N3 Boatworks … Delivering the Best Without Question!

There is nothing more relaxing than looking at a body of water from an on-the-water viewpoint…even better, gliding across the water in a boat known for its performance, quality, and technology while providing you and your family with countless memories.

If you are in the market for buying a new or used, re-certified boat and consider yourself a water sports enthusiast, then look no further than N3 Boatworks.  In their dazzling showroom, you will find varying models of Nautique ski and family boats that range from 20 to 25 feet in length.  They also specialize in boat repair, storage, pickup and drop off services, and customized design through their N3D department.

This full-service Nautique dealership specializes in inboard ski boats built for skiing performance.  With motor sizes ranging from 340 to 550 horsepower, the boats are made for comfort and stability.  They offer the very best in boating including custom docking and navigation lights, a sliding and reversible stern seat, an integrated speed control system, and functional tower accessories just to name a few.

Nautique boats are designed with revolutionary hulls that glide through the water producing waves second to none for someone who loves adventure and skiing while providing a comfortable, cushioned ride for the passengers in the boat.  Each boat can be applied to all performance ski, wake board, and wake surf levels – novice to professional.  The colors and designs of these inboard boats certainly merit their recently voted “Manufacturer of the Year” national award.

N3 Boatworks has earned a reputation for delivering top notch customer service and specializing in customizing the boat to the owner’s specifications.  When a boat gets the N3D treatment, it has been customized to fit a specific need or look including exterior and interior lighting, color selection, and ballast set-up.

“Everyone who works with me is a boater, so we all understand how important it is to be on the water as that time is limited and special.  Because of that, we are focused on delivering the best customer experience and product on the market,”Mark Dougherty said with obvious pride in what he, his partners, and staff have established since opening five years ago at the Binford Boulevard and 71st Street location.  It could be said, “If you build it right, customers will find you!”  And from the strong referrals N3 Boatworks receive from their customers, this certainly fits their business model.

Dougherty also shared, “Boaters appreciate our full-line pro shop which carries wake boards, wake surfers, water skis, life jackets, ski gloves, and a retail apparel line that includes hats and eye wear.  If we don’t have what you are looking for, we can also search to find just the right merchandise that you have in mind.”

With N3, the full-service experience is more than just words, it is a recognized effort by their entire team which was fully realized with their 2013 selection as one of the Top 100 Boat Dealers. They truly do offer the very best in boating.

The Garrisons – Lawyers, Brothers, and Friends

Greg and Chris Garrison have many things in common. As brothers, they enjoy life with varied interests, but the bond of practicing law is the cement that has made their law firm so successful. The Garrison Law Firm brings together professionals with more than 100 years of experience in several important areas of law.

In their private lives, the brothers really do share a wonderful sense of humor and strong interests in history, horses, sports, reading, and spending time together as a family. It is obvious they enjoy their time together and support each other in their individual areas of legal expertise.

The Brothers …

Greg Garrison, the attorney, is indeed an experienced litigator (on both sides of the courtroom) and has prosecuted a number of high-profile criminal cases. Currently, his practice is concentrated on personal injury law, business and commercial trial work, and general litigation. It goes without saying he is also a highly recognized, long-time radio talk show host with WIBC and because of this high public profile, we sometimes forget he is a very busy and engaged successful attorney as well. In his personal time, when he is not riding and caring for his beloved horses, Greg is a well-known published author who has written several books in his spare time.

Chris Garrison concentrates his law practice in the area of personal injury claims from accidents, defective products, dangerous property conditions (slip and falls), animal attacks, poisonings, and employment injuries caused by someone other than the employer or co-worker. His interest in this particular area of law stems from his father who was in medicine and his own personal involvement of seeing what happens to individuals or families who suffered serious injury or death because of an accident or incident they didn’t cause. In his personal life, Chris enjoys being with his family, reading, and when there is time, hiking, walking, and sports.

