Member-to-Member Offers

Advertising/Marketing

OTAir, LLC Bringing Mobile Marketing to Richmond

“How can I reach the customers who really want to do business with me?”………..“How do I know if my marketing is effective?”

The solution is text messaging and before you think that you don’t know how to text message, it’s too difficult, it’s too expensive or it’s not right for your business, talk with the experts at OTAir and learn the many ways in which text messaging can benefit your business.

OTAir LLC, a local mobile marketing and media firm, will quickly show you how text message marketing can:

For more information, visit www.OTAir.com. Contact us today!

Let us set you up with a low-cost, no obligation test of the most effective way to reach your customers. Discounts provided for RMA Retail and Associate Members.

Our Town

Our Town is Pleased to Announce Special Savings for Retail Merchants Association Members!

You can now save money welcoming new movers in your community in the most hospitable, yet state of the art program in the country!

Special Discounted Rate for RMA Members

10% Off our Standard Rate!

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM CONTACT:

Our Town’s RMA Representative
Betty Ottaway
(804) 378-9394 or
betty@ourtownva.com

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Art & Framing

Frame Nation

Special RMA member offer from Frame Nation

Use your stimulus tax refund check and receive a special deal from Frame Nation!

For a limited time, RMA members will receive a FREE Upgrade to Tru Vue Museum glass or $50 off their Custom Frame Order.

This is a great time to custom frame your art or collectibles. We all have meaningful projects we have been putting off. Now is the time to do them. Frame the art you picked up on vacation or the print your spouse gave you for your anniversary. Gather your college or sport team memorabilia and we will create a winning Shadowbox just for you.  Life is short - enjoy your memories now by framing and displaying them today!

FRAME NATION—Design Global. Frame Local.

Located in Shockoe Bottom with designated parking and an award winning Master Certified Picture Framer and Richmond’s only Guild Commended Framer on Staff.

www.FrameNation.net
804.643.7362 or 64.FRAME
11 South 15th Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Murals & Painted Furniture by Patti Rosner

Add excitement, creativity and a personal touch by having a mural created especially for your business!

Contact Patti Rosner for your complimentary consultation. She will share her portfolio with you along with other references.

Patti Rosner
2326 Chapel Hill Road
Goochland, VA 23063
804-457-4676
prosner@netscape.com

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Background Checks

Innovative Enterprises National Employment Screening Service

Is proud to provide Retail Merchants Association members premium access to one of the best Background Screening Programs available to help keep your business safe and your screening budget in line.

We have assembled an exclusive list of competitively priced services, providing the tools you need to build safer workplaces while controlling your cost.

Exclusive Retail Merchants Association Member Benefits

There’s a world of information out there...

We’ll help you find it.™

Contact Jim Hulburt for a customized program for your business
jim@knowthefacts.com
Toll free 888-777-9435 ext. 320
Local 804-746-4050

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Catering/Dining/Specialty Foods

Baker's Crust—Short Pump

**Offers Catering and Delivery**

Baker’s Crust—Short Pump can take the headache out of placing orders for your upcoming function. We understand how tough your job is, and how important your delivered meals are on time, accurate and top quality. Baker’s Crust—Short Pump offers our customers a tradition of finding the freshest, most wholesome ingredients and creating combinations that make every dish your favorite.

Here are some items from our catering menu:

Contact Kim Filipowicz at 400.2369 or catering@bakerscrustcafe.com for more details and pricing. Do not forget to ask about our RMA member discount . . .

BAKER’S CRUST-SHORT PUMP
11800 West Broad Street , Space #1102
Richmond , VA 23233
P 804.400.2369 F 804.377.9061

catering@bakerscrustcafe.com

Nacho Mama's

Spend your holiday with Mama!

She's offering RMA Members 10% off entire purchase

Dine In Only

Mechanicsville

295 to Pole Green Exit 38A
Pole Green & Bell Creek Road
804-730-7311

Carytown

3449 West Cary Street
804-358-MAMA 

Please mention that you are an employee of a Retail Merchants Association Member Company.

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Employment

Cole James Associates, Inc

Cole James Associates, Inc. provides Human Resources support and services to Virginia’s small businesses.

A sound Employee Handbook is one of the most important things you can have in place to protect your employees and to protect your business from your employees. Cole James Associates is pleased to offer RMA members the following rates on preparing an Employee Handbook:

Already have an Employee Handbook? We will review it for you at an RMA member rate of $125 to ensure it is sound and reflects current law and best practices.

Contact Charlotte Jensen at (804) 339-5576 or cjensen@colejamesassociates.com.

