of prospects who will not only become customers, but repeat buyers who tell all their friends about how amazing you are? You can do this by answering four simple questions! Find out more at http:// valentinewebservices.com/free-course
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Welcome to Willowbrook Academy and Day School
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The Teachers, Staff and Students of the school welcome you. Willowbrook Academy and Day School sits on a rise, back off the highway north of Ft. Wayne, IN. As a person drives by they see a beautiful facility that looks like it could be someone’s well-kept, loving home. Located on 6 acres of land on Dupont Road between Coldwater and Lima Road, the school currently is comprised of a 6,000 square foot classroom building, greenhouse, administrative building and the original barn from the Badiac Dairy Farm. Along with the Preschool and Upper School, the classroom building houses the school Library, Science Lab, Art Room, Teaching Kitchen, Imaginarium, Health Center and Motor Room (indoor physical education area).
With 2 teachers per every 12 students (approximately), each child’s education is fostered through a personalized education plan that is created by a team comprised of the child’s teachers, rounded out by the parents’ goals and concerns. When I asked Mandy Westropp, the Head of School, what parents should know about their child’s education at Willowbrook, and what made it different than what they got at public school, she replied: “Children at Willowbrook are educated in a homestyle environment with home like comforts. Here at Willowbrook we respect each child as an individual and teach to the "whole" child. Teaching the whole child means that we do not just teach academics we teach; manners, etiquette, culture, horticultural, culinary arts and rounding this out is our multi-cultural units. This consists of learning about different cultures around the world for 3 months including language and customs.”
Willowbrook began its first year in 2007. The school was founded to give options for families looking for an alternative to public or large private schools. There was a vision that an excellent education could be combined with a joy of learning in a setting unparalleled to anything currently available in Northeast Indiana. It was felt that the area was in need of an independent school that focused on small class sizes, coupled with hands-on learning. What now stands in this location is a nondenominational school that embraces children and families from all religious and cultural backgrounds. When I was there taking a tour of the classes, I found children who’s faces were alight with learning, enjoyment, and excitement to be in that place at that time. It was a truly remarkable tour, seeing the kids with their science projects, math and reading corners, and teachers who were there to help each student learn at his or her own pace and level.
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A parent might think that this type of educational facility sounds too good to be true. So, my next question was: Do the students follow the same guidelines as children in the same grades in public school? And the immediate answer came back as “Yes. However, we don’t
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teach to pass a standardized test, we teach to the student and their abilities while exceeding public school standards.” What this means is that fundamental skills are taught in all subject areas at each grade level, yet the children are allowed to master skills according to their learning style and readiness. As a teacher, and tutor, myself, I was really excited to see everything that the children do here – from taking care of chickens in the chicken coop where they have hatched and successfully raised 15 chickens – to Culinary Arts, Art, Yoga, PE, Horticultural, and their Multi-Cultural Program. But they also have well rounded classes in Language Arts, Math, Science, Computer Technology, Spanish, the Arts, and Physical Education.
While this was a very successful activity, the needs don’t stop there. They are continuing with their efforts on a regular basis to make the school the best place possible! The school keeps its standards high for students, faculty and staff, along with the setting of goals for both the school itself and the students. All in all, Willowbrook Academy and Day School is a fantastic system for the children of Ft. Wayne and surrounding communities. I highly recommend taking a look at this program – as either a business to support in the community, or a place to send your children for an excellent education.
Of course, however, since this is a magazine for entrepreneurs, I had to throw in the questions of the school as business. For entrepreneurial parents, Willowbrook understands having dreams and working towards achieving those dreams. The teachers and staff at the school have the dream of seeing each child reach their potential. Funding comes from a variety of places including a recent fundraiser where they met a goal of $25,000 in 25 days, helping to keep student tuition as low as possible.
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SUPPORTING MARINES IN THEATER AND ALL VETERANS PAST MISSIONS: Packages sent to Marines in the Iraqi and Afghan Theaters of donated and needed items purchased by the foundation. An Elk hunt for two Wounded Warriors. Support for a homeless Veteran while he lived in his car for the last four years.
PRESENT MISSIONS: Continued support of your Marines in Theater as well as the homeless Veteran who now has a roof over his head and a warm bed to sleep in. The building up of our Semper Fi Warrior program which sends Wounded Warriors, Disabled Veterans and Combat Veterans out on hunting, fishing and other types of excursions. Placing of qualified Veterans in a jobs program that is headed by one of our board members through his employer which will continue through 2022. The honoring of graves at our local cemetery on important Veteran Holidays.
FUTURE MISSIONS: Fundraiser to help bolster the memorial scholarship fund of a local Marine as well as our Semper Fi Warrior program. The donation or purchase of property for use by our Semper Fi Warriors and their families. The donation of State property which could be used to house transitioning and homeless Veterans. Continued support of your Marines in any combat situation. A scholarship fund supporting the families of those who lost a loved one in combat.
