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Verbal Branding speaks loudly to the New England Franchise Association (NEFA), March 8

Author and founder of the theory of “Verbal Branding” Stephen Melanson will speak on the topic to the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) on Tuesday, March 8, Doubletree Hotel 550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA.
Melanson is the author of “Jaw Branding” and his second book “Verbal Branding INSTEAD!” will be released this year. Melanson challenges many conventional theories of branding, sales, and marketing. His core theory is that all members of an organization – from the janitor to the CEO – should understand and then be able to convey why they are “different and better” than the competition in 5 seconds or less.
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 $50 per person and includes dinner. NEFA Members receive $10.00 off.
“The traditional elevator pitch simply doesn’t work – making the average consumer suspicious – and must be replaced with an entirely different mindset and tactic”, says Melanson. He added, “Verbal Branding applies uncommon simplicity to “manage” what a consumers’ remembers and creates a more valuable offers in the market. Well known examples are ‘Volvo, safe and reliable’. Or Geiko, ‘Give us 15 minutes, we’ll give you 15 percent.’ Great Verbal Branding is direct, honest, and moves action both internally and externally.”
His background also includes being a trained non-practicing Psychotherapist, professional tennis player, and on-air talk radio host. Stephen Melanson is the President of Melanson Consulting based in Arlington, MA.

“In working with advertising agencies and marketing companies over the past 25 years I’ve endured a lot of verbal posturing and techno speak. Verbal branding is a refreshing answer to today’s marketing noise and makes marketing messages more authentic and understandable ,” commented Steve Dubin, President of the New England Franchise Association and founder of PR Works, a full-service public relations firm based in Kingston, MA. He continued, “Stephen Melanson is an entertaining and dynamic speaker who quickly shows business audiences how to completely shift their view of the marketing process.”

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 PriceWaterhouseCoppers 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.

Verbal Branding speaks loudly to the New England Franchise Association (NEFA), March 8Read More

ViaMark Advertising wins 2010 Gold ADDY

PLYMOUTH, MA…

ViaMark Advertising recently won a Gold Addy for Best Local 60-second radio commercial for Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream.

ViaMark Advertising opened its doors for business in North Carolina in 1995, opening its northeast headquarters in 2005 in the Boston suburb of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The company now has 12 offices in four states including its Plymouth office.  The Gold ADDY gives ViaMark the ability to showcase the kind of creative talent that supports their local franchise offices.  The firm’s mantra is “Local Minds, National Talent.”

Led by Creative Director Lori McIlwain, ViaMark specializes in developing affordable, unique ad campaigns for retail, automotive, healthcare and service industries.  In addition, Viamark purchases media for clients locally, and throughout the United States.  In New England, ViaMark Advertising represents Silko Honda, Sullivan Brothers Auto Mall, South Shore Diamond Exchange, AJ Marks Jewelers, McLean Hospital and Omega Medical Research.  According to McIlwain, “creating emotional marketing campaigns is the best way to convey a client’s story, and win the customer’s trust. Make them feel safe, and you’ll create a customer for life.  At ViaMark we refer to this as true to life marketing.”  

For the Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream commercial, owner Dave Adami wanted ViaMark to come up with a fun commercial that would vault the Uncle Dave’s brand and increase its notoriety in their local market.  “After all, we are selling fun” says Dave Adami.  Dave contributes significantly to this commercial with his very catchy, locally flavored voice.  Dave is featured in both the beginning and conclusion of the commercial.  “It’s Dee-Licious” is now a phrase that many local consumers recall when thinking of the Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream brand.

Hear the commercial by visiting: http://www.viamark.com. 

ViaMark Advertising’s handles more than 100 accounts from South Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts and specializes in strategic media buying, and creative services, including radio, television, print, and outdoor. Viamark offices are located in Massachusetts (Plymouth), North Carolina (Asheville, Greenville, Jacksonville, New Bern, Raleigh, Research Triangle, Wilmington), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) and South Carolina (Greenville-Spartanburg).

To learn more about Viamark Advertising visit www.Viamark.com or www.viamark.com/plymouth

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Positioning Your Franchise For Growth in the Coming Decade presented by the NEFA

New faces are being drawn to franchising, but how do make sure these escapees from corporate America, recent college grads, women who are circumventing the glass ceiling, and recent American citizens choose your franchise opportunity?  How do you get above the “noise” in the marketplace?

