LETTER
DEFINING BUSINESS SUCCESS
S
By Theresa Harvey, President and CEO mall business is the heart of every community. As Chamber President, I have interfaced with a variety of business owners and entrepreneurs. What is it that separates successful entrepreneurs from those who struggle or fail? Below are some of my observations from years of being a business consultant, observer and supporter.
2017-18 Board of Directors Executive Committee Marty Burbank J.D., LL.M., Chair OC Elder Law
Javier Solis, CHA, Chair Elect Holiday Inn Buena Park
Michael Williams, Vice Chair Williams Insurance Company
Stan Kwak, Vice Chair, Finance Voit Commercial Real Estate
Emily France, Past Chair Southern California Gas Company
Board Members Alex Burrola
FSB Core Strategies
Sueling Chen, Ed.D., M.B.A Arborland Montessori Education Center
DruAnn Copping St. Jude Medical Center
Rosalina Davis Tlaquepaque Restaurant
Christopher DeCaro Kneadle
Helen Eligio Farmers and Merchants Bank
Cherry Li-Bugg, Ph.D. North OC Community College District
Rick McAuley McAuley LCX Corporation
Kevin Pendergraft Pacific Community Credit Union
Jim Roeder Kimberly Clark Corporation
Carlos Salazar
portrait by Paul McKelvey
1) Be Passionate. Starting a business takes time. Many successful business people faced failure before finding success. You need to love what you are doing. Thinking about your business day and night will be difficult to do if you are distracted along the way. Passion will aid in your efforts to be creative and maintain the energy it takes for success.
2) Be innovative. Make sure you are offering fresh products, new services and unique ideas. By continually innovating, you will be able to anticipate the marketplace and adapt to new opportunities. Innovation wins. 3) Take risks. Mark Zuckerberg once said, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk…In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risk.” I add, make sure you carry a parachute. Great risk can also mean great failure. As an entrepreneur, you must be willing to take great risks…financially and personally. Whether that is a financial backer or a person willing to listen, develop your support system. 4) Be a leader. Positioning yourself as a leader does not mean you have all the answers, but establishing yourself as one who is capable of being confident in the decisions you make can help establish your reputation. The relationships you establish help you build loyalty and trust among your employees, your customers and your investors. Your ability to establish yourself as leader gains your company credibility, loyalty and strength. 5) Look for mentors who can guide and assist you as you fulfill your dream. Whether it’s at your local Chamber of Commerce, your SCORE office, the SBDC or a trusted friend, talk with those who can assist you along the way. This issue of Issue we took an opportunity to talk with a number of business leaders to discuss what has made their small business enterprises successful.
Salazar Associates
Katie Wanamaker, CPM M&D Properties - The Source
Chairman’s Circle Sponsors
Staff Theresa Harvey President & CEO
Derek Kirk Dir. of Community & Government Relations
Sarah McKelvey Executive Assistant
Gabriel Sauceda Economic & Workforce Development Coordinator
Eileen Tiffany Membership Services Coordinator
Jacquelyn Campana Graphic Designer
Fred Kushner & Amelia Tate Customer Service Representatives
444 N. Harbor Blvd., #200, Fullerton, CA 92832 NOCChamber.com (714) 871-3100 To view the online version of this magazine, visit issuu.com/NOCChamber.
NOCChamber.com
5
