Wakulla Chamber and You: Partners For Success
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
March 2015
Wakulla County Chamber
OUR
PREMIER MEMBERS
Preserving the Past…….Planning for the Future
www.wakullacountychamber.com
President’s Message
This month, I’d like to discuss a very important topic –
Customer Service.
Customer Service is one of the most powerful tools that you
have as a business. It can cause a customer to pay more for the
same product. It can cause a customer to travel further if they
feel like they are treated fairly. Good customer service can
create a life-long client from a walk-in. It generates “word of mouth” advertising,
which is more valuable than any other form.
Conversely, poor customer service will push consumers out the door faster than you
realize. Poor customer service may cause someone to walk out of your business
forever without even speaking to anyone.
Is your business providing the level of customer service that you expect? That your
customers expect? How do you know? Ask your customers. Ask a friend to “secret
shop.” If you have an open mind to what you may hear, it should be a very
valuable exercise.
Now for a message to consumers – make your experience known. Whether you
realize it or not, in a smaller community, we are very reliant on each other. (This
fact is partially what makes our community so special) If you have a particularly
good experience, tell the employee who assisted you, and tell their manager. If you
had a challenging experience, speak with the manager privately. That manager cannot find a solution to a problem that they do not know exists. Don’t just walk out
disappointed, help make things better in a respectful manner.
My wife and I recently purchased a “new to us” vehicle. One of the most expensive
purchases that most of us will make. For several months, we had nothing but
problems from this vehicle. We respectfully explained all of the problems to the
dealer, and they took the initiative to correct the problem. We now have another
vehicle that is exactly what we hoped for. You can imagine how easily that could
have gone the other way, and I would have told everyone that I know.
In closing, remember that we are all here for each other. Treat the person across
the table the way that you would want to be treated, no matter which side of the
table you are on. If you feel like you need some help, or could use some training,
please let me know and I will find a way to help your particular situation. I am
planning to hold a Customer Service Workshop in early summer that will be open to
the public. Please let me know if there are specific issues you would like to see
addressed.
Respectfully,
Alan Wise
Member Spotlight
Name of business: Anderson & Givens, P.A.
Name of owner: Jeremy V. Anderson, Esquire & Justin J. Givens, Esquire
Tell us about your business (include unique facts and history) Jeremy and Justin
have both been practicing law since 2007. In 2014, they joined forces and opened the
law firm of Anderson & Givens, P.A. While most of their law firm clients are residents of
Wakulla, Franklin, and Leon counties, Anderson & Givens, P.A. provides statewide
representation on a variety of legal issues. Both Jeremy and Justin completed a portion of
their college studies at Florida State University and are loyal fans.
What services, products do you offer? We provide comprehensive and cost effective
legal services in the areas of: real estate/land use, community association law, estate
planning/probate, foreclosure defense, personal injury and family law.
What sets your business apart from the competition? In addition to providing
aggressive representation for our clients, we recognize the need to provide our services at
a competitive price. Further, we provide FREE CONSULTATIONS on all matters.
What should the community/customer expect when they visit your business?
They should expect an honest assessment of their case and competitively priced services.
Our clients will leave our office knowing that their case is in good hands.
How long have you been a Chamber member? Just under a 1 year.
Why did you join the Chamber? We wanted to get involved with the community and to
get to know other local businesses and business leaders.
What Chamber services have you taken advantage of and/or will take advantage
of in the near future? We have attended several lunch events. We signed a new client
or received a referral at each event! In addition, we have utilized the chamber’s topnotch
meeting facilities.
What’s your reason Wakulla residents should Shop Local? Local businesses are the
life blood of our community. In addition to the conveniences that local businesses offer,
these businesses are a major source of employment for Wakulla residents.
If anyone is interested in your products/services, how do they contact you? We
can be reached at our office number at (850) 692-8900 or by email at
[email protected] or [email protected].
Address www.AndersonGivens.com
Phone Number (850) 692-8900
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NETWORKING LUNCHEON CATERED BY HAMAKNOCKERS
There is never a shortage of food or taste when Hamaknockers caters our networking
luncheon, and once again we feasted on tender chicken, juicy pulled pork, and succulent
ribs paired with baked beans, slaw and potato salad. Mary Wallace introduced Jim Lowe of
Hamaknockers who shared some exciting news with us. Jim has been looking to retire
from the restaurant business for a while now, having started Hamaknockers together with
Mark Baker over ten years ago. Jim has recently partnered with Mark’s son Aaron and his
wife Christy, making this a second generation family business, continuing to bring you the
same great service, atmosphere, and smoking good BBQ you have come to love!
