Mount Pleasant Business Report

EAT LOCAL 2015 firing up the grills

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HOT NIGHT COOL MUSIC new season hits mount pleasant

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Mount Pleasant

EVERYTHING TEXAS HEARTBEAT

MAR/APR ISSUE 14 2015

7TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

BI-MONTHLY BUSINESS REPORT

Mount Pleasant Business Report | Issue 09

Mount Pleasant

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contents:

Partners 4

Mount Pleasant Days in Austin5 World Youth Rodeo 6

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Hot Night Cool Music 8 Everything Texas Heartbeat 11 Eat Local 14 Past Chairman Council 16 7 Tips for Entrepreneurs 18

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Taking To the next level New Partners Northeast Texas Therapy Connections, LLC Camp Shiloh Lutheran Retreat Massage Therapy by Krislyn Pierce Tex Trail Trailer Parts The Home Lending Group Historic Downtown Mount Pleasant Edison Phonograph Museum Discount Tire Toloedo Finance Corporation

K Sounds The Farmer’s Wife Ronnie Dunavant Coffee Break & More Robert C. Sikes DDS Todd Jaggers Texas Farm Bureau Agent Whataburger Zippity Doo Dah Designs The Mount Pleasant Dentist

Cutting Edge Lawn & Landscape Denney Land Surveying Titus County Shelter Friends Titus GOP NTX Phone Repair & Satellite Services Nikki Hein, Redfearn Agent Caamal Moving Service

Renewing December 1,2014 - January 31,2015 State Farm Insurance - Welborn Titus Regional Medical Center At Home Healthcare Chapman Transfer & Storage Inc Hampton Inn & Suites KSA Engineers Lone Star Trailer parts M P Insulation Co. Newman Electronics, LLC North East Texas Credit Union Region VIII ESC Texas A&M University-Texarkana TLC Realty Cardiology Consultants of East Texas, PA Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant First Baptist Church Laura’s Cheesecake Stanley’s Landscape Management, LLC Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation Mount Pleasant Country Club Thai Lana Homer Metal Buildings, Inc. Baker and Johnson PC CPA Barefoot Bay Marina Elliott Ford Lincoln Flanagan & Flanagan Greater Hope Church of God In Christ Hamilton jewelers, Inc. McDonalds of Mount Pleasant Niblett Rental Properties O’Neal, George DDS Sandlin Motors, Inc. Titus County Fair Association Herbert L. Watkins, MD PA Willie Williams Minadeo Eye Center Arnold Walker Arnold & Co PC EDH Electric Inc. Camp Shiloh Lutheran Retreat Butler Consulting Cliffs Paint & Body Shop Inc. Edward Jones - Frank Durrum Harts Bluff ISD Kindle Light School McGuire Dyke Investment Group McKelvey Enterprises Inc. Northeast Texas Community College Scrubbies Wash USA, Inc Super Bueno Taylor Glass & Mirror Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas

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Mill’s Flower Shop Stansells City Cleaners & Laundry Inc State Farm Insurance - Sandra Pirkey Pilot Club of Mount Pleasant Diana Kennedy - Century 21 Agent Pizza Hut Bill Price Tumey Mortuary Wood Air Conditioning Inc. Advantage Copy Systems Bates Cooper Sloan Funeral Home Brown’s Glass & Mirror Cox Concrete Products Creative Catering Dellwood Park Assembly of God Church Mason True Value Hardware Mount Pleasant Animal Clinic Russell & Wooten PC Lonnie Smith Tim Taylor Trinity Baptist Church ABC Auto Parts Buford Readfearn Insurance Agency Hale Electric K & A Construction The Ark Ministries Arby’s Capps Insurance Agency D&R Lawn & Landscaping Heritage park Village Mount Pleasant Cinema 6 Mount Pleasant Eye Care Center, PA National Wild Turkey Federation Northeast Texas Bikers Church Pilgrim’s Noodle Grill Currys pools & Supplies Cypress Bank Dekoron Wire and Cable LLC East Texas Children’s Dentistry, P.A. John L. Greene DDS Lowe’s McGuire Dyke CPAs Newly Weds Foods, Inc. Preifert Manufacturing Co. Inc R. K. Hall Construction, LTD Spruill Honda Kawasaki Texas Country Farm Supply The Home Lending Group Titus County Cares Kathryn C Heintz DVM

Mount Pleasant Lions Club R & R Marine Travis McInroe Insurance Guaranty Bank & Trust La Carretta Paul Meriwether MD Mid America Flight Museum Mid America Pet Food Wholesale Electric Supply Co. Inc.

