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Greetings!
Thank you for subscribing to the SSWBN Newsletter. Our mission is to provide you with Contacts, Coaching, Collaboration, Community.
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From the Executive Director |
 | | Katie Howard |
Dear Members and Colleagues:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. -- Mahatma Gandhi
This has always been one of my favorite quotes, and it fits so well as we launch our brand-new education program. As an organization, the last thing we ever want is to do the same thing over and over again. Change is good, right? So, after six months of surveys and a lot of discussion, in April we will launch SSWBN Business Development Mastermind Groups.
A mastermind group is simply an alliance of two or more individuals dedicating themselves to a specific goal. The benefits of having a supportive mastermind group are plenty:
- You have a group of people available to help you succeed
- You get the benefit of differing perspectives, input and feedback.
- Your mastermind team can bring resources and connections to the table you might not have had on your own.
- You receive accountability and inspiration from the group, thus enabling you to maintain focus in achieving your goals.
Information source: CLICK HERE
We have a group for everyone!
Business Development Mastermind Group 1
This group is for new businesses looking to grow with a focus on basic growth concepts.
Business Development Mastermind Group 2
This group is for businesses that are established and are ready to go to the next level. This group will focus on sustainability.
Business Development Mastermind Group 3
This group is for businesses that were established 10+ years ago and are looking to go to their next level. This group will focus on harvest/legacy.
Groups will consist of six people maximum and will meet for presentations every other week (or so) for two months. For dates, details and pricing click here. Space is obviously limited, so register soon!
Thanks for sticking with us as we change things up to make sure that we continue to support our mission of providing our members with Contacts, Coaching, Collaboration & Community.
Katie
781-696-9901 * khoward@sswbn.org
Dedicated to the success of our members through Contacts, Coaching and Collaboration - our mission. |
Message from the President | |
 | | Terri Martini |
As I write this, the winds of the storm are howling. High tide is in two hours. If ever I needed the "Luck of the Irish" it would be this week! I have been trying very hard to block out the blizzard of 2013 -- power loss and overflowing tides in Scituate are a given, it seems, when a storm hits -- and just when I thought it was time for short sleeved shirts ... Bam! Thank you, Mother Nature!
I really love the month of March. The season is changing, well most of the time, and it brings us just a little closer to summer.
Scituate's St. Patrick's Day Parade day is always the highlight of this month! Hundreds of participants trail along the streets of Scituate creating smiles as they go by. Children and adults laughing and catching candy while swaying to the music. This is the time to take the business hat off, let your hair down, so to speak, and have a good time!
The best part is that at the end of the parade my home is full of friends and family enjoying the best corned beef and cabbage around. This is the one dinner I am not allowed to cook! This is the dinner where, whether it's six or 60 people at my house, my mother and new fellow SSWBN member, Ruthann Martini (Italian by marriage), are the only ones allowed in my kitchen. It's a wonderful day!
So if you are out and about on that fine day when everyone is Irish, stop by and "aumentar o seu cristal da pinta." (raise your pint glass).
Happy St Patrick's Day, my friends!
Terri
terrimartini@frontstreetgourmet.com
http://www.frontstreetgourmet.com
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About the Law - Barry Gordon, GMO |
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Barry Gordon
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Redefine IRE
For most people the word IRE means 'anger.' For others IRE stands for INTERNATIONAL RECYCLING EXPO. For many in the month of March, with St. Patrick's Day just around the corner clearly IRE stands for 'Ireland.'
I have created another definition for IRE: an acronym which stands for Involve, Resolve, Evolve.
Based upon the experience I have gained during my years of practice, and the turmoil I have witnessed in clients' lives, I have expanded my law practice to cover new businesses, existing businesses and businesses in transition in a brand new way.
Working with families and their businesses is extremely rewarding for me. I involve counselors, accountants, business brokers and other professionals as necessary. Everyone has to become fully involved.
Every issue as to be put on the table, talked through and resolved. Each person must be willing to transform, accommodate or separate. That way each person evolves and families and businesses grow and survive.
