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February Business News

February 8, 2010 in On the Fly | No comments

For 25 years, The Boulders has been giving back to the local community. But at the resort’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in January, giving back reached astounding heights with more than $61,000 raised for local charities. A check for $12,369 (each) was donated to Arizona MusicFest, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Southwest Wildlife, Desert Foothills Food Bank, and Desert Foothills Library. More: www.TheBoulders.com.

Scottsdale Airpark-based entrepreneur Jeff Trenk has introduced The Cycle Hitch, a product designed to eliminate the hassles of conventional bike towing; owners can load their bikes by themselves by driving up a small ramp, shifting into neutral, hooking on the straps and removing the ramp when the bike is secured. The Cycle Hitch, with headquarters at 8295 E. Raintree Drive, is set to be officially unveiled at the Power Sports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Feb. 12-15. The Cycle Hitch is engineered to fit with all brands and most models of motorcycles and is easily installed on any vehicle equipped with a receiver hitch. More: www.cyclehitch.com.

Schaefer & Associates, a commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm, has relocated its offices to 7621 E. Gray Road, Suite D. The firm has been headquartered in the Scottsdale Airpark since 1990, and this is its third Airpark location. Brokers Eric Schaefer, Don Schaefer and Jane Poucel have an aggregate of 60-plus years of experience and represent owners and tenants in the management, leasing, sale and purchase of commercial real estate throughout the Valley.

El Chorro Lodge, which celebrates its grand reopening Feb. 14, has two new managers, Kelley Cordova and Carmen Martinez. Cordova, a Scottsdale native, has more than 37 years in the food and beverage industry, including Marco Polo and Mountainside Office Bar and Grill. Martinez previously was manager of Mastro’s Ocean Club in Kierland Commons. More: www.elchorrolodge.com.

Scottsdale Airpark-based Go Daddy donated $500,000 to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Go Daddy’s philanthropic CEO and founder Bob Parsons initiated the move immediately after learning about the high magnitude earthquake in Haiti.

Julia Thorn was named the new marketing director for Eddie V’s Restaurant Group. She handles national and local marketing and advertising efforts for Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurants, Wildfish Seafood Grille restaurants and Roaring Fork restaurants in Arizona, California and Texas.

This year, Scottsdale-based PCA Skin celebrates its 20th year. Over the last two decades, the company evolved from a small Arizona business into a global organization serving physicians and clinicians in 60 countries. PCA Skin was the first to provide products to the medical aesthetics market for treating such skin conditions as acne, aging skin, sensitive skin and hyper-pigmentation.

As part of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Scottsdale at Troon North was honored as to be recognized among Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” This year marks the 13th consecutive year the brand has made the list.

StormSource Software, 13951 N. Scottsdale Road, a supplier of online appointment software, added 11 companies to its expanding list of Fortune 500 clients that utilize Appointment-Plus, its online scheduling software. New clients include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Infiniti, and Mercy Care. StormSource Software supplies over 3,500 clients throughout the world and is geared primarily toward smaller operations such as doctors’ offices, salons and health clubs. More: www.appointment-plus.com.

Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountain Ranch Park and Aquatic Center was recently voted “Best Public Pool” by New Times magazine’s annual “Best Of” series for 2009. The aquatic center boasts a 13-lane lap pool, 250-foot inner tube water slide, play pool, splash pad, and a 600-foot “lazy river.”

V’s Barbershop, with locales at Kierland Commons and The Shade at Desert Ridge, has announced two new franchise locations outside the Phoenix market. The original barbershop concept with today’s modern amenities will open new locations in Houston, and Bellingham, Wash., in the first quarter of 2010. The company was recently named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of leading franchise categories poised for growth in 2010.

Fire Captain Sasha Weller was named the 2010 recipient of the Herbert R. Drinkwater Award, and the Police School Resource Officers Unit was named the recipient of the Bill Donaldson Award at the city of Scottsdale’s annual employees award ceremony.

CATZ-Chandler has opened a second location in the Airpark. The 14,000-square-foot facility at 7400 E. Tierra Buena Lane offers the same services that made its East Valley locale a hit: physical therapy; performance training; “Completely Active Kids Fitness”: and adult fitness. More: www.catzsports.com.

