Greetings 08-05-0

MAKE IT HAPPEN

by Travis Torrence

A wise mentor often reinforced "Managements main responsibility is to re-institute the policies and procedures that have proven in the past to work". In these tough times, small businesses can sustain and often grow if we would simply look to what has been successful for us in the days gone by and re-adopt some of those practices. Perhaps calling on a business that has never done business with you before but because of "God only knows" we pass by that business without seeing them as a potential customer. Maybe advertising in markets that we had previously done well in but for whatever reason we just stopped doing so. How about making a top ten list. The top ten businesses you would love to do business with or the top ten types of clients you would love to have walk through your door today. Now that you have that list of "Who", come up with a methodical approach of "How". My point is simply, if we do the same things that we have been doing and continue hoping, wishing, and yes even praying for things to change more likely than not they will change and get worse. So my advice is this: STOP AGGRESSIVELY WAITING ON YOUR PHONE TO RING OR AGGRESSIVELY STANDING BY THE FRONT DOOR OF YOUR BUSINESS FOR THAT NEXT CUSTOMER TO WALK IN.

The same wise mentor often told me that the surest sign of insanity was to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. So, as one small business owner to another. Get up, get out, and "MAKE IT HAPPEN"

Schedule for Public Hearings for taxes
WF Sheriff Department- Friday, Sept. 5 @ 9am in Sheriff's Board Room
WF Communications District- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 9am at 911 Center
WF School Board- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5pm at School Board office
WF Police Jury- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5:30pm at Courthouse Annex
SF Town- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5:30pm @ Town Hall
** The WF Tax Assessor and the Fire District will not have a public hearing.

It is all about Attitude
The saying "perception is reality" often comes to fruition. With all the talk of "RECESSION" the more we buy into the hype, the more likely it will happen. Now, I'm not suggesting anyone act recklessly or without the proper caution in making decisions regarding your business or personal life. Take a good look around and see if you honestly feel this looks like a recession. Are people still spending, traveling and making a good living? Are there developments and projects in the works? Are you personally better off then you were 5, 10 or 15 years ago? My guess is that the vast majority would not trade today for yesterday. A few years ago, a fortune 500 article found that 94% of all executives surveyed attributed their success more to attitude than any other factor.

The national economy is really out of all of our hands and is certainly on a macro economic scale. Our regional and local economy, as well as, our personal situation are the real factors to consider, and our region's numbers are well ahead of the rest of the country.

Your attitude affects not only your ability to succeed but, even more importantly, your health and happiness. Here are a few tips to help stimulate the growth of your business...and your attitude. 1) Write a list of positive things in your business and update it daily. You just might be surprised how many good things are happening. 2) Reward your employees for providing exemplary customer service. 3) Review your advertising. In a tighter economy sometimes more marketing is needed. 4) Stay POSITIVE. Being positive is contagious and others will catch it. Finally, here is a great quote by Abraham Lincoln, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing."

Miles Higgins
President/CEO
miles@relocationcenter.com
www.relocationcenter.com tel:
mobile: 800.733.0930
225.925.5501
225-205-3530

"Swing for Scholarships" getting ready
The Chamber is planning its "Swing for Scholarships" golf tournament. The event is being planned for November 2008 at The Bluffs. More information will be published next week. Get those clubs ready!

The Chamber welcomes Audubon Package Liquor and Lounge to our membership. The business is located at 6831 US Hwy 61, St. Francisville, LA.

Annual Hummingbird Celebration
The annual Hummingbird Celebration is scheduled for this weekend July 25th and 26th. The celebration begins with a wine and cheese reception and guest speaker, Donna Dittman, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site. The Friday event is $10 per person. For more information about the weekend event, visit the website at audubonbirdfest.com and click on FHC Event Schedule in the right hand corner.

Relocation Packets are now Available
If you know of anyone who is moving to St. Francisville, they can call the Chamber office at 635-6717 and request a re-location packet. Information about the parish and parish facilities along with phone numbers they will need and some brochures from Chamber businesses and maps of the town and parish are enclosed in the packets.

The Voice of West Feliciana Business

Greetings!

In keeping with last week's newsletter about the proposed "roll forward" of property tax rates in West Feliciana Parish, the polling responses showed unfavorable comments of the "roll forward". The consensus was to opposed the tax increase. The chamber appreciates everyone who participated and responded to such an important issue that affects the entire parish. We have listed the parish and town agencies that have published notice of public hearings to consider levying additional or increased millage rates required by law. This is an important issue for our parish, so we hope that you take every initiative to attend one of the hearings. If you are unable to attend any of the meetings, we encourage you to contact your elected officials of the Police Jury, Town Alderman, or School Board member and express your opinion on this issue.

Welcome New Chamber Members

The Chamber welcomes three new businesses. The Costal Ecology Group owned by Mr. Chad Heiser, Superior Insurance Services LLC owned by Mrs. Sandy Torrence and Miss Ashley Torrence, and Mr. Andy D'Aquilla, attorney at law. These three businesses are all located at 10182 Weevil Street next to the Post Office at the Commerce Centre.

Commerce Centre hosts Chamber "After Hours" Ribbon Cutting

J.A. Wheeler & Associates, Andy D'Aquilla Attorney-at-Law, Coastal Ecology Group, Travis Torrence Allstate Insurance Agency and Superior Insurance Services, LLC will host the Chamber's "After Hours" event this Thursday, July 17,2008 at 5:30pm. These Chamber members are all located at the new Commerce Centre at 10182 Weevil Street, St. Francisville, LA, across from the post office.


The Upper Crust Bistro Moving Business

Chamber member, The Upper Crust Bistro, is relocating its business to Lake Pointe Centre in Zachary, LA. The newly constructed building for the business will open in early fall. Owner Camille Thibodeaux will keep us informed on the opening date. The Thibodeaux family wishes to thank all of their patrons and expressed their appreciation and patronage to the business while here in St. Francisville and will look forward to seeing you at their new location.

Schedule of Public Hearings for Taxes



Schedule for Public Hearings for taxes

WF Sheriff Department- Friday, Sept. 5 @ 9am in Sheriff's Board Room

WF Communications District- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 9am at 911 Center

WF School Board- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5pm at School Board office

WF Police Jury- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5:30pm at Courthouse Annex

SF Town- Tuesday, Sept. 9 @ 5:30pm @ Town Hall

** The WF Tax Assessor and the Fire District will not have a public hearing.

Chamber Sponsors "Sporting Clay Shoot"



Sporting Clay Shoot scheduled for August 16

The chamber is sponsoring a "Sporting Clay Shoot" on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at Tanglewild Plantation. Registrations for teams are now available. Phone the chamber office at 635-6717 for more information. More information will be posted next week. Deadline for entries is August 9th.

Annual Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

Mark your calendars now for the annual Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration. The festival is scheduled for July 25th and 26th. A guest speaker has been scheduled for Friday night and Saturday. During the festival there will be an opportunity to watch small hummingbirds weighed, measured and banded.

Think Green Nature Day

Audubon State Historic Site is hosting "nature day". On Saturday, July 19th from 10am until 4pm, guests are invited to view booths from organic foods to energy sources. Learn what is going on in our area to protect the environment and how you can help. For more information, call 635-3739.

Congratulations Miguel Pate

West Feliciana High School graduate goes to Olympics
The chamber congratulates West Feliciana High School graduate, Miguel Pate on his recent qualifying for the Olympics in Beijing. Miguel placed 3rd in the long jump in Eugene, Oregon at the Olympic Trials.