Eagle Creek Life SEPTEMBER 2015
Meet Your Neighbors, The Martin Family Photo by Amanda Yachmetz Photography
A publication of Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC
IN THIS ISSUE • Meet Your Neighbors • Quick Reference Directory • A Fresh Start
• 2 Points to Consider before You List Your Home • Buy the Right Kind of Life Insurance • Panther P.R.I.D.E.
• A Little Homework for Parents • Manage your Business at its Best to Build Business Value
September 2015
from the
Editor Welcome
Bill Bokunic, Publisher & CEO Quantum Marketing Communications 321..331.6398 • Bill@QMCWorld.com
Happy September 2015! Join us on Facebook, just search for “Eagle Creek Life” Eagle Creek is now online. Visit www.eaglecreeklifeMAG.com or www.QMCWorld.com We had a fantastic event at the Stonebridge Tavern last month. 40 to 50 or so residents and friends joined us on Tuesday evening August 25th for great food and refreshments. We will be doing these every couple of months. Be sure to check our calendar section for dates and times. We welcome a new advertiser this month, Dr. Lach from Lake Nona Orthodontist. Their office is located across from Eagle Creek on Narcoossee Road in the Publix shopping center and are only Twenty-five minutes from Harmony and five minutes from Eagle Creek. Here is a personal recommendation for one of our advertisers: I hired Corina, from Neat & Shinny Residential “green” cleaning services. All I can say is if you’ve ever thought about hiring a home cleaner, do yourself a favor and contact Corina from Neat Shinny. Our house has never been so clean nor has it smelled so good. She only uses “green” products and is so thorough and detailed. I highly recommend! Please mention our publication when visiting any of our advertisers. Until October! Bill Bokunic
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4 Eagle Creek Life
ON THE COVER
Meet Your Neighbors
Meet Your Neighbors, The Martin Family My beautiful wife, Tjuana works as a territory marketing manager covering the Central Florida area. Our son, Jonathan(not pictured) is a proud graduate of Lake Nona High School and is now attending his 1st year of college with a football scholarship at Adams State University in Colorado. Our daughter, Summerlyn who is an Allstar cheerleader with Lake Nona Pride and honor student, has really enjoyed living in Eagle Creek as she has met so many wonderful friends and is so excited to be going to the newly built elementary school in our neighborhood, Eagle Creek Elementary.
from left to right: Tjuana, Jonathan and Summerlyn Martin
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ello from the Martin Family! I’m Jonathan Martin and my wife Tjuana, son Jonathan and daughter Summerlyn have loved living in Eagle Creek Subdivision for a little over 2 years. We relocated here from Orange Park, Fl, just outside of Jacksonville, Fl, where we lived for several years. We have enjoyed living in this Lake Nona neighborhood a great deal as we have found it to be a quiet family friendly community that seems great for raising a family.
My industry has afforded us the ability to live in many great places. My wife and I are from Chicago, IL and we’ve also lived in Atlanta, Ga, Las Vegas, NV, Jacksonville, Fl and now Orlando, Fl which we’ve chosen to be our home. What we are most pleased with are our neighbors who have made our transition most enjoyable and welcoming to help us navigate the neighborhood and Lake Nona area. It’s as though we’ve been friends for years. We find it a gift to be able to look out the window to enjoy our beautiful golf view as I try to get out on the course as much as possible. It sometimes is not so easy to golf as much as I would like to do as I am the proud owner of Premier
Resource Solutions, LLC a staffing and recruitment firm specializing in various growing Freshman industries. Premier’s Adams State at University expertise is connecting the right people with the right positions. Our company is passionate about providing outstanding candidates and personalized customer service. Our recruiters are constantly searching for top talent in order to surface that hidden marketplace of candidates who are not reading job boards, website postings or conducting an active search. We understand the importance of hiring the best talent for your business. If your company needs staffing services or you have questions feel free to contact me at, jmartin@premresources.com. My family and I enjoy living in such a peaceful neighborhood and we look forward to meeting more of our neighbors and enjoying Eagle Creek Subdivision in the future. Jonathan Martin
5 Eagle Creek Life
Two Points to Consider before You List Your Home by Jeanine Corcoran
