Barry Gordon, Gordon Mond & Ott

What is so hard about facing facts?  In fact almost everything!

We all make mistakes, and we have all said things we later regretted.  We have made personal and business decisions that were not the best.  We have all been carrying baggage around for a long time.  We hate confrontation and bad news.

If you have business, legal or personal family issues that are gnawing at you (unless you are planning to commit murder or mayhem) please speak with your lawyer as soon as possible.  If there is a medical procedure or business change that is upcoming in your future call us.  If there is a medical situation, talk with your doctor.  Lawyers are always willing to give advice but perhaps medical advice is not their forte.

At Gordon, Mond & Ott we are familiar with many varied legal, business and personal situations which may seem odd and confusing and overwhelming to you, but which we have seen in our practice.  In all likelihood we have dealt with the problems or at least with similar ones.

Each and every day the law changes and becomes more complicated — and therefore your lives become more complicated.  We keep up with the changes and have the resources available to deal with your issues and give you possible alternatives.  We listen and give you the opportunity to weigh choices.

Invest in your relationship with your lawyer and if you don’t have one who handles your type of problem, call Gordon, Mond & Ott.  Or for your peace of mind, call us for a second opinion.  The investment will produce significant returns and confidence in your decision-making.  We will work with you, your accountant, your financial planner and banker, and provide valid and transparent advice.

Barry Gordon
Gordon, Mond & Ott
A practicing lawyer for 43 years.

ACME GLASS provides mobile service dispatched all over Southeastern Massachusetts including Cape Cod.  We service north to Quincy and Boston, west to Taunton, Raynham, out to Wayland, Sudbury and beyond, south to Sagamore and Bourne bridges and all over the Cape down to Provincetown!

How did you come to be in this line of work?
In 2007, I had been working for a uniform company for 12-plus years and needed a change.  At a birthday brunch with three girlfriends, I asked them to please keep their ears open for an employment opportunity for me — knowing that we all had different contact spheres — and hoped that something would turn up.  A month later, the husband of one of the women, the owner of ACME GLASS, called me and offered me this job.  And here I am.

What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?

• The owner is a regular guy who cares about and allows us to cater to our customers.
• We are fortunate to have long-term employees:  some have been with ACME for 18-plus years!!  And
• We make sure that our staff has the proper knowledge and experience do the job correctly and to ensure customer satisfaction.

Describe your dream/perfect/best customer.
Our dream customer is one who understands how repair work can develop into more a time-consuming procedure than anticipated, and who understands that if it is raining outside, we will have to re-schedule unless they have a garage in which we can work.  Another dream customer is one who has a fleet of vehicles and wants to sign a contract!

Our perfect customer is a satisfied customer who tells all of her/his family and friends about the great service they got from ACME GLASS.  Our best customer is a repeat customer.

And our favorite customer is YOU! 

What is the most important message you have to communicate about your industry?
Most car owners carry insurance for glass replacement.  The most essential information I need to communicate is that you, the owner, have the right to choose who performs the work on your vehicle regardless of who is recommended by your insurance representative.  There are differences in the quality of auto glass installation — quickest is not always best.  You need to shop local and support local business owners, know the folks who work on your vehicle, feel safe and confident that you can ask questions and receive satisfaction.  We guarantee our work.

What do you regard as your greatest achievement in business to date?
Mike McCloskey, owner of ACME GLASS, feels his greatest achievement is his re-incorporation of ACME in 1990 as the third generation owner.

My greatest achievement in this business has been proving to myself and to my employer that networking and forming relationships with others in business helps to build each other’s businesses.  Strategic partnerships are unlimited.  Whatever business you are doing, if the provider succeeds in servicing you well, why not promote his/her business?  That testimonial will come back to you in many ways.

Where do you want you and your business to be in five years?
We want to be not just surviving, but thriving and continuing to provide employment for the passionate staff of ACME GLASS.

