New members say: ‘Join GMA while it’s hot!’
Annual summer membership drive already paying dividends
Summer is heating up, and so is the summer membership drive for the Guilford Merchants Association.
GMA has had 22 more new members join in 2025 than during the same period last year.
Summer is a great time to join because there are so many events to attend, said GMA Vice President Michelle Bolick. Members and their employees will have a chance to familiarize themselves with all that GMA offers before school starts back.
“Our dues are affordable and we provide so much value — the professional
development seminars, all the networking events, young professionals activities, community events, and social outings too,” she said.
Pete Marsden of redbox+ dumpsters of the Triad joined GMA last summer. He and his wife, Natalie, started the franchise in 2020. Last year, they decided to do more networking.
“Everybody said, ‘You need to join GMA. They’ve got a great group. They’re very active,’” he said.
Marsden said he has referred several people to GMA who have visited and joined.
“I just tell people it’s a very active, well-organized group and that’s why it’s been good for us,” he said.
GMA is a resource for member companies, Bolick said.
Free training in recent
months has covered the use of artificial intelligence in business, how to refine SEO (search engine optimization), and how to improve sales and cold calls. Sessions are typically packed with GMA
members and employees of member companies who are eligible to take part in all that GMA offers.
“The return on investment for a company is significant,” Bolick said.
Margaret Wheaton, who started Wheaton Home Solutions in 2023, said Pete Uber of City Publications Piedmont encouraged her to become part of GMA. She joined last summer, and around the same time joined the Competitive Advantage Networking Group, or CAN, one of GMA’s three weekly networking groups.
She has enjoyed the connections she’s made in CAN, as well as through GMA events.
“Even one good referral, one good piece of information from any of those events makes it worth going,” she said.
Marsden said GMA staff are great because they’re always connecting him to people he hasn’t met yet.
“I appreciate that hands on, personal touch,” he said.
Continues on page 4
Police & Community Annual Banquet
GMA President and CEO Mark Prince (left) and John Thomas, IdeACOM of Central NC Inc. (center) present Detective DD James with the Excellence in Crime Prevention Award at the May 22 awards ceremony.
GMA has had 22 more new members join in 2025 than during the same period last year.
Volunteer’s philosophy: ‘See a need, fill a need’
T D Johnson began volunteering soon after joining the Guilford Merchants Association.
t didn’t take long for T D Johnson to start volunteering at Guilford Merchants Association events after joining in 2023.
“I’ve been volunteering all my life,” said Johnson, a transitional vocational and rehabilitation counselor with the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities, which is part of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
“I was raised that if you see a need, fill the need,” Johnson continued.
“When [GMA] put out the invitation for volunteers, I saw the need, so I filled the need. And that’s just kind of how I move.”
Since then, Johnson has helped out at the registration desk for an event, but mostly has served as a “flasher,” the person who hands out stickers for GMA’s popular networking game.
“Who doesn’t like a sticker? It brings out that inner child,” Johnson said. “I really, really enjoy volunteering with the GMA. It does allow for networking to be done in a very authentic and fun way.”
Johnson is also the community service chair for Risers, GMA’s young professionals group. They are plan-
VOLUNTEER
SPOTLIGHT
ning to help Habitat for Humanity this fall with one of the nonprofit’s house building projects.
“We’re looking forward to that,” Johnson said.
Johnson also wanted to help out after realizing pretty quickly that GMA doesn’t have a lot of paid staff but they have a lot to do.
“I appreciate this organization,” Johnson said. “So anything that I can do to help support this cause, to make sure that GMA stays around, not only for us to benefit from, but for the next generation.”
Johnson also volunteers with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and previously helped out at YouthSafe, an LGBTQ+ center in Greensboro.
Johnson, who is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, was looking to make a change in 2020 and decided to move to North Carolina. That was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so getting out into the community was more difficult.
