VIP Magazine

Author: vipmagsc

  • Capturing Professionalism

    Capturing Professionalism

    Engaging consumers through photography and videography

          Ivana Reay-Jones is no stranger to the world of media. Her father was a cameraman for a local television station, one of her uncles was a photographer, and another uncle was a magazine editor. At the age of 12, Ivana became the family photographer, capturing memories of everyone on family trips. Growing up in this type of environment inspired Ivana to obtain her master’s degree in photojournalism from Boston University.

          Ivana spent a brief period of her career as a newspaper photographer, then journeyed over into teaching mass communications. By 2015, Ivana had created her own photography business. She has since added videography and real estate photography to her repertoire. “As someone who recently bought a home, I was more likely to ask my realtor to show me homes with nice photos online. Although I cannot guarantee that nice photos will sell your home, I believe they may increase the showings and interest.” Ivana’s business continues to grow, as she is now offering brand photography for businesses. She explains, “I was a brand photographer of sorts before I was a portrait photographer. As a photojournalist, I was trained to take photos that tell a story and the expectation was to tell the news through photos and to do it right the first time – there were no repeats. I was trained to tell stories in pictures, expect the unexpected, and pay attention to details.”

          This chapter officially started when Ivana was hired by Flow Town Yoga in Downtown Florence. Initially seeking headshots for the studio, Ivana decided to help tell a story through her work. “The photos also showed the studio’s connection to downtown, as well as what yoga practice looks like. Adding a video enhanced the studio’s image and exposure.” Ivana showed off her storytelling skills once again when hired by Florence Pediatric Dentistry for office headshots. “We mixed it up a bit to show their relaxed, fun and playful side, and I came up with some non-traditional office photos for them.”

          According to Ivana, professional photos can help make businesses look better and stand out amongst the competition while inspiring consumer confidence. “As a consumer who is also a busy person, I like for things to be simple, clean, and easy to access, navigate, buy, or use. Having professional photos of your products or services helps to convey trust and professionalism. I am personally more likely to engage with a business if all those facets look professional. As a business owner myself, I feel that businesses need to keep up with technological advances and work for their current audiences. If you keep doing the same things over and over, you will always get the same results.”

          When it comes to helping businesses shine in the spotlight, Ivana makes it her top priority for the photos to be consistent with the business’s brand. “This is why, before I take any photos, I place emphasis on communication, planning, and research. I consider all aspects of the business: what the business owner wants to convey, the audience, the products/service, social media, and marketing. This gives me an idea as to what I want to photograph and in what manner. I approach the project with my photojournalism background and think about the brand, what the story is, and how I can help the business convey this story.”

          Videography is an extra bonus when used in marketing a business. “Videography is an extension of my photojournalism background and is a great way to increase brand awareness and to stand out in the busy, fast-paced world of social media. Videos can enhance the brand’s personality and exposure. When I don’t know how to do something, I go on YouTube. When I am unfamiliar with a business, I look it up online. And when a business I like has a professional website, behind-the-scenes or how-to videos, these increase my confidence in that brand’s expertise. Consider how many views videos get on social media and are more likely to get shared and increase exposure – that alone is free advertising. And in this digital age, we are constantly competing for attention. Adding brand videos can be very useful and beneficial.”  In addition to photography and videography, Ivana also teaches basic photography classes.

    Ready to Brand Your Business?

    This experience may be yours to enjoy, as Ivana will be offering a special deal for the first two businesses to mention this story through contacting her for brand photography and videography services. A brand photography session must be booked in order to receive the complimentary one minute commercial. Some rules and exceptions apply.

    Ivana Reay-Jones can be contacted through her Facebook page, Ivana Reay-Jones Photography (@irjphoto), or her website www.irjphoto.com to improve your brand and expand your business! 

  • South Carolina Begins Turning Red

    South Carolina Begins Turning Red

         South Carolina is undoubtedly a red state. The Governor as well as all eight constitutionally elected statewide officers are Republicans. Republicans have a comfortable majority in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate. Seven of eight United States Congressmen are Republicans as well as both United States Senators. Both South Carolina Senators have been Republicans since Fritz Hollings retired prior to the 2004 election. A Republican has been in the Governor’s mansion for 28 of the last 32 years. 

