By: Alana Stroud

If you haven’t heard of Infusionsoft, you soon will. Consider it the company that will turn your dreams of being a successful small business owner into reality simply by utilizing the tools the two founders discovered were must-haves for the road to massive growth. Curious? Read on.

Infusionsoft is a Web-based program that automates marketing, sales, and customer management. Combined with CRM (customer relationship management), e-mail marketing, and e-commerce on autopilot, the business saves time and money and so can focus on greater things—like their customers, running the company, and growing. Included in the software are ways to manage contacts, send out targeted e-mails, and capture leads online. Businesses can sell, track their deals, and even collect money, all online. Since the software is Web-based, this means that businesses can access Infusionsoft anytime and anywhere.

Situated locally in Gilbert, Infusionsoft began with a couple of entrepreneurs who saw a need for small businesses that had the desire to become big businesses, and so decided to fill it. Cofounder and CEO Clate Mask and founder and vice president Steve Martineau have a successful history of entrepreneurial endeavors ranging from door-to-door sales to growing dot-com companies, and know that most businesses fail or lose sales because of lack of follow-up. Today, Mask and Martineau run Infusionsoft, which provides automatic follow-up software designed to help small businesses with their marketing and sales. Why is this important? It stimulates growth, and what business doesn’t want to grow? The software, paired with Infusionsoft’s famous “Double Your Sales” guarantee, offers customers quite the formula for success.

Mask and Martineau say that Infusionsoft has experienced enough of its own growth since its inception in 2001 to have made a recent modification of its business plan, completely eliminating upfront fees and offering a fifteen-day free trial of the product, including setup and customer support. Infusionsoft, like any other company, has taken customer feedback and experience to fine-tune its product so it will be as beneficial as possible for customers. It is now more user-friendly and streamlined, and the company’s pricing has taken on a tiered structure in order to accommodate all interested businesses that wish to grow with Infusionsoft’s software.

To find out more about what Infusionsoft can do for you and your company, visit their Web site at infusionsoft.com. Check out the FAQs for information and the Raving Fans page for testimonials, case studies, and links to other companies using the service. Most importantly, you can read about the product and company to know whether Infusionsoft is the right fit for you. If it is, check the pricing structure and sign up.

Check out Clate Mask’s blog at infusionblog.com/author/clatem and read his story about how Infusionsoft became successful and his advice to anyone who wants to share the success. You can download his e-book, The Edge of Success: 9 Building Blocks to Double Your Sales at infusionsoft.com/edge. If you’re on Twitter, follow Infusionsoft at twitter.com/infusionsoft.

By Alana Stroud

When Steven Koeppel made the plan to expand into the West Valley with a second Scottsdale Jean Company location, economic times weren’t as dour as they are today. However, with a tried-and-true practice of making long-term goals and decisions, Koeppel isn’t worried—and has no reason to be. The Peoria location is doing well, as is its sister store in Scottsdale.

So how has Scottsdale Jean Company managed to survive thus far through these difficult financial times? While other retailers are shutting their doors or laying off employees, Koeppel thought he’d just offer some giveaways and lower a few price points as well as add lower-priced inventory and run some promos to gain new business. Their unique local brand has been steadily kept in front of the public as the place to go for designer jeans or Kiehl’s skin and body-care products. Koeppel has made sure that his merchandise isn’t too specialized. He includes casual clothing as well to appeal to a strong mix of people. At the Peoria location, lots of the same merchandise is offered, with more entry-level price points to choose from while they build their reputation.

Another aspect to Scottsdale Jean Company’s success is their Web business. In March of 2009, they went worldwide, having previously offered service to only the United States and Canada. Now shipping to South America and countries like Japan, Mexico, and England, the company’s year-to-date figures for 2009 have already matched those of 2008. Koeppel suggests local customers use the site to browse online and then come in to try on what they liked best to save themselves some time. We all know time is money!

Check out Scottsdale Jean Company’s fabulous selection for yourself at scottsdalejc.com, or visit them at 14747 N. Northsight Blvd., #106 in Scottsdale, or 9824 W. Northern Ave., #1800 in Peoria.

By Cassaundra Brooks

Men’s Club is a high-end, full-service barbershop whose old-time tonsorial charm and masculine environment invites men to enjoy a myriad of services offered while they sit in comfortable leather chairs. Individual televisions, dark cherry wood, and sports memorabilia—some signed photos from actual Men’s Club clients—help create a full, relaxing experience.

