Volume 2012, Issue 9

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber September 2012

Volume 2012, Issue #9

“We Mean Business”

A Meeting with Congressman Barber

Just a week before the

August 28 Primary Elec-

tion, the Sierra Vista Area

Chamber played host to

Congressman Ron Barber.

The incumbent

Congressional District 2

Democratic candidate met

with members of the

Board of Directors,

Legislative Affairs

Committee and Military

Affairs Committee

at the Chamber

building.

Congressman

Barber spoke about

a number of Federal

issues that he felt

were of concern to

the Sierra Vista

community.

The most pressing issue,

said Barber, is the fast

approaching possibility of

sequestration, which will

see swathing cuts across

government agencies,

including the Department

of Defense, if Congress

cannot come to a budget

agreement by the New

Year.

Barber said it remains to

be seen whether a deal

could be reached in time,

but he strongly believed

that Congress should not

have adjourned when it

did with so much work

still to do.

The Congressman is

acutely aware of the

importance of Fort

Huachuca to the local

economy – more than $2.4

billion annually – and he

promised to continue to

work to ensure that the

military installation

maintains a viable future.

He is also concerned

about the ongoing

litigation brought by envi-

ronmental groups against

the Fort and other

organizations like the City

of Sierra Vista, as well as

the recent attempts by the

Bureau of Land

Management to stop the

planned Castle & Cooke

Tribute development.

Congressman Barber also

stressed that he would like

to hear from the business

community regard-

ing the new

Affordable Care

Act.

While a supporter

of the healthcare

bill, he

acknowledges that

it is not a perfect

piece of legislation

and there is still some

work to be done to im-

prove certain aspects.

He particularly wants to

know how small

businesses will be

impacted by the ACA.

The Chamber will be

sending out a short survey

to its members to gauge

the impact of the bill and

will pass the results along

to the Congressman.

An Update From

Executive

Director Amanda

Baillie

2

Member Spotlight

on Frye’s

Ultimate

Supplements and

Vitamins

3

Am I a Small

Business?

3

Calendar of

Events

4

Events at a

Glance

5

How to prevent

occupational theft

in the workplace.

6

Member Page 7

Board of

Directors/

Chamber Staff

8

Did you get out and vote in

last month’s primary

election?

Disappointingly, less than a

quarter of registered voters

exercised their right to have a

say in the democratic process

on August 28.

Is this because voters do not

believe their vote will make a

difference?

Is the public simply tired of

the months-long campaigning

which, in some cases, has

resorted to less than courteous

behavior?

While it is easy to become

disillusioned and apathetic

when it comes to the political

arena, your vote does have an

impact.

At the local level we have

seen a number of closely

fought battles that were won or

lost on a handful of votes – the

city wards system, the water

district and the last Sierra Vista

Mayoral race are just three that

immediately come to mind.

These were all important issues

that have a direct impact on

everyone living and working in

this community.

With almost another two months

to go before the November 6

general election, the Chamber

will continue to monitor the

initiatives, issues and candidates.

We will keep our members

informed about the topics of

concern to the business

community and we will let you

know if we choose to endorse or

advocate on a certain issue.

As you are aware, all six

candidates running for a seat on

the City of Sierra Vista council

will be moving on to the general

election, where the final outcome

of this race will be decided.

We urge all Chamber members to

voice their opinion on November 6

and vote for the candidates they

believe will do the best job for the

business community.

Don’t forget you can read the answers all six candidates gave to

questions posed by the Chamber’s

Legislative Affairs Committee regarding business issues on our

website at http://

sierravistachamber.org/candidate-forums-and-events/responses-

chamber-questionaire/

You can also view the Chamber

sponsored candidates forum at http://sierravistachamber.org/

candidate-forums-and-events/

Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

“...less than a

quarter of

registered voters

exercised their

right to have a say

in the democratic

process…”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

16th Annual Home and Business Expo

Saturday, September 8th

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Come out and visit our local businesses at the 16th

Annual Home and Business Expo. Products range

from A - Z including remodeling to fitness. Vendors

range from landscaping to photography to

IT solutions.

The Mall at Sierra Vista

Saturday, September 8th

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Forks & Corks will showcase samples of the delicious

and diverse cuisine of local restaurant members

alongside samples of the Sonoita Winery.