         As dominant as the Republican Party has been at the statewide level, it pales in comparison to the dominance of the Democrat Party from the end of Reconstruction in 1877 until the emergence of the modern South Carolina Republican Party. In the 34 gubernatorial elections between 1878 and 1962, the Republicans only contested twice. In 1938, the Republican candidate, Joseph Augustis Tolbert, received a total of 283 votes in the statewide general election. The most votes any Republican Presidential candidate received from 1900 until 1952 was Herbert Hoover’s 5,858 in 1928.

         The first serious Republican gubernatorial candidate was Joseph O. Rogers, who switched parties in 1966 to run against Democrat Bob McNair. Rogers received 42% of the vote. In 1970, Albert Watson running as a Republican received 46% of the vote, losing by fewer than 30,000 votes. Dr. James B. Edwards was the first modern Republican elected Governor defeating Bryan Dorn in 1974. 

         While South Carolinians remained and voted solidly for local and statewide Democrat candidates through most of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and in some smaller rural counties even today, South Carolinians began their break with the national Democrat party much earlier. In 1948, Democrats dissatisfied with Harry Truman’s support of proposed civil rights legislation ran South Carolina Governor J. Strom Thurmond for President under the banner of the States’ Rights Democrat Party, the Dixiecrats. Governor Thurmond won South Carolina and three other southern states and was competitive in several others. In 1952, South Carolina voters took another step away from the national Democrat Party. The Democrats had nominated Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson as their presidential candidate and the Republicans nominated General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower had two powerful allies in South Carolina, Thurmond and Governor James F. Byrnes. Byrnes was elected Governor in 1950 after serving the State in Washington, D.C. as a member of the House, Senate, an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court as well as an influential advisor to President Roosevelt. Byrnes’s last Washington assignment was as President Truman’s Secretary of State.

         Eisenhower appeared on the 1952 presidential ballot twice; as an “Independent for Eisenhower” and as the Republican nominee. Eisenhower carried 25 of 46 counties and lost to Stevenson by fewer than 5,000 votes statewide. In 1952 while a near majority of voters were willing to vote for the Republican candidate, they were not willing to do so as Republicans. Eisenhower received 158,289 votes as an Independent yet only 9,793 as a Republican.

         Eisenhower did win 4 southern states in 1952, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, and was easily elected. In the 1956 election, Eisenhower received 75,700 votes (25%) in South Carolina appearing solely as the Republican candidate. Stevenson again carried South Carolina, but with only 46% of the vote. A slate of unpledged delegates received the remaining 29% of the vote. Unlike today, in the 1952 through 1980 elections, South Carolina was a battleground state on the Presidential level. In these 8 elections, Republicans and Democrats each won 4 times with most being closely contested.

     

    Mark W. Buyck, III

    Concentrating in Banking, Business, Civil and Business Litigation and Appeals, Contracts, Employment, Government, Real Estate

    248 West Evans Street | Florence, SC | 843.662.3258

    2050 Corporate Centre’ Drive, Suite 230 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 843.650.6777

     

    Serving Businesses and Individuals from Florence to Myrtle Beach: the Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys of Willcox, Buyck & Williams, P.A.

  • It’s All About Relationships

    It’s All About Relationships

    Most would agree, the only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability. After graduating from Francis Marion University in 2006, I began working in a local family business and believed this would be my lifelong career. In 2014, after much thought, I decided to leave that comfort and security and venture down a different path. I had no idea how much I would come to appreciate the things the Chamber of Commerce does for the Florence community. The Chamber dedicates an immense amount of time and commitment to its members, for which everyone should be thankful. I certainly am.

    In 2015, I started working at Clarke & Company Benefits, which is based in Columbia, after Jim and Rhett Smith sold their local business, Insurance Services of SC. Manager Norman Clarke went in search of a local Florence resident to actively accept the challenging position of filling Jim Smith’s shoes, after he had established deep relationships with his clients and community. After a short four weeks, we were introduced by a mutual friend, and I accepted that position and started on a new path to master the business of Employee Benefits.

