Springfield Business News

Local author offers practical wisdom for new managers

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:50:00 +0000

Springfield author writes guidebook for new managers

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

What do new managers do to get through their first days and months on the job?

That is the question Rod Collins, a retired Forest Service manager, answers in his book, “What Do I Do When I Get There?” His new manager’s guidebook is a brief, 105 pages of nuts and bolts actions of successful managers in business and other organizations.

Collins says, “The brevity is deliberate. I don’t believe many people actually read longer management tomes, no matter how good they are. The new manager needing help wants it right now and doesn’t have the time or inclination to do lengthy research. My book is organized for quick searches and immediate answers.”

In clear, practical terms, Collins distills his 35 years of managerial experience into simple principles that managers can use to create a positive, productive work environment. The book helps managers understand their organization’s culture, learn to recognize leadership, build effectives teams, and encourage employee participation. In addition, it offers guidance for handling tough personnel issues (and firing people) with humanity, negotiating based on values, developing mission-accountable budgets, and using positive reinforcement with integrity.

Using his skill in storytelling about his work life, Collins shows what it is like to be a new manager and clearly demonstrates the principles he learned in the process of managing organizations over the years. Among the key points he makes is “I’m convinced the most important ingredient in all business success or failure is the human spirit. The task of the new manager is to foster a climate that encourages energy and ingenuity.”

At the end of the book, Collins provides a list of his favorite management books along with brief comments about each book. He concludes with “The Shortcut” – five-pages which summarize the essence of each chapter of “What Do I Do When I Get There?”

Collins retired as an administrative officer with the Ochoco National Forest and served as administrative director of a USDA Forest Service pilot test to streamline Forest Service processes and practices. He was the first recipient of the USDA Chief’s Medal of Excellence. Collins also served as a member of the National Performance Review, Vice President Al Gore’s task force for reinventing government.

Rod is available for speaking, seminars, and consulting at rod@brightworkspress.com. His book is available in bookstores and on-line at www.brightworkspress.com, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Wilco Farm Store Opens in Springfield

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Wilco Farm Store Opens in Springfield

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Wilco opened its first farm store in the area on February 1 at 1401 21st Street in Springfield.

Located in the old K-Mart location next to Jerry’s Home Improvement Center, the Wilco Farm Store offers a full line of farm, livestock, horse, and pet supplies as well as work and western wear. The store also features True Value hardware and a garden center, along with pet grooming services.

Craig Carner, who previously managed the company’s McMinnville store, is the Springfield store manager. He has 30 years of experience in retail businesses. Carner lives on an 80-acre farm in Scio where he raises goats.

“We’re a complete farm store with products and services to satisfy customer needs,” said Carner. “We have a knowledgeable staff of people with animal and pet health experience, plus familiarity with all the products and services we offer. Our company is also very involved in 4H and FFA projects for young people in the area.”

Formed in 1967, Wilco is an agricultural supply cooperative serving customers throughout the Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington with ag centers, retail farm stores, petroleum stations, and fuel delivery services. Today, it is the Northwest's leading supply cooperative currently serving over 3000 members. Wilco has assets of over $50 million dollars and sales topped $140 million in 2007.

____________________________________________________________________________

Wilco Farm Store
1401 21st Street
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 8 am - 8 pm
Sunday, 9 am - 6 pm
Phone: 726-0950

____________________________________________________________________________

Springfield Executive Profile: Donna Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:56:00 +0000

Profile: The life and work of a Springfield executive

BACKGROUND

Name: Donna Peterson

Title: Administrator

Organization: Bayberry Commons Assisted Living & Memory Care at 2211 Laura Street in Springfield. Opened in April 2007, Bayberry Commons has 48 assisted living apartments and 13 private memory care studio apartments. The organization’s mission is “creating environments where moments of joy, independence, and wellness are the focus each and every day.” It offers a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for elders in our community.

Work Experience: Worked in physicians’ education several years; opened a regional training center for Farm Credit Services in Wichita, Kansas; taught a certification program at LCC for adult foster care providers; did training and life coaching for executives while with United Healthcare in Portland; joined Ridgeline Management Co. in October 2006 to open and become administrator of Bayberry Commons.

Education: M.A. Marylhurst University – Gerontology (Alzheimer’s emphasis); B.S. Northwest Christian College – Business.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Business Philosophy: I’m egalitarian and a delegater. I believe in hiring good people and letting them do their job. We have a great staff of professionals at Bayberry Commons who love working with our residents.

Core Values: An attitude of gratitude. A strong faith. Love and respect for others. Integrating the personal and professional (they are not separate).

Measures for Success: Being able to enrich people’s lives. Acting on my beliefs and following through even in times of adversity.

Goals Yet to Achieve: I want to start a Ph.D. program by June 2008 in health services (behavior issues); to revisit my Italian language skills and travel to Italy again; to learn to play the piano and guitar and work in sculpture again. And I want to spend more time with my 3-year old grandson in Atlanta!

Personal Mottos: “You can always do something better (so nothing is a criticism)” and “Lack of information breeds discontent.”

Words That Best Describe You: Enthusiastic. Effervescent.

KEY BUSINESS DECISIONS

Toughest Decision: In one of my jobs at Farm Credit in Kansas, we went through five reorganizations. I had a staff of 100 that I had to reduce to 10 people. Letting people go is difficult especially during reorganizations.

Worst Decision: I see all decisions as learning experiences so there are no “worst” decisions.

Best Decision: If I had to identify a “best”, it would be deciding to leave healthcare to go into the business world where I gained the experience I needed to be a manager.

Missed Opportunities: If I had lived in a different day and age, I would have been a fashion designer (I love shoes!) or become a naturopathic doctor.

Mentors Who Mattered Most: Three women – Ruth Derwok at the medical school where I worked and at Marylhurst, Jennifer Sasser who headed the gerontology department and Debra Bokowski in lifespan development were mentors. And my husband, Bill, has been a wonderful mentor in my life.

CONFESSIONS

Best Part of Your Job: I absolutely love working with our residents. They teach me so much! And I love working with our staff who do such a wonderful job with the people we serve.

Worst Part of Your Job: Paperwork!

Trait You Most Seek in People You Hire: Optimism … and love for the work they will be doing.

First Work You Did For Pay: Besides babysitting, I worked in the record department for the first discount store (David’s) in Wichita, Kansas. I worked nights and during the summer. It was fun and I enjoyed the music and the people.

Most Important Life Lessons: Always admit when you are wrong. What you may have considered mistakes will turn into ‘diamonds’ when you look back later in life.

Your Life Passions: Having a really happy marriage and building on it every day.

Pet Peeves: People not being organized, including myself when I get overloaded with paperwork.

Living Person Most Like to Meet and Have A Conversation With: I’d like to speak with Dr. David Snowden, an epidemiologist who led the Nun Study, a longitudinal study of health and aging. We’d talk about his work with Alzheimer’s disease.

Top Choice for a New Career: I would be a naturopathic physician.