This event will be held in an elegantly transformed

3000 sq ft room in the mall by Lowe’s, Cochise

County Water Project, and Grasshopper Landscaping

to showcase the ease and effectiveness of water

saving landscaping, home improvement, and

water harvesting systems.

Page 3 Volume 2012, Issue 9

Member Spotlight on Frye’s Ultimate Supplements & Vitamins

by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

If ever there

was a busi-

ness that

embodied

entrepreneu-

rial spirit,

Frye’s Ulti-

mate Supple-

ments & Vita-

mins is it.

After spending six years at home with

health issues, Liza Frye was ready to get

back to work but did not know what

path to take.

Her husband Bill provided the answer.

“Bill was familiar with the products we

now sell, but was tired of always having

to order online,” Liza said.

Despite never having run a business be-

fore, the Fryes decided to take their ex-

isting knowledge of supplements and

vitamins and explore the possibility of

setting up a store front company.

The couple also took a sensible ap-

proach and, rather than diving in head

first, they did their homework and mar-

ket research.

This included working with the Cochise

College Small Business Development

Center, which provides free counseling

to budding and existing entrepreneurs.

On April 28 this year, Frye’s Ultimate

Supplements & Vitamins opened its

doors at 1618 E. Fry Boulevard, next to

Angelika’s German Restaurant & Im-

ports.

Just like many other owners, they found

that running their own business was not

an easy task.

“When we first opened, nobody was

coming,” said Liza. “Then we started

having people come in every day. Then

we started having sales every day. Now,

we are seeing repeat customers.”

It has been a slow and steady process,

but the couple has come a long way in

just four months, taking their stock from

just one shelf to a store full of products,

featuring 51 different brands.

They now sell everything from supple-

ments and vitamins, to essential oils and

homeopathic medicines.

“And if you don’t see what you are

looking for, we will do the research and

get it for you,” added Liza. “We have

done a number of custom orders.”

Staff will work with everyone to ensure

they leave with the right product,

whether they are a seasoned bodybuilder

or a senior looking for alternatives to

pharmaceutical medications.

Already looking to the future, the couple

is working to expand inventory and mar-

ket to the public – they will have a

booth at the Home & Business Expo.

“It’s been a challenging few months, but

what we have learned is that we can do

this,” said Liza.

For more information contact Frye’s

Ultimate Supplements & Vitamins at

335-1210 or visit

www.fryesultimate.com Would you like your business to be featured

in the Member Spotlight? Join us at our next

Business at Twilight for your chance to

win this free benefit!

Am I a Small Business Concern? Courtesy of SBA.gov

You may take it for granted that your

company is a "small business." The dis-

tinction is important if you wish to reg-

ister for government contracting as a

small business. Once you register as a

government contractor, you must adhere

to industry size standards established by

the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA, for most industries, de-

fines a "small business" either in

terms of the average number of

employees over the past 12 months,

or average annual receipts over the

past three years. In addition, SBA

defines a U.S. small business as a

concern that:

Is organized for profit;

Has a place of business in the US;

Operates primarily within the U.S.

or makes a significant contribution

to the U.S. economy through pay-

ment of taxes or use of American

products, materials or labor;

Is independently owned and oper-

ated; and

Is not dominant in its field on a na-

tional basis.

The business may be a sole proprie-

torship, partnership, corporation, or

any other legal form. In determining

what constitutes a small business,

the definition will vary to reflect

industry differences, such as size

standards.

Size Standards

Since all federal agencies must use SBA

size standards for contracts identified as

small business, you need to select

NAICS codes that best describe your

business and then determine if the busi-

ness meet size standards for the selected

NAICS codes.

For more information visit SBA.gov

Business at Twilight

Hosted by:

Laser Cosmetic Services

September 13th

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

599 E. Wilcox Dr.

Live demonstrations + mini massages, special

discounts for Chamber Members on all services,

skincare, make-up and supplements. Raffling off

prizes including a $500.00 gift certificate.

Networking opportunities!

Appetizers and Verdi Champagne

The

Mini Expo is just around the corner!

The Mini Expo will be held at the Mall at Sierra

Vista. The Mall at Sierra Vista provides an amazing

venue for home based businesses to promote their

goods and services during prime shopping hours

close to the holiday season.

This event is open to home based and non profit

(service & charitable clubs/churches) organizations.

Open to Sierra Vista Chamber Members for $99 and

Non-Chamber Members for $149!

