Service businesses
From the Wire | Local Fastsigns Franchise Owner to be on ‘Undercover Boss’
Posted on 5/01/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
PHOENIX FASTSIGNS® TO BE FEATURED ON CBS’S HIT SERIES “UNDERCOVER BOSS”
Franchise Owner Inspired CEO with Two Important “Signs” While in Valley
Scott Koehler, who has owned a local franchise of FASTSIGNS® for 10 ½ years, will be featured in the FASTSIGNS® episode of CBS’s hit series “Undercover Boss,” Friday, May 4th from 7:00-8:00pm.
On Friday, there will be an open house from 2:00pm-6:30pm with refreshments & door prizes at the FASTSIGNS® store located at 2517 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. Then the “viewing” party will be across the street at The Fairfield Inn & Suites, 2520 N. Central Ave., to celebrate with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, starting at 6pm. For more information call 602-266-7446.
Each week, the two-time Emmy Award-nominated “Undercover Boss” follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees, they see the effects that their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their companies run.
Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS® received two important “signs” while on her undercover trip to the Valley. The first was on the job site with Scott. “I was impressed the moment we arrived seeing the magnitude of the project,” states Monson. “It was an impressive and difficult exterior install three stories up. Not a typical FASTSIGNS® project” “ It was exhilarating to work with Scott and I asked him how he knew how to do this type of install and his reply was that ‘he learned how to do it on his own’.” “I realized that corporate needed to provide this training and they will integrate it into the corporate franchise training program starting mid-summer of this year.”
FASTSIGNS® CEO Catherine Monson in hydraulic lift with franchisee owner Scott Koehler ready for exterior sign install.
The second “sign” about how Scott was as a business owner dealing with business and life challenges. She learned his wife has multiple sclerosis and due to chemotherapy treatments is unable to conceive. They were turned down by the first adoption agency they went to. Then Scott was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had two surgeries. An introduction by a friend enabled them to adopt a newborn baby girl. His cancer returned and he made the decision to have his bladder removed. At the end of 2008 business was down 35-40% with light rail construction in front of his location and then the recession. He had to downsize, no vacations and put in extra hours, yet has persevered with a positive attitude.
“I know too many people in life that don’t have the challenges he has and they complain. Scott is positive and full of gratitude,” states Monson. “I collect positive quotes and Scott exudes inspiration.” “His outlook on life motivated me to create an award in his honor that will be given out at our annual corporate event.”
“I am a positive person. I see no point in being negative. Negative people tend to get negative results. Positive people at least have an opportunity for a positive result.” states Koehler. “I am blessed to be alive and I have a wonderful family. I enjoy my business and being a part of this show and the rewards I have received from Catherine and FASTSIGNS® International are incredible!”
To find out what rewards Scott received, you will have to watch the show on Friday, May 4th at 7pm. Come join us in the fun of the reveal!
Par Exsalonce Salon & Spa thriving at CityScape
Posted on 6/30/11 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
People are known for telling their hair dressers everything. Not only does Alfonso Gonzales get to hear everything, he sees it all, too.
From his spacious, second-story beauty salon at the burgeoning CityScape development, the 38-year-old hair dresser has miraculous views of Downtown’s newest shops, restaurants, hotels and passersby of all walks of life.
Such is a typical day of work for the well-experienced professional who’s served as owner and director of Par Exsalonce CityScape Salon and Spa since it opened last August.
With a mission to provide modern, edgy hairstyles and a plethora of services ranging from waxing, manicures, pedicures and massages, Par Exsalonce CityScape’s popularity has been rising as quickly as Phoenix’s scorching summer temperatures.
“Every month gets better and better,” Gonzales said. “For some reason, we’ve been seeing a spike in customers the last couple of weeks. I don’t know if people are just out and about more or what it is, but we’ve been getting busier and busier.”
Gonzales said being situated in a chic and urban atmosphere such as the new CityScape project is likely a contributing factor for mounting growth.
“There’s nothing else like this in Downtown Phoenix right now. It almost feels like you’re in a different city,” Gonzales said. “With the mix of restaurants and shopping, I think the energy of the area is changing. You never really got that feeling before. We’re really thrown into the mix of things.”
While location plays a significant role in the salon’s growing success, name recognition, brand, unmatched creativity and unparalleled customer service all account for a rise in business, Gonzales said.
“Customer service is huge. It’s something our Scottsdale location thrives and excels on, and it’s really something we bring here,” Gonzales said. “Our motto is to make sure everyone feels like Madonna. Just that extra touch of talking to our customers, being friendly, catering to them and giving them tips and proper recommendations will set ourselves apart in making sure people feel special.”
Education for Par Exsalonce’s commission-based stylists and beauticians is also part of the overall experience, Gonzales said. Through ongoing training and a push for creativity, his staff is able to stay on top of the hottest trends, products and services.
“We’re about being a team here and making sure we’re all on board working as a single entity with meeting customer needs,” Gonzales said.
And when it comes to the summer months, there are plenty of unique needs that need to be met, he said.
“As far as Arizona is concerned, it’s all about moisture and protecting your skin,” Gonzales said. “People like to be outside, whether it’s swimming or sun-tanning or being out and about. Because of that, we stress the importance of sun block and sun-tanning products.”
