Category: wmckissock

[email protected] / May 22, 2026

I recently sat down with with Beth Galic, President of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association. In this interview, Beth discusses her manufacturing and marketing background and how it led her to BAMA, and the power of the Bay Area Manufacturers Association’s voice in supporting and advocating for manufacturers.

The Bay Area Manufacturers Association support manufacturers and promote economic development through manufacturing in the Tampa Bay Region. With a unique approach and over sixty years of proven success, BAMA has developed an environment that allows members to reach out into the community and thrive.

[email protected] / May 20, 2026

“Over the period of 36 months, the savings were just over 50%.”

This Schooley Mitchell client saw substantial savings on their credit card processing expenses. We found them a 50% cost reduction, and handled the work of switching to a new vendor that better fit their needs.

/ May 18, 2026

Since so much of today’s business happens online, it’s clear that choosing the right internet service provider is more important than ever. Things like internet speed, data management, how often outages happen, and how quickly issues are resolved all need to be taken into consideration. Choosing the right internet provider is important, but so is selecting the right type of internet, as businesses often require faster, more reliable service than standard residential internet can provide.  After all, time is money, and even small disruptions can quickly add up and have an impact on your bottom line. 

What is business internet? 

Business internet is a high-performance broadband solution built to support the higher demands of companies and organizations.  When compared to residential internet, the internet solution you choose should support all the services your business relies on to function effectively.  

What you need to consider. 

There are nearly 3,000 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States alone, which makes choosing one for your business all the more challenging.  Factors such as bandwidth, speed, uptime/reliability, customer support, and security are imperative to take into consideration when making a selection. For reference, your bandwidth needs will increase with the more employees your business has working on-premises using that network.   

Business internet service types. 

Along with choosing a provider, you will need to go through all the options the provider offers and compare the specs to find what’s right for your business. The different options include: 

• Dial-up: slow speed, an outdated option 
• Satellite: still being researched/developed, ideal for remote businesses 
• Digital subscriber line (DSL): considered an aging option, reasonably reliable 
• Fixed wireless: designed for outdoor use, ideal for rural areas 
• Cellular: ideal for retail businesses using point-of-sale systems 
• Cable: baseline for sufficient download speeds, this option has been the gold standard the last 10 years 
• Fiber-optic: if available, this is the most reliable and fastest option on the market today 

How do you know what’s right for you? 

The internet plan you choose entirely depends on the type of organization you have. Some aspects you’ll need to account for are size/number of employees, your location/location of the provider itself, the tasks you will need the internet usage for, and your budget. For example, if your company is small with only a few employees using the internet for certain tasks and high speed is not imperative, DSL or cable internet might be easier on your budget. However, if you have a moderate or large company with a sizeable number of employees using the internet for numerous tasks where speed and reliability are crucial, fiber internet would be the better option if it fits in the budget and is available in your area. 

Follow the steps below to find the right plan for your business: 

1. Determine the speed you require – take into account the number of devices with internet access as well as the tasks employees are performing with those devices. 
2. Decide how reliable your connection needs to be – if your business relies heavily on the internet for a multitude of your services/duties, it’s safe to assume reliability is a must for your business. 
3. Check what providers are available in your area – if your business is in a rural area, finding a provider might be more restrictive. 
4. Do your research and compare prices of the plans available to you – conduct a thorough analysis on the specs and cost of each option to find which one is best for your bottom line. 
5. Consult fellow business owners and/or read reviews and ratings of each provider – online reviews are helpful, but inquiring with your peers may give you more insight.  

Why it matters. 

While it may not be an obvious concern initially, choosing the wrong internet solution for your business could have a severe impact on your organization as a whole. Today, it is almost guaranteed some (if not most) of your business functions occur online, making the internet imperative for running your business successfully – are you choosing the right one?  

[email protected] / May 13, 2026

I recently sat down with with Eunicia Peret, Founder of EXCELSTRA. In this interview, Eunicia discusses some of her thoughts on effective leadership, balancing friends and family with necessary personal time, and how EXCELSTRA has developed a new approach to financial solutions.

