by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Mar 7, 2023 | Marketing, Public Service
Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters
When it comes to shopping, it’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of big-box stores and online retailers. However, supporting local businesses is an important way to help your community thrive. Here are some reasons why you should consider shopping locally:
Local businesses are the backbone of the economy
Small and local businesses are the engines of local economies. They provide jobs, boost economic activity, and help keep money circulating within the community. According to research, 60-70 cents stays within the local economy for every dollar spent at a local business. By supporting local businesses, you’re helping to ensure your community’s long-term health and prosperity.
Local businesses offer unique products and services
One of the great things about local businesses is that they often offer products and services you can’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s a specialty food store, a boutique clothing shop, or a handmade craft store, local businesses are often the go-to places for unique and one-of-a-kind items. By shopping at local businesses, you’re supporting the creativity and individuality of your community.
Local businesses have a personal touch
Local business owners are often deeply invested in their communities. They care about their customers and the quality of their products and services. By shopping at local businesses, you can develop personal relationships with the owners and employees and feel like a valued community member.
Local businesses help reduce environmental impact
Shopping locally can also have a positive impact on the environment. Local businesses often source their products locally, reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping and transportation. They also tend to use less packaging, meaning less landfill waste.
Local businesses support community organizations.
They will likely be the first to step up and support community organizations and events. Whether sponsoring a local sports team or donating products to a charity auction, local businesses are often the backbone of community support.
So the next time you’re in the market for something, consider checking out local businesses first. You may be surprised at the unique and high-quality products and services they have to offer, and you’ll be doing your part to help your community thrive.
by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Feb 18, 2022 | Digital Menus, Marketing, News, News Alerts, Online Order, POS Systems
Join us for Great Food, Vendors, and Fun.
The weather is perfect, and with so much to do in Southwest Florida, now is the time to get out and enjoy the fun events around town. The ArtFest, Bike Night, Taste of the Cape, and Food Truck Wars started the season with breaking record crowds and revenues. This weekend, the Edison Festival of Lights and the much-anticipated return of our Greek Festival will be the focus of fun and good food.
Is your Business Pivoting with Technology and Online Ordering?
Most businesses have pivoted to curbside or pickup services for their restaurants or retail establishments. If not, they are less likely to be found, limiting their exposure and significantly reducing sales. Consider beefing up your site, adding online ordering, or implementing a third-party app to facilitate delivery. Remember to make in-store, pickup, or delivery orders easier for your business.
When are Delivery Apps Beneficial?
Third-party apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash have their place, as they give your restaurant great exposure to first-time diners and support their delivery needs. Just ensure you control your online pickup orders, or they can take a big bite of your profits. Also, take advantage of all the social platforms to market your events and link to your online ordering page. Use two buttons, one for online pickup and the other for the delivery app.
Digital Menus for Order Ahead
Our POS Software and POS Apps can create an easy-to-read menu with links for you to post everywhere. You are less likely to be found if you are not adopting this technology. These simple tools enable your customers to review your menu prior to ordering. This saves time, turns tables faster, and reduces your precious labor costs.
by Chandra | Apr 29, 2020 | News Alerts, Restaurant Industry News, Safety Tips, Uncategorized
Governor Ron DeSantis announced phase 1, the first steps to open Florida.
The Governor held his press conference this afternoon and announced phase 1 of reopening on May 4th. He is allowing specific industries to open with restrictions. “We need to focus on facts and not fear,” DeSantis said in a news conference today. He also stated that this will be a gradual reopening with all but Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties in Phase 1
Here is a quick snapshot:
- Essential businesses will operate as usual
- Elective Surgeries can resume
- Outdoor Seating for Restaurants is permitted with the 6-foot social distance requirement
- Indoor Seating is permitted at 25% capacity
- Retail Businesses may open with 25% capacity
- Bars, Gym & Salons are still prohibited from opening
This is excellent news for the Sunshine State. However, we all need to be aware and take precautions. Our restaurants and retailers offering curbside pick-up have been extremely cautious. The Blue Coyote Supper Club protected its diners with sanitizer, gloves, and instructions outside so that customers could protect their staff and patrons when picking up orders. Their Clover Station faced customers with NFC enabled to create a touchless environment. They also offered one-time use disinfected pens to protect all—another excellent example of the new normal we will all face in the coming years.
by Chandra | Aug 9, 2019 | News, Public Service
A holistic workplace offers benefits to employers and employees and creates a thriving business environment. Businesses who recognize an employee’s mental well-being create a better work environment and tend to retain valuable employees. Research conducted at the O.C. Tanner Institute suggests six essential elements of a great workplace. Purpose, opportunity, success, appreciation, well-being, and leadership. These elements are shown to improve the attitude and motivation of employees and employers. Savvy business owners are taking steps to create an environment that makes employees want to work and perform well. Companies such as Starbucks recognize this and offer additional benefits such as backup child or elder care.
