New Business Connects Customers with Home Related Business
TRAVERSE CITY – In his work as a builder and general contractor, Chaz Stallman often had clients ask his advice about residential services.
"Who do you call for that?" and "Where can I find one of those?" were the types of questions the Traverse City native usually heard.
To help his clients and others seeking information about home- related services and businesses in the Grand Traverse area, Stallman and his wife, Libby, launched HomeSource 101.
The web-based business features links to their subscribers, mostly residential-related services.
"HomeSource 101 is a complete resource directory for all of your home needs," said Chaz Stallman. "It connects consumers with industry professionals and gives them the inside scoop."
The website is organized by category and location and was launched this spring.
"The focus is really on local companies," he said. "It's a fun, active, entertaining way to engage these businesses without feeling that you're being marketed to."
"The idea is simple," said Libby Stallman. "Consumers need to know where to go, what to use, who to call. And businesses need to be out there and available."
The concept was researched and developed by the couple, who said they found nothing quite like HomeSource 101 anywhere.
"It's not like Angie's list, where you have reviews and critiques," said Chaz Stallman. "We didn't find anything quite as dynamic as this."
Monthly subscribers to HomeSource 101 are featured in its directory with a brief biography and a link to connect to the company's individual website for more information.
Since this spring, the Stallmans have had more than 50 businesses subscribe to HomeSource 101, including Max's Service, Dan Brady Painting, Sheren Plumbing and Heating, Tilecraft, Old Mission Landscape, TC Tops, Carpet Galleria, Coldwell Banker Schmidt, The Concrete Service, Exit Realty, Ace Welding, Brown Lumber, Traverse Outdoor, Fish Window Cleaning, The Larkin Group and Cornillie Concrete.
"While we do not necessarily endorse each other, many of these companies collaborate on projects together from time to time," Libby Stallman said. "We are part of the same community and are proud and honored to feature some really great businesses."
Recently the design firm Kitchen Choreography was featured on HomeSource 101, showcasing the renovation of their 4,000-square-foot office on Division Street. Curious viewers were able to take a photo tour of the project, once a home that was part of the Traverse City State Hospital property, on HomeSource 101.
"One of our goals is to make marketing a little more fun," said Chaz Stallman. "We want our web site to have a really strong presence; a personality. By telling the stories of these businesses, we inform and entertain. We want to keep it interesting and fun for people."
In addition to a web site at Homesource101.com, the company has a Facebook page and is active on Twitter.
"We post on Twitter five times a day," said Libby Stallman, who coordinates the company's social media. "A month ago, I wasn't even on Facebook. I think I was the only person on the planet not there."
For more information, visit HomeSource101.com or call (231) 590-2446.