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few months ago, I had written an article entitled, “Six Mistakes When Choosing a Real Estate Agent.” This month’s article will be an extension of that subject with two crucial considerations. Consider the following: 1. Is this the right time of year to list your home? Our real estate market is most active during the spring and summer; however, because it is September, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t list your home. There are still buyers who are relocating and buyers who still want to be in a house by the end of the year. If you are ready to list, be sure your home is in the “showready condition” which means decluttered, all repairs completed, and fresh neutral paint colors. Arrange your home to appear as close as possible to a model home. 2. Who should you hire to represent you? Choosing the right agent is paramount to receiving the best price for your home. One common
occurrence I witness many times in our industry is agents influencing sellers with words they want to hear to secure their listing. Then months pass with their home still on the market. That’s when the seller hears from the agent that their home is priced too high. Don’t fall prey to this approach! It is human nature to be easily tempted by more money. The agent who knows your market will be straightforward and realistic about pricing. Sold comparable properties will be used to determine your listing price and there will be an effective marketing plan in place that will save you time, frustration, and most importantly – money! If you are considering listing your home, consider the time of year, having your home “show ready” and listing with an agent that will give you the straight facts along with an effective marketing plan. In the end, you will be a much happier seller.
Jeanine Corcoran is the Broker and Owner of The Corcoran Connection, LLC – A Real Estate and Property Management Company. Jeanine has been helping families with their Real Estate needs since 2005. Jeanine is Barbara Corcoran’s sister from ABC’s SHARK TANK. Jeanine can be reached at 407.922.3308, email her at JeanineCorcoran@gmail.com, or visit TheCorcoranConnection.com.
6 Eagle Creek Life
Buy the Right Kind of Life Insurance by Steve Mullins, Investment Adviser, Primerica
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ne of the most important expenditures the average family should make is life insurance. It is also one of the most misunderstood. It is absolutely critical that you make the right decision about the kind and amount of life insurance to buy. In fact, the wisdom of your life insurance purchase could make a major difference in your family’s security, should you die, and your quality of life if you don’t. How much is your car worth? Do you insure it? How much is your house worth? Do you insure it? How much is your life worth? Probably a lot more than your car or your house! You can’t afford not to insure your life. What’s its purpose? Life insurance should really be called “death protection” because its purpose is to protect the family against the premature death of a breadwinner or a caregiver. It acts as a substitute for income. Calculate how much you’ll earn in your lifetime. It is a fortune isn’t it? The potential risk of losing that earning power is what makes life insurance a necessity. Who should buy it? Mainly people who have others depending on them for income support. If you have a non-earning spouse and/or children, or some other significant financial obligation, you need life insurance. Your spouse may also need coverage, even if he or she doesn’t work, if child care or other expenses would result from the spouse’s death. If you’re single, or
have significant cash resources, you probably don’t need it. What should you buy? Inexpensive term life insurance. A common misconception about life insurance is that it is a permanent need that each family has. This is totally untrue. Most financial experts see it as a way to simply “buy time” until you accumulate savings, not as a permanent fixture in your financial program. According to the Theory of Decreasing Responsibility, your need for life insurance peaks along with your family responsibilities. When you’re young, you buy low-cost death protection, term insurance, enough to protect the loss of your earning power, and put the maximum amount you can afford into a promising investment program. When you’re older, you may have much less need for insurance coverage. If you’ve saved and invested wisely you should have a significant amount of accumulated cash. You’ve become “self-insured” and eliminated your need for life insurance. Any questions call me for more information and ask me how you can get your free Financial Needs Analysis.
Steve brings Wall Street to Main Street Most advisers don’t offer to help Main Street Americans because most don’t have a high enough net worth. Steve will offer his services to Americans living paycheck to paycheck to those who are the savviest of investors and every one in between.
