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Enid News & Eagle
THIS YEAR IS ONE OF EXPECTATION FOR ENID AND NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA. IT IS A TIME OF CHANGE AS THE AREA EMERGES FROM RECESSION AND LOOKS TOWARD PROGRESSION. THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS THAT HAVE BUILT AND SUSTAINED OUR WAY OF LIFE ARE CHANGING, AND THE PEOPLE ARE TASKED WITH CREATING A DIVERSE, NEW ECONOMIC MODEL THAT PUTS THE AREA ON THE HORIZON TOWARD A BETTER WAY OF LIFE. TUCKED IN THESE PROGRESS EDITIONS ARE A FEW OF THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE FOR 2012 AND BEYOND.
new opportunities Groups are working toward the creation of a consistent message in promoting Enid By Robert Barron Staff Writer
As the economy of Oklahoma changes and more effort is made to promote northwest Oklahoma, local groups have wondered what the best way is to promote Enid. Those groups have begun researching on what people think about Enid and what the city has to offer. They will introduce a “brand” for the city soon. Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, said the process began about two years ago. The regional development alliance purchased advertising in Oklahoma Today magazine. When they received the magazine they found both Main Street Enid and Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau had separate advertising. “Our marketing was not consistent and organized,” Kisling said.
A First for Enid About a year ago, a team called Enid First was organized consisting of Main Street, the city of Enid, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau and Enid Regional Development Alliance, groups that do most of the advertising outside the city. Enid First gathers monthly for brief meetings about what the groups are promoting that month. “We quickly figured out Enid doesn’t have a specific message we’re trying to share. Some are highlighting jobs, some
shopping, some Vance Air Force Base, but it’s not consistent,” he said. The groups began an effort to brand the community when the Enid First team partnered with the Enid News & Eagle for a series of stories about the areas in which Enid is first or excels. Kisling said it provided a list of stories people can use to brag about Enid. A number of surveys also were accomplished, including one by Berkeley Young Associates that asked visitors what they thought of the community and would like to see.
Hitting the books From the information gathered, Enid First developed a “brand book” that can be used for marketing the community. Over the next several months, Kisling said that book will be turned into marketing. “We had to figure our product, and we did that in 2011,” Kisling said. The brand will focus on what makes Enid unique, such as its history and heritage, but encompasses more. “People raced and fought to inhabit this land, but also where do we want to be in the next 10 years, or 20 years, and the vibrancy the community has now,” Kisling said.
More than a logo A brand is not a tag line or a logo, but the emotion people feel when they think of the product. McDonald’s has had many tag lines and is more than a big yellow M, he said. The same is true for Nike and Chicago and New York. The next steps are to take the brand book that describes what the community wants to market and develop advertising for a nationwide promotion. That promo-
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Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, (left) said the process to come up with a brand for the Enid area began about two years ago. About a year ago, a team called Enid First was organized consisting of Main Street Enid, the city of Enid, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau and Enid Regional Development Alliance, groups that do most of the advertising outside the city. From the information gathered, Enid First developed a “brand book” that can be used for marketing the community. Throughout the next several months, Kisling said that book will be a marketing tool. Pictured are (clockwise from above, left) the Enid First campaign logo, an inside page from the “Enid Brand Book” and Kisling holding the book. (Photos provided / Staff Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)
tion will contribute to Enid’s web presence and make sure everyone is selling the same thing. “It’s been fascinating so far,” Kisling said. The principal people involved are staff members of the Enid First organizations. They also work on front-line employees
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who meet the public in customer service positions every day and train them to know what there is to do in Enid, so they can tell their customers. “The salespeople for Enid are more than the chamber and the alliance, and we must make sure everyone is on the same page,” Kisling said.
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Accentuate the positive Marketing group points out finest attributes of Enid By Bridget Nash Staff Writer Enid is a growing city with a small-town atmosphere that has many of its businesses working together to showcase their community. Eagle Marketing is one of those working hard to showcase Enid to residents, visitors and those who have just relocated to Enid. “Eagle Marketing is a multi-media marketing group,” said Frank Baker, Eagle Marketing director. “We work with every type of media from print to broadcast, video, direct mail, website and social media.” While Eagle Marketing helps other businesses with their media it also puts out several publications of its own to promote Enid. “One of the things we developed with Eagle Marketing is any piece we get involved with we are going to take a positive approach.” Newcomers Guide is an annual publication Eagle Marketing uses to acquaint residents with what Enid has to offer. “The Newcomers Guide is used primarily for new arrivals but it also acts as a visitors guide,” Baker said. Newcomers Guide highlights all areas of interest, including churches, schools, landmarks and shopping venues. “We have really good writers and great photogra-
Cathy Nulph with Etown and Diva Card/Man Card, Frank Baker with the first Etown cover, Lynne Benkendorf with a Roberts Ranch Smokin’ Red Dirt BBQ trophy and Theo Pace with a Scotch and Cigars phers, and we always put Enid in a positive light,” Baker said. Since it is the home of Vance Air Force Base, Enid constantly has new Air Force families moving to the area. For this reason, Eagle Marketing also publishes Vance Relocation Guide. “It is tailored for new arrivals at Vance,” Baker said. Vance Relocation Guide provides a building-by-build-
ing breakdown of the base and includes information about the city of Enid. “It’s a great way to introduce and get the young people into various churches and stores and restaurants in Enid,” Baker said. Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory is an Eagle Marketing publication that helps Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce members network and connect with each other.
poster make up the Eagle Marketing team. “We have really good writers and great photographers, and we always put Enid in a positive light,” said Baker, Eagle Marketing’s director. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)
“It’s the best thing in the world for contacting people in businesses,” Baker said. One of Eagle Marketing’s most popular publications is ETown Magazine. “It’s our glossy, lifestyle mag,” he said. ETown originally targeted the 25-44 age demographic but has become popular with residents of all ages. “It’s fun and frothy,” said Baker. ETown Magazine includes
features on events, businesses, artists and residents of Enid and shows readers the fun and positive things that are happening throughout the city. “I’ve lived in Enid the bulk of my life,” said Baker. “Folks who live here want to see Enid celebrated.” ETown Magazine is published every 60 days and can be ordered by subscription or purchased at both Jumbo Foods locations.
