Nodds in the News 

One of the goals of Nodds Neighborhood is to become the most trusted name in Beaverton. And as an expert on everything local, Nodds is gaining well deserved publicity. Below are some of the larger news events and as we continue to grow, we will post more.

Article written by a marketing firm on Nodds.org

(April 3, 2007)

This article was written by Drew Zagorski of Left Brain Right Brain Marketing (www.nodds.org/lbrbmarketing). I love the title:

It's a Beautiful Day in Nodd's Neighborhood
A Great New Marketing Tool for Beaverton Businesses!

Instead of just listing the text of the article here, I think it's easier if you check it out from the source (it'll look better too):

http://www.lbrbmarketing.com/pdf/040307%20Nodds.pdf

Speech given at a Chamber of Commerce event

(July 20, 2007) 

 Hello, my name is Michael and Nodd's Neighborhood is... Beaverton's Community Website. And as a community website, we are focused on helping the people who live, work and shop in Beaverton connect with what's in their neighborhoods.

And for businesses, we are dedicated in particular to small, local and home businesses in the Beaverton area. Yes... we are committed to home businesses and Yes... if your business is not in Beaverton but you want to reach out to Beaverton customers, then of course you are welcome to join Beaverton's Community Website.

And for this month to date, we are helping almost 300 people a day connect with local stores!

Now if you were all ministers and pastors... I don't know, maybe some of you are (pause for laughs), I'd be telling you about our visual church guide that will soon be available. Our visual apartment guide is already up and soon you will be able to visit visual guides to schools, city parks, city services and local organizations because... I Give Where I Live!

But since you are all business owners, I will tell you about our visual shopping guide - where every mall and shopping area in the city gets its very own directory of stores and every store gets a picture and the opportunity to contribute important store details.

Now for everyone here today, I have a special offer:

Please fill out the cards being passed around and I will list your business details for free. And for Chamber members, if you check one of the two boxes at the bottom that includes a link to your website, I will include your business and that link in a special referral directory exclusively for Chamber members. Not only that, but for those of you who fill out a card today, I will waive the $25 setup fee.

At only $15/month, you will not find a more affordable or valuable way of getting exposure for your business. Why so inexpensive?

• My dream is for Nodd's Neighborhood to become the most trusted name in the community and the first resource people use when looking for local businesses.
• My dream is for no local business to struggle but that through Nodd's Neighborhood, every local business no matter how small, gets the opportunity to succeed with equal access to basic advertising and exposure.
  

Please help me to realize my dreams by filling out those cards, go to and bookmark nodds.org and tell your family and friends that Beaverton now has a community website and the name of that website is ... Nodd's Neighborhood.

Article for Minuteman Press

(July 31, 2007)

Shop Local... Why?

Driving down the busy streets of Beaverton, Hillsboro or the surrounding areas on the way to the national chains (made famous by TV commercials), we barely notice the mom and pop businesses. We'll pass store after store, big and small, but where do we stop? Starbucks, Taco Bell, Home Depot, Target, Fred Meyer.... These businesses spent billions and have won the ‘brand war'. Their logos are engraved upon our minds. 

Something you may not have noticed however is that most of these national chains use roughly the same mantra: "Convenience, price, convenience, price..." It is seductive, but should a chain based in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a thousand stores and counting, be the de facto best choice for ourselves, our families, our businesses or our communities?

There is, I contend, a human dynamic that goes well beyond price and convenience and though not always recognized, plays an integral part in many of our shopping decisions. Do we do business with a company or with a person? Think of your hair stylist, your accountant, your chiropractor... what is it that keeps you loyal? This personal dynamic is the one key element local businesses have that often out-weighs any of the advantages national chains may claim.

Consider the following....

