www.southlakegrill.com
Industry: Restaurant
Member Since: April, 2004
"With BizX, I have a larger marketing
budget than I would normally have."
John Schmidt originally became a member
of BizXchange after being referred by
fellow BizX Member Arnold Shain of the
Restaurant Group, a restaurant consulting
agency. Shain explained to Schmidt
how he could acquire new customers and
then use the revenue to cover some of the
out-of-pocket cash costs of his marketing
efforts. Soon after using BizX to pay
for bus board advertising, Schmidt was
hooked.
Schmidt signed Southlake Grill on as
a member of BizXchange in September
of 2006. Although the restaurant was
not scheduled to open until February of
2007, he was interested in applying for a
credit line in order to use BizX
to cover some of the build-out
costs of the restaurant. Schmidt
was able to use his credit line to
offset the cash outlay for such
things as a custom stainless steel
banister, the dining room chairs
and the fabrication and installation
of the walk-in refrigerator.
BizXchange is now able to drive
new business to the restaurant
in the form of casual diners and
larger parties. One of the more
effi cient ways Schmidt is able
to generate BizX is by renting
out any one of the restaurants'
three banquet rooms for private
events and corporate functions.
"Tyson (Schmidt's BizX Account
Manager) sends me a lot
of large parties," says Schmidt.
Although Schmidt prefers
not to use BizX for personal
expenses, he has found ways to make sure
individuals around him benefi t from the
large network of businesses in the exchange.
He recently purchased sweatshirts
with logos for his associates and staff and
also provides his staff with incentives in
the form of gift certifi cates for spas, massages
and event tickets.
"Everything in restaurants is marketing,"
says Schmidt. "With BizX, I have
a larger marketing budget than I would
normally have." As a fan of BizXchange,
Schmidt recommends that other businesses
"join... you have nothing to lose."
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