The Staggering costs of Illness in the workplace
Even smaller businesses, restaurants and retailers are providing employees with emotional and physical support by offering flexible scheduling, group fitness, financial education, and even drug rehabilitation. Holistic programs are especially important in protecting the health of employees. 1 in 3 adults are affected by behaviorally linked health issues, and illnesses cost companies approximately $530 billion every single year. It’s essential to make your employees feel appreciated to maintain a healthy work environment.
What can you do today to make a difference?
- Treat your staff to an impromptu lunch or coffee break
- Give a Gift Card or Gift Certificate for outstanding performance
- Collaborate with your staff on important projects
Simple acts of kindness can motivate your employees to work hard and be productive. Having birthday or holiday parties can make your employees feel respected and build a healthy workplace dynamic. Recognizing the individuality of your employees is essential for you, your employees and your customers. Remember, your employees are the lifeblood of your business and it’s always the little things that make a difference and set you apart from your competition.
Links:
https://www.coalesse.com/blog/the-holistic-approach-to-workplace-wellbeing/
https://blog.wellable.co/unwell-employees-cost-us-employers-530b-in-lost-productivity
by Chandra | May 24, 2019 | Data Security Credit Card, MasterCard, News Alerts, Security
New Credit Card Skimmers found inside card readers at gas pumps at many 7-11 stores
Look for the red tag on the pumps or go into the store to pay. Some 7-11 stores have installed temporary locks on pumps until permanent locks arrive.
Fraud Facts
Florida is the country’s number one for fraud crimes, mainly because skimmers target dozens of people at the pumps every day.
This year alone, 561 skimmers have been found at gas stations in the State. Due to this growing number of skimmers, State Leaders prioritize fraud prevention.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is pushing gas stations in Florida to install encryption readers by November of 2020. The encryption readers will scramble your card information so that your number can’t be grabbed by another device to steal your information.
The Lee County Board of Commissioners passed the Fuel Pump Security Ordinance on Tuesday. Charlotte County, The Cities of Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda already have ordinances to protect you at the pump.
Five Tips to Fight Fraud
Here are five tips for consumers to avoid credit card fraud by gas pump skimmers, listed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
- Avoid using open or unlocked pumps that have had the tamper-evident security tape cut or removed or otherwise appear unusual.
- Use a credit card – not a debit card: If a credit card number is skimmed, you’re protected by the card issuer’s zero-liability policy – but a stolen debit card number could be far more damaging.
- Pay inside, with cash or credit, instead of at the pump
- Choose gas pumps closest to a physical building: Don’t use gas pumps out of the attendant’s line of sight, such as those around a corner or behind a building.
- Check your card statements and sign up for fraud alerts.
NBC-2 Related News Story
by Chandra | Jan 10, 2019 | Dress For Success, Non-Profit News, Public Service
In recent news you may have heard that our community suffered a great loss on New Year’s Day, that loss was our beloved Barbara Dell. Of course, she wasn’t just any woman; she was an entrepreneur and a visionary that turned out to be a true blessing for all the women that walked through the doors at Dress for Success in Southwest Florida.
Barbara was unstoppable. Her presence would light up a room and she was a true inspiration to all women; not just as a leader but also as a friend. She was the type of woman that inspired everyone with her constant passion to help the women of SW Florida turn their lives around.
Our company first became involved with Dress for Success due to the volunteers’ enthusiasm at one of their first Shop for Success events at the Bell Tower in Fort Myers. There was no job too big or too small for any of the volunteers because it was delightful helping a good cause and working under Barbara. Read more here.
She will be truly missed but will live in our hearts forever. We can all commemorate a great woman not only by supporting Dress for Success but other charities as well. Pay it forward for Barbara; she would have wanted it that way.
A celebration of Life held for Barbara at the Broadway Palm on February 8th at 2:00-4:00.
