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Category: Local Business

Playing A Key Role in Veterinarian’s Journey

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
New Mover Marketing for Veterinarians Laurel Road

Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing franchise, is committed to helping families settle into their new community. From restaurants to gyms to veterinary offices, new residents have to find their community staples. Our Town America presents new movers with a welcoming package filled with discount offers to local businesses, delivered right to their mailbox. These offers can serve as a convenient starting point for residents as they work to establish their new normal. Dr. Ilene Serentill, owner of Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic in Nokomis, Florida, has first-hand experience with Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing program. After moving to the area a few years ago to be closer to her child’s school, Serentill was greeted with a personalized New Mover Welcoming Package from Our Town America. She was immediately drawn to the colorful, appealing offers. Upon flipping through the offers, she discovered a free pet exam from her neighborhood vet, Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic. This piqued her interest as she herself was a veterinarian and was seeking employment close to her new home. Dr. Serentill realized the veterinary clinic was within walking distance of her new house. She decided to stop by, introduce herself and see if there were any job openings for a veterinarian. Fate was on her side that day; a full-time veterinarian had just turned in their two-week notice a few days before, and the clinic needed a new vet. Dr. Serentill decided a great way to get to know the clinic was to utilize her Our Town America gift certificate for a free, comprehensive exam for her dog, Sarge. During that visit, Dr. Serentill was able to meet the clinic owner and staff members. She immediately felt at home and was confident in moving forward with the veterinarian position at the clinic. Fast forward to today, and Dr. Serentill is now owner of the Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic. “It’s been a long journey, but it all started with Our Town America,” says Dr. Serentill. “I first found out about the clinic through an Our Town America offer, and now, after a lot of long hours and hard work, I am the owner! I took over the business in September of 2018, and I am excited to continue our partnership with Our Town America. They have been incredibly valuable to our business.” As a new business owner, Dr. Serentill is very budget-conscious and has cut back on all marketing expenses…except Our Town America. Today, the Laurel Road Veterinary Clinic still offers new movers a free, comprehensive exam for their pet, valued at $45. Additionally, Dr. Serentill and local franchise owner, Jennifer Moseley, decided to send Our Town America thank you cards to new residents that took advantage of the free exam. Those thank you cards are good for $5 off the customer’s next visit. (check out this Veterinary News article for more details on how this program works for veterinarians) “Our Town America gives us a measurable metric to determine the effectiveness of the campaign and helps us establish relationships with new customers,” says Dr. Serentill. “On average, we see three new clients per month who are using their new mover offer for a free exam. Those customers often come back time and time again; many become life-long, loyal customers. That new business is great for our bottom line.” Our Town America has been helping businesses across the country capture the attention of new movers for more than 45 years. Capitalizing on new residents through appealing vouchers, discounts and unique offers can give local businesses a competitive edge. By providing new residents with personalized coupons, delivered straight to their mailbox, Our Town America helps stimulate the local economy and grow local businesses. Are you interested in putting our industry leading new mover marketing program to work for your business?   Click here to get started – https://www.ourtownamerica.com/movers-on-demand/#business-info Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Our Town America’s Hurricane Florence Fundraiser Helping Local Businesses

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Tavern 14 Wilmington North Carolina Hurricane Florence Fundraiser

Wilmington Business Journal (October 24) — The impact of Hurricane Florence on area restaurants was far reaching, from the loss of perishable products and structural damage to the loss of revenue. Many independently owned establishments are struggling financially. Bassam Safi, owner of the Wilmington branch of Our Town America, a national marketing company that targets new residents, was inspired by the company’s past efforts to help hurricane victims. Our Town America franchise owners hosted Facebook fundraisers following hurricanes Irma and Harvey, to help businesses impacted by the storm, and Safi said he wanted to follow suit. Safi’s Hurricane Florence Facebook fundraiser generated more than $1,500, which he will be donating this week to Tavern 14, located at 6309 Market St. Tavern 14, which remains closed, sustained significant damage due to water and mold, forcing owner Christyne Nagaishi to gut the 5,000-square-foot structure. In addition to the mounting repair costs, Nagaishi estimates a loss of $4,000 in food and $8,000 in liquor, beer and wine. While her employees are currently receiving unemployment benefits, she is concerned that the longer she remains closed, the fewer of her employees will be likely to return to the tavern. Nagaishi began working at Tavern 14, formerly a private club that operated under a number of names for the past three decades, when she moved to Wilmington six years ago. At that point it was located across the street at 6320 Market St. She purchased the business two years ago and when the building was sold this past spring, Nagaishi moved to the current location and integrated a kitchen. When she reopened June 1, she began working with Safi on targeted advertising to capture new business as well as keep the loyal clientele she had worked hard to build. “I invested everything into the move and took out a loan to add the kitchen,” Nagaishi said. “So for this to happen three months later is really devastating.” Nagaishi said she learned of Safi’s efforts and the money she would be receiving from the Our Town America corporate office. “I wasn’t surprised that Bassam was behind the effort, but I had no idea he was doing this with us in mind,” Nagaishi said. “He truly embodies the local spirit of taking care of one another.”   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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After Hurricane Florence WBTV Reports on Our Town America

