Hello, readers! And welcome back to the Briefcase. “What’s with all the hotels?” you may find yourself asking of the West Valley. After all, there have been quite a few as of late.
Well, that’s where I’ll start you off — as yet another hotel has broken ground in the region.
And although this week may seem a bit light on some of the heavy hitters beyond that major development, more leads are in the works behind the scenes regarding the Briefcase for next week. But nevermind that for now. Let’s start with the big one.
First, My Place Hotels of America has unveiled its first Arizona location, which is under construction in Avondale. The 32,000-square-foot hotel broke ground May 30, and is planned to be the first hotel in the Avondale City Center District. It will consist of four stories and 63 units at 915 N. Avondale Boulevard when it opens early next year. Other unique features planned include a new exterior design as well as amenities such as an outdoor pool and fitness center.
“Avondale is thrilled My Place has selected our community as its newest location. The City Center project will be taking shape along Avondale Boulevard and we are glad My Place will be a part of our growing community,” Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise said.
Developer MP Avondale’s president, David Gustafson, said owners are excited to introduce the brand and concept they love to the community of Avondale and its guests.
“We love the My Place concept and look forward to opening Arizona’s first location in Avondale,” Gustafson said. “There are a number of things that excite us about building a My Place Hotel, but we are particularly excited to build it in the heart of Avondale. As the first privately owned building and hotel in the City Center District, we can’t wait to serve Avondale’s guests from a most convenient and comfortable place for any length of stay.”
For a different type of business news, Avondale resident Sophie Bejarano joined St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) as the Tailor Made for Success Boutique manager. Bejarano will oversee all the Valley nonprofit’s operations at the satellite location in Central Phoenix. She will also interact with job seekers to address employment barriers and prepare them for jobs or their job search.
Bejarano’s background include 12 years with Chase Bank, where she was a quality manager. She has also managed a volunteer leadership group and a Hispanic networking group at the bank. She also worked with Dress for Success.
“Sophie brings valuable experience and a wealth of enthusiasm to St. Joseph the Worker, and we could not be happier with her addition to the team,” Executive Director Brent Downs said. “Tailor Made for Success is geared solely toward job seeker empowerment and confidence building, and each day she drives this mission home. Our job seekers and our mission could not be in better hands.”
For more information about St. Joseph the Worker, visit sjwjobs.org.
Next, 62 Allstate exclusive agency owners — including four in Goodyear — have been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2019. These include Christopher Osburn, 3690 S. Estrella Parkway, Suite 107; Peter Zipp, 2403 N. PebbleCreek Parkway, Suite 110; Whitney Yates, 13845 W. Test Drive; and Oscar Arnold, 15605 W. Roosevelt Street, Suite 103.
Thirty six percent of Allstate’s 11,000 agency owners nationwide receive this award, which is designated for those who demonstrate excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgable and personal customer experience while achieving outstanding business results.
Finally, Goodyear Branch Library’s monthly Business Builders meet-up is returning. This month’s free gathering is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at 14455 W. Van Buren Street, Suite C-102 (In Building C, adjacent to the library). Guest speaker Alan Tarr, of Greater Phoenix SCORE, will speak on “Creating Killer Content;” more specifically, how guests can develop a “killer marketing message” to boost responses, conversions and sales.
Beyond Tarr, time is allotted for each entrepreneur to give a 30-second introduction, and an hour for a networking and business mixer.
Attendance is free, but space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided, and it is recommended that guests bring business cards. For more information or to RSVP, visit developgoodyearaz.com/resources/innovationhub/hub-business-builder.
The InnovationHub is a partnership between the city of Goodyear, Entrepreneurship + Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Maricopa County Library District, that – in addition to Business Builders – offers free resources like one-on-one business mentoring and the ASU Startup School.
That’s all the briefs for this week, but don’t worry — plenty more, including new businesses and developments, are in store for next week. Thanks for reading!
Have an item for Business Briefcase? Email Connor Dziawura at cdziawura@timespublications.com.