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Rebecca Enter / September 14, 2023

Helping Businesses Save Money

I recently wrote & published for the September 2023 Issue of the Atascocita/Humble Catholic Magazine. A copy of the article is below:

Being successful in business is rarely a solo endeavor. It usually takes a team: trusted advisors, solid employees, quality vendors, the right financial backing. Schooley Mitchell of Humble can help. I started my business for this very reason, I wanted to help businesses, organizations and non-profits succeed.

Most businesses have meager beginnings. Often the founder responsible for everything from accounts payable to HR, marketing to IT. Eventually, as the business grows, that strategy backfires.

Enter outsourcing. Many business owners may be reluctant to outsource out of fear – scared they’ll lose control, worried about costs, or nervous the person they bring in won’t have their best interests at heart. As an independent consultant, it’s something I see all the time. I understand the fear, and it is my job to take away that fear. I can be the trusted advisor, identifying the right connections and vendors, with no cost and no risk to the business.

Schooley Mitchell has helped thousands of businesses do just this, and I am your local Schooley Mitchell partner. Not only will I help reduce your expenses, but I can identify true partners that have your businesses’ best interest in mind.

But you don’t need to hear it from me, here is what some of our clients have said:

 “From day one, you have put our business and our values first. You have managed to save us 20-60% on our services, all while respecting the relationships we have developed with our long time vendors, and introducing us to new ones” – Ace Hardware.

“Lori and Schooley Mitchell have been much more than a cost reduction consultant, they have been a trusted advisor, a supporter, and a blessing to TENEF USA.” – TENEF USA

By seeking outside assistance, business owners can realize many benefits including:

Time: It is our scarcest resource. An outsourced expert can save you substantial time by handling tasks that keep you from doing what makes your business thrive.

Money: Outsourcing can save you money.  Schooley Mitchell does not charge for their services, we just share in any savings, and if we don’t find savings, you get a free audit.

Security: There are so many aspects to running a successful business. Enlisting the help of an expert provides peace of mind.

Knowledge: It is unlikely any one person is an expert in all the areas required to run a business. Working with an expert with specialized knowledge just makes sense.

Even the strongest companies can benefit from outside assistance. Next time you’re facing a challenge, consider working with Schooley Mitchell of Humble to help handle this challenge. Then spend your time focusing on what you do best: growing your business.

Rebecca Enter / September 13, 2023

Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan Affiliate Membership

I’m very excited to announce my partnership with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan! The MCAS is a provincial, non-profit trade association that represents plumbing and heating contractors in their relationship with the construction industry, legislative departments of municipal and provincial government, and other industry related bodies.

Members, to speak to me about how I can help you reduce your credit card processing fees up to 28%, click here!

 

 

Rebecca Enter / August 28, 2023

Lori Joins TENEF Board of Directors

Last week I was appointed to the board of directors of TENEF USA. I am honored to have the opportunity to help this fantastic organization in its mission to provide educational opportunities to youth in economically disadvantaged communities. Their tireless work has helped children both locally in the USA and across the world.

Thank you TENEF USA for the opportunity! Read the full article here.

Rebecca Enter / August 25, 2023

Raffle Draw at Chamber on Tap Event

 

Lori recently donated a pair of Astros Tickets as a door prize to the Partnership Lake Houston’s Chamber on Tap event! The winner, Natalia, is part of the team at Family First ER. Congratulations!

 

Rebecca Enter / August 22, 2023

How does UCaaS improve your customers’ experience?

 

On top of the cost benefits of switching your business’ communications and phone system to a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution, there are significant benefits for your customer’s experience when interacting with you. In this article, we look at some of those benefits.  

It’s all about convenience.  

UCaaS makes your customers’ experience interacting with you more seamless and convenient.  

When your customers are trying to get in touch over the phone or online, ease of access is crucial. No one likes having to call several numbers, trying to find the department they’re looking for, or having to provide their information multiple times.  

UCaaS eliminates this hassle.  

All UCaaS solutions eliminate the need for customers to switch between different apps or devices to communicate, making the experience more seamless and efficient. 

UCaaS offers accessibility options for customers.  

It’s important that all your customers, no matter what level of ability, be able to reach you. UCaaS solutions provide them with options. UCaaS integrates all communication options – voice, video, chat, email, etc. – so that, no matter what a person’s preferred method of communication is, they’re not at a disadvantage.  

Likewise, it’s also accessible geographically. UCaaS supports communication across geographic boundaries, making it easier for businesses to engage with customers wherever they’re located. 

UCaaS changes the game for customer support services.  

For businesses that offer real-time technical support, UCaaS solutions enable enhanced collaboration capabilities through features like video conferencing, screen sharing, and instant messaging.  

UCaaS is reliable.  

Many UCaaS solutions are offered by providers with robust infrastructure with redundancy and disaster recovery measures. This ensures that communication services remain operational even in the face of technical issues, preventing downtime for your business and less frustration for your customers.  

In conclusion… 

If you’re on the fence about transitioning to UCaaS, keep in mind some of the advantages it brings, especially when amplifying your customers’ experience when interacting with your business. 

Rebecca Enter / August 22, 2023

Does your uniform rental budget account for employee damages?

If your business rents employee uniforms, you may factor for general wear and tear and replacements over time, but forget to include employee losses or damages in your budget. However, losses and damages are the greatest source of unexpected cost when it comes to your uniform expenses – resulting in customers paying as much as 20-30% in added charges.  

