business march 2017 matters - wake...
TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 2017
Y o u r B u s i n e s s a n d C o m m u n i t y A d v o c a t e
B U S I N E S S MATTERS
Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce • 350 S. White Street • Wake Forest, NC 27587(919) 556-1519 • www.wakeforestchamber.org
Check Us Out Online!
Inside this Issue:
Community Investors p 2
New Stakeholders p 3
Renewals p 3
On the Scene p 4
Small Business Update p 5
Business After Hours p 5
Calendar of Events p 6
Teacher of the Month p 7
Chamber Connections p 7
Foundation Update p 8
Book Buzz p 8
New Member Orientation p 8
Programming for Women p 9
Reverse Raffle Sponsors p 9
The Political Picture p 10
Ambassador of the Month p 10
Senior Lifestyle Expo Scheduled for March 28The Wake Forest Chamber is excited to
announce the second annual Senior Lifestyle Expo presented by Carillon Assisted Living of Wake Forest. Join us on Tuesday, March 28, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at Richland Creek Community Church, 3229 Burlington Mills Road, Wake Forest.
The Senior Lifestyle Expo is FREE to attend and will feature more than 60 booths from businesses, organizations and non-profits that offer products and services for seniors and their families. Throughout the day, we’ll have informative speakers on senior topics with the chance to win a door prize at each seminar.
New this year are free wellness screenings. Receive hearing screenings and otoscopic checks from Raleigh Hearing and Tinnitus Center, blood pressure screenings from Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance, depression and memory screenings from Perkins Counseling & Psychological Services, body fat and BMI testing from Granite Falls
Swim & Athletic Club, vision and eye health screenings from North Wake Eye Care, range of motion, strength and balance screenings from Breakthrough Physical Therapy, and balance testing/gait assessment from Allied Rehab (PT, OT, ST).
As in past years, guests who participate in the Expo Passport Program by visiting select booths will be eligible to enter door prizes.
While the Senior Lifestyle Expo is perfect for seniors, it will also provide valuable information for family members and caregivers. All are welcome! RSVP on our Senior Lifestyle Expo Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/225205544549888/
“Wake Up Wake Forest” to Examine Town Growth If you’re interested in how the Town of
Wake Forest is managing our area’s explosive population growth, then don’t miss the upcoming session of “Wake Up Wake Forest” on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:30 am at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
Planning Director Chip Russell will highlight the Town’s comprehensive growth strategy and describe the various tools utilized to manage conditions of high demographic growth, while
maintaining Wake Forest’s small town character.
The entire community is invited to attend. The cost is $10 (plus tax) and includes breakfast. Tickets may be purchased online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-up-wake-forest.aspx or at the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 S. White Street.
p 2 Business Matters • MARCH 2017
BOARD OF DIRECTORSCathy Easop - ChairAllstate - Thomas Walters
Seth Asbill, Edward Jones
Don Bowman, Wake Electric Membership Corp.
Jodi Darrohn, Blue Wave Pressure Washing
Terence Everitt, Law Office of Terence J. Everitt
Rondi Furgason, CenturyLink
Cindy Hammond, Qualified Staffing Services
Dr. Bill Harrison, Parlér Properties
Ryan Hutchinson, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ron Lancaster, BB&T
Mike Olson, Dynasty Communications
Mike Perry, Michael K. Perry, Attorney, P.A.
Jennifer Ray, Redwood Productions, Inc.
Robert Reasoner, Chick-fil-A
Jeff Williams, Williams Advisory Group
CHAMBER STAFFAnn Welton, [email protected]
Corey Hutcherson, Vice President, Community [email protected]
Sherry Forbes, Manager, Stakeholder [email protected]
Nancy Franz, Administrative [email protected]
John Hammond, Stakeholder [email protected]
Jessica Kelly, Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Neosha Smith, Communications [email protected]
Blanche Taylor, Stakeholder [email protected]
Mission Statement:Representing business, serving community, and
enhancing the quality of life.
