Published: Monday, March 2, 2009
Panel identifies ideas for startups
Entrepreneurs and the role small businesses play in the economy were recognized last week during the National Entrepreneurship Week.
We think this week couldn't come at a better time. As the country focuses on ways to rehabilitate the ailing economy, it's important to understand how small businesses impact the state and national economy.
"Entrepreneurs bring new, innovative ideas into the marketplace," said Todd Stottlemyer, president and chief executive of the National Federation of Independent Business. "Their efforts continue to create jobs and fuel economic growth. In order for others to continue to take risks by trying their luck at a new business, it's important that we applaud entrepreneurs for their achievements and encourage America's youth to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors."
The state of Washington joined the celebration with a proclamation from Gov. Chris Gregoire declaring Entrepreneurship Education Week.
The proclamation notes that according to the Department of Labor, most of the new jobs created throughout the United States in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
In addition, economically independent entrepreneurs are engaged citizens who work to improve the economic environment in their local communities, providing better opportunities for businesses to operate and better work environment for the employees needed to advance their business dreams.
Debbie Emge, economic development manager for the city of Snohomish and Advisory Committee chairwoman of EvCC's School of Business Design strongly agrees with the proclamation. She coordinated a panel of successful business owners to share their experiences with students and other potential entrepreneurs.
The panelists included Dan McComb from Biznik; Melody Biringer from CRAVE Co.; Tom Hoban from Coast Real Estate Services; Luca Nasti from Luca's Ristorante & Pizzeria; Kimberly McIlrath from Faded Elegance; and Lisa Janicki from Janicki Industries.
The panelists were asked questions that gave the audience insight to the world of entrepreneurship. When panelists were asked, "What do you do best?" they each had immediate responses.
Melody Biringer commented that she believes her ability to network and create relationships is the main reason her businesses have been successful. Dan McComb also noted that his ability to connect with people and the fact that he likes working with small business owners has contributed to his success as an entrepreneur.
Luca Nasti contributes his success as a restaurant owner to his past experiences working with his family in Italy. Nasti is passionate about making his customers feel welcome and letting them know he appreciates their business. He enjoys greeting his guests and connecting with them personally.
Kimberly McIlrath also says that she loves her customers and enjoys creating a store that is full of beautiful things for her clients. She's also learned to delegate what she's not great at and spends her time doing what she loves: shopping and setting up the store.
The panelists shared their favorite part of being an entrepreneur and their outlook for the future. Janicki commented that as a business owner, you can actually live the "family-first" value. She's raised five children with her husband while working full-time in the family business. She believes their company is positioned to do well in the future, because they can control costs more easily than larger corporations.
McIlrath and Biringer said that creativity, generating ideas, solving challenges, and being in charge of their own business decisions were favorite parts of their experience as entrepreneurs. Nasti's favorite is working with people and sharing his passion for cooking. In the future, he hopes to host a TV show and is working on a line of olive oils, balsamic vinegars and tomato sauces.
All of these successful entrepreneurs mentioned that hiring the right employees that fit their organization is one of their biggest challenges. In addition, success itself can be a challenge when the organization grows quickly and they need to expand.
McComb emphasized that employees are the most important part of the organization and that when you hire the right people, things start to happen. Janicki pointed out that you can add more value to your organization by hiring a good person to handle their area of expertise for you while you maintain management control.
We applaud these local entrepreneurs and other small businesses in our community that are important, but often underappreciated. This week, we encourage you to support local entrepreneurs by becoming a customer at their businesses.
Pat Sisneros is vice president of College Services at Everett Community College. Lynne Munoz is director for the School of Business Design. Please send your comments to entrepreneurship@everettcc.edu.
We think this week couldn't come at a better time. As the country focuses on ways to rehabilitate the ailing economy, it's important to understand how small businesses impact the state and national economy.
"Entrepreneurs bring new, innovative ideas into the marketplace," said Todd Stottlemyer, president and chief executive of the National Federation of Independent Business. "Their efforts continue to create jobs and fuel economic growth. In order for others to continue to take risks by trying their luck at a new business, it's important that we applaud entrepreneurs for their achievements and encourage America's youth to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors."
The state of Washington joined the celebration with a proclamation from Gov. Chris Gregoire declaring Entrepreneurship Education Week.
The proclamation notes that according to the Department of Labor, most of the new jobs created throughout the United States in the past decade have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
In addition, economically independent entrepreneurs are engaged citizens who work to improve the economic environment in their local communities, providing better opportunities for businesses to operate and better work environment for the employees needed to advance their business dreams.
Debbie Emge, economic development manager for the city of Snohomish and Advisory Committee chairwoman of EvCC's School of Business Design strongly agrees with the proclamation. She coordinated a panel of successful business owners to share their experiences with students and other potential entrepreneurs.
The panelists included Dan McComb from Biznik; Melody Biringer from CRAVE Co.; Tom Hoban from Coast Real Estate Services; Luca Nasti from Luca's Ristorante & Pizzeria; Kimberly McIlrath from Faded Elegance; and Lisa Janicki from Janicki Industries.
The panelists were asked questions that gave the audience insight to the world of entrepreneurship. When panelists were asked, "What do you do best?" they each had immediate responses.
Melody Biringer commented that she believes her ability to network and create relationships is the main reason her businesses have been successful. Dan McComb also noted that his ability to connect with people and the fact that he likes working with small business owners has contributed to his success as an entrepreneur.
Luca Nasti contributes his success as a restaurant owner to his past experiences working with his family in Italy. Nasti is passionate about making his customers feel welcome and letting them know he appreciates their business. He enjoys greeting his guests and connecting with them personally.
Kimberly McIlrath also says that she loves her customers and enjoys creating a store that is full of beautiful things for her clients. She's also learned to delegate what she's not great at and spends her time doing what she loves: shopping and setting up the store.
The panelists shared their favorite part of being an entrepreneur and their outlook for the future. Janicki commented that as a business owner, you can actually live the "family-first" value. She's raised five children with her husband while working full-time in the family business. She believes their company is positioned to do well in the future, because they can control costs more easily than larger corporations.
McIlrath and Biringer said that creativity, generating ideas, solving challenges, and being in charge of their own business decisions were favorite parts of their experience as entrepreneurs. Nasti's favorite is working with people and sharing his passion for cooking. In the future, he hopes to host a TV show and is working on a line of olive oils, balsamic vinegars and tomato sauces.
All of these successful entrepreneurs mentioned that hiring the right employees that fit their organization is one of their biggest challenges. In addition, success itself can be a challenge when the organization grows quickly and they need to expand.
McComb emphasized that employees are the most important part of the organization and that when you hire the right people, things start to happen. Janicki pointed out that you can add more value to your organization by hiring a good person to handle their area of expertise for you while you maintain management control.
We applaud these local entrepreneurs and other small businesses in our community that are important, but often underappreciated. This week, we encourage you to support local entrepreneurs by becoming a customer at their businesses.
Pat Sisneros is vice president of College Services at Everett Community College. Lynne Munoz is director for the School of Business Design. Please send your comments to entrepreneurship@everettcc.edu.
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