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North Carolina New Movers Make Top 45 Fastest Growing Cities List – WBTV Charlotte

Our Town America Charlotte New Movers Fastest Growing City

WBTV Charlotte (July 2017) – As Independence Day celebrations came to a close, Our Town America of Charlotte and all franchisees and employees of Our Town America began gearing up to help movers during the busiest time for new moves (more than 40 million moves will occur this year, most of which will be completed in July and August). As the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, Our Town America is excited to help thousands of local businesses welcome millions of new movers to their new homes and new communities this summer. In honor of Our Town America’s 45th Anniversary, we are celebrating the 45 fastest growing American cities with the “Top 45 Fastest Growing American Cities” list. Our Town America has identified the “Top 45 Fastest Growing Cities in 2017” – the 45 cities with the highest mover activity in the last 12 months (May 2016 – April 2017) when compared to the previous 12 months (May 2015 – April 2016). This list, ranked in order with the fastest growing at the top, is comprised of the 45 fastest growing cities and neighborhoods nationwide. Each of these cities is filled with forward-thinking business owners who are eager to form long-term, loyal relationships with impressionable new movers of all ages. Fortunately, most of these cities are also served by an Our Town America franchise owner who helps local business owners spark those relationships by delivering personalized and thoughtful offers direct to new residents as soon as they move to town. Below are the North Carolina cities that made the list. Rank City-Neighborhood 2 Charlotte, NC 4 Raleigh, NC 11 Wilmington, NC 14 Fayetteville, NC 17 Durham, NC 20 Greensboro, NC 22 Winston-Salem, NC 27 Jacksonville, NC 31 Gastonia, NC 34 Huntersville, NC 36 Concord, NC Our Town America applauds each of these cities and neighborhoods for generating the highest mover activity over the past 12 months. Clearly, local political leaders, business owners, and established residents from each of these places have worked hard to make their city or neighborhood a great place to live and work. Charlotte-area businesses looking to team up with Our Town America of Charlotte can contact the McElhaney’s at 704-341-4982 or complete an online Contact Charlotte Form. Small businesses in any U.S. market can reach out to Our Town America’s corporate team to get in touch with their local representative.  Call by phone at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. Jane McElhaney, owner of Our Town America of Charlotte, was featured on WBTV Charlotte discussing these moving trends. Watch full clip below. —– Methodology The “Top 45 Fastest Growing American Cities in 2017” list was determined based on data derived from Our Town America’s new mover database that tracks new moves (including property deed transfers, change of address, new utility connections and other proprietary sources). As the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise celebrating 45 years in business in 2017, Our Town America has established itself as the leading expert on moving trends and statistics. Our Town America worked with its industry leading IT team to compile highly targeted new mover data that serves as the foundation for these rankings. Equipped with this data, Our Town America identified the 45 cities with the highest mover activity in the last 12 months (May 2016 – April 2017) when compared to the previous 12 months (May 2015 – April 2016). This list is comprised of the 45 fastest growing cities and neighborhoods nationwide and is in rank order with the highest at the top. The ranking criteria was restricted to the amount of moves into or within each city and does not take into consideration any other factors. 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 Top 45 Fastest Growing American Cities in 2017

Our Town America The Top 45 Fastest Growing American Cities in 2017

As we approach the first day of summer (June 21), all employees and franchisees at Our Town America are gearing up for the busiest time for new moves (more than 40 million moves will occur this year, most of which will be completed in June, July, and August).   As the nation’s first and fastest growing new mover marketing franchise, Our Town America is excited to help thousands of local businesses welcome millions of new movers to their new homes and new communities this summer. […]

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Unique Ways to Finance a Franchise Opportunity

