Jason Wehrung’s enthusiasm is contagious.

With sales a competitive sport - he loves the nature of it - promoting Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce is a natural fit for the 2017 Chamber board president, and long-time member.

As the third generation of Wehrung’s Lumber and Home Center in Ottsville and one of the owner/operators of Solid Products Marketing & Promotions, Wehrung understands that value matters.

That’s why he’s a Chamber member and a tireless advocate for Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce. “The major reason businesses don’t join is because they don’t see the value of belonging to a Chamber,” Wehrung said.

Part of Wehrung’s mission this year is attracting, informing and retaining business owner to the Chamber’s membership by promoting its resources and benefits.

“The chamber provides the ability to get an answer to any business issue or question, and membership opens doors for businesses in markets, that might otherwise be difficult to get into,” Wehrung explained.

Wehrung said chamber membership affords an instant introduction and conversation starter, and that can lead to sealing the deal on a new business relationship.

“I picked up a member (as a customer) who is a large level contractor, and that contact has become an important account,” Wehrung said.

Joining is the first step and like any successful relationship, active participation is crucial. Participating is the single most important step in a positive experience.

Whether it’s professional development lunch and learn events, or online training through the Chamber’s Coggno program, a web based professional learning center where members receive up to 10 courses free, regular business card networking exchanges, social events like the annual June golf outing or October Foodie tasting event, membership plus involvement significantly increases value.

Wehrung said he doesn’t understand why business owners aren’t Chamber members. The mindset just doesn’t square with being part of a local community.

A member of the Chamber Board of directors, membership committee and a vigorous at-large ambassador his role is not only professional, it’s personal.

Wehrung is the second family member to lead the Upper Bucks organization, and he takes the responsibility seriously.
Founded by Woodrow Wehrung and a small group of business owners in 1954 as the Quakertown Chamber of Commerce, Jason Wehrung today leads the same organization, now called the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

Picking up the baton decades after his grandfather’s time isn’t lost on Jason Wehrung either.
He understands, as his Pop-Pop did decades ago, membership is the life blood of any organization.
Wehrung wants businesses to know the value of belonging.
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“Membership drives the chamber and engagement, drives membership,” Wehrung said.
So whether he’s out on sales calls or at networking events, Jason Wehrung talks about UBCC, because it matters to him.

Get to know Jason:
Age: 34
High School: Palisades High School graduate
Currently lives in: Ottsville
One little known thing about Jason: He loves comedy films, and a favorite movie is “Happy Gilmore”.

​Competitive pricing, quick turnarounds and sticking with conversations until the job is “just right” are qualities forging a robust client base for Solid Products Marketing & Promotions based in Ottsville. Owned and operated by Jason Wehrung, whose family business is Wehrung’s Lumber and Home Center also headquartered in Ottsville, Solid Products has the ability to produce customized wearable advertisements to promote businesses. Solid Products also has a full-service sign shop for banners, magnets, yard signs, truck decals and more. From hats, t-shirts, jackets, athletic wear, work apparel and uniforms, towels, robes and blankets, bags, totes and sweatshirts, Solid Products offers a one-stop shop approach to most jobs.

“It’s one stop shopping and I can get whatever I need,” said Aaron Weaver, of Dream Weaver Racing based in Upper Black Eddy. Weaver races his Teo ProCar at New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey, and takes it for promotional appearances.
 
And while great products and prices bring new trade through the door, innovative marketing solutions, a “yes we can” attitude and conscientious customer service, keep customers coming back again and again.

Shawn Dulee, brand manager for Naked Brewing Company in Lower Southampton Bucks County, said she’s impressed with Solid Products staff commitment to getting the job just right, and the team’s honesty about limitations, which are as refreshing as a pint of the microbrewery’s seasonal India Pale Ales. “They work with me until I like what I see,” Dulee said. Turnaround times are quick, too, with a recent confirmation to order receipt received by Dulee in about a week. “My previous supplier would take months to deliver,” Dulee said. “Solid Products turn-around times are fantastic.”

