Beach Bash Good for Biz

Beach Bash Good for Biz

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

7/15/11

Fairfield, CT – Bobbing sailboats, kids splashing in the water and a distant lighthouse on the horizon. That was the backdrop of a casual gathering that brought together businessmen and women from a three-town circuit for a spot of networking.

The Jacky Durrell Pavilion at Penfield Beach was the site early Thursday evening of a “Beach Bash” jointly coordinated and attended by members of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Bridgeport Business Council (GBRBC). It was the first time the three groups had collaborated for an event. Response was very enthusiastic, with all 125 Bash tickets sold out.

“It’s extremely important to collaborate to give businesses the opportunity to network, especially in tough economic times,” said Heather Cavanagh, Special Projects Manager for the Westport Chamber. “Many businesses based out of Trumbull, Bridgeport and other affiliates are not usually given an opportunity to mingle and network with potential new clients, especially in a beautiful environment like this,” she added, referring to the picturesque Fairfield beach setting.

Enjoying the view on the pavilion’s sundeck, GBRBC President Paul Timpanelli commented, “We’ve been collaborating for a while with the Fairfield Chamber, providing our members with added opportunities to network. It’s really mutual added value for each chamber, without our members having to pay dual fees. Having members from all three chambers unite can only add even more value.”

Discussing finance with Fairfield CPA Grace Keniston, former Fairfield Chamber president Michael Gness, a financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments, said he was pleased with the direction current chamber leadership was pursuing.

“Each president brings their own priorities and goals,” Gness said. “And each new leader makes the chamber stronger. The chamber has evolved from serving the community to serving more small businesses. Now there are more opportunities for business leaders to network. The big event a decade ago was the town clambake. It was a nice event but a bear to coordinate. Now there are more smaller events and gatherings focused solely on business.”

Fairfielder Tom Brennan, huddling with a group that included an attorney, NFL agent and hospital representative, said about the event, “It’s a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with people you interact with on the phone all the time. Paul Timpanelli, an almost lifelong friend and former Trumbull First Selectman, is the right man in the right job. It’s a smart move for Bridgeport to align with the Fairfield and Westport/Weston chambers.”

Philip Kuchma, president of Kuchma Corporation, was happy for any opportunity to speak with fellow business leaders. The real estate mogul, who owns eight properties known as Bijou Square in Bridgeport, said, “It’s always great to network, and this atmosphere is conducive to conversation. This is nice and laid back. We have to think of business in a regional sense instead of as separate towns, to be competitive nationally. People that live and/or work in Fairfield can’t get all their needs met in Fairfield. There needs to be a reliance on neighboring areas.”

One of the more junior attendees, Sarah Bruhl, onsite representing Fairfield Fencing Academy, which will open up in Fairfield’s Sportsplex complex in early August, said, “We’re all really excited about the opening. We’re running a camp right now, using Fairfield Warde High School as our site. The new space is amazing and there are 3,500 kids visiting the complex daily. This is a good local business story.”

View Finder: Beach Yoga

View Finder: Beach Yoga

Limbering up as the waves lap the shore

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/21)

7/18/11

Fairfield, CT – The setting couldn’t have been more perfect, with the sun creeping up in the sky, gulls overhead scanning for sea snacks, early-bird joggers and sandy shores. Perfect surroundings, that is, for a sunrise yoga session.

Held on the sundeck of the Jacky Durrell Pavilion at Penfield Beach, Yoga For Everybody’s morning yoga class on a recent Saturday morning attracted about 30 fitness enthusiasts. With support from volunteers Denise Fiori and Lea Cervone, Carolyn Fahey led the group in gravity-defying, pretzel-like ground acrobatics while dispensing prophetic teachings.

Water bottles were aplenty – and needed to be – given the already dense air that soon created beads of perspiration on the brows of participants. They stretched and reached and bended as guided, sprawled on pastel-colored mats of blue, orange, green and maroon. A wide palette of body shapes and even mix of gender was represented here.

“Pull the foot into your hip… gracefully release your foot into the lunge position… come to downward-facing dog,” cooed Fahey, prompting the pack.