Owner Sayat Stepanyan, along with his wife Gayane and his brother Armen, opened the shop four years ago and has focused on quality of service and professionalism from Day One. Perhaps this explains the number of sports stars who frequent Men’s Club, including Tom Chambers of the Phoenix Suns, former Coyotes goalie Sean Burke, former football player Dick Butkus, and golfer Fred Couples.

The world-famous product line they use and sell exclusively also gives them an edge over the competition. Truefitt & Hill produces some of best professional products for men and has enjoyed widespread popularity in both America and Europe for years. Men’s Club clients benefit from their pre-shave oils, shaving creams, aftershave balms, colognes, brushes, and hair and bath products. These items are all made with natural ingredients that do not contain any alcohol, menthol, benzocaine or dyes, all of which are agents that can irritate and numb the skin. King George III of England, Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, and John Wayne are among the political figures, singers, and actors who have been known to use Truefitt & Hill products.

The upscale barbershop’s long list of services gives men good reason to get that desperately needed haircut or a nice clean shave. While you’re getting that shampoo and haircut, razor cut, color, or perhaps that overdue shave, try the hot towel treatment, a facial, a manicure or pedicure, a wax, or a shoeshine. And if you complete your visit with a relaxing stress massage, you’ll likely think that you need a haircut a little more frequently from now on.

Visit mensclubbarberspa.com for more information on Men’s Club Barber & Spa or call (480) 538-0999 to set up an appointment. 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054

A new retail store with a unique concept has recently opened in The Shops at Norterra, a shopping center on the NW corner of I-17 and Happy Valley Road. Fans & Fashionistas is a “his and hers” store where guys can shop for team sports apparel and paraphernalia while gals shop for designer handbags and fashion accessories. The notion of joining sports with handbags may raise an eyebrow initially, but with one visit to the store, it is instantly clear that the combination makes perfect sense. Couples love the concept and are having fun shopping together for products they both love!

For the sports fanatic, Fans & Fashionistas carries a large selection of licensed jerseys, tees, hats, polos, and unique products for NFL, NCAA, NBA, and MLB teams—even hard-to-find out-of-the-area teams. Fashionistas love not having to make distant drives to acquire stylish handbags from favorite designers such as Michael Kors, Betsey Johnson, and Kathy Van Zeeland; belts by Nicole Miller and Via Spiga; and stunning Elle jewelry right out of the pages of top fashion magazines.

Stop in and enjoy the unique and fun shopping experience of Fans & Fashionistas.

Fans & Fashionistas is located at 2470 W. Happy Valley Rd., Suite 1191. For more information, call (623) 587-1400.

By Cassaundra Brooks

This year, more than flowers will bloom in the Arizona desert. For the North Valley, April gives birth to a new place to shop, dine, and play as the Shops at Norterra holds its grand opening on April 18–19. It comes as no surprise, considering the rapid growth across the North Valley, and it also comes not a moment too soon as the warm weather and sunshine draw residents out of their homes to have some fun.

At 350,000 square feet, the new open-air lifestyle center has some space to fill, and some big names have jumped at the opportunity to fill it. A fourteen-screen Harkins Theatre, Best Buy, and Dick’s Sporting Goods fill up three large sections of the place, and smaller specialty shops such as Bath & Body Works, Coldwater Creek, Kay Jewelers, New York & Company, Victoria’s Secret, Fans & Fashionistas, Sweet & Sassy, Claire’s, Sunglass Hut, Christopher & Banks, and Urban Sanctuary have all found their own spots. And, perfect for snacking on a spring or summer day, Paradise Bakery, Sauce, Dippin’ Dots, and Paciugo Gelato (mmmmm!) will open their doors and offer delectable delights to the public.

Additional stores, services, and restaurants plan to pop up over the next several months. These include Apricot Lane, Trendy Tag Boutique, Beverages & More, Massage Envy, Men’s Wearhouse, Norterra Nails, Sunglass Station, Ah-So Sushi, Berry Good Yogurt, Chipotle, Chop Chop, Dickey’s BBQ Pit, Johnny Rockets, Mellow Mushroom, and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro.