They say success attracts like-minded successful professionals, and the Garrison Law Firm certainly has attracted experienced lawyers who represent a broad base of clients and legal representation in Indiana.

When life takes a different turn and you find yourself in a situation that demands legal attention, you can’t go wrong in giving Greg and Chris Garrison a call. Their legal practice expertise and deep love of the law that works for you, could make the difference in setting the course for your personal or professional recovery.

For more information call their office at 317-842-8283 or go to their website: http://garrisonlegal.com

j&R Tutoring: Taking Action

Raise of hands here – Who has sat down with a friend and talked about opening a bar? Come on! I know many men who have done this in our back yard!  How many of us have chatted over coffee about starting our own coffee shop with scrumptious pastries as a side? How many of us actually took our dream and made it a reality? I met a couple gals who did just that. Over months of lunches, two long-time friends repeatedly discussed their concerns for the future of our children.

Meet Renée Pugh-Smith and Jackie Garrett. They were able to take these long lunch conversations and concerns and turn them into a reality. Instead of griping about the future of our children, they decided to become the solution. They developed the concept of j&R Tutoring. They took pains to hire instructors who have years of classroom experience; they are parents and grandparents. They all have Masters of Arts degrees in Education, and they all have current background checks on file.

When speaking to Renée, one story grabbed me by the heart. One student had been struggling with reading, but according to the mother had been doing fine in math. Recently, the mother started to notice a reversal in her math grades. A diagnostic test revealed that she was actually well below grade level in all math domains. The child had been going through the motions of computation but was not actually learning and understanding the relationship of numbers to everyday life. Her teachers at school had thought it was due to not paying attention. They were right, but their reasoning was wrong. The child had simply grown tired of doing math sheets for no apparent reason.

j&R Tutoring discovered that the child liked to bake. So they worked with the mother and found an age-appropriate cook book. Using recipes, she learned to divide and multiply them and, most importantly, she learned how numbers help with everyday life. This activity gave a concrete reason for learning them. By connecting the computation to a real life situation, the child was able to see why learning math is important and fun.

Being a mom of two small children, I have concerns about the future for my children. It makes the world seem a little brighter knowing there are people in this world who not only value our children and their futures, but can put a plan into action to make life a little easier for us all. Homework time can be stressful in many homes. Just remember you are not alone. There are people out there who care and can help!

Their motto: They want kids to think, “Is today the day I GET to go to tutoring?” Not, “Is today the day I HAVE to go to tutoring?”

To find out more information about j&R Tutoring, call 317-849-4182 or visit www.jnrtutoring.com.  They are located at 13255 Britton Park Road, Fishers, IN 46038. If you are driving into the McDonalds on 131st and 37, they are to the right as you go through the drive thru.

EF Marburger: 100 Years and Counting

In 1913, E.F. Marburger found himself seated at the lunch counter at a corner drugstore in downtown Indianapolis. The mid-day break from his job in the flooring department at Block’s Department Store would prove fateful in ways young Eli could not have imagined. The druggist, familiar with Eli’s line of work, asked him to measure out a new flooring project for the store. Ever resourceful, Eli rolled up his sleeves and started calculating.

When he returned to Block’s, Eli’s manager was waiting. “He asked my grandfather why he was late returning from lunch,” remembered Ron Marburger, president and CEO of E.F. Marburger Fine Flooring in Fishers. “Granddad described the customer service he’d given the drugstore owner. What came next hit like a ton of bricks,” continued Ron. “The manager said, ‘Mr. Marburger, Block’s is big enough that if anyone wants flooring, they will come to us. You’re fired.’” Ron said his grandfather would later explain that while heading home that day, he realized there was a better way to market flooring: going beyond the store walls.

That was the path taken by the company patriarch, who opened an 800-square-foot flooring store at 1021 North Illinois Street, providing customer service whenever and wherever it was needed. A century later, E.F. Marburger is among Indiana’s premier flooring and home furnishings companies. “I don’t know where I’d be today if my grandfather hadn’t gotten fired – let’s put it that way,” Ron shared. “It was devastating, but we’re German, and Germans have a way of toughing it out.”

