~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, March 1, 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)
Join Wednesday's Zoom Event-
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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
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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
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Business Card Exchange
Thursday, April 22, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Dream Salon & Spa
117 Herald Court, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Restock your business cards, purchase a fabulous gift exchange item, and remember, shop member-to-member businesses!
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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.
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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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Englewood Area Board of Realtors
3952 N. Access Road
Englewood, FL 34224
941-474-6664
Dianne Clark
Dianne@eabor.net
Oliver Law PLLC
407 E Marion Ave., Suite 103
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-347-8870
David Oliver
david@oliverlawfl.com
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Quigley Eye Specialists
44 Barkley Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-466-2020
John Lane
Village Fish Market & Restaurant
Fishermen's Village
1200 W Retta Esplanade, #J-36
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-639-7959
Jennifer Evans, Susan Randall
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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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Are small businesses a target for cyber-attacks? “It won’t happen to me. I am too small and have nothing a hacker would want. 20% of small businesses experience a cyber-attack annually. 61% of small businesses close to six months after a cyber-attack average cost $38,000. Do you take credit cards, collect/store customer information, business financials, then you’re at risk? Would you like to your business from cyber-attacks? Please contact me for a complimentary assessment. #DoYourPart. BeCyberSmart. Flora Gutierrez, ADT Security Residential/Small Business Territory Manager, floragutoerre@adt.com, 239-316-8150.
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.
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.
Charlotte County Community Services invites the community to the free Centennial Fishing Derby Awards Festival, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., March 6 at Port Charlotte Beach Park. Fishing skills competitions, door prizes, food trucks, music and event sponsor booths will be on site. Admission is free but registration is recommended at https://tinyurl.com/FishingDerbyAwards. For information visit charlottecounty100.com/fishing-derby. Port Charlotte Beach Park is located at 4500 Harbor Blvd., in Port Charlotte. For information, contact David Plautz at 941-627-1074 or David.Plautz@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office a offers no-cost, voluntary Combat Auto-Theft (C.A.T.) program registry for residents and businesses. Once registered, a numbered decal is received for display allowing gives law enforcement officers to investigate during certain hours to determine if the vehicle has been stolen. Responding to recent trailer thefts, registering trailers to the C.A.T program was added. All trailers - to include boat trailers, open style utility trailers, as well as enclosed utility trailers - should be registered. Call 941-613-3227 to schedule your registry.
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!
Assistant Vice President and Retail Banking Officer Jacqueline Benjamin is celebrating her 15th anniversary with Charlotte State Bank & Trust. Jacqueline attended Punta Gorda Junior High, Charlotte High School, and Manatee Community College. She is a director of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and chairs the chamber’s Membership Committee. She is a member of the executive committee overseeing the renovation of the Parkside Community Redevelopment Area, the Punta Gorda Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and serves on the boards of the Fred Lang Foundation and Friends of the Port Charlotte Public Library.
Ron Morgan of Complete Auto Repair says thank you to all who came out to Saturday’s party! Those who did saw our latest investment – a custom pipe bender (and pipe bending expert) to customize exhaust for much-loved vehicles, and also to save money for customers when they need new catalytic converters. Call Ron at 941-623-2926 for your custom exhaust needs and wants.
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.
Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage knows that you want to enjoy every moment of warmth and sunshine whether you are coming to Florida or leaving soon. Let us make your first hours arriving or last hours leaving just as enjoyable. Assistance with packing, unpacking, or lifting can help avoid stress or injury. Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage has served our part-time residents and visitors for three generations and has earned a Five-Star reputation. We treat our customers’ belongings like our own. “When Quality Counts” Call Kenny at 941-423-5311.
As business owners watch their bottom line, special opportunities arise when technology eliminates manual steps and makes life easier (when implemented correctly). Hootsuite, workflow tools, Canva – these 3 alone can remove effort and costs from a business. Did you know Google provides your business a free website? Patti Guerzo, of Guerzo Business Consulting, can help a business identify duplicate services, eliminate nonperforming expenses, and take advantage of important online tools. Email Patti at Patti@guerzo.com to set up a free consultation.
