Woodstock Community Business Association

May Meeting – What Is Networking?

Please bring a friend and join us today

Monday, May 14th

at Tuscany Italian Restaurant

for our business meeting.

Networking begins at 12:00;

business meeting runs from 12:30 – 1:30.

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Guest Speaker

Louis Agudo – “What Is Networking?”

What is networking? What does it mean to you? How do you network? Are there do’s and dont’s of networking?                      Do you have trust and credibility with your networking peers? Does “just belonging” to a group qualify you for automatic referrals? Do you have a plan when you go to a networking event?

These are just some of the questions many professionals have when networking.  Monday’s presentation will help you better understand and be able to grow in your networking skills!

and

Tammy Silvers – Senior Project Co-Chair

English Department – Woodstock High School

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The cost to attend is $15 per person.

Lunch is included.

Bring plenty of business cards.

If you haven’t renewed your 2012 WCBA membership, be sure to bring your check to this month’s luncheon.

Door prize donations are always welcome.

RSVP by e-mail greatly appreciated but not required.

Tuscany Italian Restaurant

250 Cinema Way
Woodstock, GA 30189

Tags: Luncheon, Meeting, Networking, WCBA, Woodstock

May Business Spotlight – Volunteer Aging Council

The Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) and the seniors of Cherokee County are one of my priorities. We have the opportunity to have a $25,000 grant but we need your  VOTES!  Voting begins April 27 and ends May 17. Winners will be announced on May 22^nd.

The Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (listed as Cherokee Senior Citizens) is among 100 finalists from 3,000 non-profits in the US and Canada competing to win a State Farm grant for our seniors.  Out of the 100 finalists, the 40 with the most online votes will each be awarded $25,000.

If you could take 1 minute out of your day and vote for this great cause, it would really mean a lot to so many people.

It’s on Facebook – here is the link http://www.facebook.com/statefarm?sk=app_376288832400015 Everyone gets 10 votes – you only enter the site once and you can cast all 10 votes, one after the next, without leaving that screen. It’s so easy!

For more info on the VAC and a direct link to the contest go to http://www.vac-cherokeega.org or call Patricia Bowen at 770-315-6246.  You can always call me as well on any questions.

Thank you so much for your time and your support. It only takes minutes a day and we would really appreciate YOUR HELP and VOTES! Please vote each day so we can help the seniors in need in our county. Please pass this information on to others who would love to help raise funds for seniors simply by voting on line!

Gratefully,

Mary Mendez

Tags: Business Spotlight, WCBA, Woodstock

April Business Spotlight

Next Step Ministries is your local source for Therapeutic Day Care Programs, Saturday Respite Programs, Drop-In Services and a monthly Parent Night Out for families and caregivers who have a special needs child or young adult. Programs are geared toward moderately to profoundly developmentally delayed or autistic middle school and high school students, and recently transitioned young adults.
The 2012 Summer Camp Program begins May 29, with programs that are educational and fun for campers. Each week features its own fun theme, including Beach Party, Treasure Island, Patriot Week, In the Jungle, Christmas in July and more.
Next Step Ministries currently has rewarding opportunities for volunteers ages 14 and older who are interested in gaining valuable experience working with special needs children, teens and young adults as an assistant in their Summer Camp Programs.
Our volunteer program is perfect for individuals who are interested in a career in special education, health care, social work or psychology, or for those looking to satisfy community service hour requirements for their schools or civic clubs.
To find out more about Next Step Ministries and its programs and volunteer opportunities, please call Lori Baker at 770-592-1227, or visit www.nextstepministries.net.

Tags: Business Spotlight, WCBA, Woodstock

April Business Luncheon

Please bring a friend and join us Monday, April 9th at Tuscany Italian Restaurant

for our business meeting.

Networking begins at 12:00; business meeting runs from 12:30 – 1:30.

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Guest Speaker

Investing in the right IT equipment and making the most of Social Media

Woodstock Community Business Association is open to all businesses located in, or serving the residents of, the City of Woodstock.  In recognition of the importance of small business to a strong economy, WCBA aims to help local business owners, non-profits, sales reps and managers interact with each other.  With over 1500 businesses within the city limits, it is essential to develop relationships that will continue to grow as our city grows.  In addition to Business to Business relationships, WCBA strives to foster an atmosphere of involvement and pride in our community.

Tags: Luncheon, Meeting, Networking, WCBA, Woodstock

March Business Spotlight

Since 2005, Farah Khani has owned and operated The Goddard School in Woodstock, which has been serving the early learning needs of children and their parents for nearly seven years.

Unlike other early learning programs, The Goddard School philosophy celebrates the individual potential of each child, and offers a wide range of enriching activities that encourage a child’s unique emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills and encourages a lifelong love of learning.

Farah says that the majority of the more than 20 teachers who work at The Goddard School have been there for at least five or six years, and many of them have been a part of the school since it opened in 2005, a track record which is rare among early learning organizations.

In addition, the school’s director, Vanessa Zaczek, joined the organization four years ago and has been dedicated to serving the needs of the school, its teachers, students and parents, ever since.

While a school’s program and tenure of its teachers are important, Farah says that location is a factor for parents when they choose an early learning center for their children. She also is proud to report that their school received SACS AdvanED accreditation this past fall, one of the biggest and most difficult milestones a school can achieve.

The majority of students at The Goddard School reside in Woodstock, Towne Lake, Acworth, Canton and Ellijay. They also serve students from Kennesaw, Roswell and Powder Springs.

“For the most part, (the parents) work in the area and like to bring their children to our school,” Farah says.

