LocalBusiness

Centerville Beef O Brady’s

I had the pleasure of eating lunch at Beef’s last Tuesday 1-17-12. I had the Chicken Wrap and it was fantastic. Katie, our server, was at our table no less than 10 times during our visit checking to see if we needed anything. After I eat, I sat down with marketing director Erica Wood and she shared with me what Beef’s has been up to since taking on new ownership in October 2011.
New owners, John & Teresa Hughes are continuing with "Kids Eat Free Tuesday". They also shared with me their remodeling plans along with a new menu coming in February. They asked me to point out that Beef’s can be followed on Twitter to find out about daily Happy Hours specials that always run 3p - 6pm and 9p - close.
You will want to stop in with your friends, family or sports team to see what the entire buzz is about ;)

Centerville Framing & Gifts

Tuesday 1-17-12 I had the pleasure of meeting with Kim King, owner of Centerville Framing and Gifts. Her and her husband Rick have been open at this Centerville location now since 2007 but don’t think they lack experience, they met in a frame shop over 20 years ago. In fact, they have over 50 years of collective experience in the framing business and when you walk into their shop this becomes obvious.

Their vast selection of frames coupled with their creative ability and pictures of some of the projects they have completed makes them the clear choice for all of your gift and framing needs.

They have framed signed jerseys, childhood memories, sport memorabilia/ achievement awards and business milestones so it stands to reason that no idea is off limits. Stop by their shop and see for yourself that they can frame just about anything. Tell them Farmers Agent Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Centerville Design & Associates

On Tuesday 1-24-12 I had a chance to meet fellow Heart of Centerville member, Renee Beerck. We sat and visited in the showroom of her locally owned Centerville Design Associates, located on S. Main St in Centerville. When I asked her what products and services this 40 year old, nationally recognized business provides, she explained that when it comes to creativity...there isn’t too much they don’t do. If you are a busy family that is looking for ideas for you home......this is the placed to come. They help with projects as small as color consultations all the way up to "Start to Finish" renovation projects complete with 3D renderings of the layout so that you can see what your options will look like before you make any decisions. With over 250 different lines of products, from furniture, accessories, artworks, flooring.....you are sure to discover both "One of a Kind Items" and "Hard to Find Items" for your castle. Renee and her very professional and very creative staff are excited for you to stop by their store to show you ideas that will make you want to bring transition to one of the rooms or all rooms in your house. Tell them Farmers Agent Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Far Hills Florist

I had the pleasure of sitting down with the owner of Far Hills Florist, Jeff Scheider last Tuesday 1-31-12. Jeff and his wife Barbara are fellow members  of the Heart of Centerville. Jeff’s father bought the business from his boss back in 1964 when it was located in Old North Dayton. Since then they have relocated three times, the first time in 1973 to Kettering. When they moved to Centerville, Ohio in 1984, they were actually one of the first tenants of the CrossPoints Shopping Center. Jeff & Barb are now the sole owners of the Florist Shop and since 1994 they have been located on Far Hills Avenue, just north of Bill’s Doughnuts.

One of the first things I noticed about Jeff is that personal relationships with his clients means everything to him. He said that people like to know that you remember things about their taste in flowers. He was also quick to point out that buyers should beware of websites that claim to be for LOCAL florists but actually are just order takers. If you take the time to call them to see where they are actually located, you can avoid being duped.

Jeff was quick to give Barbara credit for staying current on the latest in floral designs and decor in general. He says that customers always noticed that they have the very latest in fresh cut flowers arranged in ways that are unique to their shop. If you give them a shot at satisfying your floral needs, you will not be disappointed ;)

For your convenience, they deliver flowers as far north as Englewood and as far south as Lebanon. Make sure to tell them that Greg Fay - Life Insurance Specialist & Farmers Insurance Agent sent ya when you call or stop in.

http://www.farhillsflorist.com/

Loralei’s Boutique - Centerville OH

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Loralei’s Boutique General Manager Barbara Claude Pierre. When I asked what set Loralei’s apart from the other boutique shops located in the Heart of Centerville, Barb was quick to point of that they were a consignment shop that sells gently worn, premium/designer brand clothing. She said that owner Laurie Smalley keeps the inventory fresh by insuring it stays strictly seasonal and only allows items to remain on display for 90 days at a time. She splits the sale price 50/50 with the consignors that she partners with.
Even though the boutique has only been open 2 years, Laurie and Barb have more than tripled the consignors and customers.
One question that I always like to ask is, "What item do you sell that customers often don’t realize?" Barb said, "That is an easy question. We are a great place to buy or consign your Prom or Homecoming Dress." Me being a father of two beautiful daughters, I wish that I had realized this prior to them both graduating from HS ;)
When visiting the Heart of Centerville, you will definitely want to stop by Loralei’s. Make sure you tell her that Greg Fay sent ya;)

Deuce Shirts - Centerville OH

On 2-2-12 I had the privilege of interviewing Jason Schirmer, owner of Deuce Shirts in Centerville, OH. Deuce is a fellow member of Heart of Centerville. If you have ever been to a Centerville Wee Elk event, you have probably seen one of Jason’s employees or his wife Shaunda Schirmer setup with a wide selection of Centerville Elks spirit wear. Jason opened Deuce Shirts 4 years ago after coming back from a trip to Gatlinburg, TN and seeing all of the T-Shirts Shops down there. Deuce has relationships with most Centerville sports teams except The Hustle Basketball and The Soccer programs, so if you know anyone in those organizations, have them reach out to Deuce Shirts. I know that our 4th grade hustle team is using Deuce for it’s shirts this year so if you decide to also, tell them that Greg Fay - Farmers Agent sent ya;)

The Mark Ryan Group - Centerville

On Thursday of this past week, I have the privilege of interviewing my office partners Mark & Laura Ryan of The Mark Ryan Group. I have known Mark & Laura now for 3 years; we met as we coached together in The Centerville Wee Elks & Cheer program. 

