~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, February 8, 2021 ~
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See below for information about two additions to Business Online-
Member-to-Member Testimonials and the business Tip of the Week.
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2020-2021 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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*Supreme Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) *Charter Sustaining Partner
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Chamber Events and Updates |
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Networking at Noon - Blu Grotto Italian Ristorante
Wednesday, February, 10, Noon - 1 p.m. (But arrive early!)
992 Tamiami Trail, Unit F, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
RESERVATION REQUIRED - Call the Chamber at 941-627-2222
Third Wednesday Coffee - Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
Wednesday, February 17, 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
SPECIAL PREVIEW -
The March 17th Third Wednesday Coffee will be on the road at Jarrett Ford of Charlotte County.
The recently graduated Leadership Charlotte Class of 2020 continues to move forward with their amazing class project to benefit the youth of Charlotte County. For more information on how can assist with this important initiative, please click the button below:
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Royal Palm Bakery
2379 Quirt Lane
Punta Gorda, FL 33983
502-930-8252
June Bowman
royalpalmbakery.com
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Expo Sponsors:
(So far!)
Platinum Title Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Platinum Title Sponsor- Total Air Solutions
Gold Presenting Sponsor- Burnt Store Title and Escrow
Bronze Participating Sponsor- American Imaging of SW Florida
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Charlotte Health Solutions
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mortgage Firm
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mosaic Company
Business After Party Sponsor- Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
Print Sponsor- Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor- Sun Coast Media Group
Radio Sponsor- iHeart Media
Lanyard Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Event Bag Sponsor- Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency
There are four sponsorship levels which include the exhibitor booth space(s), lots of promotional perks, print and digital advertising, party tickets, and more than ever before. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for the ~HOT~ details!
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Expo Exhibitors:
(So far!)
AADisaster Restoration; Achieva Credit Union; Acu Heal Medical Acupuncture; American Imagining of SW Florida; Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda; BrightStar Care of Venice and Port Charlotte; Buffalo Graffix; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; CareerSource Southwest Florida; Centennial Bank; Certain Service; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller; Charlotte County Community Services; Charlotte County Economic Development Office; Charlotte County Property Appraiser Paul Polk; Charlotte County Water Rainsoft; Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association; Charlotte Health Solutions; Chelsea Place Senior Care; Charlotte State Bank and Trust; Charlotte Technical College; Coastal Dermatology; Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; Edward Jones-Jim Sproul; Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions; Fabulous Finds Re-Sale Shop; Farr Law Firm; Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Florida Weekly; Foot and Ankle Centers of Charlotte County; FSBDC at FGCU; Gator Wilderness Camp School; Icard Merrill Attorneys and Counselors; iHeart Media; Integrity Insurance Agency; Labor Solutions; LaQuinta Inn and Suites/Microtel Inn and Suites Port Charlotte; Liberate Physician Centers- Southwest Florida; Life Care Center of Punta Gorda; LMET@Sea, LLC; Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club; Murdock Stones Etc.; The SCORE Association; Port Charlotte Rehab and Nursing; Pregnancy Solutions; Radiology Regional Center; Rescue Air Cooling and Heating; S&N Motorsports; ServPro of Port Charlotte/Venice; Shutters 9-1-1, LLC; Sun Coast Media Group; Tampa Bay Rays; TaxSavers; The Mortgage Firm; The Mosaic Company; Tidewell Hospice; Total Air Solutions; Tony/Rhonda Gustitus Team-Keller Williams Peace River Partners; Valerie's House; Village Place Senior Living; Vintage Motor Car Club of America SWFL Region; and Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency.
Make sure YOUR local business is part of this ~HOT~ August event. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for details!
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Alzheimer's Association- Support a great cause and increase awareness of your business. The Charlotte Walk to End Alzheimer's is recruiting for leadership positions for the volunteer planning committee. Serving on the committee is a great opportunity to introduce the community to our cause and your business. We have roles for all interests and skills no matter how much time you have to give! Contact Kathy Heldman, your walk staff partner, at kaheldman@alz.org, for more information.
A weather course will be offered by America’s Boating Club® Peace River Sail and Power Squadron staring November 2nd at 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. with sessions every Monday and Thursday for four weeks at Bayfront Center in Punta Gorda. Learn how to interpret weather maps, predict approaching weather, and be confident in your decision to “stay or go." Price is $65 for USPS members and $115 for non-members. To register or for more information: 941-637-0766 or Education@PeaceRiverSailandPowerSauadron.org or contact the Instructor JoAnne Jamrose at 941-575-7793 or jrjamrose84@gmail.com
Blu Grotto Italian Ristorante welcomes you to join us on Valentine s Day, Sunday, February 14th from 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. for a special ($100) to share with your sweetheart. This includes a bottle of house wine, an appetizer to share, bread with dipping oil, salad for two, any two entrees from our menu, and two decadent desserts! Reservations are recommended. 992 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, 941-249-9205 blugrottoportcharlotte.com
Are you doing everything you can to market yourself? Buffalo Graffix is here for all your printing and design needs! Need some help with your marketing plan for the year? There’s no better time than right now to figure out the best way to promote your business. We’ve got tons of specials going on right now to save you money and get things done! Contact us today at 941-625-2833 or info@buffalograffix.com to see what we can do for you!