EXCELSTRA is a wealth empowerment service, specializing personalized financial consulting designed for high-performing professionals and businessowners. With strategies that identify up to 20 to 50 times return on their investment in the first year, EXCELSTRA has proven expertise in helping Accredited Investors strategically enhance, protect, and grow their wealth.

/ May 12, 2026

Chances are, you’ve driven by a soccer field at some point in your life and noticed the names on the back of the players’ jerseys or you’ve sat in a hockey arena and seen the rink board advertisements, but you likely haven’t given them much thought beyond that. In this issue of the Pulse, we’ll explore the cost of sponsoring a sports team and the benefits, for the businesses doing the sponsoring, the sports teams that get sponsored, and beyond. 

Sponsoring a local sports team can be fairly inexpensive, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand per season, according to TeamSnap. The price of the sponsorship will vary depending on the sport, the package you pick—will your logo be featured on their website, a banner, the back of their jerseys, or all of the above? It will also depend on what league the team you are sponsoring is in, with travel teams being more expensive than house league teams. By having sponsorship options at different price points, businesses can pick a package that fits their budget. So, what are the benefits of sponsoring a sports team? Why do so many businesses do it?  

It helps get your name out there.  

Probably the most obvious benefit of sponsoring a sports team is that it gets your name out there. Having your company’s name on the back of a team’s jersey or on a banner at a sports field allows your name to be seen by a large number of people, including coaches, players, parents and any other spectators that may have come to watch the team play. This can be especially beneficial for new businesses who don’t have national brand recognition or haven’t been in the community for generations.     

It helps endear people to you.  

People want to do business with people they like, and sponsoring a local sports team is a great way to build relationships with  residents and show you care about the community. Sports is something that many people are very passionate about, so if you choose to sponsor a team that you have a personal connection with, it will be even easier for you to build genuine connections over it. 

It can help you build connections. 

If you sponsor a sports team and make it a point to attend the games, you never know who you may end up connecting with. Any of the coaches, players, parents or other spectators could be a potential client or referral partner for you, and you never know who they may know and be able to introduce you to as well.  

It helps keep sports affordable for people to participate in. 

Sponsors help offset the purchase costs of team jerseys and club equipment for sports organizations and allows them to keep registration fees affordable. Keeping the registration fees low is important, as cost can be a significant barrier to entry. In fact, according to a national survey of parents by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative and Utah State University’s Families in Sport Lab, youth ages 6-18 from low-income homes quit sports because of the financial costs at six times the rate of kids from high-income homes.  

It helps the people in your community have better health, interpersonal, educational and employment outcomes.  

By keeping sports more affordable, and therefore, more accessible, you are contributing to the people in your community having better health, interpersonal, educational and employment outcomes. Playing sports is a great form of physical activity, which the American Heart Association says can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, help you manage stress and tension, boost your energy level, and help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. According to the University of San Diego, research also suggests that former student athletes are more productive at work and see as much as 7%–8% higher annual earnings than those who did not participate in youth sports. 

In conclusion… 

There are numerous benefits of sponsoring a local sports team. Businesses should consider sponsoring a team in their area for the benefit of not only themselves, but also the community as a whole. 

[email protected] / May 6, 2026

“You’ve negotiated a deal; it doesn’t mean that’s the best deal moving forward.”

Schooley Mitchell keeps watch for the best deals throughout the length of our agreement. This means the potential for even greater savings, long after our initial reduction – without any additional obligations, fees, or risks.

[email protected] / May 4, 2026

I recently sat down with with Barb Smith Gray, Founder of Flutterby Media. In this interview, Barb discusses her upbringing in Central America and across the United States, her passion for marketing, and how that passion led her to creating Flutterby Media to support professionals on LinkedIn.

Flutterby Media is a LinkedIn-based marketing service, specializing in helping service-based professionals turn their offline credibility into inbound opportunities on LinkedIn. With a three-tipped approach focused on positioning, visibility, and relationships, Barb and Flutterby Media make it easy to get found, evaluated, and connected — both online and offline.

[email protected] / May 4, 2026

Many businesses and organizations use natural gas for heating and other operational processes. However, this is no small expense. Apart from inefficiencies with usage, one of the main issues that leads to increased invoices with this expense are metering issues.  

In this article, we’re looking at metering issues that may be increasing your business’ natural gas expenses.  

