Tech Review: Virtual business cards fall flat

This article originally appeared September 2, 2008. New services like rmbrME offer an electronic remedy to the problem of paper-based business cards. Only for many business people, business cards aren’t a problem that needs solving. Through text messages and web applications, rmbrME creates an electronic business card called a bzCard. Instead of carrying around a paper card, you email it to a contact. Technology is supposed to make life easier, but sometimes the old-fashioned way of doing things reigns king. New services like rmbrME offer an electronic remedy to the problem of paper-based business cards. Only for many business people, business cards aren’t a problem that needs solving. Through text messages and web applications, rmbrME creates an electronic business card called a bzCard. Instead of carrying around a paper card, you email it to a contact. Sign-up for the service was easy. I timed it. One minute, ...

Recess is back

Recycled: this story first ran in 2008. From afar, it looks like gym class. Only the guy rolling the rubber ball toward home plate has a 5 o’clock shadow and a beer gut. And the girl playing first base, wearing makeup and tight tube socks, just told her friend she’s f*$#ing awesome. Everybody clearly drove to the park. Some seem to be drinking from plastic Solo cups. Blame Sean Smalls. Six years ago, the Mechanicsville native and VMI alum started the River City Sports and Social Club to let Richmond adults get back to simpler times. The local entrepreneur has built a rapidly-growing business by selling whiffle ball, dodge ball, kickball and flag football to Richmond’s out-of-college crowd. The rules of the River City Sports and Social Club state that all participants must be at least 22 years old. The older participants are pushing ...

Tell them you Mean Business!

Recycled: This story first ran in July 2008. You’ve seen the commercial. The video is grainy, filtered only in black and white. Two insurance adjusters are attempting to enjoy a leisurely dinner when their peace is interrupted by an urgent text message. The younger, for some reason balder adjuster, relays the bad news: “It’s that law firm again, about the settlement demand.” He shows the message on his phone as proof.

Richmonders driving less

Richmond motorists are spending less time on the roads – or at least avoiding the tolls on the Southside. According to the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, traffic at the Powhite Parkway mainline toll plaza has been falling since February compared to the previous year. Around 543,000 fewer drivers have passed through the tolls so far this year than at the same point in 2007. And that discrepancy grew during the warmer months.

Tech Review: GlassDoor sheds light on employees and salaries

With GlassDoor.com, you can find out what your employees are saying about your company -- at least at the big ones like Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL and Google. And because entries are anonymous, employees feel comfortable being completely honest about their jobs. (It might also turn into a whining session)

The site also provides room for employees to make suggestions to management, working like an electronic version of the suggestion box you find in College cafeterias (alas, my cries for more Buffalo Chicken Wraps at my alma mater went unfulfilled).

Scooter fever spreads to Whitten Motor Sports

Moped fever is spreading. And more dealers in Richmond are trying to get in on the action. Whitten Motor Sports in Ashland now sells Vespas, the high end Italian scooter. The dealership began carrying the fashionable two-wheelrs about a month ago, according to sales manager Jeremy Larsen.

Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Roundup for 10.17.08

CB Richard Ellis announces the following transactions: Logistics Systems Incorporated leased 42,000 sf at 1821 Battery Dantzler Rd. in Chesterfield. The company started as a logistics management consulting business and has since expanded to provide IT services and staffing consulting. It is headquartered in Washington, DC. Contact: Lawrence Wilkerson, President and CEO 202-347-0821 Better Business Bureau of Central VA has leased 6,833 sf at 720 Moorefield Park Dr. in Chesterfield. Contact: Tom Gallagher, President and CEO 804-648-0030

Zoom can help find new locations

In the past, businesses looking to relocate relied mostly on connections, market trends and popular opinions.

A new service is looking to change that with cold, hard facts.

Zoom Prospector lets businesses search the nation for the perfect place to set up shop.

The website, which was recently made available to the public by developer GIS Planning, collects information about cities and counties around the U.S.. The information includes essentials such as labor force size and education levels, as well as some more offbeat (but equally cool) stuff.

Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Roundup for 10.10.08

Thalhimer reports the following transactions: Owens & Minor Medical, Inc. has purchased 50 acres of land within Atlee Station in Hanover. The land was purchased from Media General, Inc. for $5,398,650. Owens & Minor has purchased the land as an investment for future use. The Richmond-based company distributes medical and surgical supplies to hospitals and healthcare centers. Contact: 804-723-7000

The Pipeline: Commercial Real Estate Roundup for 10.03.08

Jack P. Fine & Associates has purchased 7,000 sf at 2405 Chamberlayne Ave. in Richmond. The property is home to an Advance Auto Parts store. It was sold by Chamberlayne Developers for $1.56 million, or $223 per sf. The freestanding retail building is located in the Laburnum/Rt. 360 retail submarket. Advance Auto Parts fully leases and occupies the property. Contact: Jack Fine, Principal 804-762-7014

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