What benefit(s) have you received through your networking efforts?
I have met lots of wonderful, interesting people and found that paying attention, being a good listener and asking a few questions will take you on a marvelous journey, making many great friends and doing some business along the way.  I like to say it’s the pebble in the pond … the ripples keep touching someone.

What is/are your one or two toughest challenges?
My toughest challenges are time management and filling the gas tank.  It is difficult with the large territory I cover to schedule account visits, new account contacts and networking, and still find time to manage email, social marketing, other communications —  and have a little home life, too.   I am still trying to perfect that.

As to the filling of the gas tank:  lately that just hurts!  But you gotta have it!!

What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
I am driven to do my best.  “Making the best better” is the 4H motto that I grew up with … sometimes hard to do … but it sure is something to work at.  After five years of networking, I am in a great place to refer and recommend others and that is a HUGE motivator for me.

What is something that members may be surprised to learn about you?
My husband and I were full time antique dealers for many years, worked with historical societies and museums.  We even loaned a major piece to a three-year long traveling Smithsonian exhibition.  Also, I am very involved with nutrition, eating raw food (i.e. not cooked), mostly vegetarian and growing organic food, all of which has helped me control my weight and improve my health.

What do you do in your spare time for fun? 
I garden, hunt antiques, make my own crackers and granola in my dehydrator, hike with my husband and dog … and I read!

Interested in becoming a featured business? Click here to apply! Or contact Katie Howard at khoward@sswbn.org

“For Your Information” is a blog post dedicated to informing you about community events, member events, job postings and more.  Do you have an event or posting to share?  Send it to Katie at khoward@sswbn.org.   SSWBN is dedicated to your success.

 Plum District has a sales position in the Boston Area. The job description for the Boston District Consultant – http://www.plumdistrict.com/p/sales_jobs  Please contact Helen Connor Lead District Consultant, Boston  M. 617.407.3213 helen.connor@plumdistrict.net | @plumdistrictbos

Coldwater Creek at Derby Street Shoppes is looking for part-time associates to join their Hingham team. Be one of the Coldwater Creek ”personal stylist” that changes the world, one lady at a time! Great benefits, including a liberal discount program. Please send resumes to carmen.garcia@thecreek.com

Dancing With the Angels: A Benefit for South Shore Elder Services & Old Colony Elder Services.  Saturday, April 21^st at the River Club in Scituate. Visit http://dancingwithvisitingangels.weebly.com.  Or call Visiting Angels at 781-834-6355 (x17)

Healthy South Shore in partnership with SouthField is offering a free monthly health, wealth and lifestyle seminar series starting on Wednesday April 25, 12pm – 1pm at the SouthField Welcome Center 223 Shea Memorial Drive, Weymouth. Learn how to create a home in harmony lifestyle, live green, and destress with Christa O’Leary of Home in Harmony Designs. No fee for this seminar, RSVP required by April 23 to reserve your seat. Space is limited. To register or for more information contact Stacey Shipman at 617-548-5877 or sas@healthysouthshore.com or visit www.healthysouthshore.com/events.

South Shore Young Professionals is holding a: Mentor Panel: What Does It Mean To Be On A Board?   Thursday, April 26^th  at the Boston Marriott, Quincy  5:30pm-9:00pm.  Register at www.southshoreyoungproffessionals.org

Hanover Toastmasters will hold a Spring open house on Monday April 30, 6pm at the Rockland Trust Corporate offices, 2036 Washington St, Hanover. All are welcome. If you want to practice your speaking skills, improve communication and leadership, come visit the Hanover Toastmasters. Can’t make it? Our meetings are always open to guests. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (except major holidays). Visit www.hanovertoastmasters.com to learn more or contact Stacey Shipman stacey@staceyshipman.com for more information.