Steve teaches people how to: • Get out of debt • Save money • Send their children to college • Obtain proper protection • Prepare for retirement • And become financially independent While… • Reducing their stress level • Improving their quality of life • Helping them enjoy life
Steve A Mullins, Harmony Resident Investment Adviser Primerica 1301 Bedford Dr. Ste. 102 Melbourne, Florida 32940 407-738-7479 steveamullins@primerica.com www.primerica.com/steveamullins
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how motivated are you to accomplish some or all of the things above? If Steve can put together a plan that helps you accomplish some or all of those things, are you ready to get started? Steve takes an educational approach, and he offers sophisticated financial tools to the Middle Market for free. He starts with a FREE Financial Needs Analysis, a very basic questionnaire he can complete in 20 minutes. It asks all the right questions to help determine the next steps you need to take on the road to a better financial future.
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8 Eagle Creek Life
A Little Homework for Parents by Vasanti Rosado, Eagle Creek Resident
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t's hard to believe summer is already over and we've sent our children back to school. While back-to-school is fresh in our minds, let's also think about preparing for our children's future education. Setting up a 529 College Savings Plan is a great way to prepare for rising tuition costs for higher education. While the prime time to start these is when your child is first born, it is never too late to create a sizeable savings that can grow until your child reaches college age. If you don't have one already, find a financial advisor that can review your financial goals and match an approach that gets you where you need to be. Most plans can be started with only a $25 monthly investment and allow for transfer between children, family members including first cousins, and if needed, can be cashed out (with penalties) if your child receives a scholarship or opts out of college. Remember to shop around and ask questions regarding fees and how much tuition is expected to rise for a few schools to give your children options beyond state schools.
For a newborn in 2015 attending college in the year 2033, in-state tuition for a university is expected to be nearly $137,000, with tuition at $60k and room and board at $70k. Books make up the difference. With tools, such as those found on savingforcollege.com, you can review initial and monthly contributions to figure out the amount needed to get on track in reaching your desired college fund per child. You can factor in scholarships and other investments such as a College Plan, as well as remove cost factors that do not apply. It’s a great time to start looking into options and filling in any deficits. If your child is already in college, it’s never too late to look for scholarships or other money saving avenues. For more information about 529 plans and tips for working with a financial advisor, go to nonamom.com and search for 529 College Savings Plan. Look for the next issue of Eagle Creek Life for information about the Florida Prepaid College Plan, a great pairing with the 529 College Savings Plan.
9 Eagle Creek Life Vita Produce was a product of necessity by a single mother with four children under the age of eighteen. Twenty years later Vita Produce is still family business and each of the children now play a vital role in the company. “While mom is the boss”, explains Ana Jimenez, “we each do our part, and the business now supports four households.” As a family working together Ana explains they’ve also gleaned a valuable lesson: “When we stick together things work better. Its like a puzzle. we need all the members of our family to offer our best.”
A Fresh Start by Greg Troxell, volunteer reporter
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alking, riding, and driving neighbors throughout our community gathered at the first Farmer’s Market in Eagle Creek on Thursday, August 20. The occasion was advertised ever so quietly in the digital newsletter and website news feed of our HOA but the word got out and sure enough participation surpassed the expectations of the family business registered as Vita Produce.
Each farmer’s market they host requires two trucks and the cooperation of the entire family. One vehicle transports the tables and shade canopies, and the other comes direct from a farmer’s wholesale market in Plant City, a little more than one hour west of Eagle Creek. It takes us about an hour-and-a-half to set up everything filling about twenty five tables with fifty or so different varieties of produce. “We buy and sell our produce every day to ensure freshness”. Miriam Jimenez, the buyer, choses Florida grown produce first, and then looks to produce picked by laborers from our neighboring states next. “Soon we’ll add locally grown pumpkins, and spaghetti squash.” assured Ana. Vita Produce is presently scheduled sell fresh produce here in Eagle Creek every other Thursday (September 3, 17). When asked about their dreams for the future, Ana replied, “One day we hope to open a small store front and sell other farm goods.