To Baker, Eagle Marketing’s task of promoting Enid is a task well worthwhile. “I’m a farm kid who grew up on a farm north of Kremlin,” said Baker. “I remember coming here as a little kid and I remember thinking Enid was the biggest city in the world ... I’ve never lost that glow. I think Enid is the coolest city in the world. I believe in the community, and I’m incredibly excited about the future.”
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Networking AMONG PROFESSIONALS
Group promotes business, individual growth By Jeff Mullin Senior Writer
Author Jack London once said, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” There are no clubs involved with Inspire Greater Enid, but inspiration is one of the organization’s goals. Inspire Greater Enid was formed in 2009 by a group of local communication and marketing professionals who realized they needed a place to brainstorm, network and collaborate in their efforts to promote initiatives in the Enid area. The idea for the group came from Tawny Dotson, a public relations professional whose spouse was then stationed at Vance Air Force Base. “She saw the need for a professional marketing organization in Enid, much like what they offer in Oklahoma City and Tulsa,” said Lisa Powell, Inspire Greater Enid president. “A lot of our marketing and PR professionals in Enid were having to go to Oklahoma City and Tulsa for continuing education or networking opportunities.”
Nicole
Wide range of topics The group has grown to more than 80 members. It meets six times per year at Autry Technology Center. “We invite members and non-members to attend,” said Powell. “Our membership is growing,” said Jessica Andrew board member at large. “I think that says a lot. We have members who come to every meeting, and we have new faces who come to every meeting.” IGE is open not only to marketing and communications professionals but to anyone interested in the subject being discussed, Powell said. “I think that is what keeps continuing to bring different people into our meetings, is because we try to do a wide range of topics,” she said. The topic of meetings, she added, “is usually on some relevant, current or upcoming marketing trend to do some education for the marketing pro-
fessionals that are here and also give them the opportunity to network with one another and promote their services within the community.” Both individual and corporate memberships are offered, Powell said. Corporate memberships are $125 for up to two members and $50 for each additional member. Individual memberships are $75. Membership information and an application are at w w w. i n s p i r e greaterenid.com. “We’re going through a membership drive for 2012,” Powell said. “We hope to build our membership this year.” Companies can sponsor meetings, which gives them 10 minutes at the beginning of the event to talk about their company and hand out promotional materials, Powell said. “Particularly if you’re a business that marketing professionals would use your services, I think that’s a great fit because you’ve got a captive audience,” she said. Most speakers at the group’s meetings are from out of town. “That gives marketing professionals in Enid a chance to hear from somebody outside of Enid about trends in marketing,” Powell said. A recent meeting centered on the topic of social media and using it to promote companies or events.
Jessica
“Last year we had the Oklahoma City Thunder vice president of sales and marketing come in and speak about how they have built their brand,” Powell said. Among the speakers on the group’s schedule is the manager of Muskogee’s
Arrowhead Mall, who will speak about handling the shooting incident that occurred at his facility in April 2010. The topic of crisis communication, said IGE president-elect Nicole Winfield, will take the group in new territory. “I think this year we are going a little bit different direction because of the speakers we are bringing in to talk about risk management,” said Winfield. “If anything goes wrong, how do you handle it? I think before it was always how to market your business.” Stan Clark, the founder of Stillwater’s Eskimo Joe’s, also will address the group later this year.
Lisa
A place to network can pay dividends Besides training, said Andrew, the group offers professionals a chance to compare notes with their peers. “We’re all marketing professionals at our certain companies, but who do we lean on?” she said. “This is kind of a support group for marketing professionals. This is a group of other marketing professionals that we can lean on, that we can go to if we do have a question.” IGE includes marketing pros from companies both large and small, Powell said. “My office has three people in it,” she said. “It (IGE) is where I get a lot of information about how to handle things, and I get to network with other marketing professionals in town.” Networking, Winfield said, can pay various dividends. “That’s where I got my last two jobs, was networking through IGE,” she said. “It’s nice to talk with people who are trying to accomplish the same thing you are for their company,” said Andrew. And the group, said Andrew, can pay broader dividends for Enid. “What’s neat about it is we’re the marketing director for our company, we’re trying to build our company and market our company, well, by doing that we’re also marketing Enid and we’re also building Enid and growing Enid,” she said. “I think the group is not only a plus for us in our working career but it’s a plus for our community also.” IGE is managed by a six-member board, which is in the process of putting together an online directory for all members to list information and services they provide, Powell said. “If somebody is looking for a Web designer in Enid, that might be a place that they can go to look and find somebody local,” she said. For information, go to www.inspiregreater enid.com.
Jessica Andrew, Lisa Powell and Nicole Winfield are members of Inspire Greater Enid, a networking group of professionals in Enid that inspires business and personal growth. (Staff Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)
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O M M U N I T Y ’S
FOUNTAIN OF
Members of EYP working to make an impact in Enid
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youth
By Austin Prickett Staff Writer
Enid Young Professionals (EYP) have begun a new image campaign designed to give professionals ages 40 and younger more focused opportunities. The group began as Greater Enid Young Professionals in early 2009. In the years since, it has hosted speakers from local groups such as Enid Rotary Club, Kiwanis and Leadership Oklahoma. Ryan Allen, EYP president, said the group always is evolving. “The group gives young professionals in Enid a voice and the opportunity to get involved,” Allen said. “One thing remains clear about our group: We want to make Enid a better place to live.” The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at a One thing remains clear about different loour group: We want to make cation. Aside Enid a better place to live.” from monthly meetings, the Ryan Allen, EYP president group also is Rynn Day, Jacob Foos, Whitney Hall, Cody Joliff and Ryan Allen are members of Enid Young Professionals. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK) involved in “We are trying the community,” Allen said. as a long-term organization. age campaign will let people several Enid to figure how to The new image campaign “Our group allows young know who we are.” area projects Information on the group and events, such as AmTrykes Allen said the 2012 EYP provide more focused oppor- also is designed to help bring professionals to connect with and the annual Cherokee Strip board began the redefining tunities to the members and more young professionals to one another and support each and meeting locations can be help them make an impact in the group and establish EYP other,” Allen said. “The im- obtained at www.enidyp.com. Days celebration activities. process for the group.