South Shore Elder Services presents 7^th Annual Conference- “Aging Is Everyone’s Future: Am I Having a Senior Moment or Is It More?” Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..  Lombardo’s, Randolph.  Space is Limited, Registration is Required Contact:Michelle Sofi @ 781-848-3939 ext. 351 A VOLUNTARY DONATION OF $15.00 REQUESTED
For more information on being a sponsor or vendor please contact Diane Sargent at  dsargent@sselder.org or 781-848-3939 ext. 322

Jordan Hospital presents: Women Owning Wellness: Monday, May 21^st   at White Cliffs Country Club; Golf, Tennis or Wellness classes  -  For registration form or to sign-up, contact Shannon-Rose Malone at 508-830-2095 or srmalone@jordanhospital.org

South Shore Pet Expo – Sunday, June 3^rd  11am-4pm at the Marshfield Fairgrounds.  A free, family event!! To be a sponsor, vendor or for more info go to http://southshorepetexpo.com/

Rock and Blues Concert Cruises presents a night on Boston Harbor viewing the tall ships this summer on July 3rd.  SSWBN Member Theresa Mullen of The Travel Renaissance is the host of this cruise and has been given a promo code to offer to SSWBN Members. The night includes music by Bellevue Cadillac and The Evan Goodrow Band.  Tickets are $30 but with the promo code “travel” in all lower case a $5 discount will be given.   http://rockandbluescruise.com/

Project Arts of Plymouth, Inc. is planning a vibrant season of free waterfront concerts for the 2012 season, featuring International, National, Regional and Soon to be famous Local Acts. Please consider making a donation to, or becoming a sponsor of, Project Arts’ 2012 Concert Series. Sponsorship levels can be increased by a combination of money, goods and/or services
To Learn More About Project Arts Of Plymouth Please and for concert dates please go to www.projectarts.com

Do you have an event or posting to share?  Send it to Katie at khoward@sswbn.org.   SSWBN is dedicated to your success.

Barry Gordon

A Time for Reflection

Having practiced law for more than 40 years (yikes!), it is nice to pause and think about all the things I have learned in my practice, and about what I try to practice in my life.

No, I am not retiring;  but I have become more thoughtful and understanding.  So let me share with you some of my reflections:

No battle — and especially no legal battle — automatically qualifies as worth fighting.  If properly assessed, few actually would qualify as worth the toll it will take on the adversaries.

If you have what you think is a worthwhile cause, talk to us to get a sense of the costs and the return on your financial and emotional investment.

Whether you are having a marital disagreement, a business disagreement or a disagreement about an estate, get a legal opinion about the dollars likely to be involved.  Think carefully about  what your endgame may look like, whether you “win” or “lose.”  Even as a winner, you may not like the person you see when the dust settles.

We at Gordon. Mond and Ott are very good lawyers and counselors.  We will guide you through the cost evaluation and thought process.  We will give you our best to resolve the problems that face you without an emotionally and financially costly confrontation, without a lengthy and exhausting battle.

Should we agree that your particular situation warrants a fight (it will be due to immoveable obstinacy on the other side), and we agree that we will be your attorney, we will represent you with the strongest advocacy that our resources can muster.

We will use our collective years of experience to assess the financial cost and to put together realistic timelines.  As with all such engagements things will change, and so we will keep you informed of those changes.

That being said, my wife, Renee, and I are off to Paris!  See you all soon.  Should you need our assistance in the interim, my associates are here to help.

Barry Gordon
617-786-0800
bgordon@gmo-law.com

Karen and Elsa

Name:  Karen Shea Price
Business and title/role:  Owner, South Paws Doggie Daycare
Website:  www.southpawsdogs.com
Address:  1750 Corporate Park, Pembroke

 It’s a Doggie-Dog Business

How did you come to be in this line of work?
After spending nearly a decade in the wholesale pet supply industry, I took some time off to raise two children.  Instead of jumping back into the ‘corporate world,’ I decided to open up a doggie daycare as soon as my girls were in school.

What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
I have highly trained full-time employees.  We are completely cage-less.  Clients can watch their dogs live on our web-cam via the Internet.

