BUSINESS CONNECTIONAn Official Main Street City

December 2017 sealychamber.com Volume 20 Issue 16

Lisa CatonPresident

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

New MembersCarter Transport Moving CompanySealy SuperetteThe Backdrop Event Venue, LLCVeranda House Assisted Living

SponsorsPresidential Sponsors:AL&M Building Supplies (Allied Lumber & Merchandise)Austin County News Online.comWalmart Distribution Center # 7036

Diamond Sponsors:All Texas Title, Inc.Farmers Insurance, Vincent Strother AgencyField Services TechnologyK.O.’s ElectricMarek Vet ClinicSimonton Pool Consultants, LLCSpecialty Hearing, LLCSusan Ned - Certified Health & Wellness CoachTexas Trust Real EstateWittenburg Printing

Gold Sponsors:Balcon Builders, LLCBright Dental Sealy

Employers One Source GroupFirst Cut RealtyGeorgetown Mortgage / Vince WollneyHavel & Burttschell AppraisersHouser RoofingMike Hopkins Distributing Company, Inc.MY Equipment, LLCPride of Texas Roof and Fence CompanyReplacement Windows of KatyStephen’s Diesel Service ~ SDSUniversal Automotive, LLCZippy’s Place

Silver Sponsors:Sealy American Legion-Post #442Sealy SuperetteSerenity Massage & BodyworksState Farm, Virginia Gilbert AgencyThe Backdrop Events Venue, LLCThe Southern SistersThe Upholstery ShopVeranda House Assisted Living

Special Sponsors:CenterPoint EnergyCitizens State BankInfintech, llcWells Fargo Bank, N.A.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, No It’s the super Heroes of Sealy! Mark your Calendar…The Banquet is on its way!

Yes, we have set the date for the Annual Social scene of the year…the Chamber Banquet & Silent Auction. The Banquet will be help Friday, February 9, 2018 at the KC Hall here in Sealy. As usual, it will begin at 6 pm with networking and social hour. We will enjoy great food and lots of fun as Super Heroes come to life! The Sealy businesses are the Heroes of the Chamber and we are celebrating Champions!

More information will be forthcoming on the event. We will be taking donations for the Silent Auction and the Dessert Auction again this year. If you have something you would like to promote your business with, please contact the staff at the Chamber office and let them know.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Today as I look outside at the wet dreary morn-ing, I can’t help but feel the warmth of the Christmas spirit in Sealy. After a weekend full of Christmas activities from Main Streets’ Jingle Mingle to the Sealy Community Foundation’s Fantasy of Lights, the citizens of Sealy have much to be grateful for. I have to commend the above organizations for their hard work and dedica-tion to the community and for providing a wonderful introduction to the holiday season.

The Chamber is busy wrapping up a successful 2017 and looking forward to serving the area busi-

nesses in the new year. We have been blessed this year with approximately 30 new chamber mem-bers and looking forward to adding a few more before year-end. Between the monies raised at the annual banquet and the golf tournament, the chamber has been able to provide services to members to help promote and support their busi-ness. The Sealy Chamber Banquet will be held on February 9 this year, so mark your calendar. If you are not a member and would like to learn more, check out the website at www.sealycham-ber.com or call 979-885-3222.

From microbursts to hurricanes and saying goodbye to those we have lost too soon, Sealy has shown its strength and resilience and proven once again why this is such a great community. Thank you to everyone who makes Sealy great and remember to Love Where You Live.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

Every year Keith Oliver comes up with great ideas for the Chamber float entry for the Fantasy of Lights Parade. This year he out did himself! Christmas Around the World was the theme of the night so with a lot of thought and contemplation he came up with an outstanding idea for this year’s float (or Jeep as the case was). Safari Christmas…once it was mentioned the ideas how to decorate was electrified.

Thursday night began the endeavor. With Nancy James, Keith and Tammy as well as a few young volunteers, the idea began taking shape. On Saturday, Keith became really motivated and after 9 hours of working on the Jeep from front to

KO Electric did it again!

■ PARADE, page 8

Page 2 Business ConneCtion Sealy Chamber of Commerce

Page 2 Sealy Business Connection Sealy Chamber of Commerce Sealy Chamber of Commerce Sealy Business Connection Page 3

1st Texas Home HealthABC Domes

AccessHealth WICACME Brick Company

AL&M Building Supplies (Allied Lumber & Merchandise)

All American FloorsAll Mini Storage

All Texas Title, Inc.Amazing Grace HospiceAmerican Cancer Society

Americas Best Value Inn of SealyAnderson Paint & Body

Angela Leschper ~ Chi Hair Stylist

Apex Stone, LLCAustin County Chiropractic

Austin County Fair AssociationAustin County News Online.comAustin County Republican Party

Banner Press NewspaperBartlett Ventures

Believe In BodyworkBell Oaks Village

Bellville Abstract-Sealy BranchBen’s Chuck Wagon

Best Septic Tank CleaningBetter Business BureauBill’s Country Market

Blessed Harvest Produce MarketBlinn College - Sealy Campus

BlissBlisswood Bed, Breakfast & Spa

Bluewater Tan & BoutiqueBrazos Valley Services

Briarwood EstatesBright Dental & Prestige

Training AcademyBrookshire Residence and

Rehabilitation CenterBroughton Petroleum, Inc.

Buffalo Creek

C n L Computer ServicesC W Brandes, Realtor

Capital One N.A.Carolyn Bilski

CASA for Kids of South Central Texas

Cazadores Mexican RestaurantCenterPoint Energy

Charley & Helen BurchfieldCHI St. Joseph Heath - Bellville

HospitalChristian City Fellowship

Citizens State Bank City of Sealy

Cliff Jones RV & Tractor Colonial Belle Sealy Nursing &

Rehabilitation Colony Roofing and Exteriors

Colorado County Oil Company, Inc.

