Winters Company Plumbing & Heating recently announced their new “green initiative” for homeowners. Read more about it in the Cambridge Chronicle – http://bit.ly/ar0A4t
Newsroom
Van Syckle top business coach franchise owner for Winfree Business Growth Advisors
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AND HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA…
Winfree Business Growth Advisors, a business coaching franchise, recently named Owen Van Syckle, owner of its Hampton Roads, Virginia business coaching franchise, as “Franchisee of the Year”.
Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training and seminars. Van Syckle, a business coaching franchise owner since 2007, received this honor based on a number of variables, including growth of his territory in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
“Owen epitomizes what we seek in owners of our business coaching franchises,” said Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors. “He brings a combination of energy and know-how to the table that draws new clients and inspires existing ones. The bottom line is he and his clients get results.”
A resident of Norfolk, Virginia, Van Syckle received a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science from Trevecca Nazarene University. Prior to becoming a Winfree Business Growth Advisor, he worked as a sales manager for Headgear LLC before running his own consulting business, Prominent Business Development.
“Winfree’s different than any other sales training programs out there,” said Van Syckle. “It’s not only what we teach, but how we teach it and then stand behind it by guaranteeing results for a fixed fee. That made me want to be a franchise owner. Frankly, it’s why our clients are successful because we literally put our money where our mouth is.”
If you would like to work with Mr. Van Syckle you can contact him at http://www.hamptonroads.winfree.org or 757-237-5222.
About Winfree Business Growth Advisors
Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training, and seminars featuring Winfree’s signature Black Belt System™–a Five Phases and 12 elements covering everything from initial marketing efforts to customer retention.
Winfree Business Growth Advisors currently runs coaching franchises in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), Illinois, Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Boston), New York (Manhattan), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Virginia (Hampton Roads) as well as in Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba).
For more information on Winfree’s programs or franchise opportunities and available an Area Development territories, please go to www.winfree.org or contact Dr. Keith Winfree at (800) 616-9260.
If you would like to work with Mr. Van Syckle you can contact him at http://www.hamptonroads.winfree.org or 757-237-5222.
An “A” for their efforts… DirectBuy of Tinley Park earns an “A” grade from the Better Business Bureau
CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …
DirectBuy Clubs across North America have a well-earned reputation for saving members thousands of dollars in creating the homes of their dreams. Their reputation for providing service to members is quickly catching up. Case in point, DirectBuy of Tinley Park receiving an “A” grade from the Better Business Bureau.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2004, DirectBuy of Tinley Park, located at 18400 South 76th Avenue in Tinley Park, Illinois, earned their “A” grade based on 19 criteria, ranging from years in business to complaints received and resolved, to other service-oriented factors. Each criterion has a certain number of points associated with it, with a perfect score being 90 out of a possible 90 points. DirectBuy of Tinley Park’s “A” grade represents 85 out of a possible 90 points.
“We talk a lot about how much money members can save with DirectBuy Club and that is true, you can save a lot, but that can only take you so far,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park. “What helps us retain and attract members more than anything is that they save money and are treated well. That’s the real draw to DirectBuy Club. The ‘A’grade from the BBB is gratifying because it means on the whole, we are doing right by our members.”
For more than 38 years, DirectBuy Clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories by purchasing from more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition to DirectBuy of Tinley Park, located at 1864 High Grove Lane, Suite 124 in Naperville, Illinois, DirectBuy has several convenient locations in greater Chicago (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, and Naperville).
For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy Club
Since 1971, DirectBuy Club 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 160 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuycares.com.
Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving greater Chicago area: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; 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 Lake County, 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.
Cause-Related Marketing – Doing the Right Thing and Taking a Bow for It
(Reprinted from the Massachusetts CPA Society newsletter “SumNews”.)
By Steve Dubin, PR Works
eting
Last year, Americans generously donated
over $150 billion to charities. Eighty percent
of that total came from individuals, the
rest from companies and foundations.
While the total reflects an increase of 7.3 percent
over the prior year, the number of individual
donors is in fact shrinking, as is government
funding for many programs. This double
whammy is forcing charities to “sell” themselves.
Welcome to the increasingly popular
world of cause-related marketing.
Once you’ve been in business for a while, it’s
a good bet that at some point you may have
considered using cause-related marketing, or
that some local, regional or national organization
has approached you. Cause-related marketing
is an alliance between a company and
a selected charity through which the business
gives a few cents of the purchase price or
a share of the profits to a specified charity.
Among the better-known national companies
that have used cause-related marketing are
American Express, Coca-Cola and Ben &
Jerry’s.
A more cynical reader might ask the businessperson
involved in cause-related marketing:
Are you trying to sell products or services, or
are you trying to support a worthwhile cause?