Schedule of Events

5 September - Military Affairs Com-

mittee Luncheon, Thunder Mountain

Activity Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

8 September - Home and Business

Expo, Mall at Sierra Vista, 10:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m.

8 September - Forks and Corks, Mall

at Sierra Vista, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

11 September - Legislative Affairs

Committee Meeting, Sierra Vista

Chamber, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

12 September - Ambassadors Meeting,

IHOP, 7:30 a.m.

13 September - Business at Twilight,

Laser Cosmetics, 599 E. Wilcox

Drive, 5:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.

19 September - Military Affairs Com-

mittee Meeting, Sierra Vista Chamber,

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5

MAC

6 7 8

EXPO

9 10 11

LAC

12

Amb.

13

BAT

14 15

16 17 18 19

MAC

20 21 22

23

30

24 25 26 27 28 29

September 2012

Page 5 Volume 2012, Issue 9

Events at A Glance

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Clockwise from Top Left: Awardees being pre-

sented donated gifts at the Military Affairs Com-

mittee Luncheon; Glen Cobb impersonating John

at Buffalo Wild Wings’ Business at Twilight;

Business at Twilight attendees enjoying wings

and networking.; Ambassadors and Chamber

representatives celebrating Navy Federal Credit

Union’s grand opening at a Ribbon Cutting

Ceremony; John reading the Prosperity Procla-

mation; Ambassadors preparing for Habitat Re-

store’s grand reopening ribbon cutting cere-

mony; Ambassadors, Chamber Members, and

some of the local community celebrating Habitat

Restore’s grand reopening.

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

Small business owners who carry

multiple roles – worker, employer,

accountant, janitor, customer ser-

vice representative, etc. – may feel

frazzled when they can’t be in more

places at once. How can someone

possibly be working in the office,

selling goods and services to cus-

tomers, and overseeing the work

force at the same time, on a limited

budget?

It’s just not possible, and some em-

ployees may choose to take advan-

tage of their busy bosses when their

backs are turned by committing em-

ployee theft and fraud. According

to the U.S. Small Business Admini-

stration (SBA), “occupational fraud

now results in the loss of 5 percent

of an organization’s annual reve-

nue.”

A less-common form of occupa-

tional fraud that doesn’t involve

workers filling their pockets with

stolen merchandise is time theft and

worker productivity. In these situa-

tions, employees are not dedicating

their time on the clock entirely to

work, which can include arriving

late and leaving early; using paid

sick days for reasons other than ill-

ness; handling personal business at

work; working slower to get over-

time; and taking excessive lunch

breaks or cigarette breaks.

Some studies show that the average

hard-working employee steals al-

most an hour of company time per

day, which averages to about six

work weeks annually.

For most small business owners,

losing out on any hard-earned reve-

nue is just not an option. Experts

recommend following a few guide-

lines to prevent sticky fingers and

time-wasters from taking advantage

of their bosses:

1.Background tests, drug screen-

ing and candidate references can

all count for something. Sure, not

all employees committed occupa-

tional fraud or were even caught,

but looking deep into their past em-

ployment records and asking spe-

cific questions may reveal unfavor-

able tendencies or employment sna-

fus. Employers may want to seek

advice from legal professionals be-

fore and after getting results from

pre-employment screenings to en-

sure all local and federal laws are

being followed.

2. Having an enforceable, thor-

ough employee handbook may

make it harder for workers to

cheat or steal. If employers notify

workers about company conduct

and what actions will be taken for

occupational fraud, such as time

theft, employees may be less likely

to think they can get away with that

type of activity.

Even with company guidelines and

an employee handbook in place, the

SBA advises business owners to be

on the lookout for these warning

signs:

• An employee who acts strangely

if another worker or employer en-

ters his or her workspace or ap-

proaches without warning

• Small items seem to disappear on

a regular basis

• There are unexplained discrepan-

cies in inventory or income

• Jobs seem to take longer than they

should to complete

If business owners notice any of

these signs, they are encouraged to

audit expense reports, cash income

and movement, sick day reports,

and web or phone policy violations,

said the SBA.

3. Outreach may be the best form

of prevention. Whether employers

want to admit it or not, even the

best workers have the potential to

commit occupational fraud. By be-

ing upfront and honest to all em-

ployees while encouraging them to

ask for help before choosing to risk

their job and stealing, it could be

just the ticket to halt theft. In cases

of unusual business transactions or

seemingly incorrect statements and

paperwork, the SBA advises busi-

ness owners to check for errors but

trust their instincts.

