Community Connections Businesses Off to a Great Start in 2011

Community Connections featured businesses continue to experience success in 2011. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC recently completed construction of Atrium Obstetrics and Gynecology's new facilities at 2615 Lake Drive in Raleigh. The Bikas Building team's Clinic Builder™ division provided turnkey clinic solutions by making sound attenuation, value stream mapping and patient privacy top priorities for Atrium's staff and patients.

In November, Pete Bikas and his crew finished construction of The Barbershop, a Hair Salon for Men, owned by Shannon and Hans Kindsgrab in Cary's Centrum Station at 280-107 Meeting Street. "The Barbershop is a new concept in hair care for men," Bikas says. "It offers a comfortable environment, TVs in each bay, peanuts and a shoulder massage – no other barbershop compares!"

The Barbershop also features a Central Vacuum Experts ultra silent vacuum system, which includes seven VacPan automatic dustpans.

Adding On and Cleaning Up

Speaking of Central Vacuum Experts, the company recently hired Chapel Hill native Joe Norwood as its new sales manager. Joe has extensive knowledge of the Raleigh market, 14 years of experience as a sales manager in new home construction and 13 years of experience with full service hotel management. He brings vast product, design and valuation knowledge to the company, as well as familiarity with high quality vacuum systems, thanks to his work in the hotel management business.

Central Vacuum Experts' parent company, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, added two new employees to its team last year as well—one of the major reasons the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce named the company its 2010 Small Business of the Year. The chamber used expansion or job creation as criteria for finalists, and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital was chosen from one of three finalists in the small business category.

Digital Dominance

Carolina Closets Plus has expanded its successful do-it-yourself seminars, run by owner Mike Hoffer, to include a class on how to convert unique spaces, such as alcoves, under-stair closets or other odd-shaped spaces, into useful storage solutions. Those who attend need only bring a picture of their space. During the seminars, they can share ideas with others and browse 5,000-plus ideas in the Carolina Closets Plus portfolio. Visit ClosetDIY.com for more information, or quickly search for it online, since Carolina Closets Plus now dominates Triangle search engines for "do-it-yourself closets."

Crossroads European, a 20-year full service auto repair company specializing in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen, recently redesigned its website to include third party certified reviews and a new appointments page. Conveniently located at 5116 N.C. 55 in Durham, on the edge of the Research Triangle Park, Crossroads European has received great feedback from customers who love the 24-7 window of time to schedule appointments.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network serving parents in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties, is closing in on 1,000 members and has already hosted four contests featuring performing arts ticket giveaways since the start of 2011. Log in just to browse, or sign up for a free membership. Either way, you'll be able to access 2,000-plus links to "tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids" throughout the Triangle.

The Triangle TRACKS Facebook page—a great way to keep up with the social network's blog posts and contest announcements—is now the top referring site for Triangle TRACKS. Fans also have access to top-secret information under the "Fans Only" tab. Check it out!

Look for more new resident solutions soon, as we keep the momentum going in 2011.

Entrepreneurial Creativity Thrives During Slow Economic Times

As summer winds down, local business owners start planning their fall and holiday sales strategies. This is also when allergy sufferers know their toughest months are ahead. Air purifier sales trend up this time of year at Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill. Owner Tom Proctor is also seeing more interest in HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Arresting) filtration vacuums, which reduce indoor air pollution.

Proctor prioritizes educating customers on the right air purifier and vacuum cleaner to buy - and says bagless vacuums aren't always the right choice. Central vacuums suit allergy sufferers, he says, because no exhaust air recirculates inside your home. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital stocks popular models such as the IQ Air Multi-Gas, which reduces harmful odors and is perfect for individuals who have chemical sensitivities.

Proctor recently addressed what it's like to run a vacuum cleaner business during the recession. You can listen to his comments here.

Another ray of entrepreneurial hope during our current economic recession shines out of Marmalade Skies in Cary, a self-serve frozen yogurt store recently constructed in Centrum Station at 280-103 Meeting Street by Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC.

Marmalade Skies promises creative, tasteful yogurt creations. "Since it's self-serve you can have as little or as much as you want," says Josh Ligon, owner Marmalade Skies with wife Nicole. "Kids love it because they can make it themselves, plus we have over 50 kinds of toppings they can choose from." There's nothing like a bowl full of this creamy, southern style yogurt topped with whatever you want - and free WiFi - to make the recession seem a little less menacing.

