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Rodman CPAs Offers “Preparing for Year End” QuickBooks Seminar January 17th

Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm serving small, mid-market, and multi-generational companies throughout the greater Boston area, is offering a “Preparing for Year End” QuickBooks seminar, on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at their office at 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 610 in Waltham, MA 02453.

The seminar, which includes time for registration and a Q&A session, will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the firm’s classroom. Refreshments will be provided.

Rodman CPAs’ Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors will cover a number of topics including: Preparing for year-end; reconciling accounts; reviewing and adjusting accounts receivable and accounts payable; 1099s; sales and use tax; and backup procedures.

Rodman CPAs has been a member of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program since 1999. Having provided hundreds of small to mid-size companies with training and consulting, Rodman CPAs’ Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors team, Kathy Parker CPA, Leah Shanahan CPA, Janine O’Connor EA, Christine McGoldrick and Kayla Luther, provide superior services and expertise to meet the accounting software installation, setup, and training needs of businesses.

The fee for “Preparing for Year End” QuickBooks seminar is $45. To register, visit Rodman CPAs website, http://www.rodmancpa.com/quickbooks-seminar-series-preparing-for-year-end

About Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs provides tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy to small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses. Named one of Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for, and one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal, Rodman CPAs offers an innovative and strategic approach with the personal touch of a smaller regional CPA firm. For more than 50 years, Rodman CPAs has been specializing in customized accounting and tax solutions that improve business performance, processes, financial operations, and information technology.

The firm serves as a true business partner, helping clients perform and succeed during each stage of the business lifecycle. As domain experts in alternative energy, the “Green Team” at Rodman CPAs works with renewable energy producers and businesses throughout the U.S. offering tax advisory, financial, accounting services, and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) studies.

Rodman CPAs is an independent member firm of BDO Alliance USA, which enables them to expand services to clients by accessing the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, ensuring greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

For more information, visit their website at http://www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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“Music and More” Offered by Old Colony Elder Services. New Program Supports Local Memory Cafés

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth county and surrounding communities, has launched a “Music and More” program to support local Memory Cafés.

With a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), OCES developed the “Music and More” program to support Memory Cafés, where individuals with dementia and their caregivers can go for socialization and relaxation in a safe, supportive environment. OCES is currently working with three Memory Cafés, which operate out of the Pembroke Council On Aging (COA), the Middleborough COA and Express Yourself! through Road to Responsibility in Marshfield.

As part of “Music and More”, OCES has partnered with Old Colony Hospice and South Shore Conservatory to provide music and habilitation therapy presentations at the three Memory Cafés. OCES also provides complimentary activity books and DVDs at each Memory Café as well as refreshments during the presentations.

“Memory Cafés provide a safe and welcoming environment for those with dementia and their caregivers to gather, connect with peers, and enjoy music and refreshments,” explained Chris McClaren, Community Programs Director at OCES.  “We are delighted that our Music and More program can enhance the visitors’ experience.”

The Pembroke, Middleborough and Marshfield Memory Cafés are held once a month and are free and open to the public.

For more information about a particular Memory Café, call the location directly: Pembroke COA 781-294-8220, Middleboro COA 508-946-2490 or Express Yourself! 781-536-4983.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Plans and general information on medical marijuana dispensary in Sandwich to be discussed at forum on Thursday, December 29

Tim McNamara of Holistic Health Group

SANDWICH, MA…

Holistic Health Group, Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit applying for a medical marijuana dispensary to be located on Route 130 in Sandwich, Mass., will host an information session on its plans on Thursday, December 29, from 6 to 8pm. The forum will be held in Room 2 at the Sandwich Public Library, 142 Main Street, Sandwich, Mass., in the lower level.

“Based on my conversations with people in town, I find there are still a lot of questions about what a medical dispensary would mean for Sandwich,” said Tim McNamara, COO and security officer of Holistic Health Group, Inc. “Our intent is to begin an information exchange with people in town early on so that we can incorporate specific community concerns into our business plans, while also making sure people hear accurate data about the medical and economic benefits dispensaries have brought to other communities.”  McNamara owns a law office in Sandwich and resides in the neighboring town of Mashpee.

Holistic Health Group will be one of two groups applying for the only medical dispensary license permitted by the Town of Sandwich’s by-laws. McNamara said his group entered the process because his management role and presence in town can ensure the character of the Town is respected, that Sandwich businesses and workers will be the beneficiaries, and, most importantly, his continued availability will ensure town officials have an accountable officer on the premises on a daily basis.

