(SAFE) FUN IN THE SUN Tips for staying active in the sun without the consequences.
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BUSINESS WWW.CARLSBAD.ORG
EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
JOURNAL
VOL. 32, NO. 7
Training for the next level
Chamber launches Candidate Academy
The four-session academy will train participants on how to: • Develop a platform • Set up a campaign team • Develop a message • Secure endorsements • Identify important regional issues
Featured speakers have been selected to bring perspectives from across the political spectrum to provide balanced and informative information, as well as real-life experience in campaigning. Other speakers are experts in their fields and will provide insight into the pressing issues that are facing the region and beyond.
5934 Priestly Drive 5934 Priestly Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Carlsbad, CA 92008
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SEE CANDIDATE, Page 12
AUGUST 2015
AN AWARD-WINNING, MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Be in it to win it
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is looking for people who have always wanted to run for elected office to be a part of the inaugural class of the Candidate Academy, a new program that seeks to boost civic participation in the electoral CANDIDAT E process in ACADEMY San Diego’s Coastal North County. The academy will educate, inform and prepare potential candidates on the realities of running for and serving in public office. This nonpartisan seminar series will provide a wealth of training and resources and allow participants to interact with business and civic leaders.
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Scholarship helps Chamber members hone sales skills
Rob Swette of Sales Growth Associates, LLC sits at the head of the table during a morning meeting of the Sandler Training President’s Club. Pictured next to him, from left, are Fernando Beltran Lupi of Believe in Signs and Ryan Alexeev of North County Legal. BY JOSÉ A. LÓPEZ Editor | Carlsbad Business Journal
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yan Alexeev and Fernando Beltran Lupi didn’t expect to be business owners. After graduating from Gonzaga University School of Law, Alexeev worked two part time legal jobs that did not feel like a cohesive career. In 2009 she founded North County Legal, a practice specializing in immigration and estate planning law, because she realized she could be more selective about her clientele and a group of law school friends who started a firm after graduation encouraged her to venture out on her own. “I never planned on owning my own business, but the way that
the economy was at the time, it was very hard to find one fulltime job,” Alexeev said. “I figured I could do this.” Beltran Lupi worked for nearly 20 years developing new business for Ericsson. When the company moved all of its operations out of the United States, he had to decide whether to uproot his family and leave Carlsbad for another country or turn his hobby of printing T-shirts for family and friends into a business. That was the beginning of Believe in Signs, the promotional products company he started in 2007, which primarily serves small businesses. “I didn’t have a clue how to start,” he said. “I was coming from working with companies that were doing
$50 million deals and small companies have a completely different structure and way of doing business. It was a big switch. I had to learn how to operate in a small business environment.” When they were starting their business, both turned to the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce for help. They became active members, filled leadership roles in committees and participated in other professional development activities the Chamber offered. Their businesses thrived, even though they launched their careers during a tough economic climate. When Rob and Teri Swette of Sales Growth Associates, LLC (SGA) a licensed training center for Sandler Training approached
the Chamber with the intent of establishing a scholarship program to help members hone their sales skills, Alexeev and Beltran Lupi were among the Chamber members who were nominated to apply for the scholarship — and the ones who were selected. SGA provides sales and management training and consulting services for small- to medium-sized businesses as well as corporate training for Fortune 1000 companies. Their specialized tools equip trainees with the skills necessary to improve both their business and bottom line. In Alexeev’s and Beltran Lupi’s case, the scholarship came at an opportune time.
SEE TRAINING, Page 12
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Living the ‘Good Life’ one referral at a time Headquartered in Carlsbad, Buffini & Company has taught business professionals around the world to work by referral for more than 20 years. Founded in 1996 by real estate expert and master motivator Brian Buffini, the company provides a unique and highly-effective lead generation system and comprehensive business coaching and training programs which have helped entrepreneurs in 37 countries improve their business, increase net profit and enhance their quality of life. The “Work by Referral” system was developed by the company’s chairman and founder Brian Buffini, who, at age 19, left Ireland for San Diego in the 1980s, and decided to try his hand at real estate. Frustrated by the traditional methods of lead generation, such as cold calling and door knocking, Buffini tapped into
concept a step further by providing the tools, training and accountability to help real estate professionals and small-business owners cultivate high-quality leads through the relationships they build with their clients. Generating business through established relationships creates a steady stream of leads and reduces the need to lean on conventional methods of lead generation.
Business development programs for all levels of experience “Brian Buffini’s Success Tour’ is a two-day real estate event highlighting proven strategies for business growth. the time-tested method utilized by his family’s successful painting business in Ireland — offer excellent
service to your customers and they’ll refer you to their family and friends. Buffini & Company takes this
Buffi ni & Company’s training programs are designed for all levels of business professionals, from newbies to seasoned pros and everyone in-between.
SEE BUFFINI, Page 5