EN (Extravagant Necessities!®) - 1701 Legacy Dr., Frisco, Texas

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Extravagant Necessities Receives 2009 Best of Frisco Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Extravagant Necessities has been selected for the 2009 Best of Frisco Award in the Women's Accessories category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org

(South of Warren Parkway at Country Club Drive, North of Hwy. 121 on the West side)

The Frisco Sisters - Marian Chadwick and Janis Jackson have a favorite expression, “If you take care of the extravagances in life, the necessities will take care of themselves.” While Daddy Bud is not particularly fond of this adage, most of their customers are! We also have a new saying – “Must have, Must take.”

If you want to know how the Frisco Sisters started their business, here is the whole story of SISTERS ITALIAN CHARM . . . a charmed life!®, which is now EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® SISTERS ITALIAN CHARM burst onto the Italian charm bracelet scene in August of 2002 with the hottest thing to hit America since the pizza pie. Little did Janis know when she visited a quaint little Christmas store in Sausalito, California that these Italian charms would change the course of the Sisters’ lives in the near future. When Janis returned to Frisco with their new charm bracelets, the first question Marian had was, “Where do we buy more charms?” After learning that virtually no one in Dallas sold the Italian charm bracelets and searching on the Internet to find out who the best designers were/are and what was available, the Frisco Sisters looked at each other and said, “We can do this,” and they started SISTERS ITALIAN CHARM. . . a charmed life!® Marian and Janis talked to several of their new business acquaintances and told them about their idea and they loved it! Yes, they are sisters -- no, they are not Italian, but, yes, they are charming.

A year later, when the demand for their selection and style of Italian charm bracelets, charms, necklaces and watches exceeded their wildest expectations, they realized the only way to continue to provide the variety of merchandise and personal service they are known for was for the Frisco Sisters to open a retail store. But it had to be more than just a retail store. It had to be a shopping experience, a place where you can go to meet friends and have fun, feel special and be treated like royalty, where you can find those “Extravagant Necessities” in Frisco, Texas.

Marian had a realization one morning, find vendors to showcase their merchandise in the store. Why not offer a locale for these vendors to display their merchandise for 30, 60 or 90 days at a time in the store and to offer their customers a wider variety of merchandise. At the same time, it would serve as an incubator for small business owners to get a taste of the retail business and hopefully to facilitate these vendors in starting their own businesses.

Marian and Janis knew all too well how arduous it was to have a business where you held shows from week to week and month to month, schlepping large quantities of boxes and trunks and tables and displays from show to show in the rain, the cold, and the heat. When they decided to find a space to lease in Downtown Frisco, their first question was how they were going to fill the other 971 square feet. You see, they started out with seven to eight lines of Italian charms and other “rage jewelry” and only needed about 100 square feet to display and sell their wares.

Janis and Marian were fortunate enough to meet many extraordinary people who, like them, were trying to start a business and were selling their merchandise at trunk shows, office buildings, shopping centers, bridal shows, and other highly visible venues. These incredible people worked hard, sold a quality product, had a great business ethic, and a loyal customer following. They just needed a small space to call home for their customers in between shows. Marian felt that if she could find half-a-dozen women who wanted to be vendors in the store, that would take up the remaining space in the store. And a dozen would be better. So, the Sisters started their search and found six very talented women (and one man) as their first vendors. Within one year, they had over 30 vendors in the store. It was so exciting to be able to offer so many types of gifts and accessories to their customers that keep their customers coming back for more. So they created an exceptional retail venue in downtown Frisco! Frisco is simply the most exciting city in America!

So in September 2003, Marian and Janis opened the store SISTERS ITALIAN CHARM . . . a charmed life!® with six vendors and a prayer. The store offered jewelry, gifts and accessories, and handmade truffles and gift baskets by Victoriana. Another anchor vendor offered hand-poured candles by Candles are Fun Candle Co., Savannah Scents. Janis found Forevermore at a bridal show – they featured the most beautiful custom invitations, announcements and cards fashioned with such creativity they have received national acclaim. Charm & Spirit was introduced to them by a local Frisco resident featuring mostly school charm bracelets and the popular slider U Name It Bracelets. The Sisters were later introduced to Bcayuga Designs featuring fused glass chandelier earrings and necklaces. One of the pieces was featured at the New York Museum of Modern Art.

