Pulse Beat February 2009 by City of Paramount

n Saturday, February 21, everyone in Paramount is invited to celebrate the completion of a dream that will enhance the quality of life for our residents on the west side of town and add more open space to the City’s overall park system.

At noon, City leaders will hold a special re-opening event for the refurbished and expanded Dills Park.

This project has been a focal point for officials who have worked and planned long and hard over the last few years to turn the little park along the Los Angeles River into a very special place, a natural wonder, a “green” park in the modern sense of the word.

Not only has Dills been transformed into a remarkable new space that will be a fantastic resource for residents for generations to come, but it was done at minimal expense to the City. Most of the costs for the improvements and the property purchases to increase the park’s size were paid for with grant money from various sources.

Dills Park was originally known as “Banana” Park because of its shape – long, curved and narrow, running along the Los Angeles River between Somerset and Rosecrans boulevards (though not reaching either one). For quite a while the park presented a number of challenges related to maintenance and policing due to its rather isolated location. But it’s always

it is an attractive, valuable jewel for the neighborhoods of Paramount full of gorgeous landscaping, fanciful playgrounds, physical ﬁtness facilities, and exhibits relating our area’s history. On the Don Knabe Nature Trail, for instance, visitors can walk or jog along

The new playgrounds in Dills Park have a fanciful, Adventureland feel to them.

Dills Park Opening On February 21

The new, improved and bigger Dills Park will be the site of a grand re-opening this month, on Saturday, February 21 beginning at 12 noon. The public is invited to this free event. There will be mariachi music, a ribbon-cutting for the Don Knabe Nature Trail and a tour of the trail that will include demonstrations of the various features along the way and explanations of the park’s ecological innovations and natural history. There will also be food for purchase.

This has been a major civic improvement project for the City over the last few years and we are thrilled to see its completion. I think everyone will be duly impressed and pleased with the results. For more information, please call the Recreation Department at (562) 220-2121.

Parking Lot To Be Expanded At Post Office

Thanks to agreements coordinated between the City, the United States Postal Service and Southern California Edison, parking at our post ofﬁce on Somerset Blvd. will become less congested in a few months.

The lot will be expanded into

Edison right-of-way land after their current tenant relocates its business. Groundbreaking for the improvements is scheduled for early May.

Our post ofﬁce has always done a heavy business, and parking issues have long been complicated. But soon those problems should be cleared up thanks to the combined efforts of the above mentioned entities.

Good Year For Crime Stats

Since the early 1990s, Paramount has witnessed a consistent, steady decrease in crime levels. Some years the numbers have been more dramatic than others. For 2008, Part 1 violent crimes dropped impressively.

As compared to the 12 months of 2007, the combined numbers for homicide, rape, assault and robbery last year fell by a huge 18%. With property crimes, burglaries were also down dramatically. However, auto thefts rose. (For information about the City’s CAT [Combat Auto Theft] program, please call 562-220-2002.)

These excellent statistics are the result of the outstanding relationship between the City and the Sheriff’s Department and their inventive, ongoing anti-crime measures.

Free Green Line Shuttle Up And Running

The City began running its free shuttle to the Green Line train in January. The shuttle, which leaves from the WalMart parking lot on Lakewood Blvd., connects the City’s Easy Rider bus system with the Green Line station on Lakewood at the 105 Freeway. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is funded by Proposition A, which was

passed by voters to enhance mass transit. Shuttles leave every 10-15 minutes during those hours. Look for the shuttle sign in the parking lot.

What To Recycle

The City’s curbside trash collection/recycling program is going strong, and thanks are again due to everyone taking part and helping out by proper sorting.

Just as a periodic reminder, here’s a list of what goes in which container.

BLUE Recyclable receptacle:

(Please remember to rinse all food containers thoroughly before recycling.)

Glass – clear, brown and green bottles and jars for liquor, wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, food, etc.

Metal – aluminum cans, metal food cans, scrap metal, coat hangers, foil and empty aerosol containers.