Columbus Eye Associates Congressman Michael T. McCaul

Coushatte Recreational Ranch CrossRoads Care Service

David J. Mlcak, P.C., Certified Public Accountant

Del Zotto Products of Texas, Inc. Diane’s Hair Design

Dixie Telecom DJ Rod D

Don Allphin Donnelly-Bay Insurance Services

Downey Publishing Edgewood Apartments

Edward Jones Employers One Source Group

Equify Auctions Faith Academy of Bellville, Inc.

First Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church - Sealy

Focusing Families Fogle, Hinze & Associates

Friends of the San Felipe de Austin SHS

Galla Mexican Cafe Gary W. Chaney Attorney at

Law Georgetown Mortgage / Vince

Wollney Get Fit Training

Grace Fellowship H & R Block

Habitat for Humanity of Austin County

Havel & Burttschell Appraisers Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Hometown Hardware Honeycutt Air Conditioning Hospice Brazos Valley, Inc. -

Brenham Branch Houser Roofing & Exteriors

Incite Energy, LLC Industry I-Net, Inc.

Infintech, llc Inline Fitness & Performance Integrity Insurance Agency Interactive Plumbing, Inc.

International PaperJerry Olson Design

K Nails & SpaK.O.’s Electric

Kathy’s Korner, LLCKim’s Nail

Knesek Bros. Funeral ChapelKnesek Bros. Monuments

CompanyKoy Concrete, LTD

KQLC-FM Christian RadioKristen Distributing Company

Lanelle L. GarrisonLaw Office of C E Clover Jr

Leroy ZapalacLightQwest Homes, Inc.

LKL Insurance

Los Amigos Mexican FoodLou Cox

Marcus A. Pena ~ Austin County Tax Assessor Collector

Marek Vet ClinicMaribelli Italian Ristorante, Inc.

Medical Clinics of SealyMerrick Coastal, LLC

Mico Cranes and Equipment of Texas LLC

Mike Hopkins Distributing Company, Inc.Mitja Peterman

Morris HVAC & RefrigerationNational Coin CollectorsNationwide Menu Guide

Nature’s NecessitiesNew Reba’s Laundromat

New Reba’s LiquorNewWave Communication

Nova - OrganicsNRG Simply Smart

OfficeMakersParamount Promotions, Inc.Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse

Predator DownPro Pest

PUPS-Prevent Unwanted PetsRaising Academic Performance

(RAP)Ranch Country of Texas, Inc.

Rancho Texcellente IXLRCOT Custom Homes / Ranch

Country HomesReichardt Construction, LLCRise-N-Shine Mobile Wash

Riverside Tire CenterRustic Oaks

Ruth Mercier Insurance AgencyRyan Ford

S & S Resale CenterS. B. C. Washateria

Saddleback SaloonSealy American Legion-Post

#442Sealy Community Foundation

Sealy Concrete, Inc.Sealy Country Market

Sealy Dairy QueenSealy Decorating Center

Sealy Dental CenterSealy Dialysis

Sealy Economic Development CorporationSealy ER

Sealy Eye CenterSealy Family Practice ClinicSealy Independent School

DistrictSealy Knights of Columbus

#3313Sealy Lions ClubSealy Pharmacy

Sealy Pregnancy Resource Center

Sealy Tractor, Inc.Sealy Veterinary Clinic

Sealy Volunteer Fire DepartmentSears Hometown Store

Seidel SchroederSidney Levine Attorney at LawSmall Business Development

Center-Blinn CollegeSmall World Early Childhood

Enrichment CenterSpecialty Hearing, LLCSportsman’s CateringStarbrite Electric, Inc.

State Farm, Virginia Gilbert Agency

State Senator Lois KolkhorstStephen F. Austin Golf ClubStephen F. Austin State Park

Stephen’s Diesel Service ~ SDS

Stepping Stones MinistrySuper 8 Hotel

Texas Children’s Health PlanTexas Disposal Systems

Texas Farm Bureau InsuranceTexas Land Group

Texas Land Group - Wyn McCready

Texas Premier Sporting Arms - Promatic Training Center

Texas Ranch LifeTexas Trust Real Estate

The Evoritt LodgeThe Sealy News

The Upholstery ShopThe Vineyard II Wine and Craft

Beer Tasting RoomTommie Vaughn Auto Country

Tony’s Family RestaurantTractor Supply CompanyTravis Abel & AssociatesTrinity Lutheran Church

Universal Automotive, LLCVisual Promotions LLC

Wallis Chamber of CommerceWallis News-Review

Walmart Distribution Center # 7036

Walmart Supercenter # 437Wayne Schomburg

WCTractorWells Fargo Bank, N.A.

WhataburgerWittenburg Printing

Woodmen of the World - Patricia Knapp

Workforce SolutionsXtreme Roofing

Yellow Brick Road WineryYMCA (Sealy)

Zanetta (Z) KnesekZippy’s Place

Sealy Chamber of Commerce Members 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS“WE’VE PLANNED AROUND YOU”

“SEALY CHAMBER ANNUAL RAFFLE GET YOUR TICKETS”

2016 SEALY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Sealy Chamber of Commerce • P.O. Box 568 • 309 Main Street • Sealy, Texas 77474-0568

Phone: (979) 885-3222 • Fax: (979) 885-7184 • E-mail: sealycoc@sbcglobal.net

www.sealychamber.com

Patricia Knapp...PresidentLisa Caton...Vice President

Betsy Zapalac...Secretary Wayne Schomburg...Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Peggy SpradleyExecutive Director

Tammy HallAdministrative Assistant

Travis AskewDee Brabham

Lisa CatonLou Cox

Mike HalpinKathy Holloman

Gary Hutson

Nancy JamesPatricia Knapp

Carl Clover

Rick MartinezBrian Lapham

Jay Patel

Wayne SchomburgJon Snell

Betsy Zapalac

BLUE BLAZERSPatricia Knapp, President

Charley BurchfieldBill BurttschellToni Franklin

Lori GagneScott Kana

Zanetta KnesekKim Meloneck

Wayne SchomburgRyan SvobodaLeroy Zapalac

Wyn McCready

SEALY BUSINESS CONNECTIONCharley Burchfield.............Newsletter Editor Lou Cox.............Newsletter Co-Editor

The Sealy Business Connection is published monthly as an insert in The Sealy News and e-mailed/ mailed to all Chamber members.

