OCTOBER 2016
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THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Smal Business tune up
The Center for Business & Innovation and the City of Olympia team up to improve the chance of small business success.
meet THE 2017 ltc class what’s your Exit Strategy? sTART uP PLAYBOOK: Olympia CPA B UI L DI NG CO MMUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 14 0 YEARS
MAMMO MIA! Early detection is the key to successful treatment Are you a woman age 40 or older? Do you remember when you last had a mammogram? If it’s been longer than a year, it’s time to schedule another! Having a regular mammography screening can be a valuable, lifesaving tool in identifying breast cancers early, when they are localized and a greater range of treatment are available. In fact, when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, the American Cancer Society reports a relative five-year survival rate of 99 percent! So why wait? Talk to your primary care physician and call us today to schedule a screening, which is fully covered by most insurance plans.
Schedule your screening today! Call 360-704-4750 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW • Olympia, WA 98502 • 360-754-5858 • 888-677-9757 • capitalmedical.com
Capital Medical Center is partly owned by some of the physicians who serve our patients.
©2016 BCI
Featuring...
CONTENT & CALENDAR
Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums & workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.
In this issue...
6 Caught in the Lens Photos from Chamber events.
Oct. 4
Morning Mixxer at Visiting Angels Enjoy delicious food and plenty of coffee when Visiting Angels of Olympia hosts the October Morning Mixxer. Visiting Angels provides
TuneUp
elder care services to families across Thurston County.
Small Businesses in Thurston County learn how to improve systems for long-term sustainability.
When? Oct. 4 at 7:30 a.m. Where? 4325 Lacey Blvd., Lacey.
Oct. 6
YPN at Hotel RL Olympia Y The Thurston Chamber Young Professionals (YPN) Network is a great place to interact with younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment. Join us at Hotel RL Olympia on Thurs., Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m., 2300 Evergreen Park Dr, Olympia.
Oct. 12
Chamber Forum Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia for our Monthly Forum. Boeing Vice President, Bill McSherry, is our keynote speaker this month. Boeing is now looking forward to its second 100 years, and they want to celebrate and thank you, our community.
Oct. 20
Bite of Business After Hours Share an evening of networking at the Hotel RL while experiencing the culinary diversity available in Thurston County! Mark your calendar for the Chamber’s Bite of Business After Hours Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel RL Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. SW, Olympia.
Oct. 26
Networking Just Got Smarter! Discover Speed Networking using Smart Match Software! When? October 26 from 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the TwinStar Event Center at SPSCC's Lacey Campus. Price: $50 for Chamber Members, $75 for non-members. The first 50 to register get a professional head shot!
For more event information, please visit www.thurstonchamber.com
www.thurstonchamber.com
9
12 NR Smith & Associates Norm Smith talks about the importance of creating an exit strategy.
15 LTC Class of 2017 Meet the new Leadership Thurston County class.
16 Startup Playbook Meet Ben Anderson, the owner of Olympia CPA.
21 New Members Every other month we highlight the new members of the Thurston County Chamber. Welcome!
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 3
PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
EDITORIAL Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com
CONTRIBUTORS Natasha Ashenhurst David Schaffert
Planning for success
W
e're celebrating small businesses, and we’re talking about how to
Jessica Coen Morgan Willie Krystal Barkus
encourage not only growth, but smart growth
Alisha Blain
ADVERTISING
and long-term sustainability. To learn more
To learn more about advertising in the VOICE Magazine contact our sales and
about efforts that the Center for Business &
marketing specialists: Marny Bright, Beth Johnson, Korey Twombly or Blake Knoblauch.
Innovation, the City of Olympia and the Small
Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
Business Administration are taking, read the
SUBSCRIPTIONS
"TuneUp" story on Page 8. We also talked to
Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
two Certified Public Accountants—one at
DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio
the beginning of a career and one talking
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
about his exit strategy. What we learn is the
For this issue of the VOICE we interviewed two CPAs about start-ups and exits, and we learn about programs available for small businesses to improve their chance of scalability and long-term success.
Mosaic Marketing Studio Photo of Dean Jones of Encore Teas and Chocolates
power of beginning with the end in mind, the importance of thinking about your legacy and
PRINTING Print NW
that there is no perfect time to follow your
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
By, David Schaffert, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER PRESIDENT/CEO & Jessica Coen, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR
dream and start your own business.
