WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS DURING THE OCEAN …

BETHANY-FENWICK AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2019

WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS DURING THE OCEAN TO BAY BIKE TOUR

The 30th Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour will bring over 2,500 cyclists and their families to the Quiet Resorts Area the last weekend in April. While sponsoring the event may seem like the only way to promote your business to the thousands of visitors, think again! Though it is the most obvious choice, there are many other ways to take advantage of the crowd, and gain extra exposure for your business for little to no cost.

You'll have the chance to interact with cyclists and other volunteers; tell them about your business, wear branded clothing, and put a friendly face to the business name. See all volunteer opportunities here.

Run an ad on Facebook or Instagram highlighting what you've got going on the weekend of the event. This is an inexpensive way to target a certain demographic, and you can piggyback off of our social media marketing! When promoting the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour on social media our target audience matches one or all of the following characteristics and demographics:

Age: 23 ? 65+

Location: DE, MD, VA, DC, NJ, NY, PA

Interests: Cycling, Outdoor Recreation, Bicycle or Physical Activity,

Physical Fitness, Beach Vacation. Also take advantage of our hashtag, #oceantobay. When posting about your weekend specials or events, use #oceantobay to increase the likelihood that bike tour cyclists will see it.

All bike tour participants will have a bib. Offer them a promo when they come into your business with their bib! Think, free gift with purchase, 5% off, free dessert, $5 gift certificate... anything you can think of! It doesn't have to break the bank ? just a little extra incentive for them to come into your business.

Ask people to tag your business in a photo on social media for a chance to win a prize ? a gift certificate, free item, etc. Use the info above to promote the contest, as well as signage in your business or flyers around town. And don't forget to share the details with us so we can promote it too!

Having a sale, special, promotion, or event? Let us know!! We will include all the details on ? the main source of information for all cyclists.

Donate food items for rest stops, or donate items for door prize giveaways at the post party. A donation can get your name and logo in front of 2,500+ cyclists. To commit to a donation, fill out this form and return it to events@bethany- or contact Katina Dawson.

Each cyclist will have a $5 "Continue the Tour" Voucher attached to his or her bib. Businesses who agree to accept the voucher (without restrictions on items being purchased) in their business will receive a $3.50 reimbursement from the Chamber for every voucher collected throughout the Bike Tour weekend (April 26th ? 28th). Your business will be included in our Continue the Tour promotions and on the Continue the Tour Flyer. To sign up for the Continue the Tour program, fill out this form, and return it to events@bethany- or contact Katina Dawson.

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Consider welcoming cyclists to the area by changing signage marquee language if possible, or tailoring your window displays to attract the events demographic.

Have more ideas or need help brainstorming? That's what we're here for! Contact Katina Dawson to work out a fun and effective plan, or join us in at the April Membership Meeting for a chance to run some ideas past chamber staff and fellow members. The membership meeting will be followed up with a series of small group workshops to contiue to devleop on, and solidify marketing plans for the weekend of the Bike Tour. More details to follow.

SIGN UP FOR THE JOB FAIR!

Join us on Friday, March 22nd at Indian River High School to find full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees! The fair will be open from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm, with the first five and half hours being open to IRHS students only, then opening to the general public from 3:30 - 7:00 pm. Registration is free for Chamber members with a $100 refundable deposit required. Spaces are limited and available on a first come first served basis. Learn more, and sign up for booth space here.

POST ON THE CHAMBER'S ONLINE JOB BOARD

Can't make it to the job fair? Post your job openings on our online Job Board!

To post a job on the Chamber's online job board, you will need to login into you Member Information Center profile. If you do not have a login, contact Fred Thomas at membership@bethany-.

Once you have signed into your Member Information Center p rofile, follow these 4 easy steps to post a job!

REGISTER NOW!

Small Business. Big Support.

Visit for one-on-one help with starting or growing your business.