Lynette McKee, CFE, a recognized franchise industry expert, will outline “Positioning Your Franchise For Growth in the Coming Decade”, a program presented by the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) on Tuesday, March 9 at the Doubletree Hotel, 550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA.

The evening includes a cocktail and networking session beginning at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7:00 PM, and then the presentation. 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.

The negative noise includes a deep recession, lack of financing, negative growth, higher taxes, risky times, inflation, foreclosures, high unemployment, stagnation, bankruptcies, underemployed, and more.  These elements make it hard to sign new franchisees.

On the other hand, these noise factors could be considered great opportunities for “frantrepreneurs”.  There is an abundance of real estate, human resources, competitive build outs, tax incentives and reduced competition.

McKee will be talking about ways to “get above” the noise and position your franchise for growth by taking advantage of the great opportunities available in this economy.

McKee was featured in an article in Franchise Times listing the “Top 25 Franchise Executives in the US,” As well as named in the “TOP 20 to Watch” in the 2005 January issue of the Franchise Times.  She holds the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association and been a CFE instructor.  Her franchise career has spanned the last 20 years in the hospitality industry.

McKee, has recently joined Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. as Chief Development Officer, located in Tampa, FL.  She has also served in executive positions at Dunkin’ Brands, Burger King and Metromedia Restaurant Group, parent company for Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern, Steak and Ale, Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse restaurant chains in Dallas, TX.

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 PriceWaterhouseCoppers 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 Jim Coen, (617) 469-3002.

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Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

When it comes to romantic getaways, what’s more important: where you go or what you do? While it’s difficult to argue the inherent romance offered by a tropical vacation or cruise or a ski lodge or remote cabin up in the mountains, sometimes what you pack or that spontaneous little side trip can enhance the intimacy of a romantic getaway.

As the creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, Resort Maps believes travel is about the journey as much as the end destination, particularly when it comes to romantic getaways. Says Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc., “If you reflect on the great trips in your life, some of the best times occur on spontaneous little side trips. In fact, for many people, those side trips end up being more memorable.”

So, what sort of things can you do make your journey more memorable? Hans suggests:

 

·         Renting an automobile instead of using your everyday car. If the temperatures allow it, rent a convertible and ride with the top down.

·         Follow the signs – if you see a sign advertising something that sounds interesting, e.g. homemade ice cream store, stop in.

·         Take plenty of breaks – often times on a road trip, you’ll pass bridges, bodies of waters, shops, etc. that look interesting but you keep going. For your romantic journey, stop and smell the figurative roses and explore those places. Even pulling over on a country road to literally smell the roses or share an intimate moment can be a trip maker.

·         Plan a detour – do a little research on the area where you’ll be driving through and see if there’s anything of interest that could make for a nice little surprise.

While these spontaneous trips or adventures can serve as very tasty appetizers, you still want to enjoy the main course, your destination, as well. To do that will require some forethought.

Some romantic items you may want to include in your packing are:

·         Tea lights or scented candles – remembering the matches or lighter.

·         Luxury bubble bath.

·         Massage oil.

·         Music: an MP3 player and speakers or a CD player and CDs with your favorite love songs.

·         Rose petals to scatter in the bed.

·         Romantic notes to leave on each other’s pillow.

“The beauty of a romantic getaway is that it really can be anything you want it to be, anywhere you want it to be,” said Hans. “By following just a few of these ideas, you can create a trip that you’ll be talking about with your grandkids—perhaps once they are adults.”

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Free to area visitors, each map advertises restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. Each advertiser is represented with a display ad surrounding the map, including a color-coded grid locator and a building drawn, highlighted and labeled making it easy to locate. With landmarks prominently displayed, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to find your way around town whether you are visiting, new to the area or you just want to know what’s happening around your town. 

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

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 90 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), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes, Windsor), Costa Rica (Escazu and Santa Ana) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra, San Juan).

Romantic travel…What to pack and plan for romantic winter getaways.Read More

Lapels Dry Cleaning stores hold clothing drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and Big Sisters of Rhode Island – over TWO TONS collected!

DATELINE: HANOVER, MA…Bag upon bag of donated clothing has been collected and counted and now it’s official… Lapels Dry Cleaning Dry Cleaning stores collected over TWO TONS of clothing during the annual Lapels Clothing Drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and Big Sisters of Rhode Island.