Community LeaderSoutheastern Baptist Theological SeminaryUNC Rex Healthcare White Street Brewing Company
Chick-fil-A Wake ForestChris Leith Automotive Edward JonesEngine Masters Outdoor Power EquipmentFidelity BankFocus Design Builders LLCGalaxy Fun ParkHartsfield & Nash AgencyHasentree/Toll BrothersHeritage Club/1250 Heritage Club RestaurantHixson & Bumgarner Orthodontics
COMMUNITY INVESTORS
Community Champion
Ronnie White’s Towing & Tire Southeastern Emergency EquipmentState Employees Credit UnionStewartSupremia DentistryThe Sutherland Triangle Town CenterUltra Electronics - 3 Phoenix Wake Forest FederalWal-MartWarren Shackleford, Attorneys, PLLCWyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton
Community PartnerAllen Tate Realtors Allstate - Thomas WaltersBranch Banking & TrustGladwell OrthodonticsNorth State BankRedwood Productions, Inc.Stanley Martin HomesSunTrustTraditions at Wake ForestWakeMed
Representing business. Serving community. Enhancing quality of life.Keeping Wake Forest Unique
Community Builder
Business Matters • MARCH 2017 p 3
New Stakeholders (1.31.17 - 2.28.17; listed by Join Date)
Church of God of Prophecy-To Tell the Truth Ministry 1860 North White Street, Wake Forest 27587 (919) 556-6402 • http://cogoptellthetruth.org
Vink Signs & Designs2008 South Main St., Suite 308, Wake Forest 27587 (919) 556-6072 • http://www.vinksd.com
LaVida Massage of Raleigh13600 Falls of Neuse, Suite 108, Raleigh 27614 (919) 761-5185 • www.lavidamassageraleighnc.com
Havana Dave’s (919) 798-3000 ‘’Please Call for an Appointment’’ http://www.havanadaves.com
Humana2000 Regency Parkway, Ste. 470, Cary 27518919.465.1367 • http://www.humana.com/medicare
Capital Oral and Facial Surgery 3150 Rogers Rd., #111, Wake Forest 27587(919) 283-0100 • http://www.capitalofs.com
Birkner Insurance P.O. Box 778, Rolesville 27571(919) 569-5777 • http://www.birknerinsurance.com
Williams Advisory Group, LLC 11804 Moorfoote Ct., Raleigh 27614919-792-8270 • http://www.williamsadvisorygroup.com
Ronnie White’s Towing & Tire of Youngsville 5708 NC 96 HWY W., Youngsville 27596-8609(919) 556-6810 • http://www.ronniewhites.com
Ronnie White’s Towing & Tire of Louisburg 1188 US Hwy. 401 S., Louisburg 27549(919) 496-4000 • http://www.ronniewhites.com
Mozzetti’s Italian Kitchen & Market 10750 Wakefield Commons Drive, Suite 107, Raleigh 27614 919-263-9030 • http://www.mozzettisitaliankitchen.com
InsideOut Wellness & Rehab 1839 S Main Street, Suite 130, Wake Forest 27587(919) 263-9311 • http://www.healthiswellth.org
Blake Grubbs at Remax Advantage 410 Glenwood Ave., Suite 130, Raleigh 27603 (919) 480-8493
Burnt Studios (919) 609-9214 ‘’Please Call for an Appointment’’ http://www.burntstudios.com
Sprint by Fast Wireless 1905 S. Main St., Suite 102A Wake Forest 27587 (919) 562-9020
(1.31.17 - 2.28.17; listed by Renewal Date) RenewalsIL Bacio Italian Grill & PizzeriaBallPointe Publishing & Design, LLCBlue Green Bin CleanFiesta Mexicana III, LLCStansell Dentistry AssociatesMellow MushroomCommunicopia Marketing Services, Inc.Girl Scouts-NC Coastal PinesWF Construction Technology Career AcademyVillage Pharmacy of Wake ForestHeritage Living & Wakefield MagazineHarris Teeter - Harris CrossingMitchell & Nemitz, PAMonroe Wallace Law GroupOrthopedic Physical Therapy AssociatesState Farm Insurance - Mike McKeownWake Forest High School- Patti Hamler
CPI Security SystemsEast Coast Wings & GrillEpcon Communities-The Courtyards at Heritage GrovePremier Dentistry of Wake ForestHoneyBaked Ham Wake ForestUptone Pictures Inc.County Line Auto ServiceTriangle Pediatric DentistryArbonne International-Joyce KinstleGranite Falls Swim & Athletic ClubVision Martial ArtsWells Fargo BankAAA Wake ForestJade Elizabeth SalonsSprint by Fast WirelessWake County Northern Regional Center
Thank you to the stakeholders listed below for renewing their investment in the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce last month.
