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:
- Inform your customers of new products or services
- Distribute instant discounts or coupons to customers
- Engage customers who want to buy…when they want to buy…and wherever they happen to be
- Be flexible – change your message as often as needed in real time…no need to wait for new designs, new proofs, new printing and mailing…text messaging is instant
- Be time sensitive – send different messages at different times of the day
- Survey your customers for feedback on your service or products
- Measure your marketing results, in real-time
- Reduce overall advertising and marketing costs while improving results
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!
- Exclusivity—Your competitors will NOT be permitted to share the same zip codes you reserve.
- Proven Track Record—Our Town has been assisting businesses with capturing the new mover target audience for over 30 years!
- Perfect Timing, Not Too Soon—We choose not to arrive in the home while families are in a chaotic, reactionary mode to their move, but after they’ve settled in, once they have time to consider long-term relationships. You may see some familiar faces, but better you versus your competition.
- Personalized—Our Community Welcoming Package is addressed to each new mover personally. No tacky labels or generic “Resident/Occupant” are used, this personalization is carried through to the very certificate that will be redeemed at your store, so you can call the new mover by name!
- A Community Welcome—Our package represents the spirit of community, versus advertising.
- Genuine Certificates—We provide you with printed, high-quality, parchment gift certificates, designed exclusively for Our Town.
- Zip Code Driven—You choose the zip codes that make the most sense for your location….no wasted coverage!
Special Discounted Rate for RMA Members
10% Off our Standard Rate!
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM CONTACT:
Back to topOur Town’s RMA Representative
Betty Ottaway
(804) 378-9394 or
betty@ourtownva.com
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!
- Arrangements can be made for a mural to be completed while your business is closed.
- Mural installations are completed offsite and installed at your convenience.
- A complimentary consultation can help the business owner realize how murals can enhance the environment, portray a theme or tell the history of a business.
- Often murals entice more customers to come inside an establishment.
- Murals vary in cost, depending on the complexity of the work involved. A guideline is $30 - $50 per square foot.
- Murals by Patti Rosner are on display at the Goochland County Library, River Road West, Goochland, VA., Roomers Design Shop, Gayton Crossing Shopping Center, Henrico County and Chatelaine Interiors, Sycamore Square, Midlothian, VA.
- A complimentary sketch is also offered so you can visualize a painted mural in your space.
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
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
- No Setup Fees
- No Minimum Ordering Commitment
- 20% Discount off Regular Pricing
- 30 days Free Access to our Virginia criminal information
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
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:
- Sandwich Box Lunches
- Salad Box Lunches
- Sandwich Trays
- Salad Trays
- Platters
- Dessert Trays
- Breakfast Trays
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
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.
Back to topEmployment
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:
- $200 for employers with up to 5 employees ($50 savings)
- $350 for employers with 6 – 14 employees ($150 savings)
- $700 for employers with 15 – 20 employees ($300 savings)
- $1,000 for employers with 21 – 49 employees ($500 savings)
- 35% off negotiated rates for employers with 50+ employees
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
- 5% Credit on worker’s Comp Insurance in Virginia
- Reduced Turnover
- 75% of Employees admit to using on the job
- 25% of Employees admit to stealing from the company
Choices
- Oral Fluid / Easy, less invasive, virtually impossible to beat
- Urine Testing / National collection sites / Multiple Labs
- Instant Testing / When you need to know Now
- Alcohol Screening
- Reporting choices
- Education 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.
Back to topEntertainment
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):
- Buy 10 batting cage tokens - get 5 FREE
- Buy 2 driving range tokens - get 1 FREE
- Buy 1 mini golf - get 1 FREE
- 10% off total price of group outing
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
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:
- 100% full reimbursement on all authorized and approved checks
- 10% discounted pricing off standard price book
- $30,000 purchase check limit
- Speedy claim reimbursement - 14 days (industry standard - 30 days)
- 60 days to submit claims (industry standard - 30 days)
- Waived setup fees (industry standard - $100.00)
- Reduced monthly minimums
- Authorization via existing credit card terminals
- Excellent customer service and local representation
Certegy offers a wide array of payment solutions including:
- Collections
- Mail Order
- COD
- Lock Box
- SettleSmart
- Paycheck Accept
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:
- help you set up your chart of accounts
- coordinate reporting with your payroll service
- pay your bills
- furnish financial reports periodically
- supply information to you quickly and accurately so you are on top of your business
- provide a detailed package to your CPA at tax time
- offer advice and assistance as needed
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.
- Retail Merchants Association Members only: A Free A/R Analysis
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:
- How to Make the Most of Your Time
- Networking
- IRS Audits
- 7 Business Killers
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.
Back to topHealth
Bird-Flu Information
- Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
- Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
- Disaster Supply Kit Checklist
For more information, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu
Back to topOperations
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.
- Save your hard earned cash.
- Purchase products and services at your wholesale costs.
- Use trade dollars for business needs, employee incentives or personal use.
- You are in total control of your account.
- You decide the amount of business you want and what you want to purchase.
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
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:
- Making Appointments
- Planning meetings and events
- Making travel arrangements
- Bookkeeping - business and personal
- File Conversions
- Handling reservations for seminars given by clients
- Word Processing
- Designing PowerPoint Presentations
- Proof Readings / Copy Editing
- Desktop Publishing
- Coordination of web design/web hosting
- Creating/Maintaining Databases
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.
www.aboutsynergy.com Back to topWebsite 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:
- $100 off any custom-built website
- $200 off any shopping cart site
- $50 off any service related to an already existing website
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.
www.alangermani.comBack to topPlease contact Preston Perrin at pperrin@retailmerchants.com or 804-662-5500 for information regarding your company participating in this Retail Merchants Association member benefit.


