Lisa Jeffries Nobling – Raleigh, NC

Category: Business & Money

  • Tweet for the Troops!

    Let me just start out this post with a full disclosure-esque statement: I am so privileged to be associated with the team at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q. (I provide marketing and PR services for the NC-based restaurant brand.) Even if they weren’t a client, this post would so be happening!

    Today is the last day that you can Tweet for the Troops and support Smithfield Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q’s week-long fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project… appropriately deemed “Freedom Week”!

    Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® (website | facebook | twitter) sends bar-b-q all over the map through its online store, and this year’s Freedom Week campaign encompasses the internet in a whole new way for the company.

    Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® kicked off its annual seven day “Freedom Week” campaign for its restaurants on July 2nd, focusing efforts on one initiative—supporting the troops.

    Via its huge social media following, the company is undertaking a pretty audacious goal in its Twitter campaign: Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® will donate 10¢ to the Wounded Warriors Project for every mention or retweet of #FreedomWeek (that’s a Twitter “hashtag”, used to monitor topics on the microblogging service) during Freedom Week (July 2nd-July 9th).

    The Wounded Warriors Project raises awareness and assistance for the needs of severely injured service men and women with the objective to provide tangible support to get them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally.

    If you’re not a twitter user, you can also support this campaign by purchasing a commemorative t-shirt available in their online store! (The shirt design is pictured above in this post.)

    Click here to tweet about this to contribute! http://twitter.com/home?status=Check+out+@SCNBNC’s+FreedomWeek+to+support+our+troops!

  • Taking Local Love to a New Level

    So this whole “concept” is something that Mandy and I have been talking up for a looooong time. And I am really pumped to finally be getting it out there. It’s not anywhere close to being as content-rich as it will be soon, but it’s at least a start.

    Right now, the biggest features are the email newsletter (bringing local style and retail directly to your inbox – but no, not like Express/Banana Republic/etc. style… I refuse to harass you all daily), Top Picks, and the feature appearances from local readers, too!

    If you have a few minutes, please stop by and check it out. Today our Black Friday content is still up, so you can check out what we liked for November… but tomorrow and over the next few days, December will be making its way in.

    And if you’re a local shopper, or just appreciate good style, please consider joining the email list, too 🙂

    And YES, I really DO want YOU to send me your tips, pictures, etc. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. A lot of work, of course – but most importantly… a lot of fun.

    www.iheartretail.com

  • I’m the TBMF Expert…

    …so don’t BS me in regards to the Triangle Beach Music Festival!

    If you still need to go get tickets to the TBMF this weekend, or you need extras like me, DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL KIDS RECORDS on Hillsborough Street.

    I went to pick up tickets for a few out-of-towners who didn’t want to buy them online and wait at will call to pick them up. They sent me their $25.00 and I hopped over to School Kids. The man (I guess the owner) behind the counter charged me $79.50 for three. It was supposed to be $75.00. I inquired as to why they were different than advertised and he looked me right in the eye and told me “everyone is charging more for them”.

    I am a moron and went ahead and paid the extra $4.50 — even after telling him I know the folks who run the event and I was pretty sure that wasn’t right. I promptly emailed my friend who does the tickets and website and he knew who I was talking about before even asking… he then told me that the other outlets aren’t charging service charges!

    Never lie to a woman — we always find out… jerk!

    If you still need to pick up tickets, go to Garden Gate Cafe in Garner. They have some left. For $25.00. (Tookie’s is sold out.)

    Call the other places if Garner is out of the way – and don’t let them lie to you, either.

    Whatever you do, don’t go to School Kids. I never will again.

  • Red, Merlot, or Muscadine?

    Lisa S. shared Old North State Winery with those of us in her networks on facebook this week and I thought I’d pass it along here, too. She swears by Restless Soul and says it makes a great table red.

    Restless Soul
    This blend of Malbec, Tannat, and Cabernet Sauvignon is combined in just the right proportions to emphasize the wonderful fruity character of this complex Bordeaux style red wine. – $10.00    Have any of you NC people sampled any of their wide selection of wines or dined at the bistro in Mt. Airy?

    Share the details!

    PS – In case you might not have noticed, NC has a wonderful state-wide wine industry. Check out the Visit NC Wines website and find out where you can check out some local offerings near home, vacation, or even make day trips out of!

  • Local Rave: Alter Ego Salon

    I’m in love.

    A second story Downtown location (with a view that many would kill for) and prices that make it possible to keep you looking good without having to take out a loan.

    Alter Ego Salon – Mary-Taylor did my recent cut and rocked it out.

    Video courtesy of the Triangle Blvd boys:

    Sign up for their email newsletter (just create an account on their site), that’s how I found out about their January special which snagged me a free manicure with my haircut.

    One of my favorite things about this salon may not have been the cut at all but the fact that they emailed me an appointment reminder that also included my upcoming scheduled events, including bridal updos for a friends wedding. Apparently, they speak my language (email-based and organized) 🙂

  • Dear XM Radio

    Every morning that I’m planning on being in the office for a bit, I launch Firefox and XMRadio.com so I can listen to The Highway (formerly Highway 16) and whatever else fits my fancy that day.

