Spotless Image is the Final Piece of your Marketing Efforts
Cleaning company helps many medium and small businesses with their first impression.

Twenty years ago Mike Prendeville began working part time at Task Force Cleaning. Six months later he offered to buy it when the previous owner was ready to retire. Ten years later, Mike made good on the offer and now owns Task Force Cleaning serving Sandwich, Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Yorkville and everywhere between.

At a recent meeting of the Yorkville Chamber of Commerce Leads Group II, Mike explained to the group that a clean space for your clients is the last piece of your marketing efforts. “If your clients walk into a nice room that is clean, smells nice and is sanitary; they are impressed with your company. If they walk into an office with spider webs and overflowing trash bins, they don’t perceive you as thinking highly of your company.” Many small store-fronts such as dentists, financial planners and accountants that don’t require much square footage to operate in fall short in allure for large cleaning chains and are often overlooked and underserved.
Where those companies fall short on service; Mike and the Task Force Cleaning team more than pick up the slack.

Mike is able to quote fairly and competitively as he personally visits each location to get a sense of the time it would take a team to do the job properly and that he can also answer questions should you need to contact him. He also ensures his clients remain satisfied by visiting each location once a month, providing the facility manager with his personal number incase of questions, as well as staffing each location with a two person team, one of which is a manager. When Sue Hills inquired about pricing; Mike informed her that the best way for him to service his clients was to actually visit the location and discuss the tasks they would like performed. He also noted that they do not work under contract and do annual spring or fall cleanings as well as monthly, bi-weekly or weekly tasks. This allows clients to schedule when they feel it’s necessary, as opposed to a contracted calendar. When asked about cleaning products and the safety for children and pets, Mike assured everyone that Task Force Cleaning only uses green products that are child and pet safe.

If you would like additional information regarding how Task Force Cleaning can help your business shine, contact Mike Prendeville at 630.554.2161 or visit www.taskforcecleaning.com. Task Force Cleaning is insured, bonded and performs background checks on all employees.

LITTLE CHANGES TODAY MAKE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE IN LATER YEARS
Evaluate your spending habits now to avoid overspending and contribute to your wealth.

Many people are concerned about their current economic status and fail to plan for their future economic status. At a recent meeting of the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce, Leads Group II; Sue Hills of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc-Fitzpatrick Group educated members on how they could immediately begin to reduce their debt, start saving and supply their future wealth.

Sue explained not only the importance of a budget, but how to create a spending plan that shows where excess spending may rob you of potential achievements in your retirement and future goals. According to Sue, one of the best ways to reduce debt and achieve faster victories is a method called “debt stacking.” Debt stacking allows you to attack each debt without trying to cover them all equally reducing impact overall.

Another problem when planning for a big purchase; is not knowing how much you can truly afford. Their website www.fitzpatrickwm.com provides access to over 30 financial calculators covering home and car affordability as well as others for loans, credit cards and other expenses. After reviewing the website, Tasha Lee said she was eager to review the risk management articles and participate in the cash management E-Seminars.

If you would like additional information regarding your future wealth and how you can maximize it, contact Sue Hills at HillsS@Stifel.com. Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc, is a full-service regional brokerage and investment banking firm established in 1890. The Fitzpatrick Group provides individual investments, IRA’s, 401(k) rollovers, retirement plans and business services, as well as financial analysis, education and estate planning.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Christina Davis and her partner Joe Medrano of Rovia recently gave a presentation on how you can vacation for less.

“Who doesn’t like to travel and who doesn’t love a discount?” is the question that Medrano presented to the group last Thursday. Rovia has greatly expanded one’s opportunity for traveling, offering more than 350 vacations at wholesale prices, your travels will be extremely affordable. Rovia has a vacation package for everyone; Carribean cruises, hunting trips, an African Photo Safari, or Skiing in the Rockys to name a few. Rovia purchases vacations in bulk and therefore passes the savings onto it’s members allowing them to reap the benefits. Rovia also offers a travel site www.roviadreams.com that competes with other travel sites such as Expedia or Travelocity. Book your dream vacation today!

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Steve Beck of A Little Night Music recently gave it’s members an insider’s look at what to ask when hiring a Disc Jockey.

Beck has been in the Disc Jockey business since 1989, giving him twenty-plus years experience. Beck is a member of several professional organizations and regularly attends seminars and conventions to keep up with the newest trends. Beck stressed that however, cost is an important factor in hiring a Disc Jockey, one needs to make sure that you get value for your dollars. He assures you that he will be set-up one-hour prior to the event, has back-up equipment, wears appropriate attire and provides music that YOU want. Beck is very attentive to his client’s expectations, to acquire more information on his services please visit www.alittlenightmusic.net.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Stephanie Clark of Yorkville Auto Body recently gave it’s members an inside look at their body shop and how it got started.

Glenn Skoff, the owner of Yorkville Auto Body, purchased the business five years ago. Skoff’s background is in insurance claims, which is a huge asset to the auto repair business. Yorkville Auto Body is a full service collision and repair facility. They not only fix dents and bruises, but can do brake jobs and mechanical work sucha as replacing batteries and alternators. When you walk into Yorkville Auto Body, you know that they offer small town service. Many times, clients stop in just to say “Hi, How’s it going?” In addition to car repairs, Skoff enjoys restoring vintage and antique cars and farm machinery. Stop in at your convenience for your complete, free estimate. Yorkville Auto Body is located at 808 S. Bridge St., Yorkville, IL 60560.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II went off site and hosted an Ice Cream Social at Culvers in Yorkville. The event was held over the lunch hour and attendees had the opportunity to network, learn about the Yorkville Chamber, learn how Leads Group II will benefit the growth of their business and eat free ice cream. Leads Group II packed the house with more than 40 attendees and many of them walked away with a full belly and strong business contacts.

