Logo
'Our Business is Helping Your Business'

NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2009

In This Issue
May's Luncheon Speaker
Chamber Board Members
May's Luncheon Sponsor
Member Spotlight
May's Luncheon Speaker
Hats Off to Hattie
Want to Contribute?
Special Event Marketing
Recap of the April Luncheon
Should You Consider Refinancing?
Your Spring to-do list
May's Chamber Luncheon
Senior Appreciation Lunch
 
Sponsor a Senior!
  
Our next luncheon will honor Streetsboro high school seniors with a gpa of 3.0 or better. We will be hosting 66 seniors! 
 
We need sponsors for  these seniors!  Please let the Chamber office know if you are interested.
 
The luncheon will be May 13, at Twin Lakes Country Club. Networking opportunities begin at 11:30am followed by lunch and our featured
presentation. Cost is $15.00 for chamber members and $17.00 for non-members.
To register please emailor call the Streetsboro Chamber office at 330-626-4769. Reservations are required in advance.
 
Meet your Chamber Board Members
President
Bill Griffith
Griffith Consulting
Immediate Past President
Bruce Felber  Felber & Felber Marketing
1st Vice President
Rick Shaffer Shaffer Design Works
2nd Vice President
Steve Schwartz HoneyBaked Ham
Treasurer
Cheryl DeCavitch HomeSavings Bank
Regular Board
David Christopher
Integrity Home Evaluation Services, LLC
Amy Wright Frankie & Dylan's Collision Center
Bobi Ryczek Western Southern Life
Natasha Squier
Third Federal Savings 
Greg Weigle Reach Local
Joe Snee Deluxe Corporation
Ex-Officio
Chief Richard Taiclet Streetsboro Police Dept.
Linda T. Keller Superintendent Streetsboro City Schools
 
May's Chamber Luncheon Sponsor:
 
ReMax/Haven
 
Our luncheon sponsor is Barbara Kachenko of ReMax/Haven.
 
Need help finding your dream home?  Just tell them what you are looking for and they will search all of their sources and provide you with a convenient report of all the properties that you may be interested in complete with photographs of the properties and detailed neighborhood information.
Thinking about selling your home?  They have a proven track record selling real estate throughout Northeast Ohio.  They listen carefully to understand your goals and guide you through the entire process of selling your property from listing to sale. 
 
You can contact Barbara by calling (330) 388-2771 or emailing her.

Advertise with Us!
Chamber Member Pricing:
Business Card sized-ads,
full color
3 months-$105
6 months-$190
 
 Email or call for details
 
 
lunch holiday 
This Month's
 featured Chamber Member:
 
Professional 
 Photography 
Ann Harper of Professional 
Photography
is the newest member of the Chamber.  Her company provides photographic services for weddings, business events, sporting events and any special occasion.  They also do portrait packages. Currently, Professional Photography is offering Chamber members a 20% discount on any photo package.
They can be reached by calling 330-554-4576 or emailing Ann
 
Welcome to the Chamber, Ann!
Looking to find what events are happening with the Streetsboro City Schools?  Click
 here
to view their 
Calendar.
Rockets Logo
 
May's Chamber Luncheon Speaker
Bob Coppedge 
Bob Coppedge talks about
Care for and Feeding of (or starting) an IT Career

Under the best of circumstances, a career in IT (Information Technology) isn't for the faint of heart.  In times like these, it's even more so.  It sounds like nothing but gloom and doom out there.  However there are many things we can do about it.  And surprisingly, many of these options can be had at little or no cost.
 
How do we keep up with our technical skills, when companies are slashing their internal training budgets?  What are the latest "hot technologies?"  Is certification valuable?  What are "soft skills," and why are they so hard (yup, it's a pun) to find?
 
 
Bob Coppedge, President of Simplex-IT (www.Simplex-IT.com), a local IT Managed Services provider will be May's luncheon speaker.  Bob is a 30 year veteran of the IT business.  He holds far more IT certifications than most people think is appropriate.  His articles have been in local publications such as Inside Business and The Plain Dealer.  Bob is also a graduate of the famed Second City's Improvisational Conservatory, so his presentations are always...unique.