Describe your dream/perfect/best customer.
My dream customer would be George Clooney’s dog.  My perfect customer would be a Two-Toed Sloth.  My best customer is a young, healthy, well socialized Labrador with lots of energy to expel.

What changes are happening, or can you predict happening soon, within your industry?
Doggie Daycare is still unregulated in the State of Massachusetts. I think it is time for us to take a closer look at the industry for the sakes of our pets.  Regulations similar to the ones in place for children’s daycare facilities would be a good start.

What do you regard as your greatest achievement in business to date?
After five years in business, I am finally able to pay all of the bills and make payroll without borrowing money.  Despite the bad economy, we are continuing to grow the business – and I hope to put myself on the payroll within the next year.

Where do you want you and your business to be in five years?
I want my business to be profitable and I want to be five years closer to retirement!

What benefit(s) have you received through your networking efforts?
Just meeting like-minded, small business owners who understand my crazy life is worth the membership fee!  I rarely have time to attend all of the events but when I do, I can feel a great deal of energy that seems to empower everyone in the room.

What is/are your one or two toughest challenges?
Knowing when it’s time to try something new or different, and knowing when it’s time to go home and be a mom.

What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
My children, my husband, my employees and my clients.

What is something that members may be surprised to learn about you?
I have an identical twin: she is the bad one.  I am color blind and the bad twin has perfect color vision.  ;(

What do you do in your spare time for fun?
I have developed a fondness for doing nothing in a quiet spot without anyone around.  I love the beach and I play a lousy game of golf from time to time.

What is the strangest thing you have ever found in dog poop?
I’ve seen it all, but the best things are jewelry, money, small action figures and unmentionables.

Interested in becoming a featured business? Click here to apply! Or contact Katie Howard at khoward@sswbn.org

Each month the SSWBN Membership Team recognizes a member who exemplifies the qualities of a Networking Nova, a person who embodies the Network’s core values of coaching, contacts and collaboration; someone who is visible at many SSWBN events and who treats others with respect and dignity.  In addition, this person utilizes the Network to build his/her business and helps others do the same.

April 2012 NOVA

Ann Brown, Professional Relations Coordinator for Oral Surgery South

Oral Surgery South has been a member of SSWBN since April 2011.

Oral Surgery South has been proud to be part of SSWBN.  We have taken advantage of several opportunities to utilize this strong networking group, including sponsoring a lunch and hosting an event at Oral Surgery South for fellow members of the Network.

Being a member of SSWBN has afforded Oral Surgery South a great opportunity to gain exposure to a network of talented, successful business women.  The relationships I have forged on behalf of Oral Surgery South have developed into strong friendships both on a personal and business level.  Several have developed into qualified referrals.

Three pieces of advice that I would give to other members would be to take advantage of every opportunity that the Network has to offer, to be organized, and to be prepared.  You never know when or from where your next referral will come.  The best advice I could offer to a non-member is to JOIN and become a part of this productive and always fun group.

On a personal note, SSWBN has helped me to become a stronger marketing coordinator for Oral Surgery South.  Being surrounded by strong, motivated business professionals has inspired me to follow suit.  Oral Surgery South values the relationship with SSWBN and looks forward to continued success together.

“For Your Information” is a blog post dedicated to informing you about community events, member events, job postings and more.  Do you have an event or posting to share?  Send it to Katie at khoward@sswbn.org.   SSWBN is dedicated to your success.

donorworx Inc. is looking for outgoing and enthusiastic representatives from all backgrounds to promote the Save the Children Child Sponsorship Program at Burlington Mall, South Shore Plaza and Northshore Mall starting immediately. Excellent starting hourly rate of $13.50 – $16.60 with performance related pay plan and fast promotion opportunities for the right candidates.  Paid training provided. Apply NOW at www.donorworx.com in the JOBS Section.

