Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce

5 ways to keep coronavirus from stopping work at your small business

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Amid the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, there have also been moments of brightness. Citizens making music together from their balconies in Italy. People braving the supermarket to buy staples for elderly neighbors. Athletes donating money to hourly workers and staff whose jobs are in limbo.

Among the bright spots are the inspiring ways small businesses are getting creative to keep offering their goods and services. Notable examples include restaurants offering curbside pickup, fitness centers hosting virtual workout classes, and local retailers delivering purchases. Here are a few more ideas for small businesses looking for alternative sales avenues.

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Support Los Osos/Baywood Park and County restaurants

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Food is the ingredient that binds us together. Support these local restaurants during these trying times –

Click here for – Info on restaurants in Los Osos and SLO County.

Central Coast residents deeply anxious about their economic situation, Hourglass poll finds

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Under pressure from high housing costs and relatively low-paying wages, a significant percentage of Central Coast residents are struggling to get by, and they are deeply anxious about their financial future, according to a poll commissioned by the Hourglass Project.

“Despite what feels like good economic times right now, the fact is our local economy has consistently performed below state and national averages for at least the past two decades,” said Hourglass CEO Melissa James. “To expand opportunity for all Central Coast residents, we knew we needed to better understand their day-to-day experiences and challenges, at home, work and beyond.”

“What we found is a workforce that is losing hope, struggling to get by and considering leaving the area,” James said.

Ty Safreno, CEO of Trust Automation and Hourglass Board Chair, said: “These results are distressing. People are hurting far worse than we realized, and this deep anxiety is not just a problem for those families and a weakness in our social fabric; it also signals problems for the entire regional economy, which already is constrained by many of these issues.”

Sacramento-based SJR Opinion Research designed and conducted the 28-question survey of 540 registered voters ages 18-54 across San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties.

Among the key findings:

  • Just one in 529 respondents believes housing is affordable.
  • 1 in every 2 members of the middle class are considering leaving the region, as are 63 percent of Latinx respondents and 83 percent of African Americans.
  • 1 in 3 respondents say they would need to borrow money or run up credit card debt to cover a $500 emergency.
  • 56 percent believe the standard of living for middle-class workers is getting worse.
  • 1 in 10 workforce households worry simply about having enough money for food each month; 1 in 5 among Latinx households.
  • 86 percent do not expect today’s young people to be able to afford to live and work on the Central Coast as adults.

Tim Rosales, President of SJR Opinion Research said: “These survey results are clear. A large number of the workers on the Central Coast are quite worried about their standing in the local economy and are considering leaving the area. This survey paints an informative picture about what’s happening in the hearts and minds of Central Coast residents and the underlying economic challenges that policymakers in this region need to address.”

The findings indicate that labor shortages across the Central Coast could easily worsen in next few years, further constraining local economy.

“The survey results confirm the notions that sparked and drove the work of the Hourglass Project over the last year – that the Central Coast economy is not working as well as we would like for many Central Coast residents,” Safreno said. “These findings underscore the need for bold action to accelerate growth of higher-paying jobs, with the ultimate goal of creating an economy that works better for everyone. That’s exactly what the Hourglass Project is taking on.”

“Toward that better economy,” James said, “Hourglass is putting the finishing touches on a 10-year jobs-action plan to forge a more resilient, inclusive, regional economy. Hourglass was established to find solutions, not merely identify problems.”

The jobs action plan will be released in mid-March, James said.

The survey paints a picture of a population living on the edge, scraping from paycheck to paycheck with little cushion for emergencies or retirement across all socio-economic levels. Not only do most households worry about covering basic expenses such as rent, utilities and medical bills, a majority are also under the pressure of significant debt.

“The overwhelming sentiment,” James said, “is that making a life on the Central Coast is difficult and likely to become untenable for the next generation without a significant course correction.”

The finding are part of a larger survey of 1001 residents in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara County, conducted via phone and online. This analysis is based on the workforce demographic, ages 18-54, with 540 respondents and a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Find the full survey report at https://hourglassproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/A-Portrait-of-the-Central-Coast-Workforce-copy.pdf

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About The Hourglass Project

The Hourglass Project launched in November 2018 with the support of a broad-based coalition of regional business and civic leaders determined to unify the Central Coast region to forge a stronger, more resilient regional economy. The region includes nearly half a million residents in 10 cities, teo counties and dozens of community service districts, stretching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in northern Santa Barbara County through San Luis Obispo County to Camp Roberts in southern Monterey County. 

About SJR Opinion Research

SJR Opinion Research is a Latino-owned, California-based polling and research company that has measured public opinion throughout the United States and the world. The company conducts strategic research for leading companies, organizations, non-profits, political candidates and ballot initiatives and has conducted several opinion research studies on the Central Coast.

Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce Report

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Here is the 2019 report on Industries and Occupations of “Coastal Area” San Luis Obispo compiled by San Luis Obispo County Workforce Development Board for Los Osos/Baywood Park and Morro Bay Chamber of Commerces. This report includes Demographic, Economic, Industry, and Occupation data specific to the Coast Area of San Luis Obispo County.

REPORT LINK

August 2019 Business of the Month – Lyrics & Melodies Studio

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Pictured left to right: Tim Carstairs, Carstairs Energy, Inc.; Rita Flores, Sage Ecological Landscapes; Danielle and Lacey McNamara, owners; Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity; Tony Lindstrom, Golden State Water and Jim Stanfill.

Lyrics and Melodies Studio came from humble beginnings. In 2010, Lacey and Danielle McNamara began teaching private voice and piano lessons in the living room of a tiny San Luis apartment while parents waited at the kitchen table. In 2017, they moved into their beautiful studio home in Los Osos, right next to the Asian Market.

