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[email protected] / October 24, 2025

Recommendation for The Chamber ALX

To whom it may concern,

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, known locally as The Chamber ALX. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, it is an advocacy-based nonprofit and a cornerstone of the local business community, recognized for its commitment to supporting growth, connection, and collaboration among area businesses.

The Chamber ALX proudly supports more than 875 member businesses, from one-of-a-kind small enterprises to global organizations. It offers a variety of programs and events designed to promote economic development, foster professional relationships, and strengthen the local business environment. Through its initiatives, it continues to serve as a trusted resource and voice for the Alexandria business community.

At the foundation of its success is a dedicated and highly skilled team that exemplifies professionalism and passion. Each member is committed to serving the community with excellence, whether advocating for business-friendly policies, hosting impactful events, or providing members with meaningful visibility and support. Their enthusiasm and dedication are reflected in every aspect of their work.

I highly recommend The Chamber ALX to anyone seeking to connect, collaborate, and grow within the Alexandria business community. Membership provides valuable resources and opportunities while contributing to the continued vitality and success of local commerce.

Sincerely,

Marty Thomas
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell

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[email protected] / October 24, 2025

Recommendation for Active Wellness

To whom it may concern,

I am pleased to recommend Active Wellness, a respected company based in San Francisco that manages fitness centers and wellness programs. It is known for helping people lead healthier lives through thoughtful, engaging, and well-run fitness facilities.

Active Wellness oversees a variety of fitness centers, providing top-quality programs and services tailored to the needs of each community it serves. From personal training and group classes to wellness coaching and facility management, it focuses on creating welcoming environments where people can achieve their health and fitness goals.

What truly stands out about Active Wellness is its dedicated team. It brings together experienced professionals who care deeply about supporting members and creating positive, motivating spaces. Their expertise and friendly approach make a real difference in how clients experience fitness and wellness.

I highly recommend Active Wellness to organizations looking for a trusted partner to manage fitness centers or develop wellness programs. With its strong commitment to quality, community, and client success, it is a company you can count on.

Sincerely,

Marty Thomas
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell

Visit the website
Download the PDF

Ian Nairn / October 21, 2025

Keep an eye on your ELDs as device approvals are subject to continuous change

If your business operates a fleet that is subject to electronic logging device (ELD) usage, it’s important to keep an eye on regulatory updates and changes that may impact the solutions you’re using. To ensure you remain compliant with federal law, staying on top of all changes, or working with a third-party expert who can keep track for you, is key.

Changes to approved devices are frequent.

In September, 2025 alone, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed four ELDs from its list of approved devices. Fleets were given a tight window of sixty days, during which time they were instructed to “discontinue using the revoked ELD and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data,” and “replace the revoked ELD with a compliant ELD from the Registered Devices list.”

Sixty days may seem like a big window, but for large fleets and when approaching a busy season for many operations, this is a huge change that needs to be made quickly. Changing devices, contacting your provider, educating drivers, and potentially sorting through paper logs – these are all time-consuming feats. And that’s if you’re made aware of the device revocation right away. If you miss the memo, you might be racing to implement the necessary changes in time.

Why do devices get revoked?

The FMCSA doesn’t revoke devices to make life difficult for fleets. In September, the four devices removed – Robinhood ELD, TT ELD PT30, ELOG42 and RENAISSANCE ELD – were done so because they failed to meet technical requirements. They’re not the only devices to face this penalty. Eight other ELDs have also been revoked in 2025. The technical requirements are extensive but readily available, and all the device developers will have the opportunity to revise their ELDs to meet standards. However, that could be a time-consuming fix, and in the meantime, fleets must switch ELDs – and potentially service providers – to remain compliant.

In conclusion…

As a fleet manager, you have to be on top of current ELD regulations. Revoked devices can have a real consequence for your operations, and there may be less time than you’d like to make any changes. Working with an expert on current regulations can save a lot of headaches and buy you time when facing this sort of challenge.

Ian Nairn / October 20, 2025

Featured on “The Garlic Marketing Show” Podcast

Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Ian Garlic’s podcast – The Garlic Marketing Show. Robyn and Ian sit down as she pulls back the curtain on the hidden expenses draining your profits. She also shares how to reclaim them risk-free. Robyn reveals how she helps companies uncover hidden savings in shipping, credit card processing, telecom, and more, often slashing costs by 26–30%.

From busting the “best price” myth to showing why loyalty to a vendor can cost you, Robyn shares real client stories (including shipping cost reduction and credit card processing savings) and explains her zero-risk approach to cost optimization.

Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or marketing professional looking to free up budget, this conversation will change how you think about expenses. It will also show you how to keep more of your hard-earned revenue starting today.

Ian Nairn / October 20, 2025

Featured on “Unveiling Journeys” Podcast

Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Tiffany Alexander’s podcast – Unveiling Journeys. Tiffany and Robyn discuss how she helps companies find money they didn’t even know they were losing—without sacrificing people or culture. Key points include:
• Why traditional corporate loyalty is broken
• What it really takes to walk away from a 25-year career
• The truth about business expenses most leaders overlook
• How cost-saving strategies can protect jobs and fuel growth
• Why community and purpose matter more than ever

Ian Nairn / October 20, 2025

Featured on “The Revenue Game” Podcast

Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Rick McPartlin’s podcast – The Revenue Game. Many businesses try to DIY their way to success, but as Robyn explains, that approach often leads to wasted money, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. From overpaying for services to duplicate expenses and ineffective strategies, this episode is packed with real-world insights on how to stop leaking revenue and start scaling smart.

Ian Nairn / October 20, 2025

Featured on “Pathways to Profitability” Podcast

Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Cheryl Mucha’s podcast – Pathways to Profitability. Cheryl and Robyn discuss the benefits and advantages of Schooley Mitchell’s services and how she got into the franchise.

[email protected] / October 20, 2025

Featured Client Window Genie of Bethesda

Located in Kensington, Maryland, Window Genie of Bethesda is a locally operated cleaning provider offering services such as professional window cleaning (interior and exterior), pressure washing for house exteriors, gutter cleaning, window tinting, and holiday lighting installations. It employs fully trained, insured, and bonded technicians who operate with a high standard of professionalism.

Ian Nairn / October 20, 2025

Featured on “Take the Leap” Podcast

Schooley Mitchell’s Robyn Bowles was recently featured on Meg Schmitz’s podcast – Take the Leap. They discuss Robyn’s move across the country and her journey into franchising with Schooley Mitchell.