Suddenlink Communications Alan G. Carter CPA at Baker & Johnson CPAs Luminant Mount Pleasant Recycling and Scrap Inc. The 80 Acres YGM, LLC AA’s Tree House learning Center Blalock Bar-B-Que Conroy Tractor Co. Day & Night Foods Delta Waterfowl of Mount pleasant Dennis Cameron Construction & Equipment, LLC Edward Jones - David Patterson Electron Security Systems Heart to Heart Hospice Heav’nly Foods Kassieghs NAPA Auto parts Northeast Texas Women’s Health, PA R/C Rentals & Sales, LLC Readfearn Real Estate Tri Special Utility District Vaughan’s Catfish Restaurant Northeast Texas Therapy Connections, LLC Matkin Chiropractic, Inc. Craig & Renea Rutledge Thompson Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc Total Lawn & fence It’s a Small World Al Riddle The Coffee man Aaron Auto Glass Lori Chism Revive Fitness

Mount Pleasant

The trip that coincides with the “Those who make the trip get a good issues we’re concerned about at home.”

Texas Legislative Session every other understanding of not only the layout of Curry said the trip is extremely year is part of the Mount Pleasant Lead- the Capitol and how things work in state important, not only for the members of ership Class. The trip is scheduled for government. It is also a good opportunity the group to get a better understanding March 18-19. In addition to the Leader- for Mount Pleasant to be recognized on of how state government works and isship Class, the group of 40-60 people will the floor of the Texas House and Sensues that affect us locally, but for our include local city and county government ate,” said Jennifer Harland, chair of the voices to be heard in Austin. officials, business and education “As the populeaders and members of the lation shifts to the metcommunity. “It’s a pretty broad ropolitan areas, it’s spectrum. The business commu- “it’s important that we are down easy for legislators to nity is welcome to sign up to atthere reminding the legislature go where the most tend,” said Chamber CEO are. So, it’s imthat rural areas matter, that votes Faustine Curry. portant that we are we’re moving forward and we On the first day of the down there reminding visit, the group will attend a rethe legislature that rural need their support.” ception with elected officials and areas matter, that their staff at the Austin Club and we’re moving forward be taken an evening tour of the and we need their supCapitol by Texas House Representative Governmental Affairs Committee, which port,” Curry said.

Bryan Hughes, who represents Titus organizes the trip.

Curry also said that it’s rare for County.

During the 30-minute sessions, a city the size of Mount Pleasant to be The second day will include the group will hear from executives from represented in Austin and even rarer to sessions with legislative leaders who will the Texas Commission on Environmental have such a large contingent taking part. address local issues and needs.

Quality, the Texas Oil & Gas Commis“A smaller community may go, “We’ll have breakfast with a key legisla- sion, and the Texas Association of Busi- but it will be three or five people. While tive leader speaking to the group and ness. that voice matters, it counts, it’s nothing then we’ll get to see the Senate and the “Throughout the day we will be like 50 people coming from Titus County.

House floors and how the legislative pro- meeting with the key stakeholders of That’s a pretty loud voice saying Mount cess works while it’s in session,” Curry these groups. There will be time for Pleasant matters and it makes a statesaid. “Then we’ll break out into sessions members of our group to speak to them ment. We want to make sure East Texas with key people in the industries that and get a chance to hear about things is represented.” support the Chamber’s legislative agen- that affect Mount Pleasant and Titus da, education, transportation, and County,” she said. “They will also have energy.” time with the legislative staff to ask questions and make sure they are aware of mtpleasanttx.com

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New World Youth Rodeo infuses tourism opportunities into Mount Pleasant

Another big draw will be the potential for in a short amount of time. They’re in and large cash awards and other prizes in the out on Friday and Saturday.” rodeo being billed as “the world’s richest Gerald Pasley, arena director for the The “Everything Texas” brand is open youth rodeo.”

