Archive for the ‘new business’ Category
The SKCC 2nd Annual Christmas in July Gala Receives Strong Support from Area Representatives and Local Businesses
Commissioner Eversole encourages businesses during the 2009 SKCC Christmas in July Gala. (Credit: Ava Ray)
Commissioner Jerry Eversole Speaks to Banquet Guests; Local PR agency wins SKCC Toni Award for Business of the Year
July 26, 2009 – SPRING, TX – The Spring-Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) celebrated their 2nd Annual Christmas in July Gala on Friday, July 24, 2009. Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole spoke as the special guest during the banquet.
“The unique challenge for this chamber is that the area you represent cannot easily be mapped out,” said Commissioner Eversole at the event. He was referring to the fact that Spring and Klein are unincorporated and extra-territorial jurisdictions of Houston. “But the businesses of this area need to support this chamber in order for it to continue to grow.”
His comments were spoken with the Commissioner’s candid and outspoken sense of humor to an audience that included a table hosted by Senator Dan Patrick. Court Koenning, chief of staff for Senator Patrick, and his wife, Dawn, were also at the event.
Event auctioneer, Mark Moore TAL #15019, purchased and donated a Texas Flag donated by Representative Debbie Riddle to be flown over the state capital and a VIP Capitol Tour for the live auction in honor of the day of their choosing.
“We are so appreciative of all the support that we have received from our representatives and the community,” said Toni Richard, president and co-founder of the SKCC. “The membership continues to grow at a steady pace and our mission to connect the community to create a thriving economy in Spring is really making an impact.”
“We thank all of the businesses that supported us through donations to our auction,” added Elle Carnes, chair of the Christmas in July Committee. “We also give special thanks to the generous sponsors who made this event possible.” Sponsors of the event included Shorco Inc., Century 21 – Robert Harris, Houston WAHMS (Work-at-Home Moms) and the Tomball-Spring Times.
The event also featured the first annual SKCC Toni Awards ceremony. Candace Runaas, president of Runaas Resources, tearfully accepted the honor for her company as the 2009 Business of the Year. The award recognizes businesses that make outstanding service contributions to the chamber and its member businesses.
“I was chamber president of the Humble Chamber of Commerce for 18 years,” shared Eversole, “and I enjoyed ever minute of it. This chamber can be a very successful one as long as the area businesses and members are willing to support the work that they are doing.”
Commissioner Eversole is currently serving his fifth four-year term as commissioner of Precinct 4, the largest Harris County precinct, encompassing 587.1 square miles with over 904,000 residents. Spring Texas is located in Harris County Precinct 4.
ABOUT THE SPRING KLEIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Founded in May 2008, the Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is the business and community support organization dedicated to being the primary resource for area economic development, business expansion and overall quality of life in Spring-Klein. For more information, visit www.springkleinchamber.org or call 281-257-4431.
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Celebrity “Judge” Larry Joe to Celebrate Christmas in July with the Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce
Spring, Texas – July 7, 2008 – The Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) announced today that Larry Joe Doherty, best known for his service on the bench of television’s highly rated courtroom series, Texas Justice, and Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District, and his wife, Joanne, will be special guests at the Chamber’s First Annual Christmas in July Banquet and Auction on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Doherty will speak on the importance of a cohesive community through strong economic support of local business and will also participate in handing out membership plaques to the Chamber’s new membership.
To be held at the Augusta Pines Savannahs in Spring, Texas, the banquet will have all the ambience and air of Christmas, complete with dinner, dancing, holiday decor and live music.
The live auction will feature valuable sports and music collectibles, and special packages such as a Napa Valley Wine Tour and Nascar Racing at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. “The evening promises to be fun and memorable. This is a great opportunity to get unique Christmas gifts for the person who has everything,” says Elle Carnes, Banquet Chair.
In its first year the Chamber hopes to increase awareness about the Chamber, boost its current membership by 20%, and raise $5,000 for its startup year.
Tickets are on sale now at $50 for chamber members and $55 for non-members. SKCC is soliciting donations for door prizes and auction items, as well as underwriters and advertisers for the event program. If you would like to contribute or attend the auction, please visit us online at www.springkleinchamber.org or contact Elle Carnes, Banquet Chair, via email info@springkleinchamber.org or phone at (281) 912-1107.
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The Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce (SKCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to being the primary resource for area economic development, business expansion and overall quality of life in Spring-Klein. For more information, visit www.springkleinchamber.org.
