Big Frog Custom T-Shirts And More Mixer

DECEMBER 2012
Monthly Newsletter
Recent Chamber Events
NORWIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More Mixer
The Crowd
T-Shirt Design Contest
Jen Dudik of Shaklee with “The Frog”
Professional Headshot Days with Nicole Mastrilli Photography
Norwin Chamber members
received new or updated
professional headshots at
the Chamber office with
fellow member Nicole
Mastrilli. Look for more
Headshot Day sessions
in the spring. In the
meantime, for more photo
information, contact Nicole
at 724-863-9009 or nicole@
nmpstudio.com.
Kathy Duffy
Chris Miller
Gail Macioce
321 MAIN STREET • IRWIN, PA 15642 • PHONE: 724-863-0888 • FAX: 724-863-5133
WEB: WWW.NORWINCHAMBER.COM • EMAIL: INFO@NORWINCHAMBER.COM
Member Kudos
2
member: Mike Fleming – AFLAC
kudos:
Congratulations to Mike and new bride Lindsay Ann Plutto on their wedding. The couple was married on
Saturday, October 20th at St. Agnes Church. Congratulations and may your life together be filled with happiness!
member: Mame Donohue – Comfort Keepers
kudos: Comfort Keepers is pleased to announce that it has been selected by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of
Pittsburgh’s Top Workplaces. Comfort Keepers received an Honor of Excellence Award for the “Direction” in which the
company is moving and was ranked #2 overall in the mid-size company category. The Top Workplaces are determined
solely on employee feedback. Congratulations Mame and Comfort Keepers!
member: Katie Barnhart & Ashley Stoken – Synergy Salon & Day Spa
kudos: Synergy Salon & Day Spa recently added a new staff person to their salon family. Welcome stylist Kaitlin
to Synergy!
member: Jason Saunders – Metal Photo Service
kudos: Metal Photo Service recently added a new staff person to their company. Please welcome Jesse Marshall. Jesse will be doing
metal photo work for the company.
New Member Corner
Alexander’s Athletic Club
Aaron Brentzel/Christy Brahim • 100 Colony Drive • Irwin, PA 15642
www.facebook.com/alexandersathleticclubnorwin • 724-864-5888
Full service athletic club offering unlimited group fitness classes of all types, cardio, free weights, lifefitness, walking track,
personal training and SilverSneakers.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar
Katie Sislak • 977 Magill Drive • North Huntingdon, PA 15642 • www.applebees.com
Largest casual dining restaurant chain serving a variety of entrees such as pasta, chicken, salads, steak and seafood. Family
friendly and open late.
Avolio Law Offices
Scott Avolio • 135 West Pittsburgh Street • Greensburg, PA 15601 • 724-834-1002 • www.avoliolaw.com
Full service law office providing legal services to individuals, families and businesses.
East Suburban Animal Hospital
Katie Caslow • 5051 William Penn Highway • Export, PA 15632 • 724-325-3220
Veterinary Hospital
Irwin Moose Family Center #236
Don Acalotto • 530 Oak Street • Irwin, PA 15642 • 724-863-5119 • www.irwinmoose.org
Fraternal organization with over 1200 members.
McNally’s Café & 6 Pack Shoppe
Tim and Judi McNally • 3028 Clay Pike • Rillton, PA 15678 • 724-446-1977
Family-style dining. Beer and wine available. Daily Specials available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Student Member
Nicholas Morgart • North Huntingdon, PA • Norwin High School Senior
Field of Interest: Finance/Economics
Member Spotlights
3
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More
B
ig Frog owner Mike Rothermund worked as a software/firmware engineer
for 13 years before deciding to hop into a new venture. After getting laid
off one too many times, he decided to become his own boss. He worked
with a company called Frannet that matches people up with franchises that fit
their personalities. He was introduced to a few great companies, but only one
seemed to be just right.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More opened their doors on July 17th, 2011 in Greensburg next to Five
Guys Burgers and Fries. Big Frog employs two full time employees, Kate Foor and Debbie Bobich, and
one part time employee, Ed Bizich. Mike has become very active in the Norwin Chamber of Commerce
being on the ambassador committee, chairman of the young professionals group, and recently elected to
the board of directors.
