Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
August 2016
As July comes to a close, I hope that you are finding time to enjoy the summer! The Chamber has been busy this month. We partnered with the Kaukauna Police Department to offer 2 days of Active Shooter Training. 23 of our chamber member businesses sent 42 people through the training! We received so much positive feedback that we are working with the Kaukauna Police Department to offer the training again soon. Over 100 of our Chamber members joined us for lunch at our membership appreciation lunch. We partnered with ATW – Patrick Tracey and Abe Weber came out and entertained our group with giveaways, ice cream and fun! A big thank you to Good News Water for supplying us with water on such a hot day, the staff at Midwest Restoration for setting up and taking down all of the tables and chairs, also to Bob DeBruin for his help volunteering! It was a great day and we are so lucky to have the support of so many of our Chamber Members.
The Heart of The Valley Chamber of Commerce is an excellent resource for a small business like ours. We value the opportunities to connect, share ideas and share leads with other local members through programs such as the monthly Business After Hours events. Programs and events are truly focused on what we need to grow our business. The membership fee is a great value! - Steve Engmann,
We have some great events in August – our seminars this month are focused on Workplace Wellness. If you would be interested in getting involved with our Workplace Wellness Roundtable group – let me know! This is a great way to share and incorporate ideas from other companies as well as find out new trends in workplace wellness.
Competitive Strategies
Our Business After Hours will be on Thursday, August 18th at High Cliff Banquets and Catering – Larry and his staff will have great drink specials and amazing appetizers for us to enjoy! Stop out and network with some great chamber members. Thank you so much for your continued support...we appreciate your membership and trust in the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce! Kelli Clussman, Executive Director 920.766.1616 kclussman@heartofthevalleychamber.com
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
What’s Inside?
Upcoming Events
Welcome New Members
Photos from our events
Good News is worth Repeating
Upcoming Events Name: Business Before Hours: Staying Young, Keeping Healthy Presentation by Dr. Brent Buss and Anna Tennessen Date: August 9 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Location: The Chiropractic Advantage 658 W. Ridgeview Dr. Appleton, WI 54911 --------------------------------------------------------------Name: Government Relations Roundtable Group Presentation: Initiative 41 The overarching goal of Initiative 41 is to create a NEW Way of Thinking by creating an atmosphere focused on a regional approach to economic collaboration; with an understanding by community, business and elected leaders that the region is interconnected and that success in one community is a success for all communities.
Date: Friday, August 12 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Location: Chamber Office -------------------------------------------------------------Name: Business Card Exchange Date: Thursday, August 18 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: Chamber Office -------------------------------------------------------------Name: Business After Hours Date: Thursday, August 18 Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: High Cliff Restaurant, Banquets & Catering W5095 Golf Course Rd, Sherwood -------------------------------------------------------------Name: Non-Profit Roundtable Group Date: Tuesday, August 23 Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Location: Chamber Office Best Practices – What Works for your Organization? * Building Relationships * Communication * Recruitment Featured Non-Profit: The Samarian Counseling Center of the Fox Valley To register for an event, go to www.heartofthevalleychamber.com or email jamie@heartofthevalleychamber.com 2 Connecting People – Promoting Business
Business After Hours: Waverly Beach
Ribbon Cutting: Celebrating 25 Years at Dwyer’s
6 Connecting People – Promoting Business
Business Card Exchange
Ground Breaking: Evergreen Power Congratulations to Evergreen Power!
4 Reasons You’re Losing Customers (or soon will be) Do you track the number of sales you make along with the revenue? Of course you do. How do your numbers look? Are you increasing or remaining the same? Hopefully you’re not down this year but if you are, these may be some of the reasons why and what you can do to fix them: You Can’t Compete on Price I’m making a broad generalization here, but as a small business you can’t compete on price with the big chain stores just as I can’t compete with writers who are overseas and on Fiverr.
