Think Local First of Washtenaw County

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THINK LOCAL FIRST & THE LUCY ANN LANCE BUSINESS INSIDER SHOW!

Hear what is happening at Think Local First every Monday on The Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider Show! We will discuss what is happening in the local movement including new members, events and other relevant items. This is an exciting opportunity for us to share with the community what we are working on and reminding folks about why our message is important to the community they live and work in. Plus we will feature a guest member each week to share what makes their business unique and different. Click on this link to hear past interviews.

Remember to tune in to 1290 AM on Mondays at 9:40 A.M. to hear the latest
regarding Think Local First. And tune in Monday through Friday at their new time from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to hear about all things local. "The Lucy Ann Lance Show" (Saturday) and "The Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider" (weekdays) always focuses on what is happening in and around town. Their Saturday show remains on the air from 9 a.m. to noon. To learn more visit www.lucyannlance.com!

Upcoming participants include:

Monday May 20th - Our event at Ann Arbor Cooks is coming up on May 23rd and Callan Loo of Peaceful Crossings who is presenting is stopping by to explain legacy planning for businesses and why it is important to you! Tune in to hear why you might want to come and learn more!

Monday June 3rd - As many small business owners know finding a good bookkeeper can be problematic. Tune in to meet Penny Corbett the owner of Jorn Count Associates specialize in this category. Think accounting is boring? Maybe, but you'll still want to know about this service!

Monday June 10th - Perpetua Boutique is a clothing boutique specializing in sustainable, environmentally friendly, organic fashion for women and men. Owner Catheryn Snyder will stop by to explain why this is important to our community and world.

Other dates are TBD. Again, if you want to share the air with Ingrid, Lucy Ann and the community, give Ingrid a call at (734) 730-6905.

Created by admin
Last modified 2013-05-15 02:56 PM

Events Calendar

See our events page for upcoming events.

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Introducing the Washtenaw Indie Awards!

Think Local First presents the first ever Indie Awards!

This is the communities’ opportunity to speak up and honor the small independently owned businesses that are the fabric of our community. If you have an opinion of who should be recognized as an exceptional business, this is your moment to nominate them! Here are the categories:

The Washtenaw Soul Award: A business that represents the unique spirit of Washtenaw County by celebrating diversity, creativity, is confident in their individuality and supports their community.

 The Big Leap Award: A business that "took the leap" and successfully created a new idea, model, or solution despite all the risks.

The Hidden Gem Award: This is a great business that is overlooked and more people should know about.

How Does This Work?

~ The Think Local First board of directors will consider all nominations and compile a list of finalists.
~ A panel of local business experts will choose the winners.
~ Nominations will be accepted until noon on May 24.
~ Winners will be featured in the July issue of The Ann and announced at The Ann Arbor Summer Festival tent party on June 30th!

Nominations are being accepted at THIS LINK until noon on Friday May 24, 2013. We can't wait to see who is nominated!

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Did you know that if one out of every three microenterprises (5 employees or less) and small businesses hired just one new employee, the U.S. would achieve full employment? Yet, historically, the focus has been on growing high-tech and big businesses. Communities like ours are starting to recognize the true value of local small business. They’re embracing our sometimes non-traditional business models and finding innovative, community-centric ways to address our unique challenges.

Please join in the conversation by participating in a study funded by Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development and headed up by Jessica Meissner of The Shed, Business & Employment Cooperative. They want to hear your thoughts and experiences as a small business owner. For more information about this project, click on this link. Or you can email Jessica directly at jessicammeissner@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity to help develop future programs that will help small businesses!

How To Help Independent Businesses

Shop Local – Support local retailers and service providers by doing your shopping with them. Remember that for every $100 you spend at a local business $68 stays here recirculating in our community supporting local jobs and reinvestment in our community. When $100 is spent with a non-local business only $43 stays here. For a directory of local, independently owned businesses click HERE.

Make a 10% Shift – Already a strong supporter of local businesses or ready to make a switch to locals? The smallest change in shopping behavior can make a huge difference. Make a goal of shifting at least 10% of your non-local purchases to a local business this holiday season.

Eat Local Food – Just because the weather has cooled doesn’t mean there isn’t still a plethora of local food to enjoy during colder months. A wide variety of fresh vegetables are still available along with meats, eggs, herbs, cheeses and milk, nuts, apple cider and locally produced wine, beer and liquor. The Ann Arbor and Saline Farmers Markets are open throughout the winter! And don't forget the People's Food Coop and the Ypsi Food Coop!

Use Cash – Consider using cash when making purchases at local businesses. Not only will using cash help ensure you’ll stick to your budget but can save local businesses thousands of dollars in processing fees. That means even more of your money will stay local.

Give and Volunteer - Local non-profits contribute significantly to the quality of our community and can use all the help they can get during these challenging economic times. Consider a monetary gift or volunteer some time. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated and you’ll feel great for helping out.