Kocher
Insurance LLC is a locally owned and operated Independent Insurance Agency based in St. Cloud, FL that is qualified and committed to providing our clients with caring and personalized service throughout Florida, from Tampa Bay to Cocoa Beach and South Florida to the Panhandle. We provide Home insurance, Auto insurance, Small Business and Contractor insurance as well as many other types of insurance policies. With our help, you will find a policy that best fits your needs and budget. We represent many of the best known and highly rated insurance companies in the State and are also proud to be
one of the few Insurance Agencies in Central Florida to be given Accreditation by the Better Business Bureau and proudly carry an A+ Rating. With years of experience insuring local individuals, families, and businesses, we know how important it is to understand the unique concerns of each customer. Before we suggest a coverage plan we take the time to fully review your needs, concerns, financial circumstances, and budget. Because we are an Independent Agency we are able to offer you policies from multiple insurance carriers which allows us to offer a much wider range of coverage options and far more competitive pricing.
Contact Kocher Insurance LLC today to see the difference! 1312 Illinois Ave. Suite H | Saint Cloud, FL 34769 407-957-1918 • KocherInsurance.com
11 Eagle Creek Life
Manage your Business at its Best to Build Business Value
When you achieve your goals, the businesses’ vision is fulfilled.
by Larry J. Herring, CPA
You can build the value of your business as it grows if you master the Rockefeller Habits.
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The three barriers that prevent firms from moving along their growth path and building value are: Lack of Leadership, Lack of Systems and Structures, and Market Dynamics.
ow can a business perform at its best? It starts with hiring quality people. Your people need to be competent, disciplined, solution oriented and able to get along with others. Since one person is not going to be the best at everything, hiring all comes down to choosing the right person and personality type for each role. Your process or product must constantly be improved. Work with your employees and customers for ideas to implement as these are great resources. It’s important to gather feedback from your team often to make sure you’re addressing inefficiencies and improving as you grow. Management must communicate goals to employees and customers. Remember, goals should be S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Management should provide clear and concise documentation of operations that must be followed. This improves efficiency and reduces room for miscommunication among your team members.
Leaders who are competent and disciplined must also have the ability to predict and delegate. Systems and Structures must be reliable and flexible. As a business grows, it becomes geometrically more complex. Market Dynamics sometimes requires a counter intuitive response. Depending on the revenue levels it may be more important to focus on the marketplace, instead of internal operations. If your business needs to improve, please contact Larry J. Herring, CPA, at 407-647-7777 for a free, no obligation consultation on what you can do today.
Panther P.R.I.D.E. by Greg Troxell, volunteer reporter
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ays into the new school year and its learning time for everyone. The addition of the new Eagle Creek Elementary School has everyone embracing a growth mindset. Principal Rob McCloe reported that there are 85 faculty at the school who are investing their energy, experience, and skills to ensure that every one of the 909 students enrolled has an excellent educational experience. The school’s motto “side by side with panther pride” is both an invitation and a standard intended to cultivate a quality of life and learning in and beyond the school. The school mascot is a panther, and P.R.I.D.E. stands for: Positive attitude, Respect, Integrity, Dedication to excellence, and Empathy. Qualities worthy of consideration in every household throughout our community. There are many extracurricular opportunities and local partnerships that are already in place such as: dance, drama, YMCA, karate, and golf. Still, Principal Rob McCloe and Nick Gluckman, Director of Development at Emerson International Inc. will be working together with local businesses, parents, faculty, and members of our community to provide even more enriched learning opportunities for the students. One such partnership could be a STEM learning experience in collaboration with Nemours Children’s Hospital which would aim to provide some real world learning opportunities in the fields of: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Other ideas that will be explored with volunteer members of our community include environmental and wildlife preservation and restoration. This school zone presently extends well beyond the gates of Eagle Creek. “Right now the district anticipates one hundred more students next year” said McCloe. Wrappign up our interview McCloe said with deep conviction, “I’m beyond excited about this opportunity. I’m happy to be a small part of this vision and build something with this community that can be built upon for years to come.”
