bizNEVADA South Vol. 5 Issue 7

Vol. 5 | ISSUE 7 | january 2019

IN THIS ISSUE:

Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses Profiles of Success Nevada Commission for Women SBA Nevada Women’s Business Center Diane Fearon, Nevada Commission for Women, chair (Jeff Scheid photo)

LETTER FROM THE

LETTER FROM THE

CR AIG A . RUARK

CHRIS O’SULLIVAN

EDITOR As we closed out 2018 in preparation for the birth of 2019, it’s quite appropriate that the January issue of bizNEVADA magazine focus on the topic of women-owned businesses.

Over the holidays, I had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of very successful women with various backgrounds, degrees of education, and interesting stories of their journeys. For the most part, they all had one thing in common—the drive and ambition to succeed.

On the inside back cover of this issue, you will find an article about the 2017 State of Women-Owned Business Report, commissioned by American Express. Highlights from that article include the fact that Nevada is ranked No. 1 among the top ten states where women-owned businesses have most increased their economic clout (defined as the growth in the number of firms and growth in employment and revenues) between 1997 and 2017.

Nevada’s ranking is not surprising, given the state’s economic advantages, lower cost of living, no corporate income tax, and continued population growth.

Featured on the cover of this month’s issue is Diane Fearon, the current chair of the Nevada Commission for Women; a Governor appointed committee of ten women, from around that state, that have achieved personal success in their business careers. This committee is diligently working with government officials and providing public workshops with the goal of honoring and encouraging the advancement of women.

While it would take thousands of pages to tell all of the incredible stories of successes of Nevada’s women entrepreneurs, we hope that you will find inspiration and encouragement from the few that are highlighted in this issue.

As we end the year, let me say thank you to the advertisers that have supported this publication and allowed me to present quality business related articles to our readers. I look forward to seeing you in 2019 and wish everyone continued joy and success in the new year.

Be sure to also check out our redesigned website where you will find tabs for resources and stories in Northern and Southern Nevada. This website is expanding with many additional exciting features, so be sure to check back once a month. If you missed any past issues of our magazine, you will find them online at https://issuu.com/biznevada.

We look forward to your continued support of our magazine and our advertisers. If there is a subject that you would like to see covered in the future, please feel free to send your comments and requests to Craig@biznv.com.

PAGE 2 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

PUBLISHER It’s a new year and, of course, new business and personal goals are set for success in 2019.

It is no secret that as a young publication, one of the biggest challenges has been convincing advertisers to set aside a little piece of their advertising budget and give us the opportunity to prove our ability to deliver customers. One of our goals for 2019 is to build our advertiser base in a way that will allow us to deliver more dynamic and informative content.

Over the past year, bizNEVADA has had the support of over 50 different advertisers and sponsors, written over 100 stories, highlighted 20 different non-profits and charities, and done our very best to live up to our mission; to connect and empower Nevada businesses.

We’ve had some struggles, plenty of victories, and we’re ready for a great 2019!

We would love to hear from you. What were some of your victories over the past year? What are you most proud of looking back at 2019? How did you and your team make a difference this year? Post up your answers on social media, and tag @biznevada, we’d love to hear about it!

Finally, I want to give a shout out to Laura Howard at Howieloo Photography, LLC. Laura did such a wonderful job in our October issue of photographing Rachel Dahl from the Small Business Administration! Thank you Laura!

Check out Howieloo.com or on Facebook @howieloo.live to see more of her amazing work!

We look forward to another exciting trip around the sun in 2019.

INTHISISSUE

Vol. 5 / ISSUE 7 bizNEVADA PUBLISHING TEAM PUBLISHERS: Richard Moore and Chris O’Sullivan EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Craig A. Ruark GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Nickie Price PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Scheid COVER PHOTO: Diane Fearon, Nevada Commission for Women, chair (Jeff Scheid photo) ADVERTISING Chris O’Sullivan chris@biznv.com Richard Moore richard@biznv.com FEEDBACK/IDEAS We welcome your feedback and ideas regarding bizNevada. Send a message to info@biznevada.com ©2019 Richard Moore and Chris O’Sullivan.

All rights reserved.

CONTACT US info@biznevada.com www.biznevada.com

PG 4

How Nevada’s Business Environment is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

PG 6

Nevada Commission for Women Seeks to Honor and Encourage the Advancement of Women

PG 10

The Accidental Business

PG 12

Debbi Somers: A Woman With Determination

PG 14

Nutrition for the Smallest Humans

PG 16

Gloria Petroni: How to Protect Your Woman-Owned Business

PG 18

One Woman’s Story of a Recession Loss to Divine Success

PG 20

Taking the Leap of Faith into Business

PG 22

Calendar of Events – December/January

PG 24

Is Your Business Ready for a Disaster?

Are You?

PG 26

Lighthouse Charities: A Beacon for Refugees

PG 29

Book Review: A Love Letter to Reno

PG 30

SCORE to Offer a Resource for Women-Owned Businesses

PG 31

Nevada Women-Owned Firms

expert contri butors Joe Ross Creative Agency OCG Creative www.OCGCreative.com 775-324-1644

KJ Smith Background Checks Employer Lynx www.EmployerLynx.com 775-883-3733

Bill Houghton Printing Horizon Business Services www.PrintEfficiency.com 702-369-1399

Workers Compensation EMPLOYERS www.EMPLOYERS.com 800-700-9133

Expert Contributors have purchased a special advertising package that allows them to contribute one informative, non-biased, industry article each quarter. bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 3

How Nevada’s Business Environment is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

By Michael Vallante, Special to bizNEVADA

T

HE ECONOMY has not only rebounded, but econo­mic empowerment for women is at historic heights.

Women now make up 40 per­ cent of new entrepreneurs in the United States, the highest percentage since 1996. Nevada was recently named the No. 1 state where women-owned businesses have grown the most in the last decade.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created incentives across the nation for entrepreneurs to start or invest in their business. Women entrepreneurs in Nevada who have taken advantage of the thriving economy have seen their business grow – and it’s paying off.

Fertility Center, in 2008. Red Rock Fertility Center pro­v ides treatment in the areas of Dr. Eva Littman in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, egg donation, gestational carriers, and egg, embryo, and sperm freezing.

In 2014, Dr. Littman received an SBA 504 loan for equipment, as well as the purchase and renovation of a 10,444-square-foot medical office and surgery center, which she opened in early 2016.

But much more can be done to ensure economic equality and prosperity for women entrepreneurs. That is why the SBA is focusing its contracting and business loan efforts to ensure women entrepreneurs have access to capital and business resources.

The new space provided Dr. Littman with more than 4,000 square feet of additional space and allowed the combination of the two interrelated businesses into a state-of-theart facility. As a direct result, Dr. Littman was able to grow her staff to 32 employees.

In the last year, the SBA has guaranteed more than $28 million in business capital to women-owned businesses in Nevada. Women are following their dreams, starting successful businesses and creating jobs.

In the next few years, Dr. Littman hopes to hire several additional employees and expand her existing operation with a satellite facility in a Nevada underserved market. Additionally, improved business conditions have allowed Dr. Littman to recently complete an overseas medical mission trip to the Far East and

A prime example is Dr. Eva Littman, who started her medical practice, Red Rock

PAGE 4 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

the potential creation of a satellite operation in China.