Plastic – milk jugs, soda and juice bottles, water bottles, and soap bottles.

Paper – cardboard, newspaper, magazines, junk mail, ledger, computer paper, cereal boxes, paper shop-

ping bags, and non-metallic wrapping paper.

GREEN Greenwaste receptacle: Grass clippings and leaves (but not in plastic bags), tree trimmings (up to 4-inches in diameter), brush and hedge trimmings. And do not use trash bags to line the receptacle.

BLACK receptacle:

Normal trash, food waste, nonrecyclable items. For instance, do not place tissues or paper towels or any paper product with food or other contaminates in the recycling receptacle. Do not place window panes, safety glass, ceramics, mirrors, light bulbs, drinking glasses, plastic bags, plastic wrap, food waste or Styrofoam packaging material in your recycling receptacle. Do not place any trash, cactus, ice plant, yucca or fruit and vegetables into your greenwaste receptacle, since they will contaminate the greenwaste. All of these mentioned items will go into the black receptacle.

With all receptacles, do not overload. Do not use for ﬂammables, hot ash, solvents, paints. Do not use for hazardous materials.

I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.

– Woodrow Wilson

Mayor, Gene Daniels

City to Expand Sheriff’s Station

In 2008, the City of Paramount purchased the building that has been home to our Sheriff’s Station for many years and was previously being rented. By doing this, the City has ensured long-term stability at that location and gained complete control of the site.

As a case in point, plans have already been drawn up to expand and remodel the Station, and have been approved by the City Council. One of the main improvements will be to create a much larger public lobby with public restrooms for the convenience of residents visiting the Station. Also added to the facility will be a multi-purpose room, space for the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a communications room, interview space for Sheriff’s personnel (so that such sessions won’t have to occur over at the Lakewood Station) and ofﬁces for other law enforcement agencies that perform services in Paramount.

Construction should get underway later this year.

Graffiti Reward Program

In the ongoing regional battle against grafﬁti, most cities have reward programs to prompt residents who witness this type of vandalism to come forward. So, too, does Paramount.

Our Grafﬁti Reward Program offers $200 to anyone who provides information or identiﬁcation that leads to the apprehension of a suspect. If the witness appears in court – or the suspect pleads guilty even without a court appearance – an additional $300 is awarded.

The City stays on top of graffiti outbreaks, wiping it clean within 48 hours (and usually much quicker). On a routine basis, the Public Works Graffiti Removal Team canvasses parks, alleys, large walls, other prime spots and removes all graffiti in public view. Since 2006, the City has contracted with Graffiti Tracker, a private company that provides equipment to photograph, store, and analyze all forms of graffiti in the city. A special assignment vandalism enforcement deputy uses this information to track graffiti and graffiti vandals. Since these tools have been applied to the problem there have been 26 arrests for graffiti vandalism, 20 of those attributed to Graffiti Tracker.

For more information about the Grafﬁti Reward Program, please call (562) 220-2002.

In other related activity, a recent gang/grafﬁti probation sweep was undertaken by the Sheriff’s Department throughout L.A. County. Included were a few locations searched here in town, resulting in two arrests. The operation was another strong message aimed at gang members and taggers about the ongoing efforts of law enforcement against this type of criminal behavior.

Also, in February, the Sheriff’s new roving gang impact team, GANET (Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team), will be deployed in Paramount and Bellflower for four months. This is a five-member team that focuses its activities on a very defined geographic area, and the approach has proven very successful in the Lenox and East L.A. areas. A great deal of intelligence has been gathered and patrol deputies are doing a fantastic job of maintaining a strong presence in the community.

Truancy and Curfew –

Rules And Consequences

The Sheriff’s Department periodically conducts both daytime truancy and nighttime curfew enforcement in Paramount. It is very important for parents and guardians to know about the potential legal consequences for any minor who is found to be truant from school or out past curfew.

