by Heather Gurewitz
Mendocino Women's Business Center Director
Most businesses spend years developing their image, and just when their business is ready to grow, they find themselves struggling with their original brand. West Company is a good example, initially the Women's Economic Self Sufficiency Training Center, we are constantly having to use our marketing materials to let potential clients know that we not only serve men as well as women, but that we also offer our consulting services to higher level businesses. While we continue to provide services as host to the Mendocino Women's Business Center (WBC), West Company is also host to the Mendocino Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a nationwide program sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides technical assistance to start-up and existing businesses. One of the main goals of the SBDC program is to create jobs and economic impacts in our local economy. There are no income requirements to participate in this program, and while there are fee for trainings, one-on-one consulting is covered by our funders.
Since West Company has expanded services we have been actively marketing our new image as a full-service business assistance organization through a re-vamped website, a Facebook presence, and of course the new and improved West Company blogspot. We also do a lot of on-the-ground marketing by developing relationships and connections with potential clients through chamber mixers, community events, and partnerships with other organizations. Marketing and media technology is changing fast. Does anyone know what will be the next Facebook? West Company stays on top of marketing changes and trends, not only for our own purposes of reaching our clients, but so that we can assist our clients to stay ahead of the curve.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The easy way up?
By Heather Gurewitz
Mendocino Women's Business Center Director
Once upon a time I was a trail guide in Juneau, Alaska, surrounded by mountains that started at sea level and rose to as low as 3,000 feet in a matter of 1- 2 miles. I remember my first summer there was more than one instance of someone needing to be rescued by helicopters or rescue teams due to unsuspecting tourists climbing up the "hills" with no maps, instructions, or guides. There were a few who made it up, but usually with lots of cuts and bruises from the climb. Most would get stuck on the cliffs and ledges. On the other hand, tourists that had guides or maps and appropriate supplies would safely make it up and down these same mountains. The routes may have been longer, seemingly more difficult, and not as immediately apparent, but people who planned a safe route made it up without broken limbs or hypothermia.
I see people making similar choices in business. There are some that look for the easiest way, but without calculating risk and examining the venture, and there are those that find a path and work hard at building something secure and long lasting. Today's economy is about as treacherous as the mountains in Juneau, but that doesn't mean that there aren't possible ways of creating successful businesses. It does mean, that it requires a more efficient model with a well thought out plan.
Much like scaling a mountain, starting a business is a trek and everyone has their own challenges. Depending on their personal and financial goals, and the type of business, the level of difficulty varies. What West Company does (metaphorically speaking) is help people develop a map of their mountain. We help identify the hazards, the safe routes, and the resources needed for a successful and safe journey. Now, of course, no one knows the future, so we can't predict the unpredictable, but we do help people develop their plans to minimize potential risk.
If you are starting or buying a business in Mendocino or Glenn Counties, you should contact us today to find out about classes and trainings starting this fall. You can also apply online by clicking here!
Mendocino Women's Business Center Director
Once upon a time I was a trail guide in Juneau, Alaska, surrounded by mountains that started at sea level and rose to as low as 3,000 feet in a matter of 1- 2 miles. I remember my first summer there was more than one instance of someone needing to be rescued by helicopters or rescue teams due to unsuspecting tourists climbing up the "hills" with no maps, instructions, or guides. There were a few who made it up, but usually with lots of cuts and bruises from the climb. Most would get stuck on the cliffs and ledges. On the other hand, tourists that had guides or maps and appropriate supplies would safely make it up and down these same mountains. The routes may have been longer, seemingly more difficult, and not as immediately apparent, but people who planned a safe route made it up without broken limbs or hypothermia.
I see people making similar choices in business. There are some that look for the easiest way, but without calculating risk and examining the venture, and there are those that find a path and work hard at building something secure and long lasting. Today's economy is about as treacherous as the mountains in Juneau, but that doesn't mean that there aren't possible ways of creating successful businesses. It does mean, that it requires a more efficient model with a well thought out plan.
Much like scaling a mountain, starting a business is a trek and everyone has their own challenges. Depending on their personal and financial goals, and the type of business, the level of difficulty varies. What West Company does (metaphorically speaking) is help people develop a map of their mountain. We help identify the hazards, the safe routes, and the resources needed for a successful and safe journey. Now, of course, no one knows the future, so we can't predict the unpredictable, but we do help people develop their plans to minimize potential risk.