MPRA and a former high school rodeo fully behind a new community event that Rodeo organizers are expecting competitor, Pasley understands how hard debuts in April. The Chamber signed on as 850 to 900 contestants, both boys and girls most youth rodeo competitions can be on a national sponsor of the Priefert World competing in 11 events. There will be families.

Youth Rodeo. The inaugural rodeo “This format will allow them will open its gates at the Mount to get here, get their business done Pleasant Rodeo Arena April 17-18. and get out of here. They won’t have “It will bring in fresh “The World Youth Rodeo offers be here for a week and their parpeople and fresh money to to huge opportunity for Mount Pleasents won’t have to take time off from ant. It has the potential to bring in our community and bring a their jobs,” he said. people from all over the country,” WYR stays true to the national spotlight to Mount legacy ofThe said Chamber CEO Faustine Curry. rodeo by including the Pleasant,” “That’s great for our restaurants, rough stock events of saddle bronc, gas stations and hotels.” bareback riding and bull riding.

The event represents a “That’s the history of rodeo. new era in youth rodeo for Mount Pleasant. $12,000 added money from the rodeo to That’s where rodeo started,” Pasley said.

The partnership between the Mount Pleas- go along with the jackpot money from the “With the money we’re adding, we’re showant FFA and the Mount Pleasant Rodeo entry fee for a potential payout of over ing our commitment to promote the future Association will feature a format never $100,000. Sponsors have added to the of these events.” used before: a long-go round on Friday takeaway with two trailers, two saddles The WYR has numerous national and Saturday with a Top 10 finals round on and 12 buckles. sponsors signing on, including title sponsor Saturday night.

The format also allows the conPriefert Manufacturing, Big Texas Trailers, “Our rodeo is unique from other testants more flexibility with rotation sched- Cinch Jeans & Shirts, Resistol Hats, Cacyouth rodeos in the fact that there’s a long- ules. tus Saddlry, Cactus Gear and Cactus go format. Everybody competes against “They will know what time to get Ropes as well as local and regional parteach other in each event and then we here rather than showing up on Friday ners, including the Mount Pleasant-Titus bring back the top 10 with the fastest times morning at 8 a.m. and not competing until County Chamber & Visitor’s Council, for the finals on Saturday night,” said WYR 8 p.m.,” said Chitsey, who competed in Mount Pleasant Toyota and the United organizer Clint Chitsey, who is the FFA rodeo in high school and one year of col- Professional Rodeo Association. director at Mount Pleasant High School. lege at Northeast Texas Community ColChitsey sees the passion for roThe youth rodeo is open to ages 18 and lege. “We wanted a rodeo where young deo that he had growing up in his students under with a Junior Incentive for the cowboys and cowgirls could come and and wants to help provide an avenue for younger contestants 13 and under. compete for good money and good prizes them to be successful.

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“This is their lifestyle. They practice daily and invest a lot of time and money. It gives them a competitive edge and teaches them how to care for their horses,” he said.

Pasley agrees and says the new rodeo will move the MPRA and the Mount Pleasant FFA in a positive direction. It’s also making an impression on other rodeo associations.

“This event is getting national recognition. There are various national associations that have taken notice of what we’re doing and contributing to their high school rodeos,” Pasley said. “They want to get involved now and help promote youth because these kids are the lifeblood of their future also.”

Curry said the boost in tourism for Mount Pleasant was a key reason for the Chamber’s sponsorship. “It will bring in

fresh people and fresh money to our community and bring a national spotlight to Mount Pleasant,” she said. “While the title sponsor is right here in Mount Pleasant, they aren’t just a local company. Priefert is an international company and along with all of the other national sponsors, it really showcases Mount Pleasant for those who may never have had a reason to come here. It’s going to be a really neat thing.”