Daytime enforcement focuses on curtailing the activities of minors who are not on campus during regular school hours. According to Paramount’s Municipal Code, regular school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Nighttime curfew enforcement deals with those minors who are out without adult supervision from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Minors who are cited for truancy or curfew violation may face the following consequences:

* A ﬁne of up to $495.

* Community service hours.

* Suspension from school.

In addition to the these penalties, the parents/guardians of the cited minor may be required to accompany the minor to court and may be required to successfully complete parenting classes.

For more information, please call (562) 220-2002.

Embrace Life, No Matter What

Have you ever heard, “If I had only had more time?” As people grow older, some may have regrets about all things they did not do. Not taking an exotic trip or missing visits to family members might top the list. One of the biggest regrets may be not telling a loved one how much you care.

While no one can possibly do everything on a lifetime to-do list, there are plenty of ways to show people you care. One way is to make sure your family has the ﬁnancial means to continue living their current lifestyle if you are no longer around.

DILLS from page 1

It’s also a model of environmental stewardship. All the landscaping is drought-resistant. Benches and tables are made from recycled materials. State-of-the-art water conservation designs include irrigation systems that soak instead of spray, “pervious” concrete that allows water to seep into the ground, and catch basins that receive runoff from the surrounding neighborhood and ﬁlter out trash before letting it percolate underground or ﬂow into the river.

Signage along trails describes the site’s natural history and the region’s cultural past, with a walking guide for visitors delving into further detail. Eventually, the City will have guided tours with docents for Paramount school kids.

Will your family be prepared to ﬁnancially cover a mortgage, college tuition, or outstanding debt?

A qualiﬁed insurance professional can help you choose a policy to meet your needs and ﬁt in your budget. Once a policy is in place, you can revisit it, especially during different life events, to make certain that the coverage is still appropriate.

Life is ever changing. Protecting your family from ﬁnancial hardships after you are gone begins today—for now and for tomorrow.

State Farm/Galli Agency (562) 817-5620

Further improvements include lighting the length of the park at night for improved public safety and a signiﬁcant number of new sparking spaces.

Along with special programs like Pocket Parks, which has created islands of green all over town for a fraction of the cost normally associated with building new parks, Paramount ofﬁcials have been devoted to carving out more open space wherever possible for recreational use and tranquility. They realize how vital it is for residents and community groups to have these resources for recreation and relaxation.

February 21 will be a festive day highlighting this ever-advancing dedication to making the City better and better. Join your friends and neighbors for the unveiling of this unique gem in our park system.

PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Invites you to attend a Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting

Stretch Ur Dollar Discount Store

Thursday, March 26, 2009

14905 Paramount Blvd. Ste. G & H

From 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Refreshments, Free Giveaways, and Rafﬂes All Day Long!!!

RSVP: (562) 634-3980

PARAMOUNT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Invites you to attend a Open house/Ribbon Cutting

Herald’s Garage, Inc.

Thursday, February 19

8124 E. Alondra Blvd.

Beginning at 11:30 am

Lunch Served

RSVP: (562) 634-3980

Ambassador Proﬁles

Name: Annina Tomjack

Born: Artesia, CA

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Company: Paramount Petroleum

Location: 14700 Downey Ave., Paramount

Phone: 562.531.2060 x 2743

Major product or service: Manufacture asphalt

Why did you become and Ambassador? I became and Ambassador to become more involved in the community and to help promote the Paramount Chamber of Commerce.

Favorite saying: “It is what it is.”

If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be? Continued health for my family, travel the world and win the lotto.

Name: Deborah Jameson, Co-Pastor

Born: Emporia Kansas

Education: High school, Live Bible College diploma in Pastoral Theology

Company: Lifegate Foursquare Church

Location: 13376 Downey Ave., Paramount

Phone: 562.633.4676

Major product or service: Spiritual and physical care of individuals as well as families in such areas as: counseling, teaching, training, weddings, funerals, youth & children’s programs, benevolence, evangelism, prison ministry, etc…

Why did you join the Chamber? To join forces with the Chamber in providing assistance to those in need as well as partnering in community service and activities.