Elite Repeat Consignment moved to a new location within the Pima Crossing Shopping center, next door to Stein Mart at 8664 E. Shea Blvd. The store moved to be closer to higher-traffic stores such as E & J’s Designer Shoe Outlet, said Margie Sawyer of Elite. Brands featured in the store include Robb & Stucky, Ethan Allen, Thomasville, Chanel, Gucci, Chico’s, Misook and True Religion. More: eliterepeatconsign@yahoo.com.

Scottsdale Leadership, a nonprofit leadership development program, has hired Rachel Brockway as its marketing and resource development manager. In her new position, Brockway will be responsible for marketing, social media, public relations and resource development. She also will assist volunteer committees in the planning and execution of events.

First International Bank & Trust turned 100 years old this year and reached $1 billion in total assets a few weeks ago. The bank has an Airpark locale at 7900 E. Raintree Drive. More: www.firstintlbank.com.

Gabrielle Roeckelein, ASID, has joined Robb & Stucky Design Studio, 15440 N. Scottsdale Road. She is experienced in residential and commercial interior design, as well as management, marketing and building specifications for multimillion -dollar corporations.

Beth Burnett has joined the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce marketing and communications team. Burnett will work closely with chamber staff and volunteer committees to develop and market the organization’s educational programming, business services and networking events.

After two years, Scottsdale Bakery and Cupcake Co. recently closed its doors at the Northsight Village shopping Center in the Scottsdale Airpark. In an interview with AZCentral.com, owner Liz Rowenhorst cited problems with the landlord, saying he would not cut the rent and failed to retain tenants or attract new ones to a half-full shopping center.
ACF Property Management, of Studio City, Calif., manages the property and SR Commercial Real Estate is handling new-tenant leasing, according to the article. A spokesman said the vacancy rate is due to the poor economy. The bakery is still taking orders online at www.scottsdalebakeryandcupcakes.com.

Market Street at DC Ranch is the site of two new eateries: Cajun-accented Beauregard Food Co. and Krispy Kreme, both operated by Dan Brinton.

Bob Nanberg

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale welcomes new board members: Tom Hoecker – Partner, Snell & Wilmer; Rozlyn Lipsey – President, Jokake Construction; Bob Nanberg – Owner/Partner, Team Shop Premiums; Franco Calabrese – RE Development Manager, Foursite Consulting.

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Free Editorial Coverage: Spring on It!

–Posted by Editor Kimberly Hundley (follow me on Twitter @AirparkNews)

Fellow Airparkers:

Do you have the perfect spring product, service or special for our readers?

If your business is in the North Scottsdale/Greater Airpark area, the Scottsdale Airpark News is interested in featuring your offering in our March issue. We will feature a spring-fling roundup: think Spring Training, March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break and spring cleaning!

NOTE: DEADLINE IS 9 a.m. FEB. 12

To be considered for free editorial, send a blurb under 250 words with an optional high-resolution photo to editor@scottsdaleairpark.com. Or you can just complete the survey below and e-mail it to me. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for updates: @AirparkNews.

SURVEY

Name of Business:

Contact person and title:

Address, phone and website:

Spring/March product/service/offer (include pricing and a brief description):

PHOTOS ARE WELCOME: If you have a high-resolution image to accompany your information, please send it along as an attachment. Photos must be 300 dpi and can be as large as 5MB.

February 6, 2010 | No comments

City, NSCC & Mayor Talk Airpark, Dec. 10

November 23, 2009 in Uncategorized | No comments

Greater Airpark History, Economy Topic for December Mayor and City Council Breakfast
The public is invited to learn about the Greater Airpark area and its history at the upcoming Mayor and City Council Breakfast.
The event will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Scottsdale Quarter, 15169 N. Scottsdale Road, fourth floor. Coffee and juice will be provided.
The event will feature remarks from Mayor Jim Lane, Councilman Robert Littlefield, and North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Representatives Jason Bressler and Tom Lakatos who will speak about retail economics. In addition, city staff members Dave Meinhart will talk about the Airpark Transportation Plan and Harold Stewart will discuss business signage.
As part of the 2011 General Plan Update, the city is reviewing the Greater Airpark Community Area Plan. Half of the six phases have been completed. The current stage, expected to be done in February, includes revising the draft plan based on public input. For more information about the plan, visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/planning/areaplans/GreaterAirparkCAP.asp.
The breakfast program is free and open to the public. RSVPs are not necessary. For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office at (480) 312-2433.

