Franklin Publicity, Inc. 2016 Made In Michigan Holiday Shopping Guide

There are so may great products to give as Christmas and Hanukkah gives that are made right here in good old Michigan! Here is the list for 2016!

WILLIAMS CHEESE COMPANY, Linwood, MI

989/697-4492 www.williamscheese.com

It was 1945 when Jim and Jenny Williams decided to start a cheese business, using an old barn on their property as a warehouse. Long hours, hard work, and commitment to quality is the foundation on which the Williams Cheese Company was built, and that continues today as second, third, and fourth generation Williams family members maintain those same high standards – never compromising on quality.

Williams Cheese Company produces, ages, and packages more than five million pounds of various cheeses and spreads annually. They’ve become so much in demand that their products are sold throughout Michigan and across much of the U.S., mainly east of the Mississippi, but will soon expand west! Their delicious products are sold at many retailers, including Meijer stores, and Williams has become a frequent destination stop for those traveling to and from the upper part of Michigan all year long. Williams Cheese Company is well known for its many kinds of spreads, especially the vegetable and original horseradish, X-SHP Pinconning Daisy Cheese, Smoked Cheeses, Half Moon Colby, and Colby Jack cut from a true longhorn, and its Amish Swiss Cheese, to name a few. They have corporate gifts available as well.

          

CONVERSATION WITH PAM ROSSI – Ferndale, MI 734/740-1199 www.pamrossi.com

Over the 17 years that well-known radio personality, Pam Rossi, hosted her Sunday morning program from 7 to 10 am called Over Easy on WCSX she had the pleasure of interviewing over 500 musicians from single performers to complete bands. And, as Rossi says, it never got old because she was always excited about getting to the station for her show.

Rossi has penned a new book called “Conversations with Pam Rossi” that is chock full of interviews she had with people like Jeff Daniels, Ritchie Havens, Al Stewart, members of America, Dan Fogelberg, Melanie, Peter Yarrow, and many other well known musicians that play everything from rock to folk on the local, national, and international scene. It’s a fun book to have on the coffee table or the nightstand to read a little bit at a time and enjoy. Pam’s book is available at  www.pamrossi.com, www.amazon.com, or her publisher www.glendowdermedia.com.

DEARBORN SAUSAGE AND HAMS – Dearborn, MI

313/842-2375 www.dearbornsausage.com

A family favorite since 1946, what holiday table would be complete without a delicious honey-glazed, spiral-sliced Dearborn Ham! Perfect for Christmas, New Years, and watching your favorite football team in action. And for the die-hard, late fall, and winter outdoor grillers Dearborn now has five new varieties of chicken sausages! They’re also good in the broiler, as well. Dearborn products are available in stores throughout Southeast Michigan, including Kroger stores, most other supermarkets, and at the Dearborn Brand retail outlets in Roseville, 29616 Gratiot, and in Dearborn, 2450 Wyoming Avenue, to name a few. Holiday catering trays are also available.

SRODEK’S PIEROGI AND POLISH FOODS, Hamtramck, MI – 313/871-8080 www.srodek.com

Nothing says good cooking more than the taste of fine made European foods, especially Polish comfort foods found at Srodek’s on Joseph Campau in Hamtramck. Since 1980 Srodek’s has been making all their foods by hand the way grandmas used to do! Nothing is shipped in from out of state! For Thanksgiving and Christmas they have a sweet potato pierogi with a hint of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg that tastes like a pumpkin pie wrapped in dough and lightly browned in butter. A little bit of powdered sugar and it’s like Heaven on earth! For those that like a heartier pierogi, they also have pulled pork, chili cheese coney, kraut and meat, breakfast, spinach and artichoke, and corned beef and Swiss, to name a few over 35 varieties in all.

Other tasty treats include Camp Fire Polish Sausages in five varieties, stuffed cabbage in a savory tomato sauce, and a variety of homemade soups such as Dill Pickle. Sauerkraut, Beet, Kielbasa, and chicken noodle. For those brave enough, there’s also Czarnina! Srodek’s also offers polish candies and breads, polish ingredients for making soups and other foods at home, polish beers and an assortment of Polish liquors.

