ACCmarch&inserts

March 2016

MISSION STATEMENT The Affton Chamber of Commerce exists to support the business and general interests of the greater Affton area, and to provide opportunities to network, advertise, and educate its member businesses.

KEY REX PROPERTIES

Roy Cox 9785 Mackenzie Road, Suite 102 (63123) 314.325.9696 • Fax: 314.312.6267 www.keyrexproperties.com • roycox92@gmail.com Key Rex Properties is a Real Estate investment company that buys, renovates and sells homes primarily in the South St. Louis / South County and Jefferson County areas. We are cash buyers and purchase homes in an “as is” condition which gives the seller the opportunity to close quickly and easily. We specialize in helping those facing bankruptcy, divorce or foreclosure, in addition to, tired landlords, estates and much more. Our in-house licensed Real Estate agent will assist you in finding that perfect home you are looking for and negotiating the best possible deal. Our team of experts can help with everything from financing and advice to inspections and renovations.

Key Rex Properties and its team will be there for you from start to finish. Check out our website at www.keyrexproperties.com for more information.

DAN KALINE

5825 Oak Branch Dr. (63128) 314.479.0022 • danielk6778@gmail.com Individual Member.

Descriptions are written by the new members. When you’re in their area, stop by or call them and welcome them to the chamber.

Know someone who would benefit from Affton Chamber membership?

MEMBER REWARDS PROGRAM This program is available to all Chamber members, as you are our best salespeople—you know the value of membership!

Recruit a new member & receive a reward! Your choice of:  One (1) complimentary lunch at a member meeting.  One (1) business card ad in the newsletter.

Requirements:  Your name must be listed on the new member’s application (make sure to write your name on applications you give out).  The new member cannot have been a member during the past 2 years.

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PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Crucial Strategies Essential for Success & Profit for your Small Business Thursday, March 10, 2016 | 11:15 am Genesis Banquet Center $15 members / $20 non-members (includes lunch) RSVP at www.afftonchamber.com

Presented by Bob Boles

Learn how to return to your business with simple but powerful tools you can use immediately to meet the many business challenges for 2016.

Bob Boles is a volunteer with SCORE. SCORE is the largest non-profit business organization in the country providing no-cost counseling and mentoring to small businesses. SCORE is a partner with the Small Business Association.

Bob owned and operated his small business, Education Unlimited Inc., for forty years selling workshops and seminars to public and private schools to make teachers more effective and efficient. He has been a SCORE volunteer since 2008 working mostly with the outreach programs. Bob holds a Bachelors and Master's Degree from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri.

For more information on SCORE visit www.stlouis.score.org

PARTNERS Gold‌The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver‌American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business

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Master LinkedIn with These 5 Quick Steps Too many people think LinkedIn is solely for finding a job. Since small business owners have jobs, they often overlook the site’s potential.

LinkedIn has over 400 million users (as of 12/31/2015), with two new users joining per second, on average. Over 120 million users are based in the U.S. If you want to improve your personal brand and your company’s visibility, this site is a great place to start. Here’s what you need:

Add a Recognizable, and Professional, Headshot

Select a high-quality image that looks like you look now, not twenty years ago and not Photoshopped to the point someone sitting next to you and viewing your profile wouldn’t recognize you. Please leave out pictures of pets and kids, unless it has something to do with your business. Also avoid the awkward crops where you still see someone else’s shoulder pressed up against yours.  Profiles with a photo are 11x more likely to be viewed in search results on the site than those profiles with the “egg.” 

Work Your Professional Headline

The professional headline or tagline is the line or two of text that appears under your name. Many people add their most recent title here. This is a waste of space. Viewers will see your company and title anyway, no need to use this space for it. If you want to include your business, fine, but don’t stop there. Try something like: Sales at Green Ford, helping people afford their dream car  Use this valuable real estate to set yourself apart and tell how you help. This is much more appealing to others. 

Jazz Up Your Summary

This should not be a repeat of your job duties. There’s a space for that. Think of this space as a verbal commercial for yourself. Again, speak to your audience and their needs. This is not a spot to list all of your awards or publications. There’s a place for that too.  Your summary should be enjoyable to read, spaced out nicely so the words are not too dense, and less than 2000 characters. Answer the simple question of how you help (complete with subtle use of keywords). 

Endorse Others as You Would Like to Be Endorsed

LinkedIn allows you to endorse others by going to their profile and using a couple of quick clicks. There is an unspoken reciprocal agreement on social media that when you do something nice for someone (i.e., endorsements of skills), they will do it back to you. Since LinkedIn notifies people through email of endorsements, they’re bound to see and appreciate your efforts.  Why should you care about endorsements?