Their team consists of Mark Ryan (Broker/Realtor), Laura Ryan (Market & Client Care Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator w/ Wells Fargo), Cathy Hanby Singer (Buyers Specialist), Joylynn Mosier Tracy (Buyers Specialist), Nicole Schuder (Buyers Specialist) and Cara Johnson (Office Manager). Mark was quick to point out that his group’s buyer specialist sell anywhere between 3-5 times more homes than the average real estate agent. This easily qualifies this group as one of the higher volume real estate groups in the area. Mark & Laura themselves, have a collective 20 years of experience in the real estate and mortgage loan industries.

As a client of Mark’s (on both sides of the transaction), I can speak to the family-like feeling that you get when you work with him and his team when you buy or sell your home. They have a way of making this extremely personal event fun as they assist you in navigating through this exciting time.

I asked Mark what makes his team stand out and he said, “Not only can I help you in selling your home the traditional way, I am also one of the few “Certified Experts” in SHORT SALES in this area.”

I can personally attest to the caring, compassionate way Mark and his team treat their clients. They truly make you feel at ease in the process while insuring that you are able to enjoy this exciting stage of home ownership.

When you stop by their located in the Heart of Centerville, make sure you tell them Farmers® Agent Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Johnny’s Pizzeria - Centerville

I was looking forward to this spotlight, I eat Johnny’s Pizza at least once per week and I am a HUGE fan! This little slice of heaven is going on its 3^rd birthday, located 2 doors down from my office in the Heart of Centerville on W. Franklin St.

In talking with Johnny, I knew he was from Queens, New York (he just returned from a trip home, where he celebrated his birthday), what I did not know if that Michele is a native Ohioan from Kettering.

Johnny grew up in the pizza business; he started working for a family owned pizzeria in Queens when he was 13 years old. I asked him what he learned from his early beginnings and he said, “Fresh ingredients are the magic.” Johnny makes his own dough and sauce; he also told me the meat that he uses to top his pies is never frozen.

As always, I like to ask the folks I am interviewing, “What do you want customers to know about your pizzeria”. Johnny wasted no time in saying, “Families can come in the kitchen during the week and make their own pizza!” I think that is so cool!

I also want to emphasize that Johnny’s caters, serves large office parties, hosts birthday parties and makes specialty pizzas to order…..YOU CHOOSE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT ON YOUR PIE;) Michele also asked me to point out that they make oven baked sandwiches to.

Make it a point to stop this week to grab a “Slice of Pizza” and when you do, tell him Farmers agent Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Holten Wellness Center

When I sat down with Angie Baber of Holten Wellness Center (member of The Heart of Centerville), I really had no idea what they did. Upon arrival, I walked into their reception area and looked around at the décor I immediately thought upscale, warm, and classy. It is obvious that Dr. Matthew Holten wants his patients to feel at ease and very much welcomed. Holten Wellness is located on Paragon Rd, right in front of Kids are Tops, north of Route 725. They have been in business since 1996 but at their new state of the art facility for only 5 years.

I asked Angie what people do not know about their center and she was quick to point out that they are a “Whole Body Wellness Center”. I inquired as to exactly that meant and she rattled off this list of services they provide: Chiropractic Care, Disc Decompression Therapy, Chiropractic Rehab, Personal Training, Wellness Coaching, Weight Loss, Nutrition Counseling, Cellulite Reduction and Hair Removal. They have treated adults for everything from back pain to acid reflux to high blood pressure and they even treat children for things like colic, bed wetting and ear infections. Bottom, Dr. Holten wants to do more than “just crack your back”.

I have to be honest; I was impressed with not only the friendly reception I received when I arrived but equally so with the passion these folks have in caring for people. Make sure you stop by and say hi to Leah at the front desk and Angie in marketing…..and as usual, tell them Greg Fay sent you ;)

http://www.holtenwellness.com

Laser Wolf Engraving

I met Will Stansfield, owner of Laser Wolf Engraving (member of The Heart of Centerville) last week. When I lined up this Spot Light, I thought I would simply be interviewing the owner of a plaque maker or awards store but that was NOT the case. As I entered his shop I noticed all of the different things that Will has Laser Engraved, the most prominent item to me being wine bottles. He has the technology to engrave beautiful images and even the script from wedding invitations right into the glass, making these bottles keepsakes and gifts that will not be forgotten.

I asked Will to tell me something that he does that people are not aware of; he immediately took me over to a display shelf that had actual photos laser engraved onto glass and the quality was incredible. My favorite question to Will was, “What is the strangest thing that you have ever engraved?” he said “Food. I just filled an order for 1400 laser engraved apples for UD. I also engrave a lot of pumpkins at Halloween.”
I noticed a basket of buckeyes sitting near his desk and I told him I was a Michigan fan, he asked if I would like a buckeye with the Wolverine BLOCK M engraved on it…very cool! He has engraved jeans, pillows, toilet seats, and names tags to mention a few items.

As we wound down our meeting, I asked what he had on the horizon for new ideas and he told me that sand carving really has him excited. He showed me an eagle that he sand carved in a piece of glass, I was impressed. Make sure to stop by Laser Wolf Engraving in West Carrollton for fresh and fun gifts ideas…..and be sure to tell him Greg Fay sent you ;)

http://www.laserwolfengraving.com/

Centerville - 252 West Salon & MedSpa

I met with 252 West Salon & MedSpa director Lisa Harmon last week and we had a great time. 252 has been open since 2009 and is owned by Colleen Andes and Cathy Evans. The reception area sets the tone for your visit with it’s warm, welcoming, relaxing and very upscale feel. They have truly become your “One Stop Shop” for all of your beauty needs with several additional services like an on-site make-up artist, weight loss management (complete with coaches and diet), overall wellness planning, massage therapy and a full MedSpa (w/ Doctor on premises). You will be able to find the most cutting edge technology in skincare coming in the very near future. The salon employs 9 stylists that not only provide the latest in haircuts but they also feature coloring and extensions. They even have their own product line “Eufora”. In my opinion, this is one of the most complete salons in the area, stop by and say hi to Lisa and her staff……and like always, tell them Greg Fay sent ;)

Centerville - Joli Boutique

Catching up with Heart of Centerville leader and Joli Boutique owner Debbie Teeters is easier said than done, this lady stays on the move. Whether it is in NYC looking for the latest in fashion, working with a local entrepreneur or meeting with some of the leaders in our Centerville government, Debbie is always involved in making a positive influence on the people around her.

