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DirectBuy Free 30-Day Membership Back by Popular Demand

Limited time promotion gives families the ability to “test drive” DirectBuy’s unique business model and savings prior to purchasing a membership

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with confidential dealer prices, has announced that the company and its more than 130 locations throughout North America will once again begin offering free 30-Day Memberships to potential members.

DirectBuy has more than 400,000 members throughout the US and Canada who have the collective buying power to purchase directly from hundreds of name-brand manufacturers or authorized suppliers to avoid hidden retail markups on a wide variety of merchandise for their homes. Through their unique business model, DirectBuy has enabled its members to save hundreds of millions of dollars year after year on products ranging from kitchen cabinetry, countertops, and appliances to furniture, flooring, electronics, and even jewelry. In today’s economy, those savings become even more important.

“The very nature of our concept is powerful, in any economy,” said DirectBuy Executive Vice President Bart Fesperman. “What we were seeing was our members faring much better than most families because of their memberships with DirectBuy and the savings they were experiencing. Even with the economy being slow, our members are still able to buy the things they need for their home. And now, back by popular demand, our free 30-day membership offer helps us to share this security with even more families.”

The promotion will run through July 31, 2011 and allows potential members to gain firsthand experience of the benefits of belonging to DirectBuy:

As part of their Free 30-Day Membership, potential members will be able to visit their local DirectBuy club and begin shopping for the things they need to turn their house into a home, or complete that elusive home improvement project – with the caveat of a $1,000 cap on spending during the 30 days. After seeing the type of savings and value that buying direct offers, families can then select a longer-term membership that provides even more benefits, such as access to the company’s online shopping site – members.directbuy.com – and weekly Club Exclusive email offers from DirectBuy suppliers that provide savings beyond everyday values.

The company also recently introduced new varying membership terms to accommodate a wider range of needs and budgets and allow even more families to experience the benefits of belonging to DirectBuy.

“When guests come in to our club, they aren’t deciding anymore if DirectBuy membership is right for them,” said Chris Beile, a DirectBuy franchisee in Dallas. “Instead, guests are now choosing which membership plan best suits their needs.”

Consumers and families interested in learning more about DirectBuy and receiving a certificate for a Free 30-Day Membership are invited to visit www.directbuy.com/free30 to sign up.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much more. With more than 130 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in Canada. In addition, DirectBuy clubs boast a team of designers to help members with their purchases, as well as provide access to a roster of hand-selected contractors to help expedite members’ projects.

Visit us on www.facebook.com/directbuy

DirectBuy Free 30-Day Membership Back by Popular DemandRead More

The sweet (and healthy) taste of success…Natural Fruit Franchise Group’s Business Builder Program makes selling 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars an even sweeter deal for hardworking franchisees.

HIALEAH, FLORIDA…

When Natural Fruit Franchise Group (NFFG) launched its franchise offering, it had all the necessary ingredients for success. A relatively low franchise fee. No royalty fees. And two great lines of products—NFFG’s 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars and Mars ice cream products—to capitalize on the trend towards “better for you” foods and America’s love of ice cream and desserts. The real sweetener to the deal is NFFG’s Business Builder program, which reinvests a percentage of product sales towards the purchase of additional freezers for successful franchise owners.

“We’re looking to support the growth of our franchisees. For us it’s all about the sale of our products,” said Susan Morris, senior vice president for Natural Fruit Corporation (NFC). “The best way to do that is to attract franchise owners who have the initial investment and, just as importantly, the drive to get out there and place freezers that move our products.”

The Business Builder Program enables new franchise owners to lease the initial 78 freezers, truck and storage space to get their business off the ground. As the franchise owner places those freezers in retail outlets like their local convenience stores, hospital cafeterias, schools, independent grocery stores, deli’s, family style restaurants, swim clubs and other high-traffic locations, NFC and Mars will reinvest part of the product sales towards freezer purchases after the initial 78 freezers have been placed.

“In effect, we’re giving our franchise owners the opportunity to purchase freezers after the initial 78 have been placed, funded by the sales from those freezers.  It does not cost the franchisee any additional capital; Natural Fruit and Mars also significantly invest in those freezers,” said Morris.