The merciless sun crept higher into the sky as bodies glistened with sweat. All the while, gentle waves lapped at the shore, creating a tranquil mood that would soon be shattered by beachgoers and the shouts of children tearing across the sand.

“Yoga is an awakening of the heart,” Fahey said, offering some final thoughts. “The greatness comes from you.”

O Lulla Helps New Parents Feather Their Baby’s Nest

O Lulla Helps New Parents Feather Their Baby’s Nest:

Southport baby store offers nursery design, furniture, gifts and accessories

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/20)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/20/11

Southport, CT – Tucked into an unlikely old industrial factory space at the outskirts of Southport Village is a delightful little shop where quirky birds, cottony sheep and puffy clouds all call home.

O Lulla, at 354 Pequot Avenue, is a purveyor of furniture, gifts and accessories for babies and toddlers, and also offers nursery and toddler bedroom design guidance and implementation.

The happy little spot, with its soft pastels and fluffy blankets contrasting, yet somehow complementing, original plank floors, brick and exposed ductwork, is the offspring of Naz Kocturk, the petite, raven-haired, Turkish-born owner.

Launched in Sept. 2010, the store has enjoyed a following of soon-to-be moms, gift givers to new parents and baby shower shoppers. It has also been a godsend for parents expecting their first child, who are overwhelmed by impending responsibilities and require the help of a professional to design an ideal nursery space for their new arrivals.

The store was not a first venture in this area for Kocturk. Nearly two decades ago, in Istanbul, she operated a similar store she dubbed Renkarda, which combined the names of her two children, Renk and Arda, now 18 and 16 respectively.

In 1996, because of her then-husband’s work in foreign trade, Kocturk moved to the U.S., to Wilton. Wishing to stick with her area of business interest, she opened another baby store called Crib & Cradle, in Westport. That closed in 2001 and she busied herself with caring for her children. Unfortunately, her marriage also came to an end and soon she was a single parent seeking another foray into the baby business sector.

In the summer of 2010, she heard about her current space, which had been the shipping department of the Jelliff Corporation, a wire and mesh manufacturer. She signed a rental agreement with Jelliff and, after renovations to soften the retail environment, soon opened up. The shop incorporates a working Fairbanks scale, a holdover from the factory, around which baby blankets, quilts and a figurine called Lulla are arranged.

The shop name was actually derived from a lullaby and “really felt like a baby friendly brand name,” said Kocturk.

While the store is well-trafficked, an important offshoot is the nursery interior design consulting. “We’ll help with the floor plan, furniture choices and arrangement, decorative accents and lighting,” said Kocturk. “We begin by going to the expectant parents’ home, seeing their style and measuring. Then I give them homework – to look through magazines and pull out room accents that they like. Taking that as a starting point, we provide all the things they need.”

O Lulla also offers baby registry and can reserve for a shower occasion products at O Lulla as well as from associated suppliers.

Kocturk believes she’s a good resource for new parents. “I save them a lot of time, money and effort through my experience and connections,” she said.

O Lulla is at 354 Pequot Avenue, Southport. For further information, email info@olulla.com or call 203-292-8880.

Woodbridge Author’s Book Helps Smooth Divorce Transition

Woodbridge Author’s Book Helps 
Smooth Divorce Transition:

Laura Campbell’s “The Ultimate Divorce Organizer” debuts Aug. 2011

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Bethwood.Patch.com 7/20)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/18/11

Woodbridge, CT – Divorce is a disruptive, often painful process involving huge life decisions, multiple legal transactions and emotional upheaval. While many professionals are there to speak to specific issues, there is little support offered with regard to organizing the many facets of the transition.

Helping bridge the gap between the legal aspects and the emotional journey involved in divorce is a new book titled “The Ultimate Divorce Organizer”, penned by first-time author and Woodbridge resident Laura Campbell. A divorcee herself and founder of a related website www.discoverthedspot.com, Campbell’s aim was to provide comprehensive resources, primarily to women going through much of what she had experienced – from contemplation of divorce up through moving forwards afterwards.