But working with the community is part of Johnson’s job as a counselor to
President & CEO
G. Mark Prince
Vice President Michelle Bolick
Membership Development Sharon Smith
Program/Events Manager Stacey Speight
Membership Coordinator Colleen Biedny
Administrative Assistant Melinda Thomas
Operations Assistant Timera Poteat
TRENDS is published for the members of the Guilford Merchants Association.
Publication Coordinator – Michelle Bolick Phone (336) 378-6350
225 Commerce Place, Greensboro, N.C. 27401 www.mygma.org
The Guilford Merchants Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1906.
The Association is a business membership organization focused on supporting member companies with educational programming, lead generation activities, marketing opportunities, and overall enrichment while serving as a catalyst for community growth and prosperity.
people with diagnosed disabilities who are ages 14 to 24.
“I help my clients to get competitive, integrated employment. I think that’s important, because a lot of times … people believe that people with disabilities are just supposed to get whatever job is found for them,” Johnson said. “It is my belief that all people deserve to do work that is meaningful to them.”
Meeting people has been an important part of the job, Johnson said, and GMA has helped with making those connections.
Upcoming events
Here’s what’s coming up:
“When you start getting into your community and serving your community, you learn your community and learn the needs of the community,” Johnson said. “Because my end goal is to be a licensed clinical mental health counselor, it’s important for me to know the needs of my community. The best way is to begin to serve.”
T D Johnson
336-487-0537 (direct) or 336-4870500 (main) td.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov www.ncdhhs.gov/eipd
July 16 — Risers lunch meetup, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Taco Mama 2168 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro. Participants are responsible for their own checks.
July 18 — Free Day Friday. Free 20-minute chair masssage from Kneaded Energy, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., GMA, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro. Very limited space. Call to see if any spaces are still available.
July 22 — Member Orientation, noon-1 p.m., GMA, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro.
Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Lunch provided.
July 24 — Noontime Network, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.,Hilton Garden Inn (Airport), 238 NC 68 South Airport at Pai Park, Greensboro. Lunch provided with registration.
Aug. 12 — Center City AM Briefing, 8-9 a.m., GMA, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m.
Registration for events is required. Register at www.mygma.org.
T D Johnson likes to volunteer for GMA events, but especially likes the sticker game used to encourage members to interact with each other.
Taylor Stearley, Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels (left) and Dara Pettet, Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels (right) enjoy a burger at GMA before the June 5 Grasshoppers game.
Top left: GMA Board President John Thomas, IdeACOM of Central NC Inc., throws out the first pitch at the GMA Grasshoppers Night on June 5.
Burgers and baseball
Brittany Cordero, The Barndo Co. and a guest watch the baseball game.
GMA members and guests were treated to a cookout before the game.
NEW NONSTOP FLIGHTS TO ORLANDO, FL (MCO)
AND HARTFORD, CT (BDL)
Two new nonstop routes. One smooth departure – from PTI with Breeze Airways starting June 6!
Above: Chris Brewer, Bravo Signs (left) shares a laugh with William Conley, Social Indoor (right).
Jeremiah Pope, Venture X of Greensboro, enjoys the hamburger and hot dog cookout from Culinary Visions Catering before the game.
Best advice is to work harder on yourself than your job
Question: What are you most thankful for?
Answer: My family…. Someone once told me that your biggest legacy is your children … My wife and I could not be more thankful!
Q: What is one of your holiday traditions?
A: Christmas mornings, presents are opened from the oldest to the youngest … extends the anticipation of the children. My parents followed this tradition with my two brothers and me, and my daughter and son were made to follow this as well!
Q: What was your worst subject in school?
A: Algebra …. Could never understand how to add, subtract, multiply and divide letters!
Q: What is a piece of advice for someone new to the workforce?
A: My advice comes from my mentor who is now deceased and who I never met personally, Jim Rohn. Jim said, “ Work harder on yourself than
Questions with ... 6
Ross Cox
Certified business and executive coach ActionCOACH
you do on the job.” He went further to explain that if you work on your job, you will make a living. If you work on yourself, you will make a fortune. This is because in business and life, you get paid not for what you do, but for the value you bring to society. The only true limitation in life or business is the level by which you choose to grow personally.