MEET THE FOUNDATION: Dale Bennett, USMC 815-715-3765 Founder/CEO Kyle Grathen, USMC and Wounded Warrior Semper Fi Warrior Coordinator Mike Mohr, US Army Retired Jobs Coordinator
Keeping Your Business Safe in an Unsafe World
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All good stories and fairy tales start with “Once upon a time…” but in the Marine Corps its usually, “Man you won’t believe this s%^&….”. Or, for those fishermen out there “How big was the fish that got away?” We all have either heard them or told them. One issue in the security industry with stories is they are usually not ones we want told as they usually involve security breaches, embarrassing situations for clients or incidents where the client is either injured or worse. But we all have stories that we use in training new security and protection professionals, whether they be good, bad or ugly. And then we have YouTube, which shows us so many stories. In teaching executive protection, there are certain celebrities who always seem to get into trouble, even though they have protection agents assigned to them. There are times when these guys are more in the news then the celebrity and this is not a good thing. Stories can be good training tools if used in the right context and as long as they do not involve us. One reason we do not want to be in the news or have stories told about us is that they may show our security vulnerabilities. Something we do not need for everyone to see is these vulnerabilities that make us an easy mark for the criminal element. There are times when I think the criminal element has a better intelligence network then the CIA and NSA put together. With all the things we put up on social networking sites about our business issues, these become our stories. One of the first things I do when taking on a new client is: I ask to see
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their cell (smart) phones. I look at what apps they have enabled, especially locations which I usually turn off while explaining why. Additionally, I ask for a list of social media sites that they visit, just the site and screen name they use: not their password. You would be surprised at some of the sites people visit, and how good their imagination is when it comes to screen names. By visiting these sites and looking at what they have put up, this gives me insight into potential security concerns that I may have with this client. Once again what story line are they putting out?
One I use in training involves a high net wealth individual who was taking his family on a Florida vacation. Their security detail was with them leaving the home front with limited security. Their daughter was posting pictures on social media showing them all on the plane headed to Florida and saying where they were staying, for what dates and even commenting that the security detail was with them. How much intelligence did she just give out? Way too much! A member of the security detail back home who discretely monitored the family’s social media saw this being posted, contacted the security team leader who then confiscated the teenager’s phone, IPad, and laptop after briefing her father about the breach.
But as we all know, once on the internet, it is there forever. Many of us have seen examples of what I am talking about--giving away too much information either by a business owner or an employee. The worst cases of this come from disgruntled current or former employees who feel they need to vent on social media. Am I advocating monitoring the social media of employees? No I am not, but you should be aware that comments about us and our businesses happen more than most people think. We need to be aware that it happens and when we hear about it we need to take a look and see if what is being said can hurt us or is breaking security. The stories that we and our employees tell via these social media can affect not only our business reputation, they could also assist those who wish to do us harm by providing them with critical data they can use. So be careful with those stories we tell, how we tell them and where we tell them. They can come back to haunt you.
Ed Becher, (Ret.) US Marine and Former Chief Instructor, US Dept. of State, Uniformed Branch, Diplomatic Security Service is the owner of Center for Protection, Security and Personal Safety (The Bodyguard Academy) which is a provider of training and resources to keep you, your staff and clients safe. He can be contacted at ed@thebodyguardacademy.com or by phone at (269)651-3355.
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Entrepreneurs – Our Job is Our Life and so is Our Health My dad died suddenly in an airplane accident when I was 16 years old. My mom was left to care for four kids: my brother 7, my little sister 12, my middle sister 14 and me the eldest. My mom had no employable skills since she had been a stay-at-home mom, like most of the mom’s during that time, which left her with limited income options. So she looked to her hobbies, the one she loved best was flower arranging. It only seemed natural when she went to work for the lady down the street who owned a flower shop. The flower lady trained my mom on the workings of arranging
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flowers. My mom was a good student, worked hard and with the help of my granny and papa my mom was able to buy a small flower shop of her own in the neighboring town. My mom, like most entrepreneurs, had no employee management, budgeting, accounting or any type of business training. Also, like most entrepreneurs, she loved what she did, designing flower arrangements--but had no idea how to design a successful business. My mom was smart, asked questions, and learned how to run her business from
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her friends’ making many mistakes and celebrating successes. Along the way she attended countless flower designer schools, small business training and grew her business. Her little flower shop business financially supported my mom, paid for our home, and all the necessities a single mom would need to care for a bunch of kids. My mom ate, slept and wept in that flower shop. And so did we.
But they didn’t know back then what we know today about disease prevention. I know if my mom would have known about disease prevention testing, the dangers of some foods and a sedentary lifestyle she would have been excited to have the opportunity to invest in her employees by providing a wellness program. After all they were like family and everyone wants their family to have the best possible life.
Over the years, my mom had a steady group of floral designers, bookkeepers, delivery people and me to wait on the customers. These folks who helped us in the flower shop become like family to us. They shared our birthdays, graduations and wedding celebrations. They cried with us when my granny and papa died. My mom gave time off to “our family” for medical testing, surgery and doctor visits to manage their diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer all the while “treating” them to the worst possible food and high stress working environment. The shop was always loaded with junk food, sweets of all kinds and the added pressure of tight timeframes.
It’s too late to help my mom. But it’s not too late for me to help other business owners, help their employees to get healthy and stay healthy. After all, I am a nurse and I know what to do. All I needed to do is to create a program just like the one I wished my mom would have had for our flower shop family.
Back then, who knew my mom’s flower shop, was a contributing factor to developing disease and sickness of herself and her employees? Medical professionals knew, but not my mom or those we loved.
I got to thinking, what if they did know? What if they knew, if they ate a diet full of fruits and vegetables, exercised a little and had preventive exams these small actions would change the course they were headed down? One of sickness and despair. Sadly my mom died of colon cancer which is preventable with early detection, and dietary modifications. Each one of our flower shop family members suffered needlessly from preventable diseases such as breast cancer, heart attack and macular degeneration, which are all positively impacted with preventive measures.