Drug Testing Services—Trident National Corporation

Drug Free Workplace—Who Needs One??

Everyone deserves to work in a safe drug free environment. Trident National Corporation offers RMA members an easy, cost-effective means of implementing a Customized Drug Free Workplace Program.

Facts to Consider

Choices

Contact Robyn Cagle at rcagle@trident-national.com or call 804-354-0697 to find out more. We offer Assessments of your current program at no charge!

Virginia Employment Commission

The Virginia Employment Commission offers employers and potential employees assistance through their website at www.vec.virginia.gov.

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Entertainment

The Melting Pot Restaurant

The Melting Pot Restaurant is proud to offer to RMA members and their employees an ongoing discount of $10.00 off any entrée for two, each time they dine with us, Sunday through Thursday and excluding holidays. We will also offer exclusively to members, the services of a private wine tasting event in our new banquet room for $10.00 per person, with a minimum of 40 people. For members needing banquet room and power point services we will offer free use of equipment for groups of 35 or more when your event is booked.

Please contact Ms. Kris Peters with The Melting Pot Restaurant at 804-741-3120 x 5 or chezfondue@aol.com or www.meltingpot.com for details.

Rockwood Golf Park

RMA members and employees receive discounted rates on Golf Driving Range, Batting Cage and Mini-golf (great for birthday parties, corporate functions and group outings):

Call for hours as they are seasonal.

Contact Stacy Bolton at rockwoodgolfpark@aol.com for more information.

Rockwood Golf Park
10239 Hull Street Rd.
Midlothian, VA 23112
PH: 804-276-3765
Fax: 804-276-4387
E-mail: rockwoodgolfpark@aol.com

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Financial

Certegy Check Services

Certegy Check Services is pleased to offer special savings to members of the Retail Merchants Association. Members will receive discount pricing and added benefits AT NO ADDITIONAL COST with Certegy's Enhanced Warranty Check Authorization Program.

Take advantage of the most comprehensive check management system in the industry, now with powerful features to help you reduce risk and improve profitability. Certegy is the nation's largest check guarantee service offering the most cost effective solutions and flexibility in the industry.

Association members' discounts include:

Certegy offers a wide array of payment solutions including:

Please contact our Certegy Account Executive, Kristen Gaskins:

Toll Free: 1-866-883-3592
Fax: 757-422-2306
E-mail: kristen.gaskins@certegy.com

Customized Electronic Gift Cards

Customized Electronic Gift Cards (in lieu of Gift Certificates) are available for members at discounted pricing. These Gift Cards enhance cash flow, are more secure, are easily activated, redeemed and reloaded at point-of-sale and can become a "billboard in the wallet".

Cards are printed with the member company logo. Cards are also printed with the message "Card is redeemable for merchandise only. Unused value remains on the card and cannot be redeemed for cash". Therefore, customers will return to the retailer to use the remaining value of the card.

Please contact our local SunTrust representative, Bill Levitt at (804) 796-5891 for more information.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

RMA members and employees are eligible to receive 20% off personal income tax preparation fees (including free electronic filing) or our twelve-week basic income tax course. Custom gift certificates and posters are available to you for your employee benefit programs at no charge.

Contact Ms. Valerie Morris at 804-217-9177 or visit www.jacksonhewitt.com for more information.

NET 30

You know how important it is for you to run your business successfully and efficiently and at NET 30, we know that too! That’s why for over 20 years NET 30 has been helping small business owners, like you, do just that, by allowing them to outsource their bookkeeping responsibilities. And now is a great time to start with our service. It’s not too late!

One of many small businesses that we proudly serve is the dental practice of Drs. Schroeder, Stenger and Associates. They have used our services since 1999. Here’s what Dr. Stenger has to say about our service: “Outsourcing our bookkeeping to NET 30 was a smart business decision, allowing us to focus on what we do best . . . taking care of our patients.”

Think about how this would impact your business . . . more time devoted to existing customers and even more time to acquire new ones.

Here’s what we can do for you:

Call Andrea at (804) 716-9070 or visit www.net30.net. Please know you are under no obligation and the small business consultation is free for RMA members.

Not only can we help you with your business bookkeeping but we can help you with your personal bill paying too! As an RMA member receive $50 off the individual consultation fee. We look forward to hearing from you!