STAFF

OFFICERS

SEALY VETERINARY CLINICPhilip L. Gorman, DVM

Small Animal Medicine & Surgery

(979) 885-4811• Climate Controlled

Boarding Facility• Appointments Preferred• Sm. Animal Science• Prescription Diets• After Hr. Emergency Calls• Drop-off Appts. Welcome

All the Services You Need,The Personal Attention You Deserve!

Your Hometown Banking Team.

222 Main St.Sealy, TX 77474Member FDIC

(979) 885-3571(800) 222-4252www.csbsealy.com

620 Hwy. 90 W.Sealy, TX 77474(979) 885-6588

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS/BUSINESS ADVISORS.

SEIDELSCHROEDER

LOCATED ON HWY 36 BETWEENSEALY & BELLVILLE979-885-3113

Sr. Pastors, Rusty & Anne Griffinwww.christian-city.net www.facebook.com/christiancity

Wednesday Service:7pm Adult Bible Study

Youth/Mpact GirlsRoyal Rangers

Sunday Service:9 am Sunday School10 am Worship

Since 1891“The Best Thing to

Have Around Your House”6005 Peters-San Felipe Rd.

Sealy (979) 885-4124

KO’s ELECTRIC

35 Years Experience

Keith OliverMaster Electrician • (TMEL 32600)

979-885-3116

*Residential *Commercial*Industrial *45 ft. Bucket Truck

VOTED BEST ELECTRICIAN 2005 to 2016

Forget the rest, Use the best!

Betty Williams-Hearing Aid Specialist330 Main St., Suite 1C • Sealy, Texas 77474

Phone: (979) 627-7771 • Fax: (979) 627-7769specialtyhearing@gmail.com

Proudly serving the hearing needs of Austin County

COLUMBUS979-732-5771

KATY281-829-3937

LA GRANGE979-968-3953

SEALY979-885-0665

TODD M. HOVIS, M.D.LORI J. LEARNED, M.D.ARUN G. NAYAR, M.D.

NICOLE H. NOSKA, O.D.

www.ColumbusEye.org

Comprehensive Eye Care!Fashionable Eye Wear!

� No Stitch Cataract Surgery� Premium Lens Replacement to reduce the

dependence on glasses and contacts.� Blade Free LASIK using Allegretto Wave,

Advanced CustomeVue, and IntraLase Laser Technology.

� Glaucoma Management using advance glaucoma diagnostic testing, treatment and surgery.

� Routine & Medical Eye Exams for all ages.� Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, & Prescription

Sunglasses.

Around Town on the business

Do you have your team together and registered for the 15th Annual Sealy Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

on September 09, 2016? Call 979-885-3222 for reservations or register online with www.

sealychamber.com.

Send us your eventsIf you have an event in the upcom-ing year that’s open to the public

and would like to see it in the Chambers E-blast, email the info to us at (tammy@sealychamber.com) by Friday and we’ll add it to

our Tuesday newsletter. We CAN’T promote your events if we don’t know they’re happening!!!

Immaculate Conception BazaarSunday, September 4, 2016

Sponsor: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church11 am – 6 pm

Sealy Knights of Columbus HallHWY 90 West, Sealy, Texas

Austin County Fair Shrimp BoilSaturday, September 24, 2016

Sponsored by the Austin County Fair

AssociationAustin County Fair Convention &

Expo Center1076 East Hill, Bellville, TX 77418

Contact (979) 865-5995Austin County Fair Kick-Off Dance

Saturday, September 24, 20168:30pm – 12:30am

Austin County Fair Convention & Expo Center

THINGS TO DO

September 09Annual Sealy Chamber of Commerce Golf

Tournament Stephen F. Austin Golf Club

September 22Chamber Luncheon

Speaker: Senator Lois Kolkhorst Maribelli Italian Ristorante

11:30 to 1:00 pmProgram starts promptly at NOON

Cost $15.00 for members, $20.00 for non-members

Reserved tables for (8) $150.00

October 07Sealy Chamber Lunch & Learn

Speaker: Seneca McAdams“Hospitality Training”

10:00 to 1:00 pm (a light lunch will be served)Cost: $10.00

Sign-up: Call Chamber Office or on line Sealy-Chamber.com

BLINN COLLEGE- SEALY CAMPUSDecember 08

Annual Sealy Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party

Holiday Inn Express & Suites5:00 to 8:00 pm

All the Services You Need, The Personal Attention You Deserve!

Your Hometown Banking Team !

222 Main St (979) 885-3571Sealy, TX 77474 (800)222-4252

www.csbsealy.com

MEMBER LIST• 1st Texas Home Health• ABC Domes• AccessHealth WIC• ACME Brick Company• Airdata• AL&M Building Supplies• All American Floors• All Mini Storage• All Texas Title, Inc.• American Cancer Society• Americas Best Value Inn of Sealy• Anderson Paint & Body• Angela Leschper ~ Chi Hair Stylist• Apex Stone, LLC• Austin County Chiropractic• Austin County Fair Association• Austin County News Online.com• Austin County Republican Party• Balcon Builders, LLC• Banner Press Newspaper• Bartlett Ventures• Bell Oaks Village• Bellville Abstract-Sealy Branch• Bellville Chamber of Commerce• Bellville Rent-All, LLC• Ben’s Chuck Wagon• Best Septic Tank Cleaning• Better Business Bureau• Big T’s Auto Detail• Bill’s Country Market• Blessed Harvest Produce Market• Blinn College - Sealy Campus• Bliss• Blisswood Bed and Breakfast & Ranch• Bluewater Tan & Boutique• Briarwood Estates• Bright Dental & Prestige Training Academy• Brookshire Residence and Rehabilitation Center• Broughton Petroleum, Inc.• Bubba Louis / Heritage Texas Country Properties