    One of the first events Jim and I attended together was a Business Expo with the Chamber of Commerce. It was here that my appreciation for the Chamber truly began. I joined as an Ambassador and began attending things like ribbon-cuttings for new members, Business after Hours events, Legislative Breakfasts, and annual membership luncheons. The professional contacts I have met through these Chamber-sponsored networking events both helped grow my business and led me to other fantastic organizations. People ask me all the time why I joined Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Florence. My reason is that these civic organizations value the community of Florence, but also understand that the Chamber is the heart of growing that community. Florence has always been my home, and I am proud to see firsthand how the Chamber’s leadership has transformed our city into a thriving, business-friendly community.

    Today, I get to work with a team of seasoned specialists who provide client-focused employee benefit solutions for businesses throughout South Carolina. Though headquartered in Columbia, we invest in the Florence community through our downtown office on Irby Street. Our growth and success, though earned from hard work and trustworthy client relationships, has been closely tied to our involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and the doors it has opened. I urge each and every one of you to partner with such a team that allows business advancement, professional networking, and community support that will encourage Florence’s progress for years to come.

    Derek Hemmingsen, Clarke & Company Benefits, Employee Benefits Consultant

    Florence – Columbia – Charleston – Greenville

  • A Tradition of Service

    A Tradition of Service

         St. Anne Catholic Church is a small historic church in downtown Florence that first opened their doors in 1940 as a mission parish to serve the African-American community. Today, Saint Anne Parish is one of the most ethnically and racially diverse church communities in the area. The church parish is committed to giving back and their tradition of service to the poor is an integral part of their identity. 

         One of the most visible programs that the church participates in is the Martin de Porres Outreach program which provides supplemental food for 125 families every week with more than 6,000 bags of groceries distributed annually. The outreach program has been a caring and loving presence in the community for more than 30 years. Many families have no transportation, so they walk or catch rides to pick up their food each week. Through interdenominational community partnerships and USDA support, the outreach ministry provides both supplemental food and emergency assistance while providing more than 20 volunteers with the opportunity to serve others by shopping for USDA food at Harvest Hope, loading trucks, packing groceries, and distributing food.

         Pat Bromley, Director of the St. Anne Outreach Ministry, has spent her life volunteering, even introducing her husband Henry and two sons, Frank and Rob, into the ministry. Her responsibilities as director include working with clients to get registered with the USDA for free weekly groceries, filling out the required paperwork for Harvest Hope, shopping to fill 125 grocery bags per week, and many other things. “We do this because we want to, not because we have to,” says Pat. “When a client expresses their appreciation and tells you how grateful they are that because of this ministry they will have food in the pantry for their families, it all makes it worthwhile.” Pat goes onto say how they are currently having a hard time getting the quantities of food needed. “During summer months, businesses and individuals don’t donate as much to Harvest Hope. I wish every business would have a box beside their front door for employees and the community to drop off food for the needy so that we would never run low.”

        In addition to the Martin de Porres program, St. Anne is home to dozens of other outreach ministry groups. St. Anne’s Joy Full ministry gives out bags of hygiene supplies for families associated with the local homeless shelter, or families in crisis including stranded travelers, visitors to the hospital, and the needy. Additionally, Helping Hands, an interdenominational committee, meets weekly to make hats, scarves, fleece blankets, and dresses for children at the Pee Dee Coalition Durant Center. The Code Red committee teaches and trains Emergency Preparedness to various community organizations. The Multicultural Heritage Committee plans ways for the parish to celebrate its diverse population as a gift to the church and the community. The committee sponsors interdenominational speakers to celebrate cultural diversity in the city of Florence. St. Anne’s Catholic Church also hosts a monthly Filipino Mass and luncheon to minister to the increasing number or immigrants from the Philippines. And these are just to name a few of their outreach responsibilities.

        St. Anne Catholic Church plans to continue to provide outstanding service to the poor and those in crisis in northeast Florence, however, their buildings, classrooms, restrooms, kitchen, and offices are not up to code and present impediments to the clients they serve every day. In order to make much needed improvements to the facilities, the church is accepting donations and also hosting a fundraising gala, An Enchanted Evening, Building Community in Service to Others on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Florence Country Club. The event will feature cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Individual tickets and sponsor packages are available. The support will help impact the community by allowing them to add handicapped accessible entrances and restrooms, classroom space to expand community educational opportunities, computer availability, and administrative facilities. Donations will make the auction a success and will make a real impact on the extent to which St. Anne can continue serving the poor in our community!

