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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1998-06-24, Page 5JT'tS YOIIRBIJSINLSS Times -Advocate, June 24, 1998 Page 5 The ups and downs of being a young entrepreneur By Katherine Harding • T -A Reporter EXETER - Melanie Stuart is al- ready her own boss at the tender age of twenty-one. As the proprietor of the nine- month old Esthetics by Melanie, Stuart has recently moved her op- eration from the recently closed Cutting Corner hair salon to the Ex- eter Business Centre located at 476 Main St. Originally from Granton, Stuart decided to set up shop in Exeter he - cause "for its site. small businesses seem to do well here." "kis is far away enough from Lon- don that people will come here first if they need something," said Stu- art. After graduating from Elegance School in London _with a diploma in Advanced . Esthetics, Stuart worked hriefly at Joanne's Esther- ics Boutique in Masonville_Mall.- "When I was working at Joanne's. i knew then that i wanted to go out on my own...1 didn't' like how 1 was always rushed with my cus- tomers all the time i wanted to give my customers individual treat- ment," she said. -1 always thought 1 could do it better and now f have to shut up and Just do it " Getting started As far as husiness training..Stuart. admits that she has been pretty much "winging it." "I had no idea -that I had ti, reg- ister my name.•get 'a perrnit and a G.S.T. registration number among other things," Stuart said "My hus- band Mark Stuart owns his own business and him and his secretary Heather Wells have helped me out a lot with the business end of things." Financing the operation was also a minor headache. Stuart estimates that it. took about $5,000 to open up her venture. "1 couldn't get a hank loan or. a line of credit...the best thing the hank could do for me was. to issue me a credit card with a limit," said Stuart.. "I've gotten a lot- of fi- nancial support from my husband Mark 'in the way .of interest-free loans." The pros and cons "i love what t do." said Stuart. "If you don't love what you do you Shouldn't be in the business." "My dad always told us to have. -our own husiness because of the in- dependence." she said with a grin. "Resides the money worries there isn't it lit of stress from being in- dependent." Stuart admits -that -there is a lot of stress running your own business when things are slow. "if is not busy then !don't make money . • However, Stuart has already'start- ed .to built .up a loyal clientele -of "steady regulars." _ • Words of Wisdom • Stuart is. confident that anyone can set up their own husiness with -the- right. attitude. She admit.' the money is Casually the stumbling fac- tor for many. She advises new husiness to be wise with their money "Don't go craiy money wise kpend: Melanie Stuart, owner of Esthetics by Melanie offers a wide range of services including manicures, facials, waxing and eyelash. and eyebrow tints. ing to get .started," she said "You don't want to be overwhelmed with a loan so he modest starting up." Stuart also advises potential en- - trepreneurs, to prepare a business • plan'. The future Stuart is looking forward to' her future in her new -location. "I like it here because it is quieter and there is more privacy for my customers " Her goals ti r Esthetics by Met- ,inte are simple "1 hope to get es- tablished and to make a good living from it." she said. Maclean's honored for excellence EXETER - MacLean's Home Hardware has been awarded the top honors as one of the best Home'. dealers in Canada. The store was cited among 9611 dealers from coast to coast as - achieving the highest standards in retailing, merchandise presentation,' staff performance and overall qual- ity of the,store. "All of us at MacLean's Home Hardware arc excited to be rec- hgnized among Canada's hest." said Jerry MacLean. "We are proud.to serve our com- munity by providing great prod- ucts. 'selection and expertise in a pleasing shipping environment." - To receive the ' Proud of • My Home Achievement Certificate. the Home Hardware store must dem- onstrate, excellence in staff,- per-, formance and customer service: in- terior presentation including clear signing. tidiness. and merchandise presentation.. and displays. exterior 'presentation including cleanliness and- attractive. window display:. staff trnnmg: and participation in dealer network•initiatives. . ''The •Proud of my Home Achievement Certificate represents _ a- total team effort and show;, the value of dedicated people working together to serve their ' ccrh- munities:" said.Paul Straus. general Top honours. MacLean's Home Hardware of Exeter recently received the Proud of My Home - Achievement Certificate for achieving the highest standards in retailing, merchandise pres- entation, staff performance and overall store quality. Area manager for Southwestern