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and More is a custom garment decorator that specializes in smaller quantity orders.
There are no minimums, 24 hour turnaround, free artwork with a professional graphic designer, and quantity
discounts starting at 5 items. All Norwin Chamber of Commerce members also get a 10% member to member
discount. If you can wear it, Big Frog can print on it! Big Frog also makes wonderful gifts for any occasion.
With the holidays right around the corner, hop on in and let us help you make the perfect gift!
For more information, contact Mike at 724-853-3764 or miker@bigfrog.com.
ComTrol
C
omTrol was established in 1976 after employees of Femco (not wanting to leave their beloved town of
Irwin) decided not to follow the company and move to North Carolina. The founding group decided to name
the company ComTrol after communications and control for the purpose of designing, manufacturing,
and marketing communication and control systems for the mining industry. As a building was looked for to
house the company, they worked from their homes and one founder’s garage. With additional funding, they
were eventually able to acquire their building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Irwin and the equipment to stat the
manufacturing and engineering plant that you see today. Shortly after the initial product offering, the company
then decided to enter the industrial market by introducing stainless steel intercom systems.
Today, ComTrol employs 35 individuals who all have a general knowledge of electronics. The company
provides Communication and Control equipment both wired and wireless for mining and industrial markets.
Their enclosures are made of stainless steel which will protect phones better than plastic enclosures that their
competitors use. ComTrol has built a reputation for manufacturing the highest quality communication and
control systems designed to operate in harsh environments. Our communication systems provide durability,
flexibility, and unlimited expansion opportunities.
ComTrol joined the Norwin Chamber to give back to the Irwin community and its businesses.
For more information on ComTrol, visit www.comtrol-corp.com or call 724-864-3800.
Community Donations
4
W
e would like to thank the following Norwin Chamber members for their
commitment to the Norwin Community and Local Charities.
Member: Cindy Ieraci – Cristo Bello Spa, Salon & Gifts
Donations: Donated over $8,800.00 in 2012 to the Cancer Action Network, Leukemia/
Lymphoma Society, Norwin Community Picnic, local Families For Holidays, the Blind
Association, Perfect Fit Canines, Sewickley Volunteer Fire Department, and more. These
donations were collected through Cristo Bello’s Annual Red Carpet Event and also Cuts
For Canines. Thank you Cindy!
Member: Nick Lenhart – Lenhart’s Service Center
Donations: Donated over $4,000.00 in 2012 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the
American Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish. These donations were collected through
the renting of their company sign. Thank you Nick!
Member: Jason & Tara Saunders – Metal Photo Service
Donations: Donated over $3,000.00 in 2012 to the Pet Adoption League, Circles Anti-Poverty Program, Relay For Life,
Pink Tie Affair, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, American Heart Association, Carson’s Hope, Anthony’s
Fund, Avria & Aubrey S.C.I.D. Awareness, Support Our Shelby and Our Friend Dan. A portion of Metal Photo’s color
copy sales were donated to these charities. Thank you Jason and Tara!
Member: Norwin Art League
Donations: Donated over $300.00 in 2012 to the Irwin’s Art InThe Street fund, Irwin parking token fund, Irwin’s Art
& Jazz Night fund, the Norwin Community picnic, VFD Ambulance, Norwin Chamber Beautification Fund, the Garden
Center and Redstone Highlands. Thank you Patty Vaughn and staff!
Member: Peggy Powers Placement
Donations: Donated in 2012 to Brush Creek Area Faith In Action, Rescue 8 Fall Study Program, Hair Peace Charities,
Relay For Life, Norwin Community Picnic, Humane Society of Westmoreland County and the White Oak Rotary.
