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Access to Credit Crisis and Online Lending Trends – September 13

Cha Ching. Access to Credit Crisis and Online Lending Trends ring loudly at the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) presentation, September 13, at the Doubletree Hotel, Waltham
DATELINE: WALTHAM, MA…
Brian O’Boyle of BoeFly, an online resource that helps connect franchise organizations with a wide range of lenders, will address the topic of Access to Credit Crisis and Online Lending Trends at the to the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) meeting on Tuesday, September 13, Newton Marriott Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton MA.
The evening includes a cocktail and networking session beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., and then the presentation from Melanson. The entire business community is urged to attend. Membership in the NEFA is NOT required. Reservations are required. Registration Fee is $60 per person and includes dinner. NEFA Members receive $10.00 off.
“Access to capital is a critical issue for growing franchise organizations,” noted O’Boyle. “Properly positioning your financial status and having access to lenders who understand the franchising landscape is the key.”
BoeFly helps solve the access to credit by empowering franchisors to efficiently support existing and prospective franchisees with financing through unlimited access to BoeFly’s loan origination marketplace. BoeFly connects franchisees with over 1000 lenders with the completion of a single loan request. BoeFly works with such great brands as Dunkin’ Donuts, Hardee’s, The Little Gym, Pearle Vision and more.
About NEFA
New England Franchise Association (NEFA) is the trade organization for franchisors and franchisees in the region, with over 150 members. The mission of NEFA is to bring franchise executives, franchisees and vendors together to share ideas for success.
Franchising more than ever before, has an unprecedented opportunity to make a major positive impact on the future New England economy. In a 2001-05 study conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the International Franchise Association (IFA) found that in New England over 875,000 jobs are a result of franchising, the total output is over 100 Billion dollars a year, and there are over 35,000 franchise establishments in the six New England States.
To reserve your seats, please contact New England Franchise Association via the organization’s website www.NEFranchise.org, email: info@NEFranchise.org, or by calling Barbara Arena, 781-294-2244.

Access to Credit Crisis and Online Lending Trends – September 13Read More

Gobbling up runners and rave reviews. Second annual Plymouth Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5K Run and Walk set for November 24.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Last year’s inaugural Plymouth Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5K Run and Walk attracted a flock of more than 550 runners.  This second year event is expected to greatly expand and will be limited to the first 1000 runners. 

The race kicks off from the Village Racquet and Fitness Center, at Pine Hills, 30 Gold Drive, Plymouth at 9 a.m. rain or shine on Thanksgiving morning. The course includes the oldest road in America, Old Sandwich Road in Plymouth and offers some the beautiful ocean, forest and historic site vistas along the well groomed dirt road.  This race site was the original trail used by Pilgrims and Native Americans in the 1600’s as they traveled from Plymouth to Sandwich, Mass. 

Cost is $25 online until November 22 and $30 thereafter and on race day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

All kids will receive a finishers’ medal.  Top 3 male and female runners will receive cash ($500, $250 and $100 respectively).  The first 100 finishers will receive gift certificates worth $10 to $75 each. T-Shirts, designed by professional graphic artists, will be given to all 1,000 runners.

The course is flat and exceptionally fast.  Last year many runners reported running their annual “PR” (personal record) on this course.

“What could be more fun, more appropriate and better for digestion than a Thanksgiving run in America’s hometown Plymouth,” suggested Craig Valentine Brenner, race director and founder.  He added, “As a runner, I know the joy of running a dirt road in a pack of other enthusiastic runners.  This is a great way to kick off a healthy holiday.”

Sponsors include The Cleanist, Bayside Runner, Village Racquet and Fitness Center, Brenner Signs, Cape Olio and Rye Tavern.

For complete information visit the www.ThanksGivingDayPilgrim5k.Yolasite.com. The race also has pages on Facebook and Twitter. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the race, please contact Craig Valentine Brenner at 617-680-4230 or runosrr@gmail.com.

Gobbling up runners and rave reviews. Second annual Plymouth Thanksgiving Day Pilgrim 5K Run and Walk set for November 24.Read More

Resort Maps gives tourists and locals a hand. New iPhone/iPad app delivers easy access to info on local attractions and venues.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Usually, if you’re terribly familiar with a location, it’s said “you know it like the back of your hand”. Resort Maps, creator of more than 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently launched an application for the other side of your hand (for iPhones and iPads) that will help residents and tourists discover and get to local attractions just as efficiently.

