phone: (480) 478-1126
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lisa Rigler
President
480-478-1126
SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE ENDORSES LOCAL GILBERT CANDIDATES
THE SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE IS PROUD TO BE PASSIONATE ADVOCATES FOR A PROFITABLE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
Gilbert, Arizona (June 28, 2012)…The Small Business Alliance announces its endorsements for Gilbert Mayor and Town Council.
There is a fantastic slate of candidates running for elected office in Gilbert. The Small Business Alliance with more than 600 members has taken a close look at them. Their local election committee comprised of local small business owners put the candidates for selected races through an intense endorsement process. After much study and deliberation, the committee announces the following endorsed candidates:
The SBA endorses:
For Gilbert Mayor:
John Lewis:
Mayor John Lewis is the ultimate ambassador of the Town of Gilbert. He is a thoughtful man who respects every person’s position and always leads through collaborative efforts. The Alliance is looking forward to working with Mayor Lewis for another four years!
For Gilbert Town Council:
Jenn Daniels
Jenn Daniels is incredibly competent and brings a tireless work ethic to the Council. Throughout her first term, she has time and again proven herself to be a strong advocate for small businesses, and she always applies her own sensible approach to solving problems.
Jared Taylor
Jared Taylor brings a tenacious desire coupled with specific actionable ideas to improve the Town of Gilbert. Jared is committed to regular communication with the Alliance and its members. We believe his quiet fortitude will be a great addition to the Town Council.
The candidates endorsed by the Small Business Alliance are committed to fostering the best small business environment possible and exhibit their own unique skills and strengths. Candidates participated in a process that included a written biography, written questionnaire, videotaped in person interview with the panel, and a candidate forum where the candidates shared their platforms with members of the Small Business Alliance and the community. The members and public also weighed in on the process through their participation in a straw poll vote. The member straw poll vote corroborated the committee’s decision
Answers to the questionnaires and videos of the candidate’s interviews are currently being uploaded to the Small Business Alliance website: www.evsba.com and the public is encouraged to look there on the “Statesmen’s Tour” page for information on the candidates running for office by clicking their names.
The Small Business Alliance is founded by small business owners. We are united by our passion to empower, to advocate, and to build the success of small businesses.
Visit the Small Business Alliance’s website at www.EVSBA.com. You can reach the Small Business Alliance at 480-478-1126 for more information.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lisa Rigler
President
480-478-1126
SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE ENDORSES STATE & CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES
THE SMALL BUSINESS ALLIANCE IS PROUD TO BE PASSIONATE ADVOCATES FOR A PROFITABLE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
Arizona (June 25, 2012)…The Small Business Alliance announces its endorsement for selected 2012 Arizona Legislative elections and U.S. Congressional District 5.
There is a fantastic slate of candidates running for elected office in the Southeast Valley. The Small Business Alliance with more than 600 members has taken a close look at them. Their state & federal election committee comprised of local small business owners put the candidates for selected races through an intense endorsement process. After much study and deliberation, the committee announces the following endorsed candidates:
The SBA endorses:
For State Representative:
District 12: Eddie Farnsworth and Warren Peterson.
Eddie Farnsworth has strong convictions on property rights and extensive business experience. Warren Petersen adds fresh ideas and an energetic approach to addressing the issues.
District 17: J.D. Mesnard.
Always the first to roll up his sleeves and take action when a small business needs his help; J.D. Mesnard is fair and conscientious when it comes to business policy that supports free enterprise principles.
For State Senate:
District 12: Andy Biggs.
Andy Biggs is always willing to meet with his constituents and he is incredibly knowledgeable on the issues.
District 16: John Fillmore.
John Fillmore is a passionate grassroots businessman just like the members of the Small Business Alliance.
District 17: Steve Yarbrough.
Steve Yarbrough has never ending knowledge coupled with an uncanny ability to communicate and explain complex issues to his constituents.
District 25: Russell Pearce.
Known for a strong candid approach, Russell Pearce also brings extensive knowledge and a willingness to listen to business concerns and discuss every position and issue.
For U.S. Congress:
District 5: Matt Salmon.
Experienced and with a well reasoned position on each of the issues, Matt Salmon possesses a strong action-oriented work ethic and a rock solid voting record in favor of small business interests.
The candidates endorsed by the Small Business Alliance are committed to fostering the best small business environment possible and exhibit their own unique skills and strengths. Candidates participated in a process that included a written biography, written questionnaire, videotaped in person interview with the panel, and a candidate forum where the candidates shared their platforms with members of the Small Business Alliance and the community. The members and public also weighed in on the process through their participation in a straw poll vote.
Answers to the questionnaires and videos of the candidate’s interviews are currently being uploaded to the Small Business Alliance website: www.evsba.com and the public are encouraged to look there on the “Statesmen’s Tour” page for information on the candidates running for office by clicking their names.