THE STORY OF A DOLLAR IS READY! Think Local First has been working on a three part video titled, The Story of a Dollar. Part one has been released and is ready for you to view. We hope you'll click on this link to watch it (it's only a little over 2 minutes). Once you've seen it, won't you help us spread the local message by forwarding it to your friends and family? We will be launching parts two and three shortly. These are part of our Buy Local Week campaign and hope they will encourage folks to Buy Local when making their purchasing decisions!

LOOK WHERE YOU WILL FIND US! Think Local First is now on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Take a look at each site to find us under our name. Join now!

Thank You Sustaining Members!

Thank you to our Sustaining Business Members who give more so that we can do more. Without their generous support we could not continue our work in education and advocacy. Click on their name to discover more about them!

GOLD Members:

Grafaktri

The Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider

SILVER Members:

Ann Arbor Observer

First Martin

G retchen's House Childcare

Select Ride, Inc.

Smith, Haughey, Rice & Rougge

BRONZE Members:

Insight Financial Group

Kerrytown Markets & Shops

Motawi Tileworks

Natural Profit, LLC

University Office Technologies

Weidmayer, Schneider & Raham PC

Z Design Studio

Welcome to our Newest Members!

Peachy Fitness will help you get fit with Yoga & ZUMBA® fitness classes catering to women! ZUMBA® is a high to low-impact cardio dance class that fuses Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow dance steps for a fun, high-energy workout & you don’t need any previous dance experience. Free class for 1st time clients! To learn more about this opportunity visit their website at this link or call (734) 681-0477.

At Front Porch Textiles you'll find classic handspun yarns; unique natural fiber handwoven scarves, throws, table textiles, towels. The ‘Tree Town Textiles’ line is a collection of towels and bags with an Ann Arbor theme – perfect for gifts. Spinning classes offered. Open by appointment. Curious? Call (734) 662-7134 or click on this link!

Retail RX Group provides business consulting for small and large retail businesses. They will improve your operating results at value pricing. For more information you can contact DR Brown, CEO at 734-223-9128 or rbrown2222@gmail.com. Or you can click here!

Did you know we have individual supporters? We welcome Nick Mancuso who just signed up to become a member. Thanks Nick!

Ann Arbor Wellness Collective is a non-profit, private, member-based Medical Marijuana Collective. We are located downtown Ann Arbor and provide services to registered Patients and Caregivers of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program. To learn more click here, or call (734) 929-2602.

BLOOM! Garden Center offers Landscape Design, Landscape Architecture. Annuals, Containers, Hanging Baskets, a Profusion of Colors. Perennials, Trees, & Shurbs; native plants, Natural Beauty. White Lotus Farms Farm Cart, Organic & Local produce Artisan Breads... Want to learn more? Click here or call (734) 323-5162.

At a2zoom they help small businesses and organizations create and grow customer relationships with email marketing,video, template-based web design, copy writing, photograph, and publish-on-demand books. To learn more click here or call (734) 971-1088.

Ageless Pantry, LLC is a pioneer in brewing and bottling delicious and unique premium teas and herbals. Using family recipes and the best organic and/or local ingredients makes Zenuine Brew teas outstanding. Taste our Blueberry Jasmine Green, Roasted Dandelion and Ginger Assam. to schedule a tea tasting call (734) 995-2386, or click here to learn more!

oh so relaxing asks: Got feet? Got pain? Got stress? Want relief? if so, their gentle style of therapeutic foot massage produces a wonderful sense of well being and deep relaxation. To schedule an appointment call (734) 645-1354, or click here to learn more!

At Hello! Ice Cream you'll find custom, made to order italian style ice cream and frozen treats served from our retro-inspired cart or vintage truck. We offer gelato cakes, treat trays, pints, and lots more. Curious about this new member? Click here or call (734) 945-0901.

Ink By The Barrel - consultancy focused on digital and social media strategies for local businesses, with a focus on non-profits. Services include digital planning, social community management, content planning and creation. To learn more click here or call (734) 476-1390.

Haley Mechanical is Southeast Michigan's expert on heating, cooling and energy systems. Since 1998 we have helped with every aspect of your business or home's energy and mechanical needs: air conditioning, heating, air quality, power, plumbing, electrical and geothermal energy systems. Call (734) 424-9170 for more information, or click here!

The Pear Tree is a stones throw away in the village of Dixboro. Stop by this charming gift shop that offers locally made jewelry, pottery, lamps, colored glass items, baby items, soaps, lotions, US made candles, mirrors, ceramics and much more. For more information call (745) 585-5494 or click on this link.

The Brinery specializes in all natural brine fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles. They strive to source all of their produce from local family farms. Their mission is to stimulate peoples inner economy, as well as Michigan's economy. To learn how to support this business click here or call (734) 717-4469.