In this article, we take a look at what these unexpected costs can mean for your business, and how to account for them.  

Why do losses and damages cost so much? 

Loss and damage charges include the purchase of a new garment at full retail price on top of the associated setup, name tag, logo fees, and sometimes replacement charges, depending on your rental agreement. And, because loss and damage often happen out the blue, it’s not like this is money you were planning to spend.  

Replacement charges aren’t just an unexpected bill to pay, either. They’re also not prorated depending on the age/lifespan of the garment that is being replaced. So, if an employee damaged a uniform after three wears or three hundred, you’re likely paying the same fee, despite the value of the article being significantly reduced in the latter scenario.  

Loss and damage are inevitable. 

While you can include employee uniform policies and provide employee training, uniform loss and damage are inevitable. It’s a part of life. Something as simple as a thread snagging in the dryer could spell an extra expense for your business.  

Instead of passing the burden and anxiety of uniform damage onto your employees, focus instead on signing a rental policy with a provider whose terms won’t gouge you when life happens.  

Your rental agreement determines a lot.  

For uniform rental providers, the lost/damaged garment replacement is often the number one source of complaint from customers.  

Before you sign a new contract or renew an existing one, here are some things to think about: 

  • What constitutes as damage, and is it unclear? Vague clauses about damage can leave you liable for extra fees.  
  • Are you being charged for regular wear and tear when a uniform is returned, swapped for a new size, etc.?  

Damage insurance is an option. 

To avoid being gouged by damage fees, some providers offer an ‘insurance’ or ‘protection’ program. These programs can be expensive, and don’t always cover losses, so it’s important to assess the frequency of uniform damage and your contract to know if the extra monthly premium is worthwhile.  

In conclusion… 

Damage to your employees’ uniforms is unavoidable, but the hefty, unexpected charges associated with damaging rented uniforms don’t have to be. Finding a contract with clear and fair terms, and taking additional measures to prepare your budget for these charges, will protect your bottom line in the long run.  

Rebecca Enter / August 1, 2023

Recommendation from Wright Construction Company

To whom it may concern:

I am a construction business owner and I have been working with Charlie and Miclain Keffeler from Schooley Mitchell for the past six months and known them for longer. They have helped me save a significant amount of money on waste costs for my company. Their expertise in the industry and attention to detail, with the help of their more than 100 analysts on staff, have been invaluable in identifying areas where I could reduce costs and improve efficiency. They have been a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend them to any business looking to save money on their waste and other expenses.

 

Wesley Wright

Owner

Wright Construction Company

Rebecca Enter / July 18, 2023

Recommendation of the team at Widget Financial

To Whom It May Concern:

Perhaps one of the most anxious times as a parent is walking into a bank with your young children.  You never know how long it will take, but you are almost certain your children will make you regret bringing them with you.  That is, of course, unless you bank at Widget Financial.

Widget Financial. Headquartered in Erie, PA, is a local, not-for-profit credit union that serves over 43,000 members.  Established in 1936, their mission is to provide optimal solutions as the financial institution of choice for families – and their focus on families is evident in everything they do.

From the time I walked into the Harborcreek branch and saw the play area for kids, I knew they understood what families needed when it comes to banking.  As I learned more about their service offerings, it validated my belief that they have perfected catering to families and the events they experience, from birth to retirement.

Widget Financial has a banking solution for everyone in the family, at every stage of their life. From the awesome Kidz Club savings account for young children, to the “getcash” card that allows a safe opportunity for teens to learn to budget and spend money wisely, to the Credit Builder loan, a smart and easy way to help those building (or rebuilding) their credit, to student loans, auto loans, mortgages, and retirement planning – you could literally open an account with Widget the day you are born and have all your banking needs met throughout the course of your life without ever changing banking institutions.

Widget doesn’t just provide great banking services, they are truly a great member of the community.  If you visit the Millcreek Mall, you’ll find that they sponsor the free children’s play area, and they also sponsor the Super Service Center auto exhibit at the expERIEnce Children’s Museum – they even sponsored free access to the museum for their Kidz Club members during the first half of 2023.  One of my favorite community events they spearhead is going to high schools to teach students financial literacy through fun, interactive simulation.

As a local business owner that focuses on helping organizations control costs, I can really appreciate the effort Widget puts in to ensuring their young members understand how to responsibly handle money. The fact that they then do so much good in the community just shows how invested they are in the families of NW PA.

Whether you have children or not, I highly recommend you stop by a Widget Financial office to see what service best fits you and your family.  You can’t go wrong banking with someone who seems to get all of it right!

Yours truly,

 

Adam Baker

Schooley Mitchell

 

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Rebecca Enter / June 30, 2023

19 Strategies Business Leaders Can Leverage To Avoid Passing On Rising Costs To Customers

All business owners will benefit from the advice and guidance found in this quick read. When seeking to overcome challenges in the current volatile economic environment, our clients leverage Schooley Mitchell’s experience of helping over 27,000 businesses reduce expenses, increase profitability, and scale productivity.

 

19 Strategies Business Leaders Can Leverage To Avoid Passing On Rising Costs To Customers

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/06/29/19-strategies-business-leaders-can-leverage-to-avoid-passing-on-rising-costs-to-customers