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Two Williamstown natives have started a 100 percent natural skin care company.

Biz Briefs: Williamstown Natives Start Organic Beauty Company

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Beauty is: Klo Organic Beauty is a 100 percent natural skin care company developed and hand crafted in small batches in Berkshire County,  co-owned by sisters, Nicole Anagnos and Megan Berube, who both attended The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC prior to the inception of their business. Their products are organic, non-toxic, vegan, and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. The Williamstown natives feature an anti-aging line using the highest quality oils. More information can be found on their website.

Launched in February of 2016 to rave reviews, Klo Organic Beauty has since been featured at the Indie Beauty Expo in New York City, on the popular website AHAlife, and in several online publications. Klo Organic Beauty products can be found on their website, klobeauty.com where they offer a pick-up option for locals, on Amazon.com, AHAlife.com, and locally in Williamstown at Wild Oats Market and Karen Brown Hair + Beauty on Water Street.



An iReward: Berkshire Money Management is sponsoring an iPhone 7 drawing for all current employees of Berkshire Health Systems. The random drawing, which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15, includes 10 new phones (estimated retail value at $649 each). Winners will be picked at random and there is no entry fee or purchase requirement in order to participate or win. The drawing is part of BMM's continued mission to support local organizations, especially within the healthcare community.

This latest initiative was inspired by BMM investment advisor and independent financial commentator Bill Schmick. Schmick recently had major surgery at Berkshire Medical Center, and he and his colleagues at Berkshire Money Management, want to extend their gratitude for all of the hard-working and dedicated employees of Berkshire Health Systems.

BHS employees can enter the drawing online. They may also enter via U.S. mail.



Spray this: With a franchise launched in every major Canadian city coast-to-coast in less than two years, Spray-Net Inc. – Canada's leading home improvement franchise – wants to paint Pittsfield red, white and blue. The award-winning concept aims to meet the growing demand from local homeowners seeking to update and upgrade the curb appeal of their homes.


With a strategic plan in place, Spray-Net will grow into Pittsfield and is now accepting franchisee inquiries. Pittsfield has been selected for Spray-Net's expansion for its growing homeowner population, where Spray-Net's devotion to craftsmanship and customer satisfaction will stand out and thrive.

Recognized as the "Fastest Growing Canadian Home-Improvement Franchise" in the 2016 Franchise Canada Directory by the Canadian Franchise Association, as well as winning the International Franchise Association’s 2016 NextGen in Franchising Global Competition, Spray-Net has earned international acclaim. Marsala's work to establish and perfect the franchise business model has created an undeniable energy around the concept.

Spray-Net appeals to entrepreneurs transitioning into business ownership from corporate backgrounds, as well as related home improvement industries. Using an exterior spray-painting technique and a proprietary formula, Spray-Net allows homeowners to refresh the curb appeal of their homes in only one day. The standout home improvement company offers personalized service and incredible results that are both permanent and cost-effective.

 

New realm: Four Years ago Renee Tassone opened Eat To Total Health, a 100 percent vegan, gluten free and soy free cafe and smoothie shop located in North Adams, featuring soups, salads, wraps, paninis, smoothies, juices and more, all made with whole food ingredients. Tassone has worked with more than 5,500 people all over the country and has witnessed people losing weight and resolving health issues such as depression, achy joints, headaches, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, digestive issues and more.

She uses applied kinesiology (muscle testing) as a tool for her clients. Over the last few months, her muscle testing has reached a whole new realm. Muscle testing helps her find details about a person's health, diet, work, family, life path and may even connect them with their spirit guides and loved ones who have passed. Tassone can be reached at 413-346-4357 or online at www.eattototalhealth.com.
 


Investment expansion: Berkshire Bank and Ronald N. Lazzaro P.C., an independent financial planning and investment services firm based in Rutland, Vt., have announced the completion of an asset purchase transaction and the launch of a strategic combination between the two firms. Under the terms of the transaction, Berkshire Bank acquired the business assets of Ronald N. Lazzaro P.C., which will expand Berkshire Bank's wealth management and investment services provided in Vermont.
 
Ronald N. Lazzaro P.C. has been renamed RNL & Associates, a division of BerkshireBanc Investment Services, reflecting RNL's new position as a key component of Berkshire Bank's financial planning and investment services platform. RNL & Associates offers investment management services through Commonwealth Financial Network, a leading independent broker-dealer.
 
RNL & Associates will continue to provide a full suite of holistic financial planning and investment management services to individuals and families to help them prepare for retirement and pursue their financial goals. Additionally, the partnership represents an expansion of Berkshire Bank's investment services and wealth management capabilities in Vermont, and is expected to benefit the Bank's organization by bringing on board a seasoned, talented team of financial advisors and support staff with decades of cumulative expertise in providing objective, comprehensive financial planning and investment management for clients in the northeastern U.S.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Menorah Lighting Begins 8 Days of Hanukkah, Thoughts of Gratitude

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff

Rebecca Wax gets some helping light as she works the controls. The full ceremony can be seen on iBerkshires' Facebook page
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — With a boost from her dad, Mia Wax on Wednesday turned on the first candle of the more than 12-foot tall menorah at the Williams Inn. 
 
Around 40 people attended the community lighting for the first night of Hanukkah, which fell this year on the same day as Christmas. They gathered in the snow around the glowing blue electric menorah even as the temperature hovered around 12 degrees.
 
"We had a small but dedicated group in North Adams, so this is unbelievable," said Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel in North Adams. "This is honestly unbelievable."
 
Barenblat had earlier observed the lighting of the city's menorah in City Hall, which the mayor opened briefly for the ceremony. 
 
In Williamstown, Rabbi Seth Wax, the Jewish chaplain at Williams College, with his daughter and her friend Rebecca Doret, spoke of the reasons for celebrating Hanukkah, sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights. 
 
The two common ones, he said, are to mark the single unit of sacred olive oil that lasted eight days during the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem and the military victory over the invading Greeks.
 
"For the rabbis of antiquity, who created and shaped Judaism, these two events were considered to be miracles," said Wax. "They happened not because of what humans did on their own, but because of what something beyond them, what they called God, did on their behalf.
 
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