At Roeda Studio they use hand-painted magnets to embellish refrigerators and a whole lot more (from pictures frames and memo boards to lamps). They have a great mix of gifts and home decor items. Open Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs 10-8, Fri & Sat 10-9 and Sun 12-5. For more information call (734) 994-3389 or click here.

36O PhotO, LLC will bring your business to life with Street View technology. Showcase all the details that your customers love. With Google Business Virtual Tours, your customers can walk around, explore, and interact with your business like never before. To learn more about this new business call (734) 239-3796 or click here.

Jorn Court Associates offers personal bookkeeping services for individuals, small businesses, and trusts. Focus is on seniors & busy professionals. One-time or periodic financial organization & assistance, account management, reconciliation, online pay, tax preparation. Notary Public. Bonded & Insured. References Available. Interested in learning more? Call (734) 355-1221 or click here.

Perpetua is a clothing boutique specializing in sustainable, environmentally friendly, organic fashion for women and men. Located in downtown Ann Arbor, we offer quality clothing, accessories, and a rotating stock of curiosities meant to diminish or reverse our negative impact on, and increase our appreciation of Earth. To view their website, click here. Or you can call (734) 222-9270 for more information.

The Ann Arbor Chronicle is an online news site focused on in-depth coverage of local government and civic affairs. Founded in 2008 by Mary Morgan and Dave Askins, The Chronicle is supported by local advertising and voluntary reader subscriptions. Click here for updates on what is happening in our community!

Did you know we have individual supporters? We welcome Jesse Bernstein who just signed up to become a member. Thanks Jesse!

Peaceful Crossings offers a unique suite of products, workshops, and life/grief/legacy coaching to help people find and maintain peace and balance in and through life's major transitions. We specialize in Personal and Entrpreneurial Legacy Planning products and services. Intrigued? Click here to learn more or call (734) 660-8622.

Nifty Hoops designs and builds greenhouse structures specifically for the local foods movement. Hoophouses transform our cold northern winters into productive growing spaces, allowing farmers to provide us hardy vegetables every day of the year, using only the heat and light of the sun. For more information click here or call (734) 845-0079.

For Life provides health and wellness consultations: sensibilisation, awareness, solution provider in collaboration with Neways International and GHS international. And environmental consultant: legal issues, permits, environmental reports, environmental impact assessments, air, water and soil pollution. To learn more call (734) 272-6283 or click here.

Kat Ku Photography provides modern pet photography of huggable, loveable, and kissable dogs and cats and their humans. Fine Art prints, canvases, and custom-designed photobooks. Curious? Call (734) 494-0160 or click here.

At Baldwin Lawn Care they help with your outdoor needs. Whether it's winter, spring, summer, or fall, they provide dependable, timely service, at an affordable price. Their years of expertise will keep your commercial or residential property healthy and well maintained. To inquire about lawn service or snow removal call (734) 834-4491 or click here for their website!

Savor Ann Arbor offers custom tours of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. Tours are created around the customer's interests and needs. Tours cover history, architecture, shopping, and the local food scene. Entertain visitors and clients, Dazzle prospects, Discover Hidden Gems. Intrigued? Call (734) 709-4739 or click here for more information!

At Brian M. Truskowski Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork they note experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. So take advantage of massage, and help yourself live a longer, healthier life! Want to learn more to reduce your aging? Click here, or call (503) 680-5388 to schedule and appointment.

The Reluctant Networker programs help those who are panic-stricken at the thought of networking or feel it's a waste of time. Monthly workshops, staff training, and group presentations. Great connections lead to personal success. Interested in learning more? Click here, or call Greg at (734) 975-1921.

Performance Network Theatre is Ann Arbor's Off-Broadway Professional Theatre, producing six professional shows a year, plus performance festivals, new play festivals and late-night theatre. To learn more about this community gem click here or call (734) 663-0681.

Jessica's Skin & Body Apothecary is a specialty skin care store & spa offering Facials, Massage, Waxing (including Brazilians and natural eye brows), Body Scrubs, Mineral Makeup, Made to order Organic Body Oils. Complimentary Skin Consultations. 25% off first time client discount. Want to learn more? Call (734) 545-4303 or click on this link.

Real Time Farms is a crowd-sourced nationwide food guide. They enable you to trace your food back to the farm it came from, whether staying in or dining out, so you can find food you feel good about eating. Are you the owner of a restaurant? Try their menu management tools to share the story of every purveyor. Check them out at this link!

Tammy's Tastings offers unique food and drink experiences. Services include cocktail and chocolate classes, tasting events, educational programs, catering, private bartending, and more. We work with you to customize exciting events and services for every occasion. Interested in learning more? Call (734) 276-3215 or click here!

Why Think Local First?

We all know that a healthy community depends upon strong, successful businesses and organizations. But not just any kind of business. A community of businesses and organizations that are owned and managed by our friends and neighbors, and that are good stewards of our community’s resources. To find out more, please click on 'Seven Reasons to Think Local First'.

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