First off, let me welcome you to our new website and our first blog posting.  We look forward to many more communications with you in the days ahead, and hope that this site is a valuable tool and resource for you.  Here's our story of how we got involved in the SBA:

My wife and I moved to Suwanee in 2007.  We didn’t know a soul in Suwanee.  I looked around at the various business & community organizations here in town.  The one that kept coming up in conversations with neighbors, friends and local business folks was the SBA.  I came to two meetings – and was HOOKED!  And…they didn’t’ throw me out!

 

During my first 25 years in business I’ve lived in many cities – Miami, Philadelphia, NYC, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Dallas  - you name it (IBM days).  In each place I joined a local business / community organization JC’s / Chamber / Rotary etc.  What I found in most of these places was some nice people – a lot of cliques – and very little business opportunity – and not too many folks I’d really want to socialize with on a personal level.  It was mostly a lot of “suits” – trying to look good – sound good – and either hitting you up for a job – or trying to sell you something – at every boring meeting that was 80% speeches - 20% networking – and 200% dues!  Big companies / Big budgets / Big whigs – and little else.

 

Then came the SBA!  I was immediately impressed with the absolutely friendly / laid-back / fun loving group of folks who warmly greeted me at the door – pushed a beer and hot dog into my hand – (for free) -  and seemed truly interested in me / my business / my family – and what THEY could do for me – the new kid in town!  Well – I have a small landscape design/build business.  I do no advertising (my clients do that for me) – and my wife won’t let me spend the money anyway!  But – since 1/10/08 – I’ve landed 19 landscape jobs through the SBA – either from members – or through members.  Some big jobs – some small ones – but all referrals vs blind calls – and all local – not in Jonesborough!  On the flip side – My CPA (Jay Naegle) – my Dentist – my Photographer (Julie Perdue) – my Hairstylist (Hairlucinnations  don’t hold what I look like against them – it used to look worse) – my Web Designer (Make it Loud) – my Car Wash (Squeaky’s) – my company shirt maker (PFG) – my business card printer  - my favorite restaurants – and even my Mayor – and many more are all members – but much more importantly – my friends.  30 months – 200 friends and growing.  Couldn’t ask for more now could you!  …and as bad as I am – they let me play golf with them too!