PO Box 1427 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 357-3362 Website: www.thurstonchamber.com
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS
COPYRIGHT
DIAMOND INVESTORS:
Email: info@thurstonchamber.com
All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements.
Anchor Bank Capital Medical Center Heritage Bank Phillips Burgess Physicians of Southwest Washington Port of Olympia Xerox Services
PLATINUM INVESTORS America's Credit Union - Lacey Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
4 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Print NW Providence St. Peters Saint Martin's University TwinStar Credit Union Washington Business Bank
GOLD INVESTORS Express Employment Professionals First Citizens Bank Cabinets by Trivonna Columbia Bank The Creative Office
FirstLight Home Care GHB Insurance Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management Mantis Graphix Jessica Jensen Law PS Nicholson & Associates Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy RHD Enterprises Hotel RL Olympia Saint Martin’s University SCJ Alliance TAGS
www.thurstonchamber.com
Caught in the Lens...
6 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
A collection of photos taken at Chamber events during August and September
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Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 7
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Jason Phillips owns Zoe Juice Bar. Phillips completed the ScaleUp program and is enrolled in TuneUp.
Small Businesses Get a TuneUp
In 2013 Jason Phillips was in the process of opening his own business. He went to the City of Olympia to fill out required paperwork, and he said he naïvely expected a high-five, some congratulations or maybe a simple smile. After all, he knew that according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses are the economic engine of a robust economy and here he was, opening his very own small business! Nope. All he got was some paperwork to fill out and he was out the door and on his own—or so it seemed.
By Natasha Ashenhurst
F
ast forward to 2016 and his business—Zoe Juice Bar—is thriving. It turns out that Jason wasn’t on his own. In fact, there is a lot of support for small businesses in Thurston County— including a little extra right now for businesses located within the City of Olympia limits. More on that in a bit. Early this year, Jason took part in a program called ScaleUp,
made available through the Center for Business & Innovation and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ScaleUp Thurston is one of only 15 SBA-supported pilot programs available throughout the country—and the only one in the Pacific Northwest—that targets businesses that have annual revenues between $150,000 and $500,000 and have been in business for at least two years. “Research shows that most job creation is occurring in small businesses, but it’s not with new startups. Instead, it’s with second tier businesses – those that have gotten past those early operational hurdles, have customers and income. They’re the ones most ready to scale,” said Celia Nightingale, director of the Center for Business &
8 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
Dean Jones owns Encore Chocolates and Teas Tee and the Encore Tea Bar located in the New Caldonia Building downtown. Dean Jones began TuneUp in September. make too much, too little or have been
on planning and marketing and less
in business less than two years. We
on the day-to-day management of their
“ScaleUp training lasts 14 weeks, three
recognized the need to offer another
operation.
hours a week, and is a growth-oriented
course that could prepare business
immersion program designed specifically
owners for ScaleUp,” said Celia. “We see
This new program gives businesses
for business owners ready to double or
so many businesses teetering on the edge
strategies and tools to improve internal
triple their sales,” she said. And, according
of sustainability.”
systems. Once good systems are in place
Innovation.
they can focus on growth—growth that
to business owners like Jason, the program is a huge success.
This led to a conversation between the
also allows for a balanced life and time
Center for Business and Innovation, the
away from the business.
“ScaleUp helped us create a vision and
City of Olympia about developing a new
develop creative ideas for growth,” said
program.
Normally the eight-week class is $395, but 30 businesses located within the City
Jason. “It provides an incredible overview of mission, financials, marketing and
“They were so thrilled with this idea,
of Olympia get in for free. The first class
culture. It really gets you thinking about
something that could help shore
began this fall; another will begin this
your business at a new level and how to
businesses up internally—that they set
winter and presumably 2-3 times per year
make it succeed.”
aside funds for 30 businesses located
into the future.
within city limits to participate. So, the And while ScaleUp is succeeding in
Center developed the curriculum for a
Daryl Murrow is the instructor of both
helping Thurston County businesses scale,
new program called TuneUp.
programs and is a business owner and consultant who lives what he teaches.
restrictions put in place by the SBA means that there are many business owners who
ScaleUp helps business owners learn
can’t participate.