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Today I am excited to say; through the team at C2 Your Health LLC we are able to offer the small to medium size business owner, non-profits and organizations with a comprehensive results oriented wellness program. There is no greater satisfaction then knowing we have helped someone to experience a life filled with vitality and to love what I am doing at the same time. After all, there is no better gift to give than the gift of health. Like my granny always said, “Without your health, nothing else is important.” Your partner in health,
Cindy Cohen is a registered nurse with 35 years of experience from the bedside to CEO of a hospital. Cohen is recognized as an accomplished author, wellness expert, and corporate wellness leader. As a health coach and wellness consultant, Cohen is the guiding force behind the C2 Your Health team in helping others find their way to improved personal and business wellness. C2 Your Health LLC, through the corporate wellness division Health-E 4 Life Worksite Wellness, assisted industry leaders with certification and was awarded the 2009 - 11 Indiana Small Business Wellness Tax Credit. C2 Your Health LLC also promotes the annual Expo for Women bring wellness to the community. Cohen has written a number of books, the latest 2012 Prevention Benefits Healthy Employee Costs Less (Amazon.com), and 2013 What’s on Your Plate a Simple Guide to Healthy Cooking (Amazon.com) You can find Cindy www.fb.com/CindyCohenRN, www.Linkedin.com/in/CindyCohen, www.CindyCohenRN.com
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With blossoms galore, you can spruce up your home in no time! This month, Simply Said is offering you some great designs when you purchase $75 or more from our catalog or Said Your Way design tool, where you can DESIGN it YOURSELF! OR, gather some friends and have yourself a party, where I will reveal your limitless possibilities! Call me today! (574) 850-4424.
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YBNF Tip: How early should you post EVENTS on your business page? Event posts are really great ways to promote your business on Facebook. Remember to be creative in creating events too online events can be hosts of all kinds of fun activities. When posting EVENTS, start by posting on your business page and at the end of your post invite everyone to visit your page & "click on the EVENTS tab to see more" (this is likely to bring new fans to your page too). You can post your event as soon as it is planned but it is good to have it posted at least three weeks before the EVENT date. After it's posted (and remember to include a photo in the EVENT post) then "share" it on your page at least three times each week before the actually event. Also "share" it on your personal profile page, any other page you manage, groups that you belong to. Any one who "joins" your event can also invite others (unless you have created a closed event), It's good to end your post asking others to invite their friends too. Last but not least, go to your business page, switch to "Use Facebook as Self (Your Name)" and "Join" your own Event. You will then see the "join" button becomes a "Invite Your friends" button and you can send individual invitation messages to anyone from your friends list. All these steps are free and will bring attention to your event. Consider also using the "Boost Post" button at the bottom of your Status Box and for as little as $5 you can make sure lots of people see your event. One more step, you can now message those who "join" your event directly! Nice way to welcome those attending. Like our tips? You'll find more tips by visiting our page at www.facebook.om/YourBusinessNeedsFans and clicking on the NOTES tab!
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BEING CONNECTIVE— Storytelling to Connect You Better 24 Small Biz Forward
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I
visited a friend of mine recently. She and I became acquainted through a common networking group and were competitors in the same line of business, but both have left that industry. After taking some time to care for her aging parents, she has reentered the work place and is looking for a better position. Neither of us is a "spring chicken" anymore, if you get my drift, and rather than be blunt in wanting to help her advance her mission, I shared a story from our former shared industry that drove a point home. In a former company, one of the young representatives I worked with was lamenting his ability to close business. He was a little "baby faced," and though he had a bachelor's degree, could have been perceived as lacking experience and knowledge due to his youthful appearance. Just for the heck of it, one day he bought a box of grey hair color. He applied the color in streaks along his temples, just to "age" him a bit. Incredibly, his next seven presentations resulted in closed sales. While my friend and I are getting toward the other end of the spectrum, she doesn't look a day over 50 and is incredibly active and fit, but in the working world, books do get judged frequently by their covers. Upon hearing this story, she immediately picked up on the thought that, "Well, maybe it is time that I color my hair, just to advance that youthful appearance." Maybe that is what it will take for me to get the job. This relatively simple story is the kind we run across and live every day. Really gifted business people have stories like these roll off their tongues with ease without thinking about them. If storytelling to gain a desired outcome isn't a method you use and you find your business struggling, try to think of three to five situations you have been through in the last year that are a great story. Think of a situation that was notable yet fun or funny. If these situation's stories can be shared with without being "teachy or preachy," make yourself some notes about each of them. Re-tell yourself these stories over and over until they become an embedded part of your everyday thought. You can tell these stories to friends in situations to which they might be funny or useful, but not necessarily to help you with a business outcome (other than good practice in storytelling). Get the wording polished, but don't "memorize." You just want to have the flow of what happened well prepared so you can tailor each story to the situation you are in. Over time, you will find occasions during which you may apply your well known story to advance thought toward your desired outcome. This is storytelling to become connective.
Gail M. Turluck is the President of Connective Marketing of Richland, Michigan. Connective Marketing offers communications services including writing, e-newsletters, newsletters, web site content, editing, proofreading; Send Out Cards; the Body by Vi 90 Day Fitness Challenge; and more. She may be contacted at gail@connectivemarketingllc.com or by visiting www.connectivemarketingllc.com.
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Do you or your employees qualify for the Health Care Reform subsidy? Call me to find out
Charlie Batizy Multi-Company Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in insurance for individuals, small businesses and the unique opportunities of American Veterans 8175 Creekside Drive, Suite 200 Portage, Michigan 49024 Toll Free: (800) 578-1609
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It’s Time to Think Ab Its tax time again in Indiana, but not the kind of taxes you might normally associate with springtime. I’m talking about property taxes, with tax bills being sent to property owners for the first 2014 tax installment due in May. If you are a homeowner with a mortgage, property taxes are often paid out of escrow and are part of your monthly mortgage payment, so you may not give property taxes too much thought. But if you own commercial real estate, such as an office, retail store, apartments, or industrial building, your property tax bill can be a significant expense item in your budget every spring and fall. Property taxes can have a significant impact on the bottom line net operating income for a property, and have a negative impact on market value. The property can become less competitive for sale or lease with a higher than normal tax bill. And if you are renting a commercial property, as a tenant, you might be responsible for paying all or a portion of the property tax bill, usually in the form of additional rent. In the State of Indiana, property taxes are based on the assessed value of a property. The assessed value of a property is made up of two components: 1.