For two weeks in May, patrons of all of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Lapels Dry Cleaning stores heeded the effort to clean out their closets, including the Lapels Dry Cleaning stores in: Abington, Bedford, Beverly, Boston-Charles River Park, Brighton, Concord, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Marshfield, Newtonville, Norton, Randolph, Salem, Sudbury, Walpole, Westford, and Westwood, and Lincoln, RI. Overall, Lapels Dry Cleaning stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island collected over 200 bags, totaling approximately 4,000 pounds of clothing.

Lapels Dry Cleaning franchisee Fred Siegel, who owns and operates the Hanover, MA Lapels Dry Cleaning store, was enthusiastic about participating in the clothing drive that is now in its fifth year. Notes Siegel, “Our bi-annual Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive offers our customers a win-win situation — they can conveniently drop off their unwanted clothing items and give a boost to a worthy organization, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.”

Ken Higgins of the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation of Boston, remarked on the success of the Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive, “In five short years, the Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive has grown from a fledging effort to become a solid source of support. We offer our congratulations and thank you to Lapels Dry Cleaning and salute their ongoing efforts on behalf of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.”

The Lincoln Rhode Island Lapels Dry Cleaning store also collected clothing donations that benefitted the Big Sisters of Rhode Island. Spokesperson for the Big Sisters of Rhode Island in Cranston, Kaurie McDermott, also thanked Lapels Dry Cleaning, saying, “On behalf of the Big Sisters of Rhode Island I would like to thank Lapels Dry Cleaning for continuing to sponsor this drive, which provides their customers with the opportunity to “go green” and help the environment, while also helping young at-risk girls. The continued support of Lapels Dry Cleaning is greatly appreciated, particularly in these uncertain economic times.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters picks up the gently used clothing collected by Lapels Dry Cleaning stores and distributes it to consignment shops. The net profits from the sales of these items are distributed back to Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, supporting their mission to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. The Big Sisters of Rhode Island picks up the gently used clothing collected by the Lincoln, RI Lapels Dry Cleaning store and those items are sold directly to our partner, Savers.  The proceeds from these items support our mentoring programs for girls at-risk, between the ages of 4 and 18.

As a former big brother, Lapels Dry Cleaning CEO Lawrence Friedman knows firsthand the impact the Big Brother Big Sister program can have, “It’s an absolutely amazing experience to watch the progress of children involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. We would like to thank all of the Lapels Dry Cleaning customers and franchisees who so generously support our clothing drives – they really do make a difference.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves over 200,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states, establishing successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all. Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring makes a huge difference for the youth it serves by helping at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face.

Lapels Dry Cleaning Community Commitment
Being a good neighbor isn’t just a slogan at Lapels Dry Cleaning, where community involvement is a tradition. Lapels Dry Cleaning proudly partners with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation of Boston, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and the American Red Cross.

A Rising Star
The New England Franchise Association ranks Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of the Top 10 fastest growing franchises in New England. In addition, the Lapels Dry Cleaning Franchise Program has made the ranking for the Top 30 Franchise Organizations  <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dmuvpgcab.0.0.lotaka67.0&ts=S0293&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nefranchise.org%2Ftop30.htm&id=preview> based in New England.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has also been ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

Store Locations
Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Massachusetts (Abington, Bedford, Beverly, Boston, Brighton, Concord, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Marshfield, Newtonville, Norton, Randolph, Salem, Sudbury, Walpole, Westford, and Westwood); Rhode Island (Lincoln); California (Pomona and Poway); Florida (Orlando); Georgia (Duluth); Idaho (Boise); New Hampshire (Hooksett); South Carolina (Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach); Texas (Arlington, Garland, Granbury, Murphy, and Plano); Washington (Kirkland and Seattle).  Coming soon to Destin, FL; Wilmington, MA; Edmond, OK and Bloomsburg, PA.

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
A full slate of services are offered at each Lapels Dry Cleaning store, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage.

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.  To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email admin@lapelsdrycleaning.com <mailto:admin@lapelsdrycleaning.com> . Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com <http://www.lapelsdrycleaning.com> .

Lapels Dry Cleaning stores hold clothing drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and Big Sisters of Rhode Island – over TWO TONS collected!Read More

A new, environmentally friendly Lapels Dry Cleaning Store opens in Seattle, WA. Grand Opening Celebration May 30.