Personal Legacy That Matters Most: To have been a good mother, grandmother, and wife. To have left my loved ones with an understanding of the importance of giving back to others and to life.

FAVORITES

Most Influential Book: The Bible.

Last Book Read: “The Glass Castle: A Memoir” By Jeannette Walls

Memorable Movies: “Sweet November” and recently “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”

Enjoyable Musician/Music: I love opera and Pavarotti. And I enjoy Billy Holiday.

Websites Most Often Visited: Expedia.com (I love to travel!)

Best Advice You Ever Received: The best advice I received for business was “Always look at the other side of things before making a decision.” And personally, when my husband’s Uncle Dick asked (before Bill and I got married): “What are going to do when you have a fight?”

Quote You Often Say: “We can always do things better.”

First Choice for Spending Free Time: Fishing with my husband (on the Williamson River or in Alaska).

Best Vacation Destination: Italy (Florence is my favorite city).

Most Visited Restaurant: 3-Square in South Eugene. My favorite restaurant is The Stinking Rose in San Francisco.

Favorite Food/Cuisine: Fish

Causes You Support/Volunteer Work: The Alzheimer’s Association and Womanspace.

Cherished Memories: Giving birth to my daughter and being there when she gave birth to my grandson.

Cherished Possessions: My bible. And our family has a “crazy quilt” that goes back to the days of Abraham Lincoln. The quilt came from my great, great grandfather who helped with the Underground Railroad in Kentucky. It moved with our family to Kansas and my daughter now has it in her care in Georgia.

How You’d Like to Live Your Last Day: I’d like to be surrounded by my family at the Oregon Coast in Yachats. I have a very happy life and no regrets.

-- Interviewed by Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon. Email your suggestions for business executive profiles to todd@springfieldbeacon.com.

Shirley Collingwood - Distinguished Citizen

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:32:00 +0000

Our community's distinguished citizen of the year, Shirley Collingwood

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

"What a wonderful surprise," said Shirley Collingwood about being named Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the recent Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner. "And what a great honor to be the first woman to be chosen for the award!"

On the evening of the dinner, Shirley had gone to the event by herself. Her husband, Ed, who usually would have been with her, stayed home. What Shirley didn’t know was that Ed had been informed earlier about the award and planned to be part of his wife’s “surprise." After she left home, Ed dressed in a suit and headed to LCC for the award presentation.

"I didn't have a clue," said Shirley. When John Lively, last year's recipient, was giving clues about the person to be chosen, "I was sitting there trying to guess who it was. When he said the person had worked for Wood Products Credit Union, I finally figured it out. I couldn't believe it!" Just as Shirley's name was being called, she saw Ed coming through the doorway and walking toward the stage with a bouquet of red roses for her.

To a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd, Shirley met Ed at the stage and received a kiss and hug from her husband. Overwhelmed with tears of joy, she expressed words of gratitude for the award to the audience of over 300 people.

Interviewed a week after the event, Shirley said, "I still can hardly believe it . . . to be the first woman to receive the award, when I know so many other women in Springfield who could well have been chosen."

Shirley Collingwood was given the Distinguished Citizen award for her many years of community involvement in Springfield and her extraordinary service to the Chamber of Commerce.

Her involvement with the Chamber began in 1983 when she became the representative to the Chamber Greeters while working for Wood Products Credit Union (Northwest Community). Since joining Greeters, "it has been my baby," said Shirley. "I love the people and really enjoy our weekly meetings."

Shirley served as chairperson of Greeters in 1987 and co-chaired with John Woodrow in 2000. She was involved in the 1985 Greeters State Convention held in Springfield and was chairperson when the convention returned to our community in 2001.

“Greeters has had its ups and downs over the years but I give Shirley credit for turning the organization around,” said Dan Egan, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Her great work has helped Greeters thrive today with over 100 people often attending their weekly meetings.”

Shirley has been the “heart” of the organization for nearly 25 years. For anyone who has ever attended a Greeters breakfast, she’s well-recognized for her warm smile and hugs (and often kisses on the cheek) as she greets businesspeople attending the meetings.

In addition to her Greeters involvement, Shirley Collingwood has worked on the silent auction portion of the Tailgate Auctions since the beginning of the annual event co-sponsored by the Springfield Chamber.

Other community projects Shirley has been involved in include serving as “Bake-Off” chair for the Filbert Festival for five years. And together with Ed, she has worked on many of Springfield’s annual Christmas Parades. They’ve also cooked breakfast for people at the American Cancer Society’s “Relay of Life” for five years (Shirley is a cancer survivor herself). And, when McKenzie-Willamette Hospital had their annual “Mash Bash”, Shirley and Ed coordinated the USO Show for seven years.

Today, Shirley serves as president of the Friendship Club, a group of over 375 women in the area. She’s also active in her church and a member of Beta Sigma Phi, a women’s social and cultural sorority.

At the age of 72, Shirley Collingwood is an energetic, enthusiastic woman who loves people and is passionate about life. She loves to paint, fish, hunt (she cooks for the hunters), camp, and travel with her husband. “My marriage to Ed has been the most wonderful success of my life,” she said.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Shirley moved to Oregon in 1955. She met Ed in Albany in 1972 when they both worked for BiMart. They were married in 1976 and moved to their current home in Springfield in 1978. With three grown children, two adult stepchildren, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, Shirley and Ed have an active family life.

After working nearly nine years for Wood Products Credit Union, Shirley joined with Sharon Mills to create their own business, “Coffee, Tea, & Things”. They ran the business located at the corner of Gateway and Harlow Road from 1987 to 1992. Shirley then went to work for six years as a professional cake decorator for the Safeway near her home.

Now “retired”, the Collingwood’s so enjoy working together that they started Transcend Marketing International in 2005, an on-line networking business at www.madebig.com.

“Shirley Collingwood’s faith in the future helped us get through some tough times in Springfield,” said Dan Egan. “She’s a great example of how one caring person doing her best has made a big difference to the life and growth of our community.”

Grand Opening: First Tech Credit Union

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:40:00 +0000

First Tech Credit Union Celebrates
Grand Opening in Springfield

The new First Tech Credit Union branch on Pioneer Parkway and ‘Q’ St. is having a grand opening throughout the month of February.

To celebrate the grand opening, First Tech will pay one monthly bill up to $500 for one lucky winner each week in February (a total of four people will win). The drawing is open to both members and non-members of the credit union. People can enter by visiting the Pioneer Parkway branch to sign up.

Located at 1810 Pioneer Parkway West, the First Tech branch replaces the credit union’s Olympic St. location. The new branch opened for business on Dec. 24, 2007.

“We’re excited about the new location,” says Stan Bowers, Regional Manager for First Tech. “It is more convenient for our members and highly accessible to people traveling on Pioneer Parkway to the new hospital opening at Riverbend and to downtown Springfield. The new branch also offers enhancements such as a drive-up ATM, a full service greeter station, and more safety deposit boxes than we had at the previous location.”

