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Constant communication is vital when dealing with customer retention
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 In the best of times, customer retention is critical to small business success. But these days, with marketing dollars being slashed and customer acquisition budgets going down the drain, it is more important than ever to hold onto your customers.
Acquiring a new customer is five times more expensive than retaining one. Consider the well known 80/20 rule, which states that 80% of your company sales comes from 20% of your customers. Especially during this pandemic, customer happiness and retention is more vital than ever.
“Talking and listening to existing customers is even more important during this pandemic crisis,” said Leanna Haag, owner of See Level Marketing and CARES Act consultant for the Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College. Haag advises that small business owners should be making regular and consistent contact with existing clients and customers to ask how they are doing and what they need. This regular contact can help inform customers about... read more >>
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Massey Honored with Esteemed James L. Wattenbarger Award
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FORT PIERCE — Former Indian River State College President, Dr. Edwin Massey, was honored Nov. 19 with the 2020 James L. Wattenbarger Award by the Florida College System (FSC) Council of Presidents. The award is bestowed upon individuals, students, trustees, administrators, faculty, legislators or community partners who have demonstrated exceptional commitments to the Florida College System. Massey, who retired in 2020, served the Florida College System over his entire 47-year career while at IRSC, most recently as a Steering Committee member for the AFC Council of Presidents.
“To say it’s [the Wattenbarger Award] deserving is an understatement,” stated Joe Pickens, Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents and President of St. Johns River State College. “I don’t think that we will ever see another human being that has contributed so much, for so long, to the Florida College System, and therefore AFC, as Dr. Ed Massey.”
Massey is the 21st recipient of the award, named for its first recipient, late Dr. James Wattenbarger. Wattenbarger is credited as “the Father of the Community College System of Florida”; his doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida outlined a master plan that the state used in 1955 to create the modern community college system.
Massey received the award at the virtual AFC Annual Meeting and Conference on Nov. 19, 2020. He was also awarded the inaugural AFC Legacy Award, an honor bestowed for Dr. Massey’s consistent and resolute support of the Association of Florida Colleges.
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Helping individuals and families develop a strategy to reach their long-term financial goals
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Life-long local resident, Kate Mikkelson, helps those facing challenges this year find clarity and hope for their financial future. In a time when we can all use some direction, Kate’s compassionate, caring approach and unsurmountable expertise is a beacon during stormy times.
After graduating from UF in 1998 with a degree in finance, she joined Accenture, assisting Fortune 500 companies growing their businesses. Her true passion was to work with small businesses within her own hometown so after nearly 20 years with Accenture, she departed and joined Edward Jones in 2018 as a financial advisor. In 2020 she proudly earned her AAMS® and CPRC® professional designations.
Kate resides in Palm City with her husband Matt and their six children. Since growing up in Martin County she has kept a close relationship with our community and most enjoys working with her hometown residents and businesses. Both her, and her mom, Linda Schwaderer, serve and support The Hibiscus House Children’s Shelter, which helps abused children. Linda helped start the Women’s Guild and Thrift Shop to support the Hibiscus House in the late 1980s.
Kate has recently relocated her office, after two years at the Royal Palm Financial Center in Stuart, to 600 SE Indian Street, Suite 1, Stuart, a beautiful new shopping plaza near the new palm city bridge. She invites you to schedule a tour of her new office and will reward anyone who does with a special bag of goodies. She is also hosting travel tours, wine tastings and trivia nights (virtually!) so be sure to email her to participate.
Contact Kate Mikkelson for all of your financial advice at 772-288-5079 or kate.mikkelson@edwardjones.com.
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Autonomous shuttle service to connect residents of Tradition to key locations in the community
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PORT ST. LUCIE – Mattamy Homes, the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, and Beep, a Florida-based autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service provider, bring the first autonomous shuttle service in Southeast Florida to Tradition. The service is part of the Tradition Trail, also known as T Trail, a larger mobility network serving the community, and is the first of its kind in South Florida within a planned development.
