11 local people graduate from Del Norte Enterprise program

Eleven North Coast Small Business Resource Center-Del Norte Office (NCSBRC) clients presented their business plans, received their Certificates of Completion and celebrated their graduation from the eight-month 2011 Del Norte Enterprise program.

Mayor Kathryn Murray presented the certificates and congratulated the graduates during a celebration at the Family Resource Center on Jan. 16. “Small businesses are the backbone of our community and our country,” she said. “You and your businesses create jobs, provide needed goods and services and help fuel our economy. I am proud of you and your efforts to start and grow your businesses in our community.”

Amber Wier, NCSBRC certified business adviser, presented each graduate with a long stem rose with a golden money symbol to indicate success in their business accomplishments. Janna Clemons, flight coordinator, administrative assistant, passed the certificates to Mayor Murray for her presentation.

Graduates and their businesses include:  AmyLynn Harp, Hand-n-Hand Doula Services; Mike and Anne McAleenan, Annie Mack’s Family Produce; Jessica Mercado, SustainAppeal; Dale Morgan, Dale Morgan Music; Dolly Noon, D.R. Noon & Associates Consultant Services; Samantha Puperi, Sami’s Family Child Care; Paul Ronjoin, Elk Valley Farms; Charlie and Mary Lu Ross, Charlie Ross Installations; David Smith, Smith’s Green Cleaning; Debbie Weist, Dance with Debbie; and Cody Yeates, NorCal Glassworks.

The graduation celebration concluded with the graduates, families and friends toasting congratulations with sparkling cider and cutting the carrot cake decorated with green roses and laminated $1 dollar bills.

Participants in the program attended eight monthly workshop sessions with speakers expert in their fields specifically directed to this flight of entrepreneurs:  financial management, legal aspects of a small business, successful  marketing, credit/banking and organization/planning. They wrote their business plans, complete with comprehensive marketing plan and financials, including profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, assumptions used in determining financials, balance sheets and break even points. Additional requirements included attending five Business Basics workshops and meeting with a certified business adviser at least once monthly.

Arcata Economic Development Corporation participated as sponsors of this flight program. The program was free and clients were required to deposit money into their new savings accounts, up to $1,200. At the end of the program their deposits are matched by Wells Fargo Bank 2:1, for a total of $3,600 available to the graduates who successfully complete the requirements to purchase assets for their businesses.