Heather Tucker is manager of the new branch. She has worked at First Tech for seven years, becoming assistant branch manager at the Olympic location in 2005 and branch manager in 2007. “I have a great team and I love coming to work each day to serve our members,” says Tucker.

Assistant branch manager, Lindsey Hamar has been with First Tech for six years, starting as a loan officer at Olympic St. and named to her current position in September of 2007.

First Tech Credit Union began serving Springfield and Lane County in 2004 when it merged with Oregon Metro Credit Union. It has two other branches in Eugene and one in Oakridge.

Established in 1952, First Tech has total assets of $1.6 billion and serves 155,000 members located in all 50 states and 71 countries. The credit union operates a 16-branch network in Oregon and Washington with access to over 25,000 ATMs worldwide through the CO-OP Network.

___________________________________________

First Tech Credit Union
1810 Pioneer Parkway West
Hours: Office – Mon. - Thurs: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Drive-Up – Mon. – Friday: 8:00 am – Closing
Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
ATM – Open 24 hours/7 days
Phone: 736-7948 or 800-637-0852 ___________________________________________

-- By Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Walgreens Opens On 'Q' St.

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:26:00 +0000

New ‘Q’ Street Walgreens to Open February 1st

Walgreens new pharmacy and drugstore at the corner of Pioneer Parkway West and ‘Q’ St. is slated to open on Friday, February 1st.

Located at 6 West ‘Q’ St., the Walgreens store is managed by Dan Foster. A U. of O. graduate, Foster has worked five years for the company and previously managed the company’s Thurston store. He says, “This is the largest Walgreens in the area and our store employs 22 local people. We have a full-service pharmacy with a drive-up window as well as all of the other products and services people expect from Walgreens.”

Walgreens is the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chain and drugstore with 6148 stores. It had 51 stores in Oregon at the end of 2007. Nationwide, the company opened 621 new stores in 2007 and plans to open 550 additional stores in 2008.

________________________________________

Walgreens
6 West ‘Q’ Street
Store Hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily
Pharmacy Hours: Mon. – Friday, 8 am – 10 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm
Phone: 736-8358
________________________________________

-- By Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Coffee & Conversation: Dennis Mulcahy - Second Story Books

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:36:00 +0000

Talking With A Springfield Business Owner

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Dennis Mulcahy
Second Story Books

Dennis Mulcahy and his sister, Julie Wallace, opened Second Story Books on Main Street nearly six years ago. Since that time, other new and used booksellers in the area have gone out of business – driven out by internet booksellers and discounting of new books by megastores.

But Second Story Books is doing just fine, “paying the bills” while the owners continue to enjoy the business of selling quality used books in their store and on the internet.

Second Story is a “generalist” used bookstore. It has over 20,000 books shelved by category in the store and another 5000 in inventory for on-line sales. On the internet, their books are available from amazon.com, abebooks.com, alibris.com, biblio.com, barnesandnoble.com, and choosebooks.com.

Book prices at Second Story range from 50 cents to $1000. The average price of books available in the store is $4 and on-line is $20 (which includes the 15-20% commission and monthly fees bookselling sites charge, plus the store’s costs of packaging materials for shipping).

The bookstore’s “best sellers” include Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum Series), Clive Cussler, Louis L’Amour, and many of the great science fiction writers. Dennis Mulcahy says, “it is hard to get enough science fiction books. Sci-fi enthusiasts are great readers and they don’t often give up their books.”

“I love the whole process of buying and selling books,” said Mulcahy. He buys used books in good condition from people who bring them to the store as well as buys at library sales, estate sales, and auctions. Then he cleans the books up, prices them, and puts them on the shelves in the store or lists them for sale on the internet.

I asked Dennis a few questions about the used book business:

Q: How did you get started in your business?

A: My sister, Julie, had retired from Walt Disney and I was tired of living in Lake Tahoe. We decided to live our dream of owning a used bookstore. Both of us wanted to live somewhere in the Northwest and agreed to take a look at Oregon first.

Q: What led you to locate your business in downtown Springfield?

A: We came to Oregon to scout possible locations in Portland. It quickly became clear that Powell’s and other used bookstores in the city had a lock on that market. Since we had a few days before our flight home, we decided to drive down I-5 to see what Eugene was like. We drove down Franklin Boulevard and saw the U of O and Hayward Field, then went to see Saturday Market. The more we looked around the area, the more it felt like the right place for us.

We moved up here six months later and began looking for a space to rent. When we visited downtown Springfield, we liked the friendly, hometown feel of the place. We stopped at AlethaLou’s and she told us about the space available in this 103 year-old building. When we walked in and saw the beautiful wood floors, we knew it was the place for us. So we built the bookshelves and started filling the shelves with books, opening our doors in July of 2002.

Of course, we had to come up with a name for the store and finally decided on “Second Story Books” which refers to the “second reading” of a used book.

Q: How has your business changed over the years?

A: I thought we’d do most of our business in the store but we’re actually selling more books on the internet. I spend more time at the computer each day than I ever expected I would be doing. And more time packaging books to send to people around the world. I hardly have enough time for cleaning and shelving books much less being able to get out of the store to do the book buying that I’ve like to be doing.

Q: What do you see as coming trends in your business?

A: Unfortunately, there just are not enough readers anymore! I saw a poll that said that 70% of people hadn’t read a book since high school! So that’s going to impact the future of the book business (as it already does). I expect the average selling prices will continue to be driven downward on the internet. People such as “megalisters” offer books for sale at sharply reduced prices but don’t actually have any books in stock (they buy from others after getting an order – if they can even find the books ordered!). And many people who are not “booksellers” are buying from thrift shops and library sales to sell books on EBay and other sites (Ever seen a person with a “scanner” at a book sale?).

Q: How was your business activity last year?

A: Our sales have been up every year since we opened the doors. Last year our internet business actually declined slightly – less than 2 percent – but our in-store sales were up 22 percent.

Q: What is your outlook for 2008?

A: Well, there are just three ways to go – down, up, or stay about the same. The economy is always a major factor. But I expect this year to be good, perhaps up 10 – 15 percent.

Q: Do you have a strange or funny “war story” about business experiences you’ve had?

A: Once, in a used book I bought at a local thrift store, I found $220 in cash tucked inside the pages.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: I just love working with books! Perhaps something I wrote on a booksellers discussion board on the internet says it best: “I am selling ideas and the wisdom of the ages. Masterfully constructed tales that can inspire hope and provide solace. I am selling entertainment and humor to lighten the ravaged soul. I am selling exotic theories and the simple universality we all share in being human.”

I go on to say “I sell time, hopefully well spent. To children, men, women, and the occasional reading bear on a unicycle. Time that heals, and teaches, and that fosters dreams. I sell dreams. Think of it.”

And, “I sell the uninitiated, initiation. The unloved, love. The uninspired, inspiration. The collector, the collectible. The unwanted, a sense of belonging. And to those who thought they couldn’t ever dance again, I sell Happy Feet. Sometimes, I give them away free. And sometimes I make a lotta money from these ideas, these dreams. But most times, I make just enough to get by. I am rich in books.”

