SFCC NEWSLETTER/June 2020 I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who were able to join us for our Launch Party to learn about all the exciting changes we’ve made to the SFCC.
Special thanks to Kevin Tracy for all his work on the new website. We’ve redesigned the website and made several changes to benefit our members as well as the local community. It is an all-around better user experience with increased visibility of our current offerings, streamlined menus and clear navigation for visitors searching for your business.
For Lifetime members, referred to as ‘Legacy Members’ going forward, there are exciting new membership options available if you are interested in upgrading your membership. I invite you to check out our Premium Technology & Marketing Program (PTMP). The PTMP, now standard with all new memberships going forward, allows you to promote your business through more digital and virtual channels and includes a powerful search engine providing full mobile service for your customers.
The PTMP also includes your own Virtual Membership Assistant to set up your market landing page and to help you learn to manage your online presence. Another major change to the SFCC is our memberships. We are now offering tiered, annual Sustaining Memberships. This does not affect your Lifetime (Legacy) membership. However, you now have the option to upgrade to enjoy the added benefits and exposure of several levels of Sustaining Membership if you so choose. The Chamber is here to help facilitate your success, and we are proud to offer these new membership options for your consideration to increase your online visibility, and, of course, your chamber membership ROI.
As we here in Northern Virginia navigate our phased reopening, I wish you renewed success and pledge our support to assist in whatever way we reasonably can so that we collectively emerge from the current financial crisis better and stronger than before it began. Please reach out if you have any questions or specific suggestions as to how the Chamber and its resources might serve your needs. We are here to help you achieve your business goals, and I encourage you to visit the new SFCC website and tell us what you think.
Thomas W. Repczynski
The SFCC is excited to announce new membership and marketing options to help your business achieve smart growth and a greater awareness in the South Fairfax community. Your Lifetime Membership will be referred to as a Legacy Membership going forward. This change will not affect your current lifetime status and all the original benefits of membership you were promised. But it does open the door to you for a different type of membership going forward.
We are now offering annual Sustaining Memberships to all new members. Legacy members have the choice to opt into this new level of membership. You keep all the benefits of your current Legacy membership but have the added benefits that come with an annual Sustaining Membership if you choose to opt in. A Sustaining Membership provides specific tools for accomplishing effective online promotion and increased brand awareness in the local community. In this time of quarantining and social distancing, communication with potential customers is vital to continuing business success.
A Sustaining Membership, paid annually, includes a Virtual SFCC Member Assistant to help you use the internet to your advantage and assist you with increasing your social media presence for your business. A Sustaining Membership will help you to achieve improved online visibility with an updated, state-of-the-art landing page. Your business will be included on a community mobile app and you have the opportunity to have an increased presence within the local community at events, meetings, etc. For more information on the new Sustaining Membership program or the Enhanced Marketing Program, click here or contact SFCC Asst. Executive Director Carla Olivo colivo@southfairfaxchamber.org with any questions.
Premium Technology & Marketing Program
The SFCC is also offering the Premium Technology & Marketing Program (PTMP), a new marketing option to increase your online visibility. The PTMP is included with all new, annual Sustaining Memberships going forward. But we did not want our Legacy Members left out of this terrific new option.
Through the PTMP, you can utilize your own personal Virtual SFCC Member Assistant to help you use the internet to your advantage. This new program has several features to help level the playing field for competition on the internet. The best part is you don’t have to waste time learning a new system. A Virtual SFCC Member Assistant will be assigned to you to make sure your business is indexed by both Google and Bing to include your business in internet searches by potential customers. Your Virtual SFCC Member Assistant can support you with achieving online visibility by updating your landing page. You will have guaranteed space on the primary community mobile app. You will also have your own app, catalog, and a custom texting keyword for advertisements.
The PTMP is being offered for a limited time at a 30% off discount to current Legacy Members. You can check out the PTMP by clicking here.
SFCC Members Giving Back Kudos to SFCC Board Member Casey Whitmarsh and his team at State Farm for stepping up to help the Lorton community with their Saturday Dinner Initiative.
