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The Bastrop Advertiser
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015
CHAMBER NEWS THE BASTROP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy of Bastrop and thereby, the quality of life for all its citizens through economic, community, and leadership development.
Chamber is on top of growth President’s Report March 2015
Participating Employers ■ Allied Barton Security Systems ■ Amazon Fulfillment Centers ■ The Art Institutes ■ Armed Forces Services Corporation ■ Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts ■ Austin Area Urban League ■ Austin Police Department ■ Bastrop County ■ Bastrop County Sheriff ’s Office ■ Bastrop Independent School District ■ Benchmark Career Institute ■ Benny Boyd Bastrop ■ Cen-Tex Family Services Inc. (Headstart) ■ The City of Austin Human Resources
■ CyberTex Institute of Technology ■ Deep in the Heart Art Foundry ■ Department of Veterans Affairs ■ Excel Learning Center ■ Federal Express ■ Giddings State School ■ Goldstar Transit ■ Goodwill Career Academy ■ Huston-Tillotson University ■ ITT Technical Institute ■ Legal Shield ■ Lowe’s Home Improvement ■ Maximus ■ MD Anderson Cancer Center ■ Old Town Restaurant & Bar/Piney Creek Chop House ■ Pegasus Schools In-
corporated ■ Rail Crew Express ■ Silver Pines Nursing & Rehabilitation ■ Sport Clips ■ Texas Army National Guard ■ Texas Department of Public Safety ■ Texas Disposal Systems ■ Texas Juvenile Justice Department ■ Texas State Technical College ■ Texas Veterans Leadership Program ■ United States Coast Guard ■ United States Navy Recruiting ■ Universal Technical Institute ■ Woodmen of the World ■ Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Dear Chamber & Community Members, March has been another incredible month at the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce. We are getting reports and information about a new subdivision being developed, and the enrollment of Bastrop ISD continues to grow. Your chamber is working closely with the city of Bastrop to share ideas and concerns as we keep an eye on what is coming our way. All the evidence points to the fact that we are on the verge of some real growth. Are you and your business ready for these new opportunities? Businesses both new and established in the community continue to join the Chamber as they see the value in a Chamber membership. Just check out the list of newly approved members and the ones that have chosen to renew their membership in the Bastrop Chamber! Your chamber is now up to 640 active members and growing stronger as the “Voice of Business” in Bastrop. Here are some interesting statistics about businesses who are members of a local Chamber. Consumers who are told that a business is a Chamber member are 51 percent more likely to be highly aware of the business
Becki Womble
and 57 percent more likely to think positively of its local reputation. Also, consumers are 63 percent more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company they know is a member of a local Chamber. As your chamber, we want to continue to hear from you. Next month, be on the lookout for our 2015 Membership Survey. It will be similar to the one the Bastrop Chamber did this time last year. We will use your input and responses to continue to mold our programs and services for our members. Your responses will be anonymous, so when you receive the link, fill out the brief survey so that we can know how to serve you best! As a member of the Chamber, we continue to strive to provide quality programming to benefit your business. Of course, our monthly luncheon
is just around the corner on Wednesday, April 1, at the Bastrop Opera House from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our speaker this month is Art Powell from Trinsic Technologies. He will be talking about network security for your business. We are limited to 100 registrations, so get online and register soon or call the Chamber at 512-3030558. On the heels of the luncheon is our first Lunch ’n’ Learn on Monday, April 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (see insert). The topic is EMV Compliance for merchants that take credit cards. The event is free for members and $15 for future members. Space is limited to 30 registrations, so don’t delay in getting signed up for this informative meeting! The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce is striving to be on top of issues important to our membership and community. Please check out our weekly Email Blast, follow us on Twitter and “Like” our Facebook page. Our website at http://www.bastropchamber.com is continually being updated, so check that out as well. We are here working for you and the betterment of our businesses and the community at large! Sincerely, Becki Womble President/CEO
Board approved new members at meeting The Board of Directors approved the following new members at its monthly meeting. We appreciate the investment these new members have made in the chamber and we ask that you give them your support. US Army Recruiting Center/Bastrop RS — Patrick O’Bryan, 696 Hwy 71 W. Ste B, Bldg. 5, Bastrop, (512) 332-2769, http://www.goarmy.com ULock-It Storage — Phil Brown, 304 Hwy 21 West, Cedar Creek, (512) 321-2370, http://www. ulockitonline.com Virgil Eaves Real Es-
tate — Lenore Spinn, Agent — Lenore Spinn, 803 College Street, Bastrop, (512) 470-1348 Anything Go’s — Brad Boguslawski, 146 Hwy 21 E, Bastrop, (512) 9856578, http://www.anythinggosbastrop.com Tuck & Kizer Law Group PLLC — Robert Kizer, 1128 Hwy 21 E, Bastrop, (512) 581-4100 Silpada Designs — Priscilla Ruiz, Bastrop, (512) 733-4651, http:// www.mysilpada.com/ priscilla.ruiz Vincent’s Roofing Inc. — Theresa Chovanec, 7000 S. US Hwy 77, La Grange, (979) 247-4587,
