This week in BiS:
• ACE Hardware on Wilmington Island is the only ACE franchise store in Savannah and the only hardware store for residents of Wilmington, Talahi, Whitemarsh, Oatland and Tybee islands, but owner Randy West says the store also get customers from Hilton Head, Effingham County and Richmond Hill.
• Sam McCatchern, the senior vice president at Thomas & Hutton Engineering, will chair this year’s United Way fund drive. He says Thomas & Hutton has a long history with United Way and he “firmly believes that we are taught to give back. … United Way is a way to give back.”
• John and Rosemary Christensen have owned Critter Control of Savannah for more than 13 years. John was working at a seafood market when he visited his brother who was in the ‘critter control’ business and decided to give it a try.
• Luke Pittaway, with the Center for Entrepreneurial Learning and Leadership at Georgia Southern, discusses whether ‘pop-up stores’ that temporarily take up vacant real estate are good for struggling downtown areas.
• Lydia Ramsey, who writes on business manners, says if you’re looking for ways to stand out from the crowd, be noticed by colleagues and clients and set yourself apart from your competition, try sending handwritten thank you notes.
• CPA Michael Rundbaken suggests you explore whether your company may qualify for research and development tax credits because there may be more than you expect.
• Kenneth Zapp, a business professor emeritus and SCORE volunteer, reminds small business owners and those want to go into business that SCORE is an underutilized asset that’s available for free.
Southside toastmaster event set for today
Small Business Chamber Southside Toastmasters is inviting teachers, business professionals, leaders and residents to its communications seminar and networking event today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Savannah Mall Community Room.
Special guest speakers include, Kenya Harrison, entrepreneur and owner of KMH Educational Enterprises, LLC and Darryl Wright, regional leader at Primerica.
Other speakers include Toastmaster Herbert Goodwin, Jr., owner of the recently opened Savannah business American Career Development Corp., and Carol Kirchner, Owner of SmartFEET in Savannah.
“Small Business Chamber Southside Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills,” Kirchner said.
Attendees can register at http://communicationsav.eventbrite.com/ or, for more information, call Jessica Neeley at 206-817-7919 or email jneeley@workmenscirclecu.com.