DATELINE: HANOVER, MA AND SEATTLE, WA… Lapels Dry Cleaning, an innovative, environmentally friendly dry cleaning company headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the latest addition to its growing nationwide family of retail stores. On May 9, the first Lapels Dry Cleaning store in Seattle opened for business at 8345 15th Avenue N.W. This new Lapels Dry Cleaning store will be open 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday; 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday; and 12 pm to 3 pm on Sunday.

The Grand Opening Celebration, scheduled for May 30, will include a giveaway drawing featuring a free dinner for four at a neighborhood restaurant, as well as a second prize drawing for an iPod nano. Area residents will also receive postcards good for 50% off the cost of their first dry cleaning order.

Local entrepreneurs Carl and Nora Robinson, the previous owners of Caffe Zingaro, will own and operate Seattle’s first Lapels Dry Cleaning store. “There are very few environmentally friendly dry cleaning operations in Seattle and Lapels Dry Cleaning fills an important need by providing an environmentally progressive alternative,” notes Carl Robinson. “We’re excited to be able to offer area residents the option of the most technically advanced, environmentally friendly dry cleaning service available at our new our Lapels Dry Cleaning Store, introducing on premise cleaning utilizing FIRBIMATIC’S Eco Green Saver machine.”

The Lapels Seattle store will offer environmentally safe ONE – HOUR dry cleaning on the premise on most garments, as well as VIP service utilizing a personalized laundry bag with the option of 24-hour drop off. Same day service will also be available with pick-up after 5 pm.

“We want to congratulate Carl and Nora on the Grand Opening of their new Lapels Dry Cleaning store, and we look forward to an ongoing relationship as we continue to provide guidance and support at the corporate level to help ensure the success of their new dry cleaning store,” remarked Lapels Dry Cleaning CEO Lawrence Friedman. “We’re also proud that their Seattle Lapels Dry Cleaning store will offer the most ecologically sophisticated dry cleaning process available, continuing to advance Lapels Dry Cleaning’s corporate goal of providing environmentally friendly service.”

FIRBIMATIC Saver – better for you, our employees, the earth AND better for your clothes
Utilizing odorless, ecological solvents the FIRBIMATIC Saver series is delicate on garments, minimizing the risk of shrinking, fading, and discoloring. It is designed to help cleaners lower their utility usage, and it also eliminates the production of hazardous waste since it doe not employ a still, unlike conventional dry cleaning systems.

The FIRBIMATIC Saver uses a high-tech filtration combination of nylon spinning disc filters and a special decanter with filtering powder to purify the solvent by accurately removing moisture, odors and fatty acids. Relevant savings in labor, electricity and maintenance costs can be obtained because the saver filtration combination doesn’t use conventional distillation and therefore doesn’t require an external steam supply for drying or supplementary heating coils.  It can also be equipped with an innovative air-cooled refrigeration system that requires no water connection at all, which means that during installation of the machine, only electric and air connections are required.

Lapels Dry Cleaning Community Commitment
Being a good neighbor isn’t just a slogan at Lapels Dry Cleaning, where community involvement is a tradition. Lapels Dry Cleaning proudly partners with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation of Boston, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and the American Red Cross.

A Rising Star
Lapels Dry Cleaning is ranked as one of the Top 10 fastest growing franchises in New England by the New England Franchise Association. In addition, the Lapels Dry Cleaning Franchise Program has made the ranking for the Top 30 Franchise Organizations based in New England.

Lapels Dry Cleaning has also been ranked in Entrepreneur’s 26th Annual “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels Dry Cleaning as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

Store Locations
Lapels Dry Cleaning has stores in Massachusetts (Abington, Bedford, Beverly, Boston-Charles River Park, Brighton, Concord, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Marshfield, Newtonville, Norton, Randolph, Salem, Sudbury, Walpole, Westford, and Westwood); Rhode Island (Lincoln); Arizona (Peoria); California (Pomona and Poway); Florida (Orlando); New Hampshire (Hooksett); South Carolina (Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach); Texas (Arlington, Garland, Granbury, Murphy, and Plano); Washington (Kirkland); and Washington, DC. Coming soon to Duluth, GA; Destin, FL; Boise, ID; Wilmington, MA; Edmond, OK and Bloomsburg, PA.