Visitwakeforestchamber.org for a directory.Shop Local. Shop Chamber!
p 4 Business Matters • MARCH 2017
On the SceneAround Wake Forest with the Chamber (February 1 - 28, 2017)Make the most of your Chamber membership by attending events hosted by the Chamber and other members. Visit our online calendar of events at www.wakeforestchamber.org and make plans to get involved!
Ribbon Cutting for Trattoria Italiana by Bruno
1248 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC 27587(919) 263-8457
Ribbon Cutting forSan Jose Mexican and Tequila Bar
11201 Galleria Ave., Raleigh
Business After Hourshosted by Hampton Inn of Wake Forest
Women Business Owners Alliance Social
Wake Forest Chamber Connections meets the 2nd Monday of most months to provide
members with the opportunity to make connections, build referrals and grow
professionally.
Wake Forest Young Professionals showed some love to the residents at The Lodge at Wake Forest on
Valentine’s Day.
Ribbon Cutting for Eye Care Center
11724 Retail Drive, Wake Forest919-562-5559 • http://eyecarecenter.com/
Ribbon Cutting for Trimax Custom Car Care
2616 Leighton Ridge Drive, Wake Forest(919) 570-2800 • http://trimaxccc.com/
Business Matters • MARCH 2017 p 5
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=39f4e750-7b54-44ef-8cd9-4868aa7f0047&preview=true&m=1101769779962&id=preview[3/6/2017 2:57:08 PM]
This month's Business After Hours will be hosted by the Wake ForestRenaissance Centre for the Arts and the Town of Wake Forest.The Renaissance Centre will be showing off their newly renovated ArtsAnnex building, which now includes a business suite and an artstudio. They will have some free ticket giveaways to upcomingperformances, beverages, and hors d'oeuvres by Papa Jack's Catering. Inaddition, Gospel/Jazz Pianist Ronald Williams will dazzle you with hismusical talent throughout the evening. We hope you'll join us for this funevent where you'll meet new business contacts and catch up with oldones!
Thursday, March 23, 20175:30 - 7:00 pm
Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts
405 S. Brooks StreetWake Forest
Small Business News: SBA 504 LoanBy Patrick Rodriguez, U.S. Small Business Administration With interest rates expected to rise, the SBA 504 Loan is a money-saving option for small business owners looking to buy or refinance owner-occupied property up to $5 million for most projects. The SBA 504 Loan can finance up to 90% loan-to-cost. Land and other long-term fixed assets including existing buildings, site soft/closing costs, building construction, building renovation, machinery and equipment are all eligible project costs and can be worked into the loan. The SBA 504 loan is actually two separate loans rolled into one: a bank portion that finances 50% with a first lien and a Certified Development Company (CDC) portion that finances 40% with a second lien – both loans are independent of one another. The business owner brings 10% equity or cash for down payment, compared to 20% or more for conventional loans. Another money-saving feature is the fixed-interest rate on the CDC 40% portion at today’s low rates that can extend up to 20 years. The bank’s term is required to be at least half of what the CDC term is – usually 10 years. 504 fees are capped at 2.25%
and apply only to 30-40% of the total project plus an additional $2,500 attorney/closing fee. For more information, contact [email protected] or (919) 532-5525, or visit the SBA North Carolina website at www.sba.gov/nc.