Campbell, 44, whose marriage ended in 2004 after 12 years, said, “At the time I was going through my own divorce, I found that there was a lack of resources that I needed. There were therapists, lawyers, CPAs and what not but not someone to support me in moving forward – emotionally, financially, socially, professionally – all the things to help me determine next steps.”

Campbell said the experience was traumatic. “The divorce was far bigger than just the end of my marriage,” she said. “It affected every area of my life. Every aspect of my world changed. The transition was the beginning of my journey and personal development and education about me. I began to reconnect with who I was, educate myself on what it would mean to live the life I really wanted. ‘Where divorce ends, your destiny begins,’ is my motto.”

The author added, “You really redefine all of the roles you play in life – parent, daughter, partner, professional, independent person, friend.”

In particular, Campbell wanted to connect to women sharing her same experience, so, in 2005, she formed a business called D Spot. “It’s virtual and live event based and offers women private coaching around the transition of divorce, group coaching and retreats.

“I became credentialed as the type of professional that I would have sought out myself,” she said.

With regard to the book, Campbell said it happened very quickly. “It was born out of a lack of comprehensive resources in this category,” she said. “The content was compiled from my own experience. I’m blessed to be part of a community of experts. This offers a step-by-step guide to moving through the transition of divorce.”

The book has been on Amazon.com and pre-releasing for some time. It will fully release in August 2011.

“I wish I would have had this resource when I was going through my own divorce,” she said. “You’re making huge decisions at a point when you’re most vulnerable and not at your best.”

For more information, visit www.discoverthedspot.com, which provides a link to purchase “The Ultimate Divorce Organizer”. Published by Peter Pauper Press, the 180-page book retails for $29.99. Lili Vasileff, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, contributed financial content to the guide.

Bellitto Gets GOP Nod for First Selectman

Bellitto Gets GOP Nod for First Selectman:

Unofficial poll results show board of finance vice chair tops

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/19)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/19/11

Fairfield, CT – Unofficial results from today’s GOP Caucus are in, showing Robert Bellitto, Jr., Fairfield’s Board of Finance Vice Chairman, has captured the Republican nomination to run for First Selectman in the November elections.

Approximately ten percent of Fairfield’s registered Republican voters visited the polls Tuesday to choose nominees for the positions of First Selectman, Selectman, Town Clerk, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals and other key offices.

Overall, 937 Republicans voted. As of 10:45pm Monday evening, unofficial results for the First Selectman race, obtained from David Becker’s office, showed Bellitto with 493 votes, Becker (a Representative Town Meeting member) with 376 and 20-year veteran Fairfield firefighter Hugh Dolan with 68 votes.

Results had not yet been made available on the balance of town leadership positions in play.

Republicans Hold Caucus to Elect and Re-Elect Town Officials

Republicans Hold Caucus to Elect and Re-Elect Town Officials:

Polls open today 

from noon to 8 p.m.

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/19/11

Fairfield, CT – The Republican Town Committee of Fairfield this morning encouraged voters to head to their local polling places for the purpose of cast their votes for a variety of town posts.

Positions include First Selectman, Selectman, Town Clerk, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, Town Plan & Zoning Commission (2 and 4 year terms), Town Plan & Zoning Commission Alternate, Zoning Board of Appeals (2 and 4 year terms), Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate, Constables and Representative Town Meeting.

Polling places are as follows:

VOTING DISTRICT / POLLING LOCATION
1:  Oldfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace
2:  St. Pius X School, Brookside Drive
3:  Dwight School, Redding Road
4:  Osborn Hill School, Stillson Road
5:  McKinley School, Thompson Street
6:  Fairfield Warde High School, Melville Avenue
7:  North Stratfield School, Putting Green Road
8:  Holland Hill School, Meadowcroft Road
9:  Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Unquowa Road
10:  Sherman School, Fern Street
The polls will be opened at twelve o’clock noon (12:00 p.m.) and will remain open until eight o’clock in the evening (8:00 p.m.).

For more information, visit www.fairfieldrtc.com

SHU MBAs Make Not-for-Profit Strategic Management Pitches

SHU MBAs Make Not-for-Profit Strategic Management Pitches

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Sacred Heart Univ.)