After 18 years with FOX 45 TV and seeing customer service declining, she decided to start Joli Boutique in the Heart of Centerville. Ten years later, she enjoys what she does just as much as when she first started. She longed to create a shopping experience that is unique and with Joli (which appropriately means beautiful) she has done just that. You will find few places that are as warm and fun (if you’re a girl that is ;) as her boutique. She continually looks for the newest trends in leading edge fashion design. Joli carries everything from jeans, hats, accessories, jewelry and dresses. From popcorn shirts to prom dresses, they have just about everything. I asked Debbie what inspires her when she makes decisions of what to keep in her inventory and she said, “Girls come here to find out how they can express themselves with fashion. I look for pieces that help them do that.” I asked her what will be hitting her displays soon and she said the “CowGirl Look” is really becoming popular. Debbie also wanted me to mention that she is leading a program called “For the Love of Prom, every girl deserves a dress” She is taking donated prom dresses and getting them into the hands of girls that would otherwise not be able to purchase them. I have to tell you, this was one of the spotlights that I was most excited to do and the time I spent with Debbie did not disappoint. Stop by and see her (if you can catch up with her ;) and when you do, tell her Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Patrick Hansford & Associates - Centerville, OH

Heart of Centerville member Patrick Hansford & Associates is a local architect that has been serving the Miami Valley area since 1989. He graduated from Miami University in 1986 and immediately looked for a place to set up shop. Troy, Ohio is where he landed then, and Centerville is where he is located now.

He currently serves on the Co-op Advisory Board at BGSU, which is only 1 of 11 accredited Co-op programs in the entire country. As a matter of fact, his son is currently attending BGSU and will be on Co-op assignment with dad this upcoming summer. His other son attends OSU. Both of his sons graduated from Centerville High School.

When I asked Patrick what specific services an architect provides, he began listing things that I had never considered, aside from designing buildings. Services like:

• Pointing out necessary permits
• Applying for required licenses
• Planning and zoning of potential locations
• Pointing out Fire/Safety considerations
• Calculating necessary indoor lighting and space requirements
• Determining adequate parking areas

When you consider all things listed, it becomes obvious that just about anyone that is planning to start a business (especially a retail location), should consult with Patrick Hansford first.

Patrick has done jobs as small as $500K all the way up to million dollar projects. He designed “Cradles to Crayons,” a pre-school/daycare located in Centerville. He has also completed several small government projects in the area. He has (13) years’ tenure with The City of Centerville, (8) of which was spent on the planning commission.  Some of his favorite work has been done right here locally with historical preservation through the Centerville Architecture Preservation District.

This spotlight really opened my eyes to how much Patrick Hansford & Associates can do for local communities and small business. I hope it has opened yours also. If you call him, make sure you tell him that Greg Fay sent you;)

For more information, contact Patrick at:

Patrick Hansford Associates Architecture and Planning

193 Cherry Drive Centerville, Ohio 45459

Telephone: 937.438.9919

Email: hansfordassociates@gmail.com

Premier Family Healthcare - Centerville

The Spotlight on Heart of Centerville member - Premier Family Healthcare

 

Crunch! Crack! Click! Those are the 3 words that people usually associate with chiropractic care. Patients that visit Dr. Russell Hulbert at Premier Family Healthcare don’t feel that way. Dr. Russell believes in a slightly different approach by encouraging families to be proactive and personally accountable in their wellness regiment. They are proud to say that many of their practice members seek them out when they are pain and symptom free.

 

Dr. Hulbert has believed this since he was 9 years old when his mother went from being a registered nurse to a chiropractor. Dr. Hulbert has never looked back! Just as she did with him, he believes in caring for families naturally, with a positive mindset. By removing the interference with the nervous system, he uses Space Foundation Certified technology (co-founded by NASA) to examine the function of the nervous system. Using this method, the body functions more as it is intended and manual adjustments become only a small part of treatment.

 

If you and your family are looking for a health care plan and not a sick care plan, I believe you should give Premier Family Healthcare a look. Make sure you let them know that Greg Fay sent you.

 

Premier Family Healthcare

Chiropractic Lifestyle Center

145 W. Franklin St.

Centerville, OH 45459

(937) 396-2230

Centerville Drive Thru

Spotlight – Centerville Drive Thru

Are you from Centerville, Ohio?
Do you know what is located right across the street from Benham’s Grove and just south of Marion’s Piazza on Route 48?
Are you looking for a local place where you are pampered and don’t even have to get out of your vehicle to shop for cold drinks, adult beverages and a wide selection of snacks?
Would like to give your business to a small, locally owned, family business?
Can you name the store I am describing, here are some more hints?
•    It has been here since 1977
•    The owner volunteers in the community by coaching Centerville youth sports
•    It is a place that listens to its patrons and stocks the shelves with what you want
•    It is a place that still passes out treats to kids and suckers to dogs…….well, maybe the other way around
By now I am sure you know that I am talking about Centerville Drive Thru, owned by Centerville resident Jim Berner.
Stop by and see Jim and his staff, let them serve you and as usual…..tell them Greg Fay sent ya ;)

https://www.facebook.com/CentervilleDriveThru

Mile High Karate & Meng’s Martial Arts of Centerville

If I told you that a man named “The Kung Fu Guy” could transform your family into a family that grows together, performs together, and communicates well with each other, would you believe me?

