Please feel free to drop by and see what we’re all about.  Whatcom Referral Network meets every Thursday morning from 7:00 to 8:30 at Gateway Centre Executive Suites.  Building Business Connections meets every Friday morning from 7:30 to 8:30, also at Gateway.  Membership in a networking groups costs only $10/month or less!

Both networking groups currently have openings in the following areas:

• automotive sales or repair
• banking (business or personal)
• catering
• event planner
• florist
• health/fitness
• jeweler
• landscaping
• security systems
• travel agents
• And many more – just ask!

Learn more about BBC at: http://www.gwcentre.com/bbc

Learn more about WRN at: http://www.whatcomreferralnetwork.com/index.asp

First Impressions Prenatal 3D Ultrasound provides 3D and 4D pictures and videos of your unborn child. The amazingly clear pictures provide a unique experience and a new way for the whole family to bond with its youngest member. If you schedule an appointment between your 28th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy, they will guarantee an image of your child’s face (or you may return for a second appointment at no charge).

Learn more about them on their website, http://www.1stimpressions3d.com/.

And 40 suites on the 2nd floor!

Virtual offices are hard to beat -

Check ours out, they’re really neat!

We’ll answer your phones and greet your guests

because Gateway offers only the best!

Your suite is furnished, utilities free

We even have unlimited coffee and tea.

We sincerely hope this little poem

will make you want Gateway as your home!

Then come to the Spring Business Showcase at the Bellingham Sportsplex. 
It will be held on April 1st from 4-9 pm.

The cost without a ticket is $5  so stop by and pick one up!

Tickets are available at Gateway Centre Executive Suites:
1313 E. Maple St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
(behind Boomers and Diegos)

Tickets are also available at the Chamber office:
119 N. Commercial Street, Suite 110
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.734.1330

Access Real Estate Services can assist with real estate sales, referrals, and consultations. They also specialize in association management, including accounting with online access, strategies to build reserve funds, and non-profit tax filing.  Learn more at: http://www.gwcentre.com/pages/tenant-directory.aspx?trid=97

Century 21 Bay Properties provides real estate services for home buyers and sellers in Whatcom County, Semiahmoo, Birch Bay, Lynden, and surrounding areas. Learn more on their website: http://www.c21bayproperties.com/.

The current economic downturn is affecting every business and we all need to make adjustments to connect with today’s changing customer demands. Customers are establishing new priorities and are reducing their overall spending.

It is important to understand these two key factors:

#1 — The psychology of customers is changing.
#2 — What worked during past recessions may not work in today’s hard times.

You may be tempted to go along without changing your business, but King Solomon wrote, “How long will your fools fight the facts?” (Proverbs 1:22 NLT).

The stream of bad economic news is eroding confidence and purchasing power in dramatically different ways. Many businesses now understand that a lot of sales growth was based on customers living beyond their means. Today, customers face a mountain of bills, unemployment, falling income, reduced retirement savings, and more. Businesses need to respond to these new realities.

Customers on Hold

Some customers fall into a “freeze mode” stopping, postponing, decreasing, or substituting purchases. Customers falling into this category are typically lower income or are the more affluent that have become scared or unemployed. Price and need are now the keys to reaching these groups.

Advertise your best price and promote special deals. In addition, consider offering lay-a-way options, which can induce buying. Also, if possible, offer do-it-yourself options. One hardware store promoted do-it-yourself projects as a way of encouraging customers to spend a little and still get the benefits they wanted. Moreover, try offering smaller packages at a lower price point to trigger buying.

Infacta employees in both Ireland and the United States participated. They raised €3,731.00 in only two weeks! Today FM has raised a total of €429,075.01. You can find more information on their websites, http://www.todayfm.com/shave-or-dye/shaveordye.aspx and http://www.mycharity.ie/fundPageTemplateX.php?urlRef=infactahair.

We are proud to know and work alongside such a generous and caring team. Thank you, Infacta!

Wouldn’t children riding a school bus be more secure and safe with a video surveillance system? 

Seon Systems Corp is a Canadian-based company who is now part of the Gateway family in Suite #231!  Seon has been named the world’s Number One manufacturer in this field for the transit industries, including passenger rail, bus, coaches and even elevators!

Go to www.seon.com to find out more information on Seon.  We are pleased they are part of Gateway!

Do you already have an office elsewhere and are looking to establish a presence in the Bellingham area?

Our new virtual office tiers can provide you with everything  you need!

Tier 1 – $29.95 / Month (and $40 one time set up fee)

• Physical business address with dedicated suite number
• On-site mail reception
• Custom mail forwarding available for minimal charge (cost + 15%)
• 10% Discount on any Suite or Conference Room usage. 
• Business Support Services available

Tier 2 – $49.95 / Month (and $50 one time set up fee)

• All benefits of Tier 1 included!
• Creation of a business mini-website

Tier 3 -  $99.95 / Month (and $100 one time set up fee) 

• All benefits of Tier 2 included!
• Dedicated local phone number routed to voice mail & your personalized mailbox.
• Voice mail operational and accessible 24/7. 

Tier 4 -  $149.95 / Month (and $100 one time set up fee)

• All benefits of Tier 3 included!
• Custom call forwarding also available to your home, cell, or voicemail.
• Automated after hours voice mail with your personalized voice mail box.
• Voice mail operational and accessible 24/7.

Tier 5 -  $199.95 / Month (and $100 one time set up fee)

• All benefits of Tier 4 included!
• Eight hours use of an Office or Conference Room each month.