Q: What statement would you like people to use in describing how you do business?

A: “We love books and love readers who do.

We’re honest, easy to work with, and give our customers great service.”

Second Story Books is located at 226 Main Street in Springfield. Open 10 am - 6 pm, Monday thru Saturday. Phone: (541) 736-3154.
Email: secondstorybooks@hotmail.com.

Email you suggestions for future business profiles to: todd@springfieldbeacon.com.

Springfield Chamber Annual Awards

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Chamber members celebrate our community

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Over 300 people celebrated the people and progress of Springfield at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards and Installation Dinner last Friday night.

The program emceed by Dan Egan, Executive Director of the Chamber, brought applause, cheers, tears, and laughter to the attendees at the event held at Lane Community College.

With a theme of "The Sky's the Limit", the evening focused on the business growth of Springfield and people who have contributed to the livability of our community.

Early in the program, Steve Wildish surprised the audience and Tom Draggoo of the Springfield Renaissance Development Corp. with a $50,000 donation from his family to the endowment of the Wildish Theater. He added that his family and the Wildish companies would "write another $50,000 check" when others in the community made donations to match their contribution.

Among the people recognized for their service to our community was Nancy Golden, Springfield School District Superintendent, who was named First Citizen.

Brothers Paul and Steve Roth of Roaring Rapids Pizza and Camp Putt shared honors as Businessperson of the Year.

The Distinguished Citizen award was presented to Shirley Collingwood of Transcend Marketing International for her extraordinary contribution to the Chamber Greeters and her lifelong service to our community. She is the first woman to be honored with the award since the chamber began presenting it in the 1990's.

The Chamber Greeters honored Shaunna Durham of Windermere Real Estate with their Greeter of the Year award.

Cornerstone awards were given to Laura Jaspers of Symantec, Trudy Borrevik of the City of Springfield, Brian Cook of Cummings Moving Systems, and Bill Seider of PIVOT Architecture.

In describing the Chamber’s "Cranes Over Springfield" recognition awards, Dan Egan, who deftly sprinkled bits of humor throughout the program, drew laughter from the crowd by first introducing them as "Trains over Springfield".
The awards went to St. Vincent de Paul for the Royal Building, Sycan Development for the new Holiday Inn, Royal Caribbean for their Call Center, PeaceHealth for the Riverbend hospital campus, Symantec for their building expansion, City of Springfield for the new Justice Center, Oregon Dept. of Transportation for the I-5 Flyover project, and the National Guard, BLM, and Willamette Forest Service for the new National Guard Armory which will house offices of all three organizations.

Dean Huber, outgoing president from Kernutt Stokes Brandt & Co., gave awards to outgoing Chamber board members Gretchen York, Corkey Gourley, and David Willis. Huber remarked on the Chamber's accomplishments during the year and introduced the incoming president for the year, Steve Roth. Roth spoke briefly about the Chamber's plans for the new year and concluded the evening by introducing members of the 2008 Board of Directors.

Beginnings: Don Kahuna Says "Aloha" to Springfield

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Don Kahuna's combines a taste of the tropics with southwestern cuisine

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Don Kahuna’s Hula Huli Chicken & Pele’s Volcano House Coffee
720 South ‘A’ Street
Phone: 747-8966
Open: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday – Thursday
11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday
Website: www.myspace.com/donkahuna

The Business: Don Kahuna’s is a new restaurant concept – a South Pacific eatery which offers both Polynesian and Southwestern cuisine. Based on the successful Juan Pollo’s Chicken in San Bernadino, it is the first restaurant in our area featuring “huli huli” style rotisserie chicken combined with a variety of fresh side dishes. In a separate drive-up coffee hut, Pele’s Volcano House Coffee offers 100 percent Kona coffee drinks along with fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable drinks as well as smoothies. The restaurant also offers catering services for Luau’s and other occasions.

Their Menu: Rotisserie chicken, marinated for 12 hours and cooked for three hours in a radiant heat ceramic oven, is Don Kahuna’s specialty. Their huli huli (Hawaiian for “turn turn”) tender chicken is served with a choice of four side dishes most of which are made with organic ingredients. Among the sides available with the Polynesian Island dinners are Fafa-Taro Spinach, Lomi-Lomi salmon, Hawaiian rice, fruit poe and others. In addition, a Southwest Pueblo-style burrito dinner is served with four sides including a choice of pinto beans, potato salad, jasmine rice, sweet potatoes and salsa. Dinners are priced at $8.50 and include a fountain drink and baguette.

A Lunch Combo includes three pieces of chicken, potato salsa, tortillas, rice. salsa and a fountain drink priced at $7.50. A la carte items offered include tacos with salsa and two other burritos priced from $3 to $5.

Location: Located in the old “Bob’s Burgers” location on the corner of Eighth and South A streets, Don Kahuna’s and Pele’s hope to attract local customers and people going by in the abundant eastbound traffic. They have drive-up windows available and an ample parking for restaurant customers.

Atmosphere: In a contemporary-style building, an “island restaurant” has been created with bamboo, several Bonsai trees, Polynesian art, and “table islands” designed by the owner. Customers can relax with sounds of surf in the background as well as occasional streams of Polynesian and 60’s surfer music.

The Owner: Dani Savicky is the creator of this “hidden Hawaii” restaurant in downtown Springfield. Originally from Southern California, he moved to Hawaii in 1977 where he worked in popular Polynesian/Tahitian restaurants on Maui. Later, Dani started a tropical fish exporting business and also did projects with the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. He headed off to American Samoa in 1987 and then to Tahiti to begin other tropical fish business operations. An ocean diving accident (Dani has been underwater over 5,000 hours!) brought him back to California to recover. In 1999 he moved to Oregon but with the intention of getting back to Hawaii some day. A friend got Dani excited about Bonsai trees and he decided to stay and start another business building “table islands” and growing Bonsai trees to sell on E-bay (which he still does under the name “Koni Bonsai”). In the Fall of 2007 he learned that the South A property was for sale and decided it was time to start the restaurant he had envisioned many years before in Hawaii.

Their Employees: Starting with four employees, the restaurant expects to add another 10 people to its staff when it reaches full capacity. Jason McKnight, head chef, and Bernie Martinez, sous chef, are creating the fresh, Hawaiian/Tahitian cuisine and Southwestern specialties.

The Vision: Dani sees the new restaurant as a “flagship” for over 30 new Don Kahuna’s in Oregon over the next three years. With success, he has some new Hawaiian deep-sea shrimping projects in mind and, when he retires, plans to build a Children’s Hospital on the Big Island.

Fact or fiction: Don Kahuna is said to be a famous and respected (but reclusive) Hawaiian surfer, living on the North Shore of Oahu. He’s a good friend of Logan, the premier photographer for Surfer Magazine. Don’s highest-priority job with the new restaurant is wearing the chicken suit (which he does with dignity and honor).

Grand Opening: Friday, March 21 (evening) and all day Saturday, March 22.