In 2014, they began Mini Melodies, offering parent participation-based music classes using the international Music Together® curriculum. Working with students from birth is an amazing experience. It has allowed attendees to help make the world a more musical place and encourages families to become music makers rather than simply music consumers. As their venue and programs grow, so do their dreams. They hope that Lyrics and Melodies Studio will be a place where you can come to effectively learn your instrument (voice, piano, ukulele, or guitar) and be a place with a sense of community, a second home, and a musical family.

“When we were literally inviting people into our home for lessons, the sense of family came with the nature of the location. Now that we have a dedicated studio space, we want to continue that feeling by offering opportunities to create that bond outside of your lesson time. We now have group classes, camps, workshops, and events where our students of all ages and their families can continue their musical education and continue to grow the musical connection we foster.”

July 2019 Business of the Month – Grocery Outlet

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Pictured left to right: Duane and Malia Cross; Jim Stanfill; Tim Carstairs, Carstairs Energy, Inc. and Lynette Tornatzky.

We are excited that our local neighbors are blissfully enjoying the variety, the values and the fun we have been providing you since November 2016. We love to meet our neighbors, share the WOW experience and help our community. The whole month of July is our Independence from Hunger campaign. If you give $5, your get $5 off….ask for details! Thank you again Los Osos and Baywood Park. We appreciate the recognition and strive to make it a wonderful visit, when you come to see what we have in store for you today.

June 2019 Business of the Month – Nardonne’s Pizzeria

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Jan, Ben and Jenn Dougherty

Nardonne’s Pizzeria opened up in 1976, right here in the heart of Baywood Park. We have enjoyed being a part of the community for over 40 years and we are very happy to be able to serve our local patrons and visitors alike! We serve hand-rolled, homemade Sicilian style pizza, calzones, and sandwiches. We also have fresh salads with all homemade dressing options, a great list of craft beer and wine, a patio for large parties, and an arcade for the kids! Thank you to all of our supporters, we couldn’t do it without you!

Chamber Board Members: Alison Glasco, Cal Coast Orchids; Tony Lindstrom, Golden State Water; Marshal Ochylski; Steve Vinson; Jim Stanfill. In front, Dee DiGioia,
Mindful Kindful YOUniversity; Lynette Tornatzky

May 2019 Business of the Month – Rabobank

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L. to R. Tim Carstairs, Carstairs Energy, Inc.; Jim Stanfill, Rotary of Los Osos;
Melissa Tucker, Rabobank; Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity;
Tony Lindstrom, Golden State Water; Lynette Tornatzky, Celebrate Los Osos

Rabobank, N.A. (National Association) is an award-winning, nationally chartered bank serving California communities grounded in agriculture. Headquartered in Roseville, Calif., and with more than $13 billion in assets, Rabobank provides a wide range of financial products and services for individual, business, and food-and-agribusiness customers. Its 100 branches, multi-function ATMs, and online and mobile banking resources empower Californians to bank when, where and how they want. Committed to service, Rabobank’s more than 1,500 employees take pride in improving their communities personally and professionally. Rabobank, N.A. is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Visit www.rabobankamerica.com.

County Allocates Economic Development Funds to Jobs Development

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The County of San Luis Obispo has granted $300,000 in economic development funds for a project that will set the foundation to develop future jobs on the Central Coast. On Tuesday, April 23, the County Board of Supervisors approved a $300,000 grant agreement with the Hourglass Project to be used for the development of a Central Coast Jobs Roadmap and Action Plan. The grant funding provided by the County will make up about 35 percent of the total funding required for the project. Non-governmental agencies and organizations in the private sector will provide most of the remaining funding needed for the project. “The economic health and vibrancy of our community is critical to this place we all love to call home and our region needs a path forward with the coming closure of Diablo Canyon,” said Guy Savage, Assistant County Administrative Officer. “This project is a public-private partnership that will provide an actionable approach to helping us all work together to restructure and build a stable local economy.” The funding was made possible through Senate Bill (SB) 1090, which was authored by Senator Monning and signed into law by Governor Brown in September 2018 to, in part, ease the local impact of the closure of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. SB 1090 ensured that the community would receive $85 million in Community Impact Mitigation Funds, which are broken into two components: The Economic Development Fund ($10 million) and the Essential Services Mitigation Fund ($75 million). Roughly half of the Essential Services Mitigation Funds will go to local schools to support and maintain critical programs. To date, the County has received $400,000 of this funding. The remaining $100,000 will be held for other grant purposes or for use to further assess the local impacts of the closure of the power plant. For more information, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov

April 2019 Business of the Month – Carstairs Energy & Energy Wise Realty

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Pictured left to right: Lynette Tornatzky, Steve Vinson, Marisa Fernandez, Amanda Esparza, Greg Carstairs, Jim Stanfill, Melissa Carstairs, Tim Carstairs and Britaini Montana.

Carstairs Energy provides fast, professional, and affordable energy compliance documentation including Residential and Commercial Title 24 and HVAC Design Services in all areas of California. Carstairs Energy also provides Home Energy Rating Services, whole house energy audits, and Green Point Rating in San Luis Obispo County.

Energy-Wise Realty is a full service real estate agency serving all of San Luis Obispo County specializing in new construction and energy efficient properties. We guarantee dedicated service and personal attention to all our client’s requests from the first point of contact to the signing of the purchase agreement and beyond. Our listing package includes professional photos, Virtual house tour, online and social media advertising as well as agent hosted open house events.