Free SBA Business Mentoring/Advising
SBA Local Workshops and Webinars https://www.sba.gov/tools/events#events-page
SCORE Raleigh (great for start-ups!) https://score.org/mentors
The Women’s Business Center – Raleigh (workshops and one-on-one counseling /work with both men & women) http://www.ncimed.org/
SBTDC Raleigh (great for existing small businesses) http://www.sbtdc.org/offices/ncsu/
p 6 Business Matters • MARCH 2017
Calendar of EventsFor additional information and to register or RSVP, visit www.wakeforestchamber.org
CHAMBER EVENTSCOMMUNITY EVENTS
March 9 | Ribbon Cutting/Open House for Uptone Pictures6:00 - 9:00 pm, 12343 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest
March 13 | Wake Forest Chamber Connections presented by Frigi-Temp 8:30 - 10:00 am , Wake Electric Membership Corp., 100 S. Franklin Street, Wake Forest
March 14 | Wake Forest Young Professionals Networking Lunch 12:15 - 1:30 pm, San Jose Mexican & Tequila Bar, 11201 Galleria Avenue, Raleigh
March 15 | Book Buzz Business Book Club — NEW!Two Sessions Available: 8:00 - 9:00 am and 12:00 - 1:00 pm Wake Forest Chamber Boardroom, 350 S. White Street, Wake Forest
March 17 | ”Ask the Expert” with the Women Business Owners Alliance 8:30 - 10:00 am, Holden Moss Knott Clark & Copley, PA, 14091 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 201, Raleigh
March 17 | Reverse Raffle presented by The Sutherland6:00 - 10:00 pm, The Sutherland, 13771 Wake Union Church Road, Wake Forest
March 23 | Business After Hours hosted by Town of Wake Forest5:30 - 7:00 pm, Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest
March 24 | New Member Orientation8:30 - 10:00 am, Wake Forest Chamber Boardroom, 350 S. White Street, Wake Forest
March 28 | Senior Lifestyle Expo presented by Carillon Assisted Living of Wake Forest10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Richland Creek Community Church, 3229 Burlington Mill Road, Wake Forest
March 29 | Ribbon Cutting for British Swim School12:30 - 1:30 pm, Healthtrax, 8300 Health Park, Suite 125, Raleigh
March 31 | Ribbon Cutting for Stretch Zone12:00 - 1:00 pm, 3325 Rogers Road, Suite 105, Wake Forest
March 2 — Franklin Manor’s Spring Open House5:00 - 7:00 pm, 100 Sunset Drive, Youngsville
March 6, 13, 20, 27 — Bingo @ the Factory sponsored by Wake Forest Kiwanis Club6:30 - 9:00 pm, Mill Room at The Factory, 1839 S. Main Street
March 7, 14, 21, 28 — Northern Wake Leads Group 8:30 - 9:30 am, Real McCoy’s Restaurant, 3325 Rogers Road
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 — Storytime with Spanish for Fun!10:30 - 11:15 am, 222 Capcom Ave.
March 25 — Book Signing with RT Erill5:00 - 7:00 pm, Bada Bean Coffee & Things, 938 Gateway Commons Circle, Wake Forest
Don’t forget! You can submit your community events online at
http://chambermaster.wakeforestchamber.org/events/public-submission
Business Matters • MARCH 2017 p 7
The Wake Forest Chamber Foundation for Common Progress, with support from Huntington Learning Center, is pleased to announce the “Teacher of the Month” award recipients for February and March. Monica Haun, a 7th Grade social studies teacher at Wakefield Middle School was honored as the February Teacher of the Month. Vesta Surles, a pre-calculus and AP calculus teacher at Wake Forest High School, received the award for March. The “Teacher of the Month” award program was launched to recognize outstanding performance by our area teachers. Each month, one teacher who has been selected by
his or her school principal will be recognized. One of the missions of the Wake Forest Chamber Foundation for Common Progress is to support education initiatives, and the Teacher of the Month award program is a small but important step in recognizing the role our area teachers play in the lives of our children and future workforce. For more information on the Chamber
Foundation and to donate, CLICK HERE.