Business Leadership: Inspiring the Spirit of People at Work

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:52:00 +0000

By Todd Peterson
Springfield Beacon

Over the past 40 years, I've had the good fortune to work with hundreds of organizations ranging from multi-billion dollar global corporations and mid-sized companies to new start-ups, non-profits, and governments. I've experienced organizational life as an employee, client, supplier, and service provider in companies with as few as one employee and as many as hundreds of thousands of people.

While most all of the organizations I've been involved with have espoused that people are their most important asset, a rare few have actually put "people-first" into practice. Those with stated missions and values focused on people and service more often have practiced "numbers-first" in their day-to-day operations.

Such is the personal backdrop for my reading of Dan J. Sanders new book "Built-to-Serve: How to Drive the Bottom Line with People-First Practices." The author is the CEO of United Supermarkets, a privately-held company with stores in 26 cities.

Sanders is an engaging storyteller who begins each chapter of his book with a short story that demonstrates the lessons of his content. The stories come from his work experience which included being a U-2 reconnaissance pilot while serving in the Air Force as well as from meaningful events in the author’s life.

Calling for a paradigm shift in business, Sanders provides a hands-on guide for creating "sustainable, culture-driven, people-centered organizations." His view of leadership in organizations involves "more a choice than a position" and focuses primarily on service to others. From my perspective, Sanders offers guidance that complements the servant leadership model which Robert Greenleaf and others have written about.

An organization's culture consists of its values and the common vision held by its people as well as their behavior with one another and the customers they serve.

A people-centered organization engages people in a higher purpose and does not compromise its values. It remains faithful to the vision and mission of the organization 100 percent of the time. Leaders place the "highest level of importance on human beings." At United Supermarkets, they have reframed the Golden Rule to say:

"Do unto others as you would have your children done unto.”

In Sanders view, this guiding principle “fulfills the human spirit and allows for connecting people on a deeper level."

To be sustainable, organizations must engage people in service and focus on their long-term purpose while balancing the short-term needs of their people. Sanders maintains that "organizations that make people and service the cornerstone of their corporate identity enjoy sustainability."

The heart of the book centers on ways leaders can empower people to make decisions based on the organization's vision, mission, and commitment to sustainability. Sanders says a "clearly communicated and understood vision statement empowers team members to make decisions that support the organization's higher purpose." In his view, the best vision statements incorporate the higher purpose of the organization—that which is most significant to sustain it over time.

A good mission statement is critical as well because it eliminates confusion and reminds everyone of the organization's expectations. It inspires people on their journey toward realizing the organization's vision. Sanders encourages everyone to commit the words of their mission statement to memory and bring them to life in daily decisions. At United Supermarkets, their mission statement consists of just six words: Ultimate Service. Superior Performance. Positive Impact.

I was surprised (and pleased) to read that Sanders believes "the single biggest threat to an organization's success is pride." In my experience, pride has been a destructive element in many of the corporations I've worked with over the years (and has gotten in the way personally in small businesses I’ve started).

The kind of pride the author speaks of is “a high or overbearing opinion of one's worth or importance." To minimize its destructive affects, he suggests a three-step process that keeps people focused on the future, not the past; on the pursuit of excellence; and on the right kind of role models. By fostering humility and asking the right questions, leaders can put destructive pride in its place and maximize positive pride -- "the feeling of elation and satisfaction derived from achievement."

Sanders concludes each chapter with a summary of key points aptly titled "From the Express Lane" (great for speed readers and PowerPoint enthusiasts!). In the final chapter, he provides a "Carryout for Leaders" – a 10-point list which includes such guidance as "Surrender your ego," "No job is unimportant," and "Do not compromise integrity."

In the Afterword, Ken Blanchard, co-author of Leading at a Higher Level and The One Minute Manager, encourages readers to learn from Dan Sanders leadership and take action in their organizations. He calls on leaders to focus on three simple questions to guide their organizations to long-term success:

1. What have we done for our customers?
2. What have we done for our people?
3. What have we done for our community?

By putting the lessons of Built to Serve into practice, business leaders can create a profound shift in the vitality and performance of their organizations. I highly recommend the book to people at all levels in any size organization -- for inspiration, for guidance in leading, and for instilling life-enhancing principles in workplaces throughout our community and the world.

Springfield Chamber Plans for 2008

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Springfield Chamber of Commerce Plans for More Growth After A Successful 2007

By Todd Peterson
The Springfield Beacon

In our “town of the possible”, a sure sign of growth in our community is growth of the Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, membership in the Springfield Chamber grew 17 percent reaching a total of 850 members. And the organization has a goal of 1000 members by the end of 2008.

According to Dan Egan, Executive Director, the Chamber continues to make a significant and positive impact on local businesses and the larger community. Among their accomplishments in 2007 were moving efforts ahead to build a conference center through creation of the non-profit Springfield Conference Center Consortium.

Egan says the need exists today for a large “public space” to hold meetings and events as well as for additional hotel room capacity. The need will continue to grow sharply in years ahead, especially with the premier track and field events being held annually at the University of Oregon. He sees 2008 as crucial “deal, no deal” year for the project. Building a conference center would be a “crowning achievement” for the community and for Egan, the accomplishment that would give him the most personal satisfaction.

The Chamber supported the successful Downtown Urban Renewal District referendum in 2007 and will continue to be involved as the City develops plans for downtown projects. Along with many downtown enhancements in 2007 – the new Royal Building, LTD’s Em-X service, and Wildish Theater events among others – Egan sees the investment by Wynant’s Family Health Foods on ‘A’ Street as the beginning of additional private investment which can be spurred on by downtown urban renewal.

In 2008, the Chamber plans to form an Economic Development Committee which will include representatives from TEAM Springfield, Chamber leadership, and other business people willing to recruit new businesses to Springfield and the region. It is considering a “Glenwood Summit” to restart the development efforts for the Glenwood Urban Renewal District. The organization also plans to rejoin and participate in the Lane Metro Partnership.

Plans for the Chamber’s government issues committee include working on land inventory studies and Urban Growth Boundary issues as well as being involved in municipal elections during the new year. Building on the success of its Career Days for high school and middle school students in Springfield, their education committee will add an elementary education event in January.

On the lighter side, Dan Egan plans to find more time in the new year to practice playing his electric guitar and singing back-up vocals for gigs with the band, “Mystery Train.” Readers can view their July 4th Island Park concert on YouTube which featured old favorites from The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Doobie Brothers, and Oregon’s own, The Kingsmen of “Louie, Louie” fame.