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Hurricane Florence Assistance Good Neighbor Day Our Town America

WBTV Charlotte (September 2018) –Hurricane Florence flooded the Carolinas with a record-setting 24 inches of rainfall.   In fact, according to Moody’s Analytics, the total damage caused by Florence is estimated at $17-22 billion – making the hurricane one of the 10 costliest in history. Florence’s impact is, and will continue to be, devastating for tens of thousands of business owners throughout North and South Carolina who will spend months, potentially years, getting their lives – and businesses – back on track. This makes this year’s National Good Neighbor Day (September 28) more important than ever in Charlotte and other communities throughout the Carolinas.   And one local business owner, Jane McElhaney, is trying to make it an uplifting day for local business owners with the “Charlotte Small Biz Storm Response Squad.”   She will travel all over Charlotte on September 28th to surprise local business owners with balloons, food, gifts and a helping hand! McElhaney created the “Charlotte Small Biz Storm Response Squad” to thank small businesses for being fantastic neighbors every day of the year – creating jobs, providing goods, keeping our local economy chugging, etc. – and remind them that the local community has their back as they pick up the pieces post-Florence. President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601 in 1978 to recognize National Good Neighbor Day as a national holiday.   Carter’s reasoning was that “the noblest human concern is concern for others” and a sense of community is nurtured when everyone feels “part of a larger family.”   McElhaney’s mission is to ensure all local business owners know good neighbors are there for them in the wake of the storm. Watch video below for full story.   Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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New Mover Marketing makes a Lasting Bottom-line Impact for Veterinarians

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Veterinarian New Mover Marketing

