Big business opportunities for local producers - Jamaica Observer

Business

Expo Jamaica 2012

BY PAUL ALLEN Business reporter allenp@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

EXPO Jamaica 2012 has been lauded as a major success, having created promising business opportunities for local producers.

The four-day trade show, which ended Sunday, saw over 200 local companies showcasing their products to 380 buyers from 24 countries.

"The response has been very positive," said a manager of Wallenford Coffee Company, while standing by his company booth which was decorated with dried coffee beans and barrels, as other members of staff give passers-by cups of the hot beverage, a draw for many.

The Wallenford executive said that although the company already has a strong distribution network, both locally and overseas, it has benefited from additional interest arising from the expo.

"For example there was somebody from Guyana who said the product was not being distributed there, so there's the possibility of reintroducing Jamaica Blue Mountain (coffee) back to Guyana," he noted.

One satisfied patron stated, "the interest in Jamaica and all things Jamaican remains", echoing the general sentiment from nearly all those questioned by the Jamaica Observer.

Coza International, a US-based distributor of Caribbean foods, said they have identified at least four companies in Jamaica with which they would like to do business.

"I am finding a lot more products this year. Caribbean foods are a growing industry, and we are trying to introduce as many Jamaican products to our Miami and New York markets," Coaza International President Darsham Lam told the Business Observer.

View the original article here

Veteran event planner Mary Tribble returns for DNC [The Charlotte Observer, N.C.] - TMCnet

(Charlotte Observer (NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 06--It was certainly a different point of view for Mary Tribble.

She stood last week before a standing-room-only crowd of event planners and caterers. As one of Charlotte's most visible event planners for 2 1/2 decades, there was a time when Tribble wouldn't have been in front of this audience of nearly 400, but in it -- looking to land work.

This time, she was the one sharing information about business opportunities during her biggest planning gig yet -- the Democratic National Convention.

"If I had still been in business, I would have been one of the people sitting on the chair, taking the notes," Tribble, 51, said last week from her office at the DNC host committee headquarters uptown. "But to be able to be on the other side of it, and being able to give these opportunities to other people, it's just so rewarding." As chief of events planning for the city's convention host committee, Tribble is the key matchmaker between the hundreds of venue operators and business owners looking to cash in on the thousand or so expected parties and receptions surrounding the convention.

Convention business starts Sept. 4 and ends Sept. 6, when President Barack Obama gives his nomination acceptance speech at Bank of America Stadium.

But events will start at least several days before, including official DNC parties for the media and state delegations at 13 venues in the region, which were announced last week.

Tribble is drawing on her experience as the planner of some of Charlotte's biggest events for businesses and nonprofits.

Her high-profile gigs have included the 1991 NBA All-Star weekend's dinners, brunches and cocktail parties; the 1994 NationsBank laser and fireworks show held uptown during Final Four weekend; and personal party extravaganzas hosted by the city's key business and philanthropic players.

She says she wants to use her DNC post to leave a legacy of opportunities for entrepreneurs here.

She wants to show off Charlotte to 35,000 expected visitors -- which includes 15,000 media members.

And she also wants to throw some memorable events.

Her first DNC gig: working with the convention and host teams on last September's "year-out" rally at Time Warner Cable Arena. Officials used the party to unveil the convention logo.

More than 2,000 attended. Merchandise bearing the new logo sold out in minutes.

"We feel lucky to have Mary as a partner on the host committee," said Steve Kerrigan, the convention CEO. "There's no one in town who has more experience planning events, and her resources and connections have been a tremendous asset." Stepping back, coming back Tribble didn't expect to be in the thick of Charlotte's highest-profile event ever when she sold her 25-year-old business, Tribble Creative Group, at the end of 2010.

In fact, she was in search of a quieter life.

A Miami native, the art history major from Wake Forest University came to Charlotte with no job in the early '80s. She was drawn to the idea of opportunities in North Carolina's biggest city.

After helping a small agency she worked for plan a grand opening for an architectural firm, Tribble got the idea to strike out on her own.

And as the city boomed, so did her business, as Tribble found herself in the middle of Charlotte's milestone events.

One of her many "pinch me" moments: climbing a two-story ladder, outdoors, to the middle of the crown of the 60-story Bank of America building before the topping out ceremony.