Dr. Littman’s story is an inspiration to women entrepreneurs thinking of starting a business.

Small business optimism is strong – reaching its third high­est level on record since the National Federation of Independent Business began its survey 45 years ago. Nevada’s economy is booming with the number of job openings surpassing the number of job seekers for the first time on record.

The SBA is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and helping them chart their path forward. For example, the SBA Nevada Women’s Business Center provides free business education and training to support entrepreneurs. SCORE partners provide business mentors that offer one-on-one support for entrepreneurs. SBA resource partners also provide the tools to receive women-owned business federal contracting certification so that they may compete in the federal marketplace, where more than $500 billion in contracts are awarded to small businesses every year.

The SBA will always be an ally for our nation’s small businesses. More information about SBA’s services can be found at www.sba.gov u

In the last year, the SBA has guaranteed more than $28 million in business capital to women-owned businesses in Nevada.

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 5

Diane Fearon, Nevada Commission for Women, chair (Jeff Scheid photo)

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NEVADA COMMISSION FOR WOMEN SEEKS TO HONOR AND ENCOURAGE THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

by Craig A. Ruark After nearly two decades of inactivity, the Sunset Subcommittee of the Interim Legislative Commission recommended to Governor Brian Sandoval that he reactivate the Commission for Women. The Governor supported the recommendation with Legislature approval, and in December of 2015 appointed ten members to sit on the Commission.

C

URRENT appointed Commissioners are Diane Fearon, chair, Brooke Westlake-Kelley, vicechair, Richann Bender, Constance Brooks, Jo Etta Brown, Elisa Cafferata, Durette Candito, Cynthia Cicero, Brenda Hughes, and Jennifer López.

Chair Diane Fearon, a successful businesswoman, resident of Las Vegas since 1979, and currently the vice president of philanthropy and strategic partnerships for Nathan Adelson Hospice. Fearon is starting her second term on the commission.

Some of the Commission’s 2019 goals are a continuation of work that has been started and when complete will be regarded as significant accomplishments.

Over the past two years, the Commission worked with legislators and other women’s groups to initiate a voluntary gender equity survey through the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office that enabled corporations, when updating their list of officers, the opportunity to also complete a survey that identifies the representation of women within the management ranks of their company structure. This survey also helped to determine the quality of their diversity efforts in their hiring practices. As of October 2018, more than 800 Nevada businesses have voluntarily completed the

survey. The results will be released in a report through Nevada Secretary of State’s Office. The goal of the report is to show a parity, or state of equality, regarding status or pay, among some of Nevada’s most successful companies, and that diversification is a sound business practice.

The Commission’s Goals for 2019 include: • Address gender disparity/equality issues in Nevada • Increase the number of women in public and private leadership • Provide education about issues relating to equality for women during the legislative session • Participate in women’s suffrage events • Recognize the historic role of Nevada women • Promote awareness of the Commission

Instrumental in the initiation of the survey was Jan Jones-Blackhurst, former mayor of the City of Las Vegas, prominent business leader, executive vice president, public policy & corporate responsibility of Caesars Entertainment, and women’s advocate for bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 7

“Another goal of the commission is to increase representation of women on state boards and commissions as well.” equality. Blackhurst helped to frame the questions and provided both personal and corporate support to the Commission in the execution of the survey.

Caesars proudly boasts that 41 percent of their management positions are held by women.

Also supporting the Commission is Bank of America, which has provided some capacity-building funding support, and proudly boasts of their high percentage of women in management as well as, its more than $30 million in affordable loans to women entrepreneurs nationwide since 2014.

“Another goal of the commission is to increase representation of women on state boards and commissions,” stated Fearon. “Research indicates that the current makeup of boards and commissions is about 60 percent male to 40 percent female. In addition, studies have shown that a woman is more likely to disqualify herself from seeking leadership positions, either on a voluntary basis or in business.”

Based on those initial research and study figures, the Commission put together two ‘women’s empowerment workshops’ with prestigious panels of women speakers from both the public and private sectors.

The workshops were held in Carson City on September 28, 2018, and in Las Vegas on October 4th.

“The speakers shared their personal journeys in the pursuit of greater involvement and leadership positions within their organizations in an effort to plant the seeds with women who seek to have their community and state be a better place, and encourage them not to hesitate to become actively involved and seek positions of leadership,” said Fearon. “The workshops also alerted attendees of the number of boards and commissions within the state that had available vacancies.”

While it may not seem possible, over the course of the United State’s 242 years of history, women have only been allowed to vote for 98 of those years, and 2020 will mark the 100-year anniversary of the PAGE 8 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

success of the women’s suffrage movement. To highlight that success, the Commission is in the planning stages of a celebration for women in Nevada to commemorate that century mark. “We have come a long way and have quite a way to go,” stated Fearon.

However, on September 14th in advance of that commemoration, the Commission installed the Silver State Sisters: Women Transforming Nevada exhibit in the State Capital Building outside the Lieutenant Governor’s office, to display the significant accomplishments of over 300 Nevada women. The exhibit was funded by Nevada Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, Caesars Foundation, Nevada 150 Foundation, Inc., and Kathleen and Ernest Becker. While the Commission does not currently have a budget for a companion exhibit in Southern Nevada, they do have a continuous loop video, provided by the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada, highlighting the many women who have made contributions to Nevada at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Washington Avenue in Las Vegas. The Commission is also working toward a traveling display that would make the accomplishments of Nevada women more accessible to a wider range of viewers.

The Commission meets no less than quarterly and all meetings are open to the public. It is interesting to note that the Commission does not have an operational budget. However, they are provided with one full-time employee, Molly Walt, who is on staff with the State of Nevada Department of Administration.

“We are very appreciative of Patrick Cates, director of the Department of Administration, for providing the resources of his department,” stated Fearon.

Fearon has over 24 years of experience in the banking industry holding executive positions as vice president, regional vice president, and president/ CEO. She also served as the chief executive officer of Communities in Schools of Nevada and the

Nevada Commission for Women: (pictured from left to right) Cynthia Cicero, Diane Fearon, Durette Candito, Jo Etta Brown, Brenda Hughes, Elisa Cafferata, Brooke Westlake, Debbie Mack (Not pictured – Richann Bender, Constance Brooks, and Jennifer Lopez).

Photo courtesy of Brooke Westlake, BMW Photography

admissions and transitions optimization program director of Health Insight.

serving as a commissioner has been very mindexpanding, enlightening, and rewarding for me.”

Fearon became involved with the Nevada Commission for Women when long-time friend, Richann Bender, senior economic development officer at the City of Las Vegas, alerted her to an open position. “This is an easy subject, topic, and purpose for me. I have been very fortunate in my career of not having an inability to get through some barriers professionally, but I am also aware that the job is far from done,” said Fearon. “Becoming involved and

Fearon also pointed out that, “Nathan Adelson Hospice has been very supportive of my involvement with the Commission and four of the six executive positions, including my own and the president/CEO of Nathan Adelson, are held by women.” u To find out more about the Commission, their upcoming meetings and agendas, go http://admin.nv.gov/Boards/ Women/Home_Page/

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 9

Dida Clifton

The Accidental BUSINESS

By Gael Hees, Special to bizNEVADA

S

OMETIMES successful businesses just happen,

and for Dida Clifton, owner of The Office Squad, it was a matter of developing her past training and experience into a profession.