innovative ways to scale their business
“I went from working 50-60 hours per
and TuneUp helps business owners
week in my former retail store. When
“We’ve had people interested in [ScaleUp]
develop internal systems that improve
I applied the techniques that I teach in
who either don’t fit these criteria,
efficiencies and allows owners to focus
TuneUp I was able to work much less
Continued on page 10 www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 9
Continued from page 9 because I had systems in place that
Jason—the owner of Zoe Juice bar—
allowed me to do other things. I know
agrees. He said, “I think [TuneUp]
what people are going through and I
will help improve our business
know how to take that frustration and
systems and will teach us how to
create solutions that allow owners
run our business so our business
to take control yet work less in their
doesn’t run us. We’ve got a lot of
business,” he said.
good systems in place already, but for me, finding tools that I can use
Dean Jones is the owner of Encore
to make our operation even better is
Chocolates and Teas, located in the New
invaluable.”
Caldonia Building downtown, and began TuneUp in September. He explained
When asked if he thinks TuneUp
what drew him to the program stating,
is a good investment by the City
“We’ve been in business for three years
he said, “I think anything the
and we’ve experienced rapid growth.
City of Olympia is doing to help
We’re doing well, but we think it will be
support business growth is great.
beneficial to rethink our systems, to see
I believe the City is looking to
what’s working and what’s not working,”
create a business-friendly culture
he said.
that is thriving and vibrant, so we need programs like this in place.
Dean understands the trap that running
Programs like this can transform
a small business can hold for owners—
your business and give you hope.”
that they can quickly reach burn-out and lose the energy and enthusiasm that
Celia agrees. She said, “We want
led them to start the business in the first
these business owners to be
place.
successful. We’re here to offer advice,
Daryl Murrow is the instructor of ScaleUp and TuneUp we’ll give high-fives too.” ●
technical support, encouragement, and
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 11
Norm Smith stands in front of NR Smith & Associates, PS on Caton Way in West Olympia.
What's Your Exit Strategy?
B
egin with the end
over 42-years ago, and it is a principle
in mind. This
that, today, makes his plans to exit his
is a principle
business relatively painless.
made famous by
Smith was born and raised in Olympia.
Stephen Covey in
After graduating from North Thurston
his classic book,
High School, he attended University of
Seven Habits for Highly Successful People.
Puget Sound with a degree in business
It is a principle that Norm Smith, founder of
and emphasis in accounting.
NEXT FEW YEARS AS WELL AS
Olympia’s NR Smith & Associates has lived
After graduation, Smith went to work for
STRATEGIES OTHER BUSINESS
by and has taught to clients over the years.
Lybrand Ross Brothers (now Pricewater
OWNERS CAN USE TO PLAN.
It is a principle that helped him build a
Coopers) and later Peterson Sullivan in
HERE'S NORM SMITH'S STORY.
successful CPA and financial planning firm
Seattle. His entire professional career
IN SEPTEMBER WE HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH NORM SMITH, THE FOUNDER OF NR SMITH & ASSOCIATES. WE TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NR SMITH, ABOUT HIS PLANS TO EXIT OVER THE
12 • October 2016 Thurston County tyy Chamber VOICE
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has been in public accounting. In 1974 he and his wife, Gayle made the decision to move back to Olympia to raise a family. Norm took over Frost, Pearson and Woody’s office. It was a three person CPA firm in Shelton. The firm provided bookkeeping and tax preparation services to mostly timber and Christmas tree industry-related clients. In July 1976, Smith bought the office and—after merging with a Lacey practice and consolidating offices—moved to the Westside of Olympia. In 1993 Smith built the office on Caton Way where NR Smith is located today. “When I took over the Frost office, it was a typical bookkeeping and tax preparation practice. As time went on it became apparent that I did not want to be in the bookkeeping business—my background was in the areas of accounting and auditing—so we transitioned into focusing on auditing and financial planning,” said Smith. That was the early 1980s and financial planning was an emerging financial discipline. “We were breaking into a market that hadn’t been there,” said Smith. “Our clients were seeking help with finance management issues including general retirement planning, and effective long-term income and estate tax planning.” Clients also needed help developing solid financial plans, including tax planning and managing investment portfolios on an objective, holistic fee-only basis. Smith hired certified financial planners (CFP) and chartered financial advisors in addition to his team of CPAs. Smith, too, became a CFP. That was over 30 years ago, and today the financial management side of the business is thriving.
