Press release from Asheville Business for Success:
“I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore.” This quote comes from a classic 1976 film “Network” now echoed by the organizer of a new meet up called “Asheville Business For Success”. Clyde Volpe, the organizer of Asheville Business For Success, came to Asheville after 42 years in NY as the owner of a successful ad agency and marketing firm called “Unlimited Advertising Results.”
After moving to Asheville, approximately a year and a half ago “to retire”, he noticed a larger number of businesses closing than seemed normal (to him); a deli, car dealership, supermarket, grocery store, seafood restaurant, insurance firm, and a couple of chain restaurants, etc.
The final straw, to hear Clyde tell it, was when two of his favorite eateries on Merrimon Ave. closed (Dough, and Brat Burger). With the closing of these two businesses, the words “I’m mad as hell and I can’t take this anymore” came to mind, hence the birth of Asheville Business For Success, where businesses in Asheville can meet once a month to hear professionals in the advertising industry speak about all phases of marketing (radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, etc.). Plus at each meeting one successful business from Asheville presents an explanation of how their business became so successful.
The meet up, since September, has been lucky enough to have speakers such as Jerry Johnson, from The Laurel Of Asheville, Dawn Creasman from MIX 96.5 radio, and Paul Neufeld from WLOS –TV. Speakers from all media are scheduled thru April 2016, including Susan Hutchinson from the Mountain Xpress speaking December 7th at 6 p.m. at the Earthfare — Westgate. Some of the past successful businesses to speak have included Therese Figura from BB Barns, Duane Gentry from Gentry Heating, and Diane Holmes from 1800 Water Damage.
The businesses who attend these meetings learn not only the value each media brings to the table but also how already successful businesses in Asheville have learned to use all the marketing tools available to them. The topics have included: how to reach your market, who your market is, what encourages prospective buyers to come to you, where to invest your money to get the best results, how much to invest in a media to get the best return on investment, when to advertise and when to hold back, why advertising and marketing is so important and most importantly — how to increase your business up to 80%. All this and so much more is available to every business in Asheville.
The best part is that all this valuable knowledge and information is free. All for one purpose — to no longer witness any more businesses putting up a closed sign in Asheville. If a business fails, and has not attended these priceless meetings, it’s not because it hasn’t been offered to them.
Upcoming meetings include WNCW radio and Printville in January , Fast Signs and Clyde Volpe in February, Charter TV and Matt & Molly (KW Realty) in March, April thru September will be posted on the meet up website www.meetup.com/Asheville-Business-For-Success .
Meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month at 6pm at Earth Fare – Westgate.
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