• BVS• C n L Computer Services• Carolyn Bilski• Carter Transport Moving Company• CASA for Kids of South Central Texas• Cazadores Mexican Restaurant• CenterPoint Energy• Charley & Helen Burchfield• CHI St. Joseph Heath - Bellville Hospital• Christian City Fellowship• Citizens State Bank• City of Sealy• Cliff Jones RV & Tractor• Colonial Belle Sealy Nursing & Rehabilitation• Colony Roofing and Exteriors• Colorado County Oil Company, Inc.• Congressman Michael T. McCaul• Coushatte Recreational Ranch• Cricket Wireless• CrossRoads Care Service• David J. Mlcak, P.C., Certified Public Accountant• Del Zotto Products of Texas, Inc.• Diane’s Hair Design• Dixie Telecom• DJ Rod D• Don Allphin• Donnelly-Bay Insurance Services• Downey Publishing• Edgewood Apartments• Edward Jones• Emery’s Buffalo Creek• Employers One Source Group• Equify Auctions• Faith Academy of Bellville, Inc.• Farmers Insurance, Vincent Strother Agency• Field Services Technology• First Baptist Church

• First Cut Realty• First Presbyterian Church – Sealy• Fitness Fx, Inc.• Focusing Families• Fogle, Hinze & Associates• Friends of the San Felipe de Austin State Historical Site• Galla Mexican Cafe• Gary W. Chaney Attorney at Law• Georgetown Mortgage / Vince Wollney• Grace Fellowship• H & R Block• Havel & Burttschell Appraisers• Heinen’s Carpet Care, Inc.• HOA Incorporated - Meals on Wheels• Holiday Inn Express & Suites• Hometown Hardware• Honeycutt Air Conditioning• Hospice Brazos Valley, Inc. - Brenham Branch• Houser Roofing • Incite Energy, LLC• Industry I-Net, Inc.• Infintech, llc• Integrity Insurance Agency• Interactive Plumbing, Inc.• International Paper• J 5 Inspections• Jerry Olson Design• K Nails & Spa• K.O.’s Electric• Kathy’s Korner, LLC• Kim’s Nail• Knesek Bros. Funeral Chapel• Knesek Bros. Monuments Company• Koy Concrete, LTD• KQLC-FM Christian Radio• Kristen Distributing Company• L & N Blinds and Shutters• Lanelle L. Garrison• Law Office of C E Clover Jr• Leroy Zapalac• LightQwest Homes, Inc.• LocalSun Energy

• Los Amigos Mexican Food• Lou Cox• Lynn Kiecke Lackey & Eason Insurance Group• Marek Vet Clinic• Medical Clinics of Sealy• Merrick Coastal, LLC• Mike Hopkins Distributing Company, Inc.• Mitja Peterman• Moyer & Patton LLP• MY Equipment, LLC• Nationwide Menu Guide• New Reba’s Laundromat• New Reba’s Liquor• NewWave Communication• NRG Simply Smart• OfficeMakers• Paramount Promotions, Inc.• Performing Fine Arts of Sealy• Prasek’s Hillje Smokehouse• Precision Printing & Office Supply• Pride of Texas Roof and Fence Company• Pro Pest• PUPS - Prevent Unwanted Pets• Raising Academic Performance (RAP)• Ranch Country of Texas, Inc.• Rancho Texcellente IXL• RCOT Custom Homes• Reichardt Construction, LLC• Replacement Windows of Katy• Rise-N-Shine Mobile Wash• Riverside Tire Center• Rustic Oaks• Ruth Mercier Insurance Agency• Ryan Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram• Ryan Ford• Saddleback Saloon• SBC Washateria, LLC• Sealy American Legion-Post #442• Sealy Chamber of Commerce• Sealy Community Foundation

• Sealy Concrete, Inc.• Sealy Country Market• Sealy Dairy Queen• Sealy Decorating Center, Inc.• Sealy Dental Center• Sealy Dialysis• Sealy Economic Development Corporation• Sealy ER• Sealy Eye Center• Sealy Family Practice Clinic• Sealy Foot Massage & Nails Spa• Sealy Independent School District• Sealy Knights of Columbus #3313• Sealy Lions Club• Sealy Pharmacy• Sealy Pregnancy Resource Center• Sealy Rotary Club• Sealy Superette• Sealy Veterinary Clinic• Sealy Volunteer Fire Department• Sears Hometown Store• Seidel Schroeder• Serenity Massage & Bodyworks• Shutterenvy Photography• Sidney Levine Attorney at Law• Simonton Pool Consultants, LLC• Small Business Development Center-Blinn College• Southern Window Designs• Specialty Hearing, LLC• Sportsman’s Catering• Starbrite Electric, Inc.• State Farm, Virginia Gilbert Agency• State Senator Lois Kolkhorst• Stephen F. Austin Golf Club• Stephen F. Austin State Park• Stephen’s Diesel Service ~ SDS• Stepping Stones Ministry• Super 8 Hotel• Susan Ned - Certified Health & Wellness Coach

• Tegler Chevrolet• Texas Children’s Health Plan• Texas Disposal Systems• Texas Farm Bureau Insurance• Texas Land Group• Texas Land Group - Wyn McCready• Texas Premier Sporting Arms - Promatic Training Center • Texas Ranch Life• Texas Trust Real Estate• The Chill• The Backdrop Events Venue, LLC• The Evoritt Lodge• The Sealy News• The Southern Sisters• The Upholstery Shop• The Vineyard II Wine and Craft Beer Tasting Room• Tommie Vaughn Auto Country• Tony’s Family Restaurant• Travis Abel & Associates Real Estate• Trinity Lutheran Church• UBEO Business Services• Universal Automotive, LLC• Veranda House Assisted Living• Virnau Sealy Tractor• Visual Promotions LLC• Wallis Chamber of Commerce• Wallis News-Review

