The camera and YouTube show more than cute kittens pawing on a piano. Media Bonsai, a two person company, wraps its video lens around the stories of business.

“A lot of times the story that a company has been trying to tell can’t always get it across,” said Scott Harrington, Media Bonsai co-creator. “People want to hear the story told in a more dynamic way that touches all the senses.”

Six videos show the best of what the Trade and Tryon location has to offer on its new YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/TryonPlaza.  Harrington makes each viral video thirty seconds to three minutes long.

“You have to make it short and sweet,” Harrington said. “If you grab two minutes of someone’s attention, you’re lucky. The best videos that are the most entertaining; that have all the drama, will capture people’s attention.”

Harrington began working with Web marketing in 1995, and it led to making viral videos before the existence of YouTube and other online media. Harrington and his then co-workers looked into a virtual crystal ball. A boulder blocked the road of the future. He wondered how to attract attention to his professional viral videos.

“For years and years and years, the number one way people found out about videos was through email,” Harrington said. “You’d get these mass forwarded emails. Now social media has really taken off … Before that, you had to hope people would forward [the video].”

A strong marketing campaign begins with a good relationship, but technology changes every year. The greatest challenge now is for Media Bonsai to help businesses adjust to new technologies.

“I’ve always been interested in the next technology,” Harrington said. “I think the hardest part of it is for the companies to adopt some of the new technologies and put them into action. We may educate them for three years before they pull the trigger on a Twitter campaign or a Facebook campaign.”

Media Bonsai provides full service of video production, social media, print and design, but the company also builds professional relationships in addition to grab your attention campaigns.

In 2011, Media Bonsai began working on video production for Tryon Plaza. The company, now housed at Tryon Plaza, is working on a new video project for the YouTube channel. Harrington is creating videos with testimonials from the building’s business owners.

“Everybody wants their video to go viral,” Harrington said. “Truth of the matter is you have to make a video that is worth watching.”

Rebecca T. Dickinson for Tryon Plaza

Address for success

An international network and a virtual vision captured Michelle Vernon’s attention in college. Fueled with only ambition, she realized a plan to help manufacturers in Charlotte with business overseas.

Michelle first focused on French when she created Choice Translating. In the professional firm’s seventeen years, it has expanded as a language services provider to help companies maximize global opportunities and to communicate with non-English speaking staff.

Her husband, Vernon Menard, invested in the company in the late 1990’s when he expressed an interest to become an entrepreneur with Choice Translating.

“I thought it was a diamond in the rough and very future oriented,” Vernon said. “I think that businesses in general have to be globally interested and globally outfitted to survive. The structure Michelle already had in the business was a virtual structure.”

After they married, Michelle and Vernon teamed together to increase their business and create long term relationships in Charlotte, the United States, and the world. They have hired virtual staff, including contractors, and local employees. Choice Translating has worked in 176 languages.

The couple needed a place where Choice Translating exuded a professional image, showed the company’s long term goals, and felt like home.

“We really wanted to let our potential clients know we are a professional company,” Michelle said. “I was drawn to downtown Charlotte … There is so much energy and activity.”

The Trade and Tryon office location was not another space. At Tryon Plaza, Vernon and Michelle saw expansion, future leadership, and long term relationships. The husband and wife co-owners bought two office spaces at Tryon Plaza, an Uptown office condominium.

Vernon and Michelle worked with an architect to bring to life everything they envisioned. Michelle made use of the natural light with the excellent views of the office windows.

“We took advantage of it so as much of the natural light carried through the space,” Michelle said.

Vernon wanted to incorporate expansion into every part of the design. Rooms with dry erase markers have allowed employees to write and share ideas. They collaborate or hold meetings.

In order to create a space where employees enjoyed their work, the Menards understood the importance of content workers. They added a kitchen space, and employees have the option to walk outside during their breaks.

The opportunity for business owners to expand in a work space of their own gives the Menards an edge. Choice Translating has found a home and a way to give people jobs.

By Rebecca T. Dickinson for Tryon Plaza

Awards and plaques cover the walls of J.C and Bianca Alvarado’s office at Uptown Insurance. Behind the shining sheath of their achievements is the story of sacrifice, challenge and love. The husband and wife team have owned their Allstate office at Tryon Plaza since 2007.

Their eager determination to set themselves apart in the business world did not come easy.

The couple met in Miami, Florida where J.C worked for other insurance companies. He helped owners put their businesses on the map. He called Bianca into his office to discuss an insurance policy.