For skin care, Gonzales said he recommends an array of moisturizers and skin kits available from the Dermalogica line and sold at Par Exsalonce CityScape.
“As far as hair is concerned, it’s about making sure you take proactive measures so your hair doesn’t dry or turn green,” Gonzales said.
Par Exsalonce’s signature Desert Hydration line will provide “the correct moisture and protein” for taking care of one’s hair, he said.
Though Par Exsalonce CityScape is considered to be an upscale beauty salon, prices for products and services can be afforded by anyone from corporate executives to college students, Gonzales said. Haircuts start at $45, and Arizona State University students receive a 20 percent discount when they bring in their student identification.
“We have created a destination in Downtown Phoenix which is like none of the others,” Gonzales said.
“This is a place that promotes and allows people to feel comfortable, a place where we can educate customers on the current trends and products available out there,” he said. “Our knowledge on what is going to be good for them as a person, from massage to nail to skin to hair, is going to create an environment that will keep people coming back for more – or, if they haven’t been, to hopefully check us out for the first of many times.”
Frank Morris can be reached by email at fjmorris@gmail.com
From the Arizona Room | 541 W. Encanto Blvd. — Fire Station #8
Posted on 3/23/11 by Si Robins » No Comments
From the Arizona Room is a weekly column examining the historic, reuse and infill structures in Downtown Phoenix. The inspiration for this column stems from the ever-expanding resources in Burton Barr Central Library’s Arizona Room (located on the second floor). For further information on this and other historic structures in the area, visit the Arizona Room during normal library hours.
541 W. Encanto Blvd. in Willo
This quaint, Mission-style building on 7th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard appears as just another fine residence in the Willo Historic District, but its nearly 70-year history shows its civic roll in the expansion of the city center in the World War II era boom of the region.
Built in 1942 and renovated several times, the building has been a single-family residence, a glorified storage unit, an office space and the City of Phoenix Fire Station #8. It was perhaps the city’s most unique-looking fire station, and rightly so. All the signs of Mission architecture are in plain sight: a hipped, clay tile roof with exposed rafters; stucco sheathing covering brick walls on a concrete foundation; wood casement windows; and an offset entry featuring a multiple wood panel door.
Take note of the two-leaf bi-fold garage door, still in excellent condition. It was the vision of original resident E.B. Smerdon, who lived in the home from its completion until 1947, when it was converted to Station #8.
An unlikely candidate for a fire station, yes, but today the building is a perfect representation of the need for rapid fire station expansion following World War II, as the “suburbs” (a centralized historic district today) sprouted quickly.
Source: City of Phoenix Historical/Architectural Survey of City-Owned Properties, August 1986
Is there a historic property in Downtown Phoenix you’d like to see in From the Arizona Room? Email me at si@dphxj.com with the address and a brief description.
February/March Issue of DPJ
Posted on 1/21/11 by DPJ Staff » 1 Comment
The second issue of DPJ magazine hits the streets of Central Phoenix on Tuesday, January 25, and there are plenty of reasons to pick up a copy at January’s Radiate PHX or one of 300 or so locations nearest you:
- Find out how light rail is fueling a pedestrian culture in Downtown Phoenix, from First Friday to running daily errands
- Utilize a four-page pull-out Artlink map to visit some new places on your next First Friday adventure
- Discover how Encanto Park has evolved over 75 years
- Uncover a 100-year-old hidden gem in Garfield that draws in visitors from all over the world
- Take a look at CASS’ operations on the Human Services Campus and how it is sculpting the makeup of Downtown
- Hear what Downtown spot is Phoenix Suns power foward Hakim Warrick’s weakness
- Check out the evolution of PHXRailFood.com
- Read restaurateur Sam Fox’s thoughts on Downtown as he readies The Arrogant Butcher at CityScape
- Stay up to date on all of the latest Downtown buzz and events
- …and more!
DPJ Yelper of the Week: Michelle P. on Creative Moving & Packing
Posted on 12/21/10 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ is proud to bring you the best Yelp reviews of your favorite Downtown restaurants, boutiques, venues and everything in between. Every week, visit DPJ for a finely crafted, tell-all account of a Downtown spot straight from the experts: the people!
Michelle P.
Phoenix, AZ
Five-star rating
09.08.10
I used Creative Moving & Packing to move from my apartment to my new home. They were awesome! So, when my job got office furniture donated to us (we’re a nonprofit) we used Creative again.
They had to pick up office furniture from one location and move it to our storage facility until we move to our new space. They did such an amazing job. I got kudos from my boss for recommending such a great company!
The movers were SO professional, and the customer service was awesome. If you’re in need of a moving company, I HIGHLY recommend Creative Moving & Packing.
Call Creative Moving & Packing at 602.595.7300.
The DPJ Yelper of the Week offers honest insight on a Downtown business to help you explore your core. DPJ hopes that by partnering with Yelp to spread the good word about well-loved Downtown spots, you’ll spread your patronage and support local business.
Yelp is a social networking and local search engine that provides the reviews of places and things that matter to you. Simply log in, pick a place and queue up your inner critic. You can write a beaming review of your favorite gelato spot, or a scathing portrayal of that rental car facility you had to use after that curb came out of nowhere. Yelp’s reviews are at once honest, uncensored, wildly hilarious and true. Heck, the site must be doing something right — it had 26 million viewers just last month!