March 2019 Business of the Month – Cheri Grimm Bookkeeping

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(Pictured l. to r.) Lynette Tornatzky, LOBPCC Secretary; Rita Flores, Sage Landscapes and Board Director; Christina Grimm and Cheri Grimm owners of CG Bookkeeping; Jim Stanfill, LOBPCC Treasurer and Marshall Ochylski, LOBPCC President

Cheri Grimm Bookkeeping has been in business here in Los Osos since 1996. Cheri is a “Julie Orr trained” bookkeeper both in technique and in community involvement. Anyone who met Julie knew that she believed owning a business in Los Osos came with it a responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of Los Osos. As Julie was, Cheri is very involved in many different community projects – including the LOBP Chamber, Kiwanis Club of Bay Osos, the Finance Advisory Committee of the LOCSD, among others. As a small, home-based business, Cheri Grimm Bookkeeping has provided jobs and training for several local people over the years. She says one of the joys and privileges of being an employer is working with people who start with little experience to the job, mentoring them for a time, and then helping them move on to another job with more “career” opportunity. She loves sharing in their success. Another real joy for Cheri is having clients who have been with her for 20 years. She says, “I have the best clients in the world. They are wonderful people, running great businesses, and I’m honored to be their bookkeeper.” She works with several different kinds of businesses and loves the variety. Cheri is also excited to announce that Cheri Grimm Bookkeeping is becoming CG Bookkeeping – her daughter, Christina Grimm, has come on board as her partner. Cheri says, “I love my job, and will continue to work as long as I’m physically and mentally able – and now I get to turn over the daily running of the office to Christina. This is the best of both worlds!”

February 2019 Business of the Month – Sullivan Law Corporation

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Sullivan Law Corporation provides legal services related to wills, trusts, estate planning and estate administration, as well as transactions related to real property and business entities. Attorneys Shaunna Sullivan and Jesse Hancox have collectively provided legal services for over 44 years. Sullivan Law Corporation is an active member of our community and one or more of its attorneys are involved in a number of organizations including: the Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce, the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens, the Central Coast Biological Society, the Morro Coast Audubon Society, the Small Wilderness Area Preservation, the Bay Foundation of Morro Bay and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program. Both attorneys are currently members of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association and the State Bar of California. Shaunna Sullivan is also a member of the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County, South Bay Women’s Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the Bay Foundation of Morro Bay. Jesse Hancox serves on the Board of Directors for the Conejo Free Clinic.

December 2018 Business of the Month – Los Osos Valley Memorial Park

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Pictured left to right: Debbie Fisher, Romany Waters, Olivia Martinez, Anastasia Maytorena and Matthew Mitchell

We here at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary are grateful servants of our community. Originally began as a simple cemetery intended to honor veterans we have grown over the years, but have never forgotten our founding spirit. We honorably care for those who have been lost in a historical plane crash as well as the many dear honored loved ones entrusted into our care. We seek to be a place of refuge, comfort, and honor as we celebrate the significance of lives that have been lived. We continue to strive to enrich our community through action and partnership, and by hosting out beloved Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. Please join us in our commitment to our community.

WANTED – Chamber Advertising Sales Rep

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The Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce is looking for a part-time (flexible schedule) Advertising Sales Rep for securing ad sales for the Chamber website, weekly e-blast sponsors, e-newsletter both ads and flyer inserts.

Responsibilities:

  • Contact and sell Chamber advertising to Chamber member businesses and organizations.
  • Schedule appointments and personal visits with prospective advertisers.
  • Close sales during on-site visits or through follow-up phone calls/visits and email correspondence.
  • Understand the specifications of producing both digital and print advertising.
  • Coordinate with the Executive Director on design and placement requests.
  • Have knowledge of all Chamber benefits.
  • Use statistics to pitch benefits of Chamber advertising to members.
  • Handle incoming inquiries to buy ad space.
  • Achieve budgeted revenue goals.
  • Represent the Chamber in a professional manner.

 

Skills and Abilities:

  • Experience in sales & comfortable in making cold calls.
  • Good organization and time management skills.
  • Outgoing personality.
  • Persuasive ability.
  • Self-starter with a professional appearance.

Compensation based on commission.  Send a resume to info@lobpchamber.org

8 Steps to Get Your Small Business Ready for the Holidays

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Today’s consumers enjoy shopping small and supporting locally-owned businesses. However, that doesn’t mean small business owners can sit by idly and expect paying customers to show up. If you want to compete with the price and convenience of mass-produced goods, especially during the busy holiday shopping season, your business needs to meet holiday shoppers’ expectations.

Use this checklist to prepare your small business for the holiday shopping season.

Decorating for the Holidays

Appearances matter. Here’s how to get your storefront and website in the holiday spirit:

  • Decorate the storefront: Who can resist stepping into a bright and cheery store when the weather outside is cold and dreary? Make sure your small business appeals to passersby with a festive window display. Capterra’s budget-friendly ideas will get you started. You can get creative to make a Christmas tree, dress up your mannequins or add a touch of holiday wonder to your display window.
  • Update the website: Online shoppers want in on the holiday cheer too. Draw in shoppers and push holiday promotions with seasonal graphics and banner images that incorporate holiday themes while staying on-brand.

Preparing for the Holiday Rush

Shoppers spend billions of dollars during the holiday shopping season. In order for your business to claim a piece of the holiday shopping pie, you need to be prepared for the temporary increase in volume.

  • Test the website: Consumers are shopping locally, but they’re not always doing it in person. In 2017, foot traffic in stores fell 7.5 percent while ecommerce sales grew by 17.8 percent. Make sure your website is ready for the season by improving loading times, fixing broken links, and soliciting genuine reviews of your business and products.
  • Upgrade payment systems: The last thing you want is to lose a sale because you can’t process a customer’s payment method or they don’t trust the security of your payment system. An updated payment system ensures customers can pay you no matter where they shop, whether at your storefront, online, or at a local pop-up event. When choosing a payment system, look for a credit card machine that’s not just easy to use, but also portable, reliable, and secure.
  • Bolster inventory: Carrying too much inventory can cost your business, but so can falling short. If a customer can’t find what they’re looking for at your store, they won’t wait around for you to get it in stock — they’ll go somewhere else. Analyze historical sales data and current shopping trends to calculate this year’s inventory needs (LightspeedHQ explains how). Then, keep close tabs on your stock so you know when to re-order.

Engaging New and Old Customers

Holiday shopping is all about the customer experience. Shoppers are drawn to stores that take part in the holiday cheer with festive decorations, seasonal promotions, and more. Here’s how your business can give people the holiday shopping experience they crave so they come back all year long.