Instead of purchasing a new home, homeowners are making the most of what they've got during these tough economic times. One way to do that is to carve out and organize space DIY-style. Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill continues to lead the industry in custom closet installation - and includes do-it-yourself installations - by launching the most comprehensive Closet DIY™ version of its professionally designed closet systems.

“We’re the first custom organization company in the triangle area of Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Wake Forest, Durham and Pittsboro to offer the same professional design and products to customers that prefer to install themselves,” says Mike Hoffer, co-founder and president of Carolina Closets Plus “It’s a great cost savings for people who would like a professional system, where they provide the labor.”

Carolina Closets Plus will offer a DYI seminar August 28 from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Click here for more information.

Crossroads European™ recently launched its annual back-to-college program for students. Crossroads European's skilled mechanics perform a thorough diagnostic examination of each car, and replace suspect parts to give students and their parents car confidence for the coming school year.

Triangle TRACKS™, a social network linking parents to "Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids," has opened Triangle TRACKS Marketplace, an online shop featuring items created by network members. Products launching the marketplace include Cary Heise's "Stay at Home Rock Star" T-shirts, Lily Bloom's reversible bubble skirts, Jennie From the Block's custom wood blocks and several other creative, handmade products. The Triangle TRACKS Marketplace offers another example of entrepreneurialism creativity continuing to thrive during these difficult economic times.

Check back next month for more news on how local businesses are serving new residents of Chapel Hill and beyond.

Vlogs, Vacuum Canisters and Value Stream Mapping in the News

In case you haven't noticed, video blogs, aka "vlogs," are popping up on websites everywhere. Social media experts have long touted the importance of business vlogging, and now, it seems, businesses are listening.

Why? Vlogs provide an intimate way for businesses to reach out to customers, simplify step-by-step directions, introduce company leaders and authenticate the company's existence, since scammers are indeed out there.

Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill recently produced 10 installation do-it-yourself videos, which enable customers to save considerable expenses by learning how to install custom cabinets themselves.

The company worked with Business Value Creation and David and Karen Knight of Cyberspaces in Pittsboro to produce the DYI videos, as well as an introduction video. Cyberspaces specialize in video creation that tells a company's story efficiently, with perfect timing, sight and sound to capture a potential customer's mind and emotion. Check it out below.

Closets-DIY 30 sec Intro from Closets-DIY on Vimeo.

YouTube is another way for businesses to increase their vlogging presence (for free). Triangle TRACKS, a social network linking North Carolina parents to "tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids" now has a YouTube presence and plans are underway for the addition of more videos there. Check out Triangle TRACKS introductory video.

Is That a Drum ... or a Vacuum Canister?
Vacuum Cleaner Hospital of Chapel Hill recently responded to an unusual customer request when the drum manager for the band Phish walked in to the store. He wanted to purchase a vintage Electrolux canister vacuum for drummer Jon Fishman to use during one of the band's songs. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital employees not only had the canister, but serviced it for the band as well. So next time you listen to Phish, pay extra attention to any unique drumming sounds. They might just be coming from an old vacuum canister.

Go With the Flow
Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is nearing completion of Women's Health Alliance-Atrium OBGYN in Raleigh, a clinic featuring Value Stream Mapping that minimizes inconvenience and protects patient privacy. A spa-like design and décor will further enhance the clinic’s calming, organized atmosphere and flow.

Best Bet
CrossRoads European, located off I-40 at 5116 NC Highway 55 in Durham, recently received the 2010 Best of Durham Award in the Automotive Repair Shops category by the U.S. Commerce Association for the second year in a row. Each year, the USCA identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category by enhancing the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Owned for 20 years by Bill Aulicino, Crossroads European Automotive (crosseuro.com) is an independent car repair facility specializing in Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen.
We'll post more Community Connections next month. Feel free to recommend local businesses in our comments section.

Better Organization, Cleaner Living and Easier Access

A Homeworld Forecast 2009 consumer study shows that 65.9 percent of respondents said a closet organizer would be the home storage product they would most likely purchase in the next 12 months. Consider that along with a statistic from The Freedonia

Group showing that demand for home organization products in the United States will increase 4.3 percent annually to $8.9 billion in 2013. Clearly, home organization has become a top priority for homeowners. Carolina Closets Plus in Chapel Hill recognizes the need for do-it-yourself education in this area and will offer “Do It Yourself Closets” seminars on Saturdays, with the first one kicking off April 24. Learn more about the seminars and view 100-plus installation images here.

Central Vacuum Experts of Chapel Hill displayed their new booth at the American Consumer

Shows (ACS) Home Show in February, where do-it-yourselfers roam in droves. The traffic was heavy on Saturday and Sunday. “We got a lot of serious interest from this show,” says Owner Tom Proctor. “We're still following up on leads from it and are very optimistic it will prove successful.”