Bill Closeup
"Hats Off to Hattie" Charity Fundraiser
 
(for the benefit of Hattie Larlham)

Liberty Corners Plaza - Streetsboro

(corner of Rt. 43 & Market Square Drive by the clock tower)

Saturday, June 6, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Email Steve Schwartz or Kathy Hammond or call 330-274-2272 for more details!

 logo hattie

What's happening around town? The calendar for the City of Streestboro can be viewed by clicking here.
nature shot
 
Want to CONTRIBUTE
 info...events...
kudos...advertising
TO THE NEWSLETTER?
Let Julie know! Email by clicking her name or by calling her at 440-759-5327.
 
Welcome to the New Chamber Director!
Meghan Urbon

 
Meghan Urbon has recently been named the new Executive Director for the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce.  
 
Meghan will be responsible for membership development, fundraising, networking events, community relations, and administrative functions.
 
Meghan, a graduate of Hiram College obtained her B.S. in Communications and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Communication and Leadership Studies through the distance learning program at Gonzaga University.  She has previously worked at Coleman Professional Services, a non-profit mental health agency headquartered in Kent, overseeing their public relations and marketing across five counties. She also has been a coach for Hudson High School's girl's soccer program for the past two years.
 
"Through my experience attending Hiram College and working for Coleman", Megan states, "I have had the chance to see many positive developments in Portage County, most specifically in Streetsboro. New businesses are developing and populating Streetsboro and it is the perfect time to be working in the Chamber.  I'm excited about this opportunity to lead the Chamber, along with the Board, and continue the positive momentum that has been created. There are many great opportunities and benefits the Chamber has to offer that I truly believe in, and I think, especially in these economic times, the partnerships and networking opportunities will continue to move Streetsboro forward into brighter a future."
 
An official welcome program will be announced to help introduce Meghan to the business and community membership.
Mark your Calendar
for these upcoming Chamber Events... 
 
TWO IN ONE DAY EVENTS.... 
#1  Industrial Round Table
"The Top 10 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Business" 

Wednesday, April 29th from 8:00am to 10:00am  
Hosted by and located at Step 2, (in their Showroom) at 10010 Hudson Aurora Road, in  Streetsboro
Free and open to Manufacturers in Streetsboro and surrounding areas only
Speaker: Ted Janusz
Senior Account Executive
Lakeland Community College
Center for Business and Industry
 
AND
 
#2  Women in Business
"Give 'Em the PICKLE" 

Wednesday, April 29th from 11:30am to 1:00pm  
Sponsored by Classic Nissan
Twin Lakes Country Club, Kent, OH
Cost: Chamber Members $15, Non-members $17

Speaker: Ted Janusz
Senior Account Executive
Lakeland Community College
Center for Business and Industry
(www.giveemthepickle.com)
 
 
Monthly Chamber Luncheon Honoroing Streetsboro High School Seniors - Sponsors Needed!
Wednesday, May 13th
Twin Lakes Country Club
11:30am to 1:00pm 
 
Streetsboro Family Days and First Ever Rib Fest
May 14th thru 17th
Market Square Plaza parking lot
Sponsored by Giant Eagle
For more information, visit www.streetsborofamilydays.org  
Special Event Marketing - Does it Make Sense with Limited Budgets? Bruce
By Bruce Felber
 
Attend a trade show, open house, golf outing, seminar and/or business social event within the past year? I bet you answered yes. Now think about why you attended these events. Some of the most common answers are to: "increase my knowledge about my industry," "learn about new product or service offerings," or, "just to have fun and meet new people."

Why we still attend
With the economy struggling on several fronts, why are organizations and companies still attending, and more importantly, participating in special events? Besides commiserating together about the economy and the social aspects of gatherings, some of the leading factors are that companies want to:
-Network their way to more sales opportunities
-Create relationships with economic buyers
-Showcase products and services to a highly-qualified group
-Foster "good will" with current clients and employees
-Support and be seen supporting charitable causes
-Increase company visibility and 'top of mind' awareness
The list can go on and on but the bottom line in today's business climate - it may be the most economical way to get more bang for your buck.

Sales call expenses
Consider the cost to make a sales call. You have the mileage/auto expense, travel, meals, lodging and time with the prospect, not to mention literature expense and the time required to follow-up after your call. Now, take all these expenses and multiply several times for each and every contact; adds up fast, huh? Obviously, the big factor is the time. How many sales calls can you make in a given week? The saying "time is money" may be old, but never more true than right now. Special events allow you to reduce the cost per contact in a larger group setting and influence your prospect or customer for longer periods of time.