Our Town America Credit Cards

creditcards.com (May 2017) – Starting a business, paying for education and even financing a once-in-a-lifetime trip – sometimes credit cards allow people the freedom to take a risk they couldn’t otherwise afford. “There are times when making a charge that is beyond your ability to promptly repay makes sense,” says Martin H. Lynch, director of education for Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., in Agawam, Massachusetts. Financing a dream is one such case, but while dreaming big is good, having a repayment plan is better. After you’ve exhausted other payment options such as low-cost loans, crowdfunding and asking loved ones for help, funding a risky or dream venture with a credit card may be your best option. Here are seven rules to help you determine if the risk is worth it, and how to avoid ruining your financial life in the process. 1. Determine the value of the risk. Make sure you’re spending your money on something that has value. One example: Paying for a training course that could increase your future earning potential. There may be intangible benefits to using credit to finance a risky venture to consider, too. Investors often look favorably upon those who are willing to take on debt themselves for their businesses, says Clifford R. Ennico, small-business expert and author of “Small Business Survival Guide.” “As one investor once told me, ‘Don’t ask me to put my house at risk if you are not willing to do so yourself.’” 2. Consider your credit history. Your credit score influences the amount that new debt will cost you. With a high credit score, you can take your pick of loan offerings with low interest rates. Case in point: Susan Nagi of Tempe, Arizona, took out $52,000 in personal loans and used credit cards for living expenses when she started a business in 2014. She says owning an Our Town America franchise – a company that helps local businesses connect with new residents in a community – was a success partially because with a credit score in the 800s, “Everybody wanted to give me money.” 3. Make sure you understand the downside. Credit card interest rates are rising in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, so know that paying for your dream will cost you more in the months ahead. Also, taking on debt will likely lower your credit score. Talk over your plans with loved ones, too. If you’re not single, “Make sure your spouse and family are on board before you do this – they may not have the same appetite for risk that you do,” Ennico says. 4. Imagine the worst-case scenario. Think about what you would do if your dream failed. Would you be able to pay the debt you’re getting ready to take on? When Dallas-based small-business funding expert Myra Good used credit cards to finance a handbag line back in 2010, she was still working full-time so she knew she’d have a salary to help pay off the debt even if the venture did not succeed. Having multiple streams of income or the ability to pick up contract work in a pinch can also minimize the risk of going into debt. 5. Start with the end in mind. Calculate a time frame to pay down your credit card balance quickly by paying more than the minimum. Josh Skolnick used credit cards to spend $75,000 on advertising and marketing costs for his southeastern Pennsylvania tree removal business Monster Tree Service in 2008. He paid off all of that within six months out of the profits he made from his business. “When I put the charges on the credit card, it was never meant to be a long-term play,” Skolnick says. 6. Look for a promotional rate. Shop around for a business credit card. Your best bet is a business card offering 0 percent for an introductory period, which is basically a temporary interest-free loan. Several business credit cards currently offer 0 percent interest for nine or 12 months. Matthew Blackmon of Long Beach, Mississippi, used credit cards to help cover living expenses while he got his pool service franchise, America’s Swimming Pool Co., off the ground in 2012. “If you have 24 months of 0 percent interest, make a plan to get it all paid off, or a large majority of it paid off by the time that interest kicks in,” Blackmon advises. 7. Find tangible things to sacrifice. When Good used credit cards to finance her handbag line, she gave up trips to Dubai and other exotic locations she enjoyed visiting. Look for ways to cut back in order to speed up the repayment process. Ask yourself: “Are there expenses that you could significantly reduce or eliminate, at least temporarily?” Lynch says. “Make those cutbacks now to make paying yourself back easier.” Read article on creditcards.com. By: Tamara E. Holmes — Looking to open your own Our Town America franchise?  Call 800-497-8360 ext. 236 or complete an online Franchise Application. 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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Small Business Support Squad Giving Back To Local Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday Our Town America on WUSF Radio

WUSF Radio (November 2016) – Some small businesses throughout the Tampa Bay area will be getting surprise visits this week, as part of the inaugural “Small Business Support Squad”. The “Small Business Support Squad” was created by Our Town America, a national marketing firm that targets new residents and businesses, to thank small businesses. Melissa Nelson helped create the support squad, and says they will be going to small businesses before Small Business Saturday, on November 26th. That’s where people are encouraged to patronize small businesses on Thanksgiving weekend. They’ll be surprising local business owners with gifts, such as wine and massage certificates. “They work so hard that it’s just gonna be fun to give them something that’s gonna help them relax when this really busy season winds down for them,” Nelson said. Nelson says they plan on making the “Small Business Support Squad” an annual thing, and hope to include even more businesses next year. Listen to clip here >> Our Town America of Greater St. Petersburg on WUSF Radio — St.Petersburg, FL area businesses looking to team up with Our Town America of Greater St. Petersburg can contact Melissa Nelson & Steve Schroeder at 727-490-8155 or complete an online Contact Form. Small businesses in any U.S. market can reach out to Our Town America’s corporate team to get in touch with their local representative.  Call by phone at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. Listen to clip of Melissa Nelson on WUSF Radio below. 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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Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday: The Triple Threat

