The Client Server wins small business award

This story ran in the Local & State section of the daily as well as in Bonita and Estero Life. Two versions were written. This is the feature version of the story.



Wendi Fowler is the part owner of The Client Server. She is pictured holding the Small Business of the Year award.

Wendi Fowler wasn’t sure what to think when the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce said her company, The Client Server Inc., was the recipient of the 2007 Small Business of the Year award.

Her heart started to race as chamber members applauded and gave her a standing ovation.

“It was like ‘It couldn’t possibly be us,’ ” she said after receiving the award at a luncheon held at the Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club. “My heart was pounding.”

Her heart had been racing since the beginning of the day, on May 11, when she discovered a lizard on her keyboard that morning.

And, later that day she was holding a prestigious glass award that marked 10 years of hard work and dedication to her industry and the community.

“It’s such an honor,” she kept saying as chamber members and city officials congratulated Fowler on the networking company’s growth and success. “I didn’t expect to get this.”

The company was one of five in the running for the seventh annual award that recognizes small business in the chamber for three years, with less than 100 employees, and in business for at least three years.

Fowler owns the company along with husband of 14 years and business partner Jack Voth. Both have lived in Bonita Springs for 20 years.

“I wish my mom was here to see this,” she said, adding that Voth was away on business but text messages including a photo were sent to him following the award presentation.

The chamber award represents the cap to a week-long stretch of activities geared toward celebrating small businesses.

“It’s bragging rights and it helps them in their marketing strategies,” said Karen Brown, the chamber’s training and development director. “They seem pretty proud of themselves, too.”

And proud of themselves the companies are because the application process can be very selective.

Each company is asked to submit information about its growth, challenges overcome, community involvement and awards.

That is submitted to chamber executives outside the area who rate each business and select a winner.

“It brings encouragement to the staff that they are doing a good job,” said Fay Schnitzlein, accountant manager at The Client Server Inc. She is one of seven full-time employees.

Fowler says that the company’s good job was rewarded but once the shock subsides there is still work to be done.

“I hope it helps us continue with the success we had and we work to get better,” she said. “When they said our name I thought, ‘It couldn’t possibly be us ...’ but it was and that is so unexpected.”

Other nominees for the award were: D & S Gallery, Paradise Jewelry, Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club and Widespread Technologies-Xerox Authorized Agent.

Bonita shop caters to cottage-style living

Rosie Posie is a 900-square-foot shop on Bonita Beach Road that specializes in cottage-style furniture. Dean Lindgren always parks his red Bug outside the shop to draw customers in.

Dean Lindgren has lived in a cottage-style home in Bonita Springs for the last 10 years.

His living room and bedroom are comfy places to put his feet up, thanks to his wife, Linda Elms, and her expert interior decorating.

And now, thanks to the Rosie Posie shop on Bonita Beach Road, customers can bring that beach and cottage lifestyle home.

“I’ve been living with cottage-style furniture for years,” Lindgren said. “Now I just happen to have it at work too.”

Lindgren, Elms and their business partner, Diane Cantazaro, opened the furniture shop in January with hopes of filling a dream of 10 years.

“We kept talking about it and we finally did it. The space became available and now we can spend time with people who like this style too,” he said.

The store is 900 square feet filled with coffee tables, beach accents and accessories to make any home feel like a cottage in just one visit.

“We have one-of-a-kind items and new stuff comes in every week,” Lindgren said about the items that are shopped for all over the country by Elms and Cantazaro.

They spend time at flea markets and other stores that sell unique items that fit the style and also things customers request.

“We had one customer ask for a circular window so they go out and try to find it. ...,” said Lindgren, whose shop is open six days a week.

The store came to life after Elms had visitors come to her home and praise her decorating style.

She and Cantazaro are also in the real estate business in Bonita Springs.

“People come here looking for interesting pieces and odd accessories to add to their homes,” Lindgren said.

A customer at the store saw an antique table set with two chairs and wanted to take the set home to Maine.

“I have a 100-year-old home in Maine that this would look beautiful in,” she said.

Lindgren responded: “We do deliver but I doubt my wife would let me deliver that to you in Maine.”

That kind of exchange is why Lindgren likes working at the shop. He used to work for a yacht management company.

“I get to meet such nice people that come into the shop,” he said about customers that are becoming regulars. “Business is really taking off and as word of mouth spreads it will only get better.”

New substation in Bonita Springs

This photo printed as part of a story for the Local & State daily section about a new community policing station in Bonita Springs.



Lt. Morgan Bowden poses in front of the new Bonita Springs Community Policing office on Reynolds Street and Old 41.

Estero Relay for Life

This picture ran on the front of Local & State as a standalone.



The Estero Relay for Life event at the Lamb of God Church in south Lee County brought out cancer survivors for a lap around the church's parking lot in honor of those who have survived cancer.

Bonita, Estero businesses bank on Mother's Day

Linda Dupre reads a Mother's Day card at Kimberly's Hallmark in the Bonita Bay Plaza. She was picking out a card to send to her mother and one for her daughter.

Signs advertising Mother's Day sales are popping up on storefronts across Bonita Springs and Estero and customers are lining up fast.

"I got calls for cards before Valentine's!" said Shirley Pflieger, a store employee at Kimberly's Hallmark at the Bonita Bay Plaza in Bonita Springs.

She began advertising the big day just two weeks ago and like many local businesses she expects the day to be a busy one.

"It's one of our biggest holidays," said Pflieger, whose store is offering special promotions for Mother's Day. "People have been coming in every day buying gifts and cards."

Linda Dupre, 55, is one of those people. She normally starts shopping for her mom a month in advance.

"This is my favorite Hallmark," said Dupre, who lives in Naples but drives up because she feels her mom is worth it.

This Mother's Day her Mom, who lives out of state, has cancer and Dupre might surprise her with a visit.

"It's nice to buy her something and spend time together," she said while browsing the card shop and looking at smaller items.

Local businesses like Hallmark are feeling the effect in a big way because mothers hold a special place in everyone's hearts.

"I'm sure we will be full. There is a

lot of ladies already making reservations," said Carlos Gould, the manager at Bice Grand Cafe at Coconut Point in Estero. "It's a special day for many people."

Roy's at the Promenade at Bonita Bay is also offering a Mother's Day brunch with a two-course meal and dessert that is sure to please.

"I think (people) like to take their mothers out not only because they are special but because they understand it," said Kathy Manett, Roy's sales manager, adding that once children become parents they better understand the significance of the day. "They want to make it special and also share the grandkids with their mothers too."

Making that day extra special is a priority for many looking for a unique way to spend the day with their mothers.

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Golf & Spa Resort is offering a Mother's Day brunch fit for any queen.

"We do this brunch every year and we have a special menu our chef cooks up," said Kelly Olsen, the Hyatt's director of public relations. "The food is special and it's a great thing to do for Mom."

The Hyatt Regency offers 454 guest rooms and suites, championship golf, and an Asian-inspired spa and salon. These amenities give people more gift options, says Olsen.

"The brunch draws people in and they can bring mom to brunch and get her a gift certificate for the spa ... all right here."

But Olsen cautions that the brunch and spa spaces are limited.

"Our reservations fill up fast as I'm sure most things do ...," Olsen said, adding that the hotel is already taking reservations. "... but it's a nice thing on that special day."