Ontario Ron Harris, second from right, presented the certificate to, from left. Ken Varley and Gary and Jerry MacLean. Classrooms used for Avon !id District School Board By Michele Green CLINTON - The Avon Maitland District School Board will use four olassnuonis of Seaforth District High School iSDHS1 for administrative space until a permanent site is found. Last.Tuesday•mght in Clinton. trustees approved the plan, which also involves leasing a municipal office for administration. The' board is also listing for sale its two board -owned properties at 210 Water St. -and 426 Britannia St. in Stratford. Accounting and human resources staff working out' of the Water St. office -and Central Huron Secondary School, Clinton, will be -relocated to four unused -Class- rooms tri Seafitrth as well -as to. a municipal office.' A. trong wouldn't reveal which municipal office because leasing negotiations are continuing. Operations and technical support staff on. Brittania St. will be moved to Stratford Northwestern Secondary School. Although the board agreed to put the issue of finding a permanent headquarters. for the hoard on hold fbr two years, Chairperson Abby Armstrong said the moves are intended to create efficiencies in the short- term. Architects are in SDHS designing the new office space; • Armstrong said she expects the board will be in' its new locations by September. No student programs will . he affected by the presence of administration in the . school, she said. With the Classic 5 Function Rosewood Pen Knife • Stainless Steel Cutting Blade • Cork Screw • Bottle Opener & Screw Driver • Key Ring Pricy includes Laver Engraving (One Sifdls)tChwpi-33r4Arrixtil mar SO as Q11 Aqui ixil• of *Me appr•xon•MM r x ]l4• manager of Home Ha Jware..it the recent awards presentation Home Hardware Stiires' Limited - is a a>Ilective of dealer-owned..ind operated independent hardware: building supply . and furniture stores.. Founded in • 1964 by ap- - proximately 120 independent hard- ware dealers. the company today has grown to include. 961) menihers ' in every province, and ferruory. In Canada. • Art and craft show coming to Grand Bend GRAND BEND -..On July I. the Grand Bend premier an craft show comes to the Colonial Hotel parkette. Special Canada Show •and Sale. one dayonly This collection is a gathering of some of Ontario': finest art and craft people. who will he offering their work for sale. The handmade selection includes: jewellery. wood craft, fabled cloth work. sewing, folk art. ceramics, childrens clothing. dolls, art, designer clothing. pot- tery, stained glass. dried (lowers and much more. According to Bill Nonern, the show's -producer "There is something for everyone." Show hours are 10 a.m. to R p.m. It's easy to find at the corner o'f Main St. and Hwy 21. Follow the signs. Osborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1 S 1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications are Welcomed DIRECTORS 8 ADJUSTERS Joe Chaffe. RR5 Mitchell .348-9705 Ron Feeney. RR 2 Dublin Larry Gardiner. RR2. Staffa Jack'Hodgert. RR 1. K,rkton . Michael O'Shea RR3 Granton Morris Willows: RR2 St. Pauls AGENTS Wayne Mayer Exeter bawd Moore Dublin Barb .Worden Dublin Joseph Uniac. Mitcheli Head Office Exeter 345-2380 ..345-2678 2294152 225-2600 3934548 235.1915 345-2512 345-2777 348-9012 235-0350 A refund from surplus was de- clared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at Decem- ber 31, 1997. EXETER .4,0 s�l EXETER BUSINESS ASSOCIATION The new EBA COUPON BOOKS are now avariaafe For -$10 you get a book full of savings. gifts and draws-r.c:uding one entry per book for a chance to win $1000 in Exeter Bucks (to be drawn at the Main Street Christmas Open House. Sunday. November 15/98. The EBA COUPON BOOKS maybe purchased `rom a representative of any of the following organizations: ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF COUPON BOOKS GO DIRECTLY TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT /S SELLING THEM. Exeter Junior Hawks Exeter Minor Baseball Exeter Figure Skating Club Exeter Precision Club Exeter. Dance Club - The Exeter Business Association is proud to be &community sponsor ATID 1:7*10 $1 0 • ..'J i ninx .-1,s1D Kb prcr "-,:r • CH TECH-S'Iotherhoard 512k pipeline burst cache LSO supported • 32 ,%leg or SOram • 24X CD -Rom •4.3 gig t Itra DMA hard drive • 36K tawvoicerdata modem • ' ' digital monitor • .. viB .3D video card • Suundcard w/ESS chipset • '0 watt speakers' • 1.44 FDD • windows keyboard w/wrist rest • ' licrophone • 3 button mouse • .Mousepad • Windows 9.5 wilnternet Explorer 4 • ,Microsoft Homepack Gifts Graduation Special Free power bar or Free virus scanner with the purchase of a TKO System Otber systems starting as low as $1145.00 370 MAIN STREET, S. EXETER, ONT. 519-235-0996 11/4, (John Norris Building) LONDON: 106-30 Adelaide St. N. 667-0897