February & March Teachers of the Month Announced
Exciting Changes Coming to Chamber Connections Wake Forest Chamber Connections presented by Frigi-Temp is all about helping our members make connections. In order to grow the group and provide additional opportunities for business referrals, we invite you to attend regularly and bring a guest. If you do so, you could now win a prize! Everyone who attends a Chamber Connections meeting will receive one entry to win a restaurant gift card. If you bring a fellow Chamber member who has not previously been to Chamber Connections, you will receive three entries. Bring a non-Chamber member and receive five entries! Wake Forest Chamber Connections also has created a Facebook group for additional learning and conversation in between scheduled meetings. The closed group is for Chamber members only and will provide ongoing discussions around Chamber Connections topics. To join, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WFChamberConnections/
Next Meeting: Monday, March March 13, 8:30 - 10:00 amWake Electric Community Room, 100 S. Franklin Street Wake Forest
TOPIC: Marketing & Sales: Two sides of the Same CoinFind out how marketing and sales do not have to be at odds, but rather should work together. During the meeting, we will discuss the benefits of having an integrated marketing and sales team or approach, and how it can greatly change the impact that your company can have. We will also talk about a concept for a marketed approach to sales that is straight off the gun range, so the meeting is sure to end with a bang!
Register online at wakeforestchamber.org to attend the next Wake Forest Chamber Connections meeting.
“One thing that stood out to me was the importance of internal marketing. It’s important that all of our employees understand exactly what we do, how we do it, and most importantly why we do it. The mission of our business could be shared with the team more often, and moving forward I’m going to make it a goal to do so. I appreciate Jessie’s insight and motivation to move forward and focus more internally on our business and employees so that we can provide the best possible service to our customers.”
—Anna Wood, Marketing Director, Quality Plus Automotive
Vesta Surles, center, a pre-calculus and AP calculus teacher at Wake Forest High School.
Wake Forest ChamberFoundation for Common Progress
Knowledge - Enterprise - Leadership
Monica Haun, 7th Grade Social Studies (Left)
p 8 Business Matters • MARCH 2017
Chamber Book Club Begins March 15 Introducing ... Book Buzz, the Wake Forest Chamber’s new book club! Book Buzz will meet quarterly, with the first meeting set for Wednesday, March 15 at the Wake Forest Chamber. Two sessions will be held for this initial meeting. You may attend at 8:00 am or 12:00 pm. Feel free to bring your breakfast or lunch to the meeting. The format of the meeting is an open discussion, allowing attendees plenty of opportunities to share insight and perspective. Dawn Daria with Flow Circus will lead the discussion. The selected book for March is “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek. If you are interested in purchasing the book, Chamber member Page 158 Books has them in stock. Please register online at www.wakeforestchamber.org and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to an exciting discussion!
Wednesday, March 15, 20178:00 am Session | 12:00 pm SessionWake Forest Chamber Boardroom
350 S. White Street
Chamber Foundation Update The Wake Forest Chamber Foundation for Common Progress is excited to announce that they recently won two grant opportunities from local foundations. The Wells Fargo Foundation has graciously provided a $3,000 grant to help support Workforce Development initiatives targeting high school and college students. Additionally, The Walmart Foundation has awarded $2,000 towards similar initiatives. The funding will support additional awareness of the recently launched Wake Forest Internship website as well as a future job fair. The funding also will support training seminars for local youth as they search for and apply for job opportunities in the area. The Wake Forest Chamber Foundation for Common Progress is a 501c3 charitable foundation which operates for the general purposes to provide educational opportunities for both adults and youth, focusing on leadership, health and wellness, financial literacy and diversity awareness. The foundation also looks to provide entrepreneurs with business start-up education, training, idea incubation and acceleration, and to finally provide the business community with workforce development and training opportunities and regulatory compliance matters. The Foundation’s initial focus is on the development of Wake Forest’s future leaders. Leadership Wake Forest and Youth Leadership are funded and supported by the Foundation.