Favorite saying: “Hangeth thou in there!”

If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be? To own my own home, to serve on the Mission ﬁeld and to bring hate and violence to an end.

Mark Your Calendars

Paramount Chamber of Commerce

Can You Spot a Scholarship Scam?

Scholarships are an attractive way to help manage college costs. Your child won’t have to repay them (like loans) or work to maintain them (like work-study). Since students and parents are so eager to ﬁnd these funds, it’s no wonder that they become easy targets for ﬁnancial aid con artists.

Scholarship Scams

Many scholarship ﬁnders promote the old adage that “millions of dollars in private scholarship money goes unused every year.” The fact is, nearly all available ﬁnancial aid comes from the federal government or from individual colleges.

Often private scholarships are slated for very speciﬁc applicants, such as students with a particular career interest, or members of a certain church or organization. These institutions have created funds for students, so they are eager to give them to qualiﬁed individuals. They are not interested in keeping the money a secret.

You and your child can easily ﬁnd out about these opportunities by checking with your employer and other appropriate institutions. Have your child make the contact with clubs or other organizations to ﬁnd out what they seek in an applicant. Your child’s high school counselor can also provide information on scholarships.

Tell-Tale Signs It’s a Scam

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s “Scholarship Scams,” if you or your child hears these lines from a scholarship service, you may be getting duped:

“The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”

No one can guarantee that they’ll get your child a grant or a scholarship. Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. Get refund policies in writing — before you or your child pays.

“You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

There are many free lists of scholarships available. You and your child should start researching scholarships at the high school or library before you decide to pay someone to do the work for you.

“I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”

You or your child shouldn’t give out credit card or bank account number on the phone without getting information in writing ﬁrst. It may be the set-up for an unauthorized withdrawal from your account.

“We’ll do all the work.”

Don’t be fooled. There’s no way around it. Your child must apply for scholarships or grants himself.

“The scholarship will cost money.”

Don’t pay anyone who claims to be “holding” a scholarship or grant for your child. Free money shouldn’t cost a thing.

“You’ve been selected by a national foundation” to receive a scholarship or “You’re a ﬁnalist” in a contest you never entered.

Before you or your child sends money to apply for a scholarship, check it out. Make sure the foundation or program is legitimate.

Fight Back

If you or your child suspects a scam, bring a copy of all literature and correspondence to your child’s school guidance ofﬁce or to a ﬁnancial aid administrator at a local college for advice.

“Scholarship Scams” from FinAid.org provides advice on how to identify scams, how to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent organizations, how to protect yourself from scholarship scams, and what to do if you are scammed.

Other Financial Aid Scams

Parents who feel intimidated by the financial aid process often turn to financial aid consultants. But beware; some of these services can be shady. Financial aid consultants advertise their ability to help families through complicated financial aid forms and provide tricks to getting through the system. But financial aid forms are relatively simple, and a high school counselor will give you advice for free. Also, there are not really any tricks to the financial aid system. It is the job of financial aid officers who work at colleges and universities to ensure that once your child is accepted you can pay for the college. Financial aid officers make funding decisions based on the school’s award criteria and funds available. The aid officer is your best ally in this process; no independent service is likely to influence it. Aid officers will also know about state funding and other opportunities to apply for aid.

Networking in the New Year - It’s a Good Thing

The January Networking Breakfast hosted by the Paramount Chamber and sponsored by Vernon Security got the new year off to a great start. More than 80 people attended and had the opportunity to display their products and network with other businesses.

The morning began with a hearty breakfast catered by Rosewood Restaurant and was followed by self introductions and the Chamber Trivia game. Every table took home a prize donated by the Chamber’s hard working Ambassadors and local businesses who attended the event. Chamber President Kevin Lindsay did a great job keeping things moving along, while Ambassador Chair Laura Warth looked for the best table top display; which went to Doris Flower Shop a ﬁrst time visitor.

