Oct
16
Ken Glasgow gets comfortable about marketing comfort food
By SARA COMITO
Associate Editor
Selling the ultimate comfort food is not really that hard. Ken Glasgow, who owns Simply Cupcakes of Naples with his baker wife Joanne, wishes he knew years ago how lucrative and rewarding it can be.
The “cupcakery” has become an unlikely example of the power of social media, having been featured on a panel at the most recent Social Media Club of Southwest Florida event on Sept. 22.
In Glasgow’s words, when it comes to social media, “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
He could have fooled us, having gained 500 Facebook fans in three weeks.
Glasgow talked with Southwest Florida Business Today about Twitter, nostalgia and why you need a cupcake in your mouth. Warning: this interview could lead to sugar cravings.
Aug
28
Tom Bruzzesi is just your neighborhood hit man Boy Scout
by SARA COMITO
Associate Editor
Early this year Tom Bruzzesi earned his identity as “The Crazy Foreclosure Guy” by buying a Lehigh Acres home for $1,000 at auction, then immediately selling it - without any improvements - for $18,000. The self-proclaimed foreclosure sales “hit man” recently told SWFBT he’s not actually crazy. Instead he operates his business the Foreclosure Shoppe like a Boy Scout, taking the motto “Be prepared” very seriously. Read more
Jul
31
New company puts a ‘face’ on marketing
Filed Under Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
Soft-sell videos help businesses get social
by SARA COMITO
Associate Editor
Marketing fueled by hype doesn’t fool anybody - least of all customers. They see through screaming car ads and exaggerated product claims.
Over the past several years, consumers are placing greater stock in credibility when deciding which companies deserve their hard-earned dollars. What they value is a heartfelt message from a person who gives the company a reputation - and a face.
Responding to these evolving consumer sensibilities is QwickClick Videotours - a new Sanibel-based company that provides “an underproduced, editorial, soft-sell approach,” according to John Sprecher, one of its founders. Read more
May
29
Going with the Flow
Filed Under Tourism, Trends | Leave a Comment
For small marine businesses, steady sales are no fish tale
“Boating and fishing is all about having fun – and fun is something people will only go so long without,” said Gary Ingman. Secure in this knowledge, the owner of Ingman Marine in Port Charlotte remains optimistic about the region’s marine industry in spite of rough economic waters.
He’s got the numbers on his side, too. A recent Associated Press report indicated that, along with other less expensive “feel good” items such as chocolate, lipstick, condoms and antacids, fishing equipment is now one of the 15 hottest selling products in the nation.
With few exceptions, many big businesses continue to report declines as cautious consumers eliminate larger discretionary purchases from their budgets. However, this year’s sales of boating and fishing supplies by small businesses in Southwest Florida have improved or held steady with 2008 results.
May
29
The future of marketing is electronic
Filed Under Going "Green", Profiles, Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
An interview with Lisa Sparks
By BOB MASSEY
Editor
One thing Lisa Sparks knows about is small business marketing. And she doesn’t need a crystal ball to see its future.
As regional director of Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com/southflorida), an e-mail marketing and survey firm, she has to be on top of the subject to be effective to her clients. But she spent time on the other side too, as a freelance commercial writer.
She was so successful at that career, she was cited by Peter Bowerman in his book “Back for Seconds” – the sequel to his bestselling “The Well-Fed Writer.” She was also featured in another sequel: “99 Cows” by internationally known marketing guru Seth Godin, author of numerous business bestsellers including “Purple Cow.”
“Lisa Sparks is one of my heroes in this biz,” Bowerman writes. “Here’s this extraordinarily impressive then-27-year-old African-American woman, who, through a winning combination of moxie, persistence, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, ingenuity, strong faith and plain old hard work, was building a thriving writing business, Integrity Writing in the small and predominantly white Fort Myers, Florida market area.
“Crucial to her success has been her mastery of e-mail marketing.”
It was that mastery that led her to her present position – and a place on the cusp of a growing trend.
Apr
30
Creative practices help marine industry find safe harbor
Filed Under Economic Development, Tourism, Trends | Leave a Comment
Efforts yield red skies at night
Second in a three-part series about challenges facing the marine industry in Southwest Florida.
By JIM BALLEW
Business Writer
Captain John Wood is a part-time fishing guide who operates a custom home improvement business when he’s not on the water. Year to date his offshore guide business is down as much as 60-70 percent.
Also due to the economy, his home improvement business has increased substantially.
More people are remodeling rather than buying newer homes. A lot of foreclosures, too,
need work after sitting vacant or incomplete for “who knows how long.”
Wood’s flexibility is characteristic in the local marine industry. When the going gets tough, the tough still go fishing.
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