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ActionCOACH’s “Business is Booming” tour comes to Richmond on May 6.

ActionCOACH Chairman and Founder Brad Sugars

ActionCOACH Founder and CEO Brad Sugars offers free lecture for business owners on surviving economic “fall” and “winter” to succeed in economic “spring” and “summer”

RICHMOND, VA; …

Double-digit unemployment rates. Corporate bailouts. Foreclosures and slumping residential and commercial real estate markets.

So how can anyone truly say, “business is booming”?

Brad Sugars, founder and Chairman of ActionCOACH, the world’s number business coaching firm, says exactly that, and tells both why and how when his North American “Business is Booming” tour comes to the Greater Richmond Convention Center on May 6.

“History tells us that more money is made during economic downturns than during booms and that for every 10-month downturn is a 50-month boom,” said Sheri Winesett, ActionCOACH franchise owner in Richmond, Virginia. “Brad’s message is that the companies can prepare for the next boom by cutting costs, developing good lead generation strategies and implementing effective marketing programs that deliver A- and B-level customers that will thrive in any economy.”

In addition to an explanation of why business is indeed booming, Sugars will also discuss 28 proven strategies to massively grow any type of business during his three-hour presentation.

Widely acclaimed as the world’s number one Business Coach, Sugars founded ActionCOACH in 1993 after successfully owning and or running more than 30 businesses in his native Australia. Today, ActionCOACH is ranked as the world’s leading international business coaching firm, with more than 1,000 offices in 26 countries.

A best-selling author of 14 highly acclaimed business books – including four international best-sellers – Sugars has taught nearly a half-million people worldwide how to create business, real estate and financial success.

“Brad Sugars is to business coaching what Tony Robbins has been to the personal development industry,” continued Winesett. “With his ‘Business is Booming’ tour, he’s literally giving away his years of successful business knowledge and expertise. It’s a message every small business owner in the greater Richmond should want to hear.”

To register for the May 6 event at the Greater Richmond Convention center (located at 403 North 3rd Street in Richimond), simply visit http://businessisbooming.com.

There’s no charge to register, admission is free. The event will begin promptly at 6 p.m. with a 30-minute networking period prior to Sugars’ presentation.  

To find out additional dates and venues for the “Business is Booming” North American tour, please go to http://businessisbooming.com.

About ActionCOACH

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the six states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Florida (Coral Gables, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, North Miama, Palm Harbor, Pensacola Beach and Tallahassee); Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.

To learn more about ActionCOACH, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

ActionCOACH’s “Business is Booming” tour comes to Richmond on May 6.Read More

Your new travel guide…Mike Antonio opens Resort Maps franchise for lower Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia.

KILMARNOCK, VIRGINIA AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of more than 95 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Kilmarnock resident Mike Antonio as the new owner of the new map to be published for Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at rest and travel information areas as well by advertisers. The Best of the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula Map will highlight local attractions, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, marinas, real estate and other services on the two peninsulas. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate.

“Other than a regular old highway map, there are no maps for this area that give tourists and visitors an idea of all that this area has to offer,” said Antonio. “Our new map, which we anticipate issuing over the summer, will really be the best resource for visitors to our area.”

A graphic designer by trade, Antonio has owned and operated Mike Antonio Graphics for the past five years. He sees the two businesses as complementary.

“Obviously having knowledge of graphic design is a real advantage in creating a map,” said Antonio. “The real advantage for me is I have been part of the local business community over the last several years and know the landscape of the area.”

A graduate of Mary Washington College, Antonio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in art. Married, he and his wife Kelly live in Kilmarnock with their three sons.

The Best of the Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just down for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops but also at many non-advertiser locations throughout the Bay and “Rivah” region.

The Northern Neck map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to all 95+ resort areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula map, you can e-mail Mike Antonio at mikea@resortmaps.com.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising 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 over 95 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. More than 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

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), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (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, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), 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 (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guide…Mike Antonio opens Resort Maps franchise for lower Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia.Read More

An ‘extreme’ approach to networking…ActionCOACH Angie Segal goes to ‘extremes’ as a partner of an Extreme Office Makeover for local non-profit.

SILVER SPRING, MD AND ROCKVILLE, MD…

As an ActionCOACH business coach, Angie Segal coaches her clients to seek out the proverbial “win-win” situation. As one of the founders of the ORIGINAL Third Tuesday networking group and a partner in the Extreme Office Makeover, she helped find a way to create a win-win-win for the nearly 400 business owners who participated in this month’s event.