• Walmart Distribution Center # 7036

• Walmart Supercenter # 437

• Wayne Schomburg• WCTractor• Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.• Whataburger• Wittenburg Printing• Woodmen of the World -

Patricia Knapp• Workforce Solutions• Xtreme Roofing• Yellow Brick Road Winery• YMCA of Sealy• Zanetta (Z) Knesek• Zippy’s Place

Sealy Chamber of Commerce Business ConneCtion Page 3

63% of people in their twenties want to be their own boss, according to a 2015 University of Phoenix study. Moreover, while it is arduous work, the lure of the freelance and entrepre-neurial culture these days is incredibly strong. Some people are called to it with a unique idea or talent, while others spend years mulling over what kind of business they want to start. It always surprises me when people are more in love with the idea of a business than the busi-ness.

Many these days know they want to be entrepre-neurs long before they have the idea that will help them become one. Nevertheless, if you are ready, here is how you can begin your path to busi-ness ownership.

Find Your Product Many people decide on a

product or service and then try to find a market to sell it to. This makes the pro-cess a lot more difficult. Instead, do some market research, find an under-served market or niche, and ask yourself what they need. Knowing their chal-lenge will help you solve their problem. Solve it and you have loyal customers and fewer marketing diffi-culties.

Create a Business Plan Now that you know what

you want to do or sell, fig-ure out the details of how you are going to set up a business around it. It will be impossible to get any sort of funding without a solid plan so start here first. A business plan is like the architectural blue-prints of the structure, operations, and growth

plan of your business. If you are completely lost about how to go about put-ting that together, seek out the help of the Small Business Administration (SBA), your local economic development organization, or your chamber of com-merce. These groups can assist you in gathering materials and ensuring you are doing what needs to be done.

Raise the Money Funds are critical to a

business start-up. Decide where they are going to come from. Most business owners self-fund in the beginning. You can do this by using your own savings, asking friends and family to contribute, or borrowing the money. Some turn to sites like Kickstarter. Others will approach Angel Investors. The SBA, eco-nomic development coun-cil, incubation labs, and local chamber of commerce are all good places to ask about resources. They will not be able to fund your pursuits, but they will know the options avail-able.

Understand Legal Protections and Taxes There are some legal

protections for businesses. Discuss them with a pro-fessional to decide which one is best for you. You will also want to check out what local requirements there are to register your business as well as the fees, licenses, permits, and taxes you will pay. You will be well served to set aside money for your quarterly taxes, so you are not sur-prised by your taxes owed at the end of the year. A tax professional who spe-cializes in small business

can help answer your ques-tions. When you register your business with the state, you will need to select your business name. You will also need to get an employer identification number (EID) and its pos-sible your state will require a tax ID as well.

Think About Location Today there are a million

options when it comes to the location of your busi-ness. Brick and mortar is still an option but if you do not have the start-up costs for rent, you can do a lot online. Decide whether you will have a physical loca-tion or operate out of your home. There are also ser-vices that can act as your physical office space when you need it for things like meetings. Virtual assis-tants can answer your phones to make your oper-ations seem larger than they are while you grow.

Track Everything When you meet with

your tax professional, have them give you an abbrevi-ated course in what is deductible from a business perspective and what is not. Then make sure you implement a system to track it all. This will make

life around tax time a lot easier for you and/or your accountant. It will also help you optimize your deductions. One thing your tax professional may sug-gest is opening a business bank account, so you will have a better way to track revenue and out-going expenses.

If you are ready to start a business, your local chamber should be one of your first steps. Think of it as a one-stop shop for all your business needs. They can help you with market-ing ideas and connections. No one knows the business community better than your chamber. Make an appointment to see them today.

Christina R. Green teaches small businesses, chambers, and associa-tions how to connect through content. Her arti-cles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular blogger at Frankjkenny.com and the Event Manager Blog. She is a bookish writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations every-where.

“The most important determinant of profit and growth are customer loyalty and satisfaction, factors that directly relate to employee satisfac-tion and the loyalty and productivi-ty that go with it. Companies that focus on the way they hire, train and treat employees are more prof-itable,” according to Harvard Professor Leonard Schlesinger, His research found that these organiza-tions experienced:

• 50% increases in service qual-ity and customer satisfaction

• Growth rates of 60% greater than competitors

• Return on sales of 200% great-er than their competitors

• Return on assets 150% great-er than their competitors

• Good-Hearted Leadership, as I’ve come to define people-orient-ed business traits, provides the intangible that generates extraordi-nary tangible results. The leaders of high performing companies that Schelsinger studied valued the fol-lowing characteristics that were dif-ferent from traditional manage-ment models

• Encouraging use of language using words that encouraged, digni-fied and respected their employees.

• More time listening then telling Listen to everyone in the organization by going to the front line or requiring other leaders to spend time on the frontline.

• Clarification of values. Defined shaped and used core val-ues internally and demonstrated what they believed in what they said and did on the job.

• Propagation of values. The values that were the means to an end result for the business vision and mission. Ultimately it leads to the company’s’ success in the mar-ketplace.

• Empowered their employees with the authority and responsibili-ty to satisfy the customer by giving them the latitude to do their job effectively

• Assurance of dignity Their power to lead came from the “digni-ty” they fostered for all the people around them.

6 steps to starting a businessCustomer loyalty in organizations

place to be. With a school system that is second to none, your children will be ready to enter the college, university or career field of their choice. Our Medical Centers are quality facilities that you won’t find in most small communities. And if you’re looking to start a new busi-ness, the Sealy Economic Development Corporation and the City of Sealy are ready and willing to work with you in setting up your business in our area.

As you can see, we have a lot to offer. Whether you come for a visit or stay for a lifetime, you won’t regret calling Sealy and Austin County your home. WELCOME!

