Member News

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Jessica Ralph
Parties A’ La Carte
(727) 710-2511
info@partiesalacartefl.com

AWARD –WINNING EVENT AND WEDDING PLANNING COMPANY, PARTIES A’ LA CARTE, ANNOUNCES THEIR EXPANSION AND GRAND OPENING

Owner Jessica Ralph’s extensive event planning background offers unique expertise in the Greater Tampa Bay area event planning community

TAMPA, FLA - September 24, 2014 – Parties A’ La Carte, an award-winning event and wedding planning company, announces the opening of their new studio in the Belleair area. The Studio located at 12551 Indian Rocks Road, Suite 14, in Largo, will host a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, September 30, from 5 PM to 8 PM. The studio will cater to the needs of weddings, social events, birthday parties, and corporate events, providing a one stop planning resource. Vendor portfolios, videos, demos, and product displays will all be part of the offerings of their new studio.

From black-tie corporate dinners and elegant fairy tale weddings to social events such as children’s parties, Quincenera’s, Sweet 16, and anniversaries; Parties A’ La Carte, offers professional, top notch event planning and execution. Designed to bring clients and vendors together; engaged couples and clients may stop by the Studio to browse through vendor portfolios, which include pricing packages, general information, sample products, demos and videos. A professional team of event planning experts are on-site to help clients begin their memorable event experience.

Owner, Jessica Ralph started her career in corporate event planning. After several years Jessica realized her passion was planning extravagant birthday and social parties for her children and friends. “After having children, I knew I wanted to help families plan and celebrate the most special times in life.” With over 10 years’ experience in corporate event planning, Jessica has combined her experience with her genuine passion that has resulted in rapid growth and award-winning success in the event planning industry. Parties A’ La Carte has become known as one of the best wedding and event planning companies in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

About Parties A’ La Carte
Parties A’ La Carte is a full service Florida-based event planning company staffed with wedding coordinators, party and event planners. Areas serviced are Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Largo, Seminole, Saint Petersburg, St Pete Beach, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Brandon, Orlando and the surrounding Tampa area. Our professional staff caters to your special event needs no matter how large or small. You can visit our new mobile optimized website at: www.partiesalacartefl.com.

To learn more, to schedule a private appointment, or RSVP for the grand opening, visit www.partiesalacartefl.com, or call (727) 710-2511.

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Click here to download brochure: CITY OF LARGO BROCHURE events!.pdf

For Immediate Release
Think PR Group
Marcea Neitman 727.744.5778
mneitman@gmail.com

Local entrepreneur launched first US franchise in Tampa Bay, now opens third with a “Twist” in Clearwater

(Clearwater, Florida)  unlock your inner Picasso… a new place where friends, family and even executives for team building events are coming together to paint, drink, have fun and discover their artistic ability.  Leslie and Marvin Gay were the FIRST to open a Painting with a Twist studio franchise in St. Petersburg Florida five years ago.  By the end of 2014; Painting with a Twist plans to have over 200 through the US.  The Gays own a second studio in Tampa and are now opening their third studio in Clearwater. 

According to Entrepreneur Magazine 2014; Painting with a Twist is the #1 franchise in the hottest “Paint and Sip” industry.  Fox and Friends national US morning news, June 2014 named Painting with a Twist as one of the top five franchises hiring for 2014.  Besides schools; Painting with a Twist is the largest independent company to employ the most artists in the country.  The “Paint and Sip” industry started in 2009 – roughly 190 are small individually owned and a handful of large scale franchise operations.  The turnkey investment to become a Painting with a Twist franchise is approximately $100,000.  Franchise partners have access to comprehensive and ongoing training from a Home Office support staff of 16 professionals, a national PR firm and the company’s industry-leading library of more than 4,000 copyrighted and original paintings.

Leslie and Marvin Gay of St. Pete are in the top 10% of Painting with a Twist’s top producing studios out of over the current 160+ for 2014.  On average Painting with a Twist studios experience an average of 23% sales growth year-over-year.  30% of the franchise partners own more than one studio. 

The Gays were instrumental in working with the founders of Painting with a Twist; Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney in New Orleans develop the franchise and then open the very first franchise in the US.  Leslie Gay 61, and her husband Marvin Gay, 71, a retired accountant looked at the Painting with a Twist franchise as an opportunity to invest in something they could control.   “The interest rate at the time in 2009, was zero, so we weren’t making any money on our savings and we saw it as an opportunity to take a portion and use it for something we could control – we were investing in ourselves,” says Marvin.  A year and half later they opened a second studio in South Tampa and now their third in Clearwater.

So what is the success business model of Painting with a Twist?
Facebook and email marketing are the key channels of communication.  Each studio’s website provides the painting class schedule and registration is handled on line with pre-payment of a credit card.  This is a customer service business and the Gays believe their studio’s success is largely due to the amazingly talented artists they have on their team who lead the classes and inspire the customers seven days a week.   The results?  Each studio is entertaining and creating a great experience for about 350 customers each week.  And, the #1 advertising vehicle are the customers themselves!  Old fashioned; “word of the mouth” is the #1 way people are hearing about Painting with a Twist!