Another unique aspect of the event is that all of the contestants will be required to wear their back numbers – a contestant number with the WYR logo worn on the back of their shirts – anywhere they go while they are in town for the rodeo.

“That really allows for local recognition for those people traveling here from all over the country,” Curry said. “It also gives Mount Pleasant residents a heads up

that all these people are coming here to our community and gives the rodeo great recognition, so that’s a great opportunity for us to shine.”

For more information on the World Youth Rodeo, visit the WYR website at www.worldyouthrodeo.com.

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A new season of Hot Night Cool Music will have Downtown Mount Pleasant pulsing with cool sounds and packed with music lovers and late night shoppers.

It’s the second season for the popular concert series with four Friday nights on the calendar for 2015 – April 10, June 19, August 7 and October 16. The event sponsors are the City of Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant Main Street, the Mount Pleasant-Titus County Chamber & Visitor Council and Star Country 96.9.

East Texas country singer/ songwriter Chris Colston will open the show at 7 p.m. with the main act, the Darrin Morris Band, kicking off the rest of the night at 8:30 and playing until midnight.

“Chris Colston is a young guy. His hometown is Lindale, TX. He’s been making the circuit and he’s on YouTube. The Darrin Morris Band is from Gilmer. They play all over Texas. They’ve played at a Nashville festival and have a couple of original songs on the charts,” said Jacob Hatfield, the City of Mount Pleasant director of community services.

The event is held on the Downtown Square with Main Street shops and boutiques keeping their doors open late.

Vendors will offer the crowd a variety of food to munch on while they enjoy the music and an area will be roped off for dancing. “Everybody is invited. It is family fun for all ages,” Hatfield said.

Hot Night Cool Music started in 2014 with each event growing in size.

“We started in June last year and this year we’re adding the April event. With each event, it seems to grow in number,” he said. “After the first one in June, people were asking, ‘When is the next one going to be?’ and it keeps growing through word of mouth.”

The street concert has a big impact on the downtown stores that keep their doors open late. “Several have said they had their best sales and some even had record sales on those nights,” Hatfield said.

This year, the event is expected to draw an even bigger crowd coming into Mount Pleasant for the Highway 271 Progressive Car Cruise, which starts in Mount Pleasant Saturday morning, April 11. In the past, the cruise has started in Glade-

water and ended in Mount Pleasant.

“We’re switching it up this year and we’re inviting the car cruisers and car enthusiasts to come the night before for the concerts and stay the night with us. We’ll feed them breakfast and then send them on their way,” Hatfield said. “The car cruise leaves here at 10 a.m.”

The cruise, which features music, food, entertainment and prizes at each of its stops, will head south on Highway 271, making stops in Pittsburg and Gilmer before ending the day in Gladewater. Registration for the cruise opens March 1.

“The car cruise is a great way to get people into town that normally wouldn’t come through here to just spend time and hang out in downtown,” said Faustine Curry, CEO of the Chamber, which is partnering with Mount Pleasant Main Street on the weekend events. “It’s a good way to showcase Mount Pleasant. There’s a lot happening here. We have great shops and good things going on, so if we can give them a glimpse of all those neat things, then maybe they will come back for another event or a Friday night for dinner or Saturday to shop.”

With Hot Night Cool Music set on Friday nights, it gives people a chance to enjoy a fun, local event before heading out of town for the weekend, a boom for local tourism. Hatfield estimated the concert events have drawn at least 500 and upwards of 1,000 to 1,200 people. “We’ve always had it on a Friday because we want to catch people before they start their weekend. If they’re planning to go out of town for the weekend, this is something to keep them in Mount Pleasant before they head out,” Hatfield said.

Curry said Hot Night Cool Music is a great community event that has been very successful in bringing people downtown.

“It gets people in the stores and gives parents, kids and familiesa place to go, something fun and unique to do and the businesses have all been very positive about it and willing to stay open late,” she said.

“It’s a great event and I’m excited for the City to continue it for another year.”