  • Mail holiday cards: Greeting cards may seem like a relic of the past, but modern shoppers still appreciate the personal touch of a mailed card. If physical cards aren’t in the budget, a festive email newsletter can accomplish the same thing at a fraction of the cost.
  • Plan seasonal promotions: Everyone loves a good deal. In fact, 82 percent of shoppers admit to being influenced by promotions like sales, free gifts, and free shipping, according to a survey from Deloitte Insights. If you want to encourage shoppers to choose your business for their holiday purchases, come up with a holiday promotion they can’t resist.
  • Give back: Giving back is one of the most effective ways to make your small business stand out in the local community. Donate a portion of your holiday profits to charity, volunteer with a prominent nonprofit organization, or participate in community events. Afterwards, market your charitable giving humbly, but visibly on social channels.When your business relies on fourth-quarter sales for its bottom line, you can’t afford to miss out on the holiday shopping rush due to outdated payment systems, laggy websites, or lackluster branding. Start tackling this checklist before the season starts so your business makes a positive impression on this year’s holiday shoppers.

Image via Unsplash

 

Land Your Dream Job with These Tips for the Interview

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Your career is what you make of it, and putting in the extra effort from the moment you land that interview sets you off on the right foot. It’s not just about putting on your best interview outfit and a smile before you meet the hiring managers. The best interviewees are the ones who know the company and its goals while being able to clearly demonstrate how they will contribute to its overall success.

Prepare and Practice

For a lot of us, it’s not so easy to get over the butterflies before you meet with hiring managers, but that nervousness is easily spotted, possibly making you look weak. The keys to being ready for your big interview are preparation and practice. To prepare, do your homeworkand look into what potential questions interviewers present in your field. Look over industry topics that may be brought up so you aren’t caught off guard not knowing what they’re talking about. And, of course, have your resume and portfolio professionally printedso you have easy access to your work history in case it comes up during the interview.

One way to prepare is to have a friend lend a hand. Write out interview questions you expect to be asked and role play with your companion until you’re comfortable giving the answers that demonstrate your unique qualities. Once you feel comfortable, step away. Over-rehearsingcan end with you sounding insincere and fake, which can be just as bad a deterrent as being underprepared.

How to Learn about a Company

Unless it’s a startup in its very early stages, you should be able to find out a lotabout the company’s values and goals through online resources like their webpage and social media accounts. Business accounts for platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great resources when you want to get a feel for “who” the company is. Notice the tone of the copy and any outside-industry posts they make that possibly reflect the culture. Aligning yourself with the company identity from the get-go communicates to hiring managers that you’re a great fit.

Reviewsfrom former employees on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed can be helpful, but note that reviews do not reflect objective quality. Rather, reviews are highly subjective, capricious, and circumstantial. Furthermore, only a tiny subset of people actually leave them compared to the actual number of those who have worked for the company. Feel free to gloss over former employee reviews, but take them with a grain of salt.

The Day of the Interview

When it’s finally time for the big show, make sure you are well-rested, well-groomed, and presentable. Have at least five copies of your resume, a list of references, and your portfolio if you have one. Go over your notes and possible questions so they are fresh on your mind. It also helps to come up with a go-to transition phrase that you can use when you’re trying to catch your thoughts. Instead of letting dead air between the question and answer, fill it with something like “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say….”

Another thing that can really help before a big interview: meditation. While the word may conjure up images of New Age practitioners and yoga classes, the truth is some of the most successful business people in the world meditate on a daily basis. Before you leave for your interview, sit in comfort and concentrate on your breath. Set your intention to succeed in your interview and land that dream job. Any negative thoughts or emotions that pop up during your meditation should be recognized then dismissed. After about 10 to 20 minutes of mindful meditation, you’ll be ready for your interview.

Interviewing for your dream job is nerve-wracking, but you can land the job if you walk in prepared. Do diligent research not just on the company’s products and services, but also their company culture and values. Wrangle a friend to help you with practice interview questions but avoid over-rehearsing. Finally, put yourself in the right headspace before you meet with hiring managers by meditating on your intention to get that job you want.

Photo by Tim Gouwon Unsplash

October 2018 Business of the Month – Bay Osos Brokers

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(Pictured left to right) Chamber Board Member Tony Lindstrom, Golden State Water; Kathy Van Beurden, Leon Van Beurden, Kai the dog, Jill Stow, James Gaberel, Jennifer Buentiempo of Bay Osos Brokers & Property Management

 

We are a full-service Real Estate and Property Management Company with more than 30 years of experience specializing in the Central Coast, from Pismo Beach to Cambria, including houses and properties for sale in Morro Bay, Los Osos and Cayucos.  Additionally, we manage hundreds of rental properties and multiple storage facilities, giving the residents of the Central Coast a one-stop shop for all of their Real Estate needs.

How First-Time Business Owners Can Set Themselves Up for Quick Success

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So much more goes into starting and growing a successful small business than simply having a cool idea. Sure, that may be step one, but there are plenty of good ideas that failed as small businesses. This isn’t meant to frighten you. Instead, it’s meant to get you to work that much harder to ensure your business starts off on the right foot. Here is some essential advice.

Focus on Your Website

Sure, social media has grown to become a powerhouse for reaching and engaging with potential and current customers and clients. But even so, your business’ website remains the number one tool to connect with the public. Your website is likely the first — and maybe only — look people will get at your business. That’s why it’s so important to have a professional, informative, and easily navigated website. If you need help getting started, this guide shows you an overview of an easy-to-navigate, user-friendly website that acts as a storefront for goods/services and provides an excellent digital footprint. If you’re savvy enough to build a website yourself, go for it. Otherwise, enlist the help of a professional so your website looks top- notch. You’ll also want to keep your website updated regularly so that it evolves with changing technology and needs.