The event will also feature two guest speakers. The first is Steve Mandile of Veterans for Alternative Healing, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on getting veterans access to medical marijuana for PTSD and also pain management in lieu of opiates. The second speaker is Sandwich resident Ellen Kurtz of Sandwich, a certified nurse practitioner who will discuss her experience in recommending marijuana to patients.

“It’s really just the beginning of what is will be a very long approval process. This informational session will provide an outline of what’s to occur over the next 18 months,” said McNamara. “We will also be accepting resumes from people looking to get a job in what will be a growing industry for the next several decades.”

For information on the medical marijuana business in general Massachusetts, inquiries are directed to the company’s general email address at info@holistichealthgroup.org.

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Lead generation. Finding the next franchisee.

Warm Zee prospects are the Holy Grail for franchisors.  But how do you find them, court them and onboard them?

Many lead generation sources have disappointed and underperformed. From online franchise portals to overly optimistic franchise brokers to informational seminars, lead generation often seems like a fleeting target.

But what if you were seen as “the authority”?

What if you were “editor” approved and receiving third-party credibility from achieve press coverage?

“Public relations gets new prospects to raise their hands for more details.  They are already enthusiastic about our story and business model,” noted Kevin Dubois of Lapels Dry Cleaning.

Between Rounds Bagel Café’s Jerry Puiia asserted, “Publicity has not only generated warm leads but supports Zee relations as well.”

How do you create news?

In a nutshell, news and coverage is about –

  • Taking a bow for community outreach
  • Rolling out a new product, service or way of doing business
  • Touting a new key staffer
  • Celebrating a new location (and coaxing interest from prospects from concentric regions)
  • Announcing capital raised
  • Alerting of milestones  (Examples – #s served, # lifestyles transformed, # Dreams attained)
  • Industry tips (Seasonal and more)

The challenge is to identify and develop newsworthy opportunities that can be merchandised to the press in the form of news releases, preferably on a twice-monthly or more frequent basis to keep your name in front of your various audiences.

News releases are often the catalyst to more expansive feature coverage.

In addition to sharing your news releases with both the traditional press and online media, this original content should be repurposed to social media, your website’s newsroom and/or blog.

Ready for headlines?  Ready for leads?

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6 Low Cost Small Business Marketing Ideas

Small business marketing doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it does take time and effort to develop and execute a full range of low-cost or no-cost marketing tools.

Develop a marketing strategy

Before spending a dime on marketing, you need to be clear about your business goals and ensure your marketing strategy supports those goals. “Every small business owner should ask themselves what is the main object that their business is trying to achieve from their marketing strategy,” says Lisa Chu, owner, Black N Bianco. Once you define your business goals, you can create a marketing plan that supports those goals.

Research the competition

Before you develop a marketing strategy, make sure you research the competition. This will help you define your target audience as well as your business’ strengths and weaknesses, Chu says, and it will help you explain to potential customers your unique value proposition.

Once your research is complete, use that information to develop a road map for your first marketing campaign. There are a number of free and low-cost marketing tools you can use to execute your plan, including cultivating speaking engagements, asking customers for referrals, encouraging bloggers to share information about your product and using LinkedIn to connect with potential clients.

Now that you have a plan and researched the competition, here are 6 [cheap] marketing ideas to get in front of potential clients without blowing your budget:

  1. Volunteer for speaking engagements

Show off your expertise and find new clients by offering to speak to business audiences at the local Chamber of Commerce or fraternal organizations such as the Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis clubs. “Getting yourself in front of a crowd is a powerful way to establish yourself as an expert,” says Steven Dubin, president of PR Works. Rather than being a sole speaker, Dubin suggests working with a local organization to put together a panel of speakers on a specific topic. This will help you create an informative discussion rather than a sales pitch. Partnering with other speakers will also bring more people to the event since each speaker would invite their business contacts and friends. Dubin estimated that about 20 percent of his business comes from speaking in front of local groups.

  1. Develop engaging talking points

Develop clear, concise and entertaining message points to use in your presentations and marketing materials. Those message points should focus on the emotional aspects of your product or service, Dubin says, rather than the product’s features or benefits. A personal story is more likely to move a customer to buy a product than a list of features.

For example, he says, Emerson Bearing is one of the largest U.S. importers and resellers of bearings yet that isn’t what the company focuses on when it promotes its products. Instead, its message to consumers focuses on trust (Emerson Bearing is a second generation business that has been around since 1957), convenience (Emerson Bearing provides one-stop shopping with more than 3 million types and sizes of bearings to choose from), and customer service (knowledgeable sales staff is available to help customers choose the right bearing for their situation and budget).

