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, [email protected] Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, [email protected] Communications Director - David Elkins, [email protected] Office Manager - Toni Rogers, [email protected] Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, [email protected]