Investment Seminar Available at Chamber
On Tuesday, April 14 from 7 – 9 p.m. Edward Jones Investments will host a 4 Series Seminar .Ruth Barrios of Edward Jones will be giving the seminar. It will be held at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, located at 10520 Riverview Dr., on the corner of Commerce St. and Riverview Dr.
For more information, call the chamber at 234-5944 or visit www.riverviewchamber.com.
Hot Locks Salon has New Stylist
Hot Locks Hair Salon is announcing a new hair stylist, who started Tuesday, March 31, Amy Wiesenhart. Hot Locks Hair Salon is located at 106 E Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.
Call today for an appointment at 684-3099.
Wilhelm Wins President’s Award
Mary Ann Wilhelm, president of Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., was recently awarded Carrier Corporation’s 2009 President’s Award.
Wilhelm is located at 802 4th St. SW in Ruskin. The President’s Award is given annually to an elite group of Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers who have delivered outstanding customer satisfaction results. The President’s Award, Carrier’s highest honor for its dealers, is intended to encourage self-analysis and growth, and reward individuals for their leadership skills, outstanding customer service and commitment to promoting the Carrier brand.
“This year’s recipients achieved their business goals while delivering exceptional customer value and successfully positioning the Carrier brand in their respective markets,” said Bob McDonough, president of Residential and Light Commercial Systems, Carrier Corp. “They will be able to capitalize on publicity, marketing and merchandising opportunities that are unique to President’s Award recipients which can help them continue to shape, grow and succeed in their business,” added McDonough.
For more information, call Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning at 641-1811 or 641-COOL or visit its Website at www.wilhelmac.com.
GRCC Monthly Luncheon Update
In late March, the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon was sponsored by TECO Energy and took place at the Riverview Civic Center, located at 11020 Park Dr. in Riverview. Over 80 valued chamber members and special guests enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by The Italian Kitchen.
Jill Andrew, GRCC president provided valuable business advice and recognized March’s new chamber members.
Special guest speaker Cary Carreno, owner of Alternative Energy Applications Inc. (AEA), which is a contractor for Tampa Electric Company, discussed money saving opportunities. His company works with TECO’s Commercial Duct Repair program to help small businesses save money on their energy bills. He explained the program and its benefits to any business owner who pays an electric bill, and how you can take advantage of a great service at no cost.
The next Riverview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 4328 Garden Vista Dr. in Riverview. Admission is $10 per person for GRCC members and is a great networking opportunity. Reservations are required and can be completed online
For more information, please call Tanya Doran, GRCC executive director 234-5944.
Insurance Agency Celebrates Over 27 Years In Apollo Beach
Brent Insurance Agency is celebrating over 27 years of service in Apollo Beach. Opening in 1982, husband and wife team, Charlie and Tammie Brent continue growing their business and their commitment to the community. A long-standing fixture in the area, the Brent Insurance Agency, located at 113 Miller Mac Rd. in Apollo Beach, has steadily grown its staff and markets, becoming a major force in southern Hillsborough County, including expanding the business to the Ruskin, Sun City Center, Riverview and Brandon areas.
With over a quarter of a century serving its residents and businesses, Brent notes that his client base has become multi-generational due to repeat customers and their extended families. With 90 percent of his business being referral based, he has not advertised once in 27 years.
The secret to their success? Perhaps it comes from this personal approach and their basis of operation: to know the customers on a first name basis and provide the personalized service not offered by other companies and agencies.
“It’s like a dog chasing its own tail,” Brent said, adding, “See how many people you have to talk to until you get to the right person. I don’t want my agency to turn into that.”
For more information on Brent Insurance, please call 645-8000.
Winestyles Celebrates Anniversary
Winestyles is celebrating its second year in business. Winestyles, located at 10273 Big Bend Rd., Riverview east of I-75 behind Applebee’s, is open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, please call 672-3400.
Healthcare Office Expanding To SouthShore
Healthcare Solutions is expanding its office in the SouthShore area. Healthcare Solutions opened its doors and began serving Florida residents in March of 2007. It is part of a larger group of independent agents, Stephens-Matthews Marketing, a master general agency (MGA). It is the largest independent health insurance producing agency in America with over 6,000 licensed agents in more than 200 agencies. The Apollo Beach Office ranks No. 2 with closing ratios of more than 80 percent.