Hatfield said the bands they book are mostly regional and Texas bands.

“We have had bands from Austin

and Dallas-Fort Worth, Gilmer and Gladewater and now Lindale. We’ve booked Texas Country acts, Top 40 bands and cover bands. We give it a really good mix of music styles and try to keep all ages entertained,” Hatfield said. “We finished last year with the David Whiteman Band from Dallas. He did everything from jazz up to hip hop. We look to book bigger acts each time and try for high-quality bands.”

Hatfield said he is in the process of booking the David Whiteman Band again for the June concert.

Darrin Morris Band The Darrin Morris Band formed in October 2012, with just a few friends getting together to play at a local restaurant outside of Gilmer, TX. The response prompted the owners to ask them play on a monthly basis. One gig led to another and over the last year and a half they have played all over Texas and the list of new venues continues to grow. They play many of today's country hits, some of the old country classics, a little southern rock and also throw in a growing set of original songs. The band members are Jeremy Moore, Blake Watson, Collin Harris and Greg Hughes.

Website: darrinmorrisband.com Chris Colston Chris Colston is a country music singersongwriter from Lindale, TX. Playing drums and guitar from the age of seven, Chris began performing in 2013 at gigs and local talent competitions. He won first place in several contests, including the 2013 Lindale Idol in the teen division. In 2014, he took first in KPXI Country Showdown, the KGAS Tex Ritter Roundup, the Grapevine Opry Summer Talent Search and the KFOX East Texas Got Talent competition. He also won third place at the 3rd John Ritter Showcase. Off the competition circuit now, Chris is playing Texas shows to promote his debut album “Guitar Playin’ Outlaw,” which releases this spring.

Website: chriscolstonmusic.com mtpleasanttx.com

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Heartbeat

Chamber Volunteer Rob Hedges recently stepped into a brand new role for the Chamber. As the 2015 Chairman-elect, he is the Chair of the Total Resource Campaign, the first to take on that role under a new Chamber structure.

“This is the first time we’ve done it this way since we started the TRC. The Chairman-elect of the Board will serve as the Chair of the TRC,” said Chamber CEO Faustine Curry.

Curry said one of the most difficult

things for the Chairman-elect is the transition to Chairman of the Board. “They are members of the board and when they become Chairman-elect, it can sometimes be a struggle to determine their role.,” she said. “By serving as Chair of the TRC, which is a two-month commitment, they will be entrenched in everything that has to do with the Chamber.”

She said under the new structure, the chair elect is eased into their position when they take on the mantle of Chairman

of the Board, they will have a good understanding of how everything works and be ready to lead the Chamber forward!

The new system will also help the Chamber by establishing a designated system of naming a leader of the TRC to keep that annual resource campaign running seamlessly.

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Rob Hedges Bio Republic Services – Operations Manager – 10 years Grew up in Mount Pleasant, 1995 Graduate of Mount Pleasant High School Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force 1998 – 2004 Married for 17 years to a wonderful wife and mother, Beth, two children Zach (16), Elly (6) Second year serving on the Chamber board, Chairman Elect 2015, Chairman 2016 Also serves as Chairman of the Arkansas Texas Council of Governments Solid Waste board Q&A with Rob Hedges Q: As Chairman elect, you've taken on the role of Chair of the TRC. How has this experience enhanced you personally and professionally and how has it prepared you to become Chairman of the Board?

A: It has been a privilege to serve as the 2015 Total Resource Campaign Chair. It is amazing to witness the countless hours and dedication that each campaign volunteer spends to “Electrify Mount Pleasant” and make the Total Resource Campaign a success year end and year out. I would also like to thank the Chamber of Commerce members who partner with and support the Chamber through this worthwhile endeavor.

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Q: Share how the TRC has gone this year.

Q: Why do you volunteer for the Chamber?

A: The 2015 Total Resource Campaign is winding down and has already proven to be a success. Through events such as Everything Texas Fresh, Everything Texas Golf Open, Everything Texas Ranch Run and Wine Festival, and Deck the Halls, to name a few, the Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to promoting our members and the Mount Pleasant community as “Everything Texas”.