  1. Connect with bloggers

Get someone else to tell potential customers about how great your product or service is by developing a relationship with an influential blogger in your industry. “When an influential blogger writes a glowing review of my product it helps increase my brand awareness,” Chu says. Entice bloggers to write about your products by offering incentives such as discounts and giveaways for their readers, she says. However, she warns, finding the right blogger to connect with takes time.

Create a list of blogs in your industry, research each one to get a clear understanding of their audience and what they write about, and then use that information to develop a relationship with the blogger.

  1. Don’t underestimate referrals

Current clients, friends and business associates can also help tell your story to potential customers. Don’t be shy about asking them to refer clients to you. Offer an incentive for successful referrals, such as discounts on services, a gift card or a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

  1. Leverage LinkedIn

Small business owners typically focus on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and they often forget about the power of LinkedIn. The platform offers access to a number of discussion groups focused on a range of topics, including regional business networking, niche industries and entrepreneurs, Dubin says. Join the discussion groups that fit your industry and then share news, updates and trends to establish yourself as a thought leader.

For instance, Dubin says, one of his clients specializes in high-end flooring, so that company’s CEO joined a number of groups related to commercial construction, facility managers and manufacturing. That CEO received a number of sales leads through LinkedIn by sharing legitimate news and trend information with the discussion groups. If you can provide answers to the kind of questions your targeted audience cares about, Dubin says, you can become a resource when they are ready to buy.

  1. Create a monthly newsletter

One of the best ways to stay in front of your clients and potential customers is by sending out a monthly online newsletter that focuses on one piece of useful information each month. Most small businesses think that to create a newsletter they must provide six links to stories around the Internet but all they need to do is focus on one useful topic each month, Dubin says.

Businesses need to be in front of their clients and potential customers all the time, he says. You can’t predict when the customer will have an immediate need and be ready to buy. A monthly newsletter with helpful tips is a good way to have regular, ongoing and positive contact with prospective clients.

For more information contact Steve Dubin, office – (781) 582-1061, email –SDubin@PRWorkzone.com.

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Healing vs. hype.

 

As a chiropractor your bigger mission is to help as many people as possible.

To do so, potential patients need to know about your service.

Take the case of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island (CSRI) …

“We had plenty of good ideas, but didn’t know which to prioritize,” noted Dr. Michael Gottfried, president of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island.

“Additionally we were overwhelmed by marketing channel options. We also needed capable hands to get things done – with a consistent message on a consistent basis.”

 But how is that achieved?

CSRI started with the basics. With the help of a PR firm they began informing the public of –

  • General health tips
  • Season health tips
  • Seminars/Workshop on health issues
  • Connecting to the community – Offering a chiropractor to help before and after local road races and walkathons.
  • Outlining chiropractic’s impact on the opioid addiction prevention
  • Touting recognition of members

This was accomplished via news releases to targeted press sources,e-newsletters to patients, social media postings to LinkedIn discussion groups, the organization’s Facebook page and Twitter.

Regular messaging positioned them as “the” go to source for Rhode Island media gatekeepers when they had a question or story about health issues.  Consistent messaging reminded patients and potential patients that maybe they should book an appointment.

 

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Lapels Dry Cleaning coming to the Houston area; first two stores in Katy/Fulshear/Richmond area slated for early 2017

photo of Lapels Dry Cleaning of Katy's Komal Patel
Lapels Dry Cleaning of Katy’s Komal Patel

KATY, TX and HANOVER, MA…

Lapels Dry Cleaning, an innovative, environmentally friendly dry cleaning company headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, recently announced a six-store (one plant and five satellite stores) development agreement with Katy, Texas resident Komal Patel to bring the Future of Dry Cleaning to the Katy/Fulshear/Richmond area. The first dry cleaning plant and store are slated to open in late first quarter 2017.

“I am extremely excited about opening our plant in Katy in 2017 as it will represent the first Lapels Dry Cleaning location in the greater Houston area,” said Patel. “Lapels, with its green initiative, truly represents the future of dry cleaning. Having been a resident of greater Houston for nearly two decades and Katy for nearly five years, I know how environmentally conscious people are in this area. I think the response from people in the greater Katy area will be tremendous.”

Lapels has pioneered its eco-friendly dry cleaning experience over the past dozen years. Lapels has a partnership agreement with GreenEarth®, the dry cleaning industry’s only non-toxic cleaning alternative for its newer locations.  Using these kinds of solutions and the latest technology in equipment, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Their environmentally-friendly cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes.