MEL’S TOFFEE, Rochester, MI – 248/496-0186 www.melstoffeeandtreats.com

Mel’s Toffee is back with new flavors of its delicious toffee this year, including CEO Stout, which has Right Brain's CEO Stout beer and a touch of espresso – it’s a great waker upper, Maple Bourbon with Jim Beam Maple, pecans, and cocoa powder - it's like a Pecan Pie in a toffee form, Plain Jane, which was created for people with gluten and peanut issues so thay can have their own bag of toffee too, and Coconut Almond made with Arcadia Ales Cocoa Loco Triple Chocolate Stout, coconut, and almonds. It tastes like a Mounds bar in a toffee form. Some people are purchasing these toffees in bulk to use in making cookies! Pretzel companies are using them as a topping for their pretzels, and believe it or not, breweries call and use it in their beer!!!

BETTER MADE SNACK FOODS, Detroit, MI – 313/925-4774 www.bettermadesnackfoods.com

Better Made is always on the cutting edge when it comes to creating new products and improving on old favorites! This year the company’s newest version of its dark and milk chocolate covered chips is even better than last year and is sure to please the chocolate lover in everyone! You have the chocolate, the salt, and crunch – what could be better? Better Made’s new Dark and Milk Chocolate covered chips now use Morley Candy Makers Inc./Sanders! The tin has the famous Better Made Logo on the top. These tins are only available for a limited time due to how quickly they sell out and the time of year. Obviously they can’t be sold in warm weather – so now’s the time to enjoy them! The new tins are available at Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Polly’s Country Markets, Busch’s Fresh Food Markets, and many other independent retailers, as well as the Detroit Shoppe, the Better Made Outlet Store, and Online at www.bettermadesnackfoods.com.

Another long time Holiday and year-round favorite is the Better Made Sampler Box filled with 15 different delicious Better Made products. Both the Sampler Box and the new Sanders Chocolate Covered Chips are great for family gatherings, office parties, corporate gifts, and shipping to family and friends here in Michigan and those that have moved out of the area.

NATIONAL CONEY ISLAND, Roseville, MI – 586/771-7744 www.nationalconeyisland.com

Your fiends or family love the taste of a snappy, spicy, National Coney dog, the problem is they’ve moved out of state and can’t get them. Or maybe you’ve moved away for work and are missing that great flavor. Did you know a lot of states don’t really have Coney chains like we do here in Michigan? The solution? A Coney kit from National Coney Island! Each Styrofoam box is packed with 24 fresh hot dogs, buns, a brick of chili, mustard, and even the onions with dry ice on top to keep it all fresh. You simply thaw it out, prepare the chili per the instructions, brown the hot dogs and voila – instant NCI Coney Dogs! Kits can be ordered on line and shipped anywhere in the contiguous United States. It makes the perfect gift for a New Year’s Eve party or the big game. Add some Better Made chips and top it off with Mel’s Toffee and you have a meal.

DETROIT POPCORN COMPANY – Redford, MI

313/386-1600 www.detroitpopcorn.com

The Detroit Popcorn Company continues to show its dedication to Detroit with new popcorn tins that really capture the essence of the City, especially with its re-released Tour of Detroit tin featuring beautiful photos of many of Detroit’s favorite landmarks old and new. The main focus of the tin is the Detroit Skyline from the riverfront but also has photos of the Detroit Zoo, Ambassador Bridge, Tiger Stadium, Vernors, Spirit of Detroit, Detroit Popcorn Company, Olympia Stadium, the Hudson’s Building, the Fox Theatre, the Motown Museum, and a plethora of others. The 3.5-gallon tin is filled with delicious, freshly popped butter corn, cheese corn, and sweet caramel corn, and sells for only $39.95. It’s a prefect holiday gift for friends, family, co-workers, and also as employee/employer appreciation gifts. There are also several other party things and supplies available to make the holidays even more fun!

MARGOT EUROPEAN DAY SPA, Birmingham, MI

248/642-3770 www.margots.com

For over 35 years, Margot Kohler, Founder of Margot European Day Spa, has developed skin care products for men and women​. From a hydrating lotion for the hands and face to a mist spray that refreshing the face, to her very popular neck treatment formula, Margot’s products can help people look and feel refreshed and more beautiful than they already are. All products are manufactured in Troy, Michigan by Elba Labs, and range in price from $22 to $55 depending on the product.

For business owners looking for something out of the ordinary for their employees, Margot’s has corporate gifts and events that can be customized and tailored to fit any budget, and is the perfect gift of wellness to help bring balance to busy lives. ​Corporations both large and small have enjoyed the benefits of having well balanced and healthy staff/team members. At Margot European Day Spa, it's not just a trip to the spa, it's the Margot Experience – Detailed, welcoming, and memorable.