In September 2004, SISTERS ITALIAN CHARM . . . a charmed life! became EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES! in order to encompass all of the fabulous items brought to the store by its vendors. The store expanded to showcase three custom fabric and feather handbag designers, two other distinctive jewelry designers, a well-known cross and jewelry designer, and a makeup artist with her own line of cosmetics. They also bring to light various local art and artists in their gallery, custom ironworks and collectables, and beaded accessories for children.

By January 2005, the Sisters knew they wanted to add another jewelry line to compliment the Italian charms and found the Pandora Jewelry Collection® quite by accident. It was so thrilling: you think about a new line. Voila! A new line appears. It was a God thing! One of the Sisters (not to be named) was not leaving the showroom before they had the exclusive in Frisco for Pandora. Fortunately, both of the Sisters agreed it was a good addition the store. Now, we could not imagine how we did without Pandora Jewelry n the store. Have you been Pandora’ed?

It’s been like that for the most part – thinking about a particular type of merchandise they would like to carry in the store, and within a short time a complete stranger or long lost friend either calls, comes in the store or is introduced to them and asks if they are interested in their new product.. At times it is almost amusing how quickly it happens that they are carrying a specific item they have both thought about. They both attribute it to their silent partner (God) being in control of their business. They have even received duplicate orders from multiple vendors that arrived just in time to fill unexpected customer orders. Another God thing!

Now EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® has much, much more and keeps expanding and their vendors’ businesses keep growing and multiplying. It is truly a ministry of its own kind. But the most fun is finding those necessities in life, that are, well, a bit extravagant, but nevertheless things you have to have. Another, “Must have, Must take”.

Let’s make a shopping list and see how many necessities we can cross off the list at EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!^®. Gifts. You have to have gifts for your mother, your sister, your father and brother, your boss, dear friends and new friends, or maybe a neighbor. Then there’s Bunko, a little something to send home with a relative, and a special treat for yourself. You could go to the mall and spend all your time looking for a place to park. Not to mention traipsing through every shop on every level or driving from shop to shop. Or, you could simply come to Historic Downtown Frisco on Main and Fourth Streets and shop at EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® You can park right up front, walk a few steps and you will be greeted with a smile and leave with a hug.

Home Décor. Sometimes the most memorable moments or people are remembered with few words – “DAD – A Daughter’s First Love, A Son’s First Hero.” Décor and More… can design the right custom cast stone plaques or Bas relief signs, architectural panels and cast stone crosses in Rust, Tuscan or Antique finishes for your home or create the perfect gift for that special occasion. If you are looking for just the right look in candlesticks and candles to rest on the coffee table or a tapestry to hang over the mantle, Décor and More… can assist you in selecting these and much more. Sheri can find the perfect look for your home. You might want to have a custom floral made to complement the look by Florals with a Flare by Jonna Siegrist. Her set abouts are a must for your nook and cranny.

Pens and Such. Another customer frequently orders invitations and a favorite of our customers are Kym Glass’ custom greeting cards for every occasion from Intuition Sophisticates. She also makes the most precious flower pens you have ever seen! Okay, ladies. Want to have the perfect pen holder for your next women’s business meeting? Get a small galvanized pail, fill it with flavored coffee beans, and add about a dozen assorted daisies, roses or peony flowered pens. Put it in the center of the table and let each woman choose their favorite flower. It will definitely be a hit!

Paper. We all need a pad of paper and a good writing pen. How about a Note Quote™ with several truisms about any one of my favorite subjects: Chocolate! or Fabulous Friends! or Jesus! Here’s a good anecdote about Kathy Keith Designs. It was a cool day in December -- Kathy’s birthday in fact -- when she came into the store and asked if Janis would be interested in her handmade bookmarks. They were beautiful and soon became a great addition to the family. Kathy Keith Designs now has Note Quotes™, fan pulls, photo magnet frames with charms, beaded crosses and key chains. Her business has more than tripled since she became a vendor and is the epitome of what EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® stands for in helping women grow their businesses.