All that go-go-go changed on Christmas Eve in 2008. Tribble's car was broadsided by a mail delivery truck as she drove to yoga practice.

She was hospitalized with a severe fracture of the clavicle, then faced a long recovery at home. The episode had her rethinking her purpose in life and what to do next.

Tribble was ready for travel, writing, maybe even some rare naps.

She was about a month into retirement when city leaders landed the DNC.

Then her phone rang. It was Mayor Anthony Foxx, asking her to take the DNC event planner role. Torn, Tribble asked to mull it over.

"By the time I thought it over for a week or two, I was just 100 percent committed and ready to get involved," Tribble said.

"I have a lot of friends who ask me, 'How is that retirement going, Mary?' " Not so great -- and lots of local businesses are hoping that's to their benefit.

'The pinnacle of my career' Tribble said about 150 venues in the Charlotte area have committed space to the convention, should it be needed. Spaces include cultural facilities, restaurants, bars, theaters, historical homes, even yoga studios.

The DNC event planning staff of five, headed by Tribble, works as a concierge service of sorts, promoting the right venue to groups seeking event space that week. Events could be Democratic groups looking for daily breakfast space. Or a big business throwing a cocktail party for 500.

Tribble says while she hopes all venues can be used, she also knows expectations are high. Perhaps too high.

Last week, at the third of a series of regular meetings Tribble has with venue operators, 370 came -- up from the typical 150. More venues are signing on daily.

"My hope is that nobody's disappointed," she said. But "if we look at these four days as just this transactional way of doing business, then we have missed the whole boat on why this convention is good for Charlotte." Still, Tribble said she is focused on creating as many opportunities for local businesses as she can.

"I feel like everything I have done professionally in my life has led me to this," Tribble said. "It's the pinnacle of my career for sure.

"I just can't imagine what it's going to be like that week, standing somewhere in Bank of America Stadium, watching everybody pour in, and thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I had a part in the nomination of our president. And even further than that, I had a part of being able to show off Charlotte in such a big way.' " ___ (c)2012 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) Visit The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) at www.charlotteobserver.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

View the original article here

BUSINESS COLUMN: Tsaprailis family lands Big Fish - The Observer

Stacey and Alex Tsaprailis run the front of the house at the new Big Fish Steak & Lounge on London Line. The Tsaprailis family has a lengthy history in the local restaurant business and opened their latest venture in early December. CATHY DOBSON/ THE OBSERVER/ QMI AGENCY
No matter how successful, every business has to reassess and make change in order to stay in the game, says Stacey Tsaprailis.

She is one of three Tsaprailis siblings operating the new Big Fish Steak & Lounge at 1717 London Line.

It's been 19 years since their father, Lambros, bought the Olde Country Steak House and renamed it The Brigantine. The family's restaurant history goes back even farther when the kids were small and their parents owned The Valley House on Vidal Street.

"We grew up working there every Saturday and Sunday morning," said Stacey. Brother Gus was always in the kitchen and still cooks the steak at Big Fish.

The Brigantine was a popular restaurant but became outdated, explained Stacey.

"We had excellent food and fantastic service but it was time for a change." For a period, the Brigantine was up for sale before the family decided it was better to renovate and come up with a new concept.

"We wanted to modernize," said brother Alex Tsaprailis, who runs the front of the house with Stacey and also operates Lekoz Tap & Grill on Quinn Drive.

The old Brigantine closed last fall for four months while contractors stripped it right back to its studs.

The transformation was dramatic. There's a new bar with two flat screen televisions and an elaborate backbar display. The decor is all greys and blacks with brushed steel accents and black upholstered chairs and bench seats.

"We're not just for special occasions anymore. That's how some people thought about The Brigantine," said Alex. "Now, we're for everyday, lunch and dinner with a menu that has burgers, wraps, and flatbreads, as well as steaks, prime rib and seafood."

The new diningroom has 22 tables and the bar area has another five. Two banquet halls, each seating 50, are available but haven't been renovated yet. They still sport the old Brigantine decor.

"It's like going back in time between the two," joked Stacey.

The menu at Big Fish has appetizers priced between $8 and $14 each, including Saganaki cheese, a smoked salmon plate, steamed mussels and Oysters Rockefeller.