“I used the insurance as an excuse [to meet her] because she had a renewal of her policy coming up at the time,” J.C said.

The love story had just started.

Miami had a tight scheduling. It was a tough market for insurance, Bianca said. A family member informed the Alvarados about Charlotte. A date with Uptown turned into love at first sight. J.C and Bianca admired the cleanliness, energy and spirit Charlotte had to offer. The couple packed up and moved their new Allstate business to another building in Uptown. After one year, they moved to Tryon Plaza.

Tryon Plaza creates a family atmosphere, and in hard times a family sticks together.

When the Alvarados first opened, Allstate had no customers. The self-proclaimed social butterfly, J.C, walked around uptown Charlotte to meet other small business owners. Bianca, who has a background in banking, managed operations in the office. The business grew. From 2006 to 2009, Allstate received recognition and awards.

Business hit a brick wall in 2010. Banks in uptown faced their own challenges due to the decline of the economy, and financial institutions became stricter with loans for small businesses. J.C and Bianca did not fold their cards. While other companies entered survival mode, Allstate planned for expansion.

“We don’t focus on the negative,” Bianca said. “We’re okay with change. We’re okay with reinventing the wheel.”

The couple looked at what their customers needed, the state of their customer service, and how to make themselves a part of the community.

Now J.C and Bianca are going “back to the basics.”

“Our reputation must stay clean,” Bianca said. “At the end of the day, word of mouth is the fastest marketing tool out there.”

The Alvarados have not laid-off their staff. Excellent customer service employees stay with their business family at Tryon Plaza.

J.C said insurance is a tough sell in the current economy, and every person on staff must reach out to the customers. The Allstate staff asks about their customers’ families, and educates clients about their policies.

J.C and Bianca feel at home at Tryon Plaza. The staff, they say, looks out for everyone.

“Everybody is focused about what they have to do in the building, and that just adds value to us being in at Tryon Plaza more than any other building in Uptown,” Bianca said. “We deepen our relationship with the people here, too.”

Bianca and J.C do not grow tired of their business home just as they still enjoy working together. The couple says the secret to running a business together is to respect the other person’s talents.

By Rebecca T. Dickinson

A company that successfully manages web traffic for over a dozen websites related to online gaming, Ideal Internet grew from humble beginnings.  Chris began his work inspired by an “infatuation with website traffic,” he said.  He and a friend initially worked out of a home office in Cary, North Carolina.  Through much dedication, their work soon expanded and they hired additional help related to programming, content development, and advertising.

Upon deciding to relocate their business to Charlotte, Chris was seeking something with “a great location, great view, center city, and affordable,” he said.

Not only did he find all this at Tryon Plaza, but he was also very impressed with the architecture of this landmark building.  Remarkably well preserved and having timeless appeal, Tryon Plaza features gleaming bronze work and highly detailed stone carvings, culminating in crowning pediments.  Displaying skilled craftsmanship, it clearly makes a unique mark onto the uptown Charlotte cityscape that is easily recognizable.

“Everyone that works here is on the same page that we love the architecture with the history; having a modern look on the inside with a historic feel on the outside.  I really liked that appeal,” Chris explained.

Tryon Plaza’s motto, Where you work inspires how you work, can be seen actualized in many ways including its high end architecture and interior design with attention to detail, customizable office spaces, and high quality amenities including a fitness center, conference center, owners’ lounge, and the convenience of concierge services.  After speaking with Chris, it is also clear that the motto is a testament to the need for work hour flexibility provided at Tryon Plaza. Many businesses would find this essential to being fully efficient.

“With any internet or technology based company, everyone works on their own schedule.  I have a programmer that will sometimes come in at 2:00 in the afternoon and work until 2:00 in the morning.  Other days, he’ll pull a normal 9-5.  What Tryon Plaza offers us, versus another building, is full accessibility at any time and that is what allows us to be as productive as we can be.” Chris explained.

The location of Ideal Internet in Tryon Plaza clearly attests to the entrepreneurial spirit upon which this building’s foundation was fist laid and has remained for centuries.  Tryon Plaza welcomes Chris and his company Ideal Internet, and wishes them much success on the exciting road ahead.

¹ Catherine W. Bishir, Michael T. Southern, A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Carolina (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2003) 508.

by Sophia Khan

Room 112 invites Tryon Plaza business owners to unwind after and during a hard day’s work.

“I think it serves as a spot for people to escape to other than their break room,” said co-owner, Adrian Chen.