Contribute to the FoundationBusinesses and individuals interested in supporting these programs are invited to contribute to the Foundation. Your donation will support educational programming for 30 high school students participating in Youth Leadership, as well as support the philanthropic class project that the adult Leadership Wake Forest class undertakes. If interested in making a donation, CLICK HERE.
New Member Orientation March 24Learn how to maximize your investment in the Chamber by attending our New Member Orientation on March 24 from 8:30 - 9:30 am at the Chamber, 350 S. White Street. All new members, and those existing members who have new employees or would like a refresher course on their benefits, are invited to attend. During the meeting, you’ll learn ways to access chamber online tools for branding efforts, as well as discover ways to access and grow business networks. You’ll also find out how to get involved through networking and other types of events and maximize the investment your company has made in the Chamber and our community. CLICK HERE to register for this free event.
Wake Forest ChamberFoundation for Common Progress
Knowledge - Enterprise - Leadership
Business Matters • MARCH 2017 p 9
wBOA: How to Price the Services you Offer The Women Business Owners Alliance (wBOA) is a program for female professionals who are members of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce. The group meets monthly and provides both educational programming and socials. At the March 17 meeting, we’ll discuss “How to Price the Services you Offer.” Is pricing holding you back or driving profits? Are you charging enough for the services or products you sell? How do you make sure that your pricing isn’t too much higher or lower than your competitors? These questions and more will be answered during “Ask the Expert.” Steve Moss with Holden Moss Knott Clark & Copley, PA is our guest speaker. He will share how to value and price your services, and will discuss the basics of pricing strategy. During the meeting, we’ll work through some learning tools to develop your pricing strategy and brand promises.
NEW MEETING LOCATION: For this wBOA meeting only, we’ll be meeting at Holden Moss Knott Clark & Copley, located in Wakefield on the 2nd floor of the North State Bank building.
Coffee is graciously provided by Bada Bean Coffee & Things!
NEXT EVENT:
“Ask the Expert”March 17 | 8:30 - 10:00 amHolden Moss Knott Clark & Copley, PA14091 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Pot of Gold Sponsors
BLARNEY SPONSORSFocus Design Builders, LLC Frigi-Temp Temperature Solutions
Wal-Mart Supercenter
SHENANIGAN SPONSOR LASSIES & LADS SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR
REVERSE RAFFLE SPONSORS
Pure-Line PlumbingCoastal Federal Credit Union
PARKING LOT SPONSORRonnie White’s Towing & Tire of Youngsville
PUB SPONSORPour Bar Services
Chamber Book Club Begins March 15
Chamber Foundation Update
p 10 Business Matters • MARCH 2017
The Political PictureA publication of the Government Affairs Committee
SESSION IS UNDERWAY!
The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Wake Forest. he Chamber is also your voice for pro-business initiatives as they relate to GovernmentAffairs. The Chamber's Government Affairs Committee works hard to ensure that elected officials at the local, state, and federal level are doing their part to bestrepresent the Wake Forest business community. Session is underway!
After a slow start, the North Carolina General Assembly is in full-swing for the Long Session. Session officially started in late January, and should last until August. In this issue of The Political Picture, we'll give you some updates from Raleigh, more information on the Transit Plan, and end with some good news.
In an effort to better communicate to our membership the work being done by the Government Affairs committee, we will be sending out The Political Picture bi-monthly. The Political Picture will contain politically relevant information for the Wake Forest business community. We value your feedback. If you have an idea or an issue, we want to hear from you!
