Tim Marzonie is looking forward to celebrating the one-year anniversary of his store, Butcher Block Meats, this July. Growing up in Michigan, Marzonie moved to Arizona in 1989 and worked as a meat manager for a local grocery store. It was finally last year he decided he wanted to open his own butcher shop, and do things the right way.
He opened Butcher Block Meats last year and hasn’t looked back. Marzonie began the family-owned and -operated store so that he could offer the customer service that he didn’t feel the big corporate stores were providing.
Along with his daughters Jessica, Katelyn and Alison, Marzonie is making a mark on Chandler with his premium meats.
“We’re your hometown butcher,” Marzonie said. “No matter where your hometown was, now it’s here, and that’s what we’re here for.”
While Marzonie doesn’t live in Chandler, he worked in the vicinity for 17 years and knew the clientele and community. “I chose this area, as opposed to Gilbert or Mesa. I like this area.”
He explained he always wanted to do something for himself, and it just took a little push from his friend Bret Pont, owner of Hobe Meats in Phoenix.
“We get all our beef out of Greater Omaha Packing Plant. Prime grade beef out of Greater Omaha. They’ve been in business since 1920. All our pork and chicken is all natural, no hormones, solutions or enhancements. None of that stuff,” Marzonie said.
“We’re a full-service butcher shop,” he said. “I cut right here on site. I have my saw
and grinder, it’s all done fresh every day.”
He explained, “It’s a higher class, higher grade of beef than you can get out of the national chains. It’s even better than Costco’s prime. It’s cheaper than AJ’s prime.”
Marzonie’s company is involved in the community as well. He sponsors the Hamilton swim team, donates to charities in Sun Lakes, and looks forward to doing more for Chandler.
The shop brings in new customers daily, providing a service in South Chandler that is not available. “There are only a handful of us actual meat shops that actually produces their own meat, as far as you can go to mall or go online and order frozen Omaha steaks, this is not the same. We’re a full-fledged butcher shop. You walk in and say, ‘Can I get four pork chops, each a quarter-inch thick’ and I can say, ‘Give me just a minute.’ People like that,” Marzonie said.
While there may be a larger variety in the grocery stores, Marzonie points out that getting something special done in the box stores, such as specific cuts, isn’t going to happen. And he has the ability to track down some of the more unique requests that the grocery stores can’t find.
Butchers, Marzonie said, are a dying breed, so he’s proud to be able to offer his service. “Initially when people come in the price is a little bit of a shock, but they don’t understand what they’re paying for. You can’t go to a restaurant and get what we offer here.”
In addition to meat, chicken and pork, Butcher Block Meats has seafood, rubs, seasonings, marinades, Dietz and Watson lunch meats and cheeses, a variety of wild game, grinds its own natural dog food, makes
its own beef jerky and twice-baked potatoes. And now with corn in season, Marzonie mentioned he’ll be offering that as well. He has plans to do other things in the future, but said, “For now, we’re just focusing on doing everything right. This first year, going through the motions, fixing anything that’s wrong, that kind of stuff.” He added, giving great customer service is a priority, as well. “I want to take care of them. I want them to experience what it’s like to have somebody you can count on, somebody you can trust.”
Since opening, Marzonie has garnered regular customers who he sees a couple times a week. “There’s a few customers that I know what they’re coming in here for. There a couple of customers that are in here four times a week, because they’re on their way home. We’ve got a lot of regulars, it’s starting to build.”
Marzonie is at the shop seven days a
week, but said he loves it. “It’s nice doing something for yourself. You can see the benefit when people go ‘Thank you.’ They actually appreciate what I’m doing here.”
Butcher Block Meats offers several meat packages, available for viewing on the website, www.butcherblockmeatsaz.com, and can do special orders. “I’ve gotten the craziest special requests, and I do what I can, within reason, for the customers to be able to get what they want here,” Marzonie said.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Butcher Block Meats is at 4015 S. Arizona Ave., Suite 11, on the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo Road, Marzonie said he can help choose just the right cut for any special occasion.
Tracy House is a freelancer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@ santansun.com.
Fresh meats, poultry and pork line the cases at Butcher Block Meats and can be cut to order. STSN photo by Tracy House
Butcher Block Meats owner Tim Marzonie stands with his daughters, Alison, left, and Jessica. STSN photo by Tracy House
J2 Media expands offices, staff
BY KEN ABRAMCZYK
J2 Media, a digital media company in downtown Chandler, has added two onsite edit suites and a permanent set to meet clients’ and the public’s needs.
With an increased demand for video, public relations and communications, Jane Poston left her job as a public information officer with the City of Chandler to focus on PR strategies, producing video and overseeing operations. She joins her husband, Jason Heinkel, at the company they founded several years ago.
Video is now more popular and widespread, so consumers demand it more, and businesses are following suit, finding it necessary to showcase their products and services, Poston said.
