Our Success Stories
DaVinci's Gallery & Coffee House in Fremont
DaVinci’s Rates a “WOW!!” in Downtown Fremont
“Amazing!” “Unbelievable!” “Yummy!” “Unique!” “You Gotta See This Place!” Or – just plain “WOW!!”
These are the reactions when people step into DaVinci’s in Historic Downtown Fremont.
First of all, the place is BIG, not what you expect in a Coffee House and Gallery.
And it is full of stuff that you’ve never seen before, and won’t see anywhere else nearby.
And it SMELLS good: coffee, and pastries, and – at lunch time – paninis cooking on the grill. The paninis are named for artists, by the way, continuing the theme that starts with Leonardo DaVinci’s iconic “man” painted on the floor.
This is not a coffee shop with a few pictures hanging on the walls; this is a huge “art” gallery full of surprising treasures, lovingly collected by Gary and Marie Perkins from artists all over North America; artists who have become their friends and who furnish the gallery with unusual prints, pottery, jewelry, handbags and other beautiful – and even practical - things that defy the usual classifications.
There is stunning contemporary jewelry, pottery tableware, wood and glass and metal art, and – for the technophobe – binary watches! And if you are observant, you will find scattered throughout the gallery examples of Gary’s custom framing; he has a way of taking almost anything and framing it in an unusual and artistic way.
Gary and Marie, who were high school sweethearts, are celebrating 25 years in business; it all started with a frame shop in 1984. Now they are leading the revival of downtown Fremont, in the building that once housed a Kresge’s. They are active in the community, and offer the use of their conference room to various groups.
But mainly they are immersed in the world of cooking, and art, and providing their customers and friends with “a treat for all the senses.” The motto on their wall is truly their mission: “Surround yourself with beautiful things …” They do, and you can also, simply by making the trip to Fremont! And while you are there, sample the “raving craving chocolate cake” that is the signature dessert in the coffee shop.
You can see a lot at their website, www.artsandcoffee.com; but you really have to pay them a visit. Walk into 115 S. Front St. in downtown Fremont, and ---- “WOW!!”
Gary and Marie hooked up with SCORE counselor Mary Caracci five years ago. Mary’s task – according to Marie – is keeping them “focused” in their marketing efforts, spreading the word about this wonderful place where you don’t expect to find it. Mary started by moderating two focus groups to better understand the needs of prospective customers, and she continues to provide suggestions and ideas.
Mary Caracci is one of forty volunteers at Northwest Ohio SCORE – “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” where she works the Port Clinton area. SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and may be reached at 419.259.7598 and www.nwoscore.org
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Photo Captions:
#1 – Marie and Gary and a collection of wood items.
Mailworks
“Mail Works” Help Business Achieve Sales Results
“Mail Works” is the name of the Company. It might also be their motto.
As consumers are bombarded with electronic advertisements, the old-fashioned “direct mail” is making a comeback. And “Mail Works” is leading the way, proving that “mail” does indeed “work” in today’s marketplace.
When partners Donna Burke and Claude Montgomery started their business in 2005, they were determined to be the best, service-oriented mail handler in the area. But something else happened along the way.
Their unique expertise and computer technology have propelled Mail Works to the forefront of “personalized data base management,” which enables customers to individualize their mailings to achieve maximum returns.
As a result, the mailings you get might not be the same as the ones your neighbor receives; they may be uniquely targeted according to your preferences and your buying habits. Mail Works puts it all together for clients, and saves them money besides.
Part of their success is efficiency: their two-shift operation meets critical deadlines, and computer-controlled automatic equipment performs quickly and accurately. Donna and Claude attribute much of their success to their employees, whose product knowledge and willingness to “go the extra mile” for customers add up to a successful business.
Donna and Claude love people, and it shows in their commitment to serving their clients. In today’s tough economic environment, sales are hard to come by, and Mail Works gives their customers an “edge.”
The partners also give credit to the local chapter of SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business – and to counselors Jack Chezek and Jim Bayer. Jack and Jim meet monthly with Donna and Claude, and there are always “five or six things to talk about” according to the partners. “Taking advantage of their experience has been a tremendous help to us,” according to Donna.
SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and may be reached at 419.259.7598 and www.nwoscore.org
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Clair David
Office Design on the Central Avenue Strip
Driving west on Central Avenue, between I-475 and Central Park West in Sylvania Township, you might spot Clair David’s large store front. If you venture into the spacious showroom, you might think you are in an interior designer’s store, and you would be partly correct.
But as you look around the spacious display area, you will suddenly realize that everything you are looking at is office furniture, in all its variations!
While the showroom is impressive, what really attracts Toledo-area businesses is the depth of knowledge and expertise that owner Kim Marion and her staff bring to the challenge of designing and furnishing offices for today’s high-tech and space-limited businesses. Kim herself has 25 years of experience selling office furniture; after working for others, she decided in 2005 that the time was right to “strike out on her own.”
Kim Marion credits SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business – and local counselor Jack Chezek with helping her meet the challenges of running a small business. “We need someone to talk to, someone that understands our problems,” she says. Kim is so pleased with SCORE’s free mentoring that she sent her son in Columbus to SCORE for help in starting his own enterprise.
Kim and her staff have an impressive list of credentials and certifications, all of which can be found on their highly informative website (www.clairdavid.com), which even includes a virtual tour of the showroom in case you didn’t stop while driving by!
Their professional approach to office design and furnishing is seen in the conference room – which is available for meetings and seminars – equipped with a “smart board” and three-dimensional design technology. The staff emphasizes design for efficiency, helping clients to get organized and utilize office space economically – it’s called “space planning.” This design service is offered at no charge to serious clients, who range from individuals furnishing their home office, to larger companies trying to maximize productivity – as well as provide a pleasing (and “green”) environment.
Clair David offers the whole package: a large showroom where clients can “touch and feel” the furniture; and a professional design service that brings a high level of expertise to assist today’s businesses.
SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and may be reached at 419.259.7598 and www.nwoscore.org