You are 13x more likely to see an increase in your profile views when you’ve been endorsed by a number of people. 

Build Your Connections

Unlike other social media profiles where people share a lot of personal information about their lives, LinkedIn is largely professional. For that reason, I’m a strong proponent of connecting with a lot of people. If you go to a luncheon and meet someone, don’t be nervous about sending them a connection invitation when you return to your business.  Monitor your stream once a day or so and interact with the things people are posting. Congratulate connections on new jobs, like the articles they post, share their content. This will help you stand out in their minds and it only takes minutes a day.  If you have additional time, contribute content of your own, and publish on LinkedIn. Building your reputation as an expert in your industry will yield much more than improved personal branding, it will mean more customers for your business.

Christina R. Green teaches small businesses, chambers and associations how to connect through content.

Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular blogger at Frankjkenny.com and Event Manager Blog.

She’s a bookish writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations everywhere. 

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PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company

No Membership Meeting in April...

ATTEND THIS INSTEAD!

AFFTON SPONSOR

Wednesday, March 30 4:30-6:30 pm

4245 Bayless Refreshments...Networking...Fun!

Join us for a one-of-a-kind breakfast networking event with Fenton, Lemay, Affton & Sunset Hills/ Crestwood (FLASH) Chambers of Commerce.

Move from table to table as you have the opportunity to make new connections, and perhaps meet potential clients, from not just one but four area chambers.

Friday, April 8 @ 7:00 am Holiday Inn South County 6921 S. Lindbergh

$15 members only | must prepay

register at www.afftonchamber.com

PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique

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February Membership Meeting

New Member Barbara Wentz Key Rex Properties

Photos © Cindy’s Photo

Mouse Races February 20, 2016

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PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

 Jake Baretich & his crew at J & J Construction & Remodeling for snow removal at the Affton Chamber office.  Lynn Leaderbrand for designing the 2016 Partnership Banner.

February Meeting

 Delicious lunch at Andre’s South Banquet Center  Greeters Trevor Willingham, Farmers Insurance and Tammy Scott, Holsome Health Holistic Spa  Photographer Cindy Tiefenbrunn, Cindy’s Photo  LinkedIn speaker Kathy Bernard, WiserU and coordinator Nicole Meyer

Mouse Races

 Sponsors: Deca Realty Co. Inc.; Harster Heating & Air Conditioning; Great Southern Bank; J & J

Construction & Remodeling; Merx Flooring, LLC; Neighbors Credit Union; Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes; Southside Jewelry & Pawn; Syberg's-An Eating & Drink Co.; The UPS Store-Grasso Plaza  Donors: American Eagle Credit Union; Great Southern Bank; Holsome Health Holistic Spa; J & J Construction & Remodeling; Neighbors Credit Union; Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes; Petsway; Southside Jewelry & Pawn  Committee: Terri Ems, Resident; Jake & C.J. Baretich, J & J Construction and Remodeling; Rachel Lovelace, Neighbors Credit Union  Volunteers: Gina Fleming, Neighbors Credit Union; Tina Blum, Neighbors Credit Union; Linda Molder, Volunteer; Peggy Keilholz, Resident; Amanda Willis, Rodan & Fields-Independent Consultant  Affton High School Volunteers: Isaiah Minner, Anika Tran, Chiryame Robinson, Lori Eckhardt

To advertise in this newsletter, contact or submit your camera-ready artwork to:

Affton Chamber of Commerce 314.631.3100 info@afftonchamber.com 9815 Mackenzie Road Affton, MO 63123 Business Card - starting at $30 Quarter Page - starting at $50 Half Page - starting at $75 Full Page - starting at $450 Flyer Insert - $100/month E-Blast to Members $25 PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business

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Do you have a Community Event to share? Email it to mandy@afftonchamber.com. The deadline is the 15th of the month for publication in the next month’s newsletter. We will also place it on our Affton Community Events web calendar when it is received.

The 2016 Neighbors Credit Union Scholarship Contest will award four $1,500 scholarships in honor of our four previous board members. This contest is open to all Neighbors Credit Union members between the ages of 13 and 19 who will be attending an accredited college or trade school during the autumn of 2016. Therefore, applicants are asked to display their current commitment to service in the community and how their service has impacted their community. The application can be found at www.NeighborsCU.org. All entries must be to Neighbors Credit Union by 5:00 pm (Central Standard Time) on March 31, 2016.

