~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, February 22, 2021 ~
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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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"Lunch and Learn" together on Zoom
Noon, Wednesday, March 3, 2021
"HR Guidelines for Business Owners, Managers and Supervisors"
Presented by Christina Faro, Charlotte County Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Save the date and time ... invitations to log in will be coming soon!
Networking at Noon
Wednesday, March, 10, Noon - 1 p.m. (But arrive early!)
Leroy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar
201 W Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Reservations Required, Call the Chamber at 941-627-2222
Third Wednesday Coffee
Wednesday, March 17, 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Jarrett Ford of Charlotte County
Sponsor: Jarrett Ford of Charlotte County
Nonprofit: Guardian ad Litem Foundation-20th Judicial Circuit
Ribbon Cuttings again open to all members- Each and every one of our members will once again be invited to attend ribbon cutting events to celebrate with their fellow chamber members. Monitor the Monday morning Business Online email, Facebook, and our website at CharloteCountyChamber.org for updates about all Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce events. Again, we have been very careful to set the example of following CDC and DOH recommended health and safety guidelines, and we encourage everyone to continue to do the same.
Networking "Business Card Exchanges" to resume in April- Who would have thought on sunny February 27, 2020 that - immediately following a Rays Spring Training game - we would be enjoying our last after-hours Business Card Exchange for more than a year? Not us, but that was the case. On that fun afternoon we were graciously hosted by the National Cremation Society in Port Charlotte to network, enjoy refreshments, and enjoy the traditional gift exchange. We toured the location, learned about their products and services while we were there, and went on our merry way. Now, we’ll just skip the next 12 months, ok?
The next Business Card Exchange is scheduled for April 26 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Dream Salon & Spa, 117 Herald Court in Punta Gorda. Restock your business cards, purchase a fabulous gift exchange item, and remember, shop member-to-member businesses!
Hear ye, hear ye! Act fast to to host a monthly Fourth Thursday Business Card Exchange. Dates often end up being booked years (yes, years) in advance. Call the chamber at 941-627-2222 for more information.
The 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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Beasley Media Group
20125 S. Tamiami Trail
Fort Myers, FL 33928
304-476-3048
Celeste Clutter
celeste.clutter@bbgi.com
bbgi.com
Hyatt Home Services
21577 Olean Blvd.
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
518-538-0322
Janelle Hyatt
hyatthomeservicesllc.com
PowerQuip, LLC
PO Box 511306
Punta Gorda, FL 33951
212-628-1416
David Hooper
powerquipllc.com
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The Flats at Sundown
1280 Sun Market Place
North Port, FL 34288
883-444-7013
Melissa Rowland-Brickley
northportapartment.com/
USA Today – LocaliQ
4415 Metro Parkway, Suite 300
Fort Myers, FL 33916
239-318-4566
Jeremy Carr
supportlocal.usatoday.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.
Thank you to all the members that joined us for the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on Wednesday February 10, 2021. I also want to thank Bob White for organizing a successful afternoon. It was so nice to meet everyone and we hope you enjoyed your lunch at Blu Grotto. We hope to see you all again soon with your family and friends. Take-out is available as well as curbside pick-up. (www.BluGrottoPortCharlotte.com) For those of you that prefer delivery we are now live with DoorDash.
America's Boating Course® Interested in boating safely? Knowing the rules of the nautical road? In reading nautical charts? Successful completion = Florida Boater’s Card. America’s Boating Club Peace River is offering a 3 half-day America’s Boating Course® at the Punta Gorda Boat Club, 802 West Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Saturdays 6, 13 & 20 March 2021. Classes run 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Cost is $40 for 1st person, $25 for a second person sharing materials. To register, leave a message by Thursday March 4, 2021 at (941) 637-0766 or education@peaceriversailandpowersquadron.org
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!