Develop an Exit Strategy Early On As the owner of a CPA and financial planning firm, Norm Smith has some thoughts about steps business owners need to take to one day retire, including developing a robust business strategy with a clear vision and goals. “In essence, what I’ve seen is that there are a lot of
www.thurstonchamber.com
small businesses that don’t have a reason for existing. You need to be able to answer who your competition is and why you are different,” he said. When Smith or his team meets with a new client, they’ll ask to see your business plan. If you don’t have a solid plan, they’ll work with you until you do. Smith and his team believe that good planning is the solid foundation to build a business on. He also observes another reason many businesses don’t make it beyond the micro stage. He said, “There are often two types of people that start a small business. There are people who are great at marketing and there are people who are great at the technical aspect of their business. It is unusual for someone to be good at both and that is the reason that the vast majority of businesses remain small. And the problem with a tiny business is when you get to the end of the road, what do you have? What is your legacy?” In the early days of building a business, Smith advises clients to have a vision of where they are going and to build around that, including tax planning and resource management. He also cautions that growth requires sacrifice. He said, “In the beginning, your primary source of capital will be retained earnings. This is hard for many business owners because they are earning a great income and don’t want to set any of that income aside, but growth requires this. Eventually, you’ll be able to do some borrowing.” He also suggests having a trusted team of advisors, including a CPA, an attorney and a great personal banker. “Your relationship with your banker is key. I was fortunate to work with Nina Maurer for years. She wasn’t intimidated by me. She told me what’s what. Find that kind of relationship,” he said.
Growth Strategy—Hire Great People “One path to growth—the path I chose, is developing good people,” he said. “Get the right people on the bus in the right seats. People are not a fixed asset, but are far more productive and a better
investment.” This decision to hire great people is also the reason that Norm Smith will be able to slowly exit the business he built 42-yearsago. Dan Mortensen, a CPA at the firm who joined NR Smith after working for 10 years as an accountant and project manager in the construction industry is now a principle shareholder at the firm and will slowly take ownership over a three-year transition period. “We try and make decisions together, but I will initially assess new opportunities and then review it with Norm,” said Mortensen. “It is fair to say the transition period is awkward,” admits Smith. “It is nice when you get to call the shots. Now I have to ask Dan, ‘What do you think of this?’ His opinions are not always the same as mine and we have to work through that,” he said. Mortensen too advises clients to start planning an exit strategy as early as possible. “Don’t wait,” he said. “Put together an exit strategy well ahead of the time you want to exit. When people procrastinate, the result is less than desirable. Good succession planning means that when you go to sell the business or turn over the business to someone else, it will be worth more than the value listed on the balance sheet.”
What’s next for Mr. Smith? When asked if he is working less, Smith answers that he is still at about 2,200 hours per year (that’s 42.3 hours per week for non-CPAs) but that his wife really wants him to slow down. She wants him to do more biking, golfing and to spend more time with their grandchildren. Smith isn’t so sure. He loves his work, the business he’s built and the clients and employees he counts as friends. As it turns out, creating an exit strategy was easy, but actually walking out the door—quite difficult. ●
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 13
creating a positive climate for business and community
ADVOCACY UPDATE
One of the Thurston County Chamber’s primary missions is advocacy, which can take many forms—providing beneficial services and products to Chamber members; supporting nonprofit, education and government organizations; and, of course, lobbying government bodies on issues impacting business and community. Here are a few of the issues we are actively engaged in this month:
The Port of Olympia will construct Swantown Fueling Station In 2008, local citizens signed a petition and submitted it to the Port Commission asking the Port to construct and operate the long-planned fuel dock in Olympia. In September, after years of planning and discussion, the Port of Olympia commissioners voted to award a construction contract for a new fuel dock at Swantown Marina. The Chamber was involved in this process since inception. The fueling station will allow Thurston County to better serve our marine and
Economic Development Takes Center Stage at Candidates Forum
tourism industry.
In September, the Thurston County Chamber invited candidates vying for open Thurston County Commissioner seats to speak in a debate moderated by Doug Mah. The subject of economic development in Thurston County and the importance of creating a culture that encourages business growth was foremost in the candidates' remarks.