Peoples Income Tax and Business Services

RMA members and employees are eligible for the following discounts:

Tax Preparation: Join our free Group Tax Program and all of your employees will Save 20% on their tax preparation fees (plus free e-filing) with Peoples Tax. Plus, returning clients qualify for Peoples’ Loyal Client Discount and save an additional 3% each year they return to Peoples (Maximum Loyal Client Discount is 15% in 6th year; total maximum discount given not to exceed 35%). RMA members are also eligible for a free initial one-hour tax planning consultation (valued at $100). Distribution Method: We will create free customized brochures with your company’s name/logo to give to all of your employees. To view a sample of the customized brochure, please visit the following link:
http://www.peoplestax.com/rma.htm

Accounting and Bookkeeping: RMA members are eligible to receive 50% off the initial set-up fee, plus 10% off the regular monthly service fee for accounting and bookkeeping services with Peoples Tax and Business Services.

Contact Ms. Terry Judge with Peoples Tax and Business Services at 804-204-1040 or tmjudge@peoplestax.com for more information.

Transworld Systems

Transworld Systems is in the business of profit recovery. We lead the industry in providing better tools to businesses for recovering bad debt and accounts receivable. Continued success stems from our nationwide network of recovery offices. Represented by more than 150 offices located throughout the United States, we are licensed to collect in every state where licensing is so required.

The Service
GreenFlag Profit Recovery‚ from Transworld Systems Inc.
GreenFlag Profit Recovery puts business owners in the driver’s seat, with tools to help them more effectively manage their accounts receivable and profits.

Exclusive Three-Phase Process
GreenFlag services are offered via our exclusive three-phase process. Our clients always remain in complete control, deciding exactly when we should gently persuade their customers with our most diplomatic approach, and when we should escalate to more intense recovery efforts.

Low Cost, High Return
Our low, fixed fee averages just $10 per account. We encourage our clients to submit their accounts in the early stages of delinquency when the opportunity for successful recovery is greatest.

Our success rate is more than triple that of the industry average, which typically collects less than 14% of debts assigned with a typical cost of 40% to 50%. Last year we recovered over $700 million at a cost of 7 cents per dollar collected. Transworld Systems offers more than triple others' success at about one-sixth the cost.

The Market
Our clients include small businesses, banks, hospitals, retailers, universities, cities, manufacturers – virtually any organization that accepts checks or extends credit.
More than 60,000 businesses currently entrust us with their slow-pay and non-paying accounts.

We serve clients who have a wide range of account balances. Regardless of the balance or location of our clients’ customers, we provide the ultimate system in diplomatic and intensive account recovery.

Contact Tony Cavallo at 804-282-9007 Ext.9 or anthony.cavallo@transworldsystems.com

West End Accounting

At West End Accounting all RMA members and their employees receive 10% off our already low personal income tax return preparation fees. Our prices start at $50 for a 1040 EZ e-filed with one W2. RMA business owners receive a free 45 minute initial consultation.

In addition to our tax preparation, payroll and accounting services, we provide free quarterly seminars to our monthly clients. Lunch is provided as well as time to network with other business owners. Past topics include:

In May, we host a Client Appreciation Night at a local restaurant to celebrate the end of tax season. Clients can eat, network, or just relax!

We have two certified QuickBooks® Pro Advisors and we offer discounts on all Quickbooks® products and supplies.

For more information on these services check us out at www.westendaccounting.com.

To take advantage of any of these offers, contact Tracy at 249-4TAX (4829) or E-mail tracy@westendaccounting.com.

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Health

Bird-Flu Information

  1. Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
  2. Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
  3. Disaster Supply Kit Checklist

For more information, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu

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Operations

AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) Program

RMA members can purchase a Lifepak CR Plus AED made by Medtronic Physio-Control for their location(s) and save a minimum of $200 on one unit. This AED is designed for the minimally trained person to utilize at the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest. It is lightweight, compact and ready-to-use. Regular price each is $2695 / member price is $2495. Multiple unit purchases will receive additional discounts. Wall cabinet at $350 is suggested. Medical Authorization and RX Assistance Plan is required (2 year plan - initial cost $395 with $325 renewal every two years). CPR/AED training and re-certification is also required for designated employees ($30-$55 per person).

Contact Ms. Lisa Fratkin with LifeServers at 804-364-1047 or lifeservrichl@aol.com for more information.

BancMarc

60% off membership fee to RMA members!

Let BancMarc show you how to create buying power!

 BancMarc is a professional trade exchange with the majority of businesses locally owned and operated.  For 28 years, BancMarc has helped businesses generate new business and save cash, as well as these benefits.

 Generate new sales.

 BancMarc is a thriving network of hundreds of businesses and we’re very serious about what we do.  We have put together in excess of $50M in deals in Richmond alone!  Our company has recently expanded to the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area with hundreds of additional members.  Within our online network we have access to 50+ other professional trade exchanges allowing our members to purchase items across the country.