    St. Anne Catholic Church | 113 S. Kemp St., Florence | 843-661-5012

  • Restoring Furniture

    Restoring Furniture

    Story By Natalie Mahaffey

        Jilian Harrington has always had a creative mind, but, until recently, she had never truly found what she was passionate about. That changed when she and her husband Brandon opened the now local favorite Palmetto Peddlers back in November of 2010. “We get a lot of furniture in from a lot of amazing vendors in our store,” Jilian says. “It’s hard to find time to hunt for stuff to resell, so I noticed I owned a few pieces that needed some form of transformation to work where I needed them. After working on some pieces for friends and family, I was surprised at all the positive feedback I was getting on my work. People really enjoyed the pieces that I had transformed, and they looked amazing in their homes. I enjoy that feeling of a client being satisfied with my creativity. I finally found a creative outlet for myself that I enjoy. It feels good, ya know? It’s healthy to be able to have that outlet.” One of the most important aspects of Jilian’s work is maintaining the integrity of the original piece of furniture, while updating to fit the needs of the client. “I try to salvage the certain areas that are too beautiful to be painted,” she explains.

        The materials Jilian uses to transform a piece of furniture are the most important aspects of any good project. So, when she first started using Dixie Belle and their array of products, she knew she’d found her perfect match. “Dixie Belle paint will always be my go to paint. It is a chalk mineral base paint that adheres to almost any surface, including wood, plastic, metal, and glass. And it hasn’t failed me yet!” But before she gets to the painting part of the transformation, she has to do some work with the furniture itself. “When choosing my project piece, I want to be sure there aren’t any areas that I can’t handle repairing myself. Sometimes no matter how perfect a piece may seem, repairs can get costly and you don’t want to take on more than you can chew,” she explains. Once repairs are complete on a piece, she moves on to the beginnings of the transformation. “I remove all the hardware, and I gently sand everything. It helps remove hard to clean areas and scuffs it up so the paint adheres better. Sometimes it may be an unnecessary step, but I feel it makes things easier in the long run,” she says. Once sanding is done, she uses wood cleaner and wipes down the whole piece, inside and out, including any drawers or cabinet spaces.

        When she completes the sanding and cleaning of the furniture, Jilian begins with the painting. The first rule of thumb when it comes to painting is to always prime. “This helps with coverage so you don’t use so many coats of paint. ‘Boss’ by Dixie Belle works great, but you can also use Kilz.” Priming a piece is especially important if you are going to be painting a light-colored piece. She also explains that, “an oil base primer works really well on furniture. I usually only need one thin coat of primer.” Once she has primed her piece, she sands it again, just to smooth out everything and to help with the finished look. Then she applies her paint. “There are a few different ways to do this. I use Cling On! brushes. They are exceptional in that they don’t shed bristles and they are self-cleaning. You just return the brush to the water and the paint falls off,” she says. The self-cleaning aspect of the brushes is especially important because then you don’t have to use any harsh chemicals on your brushes, which can deplete the quality of a brush fairly quickly. Jilian also explains that a technique she has found to be helpful is to dip the brush in water before painting because it gives a good even coat that doesn’t hold brush marks in the paint. She then lets the first coat dry for 30 minutes to an hour before applying another light coat of paint. She repeats the drying process, and sands the piece one last time. One last coat of paint goes on after the sanding process, and then she waits. Before doing any detail work to a recently painted piece of furniture, it is important to make sure it is fully dry. Otherwise, you will find yourself having to start over from the beginning.

        Once the painting part of the project is complete, Jilian then decides on the detailing that needs to happen to the piece. To do this, she has to decide on what types of products to use. Again, she relies heavily on Dixie Belle. Any piece of painted furniture needs to be sealed, and Jilian stresses that using wax or a clear coat sealer is important to maintain the integrity of the piece for years to come. She uses Minwax Polycrylic or Dixie Belle’s Satin Clear Coat to coat the piece of furniture. She lets the piece sit for at least 24 hours after sealing before moving it. One last piece of advice she gives: “Let a piece sit for a good 30 days to cure completely. Only allow light use until then.”

    To find some of Jilian’s original pieces, visit  Palmetto Peddlers at 2295 Hoffmeyer Road in Florence.

  • Avoiding the Flu

    Avoiding the Flu

        Last flu season was an exceptionally bad season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified it as “High Severity” across all age groups – the first time that has happened since they began designating a season’s severity in 2003.