Call me, Barry Gordon, and let's talk and let's see how IRE'd up you can get.
Barry
Barry Gordon
Gordon, Mond & Ott
(617) 786-0800.
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SSWBN Connections
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Kristen Ford Hernandez
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It's been a great start to the year for networking. I continue to receive an outpouring of thanks and connections that were made. Thank you all taking the time to get these to me.
Anna Linzi of Lightheart Enterprises would like to thank Paula Lind of O'Donoghue Insurance for "saving us over $100 on our car insurance. Also, thanks to Lori Cook of A Fork in the Road for a great lasagna and stuffed mushrooms for our pot luck party contributions!"
Courtney Newcomb of Arrange South Shore submitted the following: "Thank you very much to Allerton House, a senior community in Hingham, who has hired me to manage 11 in-house moves within their community. Allerton House has made the decision to build a custom Memory Care Unit specific to the needs of the residents at Allerton House. They want each move completed in one day, so that the routine of the resident is not disturbed. Allerton is a very special place and I am looking forward to working with Carol Taylor and Tom Karnes to make these moves as smooth as possible," she said. "I am grateful to Lynda Chuckran who oversees each of the Welch properties for her support. I have asked Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap to assist me with these moves. I look forward to ensuring that these moves will be a smooth transition for each of the residents. Congratulations to Allerton House for continuing to serve the needs of your senior community!"
Joe Hernandez of Premiere Pros also wants to thank Paula Lind of O'Donoghue Insurance for helping Premiere with their insurance needs. Joe said, "The transition was very easy and Paula went above and beyond to make sure we were adequately covered. Thank you Paula."
Joe also thanks Phyllis Wenzel of Image Resolutions for re-contracting Premiere Pros to paint their office. "We appreciate their loyalty," said Joe.
Thanks go to Kathleen Regan of Insphere Insurance Solutions for providing Patty Funder and LaserLight for Men and Women with outstanding service in changing over and updating insurance products. "Kathleen had the patience of Job when it came to explaining to me my options in a number of areas where I needed coverage. She knows her business, and she is a joy with whom to work," said Patty.
Thank you again and remember: Spring is right around the corner!! Have a great month!
Kristen
Kristen Ford-Hernandez
Enterprise Marketing
www.enterprisemktg.com
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Above and Beyond | |
 | | Lynn Feingold |
This month brought seemingly endless cold days and heaps of snow, but it also brought media opportunities for at least two of our members!
Double congratulations for Michelle Lydon of Lydon Wedding Chapel this month. Lydon Chapel is a winner of the prestigious Bride's Choice Awards® 2013 for WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding marketplace. Lydon Chapel was also featured in a special story on Maria Stephanos' Real People, Real Stories series on FOX 25. If you missed it, catch the clip here: Real People, Real Stories: Michelle Lydon.
Kudos to Kristin Foristall of Sweet K, recently featured in a story demonstrating how to bake and construct cookie bouquets, on Sarah French's The Dish. The special how-to segment was filmed in Kristin's home kitchen and aired on both Channel 56 and Channel 7 -- but you can view it here: The Dish: Kristin Foristall.
Congratulations to Patty Funder, who has not only added new laser equipment to LaserLight for Men and Women, but who introduces a new Medical Director as well. "Adding the fractional skin resurfacing laser and the medical leadership of Dr. Edgar Ballenas, LaserLight steps up to the next level of growth," said Patty. "In 2013 we expect to make a number of additions to LaserLight, and I am very proud of the team who has helped us to grow."
Spring is coming -- a season of renewal!
Look for new opportunities and shake off the winter! If you have a special achievement to celebrate and share with the Network please send me an email by clicking on this link: Above and Beyond
Lynn
Lynn Feingold
colonialsongs@aol.com
www.songsofthecolonialdays.com
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Networking Nova | |
Each month the SSWBN Membership Team recognizes a member who exemplifies the qualities of a Networking Nova, a person who embodies the Network's core values of coaching, contacts and collaboration; someone who is visible at many SSWBN events and who treats others with respect and dignity.
In addition, this person utilizes the Network to build his/her business and helps others do the same.