One of the best ways to gain the attention of potential customers and hopefully earn their long-term loyalty before your competitors is to implement a campaign that delivers a quality, high-value offer to pet owners new to your community Veterinary Practice News (August 2018) — Pursuing the entrepreneurial dream of small business ownership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, particularly in the veterinary industry. Inevitably, there will be speed bumps along the path to success, not the least of which is attracting new clients. One of the best ways to gain the attention of potential customers is to capitalize on new movers. Successfully implementing new-mover marketing campaigns can make a notable difference in a veterinary clinic’s long-term success. New-mover marketing professionals partner with local businesses to create an enticing welcome package for new movers. As a family settles into a new home, they will find a convenient collection of special offers delivered right to their door that encourage the family to patronize local businesses. Even in today’s increasingly technological world, marketing offers for new movers that are delivered directly to mailboxes consistently outperform email and mobile offers. Market trends indicate Americans are on the move More than 40 million Americans will move this year alone, and one in three renters move at least once each year. Today’s economy is quite robust—meaning companies are hiring and people are frequently moving to pursue new job opportunities. Boomerang buyers also are coming out in full force. Those who may have had to foreclose on their homes during the Great Recession have had the chance to rebuild their credit. Now that they’ve regained their footing, those buyers are ready to purchase a home once again. As consumers gain confidence in the job market, their discretionary spending increases. Families have more money to spend on non-necessities, including pet ownership. In years past, every spare penny was devoted to making ends meet; however, in today’s economy, many families find themselves ready to adopt new pets. New-mover marketing leads to long-term profit In the veterinary industry, each new client can be worth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars long term. Once a customer is established, it’s likely she will continue to bring her pets back to that same clinic for years to come. Many pet owners will have several pets, either simultaneously or over the course of their lifetime, further increasing the earning potential for the clinic. This means each new customer acquired has the potential to bring a tremendous amount of revenue to the clinic. Baxter Veterinary Clinic located in Fort Mills, S.C., has seen this long-term payoff firsthand. Co-owner and operator, Kelly Baete, DVM, has used professional new-mover marketing campaigns since first opening her practice in 2011. Currently, Dr. Baete is offering new residents a complimentary pet exam, valued between $45 and $65, depending on the pet. “[New-mover marketing] has helped us establish countless long-term relationships,” said Baete. “An average customer brings in approximately $500 per year, so each long-term customer we establish is incredibly valuable.” While that initial visit may be free or discounted, the program can easily pay for itself with just one new loyal customer. According to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), families will spend an average of $731 on veterinary bills for dogs and $427 for cats each year. Beyond annual checkups, surgeries, and teeth cleanings, many customers will use such services as grooming or boarding, depending on what the clinic offers. Upsells from this additional business that might include food, treats, shampoo, supplements, and further increase the income potential from a single new customer. Reach customers ahead of your competition Pets are an integral part of many family units. According to APPA, 68 percent of households in the U.S. include a pet, translating to roughly 85 million families. Many of those families are looking for a veterinary clinic that will provide quality care for their companion at a reasonable rate. Through new-mover marketing, veterinary clinics can provide those potential customers with a starting point for their search. When it comes to pursuing new business, movers are an ideal target. Families new to the neighborhood are easier to reach than families who have an established presence in the community. This is because the new family has no loyalty to any local businesses. As a family settles in, they will have to find staple businesses in their new community, including a grocery store, a doctor’s office, and a veterinary clinic, to name a few. Finding a well-respected veterinarian is one of the top priorities for families with pets. By reaching those new movers right away, veterinary clinics will immediately establish credibility, build brand awareness, and generate an all-too critical competitive advantage. This can prove to be vital as new movers are one of the few target audiences in a predictable state of transition. Establishing first contact with a family can be crucial. It’s ideal to get your brand noticed before the family even has a chance to interact with your competition. It is much easier to attract a brand-new customer to your business than it is to pull one away from a competitor. However, if your offer isn’t interesting or lacks value, likely the customer will toss the offer aside and consider your competitor instead. Both the timing and quality of the offer matter tremendously when appealing to new movers. Incentivize new movers through quality offers The key to implementing a successful new-mover marketing campaign is the offer. It’s imperative to entice new customers to visit your location through something of value. Customers can see through a cheap incentive and will be turned off by a proposition that comes with hidden fees. If customers see an opportunity for a quality discount, they are far more likely to give your clinic a chance. That initial trial is extremely desirable because getting clients in the door is often the hardest part of expanding a business. Present customers with something that catches their […]

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Entertainment Centers Use New Mover Marketing to Grow Business

