March 2024 Trends

Volunteers help GMA run smoothly

‘It’s easy to sign up to help and it’s a great way to meet people,’ according to GMA Vice President Michelle Bolick.

At most events for Guilford Merchants Association, volunteers will be there helping.

They assist staff in setting up before events and cleaning up afterward.

They man the registration tables and sometimes serve the food.

They give out the stickers for those fun networking event icebreakers.

Volunteers also serve as leadership teams for networking groups, serve on committees and task forces, and on the board of directors.

GMA has a volunteer database and sends out requests for volunteers with specific shifts and tasks.

“It’s easy to sign up to help and it’s a great way to meet people,” said GMA Vice President Michelle Bolick.

Stephanie Ward of Print Plus agreed that volunteering provides more opportunities to meet people.

“Being a volunteer puts me in a position to meet

most of the attendees. I have met new clients this way,” she said.

Alison Huber of Dynamic Quest, a frequent volunteer, said GMA makes sure that the volunteers feel appreciated.

“Whether it’s a written note of thanks, or an appreciation party, or a small token, they always take time to say thank you. They also recognize volunteers by name and company at the event,” she said.

Scott Elkins, owner of M7 Technology, noted the importance of volunteering to help out because the staff is

so small.

“They couldn’t pull off the events and things that they do without the help of volunteers,” he said.

GMA’s staff, with the help of volunteers, is able to hold multiple events each month, from Teach Me Tuesdays and Center City AM Briefings to the weekly networking group meetings. That’s not even

counting special events like the Annual Dinner and last year’s CelYOUbration.

“I remember at last year’s Annual Dinner I was short staffed to begin with, then I had a staff member that was really ill on that day and couldn’t come,” Bolick said.

“Mid-morning, I put out the call to my volunteers that

Every spring, Guilford Merchants Association members gather for food, friendship and fun at the Annual Dinner.

This year’s speaker is Penn Jillette, probably best known for his performances as part of the magical and Emmy Awardwinning duo Penn & Teller. Their act is now the longestrunning headliner show in Las Vegas.

Jillette

“GMA’s Annual Dinner is meant to be a fun evening of networking, seeing old friends, celebrating our community and GMA, and enjoying some world class entertainment,” said GMA Vice President Michelle Bolick.

The dinner starts with a

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Fun with networking

William Conley, Social Indoor (left) enjoys a good laugh with Bruce Minor, Well-Spring (right) during the Feb. 9 Noontime Network at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport in Greensboro. The free event includes an interactive networking game to break the ice with new people. See more photos on page page 7.

Tom Pullara, Dream Vacations, and Kelly Ingram, City of Greensboro, man the registration booth for the Noontime Network in February.

Audrey Amos, The Volunteer Center (center) laughs with a group while volunteering at the event.

Karen Williams, Bravo Signs, holds a roll of stickers for the Noontime Network event.

Name: Jennifer Wilson

Residence: High Point

Hometown: Fairmont, W. Va.

Age: 40

Education: B.A. and M.A. in political science; M.A. in secondary education at West Virginia University

Business: LaQuinta by Wyndham

Role: Director of sales

Responsibilities: As director of sales, my main responsibilities include fostering new relationships with clients, businesses and groups while also nourishing existing ones. Making sure that each guest and group had the best possible experience is my ultimate goal so that we make them guests for life. In addition to cultivating these relationships, I am also responsible for developing and implementing revenue and sales strategies to maximize growth year over year. Lastly, staying active within the community through attending CVB and Hotel Association meetings, etc., to keep up-to-date on the market is also vital for any director of sales.

On GMA: The GMA has been a catalyst in opening doors and making connections with people and businesses in the community that you probably would have never met otherwise through their many networking opportunities. We joined

this organization to stay connected with the community and abreast on current issues and trends taking place in Greensboro.

How has GMA membership benefitted you?: The best part about belonging to the GMA is that they offer something for everyone to ensure all members have an opportunity to participate. I personally take advantage of the Noontime Networks, Teach Me Tuesdays and the Riser’s Luncheons. The Teach Me Tuesday’s sessions have been most beneficial because it covers a wide range of topics to help develop your professional skill set.