Q: What book(s) would you recommend?
A: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
Q: Which Olympic sport would you compete in?
A: Golf. Been playing since I was 12.
Ross Cox
336-288-8858 rosscox@actioncoach.com
Member orientation
GMA held a member orientation on May 21.
Front row, from left: Hunter Neal, Greensboro Sports Foundation; Diane Creech, Greensboro Sports Performance; Michelle Bolick, GMA; Angela Campbell, Party Angel Décor; Falon Dargan, The Barndo Co.; Brittany Cordero, The Barndo Co.; and Raman Bhardwaj, Clever Doodle Design.
Back row, from left: Sharita Graves, Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine; Christina Leggett, The Oaks Therapeutic Community Inc.; Melissa Cox, The Oaks Therapeutic Community Inc.; Jeremiah Pope, Venture X Greensboro; Jacob McNeill, Blue Moon Benefits Group; Ramondo Jessup, Sunstate Supply Co.; Craig Campbell, Party Angel Décor; Cortni Bhardwaj, Clever Doodle Design; and Francisco Mendez Castillo, WAV.
Members of GMA and the community listen to a speaker during a Center City AM Briefing earlier this year. The briefings are for anyone who lives, works or supports the downtown Greensboro area. The meeting provides information on growth, developments, activities, and projects downtown, and features reports from city, fire and police officials, as well as other agencies.
Summer
Continued from page 1
Xan Thomas, an insurance agent with Bearing Insurance, said he particularly enjoys the Center City AM Briefing. City officials share updates on what is happening in their departments at the meeting.
“That has been quite helpful, learning about the different things that have been going on in the community,” said Thomas, who lives in Hillsborough but whose coverage area includes Greensboro.
He likes the mix of businesses, many of them small and mid-size, that make up GMA.
Earn gift card with referrals
Members can earn a $25 gift card for referring someone who joins the Guilford Merchants Association.
There is no limit on the number of gift cards a member can receive. Call New Membership Coordinator Colleen Biedny at 336-3786350 to join GMA or refer a new member.
“It’s an easier group to talk to and communicate with and build relationships with,” Thomas said.
“I think it’s a great place to get connected,” he added.
Mingling and making connections
Mi-Box Triad
May 13, 2025
Timera Poteat, GMA operations assistant (left) and volunteer Chris Tippens, NXT Level Construction (right), welcome GMA members and guests as they arrive at the event.
Rebecca Lane, Spangler Estate Planning, holds up her prize.
Scott Graham, Alpha Omega Financial, who is passing out stickers during the After Work Network on May 13, pauses for a photo with Alison Huber, Dynamic Quest, (right) as she holds up a sticker.
Joan Rogers, Compass Insurance Services, looks through the tickets she has available as part of the sticker game that is used to encourage GMA members to mingle and network at events.
From left: Dick O’Donnell, Man in Green; Ross Cox, ActionCOACH; and Gerald Hutchinson, ActionCoach, chat during the After Work Network at Mi-Box Triad on May 13.
Voice search, zero-click, and your business: Can you be found?
BY ADRIENNE CREGAR JANDLER BUSINESS
If you’ve noticed a change in your website traffic over the last year, you’re not alone.
The shift isn’t rooted in traditional search rankings; it reflects a fundamental change in how people find information.
No longer tethered to computers, search is served up with both speed and (supreme) convenience through a wide range of devices, which use voice search. In addition, when people do use traditional search engines, they aren’t necessarily clicking through to a website, due to the rise of “zero-click” results, where users get instant answers without ever leaving the search page.
Understanding these changes— and how to adapt to them—is key to staying visible and competitive online.