Don’t Neglect Social Media

If your website is your body, then Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, are your clothing and hairstyle. It’s what people truly remember about you and what you should focus on daily to attract people. The best thing about social media is that it allows you to grow your business on a budget. It’s usually free (unless you pay to promote your posts). Social media has the ability to give your new business increased visibility, brand awareness, more inbound traffic, and brand loyalty. There are plenty of social media hacks for the business beginner. You can cross promote across multiple platforms and tie everything back to your website (and vice versa) through branded icons, for example. It’s really the king of direct marketing.

Generate Capital for Your New Business

Unless you found yourself a couple of angel investors or completed a successful crowdfunding campaign, chances are you don’t have tons of extra cash in your war chest. For many small businesses, the beginning stages involve a lot of spending money and not a lot of making money. That’s why it’s vital you think about generating capital via side hustles.

One option is the sharing economy — making money via a peer-to-peer app like Uber, Airbnb, TaskRabbit, etc. There’s also the option to freelance, consult, and/or tutor, most of which can be done online. Another option is to sell your wares on a marketplace like Etsy — anything, really, to generate some extra cash on the side. The good thing about online and from-home work is that it is flexible, and you need that flexibility if your main focus is starting up a business.

Find Your Niche

The best small businesses solve a problem; they don’t try to solve a bunch of problems satisfactorily — they solve one problem very well. In other words, they have a niche. Niche doesn’t have to mean a small or strange focus. Part of finding that niche involves doing research on your potential competition. Part of it is estimating how profitable you can be in your particular niche by searching profitability in related fields. Sure, you should love what you’re doing and have a passion for your business, but don’t be afraid to find the perfect market.

These tips should get you in a place to succeed. However, don’t forget about perhaps the most important thing: stay happy and healthy. Focus on self-care so that you have the strength to truly throw yourself into your passion. A small business can only be as healthy as the person at its helm, so your mental, physical, and spiritual health is paramount.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

MERGER CREATES NEW GLOBAL LEADER IN BIOSPECIMEN SOLUTIONS

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FOUR COMPANIES UNITE TO FORM DISCOVERY LIFE SCIENCES – Conversant Bio, Folio Bio, Discovery Life Sciences and Phylogeny announced today that they have merged under the name Discovery Life Sciences™ (Discovery) to create a global market leader in biospecimen analysis and procurement for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics industries.

The new company will leverage deep scientific expertise and consultative services, combined with the largest repository of more than 10 million research-quality biospecimens—all available and processed for analysis—to accelerate the discovery, research, and development of novel biomarkers, drug candidates, and diagnostics.

Water Street Healthcare Partners, a strategic investor focused exclusively on the healthcare industry, facilitated the merger and invested in the company.

Glenn Bilawsky, a longtime executive in the pharmaceutical and contract research industries, is Discovery’s CEO. “We’ve created an organization to provide researchers with significant added value through our consultative ‘SmartSourcing™’ model, which creates intelligent partnerships to overcome research problems and accelerate progress, saving both time and money,” he said. “We retain the world’s most diverse base of high-quality biospecimens and the global logistical systems to acquire, process, biostore, and ship them most efficiently, with adherence to all local and international laws.”

With a particular emphasis in oncology; cardiology; neurology; and infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases, the newly combined company’s catalog includes normal, suspect, and disease-state specimens comprising rare diseases and racially and ethnically diverse exemplars. Discovery obtains these biosamples through its Discovery Partners™, a global, integrated network of more than 165 clinical sources, in 25 countries on six continents. Due to these clinical partners, Discovery is unmatched in its ability to recruit the most diverse patient populations and obtain the highest quality of ethically obtained clinical research specimens.

Discovery can study specimens on all research and diagnostic platforms. It is committed to quality and integrity as an ISO 9001-certified company with CLIA-certified labs, stringent IRB and Ethics Committee compliance, and all required EU approvals and certifications. Navigating the new personal data protection regulations (both US and internationally) is a core competency.

 

About Discovery Life Sciences

Discovery Life Sciences is a global market leader in biospecimen analysis and procurement for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics industries. Driven by science, the Discovery team engages with customers in an innovative, consultative approach to overcoming obstacles and reaching a faster end result. We are Science at your Service™! For more information, visit dls.com.

September 2018 Business of the Month – Golden State Water

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Golden State Water Proudly Serves Los Osos With Quality Water and Exceptional Customer Care

(Pictured left to right: Gabriel Quiroz, Farmers Insurance; Tony Lindstrom, Melissa Ruiz, Mark Zimmer of Golden State Water; Jim Stanfill and Lynette Tornatzky)

Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) has proudly served the Los Osos area since 1976, providing high-quality and reliable water to approximately 2,678 customers through the Los Osos System. 

Under the leadership of Coastal General Manager Mark Zimmer and Operations Superintendent Anthony Lindstrom, Golden State Water’s local six-person staff is supported by more than 500 scientists, engineers and water experts throughout the state who share the focus of providing exceptional customer care and delivering water that meets all state and federal quality standards. 

Water delivered through the Los Osos System is 100 percent groundwater pumped from the Los Osos Valley Groundwater Basin through wells owned and operated by Golden State Water. The Los Osos System includes approximately 25 miles of pipe and six active wells. 

Golden State Water is a participating member of the Los Osos Valley Groundwater Basin Management Committee and works in collaboration with neighboring providers to restore and protect the· health of the local bc;1sin. As such, Golden State Water has recently completed key projects such as the Rosina Nitrate Treatment Plant and Los Olivos Well 5 in an e·ffort to combat sea water intrusion into the basin. 

In addition to its membership with the Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce, Golden State Water is actively involved in helping th.e community of Los Osos with significant assistance to Celebrate Los Osos, the Community Resource Center, and other various organizations, including annual turkey contributions to local non-profits through the Operation Gobble program. 