MICHIGAN MAPLE BLOCK COMPANY, Petosky, MI and KITCHEN HAPPY, Richmond, MI – and available through www.Michigan-Made.com in Standish, MI

Beautifully hand crafted Cutting Boards shaped like our beloved state and round Lazy Susans decorated with a dazzling design of Michigan are just two of the thousand or so Michigan made products available through Standish-based Michigan Made Products & Gifts and www.Michigan-Made.com.

Manufactured in Petosky by Michigan Maple Block Co., the cutting boards are made of Michigan Northern Hard Maple and come in two sizes, small for $19.95 and Large for $45.95.

Michigan Maple Block Company is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of butcher-block products in the nation. Manufactured in Richmond Township by Kitchen Happy, the Michigan Lazy Susan is beautifully hand crafted and a welcome addition to any dining room or kitchen table. The Michigan Lazy Susan is just one in the collection of original Lazy Susan designs available. The Michigan Lazy Susan is a beautiful timeless gift that will be treasured and passed down from generation to generation. Each is made of solid Ash Wood and retails for $74.95.

CHRISSY’S KNEE HIGH SOCKS – Eastpointe, MI

877/862-6267 www.kneehighsocks.org.

Knee high socks are the latest craze and the sky is the limit in styles available and what can be customized for any occasion, especially Christmas and winter in general. The socks are made in Michigan, are now fur free, and are being shipped throughout Michigan, the U.S., and virtually anywhere internationally. Knee high socks come in a variety of colors and patterns to match any ensemble and can be worn for many occasions. The socks are so popular that Chrissy’s Knee High Socks and the Detroit Derby Girls have teamed up in a sponsorship deal where Chrissy’s supplies classy red and black socks with the team’s logo. The company now has a wide assortment of Holiday-themed socks that are perfect for little girls, teens, and even grown ups!

B’BITES – Royal Oak, MI, 248/470-6252 www.bbitesnacks.com

The old adage is, if it’s healthy for you, it can’t taste good. However that is not the case here! B'Bites is a delicious dried fruit and nut snack that is raw, all natural, gluten free, dairy free, and soy free, vegan, and handmade with whole natural and organic ingredients. Each B’Bites square has at least 100mg of Potassium, in addition to fiber, iron, folic acid, omegas, antioxidants, magnesium, and protein, all of which give people the essential nutrients their bodies need. They come in a 2 or 4-pack size in four flavors, including Almond Chocolate Coconut, Peanut Butter Crisp, Chocolate Walnut, and Cinnamon Raisin. They are sold throughout Metro Detroit at stores like Market Fresh, Trek American Cycle and Fitness, Beyond Juice, Jungle Juice Bar, Pulse Fitness Training, ZMC Pharmacy, the Franklin Athletic Club, and a host of others. They have a good shelf life and can be shipped anywhere.

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GET YOUR BODY & BUSINESS IN SHAPE EXPO
FOR OCTOBER 2013 RELEASE
CONTACT: Franklin Dohanyos
                     FRANKLIN PUBLICITY, INC.
                     248/399-1101
                     franklinpr@aol.com

MICHIGAN PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK HOSTING 2013

“GET YOUR BODY & BUSINESS IN SHAPE EXPO” ON OCTOBER 24

 

* Annual Expo continues to flourish as more vendors and attendees participate

           SOUTHFIELD, MI – There are just three short weeks remaining before the 22^nd annual “Get Your Body & Business In Shape” Expo hosted by the Michigan Professional Women’s Network (MPWN). This year’s Expo is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best ones ever. The Expo will be held from 10 am to 3 pm at 2000 Town Center Atrium in Southfield and will showcase resources for personal and business health.

          This year’s event will include free health screenings and business support, like anti-aging, fitness, weight control, business health, marketing, finance, and networking resources. Admission for attendees is free and there are still a few vendor spots available at only $180 without electricity and $205 with electricity. Dr. Diane Buffalin, Ph. D. heads up MPWN and says this is a labor of love for her.

          “I love this event because it brings together such a diverse group of people for fun, education, and most especially networking,” says Buffalin. “I can’t tell you how many times someone has stopped me after the Expo and said how they were able to meet people that could help them or that they could help. With a rough Michigan economy still in place, Expos like these are great for bringing people together.”

“We’ve been very successful with this event for 22 years and it keeps growing. We’re expecting over 100 businesses and professional organizations, including this year some non-profits, and well over 300 people in attendance. It’s a great and inexpensive way for businesses to showcase their products and services, as well as network.”