Tonight!!Boston Bowl Hanover ~ 10-pin bowling.
Starting Wednesday March 14 at 6:30 p.m. for 6 weeks
$15 per week – gets you 2 strings, free shoe rentals, AND a custom fit 10-pin ball
Individuals, couples, and teams of 4 can sign up.  They can sign up through Nadine F. Pfautz   781-826-0433 or Email: npfautz@chart-consulting.com ~ Please provide name, phone number, and email address

Job Fair ~ Sullivan & Cogliano Training Centers, Wed., March 28, 2012 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
CALL TO REGISTER: 508.584.9909  ext 226  ~  460 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School’s Cooperative Education Program is currently seeking employers who are interested in hiring students from our 17 shop areas for our Co-op Program. Companies benefit by hiring eager workers, who are willing to learn and are already versed in the language and procedures of the industry. To learn more please view the enclosed brochure and visit www.co-op.bptech.wikispaces.net.  Bristol-Plymouth will also be hosting our first annual Job Fair on March 30, 2012 from 8a.m.-12p.m.  If you are interested in hiring part-time, summer help, full-time or Co-op students this is a wonderful opportunity to gain visibility and get to know our students. Please contact Kerrie Carrelas at 508-823-5151 x130.

Dancing With the Angels~to benefit South Shore Elder Services.  Saturday, April 21^st  6:30pm-11:00pm The River Club, Scituate.  Contact - Mary Sprague  781.834.6355 or marysprague@helperangels.com
or go online to the event website: http://dancingwithvisitingangels.weebly.com

Business Expo/Open House~Eastern Bank Kingston office – Wed., April 25^th 5pm – 7:30pm
25 businesses from the town of Kingston will be featured. This is a complimentary event!
Please contact Branch Manager Alejandra Peña at 781-585-6479 or a.pena@easternbank.com for more info

Divas Dance for “DOVE”~ Thursday, April 26^th  7:30pm-10:00pm
Wollaston Golf Club, Milton ~ Support DOVE’s critical services and efforts to end domestic violence.
For more information and to RSVP at www.dovema.org

Do you have an event or posting to share?  Send it to Katie at khoward@sswbn.org.  

Kristen & Joe Hernandez of Premiere Pros Painting

Name:  Kristen Ford-Hernandez
Business and title/role:  Owner & Partner of Premiere Pros Painting & Carpentry
Website:  www.premierepros.com
Address:  Braintree, MA and online

Love of New Marketing Strategies Drive Success

How did you come to be in this line of work?  
I had been working in Sales and Marketing for 12 years, when I decided to hire a home improvement company to complete a few projects in my home.  It was then that I met and ultimately married my husband, Joe Hernandez, the owner of that company.  After some time and much discussion, we both knew that what we could bring to the table if we combined our skillsets and created our own home improvement business, Premiere Pros, we would be very successful.

What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
First, the personal touches we add to each and every job, such as helping our customers with colors along with offering ideas on layouts for rooms (rearranging furniture).  We understand and appreciate the joy that comes from a happy customer!

Second, we truly enjoy working with people and getting to know our customers personally.  Our intention and goal is to develop long-term relationships.

Third, I would also say it’s our enthusiasm and passion, to be able go to work each day and be excited about what you do is something that we are truly grateful for, and it shows in our work.

Describe your dream/perfect/best customer.
Customers who understand how much goes into a quality job, and appreciate the talent and effort it takes to maintain a high level of service from start to finish.

What changes are happening, or can you predict happening soon, within your industry? First, there are always new and innovative products coming on the market in terms of paint.  For example, Benjamin Moore has a new line of colors called “Color Stories” which are colors that contain no black or gray base, thereby producing a fuller, richer and truer color.  Second, there has been a big shift in the economy and it has become apparent from a business perspective, that homeowners are getting comfortable again spending money on their home improvement projects — and that is a great thing!

What do you regard as your greatest achievement in business to date?
Taking risks with new marketing strategies, and seeing the return on our investment. There comes a great sense of accomplishment when we see direct results from our efforts.

