BusinessJournal A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Getting a taste of Apple Pay PAGE 3
Get the space you need at a price you can afford.
144 S Thomas St, Tupelo, MS 38801 662.840.7665
SPANISH VILLAGE
November 2014
Document: F001CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:28:58;JPC 72 DPI
THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
No more polar vortexes, please
R
ewind to earlier in the year, when we faced some of the coldest weather in recent memory. That “polar vortex” as the weather gurus called it, crimped retail spending – and thus, overall economic growth – in the first quarter. Consumer spending, as we’re often reminded, makes up some 70 percent of the U.S. economy. With that in mind, as we approach the all-important holiday shopping season – or Christmas shopping season, if you prefer – all eyes are again on the weather. And on you and me and how much we plan to spend. The winter weather forecast, according to AccuWeather, says “cold air and high snow amounts will define the season.” Great. “Farther south,” the forecast says, “ice storms and snow events will threaten the Tennessee Valley
and parts of the southern plains. Much of the South can prepare for a wet winter, with some severe weather encroaching on Florida.” DENNIS AccuWeather SEID says there will be less snow in the northern plains with fluctuating temperatures. The folks in the northwest and northern California will continue to endure its drought. Maybe they can have some of our precipitation. Meanwhile, the always optimistic National Retail Federation expects holiday sales – the period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 – to increase a “healthy” 4.1 percent to $616.9 billion. The NRF excludes sales of automobiles, gas and
restaurants in its forecast. On a average, holiday sales have grown 2.9 percent over the past 10 years, including 2014’s estimates, and are expected to represent about 19.2 percent of the retail industry’s annual sales of $3.2 trillion. This would mark the first time since 2011 that holiday sales would increase more than 4 percent, the NRF said. “Retailers could see a welcome boost in holiday shopping, giving some companies the shot in the arm they need after a volatile first half of the year and an uneventful summer,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “While expectations for sales growth are upbeat, it goes without saying there still remains some uneasiness and anxiety among consumers when it comes to their purchase decisions. The lagging economic recovery, though improving, is still top of mind for many Americans.
“Recognizing the need to keep household budgets in line, we expect shoppers will be extremely price sensitive as they have been for quite some time. Retailers will respond by differentiating themselves and touting price, value and exclusivity.” In Lee County, net retail sales in 2013 totaled $1.072 billion, slightly lower than the $1.084 billion recorded a year earlier. Tupelo and Lee County have long been the retail, financial and medical hub of Northeast Mississippi, and that role won’t change anytime soon, bad weather or not. Through September, Lee County amassed $850 million in net sales, $22 million more than for the same period last year. No other county in the region comes close to Lee County. It takes combining the next six counties’ sales – Lafayette ( $250 million), Oktibbeha ($202 mil-
lion), Alcorn ($154 million), Union ($82 million), Monroe ($82 million) and Marshall ($82 million) to eke past Lee County. In fact, Tupelo and Lee County accounted for 40 percent of the 16-county region’s total retail sales through September. And with the official holiday spending period having begun, fingers are crossed that the worst of the weather will wait until after the first of the year – or be much milder than expected. Also the NRF expects seasonal employment to grow 725,000 to 800,000. Last year, retailers hired about 768,000 workers, which was a 14 percent increase from 2012. So, with better weather, maybe we Americans will shop until we drop and continue boosting the economy. Contact DENNIS SEID at (662) 6781578 or dennis.seid@journalinc.com
Minorities, millennials key this holiday season BY KAVITA KUMAR MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
Listen up, retailers: millennials and minorities may be your salvation this holiday season. About 17 percent of African-Americans and 13 percent of Asian-Americans and Latinos said they expect to spend more this holiday season, compared to 10 percent of the overall population, according to a survey of 25,000 households last month by Nielsen. And about 17 percent of millennials said they plan to spend more online this holiday season, a higher percentage than other generations.
About 17 percent of African-Americans and 13 percent of Asian-Americans and Latinos said they expect to spend more this holiday season, compared to 10 percent of the overall population. And about 17 percent of millennials said they plan to spend more online this holiday season, a higher percentage than other generations. “It’s a consumer landscape shift that materializes in multicultural consumers and millennials,” said James Russo, Nielsen’s senior vice presi-
e! r u t it i n r u F e c ic i f f O n in i g n in i h Everyt
dent of global consumer insights. “And holiday is just a reflection of the overall consumer mindset.” While marketers have
been acknowledging they need tor each out to people of color for years, the survey’s findings are an important prod for companies as they look for growth in a slow-growth environment, he added. Nielsen expects holiday spending to rise 1.8 percent this year, which is slightly higher than its forecasts the last two years. But it still signals fairly moderate growth. (The National Retail Federation, by comparison, has projected a 4.1 percent increase in retail sales for the holidays.) While Nielsen sees some signs for optimism with lower gas prices and an improving job market,
about 68 percent of consumers in its survey still said they believe we’re in a recession. That percentage has been improving every year, but it still highlights that the consumers if feeling pretty stressed out. “There’s improvement, but there’s hesitation as well,” Russo said. “They are very much focused on their spending.” Amid such a tight landscape, the ultra-practical gift cards are expected to be the top holiday gift this year, followed by tech products and toys, according to Nielsen’s survey. As for millennials, companies have become more focused on them recently,
especially as they are starting families and joining the workforce. “They’re coming into their own,” Russo said. But while retailers will try to entice consumers to spend early in the season, millennials and multiculatural households will procrastinate a bit, waiting longer than the rest of the population to start their shopping. For one, Russo noted that they know that retailers are aggressive with promotions early in the season, but also in the last two weeks before Christmas. “So there is some benefit to waiting as well,” he said.
NEED OFFICE FURNITURE? Come to North Mississippi’s Largest Used Office Furniture Dealer. Whether you’re just starting up, getting ready to remodel or expand, Whittington has the inventory expertise and resources to help you.
Call us today.
• • • •
Seating Files Reception Conference • Design
• Break Room • Book Cases • Desks • Systems Furniture Services
New & Used Furniture Delivery and Installation
OFFICE FURNITURE Community Drive at Green Street Just North of the Daily Journal
Phone (662) 871-0568
www.whittingtonofficefurniture.com
Document: F002CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:29:08;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 2
Will Apple Pay be mobile pay’s kick-start? ANALYSIS
BY MARIA HALKIAS MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
DALLAS – If anyone can get us to use our smartphones as wallets, it’s Apple. That’s what experts think about the recent launch of Apple Pay, the first mobile wallet to work on an iPhone. Two previous attempts – by Google and a partnership of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile called Soft Card – haven’t pushed consumers to pay for things with their Android phones. Now it’s Apple’s turn. Apple Pay is in line with the Apple playbook, said Jennifer Kent, director of research at Dallas-based Parks Associates. “Let others test it and let it mature a bit, then get the right partners and launch it with big marketing behind it.” Banks love Apple Pay and are actively marketing it because it uses their Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, which are often already in customers’ Apple iTunes accounts.
