Towne Lake Business Association
Member Spotlight
Signs by Tomorrow

From the

Towne Lake Business Association

At the January 11 City Council Meeting, the Woodstock City Council passed a proposal to proceed with the Environmental Impact and Traffic studies for the proposed split-diamond exchange at Towne Lake Parkway (TLP) and I-575, by a vote of 5 - 1 (Steve Faris of Deer Run opposed). While this proposal to add a new exchange at Rope Mill Road might sound like a great idea, the TLBA feels that the economic impact on existing businesses in Towne Lake (especially along Towne Lake Parkway) should be analyzed very carefully by the City. Further, the impact on property values for residents of Deer Run resulting from a new access road in their backyards and undue delays that will be created for people coming to and from Towne Lake from the north must be considered.

Adding a new southbound exit and northbound entrance to I-575 at Rope Mill, while closing off these same accesses at TLP, does not make sense if the goal is to alleviate traffic at TLP. Re-engineering and widening TLP at the existing exchange to allow more traffic east and west bound should be considered as the solution, rather than using traffic as an alibi to create a new exchange and divert traffic to the RidgeWalk/Rope Mill area for the benefit of developers.

The topic of our January Lunch 'N' Workshop was "Setting & Achieving Your Goals." We want to thank Dr. Cathy Wendland of Colby Family Chiropractic, who led this workshop on how to prepare goals for yourself and your business for the new year. Please take a look at our upcoming calendar of events.

Lunch 'N' Learn Workshops

Tuesday, February 15, 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Current Trends for Your Business Website, presented by Brian Gibbins of Dynamic Webscapes

Tuesday, March15, 12:30 - 2 p.m.
Creating Excellent Customer Service, presented by Mark Nelson of Toastmasters International

All Workshops are held at Featherstone's
at Towne Lake Hills. Please R.S.V.P. to
(770) 517-8210, ext. 550.

Business After Hours

Wednesday, March 16, 7 - 9:30 p.m. (tentatively scheduled) at the Featherstone's at Towne Lake Hills.

Welcome New Members:
Bob Riddle-----AFLAC
Dan Foley-----Body Plex Fitness
LeeAnn Desprez-----Mind, Body & Spirit Yoga
Mark Mancini-----Twisted Technologies, LLC

As always, we thank you for supporting our community and our local businesses, and thus "Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee."

Visit us at www.tlba.org.

Left to right: Ian, Cole, Jenna and Sue Kirkpatrick of Signs By Tomorrow.

The use of signs is a key ingredient to any successful business formula. Signs By Tomorrow customizes all signage to meet the customer's needs: banners, site signs, vehicle graphics, car/sports magnets, window lettering, yard signs, team/company logos and decals. Imagine it, and Signs By Tomorrow can do it!

In March 2004, Sue and Ian Kirkpatrick opened their new Signs By Tomorrow (SBT) franchise, offering signs of all kinds to businesses and organizations. SBT is a national franchise company with more than 175 stores nationwide. SBT was recently ranked in the top 25% of the Inc. 500 Top Franchises. Ian said, "We chose SBT because of their proven formula, and they are the right size to care for their franchisees."

Customers can stop by their shop and work directly with their graphic designer, look at materials to be used for their signs or see samples. "Many customers consider their signs to be the most cost effective part of their marketing investment. It is hard to find anything else so visible or as long lasting," said Ian. SBT is able to provide complete signage packages for retailers or unique special projects for any venture. They also provide channel letters and pan face lit signs for storefronts, sand blasted signs, screen printed signage and digital prints. The success of their business is due to their ability to create effective designs and meet quick turnaround times. "Remember in business, it's not who you know, but who knows you," remarked Ian.

Sue, Ian and their children Jenna and Cole are 14-year residents of Towne Lake. SBT has been a member of the Towne Lake Business Association for one year, and both Ian and Sue are involved in the community. Ian is currently the TLBA's Vice President of Membership. Ian has coached soccer at the outdoor YMCA and Sue is a reading mentor at Bascomb Elementary School.

SBT is located at 2727 Canton Road, Piedmont Walk Shopping Center (at the corner of E. Piedmont) serving Cobb and Cherokee, or on the web at www.signsbytomorrow.com/marietta. Call with signage needs at (678) 355-0446.