In celebration of this new center, the grand opening will feature a tailgate party, mascot games, a Student Art Show Fund-raiser, live concerts, kids’ activities, and some great giveaways—including an entertainment package from Best Buy and a $500 Shops at Norterra gift card—making the event a fun outing for the entire family.

The event will also showcase winners from the Deer Valley Unified School District Student Art Show and Contest. The six grand prize-winning pieces will be available for purchase in order to benefit the DVUSD’s Visual Arts Program and to begin a partnership between The Shops at Norterra and the DVUSD. “The future is the children,” says Jenny Burbach, CMD, marketing director for The Shops at Norterra, “and as part of the community, we want to help provide a nurturing environment for them.”

Whether you’re on the hunt for the latest in spring fashion trends, a new gadget, or some refreshing gelato to help beat the rising heat, The Shops at Norterra will provide a much-needed shopping and dining oasis for North Phoenix residents, not to mention a much shorter drive for many who brave traffic to get their food and shopping fixes.

For more information on the Shops at Norterra and schedule of events for the grand opening, visit norterrashopping.com.

ENDLESS WAKE

As the only wakeboarding camp in the Valley, Endless Wake provides instruction for people with beginner to intermediate skill levels through daily lessons from a professional wakeboard competitor. It could be the best time you’ve ever had on the water, and is a great way to spend the hot summer days. Camp instructors emphasize boating safety, character, teamwork, new friendships, skill, and confidence building. Whether a person is just starting out as a wakeboarder or wishes to perfect that sweet jump, the camp helps to promote learning a new skill and experiencing a new sport.

Sessions begin in June and focus on ages 9–17. For more information, call (623) 523-7350 or visit endlesswakeAZ.com.

OPTICAL GALLERY ARIZONA

Luxury eyewear has taken on a whole new meaning at Optical Gallery Arizona, located at the Village at Arrowhead. The showroom is lined with unique designer eyewear from all over the world, for adults and children, and only state of the art lenses of the highest quality are used, including the new HD High Definition lenses. For athletes, Optical Gallery Arizona carries specialty sports frames with prescription lenses. Included are prescription goggles for skiing, along with safety frames for basketball, baseball, and racquet sports. Contact lenses are custom fit and made to order to accommodate patients with astigmatism and those in need of bifocals. Dr Lampert, with over twenty years experience, provides complete eye exams, including consultations and evaluations for LASIK.

To learn more, visit opticalgalleryaz.com.

By Cassaundra Brooks

When an unexpected 111 people showed up for the opening of the English Rose Tea Room during the Carefree Arts and Wine Festival in 2002, it signaled the start of a very long tea party for owner Joanne Gemmill.

“The tea room is a representation of everything I love and collect,” says the English transplant. “I absolutely love the whole ceremony of afternoon tea, and was homesick for a good cup of tea.”

Gemmill imports the best English teas and shares the wealth of the teatime experience with Carefree residents. With teas imported from Taylor’s of Harrogate in England as well as some teas from this side of the pond, the large selection ranges from full- and medium-bodied black teas to green teas and decaffeinated herbal tisanes—all loose leaf.

And the experience extends beyond beverages to dainty and traditional English cuisine. One selection served up in style is their signature dish, the Duchess of Bedford’s Formal Afternoon Tea: an array of tea sandwiches, scones, and petit fours layered on a tiered cake stand. But if you are looking to delve deeper into England without diving into the Atlantic, the tearoom also offers cottage pie, ploughman’s lunch, and beans on toast.

While tea for two (or more) and birthday celebrations are the most popular in the English Rose Tea Room, there are plenty of other reasons people come to tea.

“We have seen it all, from wedding showers to funeral wakes and baby celebrations,” Gemmill says. “The Tea Room provides the ideal atmosphere for our guests to enjoy themselves in a nostalgic and genteel environment.” Its Victorian feel, elegant furnishings, chandeliers, and English-garden dining patio help create an authentic experience.

And with the English Rose Accents store located next door, people can re-create that environment and host afternoon teas in their own homes. The shop offers lovely teatime accoutrements, both antique and modern: fine bone china, sterling silver, vintage hats, table linens, jewelry, and more. And, of course, loose-leaf teas in many varieties.

A quaint and sophisticated spot of culture, the English Rose Tea Room is also now open year round. Spot of tea, anyone?

For additional information, visit carefreetea.com or call (480) 488-4812. Reservations are strongly suggested.