          MPWN was started in the early 80’s by women who worked at Comerica Bank and General Motors to provide a place for women, and now men, to share resources and ideas to develop their businesses. One of the unique features of the group is that each year at the December holiday party, members receive money back, in the form of gift checks, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars. The group meets monthly, typically at the Clawson Steak House, and recently joined the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce.

“Who would imagine that a small, dedicated group of women, could survive personal, professional, and economic challenges for over 30 years and still manage to produce a free Expo to showcase community resources for health and business in the Southfield Area,” says the group’s Executive Director, Psychologist, Diane Buffalin, Ph.D. “The Michigan Professional Women’s Network has managed to survive and thrive, based on sheer energy and determination to provide a place for women in the community to share resources and get their needs met while building a network.”

            Dr. Diane was recently nominated for the Athena Award by the Royal Oak chamber of Commerce for her tireless efforts to maintain this group. For more information about MPWN and the Get Your Body and Business in Shape Expo Thurs Oct 24^th, please contact Dr. Diane Buffalin, visit www.mpwn.org or send e-mail to mpwn44@aol.com.

 

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As the global economy continues to struggle, social media marketing is strategically imperative for giving small businesses new and exciting opportunities to expand in new directions. The need for trust, value and brand transparency are more important today than ever. Right now, many businesses are experimenting with a variety of online, localized and mobile marketing initiatives. If you're not leveraging marketing trends and opportunities, remember, your competitors are, and you don’t want to be the last one in line! Here are some timely tips to help you.

1) Building a reliable brand. The idea that you need tens of thousands of Twitter followers, blog subscribers, LinkedIn connections and Facebook friends to build your business via social media is dead. Quality connections with those who are loyal to the business and the brand are far more helpful to spread your message than large groups of connections who disappear after the first interaction.

2) Excelling in one area rather than being all things to all people. Instead of trying to be all things for all people, small businesses need to focus on their unique niches and position themselves as the definitive source for information, products and services related to the specific places in the markets in which they operate.

3) Creating quality on-line content as a viable marketing tool. Social media marketing and content marketing go hand-in-hand, and businesses need to create useful content that adds value to the online presence. The Web is a cluttered place. Amazing content is essential to break through the noise.

4) Moving more marketing dollars to social media. Statistics show that large and small companies are shifting budget dollars to social media and away from print and radio advertising. Recent statistics suggest that seven out of ten consumers go online to find products and services. To reach them and stay competitive, small businesses need to have a dynamic presence on the social Web.

5) Pursuing mobile marketing. There is absolutely no doubt that mobile marketing is taking off! While still in its infancy, it is the marketing imperative of the future. With mobile advertising, branded mobile marketing apps, and .mobi websites, consumers will expect businesses to have a bigger mobile presence.

6) Localized marketing is a top priority. Local discount websites like Groupon and local review sites like Yelp make it easy for consumers to find deals and reviews about businesses in their neighborhoods and beyond. Creating targeted, local marketing campaigns using these popular tools is now the norm.

7) Cross promoting for a bigger presence. Offline, online and mobile marketing programs create an opportunity to lead consumers from one message to another by integrating those strategies. You can drive a significantly higher return on investment by cross-promoting online destinations, discounts, contests and events.

8) Co-marketing to boost returns and lower marketing costs. The economy is still struggling, which means small businesses can benefit from economies of scale by partnering with complementary businesses to develop co-marketing programs. Promotional partnerships not only lead to reduced costs but also can lead to increased exposure to new audiences.

 
Franklin Publicity has partnered with proven experts in the social media and mobile marketing fields and, with a strategically designed PR program, can help boost your business in 2013. If you want to find out how you can use these tools to help grow your business to new heights, please call us at 248/399-1101 or send queries to franklin@franklinpublicity.com.

Value Added Advice!

Offering Value Added Advice
A Little Taste of the Success to Come Later

It’s no secret that we all want to do business with people whom we know and trust. So, how do we build rapport and create trust with new contacts at networking events? One way is by offering value-added advice–solid, helpful information provided out of a genuine concern for another person – without a sales pitch. It can actually endear them to you.

Let’s say you’re a real estate agent talking with someone at a networking event who isn’t ready to buy a home today, but is heading in that direction. You could say something like: “Well, I know you’re not interested in buying a home right now. But, when you’re ready to start looking, I highly recommend checking out the north part of town. A lot of my clients are seeing their homes appreciate in the 10 to 20 percent range, and from what I understand, the city is thinking about building another middle school in that area.”