Doug Mah to coordinate Chamber's Public Policy Division We believe that coordinated and collaborative public policy initiatives help to create a more vibrant community. Engagement in public policy issues on behalf of individual members and organizations is at the core of the Chamber’s mission. Our work in public policy ranges from local land-use and permitting to the direct appropriations of state capitol dollars for regional projects. The Chamber's expanded public policy team, led by Doug Mah, will engage in public policy developments facing our region. In addition to Mah, the team will include legal counsel and a public relations expert to sharpen and focus our engagement. The Chamber’s Public Policy team will assist in the coordination of the Chamber led Shared Legislative Partnership, organize community resources and experts, work with the entire Thurston County Legislative Delegation, develop tools and implement strategies to support critical issue management. We look forward to providing this expanded service to our members and the greater community.
14 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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LEADERSHIP THURSTON COUNTY
LTC Class of 2017 Takes the Stage by Alisha Blain, LTC Coordinator
Corinne Daffern, PacMtn Workforce Dev.
Nick Milner, Jessica Jensen Law PS
The LTC Class of 2017 kicked off a
Council
Alyssa Nastasi, Saint Martin's University
new year at the September 8 Opening
Matthew DeBord, Timberland Bank
Erica Olsen, WA State Employment
Retreat. Participants meet monthly
Jim Downing, Thurston County Sheriff's
Security Department
from September through June to learn
Office
Ken Pekola, Olympia Federal Savings
about current issues, make community
Donna Feddern, Timberland Regional
Lee Peterson, Intercity Transit
connections and explore ways to get
Library
David Ross, The Strong Center Health &
involved. LTC is a community-based
Dave Forsberg, Capital Medical Center
Fitness
leadership development program of the
Kari Fye, Group Health
Sierra Roundy, Lacey South Sound
Thurston County Chamber Foundation.
Charlie Groth, City of Tumwater
Chamber
Introducing the LTC Class of 2017
Traci Hansen, Thurston EDC
Colleen Rust, The Evergreen State College
Pamela Hartman Beyer, Thurston County
April Slee, Senior Services for South
Superior Court
Sound
Bill Baker, Hands On Children's Museum
Talia Hastie, Evergreen Christian School
Luenna Snider, Anchor Bank
Justin Boyes, LOTT Clean Water Alliance
Cari Hornbein, City of Olympia
Shauna Stewart, Visitor & Convention
Jon Brein, TwinStar Credit Union
Rachael Jamison, Port of Olympia
Bureau
Tyanna Canales, Lucky Eagle Casino
Amal Joury, Goldstein Law Offices, PLLC
Joanne Stimac, Thurston County Chamber
Jennifer Carter, SPSCC
Jon Kalar, Tumwater Fire Department
of Commerce
Connie Cobb, City of Olympia
Ashley Labrador, O Bee Credit Union
Meghan Sullivan, TOGETHER!
Cynthia Collins, Precisely Right
Anne Larsen, SPSCC Foundation
Jacob Williams, Fairchild Record Search
Accounting
Josh Metcalf, HDR Engineering, Inc.
Introducing the LTC Class of 2017
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 15
STARTUP PLAYBOOK
Taking a Leap of faith Ben Anderson waited for the perfect time to start his own business, Olympia CPA, PLLC, and realized there is no perfect time.
F
by Morgan Willie
Ben Anderson, Olympia CPA, PLLC
or as long as he can
“If I graduated college and
CPA exam at South Puget
remember, Olympia
had the courage to just
Sound Community College.
CPA Ben Anderson
step out and even just start
has always wanted to be in
selling hotdogs, I would have
business for himself. While
done that,” Anderson said.
pursuing a college degree,
“But, I’m a little financially
Anderson found that subjects
conservative.”
such as business, economics and finance appealed to him over all else. Under the right financial conditions, Anderson would have immediately formed a small business just out of college, but what he saw upon his graduation in 2010 was a poor economy, troubled by
“I made a very calculated decision – very ‘CPA’ of me, very ‘accounting’ of me – to make this decision to go into accounting. It’s a high
Anderson took a step back,
demand field with very low
considered his vocational
supply,” Anderson noted.
options, and did as much
“Just like a good accountant
research as he possibly
I calculated the investment
could to form a career plan.
and the return. I used local
In the end, his passion and
resources for data on job
admiration for accounting
demand. What I found
prevailed, and he chose
was that a CPA was highest
to pursue that route. He
in demand with the least
prepared for and passed the
amount of investment and
recession. 16 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
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the highest amount of return.” At first, Anderson worked for a few local firms. He used this time to teach himself some valuable skills and techniques while gaining real-world experience. After two tax seasons, Anderson became comfortable with his ability to manage multiple clients and to market his service. He took the leap and started up his own firm, Olympia CPA, PLLC.