MCX ON THE HORIZON
Much of the retail industry is on the sidelines, quietly hoping that Apple will succeed in getting us acclimated to mobile paying. Target is not accepting Apple Pay in its stores but has allowed it on its mobile shopping app for online purchases. The world’s biggest retailer,Wal-Mart, is noticeably absent. And Home Depot spokeswoman Paula Drake said, “It’s still too early to deter-
mine what, if anything, we will do with Apple Pay.” Another mobile pay system is in the works from a company formed two years ago by more than 50 major retailers including WalMart, Target, 7-Eleven, Gap, Lowe’s and Kohl’s. Called Merchant Customer Exchange, or MCX, the group has developed an app called CurrentC that doesn’t require extra hardware at the checkout. Last month, MCX revealed its brand name and said CurrentC is in a private test. MCX did say on its website in September that it plans to launch next year and has in its system 110,000 stores that represent $1 billion a year in sales, or more than 20 percent of all U.S. annual retail sales. Retailers have waited to see clear demand from consumers before investing in equipment to facilitate mobile payments, Kent said. “That’s been a barrier, but we’ve busted through it finally with the mass consumer adoption of smartphones,” Kent said. So far, Apple Pay and other systems require checkouts to be equipped with NFC, or near-field communication. The price per terminal for NFC capability is about $100 to $150 for both hardware and software, said TURN TO ANALYSIS, 6
PAGE 3
Customers, merchants getting taste of Apple Pay BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL
Since Apple Pay launched its mobile payment system Oct. 20, Rob Williams has used it as often as he can. Using the Target app on his iPhone 6,Williams recently made a purchase through Apple Pay. He’s been to Subway and McDonald’s a few times as well to use it, but it’s taken a little time for the technology to catch on. “They didn’t really know much about the technology yet, but I think that’s because the training hasn’t filtered down yet,” he said after his first trip to a McDonald’s using Apple Pay. “When I passed the phone to them, they kind of looked at me like ‘what are you doing?’ But now they’re getting the hang of it.” Apple Pay lets shoppers use their iPhone 6 phone, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or Apple Watch to make payments with their device.With an iPhone a consumer holds the iPhone near an electronic reader with his or her finger on the Touch ID fingerprint reader. The new iPhones have a wireless chip to transmit the information needed to complete the transaction. Perhaps the greatest feature of Apple Pay, besides convenience, is that the payments are kept private and can’t be tied back to the user. Purchases are kept in Passbook, which is accessed only by the user. “I like it a lot better because if you hand your credit card or debit card over, your numbers are exposed,” Williams said. “Apple Pay hides the number from the merchant, and from that aspect, it’s a lot more secure.” In Tupelo,Williams has used Apple Pay at McDonald’s, Subway andWalgreens, who are part of the Apply Pay system nationwide. Other retailers include American Eagle Outfitters, Babies R Us, Chevron, Petco, Radio Shack, Toys R Us and Whole Foods. Major credit cards likeVisa, MasterCard and American Express are participating, along with several hundred financial institutions. Among the banks are Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Wells Fargo.
NOW... FOR THE
DENNIS SEID | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Rob Williams of Tupelo completes a purchase with Apple Pay. Tupelo-based BancorpSouth and Renasant haven’t signed on yet, but are considering, bank spokesmen said. “Renasant fully intends to embrace Apply Pay and we are currently working toward implementation,” said John Oxford. “As this new technology is adopted, we expect Apply Pay will be a game-changer in the payments transaction process, eventually becoming a standard payment method just like cash, debit and credit cards.” Renasant hasn’t committed to a date as to when it will include Apple Pay, but Oxford said implementation would be as soon as possible. BancorpSouth also hasn’t set a
timeline to join the Apple Pay system. Randy Burchfield said the bank is listening to its customers and talking to vendors to determine if and when it will link with Apple Pay.
WHERE A GREAT PERFORMANCE... Is An Everyday Event! Built in the heart of the Mid-South, the BancorpSouth Arena
• Sweatshirts • Outerwear
& Conference Center is designed to accommodate events
• Button Downs • Scarves
that demand comfort, convenience, and flexibility.
dylan WOMENS
COMPETING SERVICE
But Apple Pay isn’t for everyone, and the nation’s largest retailer, WalMart plans to participate in a rival payment system. Wal-Mart is part of consortium of retailers called Merchant Customer Exchange planning to offer a rival mobile payment system next year
by TRUE GRIT
exclusively available at
375 East Main • Tupelo 841-6573 • 718-5555 fax www.bcsarena.com
TURN TO APPLE PAY, 6
Document: F003CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:29:19;JPC 72 DPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
Prescription for success |
BUSINESS JOURNAL
DENNIS SEID | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Endville Bakery and Catering co-owner Elizabeth Gable is happy to have more workspace.
‘This is where we hoped to be’ BY DENNIS SEID DAILY JOURNAL
TUPELO – A little more than three years ago, Elizabeth and David Gable decided to take their meal-making idea a step farther, opening their own business. Endville Bakery & Catering was created from their previous venture, “Monday Meals,” in which the couple would send emails to clients on Thursdays with a supper menu. Those on the list had until Sunday to respond, and those who like the menu could have the suppers delivered to them. In June 2011, Endville Bakery & Catering opened its doors, with baked goods like cupcakes, cookies, cakes and other sweets added to the catering services.
|
|
ENDVILLE BAKERY & CATERING
ADDRESS: 2135 McCullough Blvd., Tupelo PHONE: (662) 680-3332 WEBSITE: www.endvillebakerytupelo.com FACEBOOK: Endville Bakery And last week, the business moved across the street on McCullough Boulevard to a larger location. “We were stacked up on top of each other in our old location,” Elizabeth said. “Our new location is three times bigger.” The move wasn’t unexpected – it had always been her hope to grow into a larger location. So far,
everything is going more or less according to plan. “This is where I had hoped to be at this point,” she said. The former location, which was a house, had been converted to their use. But as the business grew, the Gables and their help found themselves running into and over each other. “It was a good starting point for us,” Elizabeth said. “But it was time to do something a little different.” As it turns out, a frequent customer had worked in the building Endville Bakery & Catering just moved into. But then her visits to the store tapered off, and one day, Elizabeth saw TURN TO ENDVILLE, 6
FULTON – Despite having access to all the best medications money can buy, independent pharmacies are dying. “Nope, there’s not many of us at all,” said Trent Bennett, owner of S&W Pharmacy and Gifts, Itawamba County’s sole locally owned pharmacy. Whereas most pharmacies are either associated with large retail companies (Walmart, Fred’s or the like) or are dotted on street corners in cities nationwide (CVS, Walgreens), S&W Pharmacy still is independently owned, locally operated and one-of-a-kind. And it has been around for a halfcentury, too.
|
S&W PHARMACY
BY ADAM ARMOUR
ADDRESS: 116 South Cummings Street, Fulton PHONE: 662-862-9025 FACEBOOK: sandwpharmacyandgifts “I honestly don’t know if I could work for anybody else,” Bennett said, stopping to greet a customer who had just walked through the door. Momentarily excusing himself, Bennett retrieved a small collection of pills from behind the counter, counted them and bottled them. The process took less than a minute. He handed over the bottle to one of his employees, who
rang up the customer. Bennett picked up the conversation where he left off. “I’ve just been doing this for so long,” he said. Located on the corner of Cummings Street and Wiygul in the heart of downtown Fulton, S&W is one of the area’s staple businesses, part of the old guard that includes Bob Steele’s Flower Shop and Lee Ann Ladies & Children’s Shop. Founded by George Shaw and CK White (the titular “S” and “W” in S&W), the store’s been welcoming customers since the 1960s, back when Bennett was just a kid. Through the years, S&W TURN TO S&W, 6
ADAM ARMOUR I BUY AT PHOTOS.ITAWAMBATIMES.COM
The staff of S&W Pharmacy in Fulton include, from left, Morgan Beard, Nancy Wilcutt, owner Trent Bennett, Teresa Reeves, Judith Franks and, not pictured, Grace Waddle, Neely Ott, Bailey Nabors and Telissa Malone. Situated on the corner of Cummings Street and Wiygul since the 1960s, S&W is a staple of downtown Fulton and one of an increasingly few examples of an independently owned pharmacy.