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday - Our Town America

Charlotte Observer (November 2016) – Here they come: those holiday deal days when shoppers are expected to spend billions on gifts for friends and loved ones….and themselves. Take your pick of preferred dates. There’s Thanksgiving Day, when shoppers skip the hot turkey dinner for retailers’ doorbuster deals on TVs, tablets and more that rival Black Friday offerings. Small Business Saturday follows, preferred by those who want locally-made gifts and shopping without all the crowds. Others hold out for Cyber Monday, known for retailers’ website deals on everything from drones to Fitbits. This Monday after Thanksgiving drew 121 million shoppers last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Even though all these days take some of the punch out of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving “remains the official kick-off to the holidays and an important tradition for millions of shoppers across the country,” retail federation spokeswoman Ana Serafin Smith said via email. Consumers will spend an average of $935.58 during the holiday shopping season, according to the retail federation. And Black Friday remains the winning day during Thanksgiving weekend, according to Smith, drawing the most shoppers — 74.2 million in 2015. Overall, retail spending in November and December is expected to hit more than $655 billion this holiday season. Here’s a look at what stores and places are offering shoppers to draw them in on special shopping days. Thanksgiving: While plenty of big retailers are continuing the trend of being open on Thanksgiving, others are bowing out, including appliance and electronics retailer HHGregg. Part of the reason may be that turkey day shoppers aren’t showing up the way they once did. Thanksgiving Day drew 34.6 million shoppers in 2015, compared to 43.1 million in 2014 and 44.8 million in 2013, according to the retail federation. Still, plenty of shoppers are expected to forego the hot dinner and football to line up for stores’ late-afternoon openings. “Thanksgiving will be the day to highlight special deals to bring in customers who are looking to get a head start on their holiday shopping,” Smith said. Locally, several retailers will be open, including Belk, Target and Toys R Us, as well as shopping destinations Charlotte Premium Outlets, SouthPark and Concord Mills malls. Black Friday: This day traditionally wins over the most Thanksgiving weekend shoppers, with 74.2 million hitting stores last year, according to the retail federation. If you refuse to shop on Thanksgiving, this is the day to nab those big deals, “especially big ticketed items such as washer/dryers, TVs, etc.,” Smith said. Many retailers also launch extended hours to draw in holiday shoppers. Small Business Saturday: Local store owners shine on this spending holiday launched in 2010 and held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. American Express, which created the day, again is teaming up with Historic South End in Charlotte, Belmont Merchant Association in Gaston, the downtown Concord shopping area and other small businesses on promotions. South End will showcase more than 300 retailers, including many in pop-up shops, and offer free trolley rides for shoppers. Customers at any of downtown Concord’s 31 local stores will be entered to win $250 Concord shopping dollars. Also, local entrepreneur Jane McElhaney’s “Charlotte Small Biz Support Squad” returns for a second year. She plans to drive around the area and surprise business owners with balloons, food, gifts and massages. Cyber Monday: Typically the busiest day of the year for online shopping, online spending on Cyber Monday, which falls on Nov. 28 this year, is expected to jump to $3.5 billion from $3.12 billion last year, according to ComScore, which studies audience and marketing data. Shoppers wait for this day to see what e-commerce deals retailers are showcasing, Smith said. December 26: Some consumers will have a day off on this date, as their workplaces recognize this Monday after Christmas as the official holiday. It remains to be seen if that will translate into a stronger in-store shopping day this year, Smith said. However, “we know that it is important for retailers to move inventory as quickly as possible to make space for late winter/spring items,” Smith said. “December 26 is traditionally known as the day that most retailers have low deals and offers on holiday or winter-themed items that didn’t (sell)…during the holiday shopping period.” The Associated Press contributed to this 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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Our Town America knows Small Businesses mean Big Business – WBTV Charlotte

Small Business Saturday Our Town America

WBTV Charlotte (November 2016) – This year, for the second year in a row, for Small Business Saturday, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America of Charlotte will head out to thank small business owners for everything they do for our community. Small Business Saturday, the shopping holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, encouraging shoppers to patronize small and local businesses. Jane and Tom are small business owners themselves, as Our Town America franchisees, and understand that small businesses mean big business to the community. The McElhaney’s support small businesses year round, as the Our Town America business model is focused on helping local business owners create a sense of community at their stores by welcoming new movers to town with free one-time gifts. The McElhaney’s created the “Charlotte Small Business Support Squad” to show their appreciation for small and local businesses in their area.  On Saturday, they will drive through Charlotte to surprise their partnered local business owners with a Community Service Award and more! Charlotte-area businesses looking to team up with Our Town America of Charlotte can contact the McElhaney’s at 704-341-4982 or complete an online Contact Charlotte Form. Small businesses in any U.S. market can reach out to Our Town America’s corporate team to get in touch with their local representative.  Call by phone at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. Watch clip of Jane McElhaney on WBTV Charlotte below. 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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Promoting your Business through Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday Our Town America New Mover Marketing