YACC’s Leads Group II is a non-compete networking group that focuses on business building, sharing networking opportunities and generating business for members through referrals. The leads group currently has over 21 active businesses within its membership and meets weekly on Thursdays from 11:30-12:30pm. The group is currently seeking new members. If you are interested in visiting the YACC Lead’s Group II, please contact the group’s facilitator Sue Hills of Stifel Nicolaus at 630-845-7905 or The YACC Office at 630-553-6853.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Timmer Halligan of Prepaid Legal Services recently gave it’s members an educational seminar on why it is important to have a relationship with a lawyer.

Timmer has been a representative for Pre-Paid Legal for seven years. PrePaid Legal is 38 years old and traded is endorsed by the US chamber of Commerce. Halligan stressed the fact that during one’s lifetime, the services of a lawyer will be required and the time to engage one is not at the time you actually need one. If you are the owner of a small business, services such as contract review, understanding tax laws and comprehensive insurance are essential, especially in this tough economy.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is pleased to announce that it ranked first overall out of 183 qualifying firms in The Wall Street Journal’s Best on the Street Survey for 2010. Stifel analysts earned 11 individual awards, with four analysts recognized as the #1 stock-pickers in their respective industries – more #1-ranked analysts than any other firm.
Stifel is the only firm to have ranked in the top 12 in the Best on the Street Survey in each of the last seven years (includes Legg Mason Capital Markets, which was acquired by Stifel Financial Corp. on December 1, 2005). Stifel Nicolaus' Website

Formerly known as Speckman Therapeutics, Speckman Rehab Center is undergoing expansion with plans to open 3 additional clinic locations in the next 24 months. Speckman Rehab Center offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology. Visit them at their new website, www.SpeckmanRehab.com

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Justin Brockway of Brockway Lawnscaping recently gave it’s members a Fertilizer 101 presentation.

Brockway explained to leads 2 members the differences between liquid and granual fertilizers and how to cut your lawn maintenance costs over time. Brockway offers a wide variety of services including, but not limited to, weekly, bi-weekly or vacation care lawn maintenance, aerating, dethatching, mulching and etching beds, light landscaping and design, weed control and fertilization. Brockway offers an efficiency analysis to all of his customers, along with a competitive referral program.

Home Sweet Home pet sitting offers in your home Professional Pet Care for all your pets. Home Sweet Home is fully insured and bonded. They also provide all their employees with additional educational training so that your pet receives the best care possible. Nothing compares to the peace of mind you’ll feel knowing that your pet has been left in responsible, loving and caring hands when you are working or traveling. Your pet’s safety and welfare are Home Sweet Home’s highest priority. Owner, Jessica Stachelski is a Certified Pet CPR & 1st Aid instructor with the American Red Cross and has completed Disaster Training with F.E.M.A. Most recently Jessica organized Pet CPR & 1st aid demonstrations for fellow YACC members and offered full Dog & Cat CPR/1st Aid classes to our community. When you become a client of Home Sweet Home, you can feel confident that not only is your pet being cared for, but is having fun at the same time. For additional information about how Home Sweet Home pet sitting can help your pet lead a healthy, happier life, visit their website at www.HSHpet.net.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Paul Auten of The Trailer Guy recently gave a presentation talking about what type of storage solutions his company offers.

The Trailer Guy was founded in 1998 when Paul’s father wanted the relocation process to be a painless one for families, especially those that were experiencing some sort of delay in buying or constructing their next home. When trying to declutter, store in between homes, store during a remodel project or just moving across town, The Trailer Guy is your local solution for mobile and mini storage. With units twice the size of it’s competitors, The Trailer Guy can help with short or long term solutions. Sell your home faster by decluttering or store your furniture for an afternoon while replacing flooring; whatever your reason for needing storage, The Trailer Guy is just around the corner.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Paul Rathman of Allied First Bank recently gave a presentation on his bank focusing on giving back to their community.

Allied First Bank offers full retail service and full mortgage and commercial departments. Rathman stated, “When will you walk into a bank and be offered a bottle of water or a cup of coffee?, our customer service exceeds excellence. Any question you have can be answered when you walk through that door.” Allied First Bank doors opened in Oswego in 2007 and since have been highly involved in the community. Allied First Bank gives yearly scholorships, donates money to the school’s athletic programs, sponsors city events thoughout the year and offers a basketball court that anyone in the community can utilize. For more informaton about Allied First and it’s services, please visit them on the web www.alliedfirst.com.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Tasha Lee of Tasha Lee Design recently gave a presentation on how unique her services are compared to other’s in her industry.

Tasha Lee offers a wide variety of creative design services with unique products such as: letterhead or newsletter templates, art conversion and promotional design. Lee’s office is located in Yorkville and she specializes in print design for small businesses. Her primary concern is offering high quality design that exceeds one’s expectations at fair and competitive rates. Lee states, “By allocating some of your marketing dollars to professional design, you will make a big impact on your brand and how it is recognized throughout the community.” For a full-range of samples please visit Tasha Lee’s online portfolio at www.tashaleedesign.com.

The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce’s (YACC) Leads Group II Member, Colanne Schwemlein of Colanne’s Accounting and Tax Services recently gave a presentation on how to save money and make the most of tax exemptions on your 2009 tax returns.
As a part of her presentation, Colanne shared that she grew up in Yorkville and has been in the Accounting industry for the past 20 years working with an Accounting firm and eventually branching out into her own business. Her office is located in Sandwich and Colanne specializes in small business returns. She works with her clients to cut their accounting costs throughout the calendar year and offers onsite training for small businesses which includes, but is not limited to, payroll, Quickbooks and when/if to make Quarterly tax deposits.