“I started my company as a part-time bookkeeper from home when my husband was still active duty Air Force,” said Clifton. “I just wanted a part-time gig while my kids were in school and we were stationed here.”

She settled on bookkeeping with the idea that it was “portable” and was, therefore, something she could take with her when they were transferred to another

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location. But her husband retired from the Air Force, and they stayed in Las Vegas where her company continued to grow. Seventeen years later, Clifton’s company, The Office Squad has more than ten employees, offices in two states, and is ramping up to grow into additional areas.

Clifton also served in the military for six years, where she worked as a squadron operations specialist with an F-15 squadron. Her company name is a tribute to her time in that squadron. She married a pilot and began her life as a military wife, moving approximately every two years.

Clifton also served in the military for six years, where she worked as a squadron operations specialist with an F-15 squadron. Her company name is a tribute to her time in that squadron.

Filled with an entrepreneurial spirit, Clifton volunteered for the Wives’ Clubs on different bases, worked in the base thrift shops, started a gift basket business, and sold Mary Kay products, among other things.

She soon realized she had learned bookkeeping – QuickBooks – for her own businesses and felt like she could do it for others. She found that many businesspeople were not good at back office operations, bookkeeping, and administrative duties. “I also realized from my job in the military, that systems and procedures help make an organization move forward more smoothly.”

Clifton made another observation. “Business owners have a lot in common with the mentality of a fighter pilot,” she said. “They’re very smart, they’re missionoriented, they have a passion, but they think they can do it all by themselves. So, it has been my job to teach small business owners that you really can’t do it by yourself – you need good support.”

One of the things that helped The Office Squad grow is Clifton’s ability to embrace technology. In 2008, she created her own “cloud” and started offering virtual bookkeeping and administrative support services.

“We had an entire virtual desktop, so clients had access to their QuickBooks online. They had Word, PowerPoint, Excel. There was an instant chat system,” said Clifton. “This was before Google Docs and Dropbox.” she added, “And we still use this.”

When asked about what she would do differently given a chance, she said she would not have charged so much on credit cards, and she wouldn’t hire friends and family members. “Sometimes you just have to be the boss and can’t be everyone’s friend,” she said.

Clifton’s long-term plan is to continue to develop a brand for virtual business assistance and bookkeeping that people trust. Her big goal is to take the business nationwide.

“I am proud of the fact that I have grown a successful company, have a successful marriage, and raised two wonderful daughters,” Clifton concluded. u Gael Hees is a Las Vegas freelancer, specializing in written, graphics, and audiovisual communications. She has written for national publications and has won numerous awards for tourism-related printed materials and videos, is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and is a certified hospitality educator.

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 11

DEBBI SOMERS

A WOMAN WITH DETERMINATION

By Craig A. Ruark

I

F THERE were an actual ‘school of hard knocks,’ Debbi Somers would have graduated with honors.

Raised in Chicago, Somers began working in her father’s grocery store at the age of 14. “When you work for your father, and he owns the business, you do every part of that job. I might be bagging one day, the next day I’m a cashier, and the next day I’m putting meat in the meat cabinet and stocking shelves. You really had to do whatever needed to be done,” said Somers.

would go out on the job site with the installers so that I could understand the installation. I wanted to know how everything worked,” Somers explained.

“After selling water softeners for many years, I thought, I would really like to work in a woman’s job instead of a man’s job.” With that, Somers applied for and received a position with Breuner’s Home Furnishings in Las Vegas.

As a single mom with a six-year-old daughter, That early training and her Somers was happy for the interest in business was the occupation change and the Debbi Somers. (PHOTO BY SUSAN GOMEZ OF IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY) foundation for Somers’ move out west. However, success. Of course, working upon arrival she discovered in the family business as a teenager meant long hours that instead of selling furniture in a showroom, she was with minimal pay and sacrificing many of the usual social placed in the furniture rental side of the house, catering events, “While other kids were at the school dance or to the convention industry, which was also dominated football game on Friday nights, I was working at the by men. “At that point, I just decided that I would forget store because no one else wanted to work.” about the woman’s job and just go ahead and do the man’s job,” Somers said with pride.

At the age of 16, in search of better pay and hours, Somers took a job working in a savings and loan, and As it turned out, renting furniture to the growing later, in the front office of a water softener company. convention industry in 1982 was a blessing in disguise.

“I would just volunteer for everything to learn the Somers’ success and reputation in the industry, business – that girl is taking a vacation, let me try her job along with her entrepreneurial spirit, was all that – that girl is out sick, let me fill in for her. When a water she needed to strike out on her own, and in 1989 softener sales position opened, I asked if I could try it. I Somers Con­vention Furniture Rental Inc. was formed.

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Starting with a 10,000 square-foot warehouse and two employees, Somers became a leading supplier of convention rental furniture.

“The year 2001 was the most challenging year. In August of 2001, we chose not to renew our contract with the convention general contractor because we “ I would go could not agree on out on the job site pricing which would be with the installers mutually advantageous. so that I could This represented 90% understand the of our cash flow. Then came 9/11, and the installation... convention and tourism I wanted to know industry in Las Vegas how everything took a direct hit. Our worked.” challenge was to ensure our cash flow by looking for internal savings, i.e., employee layoffs, or find a new business. We decided to expand and diversify our business to ensure our survival,” commented Somers.

As the business grew, Somers also expanded her services. In addition to her furniture rental division she custom designs and manufactures pool, patio, and nightclub furniture, and has as her clients, some of the most prestigious venues in Las Vegas and the U.S. Today, she has expanded that business to a 57,000 square-foot warehouse with 20 full-time employees, a fleet of trucks, and an inventory in excess of $3 million, making her company the largest inde­ pendent supplier of available furniture under one roof in the western United States.

Somers Furniture is now recognized as one of the most successful women-owned businesses in Nevada.

However, Somers does not take her success for granted and looks for opportunities to give back to the community. As a corporate citizen, she enthusiastically supports charities such as Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, AFAN, Nathan Adelson Hospice, The Center Honorarium, Dress for Success, Cronin’s Disease Marathon, Walk for MS, and ALS Walk. u

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 13

NUTRITION

FOR THE

SMALLEST HUMAN

By Gael Hees, special to bizNEVADA

E

LENA MEDO is the CEO of

Medolac, a public benefit company dedicated to improving preterm infant survival rates by providing safe, storable human breast milk.

She started learning about the many health challenges facing preterm infants while teaching hospital staff members to use her patented double-breast milk pumping system. Unlike its pre­d ecessors, it featured a soft cup funnel that functioned much like a nursing baby’s mouth, helping mothers who had ceased to produce milk begin lactating again for the benefit of their preterm babies.

To continue addressing the nutritional needs of premature babies, Medo, with her co-founder daughter Adrianne Weir, established the Mother’s Milk Cooperative, a business owned by nursing mothers that provides payment to healthy mothers for high-quality breast milk. This gave many of them the financial opportunity to

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extend their maternity leave and spend more time nursing their new­­ borns. She continued researching Elena Medo premature infant nutrition and developed the first cus­tom­ized formulation of human milk for preterm infants.

