Chamber acknowledges Best Of winners
At the April monthly Business Leaders luncheon, the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce acknowledged recent Best Of North Fort Myers winners and asked them to speak about the secrets to their success.
The Best Of is a poll given annually to readers of the North Fort Myers Neighbor, in which the public votes for the best of everything from health care services to dry cleaners, restaurants and more.
Now in its 12th year, the write-in poll recognizes area favorites. Winners that spoke at the meeting included Danielle Hall, owner of Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage, Best Nursery and Best Landscaping Bayshore Gardens’ representative Donna Kinney and Best Realtor Sun Country Realty of Florida, Inc.’s Broker Marion “Marnie” Briggs.
“We are passionate about our plants and our customers. There are so many ways to help all grow.” The nursery has a long-standing clientele and long standing reputation for customer service. They even go to homes to see first-hand landscaping problems, and invite customers to bring in clippings of problem plants for their advice at no charge.
Briggs said mentors are the key to her success. “That includes my father, who taught me everything.”
She also noted treating vendors right.
“Especially pay them on time, then you will have their loyalty.”
She also noted the team concept. “I’d be nowhere without my team — and nothing beats good, old-fashioned hard work.”
Danielle Hall, owner of Bayshore Physical Therapy & Massage, has won Best Physical Therapist for many years, and this year also won Best Massage. “This award sets the standard for our year. What sets us apart is one-on-one-treatment. People come to us in pain and other clinics may stick to a specific treatment no matter what. We modify or customize treatments for our patients.”
Most of the businesses honored in the area are independent entities.
Jack Glarrow, publisher of the Breeze Newspapers, which includes The North Fort Myers Neighbor, Cape Coral Breeze and more, saluted the independent businessman in his talk. “When you own a business, everyday, you wake up with it, work all day and go to bed with it. That’s why we resect you so much and applaud what you do.”
He touched on subjects from legal documents to logistics, marketing and training to hiring and firing. “You are also the complaint department _ and you are the expert. You need to keep current on new technologies to provide new solutions to your customers.”
He also noted that independent business owners often have to miss family affairs because of their dedication. Missed Little League games, birthdays and anniversaries are common, he said. “But the hard work and long hours that you work are the key to your business success.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with you, and you deserve great respect.”
In other chamber news, the next Business After Hours will be held Thursday, May 12, at Magnolia Landing, hosted by D.R. Horton, and the next Business Leaders Luncheon will be held again at Biancas Ristorante Italiano Wednesday, May 18.
For information, call the chamber at 997-9111.