The value of the underlying land, and
2. The value of the improvements, including structures and site improvements.
Real estate taxes often represent the largest annual expense item for a commercial property.
The value of the land is based on the Assessor’s database of land sales and relates to use, neighborhood and location, with possible adjustments for frontage, depth, soil types, and other influencing factors. The assessed value of an improvement is calculated using cost tables to derive a replacement cost new, based on market value in use. Adjustments to the assessment account for building features, such as wall heights, plumbing fixtures, sprinkler systems, and the overall quality of construction. Physical depreciation factors are also estimated and applied, based on age and condition. The assessed value of the improvement is further adjusted for market trends, based on a compilation of local sales gathered through mandatory sales disclosures. Some parts of the assessment process are factual, such as the building area, year built, use, wall heights, etc., while some parts of the process are more subjective, such as quality and condition ratings. Often, the depreciation process doesn’t account for functional or economic obsolescence, such as excess vacancy due to location, lower eave heights, or a dysfunctional floor plan. An Assessor will review and adjust the assessment annually to account for changing market conditions and for any physical changes to the property. It’s a good idea to review and monitor the assessed value on your property in relation to the market value.
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bout Property Taxes •
In my 25+ years of doing commercial real estate appraisals, I’ve seen some rather dramatic changes in assessed values from year‐to‐year, and some big discrepancies between the assessed value and the market value of a property, as derived by standard appraisal process. An appeal action might be warranted due to errors or misjudgments in any part of the assessment process.
Other assessment years can be analyzed for the correction of factual errors, with an opportunity for retroactive tax savings.
Since I only recommend filing an appeal if there is just cause, my tax appeal clients experience significant tax savings as a result of my review/appraisal process. We all need to pay real estate taxes for the support of local government and public services. A tax assessment review ensures that you only pay your fair share of property taxes.
If you are interested in a property tax assessment review, please contact me as soon as you get your spring tax bill at 574‐256‐ 5998 or at fai@comcast.net
I’m offering an initial review and analysis of the property tax assessment for commercial and industrial properties located here in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana. I’ll review the assessment card for mathematical or physical errors and then do a general search of comparable sales, which will demonstrate a likely range of values for the property. If the total assessed value is within reason, then we go no further. If an appeal is warranted, I’ll recommend a course of action, and an appropriate scope of work based on the type and complexity of the real estate. I’ll credit the initial review fee to any future appraisal fee. Keep these things in mind: •
The next window for filing an appeal on your assessment is 45 days from the date of your next tax bill. This appeal period applies to the assessed value as of March 1, 2013, which impacts the 2014 payable tax year.
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Please check out my website at www.farringtonappraisals.com and feel free to look up my profile on LinkedIn for some great recommendations that I’ve received over the years from satisfied clients!
Michelle Farrington IN Certified General Appraiser
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4. KISS: Keep it short and sweet. Use concise language. Speak to your audience. Leave technical terms and details to your handouts or attachments. 5. When possible, engage multiple senses. Some people are visual, some auditory, some tactile. You might not know who is who, but you can appeal to each type in some fashion. Charts, handouts, words are all equally valuable tools as long as they add to and not detract from the story.
“Tell me a story, tell me a story, tell me a story or I won’t go to sleep”: lyrics from a childhood song whose title has vanished from memory but whose words linger on. Stories matter. A valuable lesson I learned when I was a federal prosecutor was that trial work was as much theatre as substance. Boring facts had to be brought to life, and you had to make the jury interested enough to want to be part of the right ending. One of my favorite closing arguments was when I sat on a table next to the jury, swung my legs a la Lily Tomlin, and starting telling the jury about the imaginary “friend” I had when I was little. I used that story to illustrate that the defendant I was prosecuting must have a “friend” like mine because he was blaming everything on “a friend.” A quick guilty verdict resulted! Storytelling is important for most everything we do in life. I’ve tried to convey this to younger lawyers, to my children, my clients and my students. Everything we say or do has persuasion as a component part. Read my lips: I didn’t say fabricate, lie or deceive. I said, tell a story.
6. Be mindful of your sentence structure: declaratory goes only so far. Move the story along be changing the “scenery.” Use questions, then answer them. Active not passive voice. Throw in an exclamatory sentence at an appropriate point. But don’t be one of these !!!!!!!!! 7.
Wrap up with your “killer point.” Make sure you’ve delivered what you promised in the beginning of your story. Don’t leave any loose ends. And don’t make people wish they had stopped reading/listening five minutes earlier.
That’s all. I’m done. Now, go to sleep!
How do you tell a story that resonates? 1.
Be passionate about the message. Or (cynically) learn how to appear that way! If you don’t believe in your story, why should they?
Barbara Nicastro is a problem solver, strategist and business executive
2. Emote. Dead eyes, dead tone of voice, flat words = a result that is DOA from the start. 3. Grab them in with a dynamite opening, and then go into the facts. When I argued criminal cases before a jury, I’d always start with a dramatic synopsis sentence summarizing what my case was all about, then I’d lower my voice and start to weave my tale.