A: Something I once read and resonated with me, “To volunteer is the ultimate exercise in Democracy. We may vote only every few years, but when we volunteer we vote everyday concerning the type of community we want to work, live, and raise a family in.”

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“It’s so easy to just whip in somewhere on the way home. Every person that walks into those restaurants is helping that establishment be the best that it can be for Mount Pleasant.”

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The mouthwatering smells of your favorite dishes from Mount Pleasant eateries will entice as Eat Local fires up the grill in April.

It’s the fourth year for the campaign to encourage eating out at local restaurants, part of the Shop Titus County initiative, which started in 2010 and also includes Grow Local in June and Christmas Local in December.

The Chamber-member restaurant marketing campaign drew $50,000 in receipts in 2014.

The eatery that tops the sales incentive at the end of the month is chosen to host the customer drawing for a grand prize. To be eligible, diners save their receipts of $5 or more and turn them in to the Chamber office by 5

p.m. on April 30.

“Last year, Laura’s Cheesecake brought in the most receipts during the Eat Local month,” said Chamber CEO Faustine Curry.

The drawing will be held May 4.

Don’t Cook Tuesdays adds an additional incentive for home cooks to hang up their aprons and opt for an evening with family and friends to enjoy burgers, Mexican, Italian, Asian, Texas BBQ and other fare at local spots.

Receipts from those Tuesdays – April 7, April 14, April 21 and April 28 must be turned in to the Chamber office by noon the following Wednesday.

The receipts turned in will be entered into a weekly incentive drawing for a $25 gift card from a chamber

member restaurant. Those receipts will also be entered into the Eat Local drawing for the grand prize.

The annual promotion has been successful in highlighting the variety of restaurants that Mount Pleasant has to offer. It’s also a reminder to residents to support local mom and pop cafes and national chains to keep their businesses thriving.

“It’s been really helpful in reiterat-

ing how important it is to think about the aspects of how you spend your money,” Curry said. “It’s so easy to just whip in somewhere on the way home. Every person that walks into those restaurants is helping that establishment be the best that it can be for Mount Pleasant.”

She said it’s also a way to give back to the restaurant community, which provides jobs for local residents.

“Even the little bit we can do

helps them out,” she said. “We need to support them.”

Be sure to upload your Eat Local “food selfies” to the Facebook page. www.facebook.com/shoplocaltituscounty.

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Past

Chairmans

Council

The Chamber will soon start a of influence of past Chairmen of the Board brainstorming with the past chairs is a gold new tradition to honor the old guard. of Directors,” Norfleet said. mine for the current board and committees.

With a long list of past chairmen of the Norfleet said the purpose of the “Connecting with the past chairs after their board, the Chamber has created a Past group is to “identify issues of importance time of service has been a missed opporChair Council and will honor the group of for our community and provide collabora- tunity. This council will be a wonderful opextinguished leaders at a luncheon in portunity for us to be able to continue April. to use their knowledge to keep the “Our list of past chairs goes “This council will be a wonder- Chamber moving in the right direction back to 1926. These men and women and enrich our community,” she said. ful opportunity for us to be have been influential to not only the The Council will also serve as an opable to continue to use their Chamber but also to Mount Pleasant portunity for the past chairs to get toand Titus County,” said Chamber knowledge to keep the Chamber gether and network. “It’s so easy for CEO Faustine Curry. “This new counthem to become disconnected from moving in the right direction cil and luncheon will tap into their idethe Chamber when their term ends. and enrich our community.” as, their knowledge and experience.”

People are so busy. This will be a way The Past Chair Council will meet to keep them connected, use their twice a year with the inaugural lunchinsight and let them know how grateful eon and meeting hosted by the newest tive solutions and advisement to the curwe are for the year that they served,” Curry Past Chair, Shannon Norfleet with Titus rent Board of Directors, while providing a said.