Halloween has passed and the holiday season is in full swing. While there are many opportunities to promote your business this holiday season, one of the more unconventional ways is through the Small Business Saturday event hosted the Saturday after Thanksgiving (it falls on November 26th this year). While Black Friday is a day for big-box retail stores to thrive and Cyber Monday is focused on online retailers, Small Business Saturday, which made its debut in 2010, encourages consumers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. The U.S. Small Business Association reported that 28 million small businesses account for 54% of U.S. sales. So, small businesses actually mean BIG business to our economy, as they help shape communities throughout the country. The fourth annual Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and American Express, reported that 55% of U.S. consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday. Even more exciting is that 83% of U.S. consumers said that Small Business Saturday encourages them to Shop Small year-round1. Last year, over 95 million consumers shopped at local businesses on Small Business Saturday, spending over $16.2 billion dollars2. This year, Small Business owners are hoping to see that number rise. With so many small local merchants struggling to compete against bigger businesses year-round, the hope is that this annual event will gain momentum and can help accelerate Q4 sales through the holiday season. There are numerous ways for small businesses to promote their business through this event, as well as through the holiday season. Below are a few suggestions: Become an American Express Neighborhood Champion Run ads with in-store promotions to drive visits on November 26th Reach prospects via email marketing with promotions for November 26th Run a special promotion on your monthly new mover gift certificate If your business is located in a mall or shopping area, station an employee outside to give away free samples of your product or service to people passing by Join forces with other small business owners in your area and in your local new mover package and hold a weekend “sidewalk sale” Give shoppers the luxury of getting a free foot or shoulder rub if they buy something on November 26th Provide entertainment. Hire musicians to play in your store/restaurant, or outside of it to attract customers in. Something small business owners should consider is that Millennials are actually the #1 group planning to shop at small businesses on Small Business Saturday3. As many people know, Millennials seek uniqueness and individuality. In order to successfully reach this audience, small business owners should emphasize what makes their store distinct. Aside from the obvious warm welcome and great customer service that is needed to keep any customer happy, rare, one-of-a-kind products and gifts should be put on display for this age group. Personalized gifts and products featuring inspirational messages are extremely popular amongst Millennials. So, small business owners are urged to meet these criteria in order to boost Small Business Saturday sales. To become an Our Town America sponsor, please complete a Contact Form, or sign up online with our New Movers on Demand portal! 1Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey; 2Business Wire; 3SalesFuel 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 The Valley on ABC for Small Business Saturday

Our Town America Giving Back

This year for Small Business Saturday, the shopping holiday held to encourage consumers to patronize small and local businesses, Susan Nagi of Our Town America The Valley took it upon herself to head out to the busy streets of the Phoenix/Tempe area in her Our Town America-branded car to thank small business owners for all they do for the community.  Click Play on the  video below to watch Susan on ABC 15 Arizona. […]

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Supporting the Small Business Community

CBS Charlotte (November 2015) – This past Saturday, widely recognized as Small Business Saturday, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America – Charlotte drove through the city in their Our Town America-branded car to thank partnered small businesses by giving gifts of thanks for their continual hard work in the community. Watch the clip below from CBS Charlotte for full story. If you’re a Charlotte-area business looking to team up with Our Town America – Charlotte, please call 704-341-4982 or complete an online Contact Form. Our Town America is a national franchise who supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year.  Non-Charlotte area businesses looking to become a sponsor business in your community can reach out to Our Town America directly to get in touch with their local representative at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. If interested in opening a franchise in your area, please visit the Franchise section of our website or call 800-497-8360 ext.236. 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 of Charlotte Urges ‘Shop Small’ on FOX

Shop Small Our Town America

FOX Good Day Charlotte (November 2015) – This year for Small Business Saturday, the shopping holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving encouraging shoppers to patronize small and local businesses, Jane and Tom McElhaney of Our Town America of Charlotte will head out to thank small business owners for everything they do for our community. According to data from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, small businesses represent 98% of all employers in North Carolina and employ nearly half (47.3%) of the private sector workforce. As Our Town America franchisees, Jane and Tom are small business owners themselves and truly understand the hard work that goes into building a strong business the community can rely on. The McElhaney’s support small businesses 365 days per year, as the Our Town America business model is focused on helping local business owners create a sense of community at their stores by welcoming new movers to town with free one-time gifts. To show their appreciation for local Charlotte-area businesses, the McElhaney’s created the “Charlotte Small Business Support Squad”.  They plan to travel in their Our Town America-branded car all over Charlotte to surprise partnered local business owners with a Community Service Award and gift certificates for a free massage at Massage Envy and a free dinner at the Charlotte favorite, Mickey and Mooch restaurant. While they would love to recognize every hard working small business owner, this year they will start by first recognizing Indian Trail Hardware, Baxter Veterinary Clinic, and their local Sport Clips. Charlotte-area businesses looking to team up with Our Town America of Charlotte can contact Jane and Tom at 704-341-4982 or complete an online Contact Charlotte Form. Small businesses in any U.S. market can reach out to Our Town America’s corporate team to get in touch with their local representative.  Call by phone at 800-497-8360 or complete a Contact Form. Watch the clip below of Jane McElhaney on FOX Good Day Charlotte 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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