Where do you want you and your business to be in five years?
Developing new and long-term strategies is ongoing and critical to the continued success of our business.  As such, we are currently updating our two-year business plan and marketing strategy, and we designed it to take our business to the next level over the next several months!  We are very excited about it.

What benefit(s) have you received through your networking efforts?
The camaraderie and support I have received has been amazing. The business opportunities provided by the Network have been key to our company’s growth and success.  The knowledge I have gained has been limitless, and of course, the wonderful friendships that have developed since joining have been terrific!

What is/are your one or two toughest challenges?
Because we are the owners as well as married to each other, we struggle with balancing and separating our work life and home life.  We are committed to the business and are passionate about what we do, so it can be difficult to “close the office” when we should.

What motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
Developing and then executing new marketing strategies, and receiving the wonderful feedback from our customers, are the most satisfying parts of this job.  I love it!

What is something that members may be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a grandmother … although by marriage.  I love being called “Nana Kristen” but I must admit, it took some getting used to.

What do you do in your spare time for fun?
Believe it or not, painting!  I love to change the color of a room.  The joke at our hardware store is that our rooms must be 5’ x 4’ now because of how many times I’ve changed the colors.  I also love decorating, home crafts and gardening.

Interested in becoming a featured business? Click here to apply! Or contact Katie Howard at khoward@sswbn.org

Recently a client asked us for help.  A simple matter, her father had died, and before he died he told her that she would get the proceeds of his $300,000 life insurance policy.

Our client filed the form only to be told she was not the beneficiary.  The beneficiary was her father’s former girlfriend.  What we did we do for her?  Nothing.  Her father never changed the form and the daughter and her children received nothing.  Sad but true.  Stories such as this are quite common.

The moral?  Never, ever rely on your memory or your parent’s memory.  Before you actually need to read the documents, look at them , and verify their accuracy with the appropriate company, agency or bank.  Even the documents kept at home might not be last ones signed.

The same caution applies to wills and trusts and deeds.

Discuss your documents with your family and let everyone know where all the secrets are buried before you are buried.  If you are thinking, “I’ll do that next week (month, or year), just think about how many dollars and valuables are “buried” somewhere, and have never been found?  Think about how many safety deposit boxes are turned over to the state annually.

Okay, so this is all reality far outdoing fiction.  If you do not want to create your own reality TV show, please call me, Barry Gordon at 617-786-0800.  I will work with you to write a better script.

Each month the SSWBN Membership Team recognizes a member(s) who exemplifies the qualities of a Networking Nova, a person(s) who embodies the Network’s core values of coaching, contacts and collaboration; someone who is visible at many SSWBN events and who treats others with respect and dignity. In addition, this person(s) utilizes the Network to build his/her business and helps others do the same.

March NOVA — Judy Weston of Coldwater Creek

Judy Weston, Coldwater Creek

I joined the Network in September 2011, after attending a few events earlier in the year.  I was really impressed with the mix of camaraderie and professional development programs that I saw.  I knew that Coldwater Creek would be a great fit.

Trying to make the most out of the Network, I dove in head first!  I have been to every Networking Breakfast and Luncheon possible, and I always have the latest Coldwater Creek catalogs and discount coupons to share.  Plus, I can already see other opportunities where we can get involved in the Network, and I look forward to exploring those in the coming months.

I think it helps demonstrate that Coldwater Creek can be a great resource for current trends in clothing for a business woman.  Regardless of whether she’s in a corporate environment or a start-up trade, she wants to look professional and stylish.  She can do that in a traditional suit or in knit jeans, whichever suits her business.  At the same time, it’s a fabulous chance to hear what women are looking for in today’s styles.

I consider being part of the SSWBN a great investment.  Membership alone is a terrific value — but you’ve got to invest your time and expertise too.  My advice:  Don’t be shy!

Every time I have attended a Network event, I’ve walked away with at least one great idea that I could put into use immediately.