3-27 Business in Brief

The Edmond Sun

EDMOND March 27, 2008 12:11 pm

— Northwest Expressway is now home to the newest elements therapeutic massage. Ora and Ron Merhib, two local entrepreneurs, have opened Warr Acres’ first elements therapeutic massage studio at 5501 Northwest Expressway, Ste. 5519, where every single customer will receive professional massage services from a certified massage therapist in a luxury setting.
“I am excited to bring this business to the neighborhood,” Ora said.
Franchising since 2006, elements therapeutic massage is growing rapidly with 32 open studios, opening several new locations each month. Other Oklahoma locations include: 1321 N. Bryant Ave. in Edmond and 3533 West Memorial Rd. in Oklahoma City.
For more information visit www.touchofelements.com or www.fitnesstogether.com.

OCU Meinders School of Business to host Israeli economist
Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business will bring Israeli economist Yaacov Fisher to campus April 1 for a lecture during his “Strong and Vibrant at 60: The Israeli Economy Looks to the Future” U.S. tour.
Fisher’s lecture will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Kerr McGee Auditorium in the Meinders School of Business. Sponsored by the Oklahoma Israel Exchange, the event is free to the public.
“We consider it an honor to have an internationally renowned economist speaking at the Meinders School,” said OCU Business Dean Vince Orza. “His background as an economist for Israel and as that nation’s representative at the European Union provides a depth of experience matched by only a handful of individuals.”
For more information, call Melissa Cory at 208-5540.

Interactive television gives Cox customers new options
Cox digital cable customers in central Oklahoma can now use their television remote controls to check their e-mail, find movie theater listings, get an instant weather update and much more without leaving their sofas, thanks to the introduction of Cox’s new interactive television (iTV) service.
“Access to iTV is free to all Cox digital cable customers in our Oklahoma City service area,” said Christine Martin, Cox Oklahoma spokesperson. “It’s a wealth of information literally at the customer’s fingertips.”
Cox digital cable customers who also subscribe to Cox high-speed Internet can read e-mails on their television screen simply by activating the iTV option through their remote control menu button. Martin said iTV also includes updated weather and news headlines, listings at local movie theaters, horoscopes, soap opera summaries and TV listings, including what’s available on pay per view.
Cox customers also can access their individual Cox accounts through iTV, reviewing and paying their bills, ordering new services and even consulting with customer support to find answers to questions about Cox services and products.
“This is true integration of telecommunications services,” Martin said. “iTV gives our customers a portal through their remote and TV screen to do so much more at the push of a button. It’s all about access and convenience and adding value to the viewing experience.”

Star Parker to speak at legislative breakfast
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs will have Star Parker speak at a legislative breakfast on April 1. The topic of her discussion will be “School Choice and Oklahoma: A Winning Formula.”
Parker is an author, activist and the founder of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education.
Prior to her involvement in social activism, Parker was a single welfare mother in Los Angeles. After her conversion to Christianity, Parker returned to college to obtain a degree then launched an urban Christian magazine. Parker gives regular testimony before the U.S. Congress, and is a national expert on major television and radio shows across the country.
The OCPA Legislative Breakfast will be at the OU Faculty House in Oklahoma City. For more information, visit www.ocpathink.org or call 602-1667.
OCPA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that formulates public policy research and analysis consistent with the principles of free enterprise and limited government.

Pass Your Plate to introduce new value pricing
Jim and Dana Quillen, founders of Pass Your Plate, introduce new Value Pricing — a new purchasing and pricing plan to better allow Pass Your Plate customers to manage their food budgets. Customers now earn discounts with every purchase, regardless of the basket size.
Three years ago, Pass Your Plate entered the fast-growing food preparation industry to offer customers high quality, affordable meals to serve their families. Customers taking advantage of the original package-pricing model have been able to serve wholesome food at a price of little more than $3 per serving. As food prices begin to rise at the fastest rate in more than 15 years, the Quillens began looking for a more flexible plan to better allow patrons to plan their budgets.
With Value Pricing, the limitations and restrictions of entrée packages are eliminated, and in combination with Pass Your Plate Rewards, customers receive discounts for every item they purchase. Each customer can select the entrees they want to purchase for their family, while building their own personalized packages. Since each entrée is individually priced, customers get more flexibility in managing their monthly food budgets.

Community Action Agency offers business development course
The Community Action Agency is enrolling for the Small Business Training Course. This is a five-week course at Metro Technology Centers, 1700 Springlake Drive, April 8 through May 8 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The class will be from 6-8 p.m. The cost of the course is $25. This course is taught by community professionals to speak on topics such as legal issues, financials, tax issues, marketing, advertising, e-commerce, business plan development and pursuing funding.
The course targets businesses working through the start up or expansion process. Class space is limited, to enroll contact the Economic Development Division of Community Action Agency at 232-0199.
Additional training and one-on-one counseling will be available to those seeking funding through the Community Action Agency's Economic Development loan programs. The Community Action Agency has loans up to $1 million available to qualified applicants for business start-up and expansion and is focused on promoting the establishment of entrepreneurial business activities through Business Training, Small Business Loans and Individual Development Accounts.