​Author: Andrew Wheeler, BSU student

​Silver Fern Landscaping is a family-owned business that focuses on landscape design and property maintenance and is located in Norwell, Massachusetts. Currently operated by Luke Keene, who is a Certified Concrete Paver Installer, he has been associated with his family’s business for many years. Luke is originally from Burlington, Vermont but moved to the South Shore area when he was 16 years old. His father was the original owner of the business and Luke paved his first driveway in his early teen years. Upon that first experience, it was then that he discovered he had a natural skillset for landscaping as his father had. About ten years ago, Luke “went all in” on the business and has been delving deeper into the business world ever since.
 
When talking to Luke, I asked him why he wanted to continue the business and he replied saying that he loved the design and installation process. He also loved creating spaces for families and creating lasting memories for them. Looking back, one thing Luke would have done differently when starting is go to school for business and work at a nursery. When talking to him, he was adamant about the importance of education whether it be for himself or investing in his employees and making the business better. In the very short time talking to him, it is obvious that Luke is a people person and cares deeply about the success of everyone involved.  
 
The pandemic has affected every business imaginable in some form or another. For Silver Fern Landscaping, however, it has actually helped them in a positive way. People have been moving out of the city and closer to the surrounding area of the South Shore. Properties that have just been sold may need some extra work so landscaping companies are in high demand. One of the biggest challenges of running a business during this time is following the protocols delivered by health professionals. Those working at Silver Fern Landscaping put extra emphasis on being respectful by wearing masks and being knowledgeable of each situation. That is one prominent characteristic that sets their business apart from others. It is a major priority to them that they have top of the line business etiquette that includes quality customer service. Luke makes a conscious effort to return calls the same day. Over the next six months to a year, he is looking to expand the business by making more hires and moving towards more of an organic line of work such as working with less chemicals.

Technology has attributed greatly to Silver Fern Landscaping’s success and growth as well. Everything from social media awareness to the design process utilizes modern technology. Luke and his team use blueprints when bringing their client’s ideas to life. With modern advancements, these blueprint designs are now able to be shared with everyone involved making for a more efficient experience. They can market themselves through social media and connect with more people. Luke also mentioned that he recently bought a GoPro to enhance the perspective for potential clients. The world is connected through a vast landscape of technology and this particular business takes full advantage. 
 
Silver Fern Landscaping is a family-owned business focused on education and meeting the needs of their customers. Luke and his team will listen to your ideas and make your vision a reality. Those looking for quality property maintenance and landscape design should give them a call. You and your property will not be disappointed!

Silver Fern Landscaping is based in Norwell, MA.
​
Contact them via:
Phone: 781-878-1305
Email: info@silverfernlandscaping.com
Website: www.silverfernlandscaping.com
​Facebook: @silverfernlandscaping

​Author: Justine Baggia, BSU student

​An interview with John D. Crowley, Owner of John D. Crowley Construction
 
Are you from this local area?
Yes, I’m from Pembroke originally.
 
Tell me your business. Why did you choose this line of business?
Honestly, it runs in my family. My father ran a construction company when I was growing up and I wanted to continue the line of business. I’ve been working in the construction field for over a decade now and I couldn’t imagine myself in any other line of work.
 
When did it start? What year?
2019 is when I initially started the company.
 
What was it that made you want to start this business?
It’s a lucrative trade. I was able to develop the skills I had learned into a business that has a consistent demand.
 
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
COVID was definitely the toughest thing we went through upon opening, as I’m sure it was for many local companies. What kept me going was the fear of failure, I didn’t want to give up on my dream because of any difficulty I knew I could overcome in time.
 
If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently?
If I had to start over, I would’ve put more time and money into the company’s advertising. It was a trial-and-error experience that I feel would’ve made the biggest difference for the company had it been more evolved in the beginning.
 
What was your most difficult challenge?
To go along with the advertising topic, my biggest challenge was getting my name out there. You can produce the highest quality results, but you still need to get your name out there to acquire more customers. 