As a longtime resident of this area, I have seen many things come and go through the years. But one thing I have never experienced is a sense of disen-chantment. As President of the Board of Directors of the Sealy Chamber of Commerce, I get to work with many of our great local leaders and individuals, all with the same goal, to make Sealy the very best it can be.

If you are looking for weekend getaways, Sealy and Austin County have many unique attractions and events along with rolling hillsides, wildflow-ers in the spring, birds in the fall and wildlife all year long, including Texas historic land-marks to show horse farms, vineyards and wineries. If you’re into shopping, we have antique and boutique shops as well as the many other unique venues open year round to peak your interest.

If you’re looking for a new place to settle down and call home, Sealy is definitely the

PRESIDENTIAL LEVELAL&M Building Supplies (Allied

Lumber & Merchandise)Austin County News Online.com

Walmart Distribution Center # 7036

DIAMOND SPONSORSGet Fit TrainingK.O.’s Electric

Texas Trust Real EstateWittenburg Printing

GOLD SPONSORS Amazing Grace Hospice

Bright Dental & Prestige Training Academy

Donnelly-Bay Insurance ServicesEmployers One Source Group

Georgetown Mortgage / Vince WollneyHavel & Burttschell Appraisers

Houser RoofingMike Hopkins Distributing Company, Inc.

Morris HAVC & Refrigeration Stephen’s Diesel Service

Universal Automotive, LLCZippy’s Place

SILVER SPONSORSSealy American Legion-Post #442State Farm, Virginia Gilbert Agency

The Upholstery Shop

SPECIAL SPONSORSCapital One N.A.

CenterPoint EnergyCitizens State Bank

Infintech, llcNRG Simply Smart

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Bu sin ess Con n ect ionSeptember 2016 www.sealychamber.com Volume 20 Issue 8

Sealy Chamber Sponsors

Page 4 Sealy Business Connection Sealy Chamber of Commerce

An Official Main Street City

NEW MEMBERAustin County Republican Party

Los Amigos Mexican FoodSealy Lions Club

SealyAmerican Legion

B INGOTuesday 7:30 P.M.

Lic# 17460627569Across from Tony’s Restaurant

Next to McDonald’s

(979) 885-7271 1630 Meyer

MIKE HOPKINSDIST. CO., INC.

Brenham, Texas

“Responsibility Matters”

The Sealy Chamber of Commerce WELCOMES our partners in an effort to help lower your costs of doing business.

Dixie TelecomLocal Rep for AT&T, Birch Telecom, Time Warner,

Grande Cable, VOIP, Century Link. Call Charles Oliver at 254-772-1676 charlesoliver@grandecom.net.

Infintech, LLCYour Partnership with Infintech helps to lower your

Credit Card Processing fees. Call Will Watson to see how they can work for you! 979-354-2988.

NRG Simply SmartNRG Simply Smart will provide at least 18 different

price options for you on energy to help you make the right choice for your business. Call Jessica Dusek at 512-322-9090 ex. 111. ■ PRESIDENT, page 4

PRESIDENTcontinued from Page 1

President's remarks

Patricia KnappSealy Chamber of Commerce President

The Sealy Chamber of Commerce welcomed Texas Premier Sporting Arms - Promatic Training Center to the family on August 9 during their 1st Year Anniversary Celebration. Pictured with David & Judy Christopher, owners of the new business, are surrounded by Rebecca Christopher, General Manager, Jennie Kolojaco, Mayor Mark Stolarski, Peggy Spradley, Executive Director of the Sealy Chamber and many friends, family and patron of the facility. Texas Premier Sporting is located at 7311 Hwy. 36 South, Sealy and you can reach Rebecca by calling (713) 826-1981. Welcome! And Congratulation on 1 year of service to our community. We look forward to many more years to come!

Page 4 Business ConneCtion Sealy Chamber of Commerce

Fantasy of Lights

Sealy Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS CONNECTION Page 5

Sealy Chamber of Commerce/Sealy Convention & Visitors Bureau enjoyed the Fantasy of Lights as they had the usual giveaway booth set up in the park. Vince Wollney of Georgetown Mortgage and Lisa Caton, Dean of Blinn College Sealy Campus manned the booth while collecting names for the annual Stocking Drawing. Thank you to both for helping bring joy to the children!

After it was all said and done, Keith Oliver drew the name of the lucky winner/s. It was brothers who had signed up together! Tristan and Colton were the winners. Their dad Chris was excited to stop by the Chamber office to accept the huge Stocking f illed with goodies on behalf of his sons.

Thank you to all who partici-pated and congratulations Tristan and Colton!

The stocking was hung at the Annual Fantasy of Lights!

Page 6 BUSINESS CONNECTION Sealy Chamber of Commerce

620 Hwy. 90 W.Sealy, TX 77474(979) 885-6588

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS/BUSINESS ADVISORS.

LOCATED ON HWY 36 BETWEENSEALY & BELLVILLE979-885-3113

Sr. Pastors, Rusty & Anne Griffinwww.christian-city.net www.facebook.com/christiancity

Wednesday Service:7pm Adult Bible Study

Youth/Mpact GirlsRoyal Rangers

Sunday Service:9 am Sunday School10 am Worship

Since 1891“The Best Thing to

Have Around Your House”6005 Peters-San Felipe Rd.

Sealy (979) 885-4124

KO’s ELECTRIC

35 Years Experience

Keith OliverMaster Electrician • (TMEL 32600)

979-885-3116

*Residential *Commercial*Industrial *45 ft. Bucket Truck

VOTED BEST ELECTRICIAN 2005 to 2016

Forget the rest, Use the best!

Betty Williams-Hearing Aid Specialist330 Main St., Suite 1C • Sealy, Texas 77474

Phone: (979) 627-7771 • Fax: (979) 627-7769specialtyhearing@gmail.com

Proudly serving the hearing needs of Austin County

COLUMBUS979-732-5771

KATY281-829-3937

LA GRANGE979-968-3953

SEALY979-885-0665

TODD M. HOVIS, M.D.LORI J. LEARNED, M.D.ARUN G. NAYAR, M.D.