A SIGN OF OUR SUCCESS Century 21 has 12 fantastic agents who are willing to
help you find exactly what you are looking for. Visit our website or download our app to see properties for sale or receive alerts on the place you’re interested in. We also offer First-Time Home Buyer information, comparable market analyses, and much more.
We promise to help you make the impossible, possible. There is a difference when choosing
Century 21..
1720 McCULLOUGH BLVD. TUPELO, MS 662.842.7878 or TOLL FREE 800.810.7777 suegardnerrealty@century21.com SueGardnerRealty.com
Document: F004CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:30:44;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 4
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Document: F005CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:31:44;JPC 72 DPI
NOVEMBER 2014
PAGE 5
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Apple Pay FROM 3
which could direct debit customers’ checking accounts, instead of using a credit card like Apple Pay utilizes. The system, called CurrentC, also will be designed to track customer buying patterns to be able to offer targeted promotions. In the meantime, some of the group’s biggest members, like CVS, 7-Eleven, Best Buy and Wal-Mart, are nixing so-called NFC (nearfield communication) pay-
S&W FROM 4
traded owners a couple of times. But it wasn’t until 1985 that Bennett became involved. After graduating from pharmacy school in 1980, Bennett took a job working for pharmacist and apothecary Dan McElroy (to whom Bennett referred as one of the most influential people in his career).
NOVEMBER 2014
ments even though they already have the point-of-sale technology in stores. Other retailers that aren’t part of MCX, like Starbucks and Taco Bell, are opting to develop their own mobile payment services, and so aren’t taking Apple Pay either. “Retailers (that are part of Merchant Customer Exchange) are certainly going to give it a go on their own, they spent the last few years and money developing this,” said eMarketer analyst Bryan Yeager. “Ultimately if there’s enough consumer demand for it in the long run, maybe they will accept
Apple Pay, but they’re very much intent on trying to make a go at their own mobile wallet.” Although nascent, the appetite for mobile payment is growing. Mobile commerce is expected to total $305.7 billion in 2014, up 15.7 percent from the prior year, according to eMarketer. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the new mobile payment system had over 1 million activations in the first three days after it became available, and is now more widely used than any competing payment system. He called the dispute with retailers a “skirmish.”
“We’ve got a lot of merchants to sign up, a lot more banks to sign up and we have the whole rest of the world,” he said at the WSJD Live Conference in Laguna Beach, California last month.“So we’re just getting started.” By next October, retailers will be required to have point-of-sale terminals that work with the new EMV chip-and-pin security standard for credit cards. Those terminals usually also have the“near-field communication capability to work with Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Softcard systems, but they aren’t au-
tomatically enabled to work with NFC. Is it really in retailers’ interest to block customers from using mobile wallet services other than their own? “Blocking mobile payments providers will deprive consumers of their preferred method of payment,” said Jason Oxman, CEO of the Electronic Transactions Association, a trade organization for the payment-processing industry. “With more than 300 million mobile devices and more than one billion credit and debit cards in American consumers’ pockets, the future ubiquity of mo-
bile payments is certain.” Mallory Duncan, general counsel of retail lobbying group The National Retail Federation, defends retailers’ choice. “It is easy to second guess why a specific retailer chooses one technology or another, or what payments they will or will not accept, but you can be sure that the bottom line consideration is what is best for their company and their consumer,” he said.
“He gave me the opportunity to come back to Fulton and work. That’s what I really wanted to do all along,” he said. Five years later, Bennett had the opportunity to buy into co-ownership of S&W. Although he hated to leave McElroy, it was an opportunity to do what he loved at a business of his own. That was too good to pass up. He joined Frank Turner as coowner of the shop. Along with McElroy, Ben-
nett cites Turner’s influence as one of the most important in shaping his career. “They taught me how to deal with people,” he said. Part of what makes a good pharmacist is the ability to build a relationship with patrons. Bennett believes the more he gets to know the people who walk through his doors, the better he will be able to serve them. “You learn all about them,” he said. “They’ll tell the pharmacist something
they won’t tell anybody else.” Having worked on the front lines of pharmaceuticals for so long, Bennett has seen vast changes in the way the industry works. Not all for the better, either. “The cost of medicine has gone way up,” he said. But the bones of business have also changed. “When I first started, I was using a manual typewriter, and 90 percent of our transactions were either cash or charge,” he said.These days, nearly every transaction is filed through an insurance provider of some kind. Changes keep Bennett on his toes. It’s the most challenging aspect of his job. “It’s a lot tougher business than some people realize,” Bennett said. It’s even tougher for the independent. But it’s all Bennett has ever done and all he ever wants to do. Locally owned pharmacies may not be as healthy as they once were, but owners like Bennett are keeping them alive and kicking as long as they can.
Analysis
ered a standard feature,” she said. “CurrentC has the holy grail. It’s ubiquitous. I’ll be able to pay with it all the time,” Kent said. “I like the MCX strategy. It can be very successful, but it needs to get to market soon.” MCX is software-based and requires only a checkout scanner to work. Its CurrentC app will also be the only one that works on both iPhones and Android phones, MCX said.
adam.armour@journalinc.com
FROM 3
Debbie Simurda, director of business development at Mainstreet Inc., a firm that specializes in customizing checkout systems for retailers. Simurda expects most payment terminals to add NFC. “Before it likely was an option, but with Apple Pay it may almost be consid-
Endville FROM 4
somebody showing the building. She immediately called to find out if the building was available. That was about four months ago. “We’d been looking for a while for another location,” Elizabeth said. “Because we had a lot of customers on this side of town, we wanted to stay in the area.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report dennis.seid@journalinc.com
With more businesses eyeing McCullough Boulevard, and the northern loop linking the area to the busy Barnes Crossing area, she said Endville Bakery & Catering finds itself in a very good spot.j “We’ve had a lot of fun, we’ve met a lot of people and we would have never met,” she said. “It’s been fulfilling. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it. And we’re where we need to be.” dennis.seid@journalinc.com
LET US CATER YOUR NEXT EVENT!!!