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–Posted by Editor Kimberly Hundley

This is great news for the Airpark! An ASU master’s business program, geared to professionals who want to attend school at night, now has a permanent home in North Scottsdale. In recent years, ASU offered classes at three roving NoSco sites, but this is the MBA program’s first permanent site in the area–and it’s smack in the Airpark.

For those who might be scratching their head about where Hartford Drive is, it’s that street off Perimeter between Bell & Princess, near the Princess Cafe. Here’s a map.

It looks like classes won’t begin here for new students until the August ‘10 semester. I’ll post more info later this week. Until then, here is the official press release:

Scottsdale officials are welcoming news that Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business will bring its highly rated part-time MBA program to a location convenient to the Scottsdale Airpark, 8355 E. Hartford Drive.

The school will introduce the new location, at the northeast corner of Bell Road and 82nd Street, during an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

“This is a great location, easily accessible to the Scottsdale Airpark, one of the largest and most sought-after employment centers in the state,” said Mayor W. J. “Jim” Lane. “We made it a priority to assist ASU with this new location because a highly skilled and educated workforce is one of the primary reasons Scottsdale is an attractive city for employers.”

To help the school locate in Scottsdale, staff from the Economic Vitality and the Planning, Neighborhoods and Transportation divisions worked together to speed review and guide the project through the city’s processes.

“Scottsdale is one of the favored locations for start-up companies and for solid, medium-size businesses,” said Harold Stewart, executive director of the city’s Economic Vitality Division. “The convenience of a highly ranked master’s program in business fits well with the city’s efforts to help maintain an economically vital community for the long term. It is one more key asset in our program to recruit new businesses and retain those already here.”

The school offers one of the best part-time MBA programs in the country, with an evening MBA program ranked “Top 25″ in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

“We’ve had a presence in Scottsdale for several years, but we’re making it permanent with our new facility,” said W. P. Carey School of Business Dean Robert Mittelstaedt.

“Scottsdale has been one of our most popular locations, so we found a great space that will be convenient for those working and living in the East Valley,” said Beth Walker, associate dean of the W. P. Carey MBA program.

“This new facility offers four fully equipped team rooms, wireless network access throughout the entire suite, LCD displays, interactive monitors and easy access to the 101 freeway.”

The 21-month W. P. Carey evening MBA program offers a high-caliber core business curriculum, with the ability to specialize in several areas of emphasis, including finance, health care management, international business, marketing and supply chain management.

A popular 18-month evening accelerated version is also offered at the Tempe campus, with the next class starting in February. In both cases, students meet just two nights per week, allowing them to fit their MBA programs into their busy work and home lives.

[Editor's Note: This link should save you a little time. It appears to be the one with info on the MBA evening option at the Airpark locale, noting an August start date.]

November 1, 2009 | No comments

Council to Weigh Heavier Jets, Airpark Community Plan Released, more News & Tweets

September 29, 2009 in On the Fly | No comments

-Posted by Editor Kimberly Hundley

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @AIRPARKNEWS

Signing up for Twitter takes less than a minute. Try it! And tweet us your North Scottsdale news!

For those of you not on Twitter, here are the quickie micro blogs we sent to our 580 followers in recent days. Even if you are on Twitter, it’s difficult to  keep up with the twavalanche of info. Here’s a recap of our newsiest bites with links:

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Calistro, Dei-zinz, Sushi & More Sept. Tweets

September 10, 2009 in On the Fly | No comments

-Posted by Editor Kimberly Hundley

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @AIRPARKNEWS

For those of you not on Twitter, here are the quickie micro blogs we sent to our 550 followers so far in September. Even if you are on Twitter, it’s difficult to  keep up with all those tweets swimming in the news stweam, so here they are on their lonesome.

Signing up for Twitter takes less than a minute. Try it! And tweet us your North Scottsdale news!