If you are starting or buying a business in Mendocino or Glenn Counties, you should contact us today to find out about classes and trainings starting this fall. You can also apply online by clicking here!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
West Company Fall Offerings on the Coast
Can't view our video on our blog? Visit our YouTube version.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Toughest Thing....
by Heather Gurewitz
Mendocino Women's Business Center Director for West Company
The other day my boss Pamela asked me, “What the toughest thing about your job?” I had to think about it, but after some thought I realized that the toughest part for me, is the “dream crusher” part. Starting a business or becoming self-employed can be a great thing, but it is not an easy thing. When people come to see me it is my job to help them look at the real issues they will have to face. I have to ask them the tough questions. That means that not everyone likes to hear what I have to say. True, I have many clients that are eternally grateful and appreciative for the knowledge I have shared, which in turn saves them from interminable debt and financial distress, but others, well, they don’t always come back.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a very strong advocate for self-employment and micro-enterprise. Why else would I do what I do? But, there are well thought out ventures, and there are not so well thought out ventures. Choosing self-employment or owning your own business can be extremely rewarding, but it is definitely NOT the easy route.
I grew up in an entrepreneurial household; my father started his own business in 1965 and still runs it today, having grown it from his bedroom to a 5,000 sq. ft. factory in Los Angeles. This means that in addition to my education and professional training, I have a firsthand understanding of what being in business means for your personal and family life. As an employed person I make it a point to try not to take my work home with me, but if you are the business owner, it goes where you go. It will have a huge effect on your personal life.
That’s why West Company always starts with a personal readiness in the first session of our series, “Building a Better Business” series, “Got What it Takes?” In this workshop we cover time management, personal finance, and what it really means to be a business owner, myths debunked. The first time I taught this class I had a student that had previously owned her own business for many years, and honestly, I was terrified; what if she stood up and said, “She’s full of it!” That did not happen. As a matter of fact, the woman came up to me after the workshop and said, “I wish I had taken this class 20 years ago!”
“Got What It Takes” is a three hour intensive look at how owning a business will change your personal life, and whether or not you are ready for that change. This class will be held in Fort Bragg on August 24th from 5:30-8:30pm, in Ukiah on August 31st from 1-4pm, and in Willits from 5-8pm. Click here for more information on West Company workshops.
Mendocino Women's Business Center Director for West Company
The other day my boss Pamela asked me, “What the toughest thing about your job?” I had to think about it, but after some thought I realized that the toughest part for me, is the “dream crusher” part. Starting a business or becoming self-employed can be a great thing, but it is not an easy thing. When people come to see me it is my job to help them look at the real issues they will have to face. I have to ask them the tough questions. That means that not everyone likes to hear what I have to say. True, I have many clients that are eternally grateful and appreciative for the knowledge I have shared, which in turn saves them from interminable debt and financial distress, but others, well, they don’t always come back.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a very strong advocate for self-employment and micro-enterprise. Why else would I do what I do? But, there are well thought out ventures, and there are not so well thought out ventures. Choosing self-employment or owning your own business can be extremely rewarding, but it is definitely NOT the easy route.
I grew up in an entrepreneurial household; my father started his own business in 1965 and still runs it today, having grown it from his bedroom to a 5,000 sq. ft. factory in Los Angeles. This means that in addition to my education and professional training, I have a firsthand understanding of what being in business means for your personal and family life. As an employed person I make it a point to try not to take my work home with me, but if you are the business owner, it goes where you go. It will have a huge effect on your personal life.
That’s why West Company always starts with a personal readiness in the first session of our series, “Building a Better Business” series, “Got What it Takes?” In this workshop we cover time management, personal finance, and what it really means to be a business owner, myths debunked. The first time I taught this class I had a student that had previously owned her own business for many years, and honestly, I was terrified; what if she stood up and said, “She’s full of it!” That did not happen. As a matter of fact, the woman came up to me after the workshop and said, “I wish I had taken this class 20 years ago!”
“Got What It Takes” is a three hour intensive look at how owning a business will change your personal life, and whether or not you are ready for that change. This class will be held in Fort Bragg on August 24th from 5:30-8:30pm, in Ukiah on August 31st from 1-4pm, and in Willits from 5-8pm. Click here for more information on West Company workshops.
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