Spring’s arrival is keeping Central Vacuum Experts’ parent company, Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, busy promoting its registered trademark Essentials For Clean Living® humidifiers. Moist air and drained sinuses become crucial for allergy sufferers this time of year. “The Air-O-Swiss humidifiers have done very well this season, and travel (sized) ones are truly unique in their size and effectiveness,” Proctor says. “Because they produce a large amount of mist, our customers have reported they’re able to sleep better and some have stopped having nose bleeds because of the moist air.” Click here to view the product line®.

Bikas Building of North Carolina recently made the connection between personal health responsibility and patient flow on its new Bikas Building Clinic Builder blog. The latest post highlights Value Stream Mapping that minimizes inconvenience and protects patient privacy in the build out of Women's Health Alliance-Atrium OBGYN. A spa-like design and décor will further enhance the clinic’s calming, organized atmosphere and flow.

Crossroads European continues to ensure a first class customer experience as well by maintaining an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and certification as an Authorized Bosch Service Center. All Bosch Service Centers must pass a rigorous evaluation to be accepted into the program and are frequently inspected to ensure Bosch standards are being maintained.

Make Community Connections Online

Online community connections are being made at an unprecedented rate. CNET recently published a report from Forrester Research showing that online sales are expected to hit $248.7 billion domestically—constituting approximately 8 percent of all retail sales in the United States—by 2014. Chapel Hill-based Turning Point Gallery is one example of a local business prioritizing online community connections. Online visitors will find wide range of artwork from an extensive list of artists on the gallery’s website. Currently, the gallery is experiencing strong public interest in Chinese Paper Sculpture.

Another successful online sale recently concluded at Triangle TRACKS, a social network linking Triangle parents to 2,000-plus “tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids.” Triangle TRACKS worked with 15 local businesses to sell 25 passes containing fun things for kids to do as part of an effort to raise funds for God’s Littlest Angels orphanage in Haiti. HALO passes were sold to “Help Accommodate and Love and Orphan” as part of Triangle TRACKS “HALOs for Haiti’s Littlest Angels” fundraiser. By the end of the two-week sale, all 25 passes were sold and more than $2,000 had been raised. Find out what businesses supported the fundraiser here.

Whether you’re making brick-and-mortar or click-and-order connections, we hope you’ll continue to support your local community. Businesses that reach out to both audiences will enjoy twice the success.

From Brick-and-Mortar to Click-and-Order

Apple’s recent unveiling of the iPad signifies just another way the digital revolution is transforming business-to-consumer interaction. Demand for a notebook-sized cross between a PDA and laptop is further proof of our desire to access information from anywhere, at anytime. iPads, iPhones, iPods and their peers all make this possible. In response, many businesses are expanding from brick-and-mortar to click-and-order operations.

Take Central Vacuum Experts in Chapel Hill. Google recently named it a “Favorite Place” and sent the company a window sticker with a unique bar code on the lower right corner of the sticker, known as a “QR code.” This instantly connects customers who have smart phones to a mobile version of Google Maps’ Place Page for the business. A “Place Page”is a webpage Google uses to organize all the relevant information about a residential or commercial place: photos, videos, a street view preview, nearby transit, reviews and related websites, for example. You might learn that Central Vacuum Experts’ parent company is Vacuum Cleaner Hospital, and that its tagline is “Essentials for Clean Living.” Or, you might link to information about its third donation of a Riccar canister to Builders of Hope, its upcoming attendance at the American Consumer Show Feb. 19-21, or the indoor air quality benefits of using the company’s products. Google makes this instantaneously possible.

Triangle TRACKS, a social network connecting Triangle parents to “tools, resources and activities for Carolina kids,” operates entirely online to inform parents of Internet-based and brick-and-mortar resources for kids across the region. From bimonthly content updates to contests and newsletters, parents and business owners access Triangle TRACKS’ information online so they can visit the many resources here for kids—from camps and preschools to youth sports leagues and birthday party venues. Right now, for example, Triangle TRACKS is hosting an online contest to award 30 sets of 4 tickets to Broadway Series South’s presentation of “Nickelodeon Storytime Live!” at the Durham Performing Arts Center Feb. 6, as well as one pair of tickets to Carolina Ballet’s presentation of “Cinderella” Feb. 20. Learn more here.