NFFG offers placement assistance and marketing support to help franchise owners identify retail outlets for their freezers as part of its franchise offering. It also provides assistance with leasing storage space for the initial inventory of Mars ice cream products, which include perennial favorites like Twix, Snickers, M&Ms and Dove bars, and Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars.

Chunks O’Fruti® frozen fruit bars are 100% natural, with no added color or flavors; all the flavor and color come directly from the fruits. The fruit is spread evenly throughout each bar by a proprietary manufacturing process so real fruit is in almost every bite. Low in calories and actually good for you, Chunks O’ Fruti® offers 20 mouthwatering flavors to choose from including: strawberry, pineapple, lime, strawberry colada and coconutto name a few.

“With people paying closer attention to eating better, particularly parents being more mindful of the foods their children eat, the upside to the Chunks O’ Fruti® franchise opportunity is substantial,” said Morris. “Couple that with the fact that 90 percent of US households consume ice cream and frozen desserts and that sales for the packaged snacks industry are projected to rise from $68 billion in 2008 to $82 billion by 2013 and you have a home-based franchise opportunity where the right franchisee can enjoy success for a long time to come.”

The initial investment, including financing, can range from $75,000 to $101,000 depending on whether you lease or purchase trucks and storage space. The initial offering includes: 

  • Franchise Fee $25,000
  • Minimum of 75 freezers (lease option: 3 years @ $24.54/mo.  $1 buyout)
  • Truck with freezer body (lease option)
  • Leased space in freezer warehouse
  • Computer hardware and software
  • Initial Fruti® and Mars products inventory
  • Initial training and freezer placement service
  • Sales and marketing materials
  • Mobile route management equipment and software

Each franchisee is given an exclusive territory with a capacity for 1,000 freezers. Franchisees are then responsible for negotiating with merchants to place a Chunks O Fruti® freezer at the location, keeping those locations stocked and acquiring new locations.

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.

The sweet (and healthy) taste of success…Natural Fruit Franchise Group’s Business Builder Program makes selling 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars an even sweeter deal for hardworking franchisees.Read More

A sweet (and healthy) franchise opportunity…Natural Fruit Corporation, makers of 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars, offers royalty-free franchise opportunity

Fruti frozen fruit barsHIALEAH, FLORIDA…

Americans have a sweet tooth. We also know we should be eating better. Parents, in particular, want to give their children (and themselves for that matter) healthier options, especially for snacks and desserts. With its revised franchise offering, the Natural Fruit Corporation is giving go-getters the opportunity to capitalize on this growing trend by selling its 100% natural Chunks O’Fruti® frozen fruit bar products wholesale to retail outlets like their local convenience stores, hospital cafeterias, schools, independent grocery stores, deli’s, family style restaurants, swim clubs and many other high-traffic locations.

Sweetening the pot figuratively and literally for this franchise opportunity is a special partnership Natural Fruit Corporation entered into with Mars, the candy and ice cream product juggernaut. So, in addition to appealing to the “better for you” market with Chunk O’ Fruti® products, franchisees can also sell the enormously popular 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.

“There is nothing like Chunks O’Fruti® on the market today. It’s 100% natural, fruit is always the first ingredient, there is no artificial coloring or flavoring, and 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. It is precisely what health conscious consumers want for their children and themselves,” said Susan Morris, senior vice president for Natural Fruit Corporation. “Add to that a name brand like Mars and their incredible ice cream products for the folks who can’t quite kick their sweet tooth and you’ve got a can’t miss offering that’s going to appeal to practically every consumer.”

Morris adds, “Beyond great products, this franchise offering gives the right person a growth opportunity they can tailor towards their lifestyle. You’re not tied down to a physical, brick-and-mortar location or a 24/7/365 schedule. If you want to run your business Monday through Friday, 9-to-5, you can do that. You can be hands on and deliver product and freezers yourself or hire a staff and delegate. It’s really up to you.”