http://www.vincentsroofing.com Jim Whitten Roof Consultants, LLC — Jim Whitten, 13279 Pond Springs Road, Suite 3, Austin, (512) 250-0999, http://www.jimwhitten. com Say International @ Mannatech — Sharion Akin-McGee, Bastrop, (512) 629-2809, http:// www.sayint.com 1 Affordable Bail Bonds — Christina Ervin, Bastrop, (512) 629-2118 Whirlybird Images, LLC — Marc Mulkey, Bastrop, (512) 560-2650, http://www.whirlybirdimages.com
Dennis P. Koch, CPA Bastrop County Audubon Society Medack & Oltmann, LLP RE/MAX Bastrop Area — Frank Rainosek Bastrop Little League Big-Tex Fireworks, Ltd. Brenda Abbott Floral Design Tex Propane Company Aqua Beverage Co., Inc. Frontier Bank of Texas Quality Inn
Vincent’s Roofing Inc. U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul Bastrop Business Women/Pine Street Market Days Rising Phoenix Adventures Tours & Events, LLC Bastrop Providence Funeral Home Children’s Advocacy Center of Bastrop La Hacienda Ladd’s Coin and Jewel-
ryBarbara Caldwell Bastrop Area Cruisers Ms. Sam, The Story Lady Rose Marie Eash Gynics Associates Kleiber Tractor & Equipment, Inc. The Sugar Shack William Terry Sanders Old Town Postal Depot Rotary Club of Cedar Creek The Dentists Texas Realty Suites Twin Liquors 18
RENEWING MEMBERS Thanks to the following renewing members for continuing your investment in the Chamber. We appreciate your confidence in our ability to promote Bastrop and your business. Friends of the Lost Pines Parks RE/MAX Bastrop Area — Zia Lowe Computer Services of Bastrop St. David’s Emergency
Center Texas Grill WCU, Services LCRA-Rick Arnic Vallem Realty Property Management Yarnorama! Bastrop County Board of Realtors, Inc. David Weekley Homes Philip Ducloux Bassano Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Curly Pines Ranch Designed Security, Inc. George Reinemund Re-
Kathy Bayes
Insurance Agency
al Estate-Sherry Schena Larry Castle Pro-Cut Lawn Service RE/MAX Bastrop Area — Kay Wesson, Broker Roscoe State Bank Sherwood Forest Faire Vince Kaiser Homes Chris Duggan City of Bastrop Housing Authority A+ Federal Credit Union Bastrop Body & Paint First United Methodist Church
B & B AUTO & SMALL ENGINE OPEN 7 Days A Week
The Only Independent Agency Home Based in Bastrop! If It’s Insurance, I can do It!
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1108 Main Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 303-3008 (888) 303-3009
1101 Chestnut • Bastrop, TX 78602 • (512) 321-2122 Jim Attra - Owner • Metro - (512) 303-6608 • Fax - (512) 321-3944
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The Bastrop Advertiser
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
10 simple steps when starting a business It’s a big decision but here is a guide to get you on your way. Thinking about starting a business? Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions and completing a series of legal activities. Here are 10 easy steps that can help you plan, prepare and manage your business.
Step 1: Write a business plan
A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. This living doc-
ument generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues. Your plan should include an Executive’s Summary, Company Description, Market Analysis, Organization and Management Chart, Service or Product Line, Marketing & Sales, Funding Request and Financial Projections.
Step 2: Get business assistance, training
Take advantage of training & counseling services, form preparing a business plan and securing financing, to expanding or relocating a busi-
ness.
Step 3: Choose a business location
Seek advice on how to select a customer-friendly location and thoroughly research all permitting and zoning requirements.
Step 4: Finance your business
Find government backed loans, venture capital and research grants to get you started. Many lending institutions will require a written business plan.
Step 5: Determine legal
structure of your business
The structure you choose will have legal and tax implications. Learn about the different types and find which best suits your business.
Step 6: Register a business name
Register the business name with the State of Texas.
Step 7: Get a tax identification number
Obtain from the IRS
Step 8: Register for state and local taxes
Step 9: Obtain business licenses and permits
Get a list of federal, state, and local licenses and permits required for your business.
Step 10: Understand employer responsibilities
Learn the legal steps you need to take to hire employees, and understand employment laws. Visit sba.gov for more tools and resources. Also check out: www.bastropedc.org for more.
Smoothie operators The Chamber of Commerce enjoyed some great smoothies and welcomed The Nutrition Authority at 696 Highway 71 West, Suite 2E in Bastrop. CONTRIBUTED
Say ‘Howdy!’ to Bastrop County Adena Lewis, Bastrop County Tourism Coordinator, and Chamber President Becki Womble promote Bastrop County at the South By Southwest festival. CONTRIBUTED
Chamber - we believe We would like to thank our BISD Supporters! ■ A+ Federal Credit Union ■ Synergy insurance and Investments ■ Coldwell Banker, Green – Mills and Associates ■ Stanberry & Associates Realtors ■ Kevin White Team
Sitterle Homes
Now available in The Colony from the $240’s. Tour the model home at 136 Abamillo Drive. ColonyTx.com 512-332-2609
Custom Homes & Wooded Estate Homesites
Classic Bank Roscoe State Bank The Nitsche Group First National Bank Chick-fil-A Austin Title Bastrop County Board of Realtors ■ Southside Market – Bastrop ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Welcome to the Lost Pines Where you find the B.E.S.T Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Texas Willie Piña Bastrop County Commissioner Pct1 512-581-4001
RE/MAX – Jennifer Long RE/MAX Prosperity Bank Keller Williams Realty Sente Mortgage Schlotzsky’s – Bastrop Gwendolyn Watkins Real Estate Team ■ Sport Clips ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Outstanding Agents — Outstanding Results
Bastrop Area
87 Loop 150 W, Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 303-4441
www.BastropForSale.com Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.
Residential • Commercial • Farm and Ranch • Homesites