1010 N. GLOSTER • TUPELO • 205-8751 • RESTAURANTSOUTH.COM
Document: F006CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:31:52;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 6
ChamberConnection A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division – November 2014
Tell us more about…
the Mississippi Angel Network By Sandra Buckley
Terms like “angel investors” and “startup investor opportunities” are heard often these days, but what do they really mean? Lynlee Honea, capital analyst for Innovate Mississippi, tells us more in this Q&A about how the world of angels and startup investing works, specifically within the Mississippi Angel Network. This article originally appeared in Pointe Innovate Magazine for Innovate Mississippi. Q: IN SIMPLE TERMS, what exactly is the Mississippi Angel Network? A: THE MISSISSIPPI ANGEL NETWORK is a statewide group of accredited investors who review fundraising opportunities from innovative, highgrowth and high-potential companies based in Mississippi. Q: SO, HOW is “accredited investor” defined? A: THE SEC DEFINES an accredited investor as an individual with an annual income exceeding $200,000 (or $300,000 including a spouse) or hav-
TUPELO MISSISSIPPI ANGEL NETWORK MEETING
WHEN: November 18 WHAT TIME: 5:30 to 7:00 pm WHERE: CDF Center, 398 E Main St., CDF Boardroom • The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. with networking, light food and drinks. Company pitches will begin at 6 p.m. with two investment opportunities. Each company will give a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A. • This event is organized by Innovate Mississippi and is open to accredited investors only. Contact Lynlee Honea at lhonea@innovate.ms or 601-960-3610 for more information or visit innovate.ms. ing a $1 million net worth 100 members representing (excluding their home- all areas of the state. stead). Q: ARE NETWORK MEETINGS Q: WHAT DOES the “be- held across the state each hind the scenes” workings year? of the Mississippi Angel A: YES, WE HAVE QUARNetwork look like? TERLY MEETINGS or “roadA: INNOVATE MISSISSIPPI’S shows” across the state. ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOP- Currently, the locations inMENT TEAM works with clude Jackson, Oxford, Tumore than 120 startup pelo and the Mississippi companies each year, con- Gulf Coast. centrating on professional We are actively looking risk areas such as product/ into hosting our roadshows technology, market, man- in Hattiesburg and agement, financials and Starkville, as well as other execution. Once a com- cities. pany is deemed “investorready,” they advance to Q: DESCRIBE A TYPICAL our capital team. Mississippi Angel Network I play the “match- meeting maker” role between the A: OUR MEETINGS are very companies and investors, similar to ABC’s “Shark with the aim of getting the Tank” (minus the harshstartup companies ness of the Sharks!). funded, while also faciliEach meeting consists tating a return for in- of two presenting compavestors. nies, each with a 20minute fundraising Q: HOW MANY MEMBERS presentation and time for are in this statewide net- a Q&A. For members, work? these meetings are also a A: WE HAVE MORE THAN great chance for network-
ing and mingling with other likeminded investors in the area.
Q: WHAT TYPES OF STARTUPS COMPANIES present at the meetings? A: SOME COMPANIES that have presented at our meetings include Kopis Mobile, NG1 TechFlo, SportSnax, StoryTour, VSporto, WiFi Streaming Network, and the list goes on and on. Our presenting companies’ products and services range from apps to military equipment to medical devices. You never know what kind of company will present at these meetings. But rest assured, these companies have undergone our rigorous entrepreneurial development process and have been deemed “investorready” to take on capital. Companies that present to the network are typically looking to raise between $250,000 and $800,000.
CDF Releases Livability: Tupelo, Lee County, MS 2015 Program promotes community to newcomers, visitors and businesses
The Community Development Foundation recently unveiled Livability: Tupelo, Lee County, MS 2015, a print and digital program that promotes the area to newcomers, visitors and relocating businesses. Content highlights quality of life, business climate, attractions, restaurants and must-do activities in Tupelo and Lee County. Articles focus on the new Tupelo Aquatic Center and its impact on the community and economy, the area’s growing local food scene, as well as the area's thriving tourism industry and recent foreign investment in the community. Other articles highlight the quality-of-place amenities that attract people to Tupelo and Lee County, including excellent fitness programs and facilities, convenient access to award-winning health care
and a business climate energized by active young professionals and entrepreneurs. Find more great content about Tupelo and Lee County on Livability.com, a national website with information about more than 15,000 of America’s best places to live and visit. The website includes articles and photo galleries, maps, videos and demographic information. For a free digital version of the magazine optimized for iPads, tablets and other mobile devices, visit livability.com/ms/tupelo/digital-magazine. Journal Communications Inc. publishes Livability: Tupelo, Lee County, MS, a print and digital content marketing program, which has support from and targeted distribution through the Community Development Foundation.
Document: F007CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:31:27;JPC 72 DPI
A CDF
CHAMBER CONNECTION
CDF Calendar of Events
New CDF Members
Additional dates will be announced as they are scheduled. Upcoming CDF events are listed at www.cdfms.org/events. Business Roundtable Wednesday, November 19 4 p.m. CDF Boardroom Business Boxed Lunch & Learn Wednesday, December 10 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tax Accounting Presented by: Jason Whaley, Watkins Uiberall, PLLC CPAs Business After Hours Thursday, December 11 5 – 6:30 p.m. TBA Business Boxed Lunch & Learn Thursday, January 15 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Interview Techniques for Employers Presented by: Katie McMillan, Key Staff Source Business Roundtable Wednesday, January 21 4:00 p.m. CDF Boardroom
CarMax Mr. Steve Patton 3147 Tom Watson Dr. Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 844-1017 www.carmax.com Automotive
Business Boxed Lunch & Learn Wednesday, February 18 Excel Presented by: Cole McCarty, Trustmark National Bank
Chickasaw Inkana Foundation Mr. Richard Prewitt 215 N Church St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 842-4176 www.inkana.org Organizations
Business Roundtable Wednesday, March 25 4 p.m. CDF Boardroom New Member Networking Tuesday, March 31 4:00 p.m. CDF Boardroom Business Boxed Lunch & Learn Wednesday, April 8 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Who’s in Your Flock? How to identify the various personality types in your workplace Presented by: KC Grist, KC Grist Consulting
Hodges Law Firm, PLLC Ms. Peggy Hodges 398 E Main St., Ste. 103 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 610-4321 www.hodgeslawfirm.com Attorneys
2014-2015 Board of Directors CDF’s goals and objectives are accomplished through the efforts of members appointed to committees operating under one of CDF’s three divisions: Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and Planning and Property Management.
