Solar Pool Technologies turned to Kickstarter not to launch a new business but, based on interest expressed by existing customers, to launch a new version of its solar-powered, robotic swimming pool cleaner and chemical dispenser Solar-Breeze. “It’s really hard for early-stage companies to secure capital to grow their business,” observes CEO Paul Sim. So last July, with a new … [More]
Making Referrals Matter
The name proved to be key to Bill and Eric Skoog expanding their roofing business. The company they’d built on new construction and custom homes suffered in the housing market downturn in 2007, and they felt residential and commercial reroofing would be a more stable market, Eric Skoog explains. Sunvek had the name, and the Skoogs bought it out of bankruptcy in 2008. Their … [More]
2016 CT6 Cadillac Sedan
Introducing a new standard for excellence, the reinvented sedan by Cadillac is the 2016 CT6. With advanced technology and the latest in engine technologies, this performance luxury sedan is turning heads. With a twin turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, acceleration is impressive. The 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque make for an exceptional response off the line. With … [More]
Out in the Open
Going to the Phoenix Open? Have a golf date this Friday? Embarking on a long, cathartic walk with your number two? A necessity in this circumstance, given the number of days of sunshine, is a great pair of sunglasses that say, “I am in charge.” Here are our picks: Metal/Wood/Acetate Sunglasses by Ermeneglido ZegnaThe interplay of dark metal and wood with finely crafted … [More]
Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen & Bar
Urban Italian in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale makes for great lunchtime fare. This simple, modern establishment off Indian School Road is all about the best ingredients and fresh and innovative urban Italian dishes in an atmosphere that is open and vibrant. Known for its live music and great nighttime menu, Tommy V’s translates beautifully in the daylight as an equally … [More]
Urban Dining
Hit the streets for lunch and find many options in the “downtowns” of the Valley. From the office, spill out onto the street and voila! There are multiple options of all kinds for that midday meal. Here are our picks, by downtown: Downtown Phoenix — Hanny’s Built in the old Hanny’s Department Store location and making full use of that fact is this ultra-urban hot spot for … [More]
Feedback: August 2016
Question: “To go” has been a growing part of the restaurant industry. The delivery side of that has largely been focused on pizza, but there seems to be increasing interest in expanding this aspect of the food service industry. What is your take on this trend, and how are you responding to it? Sarah Groen General Manager Uber Sector: Transportation With the advent of … [More]
Adopt Technologies Appoints Rob Lloyd to Board of Advisors
Adopt Technologies, a turnkey cloud-based IT solutions provider for small and medium-sized businesses, today announced that Rob Lloyd, chief information officer for the City of San Jose, Calif., the self-proclaimed capital of Silicon Valley, has been elected to the company’s board of advisors. “We are honored to welcome Rob to our board of advisors,” said Ryan Treisman, … [More]
Greater Phoenix Score Names New President with Top-Secret Intelligence Background
Greater Phoenix SCORE, a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring small business owners, announced that Jay Gladney is the region’s new president. Gladney took a very non-traditional route to lead the Phoenix-based business organization, spending more than four decades in the U.S. Intelligence Community. Gladney joined Score in April 2013, serving as the Vice … [More]
Don Smith, CopperPoint Insurance Companies
Small business is widely recognized nationally as the foundational building block of our economy. In Arizona, especially, this segment is healthy and thriving; our state has been named one of the best for entrepreneurialism. CopperPoint Insurance Companies, renamed and reorganized from the former SCF Arizona, was the state’s dedicated workers’ compensation insurance … [More]
Yes, Responsible Companies Perform Better
Study after study shows that companies known for sticking to their values perform better on financial metrics. While this may be a surprise to some, it actually makes total sense that socially responsible investments do better. Several factors increase the likelihood that conscious companies perform well: Clean-hands companies don’t have to pay expensive lawsuit … [More]
Jim Reavey: Melding Two Companies into a New Vixxo Brand
As Vixxo, the data-driven facilities management company is only a few months old. But launching the new brand was a very purposeful strategy, says CEO Jim Reavey. The former president of FM Facility Maintenance — with which First Service Networks integrated to form the new entity — explains that the goal was to have a brand and culture that would be created from the bottom up, … [More]
Phoenix Is More Expansive than Expensive
Data released recently by BuildZoom, the data-driven marketplace for remodeling and construction services, shows that Metro Phoenix’s rate of expansion increased 57.8 percent since 1970, compared to a 15.3 percent decrease for the nation — making it the seventh-fastest-expanding metropolitan area in the United States during this period. BuildZoom’s analysis reveals that, … [More]
Women Break Ground in Commercial Development
Lynne King Smith’s development in Gilbert, Building 313, has evolved into an opportunity to raise the profile on women as business leaders. The 15,602-square-foot, three-story, mixed-use, owner-occupied project that broke ground last month was initiated when King Smith, looking for office space she could purchase for her businesses TicketForce, a ticketing service for venues of … [More]
Tech Advances Printing
The largest commercial printer in the Southwest calls Phoenix home. Prisma — on the brink of closing when Robert Anderson took it over 16 years ago — expects to do about $36 million in sales this year. Anderson describes the business as “all-computerized and super-high-tech.” And the 75-ton printing press Anderson recently installed will help Prisma do more, faster. The new … [More]
2016 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
This tough and rugged edition of the Toyota 4Runner is all about a bold new look and an equally bold level of performance on and off road. A legendary SUV, this edition boasts a bold front grill, black badging and even black-bezel headlights and lightweight, 17-inch, matte black TRD alloy rims. 4Runner TRD Pro includes a powerful 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower, V6 engine that … [More]
Wireless Listening
Headphones without wire means moving around the office with neither interruption nor limits to distance. These powerful headsets will introduce perfect sound for relaxation between meetings or for smooth listening at any time. Bose Users can pair and play with their Bluetooth® device with 30-foot range with the new Bose wireless headset. Dual-mode Adaptive Noise Canceling is … [More]
