Do you remember that song from years ago by the Steve Miller Band that had the lyrics…”time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking…into the future”? Well, the time has come and the clock has finally started ticking and the end is actually in sight; and by that I am talking about the N MJ Road Widening Project. The projected completion date is October 31, 2011…only 791 days away. And while each passing day will get us closer to the completion, there are most assuredly going to be some painful days between now and then.

2009 Board of Directors Jason Loggins, WB&T 2009 Board Chair Tracey Trumphour Cumberland Title Chair-Elect Linda Salts-Nelson Stallings Real Estate & Auction Immediate Past Chair Judy White Pinnacle Financial Partners Treasurer Alan Hayes, CPA Butch Depp TDS Telecom Chris Taylor Two Rivers Ford Denise Scalf Punch Promotional Products Dr. Craig Goff Cook’s United Methodist Jackie Heatherly Executive Title Jeff Perry Belk, Inc. Jennifer Woodfin Crigital Media Jim Mills University Medical Center Lisia Tucker AquaBella Day Spa Luke Winchester First Freedom Bank Tina Hutsenpiller Hutsenpiller Insurance Mt. Juliet  / West Wilson County Chamber of Commerce 758-3478 46 West Caldwell Street Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 http://www.mtjulietchamber.com/

791 Days and Counting… Do you remember that song from years ago by the Steve Miller Band that had the lyrics…”time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking…into the future”? Well, the time has come and the clock has finally started ticking and the end is actually in sight; and by that I am talking about the N MJ Road Widening Project. The projected completion date is October 31, 2011…only 791 days away. And while each passing day will get us closer to the completion, there are most assuredly going to be some painful days between now and then.   Read more...  e-NEWS Featured Articles 1.     Upcoming Events - Click Here 2.     New Members - Click Here 3.     Ambassadors - Click Here 4.     Chairman's Chat - Click Here 5.     Ribbon Cutting - Click Here Business Spotlight: At Wilson Bank & Trust, we’ve worked hard to establish a unique position in the world of financial services. As an independent, community-based bank, we always strive to provide friendly, professional, personal service from a caring staff. We’re committed to maintaining a hometown atmosphere in each of our neighborhood offices, and to being an active and integral part of each community we serve. At the same time, we’ve also sought to provide a comprehensive assortment of financial services, and to use growth to our advantage. Considerable resources allow us to offer more options than you’d ever expect from a neighborhood bank, and we’ve been able to continually make things easier and more convenient for our customers. Our approach has been a welcome presence in markets large and small throughout Middle Tennessee, and it’s made us one of the top banks in the South in terms of stability, products, technology, growth and earnings. Whether you prefer to do business in person or online, and whether you only require everyday banking services or could also use help with loans, investments or insurance, we have just the combination of financial solutions and personal service to meet your individual needs. We look forward to helping you any way we can! Chamber Golf Tournament September 17, 2009 Pine Creek Golf Club 1:30pm shotgun start Del Webb Tournament begins at 8:00am Please join us for our annual Golf Tourney Business After Hours on Thursday, September 10 at First Freedom Bank (Providence). This event is from 5:00-7:00 and will include great food and drinks, a silent auction and much more! Title Sponsors: Host Sponsor: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Presenting Sponsors: Civil Site Design Group, PLLC Horizon Land Title, Inc. TDS Telecom University Medical Center Wilson Bank & Trust

Wal-Mart Hiring 350 Employees

Walmart is now hiring approximately 350 people (all positions, part-time and full-time) for the new Mt. Juliet store slated to open in late October. Applications are being accepted at 2026 North Mt Juliet Road Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am - 12:00pm. You may also apply online at walmart.com/apply. Contact the local Walmart hiring representatives at (615) 773-7114.

Home Based Business Council Invites YOU to Lunch

The HBBC would like to invite everyone to join them for lunch on Friday, September 25 at the Chamber of Commerce between 11:30 and 1:00. They will be cooking hot dogs on the grill and will have drinks, chips, and all of the fixings as well. Feel free to bring a friend and stop by for food, fun, and fellowship. We will have some tents set up on the parking lot and invite you to come and meet many of our local businesses that you might not yet know.

The Chamber of Commerce recognizes that as a HBB, customers are not as likely to just stop by and check out their goods and services since the absence of a store front makes that difficult. As part of our efforts to provide exposure for them, this event is simply a chance for everyone to get to know each other and have fun at the same time.

No RSVP is needed; we will cook until we run out of customers or hot dogs, whichever comes first. With the new parking lot next door, we have plenty of parking so mark your calendars. In the unlikely event that we need to re-schedule due to inclement weather, the rain date for the cookout is the following Friday, October 2. Feel free to call the office in the morning if the weather is uncertain for an update.