Beauty. Few women look as beautiful as the creator of Zwé – the Essence of Beauty makeup, skin care, and bath and body products. With Zwé, every woman can look as radiant and beautiful with the brush of Jennifer’s hand over your face. She makes it looks so easy to naturally look gorgeous and young. Jennifer wanted to be a makeup artist from the time she was a little girl. She loved to play makeup and always dreamed of having her own makeup and skin care line. Within a few months of starting her business at EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!®, she developed her own makeup line and soon thereafter added skin care and bath and body products. The Sisters swear by the Eye RetexturEYES and Collagen Moisturizer! Come in for a complimentary makeover and see for yourself how you can look like the star inside at an affordable price. You can also glam it up with Jimmy Crystal sunglasses and watches. Necessities. You need a glass or a coffee cup to drink out of. That’s a necessity. An “extravagant necessity” is having a beautiful glass designed by Cora with Glitzy Glass especially for you, or your very own coffee cup and saucer just to match. (Don’t tell anyone, but the Frisco Sisters have their own custom decorated wine and martini glasses at Randy’s Steakhouse on Main Street!) And how many times have you found the perfect candle but the color doesn’t match your home décor? Not to worry – Everlasting Empressions can pour your favorite scent in just the shade of mauve you need to match your imported Italian marble – you know, mauve, that off mauve, you know the color I’m talking about.

Lighting. Have you ever been to someone’s home for a tasty meal and a great bottle of wine and thought to yourself, “What can I do to show them how much I enjoyed the evening?” How about a wine light or wine light lamp? All you have to do is bring in the wine bottle (preferably still full so you can share with the Sisters) and Wine Lite Innovations can turn it into a commemorative wine light or wine lamp. What an impressive way to remember a fine Dom Perignon served at a 50^th anniversary than with a wine light decorated with frosted grapes, silky ribbon and a beaded tassel.

Accessories. Another great idea for a hostess gift is a signature stone coaster by G.Day Designs, or perhaps a hand made and beaded wine bag or a set of wine charms. Gretchen recently designed a set of wine bags with a Hawaiian theme and a variety of wine charms for a customer’s birthday party to give to her guests from around the world. They were adorable!

Food. We all have to eat – sustenance is important for healthy bones and muscles, like bread. Lee Ann with Tammy Fabulous carries the perfect Herbed Focaccia Baking Mix that is absolutely delectable with her Dipping Oils. The Vanilla Carmel with Chardonnay Sauce is to die for on thick pretzel sticks covered with Heath® bits. We don’t know how Tammy Fabulous got her name (it’s a long standing secret that hasn’t been revealed yet), but she carries a mean Puttanesca Sauce. Funny story about Tammy Fabulous. When the Frisco Sisters first opened the store, it really looked like a museum with one counter bearing thirteen trays of Italian charms and six vendors sparsely spread over 900 square feet. Tammy and one of her friends decided to pay the Sisters a visit one day. They did the proverbial “twirl” just inside the front door, took the tour and left after a few minutes. The friend said, “I’ll give them six months.” Tammy said, “I’ll give them three.” A year later she was driving down Main Street and needed a quick gift for a friend and swerved onto Fourth Street into a parking spot up front. When she walked in, she almost tripped over her bottom lip. Needless to say, she had a change of heart is now one of our exceptional vendors of pride.

Clothes. You have to wear clothes. It’s the law! And you should carry your money in a purse, and most eating establishments require that you wear shoes and shirt to be served. So, what’s a girl to do? Go shopping at EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® for the most sensational tanks and t-shirts and shoes embellished with Swarovski crystals and appliqués and the cutest little bows. And the purses. You should see the purses! They have tapestry totes and hobo bags by Décor and more…and oil cloth totes by Amy Carr of “Purse” onal. You want to know what else? You can tell them what you want on your tank or t-shirt and Hart ‘n Soul by Kim Hart or LDesigns will magically make it all sparkly and shiny. If you have a company logo or insignia, EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!® has the Hart ‘n Soul to make it happen.

Boy Toys. Last but not least, ladies, we do have a men’s department – E|N for Men by Chuck Chadwick, Marian’s husband. Chuck carries top of the line knives by Bulldog, CRKT, Victorinox, Spyderco, Linder, Kershaw, H&R, Cold Steel, Case, and Browning and Asp. He also carries a variety of flashlights by Pelican. There’s just nothing like a good pocket knife for opening boxes of chocolate and those pesky clasps on jewelry from time to time. If you want a really good shirt for your handsome hubby or significant other, how about a Stubbs shirt? They are truly one of the best looking shirts on the market, according to the Sisters!

These are just some of the wonderful things you’ll find at EXTRAVAGANT NECESSITIES!®. Go meet the Frisco Sisters and have a little fun, Frisco Style. Located at 6890 Main Street, Suite A, Frisco, Texas 75034 (972) 712-8160 Store/Fax. You can view most of the items carried in the store on their website at www.sistersitaliancharm.com now known as www.extravagantnecessities.com.

Who knows, you may even get to meet their dad – their most valuable asset and truly great gift from God.