Step foot into the Marburger showroom on Allisonville Road and you’re immediately surrounded by beauty – from kitchen and bath concepts to ceramic tile and granite counter tops to carpeting and hardwood flooring. Store designers have created a shopping experience that is equal parts inspiring and, for some people, intimidating. “Sometimes customers think that such high quality must carry a high price tag. That’s a misconception,” said Marburger. “We are very competitive with price because we do a lot of direct buying, and we know what the market will bear.”

His advice? “This is like an art gallery. Enjoy the experience and absorb the beauty. Just come in and look around – there’s no pressure. We want to help you see what can be done in your home without breaking the bank. I don’t care if I don’t sell a dime as long as visitors have a great shopping experience,” declared Marburger.

Fewer than 40 companies in Indiana have reached the 100-years-in-business plateau. Two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the current depressed economic climate have taken their toll, especially on family-owned businesses. “Those [difficult circumstances] are great teachers; they help you manage tough times,” Marburger explained. “Bridging those gaps says something about our company and team.”

Marburger said his business survived with an unwavering commitment to hard work, deep product knowledge, and great customer service. “In our sales meetings, I say that we don’t just want satisfied customers, we want overjoyed customers. A client’s minimum expectation is satisfaction – and it should be. I want a customer that says, ‘Wow, am I glad I shopped at Marburger’s!’”

Ron’s face lights up most when talking about his two daughters and grand-daughter – the fourth and fifth generations of Marburgers now working in the business. “My dream is that maybe my grandchildren’s children can celebrate a 200-year anniversary,” he reflected. “If granddad and dad (Donald) came into the store today they’d say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ I don’t think either could have imagined it would grow and become what it is today. That’s a driving force – that’s why I work hard. It’s an important legacy to be passed on.”

Fishers Businesses Giving Back to the Community

In spite of the busy schedules we face each morning, it’s comforting to know that some businesses still find time to help others in need. Maybe they do that extra something to help earn respect from their customers, or perhaps they help support other local vendors by using their products. Many reach out to charities or local schools to show they care. Here are some of these businesses which find time to give back to their community.

Tasteful Times: A Gourmet Food Store

Tasteful Times, located at 11677 Olio Road on the northeast corner of 116th Street and Olio Road, sells high-quality gourmet food items and specialty wines. Although most of the food products are local, the wines come from all around the world. Some of these local products include Smoking Goose Meats, Best Chocolate in Town, Salt Sisters, Crazy Charlie Salsa, Riehle’s Select Popcorn, Local Folks Foods, Hoosier Momma and Traders Point Creamery meats.

For the past three years, this shop has helped support the Alzheimer’s Association of Indianapolis with a wine dinner that is held the week before the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event downtown. “We’re just a small, family-owned business,” says Jonathon Sadler, co-owner of Tasteful Times. “We love bringing people together around food and wine while giving back at the same time.” Besides donating food to the food pantry, Tasteful Times also offers gifts two to three times a month for silent auctions supporting everything from autism to cystic fibrosis. In addition, their staff helps customers – especially moms with young children – to their cars. The staff prides themselves on getting to know their customers and providing the best service possible.

“Our philosophy is to shop local, drink global, in our neighborhood market,” says Jonathon. Call Jonathon at 317-436-8226, if you would like to ask if Tasteful Times has a specific item.

Yogi Frozen Yogurt

Yogi has two stores. One is located at 12660 East 116th Street in the same plaza as Sherwin Williams. The other is at 11803 Allisonville Road in the same plaza as Subway and Domino’s. Yogi offers ten different flavors of self-serve frozen yogurt and a vast array of delicious toppings. Customers are happy to decorate their base of frozen yogurt with their choice of toppings.