Turning Point Gallery’s recent transition from a Chapel Hill-based brick-and-mortar operation to a virtual online gallery offers proof that no industry remains untouched by digital progress. Owners Jerri and Garry Meldrum are using the gallery’s online presence to attract residential and commercial clients, which makes more in-home and direct commercial office visits possible. Still based in Chapel Hill, the gallery continues to operate with a community leadership perspective.

“All of our chosen artists, no matter how close or how far away they live, are personable and have established a local connection with the community,” said Garry Meldrum. Examples include acrylic painter Simon Bull, who created art for and made numerous visits to Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center; landscape artist Howard Behrens, who painted nine original works for Duke Gardens; and abstract equestrian and landscape artist Maeve Harris, who relies significantly on the region for equestrian art inspiration. Turning Point Gallery has become one of the nation's foremost Horse Art galleries and Jerri Meldrum is active in local horse rescue.

Some Things Never Change

No matter how advanced the digital world becomes, it takes brick-and-mortar to accommodate click-and-order operations. Triangle-based Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC is now the “Clinic Builder of North Carolina” and has just signed new contracts with Women’s Health Alliance p/k/a Atrium ObGyn and Planet Beach. Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC will construct state-of-the-art clinics for both contracts, as it has for all of its health care, medical and veterinarian clients.

On the subject of veterinarians, The Perseus Foundation works with professionals in the veterinarian industry to educate the public and scientific community about the biologic similarity of cancer in pets and people, and to communicate the ways in which comparative oncology is accelerating the treatment and prevention of cancer. Chapel Hill-based Business Value Creation LLC, a company focused on unlocking the value of hidden assets for entities and individual brands using advanced information flow techniques, is beginning an active awareness campaign in the Triangle on behalf of The Perseus Foundation. Look for updates on that in future posts.

Aside from the Internet, talk radio remains a popular venue for verifying credible resources. National Public Radio’s Car Talk recommends Crossroads European in Durham for Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagon work with 4- and 5-star reviews. Of course, there is an online connection. You can view the reviews here.

Photo credits: Google and Triangle TRACKS

Local Businesses Look Forward to New Successes in 2010

As 2009 winds down, local businesses are welcoming the holiday break but looking forward to the promises of 2010.

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC in Durham will announce two new healthcare construction projects in January, and Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill has just reduced prices on Riccar and Lindhaus floor models to make room for new models. (These reduced-price floor models will make great holiday gifts.) The store will be open through Christmas Eve, and closes Dec. 25-27.

Crossroads European Automotive in Durham is taking time off for the holidays Dec. 22-Jan. 4, but will return all incoming calls during the break. The staff recommends Dave’s Towing at (919)for anyone who needs such services. 544-7152

Carolina Closets Plus is expanding to Winston-Salem. Co-founder and president Mike hoffer says the company will partner with Granicrete to accomplish the expansion. “We offer Granicrete countertops to all of our clients who want the look of granite that can be customized to any color,” Hoffer says. “We’ve already done business in Winston-Salem and have just been able to secure a showroom to showcase our closet and organization offering. We’re really excited to be able to add another location to our existing areas of business,” which also includes Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Southern Pines, Fayetteville and Greensboro in addition Winston-Salem. The new showroom will open early next spring.

University Mall in Chapel Hill is donning a new interior look this holiday season. Families are also enjoying visiting with Santa and listening to local musicians play holiday favorites while they finish up their shopping. While you’re at the mall, stop by Turning Point Gallery. Nearly everything is on sale.

Triangle TRACKS has a loaded holiday calendar, plus more children’s events to look forward to in January. The ArtsCenter in Carrboro also has plenty of educational fun in store for local youth – art classes, concerts, theater productions, family programs and gallery exhibits, for example. We’ll offer additional details on that next month. You can also find upcoming ArtsCenter events for children on the Triangle TRACKS calendar.

Author Anne Pierce’s “Ships Without a Shore” makes an insightful holiday gift for new parents on your list, and has generated buzz on various parenting blogs. Purchase a copy online here, and check out a few comments about the book here.

We’ll post more information in January on how local businesses serve new residents of Chapel Hill and beyond. Happy holidays!

Fall Celebrations, New Additions and Holiday Preparations Breeze Through Chapel Hill

Celebrations and new construction projects are coursing through Chapel Hill this month. The 2ndFriday ArtWalk’s network of galleries celebrated their 100th event Oct. 9, surpassing 1 million visitors since the late Karen Shelton, owner of Sizl Gallery in Carrboro, and Garry Meldrum, co-owner of Turning Point Gallery in University Mall and founder of Business Value Creation LLC, held the very first 2ndFriday ArtWalk nine years ago. Just in time for the 101st ArtWalk next month, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro will take over 2ndFriday ArtWalk operations with a mission to invest the brand in the further development of the local arts community.