On Risers: The Risers is another great benefit to joining the GMA because it allows you to connect with your peers on a personal level with their luncheons. You have more opportunity to engage in a deeper, more meaningful one-on-one conversation. The topics covered in these sessions are geared towards what matters most to young professionals, such as finances, professional/personal coaching, and much more.

Personal: I was born and raised in West Virginia until 2010 when I relocated to North Carolina for work. I live with my significant other, Dan, and my two children, Ryan, 5, who started kindergarten this year, and Allison, 4. In addition to chasing around my two children, I am an avid runner participating in many local road races throughout the year.

Jennifer Wilson

LaQuinta by Wyndham 336-316-0100 LQ53032Sales@laquinta.com

Membership

Michelle

Monzi

Sharon

Melinda

Upcoming events

Here’s what’s coming up:

March 15 — Free-Day Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., GMA upstairs lobby, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro. Get a free headshot photo courtesy of GMA. By appointment only. Sign up in advance.

March 19 — After Work Network, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dynamic Quest, 4821 Koger Blvd., Greensboro.

March 20 — Risers Lunch Meet Up, 12:30-1:30 p.m., CoreLife Eatery, 1430 Westover Terrace, Greensboro.

March 27 — Member Orientation, noon-1 p.m., GMA, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Lunch provided with registration.

March 29 — Meet & Eat, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., GMA, 225 Commerce Place, Greensboro. Lunch from Giannos provided free by GMA.

Event registration required. Go to www.mygma.org. Guests may attend two GMA events before joining.

Dinner

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cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. April 16 at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel/ Koury Convention Center in the Guilford Ballroom. Tickets are on sale through April 5 for GMA members, employees of GMA members, and their guests.

The annual dinner is the only official meeting of the members of the association, Bolick said. The dinner is followed by the official “passing of the gavel” to the new board chair, although their work has already begun.

Previous dinners have featured such speakers as famed sportscaster Dick Vitale, former N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano, comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood and actor Henry Winkler.

Among Bolick’s favorite Annual Dinner memories is when Mochrie

and Sherwood, known for their antics on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” pulled a few audience members to help them with their improv. Thenboard Chairman Nathan Duggins of Tuggle Duggins and Lindy Fuller of Summit Credit Union got to practice their improv.

“It was hilarious,” Bolick said. “Terry Bradshaw really had the attention of the crowd and was so engaging with his stories of his life and football career. Henry Winkler made sure everyone who wanted a photo with him was able to get one. He was so gracious.”

Jillette brings more than magic to his guest speaking gig. He’s also an author, comedian and businessman. He currently co-hosts the CW series “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!”

“He is sure to have some interesting thoughts to share with the crowd,” Bolick said.

REMEMBER WHEN ... He calls the shots

Dick Vitale, basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster, spoke at the 85th GMA Annual Dinner in 2004. He also spoke at the 1991 Annual Dinner. Vitale, now 84, has been with ESPN since the sports network’s 1979 launch. He called the network’s first college basketball broadcast.

GMA Board of Directors / 2024

Chair

Treasurer Anita Bachmann UnitedHealthcare

Scott Baker TowneBank

Immediate Past

Richard Beard Greensboro Sports Foundation

Robert Pompey, Jr. N.C. A&T State University

Chris Dunbar Blue Ridge Companies

Hank Henning Duke Energy

Brett Barger High Point University

Kathy Haines Kathy Haines Homes

Past Chair

Clarence McDonald Wells Fargo

President/CEO Mark Prince Guilford Merchants Association & FirstPoint, Inc.

James E. Himes, Jr. WGHP/Fox 8

Leah Price Triad Business Bank

Chair

David Parrish New Page Capital

Vice Chair John Thomas IDeACOM of Central N.C.

Pete Kidd Kontoor Brands

Gray Sherrill M.G. Newell

Alison Schwartz All Pets Considered

A passion to help people led to business coaching career

Growth Academy’s owner said he knows how hard it can be for small business owners. He’s here to help.