“It changed our business strategy,” she explained. “It’s been growing and it’s been a game changer for us.”
event management, social media and collateral creation.
“This is the best of both worlds for me,” Poston said. “I get to continue helping businesses develop strategic communications plans, this time from the private sector side, while working as an entrepreneur myself.”
J2 Media works with medical clients, major networks, entrepreneurs, large corporations and nonprofit organizations. The company completes videos and assists in marketing for health care clients and corporate clients. “We tell companies to consider us your inhouse public relations and communications,” Poston said.
Not only does J2 Media produce videos, but it helps deliver those messages to consumers through public relations and social media, Poston said. J2 Media also creates videos for companies that need to communicate with their employees. “That is where we have evolved with that demand, and the need to create that engagement,” Poston said.
J2 Media has shot video for the Travel Channel’s list of Top 10 “scary places.” On the show “Great American Sportsman,” Heinkel filmed footage in the Galapagos Islands with actor Morgan Freeman and his family.
Poston joined Heinkel so she could initiate strategic communications, using her knowledge in the fields of biotechnology, aviation and commercial development, and experience in
J2 Media has worked to make its mark in the video and documentary worlds.
J2 Media produced the award-winning documentary about the Holocaust, “Our Story,” and is also the creator of “Baseball Player University,” an instructional baseball show that airs nationwide on Fox Sports and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
“BPU” brings professional training to athletes and is one of the favorite projects J2 Media presents, Poston said. “We’re expanding it to other sports,” she explained. “We’re doing it with tennis.”
Video is a “great way to communicate. You can’t bring the emotion in writing like you can on video,” Poston said.
Other clients include Oasis Orthopedic, Santé Rehab and helping promote an open house with Dignity Health Emergency Hospital. J2 Media also assisted with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s Community Awards and its “Tech Talk.”
Poston said she and Heinkel enjoy
J2 Media expanded its offices to offer onsite taping of shows, such as the inaugural episode of “TechTalk” for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Submitted photo
the business of communications, public relations and videos to tell company stories.
“It’s just so much darned fun,” Poston said. “There’s just something about taking complex information that is difficult to understand, and (the client) has interesting information, but they don’t have the ability to communicate it to people. You transform it into something people can understand.
“That gets me so excited to do this work.”
J2 Media is located at 55 N. Arizona Pl., Suite 530, Chandler. For more information, call (602) 899-2242 or visit www.j2media.tv.
Ken Abramczyk is an associate editor at the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at ken@santansun.com.
Jane Poston. Submitted photo
Jason Heinkel. Submitted photo
Meet and greet other businesses at chamber events
Throughout the year the Chandler Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of luncheons and meetings for its members and the community. Numerous lead groups are also offered to help business owners network with their community.
Events are held at the Chandler Chamber of Commerce office, 25 S. Arizona Pl., Suite 201, Chandler, unless otherwise noted.
To register, call (480) 963-4571, visit www. chandlerchamber.com or www.meetup. com/ChandlerChamber, or email info@ chandlerchamber.com. No refunds are available within 72 hours of an event.
Chandler Chamber Monday Morning Leads Group
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Mondays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. Brunchie’s, 17 E. Boston St., Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Tuesday Morning Leads Group
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. BLD, 1920 W. Germann Rd., Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Wednesday Morning Leads Group
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. Ocotillo Village Health Club and Spa, 4200 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Wednesday Lunch Leads Group 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. Stone and Vine Urban Italian, 1035 W. Queen Creek Rd., Suite 103, Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Thursday Morning Leads Group
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Thursdays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group
see NETWORKING page 26
Toll Brothers unveils upgraded features at Dorada Estates
Luxury home builder Toll Brothers has initiated higher standards in two professionally furnished and stylized model homes at Dorada Estates at the border of Gilbert and Queen Creek. Six single-family home designs that reach up to a sprawling 6,668 square feet are nestled on sites nearing one-half acre. The properties encourage indoor/outdoor living amid scenic and private settings. Priced from the lower $500,000s, Dorada Estates’ single- and two-story view home designs adapt to modern lifestyles with three to five bedrooms and up to four- and one-half baths with the versatility of four-car garages in all plans. Optional casitas and basements are also available on select plans, while all homes at Dorada Estates are Energy Star Version 3 certified for valued conservation and cost savings.
Encircled by a serene, country setting with many homes capturing views of the San Tan Mountains, Dorada Estates is just minutes from the conveniences of SanTan Village in Gilbert and major employment centers. Parents and children will enjoy a central park with playground, a ramada, walking paths, and a half basketball court providing an inviting place for kids to play, to enjoy outdoor family time and engage in year-round fitness. Students will enroll in the Chandler Unified School District and benefit from its commitment to academic excellence.
