Issue 348, August 30, 2026

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”
— Warren Buffett

I was making a purchase online the other day when I discovered the biggest difference between internet and local purchases: the trade-off between effortless convenience and the security of human relationships. Online, we can get food, cars, clothes, and even hot prepared meals at the touch of our fingers, often at lower prices. Yet those savings can vanish the moment something arrives that is the wrong size, printed incorrectly, or made from the wrong material, problems that are far harder to fix when the seller is only an email address or chatbot.

There is real value in having someone you know and trust handle your needs. People prefer to do business with friends, and something as simple as having lunch with them twice a month builds the knowledge and mutual confidence that make transactions smoother. When you deal with a local business, any issue can usually be resolved face-to-face without endless email exchanges or waiting on the phone to try to talk with a representative.

So remember: when buying things on the internet, there is more to a product than its price.

Are you seeing value in what you are paying?

Mark Geil
2026 President

Issue 347, August 23, 2026

“We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give.”
— Winston Churchill

Southside Business Men’s Club has built a the foundation of giving back to the community in which we live and work. This includes cleaning beaches, riverbanks, and parks; Habijax and Retreaded work projects; and recent events with organizations such as the Humane Society and Feeding Northeast Florida. By serving as chairpersons and committee members, we help organize these volunteer events to create meaningful opportunities that support and empower our members to participate in the lifeblood of our community and make all of our lives better.

I challenge all of our members to broaden your horizons and step out of your comfort zone by becoming a chairperson, committee member, or volunteer to make someone else’s life better, which in turn will make your life brighter and more fulfilling.

What committee are you on?

Mark Geil
2026 President