(June 27, 2012) A new pizza restaurant recently opened up on Main Street in Mountain Home, Idaho. But how much press did this place get? Is the food good? Should you head out there now? Well...see what I have to say about Fatty'z New York Style Pizza.



First of all, the only reason I knew this place existed was a comment I read on a local website. But when I drove downtown I spotted “art deco” painted window logo of Fatty'z quite easily. When I saw that, I knew I had to try this place.

Where is Fatty'z Pizza?
So on Wednesday June 27th, 2012 my wife gave them a call and ordered some “take out” food. I was kind of excited to see what Fattyz looked like inside, so off I went. Fatty'z is located in the old “AK's Hookah Bar” location or more specifically 230 North Main Street.

Inside Fattyz
The owners did a good job making the place look inviting with photos of downtown NYC on the walls. Nothing to get excited about but really who cares what the place looks like as long as it's clean and it appeared to be. The most unpleasant part of my journey into Fattyz was the fact I had to pay for my food :-) If you want to eat in the restaurant there are a fair number of tables. There are also a few video games to keep you busy.



The Food
I brought home their 20 inch Pepperoni Pizza and an order of Garlic Cheese Bread. In short, the pizza was quite good. Being “New York Style”, the crust is very thin but not like a cracker. The garlic cheese bread was just as good. I give Fatty'z a 4 out of 5 stars and if the food is just as good as this time then I'l give them a 5 of 5 stars.

The Website
Fatty'z has a website at http://fattyzpizza.com Just having a website tells me these guys are serious and are in it for the long haul. Good on you guys and I certainly hope you continue to do brisk business.

Thanks,

(Last Updated: 20 January 2012)

Want people in Idaho to see your business? I have a good opportunity for you. Advertise your business on the BondyWeb and see if you get any business from it. The cost is rather high at $40.00 but you get a banner prominently displayed on every page of my website.

This is how it works
1. We agree to the $40 fee for the 1st month.
2. I create a small banner like you see on the front of this website. Or you can create it and send it to me.
3. The banner will be linked to:
- A “business highlight page”. This is a webpage that contains basic information about your business. This information will be provided by you but formatted for the Internet by me. Or...
- A link to your current business website.
4. An article published on the front page of this website. I would prefer to come to your business, interview you, take some video and pictures and then write up a story.
5. After 1 month, the ad will end but can be republished each month at $55.
6. This is an all cash offer only to defray the costs maintaining this website for the last 4 years.

The Banner You Get

Example


(size 220 px by 120 px)

Why Would You Do This?
I really don't know why you would do this. In reality you should already have a business website and be marketing it to its fullest. But if you would like to give this a try, I believe your business will gain some benefits from advertising on the BondyWeb. I make no promises or guarantees other than your advertisement will be there 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 30 straight days.

Who Visits the BondyWeb website?
A fair number of people visit this website each day. During the 1st 19 days of January 2012, I had over 1,400 unique visitors and almost 3,000 total readers. Google tells me about 80% of my visitors come from the Boise and Mountain Home, Idaho area.

The Truth is Out There
So, there you have it. I don't have a huge number of visitors but the people who would see your ad are pretty local and have an interest in the local area. You could probably do better at the Mountain Home News website but I offer a loyal following of people interested in outdoor activities and to a lesser extent political issues.

Get Your Exclusive Ad
Just contact me using my Contact Us form. I will get back to you and will start the whole process of getting you noticed on the Internet.

Thanks,


Tim and Toni Bondy
Owner/Operator of the BondyWeb

The state of local blogging (a website written through the eyes of the author about their own experiences, observations, opinions, etc.,) can indicate just how engaged our community is with our citizens, our surroundings and/or the business community. Lots of local bloggers mean there is excitement and interest in the town. Conversely, if a town has few bloggers, this can mean no one cares what is going on in their own community. What do you think the current local blog scene tells us about the Mountain Home area?



The Top 4 Local Mountain Home Area Blogs
1. The Bondyweb: Yeah, it's pretty unfair that I put my own blog in the top spot but who else can claim this spot.

2. Church and State in Idaho: (http://churchandstateidaho.blogspot.com/) This blog [will] covers issues both inside and outside of the Mountain Home area but has been on hiatus since late September 2011. I know the author/blogger and understand that school and family come first so I'm sure he'll be back writing some good stuff soon enough.

3. Stoecker Jewelers: (http://stoeckerjewelers.com/) A business website that is slowly coming together. Stoecker's are trying to create a business buzz with videos and stories. Take it from me, this blog will end up with some great “content” after the busy holiday season winds down.

4. EMPTY and OPEN.

Why is the number 4 Spot Empty?
- Because I cannot find any other active blogs.
- I could put the Mountain Home News blog in the #4 spot. But I choose not to because these bloggers are not really free to express their full and unbiased observations and opinions. They are “owned” by a company who rightfully thinks they need to control this content to protect their image.