Looking to save money while giving back to the community? C.A.R.E. ReUse not only offers a wide variety of new/gently used items at a fraction of retail cost. All of their proceeds provide essential needs to survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Charlotte County. Open at both locations (PC & Englewood) Tuesday –Thursday 9:00am-3:30pm. C.A.R.E. is also looking for “secret shoppers” to provide customer feedback at our retail locations. Interested call 941-639-5499.
Calling all supervisors and HR staff! Join Charlotte County Society for Human Resource Management for a virtual hour with Rich Williams, Author and President of Career Experts. He will present on the topic of Recruiting and Retaining Talent on 2/24/2021 (11 am - 12:30 pm) CCSHRM Members $10 Guests $15 (Chamber members enjoy the member rate for first time attendance!). Details & Registration - https://ccshrm.shrm.org/forms/register-monthly-webinar Questions? Call Kim Byrne at (941) 626-1830
Charlotte Players has partnered with Express Feedback For Good to bring you a way to help us raise funds in a very easy. From February 15-March 16 you can create financial impact for Charlotte Players, simply by sharing your opinions on popular brands and companies. Feedback isn’t a survey. It’s a quick hitting emoji-based review that takes only 60 seconds of your time. Each opinion you share creates up to $2 towards supporting Charlotte Players! Click here https://bit.ly/3rDYFAn beginning on February 15th at 1am to get started. For more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org. Contribute without cash!
Charlotte State Bank & Trust is continuing its series of complimentary estate-planning seminars this week, starting with “Planning for Beneficiaries with Challenges” on Tuesday, Feb. 23, “Global Markets and Your Portfolio” on Wednesday, Feb. 24, and “Estate Planning and Your Pets” on Thursday, Feb. 25. Attendees may participate in person at the bank’s Murdock office (limited seating) or online. You can register at any branch office, online at charlottestatebank.com, via email at rsvp@csbtfl.com, or by calling Brielle at 941-624-1943. See the website for complete descriptions and a list of upcoming seminars.
It’s the last week to submit your photos to the first annual CHEC photography contest! Go to www.checflorida.org for more information about photo requirements and instructions to submit your photos. Also, don’t miss your chance to get outside and enjoy a free guided hike with CHEC volunteers! Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Alligator Creek Preserve as well as Bayshore Live Oak Park on 2/23 and at Ann Dever Regional Park on 2/26. All walks begin at 9:00AM and masks are required. Call 941-475-0769 or 941-575-5435 to register.
It’s party time! Come on out this Saturday, February 27th, from 11:00-2:00 to celebrate Complete Auto Repair’s 11thannual customer appreciation party. We’re outside as always, and there will be plenty of custom vehicles to check out. There will be food, drinks, and free raffles, while supplies last. If you’d like to promote your own business at his party with a raffle item, call Ron Morgan at 941-623-2926, or stop by the shop, at 20120 Veterans Blvd. in Port Charlotte.
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
Fishermen’s Village- March 17 entertainment, noon until 9 p.m. Attendees encouraged to practice social distancing and wear masks. Acoustic Musicians Beth Travers and Dave Signs – Irish tunes, originals and variety music, 12 noon-4 p.m.; The Calendar Girls dance Troup – performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Bag Pipers performing in various locations throughout Fishermen’s Village between 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; Musicians Tim Wechgelaer and Rick Rourke performing a mix of traditional Irish tunes, originals and sing-a-longs accompanied by guitar and fiddle – 5 p.m.-9 p.m. We are located off Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, fishville.com.
If you’re a contractor, you know the hardest thing about doing a remodel is working around the customer's belongings. Why not store the items temporarily with Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage? We will move them out of your way, store them until you finish, and bring them back dust-free. You will enjoy the job more, and you just might finish faster. Call Kenny at 941-423-5311 for pricing.