2014-2015 Executive Committee
Mike Armour Roger Bland David Brevard Mike Bryan Mark Burleson Bo Calhoun Tillmon Calvert B.J. Canup Gary Carnathan Grace Clark Mike Clayborne V.M. Cleveland Scott Cochran Fred Cook David Copenhaver Beverly Crossen
Mr. Tillmon Calvert Mr. B.J. Canup Mr. Scott Cochran Mr. Clay Foster Ms. Julianne Goodwin Mr. Bryan Hawkins
2014-2015 Board of Directors
Jay Dey Mike Eaton Joe Estess Clay Foster Chauncey Godwin, Jr. Julianne Goodwin Bryan Hawkins Lisa Hawkins Skipper Holliman Blair Hughes David Irwin Wesley Jones Jamie Kennedy Bob Kerley Gearl Loden Jimmy Long
Nichols Foods & Deli Ms. Alee Clements 306 Clarke St. New Albany, MS 38652 (662) 534-8474 Restaurants & Catering PLS Financial Solutions of Mississippi, Inc. Ms. Takeytra Henry 2250 W Main St., Ste. C-2 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 680-9233 www.plshome.com Financial SeaPort Airlines Ms. Claire James 105 Lemons Dr. Tupelo, MS 38801 (888) 573-2767 www.seaportairlines.com Airports
Southwind Mr. Jim Homan 230A Bynum Ave. Shannon, MS 38868 (662) 871-8649 www.southwindms.com Event Venue Thrive Ms. Blakley Young 1242 S Green St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 678-1612 www.thrive.ms Creative Services Unfunnel, LLC Mr. David Butts 398 E Main St., Ste. 110 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 841-1234 www.unfunnel.com Computers & Internet
Business Roundtable Wednesday, May 27 4 p.m. CDF Boardroom
Community Development Foundation’s
Mr. Chauncey Godwin, Jr., Chairman Ms. Lisa Hawkins, First Vice Chairman Mr. Barry Smith, Second Vice Chairman Mr. David Rumbarger, President/Secretary Mr. David Copenhaver, Immediate Past Chairman
NOVEMBER 2014
Zell Long Derek Markley Jerry Maxcy Robin McGraw Larry Michael Guy Mitchell Ted Moll Mabel Murphree Mary Pace Aubrey Patterson Darrell Rankin Harry Rayburn Jack Reed, Jr. Scott Reed Eddie Richey Drew Robertson
Mr. Jerry Maxcy Mr. Guy Mitchell, III Dr. Dick White Mr. Tollie White
Ty Robinson David Rumbarger Jason Shelton Barry Smith Rex Smith Jane Spain Gary Sparkman Buddy Stubbs Sean Suggs Aaron Washington Jimmy Weeks Dick White Tollie White
2014-2015 Ambassadors Club Jennifer Alexander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flawless by Jennifer Allen Jesse Bandre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exceed Technologies Rashni Barath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustmark National Bank Betty Baxter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop's BBQ Grill Stephanie Browning. . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo Sheila Davis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quick Stitch Becki Duffie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Services Cheryl Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wingate by Wyndham Romanda Hampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hilton Garden Inn Dianne Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summit Group Companies, LLC Toby Hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Insurance Jim Jolly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Denise Kennedy-Brown . . . . . . . . . . . Special Occasions by Denise Justin Kirk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Lawns of Northeast Mississippi Charlise Latour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Print Molly Lovorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire Bea Luckett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRI, Inc. Realtors Brad McCully . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sportsman Lawn & Landscape Chuck McIntosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McIntosh Creative Services Katie McMillan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Staff Source Scott Medlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elite Pro Wash Holley Meriweather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Bank Leigh Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main Street Family Dentistry Carolyn Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quality Inn Kelsey Norrett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comcast Spotlight Allen Pegues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premium Productions Fred Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safestore of Tupelo, Inc. Ashley Hardy Prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . local MOBILE Torrie Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cotton Bolt Jacob Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire Mary Sue Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamar Advertising Pam Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monts Paper & Packaging Lisa Wadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvan Learning Center Ross Weems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BancorpSouth Mary Werner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robinson & Associates Stephanie West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Western Plus Grady Wigginton . . . Legal Shield – Grady Wigginton & Associates June Wigginton . . . . Legal Shield – Grady Wigginton & Associates
Document: F008CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:31:32;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 8
PAGE 9
Tenant Spotlight: Dharma Wellness Each month, we sit down with a tenant of the Renasant Center for IDEAs and talk ideas, opportunities and business. This month, we caught up with April Dempsey, owner of Dharma Wellness, the business incubator’s resident lifestyle and wellness expert.
TELL US about your business. DHARMA WELLNESS offers a sanctuary for people to renew their energy and reset their body with therapeutic massage and assisted yoga. I offer a well-rounded and balanced treatment in relieving muscular tension, physical stress and mental relaxation. Through an initial health consultation, I help you choose which modality would best suit your path for balance. ALTHOUGH A RELATIVELY COMMON PRACTICE, a large percentage of the public is still unfamiliar with Yoga. How do you educate the public on wellness through yoga? YOGA PRACTITIONERS’ biggest challenge is educating the public on the benefits of flexibility and power of breathing. A common misconception is that some think yoga is religious. Yoga is the union of the mind, body and breath. Through
About the Renasant Center for IDEAs Operated by the Community Development Foundation, the Renasant Center for IDEAs (RCFI) serves as Tupelo/Lee County’s business incubator by lowering startup costs for new businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition to an affordable office space, services are available to tenants including assistance with business basics, management and financial training, technical, accounting and research. Since its construction in 2006, 16 businesses have graduated from the Center, creating 374 jobs in Lee County. Currently, 27 RCFI tenants employ 126 workers. movement of the body, combined with intentional breathing, our minds become clear and we feel more connected LAUREN WOOD | DAILY JOURNAL within. I recommend a private appointment for Dharma Wellness, located in the Renasant Center for IDEAs, is a therapeutic massage and customized yoga therbeginners if they are nerv- apy studio specializing in a variety of therapies including Ashiatsu and AshiThai Massage. Owner April Dempsey ous about their first class. is the only certified Ashiatsu Oriental Bar therapists in Mississippi, a technique in which the feet are used instead of hands to deliver a soothing, deep massage. IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED society, why is it impor- able to take time to can a person easily do to fortable position and breathing and rejuvenate tant for a person to make "recharge,” you create a relieve stress without place your hands on your your mind and body. time to “recharge”? healthy mind and body. leaving their desk at work? abdomen. Fill your belly For more information STRESS IS THE NUMBER TAKE A MOMENT to con- with a complete breath about Dharma Wellness ONE cause for disease in IF WE CANNOT MAKE it to nect with your breath. and exhale evenly. Repeat or to make an appointthe body. When you are a class this week, what Start by sitting in a com- 5-10 rounds of deep belly ment, call (662) 213-6060.
Have you checked your online membership listing lately? Please visit our online membership directory at www.tupelochamber.com, and check your membership listing for accuracy. Contact us at (662) 842-4521 or zhereford@cdfms.org to update your information.
Interested in starting a business? Let the Renasant Center for IDEAs and the MS Small Business Development Center help you get started. ‘Starting a Business – First Steps’ November 11 1:00pm – 2:30pm
‘How to Develop a Business Plan’ November 13 1:00pm – 2:30pm
‘Disaster Recovery’ November 18 1:00pm – 2:30pm
To register for a workshop or for more information, contact Dana Cawthon at 1-800-725-7232 or (662) 680-6988.
Document: F009CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:16;JPC 72 DPI
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
CDF WOMEN’S EVENT
The Community Development Foundation recently held its annual women’s event. Designed to offer networking and educational opportunities for female economic development project managers in the region, this year’s event focused on various health initiatives in Lee County and included tours of local manufacturers and industrial sites.
Document: F010CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:24;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 10
BIZLINK
In celebration of its completed renovations, bizLink held a ribbon cutting. Offering a new angle to the individual office workspace, bizLink is a shared-space, networking program housed within the Link Centre at 1800 W Main St. For more information about bizLink, visit link-centre.org/bizlink or call (662) 690-4011.
PAGE 11
SOUTHWIND
Southwind recently held a ribbon cutting in celebration of its grand opening at 230A Bynum Ave. in Shannon. Overlooking a 10-acre lake and part of a larger, 600-acre farm, the wooded surroundings of Southwind offer the perfect backdrop for your wedding day, family reunion, business retreat or any gathering. Now booking for Spring 2015, contact Southwind at (662) 871-8649 or online at southwindms.com.