Do you have some free time to spare? Are you interested in giving back to your local community? Join C.A.R.E. for our first Volunteer Open House on February 24th at Port Charlotte Town Center’s conference room (1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948) from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. We will be giving an overview of open positions and responsibilities. Refreshments will be provided; space is limited so register early by emailing volunteer@carefl.org or calling Keara, Volunteer Coordinator, at 941-639-5499.
Charlotte State Bank & Trust is now serving Florida businesses that are existing and new bank customers seeking Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The bank is accepting first draw, second draw and expedited second draw applications through its online application portal. Please visit https://www.charlottestatebank.com for details. As a family-owned business, Charlotte State Bank & Trust is committed to supporting small businesses in the communities it serves.
Do you love nature and photography? Consider submitting a photo in the first annual CHEC Photography Contest! Your support in this contest will help us share the beauty of nature while helping CHEC raise funds for environmental education programs in the community. Instructions and guidelines can be found on our website at www.checflorida.org. While you are there, be sure to check out our calendar of events for information about free guided hikes, volunteering opportunities, and more! You can also call 941-575-5435 for more information about CHEC programs and events.
Here’s a catalytic converter mini class, from Complete Auto Repair: This expensive part gets hot enough to ignite dry grass on the side of the road. If that car has an oil leak, the bottom of the engine will be coated in oil, spreading the fire to consume the car. Now you know how those black scorch marks get on the side of 75! A plugged catalytic converter suffocates the engine. Get yours checked out before the temperature heats up. Call Ron Morgan at 941- 623-2926 for an appointment.
Curb Your Appetite is a new food truck in the area specializing in gourmet sandwiches, new menu every week! Follow us on Facebook for weekly menu and schedule: www.facebook.com/curbyourappetitefl
Englewood Beach Waterfest- Who's ready to play poker? Join the Poker Run on Saturday, March 27 by boat, car or motorcycle - headquarters will be Four Points by Sheraton, Punta Gorda Harborside! Visit five stops with a chance to win $500, or many other prizes in our raffle drawings! Donate to one of our local select charities, or bring (4) non-perishable items on the day of the event! Several sponsorship opportunities are available! Register early for discounts! To sign up and get more information please visit our website at
Retail space for lease: We are seeking a savvy business entrepreneur to join our family of successful, independently owned shops and boutiques at Fishermen's Village! Space size: 1,584 sq. ft. in prime location. Please forward interested inquiries to GM, Patti Allen via email: mall@fishville.com
Office moves can be chaotic or well planned and expertly accomplished. With packing, shipping, crating, moving and unpacking services provided by Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage, a well-planned move can be expected. Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage has the resources to assist in several stages. We will look at your plan and make suggestions to make things easier if possible. When the move date arrives, things move forward with minimal disruption. Call Kenny Gardiner at 941-423-5311 to discuss your upcoming office move.
Every disruption is an opportunity for change. 2020 was the biggest “opportunity” in some of our lifetimes. If you want to try to see these changes in a more favorable light for your business, schedule a meeting with Patti Guerzo, of Guerzo Business Consulting. An outsider’s perspective can see opportunities that cannot be seen by insiders – owners and employees. First meeting is complimentary, and you will gain new ideas to ensure a successful comeback in 2021. Patti@Guerzo.com
Do you want happier and healthier employees? Learn how Gulfcoast South AHEC can offer free tobacco cessation counseling and free Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.
Have you taken the steps to protect you and your family if something unexpected happens to you or your spouse? To get answers to all your estate planning questions and learn how to protect your family, contact Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill at 941-206-3700 or mmartella@icardmerrill.com to schedule a complimentary one hour, no obligation consultation, and learn how to be prepared for the unexpected.
Home ownership is part of the American Dream. Rates are low, is your credit ready? Independent Financial Coaching specializes in credit score management. One client had a loan misclassified as credit card debt. This one correction got her debt ratio in line, which greatly improved her credit score. Whatever you are hoping for, Sue Craig can help you get there. Call her at 941-916-5324.
The Lightspeed GIVES Grant Request deadline is approaching. If your Non-Profit organization provides services to Englewood, North Port and/or Venice, you are encouraged to submit your request before February 19th. The process is simple and can be done online: www.LightspeedGIVES.com
Murdock Stones Etc. just received their annual lawn ornament shipment. There's quite a wide variety to choose from including dogs, cats, turtles, gators and religious. 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (by the Sun Flea Market). 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
Employee-related liability issues can threaten any business with huge settlements costs. Employers can be sued if they fail to use reasonable care in employee selection and retention. If a court determines the employer should have known about the potential risks an employee posed, that employer can be held liable for the employee's misconduct and its consequences ... liable to other employees, to customers, clients, co-owners, shareholders, and the general public. For FCRA-compliant employment and tenancy screening, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. Call: 941-488-8500; Toll-Free: 800-531-6522; Fax: 941-488-8505; Email: nrginfo@atlantic.net
An introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. Topics to be covered include fishing techniques, tackle, rigging, knots, lures, baits, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations. The course is open to the public and is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks beginning on Wednesday February 24, 2021. The cost for the class is $45 and advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
Punta Gorda Rotary Club has been serving our community since 1925, offering business networking, fellowship, and service to our citizens. If you would like to be part of doing good for Punta Gorda and the world, please join us for one of our Thursday noon meetings at the Isles Yacht Club. For more information contact Darcy Hanley at 303-927-9437 or email darcyrhanley@gmail.com.