Mattamy Homes plans to introduce a multi-functional mobility network spanning almost 20 miles with experiential trailheads along the way. Beginning at Manderlie, Mattamy’s first development in the area, the trail will include stops at the Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, Tradition Town Square and the future site of Veterans Memorial Park. Additionally, the trail will connect regional parks, athletic fields and nature trails throughout the community.
“We are committed to making Tradition the destination for people seeking a higher quality of life,” said Dan Grosswald, Mattamy President of Southeast Florida Division. “Our partnership with Beep is just the first step by providing residents greater freedom to travel how, where and when they want.”
Beep’s 9-seat electric vehicles will be a feature on the trail’s initial loop with a dedicated lane beginning at Man derlie, taking passengers to Tradition Town Square and The Landing Shopping Center. An onboard specialist and Beep’s Global Command Center in Orlando will monitor the shuttle, which has a maximum speed of 15 mph and is equipped with onboard sensors and GPS tracking.
“Mattamy’s vision, with the backing of the city of Port St. Lucie, will create an alternative to cars that will make the most traveled roads and community safer, eco-friendly and more enjoyable for everyone,” said Joe Moye, Beep CEO. “Residents will have greater access to safe, reliable, high-quality transportation.”
As the Tradition community grows, Mattamy plans to add miles of experiential trailheads for shuttle riders, bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy. Next year, the company will introduce electric bicycles from Elby Mobility, a leading provider of e-bike fleets to residential communities, college campuses, and corporate and hospitality properties.
The partnership between Mattamy and Beep stemmed from the successful introduction of the first autonomous vehicles as part of Central Florida’s Lake Nona community in September 2019. The service has safely transported over 16,000 passengers in the first year of operation. In May, the company will launch a similar service at Yellowstone National Park with the National Park Service.
Passengers in Tradition can expect the best practices for ridesharing and transit according to federal guidelines such as frequent cleaning procedures, modified and reduced seating capacity, onboard hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Shuttle service and routes will be operationally ready for passenger service by the end of 2020.
In 2018, Mattamy purchased 2,780 acres at Tradition with plans for 8,500 single-family homes and 150 acres of commercial property. Construction has commenced in Manderlie, its first community of single-family home as well as Telaro, an active adult 55+ community with resort-style amenities boasting 400-plus homesites. The company has established communities in Jacksonville, Orlando, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Arizona, North Carolina, and across Canada.
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CR Lait Optical & L.W. Vision Care family welcomes Jessica Lund O.D.
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We are pleased to welcome Jessica Lund O.D. to our CR Lait Optical & L.W. Vision Care family. Dr. Lund is a Board Certified Optometrist who specializes in comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings. Dr. Lund is accepting new patients, please call our office to schedule your eye exam 772-465-6616.
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MIDFLORIDA Event Center to become home of Florida Sports Hall of Fame
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PORT ST. LUCIE — In partnership with the City of Port St. Lucie and Treasure Coast Sports Commission, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame Foundation is moving its Hall of Fame from the Central Florida Visitor Information Center in Davenport, FL to the MIDFLORIDA Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The Port St. Lucie City Council approved a five-year lease agreement with the Foundation authorizing use of up to 1,800 square feet in the event center.
Attracting more than 50,000 visitors annually, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame includes 55 memorabilia exhibits from some of the biggest sports stars ever known; including legendary NASCAR drivers Bobby and Donnie Allison, National Hot Rod Association legend “Big Daddy’ Don Garlits, golfer Doug Sanders, tennis great Chris Evert, football legend Bob Griese and more. Tiger Woods, Pat Riley, and Alex Rodriguez headlined the 2020 Florida Sports Hall Of Fame Induction Class. Special memorabilia from individuals and teams include photos, videos, uniforms, apparel, sports equipment, trophies and more.
“In a state where the climate lets us play sports year round and where so many of the all-time great sports figures call home, the City of Port St. Lucie is especially proud to welcome the Florida Sports Hall of Fame to our Event Center; and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner on the Hall of Fame’s dual mission of recognizing and honoring Florida’s greatest sports figures and promoting fitness awareness, education and sports among our state’s youth and adults,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Greg Oravec. “We think that the Hall of Fame will take the Event Center to the next level as a must-see destination and will help us fulfill our community’s strategic plan for the future, which includes enhancing and showcasing Port St. Lucie as a unique place with cultural, natural, and recreational activities and amenities (learn more at www.cityofpsl.com/strategicplan ). We thank the Hall of Fame Foundation for choosing PSL, and Rick Hatcher and the Treasure Coast Sports Commission for helping us make it happen.”
