Archive for February, 2012

28
Feb
12

Color Me Happy

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: The Business View and Uncategorized
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Supporting and promoting business in the Longview trade area is a core competency of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber understands in order to have a healthy economic climate we must have a strong and diverse business base that creates jobs.

This week’s business feature is on Color Me Happy. Color Me Happy is the creation of Shawna Blissett. She is a Special Education teacher by day and an artist by night. She wanted to create a place where people of all ages could come and paint and enjoy the company of others or as Shawna calls it, “Art Entertainment”. “There are places to eat, see a movie, but there is not a place where you can sit down, create something, and enjoy a conversation.” Shawna said. Shawna saw a need in the community and she fulfilled that need. Finding a niche is essential in creating a successful business.

You have to make your business your priority. Expanding your reach in the community assures the success of your business will be good. Not only is Color Me Happy a place to host birthday/holiday parties, but corporate team building sessions. Companies of different industries have sought an alternative to the usual team work building exercises. Groups of local business owners, doctors and healthcare employees attend functions at Color Me Happy. She now offers, Girl’s Night Out, Group Events, Church Groups, and Fundraisers.
Shawna also relies on word-of-mouth marketing and social media. After each event, Shawna posts pictures of the events on FaceBook and tag people that attended the event. In turn, Color Me Happy will get FREE exposure from the friends of people that are tagged. Shawna credits the Chamber on providing low cost business education programming and networking opportunities in getting the word out of her business.
If you are looking for a way to explore your artistic side but not sure where to start? Color Me Happy is an exciting, creative class for both the artistic and not so artistic. Come out and join Longview’s newest entertainment spot for an evening of painting, sipping and enjoying the company of friends.

Color Me Happy is located:
530 East Loop 281, Suite 101
Longview, TX 75605
Phone 903.238.9070

Hours:

Mon – Sat: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
www.color-me-happy.com

25
Feb
12

Connect at BusinessExpo! Longview’s Largest B2B Event!

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: Business Development, Chamber of Commerce and Networking Events
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Connect at Longview’s Largest B2B Event!

Business Expo is your chance to connect with over 60 companies in one location to get the products and services your company needs!  This is Longview’s ONLY comprehensive Business to Business event during the year.

Low-cost business development sessions will also be presented during Business Expo.  This is an opportunity for you and your employees to receive quality education without traveling out of town and incurring additional costs. Leadership Development Program Sponsors are eZforex.com and Evans World Travel

Business Expo kicks off at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at Maude Cobb Convention Center.

This year’s event is presented by the Longview Economic Development Corporation and sponsored in part by Computerland of East Texas, Good Shepherd Medical Center and UnitedHealthcare.

Admission to the show floor is free and open to the public until 5:00 pm.  However, Chamber members are given exclusive access during Business After Hours, which begins at 4:45 pm and will conclude at 6:30 pm.

   Act Now!  Space is Limited!

FLOOR PLAN

REGISTRATION FORM

http://longviewchamber.com/BusinessExpo

 

21
Feb
12

Casa Flora featured on Longview’s Business Chronicles

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: The Business View
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Supporting and promoting business in the Longview trade area is a core competency of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber understands in order to have a healthy economic climate we must have a strong and diverse business base that creates jobs.

This week’s business feature is on Casa Flora Flower Shop. Casa Flora is a full service florist that is family owned and operated since 1984. Their floral designers and customer service representatives have over 115 years combined experience in the floral industry. Casa Flora is a member of Teleflora wire service and has been recognized as one of the “Top 500” sending florists in the country. They are also members of Allied Florists Association of Longview. Casa Flora was voted “Best Florist of East Texas” in the Longview New-Journal’s Reader’s Choice Awards in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Attributes for their success are education and customer service. Two florists on staff have a bachelor’s degree in Floral Design, and they are continuously attending seminars and shows on the latest floral designs. Casa Flora also believes that a customer is for life, therefore customer service is key. Longtime employee Darlene Clark stated, “We are there in their sad times, and we are there in their happy times.” At the Chamber of Commerce you have access to customer service training that is offered at convenient times for yourself and your employees. Being involved in the community is also important to Casa Flora. As a member of the Longview Chamber they can accomplish this, by receiving up to date information of local events and become engaged with other business owners.
If you are looking for a unique florist please check out Casa Flora.

Casa Flora is located on:
314 Magnolia Lane
Longview, TX 75605
PH: 903-753-4492 or 800-245-4614

Office hours are:
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. – noon
Closed Sunday
www.casafloraflowers.com

14
Feb
12

Answers to IMPACT Your Business

By Longview Chamber of Commerce 1 Comment
Categories: The Business View and Uncategorized
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Do you need a new marketing strategy?  Do you need to add value to your business?

You should never have to cope with the challenges of running a business alone. We’re here to help you find solutions for the challenges you face in running your business. Every business needs resources to succeed. From financial education to lead generation, in today’s competitive business environment, every little edge can make the difference.

The Longview Chamber is researching tools to enhance business formation and expansion. These tools include an online “toolkit” with links to useful forms, sample business plans, business funding information, and free non-commercial sources of business how-to information.

The Chamber is here to become a supporter and to promote growth towards a healthy economic future for our community.  You can access the tool kit by clicking on Tools for Business.  You will find update information on the latest local, state, federal, and best-of-the-web resources to start and grow your business.  Includes rates for 850+ jobs; Business Start-Up Kit, Loan Payment Calculator, 85 business-related online classes, new hire email, Employer’s Kit AND more.

Other sources that are also available can be found at the Small Business Development Center at:  http://www.kilgore.edu/sbdc.asp.

06
Feb
12

BalancedDiet featured on Longview’s Business Chronicles

By Longview Chamber of Commerce Leave a Comment
Categories: The Business View
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Supporting and promoting business in the Longview trade area is a core competency of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber understands in order to have a healthy economic climate we must have a strong and diverse business base that creates jobs.

This week’s business feature is on BalanceDiet, a premium wellness, diet and lifestyle company. The BalanceDiet experience is all about transformation. BalanceDiet is for everyone that is looking to make healthy lifestyle changes or maintain wellness.

Lisa Noble, owner of BalanceDiet, chose a franchise instead of developing her own wellness center because of the support a franchise can offer. “Not only does a franchise provide guidelines for your business, but they also help you with marketing aspects. If it wasn’t for the marketing support, I don’t think I would have been able to come up with these great campaigns,” Lisa said.

Diana Northcutt and Lisa Noble also discussed the benefits of attending the Longview Chamber of Commerce’s Business After. Lisa said “Attending Business After Hours has given me the opportunity to network with owners of other companies and provide them with an opportunity to offer employee discounts at BalanceDiet to their staff. Just recently at a Business After Hours, I was able to get ideas from other members for a Girls’ Night Out open house. ”

The Chamber’s series of monthly after hours networking events is a high-energy, professional approach to grow your business and market your products and services, one handshake at a time. These events are prime opportunities for members to meet face-to-face with existing and potential clients to build positive business relationships that impact their bottom line.

BalanceDiet is located in the Towne Crossing Shopping Center near Target in Longview.
3080 N. Eastman Road Suite 108,
Longview, TX 75605
Phone: 903.663.5900
Website: http://www.gobalancediet.com
Hours:
Mon – Thu: 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

 

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