New Business Packet Information

Many Chamber Members use the Chamber of Commerce as a way to introduce their products and services to new businesses and we would like to offer you the opportunity to join those members already using this service. If you have information about how a new business can use your products and services, which you would like for the Chamber to provide to these new businesses, please drop them by the office with a note to forward those items to Mark. New businesses regularly make the Chamber one of their first stops early on in the process and we would like to provide them with as much information as possible. Items of interest can include information regarding such things from design-build and business brokering services, to marketing opportunities, available office or mixed use space for lease, construction build-out services, office supplies, credit card processing, and many other services. Please bring between 20 and 30 by the Chamber Office to start with, and as more are needed, we can let you know.

CHAMBER NIGHT AT BELK FEATURING HOME-BASED BUSINESSES

  
David Hayes, CPF



Hilda Kirby with A Savory Table Personal Chef Services


Jennie Hibler with Active Entertainment, George Wallace with AdzZoo and Jennifer Woodfin with Crigital Media

Upcoming Events

HP Color Laser Printer for Sale

If you are interested in a used HP Color Laser Printer, please stop by the Chamber of Commerce and take a look at the one we have for sale! We have combined our color printing at the office and ended up with this piece of equipment we can no longer use. It will of course come with all of the manuals, drums, cables, etc. It is like brand new and Anita has taken very good care of it. Stop by or call if you are interested.

Ambassador Spotlight: Tim Clark- Financial Advisor

New Investors

Community “Virtual” Tour

Want to see something really exciting? Check out the Chamber Website and click on the “Virtual” Tour. This is a new feature and something that is continuing to grow and get attention. Using the latest video technology and working with local businesses and sponsors, Greg Hosler and his team at Video Options have made this available to anyone in the Chamber. You can post a virtual tour of your business; you can sponsor a park, a church, or other points of interest in the community. We are currently seeking a sponsor for the Music City Star. Of course by having your business featured as the sponsor and direct links to your business, this has the potential to be a very low-cost way to market your business. Take a minute and see what the buzz is all about!

 Chairman's Chat

DEAL OF A LIFETIME!!!

Need to get away? Still feel the ill effects of summer vacation without Mickey and Goofy?  Tired of the government throwing up a stimulant laden protein shake full of clunkers, health care reform and bailouts on you??Need cash for your gold? Ok, we can’t help you with the gold….But, we can tell you that WE HAVE A DEAL FOR YOU!!!!

For the low, low price of $600, you and 3 friends can enjoy a getaway at palatial Pine Creek Golf Course on Sept 17. That’s right! Only $600! You and your friends will be whisked away for 5plus hours to experience a wonderful golf outing at the world renown Chamber Golf Classic. You will also enjoy a goodie bag loaded with hand crafted items donated by local merchants from the village of Mt. Juliet. Relax at the clubhouse while you savor a complementary roasted pig, prepared by world famous Chef Houston. Free drinks will flow as you partake in the putting contest, range balls and two free mulligans! You and your friends can enjoy this life changing experience for only $600. Yes. Only $600!!!!! But, you need to sign up today! 

This offer is good for a limited time. Due to the overwhelming response, we only have room for 36 teams! (Offer valid for chamber members and anyone that can hold a golf club. Additional fee may be applied for lunch with chamber president). CALL TODAY!!! 758-3478

Visit InsideOut Construction Co., Inc.

  The Chamber Chick: Cooking by the Seat of Your Pants

My daughter Lindsay recently loaded up a U-Haul and left for her sophomore year at UT Knoxville. After having enough of life in the dorm, she and two friends have rented a condo for the next year. The day before she packed the truck, she reminded me that since she’ll be living on her own with a real kitchen, I needed to compile a cookbook with our favorite family recipes. I told her I would definitely do that, but it would take some time to gather/copy everything. She commented that she could probably make the bow tie pasta recipe, saying…“I mean you just sauté some spinach then throw in some tomatoes and Alfredo sauce and put it on the pasta, right?” 

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Be sure to join us for our Women in Business Luncheon on Tuesday, November 3 @ Rutland Place from 11:15am-12:30pm. Our Guest Speaker is first lady Andrea Conte.

Pre-payment is required to hold your reservation! Simply go to http://www.mtjulietchamber.com/ and click on "Pay Here." If you do not already have a log-in and password, you will complete your profile during the check-out process. Be sure to contact the office at 758-3478 if you have any questions.