Patel has secured two locations – one to open dry cleaning plant in Katy and another one for a satellite store in Richmond. The development deal with Lapels calls for four additional satellite stores to be opened in Sugar Land, Richmond and Cypress, Texas within the next five years.

“As a mother of two elementary school-age children, I know and appreciate businesses that go the extra mile to be sensitive to the environment, particularly businesses that are active in the community,” said Patel. “I envision our Lapels Dry Cleaning stores to be active participants in the local community and business community.”

For complete information on Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise opportunity, call (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
Each Lapels Dry Cleaning store offers a full slate of services, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage. Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Arizona (Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale), California (Poway), Colorado (Littleton), Connecticut (Cromwell), Florida (Fleming Island, Orange Park, Tampa) Louisiana (Monroe, West Monroe, Delhi, Rayville, Winnsboro), Massachusetts (Abington, Allston, Bedford, Boston, Boston Seaport, South Boston, Braintree, Brighton, Burlington, Cambridge, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Hanover, Hingham, Kingston, Malden, Marshfield, Martha’s Vineyard, Natick, Needham, Newtonville, Norton, Quincy, Somerville, Stoughton, Walpole, Waltham, Wakefield, Wellesley, Westford, Westwood and Wilmington), Michigan (Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield), Mississippi (New Albany, Tupelo, Oxford, Pontotoc), Missouri (Wildwood), New Jersey (Brick), Ohio (Liberty Township), Oklahoma (Edmond, Oklahoma City), Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg), South Carolina (Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island), Texas (Bee Cave, Brownsville). Additional locations are coming soon to Boston, MA, Somerville, NJ and Katy and Richmond, TX.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has received a number of accolades in the franchise world. That includes being ranked as the number one franchise in the Dry Cleaning and Delivery Services category for Entrepreneur’s Annual “Franchise 500” for 2016. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. Lapels Dry Cleaning has also been named to Franchise Times Top 200+.

Lapels has also achieved acclaim in the dry cleaning industry. Lapels Dry Cleaning CEO Kevin Dubois is the co-author of Entrepreneurial Insanity in the Dry Cleaning Business, sold on Amazon.com.

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email sales@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.

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FitWorx Holding Toy Drive for DMMF Kids

FitWorx, the “non-gym” solution for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss with four locations in Massachusetts, is holding a Toy Drive throughout December for “DMMF Kids” a branch of the Dennis Messing Memorial Foundation (DMMF).

FitWorx is encouraging their members, staff and the community to consider making a toy donation to DMMF Kids. Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be placed in the collection boxes located in the reception areas of FitWorx’ Easton, Pembroke, West Roxbury and Weymouth clubs.

DMMF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people who are struggling with alcohol and substance use disorder. DMMF Kids is a branch of this charity that is raising money to help children who have lost parent(s) to overdose, or have an absent parent due to addiction. To learn more about DMMF and DMMF Kids, visit www.DMMFboston.org.

For directions to FitWorx clubs, visit www.fitworx.com.

About FitWorx

FitWorx is the “non-gym” solution for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss. Offering a personalized fitness program that combines nutrition with customized workouts, and the ongoing guidance and support of a personal FitCoach, FitWorx has helped thousands achieve their weight loss goals and attain and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

FitWorx officially opened doors in 2013, and has quickly grown to four locations in Massachusetts: Easton, Pembroke, West Roxbury and Weymouth. The company is currently looking toward national expansion through franchise development.

To learn more about FitWorx and their “90 Days to a New You” program, visit www.fitworx.com or call (617) 651-5236.

 

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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Kerry Zingaro as Community Programs Assistant

Kerry Zingaro

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has appointed Kerry Zingaro as Community Programs Assistant. Mrs. Zingaro is a resident of Braintree, MA.

In her new role, Mrs. Zingaro will assist in the daily operation of OCES’ Community Programs, which encompass the Development, Nutrition, Healthy Living, Housing and Volunteer departments. She will be responsible for projects, reporting and outreach documentation and reports directly to OCES’ Assistant Executive Director, Nicole Long.

For eight years previous to OCES, Mrs. Zingaro was the Office Manager and Assistant Property Manager at Devon Wood Condo Association in Braintree. Prior to that, she worked at Zep Manufacturing in Brockton for eleven years, where she served as an Executive Assistant for six of those years. Mrs. Zingaro has completed additional coursework in social sciences, and has also completed nutrition based training courses at Coursera.org.

Additionally, Mrs. Zingaro is a volunteer in OCES’ Employee Volunteer Program and delivers Meals on Wheels to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 245 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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