Proper Planning, Visalia
Proper Planning is owned and operated by event planner, Jana Macklin. Jana has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno. Jana used the advise of the CCSBDC staff to get her business of the ground. The CCSBDC was instrumental in developing a good marketing strategy for Jana. Jana also benefited from the CCSBDC monitoring her progress and holding her accountable to the goals she set for her business. Click on her image below to watch her testimonial video here...
Gemini Duplication, Visalia
Gemini Duplication provides supporting evidence for attorneys representing injured workers in workers compensation cases, in the form of subpoenaed medical records. Entrepreneur Dan Mora started this thriving business with the help of the CCSBDC. Click on his image below to hear what he has to say about what the CCSBDC did for him...
Salon Envy, Visalia
In June, 2002, Tyna Berberian enrolled in the Tulare County Microenterprise Program through the Central California Small Business Development Center. The program was set up through a grant given to the SBDC, Tulare County Redevelopment Agency, and C-SET to provide free business training to Tulare County residents. Tyna successfully completed the ten-week course in small business ownership training and business plan development and graduated in August of that year.
The following year, Tyna started up her new business, Salon Envy, a full-service salon/day spa, and boutique. A staff member of the SBDC attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce in May, 2004, and had a chance to speak with Tyna. She related the story of how she and her husband found out that they got the building they were hoping for and on the same day discovered that they were expecting a child! Starting out in 2003, Tyna had two employees and was having difficulty finding additional qualified staff. To date, Salon Envy has a full staff and created new jobs in Visalia. Salon Envy features hair styling, makeup, hair removal, massage, manicure and pedicure, and facials, as well as retailing beautiful accessories. The staff of the SBDC is proud of Tyna for making her dreams come true and for operating a successful business for over a year. Congratulations!
Cali Grill, Tulare
On December 19, 2008, SBDC client, Carlos Munoz and his wife opened Cali Grill & Bakery in Tulare.
Munoz, previously worked as a chef and kitchen manager at Something Fresh restaurant in Visalia for thirteen years. Subsequently he went to the Chinese Impression restaurant in Tulare. When the owner of Chinese Impression decided to close the restaurant he offered to sell the restaurant to Munoz. Munoz purchased and refurbished the restaurant and changed the menu to Mexican-American food.
Munoz sought SBDC counseling for the start-up process. SBDC assisted the client with the application for initial financing and planning. SBDC also assisted Munoz with the marketing and promotion.
“Thank you very much Mr. Jaramillo for all your help to me and my business,” said a grateful Munoz at the Cali Grill & Bakery ribbon cutting.
The BookLady, Exeter, California
In 2005, Donna Webb came to the Central California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for advice on starting up her own business. As a sales account manager at a major national bookstore, Donna managed a territory of nine California stores. These years of experience provided her with the knowledge and skills to become a small business owner and an independent book sales consultant.
Initially, Donna was interested in selling books and manuals to schools, businesses, and corporate customers at a discount. In 2008, Donna returned to our center pursuing small business certification from the State of California. This move would allow her to target state and local government agencies, providing a high potential for rapid business expansion. After careful planning and with support from the SBDC, Donna successfully launched her new business, The BookLady, in August 2008.
Donna received her State of California small business certification in October 2008. Her first two sales were to Modesto City School and Tulare County Office of Education. Since then, her sales have risen steadily and she has procured contracts from the Tulare, Visalia, Lindsay, and Modesto Unified School Districts, ten State prisons, the State Water Quality Control Board, and many more. Most recently, Donna obtained her federal contractor certification.
Throughout the process of starting her business, Donna frequently visited the SBDC for advice and guidance on various other topics, such as financing, marketing assistance, and networking opportunities. In July 2009, The BookLady was able to report remarkable sales and a healthy net profit for the first year in business.
On a recent follow-up conversation with Donna, she stated, “The help I received from [SBDC business counselor] Gil [Jaramillo] and the SBDC has been invaluable in building my business. No question or concern was left unaddressed. I would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in starting their own business to start with SBDC first.”
Mig E Fresn Trash Cans, Fresno, CA
The concept of Mig E Fresh Trash Cans came about, after countless years of two young men, having to do the chore of emptying the family trash and hating having to touch the disgusting city given suburban trash can that all residents must have. These two friends Miguel Negrate and Doug Siebert had some insight on the trash can world since Doug had been a city trash collector for three years. Doug remembered when many of the residents would complain and ask if the city would bring out a new garbage can, since the one they have is really smelly and dirty. Of course the city does not replace garbage cans, unless yours goes missing. After becoming unemployed during the economic down turn, the young men decided to put there plan into action. They attended a workshop at the Central California SBDC and received a business plan guideline as well as a few marketing ideas. They also received in-depth counseling on business structure and development. After the foundation was laid at the SDBC, they went to the city and received their business license and within a few days they were making revenue. That was in May as of today Mig E fresh boast an impressive 100 clients and that base grows everyday. With little advertisement, the majority of their clientele comes from word of month and from people seeing them, hard at work on the streets. Miguel and Doug also believe in lessening their carbon footprint, so there business is completely green. All of the products that go into cleaning the trash cans are biodegradable and eco friendly. They also only use 3-7 gallons of water per trash can and will take all the waste water away with them for recycle at the water recycle plant. As the only mobile trash cleaning service in the valley, Mig E Fresh Trash Cans, is in a class all their own. They are currently working with the SBDC to get small business certified, so they can begin trying to get a contract with city to clean all trash cans. “With the new ordinance that states all trash cans must be kept out of site, most people are now storing their trash cans in the garage or on the side of the house, giving that awful stench a chance to creep into your home. We are trying to alleviate that problem in a safe effective way” states Doug.
call - (559) 355-0653 or (559) 286-4963
email- migefreshtrashcans@gmail.com
Ely Auto Parts, Tulare California
Ely Auto Parts, owned and operated by Matt and Denyse Weaver, was recently named the 2009 Small Business of the Year by the Tulare Chamber of Commerce.
Ely Auto Parts, founded 1935 by Hal Ely, was recognized for Matt and Denyse Weaver’s commitment to the Tulare Chamber, community and city. Denyse Weaver, whose parents operated Ely Auto Parts for several decades, grew up in the business. She and her husband have att and Denyse have served and participated in numerous community organizations.
In addition to World Ag Expo, the Matt Weaver has served on the Tulare Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has served on the Board Executive Committee for five years and is vice chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. He also is master of ceremonies for the chamber's annual Walk of Fame at the Galaxy Theatres.
Matt is a member and past president of the Tulare Rotary and served six years on the Tulare Improvement Program (TIP) board. Denyse recently was elected to the TIP board and serves on the executive board of the 2040 Steering Committee, a downtown revitalization group.
Both Matt and Denyse Weaver were gradates of SBDC’s 2009 NxLevel Entrepreneurship training co-sponsored by the Tulare Chamber of Commerce.
“I was really looking forward to these classes so I could make sure I was taking care of everything I needed to for my business. Each class gave me something new to think about and work on. I feel it was worth my time. Thank you so much for putting this program together,” Denyse Weaver, Ely Auto Parts, Inc.
To find out if CCSBDC consulting can help you call or email us, or fill out a request for services. There is no cost to you. What will it cost you not to get all the help you could?