NICOLE H. NOSKA, O.D.

www.ColumbusEye.org

Comprehensive Eye Care!Fashionable Eye Wear!

� No Stitch Cataract Surgery� Premium Lens Replacement to reduce the

dependence on glasses and contacts.� Blade Free LASIK using Allegretto Wave,

Advanced CustomeVue, and IntraLase Laser Technology.

� Glaucoma Management using advance glaucoma diagnostic testing, treatment and surgery.

� Routine & Medical Eye Exams for all ages.� Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, & Prescription

Sunglasses.

UPCOMING EVENTS “We’ve planned around YOU”

• Check the Chamber’sCalendar at sealy

chamber.com• Check the

Austin CountyCalendar atvisitaustincounty.com

Thursday, December 14 and Monday, December 18The Chamber office will be closed as the staff will be in San Antonio at the NTA Conference representing Sealy!

Saturday, December 16Ribbon Cutting in Honor of our New Member The Backdrop Event Venue, LLCLocation: 3701 Outlet Center Dr., Suite 60, SealyTime: 11:00 amJoin us in welcoming Monique to the Chamber family!

Saturday, December 16Grand Opening in Honor of our New Member The Backdrop Event Venue, LLCLocation: 3701 Outlet Center Dr., Suite 60, SealyTime: 11:00 am – 3 pmJoin us in welcoming Monique to the Chamber family as she shows off her business!

Saturday, December 16The Chamber will participate in the Wallis Chamber Lighted ParadeLocation: Downtown WallisTime: Begins at 6 pm

December 26, 2017 – January 2, 2018The Sealy Chamber of Commerce will be closed in observance of our Christmas & New Year’s Holidays

Mark your calendars…the Annual Chamber Banquet will be coming February 9, 2018

Tuesday, January 8, 2017Location: Blinn College-Sealy CampusBlinn College Student Activity Center3701 Outlet Mall Dr. Suite 250Sealy, TX 774747:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Our Good Pitch Competition is coming! This competition is where 15 participants will be able to make their 2-minute elevator pitch for a chance to earn up to $250.

The Good Pitch Competition is an initiative to nurture good public speaking skills in the entrepreneurial and business community in Sealy. The competition is a great occasion to polish and/or prepare your speech for a potential business opportunity. A good elevator speech should have a good structure and organization, be original, use good body language and voice and targeted correctly to the audience.

Many have watched Shark Tank, where contestants pitch products and businesses in hopes of garnering big bucks. However, more need to know about our local 2018 Good Pitch Competition. This competition is searching for the best 2-minute pitch from Sealy. That pitch will be able to win up to $250, and the winner will be selecting a non-profit organization, which will receive a donation from the Sealy Chamber of Commerce of the funds collected from registration.

Do you have a great pitch that can make you earn some cash? Do not miss the opportunity to practice in front of the experts. First place receives $250, second place $100 and third place $50. Participation in the pitch carries a $10.00 fee.

If you would like to be one of those 15 participants, please contact Tammy Hall at (979) 885-3222 or Tammy Hall tammy@sealychamber.com .

The Good Pitch Competition Is Coming!

Send us your eventsIf you have an event in the upcoming

year that’s open to the public and would like to see it in the Chambers E-blast,

email the info to us at (tammy@sealychamber.com) by Friday and we’ll add it to the next week’s e-newsletter.We CAN’T promote your events ifwe don’t know they’re happening!

SealyAmerican Legion

B I N G OTuesday 7:30 P.M.

Lic# 17460627569Across from Tony’s Restaurant

Next to McDonald’s

(979) 885-7271 1630 Meyer

Sealy Chamber of Commerce Business ConneCtion Page 7

By HOLLY UVERITY

I believe that having a great tool - like Outlook - isn’t much use if you don’t know how to use it. In that light, here are a few more of my favorite Outlook tips. I hope you find one or more that will improve your productivity.

Save Sent Emails to a Folder Other Than SentMost people use folders to organize their emails

and unless you change it, emails you send go auto-matically into a general Sent folder. If you want to keep ALL your email correspondence in one place, this means you have to search Sent and manually move your reply from the Sent folder into the appro-priate one. Here’s how to make this task easier.

When you hit reply on an email, there are Tabs across the top of the email; on the Options tab, there is an option named Save Sent Item To. Click the small down arrow, and there is a list of the folders you’ve created in Mail. If you’ve not used this fea-ture yet, the list will be blank. Just click on Other Folder to see all your folders.

Choose the folder you want the email to be saved to, and once you’ve hit send, your reply will automat-ically be filed into the folder you selected. If you want, you can customize the reply ribbon so Save Sent Item To is the first icon on the left of the reply window, so you don’t have to click on the Options tab to get it.

Turn Off Default RemindersBy default, every appointment or meeting you cre-

ate has a reminder of 15 minutes. This can lead to many, many reminder windows popping up all day and after a while, they are ignored. To keep the reminders from losing their meaning, turn off the default and consciously set a reminder time - only if you need it - when you make the appointment. To turn off the default reminder, click the File tab (upper left), then Options, then Calendar. Under Calendar Options, you’ll see Default Reminders. Either set the default to None or deselect the option to turn it off. Removing the default reminders ensures that when a reminder pops up, it’s because you purposely set it.

Quickly Add a Person to Your ContactsThere are two quick ways to add someone to your

contact list; right click an email address from an open email or drag an email to People. Right click-ing opens a menu which allows you to select Add to Outlook Contacts. Select that and a Contact win-dow opens that is populated with the name and email address of the person; you can edit it and fill in any other information. Dragging an email to People not only adds that person to your contacts but it also puts the body of the email into the Notes section of the Contact. This can be helpful if there’s specific information in an email you always want handy when you access that contact. You can edit

out all the extraneous information form the Notes section and keep only that part of the email you need.