The Goddard School of Woodstock is located at 3115 Parkbrooke Circle. Visit (website) or call 770-516-0880 to learn more.

February Business Spotlight

A New Dimension Graphic Design & Printing

When you’re looking for something new, sometimes all it takes is looking at A New Dimension – for graphic design and printing, that is.

Owners Mike and Elaine Elder started their business in 1992 as a freelance graphic design firm, expanding in 1995 to offer full-color printing and direct mail marketing. Locally owned and operated, they are a preferred vendor in Bartow County and provide outstanding customer service to the surrounding communities, including all of Cherokee County, and serve the needs of many local, state and national clients, with a focus on clients in the Cartersville-Marietta-Dallas-Woodstock region.

A New Dimension begins by listening to the needs and goals of their customers to design a polished, professional logo or other design work. Their specialties include:

• High quality offset and digital printing, including business stationery, business cards, newsletters, forms, checks, labels and high-speed copies
• Mail services – design, print and mail – from conception to completion
• Promotional products – pens, drink tumblers, t-shirts and more
• Web services – web design, SEO, custom Facebook pages & Social Media Integration
• Corporate Identity
• Oversized printing
• Fine Art & Giclėe Prints

Visit their website – www.andprinting.com or call Cary Bond at 770-595-8790 to discuss your design and printing needs today.

A New Dimension Graphic Design & Printing, Inc., follows in the footsteps of Founding Father and American printer Benjamin Franklin who said, “Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen,” a driving force behind their company motto: “Relax. We’ll handle the details.”

Tags: Business Spotlight, WCBA, Woodstock

Gabriel Serra Celebration of Life

As many of you know, Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas’ grandson, Gabriel, had been battling a rare form of brain cancer, which took his life last week. The community will be joining together for Gabriel’s Celebration of Life this Sunday, February 5th 2012 from 2-4 pm

Woodstock First Baptist Church @ The Main Sanctuary in the Magnolia Room

777 Neese Rd, Woodstock, GA 30188

Parking at the main sanctuary

Attendants will be available at the main entrance of the church to direct friends and family to the Magnolia Room.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Rally Foundation. Your donations will go toward funding research specifically for AT/RT. You may go online to rallyfoundation.org and click the donate now button, or you may write checks out to The Rally Foundation at 5775 Glenridge Drive, Building B, Suite 370, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Please make sure to specify on your checks or on your online donations that your donation is in honor of Gabriel Sierra.

“For those of you planning to come on Sunday, I want you to know this is not a funeral. This is a gathering to celebrate Gabriel’s life. Please please please do not wear black. You don’t even have to be dressed up. You can wear jeans if you want. But I do not want people dressing in funeral attire. All we will be doing is gathering and remembering the wonderful things about Gabe. Although it will obviously be a sad time, its supposed to be a celebration of his life.” – Gabriel’s mom

If you have any questions please contact Woodstock Funeral Home at (770) 926-3107

January Networking Breakfast Reminder

Woodstock Community Business Association members, guests & others who would like to experience the WCBA “Breakfast Club” are welcome to join us on MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012 at the ATLANTA BREAD COMPANY on Hwy 92 in the Target Shopping Center at 8:30 am.  Bring plenty of business cards & be ready to give a one-minute “commercial” about yourself/your business. Great forum for Q&A and to get to know your fellow WCBA members better.

No cost, but please consider purchasing a cup of coffee and/or a breakfast item to support the kind folks at Atlanta Bread Co. who allow us to meet at their location.

For more information, contact Beth Hermes of eIRIS Marketing – 678-524-7518.

January Business Spotlight – Bank of North Georgia

Bank of North Georgia, a division of Synovus Bank, is a regional community bank with a dedicated team that meets the financial needs of local residents and businesses by maintaining a strong sense of community and providing the best products and superior service to meet the growing needs of their customers. The team takes pride in their ability to tailor solutions to meet their customers’ needs. Unlike the “big banks”, they make decisions locally.  So whether a customer needs a business loan, mortgage loan, financial planning assistance or questions answered about their personal checking account, this team will provide the prompt, friendly service and attention customers expect. With its headquarters in Alpharetta, Bank of North Georgia has 40 branches in 16 metro Atlanta counties including the Woodstock branch located at 200 Parkway 575. For more information, visit www.bankofnorthgeorgia.com or stop by and visit with our professional banking team including Dana Callan, Branch Manager, Vanessa Kendrick, Business Banker, and Adam Smith, Commercial Banker.

Tags: Business Spotlight

Business Spotlight

Jan McCranie – Mary Kay Sales Director
Mary Kay Cosmetics was founded 48 years ago, and is recognized as one of the world’s most successful companies, with a global independent sales force that exceeds 2 million people, and global wholesale sales of $2.5 billion.
As a sales director with the company for 16 years, Jan McCranie enjoys the opportunities that come from working with a successful business and sharing the products and her knowledge with her customers.
Each season, Jan introduces a new skin care products, as well as beauty and maintenance products for lips and eyes, giving her customers the gift of beauty and pampering, which is her favorite part of the job.
Educating her customers is her favorite part of the job. “You get to try products with samples or with a Mary Kay consultant,” Jan says. “It’s a time for you to pamper yourself with skin care and a customized look.”
Company founder Mary Kay Ash emphasized God first, family second and career third, Jan says. “This was the way she lived her life. She was the Number One business woman of the 20th Century.”
Schedule an appointment with Jan by calling 770-591-9679 or 678-984-4992, or via email at jmccranie@marykay.com. Shop online at www.marykay.com/jmccranie.

Tags: Business Spotlight