Regional Medical Center. “The Past Chair venue to continue to engage the experiCouncil is an exciting new aspect of the ence, expertise and talent of the previous Chamber’s outreach and is designed to leadership pool.” retain a pulse of the heartbeats and circles Curry said the opportunity for

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List of Past Chairs 1926-27-28 C. L. Duncan 1929-30-31-32 George Lilienstern 1933 A. J. Copellar 1934 George Lilienstern 1935-36 J. R Hart 1937 Claude D. McDonald 1938-39 T. C. Walker 1940-41 J. A. Petty 1942-43 Bob Sandlin 1944-45 Ben Patrick 1946 Holman Lilienstern 1947 A. C. Anderson 1948 Hubert Hightower 1949 Everett Redfearn 1950 Howard Leftwich 1951 Traylor Russell 1952 J. D. Sawyer 1953 C. E. Gaddis 1954 A. A. Sistrunk 1955 Charles Tucker 1956-57 Winston Ward 1958 W. L. Means 1959 George W. Stone 1960 G. L. Brogoitti 1961

Otis McMinn 1962 A. D. Petty 1963 Lon Bates 1965 D. A. Broogoitti 1966 Kenneth Kraner 1967 E. B. Hord 1968 R. J. Cochran 1969 T. R. Florey, III 1971 Bill G. Jones 1972 Bob Baker 1973 Odell Morrison 1974 Roy Roberson 1975 Homer Holt 1976 Frank Harrison 1977 Homer Dalrymple 1978 Paul Boggs 1979 Buck Weems 1980 Jan Presley 1981 Grady Firmin 1982 Travis Hatter 1983 Dick Zachry III 1984 Pete Hairston 1985 Debe McGuire 1986 Jack Firmin 1987 Toby Abney

1991 Steve Payton 1992 Sharon Derrick 1993 Larry Burns 1994 Gary Brown 1995 Gordon Hall 1997 Steve Capps 1998 Cappy Payne 1999 Brian Niblett 2000 Lonnie Smith 2001 Lonnie Smith 2002 Gordon Hall 2003 Teri Lee 2004 Diana Kennedy 2005 Brett Boatner 2006 Michelle Wilson 2007 Tommy James 2008 Ron Davis 2009 Darrell Grubbs 2010 Beth Thompson 2011 Troy Sellers 2012 Jason Snodgrass 2013 Martin Bell 2014 Shannon Norfleet

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AVOID THESE SOCIAL MEDIA BLUNDERS: 7 TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS Getting screwed up every now and then is part of entrepreneurship. But, not all mistakes are productive! If you are starting a business, it’s important to avoid as many mistakes as possible. Of course, it’s not possible to take it to zero, since mistakes are a part of learning process too. However, if you have the opportunity to learn from those who have come before you, you can be that much better off.

Here are the most common and easy to avoid mistakes:

Tip: Single mistake made by entrepreneurs when it comes to Social Media is not doing it at all. Don’t be one of them.

Jumping in with no plan or strategy.

say you are getting 2 new leads in a month, setting a goal of 50 leads in a year is more realistic than to get 1000 new leads.

Tip: Things just work well with a plan in hand. Take out few hours from Entrepreneurs spend exhaustive your schedule to at least outline the 5 W’s time doing market research, competitor (who, what, where, when and why). scanning and creating financial plans, but Talking too much about themselves rarely spend time to craft social media and not listening strategy. Doing things with no plan, can Ignoring social media because you actually do more harm than not pursuing In fact, you need to talk less and don’t have time to analyze the impact the medium at all. So, plan ahead or sit listen more. The true purpose of social down with someone who can help you media is – being social and this is not supJust a few years back, it was align social media strategy with the goals posed to be one-way conversation. It is a usual for entrepreneurs to achieve sucof your company. place for customers to express their opincess without social media. Today, however, customers want to engage with brands, Social media is not about spread- ions. meaning brands have to be both publish- ing the same message in different platSome brands only talk about ers and participants. forms. It is much more than that and suretheir features and how good they are. This ly deserves your attention. Usually the is traditional marketing style and can work For some who see the value of people who are following you on social only for traditional platforms, not social social media, yet believe they lack the media platforms are aware of your brand. media. Social media is more of a converresources and time, commit another misThey are expecting interesting content take to outsource the work to agencies. sation, than simply blasting messages to from you to guide them through the prodNo matter how good the agency is, nocustomers. This is not just another chanuct or service. body is better qualified to represent your nel to market your product.

