Business notebook: Making ‘rain for clients'

WARWICK - It may be in our backyard but Redlake, Inc. of Warwick, is a national full-service sales and marketing firm. “We make rain for our clients by helping them communicate the story of their products through sales and marketing strategies and tactics,” said co-founder and CEO Christine Regan. “Redlake is an advertising agency, a sales consultant firm and a company that will provide you with any communications solution your business or organization may need in order to grow.” The company, one of Orange County’s fastest growing sales and marketing agencies, is in the business of providing the tools to help businesses effectively market their products and services. Some of Redlake’s products include television, radio and print advertisements, billboards, brochures, video production, strategic marketing planning and a full suite of materials for presentations and direct marketing. Regan and her husband, Michael Lake, have years of sales and marketing expertise working on behalf of clients such as Active International, Clear Channel Communications, Sony Electronics, Omnicom and Footstar Inc., to name just a few. Local clients include the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Seely & Durland Insurance Inc. and the Bon Secours Warwick Health Foundation among many others. “Our company,” said Regan, “provides clients with a combination of both strategic and tactical solutions to better position their companies for growth. These services include business consulting, strategic planning, branding, sales, marketing, advertising and building strong print, e-mail, Internet and multimedia presentations.” Regan earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey. In 1995 she was chosen to be a goodwill ambassador to India for the Rotary International where Regan traveled to India meeting with business leaders, government agencies, international organizations and educational institutions in an effort to foster understanding and improve business relations. Regan’s nationally syndicated business column, The Maniacal Marketer, has been featured in such newspapers as The Union Leader, Sunday Times Record, Times Herald-Record, Wythe News, The Daily Jeffersonian, Women in Motion and the Hudson Valley Business Journal. Last September she received the “Rising Star” award presented jointly by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Orange and the Junior League of Orange County. Lake has 25 years experience in sales, sales management, sales training and marketing. He has worked with companies of various levels from local business owners to numerous billion dollar multinational companies. Lake’s extensive experience also includes the development and training of large-scale CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, corporate re-branding initiatives, and the stewardship of both the sales and the marketing department for a billion-dollar financial services corporation. For more information visit Redlake, Inc. at www.redlake.tv or call 986-7320. Cabin fever Frazzleberries, 24 Main St., Warwick, recently held its traditional annual “Cabin Fever” weekend. In addition to serving wine and refreshments along with Lisa’s Cookies, which were recently introduced on the Rachael Ray TV show, and special items from the Pine Island Herb & Spice, the event was also intended to showcase the new 2008 Spring Collection of Vera Bradley Handbags and Accessories. Success story On Feb. 6 Peter Holmgren, owner of Village Music, told members of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club about his local operation and his second music store in New City. Then, after a question and answer period, the multi-talented musician performed a brief concert for the local service club members during their weekly meeting at the Landmark Inn. The Rotary Club often invites local business owners to address the members at their weekly luncheons. And, Holmgren and Village Music is a Main Street success story. When Traditions Celtic Imports closed their doors at 31 Main St. in 2005, it wasn’t long before Holmgren came along, completely renovated the space and opened the doors to Village Music in November of that same year. “Business is good,” said Holmgren who appears to have found and filled a need. Last May he opened a second store in New City, N.Y. Both stores offer musical instrument sales, parts, accessories and repairs. And they now have over 200 students receiving lessons. Holmgren is also introducing a combination art show and musical performance event in his New City store and will soon be offering a similar event in Warwick. For more information call Village Music at 988-5225. Weekly wine column The Warwick Advertiser now features a weekly column, “Let’s Talk Wine,” sponsored by Peck’s Wines and Spirits, 1 Bank St., Warwick. The column is designed to enlighten and inform readers about wine and spirits. “We host a free wine tasting every Friday evening from 5 - 8 p.m.,” said owner Bill Iurato. “And whenever our column features a particular wine, we will try to include that same wine at our tasting.” For more information, call Peck’s Wines and Spirits at 986-9463.