Chamber members enjoy After Hours event at Frenz Coffee House
by CLIFF and NANCY HILL
printed in Rockford Squire on July 17, 2008.

Aside from its bi-monthly series of luncheons, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce (RCC) also sponsors, on alternate months, an event known as Chamber After Hours. At the bi-monthly luncheons, held at various RCC member-owned dining locations in the area, attending RCC members and guests enjoy a stimulating and thought-provoking message provided, oftentimes, by a prominent speaker.
by CLIFF AND NANCY HILL

Chamber After Hours events are hosted by individual RCC members at their place of business usually after regular business hours, hence the name. Loosely scheduled during the early evening (typically 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.), those attending stroll in and out much like an open house.

The central focus of a Chamber After Hours event is the host and more primarily the business he/she represents. Encouraged and always present is the opportunity for attendees to network by “freely exchanging ideas and sharing experiences as a means of support for one another and to the entire Rockford business community as a whole,” says Brenda Davis, executive director of RCC. “Indeed,” adds Davis, “in the more informal setting of Chamber After Hours, networking has become a huge success.”

Rich Zeck - who, along with his wife Michele, owns and operates Frenz Coffee House located in the Promenade building, a few doors south of Reds on the River - hosted the recent July Chamber After Hours. After welcoming all in attendance, Zeck gave a brief overview of his business and practices that have resulted in a satisfied and ever-growing and repeat customer following. In announcing Frenz’s fast approaching second-year anniversary in Rockford, Zeck said, “Frenz prides itself in offering an old-fashioned community gathering house

atmosphere where conversation reigns and people feel at home while enjoying a good cup of coffee and wholesome light menu options.” Zeck added, “Frenz wholeheartedly embraces Rockford and its business community, especially local artists who adorn the walls of our store with their creations that also are for sale.”

While networking, the 60+ attendees at the event were treated, compliments of Frenz, to several regular menu items that included turkey or ham on whole wheat, spinach, and tomato wraps; cold strawberry gazpacho and hot tomato bisque soups; plus coffee and various desserts. Throughout the evening local musician Susan Bartholomew, while playing a flute, provided background music. All in attendance enjoyed themselves and many expressed their pleasure at being afforded the opportunity to discover Frenz at its (sometimes elusive) riverside location.

The next Chamber After Hours is scheduled for September 8, to be hosted by Genesis Salon & Day Spa. Time and details to be announced.

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Luncheon speaker offers insight on business, economy
by CLIFF and NANCY HILL
printed in Rockford Squire on June 19, 2008.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce recently held its June bi-monthly luncheon at Boulder Creek Golf Club. The guest speaker was Rich Zeck who promised a contrarian view to currently accepted business practices and life thinking in general.

With his wife Michelle, Zeck owns and operates Frenz Coffee House located at 4 E. Bridge St. (Promenade Building) in downtown Rockford. Additionally, Zeck is an adjunct professor at Cornerstone University teaching business and management courses.

Zeck offered his personal views on business and life as he explored the topic of "National Problem, Local Solution." He advised those in attendance to "think outside your comfort zone." In a call to action to change with the times Zeck said, "It's time to wake up, stop whining and complaining, and actually do something positive to counter the current business climate. If you keep doing what you are doing, you'll get what you're getting," he added.

Zeck said, "Daily, we have allowed constant economic reports of bad times such as; recession, high gas prices, lost homes/foreclosures, lost jobs, etc., to rule our lives. More than ever before people are allowing fear-based ideas to change their life styles, a 'the sky is falling' phenomenon."

He gave as an example the constant litany of storm-based weather forecasting in the local broadcasting media, citing one television station that actually uses the word "storm" as part of the name of their weather forecasting team. Zeck asked the question, "How often, after week-long dire warnings of an impending blizzard do we wake up in the morning to find nothing happened, it passed us by? The results of the flawed forecast are unnecessary school closings and the cancellation of business and church activities, to name three of many."

Zeck believes that we currently have allowed our lifestyles to be changed based upon what may or may not ever happen, that we have allowed non-factual things to rule our lives and the economics of our country.

Granted these are hard time in Michigan but for the majority of people whose businesses, jobs, and homes remain secure Zeck believes the future is now. He challenged those in attendance to make a difference one person or one business at a time. "As individuals we should lead our lives as we always have, not hunker down. For businesses we should think positive and outside the box," said Zeck.

"This can be the greatest summer ever for the Rockford business community. My wife and I have made plans for this to be the best year we've ever had at Frenz Coffee House,"said Zeck. "Rockford is a destination and, in this economy, a great place to go when you don't want to drive a bunch of miles."

Zeck believes the business community needs to be more co-operative and less fearful of one another. Success can be found in a more collaborative atmosphere by finding ways to support each other. As an example, Frenz had made available a large wall mounted LCD screen where other businesses can advertise their goods and services. He is not fearful of competition but rather, believes that businesses try to do too many things, to be too diversified - too thin. "Be the best you can be at what you offer, specialize - more is not always better. I want customers to walk in the door of my store and have an extraordinary experience that will make them feel at home and want to come back," Zeck explains.

"You can feel the pulse of Rockford and it needs to be kept alive. If Rockford succeeds, I and others will succeed, kind of like the trickle-down theory. The future is now, this month, this year in Rockford," concludes Zeck.

Remember, as the Squire quotes Winston Churchill, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Watch the Squire to find out who will be the next Rockford Chamber of Commerce luncheon speaker.

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Health & Nutrition Guest Interview: Rich from Frenz Coffee
by Kelly the Kitchen Kop "Your Health Detective"
posted March 14, 2008.

Today I'm sharing another guest interview with you, this time from Rich, the owner of my favorite coffee joint, Frenz. I'll never forget the first time I went there a few years ago. When I asked if he could warm up my coffee, he used the espresso machine instead of the microwave, saying, "I try not to use those things much, we don't even have one at home..." I knew right then I was really going to like this place!