“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are extremely appreciative and excited about the partnership with the City of Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast Sports Commission in relocating the home of Florida Sports Hall of Fame’s storied memorabilia,” said Tim Ramsberger, President and Chairman of the Board, Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Ramsberger added: “A special thank you to Mayor Oravec and the City Council, as well as Rick Hatcher for their collaboration in helping further the advancement of the Hall’s vision and future.”
In addition to the availability of this new attraction for residents and visitors to enjoy, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame will create many opportunities for the City.
“Sports tourism drives visitor spending,” said Rick Hatcher, Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission and Vice President, President-Elect of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, noting the positive impact the Hall of Fame will have on the City’s tourism product “To have the Florida Sports Hall of Fame located in Port St. Lucie is a home run!”
“This is a significant marketing opportunity for the MIDFLORIDA Event Center and City of Port St. Lucie,” said Linda McCarthy, Director of the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. “To be the “official home” of the Hall of Fame will elevate the image and reputation of Port St. Lucie as a tourism and event destination and increase public engagement with the event center.”
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame will open at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center in February. Hours of operation will be announced soon. Admission will be free.
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Gustaf Miller thinks small in new Center for Spiritual Care exhibition
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Gustaf Miller will show new paintings and collages Dec. 4-31 at the Center for Spiritual Care in Vero Beach. The exhibition will be on view by appointment only to ensure adherence to state and CDC Covid guidelines. Arrangements can be made by calling 772-567-1233.
The idea for Miller’s exhibition came from a casual conversation a year ago, says Center director Carol Ludwig. “A friend remarked on the power of one of Miller’s collages despite its smallness. That sparked a full twelve months of work by Gus to produce a show of small works defined by the same energy as his larger ones.”
Miller’s work, large or small, is marked not only by energy but by a sense of calm. “The way he balances these two forces is unique,” says Ludwig. “And it’s very beautiful.”
Miller’s paintings include collages, acrylic on panels, watercolors, and mixed medias. His subjects are taken from sketchbooks put together over several years. They include barns, boxes, ships, figures and faces.
“His subjects are familiar but he infuses every one of them with its own personality so they take on a new significance,” Ludwig says. “He’s a very innovative painter.”
The Center for Spiritual Care is located at 1550 24th Avenue, two blocks north of the Main Library. Visitors are requested to call 772-567-1233 to set up an appointment to view the show. Masks and distancing are required.
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Remember Treasure Coast nonprofits
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If you are in a position, consider a gift to a Treasure Coast nonprofit affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Find the needs of many area nonprofits and how to give at treasurecoastnonprofits.com
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As a service to readers and restaurants on the Treasure Coast, Indian River Magazine Inc. has created a website directory of restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries in St. Lucie, Indian River and Martin counties. The site includes hours of operation, if carryout/delivery is available, as well as popular dishes. See the site at treasurecoastrestaurants.com
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Does your business have news of a reopening or change in operations due to COVID-19 that you would like us to share with readers of this newsletter?
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Promote your business where it matters
NEXT ISSUE PUBLISHES IN JANUARY
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Let us help you promote your business in Indian River, the largest and most widely distributed magazine on the Treasure Coast, and on our Web sites, indianrivermagazine.com and tcbusiness.com, and through this weekly e-newsletter and our widely followed social media pages. Become an Indian River partner today.
• In Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie contact Lisa Crawford at lisa@indianrivermag.com or 516.721.0848.
• In Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound contact Marsha Lange at marsha@indianrivermag.com
or 772.237.1717.
• In Fort Pierce contact Sunny Gates at sunny@indianrivermag.com or 772.204.5043.
• Outside the Treasure Coast, contact Publisher Gregory Enns at enns@indianrivermag.com or 772.940.9005.
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