You’re Not Making Your Customers Feel Special Customers will buy from you without that “special” feeling until someone comes along who competes with you AND makes them feel special. There are tons of ways to make your customers feel appreciated everything from providing the happiest, best, most attentive service to giving away special previous customer discounts. Find a way to appreciate them and they’ll be more likely to return again and again. You’re Unresponsive
When customers like your shop and enjoy your brand, they want to connect with you. If they try to do so on one of your social media profiles and you are If you make price your differentiator there will always unresponsive, they will read that as uninterested in be someone who can underbid you. There are plenty them. Millennials especially want to be able to provide of businesses looking to take a hit in one area in the direct feedback to businesses on social media. If hopes they will get additional business in the future. you’re not active on there or not responsive, you’re That’s exactly how large retail and grocery stores work. sending a message without ever writing one. 2016 is right around the corner. It’s time to review 2015 and Better differentiators for small business include decide what you want this upcoming year to look like. If customer service, a unique product, a unique way of you’re worried about your sales numbers this year, or doing something, or even a value ad. just want to see them improve next year, follow this simple advice and make 2016 The Year of Your If you are a small business, find something other than Customer. price to differentiate your business. Your wallet will thank you. I don’t want to. Neither should you.
You Have no Differentiator When kids open a lemonade stand, it’s all about location and need. They need a good location to be successful and people will stop when they need a drink. That’s fine until the kid next door opens a lemonade and hot dog stand. Now they and their competitor share a similar location, both are just as easy to get to, and the first lemonade stand has a limitation on its business – nothing to eat. Assuming they don’t get into a pricing war, the first stand better come up with a way to differentiate. If not, they’ll likely lose business. 4 Connecting People – Promoting Business
Come out and Support Maria! Tickets are also available at the Chamber Office. Stop by, call 920-766-1616 or email Kclussman@heartofthevalleychamber.com
88 Connecting Connecting People People –– Promoting Promoting Business Business
Customize Your Keyboard
Gboard for iOS features a built-in search button to help you find and send websites, directions, memes and more without leaving the app you’re in.
It’s a feature of your phone that you use every day, but probably don’t often think about – your keyboard. Both Android Minuum focuses on taking up less of your screen so you can and iOS offer you the option to download third-party keyboard apps to customize your typing experience. And like any see what you are typing. You can adjust the size of the keyapp category, there are a lot to choose from. Here are some board to fit your needs. of the most popular keyboard apps: These are just a few of the many options available to take your keyboard experience to a new level. Swiftkey is among the most popular third-party keyboard apps and features a predictive typing and autocorrect features that learn from you over time, even learning and suggesting your favorite emoji and slang. Swype is the original continuous motion keyboard and claims their patented technology can help users input faster at over 40 words per minute. Flesky is a customizable keyboard that allows you to add extensions to make its keyboard work for you. Customizations include adding a number row so you don’t have to toggle to the next screen, cursor control to quickly edit text and one-handed typing that makes the keyboard easier to reachon big screens. The extensions available vary by platform.
Cellcom is an innovative wireless company that provides nationwide service for its customer base throughout Wisconsin and Michigan, with nearly 70 retail and agent locations. Cellcom is respected for its long-standing reputation of delivering extraordinary customer care, being a strong community partner, and for its renowned network, which is customized to its rural markets. As a subsidiary of Nsight, Cellcom is part of a family of companies offering complete telecommunications services.
Welcome New Members Beeswax Spa - Jinny Biese - Owner 206 Main Ave Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 462-7120 Beeswaxmassage@outlook.com Beeswax Spa's goal is to provide Massage Therapy and Skin Care services in a comfortable and affordable setting to achieve an end result that meets the client's needs. I specialize in specific treatment massage, this can include one or more the modalities of Swedish massage, deep tissue, chair massage and hot stones. The Spa also offers the skin care services of facials, waxing and body scrubs and wraps. I worked as a certified nursing assistant for over 25 years and discovered the hidden talent of healing touch from a hospice volunteer. I wanted to learn more to better help others, I received my education in massage at Kneaded Energy School of Massage and licensed in NC in 2013 . After working in the spa industry for a couple of years I saw a need to address not just the muscles of the body but the skin as well and completed my esthetics training/licensure at Central Carolina Community College. My family moved back to Kaukauna this spring and I want to bring the health benefits of massage and esthetics my hometown.
