SeaComm Business Newsletter

2^nd Edition 2020

Business Spotlight: Five Elements Living & Apothecary Chocolate

Shelby Connelly, owner of Five Elements Living and Apothecary Chocolates has always had roots in the North Country. As a graduate of Colton- Pierrepont Central School she continued her education at Potsdam State where she earned her Bachelor’s, and then furthered her education at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Maryland receiving her Master’s in Acupuncture. After earning her Master’s Shelby knew, she always wanted to return to her home in Northern New York.

Exposed to complementary medicine early on as her aunt Diane Connelly practiced acupuncture for over 50 years she discovered a passion for holistic healing. In 1998, she started her private practice and in 2015, Five Elements Living was born. Five Elements today boasts a wide range of wellness services including: acupuncture, massage, an organic salon, sacred circle yoga, health and wellness classes, and is home to the informative En Route to the Alternative TV show.

Shelby adds that the services provided at Five Elements are “complimentary medicine, as they work well with western medicine.” Her specializations in cancer care and addiction treatment has allowed her the opportunity to work alongside western medicine at both Claxton Hepburn Hospital and the Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Those who wish to experience acupuncture do not need a referral to make an appointment at Five Elements Living. Shelby has seen clients for a wide range of issues. Acupuncture can help with back pain, arthritis, anxiety/depression, joint pain and much more. It treats the whole body and acts as an anti-inflammatory, relaxant, and boosts the immune system.

With “well educated and highly experienced practitioners”, clients can be ensured that their wellness needs can be met and are top priority.

During the pandemic, Shelby has still been open as a medical professional. She has taken all of the proper precautions plus utilizing masks, hand washing, and additional sterilizing of the rooms.

Another business that Shelby is passionate about is Apothecary Chocolates, which receive rave reviews from those who try her pieces. “They are not just pieces of chocolate but they are a wellness piece that are very high quality, and organic,” states Shelby. Apothecary Chocolates employs herbals ingredients, botanicals, and even locally sourced maple syrup.

Once the North Country is back open Five Elements “also boasts a boutique inn that offers intimate luxury accommodations”, where you may take advantage of the holistic services in addition to enjoying the chocolate for an entire experience that is sure to enhance your well-being.

When asked about Shelby’s experience with SeaComm she adds; “SeaComm has made a huge difference in her business.”

To make an appointment or to learn more about Five Elements Living or Apothecary Chocolates please call (315) 262-2622 or visit them online at www.fiveelementsliving.com/

Be sure to follow them on Facebook @fiveelementsliving

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Manager's Notebook

Disinfect Your Work Day

Each worker will want to routinely disinfect work spaces for at least two months (and maybe more if there is another outbreak of coronavirus in the fall).

This article contains information derived from a National Institutes of Health 2020 study on virus aerosol and surface persistence. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This is the first study on this topic and most statistics cited on the Internet from popular sources originate from this work.

Ways To Stay Safe

• Keep tissues on your desk, to help yourself and others stop the spread through sneezing and coughing.
• Carry tissues with you to open doors, push buttons, and turn handles in public areas. In a pinch, use your sleeve or even your elbow.
• Disinfecting wipes help disinfect your desk, but be sure they are wet and not dried out.
• Follow the guidance of the CDC on masks.
• Consider changing into clean clothes when you get home from work, especially if you have been to any public places. Wash clothes in at least 86 degree water with soap. Load washers lightly to increase the disinfecting effect. Bleach and non-chlorine bleach help, if acceptable for the fabrics. High-heat dryers are also good.
• Drying clothes outside might help as some studies say ultraviolet light has disinfecting properties.
• In break rooms, wash ceramic cups in soap and hot water after using. Consider carrying your cup to your desk or work area, rather than leaving it in the break room.

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"The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them." -Michelle Obama

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How Can Your Small Business Adapt to the New Normal

(BPT) - If you own a small business, or you frequently shop at one, you know that COVID-19 has changed everything instantaneously. As brick-and-mortar shops have had to temporarily close to customers, the need to adapt has never been greater.

For small businesses willing to reinvent themselves, going digital - or ramping up your digital operation if you already have one - can help weather the storm. There are plenty of tools available to help your business survive - and even thrive - through the pandemic and beyond.

Forestell details six insights about today's current landscape including ways your business can pivot and master the strategies to move forward.

Consumers are going digital in this remote world, you should too.

Millions of new buyers are shopping online, some for the first time, and many more are shopping for items they never thought they would buy outside of their local businesses. To keep them shopping with you, your business should provide a convenient, easy-to-use online shopping experience, along with a marketing approach to boost your digital presence.

Strengthen your digital toolkit to meet customers in new ways

If your business does have a website, find out if your web hosting service has an eCommerce plugin you can add. Other tasks on your to-do list may involve figuring out how to manage your inventory and product pickup and/or shipping.

Offer contactless payments

With many businesses eager to welcome customers back into stores, their return also will bring new protocols and procedures. Offering contactless payment options in-store means customers can tap and go, avoiding the need for them to touch the checkout terminal.

Send money digitally

As circumstances quickly change, employees and customers need and expect quick and secure access to their money digitally. For example, SeaComm offers fast and secure money movement options with our online BillPay service, and with our app SeaComm Pay.

Access data to drive real time business decisions

Insights from data analytics can help you to assess purchase risks and understand the wider marketplace as your business adapts to the "new normal."

Protect your business and your customers

Due to the many disruptions caused by the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in disputes between buyers and sellers. The need for transparency - plus protections for both buyers and sellers - has never been more crucial. SeaComm offers services to help prevent and protect your accounts.

Whether a business is new to online, experiencing an influx of customers and/or rapidly revamping an online presence, our new normal is causing businesses to pivot and prioritize digital.

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Jerry Manor

Business Development Manager
Direct Line: (315) 764-0566 ext. 546
jmanor@seacomm.org

Jonathon Manor

Business Development Representative
Direct Line: (315) 764-0566 ext. 814
jomanor@seacomm.org

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Quick Tip:

In order to be successful, you can’t be afraid to analyze and learn from your competitors.

Check out more business tips at www.seacommblog.com

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Locations

Main Office

30 Stearns Street
Massena, NY 13662

Malone Branch

3349 Route 11
Malone, NY 12953

Potsdam Branch

6 Sisson Street
Potsdam, NY 13676

Canton Branch

101 East Main Street
Canton, NY 13617

Ogdensburg Branch

3001 Ford Street Extension
Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Plattsburgh Branch

139 Smithfield Blvd
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

South Burlington Branch

1680 Shelburne Rd
So. Burlington, VT 05401

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Branch Managers

Joanne Langdon

30 Stearns St. Branch Manager

Terry Torrey

Interim Potsdam Branch Manager

Christine Marshall

Malone Branch Manager

Barbara Bessette

Canton Branch Manager

Danielle Uppstrom

Ogdensburg Branch Manager

Yvonne Alterie

Plattsburgh Branch Manager

John Kerr

Interim South Burlington Manager

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Business Development

Jerry Manor

Business Development Manager

Jonathan Manor

Business Development Representative

Emily Bristol

Member Business Loan Officer

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315-764-0566 / 800-764-0566
www.seacomm.org

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Let us Spotlight your business!

We are proud of our business members and want to share your story! Contact Jerry Manor for more information. Call (315) 764-0566 or toll-free (800) 764-0566 or email jmanor@seacomm.org

SeaComm

30 Stearns St
Massena, NY 13662

*This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other profesional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material.