If a customer was to choose between your business and 3 others just like it, why would you suggest they at least give you a try first? What makes you stand out?
I would say what makes the company stand out is the quality and craftsmanship of our work. I’d say we go beyond our competitors to give each customer the best possible result for whatever project they’ve hired us for.
 
What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
Facebook is currently our number one way of bringing in new customers.
 
Has internet technology played a big part in making your company more successful?
Absolutely. The internet makes up about 40% of the estimates we get. It has made it easier for people to refer to reviews left by prior customers and see if we’re the best candidate for the project they need done.
 
Do you feel that internet technology could play a bigger part in your role in your business if you had the right tools?
Yes, definitely. I believe that the internet is the biggest form of advertisement, not only for my own company, but for most companies in the world today. If I had the correct tools to optimize the potential of the internet’s role in the company, I believe it would make a substantial difference in how many people viewed our content and therefore, how many new customers we could reach.
 
If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be? Would you like to increase/decrease?
I’d like to increase the company and have multiple crews available so we can take on a number of projects at once. Because my role is so hands-on right now, I’m submerged into every project we do so fully. Eventually I’d like to take on more of a managerial role so that I can oversee all my projects while having separate crews working simultaneously. 

John D. Crowley Construction is based in East Bridgewater, MA.
 
Contact them via:
Phone: 774-606-3734
Website: https://johncrowleyconstruction.com
Facebook: John D. Crowley Construction

​Author: Colby Scarsella, BSU student

​A new year means new opportunity and Maddi Burnett took ahold of this opportunity and created Partners In Grime in January of 2021. As a local of Wareham, Ms. Burnett turned her lifelong love of cleaning into a service to help people on the South Shore and the Cape. Partners in Grime specializes in any size cleaning jobs - deep cleans, organizing, simple house chores, RVs, campers and power washing. Even with the wide range of services, Partners In Grime continues to show off their hard work with stunning results. Time after time again, they remove that deep stuck in filth and bring out the once lost shine.
 
Partners in Grime takes pride in their results and after looking through their social media you can see the results don’t lie. Partners in Grime posts most of their work online to their Facebook and Instagram platforms because they want to be transparent with their customers. Customer satisfaction is what means the most to them. Word of mouth can have a big impact and Partners in Grime wants to make sure only the best is expected and seen from them. Some of the remarkable cleans on their pages vary from completely covered room floors to toilets and ovens. These cleanups make old, used areas look like brand-new and anyone interested should head over to their pages to see what Partners In Grime can do.
 
Although Partners in Grime is a fairly new business, they have already shown resilience by persevering through the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Burnett spoke to me about how one of the largest challenges was making sure they are entering houses and performing their services with proper COVID-19 precautions. Partners in Grime works hard to make sure they conquer this challenge by taking all the proper precautions, such as constant mask and glove use, sanitation and more. With all the added worry of the pandemic, Partners In Grime helps to minimize that by always performing their job safely and to the best of their ability. 

​According to Ms. Burnett what sets Partners in Grime apart from other cleaning companies is how hardworking and transparent they are. This “let my work speak for itself” attitude not only drives Partners in Grime to produce the best service, but it is also supported by actual results. These results also stem from Ms. Burnett’s passion of cleaning. Although she has only began professionally cleaning a little over a year ago, a clean space has been a way of life. From keeping her car clean, to cleaning a room, Ms. Burnett mentions that she enjoys the satisfaction of seeing things go from dirty to new again. She also mentions that her smile and satisfaction after a deep clean aren’t only from the shine of the clean areas but from helping others.
 
Partners In Grime only set their roots a few months ago but they are already beginning to blossom. The owner Ms. Burnett is a hardworking determined woman who wants to help others as much as she can. Partners in Grime reflects who the owner is and because of that there is so much potential for this business. Partners in Grime will not only amaze you with their cleaning ability, but it will be done safely and respectfully. Spring is right around the corner and if you need just about anything to be spotless then give Partners In Grime a call.  

Partners in Grime is based in Wareham, MA and serves the South Shore and Cape Cod areas.
 