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Fighting to get Forming the trade zone top priority amid airport work By Phyllis Zorn Staff Writer
Although the process of establishing a free trade zone at Enid Woodring Regional Airport was begun about three years back, the plan to establish it remains under federal review. “It’s still in coordination,” Airport Director Dan Ohnesorge said. About a year ago, the plan was submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ohnesorge said. Several federal agencies are reviewing the application. A free trade zone is a domain that, in theory, is not part of the United States. Businesses can import items into the free trade zone and delay payment of duty on the merchandise for a time. “When it is exported into the United States, then you pay the duty,” Ohnesorge said. Despite the free trade zone plan remaining under review, other projects at the airport are chugging right along, he said. • A large, joint-use hangar, for both civilian and military purposes, is nearing completion. Henson Construction began work on the hangar in August.
A nearly completed hanger stands at Enid Woodring Regional Airport. While work continues on establishing the airport as a free trade zone, many other improvements have been made. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $560,000 hangar is planned for March 23, Ohnesorge said. “Henson’s doing a really good job,” Ohnesorge said. • A plan to extend the runway remains in the “funding search” for now, he said. • Jet fuel sales increased substantially during the last year, Ohnesorge added. “(In 2009) we sold
• The cross-runway at the airport got a microseal resurface job during the past year. “It repaired a lot of the cracks,” Ohnesorge said. “There were major cracks in the surface. It’s a slurry seal, but it’s a microseal.” • The north-south runway saw rubber removal and restriping work. • A drainage study is being wrapped up, with a final document soon to come. And, in other planning matters, a new 20-year plan is being completed by Oklahoma We’re looking ahead to see what City-based Cobb we want the airport to look like Engineering to 20 years from now.” help steer develDan Ohnesorge,director, opment of the growing airport. Enid Woodring Regional Airport “We’re looking ahead to see what we want the airport to 160,000 gallons,” he said. look like 20 years from now,” “(In 2010) we sold 220,000 Ohnesorge said. “In reality, gallons, and in 2011 we sold there’s a lot of things you 273,000 gallons.” can’t do because you don’t Fuel customers are civilian have the money to do them, and military. but we can look at the plan.”
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Supporting the community: T STARTS AT HOME Oakwood Mall strives to keep the local dollars working locally
By Cass Rains Staff Writer
Shoppers at Oakwood Mall can expect to get more out their shopping experience this year with great sales and big events. General Manager Kelly Goodwin said there are plans for more giveaways and events that will give shoppers even more reasons for visiting the largest metropolitan shopping area in northwest Oklahoma. “A lot of our focus this year is going to be making the customer’s shopping experience more colorful and enjoyable,” Goodwin said. “We want to cater to the customers.” The end of the year saw more shoppers visiting Oakwood Mall to reap benefits of sales and promotions. “During the holiday season our sales are up dramatically,” Goodwin said. “That kind of indicates to me people are shopping at home and spending their money locally, and that’s what we all need to do.” Oakwood Mall Marketing Manager Jennifer Pruitt said there are many special events planned for coming months. “In March we are having a ton of stuff,” she said. “We have lots of events going on this year.” • Just Between Friends will host a consignment sale March 1-4. • Garfield County Emergency Management Director Mike Honigsberg will present an Emergency and Weather Preparedness event from noon to 5 p.m. March 10. • On March 10, local Girl Scouts of America participants will celebrate their
100th anniversary of the organization in the mall’s Food Court. • An Easter Bunny Carnival is slated for noon March 24. “We should have carnival games and inflatables,” Pruitt said. “We’ll be giving out free candy and stuff.” Kids also can get photos taken with the Easter Bunny during the carnival. • In April, Oakwood Mall will host an art exhibit with works from
Upgrades to the system
about 20 students of Oklahoma Bible Academy. That event is scheduled for April 13-14. “We’re also looking for other schools and other arts groups to display art or artrelated crafts,” Pruitt said. “We’re looking for vendors, crafters and other homemade items to correlate with the art exhibit.” • May 4-6, Oakwood Mall and Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau will host SRS Eukanuba Superdogs Competition, which will be in front of the mall and feature some of the nation’s top dogs. “It’s a program that’s been on ESPN and the Versus network,” Goodwin said. • That same week, the Tri-State Music
In addition to events and special sales, Goodwin said major improvements are being made at Oakwood Mall. He said in the past two years, $1.3 million of upgrades have been done to the mall’s HVAC and roofing systems and exterior. Goodwin said mall staff focus continually on expansion. “We avidly seek new tenants on a daily basis from our corporate office in Denver and from here in Enid as well,” he said. “Right now, we’re working with several in-state, and out-ofstate, tenants.” He said he wants community members to shop locally and keep money in Enid. “Every dollar purchase you make in Enid goes back into the city, which goes back into roads and schools and capital expenditures, which also allows them to make investments into new business,” he said. “It’s really important no matter what you buy, you buy it here in Enid. “Anything that’s offered for sale, if you can purchase it here at home you should strive to do so.”
Dean Ladusau
Festival carnival will be at Oakwood Mall. The decades-old music competition also will post results from daily contests of the festival at the mall. • Goodwin said the mall will be working in conjunction with Eagle Marketing in July for Crazy Days. The Oakfest event will feature live music, sidewalk sales and its One Grand Crazy giveaway 6-9 p.m. July 28. One Grand Crazy Summer, Health Fair at Oakwood Mall, Dillard’s Bridal Fair (clockwise from top left) and Divalicious (above) are some of the events that have been hosted by Oakwood Mall. General Manager Kelly Goodwin (far left) and Oakwood Mall Marketing Manager Jennifer Pruitt (left) said in addition to events and special sales, major improvements are being made at Oakwood Mall. (Staff Photos and File Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
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in Enid Oklahoma
AdvancePierre Foods strives to remain largest employer in Enid by catering to its work force By Cass Rains Staff Writer
AdvancePierre Foods employees between 1,700 to 1,800 associates at its facilities, making it Enid’s largest employer. “We call them associates because employee just isn’t friendly enough,” said Janet Byrum, director of Human Resources Operations West. “We’ve got a lot going on. There are 30 to 60 openings on any given day.” Finding those associates takes work. Byrum said for every three people interviewed for a job, one is hired. The company has to get creative to attract the right people and be able to compete with job openings in the region’s oil fields. By offering stability of work and great health benefits, Byrum said the company keeps more than the majority of the associates it hires. “If we have 1,800 associate in Enid we retain about 80 percent of them,” she said. “We interview about three to hire one and then about 50 percent of those we hire make it through their 90-day probationary period.” Many companies struggle with turnover, but AdvancePierre Food is below the industry average. “Our turnover, while we hate it, is well below the industry average,” she said. “We’re really fortunate, even in times when we’re competing against the oil field.”