        Despite getting flu shots and regular sanitizing in our offices, many of our staff succumbed to one, or both, of the virus strains that proliferated throughout the country. I was one of them. In fact, according to provisional reports published by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, there were 135,289 reported flu cases, 4,497 hospitalizations, and 272 influenza-related deaths in South Carolina between Oct. 1, 2017, and June 2, 2018.

        Was is worth getting a flu shot even though I still got sick? Absolutely – and I plan to get the vaccine again this year to protect not only my health, but also the health of my coworkers, friends, and family. After all, even being in general good health won’t prevent contracting the flu and I work in a community health center. It’s the very place where many people with the flu come to seek relief from their symptoms. That exposes me to the virus much more often than typical.

        Dr. Michael K. Foxworth, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist and pediatrician at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence said the best way to prevent getting the flu is to get the influenza vaccine. Last season’s vaccine reduced the risk of contracting the virus by about 36 percent, according to the CDC. And, while data for the 2017-2018 season is not yet published, estimates for the previous season indicate that flu vaccines prevented 5.29 million illnesses, 2.64 million medical visits, and 84,700 flu-related hospitalizations.

        Additionally, a study published in the May, 2017, Clinical Infectious Diseases journal indicates that if you do get the flu, the vaccination may reduce the severity of its symptoms. The same study also indicates that unvaccinated adults are two to five times more likely to die from influenza than someone vaccinated.

        This year’s flu season starts soon. In the U.S., it begins in October (occasionally earlier) and can last through May. Most often, the peak month of infection is February, followed by December, January, and March. Since it typically takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop sufficient antibodies to protect against the virus, getting your flu shot early is important. Dr. Julio Arroyo, an infectious diseases specialist also at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza, said the sooner you get the flu vaccine, the better. It is the most effective way to prevent the flu and is recommended annually for everyone age 6 months and older with rare exceptions.

        Was there anything else I could have done to prevent getting the flu last year? Probably not. Dr. Arroyo notes that most people contract the flu from their family members and both Drs. Arroyo and Foxworth recommend avoiding large gatherings and those who have the flu as measures to reduce your risk this season. If you can’t, other measures you can take include wearing a mask and common-sense actions such as washing your hands properly and frequently, avoiding touching your face, eating well-balanced nutritional meals, and drinking plenty of water.

        If you do get the flu, the best thing you can do is stay home to prevent passing the virus to coworkers and others, and rest. If you must leave, to get medical care for example, wear a face mask to prevent passing the flu to others.

        Flu typically causes symptoms such as fever and muscle aches, but can also develop serious complications such as pneumonia, especially for those at higher risk, including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions. If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, contact your primary care doctor for advice and possible antiviral treatment.

    Those at risk for developing complications from the flu include:

    · Children aged 6 months through 4 years

    · People aged 50 years and older

    · People with certain chronic conditions

    · People who are immunosuppressed

    ·  Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season

    · Nursing home and other chronic-care facility residents

    · People with extreme obesity

    · Health care personnel

    To become a HopeHealth patient or to learn more about classes offered, visit hope-health.org or call (843) 667-9414.

  • Purchasing Your First Home

    Purchasing Your First Home

    You Do Not Need 20% Down To Buy A Home

         Buying your first home can be very exciting but make sure you are prepared for what lies ahead. When you are transitioning from being a renter to a homeowner there are many things you need to consider.

         The Aspiring Home Buyers Profile from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The results of the survey show that the main reason why non-homeowners do not own their own homes is because they believe that they cannot afford them.

         This brings us to a few major misconceptions that we want to address today.

    Down Payment

         A recent survey by Laurel Road, the National Online Lender and FDIC-Insured Bank, revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan.

         According to the survey, 53% of Americans who plan to buy or have already bought a home admit to their concerns about their ability to afford a home in the current market. In addition, 46% are currently unfamiliar with alternative down payment options, and 46% of millennials do not feel confident that they could currently afford a 20% down payment.

         What these people don’t realize, however, is that there are many loans written with down payments of 3% or less. USDA and VA have no money down options.

         Many renters may actually be able to enter the housing market sooner than they ever imagined with new programs that have emerged allowing less cash out of pocket.

