~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, February 15, 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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THIS WEEK - Third Wednesday Coffee- It’s the week of the Third Wednesday Coffee at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center at 7:15 a.m. We look forward to hearing about the wonderful programs and services of the Homeless Coalition which does so much for our community. Our special program for the morning will be an overview of the 2021 Survey Results for the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, including a sampling of the “yays,” the suggestions, and the “yikes!” See you there.
Special preview for NEXT MONTH - 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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Boykin Lawns, LLC
4153 Piqua Ave.
North Port, FL 34288
941-567-7665
Michael Calabro
Culver’s – Kings Highway
385 Kings Highway
Port Charlotte, FL 33983
941-627-2600
Steve Buchmeier
culvers.com/restaurants/port-charlotte-fl
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Culver’s – El Jobean
1140 El Jobean Road
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-766-9006
Connie Wills, Daniel Mims
culvers.com/restaurants/port-charlotte-el-jobean-rd
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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
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 1:00PM to 2:30PM. 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 continuing its series of complimentary estate-planning seminars this week, starting with “Estate Planning Reviews and Updates” on Tuesday, Feb. 16, “How to Benchmark Your Investments” on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and “Giving of Tangible Personal Property” on Thursday, Feb. 18. 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.
Get outside and enjoy a free guided hike with CHEC before the warm weather returns! This week, hikes will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday at Alligator Creek Preserve as well as Buck Creek Preserve (2/16), Tippecanoe 2 Preserve (2/18), and Tippecanoe 1 Preserve (2/19). All walks begin at 9:00AM and masks are required. Also, don’t forget to submit your nature photos to the CHEC photo contest before the end of February! Visit www.checflorida.org or call 941-575-5435 for more information.
Even though you haven’t driven your car much in 2020, some parts like tires continue to wear out. Do you know that manufacturers recommend replacing your tires every four years? Especially in the Florida heat, rubber breaks down and develops cracks that invite a blowout. There is a DOT Date Code printed on the outside of every tire. If you can’t decipher yours, stop by Complete Auto Repair and we’ll take a quick look and tell you. Call Ron Morgan at 941-623-2926 to learn more.
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
Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage have a long-distance move headed up I -95 to New England on March 1st. Small loads or large, awkward items are welcome. Our cross-country moves are a good opportunity for you to relocate items that are too expensive or impractical to move alone. We love offering this service to our community neighbors. Call Kenny at 941- 423-5311 to discuss. Logistics is our specialty!
Clients of Guerzo Business Consulting are too busy to be distracted. They have their business plans for the year, and one month of success under their belts. They can delegate the (sometimes) tedious tasks and customer-focused planning that makes their marketing effective. They enjoy having an advisor to talk through challenges. We want our owners to love their highly profitable businesses. This is what is best for our County and community.
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.
Independent Financial Coaching wants you to know that we are not a “credit repair” company. They use temporary techniques that long-term, will prolong your credit score troubles. Think of us as a workout program, and credit repair as liposuction. Consumers are best served by having an accurate and strong credit profile. Give Sue Craig a call, at 941- 918-5324. Sue will detail the differences you can expect, both right away and longer term.
Your future financial success will benefit from these actions!
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 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!
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.
Some hiring managers may believe "If you make it difficult for applicants to get the job, the good applicants will drop out!" Not really. If you don't place high value on the job, the applicant won't place high value on it, either. Top companies Microsoft and Disney make it difficult to get a job ... and they're inundated with applicants. The best applicants really want to work for the best employers! 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
There is no better time to buy a home. Toby Lynn helps get the right mortgage program for your sister, parents, or best buddy! Toby makes the process easy from pre-qualifying to closing. 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 .
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Customer Service “Reigns Supreme”- According to a study by NewVoiceMedia, 51% of customers will not repeat business with a company after a bad service experience. Other studies have shown that it takes several positive customer experiences to make up for a negative one (if they even give you the chance). Given that loyal customers make a much easier sell, make excellent customer service a top priority. Examine your current customer service and make the changes that need to be made to ensure that your business is providing service superior to that of your competitors. You may need to invest in staff training, revamp your return policy, or make basic improvements such as responding promptly to voicemails or emails from customers.
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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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To my friend's astonishment, a police car pulled up to her house and her elderly grandfather got out. The patrolman explained that the old gentleman had been lost in the city park and had asked for help.
"Why, Grandfather?" my friend said, "You've been going there for 40 years.
How could you get lost?"
Her grandfather smiled slyly. "Wasn't exactly lost," he admitted. "I just got tired of walking."
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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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