Golden State Water’s local customer service office is located at 1140 Los Olivos Avenue in Los Osos and is open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm (closed from noon-1 pm and holidays). For the convenience of customers, the company also operates a 24-hour call center at 800.999.4033 and provides information on Facebook and Twitter @GoldenStateH2O. 

August 2018 Business of the Month – Bear Valley Realty

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Steve “Bromeliad” Auslender has been active in and committed to the beautiful central coast community and to the people who live here. He owned and operated his own business, “Steve’s Bromeliads” exotic plant shop, in Baywood Park for over 12 years. Steve was an associate with Prudential Hunter Realty for 12 years and moved to RE/MAX Ocean West over 5 years ago. Steve has been a Platinum producing agent for RE/MAX for 5 years. As a platinum agent for his first 5 years in a row he has been recognized in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame as one of the top professionals in the real estate industry.

Named LOBP Chamber 2005 Business of the Year, Steve continuously strives to be a top producing agent for his clients. Whether you are a seller or buyer, Bear Valley Realty is committed to a high level of professionalism and integrity to achieve the quality results you deserve.

For Steve Auslender, real estate is his passion. It’s what gets him up and going every morning. This is evident from the enthusiasm with which he approaches the business, working hard for his clients to provide the finest real estate service possible.

Bear Valley Realty staff includes realtor Tyler Fechner who is a Central Coast native from Morro Bay. He has been a part of the local community as a Sports Coordinator on and off for the past 10 years. Dianne Blanchard, office manager and realtor, began working for Steve in the Fall of 2010. Customer service is her specialty. She was previously a leasing agent in a Chicago suburb, and worked in Las Vegas before moving to the Central Coast with her family.

June 2018 Business of the Month – Crizer Construction

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(Left to right) Bob Crizer, owner; Jim Stanfill; Gabe Quiroz, Farmers Insurance; Matthew Davis, Project Expediter; Dahlan Richenburg, Project Manager; Steve Vinson; Emily McLongstreet, Bookkeeper; Kameron White-Holmes, Manager; Nic Huston, Designer and Lynette Tornatzky including Katy – Surf Dog Extraordinaire

Bob came to the area to go to Cal Poly for architecture in Dec. of 1979 with his girlfriend Beth after learning to draw for an architecture firm in San Diego. Beth started Cal Poly while Bob went to Cuesta because the Architecture Program at Poly was impacted. After living here for 6 months, Bob went to word for a contractor and never went to Cal Poly. Bob married his beautiful wife Beth in 1980.

In Jan. 1983 Bob got his contractor’s license and went into business building residential and small commercial buildings. Beth assisted in the business when it first started while going to school and working at a hospital in nutrition.

In 1986 Bob was awarded the contract to manage the construction of the South Bay Community Center. The contract was awarded against the recommendation of the architect

due to young guy with not enough experience. The project was brought in on time and under budget and the architect wrote Bob a letter of recommendation. Adaptability has been Crizer Construction’s means of survival. In 1991 during a down turn in the housing market Crizer Construction went to work in the cellular industry building cell sites and did that work for approximately 6 years. The loss of a brother happened on one of those sites in 1996 devastating to Bob and family.

In 1993 Crizer took approximately 35 builders to LA to rebuild a home for a woman that lost her home in an equity fraud scam. Crizer and the Central Coast team built the home in 7 days and gave her home back to her for Christmas in 1993.

In 1994 Crizer built a cell site on Santa Cruz Island and then continued work on the Island doing restoration work on buildings built by Italian stone masons in the mid to late 1800s. The work on the Island lasted for 10 years. Following cellular work Crizer Construction moved into work on the local schools doing “measure A” work for San Luis Coastal Unified. Housing returned and back in housing we went.

Crizer Construction Inc. has been the general contractor on more than 60 new homes and commercial buildings in his career as well as over 300 remodels. Our offices are located in a building built by Crizer in 1984 and purchased in 2004. We operate in a small town where community service has always been part of our existence.

Crizer Construction now carries approximately 30 staff members including 2 sons Jake andSam, that have grown up around the business and are presently part of the staff. Crizer Construction continues a commitment to community service and often has pizza or coffee with those they have built homes for.

WDB Business Resource Guide

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This guide is a compilation of key resources and agencies throughout San Luis Obispo County that have services available for most of your business needs. The Business Resource Guide is intended to be an ever evolving tool and we encourage your feedback and input to ensure the data and contacts remain current and updated.

Download pdf or visit www.slocounty.ca.gov

January 2018 Business of the Month – Los Osos Fitness

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Los Osos Fitness has been providing the community with exercise opportunities since 1994. Originally located at the old 10th Street Gym location, owner Terry Brown remodeled the old Miner’s Ace Hardware space and moved the gym to it’s current location in 2000.
Los Osos Fitness employs 36 fitness experts including manager Laura Watson, has almost 10% of the population as members, and over the years has provided the space, equipment and instruction for over 1.4 million workouts.

 

What’s New at the County Assessor’s Office

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The Assessor, in collaboration with County IT, initiated the “Open Text Upgrade and Assessor Records Transformation” project. The project will continue throughout FY 2018-19. The project includes the scanning of over 2,200,000 paper documents in over 168,000 parcel files, the creation of a digital parcel file library within the OpenText document management environment, and developing many workflows combined with business process re-engineering to handle most of the Department’s work activities. Packing files in preparation for Shipment HAS BEGUN!!!

Packing files in preparation for Shipment HAS BEGUN!!!

How might this affect you?

  • May be a short delay in retrieving your file if it is off site being digitized.

How will it benefit you?

  • Access to all files for staff and property owners from either office location.
  • Better efficiencies for Staff.
  • Better service for you!
Note: Digital parcel file documents will not be available to property owners or the general public on the website.
When will the project be complete? June – July 2019
County Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., Ste. D360, SLO, CA 93408 (805) 781-5643 Fax: (805) 781-5641 Web Site: slocounty.ca.gov/assessor

Tips for Cash-Strapped Small Businesses on How to Grow

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Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

As a small business owner, you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle in today’s competitive market: you feel like you need to grow in order to increase profits, but you don’t feel like you currently have the funds to do so. The good news is that there are ways to grow your business even if you are working on a limited budget. Here are some tips.