Metering is important. 

Metering and submetering are important practices so utility companies can charge fair rates for their customers’ usage. Metering measures the energy delivered from the utility into your building or facility. Compared to a flat rate system, this means in theory, you’re only paying for what you use, on top of general fees.  

The difference between metering and submetering can be crucial for how you are billed. Metering measures the entire building or facility’s consumption. This is convenient if your business is in a standalone facility, connected to no other businesses or residences. For multi-unit buildings, submetering can be preferential. Submetering is used to measure the amount of energy for a specific purpose or area within the building. 

Some organizations with standalone facilities may still use submetering. For example, property management companies or higher education institutions may want to submeter their units.  

What are common mistakes with natural gas metering or submetering? 

There are many common mistakes that might result in billing errors when it comes to your natural gas expenses. These are mistakes made by the utility, not the customer. These include: 

• Improper installation: when a meter is installed improperly, it will likely impact the accuracy and consistency of readings. 
• Failing to perform regular calibration: this is when, after a meter is installed and running, the utility doesn’t perform regular checks to ensure it doesn’t drift out of calibration. Over time, it’s natural for certain components to shift or wear down, but this can lead to inaccurate readings. 
• Improper readings in cold weather: change in temperature, specifically in cold environments, can provide inaccurate readings. This is especially hard on your budget, as you’re likely already spending more during these months.  

What steps can you take to prevent meter reading issues? 

While some errors are mistakes by the utility, some are also customer related. Or can at least be prevented by the customer. These include: 

• Obstructions or blockages: sometimes, obstructions and blockages can impact fluid flow or cause inaccurate or inconsistent readings. 
• Sensor fouling: depending on your environment, your meter might be prone to build ups like calcium, magnesium, grime, oil, slime, or more. It could also rust over time. This can impact the readings. 

In conclusion… 

For businesses using natural gas, metering and submetering are important parts of your invoice process. However, errors and damage can lead to inflated costs over time.  

[email protected] / May 4, 2026

Many businesses and organizations use natural gas for heating and other operational processes. However, this is no small expense. Apart from inefficiencies with usage, one of the main issues that leads to increased invoices with this expense are metering issues.  

In this article, we’re looking at metering issues that may be increasing your business’ natural gas expenses.  

Metering is important. 

Metering and submetering are important practices so utility companies can charge fair rates for their customers’ usage. Metering measures the energy delivered from the utility into your building or facility. Compared to a flat rate system, this means in theory, you’re only paying for what you use, on top of general fees.  

The difference between metering and submetering can be crucial for how you are billed. Metering measures the entire building or facility’s consumption. This is convenient if your business is in a standalone facility, connected to no other businesses or residences. For multi-unit buildings, submetering can be preferential. Submetering is used to measure the amount of energy for a specific purpose or area within the building. 

Some organizations with standalone facilities may still use submetering. For example, property management companies or higher education institutions may want to submeter their units.  

What are common mistakes with natural gas metering or submetering? 

There are many common mistakes that might result in billing errors when it comes to your natural gas expenses. These are mistakes made by the utility, not the customer. These include: 

• Improper installation: when a meter is installed improperly, it will likely impact the accuracy and consistency of readings. 
• Failing to perform regular calibration: this is when, after a meter is installed and running, the utility doesn’t perform regular checks to ensure it doesn’t drift out of calibration. Over time, it’s natural for certain components to shift or wear down, but this can lead to inaccurate readings. 
• Improper readings in cold weather: change in temperature, specifically in cold environments, can provide inaccurate readings. This is especially hard on your budget, as you’re likely already spending more during these months.  

What steps can you take to prevent meter reading issues? 

While some errors are mistakes by the utility, some are also customer related. Or can at least be prevented by the customer. These include: 

• Obstructions or blockages: sometimes, obstructions and blockages can impact fluid flow or cause inaccurate or inconsistent readings. 
• Sensor fouling: depending on your environment, your meter might be prone to build ups like calcium, magnesium, grime, oil, slime, or more. It could also rust over time. This can impact the readings. 

In conclusion… 

For businesses using natural gas, metering and submetering are important parts of your invoice process. However, errors and damage can lead to inflated costs over time.