The Extreme Office Makeover contest involved a group of local business partners donating goods or services to be awarded to a Montgomery County, non home-based business. Segal donated three months of business coaching. Other services donated from partners in the Extreme Office Makeover group included IT services and software, accounting, printing, water coolers and office supplies to name a few. In total, more than $100,000 in goods and services were donated by Extreme Office Makeover sponsors.

“This really was a win-win-win situation. Obviously, it’s great for the company that wins the Makeover but it also gives the sponsors an opportunity to showcase their business’s offerings and perhaps win a new client,” said Segal, owner of an ActionCOACH franchise in Silver Spring, MD. “Personally, I think it’s a win for everyone involved because we created an opportunity for almost 400 business owners to network and make new acquaintances and who knows what that could lead to.”

The Wellness Community of Greater Washington DC was the proud winner of the Extreme Office Makeover. The Wellness Community is a non-profit which provides cancer support, education and hope for thousands of people in the Greater Washington DC area.

“We are thrilled!” said Paula Rothenberg, president & CEO of The Wellness Community. “As a small nonprofit organization that provides all of our programs free of charge to people affected by cancer, we are dependent upon the support of many individuals, foundations and corporations. To receive this tremendous gift of much needed products and services is overwhelming.”

A first runner up prize was also awarded to the Computer Learning and Resource Center of Silver Spring, Maryland, which received a variety of goods and services from the participating business partners.

In addition to ActionCOACH, contributing sponsors of the Extreme Office Makeover included: Mosaic Technologies, Rockville Printing & Graphics, the Law Offices of Whittaker & Associates, Diverse Office Solutions, RMR & Associates, Reznick Group, Sisarina, Action Coach, RCD & Associates, IMC Water Coolers, iCore Networks, Intelligent Office, CMR Alliance, Shred Station Express, Urban BBQ, Potomac Grill and Comcast Business Class.

Founded in August 2009 by Angie Segal of ActionCOACH and Ron Dobransky of Rockville Printing & Graphics, the Original Third Tuesday networking group meets from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every third Tuesday at Clyde’s at Tower Oaks at 2 Preserve Parkway in Rockville, Maryland.  There’s no membership fee or admission to attend Original Third Tuesday networking group session. All business owners are welcome.

About ActionCOACH

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the five states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.

For information on ActionCOACH Founder Brad Sugars’ 2010 “Business is Booming” North American tour, please visit, http://businessisboomingtour.com/. 

To learn more about working with an ActionCOACH or the ActionCOACH franchise opportunity, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

An ‘extreme’ approach to networking…ActionCOACH Angie Segal goes to ‘extremes’ as a partner of an Extreme Office Makeover for local non-profit.Read More

eLove named top U.S. matchmaker at Internet Dating & Matchmaking Conference

NORWELL, MA…

As a company in the online dating and matchmaking business, eLove is a bit unique in that it tailors its services around the stage of life its clients are in. It’s a concept that’s taken the matchmaking industry by storm and gained notoriety among matchmaking professionals. Case in point, eLove being named one of the top three U.S. matchmakers at the seventh annual Internet Dating & Matchmaking Conference (iDate) held in Miami, Florida this past January.

iDate is one of the matchmaking industry’s largest events for Online Dating and Social Networking business management. The 2010 iDate Awards were voted on by industry experts and the general public.

“We’re ecstatic to be the only national matchmaking company to be honored,” said eLove’s Chief Operating Officer Terry Fitzpatrick. “Our matchmakers work extremely hard with our members and it’s nice to see them get the recognition they deserve.”

In addition to its awards ceremonies, the 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

“We take tremendous pride in the work we do in helping our clients find that special person and when that happens, that really is reward enough. An honor like this truly is icing on the cake and reinforcement about how well we do what we do,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove.

The next iDate conference will be held in Beverly Hills, California in June 2010.

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 matchmaking offices in 21 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 (Mountain View, Sacramento, Walnut Creek); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Northbrook, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Kentucky (Louisville); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Saddle Brook); Nevada (Las Vegas); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg); 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 named top U.S. matchmaker at Internet Dating & Matchmaking ConferenceRead More

DC DirectBuy Clubs Top 5! DirectBuy of Baltimore North and DirectBuy of Southern Maryland celebrate five years in business.

HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND AND LANHAM, MARYLAND…

For five years, DirectBuy of Baltimore North, located at 9700 MLK Jr. Highway in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and DirectBuy of Southern Maryland, located at 10950 Gilroy Road in Lanham, Maryland, have been offering consumers in the greater Baltimore/Washington DC area a new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings, and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy Clubs offer products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices.

“In only five short years, we’ve been able to grow the business in terms of the number of our members and the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy,” said Bruce Harvey, owner of DirectBuy of Southern Maryland. “We’ve literally saved our members thousands upon thousands of dollars and that’s something we’re tremendously proud of.”

Since 2005, DirectBuy of Baltimore North and DirectBuy of Southern Maryland have helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services many times at a discounted rate.

“Being in the background of our Nation’s Capital, we have constant reminders of the difficulty of today’s economy,” said Tom Aliotta, owner of DirectBuy of Baltimore North. “By helping our members stretch their dollars further, we feel like we’re doing our part to help folks out during some trying economic times.”

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

DC DirectBuy Clubs Top 5! DirectBuy of Baltimore North and DirectBuy of Southern Maryland celebrate five years in business.Read More

Barrie’s top five… DirectBuy of Barrie celebrates fifth anniversary.

BARRIE, ONTARIO…

For five years, DirectBuy Club has been offering consumers in the greater Barrie area a new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings and accessories.

“Five seems to be a magic number for us,” said Christine DeMarsh, owner of DirectBuy of Barrie. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth since we opened our doors, both in the number of members and the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. That’s got us even more excited about the next five years.”

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Barrie offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 500 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices. DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“The economy of the past few years has made DirectBuy Club even more important to families looking to save money on their home improvement projects and home furnishings,” said DeMarsh. “We’re thankful for the relationships we’ve established over our first five years and look forward to helping even more families in the years to come.”

Since 2005, DirectBuy of Barrie has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 2500 Williams Parkway, Unit 37 in Brampton, Ontario, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada and more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Barrie’s top five… DirectBuy of Barrie celebrates fifth anniversary.Read More

Designing your home office… DirectBuy of Fort Mill provides tips on setting up your home office.

FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA…

Not too long ago, the home office meant the corporate headquarters of a company. With more and more people running businesses out of their home or telecommuting to their “day job” a day or more a week, the home office has had to become every bit as functional and comfortable as the cubicle or office at work. To that end, DirectBuy of Fort Mill, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, has some helpful tips on setting up your home office.

For starters, DirectBuy recommends drawing a floor plan of the room or area where your home office will be. Your floor plan should include markings of where the electrical outlets are and accurate measurements of the heights of the windows, doorways and any closet space to give you additional design options.

“If you’re going to be spending significant time in your home office, from eight to 20 hours a week or more, you’re going to want a space that’s a little more comfortable, functional and aesthetically pleasing than the spare room or corner of a room that’s passed for a home office in years past,” said Brian Harris, owner of DirectBuy of Fort Mill. “Many of our members work with our designers to create not only a comfortable workspace for one or more members of the household, but also a room you’ll want to show off to guests.”

Some of the things you may want to consider in planning your office space:

●       Ergonomic chairs, desks, and other office pieces.

●       Lower shelves so you can reach for books, folders, and other items without strain.

●       Lighting under workspace shelves to make it easier to read.

●       A mount or platform for your computer monitor so you can look at the screen without tilting your head up or down.

●       Neutral, soothing colors for your walls like teal blues, soft cool grays, and warm Tuscan colors to create a relaxing work atmosphere.

●       How much natural light does the room get and how much do you want? Do you prefer curtains to blinds? There are a wide range of innovative blinds, sheers, louvers, and shutters to achieve the look you want.

●       The depth of the pieces you’re putting in your office. There’s nothing worse than trying to add a desk to a spot that fits length- and width-wise but leaves no room for the chair.

●       Installing additional outlets to give you more layout and design options.

●       Avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting if possible; offices are high traffic areas and wear will show on your rugs the more time you work at home. Use carpet tiles for the areas you want carpeting, so that you can replace them if they fade or show stains, and use hardwood or ceramic tile for the rest of the space.

DirectBuy of Fort Mill carries a large selection of brand-name office furniture at direct insider prices from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy of Fort Mill also employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the home office that works best for their individual needs and for family members if it’s a shared workspace.