The Small Business Alliance is founded by small business owners. We are united by our passion to empower, to advocate, and to build the success of small businesses.
Visit the Small Business Alliance’s website at www.EVSBA.com. You can reach the Small Business Alliance at 480-478-1126 for more information.
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I hear a lot of bad things about contractors. Horror stories really; of rough, uncouth, scoundrels that would just as well turn your grandma upside down and shake out all her pocket change. Well maybe not that bad but certainly bail on you in the middle of your home being torn up and take all your money with them. Or the plumbing guy that will break a pipe then reveal to you the disaster he “found”. And the air conditioning guy that said he could repair your system for $100 and all of a sudden says you must replace the whole kit and caboodle for a three grand…
This is the norm right? Well not here at the Alliance. I am constantly shocked at just how honest, kind and generous the contractors are in the Small Business Alliance. Before you raise a skeptical eyebrow, let me share a couple of our contractor experiences.
Nice Guy 1: Gregg Olsen- Eagle Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electric
M.O.: New York edge, fiercely loyal, and a great cook (used to own Island Pizza).
Recent Deeds: Gregg is pure sunshine; he is always stopping by the Alliance office carrying in cases of water, light bulbs and whatever else we might need. In other words he takes care of us, and you – if you ever stop by our office that is. He volunteers and gives his time to the Board of Directors, the State Election Committee and the Small Business Summit. Most recently he purchased a continuous ink supply system and brand spanking new printer for the Alliance office! This is actually going to save us about $800 a year in ink! He does all of this without even blinking an eye. I strongly suspect because that is just the way he is. (In a New York accent) “Heeeey, whatcha see if whatcha get”. And what I see is a super nice guy!
Nice Guys 2: Ken & Jeff Behrmann- Behrmann Home Basics
M.O.: Father/Son duo, thoughtful, and honest as the day is long in Alaska in the month of June
Recent Deeds: Since just moving into a new office there are lots of “to-dos” to make the space usable. To-dos can get very costly too. Apart of our new space is a great room in the back about 1,000 sq. feet. When we moved in the floor was horrendous. Vinyl, scuffed up, dirty; looked like we might even have to replace it. We were lamenting about this one day and word got around to the Behrmanns. The two of them decided that they would come in one evening and get to work. In about 2 and a half hour they unveiled a sparkling floor! We thought we were looking at an $800 problem and lo and behold the Behrmanns had our back. Sometimes thank you just seems trite and insufficient – but wow, thank you Behrmanns!
Nice Guy 3: Dow Rigler- Renewal By Anderson window and door replacement
M.O.: Wise like Tao, generous, and has a great family (I’m biased)
Recent Deeds: This may seem like nepotism here but anyone who has met my dad would agree it is very much earned recognition. The man is a saint, working a ‘real’ job and giving, giving, giving to the Alliance. Giving his time, his expertise, his resources, giving more of his time… And while he does much of this to support my mom and me in this grand concept, he truly lives and breathes small business and is passionate about entrepreneurial success. Most recently he purchased a Kuerig for the Alliance office and an assortment of beverages to go with it. May not seem like a big deal but as I write this while enjoying some caffeine I am filled with appreciation…and love, but that’s because he is my dad! (Reminder: Father’s Day is this Sunday)!
I hope we have made a slight dent in your perception of contractors being treacherous. At the Alliance we have some really decent people who just happen to be contractors too. They do good work and they do good; a true trusted resource. Couldn’t ask for better representations of the organization! THANK YOU NICE GUYS!
Coming this summer: An AWESOME feature that will blow your socks off by one of our ingenious members! Watch for this roll out soon.
Learn more about the opportunities for YOU and your Business!!!! Ask me about it at:
We are always trying to improve our website for our members. We are so fortunate to have incredible people to help us. Ken Sherman from GoPro Local has helped us implement 3 NEW FEATURES. Please test them out!
Statesmen's Tour Tonight
Confirmed Candidates:Matt Salmon (U.S. Congress District 5)
Kirk Adams (U.S. Congress District 5)
Spencer Morgan (U.S. Congress District 5)
Eddie Farnsworth (AZ House District 12)
Warren Petersen (AZ House District 12)
Larry Chesley (AZ House District 12)
Bill Gates (AZ Senate Distrct 17)
J.D. Mesnard (AZ House District 17)
Karyn Lathan (AZ House District 17)
Russell Pearce (AZ Senate District 25)
Bob Worsley (AZ Senate District 25)
John Fillmore (AZ Senate District 16)
Judy Novalsky (AZ House District 16)
Instead let me offer two reasons. I won’t waste my breath convincing anyone why they should exercise their right to vote. But I will say your local and state elections are critical and it’s where your voice is loudest. I’ll also casually mention that there is a value in making an informed vote. The Alliance has created a fantastic process to mine relevant information concerning business issues and in certain races a panel of your small business peers thoroughly vets an often crowded field of candidates. I’ll descend the soap box once again.