“Given The ArtsCenter’s mission to nurture the arts through performance, exhibition and education, we certainly embrace the goals of the 2ndFriday ArtWalk to encourage and support the visual arts in all its many forms. We are excited to take the helm of one of the most successful exhibitions in the country,” says Executive Director Ed Camp. “Our vision is to make certain that anyone who thinks of the artistic community in our area thinks of The ArtsCenter as an important part of that community.”

The ArtsCenter is a non-profit organization with a mission of nurturing the arts and creativity through performance, education and exhibition. “We do this in a number of ways across all sorts of artistic expression—from theater to concerts to children's programs to over 170 art classes,” Camp says. For details on how the ArtsCenter achieves this mission, visit www.artscenterlive.org .
During the 100th 2ndFriday ArtWalk celebration, Turning Point Gallery featured 100 pieces of Raku work created by returning Turning featured artist, Joyce Furney of Kansas, who makes spectacular metallic luster raku pottery. Raku is now generally accepted to mean a method of rapid firing and cooling of ceramic ware.

New Additions
Turning Point Gallery patrons and other University Mall shoppers will soon experience the completion of a multi-million-dollar interior renovation project that is expected to wind down in November. It incorporates new lighting, furniture, paint and some flooring; new signs, and the installation of new sculptural art elements. On the western side of the mall, a new modular stage will be added near Dillard’s featuring theatrical lighting, a new sound system and seating areas. Just in time for the holidays!

Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC continues to build business offices, health care facilities, and medical, dental and retail spaces. Recently, the company constructed a different kind of addition by hiring Keith Hill as Project Manager/Estimator and Lisa Herrington to serve as its Director of Business Development. Owner Pete Bikas believes Lisa will bring a passion for problem-solving and exceptional service to the building industry. “Adding Lisa Herrington to our team is creating new insights and opportunities in the health care industry,” Bikas says. “We appreciate Lisa’s contributions.”

Reality Break
Transition from the actual construction and real estate industry to a theatrical one with Deep Dish Theatre’s presentation of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” a play written by David Mamet and directed by Paul Frellick that runs Oct. 23-Nov. 14. This Pulitzer prize-winning comedy focuses on the current tough economic times and a cutthroat sales contest that brings out the worst in a group of unscrupulous real estate salesmen.

Triangle TRACKS has compiled a list of performing arts options for children this fall that extends into the holiday season. From Disney on Ice “Worlds of Fantasy” to Carolina Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” families have plenty of theatrical performances to choose from across the region. View a list and description of the shows at this link.

A number of events posted on the Triangle TRACKS calendar benefit children who attend year-round public schools in Wake County, since many of those families often have time during the week to do fun things together. Students attending year-round school still log the same number of days and hours as traditional-schedule students. However, North Carolina educators haven't ruled out extending the school year. Recent discussion among the North Carolina State Board of Education members to consider extending the school year in terms of days and hours actually subsided due to state budget shortfalls. Anne R. Pierce, author of “Ships Without a Shore” comments throughout her book and in additional writings that the cons of a longer school year out weigh the pros. In a recent blog post she wrote: “Although longer school years and school days might provide a service to some parents and provide more time for ‘information absorption,’ they will come at the expense of childhood development. For, they will come at the expense of family time, downtime and nurturing, all of which are essential to a child’s emotional growth. And, they will come at the expense of opportunities to play, daydream, think and explore, all of which are essential for a child’s intellectual growth.”

Gear Up for the Holidays
Equally important to enjoying holiday shows and other sources of entertainment is holiday shopping. We all have a “clean freak” on our list. Central Vacuum Experts, a division of Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill, has the perfect gift for that person. The extremely quite and high-tech Cyclovac central vacuum system features an electric hose that reveals when the bag needs to be changed or the unit needs to be serviced, and the user can reduce or increase suction depending on the type of vacuuming being done. Central Vacuum Expert’s wool dusters, which extend up to 25 inches, also make great gifts. As the holidays approach and we prepare for family and other houseguests, it’s also a good time to service your current vacuum.

Why not service your car as the holidays and colder weather approach as well? RTP-based Crossroads European employs master technicians who specialize in BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagon and Audi vehicles.
As a new resident of Chapel Hill, count on the New Resident Solutions Community Connections blog to keep you informed of businesses looking out for you, as well holiday happenings in the coming months. As always, thank you for reading and we hope you’ll continue to check back here for our updates.