Right on schedule Byrum said the company tries to meet the scheduling needs of all of its associates. “We try to manage that work force so we’re being fair to the associates,” she said. “Our goal is to get associates 40 hours a week.” To accomplish that goal, workers may spend a few days at one facility and then a Saturday at another. Running two 10-hour shifts We call them associates because day, with a four-hour employee just isn’t friendly cleanup shift, product lines enough. We’ve got a lot going goals are being met by keepon. There are 30 to 60 openings ing associates busy. on any given day.” “We’ll utilize a lot of resources from other faciliJanet Byrum, director of Human Resources ties,” Byrum said. “We treat Operations West, AdvancePierre Foods it as Enid being one big group of associates.” “We’ve also migrated to 10-hour shifts,” she said. “You can actually meet your demands in four days and give yourself that extra day for maintenance and clean up, which is always important.” She said the company continues to invest capital in its Enid facilities and strives for further growth. “We have capacity here and the opportunity to take on some of those brands and continue to grow this business in the community,” Byrum said. “Enterprise is the largest and most state-of-the-art facility. We continue to enhance it with capital improvements. “We don’t see any let down,” she said. “AdvancePierre Foods continues to put money in the community and its products.” To apply for a job with AdvancePierre Foods go to www.advancepierre.com.
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The roots of the business
Workers package Philly-style steak meat on the production line at AdvancePierre Foods’ Willow Street facility. (Staff Photos by BILLY HEFTON)
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Headquartered in Cincinnati, AdvancePierre employs more than 4,500 people and operates processing facilities in Oklahoma, Ohio, Iowa, Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina. The company is a leading supplier of value-added protein and handheld convenience products to food service, school, retail, club, vending and convenience store channels. The company makes and distributes a full line of packaged sandwiches, cooked chicken and beef products, Philly-style steak, breaded beef, pork and poultry and bakery products. AdvancePierre Foods has its roots in three family owned and operated companies that have delivered safe, quality frozen foods for many decades. Samuel Dinerman, a young lawyer in Cincinnati, loved to eat and to cook. His culinary talents earned him the nickname “Pierre,” and when he founded his own business selling frozen food products to restaurants in 1946 he lent it his nickname. Founded in 1973 by Paul Allen and David McLaughlin, Advance Food Co. started by providing hamburger patties and breaded beef to local grocers and restaurants in Oklahoma. In 2001, a new company was formed when Advance Food joined forces with Excel Specialty Products, a subsidiary of Cargill, to form Advance Brands LLC. In September 2010, Pierre Foods Inc. merged with Advance Food Co. and Advance Brands LLC to create a new, diverse and industry-leading food company focused on meeting and exceeding the needs of customers and consumers throughout the country, according to company information. In May 2011, AdvancePierre Foods continued its growth by acquiring Barber Foods, a Portland, Maine-based company that manufactures and distributes stuffed chicken breasts as well as other chicken products.
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center
The
of diversity
Business development services cover broad spectrum for beginning and existing entrepreneurs in Enid, area By James Neal
the region’s economic development. “It’s important that we diversify here,” Strate said. “We’ve all seen the economy swing from one industry to another, and, having been through several booms and busts, I think the whole state would benefit from being more diversified.” Brian Gaddy, director of James W. Strate Center for Business Development, said Autry’s role in economic development goes beyond the center.
Staff Writer
When businesses make plans to expand or open a new facility, one of the key elements in their site selection is the availability of a welltrained work force. Autry Technology Center’s James W. Strate Center for Business Development and Business & Industry Services are working to provide that work force, support new and expanding businesses and boost Enid’s economic development. The business development center’s business incubator program I think the whole state plays a central role would benefit from in developing new being more diversified.” Enid businesses. “The working James Strate, president and CEO, philosophy of a Autry Technology Center business incubator is to help a community grow its own businesses,” said Autry Technology Center “It’s an Autry thing, not president and CEO James just a business development Strate. center thing,” Gaddy said. “Our role in economic “When you look at the larger companies that have development isn’t just about grown up here in Enid ... they building new businesses, it’s all started out having one or also about developing and two employees and have retaining our existing busigrown over the years. We nesses. The entire school realhave to focus on growing our ly focuses on helping deciown businesses that will sion-makers in existing busiattract people and help keep nesses, and we frequently call our young people here in the upon the entire school to support what we do in the busicommunity.” The business incubator ness development center.” does not focus on one indus“A new business may not try but, rather, favors a wide be someone who’s just startvariety of businesses, all of ing out, it may be someone which taken together add to who’s expanding or upgrad-
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ing an existing business,” Gaddy said. “A lot of the need for services comes from existing companies whose needs are changing, and they need help staying competitive in the market.” “Our job is to help those existing companies stay here and grow and expand when they have the opportunity,” said Autry Tech business and industry services director Terri Holle. “We work with 500 to 550 different companies each year, and that’s growing,” Holle said. She said companies in northwest Oklahoma “are going through a lot of change right now” due to growth in the oil and natural gas industry, expanding manufacturing capacity in the region and the resurgent national economy. “Our companies are really hitting a shortage of skilled labor force,” she said. “We’re growing more and more jobs, and we have a shortage of manpower to fill those jobs in any number of areas.” She said there currently are “at least 1,400 open skilled positions in northwest Oklahoma.” Autry helps companies train new and existing employees to move into those positions and to upgrade skills as job requirements change. Autry offers a variety of business and industry services, including help with business planning, professional development, strategic planning, succession planning, upgrading employee certifications, safety training, training on new equipment and
James W. Strate Center for Business Development plays a key role in local economic development. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)
