1) Question: Tell us a bit about yourself & your business?

Brynn: I’m a 10 year Credit Union veteran. I have worked in Credit Unions from Sea to Sea (California to Jacksonville, FL) during that time. Credit Unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that are governed by an all volunteer board of directors.

Pen Air FCU was started in 1936 to meet the needs of the military personnel aboard NAS Pensacola. Over the years, we’ve grown to serve over 800 employers and membership groups with the free benefit of providing credit union services to their employees and members.

Pen Air FCU offers financial products and services to help consumers and businesses to “Get it Done!”

2) Question: What is the biggest challenge facing your clients right now?

Brynn:: We’re in a recession, so, money is tight everywhere. Our members are constantly looking for ways to save money. Additionally, with the new credit card legislation, a lot of consumers will begin to see higher interest rates on credit cards and other loan products. Another challenge our members are facing is the security of knowing that their funds are safe.

3) Question: What is your company doing to help?

Brynn:: At Pen Air FCU, we offer our standard products with no monthly costs. Additionally, we offer low rate loans. All funds at Pen Air FCU are insured up to $250,000 per member and Pen Air FCU has been awarded the Bauer Financial Five Star rating for 76 consecutive quarters.

4) Question: What advice would you give to our readers?

Brynn:: Pay close attention to what your bank is charging you. You could be getting hit with hidden charges that are adding up to a lot of money in the long run. Make sure you find a financial institution that is willing to go the extra mile to make you happy.

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If you’re looking for a new partner in Pensacola to take care of your banking needs, then check out Pen Air Federal Credit Union.

Brynn Ammon | Pen Air Federal Credit Union – (850) 505-3200, ext. 3330

Blake was kind enough to share a few thoughts with us for his member spotlight.

1) Question: Tell us a bit about yourself & your business?

Blake: I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2007 and then moved to Washington D.C. to work for Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. After about six months there, I decided to move back to the Gulf Coast Area. That’s when I began my sales career with Office Equipment Company. OEC is an office furniture and supply company that has been headquartered on the central Gulf Coast since 1973. OEC has offices in Pensacola, Mobile, and Gulfport. I’ve been working in the Pensacola area for two years now.

2) Question: What is the biggest challenge facing your clients right now?

Blake: The biggest challenge facing my clients right now is the weak economy. Over 85% of my clients had to downsize their business over the last two years. However, since a declining market is all I have ever known in my sales career, I just continue to call on new prospects. I try to not get discouraged when nine out of ten say “no” to me.

3) Question: What is your company doing to help?

Blake: OEC is focused on helping its customers to save money and to operate more efficiently. We introduced our “Smart Business” program. It shows our customers how to reduce the time it takes to purchase office products, while suggesting items that are the best value.

4) Question: What advice would you give to our readers?

Blake: Since no one knows how long this recession is going to last, the best advice I can give is to stay focused on what you do best, and look to others who are able to strengthen your business. I welcome the opportunity to help your readers reduce their office products expenses.

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If you find your small business in a tight spot, and you think that saving a chunk of change on your office supply bill could be the first step towards cutting your costs, then give Blake a call.
Blake Bramlett | OEC – (850) 438-1100

Aaron can handle anything from identity development (logo design, branding, etc.) to merchandise printing. Take a few minutes to check out Aaron’s presentation to the group:

Here’s our Q&A with Aaron:

1) Question: tell us a bit about yourself & your business?

Aaron:

Education

• Master in Fine Arts in Visual Communication with an emphasis in Advertising
• B.A. Commercial Art, Minor—Advertising

Personal

• Enjoy sports, art, family, church and our 2 dogs
• Married with 2 children

Ebert Creative

• A Full Service Creative Design Firm
• We design and create anything visual—including advertising, marketing, web, brochures, flyers, stationery, forms, promotional items and more.

2) Question: How long have you been in this industry?

Aaron: I started drawing when I was 8 and have been in the art/design field ever since. I Graduated from College in 1993 and started my own business in 2005. Before 2005, I taught design and art and also worked in advertising departments and agencies.

3) Question: What is the biggest challenge facing your clients right now?

Aaron: Most of the clients that come to me need me to take care of the design process help them look their best and to keep the prices affordable. Often times my clients went to a variety of sources to get all their items designed and produced. At Ebert Creative we strive to help the client by designing and helping them with ALL their needs so that their brand and identity are consistent in the eye of their customers and clients.

4) Question: What is your company doing to help?

Aaron: Coming through by fulfilling their needs.

5) Question: What advice would you give to our readers?

Aaron: Talk to Aaron at Ebert Creative before you consider cutting corners on design or other visual needs. Often time when a business cuts corners to save money their designs aren’t as effective and they lose customers in the long run.

Aaron Ebert | Ebert Creative – (850) 941-2751

1) Question: tell us a bit about yourself & your business?

Lee: I am the Divisional Vice-President (FL/AL/MS) for USHealthGroup – a National Company with local, personal service – boasting nearly a decade of service to others – helping small business owners, self-employed, employees, ANY individual, family, or group to obtain quality Health Insurance at Group Rate Savings!

Married two years to wife Darlene Parker – long term Milton resident – who serves as Administrative Director for USHG. Prior to marriage, I single-parented raised two boys, now 24 and 20 years old. Ryan, the oldest, is serving in US Army Artillery in mid-east and Dustin is pursuing a music career in Atlanta, GA.

2) Question: What is the biggest challenge facing your clients right now?

Lee: Finding quality Major Medical Health Insurance to PROTECT THEIR FAMILY at a PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD now – and not suffering huge RATE INCREASES year after year!

3) Question: What is your company doing to help?

Lee: US Health Group is the only national Health Insurance Company offering customers an opportunity to “LOCK IN” their rates for up to FOUR YEARS!!!

Additionally, we don’t “force-feed” our customers into a “cookie-cutter, one size fits all” health plan. We work with our customers – up close & personal – helping them design a plan customized to meet their needs. Our customers CHOOSE their plan deductibles, CHOOSE their co-insurance levels, CHOOSE their maximum out of pocket costs! If you no longer need maternity benefits, pay a lower cost! If you don’t need dental, pay a lower cost. If you rarely go to the Dr. – pay a lower cost! CHOICES!!!

4) Question: What advice would you give to our readers?

Lee: Two Important Things: If you don’t have Health Insurance you are a financial “walking time bomb” waiting to happen. Healthcare professionals do a great job of healing & saving lives – they do an even better job of collecting their money – and changes in bankruptcy laws will not void medical expenses! If you are paying for part, or all, of your Health Insurance, you should give us a call to see if we can HELP YOU get better benefits for LESS MONEY!!I
Lee Parker | Affordable Health Insurance – (850) 623-0062