Make your strategy as concrete business than your own employees.

There has to be a two-way comand achievable as possible. For example,

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munication for brands to engage with the customers and respond to their feedback almost immediately. Listen to what your customers are saying; else your reputation can be damaged in a matter of seconds.

Make the platform a conversation instead of a monologue.

there is no reason to be active on all platforms. It is better to perform well on few platforms than do poorly on all.

This message will have advantages as negative publicity would not be spread far and you get to talk to the person at some place other than social media.

Take your time to understand where your audience is most active and Tip: Deleting things on internet is figure out where you should focus. If any just an illusion. So better not even try it. new social media pops up, feel free to exNot admitting mistakes Spend some time of your day periment and also be prepared to let it go if Social media is the most volatile scrolling down through posts by your poit doesn’t work for you. Analytics is the best marketing channel and can also be one of tential clients and followers to see what’s guide for any entrepreneur. the powerful tools for entrepreneurs and going on with their professional or personal Simply having a presence on mulmarketers – if done correctly. At some lives. If there is something awesome haptiple social sites and publishing content point or another, all companies tend to pening, act on it. Call them or send a card won’t work. You have to be active as well make a faux pas on social media but an to acknowledge. as responsive. There is nothing like oneimportant thing to learn here is not to beTip: Leave marketing here and try size-fits-all approach in social media. Each come overly defensive and admit mistakes. platform is different. to be interesting for once. Listen to what DiGiorno recently caused a stir by your customers have to say. Interact!

Limit your active social media using inappropriate hash tag to promote Not measuring success and ROI channels to 4 or 5. If you are not sure their product. The company since then where to start, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook Not an unknown concept for enspent a lot of time personally apologizing and Google Plus are safe bets, having trepreneurs, ROI is important to know exfor their tweet. It later on proved to be a large audience that span many domains actly how much worth social media is for great example by personally apologizing to and demographics. your business. It’s more than just the likes each tweet. and followers.

Tip: See where your target audience is and Even the most responsible and careful hit them there.

You are required to measure both entrepreneurs can end up making mistakes the financial statistics and the value deliv- Not entertaining unsatisfied customers on social media. But, never let such messered by their social media efforts. As long ups stop you. Instead learn from their misIf you are getting negative word of as you can interpret your customers, you takes. Humbly and honestly admitting mismouth on social media, time is simply not can keep them interested. If you are using take often diffuses the tension instead of on your side. The longer you wait to reold tool for measurement, you are making exacerbating the issue. In the long run, spond, the angrier the customer would be a mistake again. You cannot really count people will remember how you handled the and the more viral it will be. on old metrics – comments and conversamistake, instead what it actually was.

It is a surprising fact that in totions to measure the impact.

Tip: To err is human, but apologizing and day’s social media savvy environment There is no particular tool to correcting mistakes is smart business. there are big companies that fail to connect measure ROI. It remains a challenge to with their customers and especially the You cannot afford to treat your keep up with the changes in algorithms, unsatisfied ones. Don’t hesitate to respond social media account of your brand like that implement latest tools that hit the market, to any negative comment. In fact, consider of a college guy’s account. Be professional. and get the most out of the investment in this as a sales opportunity for yourself.

Avoiding these mistakes and improving the social media. way you use social media can enhance Frame a response to negative comments your business and likely to get the most out Tip: Knowing where to start from like this: of your business efforts. and where to accomplish, is the best way “Hi, my name is — and I hear you.

We are to measure ROI and know if your social looking into the matter and will get back to media efforts are actually working or not. you as soon as possible. If you have any Trying to be active on all platforms query, contact me at @—.”

Unless you are a big corporation, mtpleasanttx.com

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