The Gays schedule a monthly charitable event at each studio.  Leslie shares; “We feel so good to be able to give back to our community and to charitable events far beyond what we could ever do on our own.” Most recently the St. Petersburg and Tampa studios participated in the Vera Bradley Cancer Foundation Painting with a Purpose.  The Gays raised over $3,000 for the cause.  “Ties and Tennis Shoes” is an annual local charitable fundraising event the Gays host with Pinellas Education Foundation.  The couple is also very active in many local organizations; Grand Central District Association, Tampa Bay Business Owners, South Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Clearwater Regional Chamber.   Leslie is active in Network Professionals Incorporated, South Pinellas County and Working Women of Tampa Bay.  Marvin is the Treasurer and active in St. Petersburg Kiwanis

Painting with a Twist
Painting with a Twist, based in Mandeville, Louisiana is the leading Paint and Sip franchise with more than 150 locations throughout the United States.   Founded in 2007 by Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, Painting with a Twist began franchising in 2009 and provides customers with paint, a canvas and brushes that lead to a fun evening with friends and a finished piece of art.  For more information about Painting with a Twist, visit www.paintingwithatwist.com

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SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS OF

WORKING WOMEN OF TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay Newspapers is producing their bi-annual “Just 4 Women” special section. This edition will publish just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Friday, September 25th and be inserted into our papers in the Clearwater, Largo, Seminole, Belleair and Beach areas of Pinellas County. You will be included in over 104,000 papers that are home delivered and available at businesses and other community locations. This special section is targeted toward women and will include stories about successful women, medical information specific to Women and Breast Cancer, and other great information!

Tampa Bay Newspapers is offering the members of Working Women of Tampa Bay a special opportunity to be included on a Working Women of Tampa Bay feature page. This page will consist of (18) 3”w x 1.5”h ads. You may purchase up to 2 blocks for your business!

Each block is offered at a special discounted rate of $125.00. The price includes full color, a Working Women of Tampa Bay header on the page, and a formatted look including your industry, headline, business information, and contact information along with a photo or logo.

But you’re not limited to the feature page! If you want a bigger ad, you can purchase regular display ad space in increments of 1/8pg up to a full page. And we’ll add a special “Proud Member of Working Women of Tampa Bay” ribbon to your ad if you wish!

All space reservations should go to me. If you are a current advertiser with Tampa Bay Newspapers, make sure you let me know that. You will continue to work with your current rep.

Contact Mary Rikkers by cell at 727-430-5022 or by email at mrikkers@tbnweekly.com.

THANK YOU for being a member of Working Women of Tampa Bay!

The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation is an all-volunteer organization and was started in 2003 by family and friends of Celma to help other women who were also suffering with this "silent killer." Celma herself was not diagnosed until late in the disease although she had been seeking treatment as she knew something was wrong.  Celma was a talented leader in the community, gracefully chairing numerous non-profit committees that enhanced the entire Tampa Bay area, including the arts, medical and educational groups. Her leadership, gifts of time and talent, and generous financial support made her a community icon.
 
Her brave battle with ovarian cancer made her our heroine. Celma died in 2004. Her spirit lives on in our Mission Statement:  "To unite family, friends, and community to fight ovarian cancer."   Celma is survived by eight children, a large extended family and many friends.
 
The Foundation goals are:
• Sponsor Research.
• Assist in the development of an early detection test, and in prevention.
• Educate the community.
• Offer financial assistance to patients in need.
 
www.cmocf.org or www.facebook.com/cmocf

WWOTB – It’s Girls Night Out at the Rodeo!
 
Rodeo Fest Tampa Style
 
Florida State Fairgrounds Charlie Lykes Arena
 
Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 4:00pm.
 
Tickets: $10 in advance and $15 at the door
 
Tickets can also be purchased at the following locations or call 412-592-6916
·        Bay City Sandwich Shop, 410 East Madison, Street, downtown Tampa
·        Schiros Feed Store, 7015 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia, FL
·        Amber Glenn Feed Depot, 6076 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL
·        Hay Exchange 4950 US 92, Plant City, FL
·        Harold’s Feed Supply, 12990 East Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Dover, FL
·        Fox’s Corner Feed Depot, 16820 Gunn Hwy, Odessa, FL
 
Rodeo Fest is a traditional rodeo that features barrel racing, calf roping, team roping, mounted shooting, steer wrestling and bull riding.

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/events/236972666492627

FAMILY Nurse Practitioner PT (So. Tampa)

Monday and Wednesday 8-5
Potential part-time to full time (quickly)
Holistic/Integrative medicine experience
We are looking for someone AWESOME, is that YOU?
Qualifications - Experience in a holistic/integrative medical field is required. Must have an active license as a Registered Nurse Practitioner with strong references. Non-negotiable, you must be HAPPY and have GOOD energy!!!!!

Whole Foods Market Clearwater is scheduled to open at Westfield Countryside Mall this fall

Who:   Whole Foods Market Clearwater

What:   The much-anticipated store, located at Westfield Countryside Mall is now seeking applicants for all positions.

“Our team members are really what make the Whole Foods Market experience unique,” said Clearwater Store Team Leader Mike Crandall. “We’re looking for a fun, friendly, and diverse bunch of team members who are passionate about serving our community.”

Whole Foods Market team members have chosen Whole Foods Market as one of FORTUNE® magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” every year since the list started in 1998. FORTUNE cited some of the reasons the company made the list for 2014 were their commitment to professional growth and development opportunities, including the freedom and encouragement of team members to pursue personal passions.


When:   Now through Wednesday, August 6 2014
    
How:   Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online wholefoodsmarket.com/careers.  For best results select the “Clearwater, FL” location and leave all other fields blank.     
 
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 80,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 17 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2013, the company had sales of $12.9 billion and currently has more than 370 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.