Through her most recent company, Medolac, Medo has developed the first storable human milk formulation. It has a shelf life of three years, meaning that it can sit on a shelf for three years, never needing to be kept cool or frozen until after opening.

This allows the formulations to be kept in reserve and used as needed. In addition, it is now packaged in resealable soft packs.

These innovations not only make it more convenient to use in a hospital setting, but also cuts

costs by eliminating the need for overnight shipping of frozen breast milk and cutting down on waste.

Medo and Weir have recently moved their company from Oregon to Boulder City, Nevada, leasing an empty grocery store space for the operation. Medo was well-prepared to succeed as an entrepreneur. She holds an MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, where she also studied computer science and developmental and Cell Biology as an undergraduate.

“There were many reasons we moved here [to Boulder City]. An important one is that we received an incentive package from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development,” said Medo. “Plus, the building was ideal in many ways, with massive freezers and the sanitary features required of a food facility. The layout was also ideal, with a large open area where

When the Boulder City operation is running at full capacity, it will be able to produce 1,000 gallons of processed breast milk per day.

NS we have installed a cleanroom with other areas dedicated to our microbiology and food safety lab, plus research and development departments,” explained Medo.

When the operation is running at full capacity, it will be able to produce 1,000 gallons of processed breast milk per day in comparison to the 1,000 gallons a month they were able to produce in the now-closed Oregon facility.

In addition, the company will have as many as 120 full-time employees, including milk

technicians, biologists, and immunologists.

no hospitalized baby should ever be deprived of breast milk.”

The mission for Medolac is to help ensure a reliable source of human breast milk for all preterm infants. “Human donor milk is unavailable for up to 95% of hospitalized babies who need it because of the high prices.

We intend to change that. With high volume production and the lower costs that result, we hope to reduce the cost of donor milk by half.” said, Medo. “With what we know from research,

For more information about Medolac, contact Elena Medo, CEO, emedo@medolac.com 949-375-4116. u Gael Hees is a Las Vegas freelancer, specializing in written, graphics, and audiovisual communications. She has written for national publications and has won numerous awards for tourismrelated printed materials and videos, is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and is a certified hospitality educator.

You Belong Here!

TheCLevelGroup.com

GROW BUSINESS

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 15

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS

By Gloria M. Petroni, special to bizNEVADA

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S THE pool of woman business owners continues to grow, so do the complexities of our environments. Social changes, intricacies in tax law, and constant intro­ duction of new technology are just some factors changing the way businesses operate, from their leaders to their front lines. As more females choose to enter business ownership in one way or another, that environment continues to present challenges and opportunities, of which there are steps that can and should be taken to protect what has been built.

B

Fundamentals

A critical part of ownership is making sure that your legal foundation is safe. While there are many considerations when choosing a legal structure, a corporation, such as an S corporation or a limited liability company render only your business assets available in the event of a judgment against the company. In the event you personally guarantee debt, that protection is no longer valid.

Whenever possible, owners should maintain the policy of only signing documents as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company as opposed to individually on a lease, loans, etc.

c

chosen should be easily accessible and allow an owner to monitor monthly income and expenses, and compare to other months. If an owner is unable to measure income and expenses, they can’t measure gross and net income goals or business growth.

In most cases, business owners should consider hiring someone to prepare payroll, and file reports with the county, state, and federal compliance authorities. A good tax preparer will have the experience to look at the books and determine whether there is anything wrong or if the company is on track with the profit ratios experienced by others in a similar industry.

p

Screen Time

K

Rule Book

Technology is a vital element in owning and protecting a business. Computer support personnel can assist with technology, including software to ensure the security of data, system backups, and fraud and security breach prevention. Having a trusted designee to oversee technology promotes internal procedure and security. It is important to change passwords every six months, or with any employee turnover. Implement internal controls and procedures to ensure employees are not granted access to private information regarding the business and do not have the capability to complete tasks without proper training or permissions, such as wiring money, signing checks or releasing confidential information.

By the Numbers

Another essential component of protecting your business is ensuring that you have a good accounting system and controls in place. This generally means a qualified individual to enter your income and expenses into an accounting system that then is turned over to an accountant, enrolled agent or other tax preparer. The software PAGE 16 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

One of the best ways to protect any business is establishing internal procedures and policies. While not always required by law, it is advisable to adopt a written policy that addresses vacations, time off, what happens with unused vacation, etc. A human resource professional

to help with questions about employees, benefits, and what you need prior to hiring employees is almost a requirement if you have no previous experience in hiring employees.

5

Solo vs. Partners

When welcoming or considering business partners, owners should not expect anyone, including significant others or family mem­­bers, to work for free. It can be dangerous to expect third parties to work without compensation, even if the business is just starting off. In the event of a misunderstanding, divorce or dispute, that person could potentially demand an interest in the business, or compensation for work they believed they should have received. A written cohabitation, prenuptial or postnuptial agreement would be the best way to confirm that the business is yours alone.

If considering a partner, engage a lawyer to get a checklist of how your business may be affected by a partner and what written agreements must be in place to protect your interests.

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Vision

One of the most important parts of protecting your business is staying true to yourself and your boundaries. If you don’t collect the money for your goods or services, offer significant discounts often or overspend, sustain­ ability may become an issue. Determine boundaries – what charities you will support and how you will handle those businesses or individuals that will not or cannot pay your fees. It is essential to clearly define your business and draft a mission statement that will help your customers and employees understand your business core values and buy into the success of the business. u Gloria Petroni is the founding principal of Petroni Law Group, a firm with over 30-years’ experience in the practice of divorce law, estate planning, probate, business, and real estate matters.

Nathan Adelson Hospice Salutes the Nevada Commission for Women

Hospice is not a place.

It’s a journey of care.

When medical science can no longer add more days to your life, it is the goal of Nathan Adelson Hospice to add more life to your days.

www.nah.org 702.733.0320 We believe no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain. bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 17

ONE WOMAN’S STORY OF A RECESSION LOSS TO DIVINE SUCCESS

By Gael Hees, special to bizNEVADA

M

OST PEOPLE are lucky to find one job they love.

Pam Howatt has had two careers that she adored. Right out of college, she started working in the casino industry. For more than 20 years,

she worked for several companies doing everything from lottery management to sales, to financial analysis to marketing.

“I was laid off from Bally’s. The CEO changed, and a lot of people went away, and I was one of them,” said Howatt. “I had quite a severance package, so I decided I didn’t want to join another gaming company, I wanted to try the entrepreneur thing and buy a business.”

Howatt’s gaming industry experience included event planning and management. She planned events all over the world for a range of clients including golf tournaments, beach parties, and cruises. “We did all kinds of other crazy things,” she said. “That was really what I loved. I truly loved doing the events.”

In 2005, Howatt purchased You Name It Events, primarily a catering company that produced employee appreciation picnics and company holiday parties. With the purchase came event paraphernalia including tables, tents, chairs, inflatables – everything to do a proper holiday picnic. “We had things in 14 warehouses,” said Howatt. “It was really wild.”

