Licenses, Etc. Welcomes Todd and Sean

We are excited to be able to introduce some new team members to Licenses, Etc.! The gals you have come to know and love, have been joined by two gentlemen! Say hello to Todd and Sean and welcome them into our licensing family. To give them a proper introduction, some basic information about these guys has been written up below:

Todd Babbitt hails from the Washington, DC area, moving to Naples in 2001. Todd has an extensive business background including several years as a residential property investor and landlord, and a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the New York Institute of Technology, and is a Certified Financial Planner. Todd has three beautiful women in his life, his wife and two young daughters.

Sean Dinneen has been a part of the Naples service industry for 10 years and has always enjoyed working with people. He considers his attention to detail and unwavering honesty to be some of his greatest attributes. He recently acquired his Florida Real Estate Sales license and has a strong desire for success. While away from the office, he enjoys playing racquetball, Crossfitting and cooking for friends and family.

Now that you know, you won’t be shocked to hear a male voice when you call! We know that these two will serve you just as dedicatedly as the gals have. Give us a call if you need anything.

Sand Dollar Awards

As chair of this year's Sand Dollar Awards Committee for the Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA), our very own Lisa Adams played a significant role at this year's banquet and awards presentation. The Sand Dollar Awards is the equivalent of the Oscars for local building contractors. It's a major gala event with 59 awards granted this year in categories ranging from best home design to best kitchen remodel to best website for an associate member.

Lisa and her committee put together a spectacular event with an oriental theme of Good Fortune. The night included the awards presentation, a silent auction and a performance by the Robert Williamson Band. A reward for all of her hard work, Lisa got to enjoy a beautiful evening at the formal event.

Lisa (2nd from right) with friends at the 2011 Sand Dollar Awards Gala. Photo by John Sciarrino, Giovanni Photography.

We're proud of Lisa and all she's done with the Sand Dollar Awards and the CBIA. Well done, Lisa! We'd also like to say congratulations to all the winners, including client The Lykos Group for their multiple awards!

CBIA is a local chapter of the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Local chapters are located across the state. If you're not a member of your local building industry association, you ought to consider it. Numerous benefits include continuing education offerings, networking events and promotional opportunities, such as annual awards like the Sand Dollars.

Installed and Honored, Congrats to ALL!

Congratulations to those of you honored at last week’s Collier Building Industry Association Installation held at the Olde Cypress Club in Naples, FL.

Thomas Wegwert is now officially the 2011 President of the CBIA.  All the board members and all council members (for the Sales & Marketing Council, Remodelers’ Council and the Business Builder Council) were installed along with Tom.  Our very own Lisa Adams was one of the associate members to be installed as Secretary of the Sales & Marketing Council.

In addition to the installation, several well deserved awards were distributed to members.  Congratulations to them especially for the recognition they received.  It is because of their dedication to the local building community that our association continues to lead the nation.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

·         Builder of the Year:  Thomas Lykos of The Lykos Group, Inc.

·         Associate of the Year:  Stacey Herring of Fifth Third Bank

·         Remodeler of the Year:  Bill Varian of Varian Construction Company, Inc.

We are thankful for all of those that work to build our organization and keep the CBIA strong. 

Welcome, Lisa!

Lisa Adams has officially joined Licenses, Etc.! We are so excited to have her on board because she has so much to offer our clients. We'd like to give you a proper introduction, so here are the basics plus a personal interview with Lisa, herself.

With a background in customer service, membership director at Collier Building Industry Association and marketing director for a contracting company, Lisa has extensive experience in marketing and the construction industry. Her focus is always on the customer and delivering the highest level of service, making her a perfect fit for our Licenses, Etc. team.

Originally from Tennessee, Lisa now calls Naples home, along with her husband, a bull dog, a black lab and a sugar glider. She's committed to her Southwest Florida community, volunteering her time with several organizations. She has served on numerous boards and committees including Sales & Marketing Council at the CBIA, Business Builder Council, Interior Design Society Naples, and a founding Steering Committee member of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals.

On to the interview...

What will you be doing at Licenses, Etc.?

I'll be heading up our new service offerings of Social Media Networking and License & Business Maintenance services and will also be assisting with applications and other marketing services. Whatever needs to be done for the customer, I'm there to help.

What do you think is the biggest challenge contracting businesses face right now?

To say it in one word: Budgets. Every company out there is cutting wherever they can to keep cash flow steady, but the one part they should not cut, marketing, is usually the first to go. How will people know that you exist if you don’t tell them?

How can you help clients overcome this challenge?

Social Media Marketing is the way to go. I set up custom pages that show the company in their own unique way and engage the customers to interact.  This will cause a dialogue that will make the customer feel comfortable to ask the questions to make the decisions they need to.

In your opinion, what is the best way contractors can use social media networking for their businesses?

To stay on top of their image.  Most of America is on one site or another and if you are not, how do you know what they are saying about you?  A satisfied customer tells 3 people on average.  A dissatisfied customer tells 10.  If you interact with your customer and listen to what they have to say, you can stop a problem in its track and make sure it never happens again.  Find out what they need and make sure you are able to give it to them.  Be proactive about your business and create an environment where the customer feels safe and sure of their interactions with you.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I like to play Bunco.

What’s your favorite thing to read?

Fiction. I love a good story. (We won't ask your favorite book...because we all know it's Promise by our own Kristie Cook...or maybe Purpose, the sequel...right? <Hint: If not, just nod your head and smile. That's what you're being paid for now.>)

Favorite movie?

Princess Bride has been my favorite movie since I was 8 years old.

Favorite TV show?

Definitely House MD.

Favorite thing to do outdoors?

I love to hike.  Yes I do realize I live in Florida, but back in Tennessee, I loved to hike.

Pick one place in the world you want to travel to.

Australia. I would love to see the animals that they have there all in their natural habitats.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what is the one object you could not live without?

Solar powered car – could get around wherever I needed to go, sleep in it, keep cold with the A/C, stand on it when I need to be a little taller, and hide in it when animals come attack.

If you could have dinner with anyone in history (past or present), who it would be? Why?

I would have dinner with Princess Diana.  I would want to ask about the differences in social structure and if she regretted marrying into the royal family.  I would love to hear stories from the castle, the unedited ones, and stories from her childhood.  She is the rags to riches story come to life and I always wondered if it was everything she wanted it to be.