Joe Novara is passionate about his business. It’s not just a job to him.

For the past 11 years, Novara has been a speaker and coach, touching on topics ranging from networking to attaining the right mindset. He is trained as a strategic intervention coach and a master executive coach.

He moved from New York to North Carolina about 17 years ago. At the time, he was working as a plant manager for a printing company, but after five years of owning a printing company of his own in North Carolina, he knew he was ready to do something else.

He was sitting in the audience listening to a speaker on sales when the path became clear to him.

“I was trying to figure out what my next adventure was going to be. It was like a lightswitch went off. It was like a God moment. ‘That is what I’m going to do. I’m going to be a speaker,’” he said.

He started out just focusing on networking and referral relationships. Within the first year he had created his first coaching program and written his first book, both on networking.

“While I was building up my business, I started getting training on

New members

join GMA

PARTICIPATION SUCCESS =

being a better speaker and a better coach,” he said.

“I realized over time that I had so much more to offer. I had so much experience in business and sales, business ownership, management and prospecting. There were so many areas that I was leaving out. So, I began training business owners and sales professionals in these other areas,” he said.

The expansion began with Goal Execution Coaching and now includes mindset training, executive coaching and more. He has folded everything into what is now Growth Academy Coaching and Training, advanced coaching for highly driven executives, professional service providers, and sales pros who want to achieve growth professionally and personally.

Novara has written a total of four books, one of which he wrote and published in about a month during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He saw a lot of people struggling during that time, when so much in the business world shut down or went remote.

“The level of stress was through the roof. I made a decision I was not going to go down that rabbit hole,” he said.

The book, “Mindset Matters,” focuses on setting goals and securing sales.

During the pandemic, Novara kept up with his monthly speaking events

but shifted them online. He found a novel way to fold in his favorite part of every event — the food. (“That’s the Italian in me,” he says with a laugh.)

Every participant received a GrubHub coupon to order food for the event. They took their dinner break together as if they were at a live event.

“I was trying to do the best I could to make that a positive period,” he said.

Novara joined Guilford Merchants Association about a year and a half ago.

“One of the things that I really like about GMA is how they have a very strong focus on helping small businesses,” he said. “And they have resources and education. That was very important to me.”

He belongs to Networking Gurus, one of GMA’s weekly networking groups.

“I just felt like that was a really good fit for me. I’m developing some very nice relationships in that group,”

he said.

You might recognize his name. Novara has been a frequent speaker for GMA, offering advice on networking, business mindset and more.

He said he wants to help fellow business owners improve their lives and businesses.

“I know how hard it is to be a small business owner. There are very few people that it comes easy for. So, I really feel passionate about helping people,” he said.

He said he’s also very passionate about his business.

“What I do is not a job. For me, it’s my life. Because I love what I do so much,” he said.

Novara is bringing his signature event, Total Business Breakthrough, to Greensboro on April 11 and 12.

Joe Novara Growth Academy

919-636-9546

joe@joenovara.com

Growthacademycoaching.com

First row, left to right: Nicholas Pappas, Brand Connect; Zach Ross, American Partners Federal Credit Union; Bruce Canada, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Stephanie Anderson, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Gina Cobbler, ELC Investigations; Ashley Cobbler, ELC Investigations; Madison Boyer, Tuggle Duggins, P.A.; Kelly Krantz, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Tena Anton, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Grace Ausley, BNI Momentum; Bob Thomas, BNI Momentum.

Second row, left to right: Lee Cobbler, ELC Investigations; Gabriel Porrata, Piedmont Business Capital; Noman Iqbal, A&M Roofing; Shawn Campbell, A&M Roofing; John Williams, A&M Roofing; Donna Blizard, Venture X–Greensboro; Cole Morano, Dinomite Heating; Emily Shaffer, Personal Concierge; Hattie Russom, Kernersville Chamber of Commerce; Guy Thacker, Sutton Brothers; Melina Mariotti, Atlantic Bay Mortgage; Mark Prince, president/CEO of GMA/FirstPoint; Sarah Durham, Redmond Mortgage.

Mark Prince, president/CEO of GMA/FirstPoint, speaks to new members during an orientation session in January.