Howatt jumped in and immediately started making changes, doubling the previous year’s revenue in just six months and doubling it again the second year. Then came the downturn in 2008. By that time, Howatt had leased a 25,000 square-foot warehouse with a commercial kitchen, nice offices, and a large monthly rent. “By fall of 2008, our business was off 40 percent,” said Howatt. “By 2010, I walked out of that building for the last time with nothing but my purse.”

But that didn’t stop her. Howatt had the catering contract for the show, “Tony and Tina’s Wedding,” and that gave her a kitchen for her work. She also provided the lunches at Las Vegas Day School, and had contracts with other clients who had been with her for years. She

Pam Howatt

started a new company, Divine Events, where, according to Howatt, they didn’t miss a beat, and except for a name change, her clients didn’t see anything different in the level of service or quality of the product.

PAGE 18 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

Today, she holds the contract for catering and running the restaurant – the Divine Café – at the Springs Preserve. Here she hosts cooking, mixology, and decorating classes, has a special happy hour with live music on Thursdays, and has online cooking videos featuring her top chefs. In addition, Divine Events is the preferred caterer for The Mob Museum, Meet Las Vegas, The Neon Museum and many other venues.

With more than 150 employees, Divine Events is continuing to grow and thrive. Providing impeccable service and offering “divine” foods, Pam Howatt is looking to the future and loving every minute of it. u Gael Hees is a Las Vegas freelancer, specializing in written, graphics, and audiovisual communications. She has written for national publications and has won numerous awards for tourism-related printed materials and videos, is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America, and is a certified hospitality educator. bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 19

Taking the Leap of Faith into

By Craig A. Ruark

I

T SEEMS that many people enter college and may even finish their education with a plan to do one thing and end up taking a different path in life. That was the case for Mary Beth Hartleb, founder and CEO of PRISM Global Management Group, LLC. Hartleb initially considered getting a degree in psychology with the aspiration to provide coaching and counseling. “In my last semester as an undergraduate, I took a course in human resources without knowing what it was. However, it really interested me, and it seemed like a great way to combine my education with business. I was working in retail when a position opened in HR, and I decided to do it. From there I kept moving into different and higher positions until it got me to where I am today,” she explained.

Hartleb’s career spans thirty years in the human resources field, working for Fortune 500 companies, while developing human resource departments for smaller, entrepreneurial ventures. She is experienced in various industries including gaming, restaurant, association management, telecommunications, retail, broadcasting, manufacturing, engineering, and non-profits.

In 2003, Hartleb founded PRISM Global Management Group, LLC, and on November 1st she celebrated her 15th year in business.

When asked about starting her business, she comments that it was, “Scary, I just jumped off the cliff. I think that fear holds a lot of people back, and yes, it’s frightening, but I also reflect back and realize that it was the best decision that I ever made.”

Hartleb didn’t have a client base when she started and stated that she spent nights and weekends trying to build the business. “I was very fortunate at that stage in my career that I was very involved with the Society for Human Resource Management, serving as

PAGE 20 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

the president of the local chapter for a few years and then the state council director, which provided me with connections at the corporate headquarters in Virginia. I knew a lot of people, and when I started mentioning to people that I was going to take the leap, I had a tremendous amount of support.”

While the connections Hartleb gained through the Society for Human Resource Management were a big help during the start-up period of her business, in the end, she still had to find clients, close the deal, and deliver on her promises.

“Networking and establishing credibility as a subject matter expert is really key to my success,” said Hartleb. Today, her industry reputation and successes generate most new client business through word-ofmouth referrals.

Hartleb purposely built her business to expand and contract, and over the years the firm has had as many as 15 employees and as few as a handful. Currently, Hartleb has two local employees and an employee in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Each of the employees, who are titled as consultants, manage their own client base, and Hartleb oversees the entire client list.

“I also designed my business to where 95 percent of the work can be performed remotely. It allows me to live a lifestyle of my choosing. By that I mean a lot of flexibility. I’m an avid traveler and have visited over 60 countries, all seven continents, and I am still putting push pins on the map.”

Business When asked about starting her business, Mary Beth Hartleb says that it was, “Scary, I just jumped off the cliff. I think that fear holds a lot of people back, and yes, it’s frightening, but I also reflect back and realize that it was the best decision that I ever made.”

Hartleb earned a J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law, a master’s degree in Human Resource Management, and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration. Her credentials include Senior Human Resource Professional (SPHR-CA) designation from the SHRM and Certified Professional Coach (CPC).

Hartleb and her consultants specialize in employee relations, benefits administration, training, legal compliance, PPACA, Title VII, ADEA, ADA, HR auditing, policy development, professional coaching, company handbooks, public speaking, business development, international business experience, risk management, safety, investigations, compensation, job descriptions, unemployment hearings, EEOC, DOL, EEO, AAP. In addition to her passion for travel, Hartleb sits on several social and business boards, enjoys the arts, and is a supporter of The Smith Center and other philanthropic causes. Though single, without children, Hartleb does have two Alaskan Klee Kai (miniature Huskies) dogs that she adores. u

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 21

DEC 2018/J CALENDAR OF EVENTS LAS VEGAS METRO CHAMBER

HENDERSON CHAMBER

DECEMBER 18 11:30 AM Chamber Voices Toastmasters

DECEMBER 15 9:00 AM HCC VIP Tailgate Party and Las Vegas Bowl Sam Boyd Stadium

575 Symphony Park Ave Ste 100 Las Vegas, NV 89106

5:30 PM Chamber Connections Las Vegas Metro Chamber DECEMBER 26 5:30 PM Chamber Connections II Las Vegas Metro Chamber DECEMBER 29 7:00 PM Special Event: DRUMLINE LIVE at The Smith Center JANUARY 8 6:00 PM VYP Events & Marketing Committee Meeting Las Vegas Metro Chamber JANUARY 17 11:30 AM New Member Orientation Las Vegas Metro Chamber JANUARY 24 7:00 AM Preview Las Vegas 2019 UNLV

400 N. Green Valley Pkwy 2nd Floor Henderson, NV 89074

DECEMBER 18 8:00 AM New Member Briefing Henderson Chamber DECEMBER 22 11:00 AM HCC Foundation Community Cares Event The Galleria at Sunset JANUARY 10 10:00 AM Ribbon Cutting – McDonald Law Group JANUARY 15 8:00 AM New Member Briefing Henderson Chamber JANUARY 22 11:30 AM State of the City 2019 Green Valley Ranch Resort Grand Events Center JANUARY 23 4:00 PM Ribbon Cutting – Matzinger Institute of Healing

PAGE 22 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

JAN 2019 LAS VEGAS CONVENTIONS

GENERAL EVENTS

JANUARY 8-11 Consumer Technology Association (CTA) – CES 2019 Las Vegas Convention Center

JANUARY 16 6:00 PM Las Vegas Pro Speed Networking Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas

JANUARY 13-17 PPAI Mandalay Bay Convention Center JANUARY 22-24 Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show Las Vegas Convention Center JANUARY 22-25 International Surface Event 2019 Mandalay Bay Convention Center

JANUARY 31 6:00 PM Las Vegas at Blue Martini Lounge JANUARY 9 The C-Level Group 11:30 AM Monthly Luncheon & Networking Panevino’s For more complete and up-to-date calendar information, visit bizNEVADA.com/events

JANUARY 22-25 World of Concrete Las Vegas Convention Center JANUARY 27-31 Las Vegas Market – Winter 2019 World Market Center

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 23

IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR A DISASTER? ARE YOU? Special to bizNEVADA

“When major disasters strike, you expect to see American Red Cross workers running shelters and delivering food to people in devastated neighborhoods,” said Zanny Marsh, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Northern Nevada. “Closer to home, Red Cross volunteers respond several times per week when Nevada fire departments ask them to assist people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fires. But did you know that the Red Cross has services which can help businesses and individuals be better prepared for emergencies?”