6/28/11

Fairfield, CT – Pressed for time, often underfunded and so focused on their day-to-day activities and clients, not-for-profit organizations sometimes lose sight of business operation fundamentals. That’s where a unique MBA program at Sacred Heart University has stepped in to fill that void and provide teams of students to analyze challenges and offer recommendations, at no cost to these groups.

Monday evening, June 27, eleven MBA students participating in Professor Rawlin Fairbaugh’s Strategic Management class in the University’s John F. Welch College of Business made their final presentations, with select representatives from the participating organizations in attendance. The clients this semester included Derby Day Care, Bridges, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, St. Paul’s Child Development Center, Bridgeport Caribe Youth League and the Rape Crisis Center of Milford. Students worked on and presented their recommendations in pairs.

“Twelve years ago, we started advising the Diocese of Bridgeport,” said Fairbaugh about the program’s inception. “We did a lot of work and other organizations began to hear about it. So, we put together a dedicated program and have since worked with 70 to 80 organizations in a 25-mile radius and handled about 400 projects. The groups have been very appreciative.”

Fairbaugh said the takeaway for students is the appreciation that non-profits are part of the business landscape. “They must be conscious of the importance of such facilities as homeless shelters and homes for battered women and the like,” he said.

Recruiting participating organizations has been the job of Deacon Daniel J. Ianniello and William G. Joyce, both Executive Advisors and Board Members of The Center for Not-for-Profit Organizations at the University.

“Our students’ work really makes a difference to these groups,” said Ianiello. “And we’re not just one-shot. We will work with an organization continually. The University’s mission is to provide outreach – this is the College of Business’ way of showing support.”

Sharing evidence that the program has impact, Joyce said, “The best testimonial of success is repeat clients. It’s been over 80% in this case.”

Given up to 15 minutes to present, student teams stood at the head of the classroom and projected their materials on a large screen. Lead-off presenters were Jeanne Pierre-Gilles and Michael Hartman, whose mission was to evaluate communication problems at Derby Day Care. The facility’s office manager, Anita Ashe, and director, Gladys Lazurek, were both present.

“We interviewed the staff, board and communication director, and conducted Internet research,” said Hartman. “We found there was a disconnect between the board and staff. Our recommendations are to gather the staff and explain the business strategy, give employees a forum to share their frustrations and establish a go-to staff leader for issues. The staff cares about the organization and is willing to fix the problems.”

Asked about her takeaway from the project, Pierre-Gilles said, “Communication is very powerful. The staff felt they weren’t being heard.”

Fairbaugh interjected that “communication is always a problem in business and that you have to pay attention to it.”

Students Michael Valsamis and Maureen Kalus worked with Milford, CT-based Bridges, a behavioral mental health agency. The pair’s goal was to help the group narrow and focus on a target market, which they determined to be high school educators, and to establish a price point for services.

“We performed a break-even analysis and studied the local market to see, among other things, if there were other competitors out there,” said Valsamis. “Our recommendation includes distributing brochures to local high schools.”

Working with St. Paul’s Child Development Center in Bridgeport, Bryan Dick and Sanjeev Wadwha determined the group needed better marketing and a website enhancement plan.

“We reviewed information on the Internet and newspapers, and conducted interviews,” said Wadwha. “We found the website to be outdated with no significant content or information about the center, links to social media or calendar of activities. We have recommended homepage updates, a Facebook page, brochure updates, an open house and free seminars.”

Reflecting on the work, Dick said, “I gained an appreciation for what groups with limited funds go through. I enjoyed finding ways to help them.”

Their efforts did not go unnoticed. Sitting in, Barbara Leoncini, St. Paul’s director, said, “Time and money is not always on our side. I take everything seriously, and will discuss Sanjeev and Bryan’s recommendations with staff and parents. They were very committed to helping us find solutions.”

On a side note, the evening’s session was Fairbaugh’s last class after 30 years teaching at SHU. “It’s been a very rewarding experience,” he said. “I’ll miss the classroom. It keeps you involved.”