Our new members for February were introduced as Sara Daw, Fairytales Weddings &
Special Events Services (tables, chairs, tents, etc.), Pro Players Realty USA Forgotten
Coast, and Wetherton Marketing (any printable or embroidered advertising specialties).
We always appreciate meeting new potential chamber members, and employees or
associates of our members, and want to thank them for bringing guests; Mary Applegate
– new agent at Rossetti Realty; Brandon Hunt with the Sheriff’s Department; Connie
Hardwick and Scott Gerrell with Bluewater Realty Group; Pat Walker with North Florida
Medical Center attended representing Wakulla Medical Center, offering primary health
care for residents without medical insurance, using sliding scale fees; and Courtney
Armitage
introduced Derek Boyette, who has joined the team as a new Community
Banker with Capital City Bank. Renard Head with Florida Blue joined us today as a potential new member looking to expand in Wakulla County. Mary also recognized Charlie Grim
with Lube XPERT who was able to join us.
Highlighted as our spotlight business, Dustin Grubbs introduced Centennial Bank’s new
financial consultant, Patrick Madden, who spoke about the investment services he offers.
Mutual Funds, stocks, bonds, brokered CD’s, annuities and long term planning are
available. This allows Centennial to now offer a much wider range of services to this area.
He also asked that business owners stop by to say hello as he always needs others that
he can refer clients to when they need expertise in other areas. Patrick drew Wakulla
Correctional Institute for the March spotlight.
Lorra Philipps was the lucky winner of the $ 67 cash drawing.
Attendants were reminded of the chamber’s annual low country boil fundraiser on April
4th. Sponsorships are available, and tickets are on sale now and available at chamber
office.
Our next luncheon will be held at Spring Creek Restaurant, Wednesday, March 25 th.
Once again we thank the following for their contribution to our gift drawing: Cook
Insurance, Petra Shuff, Red Hills Broadcasting, Hamaknockers, Lionel and Marianne
Dazevedo, Charlean Lanier, Wetherton Maketing, Murphy Business Brokers, The Wakulla
News, Wakulla Insurance, and Edwin G. Brown & Associates.
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Don’t miss your chance to join us at this event
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continued
Low Country Boil
2014
Business
Excellence Winners
Start - Up Business
Flying Papi
●
Business
Crawfordville Auto & Tire
●
Non - Profit
Wakulla County Senior
Center
The Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce Special Events Committee
is busy planning for our 5th Annual Low Country Boil fundraiser at 3Y
Ranch, 6-10pm, Saturday, April 4, 2015. We are excited to host this
annual event, and once more bring a taste of the Southern Low Country
to Wakulla County. We also want to recognize the support and
commitment of our Premier Sponsors: Capital City Bank, Duke Energy,
Tallahassee Community College/Wakulla Environmental Institute, and
The Wakulla News.
Through this fundraising event we have provided several scholarships,
furnished our historic courthouse with historically appropriate window
shades, and paid for ongoing maintenance.
A portion of the proceeds will always go toward Wakulla County
Chamber’s commitment of preserving our wooden courthouse which
was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May of the year
1976.
Please contact the chamber office 926.1848, or visit our website
wakullacountychamber.com for sponsorships and ticket information.
Individual tickets are $40 per person, available at chamber office or at
Sundance in Crawfordville.
●
Welcome New Chamber Members
Environmental
Stewardship
Hydra Engineering and
Construction, LLC
Welcome Sara Daw as individual member
850.510.4897
●
Member
Janice Eakin
Welcome Jim Wetherton - Wetherton Marketing,
promotional products and advertising specialties
PO Box 694, Panacea, FL 32346
specializing
in
706.244.5961
●
Director
Mary Wallace
●
Welcome Carolyn Langston - Fairytales Weddings & Special Events
Services, specializing in wedding and event services (tents, tables,
chairs, etc.)
PO Box 180306, Tallahassee, FL 32318
Wakulla Area Business
Purrs and Waggs Healthy
Pets
850. 524.1661
Welcome Gary and Shari Edington - Pro Players Realty USA Forgotten
Coast, specializing in Real Estate
3870 C Coastal Highway, Crawfordville
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850.556.4736