Many chamber members were delighted with the strong turnout. Among those in attendance were Steve Nichols, county admsinistrator, Fluvanna County Supervisor, Joe Chesser, Valerie Palamountain, Lake Monticello board president, Deborah Lucado and Dorothy Lamb of Union Bank & Trust, Christina Monfalcone of Wills & Associates, PC, Sheriff Ryant Washington, and many other area businesspeople.
Stapleton Wills made the announcement that they will be opening up an office in Fluvanna County within the next month. The office will be located in Zion Crossroads.
Wills & Associates, PC, is a full-service CPA firm, offering everything from tax preparation and planning, audit and assurance, business accounting, management consulting and much more.
Former Economic Development Coordinator, Vicki Karabinus, discussed her business, In Focus Small Business Strategies, which has been around for seven years.
“Our focus is on smaller enterprises and nonprofit organizations,” said Karabinus. “InFocus Small Business Strategies was created to help businesses with marketing and communication needs. We level the playing field for the smaller enterprise,”
She said that the focus is on the client and the unique needs of their business. Karabinus helps the business owner to organize ideas into a comprehensive marketing strategy. She helps in identifying key forces in the businesses target markets. Included in the marketing strategy is Website Solutions, helping to set up profitable web sites or drive traffic to the current site.
Karen Bowles, owner of Etiquette School of the Commonwealth, stated business is booming.
“I’ll get calls from grandparents who tell me they may have their grandchildren for the weekend, could we have private etiquette instruction.” Bowles began doing group lessons and focuses on groups but now does some private sessions, depending on the needs of the customer. Bowles added that she has been approached by businesses and will be getting her certification in business and corporate etiquette.