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highly experienced in analysis of complex document or factual situations. Uses a pragmatic business approach to prevent or resolve issues. Extensive leadership, public speaking, negotiation, media and motivational training experience. You can reach Barb at www.linkedin.com/in/ bnicastro
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Security and the Entrepreneur For many of us owning our own business has always been a dream. For some having a homebased business is even better. But how do we, as homebased business owners, handle security? You need to keep in mind that being homebased, it is not only your business you need to keep secure but your family and home as well. Let’s talk about one item that many of us pass out at every networking event we attend...the business card. What address and phone number do you have on that card: home address and phone number? I hope not. If you’re running a home-based business there are many places such as Mail Box Etc. that you can use as a business mailing address. Yes, it may be a hassle to pick up mail there, but do you want a potential client showing up at the front door at 9pm asking about a product or service you offer? Now for the phone --it is easy to do a reverse phone number lookup and voila, I have your home address off that phone number and guess what…knock knock. Go out and purchase either a
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financial information?
second unlisted phone number or a second cell and use that number exclusively for your business. Client meetings should never occur at your home unless this client is well known to you. You do not permit strangers in your house normally, why start with an unknown client? Meet at a spot in public, such as a coffee shop, restaurant or, even better, a cowork center. How much do you really know about this new potential customer? Another key area to keep in mind is computer and internet safety. Many of us run wireless connections at home. Is that connection a secure one? There are people who will troll for those unsecured networks then basically take a peek at what you have on your network. Is access to your checking account on your computer? How about other business or family
Smart Phones (IPhones and Andriods) can be another security issue. Is the location application on your phone turned on or off? A capable and knowledgeable stalker can locate you and track you through what you put up on the web, on sites like Facebook, FourSquare, Twitter and even Flickr. So use caution on what and where you post personal information. Remember as a home-based business you have a responsibility to keep not only your business safe and secure but your home and family as well.
Ed Becher, PPS, is the Owner and Director of Training @ The Center for Protection, Security and Personal Safety in Sturgis, MI. He can be contacted at ed@thebodyguardacademy,com or by calling his office at 269-651-3355 to discuss your security concerns.
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Using Stories in Your Marketing Sherry Lynn is founder of WIBusiness, a marketing and business support group for women entrpreneurs. She works from home on the family goat farm.
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♦
People love reading stories that relate to real life examples. Finding a way to incorporate them into your marketing can make it more engaging and memorable. Before there was the written word, humans used stories to get their points across so that things were remembered; this was the only way to pass knowledge and traditions down from one generation to the next. People make decisions based on emotion, because our brains tend to recall experiences or stories that have a strong emotional element to them. The emotional components of stories are what helps them be remembered because emotions such as surprise, sympathy, and empathy were all triggered. To motivate people to act and remember we must engage their emotions If you want your audience to remember your content, then find a way to make it more relevant and memorable by strengthening your core message with good, short, stories or examples.
Results: Her Facebook Marketing started to pay off. She got 2 new clients in just 2 weeks!
Let’s turn that into an engaging story that creates emotion. Suzie was not getting results from her Facebook Marketing because she did not have a plan. She was on Facebook everyday but was just posting randomly without a desired result in mind. She hired me to help her create and implement a plan. Together we looked at the results she wanted and created and plan that Suzie could stick to and she did. Her Facebook Marketing started to pay off. By having a plan and knowing what her goals were he got 2 new clients in just 2 weeks! What does that story tell? It tells that I in this example can help someone make Facebook work for them. It brings awareness that sometimes you need some help to do this. It instills confidence in me and most of all What emotions does that story provoke? Sadness for Suzie at the beginning of the story, Happiness for Suzie because she achieved something awesome. A sense of hope that it can work for them too. Where can you use stories? When you are presenting, writing articles, blogposts, in your newsletters, on your website or in your ads. Happy Storytelling! Sherry Lynn
Constructing a story that you want people to act on needs to be structured so that the desired action is achieved. An easy way to construct a story is with 4 components. •
Problem
•
Solution
•
Action
•
Results Let’s look at an example:
♦
Problem: Suzie was not getting results from her Facebook Marketing because she did not have a plan.
♦
Solution: She hired me to help her create and implement a plan.
♦
Action: Suzie stuck to the plan.
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What is it like to be a Member of Find Great Companies.com LLC? How Can It Help Me and My Great Business? Are you overwhelmed with running, marketing and funding your small or home-based business?
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Word of Mouth, Referrals, Networking and Real Relationships are very old and proven marketing methods to grow any business or ministry. Find Great Companies.com LLC, took this very old and proven philosophy and built a Power Packed Website with all the “Bells and Whistles” to grow your Great Company using 21st Century Technology!!!
♦
Facebook daily postings
♦
other social media links
What you and your business gains when you join: •
Do you need help with social media, direction for your business or just plain more exposure and support?
Professional Profile: description of your business, your logo
•
Are you seeking a community of like-minded, spiritually-led business owners with similar needs, goals and vision?
“Click of a button” links: your website, social media links
•
A listing under Featured Companies Category
•
Testimonials and comments
•
Member-to-member specials
•
Website visitor specials (for Your Customers)
•
Private Facebook Support Group -- Inner Circle: support, referrals, specials
Find Great Companies could be the most cost effective, powerful and easiest way to solve all these issues! We have a unique way to provide you with the support to gain more exposure online, Facebook and other social media platforms. If it works, don’t change it…just make it better and make it work with today’s technology. This enables you to “meet people where they are” – which are smartphones, tablets and computers. This is where people are spending their time. In order for you to succeed in business in the 21st century and stay ahead of your competition you have to have an active online presence and strong social media platforms. By becoming a member of Find Great Companies, you will immediately become a part of this virtual networking group. Our goal is to help our members gain access to the virtual online marketplace as well as immediate Facebook exposure. You can hire a virtual assistant, marketing professional, social media expert…or you can join our membership for a fraction of the cost! This will not only save you precious time, energy and money, but you gain the expertise and support of professionals within our company and membership. We are not just another business listing and we are not just another online marketing company. We are a very unique, and semi-exclusive, group of like-minded, highly reputable businesses that are displayed on a state-of-the-art website for online users and other businesses to access and use 24/7! Our website is a one-stop shop to allow potential customers to gain access to you website and all your social media links. We promote our website and community (YOU) at: ♦
live marketing events
♦
publication ads
♦
media
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If you run a small or home-based business...it's REALLY overwhelming! It can be LONELY and EXHAUSTING! For a low monthly membership fee you will receive all the benefits of having an expert marketing team behind you and the support of wonderful, spiritually-led business owners! If you would like to gain access to this unique group all you have to do is: VISIT: http://findgreatcompanies.com GO TO: Member center and fill out the member form. Review and agree to Terms and Conditions and click the Submit button. You are now ready to begin your FREE 30 Day Trial Membership with us. A Client Care Representative will contact you during this FREE Trial Period to answer any questions you may have and help you start making the most of this new business endeavor for you!