Darn Near a Blank Canvas
So? Is it possible or even probable the people in Mountain Home don't have any unique opinions or observations? Maybe there aren't many business owners out there who want to share their new and exciting business projects? Maybe the people and business owners in and around Mountain Home feel they don't have the time?



The Mountain Home blogging scene is wide open for anyone to join. And yes, it does take a certain amount of time and energy to write a blog. If you think you have what it takes to express your observations, opinions or business news to the world, then ask me how to create some “local buzz” about yourself and Mountain Home.

Comments
I'm reasonably certain there are a few folks out there who have the desire and ambition to start blogging. Maybe you just don't have the knowhow? Drop me a line and we can discuss getting you on the road to putting you, your business and Mountain Home on “the virtual” map.


Thanks,

Frank T is an old friend and a successful small business owner. But until 2007 he wasn't quite as successful. It was suggested by Frank, that I reach outside of the "Idaho Only" posts on this website and tell his story. So I bow to his expertise and present his story. I hope you learn something from Frank...



Long Time Friendship
I've know Frank since we were little hoodlums back in 1968. We went to the same elementary school but then lost contact with each other after my family moved away before high school. As luck would have it we reestablished contact in the early 1980's and have been in contact ever since. We took different paths though life. I joined the United States Air Force and Frank muddled through life working various jobs in many different places.

New Life, New Career, New City
Frank moved to Colorado in the mid-1990's with the seed of an business idea and high hopes. With only a high school diploma, tons of street smarts and a new bride, Frank decided it was time to settle down and make a real life for his new family. It took a lot of hard work, scrimping and some luck but he finally opened his new business. The type of business Frank opened isn't important to this story so we'll just say he built a better "widget" as he liked to tell me in the early days.

By 2001-2002, Frank had one office and 5 employees. The money wasn't rolling in but it was enough to live on. He ruled his company with an iron fist overseeing the entire operation from customer service to product production and quality control. Working 7 days a week doing everything he could to build his company took a toll on his family life and health.

New Blood Meets Rock Bottom
Competition in the "better widget" business started heating up just as his family life started its decline. A couple employees jumped ship and started working for competing companies in Denver. By 2004, things were not looking good for Frank. Then around Thanksgiving 2004, a young at heart 63 year old guy answered a "help wanted ad" Frank put in the newspaper. Frank decided that he should give "Old guy Jimmy" an interview. With his personal life in shambles, Frank didn't realize he set up the interview for Thanksgiving Day 2004.

"Old guy Jimmy" needed the job and sat down with Frank. The 1st interview didn't go as expected. The interview turned into a most of the day learning experience for Frank. Frank told me it was more like Jimmy was interviewing him. Long story short? "Old guy Jimmy" accepted a job at Frank's crumbling and declining company. By Christmas 2004, there were only 3 employees including Frank.



By April 2005, the books for Franks company were "still bleeding red" and he was still working 15-18 hours a day. "Old guy Jimmy" accepted the job with Franks company on the condition he would have some input on how business would be run. But Franks, as always, could not and would not listen to anyone. That was until Jimmy threatened to quit. Frank and Jimmy had a "throw down, knock out fight in the middle of the office".

Big Changes in "The Philosophy"
Old guy Jimmy still works "with" Frank to this day. Frank's company experienced a complete turn-around in just 3 years. By the time the "Great Recession" began Frank's company had grown to 8 employees. Three of his new employees came from companies in direct competition to his. More importantly customers and money started rolling in. On March 25th 2010, Frank opened his 2nd shop in Colorado Springs and hired 5 more employees.



As of February 5th 2011, Frank tells me his small business is "THE" company to work for and business continues to grow "almost" faster than his employee can handle. He now works a regular 40-50 hours a week, has a new child on the way and his family life is quite good.

What Changed in Frank's Business?
Frank gives "Old guy Jimmy" all the credit for turning his company and his life around. But it really wasn't until February 3rd that Frank understood exactly what happened. This was the day he read an article that explained Old guy Jimmy's business philosophy.

This is the link to the article Frank thought was his key to success:  http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/4256/biggest-killer-of-innovation-in-business/

Here is a semi-direct quote from Frank:
"15 years ago I created a better widget because I believed in taking chances and thinking outside the box. Then I built a box so big, with so many rules that I couldn't think outside the box and I certainly wasn't going to let my employees outside that box. Jimmy discovered what was wrong with my small business during that Thanksgiving 2004 interview and saw something in me and my company. Thankfully he kicked my ass way back in April 2005. I lost my creativity and in the process almost lost my family and faith in myself."

Leave Me a Comment
Me thinks Jimmy doesn't get paid enough to put up with my old friend Frank. Both Jimmy and Frank thought it best to remain semi-anonymous...at least for now. What are your thoughts about this article?