  • Has anybody checked out those Green Chamber of Commerce events? Next one is at Sctsdl Hyatt Sept. 17.about 12 hours ago from TweetDeck
  • Airpark Ring Road: Would you give city access to go through your property?1:09 PM Sep 9th from web
  • One of my favorite parts of city’s Airpark plan preview: a grand entrance on Raintree that says “Ur in the Airpark!” But what should it be?10:23 AM Sep 8th from web
  • Put this on your calendar, Airparkers: $25 flu shot @ 16101 N. 82nd St., Ste. A8, 480-323-1880, by Scottsdale Healthcare. Weekdays from 9/1410:15 AM Sep 8th from web
  • FYI, Sushi Brokers is doing happy hour all day & night thru Sept. 9. Why? Construction is over! FLW & Scottsdale Road.11:22 AM Sep 4th from web
  • What will they feed us at chamber’s 1st Friday Breakfast at Scottsdale Airport tomorrow? Sneak peek of Airpark Community plan.9:01 AM Sep 3rd from TweetDeck
  • Tip to PR and marketing people: Plz, plz don’t send info in a PDF format. Requires opening a program & can rarely be cut or pasted.4:40 PM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck
  • Old Tapino’s locale to be “Como’s,” a mom-and-pop Italian eatery. Owner Ralph just moved here from Texas. Might open in Oct.11:30 AM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

  • What’s your fave Airpark place to shop, eat, and get an oil change? Share your TOP PROPS with us at scottsdaleairpark.com.3:55 PM Aug 31st from web
  • New issue of Scottsdale Airpark News starts hitting the streets today. And, no, we didn’t Photoshop our cover guy. He’s genuinely airborne.8:51 AM Aug 31st from TweetDeck

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My Invisible Blogging Friends

August 10, 2009 in Offical Launch Into Social Media | No comments

Day 2, Editor’s Log: Official Launch into Social Media, by Kimberly Hundley (Twitter @AirparkNews)

She’s finally going there. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Grab the Dramamine.k

I’ve already violated the big fat golden rule of the blog: Thou shalt inflict thy views on readers each and every day, however imaginary those readers may be.

Ah, got that one out of the way. I’ve been busy, I swear. That’s what all the rule-breaking bloggers say, and we are legion. I read that the silver tenet is to never apologize or to acknowledge a fail to regularly post. Ahhh, got that one out of the way too. (Notice my use of the verb “fail” as a noun. It’s the newest thing. I read about in the NYT so it must be true.)

Marketing No How

As to the problem of having no readers, I’ve been noodling it. You’d think I would have unveiled the blog in SAN’s August print edition with a “house” ad or prominent announcement, or even an article to drive hapless victims here. In fact, that was the plan, but I had to sacrifice my reserved space just two hours before press.

What about plugs on the SAN website? Our website redesign process just started, and the new version won’t launch until October. In the meantime, making template changes is like straddling the back of a blimp and trying to guide it with our bony little knees. A blimp whisperer I am not.

Our website, mephorically.
Our website, metaphorically.

Email blasts? Not an option at this time either. Our Go Daddy account limits us to 30 emails a day per blast or something, as I’m told. I admit I don’t completely understand this, and I don’t have time to understand it. Only to mourn it.

Most people don’t have a long-established company website, though, and they sure don’t have free access to thousands of magazines flooding their target market. So what do they do to build blog readership? I DONT KNOW! (Question: Are all caps ever not horrible?)

Yes, Wordpress allows its bloggers to easily add “tag words” as flags for search-engines. But I’m not pitching a specific product or expertise. I’m sharing an embarrassing foray into social media in hopes of starting a dialogue with the Greater Airpark. Tags such as Scottsdale and social media are too generic. And I’m entirely unsure about whether two-word tags such as “Scottsdale business” translate or if they get divided and watered down.

I did manage this much: a blog link in my email signature! Since I whip out dozens of emails per day, most of which are to Airparkers, that’s a valid way to hit my target audience. Here it is:

JUST LAUNCHED: Editor’s Blog on Plunge Into Social Media
“It’s gonna be a bumpy ride”

What do you think? Simply resistible? Hey, I’m open to suggestions. I have no idea if  a single curious soul had read this blog, because I can’t find tracking information on Wordpress. When I experimented with Wordpress a year ago, I was able to see how many views the blog received on any given day and what search terms or referring websites brought them there. That analytical tool doesn’t appear to be available for new blogs, though it’s still on my old, experimental one. Frustrating.