We all know it’s important to keep an interesting, image-rich stream of social media posts flowing out to your audiences. Without a strategy and plan, these posts can become repetitive, infrequent, and rushed. At Guerzo Business Consulting, we handle this for you, brainstorming with you, and bringing those ideas to light with custom graphics and promotions. We will also train your staff to plan and implement a content approach that will increase your results. 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 your creditors stopped working with you during COVID-19? Are you worried about a possible foreclosure? Are you confused about your options and the CARES Act? Is debt consolidation, debt negotiation or bankruptcy best for you? To get answers to all your questions, contact Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill at 941-206-3700 or mmartella@icardmerrill.com to schedule a confidential, complimentary one hour, no obligation consultation to come up with a plan to eliminate your debt and enjoy a stress free, debt free life.
At Independent Financial Coaching, we help people in all stages of life. It is very rewarding to help someone newly widowed or divorced develop a bill-paying routine. If they relied on their former partner to pay bills and budget, they may now need help. Our affordable rates make it feasible to learn to confidently stand on their own, without making costly mistakes. Refer your friends to Sue Craig, at 941-918-5324. She can help.
Murdock Baptist Church - Super Spring Spectacular - a free event full of fun for the whole family! There will be carnival games and food. It all begins Saturday, February 27th
from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Come and help us kick off Spring early!
Many hiring managers believe "The best applicants always make the best employees!" The opposite is often the case. People who interview the best are often people who have been interviewed the most. They've honed their answers. They may know how to tell you exactly what you want to hear. To avoid that, develop a hiring and interviewing process not focused on the packaging but, rather, on the product inside. 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.
Evening webinar by SCORE Port Charlotte. The Amazon FBA Program. Have you thought about selling products on-line, but not sure the products would be successful and the cost to develop an e-commerce website is expensive? Then this webinar is for you! For a relatively low cost, using Amazon FBA you can test market your product(s) to see if they sell before investing thousands of dollars in your own infrastructure. Thom Malkus, SCORE Port Charlotte, presents "Selling on Amazon using FBA" – Thursday, February 25th, 7:00 p.m. This is a virtual event. thom.malkus@scorevolunteer.org for information/invitations.
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
When choosing the perfect mortgage plan, prioritizing needs and wants can lead in different directions. With 30 years in the business, Toby Lynn is a pro at helping your family, co-workers, or best buddy see advantages and disadvantages in options available. 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 .
United Way of Charlotte County and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading are excited to invite you to a Crucible of Practice on Thursday, March 11 at 8 a.m. We welcome you to register for this event that will explore WHY grade-level reading is important, WHAT different sectors in Charlotte County are doing to ensure our children and families are on track, and HOW you can join in! (Check out our guest speakers – you might recognize a name or two…) Register for the event HERE.
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Eight Ways to Improve the Success of Your Business:
- Create brand personality.
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Develop a strategic business plan, organizational structure, and operational support systems.
- Avoid common mistakes.
- Become connected to the community.
- Put your employees first.
- Don't just acquire customers, retain them.
- Get organized.
- Carve out a niche.
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Member-to-Member Testimonials
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Thanks to a member suggestion, we are enthusiastically sharing testimonials from our members about their positive business experiences with other members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. 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!
“My downtown Punta Gorda office was built in 1925. “The Green House” had original windows and no shortage of wood rot and it was time to replace both. It took longer than expected due to the manufacturer and Covid, but no worries, no emergency. When they arrived, Bob Miller from Boyette Miller and his crew were ready. The project was known as “The Fun House” because customizing windows to fit into 1925 openings was quite the job. BUT it was also quite the expert pair; Tim and Ryan. Wow, great job all around. I can’t wait to refer Boyette and Miller Construction and Development.”
Toby Lynn, The Mortgage Firm
Email Testimonials to Janet at jcaffe@charlottecountychamber.org today!
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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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Skill set:
"So tell me, Mrs. Smith," asked the interviewer, "Have you any other skills you think might be worth mentioning?"
"Actually, yes," said the applicant modestly. "Last year I had two short stories published in national magazines, and I finished my novel."
"Very impressive," he commented, "But I was thinking of skills you could apply during office hours."
Mrs. Smith explained brightly, "Oh, but that was during office hours."
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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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