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Storytelling for your business: start with storytelling just for fun. I spent most of the afternoon and evening yesterday (it was a Sunday) playing around with an idea for a graphic novel with an artist friend of mine. Even though I’m a writer and “I don’t draw” I drew from 1 to 5 in the afternoon and then wrote out the same story in short story format, from 8 to 11:30 at night. In A Whole New Mind Daniel Pink mentions that we ought to celebrate our amateur status. Become an amateur storyteller. Do it with a story that doesn’t relate to work and you’ll come back to work later with refreshed perspective. I like working on stories for fun, but writing a novel or graphic novel may be bigger than you want to take on. Hone a story for your grandchildren and see if you can keep their attention longer than a TV ad or a tablet App. Tell a Bible story in your own words to a Sunday school class, or look for an opportunity to speak about your hobby at a Rotary- or Kiwanis-type of club. Find a way to incorporate crafting a fun story of some kind (unrelated to work) into your life. The creative exercise will help when you turn the working brain back on, especially if you’re an entrepreneur who’s responsible to sell your product. Telling a story is often the best way to introduce yourself. Saying “I do credit card processing” isn’t as helpful as talking about a recent customer you served and the problem you solved. “I met with a
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shop owner who sells hobby products and was losing business because people came from out of town without cash. A month after beginning to take credit cards, he called me, very excited, because he’d sold more than three times more than he anticipated in a month” is much better. Not going into too much detail is important – don’t lose the forest for the trees – but a few key detailed elements will make your introduction stand out.
Once you have the opportunity to make a presentation of more than two minutes, (let’s say you’re given 15 minutes) then preparing your story is paramount. Don’t wing it! When an opportunity came up for me to be the keynote speaker at the awards banquet for a local chamber of commerce, I jumped at it. What a great way to hone my skills at telling a story or two! The written word is my arena where I’m more than an amateur (as opposed to
drawing or graphic design for a slideshow) so the spoken word plus a slideshow is taking a lot of work. I’m preparing to be at my best – I want to be better than I’ve ever been before. I’m not as good at spoken presentations, so I’ve been reading Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds and highly recommend this book for those who want their story to stand out, especially if you plan to use Powerpoint. Nobody wants to see your bullet points. This book will help you prepare well-designed slides that compliment your story. The point is, know if you’re better at speaking or writing. Know if you’re better on the phone or in person. Learn to read and know your audience. Know your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to storytelling, then work on one weakness at a time. Before you know it you’ll have people hooked.
Adam G. Fleming is an account rep for Worldpay, a leadership coach and coach trainer, and is the author of a stage play, A Pebble among the Rocks, and a novel, White Buffalo Gold, © 2012 available on Amazon, Kindle and many other platforms. Visit his book site at www.whitebuffalogold.wordpress.com
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You’re getting ready to dive into the task at hand when the notification light on your smartphone catches your eye. Drawn in by the flashing beacon, you can’t resist the urge to check your text messages. You settle back in and open up your spreadsheet. Suddenly a co-worker stationed at a desk a few feet away leans back in his chair and casually asks, “So, did you catch the game last night?” With all these distractions, it’s a wonder we get anything done. Our lack of concentration is a real issue. A University of California study found office workers are interrupted once every three minutes, on average. Once led off course, it takes 23 minutes to refocus on the task. Nearly half of all employees lose concentration after just 15 minutes. What’s to blame for our wandering minds? Some people point to the excessive stimulus we’re surrounded by in our daily lives as the culprit. Others blame workplace trends, such as the open-concept office.
your projects into the appropriate categories and work through your To-Do List accordingly. 2. Eradicate E-Clutter Computers have changed our world for the better, but they can also be our downfall. If you can, consider working offline. Ignore all but the most urgent emails, and assign a set time to check less important messages. Also consider picking up the phone instead of sending internal emails. Urgent or complex issues are better discussed by phone or in person, while items of lesser importance can be emailed. 3. Set Your Limits Determine what you can use as a ‘do not disturb’ sign to let co-workers know you’re focused on a task and can’t be disrupted. In many open-concept offices, headphones are the universal sign for “I’m busy.” Often workers aren’t even listening to music but wear them to let others know they’re in the middle of something important. Sometimes it’s as simple as letting people know you’re not available when they stop by your desk to chat. It may take some time, but eventually they’ll get the message you’re not fond of drop-in guests. With everyone trying to cram more activities into an already packed schedule, there’s a good chance society will speed up before it slows down. By learning to prioritize our work and adopting a few new habits, we can all improve our focus and productivity.