Make it Successful
So what can you do to make these events successful? Knowing your target is the key to success; choose the venue that is sure to draw the prospect out. The attraction may be a cool, new restaurant or even the tour of the facility. Or, the venue may be theme related such as an exclusive golf club, complete with free swing analysis with the local PGA Pro. The time of week, month and season may also have an influence on the outcome.
Make sure your pre-event promotion is focused, fun and designed to attract attention. Focus your messages and graphics and ensure the delivery is timed to allow sufficient reaction time. Don't forget to involve the appropriate trade or business media to maximize event publicity.

Take the extra step to synchronize invitations and collateral with event signage, themed decorations and entertainment. The flow of the event from how to greet people, what to hand out, how to handle requests and questions is also critical; make sure to train and assign the right people to these tasks. Don't forget to display and communicate your products and services.

Finishing Touches
How you follow-up and say thank you is critical. Don't leave people hanging; this is not a suspense thriller. Practice what you preach and follow-up immediately after the event. Five to seven days is the maximum window of follow-up time; anything after seven days is irrelevant. If you value the attendees' opinions, consider an email survey (a short one) within the first 24 hours.
 
Special events can be very profitable, but know your desired expectations and be realistic on how quickly people will take action on the information you presented. Above all have fun with the event. Do not make it a chore. Use the time in the spotlight to really hit a home run.

For more tips on how to develop your next special event or trade show, email Bruce. 
 
A Recap of the April Chamber Luncheon
 
Chamber Benefits Explained
 
April's luncheon meeting featured Vicky Hawke, Executive Director of NOACC.
lunch holiday 
Vicky explained the benefits to chamber members based on our affiliation with NOACC. As a provider of Anthem Insurance, members can save money with the group plans and number of members. Another great benefit is the Worker's Compensation Insurance group plans. NOACC is the largest multi-chamber organization in the state with over 120 association members. Members also can take advantage of payroll processing, freight services and office supplies. For more info visit NOACC's website

 
 lunch holiday
Mendy Palumbo of Curtis Professional Group, the luncheon sponsor.
April chamber misc onlookers
Luncheon attendees enjoy a good meal and a nice atmosphere at Twin Lakes Country Club.
 
Should YOU Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage?   
Information provided by Cheryl DeCavitch of
Home Savings - Streetsboro
          

With mortgage rates being very low these days, many homeowners are considering refinancing their mortgages in an effort to improve their individual financial situations. There are numerous factors that go into determining whether refinancing would be beneficial, including your current mortgage interest rate, other outstanding debt obligations and length of time you plan to stay in the home. While there are many reasons for refinancing, it's important for a homeowner to determine whether his or her reason offers true benefit.
Interest rate reduction - Obtaining a lower rate reduces your monthly mortgage payment and long-term interest costs, which can improve your monthly cash flow. For example: If you have a $150,000 mortgage loan with a fixed-rate of 6.50% and refinanced today at a 4.875% rate, you could reduce your monthly payment by approximately $155.
 
Converting from an adjustable rate to a fixed rate - Periodic adjustments can often result in rate increases that end up making the rate higher than the current fixed-rates being offered. Converting also offers you the stability of a fixed rate and level mortgage payments.
 
Converting from a fixed rate to an adjustable rate - Converting from a fixed rate to an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) may make sense in a falling interest rate environment. If rates continue to fall, the periodic rate adjustments on an ARM result in decreasing rates and smaller monthly mortgage payments, eliminating the need to refinance every time rates drop.
 
Consolidating debt - It makes sense to pay off obligations with high interest rates, such as credit cards, installment loans or other types of loans. Not only can the interest rate on your refinanced mortgage be much lower, but having only one monthly payment can also greatly improve cash flow and allow you to establish a savings plan for future and/or unexpected expenses. This option may also offer tax advantages, which can be best explained by a tax advisor.
 
Reducing the loan term - Refinancing to a lower rate without much change in the monthly payment can shorten the length of your loan and, in turn, reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. In addition, paying off the loan sooner helps to build equity in your home faster.
 
Turning home equity into cash - By refinancing more than your loan balance, you may be able to take out a new mortgage for up to 95% of your home value to cover big expenses, such as college education or home improvements.
 