Yogi has offered a supply of gift cards to baskets that help support the Indiana School for the Deaf and New Britton Elementary School. Every February, an annual carnival is held called the “Bulldog Blast” where prize packages are awarded. “We highly support the HSE school system by donating to various fund-raising activities to help with the educational needs of our future,” says Louis Dabson, owner of Yogi.

He continues, “Here at Yogi, we believe it’s all about you. For just 39 cents an ounce, you can create your own Yogi frozen yogurt. Just grab a cup, fill with yogurt, add toppings, and weigh it. Louis says, “Regardless of whether people like ice-creamy treats or not, frozen yogurt is a sensible alternative to ice cream. It’s only 25 calories per ounce and full of active cultures and probiotics that help maintain a healthy body.”

Sunrise Café

Sunrise Café, located at 9767 East 116th Street in the Kroger plaza off Cumberland Road, offers both breakfast and lunch food. This mom-and-pop establishment specializes in homemade breads, sauces, and strawberry jam. Its customers appreciate everything from the Eggs Benedict made from scratch to the down-home treatment they receive from the staff such as walking the elderly out to their cars to make sure they get into them safely.

“Everybody just chips in because we care about the community,” says Scott Horsfield, owner of Sunrise Café. “We give countless donations and gift cards to the police, firefighters, churches, and schools.”

They serve breakfast and lunch all the time during their business hours from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., seven days a weekA and offer gluten free items. Although Scott is the owner, he does all the cooking. You won’t see him walking around in a tie. Rather, he is amid the steam and collaboration of the kitchen crew. Lastly, his wife, Jennifer, completes the team as she runs the front of the restaurant.

Murphy’s PubHouse

Murphy’s PubHouse is located at 11650 Olio Road in the Kroger plaza. This is a family-friendly neighborhood sports bar and grill atmosphere. Craig Stonebraker, owner of Murphy’s Steakhouse, (Fall Creek and Keystone, near the Fairgrounds) has joined forces with his brother, Ryan, to create this popular pub that feels as inviting as any Irish tavern, except that it caters to everyone and kids are always welcome.

Talking with Ryan, I quickly saw the main focus for Murphy’s PubHouse donations is for the Indiana Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. After having donated gift cards to silent auctions and participating in the Americana Bank Chili Cook-Off, they are planning to sponsor the National MS Society in the MS Walk to be held on April 27 (www.walkmsindiana.org).

“One of my best friends from high school was diagnosed with MS a few years ago,” said Ryan. “When it came to giving back to the community, I knew I wanted to pick something close to home.” Ryan remembers his friend, Michele, as a healthy, athletic girl who was such a great person to be around. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with MS which was a shock to everyone who knows her.
“Michele is a huge Dave Matthews fan. She offered to let me have some of her Dave Matthews paraphernalia to put up on the walls here at Murphy’s PubHouse. I knew then that I would willingly vow to always help her out by supporting MS whenever I can.”

Diva Nails

Diva Nails is located at 11434 Olio Road, at the corner of 116th Street and Olio Road behind Walgreens next to El Rodeo. This spa-like haven specializes in “pink and white” manicures and body waxing. Diva Nails gives back to the community by providing discounts to all students in K-12 no matter what school they attend as long as they show their student I.D. Planning a beach vacation for spring break? She can take care of all your needs from bikini waxing to eyebrow shaping.

Kelly Nguyen, owner of Diva Nails and Spa, is proud to offer a safe environment with a new ventilation system which aerates the shop of any smell of chemicals. In addition, the equipment is sanitized for every customer. The front area features a comfortable orange couch upon which clients may relax. The rear of the spa area is for pedicures where patrons can soak in tranquility and enjoy soft music.

“We provide free designs for kids, and we like to spoil them as if they are our own,” says Kelly. “We always have juice boxes, water, soft drinks, and candy for everyone.” Diva Nails welcomes any type group for parties such as weddings and birthdays. Customers are welcome to bring in their own cake or other foods, and Diva Nails will provide the drinks.