A STITCH IN TIME, RHONDA SIGRIST: I joined the St. Charles Business Association shortly after starting my own business and discovering how difficult it is to reach the right contact people at most businesses. I couldn't think of a more efficient way to market my business quickly.

Since joining I have met many wonderful business owners and management people here in St. Charles Parish. I now have quite a few association members who are customers and good friends. Not only have many of them utilized the services I provide, but have given me great advice and guidance along the way.

OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL, RON LOVING: As a part of the St. Charles Parish community, Oxy needs ways to understand community concerns and issues. The SCBA is an important vehicle for understanding the needs and concerns of the business community, both large and small. By participating in the SCBA, Oxy learns about the challenges that small businesses face in surviving in a competitive environment. We can add value to addressing those concerns as it is important for Oxy that all businesses succeed in the parish.

We also get to meet the people behind the businesses. These interactions are important in knowing who to go to when there are issues that need to be addressed. Networking is an important part of being successful and the SCBA is a great vehicle for this.

WILLOWDALE COUNTRY CLUB, MARY JO CYRUS: When I joined the SCBA, it was to associate with businesses in the community desiring better knowledge of the community and its people. While it seemed to be heading in more of a political information direction, I have stayed to continue my business relationships and to be informed as to the going on in the community. I have become more active in SCBA because I felt that the business organization was struggling and I wanted to play an active role in the revitalization of the SCBA. This is an excellent forum to meet, mingle and become informed of as much as the organization allows, the opportunities can be endless and I think we are headed in this direction.

 

AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL ADVISORS, JEANNINE GRANIER: I started my financial planning practice in 1993 in the Galleria in Metairie. My business and clientele in the river parishes was growing exponentially through referrals and I decided to move my financial planning practice to Destrehan in May of 1995. I originally joined the SCBA in ‘1995 to focus more of my networking and marketing efforts geographically in St. Charles Parish. I have met many interesting and diverse people through the association and also have acquired several new clients.

I became a board member after being frustrated with the lack of interest and involvement in the Business Expo. The Expo has always been part of my overall marketing plan for 2 reasons. 1.) To create an interest in investing and financial planning. 2.) To let people know that there is a local American Express Financial Advisors office. It started out being a nice event several years ago and has the potential to be a bigger and better event this year and in the future. I figured it's much better to help out than to complain when something doesn't work out.