Jeanette Eggers is glad she spent time at Familiar Grounds Gourmet Coffee Shoppe this past month.
As the residence director for Kindred Hearts Assisted Living Residence, Eggers has the job of reaching out to the community to raise awareness of the facility.
“We’re tucked behind WalMart, and some people don’t even know we’re there,” says Egger.
By following the advice of Vicki Johnson, senior Outreach Specialist for Kindred hearts, Egger set up a way to help out the customers at Familiar Grounds, while reaching out to them about Kindred Hearts.
“Each Wednesday in October I gave customers a free muffin when they came into the coffee shop, in exchange for a minute of their time and a chance to tell them about Kindred Hearts,” explained Eggers. “I met some wonderful people and it was great exposure for our business. Everyone I talked to felt it was a positive way to get our name out.”
Familiar Grounds Owner Beth Hutchison agreed. “We were happy to be approached by a business that needed a public place to present their product (in this case, an independent living facility) and Kindred Hearts was happy to buy muffins from us and use our large meeting space. That networking is great for both our businesses.”
New London Chamber of Commerce Director Laurie Shaw uses the meeting room in Familiar Grounds for monthly business networking meetings. “We share with business owners or their employees the news from our Chamber, and everyone then takes turns talking about their company,” says Shaw. “It’s an easy way to get to know your business neighbor without taking a lot of time, yet we enjoy a cup of coffee (courtesy of the Chamber) and possibly a new idea is developed.”
“That’s how we got the idea for the muffin giveaway,” said Eggers, “by going to a networking meeting. We needed a way to connect to the community.”
Eggers informs those curious about the 19 bed facility that Kindred Hearts is set up much like a home, with an open kitchen, family room, and private bedrooms. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that we can accommodate people through rehabilitation, hospice, and their final days if necessary.”
There are 22 Kindred Hearts facilities in Wisconsin, although they are independently operated.
Chamber Director Shaw invites business owners or employees to come and experience the network meeting sometime. See below for more Chamber news.