 

If you took the time to get to know Jeremy Roadruck, you would firmly believe that claim. Jeremy has been involved in martial arts for over 17 years.

 

Some of the tenants of his mission statement include:

-        Developing win/win relationships

-        Improving communication skills

-        Improving personal protection abilities

 

Wonder how Jeremy got his start? Well he went straight to the top of the discipline he chose.  After researching and investigating several different academies in the Dayton area, he found Grandmaster Meng a CHS graduate. Jeremy was a 20 year old factory worker that was addicted to anger & hated everything.  Meng intrigued Jeremy by challenging him to try his program and see if he could prove that it didn’t work, 17 years later I’d say that it worked awesome!. When Jeremy started he could barely do a single push up and actually threw up at his very first class. He came back because he recognized that this was a place that he could really push himself, and that was what he was looking for.

 

If you want to discover for yourself if you can prove “The Kung Fu Guy” wrong, stop by his gym located inside Club 51 at the corner of Springvalley and Route 48, behind Rite-Aid in Centerville. Make sure you tell him that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Learning for Life Center

Spotlight - Learning for Life Center

When your clients say, “Why don’t more people know about you?” or “I fell so much better, I was so scared and so confused” after just their first consultation, you know that you are doing something worthwhile. Alicia (Ali) Wahdan loves what she does so much that she used to do it for FREE. She officially turned it into a business in August 2008.

One of Ali’s main frustrations is that people do not understand the many services that she provides:

-        She helps people understand their credit report/score and take control of this very important segment of life.

-        She serves as a “Financial Coach or “Accountability Partner” a lot of which is done by teaching people how to differentiate between wants & needs plus setting goals. She can be your cheerleader or drill sergeant…whichever hat fits at the time.

-        She helps negotiate payments plans for clients in distressed situations, IRS tax issues and creditor settlements

-        She also assist with Mortgage Loan Modifications

What she DOES NOT do is:

-        Debt Consolidations

-        Credit Repair

Have you ever said to yourself, “My situation is so bad that you will not be able to help.” Ali hears that frequently, only to find that folks only have (1) large debt and they panic over it.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. You might assume that all of her clients or middle to lower middle class but you would be wrong. Even high wage earners like doctors and lawyers use her service just to get a handle on the outgoing money in their personal budgets. Just like the name of her business states, she wants to help clients take control of their life.

Ali believes that she can do improve just about everyone’s financial position, so give her a call or stop by. Make sure you tell her that Greg Fay sent you.

 

Generation Dayton

Generation Dayton Spotlight

If you are like me and had never heard of “Generation Dayton”, you won’t have to wait much longer before you hear about them regularly.

 

Generation Dayton is the place where talented young professionals who live and work in the Dayton region can meet, network, learn, grow and establish themselves as integral components in the future success of the Dayton region.

Over the past month I have had a chance to sit down with Gen D’s Chairman - Brian Brandenburg, Head of the Membership Committee – Sean Dougherty and members Alicia Wahdan and Annie Bowers. To say that these folks are shakers and movers in the area would be selling them short. Brian, Alicia and Annie own their own businesses and Sean works in Commercial Banking at Wells Fargo.

You can read about the business owners in individual spotlights I have recently written. I want to take this time to focus on my conversation with Sean Dougherty. Sean to me is the epitome of a young professional coming to a new town, Dayton and how to immerse one’s self into a community to see what it has to offer.  Not only did Sean become a member of Gen D, he also enrolled in the “Neighborhood Leadership Institute”.  This institute educates people about how diverse Dayton is, about the city’s government structure and interesting facts about individual neighborhoods. While part of the group he helped create an event called “Tour De Dayton”. Fall 2012 will be the 2^nd time this event takes places and if you’re interested, you can embark on a bicycle tour that teaches you about landmarks and history of the “Gem City”. 

I asked Sean what appealed most to him about Gen D and he quickly responded with several reasons:

-         The networking events are more like “gateways into people’s lives” than the stereotypical events where there is just a mad dash to pass out business cards.

-         The philanthropic events available to members

-         The volunteer opportunities like the “First 4 Festival” and “First Fridays”

-         Developing partnerships with groups like “updayton” to make Dayton more attractive to young professionals.

I did this interview with Sean almost a month ago and have had time to reflect a little about what I wanted to really spotlight with this group. I came to the conclusion that it is so refreshing to see young professionals that really want to make a difference where they live…..not just for themselves thru compensation/earnings but also by using their talents, skills, time and treasures to effect something bigger than themselves, Dayton.

If you seek to join this group, you can reach out to them at www.generationdayton.org.
Make sure to them them that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

The Envelope Limited

Spotlight – The Envelope LTD, Annie Bowers

When the owner of a business has the official title of “Executive Director of Cuteness”, it seems reasonable to assume certain things. One accurate assumption is that she is amazing at all things that girls/ladies/brides like when it comes to invitations, stationary and all things paper. The Envelope is a unique stationery store in Dayton, Ohio that offers a large variety of wedding invitations as well as social invitations for baby and bridal showers, birthday parties, baptisms, bar and bat mitzvahs, graduations and pretty much every occasion under the sun. They have the widest selection of invitations, announcements and personalized stationery in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas.

In my opinion, the reason Annie’s clients wrote such warm and fuzzy reviews on her “Google & Yahoo Places” pages is because she pays such meticulous attention to details. She says that a certain ambiance is created when “Everything plays nice together.” You will immediately notice this when you enter her store (or as she refers to it, her “Home away from Home”). The first thing I noticed when I walked in was, “Man, you sure can tell a girl put this all together.”

A lot of Annie’s business comes from weddings. After almost (10) years of experience in this business she has become very good at helping her clients get their ideas to a “finished product”.