Quick Reference Directory ACCOUNTANTS Larry Herring CPA, PA 611 N. Wymore Rd Winter Park, Florida 32789 407-647-7777 www.herringcpa.com
GYM Anytime Fitness 3380 Canoe Creek Rd. Saint Cloud, Florida 34772 407-891-9111 www.Anytimefitness.com
AIR-CONDITION SERVICES Eric Farnsworth 407-921-0760 ELFarnsworth@live.com
HAIR Victor Russell Salon 105 East 13th Street Saint Cloud, Florida 407-892-1005 www.victorrussell.com
AUTO & TRUCK DEALERS Kisselback Ford 407-892-2141 1118 13th Street Saint Cloud, Florida KISSELBACKFORD.COM BANK Center State Bank - Karen M. Giel 4898 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy St. Cloud, Florida 34771 407-891-8396 x3782 CARPET CLEANING Best Care Carpet Cleaning 407-891-9635 www.carpetcleaningfl.com CHURCH’S Harmony Community Church 10am Sundays at Harmony High School (844) 444-FBCH www.harmonycommunity. church Life Church Meeting at Narcoossee Middle School 10:10am Sundays 217-827-7986 lifechurchcfl.com
HANDYMAN The Good News Handyman - Rick Wade 407-468-1352 HOSPITAL Health First-Holmes Regional Health Care 1350 South Hickory Street Melbourne, Florida 32901 321-434-7000 HOUSE CLEANING Neat & Shinny 407-334-5614 www.neatnshiny.com INSURANCE Farm Bureau Michael Long 407-847-5189 www.floridafarmbureau.com Kocher Insurance LLC 1312 Illinois Ave, Suite H Saint Cloud, Florida 34769 (407) 957-1918 kocherinsurance.com LAWN CARE Triple Palm Lawns 407-957-3489 Triplepalmlawn@aim.com
DJ SERVICES HPE House Party Entertainment 407-738-3409 www.hpemusic.com
Weed Man 4417 13th St. Suite 182 St. Cloud, FL 34769 (407) 979-4623
ELECTRICIAN Hightower Electric, LLC 321-766-6038
MORTGAGE Butler Mortgage Charlene Sims 407-931-3800 X109 csims@butlermortgage.com
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND INVESTING Edward Jones Kerry L. Scott 4725 Old Canoe Creek Rd Saint Cloud, Florida 34769 407-498-0147
MOVIE THEATERS Cinema World East of 95 on 192 next to Sam’s Club Melbourne, FL CWTheaters.com
Primerica Steve A Mullins 1301 Bedford Dr., Ste 102 Melbourne, Florida 407-738-7479 steveamullins@primerica. com
MUSIC LESSONS Vocal & Piano Lessons Dawn Korzen text/call: (407) 301-4561 musicinharmony2013@ gmail.com
GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Energy Graphics Shannon Danford 407-267-6300 www.Energy-Graphics.com
ORTHODONTIST Lake Nona Orthodontic Dr. Lach 13832 Narcoossee Rd Suite B101, Orlando, FL 32827 407-359-1960
Painting and Pressure Washing William “Joe” Murray 407-766-5051
Residential Green Cleaning
PEST CONTROL Luv A Lawn & Pest Control 407- 908-9139
Eco friendly products
PHOTOGRAPHER Amanda Yachmetz Photography 813-842-6473 AmandaYachmetzPhotography.com
Clutter removal
Aromatherapy cleaning Organization Free estimates
PLUMBING SERVICES Linscott Plumbing Services Wayne E. Linscott Sr 407-891-1700 POOL TABLES Florida Game Rooms 9350 S. Orange Blossom Trail tr #12 407-859-4400 www.myfloridagamerooms. com PRINTERS Creative Printing 1115 Pennsylvania Ave. Downtown St. Cloud 407-891-9797 www.CreativePrintingFL. com REAL ESTATE The Corcoran Connection, LLC Jeanine Corcoran 407-922-3308 Jeaninecorcoran@gmail.com www.thecorcoranconnection.com RESTAURANTS Stone Bridge Tavern - The Royal Crest Room 5530 Michigan Ave Saint Cloud, Florida 34772 407-891-0903 www.stonebridgetavernandgrill.com TIRES NTA National Tire and Auto 304 13th Street Saint Cloud, FL 34769 407- 593-2136 TRAVEL Meisner Cruise and Travel 407-738-7088 Meissnertravel.com Linda@meissnertravel.com WATER SYSTEMS Aguamaman Water Co. Matthew Benetti 321-250-4999 www.Orlando.haguewater.com
407-334-5614 www.neatnshiny.com neatnshiny@gmail.com Lic. #132574
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