Are you interested in promoting your business with a ribbon cutting? Contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.
Document: F011CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:02;JPC 72 DPI
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
SUMMIT TRUCK GROUP OF MISSISSIPPI
HAVOLINE XPRESS LUBE
Summit Truck Group celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Located at 1007 International Dr. in Tupelo, Summit Truck Group offers comprehensive transportation solutions including new and used trucks and buses, parts and service, leasing and rental, financing and more. Contact Summit Truck Group at (662) 8423401 or online at summittruckgroup.com.
Six months after sustaining damage in the April 28 tornado, Xpress Lube celebrated the grand reopening of its 1630 N Gloster St. location with a ribbon cutting. The business also donated $5,000 to Eight Days of Hope for their continued tornado recovery efforts. Serving Tupelo and the surrounding areas for 20 years, Xpress Lube is your destination for auto repair. Xpress Lube may be contacted at (662) 840-5570 or online at xpresslubetupelo.com.
AVAILABLE
PRICE REDUCED!
367 NORTH GLOSTER ST. TUPELO
MLS#14-2534 Prime corner on Gloster Street Price Includes the house on Blair St. behind the former drug store 2,100 square feet Available for sale or lease JAMES R. HUNTER 662-841-1557
www.huntergroupms.com 1010 FAWN DRIVE • TUPELO, MS 38804 "Let my 30 years experience go to work for you"
HONORED TO SERVE ALL WHO HAVE SERVED 335 East Main Street • Fairpark District Historic Downtown Tupelo 662-842-5665 www.parkheightsrestaurant.com
Document: F012CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:11;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 12
PAGE 13
SEAPORT AIRLINES
PLS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI
SeaPort Airlines celebrated the start of its new flight services from Tupelo Regional Airport with a ribbon cutting. Offering flights to and from Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, SeaPort Airlines is your first stop for airfare at a reasonable price. Make your reservations by calling (888) 573-2767 or visiting SeaPortAirlines.com.
PLS Financial Solutions of Mississippi celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. PLS is one of the largest, fastest growing organizations in the check cashing industry, and is a Western Union money transfer agent. PLS Financial Solutions of Mississippi is located at 2250 W Main St., Ste. C-2 in Tupelo, and may be contacted at (662) 680-9233.
AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH
Tax Smorgasbord A Full Buffet of Tax Planning Challenges and Opportunities
Interview Techniques for Employers Best Practices for Recruiting the Right Staff
This presentation will highlight a number of current tax planning issues, including the Affordable Care Act, tangible personal property regulations, legislative update on the “extenders” package, the Net Investment Income Tax, Mississippi tax incentives, recent IRS and court rulings, as well as year-end planning matters.
Many employers miss the mark when hiring the best applicant costing themselves time, energy and money due to a lack of basic interview techniques. Join Key Staff Source as they guide you through the interview process with best practices for recruiting the right hire. Tips include interview preparation, asking the right interview questions and basic dos and don’ts of the hiring process.
Wednesday, December 10 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 15 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Event Sponsor:
Rashni Barath, commercial lending secretary with Trustmark National Bank, is September’s Ambassador of the Month. Rashni attended 10 CDF events and ribbon cuttings, contacted 22 CDF members through the member mentor program, and recruited one new member. Congratulations, Rashni!
Please join us for CDF Business Roundtable
Event Sponsor:
Wednesday, November 19 4:00 p.m. CDF Boardroom 398 E Main St., CDF Center
Registration fees for each seminar: Members: $15 || Non-members: $30 Registration limited to first 60.
Location: 398 E Main St., CDF Center; CDF Boardroom
Free for CDF members.
Register online at cdfms.org/events
For more information, contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.
Document: F013CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:55;JPC 72 DPI
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2014
MS Economic Development Council announces 2014- 2015 Officers and Board of Directors
CDF Senior VP Economic Development Shane Homan elected President The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) recently announced Officers and Board of Directors for the 20142015 year. MEDC serves as the voice for Mississippi's economic/community development and chamber of commerce professionals and their constituencies. MEDC serves members by developing and fostering a network of trained professionals and serving as the primary resource for information and strategies for economic and community development and the promotion of commerce. Our purpose is to improve Mississippi's communities through development of their resources.
The MEDC 2014-2015 Officers are Shane Homan of Tupelo with the Community Development Foundation as President, Jamie Kennedy of Tupelo with the Tennessee Valley Authority as President-Elect, Guy Johnson of Bay St. Louis with Coast Electric Power Association as Secretary/Treasurer and Arnie Williams of Gulfport with Mississippi Power Company as Immediate Past-President. The Vice Presidents are Debbie Hudson of Natchez with NatchezAdams County Chamber of Commerce as Vice President of Chamber Development, Joy Foy of Jackson with Mississippi Development Authority as Vice President of Community Development, Chad Newell of Hattiesburg with
Area Development Partnership as Vice President of Economic Development and GregWord of Jackson with Mississippi Development Authority as Vice President of the Young In the Profession. The 2014-2015 Board Members are Ron Hudson of Clarksdale with Clarksdale-Coahoma County Chamber & Industrial Foundation representing District 1, Gary Chandler of Corinth with The Alliance representing District 2, Cary Karlson of Greenville with The Chamber & EDC ofWashington County representing District 3, Craig Hitt of DeKalb with Kemper County Economic Development Authority representing District 4, John Turner of Jackson with Entergy representing Dis-
trict 5, Garrick Combs of Brookhaven with BrookhavenLincoln County Chamber and EDF representing District 6, Larkin Simpson of Laurel with Economic Development Authority of Jones County representing District 7. Brian Useforge of Gulfport with Mississippi Power Company and Brenda Lathan of Columbus with ColumbusLowndes Development LINK are At-Large. Brent Christensen of Jackson with Mississippi Development Authority as Ex-Officio. The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) MS representative on the MEDC Board is, Sandy Holifield of Laurel with EDA of Jones County. The SEDC Alternate Director is Pablo
CDF Senior Vice President Economic Development Shane Homan has been named President of Board for the Mississippi Economic Development Council. Diaz of Grenada with Grenada County Economic Development District.
AUTISM CENTER OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI
TROST UND PROST
A ribbon cutting was held at the Autism Center of North Mississippi (ACNM) in celebration of its new location at 146 S Thomas St., Ste. C/D in Tupelo. ACNM provides comprehensive educational and behavioral services to families and schools to support students with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties and challenging behaviors. ACNM can be contacted at (662) 8400974 or autismcenternms.com.
In celebration of its first anniversary, Trost und Prost held a ribbon cutting. Offering a great selection of beer and wine starter kits, how-to books, and all manners of malts, hops, extracts, wine bases, bottling supplies, kegs, cleaning supplies and more, Trost und Prost has everything needed to brew and bottle craft beer and wine at home. Trost und Prost is located at 1295 N Eason Blvd., Ste. B in Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 844-5000 or on Facebook.
