Door County Business News and Notes

• Trying to understand the value and application of new forms of social media is the topic of a coffee table discussion hosted by DesignWise Studios at 9:30 am on Monday, April 6 at Door County Coffee and Tea Company in Carlsville.

“Marketing in the Web 2.0 world that most potential visitors to Door County now inhabit on a daily basis requires understanding a new model and working with a new set of tools,” says Stephen Kastner, of DesignWise. “Social media works much like a team sport with collaboration and authenticity being of top importance.”

Stop in for a brief presentation and discussion of the new forms of social media marketing that are rapidly replacing traditional forms of advertising. Learn about how and why major corporations like Pepsi, Ford and Dell are now using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to deliver their message to consumers.

There is no charge to attend this free coffee table discussion. Call 920.839.9639 with questions or visit DesignWise.net for further information.

• The City Farmer announced that it has been chosen as the exclusive distributor of Vera Bradley Purses and Women’s Accessories in the Ephraim area.

Vera Bradley was established 25 years ago by Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and has had a reputation as a leader in the gift industry ever since. The company is known for creating new and exciting designs each year for their lines of purses, totes, luggage and accessories.

City Farmer’s owner, Richard Wegman, and his staff are looking forward to the May 1 season opening. He expects the Vera Bradley line to be a successful addition to the high-quality merchandise the City Farmer is known for.

• Sue Bryzek joined the staff of Door County Interiors & Design as an independent interior designer earlier this year.

Bryzek, a Fish Creek resident, most recently worked as an interior designer for nine years at another home furnishings store in Door County. She will focus on residential interior design services.

Bryzek said the resources of Door County Interiors & Design attracted her to the position. The 10,000 square foot store includes a showroom of furniture, accessories and art. An adjacent area and conference space presents vast samples of window coverings, fabrics (ordered by the yard), flooring, countertop and backsplash finishes, rugs and more.

More information about Door County Interiors & Design is available online at doorcountyinteriors.com or by visiting the showroom at 7266 Hwy. 42, Egg Harbor.

• Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers announced Janet Hanlin as the new Washington Island Equipment Coordinator. Hanlin takes over this volunteer position from Carol Machek who has served the island community in this position in addition to working as a Parish Nurse. Hanlin can be reached at 920.535.0021.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor strives to comfort people experiencing problems arising from conditions that lead to a deterioration in their quality of life. This is accomplished by loaning medical equipment such as hospital beds, commodes, shower chairs, wheel chairs and walkers at no charge to the community, along with other services. It is estimated that Neighbor-to-Neighbor saved Door County residents more than $300,000 in 2008. The program is supported solely on monetary donations from the community and the efforts of volunteers. For more information about the program, please contact Director Jan Scoville at 920.743.7800.

• Bruce Low, Owner/Inspector of Bottom Line Home Inspection of Luxemburg, attended the Spring Training Seminar of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI) March 20 and 21 in Baraboo. He completed course studies in Home Ventilation Strategies, Psychrometrics, Moisture & Mold Remediation and Inspection of ICF Structures, and participated in a hands-on training session at a “study” home. Bottom Line Home Inspection, a service of B.J. Low, LLC, is a fulltime inspection company serving home and light commercial building buyers and sellers in much of Northeast Wisconsin. Low can be reached at 920.255.2197.

• Pinkert Law Firm LLP will be presenting its 3rd Annual Law Affecting Business (LAB) Seminar for Door County businesses and employers Friday, April 17. The free seminar is designed to provide businesses and employers with information concerning laws that may affect their business.

The seminar will be held at Stone Harbor Conference Center located in Sturgeon Bay. Registration begins at 8 am with individual segments covering Unemployment Insurance, Hiring & Firing Issues, Buying Commercial & Industrial Real Estate and Collection Matters. The program ends at noon. Each session will be followed by open discussion and a general question and answer period.

Interested individuals or businesses may register through Laura Peterson, Pinkert Law Firm Office Manager by email [email protected], by phone 920.743.6505 or through the Pinkert website at http://www.pinkertlawfirm.com.