Thank you Peggy!
Member: Katie Barnhart and Ashley Stoken – Synergy Salon & Day Spa
Donations: Donated in 2012 to Relay For Life, Hair Peace Charities, Beverley’s Beauty Solutions, Inc., Magee
Woman’s Hospital, Blackburn Center, Genre’s Kids With Cancer Fund, Reflections of Grace Foundation, Hello Bully,
Tropper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Foundation, Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Westmoreland Suicide Awareness
& Prevention Task Force. Donations are collected from various fundraising events that the salon holds throughout the
year. Thank you Katie & Ashley!
Member: Susan Lawson – Westmoreland Community Federal Credit Union
Donations: Donated over $2,500.00 in 2012 to the Alzheimer’s Association of Westmoreland County, Humane Society
of Westmoreland County, Westmoreland County Food Bank, JDFR, Angela’s Angels, Noe’s Night of Light, Miracle
Jeans Network, Avria and Aubrey Trapletti Charity Fund and the PA League of Credit Unions. Funds are collected in
various ways from selling JDRF sneakers to donating Gift Baskets, to employees donating money on dress down days.
Thank you Susan!
Member: Your Family Eye Doctors, Inc.
Donations: Donated in 2012 to the American Diabetes Association. Your Family Eye Doctors, Inc. has donated to the Step
Out Walk for the past 7 consecutive years and was recognized as a Top Ten small business team. Thank you Doctors!
Knowledge is Power
5
7 Holiday Marketing Tips on a Limited Budget
By Caron Beesley, Community Moderator, US Small Business Administration
W
hen we think of holiday marketing – which can be critical to your business success – we often think only of promotions and
discounts. But you don’t have to cut your margins or break the bank to stand out from the crowd any more. Here are seven
budget-friendly steps you should consider to promote your small business while meeting the needs of your customers this
holiday season.
Host an “Open House”
If you operate a retail business, restaurant or any gift-oriented business, why not plan an open house event in mid-November? Use it
to showcase holiday season gifts, menus and merchandise. Offer up a glass of warm cider or mulled wine, and really get people into
the spirit of the holidays. This will give customers an opportunity to check out your merchandise or holiday menus in advance. You
could throw in a special offer or coupon that customers can redeem anytime up until December 24.
Work the Holiday Magic for Your Faithful Customers
Think of ways to generate repeat holiday business from your existing customers. Special offers, sneak previews, free shipping, or
secret sales are all great ways to make your faithful customers feel special without breaking the bank.
Feature Product/Services of the Day or Week
I love this low cost marketing idea from Ivana Taylor at SmallBizTrends: why not create 12 days of “your product” or a product or
service of the month? Feature and market a product or service every day or every week during the holidays. Think about focusing on
high margin products or items your customers don’t know about. “Companies in the food business use this strategy a lot,” explains
Ivana. “Think beer of the month, cheesecake of the month, or coffee of the month… Maid service companies could feature an extra
cleaning detail each month, trainers or consultants can offer featured webinars, reports or newsletters.”
And don’t forget to communicate this themed promotion on your website, social media, email, posters, and flyers.
Offer Gift Certificates
Whatever your business, selling gift certificates, gift cards and e-certificates is a great way to give your customers a convenient
gift option. They also help you generate sales well into the New Year, with recipients often spending more than the value of the
certificate.
Partner With Other Businesses
It’s likely that many of the businesses in your community also rely heavily on the holidays for a good chunk of their income. Is there
a way you can partner with complementary stores or restaurants to cross-promote each other’s businesses? For example, a cosmetic
store and a hair salon might develop a promotion that offers a time-limited discount off each other’s respective goods and services, if
the customer frequents both. SBA guest blogger Rieva Lesonsky offers more tips in her blog: Forget Competition It’s Time for CoOpetition.