    FICO Scores

         An Ipsos survey revealed that 62% of respondents believe they need excellent credit to buy a home, with 43% thinking a “good credit score” is over 780. In actuality, the average FICO® scores for approved conventional and FHA mortgages are much lower.

         The average conventional loan closed in May had a credit score of 753, while FHA mortgages closed with an average score of 676. The average across all loans closed in May was 724. The chart below shows the distribution of FICO® Scores for all loans approved in May.

         It is possible to get approved to purchase a home with a score as low as a 580 for VA or 600 for FHA. It is best to speak to your Loan Officer about the options available to you.

    Can you afford the monthly payments?

         Even if you have saved enough money for your down payment, you need to be certain that you are able to afford your monthly mortgage payment. Do not forget to factor in expenses like property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, etc. We will go over your budget and your financial goals to make sure that you are comfortable with your mortgage payment and still have enough money each month to enjoy your life in your new home.

    Bottom Line

         If you are a prospective buyer who is ‘ready’ and ‘willing’ to act now, but you are not sure if you are ‘able’ to, you need sit down with a reputable lender to discuss all of your options.

     

    Greg Tanner, NMLS 1046498

    2011-C 2nd Loop Rd. Florence 843.407.3464 | gregtannermortgage.com

  • ROI for Our Small Business Members – Hartsville Chamber

    ROI for Our Small Business Members – Hartsville Chamber

        Did you know that nearly 95% of the members of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce have 100 or less employees and that 76% percent have 10 or less employees?

    That is a lot of small business!

        At the chamber, we have tried to really shift our focus to bringing valuable opportunities to our small businesses. Not only do we promote them like crazy on social media, through our eblasts, on our website, and anytime someone with a heartbeat walks through our doors, but we also give them opportunities to expand their networks. Connecting people to resources is my favorite thing in the world to do and I love watching partnerships form. For example, Coker College’s softball coach Travis McCall was in the Leadership Hartsville program when he learned about Carolina’s Kids. He was so impressed with the work of Carolina’s Kids, he began volunteering with his players every week to pack food bags for the children in Darlington county who are less fortunate. Travis graduated three years ago but the players continue to give their time to help the community.

        We have a really great Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) group at our chamber. The team of retired business leaders set aside two days a month to counsel entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes in the Pee Dee. We are also blessed to have Eddie Watson from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on our team. He also counsels entrepreneurs twice a month, right here at the chamber. We also partner with other organizations like the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SC Works to ensure our members know about all the resources available

    to them. Earlier in the year the SBA hosted  “Tools to Starting a Small Business” and joined forces with SC Works to host a “Veteran Employment and Entrepreneurship Workshop.”

        In addition to those organizations, we have members who are extremely talented and give of their time and talents to help other businesses and this community. Recently, Chamber board member Jamie Kelly hosted a workshop “Social Media for Your Business.” Based on the feedback of the 30 participants, she plans to expand on the topic by offering six sessions to help elevate our members’ social media presence. Also, Travis Blayton of Palmetto Mortgage Group hosted a seminar “Buying a Home in Four Steps,” in which he broke down the homebuying process for individuals thinking of entering the real estate market.

        Finally, our small businesses benefit from the exposure our events and programs offer. From fun, community-oriented events like the Taste of Hartsville and the Hartsville Community Golf Classic, to professional development opportunities like our Women’s Leadership Symposium, Leadership Hartsville, and HR Manager’s meetings, the opportunities to actualize a return on an investment in the chamber abound.

        Our chamber in Hartsville is amazing, but so are all the chambers in our communities in the Pee Dee. If you are a small business owner and not a member of your local chamber of commerce, I encourage you to check out the benefits available to your business. You won’t regret the investment!

  • An Invaluable Resource for Your Business – Florence Chamber

    An Invaluable Resource for Your Business – Florence Chamber

        Back in 1995, a 27-year-old decided that he would embark on one of the greatest adventures of his life. He would start his own business. It was going to be great. All he could think about was the independence and freedom it would bring and most of all, the monetary reward. This 27 year old had it all figured out…until reality set in. This dream of owning a business was nightmarish at times. The long hours and the ups and downs, more downs than ups, had him wondering if he made the right decision. His dream at times had ensnared him and he felt that he didn’t have time to do much of anything else, but thankfully, he didn’t give up.