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George Products Middletown

DIVISION OF SMALL BUSINESS

J O I N U S s a t u r d a y , m a r c h 2 3 rd

FOR A ST. PATRICKS DAY CELEBRATION FROM 12PM - 3PM

when: Sat. March 23rd 12 - 3pm

Christopher Companies Chesapeake Model

whe r e : 39008 Seascape Court, Millville, DE & d e t a i l s : St. Patrick's Day celebration at Millville by the Sea

exclusively for the first 50 prospective purchasers that RSVP to Delaware@! Enjoy catered food & refreshments from Hooked Up and tour our model homes, including our newly-decorated cottage style home, the Roxana!

T A Ki NECYEONUT RI V CE HPARNI ZCEE SWOHNE EOlU! R

Available for new purchasers only and includes a variety of different new home incentives--including option upgrades, *closing cost assistance, and other lucky freebies! Available for a limited time only, so don't miss

out!

FOLLOW CHRISTOPHER COMPANIES ON FACEBOOK TO TRACK EVENT AVAILABILITY!

- MODEL HOME/SALES CENTER 39008 Seascape Court Millville DE 19967

(302) 539-2888 Delaware@

*Closing cost provided with use of preferred lender only. Incentive prizes available only to first 50 guests to RSVP. Limited to new contracts written after 3/23/19 -

3/31/2019.

Must

be

present

to

win.

Information pertaining to incentives, elevations, floorplans, availability and pricing are community sales manager for more details. ? Copyright Christopher Companies

subject 2019

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25 + YEARS

Delaware Wave

32 years

Kia, Margot - Associate 25 years Member

10 - 24 YEARS

Coastal Point

16 years

Creative Resource Group 19 years

Frankford Public Library 14 years

Mason Dixon VFW Post 18 years 7234

Miranda, Hardt & O'Leary 18 years Contracting

New Friends of the Fen- 10 years wick Island Lighthouse

Panagopoulos, Marilyn 16 years - Associate Member

Peninsula Community Church

12 years

Peninsula Dental

10 years

PNC Bank - Bayside

11 years

Resort Pointe Vacation 17 years Rentals

Schagrin Gas, Co.

17 years

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business Short's Marine

10 years 20 years

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber. Happy Anniversary!

St. Matthews By-the-Sea 12 years UMC

Sweet Disposition, Inc. 13 years

The Blue Crab of Bethany Beach

15 years

The Clayton Theatre

11 years

The Freeman Stage / Joshua M. Freeman Foundation

11 years

The Justin W. Jennings 11 years Foundation, Inc.

West Fenwick Car Wash 15 years

2 - 9 YEARS

Arrow Sanitary Service 3 years

Atlantic Elevator Services 4 years

Back Bay Tours

9 years

Bethany Beach Christian Church

3 years

Betterliving Sunrooms & 9 years Awnings

Bicycle Connection Bethany Beach

6 years

Blades HVAC Services, Inc. 8 years

Carpets & Renovations by 2 years the Ocean

Chad J. Toms, Esquire of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLC

2 years

Community Association 3 years Services

CraZy LadyZ!

7 years

Delaware Beach Book 9 years

Delaware Breast Cancer 7 years Coalition

Fairfax Mortgage Investments, Inc.

9 years

Hanna's Fitness

2 years

J. Wilgus Cars

3 years

La Vida Hospitality Group 2 years

M & M Computer Services, LLC

9 years

Ocean Vayu Yoga

3 years

Our Lady of Guadalupe 9 years Mission Church

Ryan Homes Delaware 6 years South Division

Sassy Cyclist

3 years

Steen's Beach Service 4 years

That Guy With A Broom 5 years

The Voice Radio Network 4 years

Traci's Treats

4 years

WSFS Bank - Selbyvile

1st ANNIVERSARY

3 years

Go Glass Joy, LLC

1 year

SWEETS & DESSERTS Bonkey's Ice Cream & Snoballs Bonnie Cunningham

35849 Atlantic Ave. Millville, DE 19967 (717)993-0739 bonkeysicecream@

MUSEUMS The Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art Shawna Kearsley

909 South Schumaker Dr. Salisbury MD 21801 (410)742-4988

RESTAURANTS Nori Sushi Bar & Grill Sophia Christian

11403 Coastal Hwy. Ocean City, MD 21842 (302)402-3077 sophiachristian@

ORGANIZING SERVICES Uncluttered Concepts LLC Roxane Brocato

37313 Hidden Bay Dr. West Fenwick, DE 19975 (703)307-1416 unclutteredconcepts@

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Refer a member for a chance to win free

memberhsip for one year!