Enhance your marketing strategy with event sponsorships The best marketing strategies involve more than throwing your logo on a sign and calling it a day. Increasing your company’s reach calls for non-traditional marketing strategies developed to drive visibility. Sponsoring a CDF Chamber event helps your business gain exposure, build goodwill, and connect with a specific audience. Here’s why: Build rapport within the community Outside its office walls,
businesses have few opportunities to establish rapport and build trust with clients and prospects. Attending an event is important, but standing out in the crowd as a sponsor projects your business as dependable and creditable to a captive audience.
TARGETED MARKETING
Event sponsorships offer a variety of opportunities to reach various market audiences. Just as no two events
are alike, an event’s audience varies. By working with CDF, your business can ensure maximum exposure to a crowd that will benefit the most from its services.
BRANDING
Each event carries its own marketing strategy that typically includes logo placement in advertisements, postcards, invitations, websites, and e-mail marketing campaigns in addition to recognition through radio
and television promotions. Sponsorships communicate value and support to the large audiences targeted through event promotion. Additionally, sponsorships often provide an opportunity to make permanent impressions on attendees by distributing marketing materials and giving away promotional items.
events sends a message to event attendees and the entire community that the company genuinely cares for its community’s well being. Businesses that display generosity for a cause will spark human interest and appeal to the public.
Whether you represent a Fortune 500 company or are a sole proprietor, collaboratCOMMUNITY ing with CDF by sponsoring INVOLVEMENT a Chamber event is one of Sponsoring community the best investments your
business can make. With a variety of sponsorship opportunities available including Wake Up! Tupelo/Lee County, Industry Education Day, Business After Hours, Business Boxed Lunch & Learn seminars, and more, your company can be sure to invest in the right event tailored to fit its needs. For more information regarding event sponsorships, contact Karen Geddie or Mallory Rutledge at (662) 842-4521.
Document: F014CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:36:24;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 14
I
PAGE 15
Internal branding can, should elevate a business
recently walked into a bicycle shop in a newly revitalized Memphis neighborhood for no other reason than the visual aesthetic. I wasn’t looking for a bike. I wasn’t going to buy a new athletic shirt or water bottle. In fact, I hadn’t thought about biking in a long time – that was until I saw the store. No individual element of the store – the logo, the people inside, the decorations or the product – compelled me to enter. I was compelled because all the visual elements worked together, along brand strategy, inside the 70-year-old store front. As I walk into Northeast Mississippi stores, I can’t stop thinking about how much further a brand can be taken. We start with a logo and seem to stop with a sign above the front door. What if a customer’s entire experience was branded? When a business offers an experience around its product, the business is remembered, and the product is elevated from a commodity to an object
of desire. In Northeast Mississippi, and throughout the region, historic downtowns are showpieces of commerce and Marketing historic design. But as cities exMatters pand, the building charJOSH acter is forgotten. MABUS When I drive through a developing city in the region, I notice a trend of growth relying on big, ugly metal buildings with brick facades and gypsum board to complete the uniform. Some might add a big sign, esoteric paint or a barn-wood countertop, but, for the most part, these new developments are all the same-none offering a new experience. Internal branding gives a business two opportunities: to turn the transaction into an emotional experience and to
Internal branding gives a business two opportunities: to turn the transaction into an emotional experience and to proactively combat brand misconceptions. proactively combat brand misconceptions. When customers interact with a business, the interaction can be solely transactional. They want a product or service, and the store provides it. Any number of businesses can offer the consumer the exact thing, and many offer it online – from the comfort of the consumer’s home. Creating branded interactions at each touch point within your space develops an emotional connection between the consumers and your product. The interactions elevate the product from a commodity to an experience in the consumers’ minds and gives them a reason to return. A crowded, dated or ugly space, much like a brand mark,
can leave a customer with misconceptions about a business. Similarly, a clean, new space with little personality will communicate a business with little personality. Think about the places you visited recently. Does the sushi restaurant with a koi pond and paper walls or the barbecue joint with the tin walls stand out in your mind? Or were you thinking about how much you enjoyed your experience in a shop with beige walls? Since the popularization of HGTV and do-it-yourself programming, most consumers feel like interior designers. They notice when a space is underwhelming. Internal branding can seem like an overwhelming task and expense, but it’s also an oppor-
tunity to zig when everyone else is zagging. An interior designer or architect could completely change the way a consumer sees a business, but even those who can’t afford a professional redesign have no excuse. With the help of Pinterest and thousands of DIY websites, business owners can take a blank space and turn it into a brand experience at any price point.
JOSH MABUS is the owner of The Mabus Agency, a marketing and advertising company in Tupelo. Contact him at (662) 8232100 or josh@mabusagency.com.
Business Journal THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
For Advertising Information Contact Your Advertising Consultant, or Call
662.842.2614 For Subscription Information Call:
1.800.270.2613
CottonBolt the
Over 250 closeout fabrics priced to move!
Rugs • Fabrics • Hardware • Pillow Inserts Reclaimed Wood Furniture
A division of BBQ by Jim office lunches • onsite breakfast meetings annual staff events • charity fundraisers • reunions wedding receptions • rehearsal dinners
www.magnoliaco.com • Mon - Fri 9:30am - 5:30pm • Sat 11am - 4pm
662-840-8800 • bbqbyjim.com Tupelo, Mississippi
Now Available at CRAVE in Tupelo Let Us Supply Your Home or Office mybrotherscup.com Kay Pittman / 662-491-0936 • Heather Moore / 337-546-7858
Mark 16:15
Document: F015CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:32:48;JPC 72 DPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
Business Directory Apartments
Bank
Automotive Commercial Vehicles
Apartment Homes 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Move-In Special *FREE RENT
Call Robin Barnett today!
Ask about our Military & Law Enforcement Discount
Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call
Call 662-891-5000
for your commercial vehicle needs!
3260 Hwy 145 N. • Tupelo, MS 38804
Apartments ***HILLDALE APARTMENTS***
Applications For 1 ,2,3 & 4 bedroom apartments are currently being accepted!!! Our management office is open during the hours of 8:00AM5:00PM and is located at 320 Monument Dr., Tupelo, MS 38801. Only one application per household will be accepted. If you have a disability and are unable to come into the office, call 662-844-4267 and request one to be mailed to you. All applications will be date & time stamped & reviewed in the order in which they are received. ** Preferences & Income Restrictions Apply **
662-841-8743 rbarnett@trustmark.com
DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET
1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611
Journal, Inc.
Bath Remodeling Bath Remodeling Shower Remodeling Tub-To-Shower Conversion Bathroom Accessories Handicap Accessible
Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
Crystal Gray
Inside Sales Consultant
Give Us One Day… We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!