Joe Novara, owner of Growth Academy Coaching and Training (left) collects a business card from Colleen Biedny, Carolina Cookie Co., during his Teach Me Tuesday session last June.

Novara

In-person events help business owner connect to clients

Bill Simmons started his business to help people find the right office furniture

After more than three decades selling office furniture, Bill Simmons knows how important finding the right piece can be, especially when it comes to a chair.

Everybody is different. But often, even a large corporations can’t afford to give everyone a different chair. So, it is important to get something that’s really adjustable and can fit the largest number of people, said Simmons, who opened Simmons Office Interiors in Greensboro 36 years ago.

It’s easier for individuals or small groups to find a chair suited to each person’s needs, he said.

Simmons Office Interiors sells office furniture, everything from chairs to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that can be found in some offices. The company also sells samples and good-quality used chairs, with well over 100 to choose from in the office, showroom and warehouse.

A work chair should be viewed as a tool, maybe the most important tool in the workspace, said Simmons, who has been a member of the Guilford Merchants Association for more than a decade.

“It’s important to find something that fits you and that you can be comfortable in,” he said.

He joined a networking group a few months after opening his business. Over the years, some people would recommend GMA to him. He eventually joined, mainly for the networking opportunities, although he enjoyed a recent talk by Mark Moser, a human re-

Loyal MEMBER

source consultant, who “did a nice job explaining where all the workers went after COVID.”

Initially, one of his sales staff represented the company for Networking Gurus, one of GMA’s weekly networking groups. After she left for another job, Simmons began attending the meetings.

He said he gets a lot out of the other networking events, such as the Noontime Networks on Fridays. He gets to meet different people through those events and often comes back with leads for people who may be interested in office furniture.

While a lot of people have zeroed in on buying more items online, they can miss out on more personalized services from companies like his, Simmons said. He had one couple recently marvel at the idea that a chair they bought from his store was assembled, delivered and specially outfitted to meet their needs.

“These are just the types of things we do,” he said.

Simmons Office Interiors

336-292-8525

bill@sitsmart.com

sitsmart.com

Find fellowship and food at GMA Meet & Eat events

Enjoy a free pizza lunch from Giannos in downtown Greensboro while meeting other GMA members.

GMA’s Meet & Eat is one of the many benefits of your GMA membership. This is a great way to meet new people and casually network during lunch.

Free lunch compliments of GMA. Make sure to register for this event on mygma. org.

Members welcome to park at GMA’s back parking lot using the following address: 232 N, Eugene St., Greensboro, 27401.

The event will be outside, weather permitting.

GMA members gathered on Jan. 25 for a reception to honor volunteers. Pictured from left are: Melanie Jones, Guilford Metro 911; Lindy Fuller, Summit Credit Union; Colleen Biedny, Carolina Cookie Co.; Stephanie Ward, Print Plus; and Kathy Cates, Brand Connect.

Meet & Eat gatherings offer GMA members a chance to meet other people in a casual atmosphere to make new friends and connect with potential business opportunities. The free meal is compliments of GMA.

A perennial favorite, pizza, is served at one of GMA’s Meet & Eat events in downtown Greensboro. Pictured from left are: Kermit Coble, Edward Jones; Hilda Allen, Alpine Graphic Apparel; and Maribel Tapia, Stitch-FX.

Bill Simmons has been selling office furniture for more than three decades.

Volunteers

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I needed help with set up, and they showed up immediately. I hope they know how much I appreciated that. It was amazing,” she said.

Any GMA member or employee of a GMA member company can sign up to volunteer by going to www. mygma.org and clicking on the events tab or link.

Bolick said GMA plans to have a volunteer training session once or twice a year.

“GMA is really a partnership between the members and the staff. We are here to work together to provide the

best programming and opportunities for the members,” Bolick said.

Son continues his family’s private investigations firm

His father spoke highly of GMA and how fun it was, says

Lee Cobbler

Lee Cobbler started working with his father straight out of college.

The duo, along with another investigator, made up the former ELC Investigative Services.