We entered the world of elections and endorsements in 2009 with the Gilbert Town Council race. In 2012 we did something, for lack of a better term, really really cool. We sent out a request for information to over 60 candidates running for State positions like Governor, Secretary of State, Corporation Commission, State Treasurer, State Legislature, Superintendent of Public Instruction, etc. Then we gave each candidate their own page on our website and posted their submitted information all in one convenient place. One member, Justin Wright of Pristine Splash, said we saved him 200 hours of his own research by providing a one stop resource of info he used to be a better voter. WOW!
We didn’t stop there. Next we launched what we have coined “The Statesmen’s Tour”. A sort of challenge to separate the politicians from the statesmen. For approximately six weeks we hosted five to six candidates running for different positions at Warren’s Jazz Bistro. This gave our members and residents the opportunity to hear from the candidates and get their questions answered…and sometimes not answered which is just as useful of information.
So here we are again 2012. Same song different election providing the same great services to the community. We invite you to familiarize yourself with our website (http://www.gilbertsba.com/index.php?option=com_gsbastatemen) resource and allow it to guide you through this murky election process. But more importantly calendar the Statesmen’s dates. The first one is June 6th from 5:00 – 7:30pm at one of our favorite hang outs, Warren’s Jazz Bistro. This night will be dedicated to candidates running for State Legislature in the East Valley districts as well as the U.S Congressional race District 5.
Statesmen’s Tour Dates:
Wednesday June 6th (State Legislature and U.S. Congress)
Wednesday June 20th (Gilbert Mayor and Town Council)
Wednesday August 1st (Variety of State and Local positions)
Marketing Tools For Your Small Business
The Alliance is a unique animal. We are technically and organizationally a non-profit. Our existence is justified by our awareness and number of people we help, such as a standard non-profit. Whereas a business’ existence is justified through the value it delivers through a product and service and is measured by its profitability. Yet our cause is business. We seek to help businesses be more profitable through their education, representation and access to opportunities. This in and of itself is a very strange concept. We don’t exactly stack up in the non-profit world to breast cancer research, scholarships for underprivileged kids, or your local food bank. And yet our cause is incredibly important and stands on the ideas that generate funds for all these worthy causes. I promise this is a somewhat relevant transition…
Four weeks ago we held a Business Builder on Cause Marketing. This happens to be the perfect topic for the Alliance to present. Cause Marketing is a quirky combination of business principles and social good will. We had a fantastic presenter, Alliance member Brian Hazelgren who has existed in this unique space of business and non-profit for many years as the Chief Development Officer for Children’s Miracle Network. He also recently founded an organization called GO VETS which provides entrepreneurship training, funding and business opportunities to veterans. We had approximately 35 attendees from the business and non-profit world alike that participated in the seminar and learned about the opportunities for both sides to do well while doing good.
Due to its popularity and a seeming need to dive even deeper into the topic we have scheduled a follow up Business Builder on Cause Marketing “Nuts and Bolts”. It is not enough to know that cause marketing is good and potentially profitable, but the inevitable question of “what now…” deserves its own dialogue. Thursday, June 14th we will have that conversation. I’m imagining you are checking your calendar at this moment to make sure “Cause Marketing: Nuts & Bolts” is highlighted 8:00 – 9:00am at the Alliance office!
Most of you know the Small Business Alliance has a strong family flavor to it since its inception is proudly rooted in family business. I am therefore tickled to share that my dad will be the speaker for this follow up seminar and he is every bit qualified to do so! He spent 15 years at Home Depot where his job centered solely on community outreach and cause marketing. While this was large scale compared to our members of small businesses, the principles are the same and can be easily modified as a tactic for any size business. In his current role as Operations Manager for a local small business, Renewal By Anderson, he has done just that. He is going to show you how to do the same!
In a climate where non-profits have suffered significant reductions in funding from both government and individual giving, and small businesses are having to find new competitive ways to differentiate themselves; Cause Marketing is more than a solution, it is a necessary shift in thinking. Non-profits have to behave more like a business; asking less of what everyone can do for them and more about how they can create value and be a contributor to growing the economic pie. Businesses on the other hand are dealing with a new market of educated, socially aware, and highly networked population of customers who are looking for a business to not just sell but connect with them on another level. But as the Alliance has learned being a fusion of these worlds, we are united by a necessity to be creative, keep learning, and adapt with an ever changing environment. Join the Small Business Alliance on the 14th!
| phone: | (480) 478-1126 |
Office
2540 S. Val Vista Road
Suite 104
Gilbert, AZ 85295