How many Starbucks do you know of in Beaverton? I checked my database and stopped counting at 20.  Order from any of them and you'll get your latte from some nice kid who does what he's paid to do. But is this as good as it gets? See for yourself: why not patron a locally-owned coffee/espresso shop like Urban Rhythms (www.nodds.org/urbanrythms) in the Round Mall where you'll find the owner, Heather Humelbaugh hard at work behind the counter brewing the coffee herself. She makes the sandwiches to order and bakes fresh muffins, too. Same goes for Mike at Java Nation (how does he remember all of his customer's names?!?), Homer and Amy at Ava Roasteria (www.nodds.org/avaroasteria), Sean at Iron Mutt or Rick at Java Mama. All of these owners go beyond a simple "cup of jo". They know their loyal customers and provide great service in an atmosphere that reflects each of their unique personalities and character. All desire to give back to the community. Their shop is their life, an extension of who they are - indeed, an extension of their community. Take for a great example Bassitt Auto (www.nodds.org/bassittauto) on Baseline Rd. One step through their front door and you'll be dazzled at the décor which resembles to near perfection a 1950's diner and gasoline stand... amazing! Given these types of comparisons, Starbucks is but a mere robot that does what it's told from some far off general who thinks Aloha is some tropical island greeting!

Go to an outside business with a nearby outlet and you may save some money in the short run, but will the owner of Geek Squad follow-up or give you his cell number for after-service computer support? You can be sure that Michael Holcomb (www.holcombcomputers.com) will. He'll go out of his way to ensure the best-possible customer service and, afterwards, keep your business in mind should someone need it, just as you would for him. Why? Because that's what good neighbors do.  

The same goes for accounting. Is an accounting firm with a high-profile national reputation more important, or is Bob Keller, a CPA with a spotless local reputation (www.nodds.org/bobkellercpa)? Sure you can buy wine at Fred Meyer, but if you visit Megan, at Vino100 (www.nodds.org/Vino100), she'll not only explain to you the subtle differences between each of her wines, but will also be able to recommend some cheeses or a gift idea for that special occasion. Beyond price, Bob and Megan each offer incredible value for your dollar.

The list of well-known and well-respected local businesses goes on and on. All of these small business owners live in the Beaverton area and each is committed to serving their local neighbors, friends and community partners.

So why shop local?

Three great reasons: 1) genuine customer service, 2) outstanding quality, 3) personal relationships and networking. While national chains sell you their brands, local storeowners sell you themselves. With every customer, a neighborhood business adds their name and reputation to their work. And when the job is done, a new friend and partner is made, going a long way towards building goodwill that no amount of advertising can buy.

To paraphrase Beaverton Mayor, Rob Drake, during my meeting with him last year, "while it's the large businesses that make us a city, it's the small local stores that make us a community. They are our heart and soul and make Beaverton a fantastic place to call home."

(Michael Wong runs Nodd's Neighborhood, Beaverton's Community Website (www.nodds.org), an online service committed to helping local, small and home businesses gain new customers through increased visibility. For more information contact Michael@nodds.org).

Speech given at the Leadership Beaverton Graduation Ceremony at PCC Rock Creek

(May 20, 2008)

Hello, my name is Michael Wong and I run a community website for Beaverton called Nodds Neighborhood.

Leadership Beaverton has had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally. We had some great days: Economy Day, Government Day, Culture and Diversity Day, Human Needs Day... but the one day that meant the most to me, the day that touch me to my very core was History Day. I was so surprised at how much I did not know about where we came from. The Denney family, the Stotts family, the Watson family, the Hall family, the Jenkins family... we know them as street names but it is upon the backs of these founding families that our city was built.

As a community website, I knew that Nodds Neighborhood needed to be more than just list businesses, we needed to give back to the community so after History Day, I started a historic Beaverton project. Now, a mere eight months later and thanks to Leadership Beaverton, I am happy to announce that I am formally organizing and will head up the Beaverton Historical Society. Mayor Drake, this should be particularly welcoming news for you as we start our city's visioning program; for how can we know where we're going if we don't know where we've been. We need to understand our roots and so I look forward to having the Historical Society play an important advisory role to the city.

I would like to thank personally Loraine Clarno and the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce for putting together such an important program. Leadership Beaverton does more than just teach about the various aspects of the city. Leadership Beaverton challenges the individual to stand up and say "I'm going to make a difference, how can I be of service."

Thank you all for coming...  I am at your service.