When Annie receives a referral, which is where the majority of her new business comes from, she often already has some authority in the creative process that was earned by the expertise shown on a previous job.

If you are looking for a business that puts value in personal relationships, a place where the owner makes it a point to know your name after only meeting you once, The Envelope LTD will be your choice. After all, when customers wrote Annie’s reviews (or FREE HUGS as she likes to call them) they all know her by Annie. Make sure to tell her that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

• The Envelope, Ltd.
• 6131 Far Hills Avenue
• Dayton, Ohio 45459
• http://www.envelopelimited.com/

One Bistro - Miamisburg

A restaurant with a cause is what Robert Adamson dreamt about as he spent 25 years working his way up to Executive Chef, running restaurants for Jeff Ruby and Chris Collingsworth. He attended culinary school, taught by Master Chef John Kinsella, one of the most well-known Chef’s in the USA. None of these positions were fulfilling, Robert wanted to use his exceptional talent for the greater good; he wanted to be the “Hands & Feet” of Jesus.

This vision he had began to really take shape the summer of 2011 after he participated in a series at Southbrook that was themed “Play” (putting yourself in play by using the talents that God has gifted you with to serve others). He began to research the “Community Café” or “Pay What You Can”  concept and sought wisdom from Denise Cerreta, Founder “The One World, Everybody Eats” Foundation. Denise started the community cafe concept in 2003 and since has dedicated herself to the mission of ending hunger and building community. Denise is also passionate about the ‘”pay what you can” model where everybody, regardless of financial means can find a place at the table or an event!

I asked Robert, “Why Miamisburg?” He was quick to reply, “1 in 3 children in Miamisburg (1 in 4 in Montgomery County) are in an environment where the head of their household cannot provide food on a regular basis; this is referred to as “Food Insecurity”. Joe Harrison, owner of numerous commercial properties made him an offer he could not refuse, to rent to old “2nd Street Café” space and Robert’s dream had legs. He envisioned a “New Way to Dine, A New Way to Give Back” and with One Bistro, it was coming into being.

If your curious how this works or what this looks like, let me paint this picture. You and your office co-workers go to One Bistro for lunch. There are no meals “over $6” on the menu since all of the servers are volunteers and Mr. Harrison gave them such a sweetheart rent deal. When it comes time to pay, instead of paying $6 for just your meal, you pay $12 to cover someone’s meal that may come in at a different time that cannot afford to pay all or some of their meal. You can even buy cupcakes there from “Mission Cakes” which is a fundraising effort by Aimee Saling; she volunteers her time and uses proceeds from her venture to support the Bistro. On the 1st and 3rd of each month they have a “Free Community Meal” for anyone.

This labor of love for Robert is a cause that is worthy of everyone’s attention. Please stop in for a meal, leave some extra $$$$ to “Pay it Forward” and then feel good that you fed a hungry family. Make sure you tell them that Greg Fay sent ya;)

Home Instead Senior Care - Centerville

Spotlight – Home Instead Senior Care

Often times companies have “Tag Lines” that seem corny or out of touch, NOT David and Brenda Roediger’s locally owned company, Home Instead Senior Care. When they say, “To us, it’s personal”…..they mean it! Their phones are answered 24/7.

This is Home Instead’s 10th year in business. Prior to start up, David’s resume looks like a who’s who in large area employers with stints at Reynolds & Reynolds, Lexis Nexis and NCR; holding sales positions with all of them. He had chance to re-locate but decided to stay local to look for franchise opportunities. While attending a trade-show in Las Vegas doing research, a co-worker that attended with him had a stroke. They needed a caregiver and a current competitor was hired. This chain of events inspired David to get his footprint in the non-medical home care industry. It only seemed natural due to Brenda’s background as a nurse in long term care.

She started out part-time while still maintaining her full-time nursing position but after a year the business has grown so much that she came in as CEO and dedicated all of her efforts to “Home Instead”. Together they have built the largest, non-medical care company in the area. This is not surprising if you consider their background partnered with the largest franchiser of its type in the United States. To ensure the highest quality service they have partnered with J.D. Power and Associates. This outside, 3rd party company routinely surveys caregivers and clients alike.

To continue their fast-paced growth strategy, David looks to the retirement community for referrals since they had a natural synergy with places like this. They are literally the next step in independent living by supplementing the care given by local facilities like Bethany Lutheran Village, St. Leonard’s and Sterling House.  All involved in this alliance recognize the win/win in this relationship, especially the client.

“Home Instead” currently employ 240 caregivers, leaving them poised to continue moving forward, maintaining their spot as the leader in this local marketplace. They attract the cream of the crop in potential employees because they offer such an attractive place to work. With no medical experience needed, comprehensive training and support,  strong earning potential, wonderful support staff that are easily accessible and ongoing world-class training to help employees best handle every situation, they attract elite caregivers that truly have a passion for seniors.

So if you know a senior that is looking for someone to offer companionship and conversation, monitor diet and eating, play games and cards, record family history, rent and play movies, assist with laundry and ironing, change linens, escort for shopping errands and assist with pet care make sure you send them to “Home Instead Senior Care” and make sure to tell them that Greg Fay sent you.

Ultimate Leadership Martial Arts

Our community needs more businesses like the one that Mike and Jenn Mershad operate in Springboro. They established their academy 13 years ago and it is truly a “family affair.” Mike has 22 years of experience and is a 6^th degree black belt. Jenn is a 5^th degree black belt. Their daughters Madison (age 14) and Bailey (age 12) are both 3^rd degree black belts. Even their 7 year old daughter Reese is a brown belt. I’m sure their youngest daughter Aspen (age 2) will be involved soon.