The answer should be both.
Why, of all professions, would accounting
firms care? One is that community work
energizes your staff and allows them to connect
on a different level. Two, outreach
helps build and enhance your firm’s “brand.”
Three, nonprofit efforts can allow you to rub
elbows with potential clients. Most nonprofits
have well-connected board members who
could be your next star client. Four, all things
being equal, clients would prefer to work
with the good guys.
Consumers like these types of arrangements
between companies and charities because they
can help others while shopping for things
they would have purchased anyway. After all,
it makes you feel good to know you are helping
to save baby seals just by buying a certain
brand of toothpaste.
Some marketing experts argue that the product
and the cause should have some connection.
For example, for several years the
makers of Arthritis Pain Formula donated a
percentage of their profits to The Arthritis
Foundation. The charity even got to put its
name and logo on millions of bottles of the
over-the-counter painkiller. The charity got
lots of “free” publicity while the manufacturer
sold more medicine.
Last year, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade joined
forces with Yahoo! Inc. in “Lids for Kids,”
pledging ten cents for every yogurt lid mailed
in to linking schools to the Internet. As with
most such promotions, the sponsors set a
cap. With this campaign the cap was set at
$100,000.
Some promotions have little connection between
the cause and sponsoring company’s
product or service. It was American Express,
you may recall, that popularized the idea of
cause-related marketing with its 1983 project
to help restore the Statue of Liberty. Maybe
you even used your American Express card a
few extra times, so you could proudly boast
that you helped preserve the famed lady.
American Express also reaped immeasurable
positive publicity during its “Charge Against
Hunger” campaign, which ran the last three
holiday seasons with a $5 million annual cap
(Well, even for mega-companies, you have
to draw the line on charity somewhere!)
Some promotions border on good taste.
The Society for the Preservation of History
promises to pay “a portion of the proceeds”
from the sale of each $199 “Queen of Hearts”
Princess Diana Doll to the Princess of Wales
Memorial Fund. How many would you like?
If there’s a charity you’d like to support
through cause-related marketing — which
might help boost sales or polish your company’s
image at the same time, contact the organization’s
marketing or development director
and explore the possibilities. If done correctly,
the campaign can be a major win-win proposition
for both parties.
Well, gotta go. I think I’ll get my tires
changed at the place that supports the Olympic
Team and have a cup of coffee at the
place that buys books for inner city schools.
Steve Dubin is president of PR Works, which is
based in Kingston, MA, and serves clients nationally.
The firm offers a wide expanse of public
relations services including strategic PR planning,
news releases, feature story development,
media placement, media coaching, newsletters,
case studies, grand opening management,
product and service launch management, press
tours, and press conference management.
For more information, please visit
PRWorkZone.com.
Braintree – Home Buyers’ Workshops to be held on March 4 and March 6 at the Thayer Public Library
The cost of admission is one can of food or a box of dry goods. This small donation to local South Shore food pantries gains you entrance to a Home Buyers’ Workshops to be held on March 4 and March 6 at the Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree.
All participants will receive a free credit report and personalized credit analysis.
The free workshops are set for Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by contacting Jason Gravelle, Advanced Mortgage Services, 617.620.9440 , JGravelle@ams-loan.com.
Presenters will include Jason Gravelle, Senior Licensed Loan Officer at Advanced Mortgage Services, a local real estate attorney, and Tiger Home Inspection.
The objective, informational workshop will cover how credit scores and monthly debt impact the program you may qualify for, the pre-approval and home buying process, how the current federal home purchase tax credit works, and what down payment requirements are for the different homebuyer programs.
Historically low mortgage rates and low listing prices are acting as a major stimulus to the real estate market. Future workshops will outline strategies for improving credit scores, renovation financing programs for purchase and refinance, maneuvering the short sale and bank owned property markets, new requirements for purchasing investment properties.
Advanced Mortgage Services LLC
Advanced Mortgage Services LLC was founded as a mortgage lending company in
2005 by Brian Thomas Comer, a financial services professional with more than
13 years experience in the South Shore real estate market. Advanced Mortgage Services is a full service mortgage company that values and nurtures long-term customer relationships, providing options and solutions with maximum benefit and genuine concern for their customer’s interests.
Advanced Mortgage Services team of loan officers maintains rigorous licensing requirements set by the Massachusetts Division of Banks and is committed to upholding the highest standards in the mortgage industry while offering customers the best possible solution for any mortgage-related needs.
Advanced Mortgage Services, which is an active participant in many community events and organizations throughout the South Shore, is located at 335 Washington Street in Norwell, MA 02061 and has an additional office at 25 Main Street in Plymouth, MA 02360.