During the breakfast Chamber Ambassador Annina Tomjack from Paramount Petroleum was recognized as Ambassador of the Quarter, she received a certiﬁcate of appreciation and a free ad in the Paramount Pulse Beat. The winner is determined by how many points an Ambassador earns during the quarter for performing various duties for the Chamber.

It was a great event and a good way to start the New Year. Chamber Networking Breakfast’s are held every quarter and offer businesses the opportunity to promote themselves and meet new contacts. For more information about chamber networking opportunities log on to the Chamber website paramountchamber.com or call the Chamber ofﬁce 562.634.3980.

Nancy Lomeli owner of Doris Flowers won a $25 cash prize for the Best Table Top Display.

Chamber President Kevin Lindsay, Membership Services Director Maria MacLean and 50/50 winner Jim Hyde from Louise’s Travel.

Ambassador Chair Laura Warth with Ambassador of the Quarter Annina Tomjack and Chamber President Kevin Lindsay.

The Cat House

BY ETHEL HILLYARD

While taking an early morning walk one day we noticed many people were walking their dogs, which got us thinking that we never see anyone walking a cat. It must be hard to encourage a cat to give up a soft warm couch to take a trek around the block.

We do know a couple who takes their two cats for a walk around their property. They put them in a harness with an extra long leash and let them roam the yard for half an hour or so. They live near a canyon and there’s always the chance a coyote is looking for a hearty meal so they built a wire enclosure as high as their house. They built shelves for sleeping, and installed a large tree branch for

scratching. It’s been called the “Cat Hilton” not to be confused with an ordinary cat house.

One of the cats is called Dandelion, Dandy for short. She is very adventurous and once slipped away while her master was tending to the spinach garden. Finding her gone he followed the long leash and found she had gone into the sewer pipe near their driveway. He couldn’t quite reach her and coaxing had no effect. He was in a dilemma; if he pulled on the leash he might hurt her or she might go deeper into the pipe. Being an optimist he decided to wait at the curb hoping she would ﬁnally come out on her own; which she did 30 minutes later. She was severely admonished and returned to the cat house never to sin again.

HELP WANTED

AUTO MECHANIC WITH TOOL EXPERIENCE. Trouble-shooting. TOP DOLLAR for TOP MECHANIC. Apply at Herald’s Garage, 8124 E. Alondra Blvd, Paramount. 562-633-2136, Ask for Joe.

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SERVICE TECHICIANS NEEDED. 3

– 5 years minimum experience required. Must have a good DMV record. Bring a current DMV report when applying. Must be EPA certiﬁed. Must have own tools. Immediate employment for the right person. Beneﬁts. Apply @ W.R. Smith, Inc. 14908 Gwenchris Court, Paramount. (562) 408-6400. Ask for Bill or Debbie.

WE’RE HIRING! – Contact Ventana Home Fashions – sales@ventanadms.com - Fax: 562-633-0022 For exciting employment opportunities Email or fax your resume today! Positions include, training, beneﬁts, job advancement for qualiﬁed candidates. Experience in In-Home sales helpful but not necessary. We will train the right person!

CARLTON FORGE WORKS, a manufacturer of high technology seamless rolled rings and closed die forging for the gas turbine engine industry. We currently have these positions available: INSPECTOR.

Qualiﬁcations: Candidate must have a 2 year minimum inspection experienced with strong technical and people skills. Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills are required. Candidate must be able to Inspect In-process parts and fully machined parts with standard tools. The candidate must know GD&T and ANSI Y14.5 Must be able to read blue prints, Engineering diagrams and sketches. Experience using a variety of measuring tools: micrometer, Dial Indicators Height Gage, Calipers, etc. JOB DUTIES: Inspect Forgings visually and dimensionally, ﬁll out proper inspection reports, drive a fork lift, able to work night shift, able to work in a Forge Shop environment.