Positive Every Day Cancer Foundation, Inc Melissa Beyer - Executive Director 601 Stonegate Drive Kimberly, WI 54136 (920) 540-4564 smile@pedfoundation.org They provide primary caregivers of pediatric patients & siblings with services such as home cleaning service, prepared meals & financial support for daycare.
Nutritional Healing Kimberly Baehman - President/Owner 400 N. Richmond St., Ste F Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 358-5764 kimbaehman@nutritionalhealingllc.com When it comes to perfect health, there are no shortcuts. Perfect health stems from exact science. Nutritional Healing believes in the science approach when designing weight loss programs, discovering food sensitivities & allergies, hormone testing and performance training to name a few. Nutritional Healing utilizes the top nutrition products available, along with the most sophisticated diagnostic tests to help you achieve optimal health. We can help you understand your body’s specific nutritional needs by offering: Body composition testing, Customized menu planning, Food sensitivity testing, Supplements, Class & individual detox programs and Specialized lab work. Take back your health today! Nutritional Healing uses a scientific approach to help you heal yourself quickly and permanently. Call Kimberly and her staff today for a free consultation. 10 Connecting People – Promoting Business
Pagoni's Pizza Ernesto Morales - Owner 320 E Ann Street Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 759-9400 neto8412@yahoo.com In 2008, three brothers left Chicago and traveled to the Fox Valley in search of a place where they could establish their homes and open the first Pagoni’s Pizza. Because of the great location and the sense of community found in Neenah, the brothers opened their first location on Winneconne Ave. in 2007. Due to popular demand, Pagoni’s expanded to Kaukauna in 2008. Through their journey, they have found the people of the Fox Valley to be welcoming, kind friendly and genuine. The brothers could not have found a better place to build a life and become a part of the community! Pagoni’s Pizza is your Fox Valley source for Chicago-style pizza with the guaranteed Sicilian taste. Looking for great pizza or classic Sicilian pasta? Or, something a little lighter such as a gourmet sandwich? All items on our menu are made with the freshest ingredients. Real Chicago-style pizza and other great Sicilian favorites!
Holy Spirit Parish - Patty Vande Voort - Business Administrator 620 E. Kimberly Ave. Kimberly, WI 54136 (920) 788-7640
vandervoortp@holyspirit-parish.org Our Mission: With gratitude, we reach out with loving compassion by serving, guiding, and celebrating sacraments and giving witness to the kingdom of God.
Our Vision: Holy Spirit Catholic community strives to be an inclusive and faith filled people, proclaiming to the world that God is deeply in love with all. Weekend Mass times: Saturday 4:30pm, Sunday at 7:30am and 9:30am.
SEEK Careers and Staffing 3203 W College Ave. Appleton, WI 54914 (920) 954-1566 szahringer@seekcareers.com We specialize in employment placement for direct-hire, temporaryto-hire and contract opportunities in manufacturing, light industrial, skilled trades, administrative and a host of other positions as well. That's not all. In addition to our employment placement services, we also provide complete HR support services as well as placements for experienced professionals through SEEK Professionals. National servicing is also possible through our affiliate company - Anserteam. Anserteam allows us the ability to provide employment placement and client servicing across the United States. Why choose SEEK? The better question is, why not? Our customer service and support is second to none and our client focused approach is really what sets us apart.
Good News is Worth Repeating Frontier Builders & Consultants out of Kaukauna was recently awarded the following construction contracts: The Mission Church A 4,115 sq. ft. two-story addition 314 N. Appleton St. Appleton, WI Schenck is proud to unveil refreshed branding and a new logo to represent the future vision, behaviors and culture of the firm. The updated look better reflects its position as a well-rounded, progressive CPA and consulting firm serving clients throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states.
Our feature on the best online colleges in America also includes: Information about the advantages of pursuing a degree online Financial aid options for online student Resources for academic success Investors Community Bank was listed as a top loan producer nationally among community banks, according to the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA). Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin has proposed building a regional community/senior center on its Community Campus at 1800 Appleton Road, to serve the full Fox Cities.