Springfield Executive Profile: Debra Gruell

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:42:00 +0000

The Life & Work of a Local Executive

(Published December 26, 2007)

Debra Gruell - The Springfield Museum

BACKGROUND

Name: Debra Gruell
Title: Director
Organization: Springfield Museum
Work Experience: Worked 17 years for a food broker, serving as VP of Sales & Marketing; created and taught ArtSmart Kids in hundreds of organizations across the country and on Carnival Cruise Line ships; came to Oregon three years ago to teach the program in Yachats and at the Corvallis Art Center; first came to Springfield to teach ArtSmart Kids for Willamalane Parks & Recreation.
Education: Herron School of Art; Associates Degree from Indiana Business College
Birthplace: Madison, Indiana

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Business Philosophy: The Golden Rule
Core Values: Family. Friends. Art. Animals. Play.
Measures for Success: Getting up each day and making a difference in the lives of people I see and work with; then going to bed each night saying “Thank you for this day!”
Goals Yet to Achieve: Getting my 32-book series, “Art Adventures with the ArtSmart Kids” into print and distributed; traveling to Italy and enjoying the whole country for several months.
Personal Mission: To live my life the best I can with the tools I’ve been given; to make a difference in the life of kids, especially in ways they experience the arts.
Words That Best Describe You: Artistic. Gentle. Loving.

KEY DECISIONS

Toughest Decision: Leaving my two sons and grandchildren back in Indiana when I came to Oregon to live and work.
Worst Decision: Not going to school to study art instead of business when I was a young woman.
Best Decision: To honor my lifelong vision and returning to art.
Missed Opportunities: Waiting until the 1990’s to go back to school to study art (because I didn’t believe I was a good enough artist).
Mentor Who Mattered Most: My grandmother, Lillie Mae.

CONFESSIONS

Best Part of Your Job: Feeling so well-supported by our Board and volunteers in a community that cares about its history and the Springfield Museum.
Worst Part of Your Job: Commuting back and forth from Yachats while seeking a home here.
Traits You Most Seek in People You Hire or in Volunteers: Willingness to do their best with the talents they have.
First work You Did For Pay: I was a locker room attendant at the swimming pool in Greenfield, Indiana. I squeegeed the floors and disinfected the bathrooms, then sat up front and gave out locker keys to kids.
Most Important Life Lesson: Things can get better … and they do! There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Your Life Passions: Art. Teaching. Grandchildren. Travel. Cooking. Gardening.
Pet Peeves: Laziness. Whiners.
Living Person You’d Most Like to Meet and Have A Conversation With: Oprah. I would talk with her about her school in Africa and doing ArtSmart Kids programs for the girls there. Maybe she’d be interested in being publisher of my whole series of books!
Top Choice for a New Career: Be a writer.
Personal Legacy That Matters Most: My sons, Glenn and Joel, and my grandchildren. I’ve had so many special moments with them, lots of laughs, and such good times together.

FAVORITES

Most Influential Book: The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. It was the first book I bought when I was 15 years old and I’ve gone back and read it again a number of times.
Memorable Movies: Under the Tuscan Sun. White Christmas (It always brings tears to my eyes).
Enjoyable Musician/Music: Jazz and smooth jazz (The Rippingtons and Diana Krall); classical (Luciano Pavarotti).
Websites Most Often Visited: MapQuest (I get lost a lot around here!); springfieldmuseum.com; and lots of art sites.
Best Advice You Ever Received: “Be your own best friend” (from my grandmother, Lillie Mae).
Person in History You Most Admire: Helen Keller.
Quote You Know By Heart: “It took me four years to paint like Raphael and a lifetime to paint like a child” by Pablo Picasso.
First Choice for Spending Free Time: Walking the beach with friends; talking with my grandkids; drawing and cooking.
Best Vacation Destinations: Paris (seeing The Louvre); closer to home – the Oregon Coast.
Favorite Food/Cuisine: Pasta and seafood.
Causes You Support/Volunteer Work: The Humane Society; Orphanages and Special Needs programs for children.
Cherished Possessions: My 15-year old cocker spaniel, Buster.
Fondest Memories: Camping with my sons when they were boys – canoeing and fishing on the Patoka Reservoir in Indiana; the births of my grandchildren.
How You’d Like to Live Your Last Day: Walking the beach with my loved ones and dog, Buster; eating lots of pasta and tiramisu; signing a few more printed copies of my “Art Adventures with ArtSmart Kids” books!

-- Interviewed by Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Coffee & Conversation: Marv Berkman - MarCel

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:23:00 +0000

Talking With A Springfield Business Owner

Published December 19, 2007

Marv Berkman -- MarCel Wholesale Outlet

When Marv Berkman was a young man, he worked in a small wholesale sundries business run by his parents in Canton, Ohio. Though he went on to a career in medicine, his interest in the business of wholesaling remained with him. A few years before his retirement from McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in 1998, Marv started MarCel as an importing and distributing company.

Today, MarCel is the largest importer in the Northwest of hand-carved and hand-painted bamboo wind chimes from Bali. They're also a leading importer of dreamcatchers from Bali and a variety of other products including imported toys, jewelry, novelties, and specialty items from many countries of the world. MarCel's products are distributed for sale in gift shops, garden centers, pharmacies, casinos, and souvenir shops as well as sold in their Springfield retail store and via the internet at www.wholesaletoyou.com.

We sat down with Marv at his retail outlet for a chat about his company.

Q: How did you get started in your business?

A: I started the business in 1993 after seeing many importing opportunities during international travels with my wife. We decided to begin wholesaling imports from Bali, India, and Mexico. I began selling products out of the trunk of my car, then as our product line grew, sold from our garage at home, and then expanded into a duplex I bought near the hospital. The business has continued to grow over the years as we've added many new products found during my trips to Bali and acquired more sales representatives.

Q: What led you to locate your business in downtown Springfield?

A: I had been contemplating starting a retail outlet in Springfield for awhile and needed additional storage space for our inventory. When this building at the corner of 7th and Main came available, I decided to buy it. It has the space we need and, together with Dave and Darla Harris at Bright Oak Meats next door, we're enjoying being in this great location. For me, this block of Main Street is a breath of fresh air. I love being here and enjoy my regular visits to Terese's and The Pump for coffee and lunch. Being downtown is invigorating for me and for our business.

Q: How has your business changed over the years?
A: We've gone from mostly local sales with me doing all the selling to building a network of fifteen independent sales representatives around the country. We also began selling over the internet and added the retail outlet here in 2005.

I hired Dawn Brandon to manage the store and she works along with Angie Barrie to serve our retail customers. It has been delightful to work with them and I appreciate all they do to make the business successful.

Over the past five years, interest in handcrafted imports seems to have waned somewhat. Many small businesses which sold our products have closed or new management has taken them over after mergers. The "big box" stores have taken some "niche" product sales away from us. But not many chain stores carry products like ours because I go to small villages in Bali and buy directly from the people who make them.

Q: What do you see as coming trends in your business?

A: I expect to increase sales at our retail outlet as more people find us due to additional sidewalk traffic resulting from events at the Wildish Theater. Also, I expect that our internet business will continue to grow.

Q: How has your business activity been this year?

A: Our trend has been slightly positive over the past five years -- 2 to 3 percent a year. With our prices closer to wholesale levels, I had expected to do more retail business than we have this year. Business from our internet site is about 5% of total sales and growing.

Q: What is your outlook for 2008?