Written by Brittany N. Johnson

Implementing New Mover Marketing campaigns can give entertainment centers (i.e. bowling center, movie theaters, go-kart places, etc.) a tremendous competitive edge. In today’s world, most people who move to a new house either have children or are young married couples who are likely to have kids in the coming years. Thus, new movers are prime potential customers for entertainment centers across America! Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest-growing New Mover Marketing franchise, specializes in helping local businesses capitalize on the goldmine that is new residents. By delivering gift certificates with personalized offers right to a new resident’s mailbox, Our Town America helps local businesses get noticed. The moving industry is growing, so appealing to new movers continually draws in customers. Businesses just need a way to get their foot in the door; fortunately, Our Town America has the keys. The Moving Industry is Thriving A growing economy correlates to an increasing number of movers in the U.S. As companies begin to hire more and more employees, families are uprooting and moving to new areas to take advantage of those job opportunities. New, higher-paying jobs mean that families will likely have more expendable income. Local entertainment centers are a prime opportunity to get out of the house and do something fun as a family, so it’s no surprise that entertainment centers are keen to draw in those new residents. In addition, boomerang buyers are coming out in force. These buyers are the portion of the population who foreclosed on their homes during the recession and have been working to build their credit back up ever since. We’ve just about hit that point where those buyers are now able to jump back into the world of home ownership, and that often means a move to a new community. Regardless of why a family has moved, they are inevitably on the hunt for things to do in their new neighborhood. New movers mean new opportunities to draw customers in to your establishment. Why Target New Movers? As families move into new neighborhoods, they are naturally looking for the nearby necessities such as grocery stores, hair salons, auto mechanics and more. Finding safe, family-friendly activities is sure to be high on the list of priorities as the family settles in. The key is to draw those new residents into your establishment before they come across your competition. Grabbing new mover attention early will help you build brand awareness and loyalty. It’s much easier to get customers in the door if you aren’t trying to lure them away from competitors. According to the Harvard Business Review, acquiring a new customer can cost five to 25 times more than retaining a current customer, depending on the industry and market. This is because you are not expending as much time and resources to target new clients. Instead, you focus on building out the quality of your establishment and work on keeping your current customers happy. In fact, according to research done by the Frederick Reicheld of Bain and Company, if you increase customer retention by just five percent, your profits may increase between 25 and 95 percent!   Why Our Town America Works Through Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing programs, you are ensuring your company is seen immediately upon a family’s arrival to the neighborhood. That initial awareness shows your company is active in the community and will help establish your credibility. The next step is to provide the customer with the incentive to come visit. Our Town America’s personalized gift certificates do just that. Our Town America’s success lies with the expertise of our corporate staff and franchisees. Our Town America will work with your entertainment center one-on-one to devise the perfect marketing campaign for you and your market. Our Town America gift packages deliver personalized and valuable offers that are geared specifically toward your target demographic. That customization, attention to detail and years of experience will make all the difference in your bottom line. Testimonials Our Town America has a proven track record when it comes to capturing the interest of new movers on behalf of entertainment centers.   Consider… The innovative New Mover Marketing campaign has had a profound impact on businesses such as Royal Cinemas in Royal, VA. Rick Novak, the cinema complex owner, has used Our Town America’s services for more than seven years, calling it “the best Return on Investment for a business.” Unlike ordinary coupons, Our Town America evaluates each market and comes up with a custom strategy based on valuable offers built for that region. For Royal Cinemas, Our Town America capitalized on the trend of people migrating west of Washington, D.C. As a result, Royal Cinemas has seen an average monthly response rate of 11 percent, with some months exceeding 17 percent. Those numbers speak for themselves! New Mover Marketing campaigns work.   Rob Suess, owner of The Alley at Southshore in Riverview, FL, has seen tremendous results from Our Town America’s new mover campaigns. Suess offered one free hour of bowling plus free shoe rental. He says, “This is probably one of the best redeeming offers I’ve ever seen go out in my 20 years of this business. Dozens more new customers are entering our doors each month.”     The same is true for Robb Tacelosky, owner of Ultimate Play Zone in Cockeysville, MD Tacelosky has worked with Our Town America for years and could not be more pleased with the results. Since 2014, he has been offering new movers a three-for-one admission rate to his entertainment center. He has seen “an exponential amount of new movers who redeem the gift certificate to become repeat, long-term customers.” Tacelosky believes that Our Town America has been invaluable to his long-term success. If you’d like to take your business to the next level, visit OurTownAmerica.com to learn more about Our Town America’s New Mover Marketing Programs. You can complete a contact form or give us a call at 800-497-8360. Be sure to mention this article! […]

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The Stresses of Moving – WBTV Charlotte

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Charlotte Moving Stress

WBTV Charlotte (June 2018) – It’s no secret Charlotte is booming, ranked #19 on FORBES’ 2018 “Fastest Growing Cities List.” Right in time for May’s National Moving Month, a recent local survey reveals relocating here – and anywhere – will cause major stress on relationships. The local survey polled recent movers and reveals relocation scars personal relationships as couples fight over why they moved and where they moved while struggling with money problems and decreased intimacy. And get this – many recent movers admitted they secretly got revenge on their partner right before the move with “dirty dumping”.  More than 1 in 3 new movers admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possessions or purposefully tossing it in the Goodwill bag. Commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s premier new mover marketing company, the survey of 300+ men and women who have recently relocated also revealed: Kids compound the problem – couples put their relationships on the back burner after a move because they’re paranoid about “finding the right school” for their kids and “helping them make new friends” – the top two child-related moving stressors. Unfriendly neighbors add to the stress – nearly half (49%) of survey respondents said meeting new neighbors is key to feeling comfortable in their new home, but say their neighbors are “too busy” and “aren’t as friendly” as the neighbors they remember as a child. Housewarming gifts are rare, but important – 88% of respondents said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new home, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift. This survey was released during the busiest moving time of the year.   These results are particularly timely as more than 40 million Americans are expected to relocate this year, and most will make their move during summer months when the weather is nice, and kids are out of school. Watch the WBTV Charlotte clip below.  If interested in partnering with your local New Mover Marketing experts, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America Charlotte, please complete a Contact Form or call 704-906-7434. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports businesses across the nation year round. Non-Charlotte area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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The Financial Stress of Moving – KNXV Phoenix

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America The Valley Moving Stress