        Fast forward 23 years. That 27-year-old is now 50 and, hopefully, a little wiser. The person I speak of is me, David Fountain. Today, my business partner, Susan Lee, and I own four The UPS Store franchises in Florence (2), Sumter and Conway.

        After all I had learned over the past 23 years, one thing still was a struggle, for some reason, it was very hard for me to break out of the walls of my business. It was very difficult for me to make time to network outside of my circle. I feel that I am an introvert, I tell people that and they don’t believe me. The thing is, I’m an introvert until I get to know you and then you can’t shut me up.

        Most of us made some type of resolution at the beginning of 2018, mine was that I would venture out from the comfort of my four walls and to begin to get more involved with the business community here in Florence. The two groups that I joined were the Pee Dee Chapter of Business Network International and the Florence Chamber of Commerce. Not only did I join the Chamber, but I also became an Ambassador for the Chamber where I participate in events as well as go to ribbon cuttings of new businesses in our community. Part of my resolution was not just to write a check and join the Chamber, but to become a part of an organization where I could serve and give back to my hometown. The relationships that have been forged in such a short time have been invaluable. One of the great things about the Chamber is that you get to work alongside people that want to make Florence an even better place to live. I think that is spelled out in our new Florence slogan, “Full Life, Full Forward.” This is a great time for our city. The Florence Chamber is a great opportunity for our business community to come and work together. I am reminded of a quote I heard some time ago which said, “Never let them say we had potential.” With the help of the Florence Chamber and its members, The City of Florence will reach its full potential.

        I say all of this for one reason, don’t allow the busyness of your world keep you from being a part of the Florence Chamber. It is an invaluable resource for your business or company. The Chamber gives you a front row seat to see and hear about our great city. Maybe you’re already a member, but just haven’t found the time to get plugged in. I encourage you to take the time and see what the Chamber has to offer. I think you will find yourself asking the same question as I did, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

        Having lived here almost all my life, I don’t think there has ever been such an exciting time. Back in the day, Florence’s slogan was “It’s all here”. I would ask myself, “Where is it?” Sometimes, you can’t see what’s right in front of you. I’m glad that I didn’t give up on my hometown. The Florence Chamber of Commerce has given me an opportunity to give back a little to this city. A city that has given me a great quality of life. A city that created a path for me to get a great education from Florence School District One and a college degree from Francis Marion University. A city that has supported me in living out my dream of being a business owner.

     

      

  • Winterizing Your Home

    Winterizing Your Home

       Winter is still a few months away, but it is never too early to start thinking about saving energy costs during the cooler months. Electricity bills can skyrocket while we are indoors staying warm with our electric space heaters, electric blankets, and taking long hot showers. Pee Dee Electric Cooperative has spent years researching and educating our members on the best ways to keep costs down during winter months. While some are large and can be quite costly, there are many small sacrifices that can make a major difference in your winter bill.

       Larger projects like installing a new high efficiency heat pump, adding insulation, and investing in new energy efficient appliances are key components to saving energy. Although these tasks can be expensive upfront, the amount saved over the next 10 years or more will certainly outweigh those initial costs. You should also have your home checked for plumbing leaks and fix any dripping faucets. A leak of one drip per second wastes 1,661 gallons of water and can cost you up to $35 per year. And before it gets too chilly outside, be sure to check that your attic door closes tightly. If possible, insulate the attic door for an extra barrier.

       By taking the time to understand your energy use and by making small lifestyle changes, you can conserve energy. Your bank account will thank you!

    10 Quick Tips to Avoid High Winter Bills

    •  Seal air leaks and insulate well to prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering your home.

    •  Reduce waste heat by installing a programmable thermostat.

    •  Turn off lights when not in use.

    •  Lower your water heater temperature. The Department of Energy recommends using the warm setting (120 degrees) during fall and winter months.

    •  Unplug electronics like kitchen appliances and TVs when you’re away.

    •  Open blinds and curtains during the day to allow sunlight in to warm your home.

    •  Close blinds and curtains at night to keep cold, drafty air out.

    •  Use power strips for multiple appliances, and turn off the main switch when you’re away from home.

    •  Wash clothes in cold water, and use cold-water detergent whenever possible.

    •  Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED’s, which use at least 75 percent less energy.

    For more info, visit www.pdec.com.