Resort Maps made its name with colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, featuring its advertisers–restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services. Those same hard copy maps are also available online. The new application enables users to download each Resort Map to a handheld device and then navigate to highlighted locations where they can get a brief description of a given business and have the option of going to that business’s website or calling for more information.

“The beauty of the app is that you’re only accessing the map from our server once. After you download it, you can surf from location to location very quickly. That can save a lot of time if you are looking for a place to eat or place to stay and have several options,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps. “The app also utilizes the phone’s GPS qualities so you can easily see how to get from where you are to whatever destination you select.”

The application can be downloaded for free at the Apple store or itunes.com. A search for “Resort Maps Franchise” is the fastest way to access the application.

Besides the convenience, the Resort Maps also makes it easy to update on Facebook where you end up for dinner, for the afternoon, for the evening.

“We’ve really just scratched the surface with this application. Down the road, users can expect to not only post on Facebook, but also on other outlets. Perhaps even leaving a review of the particular advertiser on our site, similar to a Yelp or other review sites,” said Hans.

For more information on any of the 100+ Resort Maps destinations, please visit www.resortmaps.com. If you interested in potentially owning a Resort Maps franchise, please call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing visitor maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to more than 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US, Canada the UK, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, with several more in the process of being published. More than 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2011.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey, San Diego), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Glendale, Summit County), Delaware ( Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Boca Raton, Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Key West, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Kentucky (Lexington) Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Mt. Desert Island, Portland, Wells, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Northern Michigan/Petoskey/Harbor Springs; Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, East Hampton), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Chrystal Coast, Hendersonville, Outer Banks, Sandhills, Wilmington), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line, Lancaster County), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head,), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Alexandria, Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in Canada (Charlotte Coastal Region), England (Chicester, Lewes), Puerto Rico (San Juan, Vieques, Culebra) and Costa Rica (Escazu-Santa Ana). 

See our new maps coming soon in North Lake Tahoe, CA; South Hampton, NY; and Charlotte Harbor/Venice/Gulf Islands, FL.

Resort Maps gives tourists and locals a hand. New iPhone/iPad app delivers easy access to info on local attractions and venues.Read More

A good deed that goes rewarded. Cumberland resident Jean Lamson receives “Tireless Neighbor” award from Haley’s Tire.

Haley's Tire's "Tireless Neighbor" Jean Lamson with Haley's Tire Manager Matt Ahonen

 BIDDEFORD, BANGOR, AUGUSTA AND FALMOUTH, MAINE…

Running a community food pantry, as Jean Lamson does for the Cumberland Congregational Church, is certainly not a thankless task. The ‘thank you’s’ are plentiful from the families in need that the pantry helps. Yet that’s the only compensation Lamson receives for working 20 hours or more a month at the pantry. That generosity and selflessness did, however, earn her the distinction of being selected for Haley’s Tire & Service Center’s “Tireless Neighbor” award.

Each month, Haley’s Tire & Service Center recognizes somebody in the four communities they serve—Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford and Falmouth—for going above and beyond the call of duty for the communities in which they live. Candidates are nominated by fellow citizens, who submit a short description as to why a particular nominee should be that month’s Tireless Neighbor. The entry that makes the most compelling case, as determined by Haley’s Tire staff, receives the Tireless Neighbor honor, which includes a free oil change (a $29.95 value) at any Haley’s Tire location.

“We’re delighted to honor Jean as the first recipient of our Tireless Neighbor award,” said Tim Haley, owner of Haley’s Tire. “This is a tough economy for many people and food pantries like the one Jean runs can literally be the difference between feeding your family or not. Jean’s selfless contribution of her time makes her an extremely worthy winner.”

A Cumberland resident, Lamson has worked at the food pantry since 2005. Congregational Church Senior Minister Diane Bennekamper nominated her for the Tireless Neighbor contest.

“I’m deeply moved by Diane’s gesture in nominating me for this award,” said Lamson, a retired United Airlines worker who settled in Cumberland with her husband Allan in 2000. “The pantry operates strictly by donations, so keeping it going is not always easy. But we are helping families in the area and I find that to be quite fulfilling.”