machinery and management and leadership development. Brent Kisling, Enid Regional Development Alliance executive director said Autry “plays a significant role in Enid’s economic development.” “I didn’t fully understand all the roles they play in economic development until I got in this position and really got to see things from the inside out,” Kisling said. “A lot of people think technology centers are just about teaching kids a trade straight out of high school, but probably the biggest thing they do for economic development in Enid is to provide training for staff that come on board for our employers in town.” Supporting local businesses, and giving them the tools
to field a competitive work force, remains one of Autry’s major contributions to local economic development. “Enid is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and most of our major employers are businesses that started right here in town,” Kisling said. “We’ve never really had an organized approach to getting those businesses off the ground before, and that’s just one more component of what Autry does in this town.” “Existing businesses represent the lion’s share of where our new employee growth comes from, and Autry works with those businesses every day,” Kisling said. “The fact that Autry is the second-largest career tech center in the state means they have more training opportuni-
ties than many of the other centers do ... and that makes us more competitive having that training component here for those companies so they know they’re going to have a readily available pool of new, well-trained employees.” “A lot of people think economic development is all about creating jobs, but really the purpose of economic development is to create an environment in which growth can happen in the community, and Autry does a great job of enhancing that environment here in Enid, and I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful.” For information on Autry, the business development center or business and industry services, call 242-2750 or go to www.autrytech.edu.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
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Going downtown Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau spurring local economy By Phyllis Zorn Staff Writer
A new visitor’s information center in Enid’s historic downtown lends more visibility to Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re pretty much part of the economic development arm of the city,” said Marcy Jarrett, director of ECVB. By boosting Enid tourism, the bureau boosts spending in the community — and tax revenues — for city coffers. Each family or tour group that comes through town spends money at local businesses, such as restaurants, motels and retail stores. Enid boasts 800 hotel rooms and more than 100 restaurants. Recently installed signs on highways leading into town help direct visitors to the new office. In the last year, ECVB released Enid visitor guides and produced “Family Adventure” and “Weekend Getaway” videos for its own and the TravelOK.com websites. KMGL, KOCO, KWTV, KFOR are some of the broadcasters ECVB worked with during 2011 in producing programs promoting Enid. May 4-6 will bring the Super Retriever Series to Enid. The event will feature retriever trials and the Eukanuba Super Dock. The Super Retriever Series consists of three separate events: Retriever Trials, Super Fly and Super V. During this year, ECVB will focus its efforts on selling events to come to the renovated Convention Hall, scheduled to open in October, and Cherokee Strip Conference Center. Convention Hall is being renovated into a ballroom and meeting facility as part of the $24 million Enid Renaissance Project. “That’s a big focus for us,” said Jarrett, who also serves as interim manager for Cherokee Strip Conference Center until Keller Taylor begins his duties March 1.
Marcy Jarrett and Rob Houston (above) greet guests and residents at the Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau welcome center in the old Kress Building at 123 W. Maine. A replica of a Chisholm Trail marker (left) graces the west entrance of ECVB’s downtown center. (Staff Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)
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When Ordinary Just Won’t Do.
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Enid News & Eagle
Main
ATTRACTION
E NID ’ S
Chambers on the development of Enid’s downtown: ‘How far we’ve come’ By Jeff Mullin Senior Writer
In a famous recording by Joni Mitchell in 1969, she sings of looking at life “From both sides now.” Lindy Chambers can relate. She has looked at Main Street Enid from many sides, beginning in 1994 as a volunteer and now serving as the organization’s director. In the nearly 18 years she has been a part of Main Street Enid, Chambers has seen many changes downtown. Today, with downtown Enid literally going through a Renaissance, thanks to the revitalization project of the same name, she likes what she sees. “We like to think how far we’ve come since 1994 when Enid was declared a Main Street community,” she said.
spring and downtown Enid’s Oktoberfest every fall. Every month Main Street Enid sponsors First Friday, an evening to shop, dine and be entertained in downtown Enid, as well as Third Thursday featuring Turpin Tunes — an acoustic jam held at Turpin Theatre, inside the Gaslight Theatre building, at 221 N. Independence. “One of the things that Main Street is known for, because they are more visible, are our events,” Chambers said.
Living the dream
Main Street’s roots lie in the group Downtown Enid Inc., which was made up of downtown businessmen concerned about the future of downtown. “They were the ones who actually pursued becoming a Main Street community,” Chambers said. The Main Street program falls under National Trust for Historic Preservation. Main Street is dedicated not only to revitalizing downtowns but also preserving them. “Not everyone can become a Main Street community,” Chambers said. “They look at a community and how it has treated its history.” Since Enid had torn down a Carnegie Library decades earlier, National Trust took a long, hard look at the city’s efforts to become a Main Street community. But since being accepted into the program, Main Street Enid not only has been a part of the development of downtown but also the preservation of the city’s history. “We’re very excited with the attention and the planning that is now in place for downtown,” said Chambers. “We are very thrilled with these new plans and hope that the rest of the construction and the planning goes well and look forward to reaping the benefits of it for downtown and all of Enid.”
Over the years Main Street Enid, which receives no federal or state funding and instead depends on member investments, has poured more than $12 million into downtown improvements. Among the changes to downtown Chambers foresees in coming years is an increase in residential loft living. She envisions a return to the time when owners of downtown establishments lived upstairs of their businesses. “I think there is a need for that, a desire for that,” she said. “But with the new codes and everything, we do want to make sure they are all safe. I think our city does a good job of working with people to be realistic about what can and can’t happen.” More people living downtown, Chambers said, will mean more retail businesses. “There’s a saying in the Main Street groups that retail follows residential,” she said. “I definitely see that increasing.” Attracting more retail business is one of Chambers’ dreams for downtown Enid. “I think that’s all going to develop, along with the Renaissance,” she said. One of the changes coming for Enid Main Street is a new home. Later this year the group’s new offices will open in the old Newman’s Department Store building, a nonprofit center being developed by Community Development Support Association.