The agents and support staff are led by Anthony R. Biagi, owner and a producing licensed agent. Biagi relocated to the area in March of 2007 from the San Francisco Bay area, where he owned a very successful mortgage brokerage business. He received his education in Business Management from Truckee Meadows College in Reno, Nevada.
Healthcare Solutions is a nationwide brokerage for health insurance, life, long-term care, senior products and disability and can also arrange for vision, dental, and prescription programs. It also partners with other professionals to give clients a “one-stop” shopping experience.
Located at 210 Apollo Beach Blvd. in Apollo Beach, Healthcare Solutions is not only increasing its office space but also adding new agents and support staff. Look for the announcement of its upcoming grand opening and ribbon cutting in May. Contact Healthcare Solutions at 645-7500 for any additional information on employment opportunities or for insurance quotes.
Local DJ Wins National Award
Kelly Shires, an Apollo Beach resident, works full-time as a mobile DJ for weddings, receptions, birthdays, corporate and private events. Gig Masters, one of the leading DJ booking agencies nationwide, honored him with the Rising Star Award as winner for Top Mobile DJ.
For more information or to book Shires, call 376-3203 or visit www.spinmasterdj.com.
Trendy Teens Partners With Mary & Martha House
Trendy Teens, an upscale consignment shop located at the Shops at Boyette in Riverview, has partnered up with The Mary and Martha House. Kay Brown, the owner of Trendy Teens contacted Jan Falcione at The Mary and Martha House in Ruskin to see if the thrift store could use donations from her store.
“It’s a great match,” says Falcione. “Her clothing is current and name brand. Sometimes with younger girls in our program, there is a need for junior clothing, and now we have it for them. In addition, with the economy as it is, everyone is looking for a bargain and that’s what the thrift store is all about. We can’t thank Kay enough for reaching out to us.”
The thrift store, located at 1009 1st St. SW in Ruskin, sells new and gently-used clothing for men, women and children, as well as furniture and household items. The store is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 Noon.
The Mary & Martha House, Inc. is a shelter for women and children in crisis and supports two emergency shelters as well as transitional housing in southern Hillsborough County.
For more information or to make a donation, please call Falcione at 645-7874.
Vet Donates To Heifer Project
Brandon Service League is a volunteer organization whose aim is to effect global change working at the local level. Its members come from Brandon, Bloomingdale, Limona, Riverview, Seffner and Valrico. It is a member of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Every year the Florida Federation president chooses a project that reflects its goals. This year she has chosen the Heifer Project. This is a charitable project well-known world-wide for its efficiency in helping struggling families, some even in the U.S. It is particularly attractive because it helps people to help themselves and share their good fortune with other members of their community. It was started in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War and has grown worldwide.
The procedure is to “buy” a pregnant animal, such as a heifer, and the organization gives it a family that will care for it and profit from it. When the calf is born the family can use some of the milk and sell the rest. The first female calf is given by the family to another family and so on. Other offspring are kept by the original family.
Dr. Kimberly Tyson, who owns the Four Paws Veterinary Hospital in Riverview, has had an interest in this project for years. When she heard of the club’s goal, she offered to give a portion of her profits for a week to help. At the January club meeting, she presented the club with a check for $500.
For more information, visit the Brandon Service League’s Website at www.bsl.cc.
Energy Deregulation Lets You Save On Electricity
Energy Deregulation is one of the better ways to save on electricity and reduce your household heating bills. Before deregulation, consumers had to buy their electricity from one company. After deregulation, multiple companies are now able to enter the market and compete. Competition means better service, more supply options and competitive rates.
Retail Service Providers (REPs) are certified to sell electricity to homes and businesses offering an opportunity to save money by switching to a more competitive plan. No matter who the customer chooses, the Transmission and Distribution Service Providers (TDSP) or utility company will continue to read your meter, respond to a power outage or emergency, deliver electricity to the home or business and maintain the electric poles and wires.
You will receive one bill from your supplier. You will receive your first bill 45-60 days from the switch date. The bill will include both energy charges from the supplier and delivery charges from the local -TDSP. Anyone interested in learning more about how deregulation can help your business is welcome to contact Gregory Sistrunk, an Energy Consultant for iZagg Energy, at 758-5386.
iZagg Energy is an independent, privately owned company. It does not have any partners, shareholders or investors that assist it financially. It has been in the energy industry for over 15 years. It offers a free-rate comparison to compare your energy rate with all the energy providers in the state to see if you are getting the best rate available for your business.