GMA members will likely recognize the name of Lee’s father, Ed Cobbler. He was a longtime member and served as the face of the company for decades until his passing last year.

Lee has taken over the company, which has been renamed ELC Investigations. That meant joining GMA as a new company. He had previously attended GMA events as an employee, but now has to juggle work with attending events to represent his business.

He knew he would join GMA. His father always told him how important it was to stay in touch with people all around Greensboro and the surrounding counties. Belonging to GMA is good for

New MEMBER

making business contacts and friends, his dad told him. “I remember him always speaking so highly of GMA … and how fun it was.”

Family friend and GMA member Stephanie Ward also advised him to join.

“She was like, ‘GMA’s where you need to be. That’s going to be the best for you. You’re going to meet great people. You’re going to make good relationships professionally,’” he recalled.

One of his favorite parts about belonging to GMA so far has been all the people who remember his father and share their stories of him.

It even happened during his new member orientation session in January. GMA/ FirstPoint President and CEO Mark Prince spoke to the new members and said some very nice things about his father, Cobbler said.

ELC Investigations is a family business. Cobbler’s wife, Gina, and sister Ashley work with him, along with another investigator.

The company handles various types of cases: domestic, worker’s compensation, child custody and welfare, traffic

accidents, personal injury and embezzlement. They also serve legal papers and conduct background checks.

The Greensboro-based company is licensed in North Carolina, which means Cobbler can take any case that originates in the state. That doesn’t mean there’s no outof-state travel. They’ve had cases that took them to Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio and even Puerto Rico.

“We do pretty much all of it,” Cobbler said. “That’s one thing my dad wanted to do. He was like, if we can do it, let’s do it. Anything we can do to help. We’re there to help, for sure.”

Cobbler’s been working on getting his name out there.

“It’s hard to be the face of (ELC Investigations) and working in the field, but I’m going to do it,” he said.

He plans to get more involved with GMA once he finds his footing.

“It’s a great place to meet other professional people, to get friendships and good professional relationships,” he said. “My dad always spoke highly of it.”

Lee Cobbler

ELC Investigations

336-362-2135

elcinvestigations@gmail.com

Risers learn how to soar in 2024

Members of Risers, GMA’s young professionals group, met Feb. 14 for a special workshop meant to help them focus on getting the most out of the new year.

The “Soar in 2024 Vision Workshop” was presented by Terri Moore of Terri Moore Coaching Services.

Moore is an author, a Certified Womens Empowerment Coach and a Vision Coach.

At the workshop, attendees learned about how to focus, gain insight into their personal nature, develop their vision, set goals and avoid burnout with action steps.

Risers meets once a month for lunch, which gives them a chance to network in a casual atmosphere. Last year, the group also started a new series

of education sessions geared toward young professionalls.

The first one focused on leadership.

While Risers is generally intended for those age 39 and under, anyone employed by a GMA member company in good standing can join.

The group has about 80 members.

Above: Joshua Hand, Grace Financial Services (right) hands out stickers to Amanda Brewer, Mosaic Spark LLC, (center) and Maribel Tapia, Stitch-FX (left) during the Feb. 9 Noontime Network.

Stephanie Ward of Print Plus said being a GMA volunteer gives her a chance to meet even more people.

Cobbler

Terri Moore, Terri Moore Coaching Services, shares how to make 2024 a great year in a special workshop on Feb. 14 for Risers, the Guilford Merchants Association’s young professionals group.

Risers members attend a special workshop on Feb. 14.

Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson speaks during the Feb. 13 Center City AM Briefing. The bimonthly briefing is open to GMA members and anyone who lives, works, or supports the downtown Greensboro area. City officials share information on developments, activities, growth and more.

A guest (left) poses with Nick Raimondi, Starr Electric; Kelly Ingram, City of Greensboro; and Kermit Coble, Edward Jones, as they show off the stickers they collected during the Feb. 9 Noontime Network at Hilton Garden Inn Airport in Greensboro.

Karen Hunter, WXII12-TV/Hearst (left) and Maddie Cagle, WXII12-TV/Hearst (right), take a picture together at the Noontime Network in February.