Dorada Estates’ sales office is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, at East Ocotillo and South Recker roads. For sales information, call (480) 314-6777 or visit www.tollbrothers.com.
Local moms share health expertise, experience
BY TRACY HOUSE
For entrepreneurs Shannon Dougherty and Kim Miller, fitness is a lifestyle choice they want to share with other moms. The Valley women have taken their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and are sharing their experience, expertise and passion through Fit Mom Diet (FMD), a website devoted to helping females find balance.
FMD is launching a membership community that will add monthly workouts, recipes and interaction with businesses and other moms explained Dougherty, a Chandler resident. “Just kind of a hub for all moms that follow us to go and have more of an exclusive, community feel with us.”
with companies to offer their information and presentations.
“One of the things we say about our community is we take a lifestyle approach,” Miller said. “Lifestyle includes you, your family and your partner, the people you spend time with. We try to instill in women to take those small steps, and Shannon and I kind of both did that in our journey as well, and we also focus a lot on empowerment.”
Scottsdale’s Miller added that the two have been working together for a few years and have developed a following. “Moms are looking for specific things. They’re looking for nutritious brands, specific workouts, information on how to be more mindful and healthy, and how to raise healthy kids.”
She said the FMD community membership will have all of that information for moms to follow and get daily.
FMD offers retreats for moms to connect, and occasionally holds meet-ups around the Valley. They also collaborate
Dougherty and Miller began working together, after meeting monthly, to develop Fit Mom Diet. Their first ebook, “Fit Mom’s Guide to the Body You Love,” is in response to questions they received from other moms, and includes basic guidelines, shopping lists and meal plans based on their own lifestyles.
Feedback for Fit Mom Diet has been positive and the two owners appreciate the comments they receive from women they’ve impacted.
Dougherty said, “One of the biggest compliments that we hear is that we keep it very real...We try to be really honest with our community.”
Miller added, “We try to live transparently.” And while the pair have accomplished quite a bit, they hope to inspire other women to achieve their own goals.
In addition to nutrition and physical
Shannon Dougherty and Kim Miller, owners of Fit Mom Diet, each have two children and have faced the challenges that go along with having and raising kids. They find it rewarding to share their healthy choices with their children. Submitted photo fitness, FMD provides information for mental fitness. Miller said it’s the cornerstone of FMD. “We’re working on an ebook about being mentally fit. It’ll be a series of activities moms can do. They’re doable and don’t require too much time to begin to build their self-esteem, confidence, learn to manage stress, set visions and those things.”
Members of the FMD community can look forward to two more ebooks in the next five months and a partnership with the American Heart Association in September for their national Empower Me challenge. Miller said the association is an honor. “They have themes for each week and we’ll be blogging and doing video work for them. It’s focused on Healthy
Mom, Healthy Family.”
Dougherty mentioned FMD has a partnership with Microsoft and looks forward to continuing that build other partnerships and do spokesperson work. “We love partnering with companies that have similar visions that we have,” she said. To become part of the Fit Mom Diet community, visit www.fitmomdiet.com to join and to subscribe to the FMD newsletter.
Tracy House is a freelancer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@ santansun.com.
Chandler residents develop and launch innovative reTXT app
BY ALISON STANTON
Like many people, Kevin Wooten relies on texting to communicate with others.
And, like many people, Wooten is frustrated by the way auto-correct can inadvertently turn a simple text into a confusing message.
“Too many times I would send a text message and have it turned into something completely different,” he said.
“One day, after sending eight or nine messages to clarify what I said in a previous message, it simply hit me that I should be able to update something I already sent.”
Inspired by this realization, Wooten decided to build an app that would allow users to edit or delete sent messages. He discussed his ideas with friends and fellow Chandler residents, J.R. Jordan and Eric Marcus, and the three co-founded reTXT Labs in Tempe.
launched an updated version that includes a program that rewards people for referring new customers.
The reTXT app is available on iOS and Android platforms and can be downloaded from iTunes or Google Play for a 60-day free trial, or for a one-year subscription for 99 cents.
“In all, reTXT was in development for about a year before we officially launched, although that included many months of a public beta program where most of those who requested were given access to it,” said Wooten, who is CEO of reTXT Labs.
On April 20, reTXT Labs soft launched the reTXT app, which Wooten said is the first secure and private multiplatform mobile messaging app that gives users total control over their text messages.
Recently, Wooten, Jordan and Marcus
As the three men were building the prototype of the app and began to test it, Wooten said they quickly realized the other features it should include, like “Clarify,” which allows users to swipe on a message to express which texts they don’t understand.
“At some point before we started the journey in earnest we sat down and thought about what we were truly trying to achieve and it came back as simply, ‘to make messaging easier and reduce the amount of time you’re frustrated with it,’” Wooten said.
“At the same time we were sure to keep the things we liked, like using your
phone number or email address instead of creating another username and not requiring people to connect before you can send messages.”