Thinking about a health career? Join Gulfcoast South AHEC’s Career Chats! On the first Wednesday of every month, from 6:30-7:30 pm, any middle or high school students interested in health careers are encouraged to join our Zoom meeting. We highlight a different health career every month with guest speakers, videos, thought-provoking activities, and discussion groups. Career Chats enable students to learn from experienced health professionals, increases their knowledge about health careers, and motivates the students to develop effective educational and career plans. Call 941-361-6602 or visit gsahec.org to register today!
The 1st Annual “Hope for Homeless” Spring Golf Scramble event to benefit the Homeless Coalition will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Deep Creek Golf Club located at 1260 San Cristobal Avenue in Deep Creek. Check-in is at 7:30 am and shotgun is at 8:30am.
The cost is $85 and includes: 25 chance auction tickets, 2 drink tickets, a continental breakfast, a delicious lunch and mulligans for your team. Please contact Darcy Woods at 941-627-4313, Ext. 134 or email Darcy.Woods@cchomelesscoalition.org to reserve a spot.
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.
Independent Financial Coaching offers this tip: If you were otherwise current on your mortgage and have received relief as defined by the CARES Act, your servicer or creditor is required to report your account as current. If you stop making mortgage payments without a forbearance agreement, the servicer will report this information to the credit reporting companies, and it can have a lasting negative impact on your credit history. If an error has been made, however, you can work to dispute it. Sue Craig can help you navigate this situation. Call her at 941-918-5324.
Women in Wellness helping Women in Crisis- Please join Korman Relief & Wellness Center on Saturday, March 27th from 10 am -1 pm, as women business owners showcase a variety of services, from yoga, to massage, to posture and movement assessments, to hearing tests, anti-aging therapy, with the ability to even try them out yourself! There will also be drawings and giveaways! Admission is $15, however, ALL PROCEEDS benefit the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.). Korman Relief & Wellness Center is located at 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd. 941-629-6700.
Hiring managers often complain "You can't get references anymore!" You can. It's just not easy. And, you have to change the way you request them. One tool that makes a difference? A "Reference Verification Form" asking applicants how they think former supervisors will rate them in specific areas such as dependability, job skills, etc. You'll be surprised how often references you contact will confirm or deny the applicants' responses. 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
Sam's Club Port Charlotte - Get a $45 gift card when you join as a new member for $45. Join here: http://samsclub.com/$45offer You’re gonna love all the ways membership pays. A $45 gift card is just the start. Here’s a peep at the perks! Scan & Go™ shopping. Skip the checkout line. Just scan & pay in the Sam’s Club App! Convenient Curbside Pickup. Pay online, park, and we’ll load your car. Members-only prices on what your family needs and loves.
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 (3/5), Certified Mentors Terry Cramer 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.
Get ready Southwest Florida! The Firm 360° Photography is proud to be a part of the SWFL Parade of Homes™ through the CDBIA again this year. It begins March 6th and runs through the 14th. See some of the most innovative and progressive homes entered this year by local and national builders. If you can’t get out and see them all in person, click https://www.swflparadeofhomes.com/ go to their website and click the “Virtual Tour” links. Let us know how we can help you with a Virtual Tour. Call us. 941-347-8198
Toby Lynn helps families buy, build, and refinance their home. Conventional, FHA/VA, primary residence, second homes, investment properties, or construction loans. Toby Lynn works to get the financing your best buddy needs. Pre-qualification is free! Specializing in happy, smooth, and on-time closings! Call today! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
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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Doing business without promotion and advertising is like waving to people in the dark. You know what you're doing ... but nobody else does.
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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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While interviewing for a job, a young recruit was asked only two questions-
Interviewer: “What is your biggest weakness?”
Recruit: “Interviews.”
Interviewer: “Well, besides that?”
Recruit: “Follow up questions.”
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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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