REINVESTORS

Advanced Home Inspection
AquaBella Day Spa & Hair Studio
Countryside Animal Hospital
Encore Theatre Company
FirstBank
Hayes, Alan CPA
Joy Church International
Life Assembly
Mt. Juliet Commons
Mt. Juliet Endodontics
Mt. Juliet High School
Pathway Insurance Services
Primerica Financial Services, Lesa Fletcher & Linda Harper
Sportswear Promotions, Inc.
The Bank of Nashville
Two Rivers Ford, Inc.

NEWS FROM KEN MARTIN, CITY OF MT. JULIET

Economic Preparation and Planning During Road Construction Projects 

The economy and our spending habits are affected by many things. Construction and heavy traffic are issues that affect when and where we shop, visit and spend. Other issues are crime the weather and the overall appeal and comfort of where and when we shop.

With the widening of North Mt. Juliet Road over the next two years we will need to plan our travel and shopping accordingly. As we all know, with any major road construction so will come the orange barrels, increased traffic, gravel and dust. However, these fine businesses along this stretch of road will need our patronage more than ever. A two year construction project is sure to create some issues with getting around. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has assured us that they will do all that they can to make this construction project as comfortable and pleasant as possible. And so will the City of Mt. Juliet.

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Business, from a Dog’s Perspective…

Business really should be easier than it is.  Perhaps if we took our cues from the pups in our life, we’d see that it’s really not that hard afterall.  I’ll share a few things that have helped me stay focused on keeping business simple!
Sales – it’s all about negotiation.  My dog wants a treat…  I want him to behave.  “Sit and stay,” I say.  He does, he gets a cookie.  Eventually, we graduate to “Sit and stay.”  He does and I tell him he’s a good dog.  In business…  “Mr. Customer, won’t you buy my service and I’ll give you this wonderful item?”  And, after they’ve continued to purchase, the reward becomes appreciation and intangible items rather than stuff.

Operations – I learned recently that a happy and well-behaved dog is achieved by giving them exercise, discipline and affection – in that order.  If I demonstrate the behavior I want to see, manage it within guidelines, then reward when the proper behavior is executed…  my operations run smoothly.

Accounting- no matter how many biscuits I say I have – he always knows there is one more in my pocket!  Always know your critical numbers!  Know what indicates that your business is healthy as well as what tells you it’s sick.

Customer Retention – To retain a customer is much like “retaining a pet”…  Feed them, exercise them, discipline them, talk to them, reward them…  it’s a process.  If you’re not paying attention to them, they will find someone who does – and, so will your customers.

Business Philosophy – the philosophy of a dog is simple – get as much lovin’ and food as possible everyday!  Business is really the same…it’s all about how much appreciate your internal and external customers and what you feed them (or the knowledge you give).  After all, garbage in makes for garbage out – so feed your employees, customers and partners that “high-quality food”.

Research & Development – no matter how perfect you think it is – there is always room for improvement!  Whether learning a new trick or perfecting the art of securing a belly rub…  Processes can improve, products can improve and so can service offerings.  Constantly evaluate the “tricks” of your trade.

I hope you chuckled a little, but most importantly, I hope it causes you to say “aha”…  we could all use more “aha” moments in life!  Just like we could all use more dogs in our life…  here’s wishing you sloppy, wet puppy kisses and customers as loyal as a big brown dog!

Get an extra bang for your buck with Newsletter AND web site ads!

When you purchase an ad in our Networking News newsletter, you now get the added bonus of placing the same ad on the Chamber website FREE of charge! The web ads will run for 30 days. The charge for a newsletter ad and a FREE web ad is $75. For more info, contact Anita at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 758-3478.

Chamber Ribbon Cuttings 

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New Member Incentives or Introductory Offers

If you or your business uses any type of “Introductory” or “New Customer” discounts or would otherwise wish to offer a special incentive to those new businesses which join the Chamber of Commerce, please call or email Mark. This may be something that you already offer to other new customers or may even be currently advertising in other media outlets and this may simply be used to enhance those marketing efforts. If you are interested specifically in marketing to those businesses which are new to the Chamber of Commerce, let us help you design a program which is mutually beneficial. When a business joins the Chamber of Commerce, we strongly encourage them to support other members and likewise hope those businesses in the Chamber will welcome them to the Chamber in return. New members tell us that one of the main reasons they are joining is so that they can meet new people and develop new business relationships. By providing a new Chamber Member with information about your business and why they need to call or visit you ASAP, you are enhancing the chance of working together for the benefit of both. Just imagine a new member looking thru their new member packet and seeing a personal invitation from you for them to call or visit your business; be creative and let them know you want to meet them soon. Call or email Mark if you have any questions or need more information.