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March 26, 2009: Ventura County Star

Home Press Coverage Print March 26, 2009: Ventura County Star

Survival workshop gives business owners guidance

Survival workshop gives business owners guidance

By Allison Bruce (Contact)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

For small business owners and people looking to start a business, the poor economy presents challenges but it also can be a time for growth.

That’s how many of the attendees at the “Tools for Business Survival and Growth” workshop in Ventura felt Wednesday as they attended workshops on cash flow, loans, marketing, networking and recruiting. Some also pursued one-on-one meetings with representatives of several organizations that assist in those areas.

Susan O’Conlon of Ventura started a home-based business with her fiance, Thomas Tankersley, about a year ago.

She lost her job after an automobile accident, and then Tankersley was laid off from his job as a master mechanic.

So they took their skills and started Tank’s Mobile Mechanic Service, which provides on-site repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

O’Conlon said she was looking for guidance because, while a recession means that businesses are more likely to use repair services so they don’t have to invest in new equipment, tight times mean some customers aren’t paying their bills on time. She also was seeking assistance on landing contracts with local governments and was pleased to learn there were several classes coming up on that topic.

About 200 people attended the workshops at the event, which brought together the city of Ventura; Ventura Chamber of Commerce; Economic Development Collaborative Ventura County; SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business; Small Business Development Center; Workforce Investment Board; and Women’s Economic Ventures.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout and energy, which led to many business card exchanges in the hallways of City Hall.

Rich Sigerist of Ventura said networking has been vital to keep his business strong in this economy. He’s run his video production business, RSVP Creative, for about five years.

About two years ago, his business hit a slump, so he joined the local chamber.

“Through some slow and steady relationships I’ve developed, I’m doing fairly well,” he said.

But he keeps building new connections and relationships.

He said he was at the workshop to get information and “meet other business owners going through the same trials and tribulations as me.”

Robin and Norman Neumann also have been seeking information and ideas.

“We’re looking to supplement our income with a small business,” Robin Neumann said.

She added that in these tough times mean, anything that generates some extra income is helpful. She’s been working in real estate for several years and wants to use that experience to start a property management company.

The minute she mentioned that a local appraiser handed her his business card.

That’s the main reason Rick Southam was there — to network. He’s a self-employed real estate appraiser.

“Things have been slow, but they’ve gotten a little bit better,” he said.

 

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