Start up costs, including the franchise fee, can range from $75,000 to $101,000 depending on whether you lease or purchase trucks and storage space. The initial offering includes:

• Franchise Fee $25,000

• Minimum of 75 freezers (lease option: 3 years @ $24.54/mo. $1 buyout)

• Truck with freezer body (lease option)

• Leased space in freezer warehouse

• Computer hardware and software

• Initial Fruti® and Mars products inventory

• Initial training and freezer placement service

• Sales and marketing materials

• Mobile route management equipment and software

Each franchisee is given an exclusive territory within a two-hour driving radius. Franchisees are then responsible for negotiating with merchants to place a Chunks O’ Fruti® freezer at the location, keeping those locations stocked and acquiring new locations. Each territory has the capacity for 1,000 freezers.

“Plain and simple, we want our franchisees to succeed. That’s why we don’t burden them with the additional expense of royalty fees and provide assistance in buying or leasing storage space and transportation and how to market their business,” said Morris. “We also offer an incentive program that rewards franchisees who place 75 freezers with a substantially discounted rate on the next 125 freezers.”

Fruti® franchises are available across the U.S. For complete information on Fruti®’s franchise offering, please visit www.frutifranchise.comor 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 artificial colors or flavoring. 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 Mars Ice Cream products, including Twix, Snickers, Dove bars and other Mars ice cream favorites. 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.comor visit www.frutifranchise.com.

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

A sweet (and healthy) franchise opportunity…Natural Fruit Corporation, makers of 100% natural Chunks O’ Fruti® frozen fruit bars, offers royalty-free franchise opportunityRead More

DirectBuy of Edmonton celebrates move to brand new location

Low-cost alternative to retail is a one-stop shopping destination for consumers furnishing, remodeling, or building a new home

Edmonton, AB – DirectBuy of Edmonton, the home improvement and home furnishings club with confidential dealer prices, recently relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new club, located at 10833 – 178th Street in Edmonton enables area consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. To celebrate the opening, DirectBuy of Edmonton will host a reception from 5:30-7:30 pm on Monday, April 18, 2011.

The DirectBuy of Edmonton ownership team made up of Doug and Diane Clarke decided to enhance their service offering by constructing an innovative new location to help families create the homes of their dreams. The result of their decision is a 25,000 square-foot showroom and attached warehouse that gives members more space to walk through vignettes of products arranged in room settings, browse through catalogs from more than 500 premium brands, and discuss ideas for their own homes with staff. DirectBuy has had a presence in the Edmonton area since 1998.

 “The club’s new design is a perfect fit with the DirectBuy vision,” said Doug Clarke, co-owner of DirectBuy’s new Edmonton location. “Our hope is to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous service and savings on the more than 500 brands we carry.”

DirectBuy enables consumers to purchase brand-name merchandise – including kitchen cabinets, appliances, flooring, home furnishings, and much, much more – at confidential dealer prices. By providing merchandise without hidden retail markup, DirectBuy dramatically increases the purchasing power of its members, enabling them to enjoy the home of their dreams. To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy also employs service professionals and product specialists who are specially trained across all product categories.

“DirectBuy has offered its members unmatched savings, selection, and service for 40 years, and we are excited to continue that tradition in Edmonton with this beautiful new club,” said Bart Fesperman, DirectBuy’s Executive Vice President. “We offer top luxury brands in home furnishings and home improvement at discounted prices that consumers will not find anywhere else. We’re confident that Edmonton families will continue to benefit greatly from our innovative concept and new location.”

Consumers interested in becoming members at DirectBuy of Edmonton may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com or by calling the club at 780-444-8971. 

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 500 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. To learn more about DirectBuy, visit www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DirectBuy of Edmonton celebrates move to brand new locationRead More

Can you get your man to man up? How to know when you are dating Peter Pan.

NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…

We laugh at shows like Big Bang Theory where lovable geeks spend weekend nights content to play video games online rather than engage socially with the opposite sex.  Or movies like Knocked Up, where twenty-something males get high and talk about creating the next great skin website while their female contemporaries (Katherine Heigl’s character) work at their careers. While these characters may seem exaggerated, there’s a growing epidemic with males in their twenties and thirties who simply do not want to grow up and engage in adult activities like dating and relationships.

