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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-01-12, Page 3competitor's advantage, they can know what their barriers are and develop a planned response to those barriers," said Leeming. Entrepreneurs have to • look at trends and markets, think about creating their business name or slogan, decide how much they have to advertise, and whether they're going to be a sole proprietor or enter a partnership for their new business. The list of questions goes on. Leeming recommends anyone think- ing of starting up their own busi- ness should talk to an accountant about financial matters. She also recommends talking to someone already in the business you're interested in (perhaps not someone in your same area), if you don't have any prior experience in that area. Huron Business Centre grand opening on Jan. 20 The Huron Community Futures Corporation, the Huron Business Development Corporation and the County of Huron are pleased to announce the Official Grand Open- ing of the Huron Business Centre, 138 Main St. S in Seaforth. In celebration, the public is invited to attend the Opening Ceremonies, Thursday, January 20, 1994. An open house is scheduled from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. to encourage mem- bers of the public to visit the Centre and learn more about the programs and services offered. At 4 p.m., a ribbon -cutting ceremony will take place, presided over by local digni- taries and elected officials. All interested individuals are invited to attend. In the event of bad weather, the alternate date for the Official Grand Opening is Fri- day, January 12, 1994. The Huron Business Centre is a co-operative undertaking iointly operated by Federal, Provincial and County affiliated agencies. The Centre aims to stimulate local job creation and economic revitalization by offering a one-stop access point for community and business devel- opment efforts throughout Huron County. TME HURON EXPOSITOR, January 12, 12114-3 Rump, Steak or Sirloin Tip ROASTS 3.•9LB Inside Round STEAK Whole or Split CHICKEN BREASTS 3.89 LB 2699 LB. Bruce Packers BACON eli Sliced 2. • • LB. COOKED HAM >r 1.99 LB. Deli Trim Smoked BACK BACON 5.29[-8. SEAFORTH GROCERY 23 Main St. S. 527-2044 NO NAMETn" MACARONI & CHEESE DINNER 3/ 90 225 GM. QUAKER OATS S.30 AVE 900 GM./I KO. Additional Quantities 1.39 limit one item per awpnn pc, customer Ea - IS/01/94 MFR•7009 1.09 CLOVER LEAF SOCKEYE SALMON 213 GM. 2.19 COTTAM GARDENS WHOLE TOMATOES •89 796 ML. Glad SAVE KITCHEN CATCHERS .so 1.19 24's Additional Quantities 1.69 limit one item per courxm per cu tomer Ex ire. 15/)1/94 MHO/7012 Nabisco SAVE SHREDDIES 1.00 675 GM. Additional Quantifies 3.09 2.09 limit one item per uwpon per customer Fac fru. 15/)1/94 MFR07008 We take phone orders to serve you better! Free Delivery in Egmondville & Seaforth We Reserve the right to limit quantities to normal family requirements. MON., TUES., WED., & SAT. 8:30 am • 6:00 pm THURS. & FRI., 8:30 am • 9:00 pm SENIORS 5% DISCOUNT EVERY WEDNESDAY• Let Us Help Keep You Safe & Comfortable around Your Home or Business Helpful Products from Sills •Keep your Lane easily accessible with our .Driveway °REFLECTOR MARKERS Keep that OTHER Entrance FREE of Snow & Ice for EMERGENCY EXIT •Use Salt, Snow Shovels & Snovli Sc "' , " from Sills Home Hardware Keep Your Heating System Safe & Efficient •Smoke Stack Safety Alarm & New Stove Pipes •Chimney Cleaner Rods & Brushes •New Filters for Furnaces & Humidifiers Keep Safe from FIRE •Install Smoke Detectors •Check & Replace Batteries •Keep Flashlights working with New Batteries •Keep your valuable papers safe with a FIRE PROOF VAULT Keep your pipes from FREEZING •Foam Pipe Wrap •Spray Foam Insulation •Heat Cables •.Weather Stripping & Caulking HOME HARDWARE HOME OF THE HANDYMAN SIL • PLUMBING • HEATING • ELECTRICAL • PAINTING SUPPLIES OPEN WEDNESDAYS Seaforth 527-1620 January Blowout Sale • Sweaters • Coats $60.-$85. • Gloves & Scarves 1/2 Price • Special Display of Dress Shirts Just $24. • P.J.'s. 20% off • Sportshirts $22.51)-$2.50 • Christmas Boxer Shorts only $6. • Casual Cotton Pants $27,So ALL JEANS $10• OFF F�eQ, Price C(1RDMO'S DENS WEAR 39 Main St. S. Seaforth 527-0596 Business Beat • Centre helps new local businesses In the 1st of a three-part series on the new Huron Business Centre in Sedforth we look at the Small Business Resource Centre and what it offers the entrepreneur. BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Staff Information. You need it to start a small business and the Huron County Small Business Resource Centre at 138 Main Street South, Seaforth has oodles of it. There are pamphlets and booklets on ,iust about all aspects of small business: financing, regulatory requirements, registration, business structure, finding suppliers, training and counselling, competition, home- based businesses, inventor's assist- ance, entrepreneurship education, etc. And in case you feel over- whelmed by the amount of informa- tion available, Carol Leeming, Small Business Advisor, is there to help answer questions and offer guidance. "People can come in, look at information, ask specific questions or have consultations," said Leeming. The whole purpose of the Huron County Small Business Resource Centre is to help people before they start up a business. "We're here to make it a little easier." The Resource Centre moved from Clinton to Seaforth in October. In its first year in existence over 900 business inquiries have been made. Of those, about 60 were "sit down and talk" consultation sessions that lasted anywhere from half an hour to two hours about a business idea. Most of the inquiries have been service or retail -related, said Leeming. Not as many manufactur- ing inquiries are received by the centre. The uron Business Centre houses the Huron Community Futures Corporation, the Huron County all Business Resource Centre an Huron Business Development Corporation. The Huron Business Centre is jointly operated by federal, provincial and county affiliated agencies. As well as the Small Business Advisor, Carol Leeming is also a planner with the County of Huron. As one of the affiliates, the prov- ince requires month-end statements on traffic flow through the centre. Ten Myths of Starting a Small Business 1. It's easy. 2. I can get a government grant to get started. 