Two key players on the new search landscape
Voice search is ubiquitous, and becoming the norm in every aspect
Name: Haley Skipper
Hometown: Asheboro, NC
Residence: Asheboro, NC
Age: 30
Education: Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts
Business: Southern First Bank
Role/title: Executive Assistant
Responsibilities: Portfolio management, underwriting and loan assistant
On GMA: I began coming to GMA events mid-2023 at the recommendation of my regional president. I was, and still am, a very introverted person. However, by going to the
SUCCESS
of our lives. Instead of typing, we’re speaking queries into smartphones and watches, smart speakers, car dashboards, and even AI glasses. These searches are more conversational and question-based (“Where can I get same-day delivery for office supplies?” or “Who offers commercial cleaning services nearby?”). If you’re a business that relies on local clients, it’s especially important: one of the most common voice search requests is for help finding businesses “near me.”
Another convenience-based trend that has completely changed how we find information is the rise of zeroclick searches. This happens when someone’s question is answered directly on the search results page, often through a featured snippet, a map pack, or an answer box. The user gets the information they need
GMA events, I have been able to step outside of my comfort zone and jump into the world of networking.
On GMA benefits: I have enjoyed attending the Teach Me Tuesdays. GMA offers a variety of different subjects that benefit all skill levels. Plus, GMA knows how to get a
without ever clicking through a search result to visit a website. With more than half of all searches now ending this way, it’s important for companies to adjust their strategies to ensure they (or their information) is represented and featured prominently.
Optimizing your website for visibility
The good news? Keeping up with these changes is less about your budget and more about your strategy. Here are three practical steps you can start with:
1. Answer direct questions on your website
Shift your website content from focusing on keywords to answering the specific questions your customers (and prospects) are asking. Create an FAQ page or sidebar, articles, videos, or blog posts to address common questions about your products, services, and industry. Use natural, conversational language that matches how people actually speak and phrase questions.
speaker with energy that pulls you in and keeps your attention. I also enjoy the After Work Networking events. The sticker game is a fantastic tool to assist introverts like me to initiate conversations with others.
On Risers: Risers is an awesome group to be a part of. Most of the time, young professionals are in a weird place in networking, scraping up new connects as we can while surrounded by others with established careers and years of connections. Risers offers a place where young professionals can network, fellowship, and build together. The group is full of people who offer a wealth of knowledge and provide a welcoming environment. The group has allowed me to be myself, have fun, and learn to network in a new way. I enjoy the Risers Lunch Meet Up every month. It is a time for all of us to come together over lunch and just catch up on life. No pressures of networking
2. Structure content to be scannable
Search engines—like the people who use them— favor content that’s easy to digest. Use clear headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break up your content. This improves the visitor’s experience while also increasing the chances your content will be pulled into a featured snippet.
3. Maximize your local presence
Your Google Business Profile is a powerful tool for local searches. Make sure it is complete, and that your business name, address, phone number, and hours are accurate and up-to-date. Actively encourage customer reviews and when you get them, respond promptly. This is the most effective way to appear in local “near me” voice searches and map results.
Adrienne Cregar Jandler is president of Atlantic Webworks. 336-855-8572 www.atlanticwebworks.com
or trying to pitch your company. It just allows you to get to know the people on a more casual level and build relationships rather than just contacts.
Personal: My greatest roles/titles in life are wife and mom. I’ve been married to my husband for three years and our little one is 14 months old. I work hard to manage the work/ life balance, and I’m blessed to be a part of a company that provides me with the ability to do so. Mommy time is definitely taking up a lot of my personal time and I cannot complain one bit. However, when I do get some time for hobbies, some favorites are golfing, reading, and of course binge watching TV shows/ movies/documentaries.
Haley Skipper 336-465-4101
hskipper@southernfirst.com
Digital Marketing Institute
Jay Vics, JourneyBuilder.com, takes a group selfie during the May 8 Digital Marketing Institute. Vics shared tips and trends on how to use artificial intelligence, or AI, for businesses.
From left, Paris Almon, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina; Celina McCrea, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina; Lindy Fuller, Summit Credit Union; and Jeff Allen, Zoom Drain enjoy a laugh during the presentation by Leslie Speas, Influence HR Consulting.
Members of Risers, GMA’s young professionals group, meet for lunch June 18 at Darryl’s Wood Fired Grill in Greensboro.