Each Saturday in June from 2p-4p, the State Farm team with the help of the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) and Food Lion is handing out 50 meals in the LCAC parking lot.
Thank you Casey and State Farm for helping Lorton through these challenging times.
Opportunity for SFCC Members The Workhouse Arts Center is launching a weekly Workhouse Community Market to provide a safe, open-air place for local businesses to reconnect with their customers. This market can help you reach out and remind folks you are still in business. Whether you are a service provider such as an insurance agent or car dealership, a retailer such as a pet store or clothing shop or a food producer like a local farmer, bakery, or restaurant, we've got a spot for you!
This outdoor environment provides greater exposure for traditional brick and mortar businesses during Phase I and Phase II of re-opening local economy. The Workhouse artistic spirit will contribute to the great atmosphere with live music and art demos. The market will be open every Friday and Saturday 9am – 1pm starting June 19. South Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Members are offered discounted vendor fees: ’$75/day. Non-Chamber Members: $100/day. Discount for participating both Friday and Saturday - $140 /$185 Members/Non-Members respectively.
SFCC Member Profile
Getting to Know Jennifer Hernandez
Jennifer Hernandez says real estate is more than a transaction--it must be transformational in order to succeed. Whether it is patiently guiding first-time buyers through this exciting process or following through with clients’ needs long after a transaction is over, her approach creates clients for life. She says, “I learned this principle after many years of personal experience.”
Prior to her real estate career, she says she had jobs in which bureaucratic bottlenecks were all in a day's work. “It was frustrating to see so little of what needed to get done get accomplished. As a result, I pursued and obtained a prestigious Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University and learned how to efficiently build my business.” She says now that she is essentially the CEO of an S-Corporation, she enjoys the luxury of formulating, implementing, and executing her business plan. “When I discover a need for improvement, I can immediately adjust for the benefit of my clients. Operational Excellence is a passion of mine, and as a Realtor® I am free to pursue it with abandon. I love the freedom and the responsibility that comes with being a business owner.”
As a Realtor with CENTURY 21 New Millennium she uses a unique personal approach and emphasizes exceptional customer care. “I take great care to ensure my real estate company keeps pace, adapts to rapid growth and a changing economy while maintaining exacting standards and integrity. Plus, I retain some of the highest customer reviews in Northern Virginia and especially in South County.”
As a military spouse, Jennifer has lived in the Northern Virginia Area for over ten years in between 14 separate PCS moves over a 25-year military career. Based on her personal experiences, she decided to help military families find a suitable housing.
“I fully understand the military lifestyle and the need for quality and affordable housing. Plus, moving is hard on kids in school who struggle trying to adapt to new friends and different grading standards,” says Jennifer. “Similarly, a spouse’s career is interrupted and can disrupt cash flows that support the family.” Jennifer was honored as NVAR “Platinum Top Producer” and Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2020 Top Producing Real Estate Agents in the last two years.
When not working she spends time with my family, and is also an Arlington Lady, volunteering once a month at Arlington National Cemetery. Reach Jennifer at 202-339-2511 or 703-556-4222. Visit her online at www.jenniferhernandez.com.
Special Thanks Our continuing thanks to Laurel Hill Golf Club, General Manager Ryan Carmen and the Holiday Inn Express of Lorton, Director of Sales Heidi Ward for offering meeting facilities free of charge to the Chamber for our monthly Board of Directors meeting and other events throughout the year. Members considering venue options for upcoming events are encouraged to contact Ryan or Heidi to make arrangements.
Great Opportunity to Promote your Business or upcoming Event Submit Items to SFCC Calendar Get more exposure for upcoming events sponsored by your business or organization by submitting them to the calendar on the SFCC website. It's easy. Click on NEWS & EVENTS in the navigation bar, click CALENDAR and then EVENT SUBMISSION. Here is the direct link to the calendar on the SFCC website.
Upcoming Events
Check out the calendar of events on our website www.southfairfaxchamber.org for more details.
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