Letter from the Editor

Businesses generally do a lot of planning this time of year. It’s a good time to reflect, crunch numbers and forecast next year’s tasks and revenues. Especially important in this time of economic change and opportunity are the relationships that you forge at every Business Alliance event. Have you looked at the BA Membership Directory lately? The Business Alliance is comprised of a very diverse group of hard-working individuals and business owners who help others every day, and may be able to help you reach your 2009 goals.

Did you know… Who is the economic stalwart of mainstream America?

Business folks like us.

• 95% of independent businesses have only one location
• 90% have sales of less than $2.5 million
• 98% have fewer than 100 employees

But, according to Richard Weylman of the Weylman Center for Excellence, it is businesses like ours that have a far greater economic impact on local communities, contribute more to local charities and are largely responsible for our towns and cities retaining their unique characteristics.

As you think about the coming year, leave room in your calendar for the informal monthly BA Lunch Table gatherings and featured events. The next BA newsletter will come out after our big kick-off session on January 28, and it is perhaps fitting that we also unveil a new BAG look and format at that time. The issue should also be full of calendar items for 2009. You won’t want to miss any of them.

I’m excited about the possibilities in 2009! But first, I wish you all a joyful and fun-filled next few weeks as we close 2008. I hope to see you at the Club soon,

Beth LaSasso

Editor, Business Alliance

Become a coach now!

December Issue 2008

View Past Issues Here

View the BA Directory

UPDATE! Send your company announcements to Beth LaSasso to go in the next Grapevine!

Happenings

Business Alliance Launches 2009 Peer Support Network: Navigating Your Business to Success

You’ve heard the hints - now come for the details on the launch of Business Alliance 2009! Our goal this year is to help you recognize your personal strengths and leverage them to maximum effectiveness. Throughout this year you’ll build new relationships, learn new skills, take away practical information and have some fun while charting your course and navigating your road to success. So mark your calendar for our January get-the-excitement-going networking and goal setting event and start your engines for the 2009 Business Alliance kick-off.

WINTER 2009 BUSINESS CONNECTION EXPO

Remember Business Alliance Members have first sign-up privileges so watch for the email alert in mid January for registration information!

BA Member Announcements

A special note from Vickie Nelligan:

Hello Business Alliance Partners! In case you haven’t heard, I wanted to share with you that I am no longer with the Capital City Club. I have decided to move to Havelock to be with my family. I wanted to take this moment to let you know what a joy it has been to work with each of you. You really are a part of my extended family and I will miss each one of you dearly. Best of luck to you and may your business prosper. I have high hopes for each of you. After January 1, my new email address will be swhisperingdove39@ec.rr.com. Please email me and let me know how you’re doing. You can also find me by going to my Web Site: www.whisperingdovecreations.com

BA member Garla Smith and Michelle Yanik, the two owners of Cary-based Smart Moms®, led a break out session titled Find New Work & Find New Options at the Women Etcetera! Conference on Saturday, November 15. They shared tips with conference attendees for successfully reentering the workforce after being out for a while. Tips include how to use job boards and assessments, area resources for finding jobs and effective networking. Smart Moms®, is a unique staffing agency that helps businesses fill part-time and contract positions with skilled stay-at-home moms. Candidates from a broad range of industries support businesses on-site or virtually.

Richard Rebello of Let's Dance in Cary announces the Let's Dance Holiday Showcase Dinner Dance on Sunday, Dec. 14th from 5 to 9pm at the Embassy Suites in Cary across from SAS. The evening will be filled with student/instructor exhibitions and a Professionals show. Tickets are $55.00 for a plated dinner and plenty of social dancing. For reservations and further information call 461-2295. Also, please join fellow members of the Capital City Club in a dance group being formed for a five-week series of classes in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Prizes and a best couple Dance-Off will round out the fun. Classes start Monday, January 19th at 6:45 at the Let's Dance Studio in Cary.

Ralph DiLeone of The DiLeone Law Group, P.C. (www.dileone.com), a Raleigh-based law firm concentrating in business, corporate and estate planning matters for U.S. and international clients, has announced that Adam R. Pridemore has joined the firm as an attorney. Pridemore was offered a full-time position at the firm following his internship as a summer associate with The DiLeone Law Group, P.C. He will focus his practice in business transactions and estate planning and will handle a variety of other tasks for the firm.

Adam Saad, Owner/Operator of Rush Hour Karting invites you to experience the Fastest Go Karts in the Triangle. Rush Hour Karting is not only the place to have fun, but a facility for company retreats, events and Holiday parties. Rush Hour Karting is Eastern North Carolina’s only adult, ALL INDOOR high-speed go kart facility. Immerse your guests in a one-of-a-kind event they’ll never forget! We offer a variety of personalized entertainment and menu options in an affordable, relaxed environment. Capital City Club members enjoy 10% off any Company booking. You are invited to experience the rush that only Rush Hour Karting provides. Located off I-40 and Hwy 70 in Garner. Please visit www.rushhourkarting.com or call (919) 662-9101.

Sarah M. Place, President & CEO of Place Trade Financial, Inc. (Member FINRA, SIPC), www.placetrade.com, a global full service brokerage firm based in Raleigh, NC, announced that she was recently included in two major national media outlets. Most recently she was quoted on CNBC.com in a story entitled “Christmas on Consignment” for a fun and interesting twist on this year’s shopping trends. Sarah’s financial advice appeared in a major national non-profit consumer magazine as well. Her advice appeared in the October issue where she discussed the best way to buy municipal bonds. Sarah was also interviewed by Tim Nelson of ABC 11 Eyewitness News regarding the Triangle’s concerns with the turmoil in the stock market and economic conditions impacting Main Street. The segment entitled “Triangle Concerned about Stocks” was featured as the lead story on the evening news.

Rebecca Kuprowicz, MBA, President & CEO of Business Success Strategists, LLC, has been elected Secretary to the Board of Directors for the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). AVMF is the national Association for Veterinarians (AVMA), located in Schaumburg, IL. Rebecca is the only non-veterinarian serving on the Board. Rebecca’s passion is fostering the health and well-being of animals. The Board of Directors elected Rebecca to serve on the Executive Committee, based upon the business acumen and contributions she’s brought to the Foundation.

Fran Ammons, Licensed Acupuncturist at The Acupuncture and Rejuvenation Center of Cary, NC announces a new modality of treatment to the wide array of services already available. In addition to Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and massage therapy, we now offer special non-invasive facial and body rejuvenation that generates elastin and collagen with no surgery, no acupuncture needles, bruising, or downtime for healing. Please call our offices at 919-481-6777 to make your appointment. We are located at 121 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 202, Cary, NC 27511 or go to our website at www.acupuncturenc.com.

Teresa Pitt of Century 21 Vicki Berry Realty was selected to attend the NC REALTORS Leadership Academy Class of 2009. The Leadership Academy is a leadership development initiative of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS with support from the N.C. Real Estate Educational Foundation designed to prepare for the association’s leadership needs of the future. The mission of the Leadership Academy is to identify emerging REALTOR leaders who possess the potential to participate in local, state and national association leadership.