Members named on memberhsip applications as the referring member will be entered to win a free Chamber membership for a year. A winner will be announced at the 2019 Membership Celebra-

tion in December.

CraZy LadyZ!

Business partners, Louise Reardon (L) and Jan Patterson (J) opened their clothing boutique, CraZy LadyZ!, fourteen years ago. With locations in Ocean View and West Ocean City, they have established connections and relationships with women all over Delmarva. They take pride in being able to give back to the community, and do so in numerous ways. The pair have been business partners for 27 years and best friends for 30 years. We talked with Jan and Louise to learn a little bit more about their business and what makes their jobs enjoyable.

Q: Tell us about your b usiness. L: CraZy LadyZ! is a women's clothing boutique. We have clothing and accessories. Our target audience is women in the range of 40+. We try to provide clothing that is a little bit different ? that you won't see other people wearing, it's a unique fun and funky look.

J: We carry clothing and accessories from XS to 3X, so we can accommodate women of all sizes. We are open year round and offer clothing, hats, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. We're noted for our fabulous accessories. We are for the boutique shopper ? those who want to look fashionably different.

Q: Why did you start your business? J: We wanted to create an environment for ladies that would serve as a gathering place; where women could come and feel very comfortable.

L: You'd be surprised at the number of people who walk in, even gentleman, and say its such a happy place.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a business owner? L: It's in contrast to working for someone else and working in a big city area. When we moved here we found that we could be part of the community. When you drive away and work some place else, you don't have that connection. So we have so many local women and customers who we've become friends with; and we can participate in so many community events, which is a really important thing to me.

J: When you're a business owner, there is a lot of pressure on you - you can control the business, but there is a lot of pressure. Our motto is "we're only as good as the last sale" or "we're only as good as the last customer that comes in." Our reputation is extremely important to us and feedback is extremely important to us. To continue to provide offerings that are unusual or different is a lot of pressure year after year. We hand-pick all the clothing in the store.

L: When we go to market to buy the clothing and accessories for the store, we're always thinking, "will people respond to this?" and you've got to be right within the ninetieth percentile, and you really want to keep your customers in mind and do what is best for them.

J: There are several different levels of owning a business.

There are some business owners who are silent ? you never see them and never know who they are. We are a very active part of the business because we care, and because hearing "thank you" from our customers is what makes us grin from ear-to-ear.

Q: What is your main role in the everyday operations of the business? J: I am responsible for all the buying, event planning, sales, marketing, merchandising, working on the floor. Louise is responsible for handling all the financial aspects. She is also actively involved with the customer, but we have very defined roles.

L: I always think of it as, Jan buys and I pay.

Q: What do you envision for the future of your business? J: One of the things we've recognized is the importance of a web presence.Our website is a accessories only site, and it takes a lot of work, but where we really want to strengthen ourselves is on the social media side.

Q: What education or experiences did you have that prepared you for owing a retail store? L: Because Jan and I had previous business experience and responsibilities for the financial side of business as well as marketing, when we took on a retail store we took it on as a business, not a side job ? it is our livelihood.

J: A majority of our ladies have been with us since we opened our doors. We truly run it as a business and take it seriously. On the customer side, we believe in treating every customer fairly and the same, and we truly believe they are all special.

L: I think we learned a lot of that because we had a long history of business before we began our retail store.

Q: How do you measure business success? J: For us it is measured in a number of ways; repeat customers, our numbers continue to grow, our reputation ? we enjoy giving back to the community. One of the things that always makes me smile is customers wanting to be a part of us and our events year after year.

Q: As 7 year Chamber member, why do you continue to renew your Chamber membership? J: We want to be part of the community. There's a tremendous amount of people that visit the chamber and it looks good to have our name in there ? and from a business point of view, anytime you can get your name out there, it is terrific.

Q: Why did you choose the name "CraZy LadyZ!"? J: Because there is a little bit of crazy in all of us!

To see all that CraZy LadyZ! Has to offer, visit them at 9 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View, or at .

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