Thursday, May 31, 2012

Charming, Thank you!

Thank you to all the businesses and organizations that are making the "Be Charmed, Shop Local," program so much fun and a great success.  Last Saturday at Farmers' Market I was really impressed with some collectors that already had most of the 48 piece charm set.  I currently have 12 in my collection but have to replace one I gave away this morning, a cute small burger from "Best Burger".  However, my plan in giving that one away was that I would need to make the trip down to see John at Best Burger and buy a "Ranger Burger".  He is donating the proceeds to the USS Ranger project and pick up a replacement charm.  Another real cute charm is a little carrot that can be purchased at Twisted Carrot Restaurant on the corner of Kelly and 8th.  While you are there, have one of their Special Spinach Salads with the to die for dressing that is customer made.

Thank you to the Outlook for running the story Wednesday in the Business Section on the Charm bracelet program.  Yes we get lots of electronic communication, but there is nothing  like the newsprint in hand to generate some local enthusiasm.

Thank you to Jessica Reid who brought the charming idea to our "Try Local First" meeting.  It takes just one person to make a difference in our community because of her willingness to volunteer and share ideas she had seen help businesses in other cities, our community is better and economically stronger too!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Parade Thank You

Bess,

I wanted to express my appreciation for all that you do and your continued support of the East Portland Chamber of Commerce through your donation of vehicles for this parade.  We had a wonderful time and Gresham Ford was well represented and noticed by the participants and spectators!

Thanks Again.

Richard Sorem
Senior Agent
Rose City Associates

Email: Your Support

Gresham Ford's Contribute to the Community Program
Below is an e-mail we recently received.

Dear Bess,

I'd like to join Judy Leach and others with the East Portland Chamber to express our thanks for your generosity and support of our chamber's entry in the 82nd Avenue Roses Parade.  You are always so supportive of these types of events: no one ever put up more or contributes more than Gresham Ford.

Thank you for the leadership and example you consistently give to Gresham and East County.  The world is always a better place wherever Gresham Ford is involved.

Well done, again, Bess!

Crismon




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Friday, May 4, 2012

Charmed in Gresham Oregon

Start your charm collection today with a treasure hunt in East County!  As I told you last week the Try Local First Coalition has been working on a project that will be fun for consumers and at the same time provide foot traffic to local businesses, professional services, and local events.  It all begins with purchasing a Charm Bracket for only $5 at one of these three locations:

Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce 
701 NE Hood Avenue
503-665-1131

Cafe Delirium
308 North Main Avenue

Drake's 7 Dees Garden Center
16519 SE Stark Street

You can also purchase a bracelet for Mothers Day at the first Gresham Farmers Market of the season next Saturday from 8:30am to 2:00pm at the Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association booth.  Then you can purchase charms (no more than $2 each) from a variety of local businesses and at the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce.  So get a bracelet and start collecting! What a fun thing to do with your kids.  Visit a business you have never been to or one you have not gone to in a long time.  Other communities have had great success with this program and it is already taking off in Gresham.  What can be more fun than supporting your community!

Here are ten more businesses that are participating.....

Cafe Delirium
C.P. Trips (can be purchased at the Chamber Office)
Creative Visions Landscape
Drake's 7 Dees Garden Center
DuBois Salon
Elegantly Funky
Epidavros Center for Well Being
Garrision Marketing Solutions
GlamDog Portraits

Visit any of these locations and they will have a brochure listing all the locations to purchase a charm or bracelet.  So what is stopping you Go and start your collection now!!!

Bess Wills
General Manager
Gresham Ford
Direct 503-665-0102

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

ROAR

What: "ROAR" (Respected Optimistic, Accomplished, Riverview for Women) is a group of effective women who connect to offer support, education, mentoring and sharing professional experiences to enhance the success of each other's business.

When: The next ROAR event will be held Tuesday April 24th 4-6pm at Spaghetti Factory in Clackamas Oregon.

Who:  Female business owners, sales representatives, and others who would benefit from a networking event of other professional women.

How:  Interested?  Attendees must RSVP to ROAR@RiverviewBank.com.  Seating is limited.  Cost:  FREE  Appetizers and beverages are provided.  This event will include dynamic "ROAR Speed Networking" session utilizing the principles from information provided by business coach Sue Piazza and Little Miracles, "A Journey to Financial Freedom" author Melvin Kaufmann.

Hot Tips:  From the Networking Advice in the "Little Miracles" book:

  • Be early, stay late
  • Pick your people, pick your destiny
  • Squander time, squander money
  • Networking makes selling obsolete
  • Fear is a habit
  • Be a dream-maker, not a dream-taker
See you there

~Bess Wills
General Manager
Gresham Ford
1940 East Powell Blvd.
Gresham Or 97080
Direct:  503-665-0102
Store:   503-665-0101