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www.fcbe.com “OFTEN COPIED NEVER DUPLICATED” (519) 672-8208 6518 Bradish Rd, London
SINCE 1999
SINCE 1999
We fix what your husband repairs & so much more! Ask about our Plumbing Service Plans!
To advertise here, please contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com Peter believes the key to the STEA’s success is its emphasis on relationships. “It’s more of a friendship that develops between The STEA was the vision of Peter Inch, now of Peter Inch and Associates Heating and Air Conditioning. Peter, a member of the London Executive Association, saw potential for a similar group in St. Thomas. “I felt,” Peter shared, “that it could be as successful as London, on a smaller scale, but just as effective in bringing leads and business to members.” With financial backing from the London group and support from local business leaders like Ron Elliott of Shoppers Drug Mart and Rob Quai of Quai du Vin Estate Winery, the STEA quickly gained traction. “We were able to get 30 members in our first year,” Peter recalls, “and didn’t need to cash a cheque from the London Executive Association because we had enough from initiation fees to cover all of our bills.” Celebrating 25 Years of The St. Thomas Executive Association by Geoff Rae The St. Thomas Executive Association (STEA), a local business networking group, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1999, the group meets weekly over lunch to discuss each other’s businesses, successes and challenges, all while supporting one another’s growth. What makes the STEA unique among networking groups is that it allows only one member per business category. As a proud member representing the Magazine Advertising category, I first joined while working with the Weekly News from 2015 until its closure in 2017. Initially, I wasn’t sure how much a networking group could benefit my business, but it quickly became clear. As I flipped through the pages of the paper, I saw how many STEA members were already doing business with us. When we launched Hometown St. Thomas , I was excited to rejoin in 2022 when the Print Advertising category became available again. For me, this group of like-minded business owners and friends has been vital to the ongoing growth of my business. I’ve heard it said that being a member of the STEA is like having 30 non-commissioned salespeople out in the community, promoting your business.
519.207.0621 elgincountyplumbing.ca
SINCE 1999
Residential / Commercial 24 hr Emergency Services Visit our showroom at 16 Barrie Blvd., St. Thomas
SINCE 1999
Celebrating Community, One Story at a Time
REAL LIVING Rural Elgin Agricultural
Hometown St. Thomas
oomers B and EYOND B
Port Stanley Villager
Geoff Rae Managing Editor/Sales 519-495-7177
geoff@villagerpublications.com www.villagerpublications.com
SINCE 1999
Page 16 Hometown St. Thomas • October 2024
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