Enid’s ‘innate charm’
Sounds of music
Enid is one of the state’s larger Main Street communities, she said. “We really have a lot going for us,” she said. “The fact that our downtown is built around a Square, it has that innate charm that lends itself to people wanting to stroll around.” Main Street is governed by a board divided into four committees — design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization. “If you see an awning downtown, most likely it came through a grant from our design committee,” she said. Before Main Street, there was no al fresco dining in downtown Enid, since at that time eating outside was illegal. The organization worked with the city on developing an outdoor dining ordinance. “Our work is incremental,” said Chambers. Main Street has helped bring specialty shops, restaurants and professional offices to downtown. The group was involved in the development of Adventure Quest, the nation’s largest outdoor learning playground. The group also had a hand in the development of David Allen Memorial Ballpark and the renovation of Enid’s Symphony Center. Enid Lights Up the Plains, the annual downtown holiday season kickoff, is a Main Street project, as are Jazz Stroll in the
Another dream has come true, as live music has become a big part of downtown’s development, Chambers said, from First Friday and Third Thursday to the Enid Symphony Orchestra and the Jazz Stroll. “We see the whole area becoming more and more of a destination for live music,” she said. In November, Main Street Enid hosted the other 43 Oklahoma Main Street communities for a quarterly conference. Its theme was Enid’s burgeoning music scene. “We were able to show that we have music of all genres,” Chambers said. “That draws a lot of people downtown now.” Enid’s downtown restaurants are a draw, as well. “We think we’ve got some good building blocks there to continue building on,” Chambers said. “We think that we’ve got a local scene downtown that includes the great restaurants and the music venues.” Chambers’ experience as volunteer, member of the board of directors, assistant director and now director gives her a unique perspective on the organization. “Having worked in every area, I can relate to all of them,” she said. “It’s been eye-opening. It’s made me appreciate what we have here in Enid.”
Roots of the organization
Main Street Enid’s roots lie in the group Downtown Enid Inc., which was made up of businessmen concerned about the future of downtown. Lindy Chambers (above, inset), who has looked at Main Street Enid from many sides, beginning in 1994 as a volunteer and now serving as the Main Street Enid director, said her experiences with the organization have been “eye-opening.” Shops, events such as Enid Lights Up the Plains and First Friday and local restaurants (clockwise from top) make for a varied downtown experience. Chambers said completed projects and continued development of downtown have been a benefit to the community as well as to her personally. “It’s made me appreciate what we have here in Enid.” (Staff Photos and File Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)
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Enid News & Eagle
A Game of
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It’s just ‘oil play’ Most of the jobs are oil- and gas-related, with a need for about 800 drivers with commercial driver’s licenses. There also are openings for welders, machinists and painters. The second challenge is keeping Enid’s per capita income up, Kisling said. Throughout the years, Enid’s per capita income has continued to creep upward, but significant jobs, such as those with Continental Resources, are leaving, he said, and it will be a challenge to replace high-paying jobs. “We have a lot of jobs between $15 and $20 per hour, but trying to bring in those six-figure jobs is one of our challenges,” Kisling said. “A lot of those don’t come from new business. Our goal is helping companies with corporate headquarters or significant executive staffs in Enid to grow those staffs.” Enid will benefit from the Mississippi oil play north of the city. Kisling said he believes that is where most of the new sales tax growth came from, with people receiving royalty payments, plus there are a lot of oil and gas companies in town. “There are lots of trucks I haven’t seen before. That’s Enid benefiting from the oil play,” he said.
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We have a lot of jobs between $15 and $20 per hour, but trying to bring in those six-figure jobs is one of our challenges.”
Staff Writer
The work will be filling the 1,286 jobs that are available, said Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance. “The biggest challenge we face now is work force recruitment,” Kisling said. Those nearly 1,300 jobs are ones companies have open and are having trouble filling. Kisling said with the area unemployment rate around 4 percent, filling those jobs is difficult. “We spend a lot of time moving chess pieces on the board and will do more of it in 2012,” he said.
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strategy
Filling open jobs in area is a major goal for 2012 By Robert Barron
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Brent Kisling, executive director, Enid Regional Development Alliance
Winds of opportunity Another big opportunity for Enid is the $400 million investment in the wind farms. Kisling said that investment will bring more than $2.5 million in royalties to area residents over the next 20 years. TradeWind Energy will build 150 wind turbines in Garfield and Grant counties, and they should begin spinning by December. “TradeWind Energy will be the largest taxpayer in Garfield County,” Kisling said. “Next year, the top 10 stories will include TradeWind beginning operation. There are plenty of natural resources to collect royalty checks from in this part of the country.” The electricity from the wind farm will go to Alabama, so the income comes from another state, Kisling said. Kisling said there will be a big announcement regarding this, but he cannot reveal it yet.
Areas of growth are widespread There also will be some businesses going through expansion, he said. There will be growth in the health care industry in Enid, which Kisling characterized as “big.” Construction of the new control tower at Vance Air Force Base also will be done this year, and newly renovated Convention Hall will open. He said Enid Renaissance Project — the centerpiece of which is a new events center — will be an important improvement downtown. “Everything going on downtown ties into the first challenge, work force recruitment,” Kisling said.
Brent Kisling, executive director of Enid Regional Development Alliance, (top) said the biggest challenge economic development promoters in Enid face now is work force recruitment. Wind energy (above) is playing a larger role in the developing work force. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON / Staff File Photo)
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Enid News & Eagle
Lisa Smith (above) and Ashley Brown (below) operate a machine at Fence Solutions at James W. Strate Center for Business Development. The center works to guide entrepreneurs through the challenges of starting a business. (Staff Photos by BILLY HEFTON)
Ultimately one goal ... KICKING THEM OUT Local business development center ensures businesses start out right, keep going strong By James Neal Staff Writer
Taking a small business from concept to profitability requires a tremendous amount of hard work, knowledge of small business practices and a sound business plan. Business development experts at Autry Technology Center’s work to guide entrepreneurs through the challenges and pitfalls of a start-up business’ first three years in the center’s business incubator, designed as a “one stop shop” for new business owners. The incubator serves manufacturing and service industries by helping build business plans, providing operating space and support equipment, developing marketing plans and offering transition assistance to the open market. Autry Technology Center superintendent and CEO James Strate, namesake of the business development center, said the business incubator program helps new business owners anticipate the challenges of entrepreneurship and greatly improve their chances of success. “An important thing we do here is the coaching,” Strate said. “A lot of people don’t see all the parts that go into running a business when they get into it, like workers’ comp, budgeting, marketing and insurance, and we help them sort through all those processes.” “Even little things like having access to a commercial copier, secretarial services, meeting rooms ... those are all little things that add up, and by using those services here they don’t add to a start-up business’ overhead,” Strate said. “We’re really a onestop shop for start-up businesses.”