Classes are broken down into age specific groups:

-         Little Leaders Preschool – K

-         Junior Leaders  K- 4th grade

-         Fusion 5^th – 8^th grade

-         Impact Training HS – Adult

Mike and Jenn use (5) core tenants to guide their daily class curriculums:

-         Leadership

-         Strength

-         Commitment

-         Knowledge

-         Respect

When I asked Mike where most of his clients come from he was quick to answer “referrals from within our current student community.” I thought it was neat that he used the word “community” to describe his student base. He pointed out that most often parents hear about ULMA from other parents. They end up bringing in their own children for classes and they like what they see. At ULMA, they will observe both younger children and teenagers participating in the classes. They are learning values and gaining confidence … all while having “FUN!” ULMA also has an active adult class schedule. Most adults come to class looking not only for self-defense techniques, but also for physical fitness.

ULMA teaches as its core or base martial art, Tae Kwon Do. They also use the START strategy for self-defense: Simplified Tactics And Response Training.

Ultimate Leadership Martial Arts is located at 261 W. Central Ave. Springboro, OH 45066. Phone them at (937) 748-8797 or contact them via the web at http://www.tkd-ohio.com/

Stop by and observe one of the many training classes at ULMA soon, and be sure to tell them Greg Fay sent ya;)

 

Village Rental

Have you ever had someone ask “can I borrow your trimmer or hand drill?” Well Steve Kuflewski did when he ran his landscaping company back in 1977, so he decided to branch off into equipment rentals, and in 1989, Village Rental was born.

 

The story of the founding of Village Rental is a great example of an ordinary citizen recognizing a need and figuring out a way to capitalize on it…otherwise known as the American way! Last Tuesday, I had an opportunity to sit down with Steve and discuss his business.  

 

Steve started Village Rental with $100,000 worth of equipment and tools. And now, 23 years later, he has over $2 million (yes, I said “million”) worth of rental equipment! Village rents everything from small equipment like hand drills, pressure washers, and lawn aerators all the way up to large machines like Bobcats, stump grinders, and excavators. Most people don’t know they are also an authorized Honda dealer. Village rents out mowers, chainsaws, blowers and trimmers. Plus, they can repair anything that runs on a gasoline engine!

 

Village Rental’s newest product is a Party and Event Planning service. By recently hiring Rachel Tussey (Sales & Marketing consultant), they’re looking to expand this portion of their business.

 

If you’re having a wedding reception, birthday party, corporate event, church gathering, or just a backyard BBQ, please consider Village… they can handle events with up to 300 people. If you need tents, tables, chairs, inflatables, or concessions (cotton candy & slushy makers, popcorn poppers), then Village Rental can help you out. Heck, they even have dunk tanks!!

 

Village’s current customers are mainly homeowners, homebuilders and landscapers. However, they would like to expand this customer base to school athletic directors, church youth ministers and corporate event planners with their new party and event planning service.

 

In fact, Village Rental is co-sponsoring Farmers Agent Greg Fay’s Child ID Event at the Elks football home opener next Friday evening August 31! Come on down to Centerville High School and say “hi” and as always, tell them Greg Fay sent ya;)

9574 State Route 48
Centerville, OH 45458

937-885-4420

http://www.villagerental.com

McAfee Heating & Air

Can’t is NOT part of Greg McAfee’s vocabulary. For those that think America is not the land of opportunity, continue reading how Greg started the largest heating & air company in the Dayton area with $274 and a used pickup truck out of his garage.

 

Greg moved from Mansfield to Dayton when he was 19 years old. Both his father and grandfather worked for Firestone. Greg thought that was his destiny also, but after 5 years, he decided….NOT! At the age of 24, Greg joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served 4 years. After that, Greg took a certification course in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), while taking a 50% decrease in pay. While working for other heating & air companies, he learned what NOT to do. So he decided to break out on his own, and in 1990 he started McAfee Heating & Air. He began his business with only $274 and a used truck (that he drove the first 4 years). Greg also got married and bought a house that same year!

 

How do you get a business up and off the ground? You go door to door knocking and you make calls from home non-stop. Greg had to overcome a lack of knowledge and experience and the fact that he worked out of his garage for the first 8 years. In fact, he hand delivered every product during that time so that customers would not see that he ran his business out of his garage. Greg was determined to become a success and taught himself by doing endless reading and research on HVAC.

 

In 1994, all that hard work paid off as McAfee Heating and Air landed a deal with Van Buren Village apartments. The owner of the complex was worried about whether units would fit the space available, so Greg delivered a unit on the spot to show that his units would be perfect. He was the only potential contractor that went the “extra mile” to address this concern. NO SURPRISE…..McAfee was awarded a 2 year, million dollar contract that helped launch his business. Even though there was huge reason for celebration, Greg lives by the John Maxwell advice, “24 hours to celebrate or 48 hours to sulk.” Today he still does the same, whether the job is $5,000 or $1,000,000.

 

Clean air is McAfee’s passion. That is why he founded the McAfee Foundation for Children & Youth (a non-profit organization) in 2006. In partnership with The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, their purpose is to provide assistance to children whose families need help covering expenses related to respiratory illnesses. Typically, these expenses are used to help with the cost of medication until other arrangements can be made. The foundation also assists with other costs related to pediatric respiratory treatment.

 

HVAC is one of the TOP 5 industries in scams, so Greg is always looking to raise the bar for his industry’s standards. He has even had competitors applaud his company’s level of integrity. When you visit McAfee, you immediately see why they have been named “Dayton’s Best Place to Work” several times in the last 5 years. Employees ring a bell every time a sale is made. Team members receive their training in a state of the art facility that Greg will use in the future to operate training “boot camps” not only for his industry, but other artisan trades also.