Refinancing can be a great financial move if it reduces your mortgage payment, shortens the term of your loan or helps you to build equity more quickly. When used carefully, it can also be a valuable tool in getting your debt under control. 
Spring Outdoor To-Do List 

By Greg Dvornicky, Award-winning Gardener 

 Hurray! Spring has finally returned to Northeast Ohio! Whether you're new to gardening, or have been at it for years, here is a general overview to help you along to prepare for the season...
 
Now is a good time to clean any debris from last fall that may have been missed or that old man winter might have brought during his visit.  Try not to remove mature trees unless damaged or diseased...heaven knows we need them here!  You will want to invest in a good pair of pruners that will stand up well with regular use. Remove broken branches or hanging limbs of bushes and trees as they can host pests, disease and pose a danger to those beneath them!  Discard or burn diseased wood to prevent spreading of certain viruses and/or insect larvae (check with local authorities in your region on both!). 

Start a yard diagram/chart and take note of what is already established and where, how well it performed, and what is too crowded and may need to be divided next year. This is essential and extremely helpful for people who are experiencing the growing season for the first time in a new home - and go gentle on weeding, until you know what is what.  General rule of thumb, if the plant comes out easy it's a flower, requires a serious tug or dig, it's a weed.  
 
In general, if nothing seems to grow well, start by looking at the obvious. Is there enough sunshine? If not, plant shade loving flowers or groundcovers. If there is plenty of sun, but still no luck, you may just have to put your head down...and look into your soil. That's right, into, not just at your dirt.  It may be helpful to have it tested - and will ultimately save time and money.  From the results, you can determine what, if any nutrients are lacking or overabundant and make slight adjustments until your soil is healthy enough to give energy to the plants that you so enjoy. Have you been applying chemical pesticides that have killed off all the 'good-guy' microbes in your soil?  Not to worry, if you stop applying they will return! Adding organic matter to your garden will improve it, whether it's shredded up leaves in the fall, or well-aged manure in the early spring, or even used coffee grounds from your local Starbucks or McDonalds.  Starting your own compost pile is easy and effective too! Don't forget to mulch your new beds to help regulate temperature and retain moisture.  
 
Garden wise, early spring is a good time to plant lettuce, onions, carrots and potatoes. If you haven't started your tomatoes in your basement under fluorescent lights, or ordered them from your favorite mail-catalog company, you'll have to wait until they offer them at a local garden center near you. Keep tabs on weeds, watch for bad bugs and critters that might harm your flower beds or crops and take appropriate precautions against them. 
 
Utilize your local library as a source for thousands of books about gardening - or the computer where you can surf the net for tips and new ideas!
 
The way the economy is looking, it just might pay-off to start a vegetable garden... or a strawberry patch...or a peach orchard...or a blueberry stand...or apples...or pears or... 
 
Until next time - happy gardening!
 
Member to Member Discounts
 
New offers have been added....take a look!
 
A benefit to being a member of the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce is the discounts that our members offer to each other. If your business is not listed here, and you would like for it to be, please contact the Chamber office with your details. (To be listed here, you must be a paid, up-to-date member of the SACC.)
 
 
Member                                       Discount
 
Aurora Farms Premium Outlet     Free VIP Coupon
Claude Hopkins                        Book
(330) 562-2000                       ($5 retail value)
 
Great Lakes Hyundai                Receive 1st year
Bob Petris                              of oil changes free
(330) 422-1212                      with the purchase
                                           of a new or used
                                           car.
Also receive a 10% discount on any service.
Bring a copy of this ad to receive this discount.
 
Re/MAX Traditions                  Free extensive
Cindy Mustafa                       market analysis for
(216) 408-1513                     your home
"Buy or sell your home with
me, and your Home Warranty is Free".
 
Teresa's Pizza                        20% off. Excludes all
Billy Smith                             other offers.
330-422-0050
 
Classic Nissan of                    1% over invoice on 
Streetsboro                           all new cars (except
835 Classic Drive                    370Z & GTR models).
330-422-7300
 
Mr. Handyman                        25% off standard
Dave DeCapito                        rates
 
Professional Photography          20% off any photo
Ann Harper                             package
330-554-4576
 
ReMax/Haven                          Your choice of
Barbara Kachenko                     carpet or house
(330) 388-2771                        cleaning after
[email protected]             moving out or
                                             before moving in if
                                             you buy/sell with us