While products and goods are the tangible results of Wehrung’s business efforts, the Solid Products team embodies a pledge to superior customer service, creating a reputation that’s priceless.

Kyle Shannon of K. Shan Performance, a fitness training business in Allentown, has been using Solid Products for his promotional items since he opened the doors in February 2016. “All of their products have been great and they are easy to communicate with. They return calls promptly and they have no problems with order add-ons, when I need them,” Shannon said. “The quality of the products and outcomes exceeds my expectations,” Shannon said.

Wehrung said he is invested in helping his customers grow their business and his staff works together because they’ve come to rely upon each other’s strengths, insight and creative energy. “We all have different roles and clear job descriptions but they piggy back” onto each other, said Jen Martinez, Solid Products inside sales representative.

On a rapid growth curve, Wehrung said the business has tripled during the past year, and he attributes the growth to going beyond the project for each and every customer.

For more information on Solid Products visit www.solidproducts.net or call 610.847.1444.

Chris Fascella isn’t afraid to go the extra mile.

The owner of Fascella Construction Corp., in Nockamixon Township, took on his first job at the age of 13 as an eighth grade student.

And while the gig to rebuild a front porch handrail didn’t go according to plan – Fascella had to “subcontract” the work by asking for help from a family friend who was also a construction pro – the early experience taught about the crucial elements of being an entrepreneur.

Delivering on promises. Paying attention to details. Being responsible and being willing to think outside the box, has paid off in growing his general construction and contracting business and formed fiercely loyal customer relationships.
“We get difficult jobs, the ones no one else wants to take on, and I would say our specialty is doing the difficult jobs,” Fascella explained.

Whether it’s an historic old home from the 1800s or relatively new construction where the homeowner wants a fresh look or dream room or addition, Fascella isn’t a hard sell. He doesn’t have to be.

Alisha Wright of Plumstead Township first met Fascella at an area home show. “I was impressed by him. He had his kids with him handing out information and give away items, and I liked that about him. It wasn’t the ‘hard sell’ where someone comes up to you and begins talking about themselves,” Wright said. Wright hired Fascella to renovate her kitchen. “My kitchen wasn’t a dream kitchen when I moved in 15 years ago, but it is now,” Wright said, of the heart-of-the-home’s makeover. She said she’s worked with Fascella on other home projects and plans more.

“Chris goes above and beyond the job,” Wright explained, from helping her with his own truck to move a new kitchen table into the renovation, to letting the family’s dog out and providing treats while he and his crew are on the job. “My husband and I both work, and I completely trust Chris and his crew to be in my home. They are clean, respectful and responsible. You just don’t come across (trustworthy) people like that, and Chris is like that,” Wright said.

Lori Berkowitz of Newtown Township said she hired Fascella to put a roof on her home, after a disastrously botched job five years ago. “The roof was leaking,” Berkowitz said. She also hired Fascella to redo three bathrooms in her home. “He was honest and was on the site himself most of the time,” Berkowitz said.

Both women agree Fascella runs a tight ship and keeps work spaces spotless. He is responsive and has a quick-reply turn around policy, which means he promptly validates any and all questions – no matter how small they may seem. “He and his crew pay attention to the details, and he gets back to you sometimes in less than 5 minutes,” Wright said.

“Chris went above and beyond. He found a plumbing leak, while redoing one of the bathrooms and while many contractors might not have said anything because it wasn’t in the job (description), Chris called it out, and he fixed it,” Berkowitz said.
Offering superior craftsmanship and customer service appears to be a family tradition.

 “We do a lot of construction management and my one son, Kaden, wants to come into the business with me. He wants to add landscaping design and more excavation work. He thinks it’s an opportunity we’re missing,” Fascella said. He may not have long to wait for the second generation to join Fascella Construction. Kaden, a junior at Palisades High School and Upper Bucks County Technical School, is part of the Class of 2018.

While Fascella said he is willing to negotiate travel, most of his work is located in Bucks County and Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He is married and has three teenage children.

For information about Fascella Construction Corp. visit www.fascellacorp.com.