‘Here to help them succeed’ Brian Gaddy, director of the development center, said the biggest advantage to starting a business in the incubator program is it “gets the new business to a successful point quicker by doing the things they need to do up front.” “A lot of times as a start-up business you’re so focused on making money, you don’t step back and see what you’re doing,” Gaddy said. “We’re here to help them succeed by putting together a business plan, having someone visit with them to see if they’re following the plan, assess whether or not they need to make changes to the plan and then implement those changes.” New businesses operate in the incubator for up to three years, cutting their overhead facility and utility costs in those first crucial months. Utility costs start out at nil and are graduated throughout the three years to the expected
the fence to do it,” Breitenkamp said. “We found with a lot of our older producers and women, they didn’t have the strength to twist those old clips with a pair of pliers, but this is a lot easier.” The concept of Fence Solutions was born, but a lot of questions about getting the clips into production and on the market remained. Breitenkamp said the first step in answering those questions was building a business plan with the help of the business incubator staff.
costs the company will face in its own facility. “By the time they finish their third year, they’re priced at their budget to where they can step out there in the community without a big shock to their company,” Gaddy said. “And that’s really the goal, not to have them operating here in the building but to have them out there operating in the community.” Gaddy said the length of a company’s stay in the incubator Research will tell you in three “depends on a years time you’ll know if you’ll number of isbe able to make it or not.” sues,” with the most important Brian Gaddy, director, being its ability James W. Strate Center to establish a for Business Development customer base and get goods and service into the market. “Getting those products into the market is key because it generates cash, and in the business world cash is king,” Gaddy said. “The faster their goods and services get into the market, the sooner they will start to see cash flow and the sooner they’ll be able to step out into the community on their own.” New businesses can’t stay in the incubator indefinitely; after three years the new business is expected to be self-sufficient in “It its own location. “Research will tell you in three t o o k years time you’ll know if you’ll s e v e r a l be able to make it or not,” Gaddy weeks to get said, “and with the experience that done,” Breiwe’re having here that has held tenkamp said. “We thought at the time, ‘Man, this true.” is really involved,’ but what we’re Starting a small business finding now is that business plan Randy Breitenkamp, co-owner is answering a lot of questions that of Fence Solutions Inc., is near- are coming up now. It opens up ing the end of his three-year stay your mind and gets you thinking about those issues that might come in the business incubator. Breitenkamp and his business up, and it helps them make sure partner, Jim Snow, moved into they’re bringing in a viable busithe incubator in September 2009 ness.” with little more than a plan to It’s the little things produce a new type of t-post clip, Breitenkamp, who had been used to hold wire and fencing to self-employed as a cattle broker posts. “A guy in Wichita came up for 25 years before starting with the idea for this new t-post Fence Solutions, was surprised clip and got the patent, but he by the assistance available couldn’t produce it,” Breiten- through the business incubator. “It had always been just up to kamp said. While working with Okla- me, and I come out here and homa State University, he and there’s all these people who Snow were introduced to the t- want to help and make sure you post clip patent on the design and succeed,” he said. “I had never development of a molded plastic even known something like this was available, but it’s been fence brace. “One of the main selling invaluable. points was how much quicker and “When you’re thinking about easier it is to put on the clips, and starting a business a lot of times you don’t have to reach through you don’t stop and think about
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OF THE NEST all the little things like copiers, computers and other things like that you’ll need, but having those things available here has meant we didn’t have to purchase them, and that’s helped out a lot.” With a business plan complete, Breitenkamp and Snow turned to the task of production. They secured a royalty agreement to produce on the patent, with plans to eventually buy the patent rights. But, finding machinery to produce the new tpost clips proved difficult. Fence Solutions turned to a tooling designer in Chouteau to design new machinery for their company. With the help of Autry’s Training for Industry Program, Fence Solutions employees were
able to work with the tooling designer to set up a production line, learn the machinery procedures and put the new clips into production. “When that machine came in here we couldn’t even decide which end the wire went in,” Breitenkamp said, standing between his new machines and 1,600-pound rolls of wire, each of which will be unspooled through the machines to make as many as 90,000 t-post clips. “He set the machine up to where it would work right, then he kind of messed it up and made us put it back together so it would work again,” Breitenkamp said. “Now, I could probably take it apart and put it back together in the dark.”
Working to get out on their own Fence Solutions went from writing its business plan to putting its first clips on the market
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in little more than three months. Breitenkamp attributed that progress largely to the assistance of the incubator staff. “They helped me define my customer base, and once we got it into production the first thing we did was take it to a lot of farm shows to introduce it to the producers,” Breitenkamp said. He said the business has since seen “slow, steady growth” and now is marketing its product through distributors as far away as Colorado, South Dakota and Illinois. Fence Solutions now employees nine in two shifts, working two production machines, and the company has purchased a production facility where it will carry on after its incubator graduation. “As we’ve grown we knew the business was going to succeed, but we also knew we were going to have to be out of here in three
years,” Breitenkamp said. “They helped us line up the financing for our new facility, and they’ve helped with everything from warehouse layout to production so we’ll be ready to go when we make that move.” Breitenkamp urged other prospective entrepreneurs to avail themselves of the services offered at the business incubator. “I would highly urge anyone who’s interested in starting a business to come out here, look into their program and take advantage of what they have to offer,” he said. “I thought that business plan was way and above what we needed, but it has been tremendously helpful. I can’t say enough about the help they’ve given me here.” “When you’re thinking about your business you can’t believe, or don’t want to believe, that it would ever fail,” Breitenkamp said. “But, they make you see where it could fail, and they help you deal with those problems ahead of time so you can succeed.”