 

Being a client myself, I can personally vouch for the world class service McAfee provides. You will not find a company that takes such great care to maintain a clean and organized work space while completing the job quickly and professionally. When you call McAfee, make sure you tell them that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Sweeney’s Seafood - Centerville

Sweeney’s Seafood

 

Walt Disney’s Finding Nemo isn’t the only place that clown fish find themselves in dangerous waters; Sweeney’s Seafood has an aquarium where their puffer fish keep Nemo on his toes every day. Speaking of fresh fish, back in 1994 original owner Ron Sweeney noticed that you couldn’t find any in the south Dayton area, so he opened Sweeney’s Seafood in downtown Centerville. Ever since then, guests have looked forward to bringing family and friends here. Whether you’re just looking for casual dining or are celebrating a special event, Sweeney’s is where you’ll want to dine.

 

In April of this year, Sweeney sold the restaurant to Scott & Candy Anderson and Lisa Long. This new ownership kept the Sweeney name, but felt like a change was needed. They recently remodeled the inside to make it feel like you’re on a beach in Florida instead of here in Dayton. All new glassware, silverware, dishes and (YES) larger wine glasses enhance the feeling of elegance. New menu items are also on the horizon during the month of September!

 

I asked Lisa what made her decide to make the switch from country club manager to Sweeney’s and she said “The country club was a job, Sweeney’s isn’t a job…it is my passion.” Lisa’s self-professed specialization is anticipating patron’s needs, and has worked hard to insure that all of them feel as if they’re her “personal guests.” She has developed a team that operates as one unit. The front (servers) and the back (kitchen) both strive for the exact same thing. They are fishing (no pun intended) for a very specific compliment… that Sweeney’s provides the “Entire Package” when it comes to a dining experience.

 

I asked Lisa what we could we expect to be featured in the future as far as new tastes,  and she was quick to point out that “Barramundi” have been a big hit this month.  These fish come from Australia and are more buttery tasting than Chilean Sea Bass. The fact that they contain more Omega 3 is a bonus! She promises to continually look for new dishes in order to keep patrons happy.

 

My mom specifically requested Sweeney’s for her birthday dinner, so my wife Stacey and I are taking her there Friday evening 9-14-12. If you are there, make sure you tap me on the shoulder and say “hi.” If you go any other time, make sure you tell Lisa that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

Layer 2 Computers

I love it when a business owner outsmarts his competition with a sense of humor. Techy…Geek…Ever heard of these stereotypes? Dave Trifiro, owner of Layer 2 Computers embraces these tags and adds an awesome twist; he wants to be known as the “Geek with personality!”

The name Layer 2 Computers comes from the all too familiar experience of calling tech support and discovering that the 1^st layer of support cannot help, so you are sent UP to the folks that “know what they are doing.” a.k.a. “Layer 2” ;)

Layer 2 just celebrated its 5 year anniversary, and handles both hardware and software issues. The company’s specialty is virus removal. Layer 2 also offers a “checkup/monitoring service” that keeps your system defragged, updated and patched in real-time for ONLY $9.99 per month! Along with this monitoring service, Layer 2 provides “remote support” for these customers. Who wouldn’t want a “geek with personality” coming to your home and fixing your pc?

Dave started out as the “guy that had the answers for everything.” Even today, he asks customers prior to leaving their home if there are any other technology issues or questions that they have. This has led to him looking at everything from clocks to radios to cell phones. He has always educated his clients without fear that he will lose business if they know more. His thoughts are “smarter clients provide more referrals.” Layer 2 can assist with your “entire computer ECO-System”. In other words, he can make ALL of your devices play nice together. Layer 2 clients do NOT have to call Apple, Sprint or Time Warner…he does it all!

Dave handles both home and commercial support, but prefers residential customers, only because he gets to talk to people when he is in a client’s home. Most of the time, he ends up stuck in the basement or closet of a commercial client.

You cannot go wrong when reaching out to Dave at Layer 2 Computers, especially if you want a “techy that is easy to talk to” to come to your home to get you back on-line (no pun intended). The next time your computer gives you fits, give Dave a call and make sure to tell him that Greg Fay sent ya;

Centerville, Ohio - A Business Friendly Place

When a spotlight starts out with a shared affinity for both small business and our military, I know I have the beginning of a very special interview. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Centerville Mayor Mark Kingseed on September 14, 2012 to discuss why Centerville, Ohio is such a patriotic and small business friendly city. Mayor Kingseed’s respect for the military began early as his father served in the U.S. Navy. Centerville also holds a wonderful Memorial Day ceremony at Stubbs Park that my family and I attend every year.

Mayor Kingseed is the catalyst behind Centerville’s passion for small business. He believes that leadership from the top weaves its way down throughout his entire team, just as it does in any successful company. He wants to set the standards that dictate how his office establishes the business friendly environment. Although government and business come from (2) different angles, Centerville excels in helping business owners solve problems. A prime example of this is the cooperative effort initiated by forming a task force to revamp the industrial area across from CHS to help make this an attractive option for businesses looking to relocate to Centerville. By improving the look of the buildings and revisiting zoning, Mayor Kingseed feels that this will lure new companies to this centrally located area.

Nathan Cahall, Economic Development Administrator, plays a huge role by creating an environment where small business can flourish. Mayor Kingseed doesn’t look at government’s limited resources these days as a bad thing. He sees the glass half full because it forces his office and small business owners to work alongside each other more closely. When I asked Mayor Kingseed what small business owners are asking him for, he promptly replied: Consistency, RED TAPE elimination, and assistance with solutions… not just an answer of “NO.”
While discussing the future of Centerville, I noticed that the Mayor used phrases like:

• forward thinking
• decisions made with the future in mind
• always looking over the hill
• long term solutions

I get the feeling that citizens and small business owners in Centerville can be certain that this city is led by a government that immediately discounts any ideas or plans that are short term in nature. Centerville also holds an annual business appreciation breakfast to encourage local businesses for their presence in the community. There are so many reasons that roughly 700 businesses call Centerville “home.”