Anderson turned to the Thurston
and give everyone the same amount of
Country Chamber of Commerce’s Small
attention whether they are the $300 tax
Business Incubator to provide a location,
return or the $3000 tax return,” he said.
and the Small Business Development Center to make use of our county’s
Initially, Anderson was a bit worried
various resources. He has had terrific
about branching out on his own, but he
success so far, but not without diligence
took the precautionary steps as well as
and punctuality.
a leap of faith to get there. He is quite happy to be in business for himself today.
“We live in a drive-thru society. People want things on demand.,” Anderson
“It brings tears to my eyes when I hear
expressed. “People want instant response
my wife say, ‘Ben wants nothing more in
“I was very calculated with providing a
these days. I believe the key to success in
life than to be successful in business,’”
service people wanted,” Anderson said.
business is being responsive. In the CPA
Anderson said.
“But, then I had to get an office space, a
world this is something most of us strive
computer, all the software. There are a
to provide our clients."
“The ultimate fear with jumping out on
number of licenses with the state and IRS
your own is ‘will you be OK?’ Well, you
I had to get as well. I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll
Although the job is quite stressful from
know what? The bottom didn’t fall out.
do this out of my home,’ but then there
January to April 15, owning his own
If I could talk to the past me, I would tell
was like no way. I have a young daughter
business allows Anderson to really
myself, ‘Don’t be scared. It’s all going to
at home. I knew the logistics wouldn’t
develop a personal brand and to provide
work out.’” ●
work out, walking through the living
clients with ample and equal support.
room with toys on the floor and such.”
“I want to produce high quality work
Ben Anderson's STARTUP PLAYBOOK Have a holistic approach
Don't let taxes surprise you
Create boundaries. 6 to 8 p.m. is family time. I try not to look
A good rule of thumb is to save 25% of your income for federal
at my phone or answer it. I try to be physically, mentally and
income taxes, including self-employment tax. Remember this is
emotionally present to my daughter and my wife. This is hard to
only a general rule. But if you set aside at least 25% you won’t be
do when you own your own business, but necessary.
as surprised as the person that didn’t set aside any percent. A lot of self-employed people get in trouble this way.
Do the research Borrow before you go out on your own A lot of the time we think we have something other people want, a business idea, product or a service. The truth is it might not meet
Banks and lenders usually want to see two years’ worth of self-
the area’s market demand or it might not actually be something
employment income before they will consider a loan. If you
people want. Do your research before you open your door for
know you want to be self-employed and you have a good job as
business.
an employee and you might need some extra cash to weather through the start-up phase, get a loan now before you lose that
Be people oriented
“W-2 income”.
I think you have to be a people person to own your own business.
An ounce for a pound
Remain flexible and roll with things as they happen. You have to be a clear communicator, too. I formed [my business] right
Ben Franklin said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
away because I had some clients from my old firm. We left on
cure”. Meet with a CPA before you open your doors. Get your
good terms. A lot of people stereotype CPAs as being introverts,
accounting system in place. Learn what you can and cannot deduct
but there have to be some extroverts to be able to interact with
when you begin. Meeting with a CPA early on, spending the money
people.
beforehand, will pay tenfold on the back end.
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 17
CHAMBER FORUM
Boeing VP to Speak at October Forum Join the Chamber’s October Forum to hear from Boeing Vice President, Bill McSherry. Boeing is looking forward to its second 100 years, and they want to celebrate and thank you, our community leaders for the key role in creating the business environment for Boeing and many other innovation based companies to become established and thrive here in Washington. McSherry will also discuss the role of community leaders in Thurston County as competition intensifies from aerospace and technology companies from all over the globe and take a look at the next 100 years. �
Chamber Forum Wednesday, October 12 11:30 a.m. Hotel RL Olympia www.thurstonchamber.com Thank you to our Forum sponsor, Forrey's Forza
Are you one of the lucky ones? Do you have a boss who inspires you to dream, learn and take action? Nominate your boss today for Boss of the Year 2016 at www.thurstonchamber.com by
Krystal Barkus, Events Coordinator
T
he seventh
Meagan Darrow, TOGETHER!
