If you are an independent retail shop or restaurant owner Findzall is right for you! Often referred to as a "Mom and Pop" business, independents or we like to call you "Indies" are what makes our towns special. Indie boutiques and eateries are the true fabric of our society, the personality of our neighborhoods and the heart and soul of our communities. Findzall is here for you providing valuable tips, pertinent links, continuing education and more ways than you can imagine helping Indies thrive and prosper. Have an idea about something you want to know more about? Contact us at info@findzall.com.

In this section Indies will find:

• Articles and Tips for Independent Business Owners
• Findzall Finds
• Shop Local Campaigns
• Get Listed

The Three E's of Indie Retail

We put the spotlight on the best of the best Indie boutiques, stores and restaurants. Indie Spotlight highlights shops and restaurants that are amazing and exceptional.

We are proud to feature artist Nancie King Mertz owner of Art de Triumph and Artful Framer Studios in Chicago. Findzall founder Mark Maloney discovered Nancie's amazing impressionist oil paintings, pastels and watercolors while searching for art work for this web site. Nancie's paintings captured our vision of presenting independent retail and beautiful Chicago architecture. When we discovered that Nancie's studio was located near our son's Lakeview East apartment we knew that this was meant to be. We met Nancie at the Lakeview East chamber event "Commercial Real Estate symposium – Locating your retail business in a challenging economy" and discovered that she is a chamber board member. She is also an amazing, lovely warm person. Her shop Art de Triumph and Artful Framer Studios provides Nancie's original art work, framing, prints and fine art cards of her work. Nancie was named "Business Person of the Year 2008" by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and "Artist of the Year" by the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

Nancie King Mertz is the ideal Indie shop owner with a wonderful store open 7 days a week with great store events and is willing to give her time to improve her local business district. What a find!

Art de Triumph and Artful Framer Studios
2936 N Clark
Chicago, IL 60657

Open 7 Days a Week
Mon– Fri: 11-7, Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-5
773-832-4038
www.NancieKingMertz.com

We believe in shopping and dining local and want to help you find ways to encourage your customers to skip the mall, forget the internet and avoid the big box stores. One of our favorite Shop Local campaigns is the 3/50 Project www.the350project.net that encourages everyone to pick 3 independently owned businesses, spend $50 among them per month and save your local economy. Want to create a shop local campaign for your town? Contact us at info@findzall.com. Remind yourself and all of your employees to Shop Local!

A great way to get the word out about your Indie shop or restaurant is (where else?) on the internet. Between smart phones and computers more people are getting information, maps and reviews online than ever before. Listing your business makes you easier to find, shows your store hours, links to your web site and more. Businesses that are listed on the web are more likely to be found, noticed and reviewed and that translates to more sales. If you Google your company and it doesn't come up first, you may be losing customers.

Below is an alphabetical list of links to local popular search engines, newsletters and blogs. Add your business, sales, and events today, it's free!

+ Get Listed Resources