Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Social Media Marketing in 20 Minutes per Day

Local business owners are invited along with members to the next OVBA meeting on Thursday, June 21st  at noon at the Ogden Valley Branch of the Weber County Library in Huntsville.  The cost is $5 for OVBA members and $10 for non-OVBA members, which includes lunch served by Alpine Pizza.  Please RSVP to terry @ ovba.org by June 18th  to ensure lunch availability.

The Ogden Valley Business Association invites local businesses to learn how to take care of their online social media marketing in just 20 minutes per day. Dakota Hyde will present principles and tips to start or improve a social media campaigns for small businesses. He will explain the importance of building an online persona to increase brand awareness through social media. The focus of the presentation will be on tools including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. He will give tips to keep a constant and consistent stream of content using the help of free social media managing dashboards, and explain the basics of monitoring social media analytics. This interactive presentation will allow questions from the audience. Dakota Hyde has a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising with a Marketing Emphasis, and is a Sales Representative and Social Media Manager for Bonnie & Hyde Inc.

The mission of The Ogden Valley Business Association is to promote and support member businesses of Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon by providing opportunities for improving commerce, to be an economic resource for the betterment of our community and its visitors, and by fostering a robust economic climate, through the promotion of our natural and cultural resources.

For more information visit www.ovba.org

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

OVBA Spotlight: Nearly 20 Years of Quality Landscaping Earns Grass Plus, Inc. a Trustworthy and Reliable Reputation


by Justin Yates

          The landscape couldn’t be more beautiful when combining Grass Plus, Inc. with Utah’s Ogden Valley. As a full-scale landscaping company, Grass Plus, Inc. has had its headquarters in Ogden Valley since 2003 and has been doing business since 1993. They have gone far and wide, expanding their reach to many areas in Utah. They have also done work in several surrounding states. Wherever they have been, Grass Plus, Inc. has been “oohing” and “awing” customers and passersby over the years with their landscape designs and gorgeous work. They go the extra mile, put forth that additional effort, and incorporate their unique and unprecedented touch wherever they go. Needless to say, they have fun while doing it. With a reputation that has won the trust of many, they can tell you with a smile and confidence that shines with vigor, “In the end you’ll be happy with what you have.”
 
         
          Chris (Christine) and Travis Poulson are the owners and originators of Grass Plus, Inc. Born and raised in Eden, UT, Travis started doing landscape work when he was sixteen. By eighteen, he was doing out-of-state projects. He eventually met Chris, and they were married soon after. In time they were employed at a local landscaping company, Chris at the desk and Travis out on the job.  However, having the blood of determination and spunk in their veins, they set off on a wing and a prayer to start on their own. On May 15, 1993, with just one residential and two industrial projects lined up, they began. The rest is history.

          One of Grass Plus’s trademarks is their dedication to quality, which evidently rubs off on people.  Chris, who is president of the company, asserts that taking the easy and cheap way out is not their style: “We’re definitely a no-cut-corner company.” The evidence speaks just as loudly: the majority of their work comes from word-of-mouth referrals, and not from being listed as the lowest bid. Their motto is “Setting the Standard,” and they certainly practice what they preach.
         
          Grass Plus, Inc. doesn’t hire subcontractors, so they can work with customers directly and make sure everything is done right and in accordance with the standard. They do rock walls, water falls, river beds, fire pits, excavating, maintenance, seeding, reclamation, general landscaping, and patios, just to name a few. They have also helped with several state projects.
         
          Grass Plus members get to share their artistic talents with customers. They help in the designing and creation of landscapes that people will experience for years to come. “To us, work is fun,” admits Amy, Travis’s sister and corporate secretary of the company. Chris loves being able to drive by completed projects and know they had a part in it: “It is extremely rewarding, especially when homeowners are happy with you.” Most customers have enough confidence in Grass Plus that they can say, “just make it pretty,” and it is done. One couple, The Wongs, with a residence at Bear Lake, ID, trusted Grass Plus to complete their homestead project while they were away. When it was time to return, The Wongs came back to a work of art that exceeded their expectations. Mrs. Wong later said, “I can’t believe that what was in my mind was out there.”
         
          Grass Plus, Inc. is a member of the Ogden Valley Business Association (OVBA). As one of the first OVBA members, Grass Plus has long contributed to the reputation of honesty, hard work, and great quality of life that is found in Ogden Valley and OVBA businesses. They appreciate the networking and advertising opportunities they have been given as members. They also observe that OVBA members join together to collaborate, share services, and educate one another, as well as participate in various charitable and fundraising efforts. As far as Ogden Valley is concerned, Grass Plus speaks for all OVBA businesses, when they say they strive to “make it a better place."
         
Photo: Amy, Chris, and Travis
         
          To learn more about Grass Plus, Inc. and their services, and to view photos and video of their completed projects, visit www.Grassplusinc.com. To learn more about other OVBA businesses, visit www.OVBA.org.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

HAFB Spring Expo - Successful OVBA Booth

Christy Tew and Barbara McConvill
The Spring Expo at Hill Air Force Base on May 9th was a great opportunity to introduce Military and Contractor personnel to the Ogden Valley and Canyon.  We were too busy to take pictures while talking to several hundred people that stopped at our booth, but this shot at the end shows our table along side Harley & Buck's table.  Craig Bonham of Harley and Buck's conducted two cooking demonstrations during the Expo to a packed room.  Many thanks to our booth volunteers, Marla Mott-Smith Bowers, Sue Munson and Pam Mitchell, as well as Christy Tew, representing Harley & Buck's as well as the OVBA.  The four women made a great tag team talking up the Ogden Valley and Canyon, while serving Raspberry Lemonade (courtesy of Harley & Buck's) to visitors.  Christy Tew has reached out to the new Outdoor Recreation Coordinator to show him the Valley and recreational opportunities for HAFB employees and Military.  We have already provided him with two boxes of our publications.

The OVBA also provided a prize drawing package with more than $1,000 worth of gift certificates and items to a lucky attendee winner.  Many thanks to these companies for their donations:

Lakeside Resort Properties:  Two-Night Condo Stay
Wolf Creek Foundation:  Season Pass to Music in the Mountains, Hoodie and Ball Cap.
Gray Cliff Lodge Restaurant:  Dinner & Sunday Brunch for Two
Snowbasin Resort: Two Summer Gondola Passes
The Oaks Casual Eatery:  Two $25 Gift Cards
Harley & Buck’s Wednesday Rib Dinner for Two
$50 Spa Gift Certificate from Events Unlimited and Community Association Consultants
$25 Chic Style Clothing Stores Gift Certificate
Powder Mountain: 2 T-shirts and 2 Ball Caps
Bonnie & Hyde Inc: 2 Rossignal shirts