-The Government Affairs Committee Team
IN THE NEWS ...
WAKE TRANSIT PLAN SEEKING FEEDBACK To review the plan and to comment, visit http://waketransit.com/fy18-work-plan
CHAMBER WANTS RAIL http://www.wakeweekly.com/chamber-wants-rail/
N.C. BUDGET SURPLUS NOW PREDICTED ABOVE $550 MILLIONhttps://apnews.com/aaae5be31ed64e34aaa5e65c412d6414
NOT QUALITY OF LIFE, A PLACE OF QUALITYhttp://wakeforestgazette.com/not-quality-life-place-quality/
DID YOU KNOW?Did you know that The Wake Forest Chamber has an Advocacy Request Form? This means that if you or your business has an identified issue, proposed ordinance, specific legislation, etc. you can submit an Advocacy Request.Download at: http://wakeforestchamber.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/GAC-Advocacy-Request_FILLABLE.pdf
Business Matters • MARCH 2017 p 11
Thank You to all of our Ambassadors for your service to the Chamber!Shannon Arner, Pet ’n Nanny, Committee Chair
Trevor Brandt, Michael K. Perry, Attorney, PA
Amanda Cochrane, Image360-Raleigh
Marty Coward, Edward Jones
Vanessa Davis, Dirty Dogs Self-Serve Dog Wash
and Boutique
Kathy Fuerst, The Rolesville Buzz
Todd Goodrich, Triangle Insurance Group
Mechele Laugel, Coastal Federal Credit Union
Meaghan Mitchell, Mitchell & Nemitz, PA
Becky Parsons, Edward Jones
Tammy Robbins, Carillon Assisted Living of Wake Forest
Robert Thomas, Trident Technology Solutions
Nicole Treadwell, Fidelity Bank
Karen Walker, Knotable Occasions, LLC
Tim Whaley, Hartsfield & Nash Insurance Agency
Anna Wood, Quality Plus Automotive Service, Inc.
Ambassador ProgramSponsored By—
Congratulations go to Mechele Laugel for being named the Ambassador of the Month for February! The Wake Forest Chamber thanks you for your services to the chamber and our great community. As a Senior Community Engagement Team Lead with Coastal Credit Union, Mechele shares her 25 years of experience in the Financial industry with the businesses and communities that make up the membership base of Coastal Credit Union. She creates, facilitates and sustains relationships with Select Employee Groups including all levels of management, employees and all departments to increase business and participation. Mechele assists the Community Engagement team SEG Branches and Corporate Affairs with activities pertaining to sales and service. She is responsible for creating and implementing sales strategies with her team to increase business in Select Employee Groups that include IBM, Lenovo and WakeMed Hospital. Mechele also works within the community with Coastal’s footprint, handling public relations inquiries, highly skilled relationship management, public speaking and proactive outbound calling to targeted members. Her daily activities range from mortgage lending, to community events and onsite visits with employees
of the businesses she serves. Mechele and her team live out the principles that define the Credit Union Movement as they tirelessly work to share financial education and training to the public. She joined the ambassador program with the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce in August of 2015. She is excited about getting involved with the growing Wake Forest area to establish Coastal Credit Union as an excellent local resource. She is a champion of the Chamber and encourages all local businesses to join as a way to access the support, networking, and vision of the dedicated members. A native of Eastern North Carolina, Mechele currently resides in North Raleigh. She enjoys visits from her daughter, Ashley, who is a freshman at Appalachian State and her son, Cameron who is a senior at East Carolina University. Mechele enjoys trips to the beach and mountains, and loves spending time with her cherished family and friends.
Mechele LaugelCoastal Federal Credit UnionWakefield Commons Branch(919) 488-2303 • (919) 488-2328 [email protected]
February Ambassador of the MonthMechele Laugel, Coastal Federal Credit Union