    Today, this is what I was greeted with:

    “Screw that.” – was my first response. “I beg you pardon?” – was my second.

    Let me preface this by saying that every single vehicle in my family has either XM or Sirius radio. Thanks to the merger, XM/Sirius has a good deal of business with us. Each vehicle has a removable satellite radio unit so we can use them in the house, on the boat, wherever. Technically, I could do the same in my office, but the reception isn’t great since this is a commercial building constructed of primarily metal. I am however, not above engineering up a solution to avoid being charged for something I’ve always been provided as an included service.

    Plus, the online radio service isn’t THAT good anyway. The “what’s playing now” feature (so you can see what’s on other stations before you change the channel) never auto-updates anymore.

    Finally, I’m not the world’s best copywriter, but I’m pretty sure I could’ve damn well figured out a better, more eloquent way to say “renew your contract now if you still want this free service of be prepared to ante up more money”. Don’t play games with me XM, I will win.

    PS – XM Radio… I HOPE you find this blog post and feel a little embarrassed. I would too if I were you.

    [End Rant]

  • Go Pack!

    We may not be able to beat Duke in basketball (in Cameron), but we’ve still got better commercials.

    PS – You see that brick (duh, it is State still) building over his left shoulder? That’s where I spent all of my time in undergrad… the COT!

  • {Double Post} The Shop with a Conscience

    I can’t believe this is another thing I’ve never remember to blog about, because it’s one of my Cameron Village favorites – Beleza: A Fair Trade Boutique.

    Described on their website as a place where:…you will find unique and extraordinary textiles and hats, jewelry and art that catch your eye and touch your heart.

    Beyond offering beautiful things, Beleza exists to provide hard working people from countries around the world – and here in the US – essential support to provide daily necessities for their families.

    While the store is fair trade, the major emphasis of Beleza is to treat people as they should be treated, and assist in global economic development.

    Beleza is owned and operated by two of the most wonderful people I know: P. Dail and his wife Sara.

    I received the following email today from Sara about a new addition coming to their store that I am really excited about:

    Recently we met Audias from Honduras. Born without arms, he paints with his feet. We will have his work in the store very soon and encourage you to come see this work. Audias has no other means of support. We plan to host a special event for you to meet him.I’ll be sure to update when I hear more details!

    In the mean time, go check out Beleza and become an addict of their amazing selection of goods with a heart, too.

  • P.D.C.

    Pretty. Darn. Classy. (if you ask me):

    Red Hat cancels party; will feed needy instead

    “Red Hat recently scrapped plans for a massive holiday party.

    Instead, the Raleigh software company will donate the money it would have spent to a food charity chosen by employees.

    The move comes as the slumping economy is hurting philanthropic donations and increasing demand among the needy.

    “We felt it was the wrong time to be spending a lot of money on ourselves,” said DeLisa Alexander, Red Hat’s senior vice president for people and brand.

    She declined to say how much money Red Hat will donate, but it’s enough to pay for about 800,000 meals at food banks run by Feeding America. In the Triangle, the group runs the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.”

    Click through and read the whole N&O article on how this trend can help unite employees in a cause – a great thing when a slumping economy is always dampening moods – and how other groups are doing some good.

  • The Family Business

    My family business has been known for over 35 years for two things: 1 – auto body repair and paint, and 2 – marine sales and accessories.

    For those of you who spend a good deal of time near any body of water and think most problems can be solved in an afternoon that includes a cooler and a fishin’ pole… I think you’ll enjoy this new site that came across my work inbox today from one of our industry associations.

    GREETINGS FROM FISHINGTON

    Dear Boating & Fishing Partners,

    The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is proud to announce an exciting new online community that complements the national Take Me Fishing™ campaign and connects boaters and anglers like never before! It’s Fishington – The Fishing & Boating Capital of the Internet – and we’d like to extend a special invitation for you to join.

    FEATURES & BENEFITS
    Fishington leverages different approaches from well-established social networking platforms like MySpace, Facebook and YouTube, but is specifically tailored for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Being part of this community allows members to:
    • Create a profile
    • Find and add friends
    • Create and join groups
    • Create and post comments on message boards
    • Add and organize photos and videos
    • Save favorite hotspots from our interactive map tool
    • Control their privacy settings

    Stakeholders who maintain a profile have the ability to:
    • Connect with other local businesses, clubs and individuals
    • Map their location and related bodies of water
    • Gather feedback, photos and videos
    • Build fans of their facility
    • Understand and recruit new members or customers
    • Generate increased traffic to their Web sites
    • Spark interest in their programs and products
    • Invite discussion about their programs or products

    Fishington is directly linked to all of the great content that’s on TakeMeFishing.org, including the 12,000 places to boat and fish. Businesses and facilities that currently exist in the TakeMeFishing.org database will already have a profile on Fishington.

    See you online! Of course my username is ncsulilwolf.