Look for alternative sources of funding

There’s no rule that says the only way to increase your cash reserves is through your business’ profits. If you’re looking for capital to grow, you should consider other options. Forbes suggests looking to friends and family, small business loans, and angel investors. The former must be treated with caution. There’s always a risk to personal relationships when you throw business and money into the mix. You might also consider approaching your local Small Business Development Center or similar organizations to help you plan and pay for growth. Another option to consider is crowdfunding. Sites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe present a new funding opportunity for small businesses. If you have a good business idea, people will want to support it.

Be smart about hiring

If you’re going to hire employees, make sure you hire ones to manage your current workload and tasks first, before hiring employees for tasks and strategies you want to implement in the future. Employees are a major drain on your bottom line, so be shrewd. For example, you wouldn’t want to hire a marketing specialist if you’re already drowning in active projects.

Look to lower-cost labor. Interns are a great option for some growing businesses. You don’t have to pay interns as much (either in salary or in benefits) and by using interns you’re building your employee pool for when you do want to hire full-time.

Of course, there’s always the concept of sweat equity. You can take on much of the work yourself, boosting the value of your company by the sheer effort you put into it, saving money on employee costs.

Let your existing customers do the heavy lifting

Leveraging your loyal clientele is a low-cost way to help your business grow. Many business owners only focus on new customer acquisition when they think about growth, but this is a mistake. Your current customers are the best marketing resource that you have. Ask your customers to refer your business to others. If you go above and beyond for them, they will gladly do this for you. The more you impress your customers, the more likely they are to sing your praises on social media. Keep them engaged through email newsletters, Facebook, digital blog content, and more. Offer special offers, services, or financial incentives for drumming up business for you.

Try low-cost marketing techniques

Social media is only one low-cost marketing technique – and there are plenty more to consider. Try teaming up with other local businesses for cross-promotional events. Join local business advocacy groups. Sponsor a local event. Hold contests to give away excess inventory. Offer your services to a local charity group. When it comes to getting your business name out there, you have to think outside the box.

It’s tempting to go the traditional route when it comes to growing your business – high-cost TV and print advertising, inventory expansion, hiring a bigger team, etc. – even if it puts you into debt. But if you’re truly cash-strapped, you should first consider these low-cost ways to promote and grow your business: look for alternative funding, be conservative in your hiring practices, explore all sorts of marketing pathways, and lean on your loyal customers for promotion, partnerships, and referrals.

County Reports Good Financial Status in Second Quarter

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – The County of San Luis Obispo was in good financial shape at the end of the second quarter of this fiscal year, according to a recent report.

The County Administrative Office presented the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Second Quarter Financial Report to the Board of Supervisors at yesterday’s public meeting. The report provides an overview of the County’s financial position in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, which took place between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2017.

According to the report, the County’s spending levels and revenue streams were on par, for the most part, with last year. By the end of the second quarter, the County had received
$226.4 million or 37 percent of estimated revenue, which includes property and sales tax, collected license and permit fees, fines, forfeitures, penalties, and other financing sources. The County had only spent about 40 percent of the amount budgeted for expenses for the year at the end of the second quarter.

The County also received more than $75,000 in donations, which were designated to appropriate programs and services. Most County departments reported that their budgets were on track at the end of the second quarter. However, there were some areas of concern reported.

Some items of note for the second quarter included:

  • The County Behavioral Health Department expects a revenue shortfall at year-end.
  • The County’s actions to implement the State’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) has had a minimal impact on this year’s finances.
  • Airports reported a 30 percent increase in passenger boarding numbers.
  • Dairy Creek Golf Course’s lack of sufficient revenue will require a large subsidy from the General Fund, as authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
  • The County’s Department of Social Services reported more than $285,000 in unbudgeted expenses related to In-Home Support Services, due to shifts at the State level. But these will be offset by unexpected growth in various revenue sources.

The County is continuing to closely monitor expenses of the current fiscal year, as it expects a budget deficit next fiscal year. For more information, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov.

New Hires: How Employers Can Find The Right Person For The Job

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The hiring process can be a long, tedious one for both employers and potential hires, and for many, it can be a frustrating one as well. Finding the right person for the job who also has a great work ethic and availability sometimes seems impossible, but for most companies, it’s imperative in order to keep standards high and turnover low.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do during the onboarding process to help things go smoothly and narrow down the field a bit. You’ll want to place an emphasis on the long-term goals of the job rather than focusing on the day-to-day tasks, in part so you can ascertain which applicants are willing to go the extra mile, but also to see what sort of ideas they have in regards to the future of the company and their role in it.

Whether you work with a large corporation or own a small business, here are some of the best tips on how to do just that.

Find out their long-term goals

Talk to your applicant about their long-term goals; where do they see themselves in five or ten years? Opening up the conversation about where they want to be in the foreseeable future will allow you to suss out whether they’re right for the job.

It’s also important to talk about the long-term goals of the position itself. While you’ll want to take into consideration which specific skills the applicant has, you need to also look into the future a bit to see the big picture. Don’t focus solely on the day-to-day tasks; rather, take into consideration whether the individual has what it takes to lead the position to success.

“Achieving goals is often about making tradeoffs when things don’t go as planned. Employees need to understand the bigger picture to make those tradeoffs when things go wrong,” says Professor Linda Hill of Harvard Business School.

A great example would be if you were to hire a contractor; of course you want assurance that he or she can do all the individual tasks the job requires, but the long-term goals are of concern, as well. What sort of milestones can he or she set within the job, and what is the timeline for those? How will any problems be handled should they arise? Will they be able and willing to work with others to achieve their goal? There are many questions involved during the hiring process; you can find out more in regards to finding the right contractor for the job here.