Fax resume Or E-mail resume to: cfwjobs@cfworks.com or Apply in person at: Carlton Forge Works, 7743 E. Adams St., Paramount, Ca. 90723 (562)633-1131 (562)633-3590 Fax. EOE/M/F/V/H – NO RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT JOB TITLE.

Seeking an IT PERSON with a deep interest in learning and exploring new technologies must have strong troubleshooting abilities, self motivated and able to adapt in a changing and multi-tasking environment. The Ideal candidate will assist in program and knowledge of SQL Server data administration, Windows related software troubleshooting, hardware and software deployment and server administration.

Experience in supporting Microsoft applications and hardware, skill set should include SQL administration and windows server administration is preferred. Minimum one (1) year work experience or related

Carlton Forge Works offers competitive compensation, exceptional beneﬁts, 401(k) plan, a proven and successful self-improvement system, and potential to grow with the company. We are looking for self-motivated individuals who will help us continue to grow and be a successful company.

Fax resume Or E-mail resume to: cfwjobs@cfworks.com or Apply in person at: CARLTON FORGE WORKS, 7743 E. Adams St., Paramount, Ca. 90723 (562)6331131 (562)633-3590 Fax. EOE/M/F/V/H – NO RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT JOB TITLE.

SAW DEPARTMENT WAREHOUSE – Carlton Forge Works, a manufacturer of high technology seamless rolled rings and closed die forgings for the gas turbine engine industry. Job Duties: Must be willing to work any shift, be reliable and hard working. Will operate an overhead crane. English/Spanish is a plus. Must have decent math skills. Basis measuring tools is a plus. Great beneﬁts. No experience needed, we will train. Fax resume Or E-mail resume to: cfwjobs@cfworks.com or Apply in person at: CARLTON FORGE WORKS, 7743 E. Adams St., Paramount, Ca. 90723 (562)633-1131 (562)633-3590 Fax. EOE/M/F/V/H – NO RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT JOB TITLE.

We are proud to be part of an All-American City and want to thank the local businesses, residences, schools and friends for your support over the years and are grateful to be involved in community support activities such as:

Paramount Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award, 2004

Paramount Education Partnership Platinum Sponsor

A part of the City of Paramount for over 70 years, did you know that:

Paramount Petroleum is one of the largest suppliers of asphalt in the United States; Paramount Petroleum is in the top 15% of all U.S. reﬁneries for

Paramount Women’s Club

Paramount/Tepic Sister City Club

Traditional Artists’ Guild of Paramount (TAG) and the City of Paramount will sponsor the 28th Panorama Traditional Art Show and 11th Student Art Show at Progress Park Plaza.

REGISTRATION:

Students must submit there art work through their school unless a member of the Guild. Artwork will be picked up Tuesday, February 17th for grades 9-12. K-8 artwork will be picked up on Wednesday, February 18th.

Adult artists registration is Monday and Tuesday, February 23rd and 24th at Progress Park between 9 AM and 6 PM.

BUYER’S DAY:

Buyers interested in purchasing artwork of adult artists may do so on Thursday, February 26th between 9 AM to 8PM or during the show.

VIEWING ART WORK:

Saturday February 21st and Sunday, February 22nd; display will be by GRADES (Kindergarten through Senior). Show hours 9 AM to 7 PM.

Friday, February 27th and Saturday February 28th; display will be shown by SCHOOL (Alondra to Zamboni) integrated with the adult artists. Show hours 9 AM to 7 PM.

FREE DEMONSTRATION and ADULT AWARD CEREMONY:

On Sunday, March 1st, at 2 PM, there will be a demonstration by a noted western artist, Cliff Barnes. Awards for the adults will be presented by Mayor or her representative after the demonstration.