annual Boss
Steve Hall, City of Olympia
of the Year
Dr. Yong Liu, Washington
designation,
State Department of
sponsored by
Agriculture
the Thurston
Rae-Lynn Bidon, Olympia
County Chamber and Express
Orthopaedic Associates
Employment Professionals
Joseph Di Santo, Panorama
will be presented at the
Heidi West, America's Credit
December 14 Forum. Criteria
Union
is based on exceptional
Dr. Terrence Hess, Foot &
leadership in the workplace
Ankle Surgical Associates
through innovation,
Steve Brooks, Lacey Fire
communication, vision,
District 3
execution, ethics, service and/
Jessica Jensen, Jessica Jensen
or knowledge.
Law PS
Saint Martin’s University business students will again play a key role in the selection process, interviewing finalists and gathering data for the committee. Nomination forms and more information can be found by visiting www. thurstonchamber.com Past Boss of the Year honorees include: Melissa Jenkins, The Olympian
2015 Boss of the Year was awarded to Meagan Darrow, Ron Bruchet and Melissa Jenkins,
Integrity, Excellence and Focus For your legal and tax needs Call 360-616-1749
Joe Ingoglia, Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County Mariella Cummings, Physicians of Southwest Washington Robert Coit, Thurston County Food Bank Mike Harbour, Intercity Transit Mike Strub, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Bruce Cramer, O Bee Credit Union John Setterstrom, Lucky Eagle Casino ●
• • • • • •
,
Let me help with:
Tax Preparation and Filing Elder law, Estate Planning Probate, Trusts Government, Municipal Law Public Finance and 103 Law Tax
VICTORIA S. BYERLY, P.S. A T T O R N E Y A T L AW
Ron Bruchet, GHB Insurance
www.vii c t o rii a sb b y e rll yp p s .c c om m
www.thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 19
Networking just got smarter! Introducing Speed Networking.
NETWORKING
O
n Oct. 26, the Thurston County Chamber will host a brand-new event—Speed Networking— allowing business professionals to meet fellow professionals in a structured process and uncover synergies that can lead to increased business opportunities.
“We live in a busy world where not everyone has time for traditional networking. Speed Networking uses technology to pre-match participants with each other. We’re anticipating a lot of interest in this event and hope to offer it several times a year,” said David Schaffert, Chamber President/CEO.
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SPEED NETWORKING IS ONE-ON-ONE NETWORKING USING SMART MATCH TECHNOLOGY.
Speed Networking takes the traditional values of face-to-face business networking and combines it with smart-matching software enabling participants to pre-select the types of people they are interested in meeting using customized matching parameters. Each participant receives a customized schedule of meetings based on their interests. Linda Zeman, co-owner of Window Genie will attend Speed Networking because of the success they’ve experienced at other speed networking events. “We attended the speed networking portion of Showcase [tradeshow] for two years, and it was
MJL MARKETING
incredibly successful for us. We were able to gain new contracts and meet new people who are important to our business. We no
Open Friday - Sunday 9 am - 5 pm Open Monday - Thursday by Appt. 7505 183RD SW, BLDG. C, ROCHESTER, WA 98579 (360) 858-4940
20 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
longer have time to attend all day trade-shows, so we’re looking forward to Speed Networking to get in front of the right people in a short-window of time.”