Use The Drafts FolderIt’s easy to think about writing an email to Mr. Big

Vendor while you’re writing one to Mr. Big Client. What’s not so easy is to remember to actually do it without getting distracted by something else.

Rather than try to keep it in your head, just use Drafts. As soon as you think of writing to Mr. Big Vendor, simply open a new email and start typing notes to yourself in the body or subject of the email. Oftentimes, something simple in the subject line like “ask about quantity pricing” will be enough to trig-ger your memory when you go back later to write it completely. (It’s important that you DO NOT fill in the email address as it’s easy to accidentally hit send.) Once you’ve got your note to yourself written, hit Save, and that email goes into your Drafts folder. It will safely stay there until you either delete it or finish it and send it. A number will appear behind the folder name to indicate the number of items in the folder so you’ll always know when there’s some-thing there. It’s also a great place to hold draft emails; if you’re writing a lengthy, complicated or emotional email, saving them into Drafts before sending allows you to review them before you hit sent, so you can be sure you’re saying exactly what you want to say.

There’s more than enough advice out there about what you should do when you land a job and want to jumpstart a successful career: Show up on time, do what you say you’ll do, and be curious among them.

But what is on the list of things you definitely should not do? Kate Kastenbaum, seasoned HR Director defined six things you should never do on the job:

1. Never hold a grudgeIf someone wronged you and you hold

a grudge towards them, you tend to avoid them making you less productive. Deal with your issue face to face. Put personal feelings aside and focus on the work: You have to be willing to work with everyone. People want to work with a team player. Avoiding the prob-lem shows a lack of maturity and diffi-culty handling challenging situations.

2. Don’t avoid your bossIf you’re more inclined to be open and

honest with your peers, that’s a mis-take. Open and honest communica-tion with your manager is vital. If you have an issue and don’t bring it up right away, you’re not using your manager for what they’re there for, which is to help you navigate prob-lems and guide you to the answer.”

3. Don’t ask your coworkers for drugs

Don’t let feelings of closeness blur the professional boundaries that must always be present when working with managers, coworkers, and clients. Don’t get drunk, abuse drugs, or abuse the situation you’re in because the truth will come out and your career and work relationships will pay the price.”

4. Never say “You’re wrong!”There’s never an appropriate time

to flat out tell a manager, coworker, or customer they are wrong. As you work through the solution you can

clarify or help them realize where the error is, but if you start the conversa-tion off with an accusation you won’t get very far in the discussion.”

5. Never make a habit of being arrogant or disrespectful

While even the most well-inten-tioned among us can have a bad day and be too short or too egotistical with a coworker or boss, it’s in your best interest not to do it. No matter how prestigious your background or important your project, you’ll build much better relationships if you show respect and humility in your interac-tions with others. Frankly, if you can’t get along with the janitor, then you won’t get along with the CEO either.”

6. Don’t leave your personal career development to your boss

If you don’t initiate the conversa-tions about what you want to learn or where you want to go in your career, they may never happen. Sometimes

what not to do is just as important as what to do. Don’t make any of these mistakes in your own career.

Simple, but very wise.An organization is like a tree full of

monkeys, all on different limbs at dif-ferent levels. The monkeys on top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. The monkeys on the bottom look up and see nothing but assholes

Don’t forget to listen into my radio show on VoiceAmerica Business at 5pm PST every Tuesday. Listen to any of my previous shows on VoiceAmerica archives at any time you choose. I interview some of the top people in business every week https: / /www.voiceamerica.com/show/1999/the-bob-pritchard-radio-show

Bob PritchardHave a successful, healthy and profit-able day

6 career-ending mistakes you should never make

Getting organized: My favorite outlook tips

Page 8 BUSINESS CONNECTION Sealy Chamber of Commerce

InfintechYour Partnership in Buying Power is working to lower your cost to process credit card payments. Check them out and see how they can work for you. Call Will Watson at 979-345-2988.

LocalSun EnergyCall Joey Romano for a quote on clean energy powered by affordable solar.(713) 829-3156orjoey@localsunenergy.com.www.localsunenergy.com

Newwave Business Advanced Communication SolutionsGet a quote to bring all your business needs for Phone, High Speed Internet, TV, into the 21st Century.Call Carlton Rollins, Business Manager at 979-338-9370 or carlton.rollins@newwavecom.com

2017 OFFICERSPresident, Lisa CatonVice President, Jon SnellSecretary, Betsy ZapalacTreasurer, Nancy James

STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Peggy SpradleyEXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, Tammy Hall

DIRECTORS

FIRST YEARToni Franklin Mitja PetermanGreg StuesselVince Wollney

SECOND YEARTravis AskewMike HalpinGary HudsonBrian LaphamJon Snell

THIRD YEARLisa CatonCarl CloverNancy JamesRick MartinezBetsy Zapalac

PAST PRESIDENTPatricia Knapp

BLUE BLAZERSCharlie BurchfieldBill BurttschellToni FranklinTerry HigginbothamKathy Holloman

Zanetta KnesekWyn McCreadyKim MeloneckRyan SvobodaLeroy Zapalac

The Sealy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Blue Blazers, Staff and Volunteers

would like to wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous 2018! We thank you for being a part of

our wonderful organization in 2017 and look forward to serving you throughout the new year and beyond.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PARADEcontinued from Page 1

back and top to bottom it was complete! The entry took on a life of its own. An “Africa Safari Christmas” came to life for all to see.

Riding with Keith and Tammy were Tammy’s granddaughters Lily Tidwell, Aubrie Hall and Brooklynn Hall. Aubrie and Brooklynn were rep-resenting their father Stephen Hall of SDS ~ Stephen’s Diesel Service. The night ended with a great surprise…the entry won second place in the “Best Use of Theme” category. Thank you, Sealy Community Foundation, for such a great honor.

Thank you Nancy James for your contin-ued help as always and a huge thank you to Keith Oliver and KO Electric for your imagination as well as your dedication to the Chamber!