Haley’s Tire honors a Tireless Neighbor once a month in the four communities it serves. People can nominate a Tireless Neighbor by sending an e-mail of 200 words or less to tirelessneighbor@haleystire.com . Please remember to include your name and telephone number as well as the name and telephone number or e-mail of the person they are nominating. Written nominations can be dropped off or mailed to any Haley’s Tire & Service Center. The locations and mailing address of the four Haley’s Tire & Service Center are below: 

  • Haley’s Tire & Service Center Augusta – 300 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330
  • Haley’s Tire & Service Center Bangor – 47 Bangor Mall Blvd, Bangor, ME 04401
  • Haley’s Tire & Service Center Biddeford – 124 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME 04001
  • Haley’s Tire & Service Center Falmouth – Route 1 Falmouth Shop Center, Falmouth, ME  04105 

In addition to being an authorized Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly Tires dealer, Haley’s Tire is a full-service repair shop. Besides making sure your tires have enough tread on them, Haley’s offers a host of tune-up and maintenance services– oil changes, alignments, brakes service (including free brake inspections), transmission maintenance—that can help motorists avoid the summer bummer, otherwise known as a breakdown while on a summer driving vacation. 

For more information about Haley’s Tire, including store locations and directions, please visit www.haleystire.com .

About Haley’s Tire

Founded in 1970 by Frederick Haley and Frederick J. Haley, Jr., Haley Tire is a third-generation tire retailer and service center with locations in Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford and Falmouth. Haley Tire is an authorized Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly Tires dealer. Haley Tire’s repair offerings include oil changes, alignments, brakes service (including free brake inspections), transmission maintenance, computerized engine analysis and much more.

For more information on Haley’s Tire, including store hours, locations and directions, please visit www.haleystire.com or call 207-781-3136.

A good deed that goes rewarded. Cumberland resident Jean Lamson receives “Tireless Neighbor” award from Haley’s Tire.Read More

The first VW man…Master technician and Scituate resident Brad Mogan is the first hire for new Coastal Volkswagen dealership on Rt. 53 in Hanover.

Brad Mogan: Coastal VW Employee #1

HANOVER, MA…

They say you don’t ever forget your first (fill in the blank…kiss, date, car, etc.). For many VW customers who showed up prior to the actual opening of the new Coastal Volkswagen on Route 53 in Hanover, they will probably not forget the dealership’s first employee, Master Technician Brad Mogan.

“We’ve actually had quite a few people show up over the last few weeks looking to have their car serviced while we were still putting the finishing touches on the façade and service bays,” said Mogan. “Most people were good sports when I told them we weren’t quite open for business. But it was really nice to see the excitement for this dealership.”

Mogan started working for Coastal Volkswagen at the end of June and has been an integral part of getting the new facility ready (it opened for business on August 8). Mogan spent the previous five years as a technician with Quirk Volkswagen in Braintree. Overall, he has 18 years experience as a technician, the majority of those years with VW.

A South Shore native, Mogan resides in Scituate with his wife Heather and their daughter Shelby. When he heard in February that a VW dealership was coming to Hanover, Mogan wanted to get his application to the top of the pile. He didn’t anticipate being employee number one.

“The biggest reason I wanted to work here is probably the same reason so many people are excited about Coastal VW—location. If you live further south on the South Shore, it’s just easier to get here than Braintree, Norwood or even Hyannis where the other VW dealers are,” said Mogan.

Coastal Volkswagen represents the only VW dealership and service center south of Quincy and north of Hyannis for Volkswagen owners who live, work or play in the Route 3 corridor.

“We’re thrilled to have Brad aboard. His extensive experience with Volkswagen has been an invaluable resource to us as we hire additional technicians for the new dealership,” said Tom Norton, co-owner of Coastal Volkswagen.

The new Coastal Volkswagen, located on the southbound side of Route 53 just before the Hanover Mall. The dealership’s future inventory will include 200 new vehicles and a huge selection of high quality pre-owned models. Among the new automobiles coming soon to the Coastal Volkswagen include the much anticipated 2012 EOS, Jetta and Passat.

The dealership’s amenities will also include a state-of-the art service center with eight bays and customer amenities like a kids’ area, high-definition televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi in the waiting area. Coastal VW will also offer a complimentary shuttle service.

For more information on Coastal Volkswagen, you can visit www.coastalvwboston.com.

About Coastal Dealerships Group

For more than 10 years, the Coastal Dealerships Group has not only made looking for a new or pre-owned automobile easy…but fun. Its latest dealership, Coastal Volkswagen, lives up to the standard set by the Group’s other dealerships, Coastal Nissan, located at 109 Accord Drive in Norwell, and Coastal Auto Center, located at 742 Cushing Highway in Cohasset. Coastal Volkswagen offers the same first-rate customer service and professionalism, with  no pressure sales and  straightforward, bottom-line pricing–including  fair trade-ins every time.