Stellar Blue Technologies, a Fox Valley, Wis. based digital marketing firm, launched six new custom websites this June. The websites include Kennedy Center, My Strategy Source, Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Green Bay Botanical Gardens, Wildeck Division VRC, CastlePierce, and Bergstrom Mahler Museum of Glass. AMERICAN PICKERS To Film In Wisconsin Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and their team are excited to return to Wisconsin! americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-old-rust.
KELLER, Planners, Architects, Builders, a Design/Build General Contractor, will build a 5,194 square foot liquid load-out building for United Coop - Auroraville under the direction of Keller Project Managers, Cory Vande Wettering and Tony Pullara and Architect, Rob Lindstrom.
County Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICBK), the parent company for Investors Community Bank, announced that the company was added to the Russell 3000® Index and the Russell Global® Index as a result of the annual Russell index CAP Services’ Skills Enhancement Program recently reconstitution. The Russell 3000® Index measures the graduated its 850th participant overall – its 500th from Outperformance of the 3,000 largest US-traded stocks based on agamie County alone. market capitalization. Russell US Indexes, including the Russell 3000®, are the leading US equity benchmarks for institutional investors. ThedaCare is one of six organizations selected to participate in Transforming Complex Care (TCC), a multi-site program aimed at refining and spreading effective care that address the complex medical and social needs of high-need, high-cost patients. Fox Communities Credit Union will host Bike to the Beat Saturday, Aug. 6 from 7 a.m. to noon during Mile of Music. It is a family friendly bicycle ride to raise money for myTEAM TRIUMPH. Fox Valley Technical College, has been featured in our publication of the Top Online Colleges in America! With over 1,200 public and not-for-profit universities offering courses online, the online program at Fox Valley Technical College has not only set the standard for distance learning in Wisconsin, but for the country as a whole! 12 Connecting People – Promoting Business
Contact Us
Give us a call for more information about our services and products Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce 101 E. Wisconsin Ave. Kaukauna, WI 54130 (920) 766-1616 jamie@heartofthevalleychamber.com Visit us on the web at: www.heartofthevalleychamber.com
Member Spotlight Community Benefit Tree is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission of empowering individuals and their families to effectively navigate a medical crisis. Through one-of-a-kind events called Celebrations of Support , CBT volunteers and the families' support network bring the community together to raise funding and provide emotional support for the family. Each event is specific to the individual in need.
Established in 2004 by Heidi Frederickson and her mother, Karla Wolfinger, who experienced a family medical crisis themselves, Community Benefit Tree has now supported over 550 families and provided services to help raise over $4.5 million in financial assistance. This funding has gone directly to the struggling families' living and medical expenses.
The real a-ha moment came for Heidi and Karla at CBT's 10 year anniversary. When they started this venture, they believed they would be helping about two families a year. The need for their services far outweighed that initial estimate. By 2014, CBT had already helped 500 families in need.
While CBT continues to provide websites, promotion, event planning, fundraising support and Celebrations of Support, coming this Fall, they will be adding an online funding component to their line up. A newly designed website will revitalize the organization bringing about even more reason to celebrate.
This isn't just a two woman endeavor however. Community Benefit Tree also employees two additional employees and has a handful of regular volunteers. Each event brings new challenges to the fold and, even with the caring help they already have, they are continuously looking for additional assistance. Using resources like the Volunteer Center and family support networks, new volunteers are always welcome.
Community Benefit Tree plans to continue their mission, hosting more Celebration events, raising more funding for families in need and providing additional resources to those seeking assistance, and they will be doing all this while celebrating the joy these individuals bring to everyone they meet.
Who knew that after dealing with a family medical crisis of their own, they would go on to help so many other families in need. The assistance of the Heart of the Valley Chamber has been instrumental in that process, helping the Kaukauna based Community Benefit Tree build and maintain a strong support network of their own.
12 Connecting People – Promoting Business