Before you click “purchase” for that new coffee maker, consider this: statistics show that every dollar spent at a locally owned business generates roughly three times more economic activity than the same dollar spent at a national franchise. Additionally, the revenue from shopping locally boosts area employment, and the taxes support schools and emergency services. Furthermore, shopping locally can also save you time and money. Gas is expensive, and shipping and handling fee...

Its Valentines season, and we are feeling the love. Any small business owner will tell you that the highest compliment they can receive is a customer referral. One of the top reasons to choose a small business over a larger one is the quality of customer service we can offer. For local businesses without the marketing budget of a big corporation, or the cache of a publicly traded company, referrals are the most effective way to attract new business. "Word of mouth" can make or break a ...

“An independent agent is an insurance agent that sells insurance policies provided by several different insurance carriers, rather than just a single insurance company. The independent agent acts as a middleman to connect insurance buyers and sellers in order to facilitate a transaction. Independent agents are not considered employees of any specific insurance company."    I have found that many people dread talking about insurance or to anyone who works in insurance. This...