As Jordan, chief sales officer, said, the reTXT app, which features end-to-end encryption, also allows users to opt in or out of group messages, name group messages, access a camera quickly to send photo and video messages, easily access a microphone to send voice messages, and view all nontextual media in the conversations via a media browser.
“There is nothing else like it on the market,” Jordan said.
Although there are other messaging apps, they have not evolved and do not include many of the features that make reTXT unique.
Marcus, chief operating officer, said he feels the app’s simple interface helps to make reTXT especially attractive.
“The ability to send messages
securely and with the reassurance that nobody can ever access them provides users with peace of mind,” Marcus said. Wooten said that so far, the customer reaction to reTXT has been really positive.
“Many independent reviewers have given the app top marks, including nationally recognized publications like CNET. Also, we currently have great ratings on both the iOS and Android app stores,” Wooten said.
“We only expect this trend to continue as we add new features and get the app into the hands of a wider audience.”
For more information about reTXT, visit www.retxt.com.
Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.
information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. Rudy’s West Country Store and Barbecue, 7300 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Thursday Lunch Leads Group
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays
The Chandler Chamber Leads groups help business members to network and grow their businesses. Members are given the opportunity to give the group information on their company, upcoming events and more. Allowed two free visits. High Tide Seafood Bar and Grill, 2540 S. Val Vista Dr., Suite 101, Gilbert.
Chandler Chamber Friday Morning Leads Group
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Fridays
The Chandler Chamber of Commerce Leads Groups have been created to help business members network and grow their businesses. Basically a leads group is a business referral network that helps businesses interact and network. Members of one of the chamber’s leads groups have the opportunity to develop sources and contacts that can help generate sales. Allowed two free visits. Chompie’s Delicatessen Restaurant, 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler.
Ribbon cutting at The Valet Club
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9
The Valet Club is located at 3738 W. Commonwealth Ave., Suite 8, Chandler
Wake-Up Chandler
7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 10
Start off the morning by networking with other businesses. Participants are invited to bring business cards and brochures, and
give a 30-second commercial about their businesses. Catering provided by Effortless Bistro. SoZo Coffeehouse, 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler.
Ribbon cutting at Champion Schools
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10
Champion Schools is located at 222 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler.
How We Stand Input Meeting
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12; and Tuesday, June 16, through Friday, June 19.
Come and give your input for the Chandler chamber’s legislative document. The Thursday topic is City of Chandler Issues: Economic Development and Municipal Budget. Friday’s topic is City of Chandler Issues: Build-out and Community Quality and Multimodal Transportation. The June 16 topic is Regional Issues: Education/ Workforce Development and Employer/ Employee Relations. The June 17 topic is Regional Issues: Energy and Utilities and Environment.” The June 18, topic is Regional Issues: Tax and Fiscal Policy and Efficient and Effective Government. Finally, June 19 is Regional Issues: Growth and Land Use and Economic Vitality and Expansion. Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
Ribbon cutting at The Ivy Mediterranean Lounge
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11
The Ivy Mediterranean Lounge is located at 1890 W. Germann Rd., Chandler.
Ribbon Cutting at Forum
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 12
Forum Training and Events is located at 700 W. Warner Rd., Chandler.
Chandler Chamber Lunch Club
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 15
The Chandler Chamber Lunch Club is for anyone who would like to attend and help support member businesses. The goal of the Chandler Chamber Lunch Club is to network and promote each business while having a meal at a hometown restaurant. $10 for lunch and drink; tip is included. Vintage 95, 95 W. Boston St., Chandler.
Women in Business
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16
The luncheon features a different program each month. The keynote speakers are Sylvia Monroe and Cina Sunderhaus speaking about “Empowering Women: How to Be Successful in a Male-dominated Environment.” Chrystal and Fred Richardson from CE Wilson Consulting will be in the experts’ lounge. Jane Poston from J2 Media will host in the education salon. Admission ranges from $25 to $40. SoHo63, 63 E. Boston St., Chandler.
Business Golf
6:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17
Join the chamber the first and third Wednesdays of every month until August for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce Business Golf Outing. Participants will play nine holes on various chamber member golf courses including breakfast and networking opportunities. Cost is $35. Lonetree Golf Club, 626 S. Mountain Blvd., Chandler.
Business After Business
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18
Join the chamber’s monthly evening mixer. Charge is $5 for members; $15 general admission. TopGolf, 1689 S. SanTan Village Pkwy., Gilbert.
Leadership Institute
7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 19
Monthly issue day for the Leadership Institute. Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
SEND IN YOUR BUSINESS PROFILE FOR
The SanTan Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers.
Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 35,000 homes, racks and boxes on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website and email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo. Email this information to business@santansun.com or visit www.santansun.com and click on the “Doing Business” form to submit.