Susan Desmarais, Tzell Travel's Queen:
Give the Group Time to Get to Know You
Since joining the SSWBN in October 2012, I have made the most out of my membership by making it to as many meetings as possible. Participating in the November pre-Holiday Breakfast sale provided a lot of exposure, and probably more importantly, gave me an opportunity to meet and get to know a good number of members. I have found the group to be very warm and welcoming.
My participation in the Network has given me a chance to gain exposure for my business -- and get me out of my solitary office once in a while!
My recommendation to any member would be to come to meetings and socialize -- enjoy yourself. I believe that people tend to do business with those they know and trust, so give the group time to get to know you.
Tzell is one of the largest travel companies in the U.S. For example, we are Royal Caribbean's Number 1 producer nationwide, and we did over $4 billion in air tickets alone last year.
Because of this, our buying power is incredible. We are able to attain 'perks' for our clients (upgrades, preferred rates, onboard credits, preferred hotel rooms, breakfast included, special amenities, etc.) that they would never get had they booked on their own.
I love to consistently over-deliver for my clients! (Check out what clients say about my services on LinkedIn!)
Susan Desmarais
Tzell Travel
781.556.5091
sdesmarais@tzell.com |
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OUR PARTNERS
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GOLD PARTNER
SILVER PARTNERS
BRONZE PARTNER |
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serves as your Managing Editor of the SSWBN Compass.
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E-newsletter designed by
Kristen Ford-Hernandez,
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Featured Business
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Name: Kristen Ford-Hernandez
Title: Owner
Business: Enterprise Marketing
How did you come to be in this line of work?
I have been in Sales and Marketing for 20 years and began doing full-time marketing for my husband's and my business, Premiere Pros. I have always had a passion for developing strategies to help businesses increase their sales and their success.
What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
First and foremost, my passion and sincere desire to help my clients comes through in the excitement and energy I bring to the table. Secondly, the years of experience that I have in advertising sales and in survey software sales have given me an "insider's understanding" of what kind of marketing will get the attention of your potential customers. Third, I have developed a transparent way of doing business, so that my clients know exactly what they are paying for and they get an accurate accounting of my time.
Describe your dream/perfect/ best customer.
I love new businesses. Typically, they're focused on so many things to get their business up and running that they don't have time to do as much marketing as they want and need to do. I partner with them to implement cost-effective marketing strategies, and in the end increase their sales to a level that far surpasses the reasonable fees that I charge.
What changes are happening, or can you predict happening soon, within your industry?
With the internet as the current primary vehicle for marketing, change comes so fast you have to be quick to anticipate it. With the number of social media sites growing every day, it's important to identify which ones will be best for your business or industry. I make new contacts in the marketing world every day, and through sharing knowledge with them, I can get ahead of the changes.
What do you regard as your greatest achievement in business to date?
Gratefully, there's been a few that have made me very proud; but recently, a client told me that I saved him at least two years of start-up struggles with his new practice. That meant a lot because he was skeptical about developing marketing strategies at the start of our relationship.
Where do you want you and your business to be in five years?
I've always been the type of person to live in the moment. For me, as long as my children, family and friends are happy and healthy, that's what matters. As for the business, I guess what's more important is where my clients' businesses will be in five years. That will dictate a lot about where mine will end up.
What benefit(s) have you received through your networking efforts?
I am so grateful to the SSWBN network for the relationships and friendships that have formed from my membership. Not only have I gained valuable business knowledge, but whenever I have looked for a particular service to use, I knew that I had a referral source (SSWBN) that I could trust.
What is/are your one or two toughest challenges?
Time management is tough for me, especially because when working from home as I do, it can be challenging to 'close shop' at the end of the day.
What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
Loving what I do. It's that simple.
What is something that members may be surprised to learn about you?
I was working in New York and had the privilege of greeting the soldiers of the Gulf War when they returned home.
What do you do in your spare time for fun?
I love home decorating projects. It's not out of the ordinary for me to change the color of a room twice within the same year. I also love gardening ... spring can't come soon enough for me!
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