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Enid News & Eagle
Sunday, February 19, 2012
business
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PLAN
You provide vision, work, OSBDC offers experience By James Neal Staff Writer
The task of starting or expanding a business requires careful planning, sound business knowledge and a lot of work. And, for new entrepreneurs, it usually entails learning and implementing new skills. But, aspiring small business owners don’t have to tackle business planning and management on their own. Oklahoma Small Business Development Center offers a variety of free business development and management services through its regional office on the Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityEnid campus.
Expanding across northwest Oklahoma OSBDC opened its first regional small business development center in Alva in 1985 on Northwestern’s main campus. Since then, OSBDC has opened 15 more regional offices, including the Enid location. Each of the offices offers free, confidential, one-on-one counseling, business planning and management consulting and a variety of workshops on business practices, laws and regulations. Jeanne Cole, center coordinator for Enid OSBDC, said most OSBDC business development specialists “come to the job with previous experience owning or operating a small business.” “The business experience of our staff is incredibly helpful,” Cole said. “Having owned and operated your own business gives you insight into the business world and gives you knowledge you can’t get from a book, and we’re able to pass that experience on to someone looking to start their own business.”
Starting down the right path The OSBDC staff offers individualized counseling for aspiring entrepreneurs to take a business from initial concept to fruition. The first step in that process is assessing the viability of the business and planning its first crucial years by writing a business plan. Cole said OSBDC staff members are there to help start-up business owners with that initial assessment and planning. “You can tell in 20 to 30 minutes if they’ve really thought things through, and if they haven’t it’s our job to guide them and help them see the right path,” Cole said. “Sometimes on that path they decide they can’t do this, but that’s entirely their choice. We don’t make up their mind for them, but it’s our goal to provide good information so people can succeed in business.” By helping new entrepreneurs build a business plan, Cole said the OSBDC staff members “help put the new entrepreneurs on the path to success.” “A lot of visionary people just need to see that first step, and see the path, and then they’re ready to take it and run with it,” she said. OSBDC services don’t stop when a new business opens its doors. Cole said the center helps existing businesses plan for expansion and manage change with ongoing management consulting needs. “A lot of times people get so busy working in their business they don’t have time to work on their business,” she said. “We can help them refine their financial direction so they have some opportunities for growth.”
Avoiding costly mistakes While helping businesses get started and profitable are central goals of OSBDC, business development specialist Lisa Bland-Selix said the center’s staff also is focused on helping aspiring business owners avoid costly mistakes. “Our goal isn’t just to see someone go into business but also to prevent someone from losing all of their life savings by making bad decisions when they do go into business,” BlandSelix said. “Sometimes that’s as much a success as having someone actually start a business ... helping them avoid a bad business decision.” For businesses that do make it to fruition, Bland-Selix said the business planning and ongoing consulting services are “really tailored to the individual business.” “We’re the first ones to tell you if we don’t have the answer, but if we don’t have the answer we’re going to find it for you. We have a whole network of people we can reach out to, and our services are really going to be customized to your individual needs,” Bland-Selix said. “Starting a business is a pretty big undertaking, and there’s a lot of facets to it. We’ll help you get focused in on the target and really see your destination with your business plan.”
Retha Wegmiller stirs a pot of sweet and sour chicken at the Angel Delight kitchen. Wegmiller, owner of Angel Delight Bakery, Catering and Tea Room LLC, knows firsthand the value of
when she started seeking OSBDC counseling services for her start-up business in 2003. She said the free counseling was invaluable in planning for details that might otherwise have been overlooked.
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Send me an Angel Retha Wegmiller, owner of Angel Delight Bakery, Catering and Tea Room, LLC knows firsthand the value of OSBDC services to a new business owner. Wegmiller was working as a legal assistant
If you’ve got the heart and the drive to open your business, and you’re committed to putting in a lot of hours to get your business going and keep it going, then you can succeed.” Missy Cole, OSBDC business development specialist
“They help you see the things a small business needs to do,” Wegmiller said. “It’s just a must to get that help,” she said, “because they’re going to help you with putting your plan in focus, getting the legal aspects down and developing the framework for your business so it’s successful for a long time.” Wegmiller said OSBDC counseling services can help a new business owner balance
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OSBDC services to a new business owner after she sought counseling services through the center for her start-up business in 2003. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON / OSBDC logo at osbdc.org)
costs and benefits of hiring out services such as accounting and payroll. “They’ll help you know what you can do in-house and what areas where you might want some outside help, and they’ll help you build that team that you’re going to need to rely on ... they give you great guidelines,” she said. She encouraged existing business owners to take advantage of OSBDC services to manage expansion and changes in business needs and structure. “As you grow and get bigger it becomes even more important to get things organized and keep up with it,” Wegmiller said. Angel Delight has seen significant changes in its business model throughout the last nine years. What started as a candy company and custom bakery soon developed into a full-service catering business. A walk-up retail location was added at Oakwood Mall in fall 2010. Angel Delight recently closed its Oakwood Mall location to refocus the company’s efforts on catering, custom baking and the tea room at 417 S. Washington. Wegmiller also is planning to expand the company’s catering services to include family style meals-to-go and meals custom-made to meet individuals’ dietary needs. “My passion is providing that individualized service to take care of people’s dietary needs,” Wegmiller said. “That’s my goal ... to really grow that service so people can come home to a good, family style meal.”
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Be ready to work Wegmiller recommended start-up business owners seek advice of OSBDC staff, other business owners and Autry Technology Center’s business development specialists before opening a business or making significant changes or expansion. And then, she said, “be ready for a lot of hard work.” “When you’re serious about starting a business, you have to think about it as a long-term thing,” Wegmiller said. “It’s not a hobby. If you want a hobby, go get a hobby. If you want to start a business, it’s going to be hard and it’s going to take a lot of work.” Missy Cole, business development specialist at OSBDC’s Enid office, said it’s a good time to start a business for those willing to put in that hard work and planning. “This is a really exciting time for small businesses in Enid, and I think it’s only going to get better,” Missy Cole said. “If you’ve got the heart and the drive to open your business, and you’re committed to putting in a lot of hours to get your business going and keep it going, then you can succeed. And the first step is just to email or call us.” For information on OSBDC services go to www.osbdc.org, email Missy Cole at micole@nwosu.edu, call her at 213-3112, or visit in person on the NWOSU-Enid campus, 2929 E. Randolph, room 124.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012
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