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Melinda Stone
- Female
- San Clemente, CA
- United States
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- Blog Posts (68)
- Discussions (1)
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- Groups (5)
- Photos (8)
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- Videos (1)
Melinda Stone's Groups
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Christians in the Workpl…
6 members
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Society of Socialpreneur…
26 members
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Business Advertisements
49 members
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OC Internet Marketing Me…
40 members
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Online Marketing
83 members
Melinda Stone's Discussions
Welcome to Orange County!
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Latest Activity
Profile Information
- What is the name of your business?
- Welcome Express Inc.
- What is your website URL?
- http://www.OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com
- Where is your business based?
- Orange County, CA
- What is your name? (We prefer your full first and last name but you can use either, or even a nick-name.)
- Melinda Stone
- Describe your business (product, service, quirky things you want to include, etc.)
- As the Premier Welcome Service for OC Newcomers since 1986, WelcomeExpress.com has been the "Go To" resource for ALL Orange County, CA residents seeking community info. Now, two decades later, our new "Know Before You Go" online service is more useful than ever! Since 2006, residents have been using our "Local Search" to save time & gas while researching local businesses & organizations at OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com.
- Who is your customer?
- Businesses who want to capture the lucrative newcomer market advertise with us and the OC newcomer benefits from our service.
- How did you come up with the idea for your business?
- The original concept of a welcome service started in the Pioneer days with welcome baskets being delivered as new wagons joined the wagon trains. Fast forward to the 21st century, the same warm welcoming concept is now delivered to newcomers via a huge Official Welcome Package of Community Information & Gifts from local businesses, along with comprehensive online resources.
- How long have you been in business?
- Welcome Express was founded in Huntington Beach in1986 by a former Welcome Hostess. I was a satisfied advertiser of Welcome Express & owner of another business when the founder decided to retire. So I purchased the business from her late 2002. Welcome Express has grown to be the Premier Welcome Service in the area.
- What's been your greatest moment so far? (i.e. Signing your first client, getting the big order, some great PR?)
- Our greatest moment must be defined in the plural. The most gratifying moments of our business occur when we receive the onging feedback which regularly comes to us from Orange County residents who tell us how valuable our Welcome Package has been to them in their time of need --as they connect with their new surroundings.
- What was your biggest mistake?
- A common mistake with small business owners-- a few bad choices in relying on the wrong individuals. Fortunately we have created alliances with some of the most reliable and creative people one could wish for, and for that we are grateful.
- What was your smartest move?
- Growth from our original concet. In 2006 we launched Home At Last in OC -- a newcomer drectory and relocation guide -- and expanded our reach from the newcomer market to the RELO market. In 2007, we revamped all our websites, moved into Web 2.0, and launched the online OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com -- your source for Everything OC!
- What are your business plans? (i.e. Expansion, franchising, selling for a gazillion dollars?)
- Yes, all of the above! (grin) www.HomeAtLastRelocation.com is available for Licensing in other areas. We are also available to train others to start a welcome service in other areas. Our biggest need for OC expansion is to find individuals interested in helping us grow more in the North OC areas.
- Are you a member of any OC-based associations, networking groups, etc?
- Orange County Association of Realtors, Southern California Relocation Council, Womens Council of Realtors, Welcome Services International, San Clemente Good Ole Girls, SC Downtown Business Association, numerous Chambers of Commerce, Linked-In, Merchant Circle, OCEAN, OCEC, Voice My Biz, Mega MeetUp, Orange County Internet Marketing & an ongoing list of others too numerous to mention.
- Are you willing to answer questions about your business from other small business owners?
- Yes
Melinda Stone's Photos
Melinda Stone's Blog
How To Become The Hunted Instead Of The Hunter
Orange County Advertiser Blog welcomes guest blogger, Greg Reed - Globalbizz
The Diamond Emporium is one of the largest jewelry chains in my area. They got to be that way in the very competitive jewelry business because of how they built their business.
While most retail outlets lead with 'price style' advertising (you know the type - Diamond ring was $1995 now just $995), the Diamond Emporium advertised FREE diamond grading classes at their outlets. Now instead
… ContinuePosted on May 3, 2010 at 12:34pm —
5 Steps to Determine if a Product is Green
Posted on April 28, 2010 at 11:17am —
Create a Web Show Starring Your OC Business
Orange County Advertising explores the impact of the internet with Talkshoe. Your business takes on the starring role as Talkshoe enables users to record, join or access live interactive discussions, podcasts and audioblogs over the web, complete with technical support, conferencing, bandwidth and storage, all for free. Here’s how it works: The host chooses a topic and starts a community call. People join via phone or computer and talk, listen or chat. The call is automatically recorded as a
… ContinuePosted on April 26, 2010 at 8:17am —
10 Ways To Go Green at Home and Around OC
"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues."
— Dr. Seuss (The Lorax)
Small changes make for big results. In honor of Earth Day, start making your changes today!
At home:
1.Make your own window wash: Mix 3 tablespoons vinegar with 2 cups of water. Spray right on your windows and wipe away. For windows that have been tinted, this is a must as cleaners with ammonia can harm the tinting.
2.Wash laundry
Posted on April 22, 2010 at 9:12am —
Combat Orange County Dining Trends in a Down Market
An IBM commissioned study based on phone interviews with 4000 consumers yielded the following trends:
- Out of total respondents, 73% say they have made “significant spending cuts” due to economy.
- Hardest hit are those earning less than or equal to $45,000 but 59% of those earnin
Posted on April 19, 2010 at 12:55pm —
Comment Wall (6 comments)
- At 11:11pm on April 30, 2010,
Judi Lowenthal said… - I cover ALL of Orange County! I will take a look at your site. I don't write articles, but would love to post something about the business. Thank you!
Judi
- At 10:19pm on April 29, 2010,
Judi Lowenthal said…
- Hi Melinda~
I love your business - it is such a nice thing for newcomers! We used to have something like it in Seattle called "Welcome Wagon". I would like more info, as I believe my service would be very useful for newcomers, as I often hear "you can never find a good notary when you finally need one!" Also, I will be happy to pass along your information when I meet clients who are new here. As far as networking, I just attended LinkedOC this week, and OC Connectors for the first time - they were both GREAT! I made a lot of good contacts.
- At 10:17am on May 29, 2009,
Kristine King said… - Melinda,
Please email me more information.
Thanks,
Kristine
- At 4:01pm on May 21, 2009,
Hank Mondaca said…
- Hi Melinda,I am interested in learning more about your marketing tool....please contact me at hmondaca@gmail.com. Thanks!
- At 1:07pm on February 13, 2009,
Judy Rose said… - Hi Melinda,
Thanks for inviting me into your network. I'm glad you enjoyed my blog post.
Judy
- At 10:58pm on July 31, 2008,
Bill Ennis said… - If your target audience includes consumers, there's no better place to market your services than Welcome Express and the OrangeCountyResourceGuide.com. Melinda's team has a lock on the best marketing tool for new and relocating residents to Orange County!
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