Future plans for the City of Centerville include joint economic projects with neighboring communities. Austin Landing is a prime example. Miamisburg, Miami Township and Springboro all joined forces to create this incredible development that harbors office and retail space on the corner of Route 741 and Austin Pike. Not only did the burden of the cost get shared between municipalities, but so will the tax revenue that is generated. Mayor Kingseed would like to see Centerville in a similar joint venture in the near future.

I have to be honest; Mayor Kingseed is the first public official that I have sought out for a spotlight interview. Although the spotlight was on Centerville, I know that great leadership is the key and we are in good hands. I have loved every minute of the 15 years that I have lived and owned a business in Centerville. I hear from friends, family and business associates that most feel the exact same way. When you recommend our city as a place to live, work, start a business, and raise a family, make sure you tell them that Greg Fay agrees 100%!

Springboro IGA - Hometown Proud!

Springboro IGA – Hometown Proud!

What would you do if you went into your small, family-owned business every day and your primary competitors were Wal-Mart, Kroger and Meijer’s? That is what Janie Moreland and her 2 brothers Doug and Homer Preston do each day. They are the owners of the Springboro IGA, and there are so many things to like about their story. They are the underdog. The David vs. Goliath. They are a locally owned, family operated grocery store entrenched in as hostile an environment as you can imagine.

Back in 1958, Homer and Lillian Preston scouted Springboro, Ohio for a location to become the 1^st grocery store in town, and they were successful. Homer always wanted to own his own business. He and Lillian started with the hopes that a housing project on Eleanor Drive would grow, but only 1 house was built. The market was actually jump-started when the Royal Oaks neighborhood exploded.

The Prestons sold 3 homes and some coal mining equipment in order to raise the $15,000 necessary to get IGA off the ground. At first, the store had only 4 aisles. It doubled in size in early 1960. And it grew another 50% later that same decade. Once again, it doubled in size in the early 1970’s. Kroger opened in the mid-1970’s, but had little or no effect on IGA’s business. The customers remained loyal because of the personal service they received, the highest quality of meat in the area, and the hot & cold deli. To this date, IGA still has the best meat department in the area and still runs everyone’s favorite hot & cold deli!

In addition, IGA also has a drive thru, and offers to deliver groceries locally. They will even special order products for customers. IGA does not just have the motto “Hometown Proud” for show; they fully support the local community by partnering with the Springboro Food Pantry and Springboro Local Schools.

Their employees feel the love from this family-owned business. Many of them have over 20 years with IGA. Martha in the meat department has been there since she was 17 years old, some 20 years ago.

Being the champion for locally owned small business the way I am, I cannot help but root for this family and their grocery store. What is not to like?

• They employee local workers.
• They support the local community.
• They support local schools.
• They go above a beyond what any big box grocery store would ever consider!

Please stop by and check out their meat department or hot & cold deli, and let them know that Greg Fay sent ya!

Spotlight Centerville Buffalo Wings & Rings

Looking for a local place to take the kids after their football, basketball, lacrosse, soccer or baseball game? Then, Buffalo Wings & Rings is where you want to go!

Owners Steve Petitjean and Keith Kral opened the doors to this Centerville business in July of 2008. There are a total of 42 restaurants in this franchise stretching from California to Maine.

I had a chance to sit down with General Manager Dan Philpot last week to learn more about our local Wings & Rings. One thing to point out is that they are very active in sponsorships of youth sports teams. You’ll notice that by all the local sports team jerseys plastered all over the walls. They also participate in numerous fundraisers including Cameron Hartman and the American Diabetes Association.

If you want to watch your favorite team, chances are you’ll be able to find any game you want because they have over 20 large, flat screen TVs and subscribe to the NFL, MLB and NBA Tickets. Another huge benefit to Wings & Rings is the fact that they’re connected to the Chaos Room.  Kids can play games while the parents hang out, watch the game and grab a bite to eat; definitely a family friendly place! The Chaos Room is also a popular kids’ party destination… a place where my children have attended many birthday celebrations.

Some exciting news for Buffalo Wings & Rings:

• They just rolled out a new menu to distinguish themselves from BW3, including:
  • healthier options
  • more of a selection (not just pub/sports bar food)
  • more kids options

 

• Coming soon, there will be:
  • fresh paint on the walls
  • an express lunch menu with healthy choices priced at less than $8
  • delivery!!!

Friends, fun, food, sports, beer, video & arcade games….yep, Buffalo Wings & Rings has them all! When you stop by, make sure to tell them that Greg Fay sent ya ;)

WAVe Transportation

When you hear about local school budget cuts, how many of you see the silver lining around this cloud of bad news? Local small business owner Dean Polk was watching the nightly news and this announcement was made: “If you live within a 1.5 mile radius of any Dayton school, you had to find alternate transportation to school due to budget cuts.” And viola…WAVe was born!
 
Studying a map and a directory of the entire Dayton School system, Dean discovered that this could affect the entire city and was going to impact thousands of inner city children. WAVe stands for Walker Alternative Vehicle “e” and just started up in August of this year. WAVe provides transportation for numerous children of families impacted by these budget cuts.
 
This service is provided to the families…Not  the school system. Any family without transportation to school can use WAVe. Using up to (4) multi-passenger vans (holding up to 14 children), WAVe services families that attend (18) different schools in (3) different school districts. Dean’s goal is to have (10) vans taking 1,000 children to school daily!
 
In the future Mr. Polk sees WAVe working with parents to get children back and forth to daycare, after-school events, and extracurricular activities. WAVe has even given parents a ride to their children’s parent/teacher conferences. There is a rapidly growing waiting list of children that parents want transported to school.

Necessity is the mother of invention. This great country has so many brilliant people that start and operate companies that solve our problems.

I am very proud to call Dean Polk a good friend and I am very honored to be one of the first (not actually the first, the local news caught up to him already;) to trumpet his success and inform the community about what he does and how it can help you.

Give him a call at 937-572-0037 and when you do, make sure that you tell him that Farmers insurance™ agent Greg Fay sent ya ;)

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