Contact:
Candace Runaas
Runaas Resources Public Relations
281-257-4431
Announcing Customer Service That Really Sizzles!
For Immediate Release:
First Sizzler Restaurant in U.S. To Offer Full Service Located in Houston
December 21, 2007 – Houston, Texas – Mr. Assad Shorrosh, President and CEO of Shorco Enterprises Inc., announced today that his Sizzler steakhouse franchise located in NW Houston will be the first and only Sizzler Restaurant to offer full service in the United States.
Sizzler, a trusted restaurant brand, re-introduced their “fast casual” restaurants, a form of dining where the customer orders their food prior to being seated, to the city of Houston this year with a grand opening at FM 2920 and Kuykendahl in July 2007. The initial area response was “tremendous. Our opening was well above expectations,” says Shorrosh.
In the coming months, customer feedback revealed that interest in a “full” service style of dining had more appeal than Sizzler’s traditional “pay-first” method.
Shorco took the initiative in addressing the concerns by creating a proposal to modify the receipt of customers, the cost structure, and the introduction of new menu items in order to accommodate the public.
In early November, Anthony Shorrosh, Shorco business partner and head of operations for the restaurant, began working directly with corporate executives in California to propose the full service concept for the Houston market. Coincidentally, Sizzler was planning to implement this service style in Las Vegas, but as a direct result of Shorco’s proposal, Houston will be the first and only full service Sizzler in the United States.
Initial customer reaction suggests that the changes are welcome. Todd Peterson, Vice President of New Business Development at Sizzler’s offices in California, says, “It is still early in the test, but all indications are that this is a positive move, particularly in the Texas market.”
Since 1958, Sizzler has served great steaks, seafood and salad while emphasizing value comfort and convenience . Sizzler now owns or franchises more than 400 midscale, casual dining restaurants worldwide, with locations in Puerto Rico, Asia and Australia. Sizzler continues to frequently update and expand their restaurants and marketing efforts by research-driven brand strategy.
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Candace Runaas
Runaas Resources Public Relations
281.257.4431
info@runaasresources.com
Happy New Year!
New Year’s is a time of hope and optimism. I wish you much success in your business endeavors this year. God bless you all!
Candace Runaas
President
Runaas Resources Public Relations
Upcoming Houston Event – Business
Upcoming Houston Event – Business
SCORE is a volunteer association and a partner of the US Small Business Association. They are recognized as a great resource for entrepreneurs and I highly recommend meeting with one of their counselors for ideas on how to create a business plan, network or manage your business. If you are able to make this event, it will benefit your business. Enjoy.
Starting and Running Your Own Business, Saturday, Dec. 8, 8;30 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Houston Hilton Hotel Conference Center, 4800 Calhoun. Hosted by SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business. Cost: $35. Information: 713-773-6565 or http://www.scorehouston.org/
Flex Your Muscle
READY to learn something new? Or perhaps you’re here to review what you already know? In either case, there is a lot of ground to cover when one decides to become an entrepreneur. An exciting venture, to be certain, with new territory to explore. I want to make that journey a bit easier on you. For the next few weeks, we will discover the uniqueness of you and your business, so that you can evaluate how to proceed in promotions and marketing. This first installment will be based on the first letter in the acronym SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats). Evaluating your SWOT, especially your strengths, will help you to determine how to position yourself strategically amongst your competition and help to give you an edge.
STRENGTH
The American Heritage Dictionary defines ’strength’ as the ‘capacity or potential for effective action.’ Your business has something that separates it from all other companies that are currently in the marketplace – your capacity or potential to excel.
If launching a pet-related business, such as a dog grooming service, what makes you stand out? Do you offer something that other dog groomers would be envious to have? It could be the location of your business or simply that you offer great service at affordable prices. Offering savings is a tried and true favorite and can easily assist you in getting your business noticed.
OOMPH!
The most important thing is to ask yourself: What do I got that they don’t got? (yes, that’s how I meant to write it – got your attention, didn’t I?) But seriously, you need to discover what makes you a powerful force and then flex your muscle. Internet research is a valuable tool in looking at companies that are similar to yours and making a comparison of their attributes and advantages to identify your strengths. Another option is to ask a trusted family member, mentor or a marketing professional who can evaluate your business and give you good objective advice.
Feel free to flex your muscle here and let others know what makes your business strong. What do you provide your customers or clients that makes them come back for more? Get comfortable promoting yourself, you just might find your next customer here.