Contact them via:
Email: partnersingrime21@gmail.com
Phone: (774) 400-2747
Facebook: @partnersingrime21
Instagram: partners.in.grime2021

​Author: Ben Skaggs, BSU student

​Eco Chic is a local small business operating two stores in Plymouth and Kingston, MA. Founded in 2011, Eco Chic quickly established itself as Plymouth’s leading eco-friendly boutique that boasts an impressive selection of stylish and trendy items. I sat down with co-owner Jen Fuss to ask her a little bit about the beginning of Eco Chic, how the business is handling the COVID-19 situation, and her thoughts on the future of her store.
 
When was Eco Chic founded?
Eco Chic was founded in Plymouth in 2011 and expanded to our Kingston location in 2013.
 
 
Tell me about your business. Why did you choose this line of business?
We are a gift boutique specializing in recycled, upcycled, organic, all-natural, and chic products such as jewelry, home décor, and bath products. We wanted to be able to have people shop and feel good about their purchases environmentally.
 
What was it that made you want to start this business?
We are a father-daughter owned and operated business, and when we started our founder, David Fuss, really wanted to bring something different to the town of Plymouth. Essentially a different style gift boutique that would stand out from all the others, and I’d say we’ve accomplished that goal.
 
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
We opened during the aftermath of the Recession, and the biggest help was that people were shopping for small things to make them happy. We had initial success with Alex and Ani bracelets that made people smile and could accessorize with at the same time.
 
If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently?
We wouldn’t change much, to be honest. The mistakes we have made, we have learned exponentially from and it has made us stronger as a result of that. The only thing we would change is we would shift our focus to social media more from the start.
 
What was the toughest part about owning a business throughout 2020?
Having to navigate new ways of doing business such as curbside pickup, social distancing and mask mandates. One benefit of the pandemic has been the emphasis on small business shopping and supporting your local businesses.

​If a customer was to choose between your business and others just like it why would you suggest they give you a try first?
We’re family owned and have close connections to our customers and try to make everyone feel like family. We’re always searching for new products to bring in and have new shipments arriving daily from all over the world.
 
What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers?
Social Media. Within the last few years, we’ve really been putting more emphasis and focus on our social media presence. It has definitely paid off, as the money we would have put into traditional marketing has paid off with higher returns from social media.
 
If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future, where would you like to see your business be?
To expand and hopefully open a third location.
 
How has internet technology played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
We love being a part of such a welcoming online community. Our growth online has made a large impact and helps keep our customers up-to-date and provide them with more information on what we have to offer.
 
Long-term, would you prefer to increase or decrease your workload and be more of a manager?
I need to be at work every day and I love being involved and overseeing everything going on, I can’t imagine not coming in every day and seeing my amazing customers.

Visit Eco Chic at one of their locations:
​
Plymouth: 170 Main St, Plymouth, MA       Phone: 774-773-9967
Kingston: 117 Main St, Kingston, MA          Phone: 781-422-3917

Contact them via:
​Website: www.ecochicgiftsonline.com
Instagram: @ecochicb
FaceBook: Eco Chic

​Author: Derick Dacosta, BSU student

​When faced with head lice from not only one, but all three of your children at once how would you respond? In 2010, Camille Merian was traveling to a business meeting in Manhattan when she received a phone call from the school nurse informing her that her three children all have head lice. She was not aware that this was the introduction to a complete life change. The children were ordered to stay home until the lice were completely gone and in a month’s time, she completely eradicated the lice from her household. Once friends and family discovered she handled this task so diligently, she became the person to call when others had this problem and was always selflessly there to assist. A friend informed her that there was a high demand for this work, and since she was already taking care of her friend’s children, it made sense that she pursue sharing her talents with a larger clientele. Camille, always determined to learn and improve, decided to attend a week-long lice treatment seminar in Florida. After that week she obtained all required certifications for the treatment of head lice. The entire investment of the schooling, travel, and hotel fees averaged $3,500.
 
That investment has proven itself to be worth it for Camille. However, there have been some challenges she did not anticipate. Employees do not work a set schedule, due to the irregular flow of business resulting in limited possible candidates. In any on-call industry, you cannot be certain when the next job will come. It is crucial to find employees who can provide a strong sense of loyalty despite the uncertain schedule. The intrusion of head lice is never planned so it is rare that parents, especially new ones, are prepared when the time comes. Head lice impose harm to a child’s health and hygiene, due to the fact they reside on the scalp and feed off of human blood. If lice exposure is prolonged, the child will experience extreme itchiness and the uncontrollable scratching can increase risk of infection. With the responsibility of a parent placing their trust in you to spare their child’s suffering, it is imperative that all business employees are fully committed to this work and make themselves fully available to every client. This necessity is actually the biggest challenge that burdens her business.

​The pandemic has brought another trying business challenge for Camille. Since head lice are transmitted from in-person interaction, the pandemic is making it difficult for lice to find their next victim. With remote learning, strong guidelines to stay home as much as possible, and socially distance when not possible, cases have dropped significantly. Pre-pandemic summers traffic over 100 patients monthly and winter months are the slowest reflecting the decreased social activity during those months. When business is slow, Camille is not afraid to seek opportunity from advertisements online or in printed press. Camille also finds that posting frequently on her business’s social media accounts (mainly Facebook) has provided her increased awareness.
 
Camille is highly confident in her business values and says CloseNitFamily should be chosen over any other option. Her reasoning includes a brand promise of a 100% guaranteed, all-natural hair lice removal service while prioritizing family needs and a comforting environment. Competitors typically recommend additional topicals to be applied days after treatment to avoid resurgence, CloseNitFamily does not. After your visit you will not have to worry about the lice again. CloseNitFamily is the most trusted and referred head lice removal service on the South Shore. Recommended by all who work with children ranging from doctors and nurses to education professionals.
 
With affordable rates and success with every case, CloseNitFamily goes above and beyond by providing options for in-home appointments that still follow pandemic guidelines closely. They have helped over 12,000 families and are expanding their services by opening their newest location at 168 Court Street in Plymouth, MA. 

CloseNitFamily is located at 148 Washington Street in Norwell, MA.

Contact them via:
Phone: 781-741-LICE (5423)
Email: info@closenitfamily.com
Website: closenitfamily.com
Facebook: CloseNitFamily – Plymouth & Norwell Head Lice Treatment/Education Centers
Instagram: @closenitfamily

​Author: Sarah Weber, BSU student

I had the opportunity to Interview Jennifer Weber, an owner of a small business called Seaside Child Care Center. Her business is located in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and it provides childcare for young children. Jennifer has always loved working with children and being a part of their learning experiences. After many years of childcare experience, she decided to start her own business. It is inspiring to see the passion she holds for this job, and the well-being of the children. She provides services for each child to help them with their learning experiences, while finding intriguing ways for them to learn.
 
Tell me about your business and why did you choose this line of business?
My business provides childcare for infants through pre-kindergarten. I wanted to be able to make a difference for children at such a young age. I had worked in childcare for seven years, and knew it was time to start my own business. 
 
When did it start? What Year?
It opened four years ago in February 2017.
 
What was it that made you want to start this business?
I chose to start my business because I was pregnant, so the timing was perfect! I was able to take care of my daughter, while hopefully changing the lives of many children.  
​
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going?
The most challenging thing I went through when opening was getting my licenses. The process to obtain your license switched right when I was in the middle of it. I was having to complete papers again and again because they kept losing them. It was going to take me a while, but it was going to be worth it in the end.
 
If you had to start over from day 1 what would you have done differently? 
If I had to start over from scratch, I think I would like to know more about the business aspect of things. From the beginning, I was constantly learning new things about my business as time went on. 
 
What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
Well, with COVID being around, I would say that was one of the most difficult challenges I had to face. In the beginning, I did not know the regulations and rules. One difficult part was to know if we were essential and could reopen. However, with the help of reaching out to others, we were able to manage. My business now follows COVID regulations regarding child(ren) and their family members. I find it extremely important that everyone remains safe. 

​If a customer was to choose between your business and 3 others just like it, why would you suggest they at least give you a try first? 
My suggestion to each parent would be that I am willing to provide for their kids to the full extent. We teach each child independence and social skills. Before COVID, we would have different lesson plans in place including special guests from music teachers, art lessons, and so forth. I am hoping things will turn around soon, so we can get this back.
 
What is the number 1 way you currently bring in new customers?
Through word of mouth and Facebook.
 
Has internet technology played a big part in the growth of your company?
Yes, I would say the internet has played a major role in my business. Nowadays, you cannot print anything out, like in newspapers, because no one reads them. Having my business on social media allows parents to learn about my business. 
 
Do you feel that internet technology could play a bigger role in your business if you had the
right tools?
Personally, I do not. I am proud of how I was able to get my business up and running. 
 
If you had to look 6 months to a year into the future where would you like to see your business be?
Owning a center, I am starting to get more kids each year. With this growth of my business, it would be nice to have a place with more room for incoming children.   

Seaside Kids Child Care is located in Marshfield, MA.
 
Contact them via:
Phone: 774-266-0931
E-mail: seasidekidschildcare@gmail.com
Facebook: @seasidekidschildcare 

​Author: Sarah Butler, BSU student

​I had the pleasure of speaking with Justin May, who owns a successful tree business in West Bridgewater, MA called May’s Property Services. Justin started his business in 2014 as a high school student looking to provide quality services to the residents within his community. His business offers an array of services such as tree removal and trimming, landscape and property maintenance, snow removal, commercial maintenance, and so much more!
 
Justin’s drive and genuine love for his work is apparent in every single job he does. One of the most significant reasons why he is so passionate about what he does is because he thrives in nature and doing all he can to preserve trees and wildlife. During the interview his eyes lit up when he expressed how important it was to him that he does all he can to make sure the world is healthy.
 
A few of the qualities Justin prides himself on are showing up to every job with nice, clean equipment, making sure his crew is in matching gear to remain uniform, and leaving every job cleaner than when they got there. When customers call about their services, he tries to give them an estimate the day of, if possible, and provides the most flexibility to accommodate to his customer’s needs. When it comes to his work, his customers are his number one priority, and he vows to never leave a customer unsatisfied no matter what it takes.

​Technology is a huge part of society especially in this day and age. Justin shared that he has a website, Facebook page, and an Instagram, but still strives to amplify his social media presence. He also believes technology is a key component in communication between his crew and himself. He provides his employees with enhanced push-to-talk technology in order to ensure they have fast and efficient communication while they are on the job. Every day he makes it a goal to work towards improving his relationship with technology. Justin thinks there is always room for growth and improvement. He believes that constantly adapting to new and upcoming technology is beneficial for his company and to providing his customers with the best service as possible.
 
Although 2020 was not the easiest year for not only Justin’s business but many others, the support from his customers is what keeps him moving every day. His biggest fear of not knowing if work was going to come in constantly sat in the back of his mind; he knew that he still had to persist and work twice as hard. Throughout this pandemic he learned he has the passion and drive to make it through anything, along with the support of his customers. Despite the trials and tribulations 2020 has brought, Justin still remains optimistic and hopes to double the growth of his company within the next year with more equipment or maybe even another crew in a different state or on the North Shore. Justin loves being at the jobs every day and enjoys being there to support his crew. The expansion of his company wouldn’t allow him to be at every single job which is disheartening for him because he loves what he does. His main goal is to create a new crew with the same drive and passion for his work that he has so he is comforted knowing all of his customers are left in good hands.

May’s Property Services is located in West Bridgewater, MA.

You can contact them via:
Phone: 508-577-8588
Email: jmay@mayspropertyservices.com
Website: https://www.mayspropertyservices.com
Facebook: @MAYSpropertyservice

​Author: Kleidy Espinoza, BSU Student  

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Patrick Geoghegan, who more commonly goes by Paddy. Paddy is the sole owner of P.A.S Construction, and an experienced carpenter, starting his business in 1989. He is based out of Foxboro, Massachusetts, but does business throughout the South Shore. From kitchens to remodeling and finishing basements, P.A.S Construction has a well-acclaimed history of projects and line of work. Paddy is originally from Galway, Ireland and came to the United States mainly to play Gaelic football/Irish football in 1983, stopping in 1996 when his first daughter was born. He back and forth between the United States and Ireland for Gaelic football seasons between the years 1983 to 1986, until he officially obtained his green card in 1986, and has been here full-time ever since.  

Paddy began his interest in his job-line back home in Ireland. His father was a carpenter, so he continued the family tradition and did carpentry in high school and after school, as well. He did work on the weekends, holidays and summers, working for a company in Oughterard, Ireland that made doors and windows. He also worked for a local contractor building houses during the football off-season. Here in the United States, he started as a subcontractor, doing commercial type work for stores like Bradley’s, CVS, Strawberry’s, a previous supermarket chain called Purity Supreme, Child World, Toys R Us, and additionally for the Mass Lottery in Braintree, all for a company called Mullen and Associates.  
​
Paddy obtained his construction supervisors license in 1989, which allowed him to begin his business. The main reason for starting was to go out on his own, make more of a profit, and have a bigger impact on the community. He mentions that when starting out, it took some time to build his network, having contacts, and getting his name out to the public. Although he has had great help in the past for heavy projects, he hasn’t found anyone to keep on full time, so he has kept it a “one man show since then.” Normally, he hires an electrician or plumber when needed. He has obtained many contacts from a large retail home improvement company for his work and has always been hired for projects through word of mouth and connections. He has done some current work for two local news anchors, Adam Williams and John Atwater. He also built a porch for former Red Sox player Tommy Harper!  

Some challenges he has encountered with COVID-19 is the use of masks in homes when completing projects. He says, “Early on, no one wanted to have someone in their house unless you were working outside. No one wanted to do anything inside early on but now with masks and social distancing, people are more comfortable.” The pandemic slowed his business down for a bit, putting various projects on hold that are slowly resuming. Although the pandemic brought some challenges, he has been able to overcome them steadily.  

When it comes to using internet technology to help boost his business, he is open to creating a website that could help showcase his work. His current network has been built on word of mouth and his past experiences. He uses email and texting for communication and his projects. He is open to using social media platforms but is not completely drawn to this idea since he has a steady network and is a small business, only himself involved.
​
When asked about a customer choosing between him and three other businesses, his answer is simple, yet effective. He does a good job, and he does it correctly. He has great references that can back him up. He is local, and his reliance on word of mouth and trust of his customer to build his network has worked well for him since the beginning. He hopes to see a manageable increase of business within the next six months to a year. He says, “It would be nice to stay busy and keep working and create quality work for all.”     

P.A.S Construction is based in Foxboro, MA.

Contact Paddy via:

Phone: (508)-543-8439
Fax: (508)-543-7997
Email: pgpas7@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Paddy Geoghegan

​Author: Jonathan McAdams, BSU student

​“Party Angels: Host’s Helping Hands” is a small business based in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts that operates throughout the entire South Shore. Owned and operated by Maryellen McAdams, her businesses goal is to assist in the hosting of parties/events through catering, bartending, and serving. When asked what made her want to start Party Angels, Maryellen stated, “I’ve been in the food industry for years working as a bartender and server. I love planning parties and making people happy. I love to cook and organize events.”
 
Party Angels had its humble beginnings in the summer of 2018, specifically the 4th of July weekend, an obvious hotspot for parties. Maryellen elaborated on this further stating:
“2018 on the 4th of July Weekend. I’ve hosted so many parties at my own home I realized that there was a need for someone to give hosts a helping hand. And I decided people that were having parties at their own home needed my help.”
 
Parties being an almost unlimited commodity, Party Angels had its fair share of events to help host in 2018, but as we all know, the fun wouldn’t be lasting much longer, without a few roadblocks.
 
When asked what the toughest part about having a business in 2020 was, Maryellen simply stated “COVID - Working with the restrictions while trying to find work was and still is a major pain.” With the COVID-19 pandemic all throughout 2020 and continuing to this day, the number of parties being thrown drastically decreased, due to the restrictions and quarantines that were put into effect. But Maryellen is optimistic in the future of her business stating that, “Things are starting to lookup now. I’m hoping that with all the vaccinations and the spread of COVID slowing down that we can ramp business back up and have a good summer. People must be itching to celebrate!”

One of the most important aspects of business is advertising. Getting your company’s name out there and becoming well known to the people you want to serve is a vital aspect in gaining traction as a business. As of right now, Party Angels solely operates on a word of mouth basis. We asked Maryellen what she thinks Party Angels can do to expand its business in the future and she responded, “More social media. Right now, the only way we advertise is through word of mouth and business cards, I think that making a Facebook or Instagram page will really help us get more customers.”
 
When asked what sets Party Angels aside from other businesses like it, Maryellen stated that what sets them aside is “Personalized service, I’m willing to go the extra mile. Excellent pricing, service with a smile, always. And amazing food.” To backup this statement, Maryellen was kind enough to send us some photos of Party Angels in action, along with a sample of some appetizers that they might prepare.

​​Although Party Angels has faced some hard times, I think that they will see a lot of success in the future when things begin to go back to normal. It’s not hard to tell that they provide a good product, the proof is in the pudding one might say. In our interview I could tell Maryellen was very passionate about what she does, and is definitely excited for things to go back to normal so that she can continue to grow her business. 

​Party Angels is based in East Bridgewater, MA.

You can contact them via:
Phone: 508-243-5472
Email: hirepartyangels@gmail.com

​Author: Elizabeth Perkins, BSU student

Looking for a good oil company to provide excellent service and keep you warm all winter? Niccoli Oil and Energy in Brockton has been around since 1947 and provides exceptional service along with an ability to help with any and all home heating related needs.          
  
Mike Niccoli is President and one of the owners of this locally well-known heating oil delivery and service company.  At Niccoli Oil & Energy, the number one priority is to provide the best service possible to ensure their customers are well-taken care of.  The Company hoped to build long-term business relationships with its customers by providing great service and an overall exceptional experience.

Mike came from a strong background in business, with his undergrad done at UMASS Lowell with a double major in Music Business and Business and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University, he has a lot to bring to this 74 year old family generational business.  He is very well traveled and has lived in several different areas, collecting knowledge and skills in life and business along the way.  Mike recognized Niccoli Oil and Energy as a household name in the community, and wanted to proceed as the third generation to carry on the family legacy. 
​
When you make a phone call to Niccoli Oil and Energy, you are always able to talk to a Niccoli family member right away, or one of their friendly office staff. Their unparalleled customer service will definitely give you the best experience possible, along with their competitive pricing and full service.  They are available 24/7 for any emergency service needs and always put their customers first.  Mike and the company as a whole take pride in how much they care about each and every customer that calls for an oil delivery or service, everyone is always treated like family.  

As a prominent heating company in the area Mike understands that Niccoli has a large responsibility to their community each winter, as well as throughout the year.  This drives Mike and the rest of the business as a whole to push through busy winters, and keep it going while providing top of the line service.  Since they have been in the industry for so long, he emphasized the importance of the relationships that you make over time, it becomes not so much about business at points and more about nurturing those relationships and helping others.  Even throughout the pandemic, Niccoli has taken all of the proper precautions to keep their customers, drivers, and office staff safe since the beginning.  Being an essential business, they knew it would not just hurt them, but the community if they had to shut down for any reason throughout these times, which added to the reasons for making the safety of everyone a top priority.  They adapted to the changing times in stride, and did not miss a beat in providing for the community. 
​
To keep up with the ever-changing times, Niccoli offers many different ways to keep track of your account and delivery needs.  They have price protection for the season and budget payments to make a warm home accessible to everyone.  They have their own app in the app store which makes keeping your account organized simple and easy, along with their own website, and of course the option to call during office hours and speak directly to someone who can help you get the assistance you need.  

Niccoli Oil and Energy is located at 568 Montello Street in Brockton.

​You can contact them via:
Phone: 508-588-0979
Website: https://www.niccolienergy.com/
Facebook: @niccolienergy