KNXV Phoenix (June 2018) – It’s no secret that Phoenix is booming, ranked #11 on FORBES’ 2018 “Fastest Growing Cities List.” A recent local survey reveals relocating to Phoenix – or anywhere – will cause major stress on relationships. The survey polled recent movers and reveals relocation scars personal relationships as couples fight over why they moved and where they moved while struggling with money problems and decreased intimacy. Many recent movers even admitted they secretly got revenge on their partner right before the move with “dirty dumping”.  More than 1 in 3 new movers admitted to “accidentally losing” a significant other’s prized possessions or purposefully tossing it in the Goodwill bag. Commissioned by Our Town America, the nation’s premier New Mover Marketing company, the survey of 300+ men and women who have recently relocated also revealed: Kids compound the problem – couples put their relationships on the back burner after a move because they’re paranoid about “finding the right school” for their kids and “helping them make new friends” – the top two child-related moving stressors. Unfriendly neighbors add to the stress – nearly half (49%) of survey respondents said meeting new neighbors is key to feeling comfortable in their new home, but say their neighbors are “too busy” and “aren’t as friendly” as the neighbors they remember as a child. Housewarming gifts are rare, but important – 88% of respondents said that receiving a housewarming gift would make them feel more comfortable in a new home, yet less than half (46%) have ever received a housewarming gift. This survey was released during the busiest moving time of the year.   These results are particularly timely as more than 40 million Americans are expected to relocate this year, and most will make their move during summer months when the weather is nice, and kids are out of school. Watch the KNXV Phoenix clip below.  If interested in partnering with your local New Mover Marketing expert, Susan Nagi of Our Town America The Valley, please complete a Contact Form or call 480-678-1366. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports businesses across the nation year round. Non-Phoenix area businesses can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Our Town America: Helping Gyms & Fitness Centers Boost their Bottom Line

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America Helps Fitness Centers and Gyms Get Customers

Club Insider — A revamped economy is fueling a recent surge in wages, new homes and America’s migration habits. The pendulum of homeowners on the move, stagnant throughout most of the decade, is gradually swinging upwards. New Mover Marketing firm Our Town America, the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, is happily connecting residents to the local businesses that are the lifeblood of their new communities. As people move and adjust to their new city, Our Town America discovered that fitness centers are playing a major role in uniting new residents with friendly faces. The full gamut of fitness centers – ranging from national gym chains to CrossFit centers – are capitalizing on the uptick in moving. Our Town America is the perfect platform and partner for fitness centers looking to get a jump on new residents, and ultimately, new clients. They offer a strategic model that provides New Mover Marketing solutions through direct mail for local businesses eager to welcome new residents to the neighborhood. This includes gyms and fitness centers trying to replace members that have moved away with the people that moved into their homes. Each month, Our Town America helps gyms and fitness centers reach thousands of new movers across the country settling into their new neighborhoods. Those residents are sent warm, personalized offers from gyms and fitness centers in a customized Welcome Package that allows owners and managers to track and monitor their return on investment. But don’t take our word for it. Here are three gym owners who have dealt directly with Our Town America and are enjoying the results: Kristen Iuppenlatz – Pilates Collective in Sebastopol, CA: “Our Town America is the most effective local marketing program I’ve used in my eleven years in business because it generates long-term customers,” says Kristen Iuppenlatz, owner of Pilates Collective in Sebastopol, CA. Iuppenlatz has been offering a free introductory session (up to $85 value) to an average of more than 130 new movers each month since January. In fact, she says Our Town America introduced her to more than a dozen new movers within the first year who signed up for a five-session introductory offer and became loyal customers.     Michael Murphy – Anytime Fitness in Saint Petersburg, FL: Saint Petersburg, FL Anytime Fitness franchise owner, Michael Murphy, has been offering one free month of unlimited membership PLUS a free personal training session and thank you gift to new movers since September 2014. He says the key to his success is using the Our Town America program to get movers in the door which allows him to engage the entire family with the same offer. “I reach up to 1,000 new movers per month with Our Town America,” says Murphy. “I extend the same offer to ALL immediate family members when a new mover redeems the gift certificate.”     Brian Vest – YMCA in Charlotte, NC: “Our Town America is the most intentional and impactful marketing we’ve ever done at the YMCA,” says Brian Vest, Associate Executive Director at the Morrison Family YMCA in Charlotte. Vest offers one free month of membership. “Hundreds of new movers are finding the YMCA on purpose now, not by accident.   Our Town America is a strong partner for fitness centers across the country. Contact Our Town today to “work out” a deal that will help you replace those who’ve moved away with new, loyal members! Contact: sales@ourtownamerica.com or 800-497-8360 ext. 226 Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Cleveland Woman is $3,000 New Mover Survey Winner!