3. My product or service will sell itself. 4. I will be able to enjoy lots of leisure time because I'm my own boss. 5. I can hire someone to do the stuff I don't like to do. 6. I will get rich. 7. I don't have tb like what I do to make money in my business. 8. The competition is really poor at what they do. 9. I can do it cheaper than everyone else. 10. Because I have better qual- ity, everyone will want my prod- uct or service. PHOTO DOWN TO BUSINESS - Carol Leeming, Small Business Advisor, is ready with infoDAVID rmationotoassist entrepreneurs at the Huron Business Centre located at 138 Main Street South, Seaforth. "We're here to make it a little easier..." -Carol Leeming, small business advisor Leeming takes that same informa- tion back to the Planning and Development Committee for Huron County for their assessment. As well as the central location in Seaforth, the Business Resource Centre has information kiosks throughout the county. There are kiosks in Clinton and Goderich and a revolving kiosk for both northern and southern Huron County where pamphlets and business information are available. GETTING STARTED When someone approaches Carol Leeming with an idea, she first asks them if they have experience in that business. Then she proceeds through the steps of starting a small business. The Small Business Advisor tries to stress the importance of having a business plan to inspiring entrepre- neurs before a bank loan visit. Before an entrepreneur even pro- ceeds to a business plan, he or she must evaluate whether they are What business should I go into? Factors o consider: • personal interests • background - expertise and access to information • lifestyle considerations • personality • money available • goals - personal and financial • availability of market niches • market trends • social impact • market acceptance of this idea elsewhere • number and size of the compe- tition • availability of suitable location even suitable for business. As far as location, "most often they have a site in mind," said Leeming. Then there's the decision to rent, lease or own the property of your new busi- ness location. And as one business adage goes, the three most important things are: location, location, location. "People do their own mini -market surveys," said Leeming, who knows of entrepreneurs who have watched and counted traffic flow, and the cross-section of people who pass by their proposed business location. It is also important for those with business ideas to see what competi- tion already exists in the commun- ity they plan to operate in. The Small Business Resource Centre has statistics on the various businesses in each Huron municipality. Leeming recommends listing your competition, estimating the money they make and their market share, and ask "What's their advantage?" "If they know about their Steps to Starting a Small Business Step 1: Are You An Entrepre- neur? Consider: • your personality • your family and lifestyle • your finances Step 2: What is Your Business Idea? • can your idea be a viable business? • is this the right time for your idea? • do you have knowledge and experience related to your busi- ness idea? Step 3: Will Your Idea Work? Research: • community statistics see Business, page 10 Pros wear C4th sportswear rtswear A Seaforth custom sportswear firm recently completed a success- ful manufacturing contract for 250 custom ski pants. Successables Inc. had the contract with the Canadian Ski Patrol in which Difra Manufacturing Co., designed and manufactured 250 pairs of custom ski -pants. The contract was initiated in March of 1993 and completed December 15. Carolanne Doig, President of Successables Inc., who handles the marketing and promo- tion of Difra productions, hopes that the Canadian Ski Patrol contract will lead to other sales of a similar nature and allow Difra's products to be expanded into the ski market as _ w411_as other_ outdoor_sports. Golf coat used by Greg Norman Difra Manufacturing of Seaforth, is best known for its unique golf club rain -cover patented under the name The Golf Club Rain Coat. This rain -cover was designed by Diana Caldwell and is now the number one rain -cover preferred by golf professionals on the pro- fessional golf tour. Dins also manufactures a complete line of waterproof golf equipment includ- ing head -covers, cart mitts, sun - glass cases, rain jackets, and rain pants. Doig and Caldwell are pleased that the work being done in com- pleting both the golf and ski equip- ment manufacture is handled by_ local sewers. With over 200 golf accounts across Canada and plans to enter the U.S. market in 1994 both Successables Inc. and Difra Manufacturing Co. are looking towards a busy year. Ms. Doig feels that exploring the ski market and with potential in other sports. the seasonal nature of the golf business can be offset providing work for local people all year round. The Golf Club Rain Coat is endorsed by Dan Halldorson, win- ner of over a million dollars on the PGA Tour, and is presently being used by such notables as Greg Norman, Nick Price, Dawn Coe - Jones, and many others. Packers sold to Van Loons Bruce Packers Ltd., a meat packing cotnpan with 30 employees located just outside of Paisley was sold to Gary Van Loon and family from Dublin, Ont. six weeks ago. Van Loon, who owns a 5,000 - head hog farm, said his daugh- ter and future son-in-law Ray Anstctt, will be working at the company, continuing to . build upon its excellent reputation for products. "We're looking forward to working with everyone..." Former ownerLarry Bender will stay on as general manager overseeing operations. "We're looking forward to working with everyone, Bruce Packers is a well-run plant and our first month together has proven to be very successful," Van Loon said. The new owners plan to con- centrate on sales and marketing and will spent the first year teaming the business. Bruce Packers was owned by the Bender family for more than 40 years. In 1939 Theodore Bender from Hanover phased a butcher shop in Paisley and in 1952 started Bruce Packers. Son bought the company from his ather n 1972.