www.thurstonchamber.com
The Thurston Chamber Welcomes New Members from July, August & Sept. Absolute Relaxation Richele Akers (360) 481-2495 www.absoluterelaxation.net Massage
Evergreen Home Loans Kris Wellington-Tripp (360) 789-8481 Banks/Mortgage Companies
Asset Care & Preservation Services Linda Jensen (360) 908-0612 www.assetcarefinancial.com Insurance
Girl Scouts of Western Washington Nanette McCann (800) 541-9852 http://girlscoutsww.org Non-Profit Organizations & Associations
B. Cleo & Assoc. Cleo Thompson (360) 292-3910 Health Maintenance Organizations
Hawley Gelato & Coffee LaWana Hawley (360) 528-1496 Food & Beverage Specialty – Retail
Brightstar Care of South Puget Sound Shelly Forest (360) 915-6183 www.brightstarcare.com Home Health Services Community Values Magazine Babs Townsend (360) 870-9919 www.communityvaluesmagazine. com Newspapers & Magazines - Print & Electronic Credit Resources of WA CROW Kelly Wells (360) 956-1014 www.crow4u.com Consultants – Financial Emerald City Smoothie Stephanie Foster (360) 539-7531 Restaurant - Ice Cream & Desserts Emmit's Magic Animal Rescue Brook Snow (360) 742-2895 www.facebook.com/ emmitsmagicanimalrescue Non-Profit Organizations www.thurstonchamber.com
Integrity Labs LLC Mark Hubbard (360) 951-3220 www.integritylabsolympia. com Laboratories Johnson Financial Brian Johnson (360) 810-1473 Insurance Jo's Coffee Bar LLC Britny Paine (360) 890-4218 Food & Beverage Specialty – Retail Kingdom Cuts Nate Menefee (253) 579-9508 Motel 6 Kelli Hatch (360) 754-7320 Hotels & Accommodations Nisqually Valley News/ The Chronicle Tabitha Johnson (360) 458-2681 http://webmaster@yelmonline. com Newspapers & Magazines - Print & Electronic
NEW MEMBERS
Offutt and Associates Jane Offutt (360) 791-6532 Accountants Olympia Family Theater Alexis Sarah (360) 570-1638 www.olyft.org Performing Arts Olympia Marketing Company, LLC Ryan Rutledge (360) 561-3199 www.olympiamarketingco. com Marketing Programs & Services Pono Payments Amanda Winegarner (360) 688-7310 www.ponopayments.org Merchant Services PugetSound2Go Ryan Lindstrom www.pugetsound2go.com Delivery Service Serenity Veterinary Services, PLLC Samantha Rose (360) 464-7300 www.serenityvetservice.com Veterinarians & Hospitals Smiling Web Design Elaine Robinson (425) 761-5258 www.smilingwebdesign.com Internet Web Development Sofie's Scoops Sophia Landis (206) 245-5241 www.sofiesscoops.com Restaurant - Ice Cream Summit Dermatology, PS Laser Surgery & Aesthetic Center Jessica Kim, MD (360) 918-8101 www.summitaesthetics.com Dermatologists
Swank Hair Studio Fawne Graves (360) 704-8742 Hair Salon & Services Thompson's Furniture & Gifts McKenna Weiks (360) 357-6342 http://thompsonsfurnitureco. com/ Furniture Valley Nut and Bolt Company, Inc. Don Conant (360) 754-4877 www.valleynutandbolt.com Building Materials Wireless Revolution LLC Wendy Thorstensen (360) 551-9639 Cellular & Wireless Phones & Service WJR Customs LLC Richard Bland (360) 628-3537 Contractors - Concrete
Thurston County Chamber VOICE October 2016 21
2016 bite of business
BITE OF BUSINESS
Mark your calendar for the Chamber’s Bite of Business After Hours, Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel RL Olympia.
C
hefs will feature samples of holiday hors d’oeuvres, entrées and desserts. Attendees will vote for: Most
“His legal skills are top notch. While for ŵŽƐƚ ŝƚ ŝƐ ĚŝĸĐƵůƚ ƚŽ ŵĂƐƚĞƌ ďĂůĂŶĐŝŶŐ ůĂǁ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉƌĂĐƟĐĂů ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ͕ ZŝĐŬ ĞdžͲ ĐĞůƐ Ăƚ ƚŚŝƐ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ͘ / ǁŽƵůĚ ƌĞĐŽŵͲ ŵĞŶĚ ZŝĐŬ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ͘͟ — ^ĞŶŝŽƌ ŵƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ ŽƵŶƐĞů͕ ^ĞĂƩůĞͲ ďĂƐĞĚ Ez^ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ͘
Advancing his clients’ legal interests since 1987: Employment law
Creative, Best Display/Presentation & Best Taste. A few of the businesses that are participating this year include: Budd Bay Café/River’s Edge, Bagel Brothers, Great Wolf Lodge and Forrey’s Forza. The Chamber is still accepting registration for vendors.
Contracts Real estate Government
Attendees will vote for most creative, best display, best taste.
Call (360) 464-6533 www.richardhugheslaw.com 324 West Bay Dr. NW, Ste. 201, Olympia
22 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE
www.thurstonchamber.com
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