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 2180 Carolina Place, Suite 103, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

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

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Designing your home office… DirectBuy of Fort Mill provides tips on setting up your home office.Read More

ActionCOACH takes to the airwaves…ActionCOACH Master Licensee Sheri Winesett appears on “On Track with Vanessa Womack” show on WLEE – 990 AM

RICHMOND, VA…

The emergence of business coaching is helping many small, local businesses in this challenging economy.  Yet, the concept of coaching is still a fairly new one in the business world. With her recent appearance on the “On Track with Vanessa Womack” show on WLEE 990 AM, ActionCOACH Master Licensee Sheri Winesett discussed several ways business coaching can help the small business owner.

“The small business owner has to wear many hats and it’s perfectly natural that some of those hats might fit better than the others,” said Winesett. “When we work with small business owners, we tailor our coaching accordingly. That could mean teaching sales skills to owners without a sales background or management techniques for the owner who’s always been a sole practitioner but now has staff, etc.”

So what can a business coach help accomplish for the small business owner? Here are some examples:

  • Time management –A time management evaluation and plan should be part of the package with definitive steps for improvement put in place.
  • Increasing sales – This should not only include a plan of how to increase sales, but a clear timetable of by how much and by when and within the structure of your organization.
  • Increasing profitability – Increasing sales is great, but it doesn’t automatically translate to profitability.  You want to work with a business coach who can look at the entire financial picture—sales, operations, etc.
  • Inspiration or exasperation? A business coach should be a mentor and motivator for business owner.
  • Goal-setting and accountability –A business coach should work with you to create goals and objectives. Those require actions and deliverables on the part of the business owner, who is accountable to the coach. As a business owner, that’s what you want.

“To get results out of a coaching relationship requires accountability on the part of the coach and the business owner and that’s what I tried to get across to Vanessa’s audience,” said Winesett.

“On Track with Vanessa Womack” airs on WLEE 990 AM Talk on Saturdays, 11 – 12 noon. “On Track with Vanessa Womack” delivers edgy, exciting information for entrepreneurs in the areas of business development, marketing, networking and building a successful enterprise. The show is also archived on The SHED Group LLC’s Web site, www.shedgrp.com. Womack is the SHED Group principal.

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the five states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.

To learn more about ActionCOACH, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

ActionCOACH takes to the airwaves…ActionCOACH Master Licensee Sheri Winesett appears on “On Track with Vanessa Womack” show on WLEE – 990 AMRead More

Kids play at DirectBuy…DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers “play” area for parents and kids.

FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA…

By purchasing directly from the manufacturer, DirectBuy Club members can not only save a lot of money, but enjoy the process as well. And while it can be a lot of fun to pick out your new kitchen, the new floors for your bathroom, it also requires your full attention—a luxury members with children don’t always have. That’s why DirectBuy of Fort Mill, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, developed a “Kids Zone” area in their club so parents can focus on the task at hand and kids can enjoy the DirectBuy experience, too.

Though not a supervised area, the Kids Zone features a number of things to keep school-age children occupied and entertained, including books, puzzles, and games. The Kids Zone also includes a flat screen television so children can watch movies or play games.  

“Let’s face it, most kids would rather go to the dentist than watch their parents shop for their next home improvement project. By the same token, it’s difficult for members with children to get the most out of the experience and do the research they need to do if they’re concerned about the kids getting fidgety,” said Brian Harris, owner of DirectBuy of Fort Mill. “The Kids Zone gives children of DirectBuy members a place to play games, watch TV, or even make new friends with other members’ kids while the grown-ups have their ‘fun.’”

Creating fun things to do for children is nothing new for DirectBuy. DirectBuy Clubs across North America regularly donate equipment to youth organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YMCAs and children’s hospitals.

“As members of the Fort Mill business community, we have an even greater incentive to make this a one-of-a-kind, unique shopping experience because many of the members are our friends, neighbors, even relatives,” said Harris. “Making the DirectBuy Club experience fun for children as well as the grownups is an extension of that philosophy.”

DirectBuy Clubs offer members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories by purchasing directly from the manufacturer. In addition, DirectBuy boasts a team of designers to help members with their purchases and gives them access to a roster of local, hand-selected contractors to expedite those projects.

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 2180 Carolina Place Drive in Fort Mill, South Carolina, DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers members a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

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

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy Club 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, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Kids play at DirectBuy…DirectBuy of Fort Mill offers “play” area for parents and kids.Read More