Flatbreads, like Jack Daniel's BBQ Chicken and a Chipotle BBQ Kielbasa sell for $14 each. A homemade burger costs $13 and is served with fries, salad or soup of the day.

A centre cut 9-ounce filet is $30 while prime rib goes for $28 or $38, depending on serving size.

Seafood features include Alaskan King Crab, sea bass, roasted trout, and tuna encrusted with cracked black pepper and served with soya sauce and cucumber wasabi aioli.

"Our customers can't believe what we've done with the place," Alex said. "Since the day we opened Dec. 9, we've been busy."

Big Fish is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Call 519-542-5553 for more information.

Moved out to the east end

Arkona Appliances moved from the corner of Victoria and Davis in downtown Sarnia to 1362 Lambton Mall Rd. this month.

It's been more than two years since the appliance and mattress centre came to Sarnia, adding a second location to the original store that's operated in Central Lambton County for many years.

The decision to move away from the downtown core was based primarily on a desire to be closer to their customers, says sales manager Ed Brydges.

"We wanted to be where everybody is," he said. "Our new location is more convenient for our customers."

Arkona Appliances offers free delivery and can be reached by calling 519-491-1300.

Sarnia Craft Supply now on London Road

Gladys Ottens of Sarnia Craft Supply says the store has moved to 1381 London Rd. and grand re-opening celebrations are planned for Saturday, Jan. 21.

Sarnia Craft Supply originally located at the corner of Finch and Wellington in 2003.

Its new location offers art and painting classes by well-known local artists including Ariel Lyons, Kathy Rath and Patty Therrien.

A ribbon cutting takes place on the 21st at 10 a.m., followed by free demos, door prizes and refreshments.

New hours are Mon.-Wed. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Thurs. and Fri. from 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sundays noon until 5 p.m.

Networking opportunity

This month's Business After 5 hosted by the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce is at the new Lambton Financial Credit Union on Exmouth at Capel.

It takes place Wednesday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. and is a great opportunity for local business people to network, win door prizes and socialize.

In other Chamber news, the annual Reverse Trade Show is scheduled for Thurs. Jan. 26 at the Holiday Inn.

This event is a twist to the traditional trade show because it allows sellers to visit manufacturers and government display booths and discuss their products or services with the people actually doing the buying.

This year, purchasing reps from Imperial Oil, Cabot Canada, WorleyParsons, Intertec, OPG, Jacobs, OLG, and Shell have already signed up.

The show runs 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. with a keynote address from Kerry Margetts of Shell Canada from 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Exhibitors are still being accepted. Call the Chamber at 519-336-2400 or email scarr@sarnialambtonchamber.com.

Tune in Monday

Don't forget that Point Edward's own Purdy's Fisheries will be featured Monday night on the Food Network.

Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford was in Point Edward in May to tape the show and prepare a meal of fiddlehead soup, pickerel quenelle, asparagus slaw, morel mushroom-crusted pickerel with a sweet pea risotto, followed by a lemon tart dessert that sounds really decadent.

The show airs at 7:30 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m.

NewAlta relocates

The former Fibrex building, which closed last year on Scott Road, has a new tenant occupying about one quarter of its space.

Calgary-based NewAlta decided to pull up stakes in Corunna and move in December to the Scott Road facility where Fibrex used to make insulation.

NewAlta manager Tim Bechard says his company will continue to process used oils and solvents at its customers' locations in Chemical Valley.

However, future plans may call for the company to start processing on Scott Road. If that occurs, more staff will be added to the current complement of 16 employees.

Graphite Marketing promises to make your voice heard

Sarnia's Darren Hakker knows how to sell himself and says he's got the talent to sell his clients' products too.

"I'm a multifaceted marketing guru who has the skills, tools and connections to complete any task that helps to make organizations communicate their brands better," says Hakker.

As age 31 and with 10 years of marketing experience under his belt, he recently launched Graphite Marketing.

Graphite is Hakker's own business and he intends on being its creative director; in fact, his company's one and only employee.

He grew up in Sarnia, attending private Christian schools and left to study advertising and communications at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

A 12-month course on copywriting followed at Toronto's Humber College and Hakker landed a marketing job at a Toronto firm.

Five years later, he and his wife Darlene decided they'd had enough of the big city and wanted to return to their hometown.