In short, you can train just about anyone to perform most tasks, but it takes a special person to fit all the requirements of a position with long-term goals.

Be specific

One of the best ways you can make the hiring process go smoothly is to ensure you’re as specific as possible when it’s time to write out the job description, especially if you’re posting it online for candidates to read before applying. Studies have shown that when companies give a specific job listing and include what they can do for the employee–rather than the other way around–they attract a higher number of positively-rated applicants than the companies that list their needs and demands.

Consider the applicant’s other skills

While it’s certainly attractive to potential employers when an applicant has all the necessary skills for the job at hand, it’s important not to forget about the other skillsets: social, emotional, and the ability to communicate. After all, a person with experience in the field may be terrible with clients because he can’t put them at ease, while an individual without much training but great interpersonal skills can be taught how to perform day-to-day tasks easily.

Remember that the hiring process can be overwhelming at times and can lead to stress, so try not to take too much onto yourself. Ask for help when you need it to avoid becoming burnt out, and when all else fails, try a new tactic during the hiring process.

 

November 2017 Business of the Month – Los Osos Rexall

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L. to R.: Cheri Grimm, Cheri Grimm Bookkeeping; Debra Garcia, Golden Anchor Financial Services; Jim Stanfill; Megan and Jason Tewell, Los Osos Rexall; Richard Joseph; Chad Carroll, Baywood Ale House; Gabe Quiroz, Farmers Insurance.

Los Osos Rexall has proudly served the community of Los Osos for over 35 years. Working side by side, Gary and Judi Tewell turned Rexall into an independent pharmacy and top rated gift shop focused on bringing the best customer service possible to their customers. Their son, Jason, began working as pharmacist in charge in 2010 and took over operations when Gary and Judi retired in 2015. Jason has continued his parents’ legacy by providing quality pharmacy care to patients and gifts for every recipient and occasion. Rexall has a friendly and knowledgeable staff, offers complimentary gift wrapping, delivers prescriptions to Los Osos, Morro Bay, and SLO, hosts fun seasonal events like the Holiday Open House and Pajama Party, and constantly brings in new gift merchandise for your shopping pleasure.

 

 

October 2017 Business of the Month – SLO Roasted Coffee

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SLO Roasted Coffee was started in 1984 by founder, Norman Galloway, and his wife, Gail. Thirty one years later the company is owned by the second generation of coffee entrepreneurs, daughter, Julie, and son, Chris. With the foundation of service and quality they have held true to the values their father created. With the third generation in training they continue to providing quality coffee at an affordable price. That is why at SLO Roasted Coffee they say “Don’t Just Drink Coffee Enjoy it!”

September 2017 Business of the Month – Los Osos Auto Body

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Los Osos Auto Body Inc. or Robertson’s, as many know it, opened its doors in 1985 as a family business. Today that small family business has grown but has not lost its small town roots. They will gladly take the time to polish off a little scratch or go to bat for you with the big insurance companies. With employees that have been with them since they opened their doors, free loaner cars and four generations of the Robertson’s in house this is the definition of a caring family business.

 

August 2017 Business of the Month – Grocery Outlet Los Osos

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Thank you again to the Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce – for choosing Los Osos Grocery Outlet as your Business of the Month August 2017!

We have been meeting lots of our neighboring residents. Coupons in local advertisements such as Bay News and Local Flavor help with our introductions, our customer service and valued products seem to keep them visiting often.

We are thankful to the community response to our own little programs: Honorary savings cards for active & retired military families & veterans, win what you save (2 winners drawn a month), school rebate cards (we meet our neighbors, neighbors get groceries, and card carrying for selected schools get 5% of total sales earned back to their school). And then there is our big company wide food drive that happens the month of July. Independence from Hunger. As a family of grocers, all sister stores participate in collecting food, and monetary donations for our local food pantries. Together Grocery Outlet Inc. has raised over 1 million dollars this July! We were proud to be one of the newer additions to help that drive.

July 2016 Business of the Month – The Medicine Shoppe

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Medicinne shoppe-webLos Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for July is The Medicine Shoppe at 1199 Los Osos Valley Road. The owners are pharmacist Keith Hanan and his wife Elizabeth, supported by a long term employee, DeDe Pauze and Compounding Technician, Alex Aspernelson. They have been in business in Los Osos since 1989. In addition to running his shop Keith has been a member of the Los Osos Rotary Club, was president in 2013-14 and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. He is also a contributing member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

In nominating The Medicine Shoppe Board member Chad Carroll had this to say. “I was referred to The Medicine Shoppe after experiencing difficulties with several different pharmacies. What no one else could accomplish in a month’s time, Keith was able to handle in a few hours. He took the time to swim through the red tape of insurance companies and get me my much-needed prescription, even though it was a trial and
he wasn’t going to make money on it. I have since transferred all of my other prescriptions to him and I have been very happy with the service of Keith and his staff”.

DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS YOU WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE? Recommendation for future monthly awards will be open to all. Nominators must apply the criteria adopted by the Board and the final decision will be made by the Board. The person making the nomination should offer sufficient detail as to why the business is being nominated to help the Board make the decision. All nominees will be considered and a winner will be chosen at the Board’s monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. To be considered the nomination should be received on the Friday prior to the board meeting. Entries can be emailed to info@lobpchamber.org, or mailed to Business of the Month, PO Box 6282, Los Osos, CA 93412 and should include the contact information of the person making the nomination.
Criteria for the “Business of the Year”: The Business of the Year Award recognizes a business in our community for noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contribution to the community, and significant community service efforts. The nominees business activities illustrate a commitment to the community and have made a visible contribution in the past year that reflects business growth and achievement, innovation, creativity or community involvement. Must be a member of the Los Osos/Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce in good standing. Gives generously of themselves and/or staff in time and resources to the Chamber.

Let’s nominate one of the many wonderful businesses that make our community such a great place to live, work and do business.