“There does seem to be a real disconnect between many males in that age bracket who are content to hang out with buddies or get involved with the opposite sex but only to take care of their primal needs,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the world’s largest online dating and matchmaking services. “Unfortunately, many women do get involved with these modern day Peter Pans and invest a lot of time and energy in a relationship that’s really not going anywhere.”

So how do you know if you’re dating a Peter Pan? Males stuck in the Peter Pan syndrome show a number of traits: 

  • Mama’s boy – Peter Pans typically look for partners to do everything for them—cook, clean, etc.
  • Job insecurity – Peter Pans typically don’t hold steady jobs for very long and are all-too-ready to jump the steady paycheck for the next great moneymaking idea.
  • Fidelity – Not a high priority item for a number of Peter Pans. Why? Peter Pans believe the grass is always greener, even if you’ve been dating somebody for a while.
  • No Prince Charming – while Prince Charming came to Cinderella’s rescue, that’s not the case with Peter Pan. Quite the opposite. A Peter Pan never takes responsibility for his own mistakes and often turns to the mother figure to pick up the pieces.
  • My way or the highway – Peter Pans must have things their way. While a 20-something might not throw a fit or sit in a corner holding his breath, the tantrum could manifest itself in other ways, mental and physical.
  • Father figure? – Marrying a Peter Pan and having children with him can be a recipe for disaster. Since Peter Pans is himself like a child, the children will not respect him, in spite of his efforts to be their playmate.
  • Truth vs. fiction – Dating a child-like man creates a quandary as to where truth ends and fiction begins.

So, what do modern-day Wendys do if they start to see the Peter Pan in their man?

“Unfortunately, many women think they can help their child-like men grow up. Truth be told, only Peter Pan can change Peter Pan,” said Falzone. “That’s why it’s extremely important to know what you want out of a relationship before you are actually in one and communicate that with who you are dating. If that’s not important to them, you really need to decide if it’s worth the investment.”

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With 52 matchmaking offices in 23 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.                                                                                   

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Schaumburg, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms);Minnesota (Edina); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.

Can you get your man to man up? How to know when you are dating Peter Pan.Read More

A singles solution…. eLove enters Philadelphia market, opens matchmaking office in King of Prussia.

KING OF PRUSSIA AND NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…

Philadelphia is known as the “City of Brotherly Love” but it’s another kind of love that recently entered the Philly market: eLove.

eLove is the first company within the dating industry offering both online dating and matchmaking services. They recently opened a new matchmaking office at 630 Freedom Business Center, Third Floor, in King of Prussia.

“Let’s face it. If you live in the northeast, you are already challenged because the winters can make it difficult to get out there and meet somebody,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the largest online dating and matchmaking services in the world. “But, Spring is practically here and there’s not a better time for Philadelphia area singles to see the difference working with a matchmaker can do to help shorten your search for that special somebody.”

In addition to a brick-and-mortar matchmaking service, eLove also offers online dating services. To find out more, visit www.elove.com. To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for a membership, contact eLove toll-free at 877–356-8370

For a free copy of Paul A. Falzone’s book “eLove: A Singles Guide”, please visit www.elovesuccess.com.                                                                                                                 

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With 52 matchmaking offices in 23 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Schaumburg, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms);Minnesota (Edina); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.

A singles solution…. eLove enters Philadelphia market, opens matchmaking office in King of Prussia.Read More

A singles solution…. eLove opens matchmaking office in Edina, Minnesota.

EDINA, MINNESOTA AND NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…

During a Minnesota winter, you get used to single digits. Yet being single (AKA alone) can make those frigid temperatures seem colder. In an effort to remedy that situation for singles in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area, eLove, the first company within the dating industry offering both online dating and matchmaking services, recently opened a matchmaking office at 3300 Edinborough Way, Suite 419 in Edina.

“If you’re ready to meet that special someone, the bar scene or many online sites can be every bit as cold as it is outside right now,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the largest online dating and matchmaking services in the world. “We tailor our matchmaking service towards singles who are sick of the games and are ready to find their soul mate.”

eLove’s formula for helping people find that special somebody has been working for singles for the better part of four decades.

“My wife and I heartily endorse you,” said Roger McDaniel of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. “We just celebrated 23 years of marriage and all because of your company.”