Get Involved in Community and Charitable Events
Getting out there and supporting charities or sponsoring or getting involved in community events is a great way to generate awareness
for your business during the holidays. Even if you don’t have the budget to donate large sums of money, think of other ways to get
involved, such as offering volunteer services, equipment or even space.
Use Your Website and Social Media to Promote your Holiday Activities
Your online presence, email marketing, and social media networks are a great way to target and connect with local consumers through
timely updates and compelling calls-to-action. Develop holiday themes for your email templates and update your website and Facebook
profile picture with a festive look.
Then be sure to channel any offers or promotions through social media. You can even offer deals or events exclusively to your social
media fans to help drive foot traffic and generate leads. And don’t forget to engage in two-way dialogues. Ask your fans about their
holiday activities. For example, a restaurant might highlight a holiday dish of the day on Facebook and ask fans to chime in on their
favorite dish or items they’d like to see on the menu.
6
On Sale Now!
The Norwin Chamber has a variety of items for sale.
2013 Enjoy Books - $30.00
2013 Entertainment Books - $30.00
2013 Lottery Calendars - $20.00
NORWIN LION’S CLUB BROOMS
Heavy Duty Brooms - $12.00 • Regular Brooms - $10.00
Children’s Brooms - $5.00 • Whisk Brooms - $5.00
Calendar of Events
DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
DATE:
5
11
12
12
13
18
18
19
24-31
MEETING:
Networking Luncheon
Executive Board Meeting
Holiday Mixer
Irwin Borough Council Meeting
C.A.R.E.
Board of Directors Meeting
Networking Luncheon
N. Huntingdon Township Commissioners
Office Closed
TIME:
11:30 am
8:00 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:30 am
7:30 am
11:30 am
7:00 pm
LOCATION:
Redstone Highlands
Colonial Grille
Shidle Lodge Downtown Irwin
Council Chambers
Chamber Office
Chamber office
DeNunzio’s Restaurant
North Huntingdon Townhouse
JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
DATE:
1
2
8
9
9
9
10
15
16
24
MEETING:
Office Closed
Executive Board Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting
Networking Luncheon
Business Mixer
Irwin Borough Council Meeting
C.A.R.E.
Networking Luncheon
N. Huntingdon Township Commissioners
C.A.R.E.
TIME:
LOCATION:
8:00 am
7:30 am
11:30 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:30 am
11:30 am
7:00 pm
7:30 am
Colonial Grille
Chamber Office
China Garden
First Niagara Bank
Council Chambers
Chamber Office
DeNunzio’s Restaurant
North Huntingdon Townhouse
Chamber Office
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary To Our 2012 Milestone Members!
5 Year Members
5
Year Members
Charleroi
Federal Savings Bank
Charleroi
Federal Savings
BankClinic
Cinti ProAdjuster
Chiropractic
Cinti
ProAdjuster
Chiropractic
Clinic
Circleville United Methodist Church
Circleville
United
Methodist
Church
Clipper Magazine
Clipper
Magazine
Dollar Bank
Dollar
Bank
Embellished Images by CSDI
Embellished
ImagesCreative
by CSDIHealing Center
Energy Connection
EnergyMain
Connection
Creative Healing Center
Irwin
Street Project
Irwin Main
Street Project
Lamar
Companies
Lamar Companies
Liberty Tax Service
Liberty
Service
Norwin Tax
Church
of the Nazarene
Norwin
Church
of LLC
the Nazarene
NPV Productions,
NPV
Productions,
LLC
Padgett Business Services
Padgett
Business
Services
RE/MAX
Realty Access
RE/MAX
Realty
Access
Shirley Family Gifts
Shirley
Wagner Family
AgencyGifts
Wagner Agency
25 Year Members
25
YearEagle
Members
Golden
Equipment Company
Golden
Eagle Equipment
Luehm Candy
Company Company
Luehm
Candy
Company
PNC Bank
PNC
Bank
Superior Lawn Care
Superior Lawn Care
10 Year Members
10
Members
BairYear
Insurance
Group – Nationwide Insurance
Bair
Insurance
Group – Nationwide Insurance
Burkhart
Auto Body
Burkhart
Auto
Body
Carla Capozzi Orthodontics
Carla
CapozziBank
Orthodontics
Commercial
& Trust of PA
Commercial
Bank
& Trust of PA
East Coast Risk Management
East
Coast
Risk
Management
Hynes Insurance Agency
Hynes
Insurance
Lenhart’s
ServiceAgency
Center
Lenhart’sPsychological
Service CenterServices, LLC
Marston
Marston Psychological Services, LLC
15 Year Members
15
Year
Members
Aiello
& Cobb
Dental Associates
Aiello
& Cobb
Dental Associates
Biss Clinic
of Chiropractic
Biss
Clinic
of
Chiropractic
G.D.C. Fine Jewelry
G.D.C.
