The Annual SV SBDC Business Resource Fair is an opportunity for you to make a one-stop connection with a variety of other business owners and resources – to ask questions, learn of new products or services, gather materials, and discuss problems.
Invited vendors include many businesses in the Shenandoah Valley, plus the Small Business Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Chambers of Commerce, Virginia Employment Commission, and Virginia Departments of Business Assistance, Environmental Quality, Rehabilitative Services, Taxation, Transportation, and more.
The Business Resource Fair will be held Wednesday, May 14, at the BRCC Weyers Cave Campus in the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center and is free to attendees.
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Whether you're a new business or have been incorporated for years, you need to review your business image from time to time.
Date: December 15, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: St. Steven's Church, 358 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Cost: $10 per house
Attached is a flier with more details. PLEASE RSVP if you are coming, might be coming or are if you are not able to make it. We need to get an idea of how much food we will need to get.
The event was organized by the Technology Division of the United Way's 50th anniversary campaign and are hoping to attract families and businesses that want to be involved in supporting the United Way's mission to "improve lives by mobilizing the community to create lasting changes in conditions."
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Harrisonburg, Va.--- Like many young families, Brandon and Laura Amstutz moved to the Valley for education and a change of scenery. In 2006 they bought their first home and were faced with the challenge of furnishing it. Like most young people they had some hand-me-down furniture, and some "starter" furniture bought from discount stores. They also had a very nice Amish-made bedroom suite that was a wedding gift from their parents.
Coming from Ohio the Amstutz' were used to shopping for furniture in stores that sold primarily Amish crafted furniture. When they didn't find the same kinds of stores here they began to think.
"It started as a joke last Christmas," said Laura, "We were driving around to furniture stores in Ohio looking for a small dresser for our guest bedroom, and I said, 'we should open an Amish furniture store in Harrisonburg."
The idea stuck, and has turned into Downtown Fine Furniture Company, which opened September 4th, 2007.
"We discovered a group of Amish furniture makers who were already working together to provide furniture for another store in Cincinnati, Ohio," said Brandon. "They were excited about the possibility of new markets for their furniture."
They had also heard about the phenomenal growth in the Valley and the new industries moving to the Harrisonburg area.
"In early April, as we were working out the details I remember my primary contact for the group of furniture makers, called me," said Brandon. "He asked if I'd ever heard of Silicon Valley, and then he asked if I had realized that it was coming to Harrisonburg."
Working with the Amish furniture makers provides some challenges for Brandon. They don't have phones and so contacts are made primarily by fax or when the Amish men go to a phone booth to call Brandon.
"I respect their lifestyle," said Brandon, "It just means I have to think a little differently about doing business."
Part of that lifestyle is the attraction of their furniture.
"They don't cut corners. They make furniture that is solid and meant to last," continued Brandon. "Their shops are family-owned and usually primarily family run. They employ members of their community and treat them fairly."
The stores slogan "Crafted for a Lifetime" is not just a handy saying. Brandon wants people who buy his furniture to realize that this furniture is meant to last for children and grandchildren.
"I once heard someone say that you don't own solid hardwood furniture, you merely take care of it for the next generation. That's what we want people to realize with our furniture. It's not going to go into a landfill in 5 years, and if you take care of it, it will last beyond your lifetime."
"Another important aspect of this furniture for me is that I know where it comes from," continued Brandon. "I know the furniture makers personally and I hope to bring them to Harrisonburg at least once a year, so that customers can get to know them too."
"In April of this year I read an article in the Washington Post (April 1, 2007) about the illegal logging trade in China. Much furniture you see today is made in China, some is made using wood from supposedly protected forests," continued Brandon. And many furniture stores can't verify that the furniture in their stores is not made from wood that is being illegally logged.
"Because I know the furniture makers, and they know their wood suppliers and I can tell you that the furniture in my store is made from domestic hardwood," said Brandon. "I'm proud to say that my furniture is made in the United States by people who employ their local communities."
The Amstutz' chose to put their store downtown for the same reason.
"We are excited about the direction the downtown is taking. In the four years we've lived in the Harrisonburg, we've been to several events downtown, including the First Night activities and the Valley 4th events," said Brandon. "These are important community building events and I'm glad to be a part of Downtown Renaissance who organizes these events."
Downtown Fine Furniture Company is located at 20 N. Main St. on Court Square. They will be open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9-5. For more information call 540-801-0130.
]]>If you love movies, and you’re interested in a unique investment opportunity, Eastern Sky Productions invites you to an informational meeting at L’Italia Pizza & Pasta on November 08. The director/producer will be unveiling details of his upcoming movie, Apparently I’m Insane.
Apparently I’m Insane follows Boston Martin, a failed inventor on the verge of losing it. He can barely endure another day of his mind-numbing job at a box factory. Sensing Boston needs a break from the monotony, his best friend checks him into an intervention program against his will. Poppy Armentrout’s Sanitarium and Spa is a privately run mental wellness center in the middle of nowhere. It is here that Boston meets Dr. Atticus Oppenheimer II and an eclectic group of absurd characters that help change the course of his life forever.
We hope to see you there!
WHEN:
Thursday, November 08 at 12:30 pm
WHERE:
L’Italia Pizza & Pasta
1039 Port Republic Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
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]]>Business networking online has always been at the core of who we are. Become one of our Strategic Partners like Ira Kaufman from www.RoanokeBiz2Biz.com. We are always looking for honest hearted team players to work with" - Mark Barreras CEO, Shennandoah Connection and GrassRoots Networking. Call 540-984-8190
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