For more information on new and pre-owned automobiles, you can go to www.coastalvwboston.com or, come this August, stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 1 Saturn Drive in Hanover, just off exit 13 on Route 3.

For more information on Coastal Dealerships Group, please visit www.coastaldealerships.com.

The first VW man…Master technician and Scituate resident Brad Mogan is the first hire for new Coastal Volkswagen dealership on Rt. 53 in Hanover.Read More

Charity run/walk makes a run for new sponsors. First annual Run for Faith 4-mile run welcomes new sponsors

Faith Romboldi

PLYMOUTH, MA…

The Run for Faith recently welcomed several Plymouth businesses as corporate sponsors for the first-year event, which will take place on Sunday, August 28 at 9am at historic Plimouth Plantation.  Those sponsors include Delaney & Muncey, P.C.; Lombard’s Waste Service; Plimoth Plantation; Nolan Schelle Insurance; Mayflower Bank; Left Shore Designs; Dunlap Propane; Pilgrim Belle; Cape Cod Media Center; Pilgrim Custom Countertops; Baker’s Music and Video; and Water Street Café.

“As a first year race or any year race, the amount that you’re able to do for participants is linked to how much sponsorship you get as well as how many runners,” said Craig Valentine Brenner, race director, who also manages the Old Sandwich Road Race also held in Plymouth. “It’s been very impressive to see the number of established businesses in Plymouth step up to commemorate the life of Faith Romboldi and support causes in Plymouth that were near and dear to her heart.”

Faith, or “Marcy” as she was known by her friends and family, was a teacher, member of the Red Hat’s Society, Sweet Adeline’s, and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008. Marcy’s ability to fight this vicious disease with incessant might and unsurpassed grace will never be forgotten and surely serves as inspiration to those who were close to her. Faith passed away in 2010. 

The Run for Faith is organized by Run for Faith, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to commemorate the special life of Faith “Marcy” Romboldi.  Some of the Plymouth non-profits and charitable organizations that will benefit from the Run for Faith include the Plymouth Public Library Children’s Department, Plymouth Elementary Schools, and high-school scholarships. Some of the monies raised will also go to awareness and prevention programs for ovarian cancer.

“We’re grateful for the tremendous support for Run for Faith so far. Like any fundraising effort, there’s always room for additional sponsors and participants,” added Brenner. “This is a Plymouth race supporting Plymouth causes and we welcome the support of area businesses.”

Businesses looking to sponsor the first annual Run for Faith can e-mail  info@runforfaithplymouth.org or call 508-400-2824.

The Run for Faith’s new 4 mile race loop captures spectacular views of Cape Cod Bay, the Eel River and scenic horse farms. The course features rolling hills and unmatched history.  Water stations will be available and the event will be professionally timed by Spitler Racing Systems.  Prizes will go to top finishers for various age groups. Light refreshments will be available after the run. To amuse younger family members, there will be a 100 yard fun run and a jumpy house will be available.

The entry fee for The Run for Faith is $25. Every dollar of fee will be donated to local charities.

The Run for Faith is the newest race and a gold member in the Bayside Runner Racing Series.

For more information and to register for the race, please visit www.runforfaithplymouth.org, or email info@runforfaithplymouth.org..

View the course online at: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/42074524.  Register for this event at: www.active.com.  

Charity run/walk makes a run for new sponsors. First annual Run for Faith 4-mile run welcomes new sponsorsRead More

Bringing the indoors out… DirectBuy of Northern Illinois offers tips on setting up the perfect ‘outdoor kitchen’.

GURNEE, ILLINOIS…

An “outdoor kitchen” used to mean roughing it over an open fire and sleeping on the ground. Nowadays, items that used to be considered indoor-only are making their debut outside, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens—a trend that’s taken cooking on the grill from a summer activity to a year-round thing. DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, not only sells “outdoor kitchen” units and other accessories at manufacturer’s low prices, but offers some helpful pointers on selecting the right equipment and setup for your home.

