Springfield Executive Profile: Debra Gruell

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

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

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

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

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

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