Have you noticed the digitalized square codes popping up on cereal boxes, cars, business cards, and doors to your favorite restaurant or coffee shop?  What are they???  QR Codes!  QR Codes are two-dimensional (2D) codes that hold information that is able to be read and delivered into the hands of decision makers by way of smart phone apps.

Businesses and organizations today will create a QR Code that will direct a decision maker to a determined location containing pertinent information including discounts, ads, websites, contact information, donation instructions, even artwork, interactive blogs and resumes.  These QR Codes are then strategically placed on vehicle graphics, billboards, magazine and television ads, coffee cups, business cards, even telephone poles and tattoos!

Consumers are able to upload apps to their cell phones that read and retain the information contained within the QR Code, and in some cases allow the decision makers to interact with the organization or business’s offerings.

How do I make my own QR Code?

If you are interested in creating a QR Code there are various free online applications that can be used.  Below is an example offered by Google.  

• Visit the Google URL Shortener http://goo.gl
• Enter the URL you would like to create a QR Code for
• Click on SHORTEN
• Copy the shortened URL to that appears to the right of your entry and paste into the URL bar at the top of your screen
• Add .qr to the end of the URL and press enter
• View, save, and use your new QR Code!

As an owner of a small business I want to take a moment to recognize the impact of small businesses on our community.  November 27, 2010 is the first official Small Business Saturday, a day to come together in support of the small businesses we love. This is a national movement to drive shoppers to the local shops and restaurants that employ our neighbors and preserve our neighborhoods!

JC Sweet and Co. will be traveling through the Southern Saratoga County area delivering marketing pieces to participants in the Think.Buy.Local campaign.  Our mission is to Create Success for a Strong Community through advocacy, economic development, partnerships between business and education, networking, and education.  Call (518) 288-3036 if you would like more information about participating in the Think.Buy.Local campaign or The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

Jenny Crawford, owner of JC Sweet & Co., was featured in the Saratogaian and Clifton Park Community News 5W feature.  CLICK HERE to read the article and to see the video interview on the CN WEEKLY site. 

By Lauren Carpenter

Who are you?

Solo proprietor of JC Sweet & Co. (518) 588-0709 and Ballston Spa Resident.

What inspired you to open your own web design company?

My family comes first. I've always held positions in training, sales management and project management. That could mean an 80 hour week.

Last winter's particularly bad snow motivated me to start up my own business doing much of what I was at the time for a bigger company about 30 minutes away.

I ran the development process as a project manager touching every aspect of a client's website development.

I decided then to fill the gap and target those with small budgets. People who need a website can now afford one.

Where did you get your first clients?

I'm working on one hundred percent referrals and business is great.

People said I would fail due to the recession. I simply do exactly what I say I am going to do for my clients. Part of my job is internet strategy — making sure the new website is marketed correctly; I make sure they have constant communication going on.

After developing the content for a site, I show them how to use Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and even how to blog.

Website designers are phenomenal at programming and know how to make a beautiful website. Business owners are typically highly emotional. It is my place to ask the questions, visit each business and make recommendations. I communicate directly with both parties. It works!

When do you have time to sing in the community?

My husband, Scott, and I have a three year old, and, yes, I do love to sing at our church twice a month. I was just asked to accompany a friend as well for a gig at Valentine's in Albany this weekend.

Why did you name your company as you did?

It's my reminder how I should be at the end of the day for my family!