 BancMarc welcomes the opportunity to spend time with you to explain the specifics and how you can most profit from what we have to offer.

 REMEMBER – What you don’t know about BancMarc costs you and your company money!

For more information, visit www.BancMarc.com or dkinum@bancmarc.com  Contact us today!  804.285.2554

Compliance Alliance

Objective, experienced interpreters of ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and Regulations, Compliance Alliance will provide the right answers to your questions. While our accessibility surveys assist businesses in meeting compliance standards, we also make recommendations that go beyond the letter of the law to acheive a functional, practical application of accessibility and a "user friendly" facility for customers and employees. Through professional and personal experience, we help you do it right!

Member businesses of the Retail Merchants Association can now receive a 35% discount on our Assessment Services. To learn more about our services and how we can help you, contact Michael Chenail at 804-389-2479 or michael@adahospitality.com.

JustASQ Survey Service (Assessing Service Quality)

Professional Management Group offers both customer & employee satisfaction survey services using a portable custom designed touch screen device. No hardware or software purchase is required. Responses in English and Spanish recorded anonymously. A typical survey takes just over a minute. The complete service price includes: optimum question formatting, survey programming, use of two units for thirty days (unlimited responses), tabular and color graphic reports for each question, a CD of the survey for computer projection or printing extra copies & follow-up explanation of results. Additional units have a discounted rate. Members are given a pair of certificates for greens fees & cart anyday at Hunting Hawk Golf Club.

Contact Ron Russ, Marketing at PMG for more information or free demo at 804-323-0275 or Ron.Russ@JustASQ.com.

Visit www.JustASQ.com for a self-paced presentation.

Privacy Laws & Your Business

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recognizes the growing number of problems for which identity crimes account. The FTC is also aware the individuals are put at risk because businesses fail to protect private information. Inadequate security measures, lax privacy policies and uneducated or negligent employees give criminals easy access to NON-PUBLIC data.

In recent years, legislation has been passed to help protect consumers from identity theft crimes. These laws hold businesses accountable for the information they allow to fall into criminals hands. Now lawsuits, stiff fines, and even jail time for executives accompany the bad publicity businesses receive in the event of a data breach.

As a business owner or executive, it’s critical for you to understand how privacy laws pertain to your business.

NOTE: FACTA “Red Flag” rules mandatory compliance deadline is November 1, 2008!

Call us TODAY to learn how we can help your business at potentially no direct cost to you.

Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists

Pam Hood (804) 304-4262 and Laura Millen (804) 928-4820

SmartBox

SMARTBOX is the portable moving and storage company, we serve Richmond, the surrounding counties and the Tri-Cities. We deliver the box to the customer, the customer loads and we deliver to the new address or back to our climate control storage center. No need to rent a truck and worry about driving or how long you are allowed with the truck. SMARTBOX saves our customers time because they only have to load once, instead of into the truck, into storage, out of storage, into the truck and then finally into their new residence. SMARTBOX is the “smarter way to move” and with the $20 off for all RMA members it is even smarter.

Brian Fisher, 804-545-6974 or brian.fisher@smartboxusa.com

www.smartboxusa.com

Synergy

Established in 2003, Synergy concentrates on providing office support, marketing, and web services for small business owners. Our collective background and experience is supporting upper level management and providing training and marketing services. Virtual Assistants are business owners who provide administrative and personal support.

As your Virtual Assistant my job is to assist you with performing administrative tasks for you remotely giving you the business owner time to focus on expanding your business and enabling you to balance business and personal life. Virtual Assistants are creative and can assist you when it comes to operating on a low budget:

Free up your time and energy to focus on providing your clients with the services that you provide as a business owner.

At Synergy we use the latest technology to communicate with our clients and get work done as quickly as possible with a can do attitude.

Please contact Relena at 804-306-7494 or info@aboutsynergy.com for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

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Website Development

Alan Germani Web Solutions, LLC

Alan Germani Web Solutions, LLC builds quality websites with the customer's exact needs and budget in mind. Pricing for major work like new site design and construction is established up-front so as to prevent unpleasant billing surprises.

RMA members may enjoy:

In addition to the free no-obligation consultations AGWS provides, RMA members are invited to contact Alan at anytime should they need advice or have questions related to website development.

Please contact Alan at 804-218-4600 or alan@alangermani.com for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

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Please contact Preston Perrin at pperrin@retailmerchants.com or 804-662-5500 for information regarding your company participating in this Retail Merchants Association member benefit.