The 18th Annual Gravois Kiwanis Club Trivia Night is Saturday, March 19 at Seven Holy Founders Parish Hall (6741 S. Rock Hill Road). Cost is $160 per table of 8 and includes beer, wine, soda & snacks.

Sponsorships are available. All proceeds go to support local children’s charities. For more information, call Carla (314.520.7905) or Harry (314.435.5767).

Veterans Town Hall Meeting is Tuesday, March 22, 5-7 pm at Bellefontaine City Hall (9641 Bellefontaine, 63137). Veterans, service -members, National Guard, Reservist, and family members are invited to participate in this town hall meeting. This is an open forum and a listening session for VA leadership, with the goal of ensuring Veterans, their families, and beneficiaries have the opportunity to be heard, and have their concerns addressed by senior VA officials. No registration is required and event is free to attend. Free refreshment will be provided.

Save the Date Saturday, May 7 8

PARTNERS Bronze...Commerce Bank, Gapsch CARSTAR Collision Center, Morris Family Chiropractic, SSM Health Center-St. Clare, Syberg’s: An Eating & Drinking Company

If you have hired someone, received an award, or added to your family—whatever is news worthy—send it to mandy@afftonchamber.com. The deadline is the 15th of the month for publication in the next month’s newsletter.

Bayless School District was selected as a Missouri District of Character. Each year, Character.org and its state affiliates select schools and districts that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development that has a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, and school climate. Bayless is one of four districts selected from 16 states.

24-7 Animal & Pest Control is pleased to announce the hiring of Charles Montgomery.

He brings over 15 years experience in pest & animal control industry. Charles will be an asset during the company’s rapid expansion in the St. Louis area.

Following an expansive search for talent and experience, the Affton School District Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. J. Vincent Powell as Principal for Affton High School for the 2016-2017 school year.

His extensive experience in school administration includes his role as principal at Jackson High School in Jackson, MO, since 2008, and as an assistant principal for nine years prior. Powell will begin serving as principal at Affton High School on July 1. He replaces Dr. Sue Jackson, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Neighbors Credit Union Financial Advisor Joel Pierce won the Elite Advisor award from Midwestern Securities Trading Company for his success in growing their investment department.

H & R Block at Grasso Plaza’s first winner of the “1,000 Win $1,000 Daily Sweepstakes” was Angela Fischer. Angela showed up with her adorable boys, Dylan (9) and Jeremiah (4).

She was excited to pay bills and throw her son a birthday party.

Angela has always had a wonderful experience at H & R Block and loves her tax pro Anita Cusanelli.

PARTNERS Committed...Burns Auto Service, Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique

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Shop Chamber Members! To take advantage of the following discounts, take along your newsletter as proof of membership or stop by the Chamber office to pick up a card showing you are a current member. Add your company to this list!!!

A Plus Printing Services—10% discount on printing & copying.

ACN—$100 Visa gift card if we can’t beat current credit card processing rates (thru Anovia Payments, min $3000 monthly sales required) Ad Source One—10% discount.

Advance Carpet One—10% discount on any non-sale item.

Computer St. Louis—20% off an hour of service.

Crown Optical—10% off all eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses & accessories. Not valid with insurance or other discount plans.

The E & A CFO Group—One month free payroll or other accounting service with 1 year commitment. Call for free quote.

Extra Space Storage—Receive 5% off your monthly rent. Ask Patrick for details.

F2 Garage Door Solutions—Free Installation with Purchase of Garage Armour Security Kit ($35.00 value).

Fran Ann Engraving—10% off purchase from store.

John G’Sell DDS—10% discount off services.

Gateway Alarm, Inc.—Receive 3 months free monitoring with a new system.

Gateway Tree Care—10% off services.

Great Clips-Schnucks Plaza—Haircuts: $10.99, $5 off perms, & 20% off products.

Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique—10% discount off services.

Infinity Hair Design—15% OFF your first precision haircut or color.

Mehlville-Oakville Alumni Assoc—$5 discount (regularly $15) for Alumni by Choice Membership for non-alumni owned businesses Mops in Motion, Inc.—$10 discount on cleaning service of 3 hours or more.

Morris Family Chiropractic—Meet the Doctor “Special”: New Patient Free Services: Consultation, Exam & Report of Findings.

Office Depot—Use the Chamber discount card for an average 15-30% savings on many items.

Park Forest Apartments—Application fee waived and 13 month lease with 1 month free.

Pauline’s Place Adult Day Care, LLC—Any enrolled senior family member who is admitted for a year will receive a $10 discount with private pay attendance of 6 or more Monday to Friday hours.

Southern Floral Shop—10% discount on each order, or free mylar balloon with a purchase.