Business Preparedness Power outages, water main breaks and medical issues can disrupt a business’s daily operations. Disasters have the potential to cause workplaces to fold and schools to close. The Red Cross developed the free, web-based Ready Rating™ program to help businesses, schools and other organizations prepare for emergencies.

Ready Rating™ program members complete a confidential assessment of their current readiness level for emergencies and receive immediate, customized feedback with tips and resources for them to improve their readiness scores.

PAGE 24 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

Up to 40% of businesse s fail after a natural or hum an- caused disaster.

Disasters can take many forms: ear thquakes, pow er outages, flo ods , wildfires , medical emerg enc y, or the death of a key employee.

The program has been successfully used by organizations around the country, from small businesses to large corporations. Ready Rating™ components make it easy to start or to enhance current emergency response plans: • The Emergency Response Plan Tool enables program members to build a customized plan which includes OSHA-required topics to help their employees know their roles in the first 24-72 hours of an emergency; • The Next Steps report recommends specific actions members should take and the level of effort required to execute them; • The Resource Center links members to preparedness tools, including activities and exercises, so organizations can better develop and practice preparedness plans; • The Ready Rating™ store provides emergency supplies at the click of a button.

Companies and schools realize that contingency planning is a key element to running a successful operation. The Ready Rating™ program is consistent with Private Sector or PS-Prep Standards developed by the Department of Homeland Security.

“More than 15,000 businesses and schools have registered for Ready Rating,” Marsh said. “Feedback

Show & Omit EA P

Template Sectio ns

Alerting and No

tification

Evacuation and

Sheltering

Incident Severit

y Levels

Include

OMIT

Life Threatening Include

Emergencies

OMIT

Non-Life Threat

ening Emergenc

Include

ies

OMIT

Section from the Ready Rating™ Emergency Action Plan generator. The plans meet OSHA standards.

Training on Evacua tion Routes, She and Assembly Are lters, as Include

Images courtesy of the American Red Cross. Copyright 2016 The America National Red Cross. All rights reserved.

n

from them indicates that most have used the Ready Rating™ materials to update their preparedness plans and educate their employees on workplace preparedness. That’s our goal for Nevada – to help businesses, schools, and other organizations be better prepared when emergencies happen.”

Additional information and the steps to join the program can be found at readyrating.org.

Preparing Yourself and Your Loved Ones The same planning you do for your business also should be done for your home. The Red Cross has preparedness classes for children and adults. Be Red Cross Ready shows adults how to improve personal disaster readiness by making a plan, preparing a kit, and being informed about potential disasters.

“We have a brand-new program geared toward second graders, Pedro the Penguin,” Marsh said.

“What we’ve found is that even at this young age, children can understand and use preparedness tips.”

“Our signature program for grade school children is the Pillowcase Project. This teaches 3rd – 5th graders how to stay safe during emergencies. We train kids about what to do during fires and earthquakes or other common disasters. This helps them remain calmer and leads to better outcomes when the

OMIT

Leaving the Facility

unexpected occurs. We’ve found that after taking the training, students go home and tell the adults they live with what they’ve learned, so the entire family becomes safer.”

The most common type of disaster in Nevada is home fires. “Our Home Fire Campaign ensures that people have smoke alarms in their homes,” Marsh added.

“We give smoke alarm recipients ideas on how to plan ahead. How will you exit each room if there’s a fire?

Where will you go once you’ve evacuated? Are you holding home fire drills?”

Many people have no idea that they may have as little as two minutes, after smoke alarms are triggered, to evacuate their homes safely. They also may be unaware of how often home fires occur. That’s why the most important things you can do to prepare for home emergencies and keep yourselves safe are to have working smoke alarms and know what to do if the alarms sound.

These programs can be accessed through the American Red Cross local offices in Elko, Incline Village, Las Vegas, Reno, and Winnemucca. u

JOIN THE PROGRAM AT READYRATING.ORG

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 25

LIGHTHOUSE CHARITIES: A Beacon for Refugees

By Glenn Ritt, Special to bizNEVADA

L

IGHTHOUSE CHARITIES was

he worried about being murdered and

founded less than five years ago

his daughters raped.

by a single woman, Cindy Trussel.

u She watched her town in Syria

She began operations in her

destroyed by bombs that killed one

living room. Today, the nonprofit is

of her twins.

growing far faster than resources

She grabbed the surviving child,

would suggest.

outrunning more explosions while

Trussel started her charity when she

grasping her surviving son on a mad

saw the need to help refugees who

dash to safety.

arrive in Las Vegas, most often speaking no English with no immediate prospects for a job. Many are given only months of support by the federal government before they are totally on their own to

Cindy Trussel

Adding to the indignity, many of these refugees are highly-educated and held

These are just three of more than a thousand refugees who have found their way – often by near miracle – to Lighthouse Charities. “They don’t want a handout. Just a second chance to be

assimilate into a strange land.

prestigious careers. Two clients of

However, while Lighthouse is called a

gists in their native countries, but now,

It’s normal for a Lighthouse worker to

they are appreciative of any modest

wake up as early as 4:30 and take a 2

job that can support their families.

½-hour ride on the City bus, to the

charity, the refugees are not simply handed food and given shelter. They are given a job for which they earn money to buy food and rent an apartment. They are also provided with an education to learn how to

Lighthouse Charities were cardiolo-

u A young man escaped Sudan while so many others less than 12 years of age were murdered or

speak English.

forced to become child soldiers. He

“It blows your mind to see what these

parents killed, his sisters tortured and

families have given up to be free and safe,” says Trussel. “These are not families who come to the United States because they want to, they are here because they need to be – if they are to survive. They wanted to stay in their native countries, but they couldn’t.”

When they arrive, a family may find themselves living in a tiny apartment sharing a single sheet on the floor.

They may have few if any clothes and shoes for winter weather.

PAGE 26 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

was only seven when he watched his kidnapped. For 14 years, he lived in a refugee camp, often subsisting on

self-sufficient,” said Trussel.

facility on Cheyenne Avenue. After a full day of work and English-as-aSecond Language (ESL) class, they spend another 2-1/2 hours commuting back home. Many of the beginner and advanced ESL classes are taught by local teachers who volunteer their time.

dead animals including crocodiles,

“It’s a day-to-day struggle to meet

following the flights of vultures to

extraordinary demand,” Trussel

locate food to sustain a life with no

explains. It has required a lot of

secure future.

seat-of-the-pants innovation and

u He was a lawyer and judge in his native country before emigrating to the United States. He and his family had to leave in the middle of the night with nothing but clothes on their backs to escape terror so severe

creativity, fueled by a passion that comes from hearing hundreds of stories of pure survival by refugees from a dozen countries – ranging from Afghanistan to the Congo.