The Chens understand the importance of location.   When the husband and wife team chose their location in 2009,  Adrian said there were many considerations taken into account.

“The location of the restaurant dictates the concept you have [for a restaurant],” Adrian said.

Room 112 has developed a reputation as the slightly hidden hot spot for occupants who know great food. For customers, the Chens offer a weekly variety of food. Their sushi explodes in flavor and art over competition. The Chens have perfected their sushi by getting to know the Southern palette.

“I wanted us to be the mashed potatoes and grits of the sushi world here in Charlotte,” Adrian said. “My sushi is definitely hearty, and I have to say it caters more to the Southern palette.”

Adrian Chen’s concept of trends in food comes from hiring the best and most talented sushi chefs. Two chefs now on staff have worked at the best sushi spots in Charlotte.

“We keep up with trends,” Adrian said. “I’m more of a Chinese CoCo Channel when it comes to food.”

CoCo Channel worked with her designers to perfect her product lines.

Adrian works with her sushi chefs to keep up the delicious factor and style in her sushi rolls. If business owners want something different than what is on the menu, the Chens and the team of chefs provide rolls not listed. Customers are encouraged to ask for the newest sushi rolls.

Charlotte has changed since both Adrian and Andy’s childhood when their families ran Chinese restaurants.

After more than 20 years, the Chens are still in love with the restaurant business, and have fallen for the Trade and Tryon location. Room 112 is responsible for assisting in the creation of the fun and relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. The building’s architecture provides something beautiful for everyone, and the site gives the Chens and their customers prime access to Charlotte.

The Chens discover community inside Room 112 and at Tryon Plaza. When Adrian walks around the restaurant she observes customers’ smiles and nods after their first bite. As a convenience, she is willing to provide ice or restaurant materials to those same owners at Tryon Plaza when they entertain clients in the building’s conference center.

Wait staff is encouraged to smile, relax, and assist occupants in unwinding through excellent customer service. Most of the Chens’ staff has worked with them for years. The Chens understand long term relationships as much as excellent food. Room 112 staff wants owners to return again and again.

– By Rebecca T. Dickinson

An owner of an office condominium unit at Tryon Plaza, Shane McDevitt,  is really living over the edge for a good cause!

Friends and family,

This Saturday (Oct 29th) at 11:50am, I will be rappelling 35 stories down The VUE high-rise in Uptown Charlotte to help raise money for Special Olympics North Carolina.

Over the years, I have been happy to donate time and money to many great causes… But this is the 1st time I have asked for the same from you.  I have little time to meet my goal, so please help me make this happen!!!

I would sincerely appreciate you donating to sponsor me by visiting my FirstGiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/shanemcdevitt/over-the-edge-charlotte

You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to SPECIAL OLYMPICS NORTH CAROLINA by FirstGiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.

Please send my page on to anyone who might like to donate, and if you can make it, I look forward to seeing you there!

Shane

Shane McDevitt
The McDevitt Agency
Center City Realtor, Broker/Owner

Historic Charlotte, Inc. has recognized Tryon Plaza for its preservation efforts during the renovation of the twenty-story office tower which is now being sold as office condominiums.  At its 11th Annual Blast for the Past Preservation Awards Ceremony held earlier in the month, a number of projects were honored for their contribution to the preserving of  residential and commercial structures throughout the city.  Award winners honored included:

Preservation Excellence

Pineville Preservation and Revitalization Project

 Town of Pineville;

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Preservation Residential

Hennigan Place

Betty and Pete Snow

Historic Neighborhood Residential Infill

Gooding-Allen Residence

 Studio One; Segue Builders

Preservation Commercial

Charlotte Country Club

Jenkins Peer Architects; Rodgers Builders

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Fryday and Doyne; Hoestetter and Keach, Inc.

Honorable Mention – Preservation Residential

Pelletier-Ramsey Residence

Studio One; Mpete, Inc.

Honorable Mention – Preservation Commercial

Tryon Plaza

Jenkins Peer Architects; The Simpson Organization, Inc.

Underneath Tryon Plaza’s amazing 1920′s architecture and historic charm is a commitment to energy efficiency and increased sustainability.  Tryon Plaza is proud to announce that it is participating in Duke Energy’s Smart Energy Now program, Envision Charlotte.  Said best by Envision Charlotte:

A first-of-its-kind community sustainability program, this cutting-edge initiative will reflect Charlotte’s role as an emerging energy capital. In the process, it will enhance our vibrant business hub, making it even more attractive to forward-looking businesses and talent.