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Our Town America 2017 New Mover Survey Winner

Cleveland, OH (April 2018) – When Danelle Daniels moved to Cleveland, she didn’t anticipate a housewarming gift worth thousands of dollars. On Tuesday, the Cleveland-based franchise owner of Our Town America, the nation’s leading new mover marketing company, presented Daniels with a $3,000 check after naming her the grand prize winner of our 2017 National New Mover Survey. “We are thrilled to celebrate and support anyone who calls the Cleveland area home,” said Dave Handa, Cleveland’s Our Town America franchise owner. “Like so many other new residents, we’re grateful she took the time to fill out our survey. It’s our turn to show our appreciation of her choice to move to a great city.” Daniels was one of the thousands of new movers across the country to complete the annual survey included in the Our Town America welcoming package — a personalized collection of free offers from local businesses, like Cleveland’s Rivals Sports Grille where Daniels received a giant oversized check for $3,000. A New Mover gift certificate led Daniels to the friendly neighborhood bar, and now Rivals Sports Grille has become one of her favorite new restaurants. Owner John Simmons says he enjoys connecting with new residents like Daniels through the Welcome Package— it’s one of many reasons he relies on Our Town America to introduce his business to Cleveland’s growing community. “A housewarming gift is supposed to make someone feel welcome and accepted,” said Simmons. “We want every new resident to feel like there’s always a seat for them at our table.” No word yet on how Daniels will spend her winnings, but she can of course spend the $3,000 to buy additional goods and services from local businesses! Dave Handa with Our Town America says the New Mover Survey is an excellent opportunity for local businesses and newcomers to Cleveland. “We’re learning more from new movers nationwide,” said Handa. “Danelle’s big win showcases how important it is for local business owners to reach out to new movers who appreciate their support as they settle into their new community.” “Moving was a huge step for my son and I, I’m thankful for the Our Town America package, because it helped during our busy transition. Thank you for caring and making us feel welcome,” said Daniels. Cleveland-area businesses interested in the Our Town America program can complete a Contact Form or call franchise owner Dave Handa at 440-376-1254.  For more information on the annual New Mover Survey, we invite you to explore our website. Want to see who the 2016 winner was? Click Here. [/column][/row][/lead] Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Boise Business Owners Teach Middle Schoolers a Valuable Lesson

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
We Dine Together Our Town America Boise

KTVB Boise (April 2018) — The cafeteria—the loneliest (and scariest) place for any anxious middle schooler—but not at Eagle Middle School Thursday,  April 12th morning. Armed with dozens of free donuts, a few icebreakers, and a little encouragement, two local business owners teamed up to help students make new friends and feel less isolated. “My family moved around a lot, so I know what it feels like to always be the ‘new kid,’” recalled Amy Hecht, a former Eagle Middle School teacher, turned local business owner. “As an educator, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of bullying and loneliness on children who are doing their best to fit in at school. We want them to know that we see them, and we care about them.” Making new residents feel welcomed in Boise is the mission of Hecht’s successful business Our Town America, a new mover marketing franchise. After learning about the “We Dine Together” movement — a national student-led initiative that helps students from all walks of life feel included— from a recent “Seven’s Hero” feature by KTVB’s very own Maggie O’Mara, Hecht joined forces with Prum Nouhem, the owner of DK Donuts. Together, they lead by example. With a passion for activism and youth, both entrepreneurs are inspiring Boise’s youngest residents to embrace newcomers and learn more about their community. “Our kids represent the best of Boise, and it’s up to the grownups to support them,” said Nouhem, an immigrant who now calls Treasure Valley home after escaping political persecution in Cambodia. “We want a world where everyone can work toward peace, and that starts with encouraging our kids to believe in themselves.” Dozens of students enjoyed freshly baked donuts and friendly conversation with their classmates and teachers Thursday. Hecht and Nouhem have issued a challenge to other local business owners, asking them to donate food, supplies, and lessons in leadership for future “We Dine Together” events. “We can’t just tell them to make new friends, we have to show them how to do it,” said Hecht. “That means giving them space and the resources to make our world a better place.” Watch the KTVB Boise clip below for full story. To contact Amy Hecht of Our Town America of Boise, ID, complete a Contact Form or call 208-866-9540. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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