The jobs created by Trussel, her tiny

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Helping families to stay safe, stay together, and learn to survive in a strange new land – that is what Lighthouse is all about.

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staff and a growing cadre of volun-

half are children. Virtually all have

teers, can be as modest as processing

escaped war, famine and persecution.

cleaning rags for local hotels – a

Many have survived harrowing

business with a surprising upside that

escapes on open seas.

Get Started Today

“There is no other organization in

Call: (877) 572-4761 Visit: employers.com/biznv

has been among the initiatives that spur Lighthouse Charities’ rapid growth while partnering with companies like Brady Linen Services.

Las Vegas that does what we do,” says Trussel. Other nonprofits help resettle refugees, but Lighthouse

But that growth can’t keep up with

focuses on the arduous transition to

explosive demand among the refugee

life in Las Vegas – from learning

community.

English to having a job to assimilating

There are 50,000 refugees now living

An independent agent will contact you and perform your Price & Performance Review.

into the community.

in Las Vegas. Most arrive here after

Lighthouse began by rescuing food

more than seven years – and some-

that was damaged in shipping and

times two decades – being vetted by

otherwise would be destroyed, she

the federal government. More than

explained. It was a noble venture but

Copyright © 2018 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. In Nevada, insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company and Employers Assurance Company. EIG Services, Inc. is an affiliated agency and adjuster. Coverage not available in all jurisdictions. CM_0080AD_NV

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 27

“ There is no other organization in Las Vegas that not by any means enough for Trussel.

“Providing food was very rewarding, but I soon realized that feeding them today means I will have to feed them tomorrow. Now, the idea for Lighthouse is to prepare them to feed themselves,” she says. “It’s helping them become an asset.” It has extended to resettling refugees into more than 1,000 apartments across Las Vegas, and it has led to Lighthouse currently employing 55 of them.

“Lighthouse is all about self-reliance,” she emphasizes. This philosophy has blossomed in multiple – sometimes unimaginable ways.

does what we do,” says Trussel. Other nonprofits help resettle refugees, but Lighthouse focuses on the arduous transition to life in Las Vegas – from learning English to having a job to assimilating into the community.

sewing machines or recycling and processing up to 10,000 rags a day, which are sold to Vegas hotels including SLS and Tropicana.

Other initiatives include: • The Rejesha Project – a 16-week job skills program that includes language proficiency, time management, team-building, computer skills and resume development.

• Operation Lighthouse – an annual resource fair for refugee families to

Maybe the most spectacular is Nafasi

receive medical, dental and vision

Designs which provides “healing,

screenings. It also distributes food,

opportunity, and empowerment for

toys, hygiene items, books,

refugee women,” in Trussel’s words.

clothing, school supplies such as

Nafasi means “opportunity” or “favorable circumstance” in Swahili. “By teaching them new skills and helping them discover hidden talents that have been buried beneath years of suffering and hardships, Nafasi is

Lighthouse provides job training and language skills that build self-reliance.

Trussell is organizing Lighthouse’s third annual recognition awards for high school students.

backpacks and uniforms, as well as

There is a telegenic photo of Rosie,

English language learning tools.

a young refugee who learned English at

• A food services program led by a

Lighthouse. At her graduation, she stood

retired chef to prepare some

up and sang the National Anthem. “It

refu­­gees for restaurant jobs in

was the most powerful thing I’ve ever

the city.

heard,” recalls Trussel, with tears.

providing a sense of purpose, self-

Most recently, Trussel decided to offer

Nothing she has seen, heard or

worth and contribution.”

college scholarships to refugee high

experienced since founding

school graduates. The first two

Lighthouse Charities at her kitchen

recipients received $1,500 each. “They

table could more embody the journey,

worked really hard for that money.”

one Trussel believe has just begun.

boutique at the front of its expanding

While modest, Trussel sees the

It’s a journey still occurring on “faith

Cheyenne Avenue facilities.

scholarships as yet one more way to

and prayers.” Trussel is more depen-

acknowledge the achievements of

dent on volunteers than ever while

refugee students who not only must

managing to pay wages to the 30

attend school with limited English

refugee families working at Lighthouse.

That contribution is seen in the beautiful art and designs created by 30 artisans and on display in Lighthouse’s

Customers shop for hand-made items ranging from clothing to jewelry to candles, while photos of the artisans’ smiling faces line the shop’s walls, creating instant rapport. On many days, customers can walk behind the

proficiency, but also commute long distances by bus and often hold down part-time jobs to help the family.

Each volunteer hour helps Lighthouse get a typical refugee off welfare in only 16 weeks and into a job. “So far,

store to watch and meet many of

Never ceasing to create another way to

the charity is registering 100 percent

Lighthouse’s refugee workers on their

reinforce the refugees’ self-confidence,

success,” she notes with pride. u

PAGE 28 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

BOOK REVIEW

A love letter to Reno

By Eric Lincoln Miller

“There are 8 million stories in the naked city, some ice cold some without pity.” –KURTIS BLOW “In the city there’s a thousand things I want to say to you.” –THE JAM

RENO RISING: YOU HAVE TO FALL BEFORE YOU RISE

Compiled by Susan Ackerman.

Paperback, 180 pages.

Follow It Through Publishing, $14.95.

Reno stars in this new collection of writings by 14 women who overcame adversity, economic hardship, natural and self-made disasters, wanton sexism and abuse, and host of physical and mental health issues. The location of their various personal and familial transformations is Reno, the biggest little city in the world.

All roads in this book lead to Reno. In some cases it’s a crooked path for the contributors, from such places as Mexico City as an illegal immigrant, from Bay Saint Louis, MS, the epicenter of Hurricane Katrina, and from a vacant lot in pre-gentrified Santa Monica, CA. The strongest stories in this book resonate with newfound strength and healing from horrific and seemingly hopeless circumstances.

Individual entries are written in the first person and there’s immediacy to the prose throughout the book that makes a reader feel they are having coffee with each author and she’s telling you her story.

The current mayor of Reno happens to be a woman and she has written a Foreword to the book. Hillary L. Schieve calls the contributors “visionaries” and she states “they have truly helped Reno to rise.” The anthology is designed to be the basis for a mass movement of women across the country to rise and give testimony to their disparate experiences of difficulty and positive

change. The idea is to inspire women of every generation to empower themselves with self-expression and to be a primary source of encouragement and motivation for other women to find their way out of bad circumstances.

To that end, the compiler of this collection, Susan Ackerman, recently started a women’s group called Inspire Reno.

The overall purpose has been to provide a positive and creative outlet for personal and professional development for women. It was designed as a place for women of all ages to go and hold events, meet and greet, and support each other. The collection of writings for Reno Rising grew out of this group. The power of their stories comes through with a collective consciousness that relates how the authors have strived to overcome adversity in many forms, and how they have risen like a Phoenix and continue to grow stronger as a result of their association.

It’s hard to pin down exactly why Reno.

Could it be something in the water?