For more information and related

topics please visit SCF’s blog at

http://www.safeatworkaz.com

Courtesy of SCF Arizona

Sticky fingers, lazy bones: How to prevent occupational theft in the workplace.

Page 7 Volume 2012, Issue 9

Thank You to These Members for Renewing Their Commitment to The Business Community:

A Special Welcome to Our New Members! Rosen Orthodontics - 520-458-2500

Super Window Screen - 877-953-4256

IEEE Fort Huachuca Chapter - 623-332-

6087

Stonebraker Properties, LLC - 520-249-

5702

Harris Steel Building, LLC - 520-457-

3220

Net Zero Solar - 520-207-4053

Trails West Tractor - 520-586-0500

Copper Sky Images, LLC - 520-335-6909

Local Locksmith - 520-586-3399

Paladin Fitness - 520-289-1285

Parrothead Pools, LLC - 520-432-5273

Cannon’s Creative Surfaces, Inc. - 520-

439-9497

Susan Servin, LLC - 520-229-9230

Liberty Mutual Insurance - 520-370-3230

Ride Arizona Motorcycle Training

Course - 520-876-4775

Scholar Foods - 520-456-5212

Street Legal Arizona - 520-876-4775

SEAGO - 520-432-2622

Griggs Online - 800-370-5652

Valor Hospice Care & Palliative Care -

520-458-9450

Bowen Associates

Central Arizona Block

Company

Cherry Creek Radio

Cochise County

Cochise Motorsports

Creative Memories

Dr. Alan Kawakami

Edward Jones Investments

Family Vision Care

Finders Keepers Antiques

First Things First

Goin’ to Grandma’s

Habitat for Humanity, Sierra

Vista

ICASTE Networks

Manda Le’ Restaurant and

Lounge

Mobile Marketing Blueprint

Mountain Steppes Apartments

Nova Home Loans

Pauline Fredericks

Photography

Rosemont Copper Company

S & S Tours, LLC

Secure Estate Management

Sierra Vista First Assembly of

God

Small Business Development

Center

SMPLFY IT

Southwest Home and Hearth

Suburban Extended Stay Hotel

Thunder Mountain

Community Church

Thunder Mountain Pools

Tombstone Harley Davidson

University Physicians

Healthcare

University South Foundation

Wayland Baptist University

Executive Club Members A+ Texture

American Family Insurance

American Systems

Arizona Water Company

Best Buy

BrightStar

CACI, Inc.

Campstone Transfer, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CGI

CerendipiTees

Cherry Creek Radio

City of Sierra Vista

Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.

Cox Communications

Data Systems & Technology, Inc.

Dental Village

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot

Farmers Insurance - Ginny Francis

Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information

Technology

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista,

Inc.

Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency

KKYZ Radio

Landmark Café

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley’s Team Ford

Life Care Center

Long Realty Co.

Longhorn Restaurant

Mall at Sierra Vista

ManTech Telecommunications & Info

Systems

Mobile Marketing Blueprint

Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC

National Bank of Arizona

Navy Federal Credit Union

Netmedix IT Solutions

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Patio Pools & Spas

Pioneer Title Agency

Pueblo del Sol Country Club

Restless Wings Photography

Rosemont Copper Company

Salient Federal Solutions

Sentrillion

Sierra Vista Ace Hardware

Sierra Vista Herald Bisbee Daily Review

Sierra Vista Regional Health Center

Southeastern Arizona Contractors

Association

Southwest Gas Corporation

Southwestern Eye Center

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

STG Inc.

Stilwell’s Learning Center, LLC

Suburban Extended Stay Hotels

Sulpher Springs Valley Electric Coop.

Sun Canyon Inn

The Boeing Company

TDY Housing

TMS - Ty Media Services

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

University of Phoenix -Sierra Vista

Campus

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wayland Baptist University

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

21 E. Wilcox Dr.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878

www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Past Chairman - Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Chair Elect - Jean Giuffrida, Long Realty Treasurer - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Secretary - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista Board Members Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Randy Sueskind Pamela Anderson - Landmark Café Jack Blair - Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Anita Farrow - National Bank of Arizona Joe Stroud - Edwards Financial, Inc. Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, abaillie@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, jhagraves@sierravistachamber.org Communications Director - David Elkins, delkins@sierravistachamber.org Office Manager - Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org