In addition to a brick-and-mortar matchmaking service, eLove also offers online dating services. To find out more, visit www.elove.com. To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for a membership, contact eLove toll-free at 877–356-8370

For a free copy of Paul A. Falzone’s book “eLove: A Singles Guide”, please visit www.elovesuccess.com.                                                                                                                 

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With 52 matchmaking offices in 23 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.                                                                                        

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Schaumburg, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms);Minnesota (Edina); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com. 

A singles solution…. eLove opens matchmaking office in Edina, Minnesota.Read More

eLove’s newest matchmaker takes top prize at Internet Dating Conference

Julie Ferman
Julie Ferman of eLove

NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…

When eLove acquired Los-Angeles-based matchmaker Cupid’s Coach a few months ago, many industry experts called it the proverbial “marriage made in heaven”.  Based on honors bestowed on Cupid’s Coach owner Julie Ferman and eLove at the recent iDATE conference held in Miami—Ferman won “Best Matchmaker” for 2011, with eLove finishing second—the marriage is wedded bliss.

Ferman received more than 36 percent of the vote in the Best Matchmaker category, while eLove received more than 28 percent. eLove also finished third in the “Most Innovative Company” category.

“Julie Ferman truly is a star in this industry,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the world’s largest matchmaking services. “This recognition is well deserved and if we had to come in second to someone, I’m glad it was Julie. I’m even happier now that she’s on our team at eLove.”

Ferman has been in the matchmaking business for more than two decades and has helped hundreds of singles find that special someone. In addition to her matchmaking work, she’s appeared on numerous television programs, including NBC’s Match Off, E’s Kendra and Dr. Phil.

“It’s been quite a year for Cupid’s Coach and this is just the icing on the cake,” said Ferman, who also won iDATE’s “Best Matchmaker” for 2010.

iDate is one of the matchmaking industry’s largest events for Online Dating and Social Networking business management. In addition to its awards ceremonies, iDate Conference provides matchmaking professionals the opportunity to network with other matchmakers and learn more about current industry trends, including: business strategies, mobile technologies, new markets, social networks, mobile marketing, venture capital, software, partnerships, legal issues, background search and payments.

iDate conference attendees include:

  • Social networking business executives
  • Software & technology executives
  • Venture Capitalists and Seed Funding Capitalists
  • Mobile Telecommunication executives
  • Marketing executives
  • Media executives
  • Background Search executives
  • Payment processing executives
  • Affiliate managers & Affiliates

The next iDate conference will be held in Los Angeles, California in June 2011.

eLove is all you need

eLove, the next evolution in dating, has arrived.  eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, from internet to traditional matchmaking, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate.  Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With 52 matchmaking offices in 23 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in:  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Schaumburg, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms);Minnesota (Edina); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, Philadelphia); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).

For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.

eLove’s newest matchmaker takes top prize at Internet Dating ConferenceRead More

A bathroom refresher…Mini-makeovers for the bath

 CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

One of the many euphemisms for bathroom is “the necessary.” That perhaps explains the mindset of many homeowners and why, short of a total remodel, they do very little with the décor and design of their bathrooms over the course of a year. The bathroom might just be the one room that’s easiest to make over and make an impression with—without making a huge impression on your bank account.

“Even if you have a large bathroom, chances are it’s smaller than most rooms in your home,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County. “What that means is that even something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or some wallpaper can make your bathroom look like new.”

Some of the bathroom “touch ups” Vest recommends includes:

  • Putting a coat of fresh, new paint or textured wallpaper on the walls.
  • Changing an outdated sink and vanity with a new and beautiful pedestal sink.
  • Repainting or replacing bathroom cabinets.
  • Installing new flooring with something timeless like marble mosaics.
  • Updating and improving lighting with new, energy efficient sconces.

“The beauty of these upgrades is that you don’t need to be Mr. or Ms. Home Improvement to take these projects on and that saves you the cost of hiring someone to do it,” said Vest. “Couple the nominal investment needed for these improvements with the dramatic impact each can have on your bathroom and you’ve got a win-win.”

DirectBuy Club offers home furnishings and merchandise in addition to items for home improvement projects to help all homeowners brighten up their homes all year round—at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

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 140 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 are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; 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 membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

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