Utilizing innovative energy technologies from Duke Energy, participating office buildings will have the ability to monitor and manage energy usage better than ever before. But technology alone isn’t the answer. To create a more sustainable city takes people — all of us collaborating and using the latest information technology to make smarter choices.

Behind our polished brass, marble, and limestone, we have our finger on the pulse of our building and its energy usage, and as a result, not only do the owners of Tryon Plaza’s office condominiums win, but our entire community.  By participating in this program and sharing our energy usage data, we’re helping ensure that the corner of Trade and Tryon remains the place to be for centuries to come.

Time runs out. Five, six, or seven o’clock hits. You’re not done with a report. All you think about is the dinner not on the stove. The kids call or text. You remember you need to stop by the grocery store after you survive Charlotte traffic.

Tryon Plaza’s Business Concierge offers its business owners and employees a way to ease the worries of their personal lives. Anthony Samuel, Tryon Plaza Concierge, works on site every day to offer building occupants the services they need. Samuel starts his day bringing in Starbucks coffee and running a vehicle for an oil change and detailing. He performs postal and mail runs, orders gift baskets, picks up dry cleaning and shoes from shoe repair. Samuel gift wraps, does administrative and office work, and finds the best ticket prices by air or train.

“As a concierge, I must be equipped to fill a wide variety of needs,” Samuel said. “I provide catering arrangements, dinner reservations, party planning, travel arrangements, and organize activities for the occupants at Tryon Plaza.”

The multitude of services Samuel provides changes and varies with the need of each client. Everything Samuel does for Tryon Plaza’s occupants is meant to alleviate family and personal pressures outside work. It allows everyone at Tryon Plaza to focus on business.

“Business owners have a more flexible schedule to where they do not have to worry about their personal lives while they’re in the business world,” Samuel said. “It helps keep them and their employees more focused on actually building their own personal businesses.”

Grocery shopping is a time-consuming errand, and it is becoming a more common request for Samuel. He runs out and picks up groceries for a client. Samuel said some companies work as late as eight o’clock. The last thing an employee wants to face is traffic, a long line, and hungry children or spouse.

The business concierge service is needed more today. With a fluctuating economy, people with jobs are working harder. There is a greater challenge to fulfill personal errands and needs. With four children, Samuel knows how difficult it is to accomplish things for family when there is not enough time in the day.

“To see some of the people who are busy with kids and marriages or who need a personal errand done when they know they can’t because they’re at work, the concierge service frees them because they have someone there to do errands for them,” Samuel said.

Tryon Plaza takes pride in the services and the persona it offers occupants. Other buildings and their staff think nine to five. An employee feels like he or she must go to work. The motto at Tryon Plaza is: Where you work inspires how you work. Tryon Plaza does not want its owners to feel like they occupy an office. Samuel and the staff at Tryon Plaza want everyone to feel like they’re walking into a comfortable home office with excellent service.

Samuel knows Tryon Plaza offers occupants an at-home and professional environment. Employees have the opportunity to know everyone at Tryon Plaza and what they do. Workers are able to not only know one another, but to establish networking relationships.

“Coming to Tryon Plaza will be a life changing experience,” Samuel said.

Part of Samuel’s work takes him out of Tryon Plaza and allows him to network with other companies in Charlotte that provide services to occupants. He researches ticket and show prices on the Internet. Samuel also visits other merchants in Charlotte who provide services to Tryon Plaza’s occupants.

One client had a last minute package he needed to ship. He was nervous it would not make it to its destination by the following Monday. Samuel utilized his marketing and Internet options, and found the client the best possible price. The individual was overwhelmed by the fact Samuel found a low price, managed to ship it to arrive on time, and provided excellent service.

While Samuel assists clients to meet their goals, he also shares aspirations for Tryon Plaza. Samuel hopes to increase the demand for the
business concierge service to the point additional staff is required because the service is just that good.

– Rebecca T. Dickinson

Passion and hard work are qualities that combine to create success among those businesses that call Tryon Plaza home.  These same qualities are embraced by our local wine partner, Buffalo Baker Creek Vineyard.

The entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm exhibited by its owners are truly contagious.  Located a short drive from Uptown in Fallston, this 100 year old farmland offers vineyards which supply eight different grape varietals.

It is with great pride that we keep our wine cooler, an amenity available to all owners, well-stocked with Baker Wine so that when you visit us, you can take home a symbol of what makes Tryon Plaza truly a great place to office at the corner of Trade in Tryon in Uptown Charlotte.