See for yourself and start a blog here: Wordpress.com. Don’t be nervous. It’s free, no one will read it,  and you can legally abandon it 20 minutes later.

Once I have a few more posts, I’ll tweet about the blog. But since I’m mainly trying to reach business people who aren’t yet on Twitter, that’s like whistling down a hole. Eventually, I’ll invite guest writers with robust blogs and LinkedIn networks. That’s the plan.

Public Dunking

I need a lot of guidance and answers. Resources are everywhere. Right now, though, I’m thrashing around on my lonesome. I want to think hard about the questions and challenges of social media, and discover them organically … and make public mistakes. Just like a lot of people. Honestly, it’s easy to feel discouraged. The ocean of info on social media and all its changing applications is overwhelming, especially when you’re still standing on the shore in a sarong.

By the way, I heard great things about the Scottsdale Chamber’s four-part tutorial on “Social Media Training: Define Your Social Strategy.” Participants were so jazzed they’ve continued to meet on their own to share ideas and their progress. The chamber is offering another one, Friday mornings, starting Sept. 18. Enrollment is $250 and attendance is limited to 20. If I don’t register I know I’ll regret it. This one will sell out fast.

Finally, this blog is horribly long—a clear a violation of the bronze rule: Thou shalt not wag thy webbed tongue endlessly. I’ve achieved a trifecta of fail. Not bad.

Cupcakes frosted with tweets, anyone?
Cupcakes frosted with tweets, anyone?

LATER THIS WEEK: Tweet update sweetened with irritation! Have you noticed how nearly everybody on Twitter is so polite? It’s Stepford Wives eerie. Sign up here to check it out.

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Creaking Into Social Media

August 3, 2009 in Offical Launch Into Social Media | No comments

Day 1, Editor’s Log: Official Launch into Social Media, by Kimberly Hundley (Twitter @AirparkNews)

She’s finally going there. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride, but you’re invited to come along–for amusement purposes, if nothing else.

OK, I admit I was skeptical of Twitter. Way skeptical. Who needs hourly updates on what some loser is eating or watching on TV, and why would I want to share my own loser activities with the world?

Yep, six weeks ago, I was pretty self-righteous and snooty about this latest social media “fad.” But after taking the plunge, I’ve become something of a Twitter critter and I truly believe in the instant micro-blogging service’s ability to enhance business and make valuable contacts.

Hold that nose wrinkle. You might be the next convert eating your twords. Get it? We “tweeple” on Twitter like to make up words that start with “tw.” Since I just gave you the worst example ever, you have nowhere to go but up in this area.

Tweeting for Dollars

My own tweet engines were ignited by an article forwarded to me by Airpark sales exec Lee DeLuca: “8 Tips for Using Twitter for Your Business,” by Monte Enbysk, senior editor at Microsoft Office Live.

Read that article right now! Print it out. Bookmark it. Three weeks before Amazon bought Zappos for a gazillion dollars, I was reading Monte’s report on how Twitter had transformed the online shoe and clothing retailer’s business.

That should catch your attention. It did mine.

One thing I’ve learned for sure about researching social media is that it’s addictive and, if you aren’t careful, a time sucker. There is so much information out there, it’s overwhelming. I’m finding myself jumping from online article to article, to this tweet then that tweeter’s profile, and on to this blog and to a link in the comments, until I barely remember where I started.

In a month’s time—the planned length of this blogging experiment—I’ll be curious to see where the Airpark News and I will be with social media. We’ll see if I can even keep up with the blogging.

Double Dog Dare

I challenge you to start a private Twitter account today, just like I did, and start exploring the medium. It only takes 3 minutes to get going.

Also read our August SAN issue, which has some great social media insight from LOCAL experts and LOCAL businesses. What can I say? I’m loco for local.

Next up

Tomorrow, I’m going to Twitter the 464 people following our AirparkNews address this announcement about the August issue:

“We have a green girl on our cover. Know her?”

I’ll let you know what response we get.

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