A: We recently added a new Portland-based sales rep organization with five salespeople in Oregon so I expect added business from them. I'll be going to the Los Angeles Gift Show in January and will look for more independent salespeople to represent us. I'll also be going back to Bali in March to find more new products for us to import and distribute. And, as I mentioned, we expect growth in both retail and internet sales.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: I enjoy the everyday contact and relationship-building with my employees and our customers. Plus, I like the challenge of being successful in a competitive business environment.

I also love going to the mountain villages in Bali to meet the people and buy their beautifully made products. And it's fun to see the handmade items I bought from the artisans in Bali sell to our customers in the U.S.

Q: What statement would you like people to use in describing how you do business?

A: MarCel offers high quality imported products, good prices, and excellent, personalized service.

MarCel Wholesale Outlet is located at 660 Main Street, Suite B in Springfield. Open 11 am - 4 pm, Monday thru Friday (and Saturdays until Christmas). Phone: 988-9919. Website: www.wholesaletoyou.com.

-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

For a larger view of all photos, click on the image.

Springfield Executive Profile: Debra Marcus

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:14:00 +0000

The Life & Work of A Local Business Executive

(Published December 12, 2007)

Debra Marcus - Pioneer Pacific College

BACKGROUND

Name: Debra Marcus
Title: Campus President
Organization: Pioneer Pacific College
Work Experience: Production Director for a business magazine publisher in New York City; worked on Leaders Magazine, read by 38,000 leaders in the world. Started in Admissions with Pioneer Pacific College in Portland in 1996. Moved to the local area in 1999 and started the Springfield Campus in 2002.
Education: B.A. from Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York.
Residence: Springfield

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Business Philosophy: Hard work pays off. It is the cornerstone for success.
Core Values: Integrity. Consistency. Working hard. Measures for Success: Seeing our graduates being placed in new jobs. Our job placement rate is 84% and over 1000 graduates are working in Lane County today.
Goals Yet to Achieve: Getting our new LPN program started in the Spring of 2008. Then seeing the progress of this nursing program which will be in a new building next door (along with other possible programs in the future).
Personal Mission: To be of service to people in a real way.

KEY BUSINESS DECISIONS

Toughest Decisions: Those involved in hiring and firing people.
Best Decision: Agreeing to start this school and taking on the challenges of leadership.
Missed Opportunities: I thought about going to Law school many years ago but in retrospect, glad to miss it.
Mentors Who Mattered Most: I'm fortunate to have worked with many extraordinary people. Many friends and teachers opened my eyes to the world and helped me understand my path, giving me the courage to follow it.

CONFESSIONS

Best Part of Your Job: Establishing relationships with people I work with. We’ve “grown up” together over past five years – building trust and understanding.
Worst Part of Your Job: Having to fire people.
Traits You Most Seek in People You Hire: Commitment to getting the job done. Hard working. Trustworthy.
Pet Peeves: People not willing to do the work to get the job done.
First Work You Did For Pay: Other than babysitting, in high school I was a cashier at a fruit store in New York City.
Most Important Life Lesson: Not to be afraid to take risks. When I’ve taken the biggest risks, life has given me many gifts.
Your Life Passion: To be true to myself – true to what I believe in.
Living Person You’d Most Like to Meet and Have A Conversation With: The next President of the United States. We’d talk about peace and ways to achieve peace on earth in nonviolent ways. It can’t be achieved with more through war and violence.

FAVORITES

Enjoyable Musician/Music: Ron Thomas, my husband, who plays guitar and sings. And, from earlier in my life, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Cat Stevens.
Best Advice You Ever Received: Don’t be afraid to be honest with people.
Person in History You Most Admire: Eleanor Roosevelt.
First Choice for Spending Free Time: Walking my dog.
Best Vacation Destinations: Peru and Europe.
Favorite Food/Cuisine: Japanese and Thai.
Causes You Support/Volunteer Work: I was a hospice volunteer for many years but haven’t been able to continue due to my job responsibilities. We support Food for Lane County and the Eugene Mission. And we have a “Giving Tree” at work to make sure all of our students’ kids receive gifts at Christmas.
Cherished Possessions: I love my dog, Foxy – a rescue dog, part-yellow lab and golden retriever. She’s a cherished member of our family.
How You’d Like to Live Your Last Day: I’d love to be with family and friends at the Oregon Coast around Yachats. I’d like to walk with my husband, Ron, and Foxy on the 804 Trail – enjoying the ocean view and sound of waves crashing the shore.

-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Chat: A Conversation With A Local Business Owner

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:44:00 +0000

Published December 5, 2007

Terri Leezer - Ad Pro Northwest

Beginning as a home-based, promotional advertising business in 1999, Ad Pro Northwest moved to downtown Springfield in July 2005. Since then, Terri Leezer’s company has thrived – adding employees and expanding their office space.

Today, the company serves clients in Oregon and internationally with imprinted products and embroidered apparel – offering over 700,000 different items to their customers.

Among Ad Pro Northwest’s many clients are Selco Credit Union, EWEB, EPUD, BiMart, Three Rivers Casino & Hotel, King Estate Winery, and Trader Joes.

We sat down with Terri Leezer at her office for a chat about her company.

Q: How did you get started in your business?

A: I was working for a friend in her promotional advertising business. She wasn’t as excited about the work as I was. One day she asked me, “Why don’t you buy the company?” At the time there was not much to “buy” except the ability to purchase products from many suppliers. Anyway, I decided to buy it and here we are today.

Q: What led you to locate your business in Springfield?

A: We outgrew our home-based office and hired our first employee, Kari Clarke, who is still with us today. I call her our “quintessential customer service queen.” We came to Springfield as a result of my being active with the Springfield Chamber Greeters. A fellow Greeter, John Woodrow, who worked in our building at the time, let me know that a corner office on the ground floor at 7th & “A” Street was available for sublet. So we moved the business here and I bought a home in Springfield. I love being in the heart of the city! I believe in Springfield and want the community and its businesses to thrive.

Q: How has your business changed over the years?

A: In the early days we were mostly involved in providing imprinted products to customers. More and more, we’re now working with our client’s on their marketing planning. We even set up websites for customers so their employees can order embroidered company apparel on the internet. You can see an example at www.companycasuals.com/epud.

Q: What do you see as coming trends in your business?

A: There are more and more technical products being offered – Ipod accessories, memory sticks, and small digital cameras. One of our school clients is using “awareness” bracelets with a USB port on them for students to use for up and downloading homework.

Q: How has your business activity been this year?

A: 2007 has been a good year for us following a great first year after our move to Springfield. We’re up about 20% this year.

Q: What is your outlook for 2008?

A: I expect another good year – so good that we may have to move to a larger space! With our client, Three Rivers Casino & Hotel, opening their new facilities, we’re preparing lots of products and apparel items for their expansion. And other clients plan to expand their promotional advertising next year too.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: I love the people contact and the creativity involved. There are lots of challenges in coming up with new ways to help our clients grow their businesses as well as develop programs to reward and retain their employees.