Lapels Dry Cleaning – Environmentally Friendly Cleaners
A full slate of services are offered at each Lapels Dry Cleaning store, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown preservation; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage.

Lapels Dry Cleaning corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339.  To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels Dry Cleaning, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email admin@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.

A new, environmentally friendly Lapels Dry Cleaning Store opens in Seattle, WA. Grand Opening Celebration May 30.Read More

AAFD partners with SalesNexus to offer AAFD chapters and members premier contact management software solutions.

San Diego, CA…

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers recently announced a partnership with SalesNexus LLC, a leading provider of online customer relationship management.

The Houston-based SalesNexus developed AAFD Member Management, Web-based customer relationship database services, specifically for AAFD’s headquarters. Starting in 2009, this cutting-edge customer relationship management support will be an incorporated feature of AAFD Member Management, giving all AAFD chapters access to their membership data.

“Before this agreement, only AAFD staff had direct access to member data. That’s pretty common with most member management software. With SalesNexus customizing the AAFD Member Management platform, we can offer all our chapters direct access to member data at a fraction of the cost of stand alone software,” said AAFD President Peter Hanson. “This is really something we’ve wanted to offer our chapters for quite some time, but it took the brilliance of SalesNexus to provide a platform that satisfied AAFD chapter’s specific needs.”

By using SalesNexus services, each AAFD chapter will have a license to access their association’s data on a secure basis.  This gives each association the capability to directly use their data to track membership and renewal campaigns, to directly communicate with members and to manage association initiatives. 

In addition to AAFD chapters having access to AAFD Member Management, all AAFD members can purchase SalesNexus’s Web-based contact management solution at a significantly reduced rate.

“This is another great perk to being an AAFD member. The basic SalesNexus solution we’re offering our members averages out to about a $1 a day for an award-winning, secure contact management solution that’s not going to take up space on their hard drive, that they’re not going to have to upgrade every other year at about a third to half the price of comparable products,” said Hanson.

SalesNexus is a leading provider of online CRM solutions for small and medium sized businesses.  SalesNexus enables business owners to easily and affordably create workflows that fit the business’ unique selling and service processes without the need for internal IT resources.

Craig Klein, founder and CEO of SalesNexus, expressed his excitement about the new partnership. “Our association with AAFD is a classic win, win, win, relationship,” said Klein.  He added, “SalesNexus wins simply by being associated with the industry’s most respected franchisee advocate. In addition, SalesNexus will work closely with AAFD personnel to enable the AAFD to provide unmatched value to its chapter members and empower chapters to leverage automation to represent their members more efficiently.” 

About the AAFD
The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, the AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised locations throughout the United States. The AAFD has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.
The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark

Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.
For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

AAFD partners with SalesNexus to offer AAFD chapters and members premier contact management software solutions.Read More

Franchise Financing: Keys to Success in the Current Economic Climate

New England Franchise Association (NEFA) will present ” Franchise Financing: Keys to Success in the Current Economic Climate” on Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Marriot Hotel, 1000 Marriott Drive, Quincy.

 

The panel discussion will outline how successful franchise development requires franchisors to stay up to date on all financing options available.  Expert panelists include Anne Rice Hunt, Finance Chief, U.S Small Business Administration; Barbara Arena, CIT Small Business Lending, Senior Regional Account Manager; Bill Rowland, Equity America Mortgage Services; Itamar Chalif, Atlantic Capital Solutions; and Tom McDonald, IRA Rollover Solutions.  The discussion will be moderated by Constantine (Dean) Fournaris, Partner, Wiggin and Dana.

 

In today’s economy one of the biggest concerns of a franchise system is how and where to get capital for franchisees to start their business or ways for franchisees to keep it running or to finance their growth.  This panel discussion is valuable for each member of your franchise development team as well as for existing franchisees, or prospective franchisees interested in expansion.  You will learn how banks and other lending organizations evaluate franchisee loan applications, and the types of funding that is available, even in these unsettled financial times.

 

The evening includes a cocktail and networking session beginning at 5:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, and then the presentation. 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.  All NEFA Members get $10.00 off.

For information regarding NEFA membership visit www.nefranchise.org.

 

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 PriceWaterhouseCoppers on behalf of the International Franchise Association (IFA) found that in New England over 875,000 jobs area 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 NEFA Executive Director Jim Coen, (617) 469-3002.

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