For starters, when it comes to selecting a grill, DirectBuy Club recommends considering:

  • Stainless steel gas or charcoal grills – outdoor kitchen means just that: sun, rain, wind and in some markets, snow. Even covered, your grill will be exposed to the elements to a certain degree and you want a grill made of materials that will withstand bad weather and corrosion.
  • Free-standing or under-the-counter refrigeration units – help minimize trips to the “other” kitchen and gives you a place to store leftovers for the next cookout.
  • Infra-red burners – make sure the grill you do select uses infra-red burners, which heat up faster.
  • Storage – choose a grill with plenty of shelving and cabinets

“The beauty of the outdoor kitchen is it reduces trips to the real kitchen to get supplies. This means you can actually spend time with your guests while preparing your meal. That’s why it’s just as important when selecting your outdoor kitchen to not forget the comfort of your guests,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying outdoor furniture for their outdoor kitchen, directly from the manufacturer.”

When it comes to selecting furniture for your outdoor “dining room,” there are a number of options in terms of style – sling, metal, cushioned, and strapped to name a few – and materials – aluminum, iron, resin, teak, wood, wicker, fabric, and vinyl. More choices mean more decisions on materials, fabrics, and colors. DirectBuy not only has great outdoor furniture at manufacturer-direct prices, but also designers who can help you make some of those decisions.

“One rule of thumb is unless you’re planning to buy an entire set of outdoor furniture at once, stick with neutral colors like white, taupe or sandstone,” said Kushner. “Even if the shades aren’t a perfect match, it won’t matter if there’s a little distance between items.”

DirectBuy of Northern Illinois carries a large selection of brand-name appliances and furniture for your outdoor kitchen at direct insider prices from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy of Northern Illinois also employs product specialists and designers who can help members create an outdoor kitchen that’s functional for the cook as well as guests.

Conveniently located at 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, Illinois, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 130 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area include: DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy Club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Bringing the indoors out… DirectBuy of Northern Illinois offers tips on setting up the perfect ‘outdoor kitchen’.Read More

Rodman & Rodman CPAs Outline 2011 Sales Tax Holiday for Consumers and Retailers

Thomas Astore CPA JD, Tax Director, Rodman & Rodman
Massachusetts residents will be able to enjoy a Sales Tax Holiday weekend on August 13th and 14th.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not be collecting the 6.25 percent sales tax on tangible purchases of $2,500 or less that are for personal use,” explains Thomas Astore, Tax Director at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. “Business purchases and purchases made by corporations remain taxable. All Massachusetts businesses normally open during this weekend and selling taxable items of tangible personal property are required to participate in this sales tax holiday.”

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., is a CPA firm offering specializing in tax expertise and business strategy for small and medium sized companies throughout New England and beyond.

According to Rodman, consumers will be able to enjoy tax savings in compliance with the following rules that will be in effect for the weekend:

Business purchases are excluded, which also means any purchase made with a business check or business credit card.

All services are excluded. Only tangible purchases are eligible. Airline tickets and sporting events are considered services.

Motor vehicles (which include ATVs and small motorcycles), motorized boats, telecommunications services (including prepaid calling arrangements and cards), gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products and meals are excluded from the sales tax holiday. But, telecommunications equipment (cell phones and related items for personal use) are eligible.

Any single item with a price that is in excess of $2,500 is excluded. If the single item’s price exceeds $2,500, it will be taxed in full. For example a $3,000 plasma TV will be taxed on the entire $3,000 sale price.

When more than one item is purchased at the same time, and each item has a price of $2,500 or less, then all of the items may be rung up on one receipt and all the items are tax-free.

There is no sales tax on clothing unless the sale price exceeds $175. For an article of clothing exceeding this amount, the $175 will be deducted from the price and the remaining amount will be taxed.

If a store coupon or discount provided by a retailer or manufacturer reduces the sales price of the item, the discounted sales price determines whether the sales price is within the sales tax holiday price threshold of $2,500 or less.

Prior sales and lay-a-ways do not qualify for the tax-free status under any circumstances.

Special order items such as furniture are eligible so long as they are ordered and paid in full on the sales tax holiday weekend, and the cost of each item is $2,500 or less, even if delivery is made at a later date.

Internet purchases are exempt from sales tax as long as they do not exceed $2,500 (and meet other criteria) and are made and paid for on August 13th or 14th, Eastern Standard Time.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue at www.mass.gov or for tax questions contact Rodman & Rodman, P.C. At (617) 965-5959.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

The company’s offices are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman CPAs Outline 2011 Sales Tax Holiday for Consumers and RetailersRead More

Why reinvent the wheel? Opportunity seekers looking to franchise opportunities instead of start-ups.

