Business Scene for the week of 6/21/17
WEEKLY MUSIC IN GRAEAGLE
Sonja Pertain, owner of Graeagle Mill Works, is kicking off her summer live music entertainment tonight, Wednesday June 21, with Judy Drummond. This popular evening of entertainment will continue weekly through the summer with the final performance September 13. It is held in the “backyard” of this iconic restaurant — known for its house-made selections — from 6 to 9 p.m. Each week the music will be accompanied with a special menu, this week featuring tri-tip and chicken.
FREE “CHILL OUT” CLASSES
Averil Kimble is offering “Chill Out” for free at the Quincy Yoga & Wellness Center. The class is at two special convenient times: Tuesday, 5:10 to 5:50 p.m., and the Thursday class in 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. “Life can sometimes be overwhelming. Give your body, mind and spirit a 40-minute break to calm down, release tension and leave refreshed and energized. Sit in a chair or lie on the floor, your choice. Guided relaxation,” explained Averil.
BARBER SHOP RELOCATES
Almanor Barber Shop owner Jeff Marrs has moved his 1930’s-vintage deco barbershop to a new location. He remains in Old Towne Chester but just down the block to 162 Main St. sporting his old fashioned barber pole out front. Jeff still offers traditional barbering services that include men and boys haircuts, hot shaves and beard and mustache trims with no appointment necessary.
QUINCY BofA BUILDING IN ESCROW
Jerome Dorris, executive director of Environmental Alternatives, tells us they are in the process of buying the shuttered Bank of America building in Quincy and expects escrow to close soon. Quincy is the administrative main office for this nonprofit foster family placement agency, which has 15 offices and 300 employees in several locations covering most of northern California. Jerome says the new facility will allow them to expand from their current 10 employees to as many as 15 in the near future based on the anticipated programs they plan to implement. After extensive remodeling to the BofA building, Jerome says he hopes to be in and operating in time to show it and their services off during the downtown Sparkle festivities. Currently, they have offices on Main Street in Quincy across the street from Flanigan Leavitt Insurance.
DICKSON REALTY RELOCATES
Dickson Realty has outgrown its Graeagle office and relocated to Commercial Street in downtown Portola. “We are excited with our growing presence in Eastern Plumas/Sierra counties and are proud of our new, remodeled office that offers a welcoming space to accommodate clients, including a private conference room,” said Lil Schaller, broker/manager of the Portola office. Headquartered in Truckee, Dickson Realty was founded in 1973 and has become that regions largest and most successful real estate company with some 300 agents representing buyers and sellers from their offices in Truckee, Reno, Portola and at the Nakoma Resort. Her team in the Portola office includes Chris David, Juli Thompson, Carole Benson, Bonnie Jessee, Pat Kenna and Travis Jones. Incidentally, they are in the beginning stages of launching a community beautification program for the old bowling alley site on Commercial Street. Watch the paper for complete details.
NEW PRODUCTS, LONGER HOURS
This summer, besides featuring the works of a new artist each month, Lisa Forcino said she has added a line of summer clothing at her Crescent Mills gift store, Crescent Country. By the way, starting June 28 they will be open daily for your shopping pleasure. Collectibles, antiques, baby gifts, home and garden accessories and décor — yep, you find that and a lot more at this very special store.
BEING SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS
According to Investopedia and basic common sense, here are nine ways to help you be successful in business:
1. Get organized: As with anything in life, you need to be organized. Being organized and making lists allows you to see what needs to be done, and as you finish those items you can check them off. Completing all tasks is essential to your business.
2. Keep detailed records: All successful businesses keep detailed records, that way you’ll know where the business stands financially and what potential challenges you could face. Then you have time to create strategies to overcome any challenges.
3. Analyze your competition: Competition breeds the best results, you can’t be afraid to study and learn from your competitor. After all, they may be doing something right that you can implement in your own business.
4. Understand the risks and rewards: The key to being successful is taking calculated risks to help your business grow. A good question to ask is, “What’s the downside?” If you can answer that question, then you know the worst-case scenario. This knowledge will allow you to take the kinds of calculated risks that can generate tremendous rewards.
5. Be creative: Always be looking for ways to improve your business, make it stand out from the competition. Recognize that you don’t know everything and be open to new ideas and new approaches.
6. Stay focused: Just because you open a business doesn’t mean you’re going to immediately start making money. It takes time and money — a good marketing plan — to let people know who you are, so stay focused on achieving your short-term goals.
7. Prepare to make sacrifices: The lead-up to starting a business is hard work, but after you open your doors, your work has really just begun. In many cases, you have to put in more time than you would if you were working for someone else. In turn, you have to make sacrifices, with your time mostly.
8. Provide great service: There are many successful businesses that forget providing great customer service is important. If you provide better, friendlier service to your customer, they’ll be more inclined to come to your business the next time they need something rather than going to your competition.
9. Be consistent: Consistency is a key component to being financially successful in business. You have to consistently remind people why they should shop at your business — hence a good marketing plan — this will create long-term positive habits that will help you be more successful financially.