What is it about this city that compelled 14 women from different generations and socio-economic backgrounds to share their stories in such a disarming and direct way? And it seems like it could only happen in Reno – if you somehow transferred the stories to Boulder, CO or Baltimore, MD the outcomes might not be the same. Reno is the X-factor that contributed to their combined success.

There is a curative and restoring power to the accounts in the collection. These are real women telling their stories in a forthright manner. Many of them are first-time authors. As business owners and catalysts for change, these women make a difference every day in the lives of those they encounter and in the life of their city. u Eric Lincoln Miller is a writer and book development expert with 30 years’ experience in publishing. He lives in Reno, NV. Contact him at eric@3ibooks.com

See if you are getting the right coverage at the right price.

For more than 100 years, EMPLOYERS® has specialized in providing value added services and competitively priced workers’ compensation insurance for America’s small businesses.

Get the EMPLOYERS Price & Performance

Review today which includes: Free Analysis Clear Price & Support Comparisons Concise Coverage Evaluation

Get Started Today Call: (877) 572-4761 Visit: employers.com/biznv An independent agent will contact you and perform your Price & Performance Review.

Copyright © 2018 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. In Nevada, insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company and Employers Assurance Company. EIG Services, Inc. is an affiliated agency and adjuster. Coverage not available in all jurisdictions. CM_0080AD_NV

bizNEVADA MAGAZINE • WWW.BIZNEVADA.COM • PAGE 29

SCORE to offer a resource for women-owned businesses Special to bizNEVADA SCORE Las Vegas is a non-profit volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SCORE has experts in virtually every area of business who are active and retired business executives and entrepreneurs dedicated to helping people establish a new small business or expand their established business.

“We are here to help you succeed in business with no-fee mentoring and no-cost and low-cost workshops,” said Andy Perla, certified business mentor, and community relations.

SCORE Las Vegas is proud to announce the launch of the SCORE Women’s Initiative for women seeking help in developing and growing their business. “Our program will offer services for those in all stages of business development. It is focused on offering education and networking events on relevant topics with subject matter experts and access to experts who can mentor one-on-one,” said Raj Tumber, media communications strategic relations, and certified business mentor.

The goal of the program is to empower female entrepreneurs and small business owners to achieve business success. The SCORE Las Vegas Women’s Initiative is dedicated to growing the number of profitable and thriving women-owned businesses by providing expertise, education, and encouragement. The ambition of the SCORE Las Vegas Women’s Initiative is to be the front-line resource for this important target. The services will include PAGE 30 • VOL. 5, ISSUE 7 • JANUARY 2019

financial assistance, management assistance, government procurement, and certification assistance, with the ultimate goal to provide all the resources available to the small business’ community.

SCORE Women of Las Vegas will present a monthly educational networking event for all clients who have attended previous workshops and have been mentored. It is a continuing education, networking opportunity and support for SCORE clients to continue to work on their business ideas and expand their business. It will also support all small businesses that want answers to their

business struggles. This is a program open to the community. “We also hope to attract experts who would be willing to share their expertise with our small business owners. Those who have gone through the struggles in business with advice and tips to overcome all obstacles,” said Tumber.

Evening events are planned with a focused discussion and a panel of experts to discuss business issues relevant to anyone starting a business or in business who need support. This program will help businesses overcome challenges and serve as a referral base as well as increase SCORE’s mentoring of existing and new clients.

The first program event “Riding the Waves of New Business Ownership,” for women who are starting and growing their businesses, features Lisa Chastain, who took her business from -$300.00 to six figures in just ten months. Lisa will share what she did.

The event will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019, from 6pm-8pm at Bonefish Grill, Town Square, Las Vegas. $25 includes dinner with a cash bar available. To register call SCORE: 702-388-6104 or lasvegas.score.org u

NEVADA WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS

By Craig A. Ruark According to the 2017 State of Women-owned Business Report, commissioned by American Express, as of January 2017, there are an estimated 11.6 million (11,615,600) women-owned businesses in the United States that employ nearly 9 million (8,985,200) people and generate almost $1.7 trillion ($1,663,991,700,000) in revenues. Over the past 20 years (1997–2017), the number of women-owned businesses has grown 114 percent compared to the overall national growth rate of 44 percent for all businesses.

Women-owned businesses now account for 39 percent of all U.S. firms, employ 8 percent of the total private sector workforce, and contribute 4.2 percent of total business revenues.

Nevada, according to the report, has an estimated 98,800 womenowned businesses, employing 74,400 and attributing to roughly $16,248,300,000 and is ranked No. 1 among the top ten states where women-owned businesses have most increased their economic clout (defined as the growth in the number of firms and growth in employment and revenues) between 1997 and 2017.

New this year, the report looks back to 1972, the first time the U.S. Census Bureau provided data on minority- and women-owned businesses. Nationally, the number of women-owned businesses increased a dramatic 31 times since 1972 – from 402,000 to 12.3 million in 2018. Employment during that time grew 40-fold, from 230,000 to 9.2 million, and revenues rose from $8.1 billion to $1.8 trillion – 217 times greater.

Nevada is ranked 9th in the growth of the number of womenowned firms since 2007 with a 56 percent increase, 26th in the growth of jobs created with a 14.9 percent increase and 32nd in the growth of firm revenues with a 29.2 percent increase.

Las Vegas, Nevada is ranked 5th in the growth of the number of women-owned firms among the top 50 U.S. metropolitan areas with a 118.7 percent increase over the past 11 years, 13th in growth of jobs created with a 33.2 percent increase and 36th in growth of firm revenues with a 24.4 percent increase.

The following tables offer a quick snapshot comparing data on Nevada’s women-owned firms to the national numbers:

Trend in Growth of Women-Owned Firms in the U.S. compared to Nevada, 2002-2018 Women-Owned Firms

2002

TOTAL U.S.

2007

2012

2016 (est.)

2017 (est.)

% Change 2007-2018

% Change 2017-2018

2018 (est.)

Number of Firms

6,489,483

7,793,139

9,878,397

11,313,900

11,615,600

12,280,200

57.6%

5.7%

Employment

7,146,229

7,579,876

8,431,614

8,976,100

8,985,200

9,184,500

21.2%

2.2%

Sales ($000)

$940,774,986

$1,202,115,758

$1,419,834,295

$1,622,763,800

$1,663,991,700

$1,757,210,100

46.2%

5.6%

NEVADA

Number of Firms

47,675

63,317

82,508

92,700

96,300

98,800

56.0%

2.6%

Employment

54,268

64,773

68,636

72,900

72,500

74,400

14.9%

2.6%

Sales ($000)

$8,643,138

$12,579,594

$13,995,046

$15,568,500

$15,504,800

$16,248,300

29.2%

4.8%

% Change 2007-2018

% Change 2017-2018

Trend in Growth of Women-Owned Firms in Las Vegas, 2002-2018 Women-Owned Firms

2002

LAS VEGAS, NV

2007

2012

2016 (est.)

2017 (est.)

2018 (est.)

Number of Firms

31,259

44,528

62,885

75,600

88,600

97,400

118.7%

9.9%

Employment

36,993

46,033

49,727

54,800

56,700

61,300

33.2%

8.1%

Sales ($000)

$6,639,696

$9,347,461

$9,341,515

$10,424,400

$10,714,300

$11,627,000

24.4%

8.5%

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