For additional information on services offered by Advanced Mortgage Services please visit www.ams-loan.com. A Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Lender, Advanced Mortgage Services is a fully insured and licensed Massachusetts Mortgage Lender and Mortgage Broker (license #MC3702.)
Salon Owner & Internationally Recognized Designer Edward Blum Leads Color & Design Team for Donna Karan During Fashion Week
Massachusetts salon owner and internationally recognized industry expert in hair color, design and styling, Edward Blum, just returned from New York this week after working with the color and design team for fashion designer Donna Karan as she introduced her Fall 2010 collection during Fashion Week (February 11-18th).
Blum, who was a team colorist with the “dynamic duo” Christopher and Sonya Dove, was brought to New York’s Fashion Week by Wella Professionals as a colorist/stylist for Donna Karan’s models. Blum is co-owner of the prestigious Makeovers Salon & Spa, a state-of-the-art facility located in Easton with a staff of 80. Known for his artistry and technical knowledge, Blum has been a hair stylist for 31 years and a salon owner for more than 21 years. Makeovers Salon & Spa is his fourth salon and one of the largest salons and spas in Massachusetts.
“Donna Karan’s Fall collection has an emphasis on curves with gathered suiting, body hugging wraps and scarves. Hair style and color is all about looking very natural and approachable yet at the same time, ultra chic and refined. Any hint of brassiness in hair color is out. To get the gorgeous, shiny, natural looking hair that the models are sporting is definitely an investment,” noted Blum.
Blum shared some of the fashion trends that will be seen this fall:
• Hair color will be natural looking with glosses and glazes leading the way. Hair styles will be sporty and slightly edgy.
• Nails will be natural looking. Gel nails and gel polishes will be all the rage.
• Trends in body care will be bio-organic and very moisturizing.
According to Blum, “We’re really going to see a turn towards the natural and organic this fall and it will be reflected in hair style and make-up, even in spa treatments.”
Blum has worked alongside a number of greats over the years including Vidal Sassoon, Jon Louis David and Jaque Dessange. He trained with Alexandre de Paris and also served as the International Spokesperson and Market Leader for Wella Corporation for 15 years, providing hair design and styling for major hair shows in the U.S. and Europe.
He is a contributing writer to many professional beauty publications including Modern Salon Magazine, American Salon Magazine and Salon Today Magazine. No stranger to the stars, Blum has been the stylist for “One Life to Live” soap opera’s Christian Alfonso and Judge Maria Lopez of the “Maria Lopez Show” as well as for Buena Vista Studios-Disney, New England Today, Boston Channel 5 and Channel 4. He has won numerous awards and worked on many other stage, hair and fashion award shows over the last three decades.
On the local level, Blum holds the Northeast Cutting and Styling Championship title and his salon has been honored 15 times with First Place Reader’s Choice Award in all beauty categories. Additionally, he frequently serves as a consultant to many cosmetology schools in New England.
About Makeovers Salon & Spa
Makeovers Salon & Spa is owned by the internationally recognized, award-winning designers Edward and Norah Blum. As one of the largest salon and spa in Massachusetts, Makeovers Salon & Spa is a 13,200 square foot “paradise” with 26 styling stations, nine large treatment rooms and a staff of more than 80 providing hair styling and coloring; nail and spa services. Makeovers Salon & Spa has been honored 15 times with “First Place Reader’s Choice Award” in all beauty categories.
Every member of Makeovers Salon & Spa hair design team undergoes an intensive two years of training at the salon. The majority of the salon’s design professionals have been with the company for at least 15 years. Makeovers Salon & Spa designers travel to New York for training in the latest color and cutting techniques each Spring and the salon frequently hosts renowned international guest trainers. Services offered at the Day Spa include facials, laser treatments, massage, manicures/pedicures, wraps, body treatments, waxing, reflexology and aromatherapy. Makeovers offers a range of Day Spa packages including special Day of Beauty, Bridal, Groom’s, Couples and Men’s packages, as well as the ability to host private parties from 4 to 40. Their line of high quality products include G.M. Collin and Glymed Spa products and Wella, Sebastian, Rene Furtier, Alterna and Icon hair care products.
Salon owner Ed Blum has been the stylist for “One Life to Live” soap opera’s Christian Alfonso and Judge Maria Lopez of the “Maria Lopez Show”, Susan Wornick and Natalie Jacobson of Channel 5 Boston and numerous others. Most recently, Makeovers Salon & Spa was the set for the Disney pilot, “Postcards from Heaven” with medium Maureen Hancock and casting calls with ‘The Rock’.
Makeovers Salon & Spa is located at 574 Washington Street in Easton, MA. For more information, visit the website at www.makeoverssalon.com or contact (508) 238-1211.
Follow Us!