Q: What statement would you like people to use in describing how you do business?

A: Ad Pro Northwest is an amazing, creative company with high integrity.

Ad Pro Northwest is located at 659 “A” St. in Springfield.
Phone: (541) 741-7711. Website: www.adpronw.com.

-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Beginnings: Ciao Pizza Opens In Springfield

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:34:00 +0000

Ciao Pizza Says "Hello" At The Crossroads

Published November 26, 2007

Ciao Pizza
3342 Gateway Street
Phone: 505-8487
Open: 11 am - 11 pm
Monday - Saturday
11 am - 9 pm Sunday

The Business: Designed to offer the experience of an authentic Italian pizzeria, Ciao Pizza serves "made from scratch" pizza, calzone, and pasta, along with soups, salads, and desserts. Pizzas prepared with their traditional tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese -- topped with a variety of ingredients -- are baked in a classic wood-fired oven. The lunch menu includes six, 8" pizzas priced from $6.95 to $7.95; for dinner, twelve, 12" pizzas are priced from $8.75 to $14.75. Optional toppings are also offered for "create your own" pizzas. Three pasta al forno (ravioli, manicotti, cannelloni) are featured at lunch with addition of zita and gnocchi dishes for dinner. Lunch calzones include a classic and giardinere with paesano and affumicato added for dinner. The pizzeria's beverage menu includes an extensive wine list (five of the twenty-three by the glass) and beers on tap as well as by the bottle. Desserts are made by the Excelsior's award-winning pastry chef, Milka Babich.

The Location: The new Crossroads location provides a high-traffic site in a fast-growing Springfield neighborhood which had no restaurants serving traditional Italian cuisine. Located next to the Cabo Grill and Starbucks and across the driveway from Cafe Yumm!, the corner restaurant is easy to find and offers ample parking in front of the building. The many new offices, hotels, and the hospital opening next year in the Gateway area are expected to provide a steady flow of customers for the restaurant.

The Owner: Maurizio Paparo and is brother, Elio (who lives in Italy) own the new pizzeria. Maurizio has over 30 years of experience in creating Italian cuisine and running restaurant businesses. He currently owns the Excelsior Inn & Ristorante Italiano in Eugene and Brindiamo Catering at the Emerald Valley Event Center in Creswell. His first venture in the area was Marco Gelato which he began in Eugene in 1982 and managed for several years.

The last in a family of nine children, Maurizio was born in Naples, Italy. He was "blessed to grow up in a humble, poor family that cooked together, making food from scratch". His family moved to Florence when he was ten years old where he went a hospitality school and later worked with premier chefs in the city before coming to the United States.

The Inspiration: Motivated by his family (especially his nine-year old son who loves pizza) and a desire to create a casual Italian restaurant like back home in Naples, Maurizio started Ciao Pizza ("Ciao" means "hello" in Italian). He wants customers to have a "welcome to our family" dining experience where good friendship and great food is shared.

Their Employees: Jake Antonini, who previously worked at the Excelsior Ristorante Italiano, is managing a staff of 15 full and part-time people. Many of the employees have trained at the Excelsior and the owner's catering business.

The Atmosphere: In a new building, Maurizio has created a "modern nostalgic" room with a medieval stone oven as its centerpiece. Built from Montana rock by local stonemason, Jeff Putnam, the traditional wood and gas-fired oven preserves the flavor of ingredients in their pizzas.
A long, half-moon shaped bar fronts the large oven and dining tables are arranged around the perimeter of the room. Walls painted in warm colors hold large paintings of scenes from Naples, Venice, and the Italian countryside.

The First Pizza: According to Maurizio, "the story of pizza's origin begins in 1889 when Queen Margherita, accompanied by her husband Umberto I of Savoia, set out on an inspection of their Italian kingdom. When in Naples, the Queen was offered by a "Pizzaiolo" (pizza maker) a special pizza for her visit. The flat bread was topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil, representing the colors of the Italian flag. It was called the "Pizza Margherita" in her honor. The rest is history" (And the "Margherita" is one Ciao Pizza's featured pizzas.)

Notable Quote: "The best business strategy is to focus on the people, not on success."

-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon

Beginnings: Cafe Yumm! Opens In Springfield

noreply@blogger.com (The Springfield Beacon) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:41:00 +0000

Yumm!ers Debut At Gateway

Published on November 21, 2007

Cafe Yumm! - The Crossroads

3340 Gateway Street
Phone: 747-9866
Open: 8 am - 9 pm Mon.- Sat.
10 am - 6 pm Sunday
Website: www.cafeyumm.com

The Business: A uniquely Northwestern eatery, Cafe Yumm! is celebrating its 10th year of serving quick-casual food. Well-known for its signature rice and bean Yumm! Bowls, bentos, salads and soups covered with various specialty sauces, the restaurant features freshly prepared meals made with organic ingredients. Along with lunch and dinner entrees priced from $4.45 to $6.75, their breakfast menu includes deluxe scrambles and bagels as well as original Yumm!lettes, Wrappits, and other specialties.

Their Vision: "To serve beautiful, delicious, healthful, high-quality, soul-satisfying, deeply nourishing food."

The Springfield Location: With its "open for growth" attitude combined with business expansion of the Gateway area, Springfield was an easy choice for the new franchise owner. The high visibility, high traffic location at the Crossroads (near Best Buy and Staples) offers several new restaurant options for people living, working, and shopping in the Gateway area. And with nearby hotels and the opening of the new hospital in 2008, Cafe Yumm! is welcome to be in a growing neighborhood in our community.

The Franchise Owner: Zack Hegge began working in his family-owned frozen yogurt franchise when he was a teenager in Laguna Beach. Having spent his summers in Oregon visiting his great grandparents farm near Yoncalla and their family cabin on the Umpqua River, Zack's love for the state led to his decision to attend college at Lewis & Clark.

His entrepreneurial spirit guided his work experiences over the years, leading Zack to start Fresh Directions LLC. He was researching other business possibilities in Thailand when he learned during an on-line search that Cafe Yumm! was beginning to offer franchises. He had eaten at their restaurants many times and knew the company was a good fit for his values and business mission.

Their Employees: Manager, Andy Steinmeyer, guides a staff of 24 people -- many who are college students working part-time -- hired during a job fair which attracted over 60 people. His friendly, outgoing crew of "Yumm!ers" rotate jobs -- getting to know the customers they serve while having fun doing their work.

Environmental Values: The modern, eclectic design of the eatery demonstrates the company's commitment to the environment and sustainability. Customers sit on remilled wooden chairs at tables made of pressed, recyled paper -- all atop a flax-based flooring material. Take-out utensils, cups, and containers are made with biodegradable materials. And the company supports wind-powered sources for its electricity needs.

The Future: Owner, Zack Hegge, eventually plans to offer catering to local businesses -- serving casseroles of Cafe Yumm! specialties and other dishes.

Notable Quote: "We serve food that makes our customer's exclaim, "Yumm!".

-- Todd Peterson, The Springfield Beacon