NETtrakFine Jewelry
NETtrak
35+ Year Members
35+
Members
BelakYear
Flowers
– 42 years
Belak
42 years – 36 years
ColonyFlowers
Holding– Company
Colony
Holding
Company
years
Duncan Financial Group – –4236years
Duncan
Financial
Group
–
42
years
Gongaware & Parry Florist & Greenhouse – 40 years
Gongaware
& Parry Florist
– 40 years
Grandview Nurseries,
Inc. –&41Greenhouse
years
Grandview
Nurseries,
Inc.
–
41
years
Ponsi Shoes – 36 years
Ponsi
36 years
years
S & T Shoes
Bank –– 41
S
&
T
Bank
–
41
years
William Snyder Funeral Home – 42 years
William Snyder Funeral Home – 42 years
Chamber Marketplace
Lyle L. Bair, lutcf
Principal Agent
Bair Insurance Group, Inc.
Nationwide Insurance and Financial Services
Route 130 P.O. Box 470
Harrison City, PA 15636
On Your Side®
Tel 724-744-4400 Harrison City
Fax 724-744-4476
Tel 724-863-6250 Irwin
bairL1@nationwide.com
Securities offered through Nationwide Securities, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC.
DBA Nationwide Advisory Services, LLC in AR, FL, IL, NY, TX and WY.
Representative of Nationwide Life Insurance Company, affiliated companies and other companies.
7
8
Chamber Marketplace
TH
R
NORTH
INGDON
N
O
U
GDON
HN TINPHONE
PHARMACY (724) 864-7481 • FAX (724) 864-1593
DUFFY &
NICHOLS
Attorneys at Law
SUITE 3-4 LANDMARK PAVILION
150 ROBBINS STATION ROAD
NORTH HUNTINGON, PA 15642-2050
Metal Photo Service, Inc.
465 Wall Avenue
Wall, PA 15148
(724) 864-2327
FAX (724) 864-9625
JAMES M. DUFFY
Attorney at Law
jduffy@securitysettlement.com
15¢ Color copies everyday...
...no minimum!
Phone: 412.829.2992 • Fax: 412.829.9825
email: PRINTING@MTLPHOTO.COM
Only $25.00 per month or get a 3 month package for just $50.00!
864-0100
PHARMACY (724) 864-7481 • F(724)
AX (724)
864-1593
adno=5165569
adno=5165569
N
HONE
HU (724)P864-0100
DISPLAY YOUR BUSINESS IN THE CHAMBER MARKETPLACE SECTION.
Gift Cards • Fruit Baskets • Party Trays
Photos
• Pharmacy
• Floral
• Greeting
Gift
Cards
• Fruit Baskets
• Party
Trays
Cards
& Stamps •• Floral
Dry Cleaning
Photos
• Pharmacy
• Greeting
Fuel Perks
& so•much
more...
Cards
& Stamps
Dry Cleaning
Fuel Perks & so much more...