By doing that you’ve just made an ally without being too salesy, and an ally can become a client in the future quicker than a cold call can. A statement like this demonstrates your expertise, so he or she will remember you when ready to move. This model works for consultants, CPAs, accountants, financial planners, coaches–just about anyone in a service-based industry in which knowledge is the main product. If you’re concerned about giving away your intellectual capital for free, look at it this way: few people are going to sign up to do business with you if they’re not sure you can do the job. In the absence of a tangible product, you have nothing but your technical expertise to demonstrate that you have the goods.

Give potential clients a little test drive - A Little Taste od the Success to Come Later" to show how it would feel to do business with you. But don’t go overboard! Just give them something they can try on to see if it works. Not only will this open up a good conversation with new contacts while you’re out networking, if you play your cards right, whom do you think they’ll go to when they’re in need of your kind of service?

Good Luck,
Franklin

Direct Selling Versus Networking

Direct Selling Versus Networking

How many of you have attended a networking event hoping to do some business or maybe even make a sale? How many of you have attended a networking event hoping to buy something?

This is called networking disconnect. It is ironic that people are so “disconnected” about a process that’s intended to be about connecting people. This kind of disconnect leads to poor results, which in turn leads people to believe that networking doesn’t work.

Do not confuse direct selling with networking. But someone will say, “Franklin, I’ve made a sale before by attending a networking event." I’m not saying it doesn’t ever happen, but it occurs about as often as a solar eclipse, and you’re wrong if you think the odds are in your favor to “sell” at a networking event.

So why go to a networking meeting? It’s more about farming than hunting. Sometimes you go to increase your visibility and to connect with people you have never met. Sometimes you go to establish further credibility with people you know. In any case, the true master networkers know that networking events are about moving through the relationship process and not just about closing deals. Visibility leads to credibility, which, with time and effort, leads to profitability.

Here are five things to remember when attending networking events:

1) Don’t go there to sell, go there to connect.
2) Have meaningful conversations with people you meet.
3) Follow up with people you found interesting or who you can help in some way. Don’t follow up to sell them something.
4) Meet these people in a one-to-one setting, learn more about them, and ask them “How can I help you?”
5) Go for the long-term relationship, not the short sale.

Good luck!
Franklin

Building Good Referral Sources

To be an effective net worker, you should constantly be strengthening your relationships with referral sources. The best way to go about this depends on each individual referral source and to what s/he responds. So while there isn’t one “best” way to solidify your connections with referral sources, you can take a number of actions to build good will and credibility in those relationships. Here, are ten examples that should give you some ideas and get you off on the right foot.

1) Arrange a one-to-one meeting. Meeting a referral source in person is an excellent opportunity to learn more about his or her business and interests. Prepare questions in advance so that the conversation flows smoothly. Be ready to give an update on your business and to ask lots of questions about your source’s interests.

2) Send a thank-you card. A handwritten thank-you card makes a great impression, especially in this age of electronic communication. If you’d rather send something online, SendOutCards.com is a useful resource.

3) Send a gift. Like a thank-you card, a gift, however small or inexpensive, can help build visibility and credibility with your referral source. Try to find out what his or her likes are, such as favorite foods, hobbies, etc., and send a gift that is personalized.

4) Call a referral source. An occasional, casual phone call is a good way to keep the relationship strong. It’s also a good idea to have a piece of news or some tidbit of information to pass along that will benefit or interest your referral source.

5) Display a source’s brochure. Doing a bit of sales work on behalf of a referral source can only enhance your relationship. If you have a public area for your business or are doing a trade show, offer to place your source’s materials where your clients can read them.

6) Extend an invitation. Invite a referral source to a networking event. Introducing him or her to other businesspeople you know gives your source an opportunity to meet others in your target market. It may also provide new business opportunities for you both.

7) Nominate them for an award. Watch for these types of opportunities in publications like Crain’s and CORP Magazine, local service and civic organizations. Find out what groups and interests in which your referral source is involved and check to see if there is a form of recognition associated with them.

8) Include a source in your newsletter. Even a brief mention of a referral source in your newsletter can pay dividends down the road, including the opportunity for them to reciprocate the favor in their own newsletter.

9) Arrange a speaking engagement. Help your referral source get in front of a group that would be interested in his or her area of expertise. Local chapters of service organizations, such as Rotary and Kiwanis, are always looking for good speakers.

 
10) Turn the table. Offer your referral source a referral s/he might find useful. It’s often a wonderful way to build your relationship. By helping to build your source’s business, you help create a debt of gratitude that will encourage your source to respond in kind.