Ziegenhein Funeral Home—FREE METAL CASKET with "traditional" funeral service for US Veteran or paid pre-need funeral contract If you would like to see your business in this monthly column, simply offer a discount by WRITING OUT the discount and emailing or faxing it to the Chamber office. Your dues must be current.

Thanks to the following businesses and organizations for renewing their memberships. Year joined is in parentheses.

Carondelet Park Rec Plex (2008) Cotton’s Ace Hardware of Affton (2010) Ontime Express (2004) Orlando Gardens Banquet Center (1993) Pauline’s Place Adult Day Care (2015) Phoenix Potteries (2000) ReMax Best Choice Realtors-Kelly Carbery (2012) Royale Orleans Banquet Center (2012) Saint Louis Post-Dispatch (2012) Servpro of Affton/Webster Groves (2013) Southern Floral Shop (1997) St. Louis Altenheim (2015) Yorkshire Cleaners (2005)

Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant Ribbon Cutting - Saturday, February 20 8025 Mackenzie Road Photo © Cindy’s Photo

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PARTNERS Platinum...Harster Heating & Air Conditioning, Dane Huxel - State Farm, Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

The 50/50 amount of $41 was won by Mike Bamvakais of Dill, Bamvakais & Newsham PC. Pam VonderHaar of Evren Senol of RE/MAX Results won two tickets to the Affton Chamber Mouse Races.

Want to see your name mentioned here? Attend a meeting, buy 50/50 tickets & win OR donate an item for the attendance prize drawing.

10% Discount to Affton Chamber Members

PARTNERS Gold…The E & A CFO Group, Great Southern Bank, J & J Construction & Remodeling, Neighbors Credit Union Silver…American Eagle Credit Union, Spectrum Business

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

AFFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.afftonchamber.com 9815 Mackenzie Road Affton, MO 63123-5424

P AID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT No. 3156

2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers President

General Membership Meeting Thursday, March 10 | Genesis Banquet Center

Website Members Area Class Friday, March 11 | Chamber office, lower level

Social Hour Wednesday, March 30 | Merx Flooring

FLASH Networking Friday, April 7 | Holiday Inn South County

Affton Community & Business Expo Tuesday, April 19 | Affton High School

find out more inside this issue or www.afftonchamber.com 12

Carrie Carrigan Great Southern Bank President-Elect Dr. Eric Werner Morris Family Chiropractic Vice-President Dr. Steve Brotherton Affton School District Secretary Fonda Totten F2 Garage Door Solutions Treasurer Dane Huxel State Farm Insurance Directors Keith Brooks Sharpshooters Pit & Grill Marty Carr Deca Realty Patricia Cowan Rainmaker Sales Support Chief Jim Fritz Affton Fire Protection District Kayla Lackner American Eagle Credit Union Charlie Merx Merx Flooring Tammy Scott Holsome Health Holistic Spa & Boutique Suzanne Welker Park Forest Apartments & Townhomes Trevor Willingham Willingham Insurance Agency Lisa Rackley Mandy Montgomery

Executive Director Office Assistant

AFFTON COMMUNITY & BUSINESS EXPO Sponsor / Exhibitor Registration Form

Tuesday, April 19, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Affton High School Commons (8309 Mackenzie Road, 63123) Vendor set-up from 2:00 - 3 p.m. // Business to Business networking from 3 - 3:30 p.m.

 Major Sponsor : $350    

One (1) booth in “prime” location Logo on all promotional materials (if paid by March 1st) Business name in newsletter and on website Electric (optional; if needed, no additional charge)

 Restaurants & Caterers : $150 deposit   

Priority Sign-Up for Inclusion in Ads: Tuesday, March 1 Registration Deadline for Sponsors & Booths: Friday, April 8

Must provide 400 samples available to visitors Deposit check of $150 to be held and returned (deposit checks will not be returned in the event of a no-show) Please list the food and/or beverage that you will serve:

Exhibitor Booth Please check all that apply:  $150 Affton Chamber Member Booth  $275 Non-Chamber Member Booth  $100 Home-Based Business Booth (can be split between two businesses)  $0 Churches & Schools (fee waived if event is promoted to congregations and families)  $25 Electric (limited number of booths available with electricity)  $15 Tablecloth (no charge if you bring your own table covering) For the purpose of booth placement, will you have a display of 3-feet or taller?  Yes  No

Contact

Company

Email

Phone

Address Total Enclosed: $ Drop off or mail to: Affton Chamber of Commerce, 9815 Mackenzie Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 FAX to: 314.631.3102 Call or Email: 314.631.3100 or info@afftonchamber.com Sponsored by: