PRstore helps give you promotional push

Vince Modarelli is the owner of the PRstore in Bonita Springs. The store is the first of its kind in southwest Florida to offer public relations and marketing solutions to small business owners. During their visit to the store on U.S. 41, clients take pictures with the giant mug displayed on the wall.

Getting the word out to small businesses in Southwest Florida is no easy feat unless you are Vince Modarelli, the new owner of the PRstore in Bonita Springs.

The franchise store, which had its grand opening on July 18, is a one-stop for marketing, promotions and public relations solutions.

"I run with the gut of the small business owner. I listen to what they think represents their business and help them promote that," said Modarelli, who opened the store after working with small business owners in his sales and marketing work at The News-Press and various newspapers.

"I liked the concept this store offered because a traditional public relations or marketing agency doesn't work for small business owners," said Modarelli, of Estero. The store is the first of its kind in the southwest Florida area.

"For a small business person with limited funds (agencies) can be paralyzing," he said.

Traditionally, large agencies will ask a business owner for money up front before creating an advertising plan.

Modarelli explained that sometimes a small business owner has an established image, logo and needs little more than a few promotional items.

And, that's exactly what the PRstore offers.

"A small-business owner can walk in, browse our showroom and get ideas of how to sell themselves," he said of the shop that has several displays filled with hats, mouse pads and even sunscreen bottles with company logos. "We take the middleman out of the equation."

That equals sometimes bigger savings for small business owners who just want to get more customers in the door.

"The best thing is that we can turn things around in about a week. ... Some places can take months just to design a Web site," said Modarelli who works directly with the PRstore's printing house, located at headquarters in North Carolina.

"We pride ourselves in giving customized, premium quality design services at an affordable price... ."

Unlike traditional ad agencies and public relations firms, no appointment is needed at PRstore.

"The mom and pop (shops) trying to deliver one on one service is the American way... ," Modarelli said. "We make sure they get what they need."