The good news is that no matter the cause, we can sharpen our focus and maximize our productivity. Here are a few ways to train your brain: 1. Prioritize “What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important,” said President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who developed a highly efficient method of prioritizing tasks. First, determine whether the task is important, then consider if it is urgent. All tasks can be sorted into four categories: Urgent and Important, Not Urgent and Important, Urgent and Not Important, and Not Urgent and Not Important. Sort
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Jerry Sarno is a Strategic Partner with Schooley Mitchell Telecom consultants, North America’s largest independent telecom consulting company. Jerry.Sano@schooleymitchell.com 269-408-8679
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The Thrill of the Hunt When he was working with Ralph, he was interested in book shops.
“The thrill of the hunt” is what Mr. Casperson of A Casperson Books attributes to his love of books. If you’ve never been to A Casperson Books, build it into your schedule. Stepping into the store from the sidewalk is like stepping into a dream. The atmosphere is different from bigger and more modern bookstores; pipe tobacco is placed in the vents to add to the bookstore’s uniqueness. Mr. Casperson has been operating his bookstore in downtown Niles for three and a half years now. With roughly thirty thousand books available in his store and seven thousand available online through his website, all bookworms will be satisfied. Mr. Casperson describes his love for reading by telling me, “I've always had an interest in discovering things. Didn't matter what it was, rocks and shells, to the extent that I'd go looking for them.” Casperson’s dad, Ralph, was in the book business, and he inherited “the basic instinct to discover things.” He said, “It's just one constant discovery after another.”
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Eventually Casperson said he joined in, confessing, “I would haunt bookshops.” He looked for everything from magazines to history books. But Casperson’s drive was different than his father’s. “Dad's passion behind books was because he was a reader,” he said. “Mine is the thrill of the hunt.” In fact, hunting for books is his favorite way to stock the shelves. Casperson wasn’t lying about haunting bookstores. Picking, to Casperson, is an adventure. “I've been in nice places, clean places, dirty places.” He told me it’s like a high, “Almost like when you have a good game in sports, and score a bunch of points.” Sports metaphor aside, Casperson enjoys his bookstore just as much as Ralph enjoyed it before him. Finding great books to stock the shelves is a thrill topped only by the greater thrill when a customer finds that same book and purchases it. Casperson competed with his father, the hard work paying off when Ralph pointed out his good eye for books because his choices left the store as quickly as they came in.
about his good eye, some may say A Casperson’s bookstore is cluttered. Casperson disagrees. “An experience,” he says, “is what I’m hoping they will walk out with.” For those who have a love for discovery, adventure and uniquity, Casperson’s is a diamond in the rough. For those who just love a good read, Casperson’s can offer that. For anyone who is looking for a little more, Casperson’s unique atmosphere is sure to please. To search through A Casperson’s online catalog, visit his website at http:// acaspersonbooks.com/. The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the needs of businesses and the community. Together, the Chamber does what no person can do by themselves. The Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, first established in 1919, has been in continuous operation since 1930, and proudly serves nearly 40,000 people in four townships. For more information on membership, visit www.nilesmi.com. Co-authored By Kate Gassman and Alex Kelley, Featured Member Blog Author at the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce
Despite what Ralph said
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12th
• Healthy Biz—2014
Women/Daughter Self
Panel Discussion on how to
Protection Class @ Trine
keep you and your business
University. 10a‐12 noon.
healthy in 2014. @ National College, South Bend, 4‐
6pm.
14th Business Success Unlimited — Peer Advisory Board —
• Business Success Unlimited — Peer Advisory Board —
@ Four Flags Chamber, 9 to
online, 9 to 11am During
11am During the 2‐hour
the 2‐hour long
long mastermind, twice a
April 8th
mastermind, twice a month,
month, business professionals
business professionals will
will gather to talk about issues
gather to talk about issues
of importance to small
of importance to small
businesses in a shared, non‐
businesses in a shared, non‐
competitive, collaborative
Women Business Owners of
environment where there is also
Mishawaka @ BoneFish Grill,
laughter and fun.
competitive, collaborative environment where there is also laughter and fun
11:30am
Premier Women’s Network —
10th
various spots throughout
Business Success Unlimited —
Michigan and Indiana.
Peer Advisory Board — @
1st — Ft. Wayne
online, 9 to 11am During the 2‐ hour long mastermind, twice a month, business professionals will gather to talk about issues
10th — Niles 16th — Angola/Auburn
28th Business Success Unlimited — Peer Advisory Board — @ Four Flags Chamber, 9 to 11am During the 2‐hour long mastermind, twice a month, business professionals will
29th — Mishawaka
gather to talk about issues of
businesses in a shared, non‐
??? — Indianapolis
importance to small businesses
competitive, collaborative
You can find out locations, and
environment where there is also
times @ http://premier‐womens‐
laughter and fun
network.com/
of importance to small
in a shared, non‐competitive, collaborative environment where there is also laughter and fun.
11th Niles Four Flags Chamber — Eye Opener Breakfast @ Michiana Christian Service Camp. 7:30‐9:30am
24th
• Beauty Inside and Out —
Deb Sanderson w/Nerium and Cindy Cohen w/Juice Plus. See ad in this month’s magazine for further details.
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Two week Team Cleanse during April including class on meal planning, meals, snacks, and extras for those that would like to get healthier, gain energy or lose 10 pounds.
Call Cathy @ 574-259-6181. 40 Small Biz Forward
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Don’t wait ‘til pigs fly to grow your business – come to BSU where businesses
connect | Collaborate | SUCCEED 269-651-3555 http://success4biz.biz http://facebook.com/bsuconnector http://linkedin.com/in/nancybecher http://twitter.com/smallbizjunkie
Are you looking for someone to help you grow your business easily, cost-effectively and without taking years? Then BSU is the choice for you.