1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804 djournal.com
Apartments
Phone 662.678.1530 (o) Fax 662.620.8301(f) crystal.gray@journalinc.com
111 Grand Ole Oaks Drive Belden, MS 38826 Carey Wilson Manager
office: 662.823.1470 • fax: 662.823.1474 • cell:662.231.7508
www.GrandOleOaks.com Apartments
2015 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801
Bank
Blinds
Bank Of Okolona
Okolona P.O. Box 306 Okolona, Mississippi 38860
(662) 447-5403
Houston Banking Center 321 W. Madison St. Houston, Mississippi
(662) 456-3347
Bank of Mantee 54 1st Street Mantee, Mississippi
(662) 456-5341
www.bankofokolona.com
Bank
Barley Court Apartments
Building Supplies Rex & Diannah Coggins, Owners
Ph: (662) 365-7021
N H A R Fax: (662) 365-8902 Y DW & DW AR L E SUPPLY, INC. BA
Accepting applications for 1, 2, 3, & 4 bedroom Affordable Housing
• Full Service • Hardware • Building Supplies • Plumbing • Hydraulic Hoses
840 Barley Court • Tupelo, MS 38801
662-566-2553
M-F 9am - 12pm • 1 pm - 5 pm Office Manager: Melissa Phelps
Automotive Commercial Vehicles
Licensed And Insured
662-205-8548
Affordable Luxury Apartment Homes 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom
FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE
www.bathfitter.com
• Electrical • Glass • Valspar Paints • Welding Supplies • Portable Carports
1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824
Bank
Collision Repair
1608 S. GLOSTER TUPELO
“The Sign of Service” Coming Soon Corinth
Baldwyn • Booneville • Marietta Mantachie • Mooreville • Tupelo
THE FAST LANE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
CALL JIM BROWN 662.231.2392
Your Financial Cornerstone. www.fmbms.com
24 Hour Wrecker Service
Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524 David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591 100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829
Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150
Document: F016CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:36:31;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 16
PAGE 17
Business Directory Building Supplies
Concrete
Commercial Cleaning Services
Lumbe ville e n o o r B Company Full Line of Lumber, Hardware, Plumbing and Electrical Supplies 2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094
224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652
Booneville Hardware & Supply 403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032 "For all your hardware needs"
662-534-4448
401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo 662-842-7305
Commercial Plumbing
Employment Opportunities
Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring
RH PLUMBING, INC. 589 N. Coley Rd. Tupelo, MS
Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping RICHARD HANLON (662) 447-3213
P.O. BOX 417 Okolona, MS 38860
Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business
www.newcorp.com/careers Great Employment Opportunities
Furniture
Gifts
Okolona Drug Co.
We’ve got all your
Complete Prescription Service
home furnishings
We Accept All Medicare Part D Plans • • • • •
at affordable prices.
662-489-1176
• Adora Dolls & Lee Middleton Dolls • Ole Miss & Miss. State Collegiate Items • NEW Casseroles to Go!
210 West Main Street Okolona, MS (662) 447-5471
7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863
Healthcare Serving Lee, Chickasaw, Monroe, Pontotoc, Union, Calhoun, Itawamba, & Lafayette Counties.
Gifts & Fenton Glass Tyler Candles Aromatique Arthur Court Lenox & Gorham China
Engineering
903 Varsity Dr. Tupelo, MS
Mon.-Fri. 9am - 5pm
Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring Glass & Overhead Doors
Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations
24 Hour Emergency Service
Store Fronts • Mirrors Shower Doors • Garage Doors Commercial Doors Hollow Metal Doors
662-844-4540
“Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations”
711 ROBERT E. LEE DR. • TUPELO, MS
“Experience Is The Difference”
FAX:662-620-7754 Insulation
DABBS ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Tupelo, MS
Land Surveyors ■ ■
Boundary ■ Topo ■ Alta Construction Layout ■ Subdivisions
Engineers ■
Civil
■
Environmental-Testing
■
Geotechnical
Thomas R. Dabbs, P.E. Fax 662-841-0431
Call 601-427-5973 Between 8am - 1pm
Insurance
Hancock Insurance Agency INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ATV • Life • Health Annuities • RV • Automobile Motorcycle • Home Mobile Home Medicare Supplements
Scott Hancock
Allen Hancock
Monthly Rates Available
662-534-2661 720 W . Bankhead St. New Albany
E-mail: tdabbs@dabbsengineering.com P.O. Box 7064 / 1050 N. Eason, Tupelo, MS 662-841-0162 www.dabbsengineeringinc.com
Kennels
Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com
662-844-1306
3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS
Locksmith
MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.
NEW & USED SAFES
• Safes Serviced & Installed • Locks Installed • Locksets • Combinations Changed • Locks Rekeyed • Lost Keys Replaced • Master Key Systems • High Security Keys AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL
(662) 842-7720
1219 1⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO
Document: F017CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:36:38;JPC 72 DPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2014
Business Directory Moving
Medical
Furniture
, PA
Comprehensive Medical Care For Your Family or Business
Call for a Free Estimate
Bronzie Morgan
Appointments & Walk-Ins Welcome
Mon-Fri. 8 - 6:30 Sat. 9 - 6 Sun. 1 - 6
1154 Cross Creek Dr. (Next to Home Depot)
840-8010
Relocation Specialist
662-842-1120
Lee Wallace, CFNP David W. Bell, MD Leigh Ann Weatherly, CFNP
30,000 SQUARE FT. WAREHOUSE QUALITY PREOWNED OFFICE FURNITURE
“The Morgan Family has been moving families like yours for over 50 years”
277 Community Dr. • Tupelo • 662.871.0568
Printing
Real Estate
Paint
arber Printing, Inc. PRINTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SIGNS BANNERS • BLACK & WHITE/COLOR COPIES 811 A Varsity Dr. • Tupelo, MS • 662.841.1584 8am - 4:30pm • goodimpressions@barberprinting.com
Restaurant
Restaurant
www.whittingtonofficefurniture.com
Thinking of Selling Your Home or Property? We Have Six Full-Time Agents Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd. Who Call MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE Pontotoc Home. ISEACH INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Call Us Today 662-489-2848 Restaurant
Party Trays for all Occasions! • Pizza Spaghetti • Salad Bar • Sandwich • Pasta Special Every Thursday
365-7059
1101 W. Main • Tupelo 842-3774
709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS
Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10
Roofing
Restaurant at
W • Max 2 FREE Kids with Adult Entree • 12 Years and Under
• Drink Not Included • Kid's Menu Only
HE
EL
ER
RO
INC.
Roofing/Remodeling
OF
ING
“A Family Business Since 1946”
• Residential • Commercial • Industrial FREE Estimates
Tupelo • Tuesdays 3 - 9 pm • 495 S. Gloster • 680-3354 New Albany • Thursdays 5 - 9 pm • 534-2700 Corinth • Tuesdays 4 - 9 pm • 286-9007
411 CLARK ST. TUPELO 844-4481
Technology
Uniforms
LICENSED & INSURED
Achieve greater network per for mance with less.
It's time to get more performance from your network with far less. As in less bandwidth utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.
ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS 662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com
499 Gloster Creek Village, Tupelo, MS 38801 Phone: (662) 844-4888 Fax: (662) 844-3006
Journal, Inc. Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
Keeping Professional People Looking Professional
Crystal Gray
Inside Sales Consultant
795 S. Gloster, Tupelo • (662) 844-4272 2316 Hwy. 45 N. Columbus • (662) 328-7777 1151 D. Frontage Rd. Oxford • (662) 513-0341
www.scrubsandco.com
1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804 djournal.com
Phone 662.678.1530 (o) Fax 662.620.8301(f) crystal.gray@journalinc.com
Document: F018CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:38:37;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 18
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Document: F019CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:34:17;JPC 72 DPI
NOVEMBER 2014
PAGE 19
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Document: F020CDF110714.eps;Page: 1;Format:(254.00 x 317.50 mm);Plate: Composite;Date: Nov 05, 2014 16:34:28;JPC 72 DPI
PAGE 20 NOVEMBER 2014