"We were tired of battling the traffic and found we were coming home every few weekends anyway," Hakker said.

Once here, he worked for a local marketing firm. From the beginning, his focus was on small and medium-sized businesses as well as not-for-profits.

Now that he's made a decision to launch his own marketing company, the contacts he made over the past decade are invaluable, he said.

"I have an amazing network in Toronto, Calgary, the U.S. and Sarnia," he said.

Hakker said his strengths include understanding brands, knowing what's required to make them better, his copywriting skills and an ability to deliver on time and on budget.

"I'm not in it to get rich and famous," he said. "Really good marketing doesn't have to be expensive. It's not free either but I think there's a happy medium."

Many businesses and organizations depend too much on free online services like FaceBook to get their message out, Hakker said.

"I think people have to make an effort to manage their online profile. It's about building a relationship with customers."

To contact Graphite, call Darren Hakker at 519-383-8316 or visit darren@graphitemarketing.ca.

StrollMates goes international

Exciting news from Sarnia business woman Connie Quinn-Vaillant who, with husband Jack, came up with the concept of StrollMates, a walking cane made into a fashion accessory.

Quinn-Vaillant last made the news when she sent the late Jack Layton one of her canes while he was on the campaign trail. The publicity for her company went through the roof.

Now StrollMates has been licensed for manufacturing and distribution throughout North America. Already available online, StrollMates Cane Wear will soon be available in stores, says Quinn-Vaillant.

To read more about the company, visit www.strollmates.com.

--------------------------------

Your Business is a weekly feature highlighting new ventures and events in the local business community. If you have a story or photo idea, contact Cathy Dobson at 519-344-2112 ext. 2233 or cdobson@theobserver.ca.

View the original article here

Find solutions to problems, package your skills this year - Jamaica Observer

WITH the excitement of the holidays and the elections behind us, one thing everyone can agree on is 2012 will be a tough year and all Jamaicans could do with extra money. So what are the areas in which one can earn extra income?

According to money coach and founder of Financially SMART Services, Cherryl Hanson Simpson, one should think about finding solutions to people's problems, package the skills you have, and tap into the global market through the Internet.

"Regardless on the size of your business, you have to understand, entrepreneurs make money by solving people's problems. There are opportunities wherever you can provide a service or product to someone. It could be at your school, your workplace or church, wherever people are gathered. Try to think about what is it that people want that they are willing to pay money for," she said.

"For example, one of the problems at many workplaces is that many people don't have breakfast; this could be a business opportunity. It doesn't have to be something as big as ackee and saltfish; it could be something simple like waffles or fritters -- whatever I can serve to my co-workers to make a few extra dollars," Hanson Simpson said.

Setting a target that you are working towards helps one to be more focused on what is needed to make the business successful. If you need money to pay for a particular item or pay for a credit card debt, knowing how much you need helps you set weekly and help in the pricing of goods or services, she suggested.

Hanson Simpson also said that Jamaicans need to tap into the global market via the Internet if they want to grow their small business outside the island. Affiliate marketing and auction websites like eBay are great ways to take your business to the international market.

"It's not enough to say nut'n nah gwaan in Jamaica; people all over the world are establishing businesses on the Internet. There are ways for people to link up and do business without it costing them a cent. It doesn't have to be an extensive business, it can be a niche market," she the money coach whose website address is www.financiallysmart.org.

"Not because things are tough in Jamaica, not everyone is poor. Remember the money that is leaving your pocket is going into someone else's pocket. There are countries in the world, such as China where hundreds of millionaires are being made," Hanson Simpson said.

She also suggested that Jamaicans take advantage of the unique products available in the island and sell them to the world; spices, herbs, handmade jewellery are some that come to mind.

Hanson Simpson further encouraged Jamaicans to read and learn about business through books and online.

"If you don't have a computer at home, there are many Internet cafés around which offer Internet service for as little as $500 for half an hour. One of the books I recommend is Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Almost everybody I speak to who has read that book has developed some business idea from it," she said.

One way to make extra money is to attractively package the skills you have and teach them to others.

"The new economy is not about what you have; it's about what you know. It's about understanding how to make money from what you know," she said.

HANSON SIMPSON... there are opportunities wherever you can provide a service or product to someone

View the original article here