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Celebrate Business — Dream the Work Retreat 2 -2014 Networking - Education - Exhibitors Door Prizes and Much More! Join us for a day to spend working ON your business -away from the "Busy-ness" of everyday work. No suits, no ties, no nylons and no heels allowed. Come ready to spend time and energy creating the best biz ever!
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WHERE: Trine University, 4101 Edison Lakes Pkwy, Ste 250, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545 WHEN: May 9th, 8am—5pm COST: $75 attendees; ONLY $25 more for a booth! RSVP by the end of March and get a 10% discount.
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MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
2nd Story Marketing Three passionate and energetic women providing marketing services for small businesses including marketing plans, campaigns, managing social media, newsletters, press releases, event management and more. Facebook: 2nd Story Marketing www.2ndStoryMarketing.net
AVAS, LLC AVAS provides photo scanning, photo montages, social media consulting, and project assistance.
http://www.AVASLLC.NET | Cell: (574) 514-5193 C2 Your Health Wellness Programs for Mini-Checkups, Home Laboratory Testing, Health Coaching, Self-Care, Community Connections and more. Cindy Cohen RN, BS BA | http://CindyCohenRN.com
Charlie Batizy, Multi-Company Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in insurance for individuals, small businesses, and the unique opportunities of American Veterans
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Connective Marketing provides communications services to small businesses: • • • • • •
Print and e-newsletters Handbooks, Yearbooks and Directories Web site content Organization membership management Editing and Proofreading Event management
Connective Marketing offers non-profit management and consulting services. Connective Marketing has a particular focus on sailing and sailboat racing organizations and events. Be confident you can drop your dock lines and sail away knowing your needs will be met.
Connective Marketing /) 1245 West Gull Lake Drive (\ Richland, Michigan 49083 269.203.7130 T | 786.358.3605 F gail@connectivemarketingllc.com | www. connectivemarketingllc.com
800-578-1609
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Epic Life Studios Adam Fleming is a leadership coach as well as an Account Exutive for the credit card processing company, WorldPay. Email: Adam.Fleming@WorldPay.us adam.fleming.lifecoach@gmail.com 574-238-7872
Find Great Companies.com LLC We specialize in creating an online presence for your great company complete with interactive online marketing, networking and even a customer comment and review section. Your profile with us lets online users connect to your website, social media platforms and even locate you via our map feature with just one "click"!!! We are not just another business listing. We are semi-exclusive and only accept the most reputable businesses. Your profile with us member to member benefit discounts and the opportunity to offer/advertise your special offers to our online user group each week at no additional cost to you!!! We are a power packed website with all of the tools necessary to help your great company GROW!!! 2604991415 | 2604991415 Email : tbarse@findgreatcompanies.com
Heartwood Renaissance Academy A private school dedicated to helping students succeed. We teach students to SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS. The staff and teachers help DESIGN, BUILD, and TEST each child's skills, confidence, and self-esteem to fly with courage into their adult futures with the ability to overcome obstacles and accept challenges. https://www.facebook.com/pages/HeartwoodRenaissance-Academy | (269) 273-0160
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IDLife Susan Eckley Ruch #IDLIFE provides "Individually Designed" Vitamins & Nutritional Supplementation based on Medical facts and "Chrono-Biology." All Products are Organic/Natural, Gluten Free, Non-GMO & Casein Free. Visit to Learn More at www.IDLife.com/Health4Life Email: susaneckleyruch@gmail.com Facebook: Susan Eckley Ruch Twitter: @susaneckleyruch LinkedIn: Susan (Eckley) Ruch
Kerri’s Avenue Salon High End Hair at Affordable Prices. We use top quality products, attend education classes on a regular basis, and work with all textures of hair. Free consultations are always available, just call. Check us out at our new location! Kerri's Avenue Salon Too 420 West Cleveland Rd. Granger IN 46350 http://www.kerris-avenue-salon.com | (574) 243-3901
Lyster Photography Capture and preserve moments in time to be forever treasured. Business portraits, newborns/children/babies/ families, events, nature — fine art. Laura.lyster@gmail.com | 269-598-3383
Matt Barse Designs & Cabinetry LLC Sales and Design for quality kitchen cabinetry, bathrooms, entertainment areas, wet bars, man caves, room additions, custom furniture pieces, offices and so much more. We handle remodels from A to Z. I have been designing dreams for 28 years and love working with people. No job is too small or too big. Visit my website at www.indianacustomcabinets.com. 260-750-2083
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MI Security Training/Bodyguard Academy Providing quality training for those working in the private security industry. http://thebodyguardacademy.com | (269) 651-3355
Schooley Mitchell Jerry Sarno and Schooley Mitchell will save your business or organization; 1) Time; we do the work so you concentrate on your core business. 2) Money; we save $$$ on your telecom spend, if we don't, there is no fee. 3) Peace of mind. 269-408-8679
Niles Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to http://www.schooleymitchell.com/jsarno serving the needs of Businesses and the Community. For further information on joining the Chamber please call (269) 683-3720, or chamber@nilesmi.com. Your Business Needs Fans Encouraging businesses create and maintain their online presence by teaching best-practice Facebook marketing and Premier Women’s Network so much more. To Uplift, Encourage, and Inspire all Women in Business https://www.facebook.com/YourBusinessNeedsFans and Career Seekers to Achieve their Highest Capabilities through Networking and Education (574) 344-8895 https://www.facebook.com/PremierWomensNetwork/ info | (260) 747-5202
47 Small Biz Forward
http://smallbizforward.com
Looking for a great Charitable Organization to support? Check out Willowbrook Academy and Day School (see their article on page 10) Or, see the video at: hƊp://www.gofundme.com/70v3yg Or, if you’d like more information on enrolling your child here, their website is: http://willowbrookdayschool.org/