Attention Business Owners: Small business assistance and advice is now available from SCORE Port Charlotte on a drop-in basis. Stop by the SCORE Office in the Harris Bank Building on US41 just South of Murdock Circle, suite 411 on Friday from 9 to noon. This Friday, Certified Mentors Dave Horn and Nils Weibulll will be available for a casual chat about your business and the challenges you are facing. SCORE is powered by the SBA and offers confidential business mentoring at no cost. Visit portcharlotte.score.org for more information.
The Firm 360° Photography recently did a virtual tour for Boyette & Miller Construction & Development, Inc. Have a look at their custom designed and built offices. They have spent years refining the residential and commercial projects they build for their clients. They offer the finest quality, the truest craftsmanship and the most substantial living and working spaces possible. The Firm 360° can provide a virtual tour for your business too. Contact us today for details at 941-347-8198 Visit our website www.thefirm360.com
Home buying couldn’t be easier. With new programs available, Toby Lynn can find the right fit for a friend or co-worker. Conventional, FHA/VA, primary residences, secondary homes, investment properties, or construction loans, Toby can help. Pre-qualify at no cost, zero, free! Specializing in happy, smooth, and on-time closings! Call today! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
The Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center is a children’s bereavement program through Tidewell Hospice that provides free bereavement support groups after the death of a significant person in the child’s life. Blue Butterfly serves both children and their caregiver in a support group setting based on age. Currently all support groups are being held virtually, and are open to all families regardless of their affiliation with Tidewell. Please email Bluebutterfly@tidewell.org with questions, or register here, www.bluebutterflycenter.org .
Valerie’s House: Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps grieving families who have lost a loved one in Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier County. All of our services are free of charge. Please contact Christine Carey to find out ways to volunteer, mentor, and donate to our Valerie’s House families (christine@valerieshouse.org or 239-841-0382). We can also schedule Valerie’s House Tours. Valerie’s House’s website: Valerie's House
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Don’t sell products or service, “Deliver Solutions.” Like it or not, folks out there aren’t searching for your brand, they’re just looking to solve a problem or find a particular type of product or service to meet their need. Instead of listing all the benefits your services and products bring, focus on the solutions. Convey to the customer in simple, straight-forward terms how or why your product can help them or assist in the attainment of their need(s). Consider FedEx’s iconic slogan: When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight. This is a clear example of addressing wide-spread anxiety about the reliability of delivery services. Run through some market research to profile your target customer. How does your product or service solve other people’s needs and make their lives easier or more pleasurable? There is your focus!
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Member-to-Member Testimonials |
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Thanks to a member suggestion, we will be enthusiastically sharing testimonials from our members about their positive business experiences with other members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Please submit a paragraph of 90 words or less describing your experience. Include your name and business name, and email your Member-to-Member Testimonial to Janet at jcaffe@charlottecountychamber.org before noon on Friday to be included the following week. We are proud of our members and this is an excellent way to let them shine even more!
SAMPLE:
"My family recently had the most pleasant experience while having dinner at the Family Serving Platter restaurant. If you haven't had their homemade beef and noodles family-style dinner, we recommend you visit soon. The service was excellent ... and make sure you save room for the peanut butter pie."
Tiffany Thompson, All About Furniture
SAMPLE:
"When I finally decided to get my will in order, I'm glad I picked the ACME Law Firm. They helped me every step of the way with what I thought would be a difficult process. It was easy-peasy, and now it's done."
James Johnson, JJ Contactors and Development
SAMPLE:
"You hear about these things happening to others, but we needed a doctor and we needed one quick. After logging on to charlottecountychamber.org we found a walk-in doctor close to our home and headed there immediately. The staff and doctor at PDQ Medical Health One Stop were efficient and caring. We are very thankful."
Doris and Benjamin Rhides, Hot Air Balloon Rhides
Email your Member-to-Member Testimonial to Janet at jcaffe@charlottecountychamber.org
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Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to tashley@charlottecountychamber.org.
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LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
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Q: Who were the perfect 2020-2021 examples of successfully working from home?
A: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
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Send YOUR Member News to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
Teri Ashley, Executive Director
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
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2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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Social Distancing and Health Safety Protocol Statement: The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce requests that you kindly not attend events with a fever, any COVID-19 Symptoms, if anyone in your household has shown symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are included in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined high-risk category for COVID-19. Additionally, while we know that most are accustomed to handshakes, fist-bumps, and hugs, we ask that you refrain during this time and follow all recommended health safety protocols. Social distancing is required by anyone attending chamber events and it is recommended that face masks be worn to lessen the possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. By attending Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce events, all attendees acknowledge and assume the risk that COVID-19 is contagious and exposure may occur. :
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