HIALEAH, FLORIDA…

With the uncertainty of the economy and the lack of job stability in Corporate America, many workers are strongly considering starting their own business. That’s hardly breaking news. Entrepreneur-minded workers forever have dreamed of running their own business instead of being slave to the daily grind. What’s become more than a trend however are entrepreneurs turning toward owning a franchise versus a starting their own business.

“Many people starting their own business need that business to replace an income from their previous job and also take care of the cost of running business. That’s a tall order for a startup,” said Susan Morris, senior vice president of Natural Fruit Corporation. “A franchise with a quality product and existing operating and training manuals, as well as a marketing plan and an established brand provide a much safer and faster road to that objective in most cases.”

As the makers of 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars, Natural Fruit Corporation recently revised its franchise opportunity through its sister company Natural Franchise Group to be even more attractive to opportunity seekers. Franchisees purchase a territory to sell Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars wholesale to high traffic locations like local convenience stores, hospital cafeterias, schools, independent grocery stores, deli’s, and family style restaurants, and swim clubs. The opportunity also enables franchisees to also sell the enormously popular full line of Mars ice cream products—like Twix, Snickers, M&Ms and Dove bars—on a wholesale basis to those same retail locations as a Mars distributor. 

Each franchisee territory has a capacity for 1,000 freezers. Franchisees are then responsible for negotiating with merchants to place a Chunks O Fruti® freezer at the location, stocking those locations and acquiring new locations.  While the opportunity does require an initial investment for the freezers and product, storage space for product and the refrigerated truck for delivery can be leased. The typical Fruti franchisee can start their business for around $100,000 and run the business entirely from a home office.

“There is some training involved and you do need the truck and storage space to run your business,” said Morris. “But we help our franchisees with that process and provide training and materials to get them running. That usually takes about a week or so, depending on the person.”

The full Chunks O’ Fruti® franchisee package includes:

  • Franchise Fee $25,000
  • Minimum of 72 freezers
  • Truck with freezer body Leased space in freezer warehouse
  • Computer hardware and software
  • Initial Fruti® and Mars products inventory
  • Initial training and freezer placement  for the first 72.
  • Sales and marketing materials
  • Mobile route management equipment and software

Jamie Linn recently purchased a Chunks O’ Fruti franchise in Albuquerque, New Mexico. An IT consultant to the legal industry and a member of a stage hands union in Las Vegas, she chose a franchise as a way to set her own schedule so she and her husband could settle on their ranch in New Mexico and eventually start a family.

“The Fruti franchise opportunity was appealing on so many levels, the first and foremost being it’s a great product that’s good for you and one we believe in,” said Linn. “The other appealing thing was being able to set my own hours. I’ve run my own IT consulting business and even though it was my own business, I was always at the mercy of my clients. With the materials and systems we’re given as Fruti franchise owners, we really do have the power to set our own schedule and also be successful.”

Chunks O’Fruti® frozen fruit bars are 100% natural and contain real fruit with no artificial coloring or flavoring–the fruit is spread evenly throughout each bar by a proprietary manufacturing process. It’s also low calorie and there are more than 20 natural flavors to choose from.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S. For complete information on Fruti ‘s franchise offering, please visit www.frutifranchise.com or contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com.

About Natural Fruit Corporation
Brothers Simon and Jorge Bravo Sr. founded Natural Fruit Corporation in 1985. Equipped with their vast backgrounds in food processing and production, the brothers set out to produce the highest quality, 100 percent natural, frozen fruit bars. Nearly three decades later, the company is still going strong, manufacturing more than 20 flavors of the Chunks O’ Fruti brand products—100 percent natural with no added colors or flavoring. All flavors and color come directly from the fruit! Chunks O’ Fruti brand products are Kosher-certified and gluten-free.

In 2009, Natural Fruit Corporation entered into an agreement for its distributors to offer the full line of Mars Ice Cream products, including Twix, Snickers, Dove bars and M&M brands. Natural Fruit Corporation began offering a revised franchise opportunity in 2010.

Fruti franchises are available across the U.S… For complete information on Fruti’s franchise offering, please contact Bruce Wildes, Acadia Business Advisors, LLC at 207 370 8210 or info@acadiabiz.com or visit www.frutifranchise.com.

For information on Fruti products, please visit www.nfc-fruti.com.

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