STUDENT AWARD CEREMONIES:

Student awards will be given by their respective principals. PUSD School Board and the City Council will recognize student ﬁrst place and special winners. The City ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd

Questions may be directed to the Show Chairman, John B Nowlin by phone (H) (562) 925-9134 or (cell) (562) 455-6425

President Shirley Elliott and Ethel Hillyard, members of the Paramount Women’s Club, stand by the 4ft Christmas tree the Club donated to the Los Cerritos Festival of Trees fund raising project.

Members of the Paramount/Tepic Sister City Club recently visited Tepic and delivered warrants for construction materials to expand the Casa de Salud clinic. From left: Felipe Sanchez (vice president of the Tepic club), Ben Dominguez, Cira Gonzalez, Ana Flores (president of the Paramount club), Esther Caldwell and Laura Oropeza.

Startups Critical for Job Creation in the United States

Every day people take a great idea from concept to a start up business. Our economy is counting on people starting and growing businesses. After all small business owners have been critical to retaining and creating jobs in the state of California and across our nation.

In the midst of record unemployment, a new Kauffman Foundationfunded U.S. Census Bureau study suggests that the answer to economic recovery lies within startup companies. The Business Dynamic Statistics (BDS) indicate that without job creation from new firms, the U.S. net employment growth rate is negative on average. The Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) are a product of the Center for Economic Studies of the U.S. Census Bureau. “Job growth is essential for our economy to rebound, and this study shows that new firms have historically been an important source of new jobs in the United States,” said Robert E. Litan, vice president of Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation, which funded the BDS. “Our research into the early years of business formation consistently shows how vital new firms are to our economy, and this data should give policymakers and budding entrepreneurs alike great hope for how we can solve our current crisis, create and grow jobs through entrepreneurship.”

So, for those of you out there who have had a dream to start your own business, the U.S. can use your help to boost the economy. And, the Small Business Development Centers and your local chamber of commerce can help you focus on getting the resources that you need to start up your business. Also consider these 4 P’s to increasing your odds of start up business success: Proceed with passion; Position your business for success; Persistence pays, Partner with positive mentors.

Proceed With Passion - Ask a successful business owner the secrets to their success and they will list passion as a key element for launching and keeping their business going. It is not good enough to have a good idea, a business owner that has the passion to take the concept to a needed product or services will ﬁnd that passion can then be translated to telling people about the business, is a driving force to working long hours, and can result in a sale. People buy from people who they want to buy from, and are drawn to those committed to their business and passionate about their products and services.

Position Your Business For Success - Early on, deﬁne your business model which includes clear knowledge of your products/services, pricing structure, expenses, target market of who will purchase your products/services, and projected sales. Everything in business starts with a sale -- launch a prototype that can be sold, and position your products and services for sale to your market.

Persistence Pays - Whether it be to get advice, set up a critical meeting to present your products/services, get a loan, or select a site for your business … persistence pays. Small business owners know that ‘no’ means ‘not right now’, and that sometimes it takes getting more than several no’s to get to a yes.

Partner with Positive Mentors - Starting a business can be a lonely process unless you are willing to ask for help and partner with positive mentors. It is amazing the advice and assistance that will come your way when a business owner is willing to listen and work with other business owners, trade and professional associations, and industry experts and leaders. Small business owners want to see others succeed, because they know that it takes commitment, and hard earned resources to even get into business. It is easy to go day to day working ‘in’ your business, and critical

to build an external advice network of people. Be respectful of your mentors’ time and select people who are positive, and solutions oriented.

Your start up will fuel the economy and employ yourself and others in your community. Get started with your business and help the business community move the economy forward.

Vivian Shimoyama is the Interim Director of the Long Beach SBDC. The Business Corner is brought to you by your local Small Business Development

Center and the Paramount Chamber of Commerce. The LB SBDC is hosted by Long Beach City College and provides training and one-on-one consulting services in such areas as business planning, marketing, access to funding resources, procurement/contracting assistance, legal, accounting, international trade, technology, web development, and other business specialty areas. Bilingual consultants (Spanish speaking) are also available. To make an appointment call: (562) 570-4574, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu