Everyone who visited the Paramount Chamber of Commerce fiesta booth was a winner thanks to contributions from Paramount Chamber members. It didn’t matter where the wheel stopped you were guaranteed to win a prize. The chamber wasn’t the only booth giving away free merchandise, event sponsor Clinica Medica Hispana held free raffles throughout the day and gave away everything from diaper bags to strollers.
More than 8000 fiesta visitors made their rounds to the game booths and carnival rides and most wound up at the food court for some refreshment. Whether it was a Domino’s pizza, a grilled hot dog from Gabby’s, a carne asada taco from Casa Adelita, or Mariscos
from El Guero there was something for everyone. Abundant Life Church made some outstanding smoothies while event planners Orchid Moon served up some icy cold silky smooth Italian Ice.
“The weather was good and its great to see so many Paramount people having a good time, we look forward to the event every year,” said Chamber President Kevin Lindsay.
The Paramount Chamber would like to express their sincere appreciation to the major event sponsor Clinica Medica Hispana and to the Modern Development Company without their support the annual fiesta would not be possible.
Chamber Board Member Bill Winters and his wife Judy handle the spin to win giveaways for the Chamber booth.
Clinica Medica Hispana major sponsor for the 2008 Paramount Chamber Fiesta.
Paramount SASSFA sold hot chocolate and warm churros while sharing information about employment opportunities.
State Farm Agent Maria Galli with the Good Neighbear, and Galli agency team member Patricia Gallegos.
Halloween Offerings Always A Treat
The City’s annual Halloween Carnival will once again provide a fun, safe and spooky good time at Paramount Park on Friday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For almost 40 years, this frighteningly entertaining event has offered parents and youngsters a supervised environment full of activities and goodies. We usually get more than 5,000 residents – mostly kids – turning out for the free ghoulish gathering.
There will be costume contests by age category, an assortment of game booths, the “goofy graveyard” for preschoolers, a moonbounce, piñatas, face-painting, a photo booth and more. Plus, food booths will have goodies for sale and the City will give away lots and lots of candy.
Also in the “spirit” of the season, the City puts on a Family Spooktacular Night at Spane Park on the Saturday before Halloween, October 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be a pumpkin-carving
contest, trick-or-treat bag making, and a scary movie to watch. Children under 12 must be with an adult, and admission is limited to those who purchase a wristband from the Recreation Department for $2 per person before the event.
For more information, call (562) 220-2121.
Free Shuttle to Connect City with Green Line
Paramount has long had its own mini-transit system – the Easy Rider – that provides low-cost public transportation around town. The Easy Rider operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Soon, we will be expanding the system so residents can, without driving their car, reach the Green Line train for travels beyond Paramount. Starting on January 5, 2009, a free shuttle will connect the Easy Rider transit system with the Green Line station on Lakewood Blvd. at the 105 Freeway. Connections to the Green Line Shuttle will be made at the Easy Rider transit stop located at WalMart on Lakewood Blvd.
Designed to encourage further use of public transportation in the region, the shuttle will operate 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 being funded by Proposition A, which was passed by voters to enhance mass transit.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2121.
City Hires Mobile Home Park Inspector
There are 18 mobile home parks in Paramount with room for 1,420 residences. The City and the Sheriff’s Department have jurisdiction over criminal matters on these properties, but any issues regarding physical condition of the parks have always been handled by California’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Unfortunately, the HCD can be overwhelmed by its workload of conducting property inspections throughout the state – the law requires that every mobile home park be inspected once during an eight-year cycle, and the HCD’s annual goal is to inspect 5% of the parks in California.
In an effort to provide our mobile home residents with better service, Paramount is partnering with the City of Bellflower to hire a dedicated inspector from the state to make more frequent inspections. (We also share an inspector from the L.A. County Housing Authority for Section 8 housing with Bellflower.) This new arrangement with the state was worked out with the help of Senator Alan Lowenthal.
An HCD inspector cannot resolve
issues between mobile home owners and park owners involving such items as rent hikes. But they can address problems that pose an imminent hazard or danger to people, maintenance and code enforcement issues, and possibly certain blight conditions like room additions.
The City believes this proactive approach will help maintain a desired quality of life within our mobile home parks. The new inspector – who will work up to 24 hours per week, not to exceed 480 hours annually – will start with the City in October.
Catch of the Day at Huck Finn Derby
If you’re a Paramount kid 17 years old or younger, and you’re angling for a day in the sun with reel and rod, Spane Park is the place to be on Saturday, October 11 for the City’s yearly Huck Finn Fishing Derby. The park’s pond is stuffed to the gills with catfish, and those who catch the biggest ones in their age range will be awarded prizes.
In addition to the fishing competition, there will be carnival games and hot dogs on the house, courtesy of the Paramount Elks Club. The free event goes from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Spane Park is located at 14400 Gundry Ave. For more information, please call (562) 220-2121.
Mayor, Gene Daniels
Proactive Enforcement on Public Health Issues
The Paramount Public Safety Department and the Sheriff’s Department always work together in a proactive way to stay on top of crime trends and keep them from taking root and growing. Two recent examples of this approach involved issues of public health.
As they do periodically, the Department’s Special Assignment Team recently conducted a “STAKE Act” operation in Paramount. This stands for “Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement.”
Seventeen locations were checked for compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors. Of those, eight were found to be in compliance, one had been closed for business, and eight were found to be in violation and issued citations.
The Special Assignment Team also conducted one in an occasional series of saturation operations throughout the City looking for illegal street vendors. Public Safety officials had noticed an increase in these unlicensed vendors – who can present public health hazards – in local neighborhoods. The operation was put together to address this.
As a result of the sweep, seven adults were cited (two also had outstanding warrants). Paramount’s Public Safety Department and the Sheriff’s Department will continue to monitor illegal street vending to ensure that the issues associated with it do not proliferate.
Fire Prevention Tips for the Home
Every year, many thousands of individuals are injured and die as a result of fire. More than 80 percent of these fire deaths usually occur in residences. The following tips are offered to help your family prevent a fire.
· Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home. Check the batteries once a month, and change the batteries at least once a year.
· Prepare and practice an escape plan with your family, and find two ways to escape from each room, including bedrooms.
· Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
· Never leave food unattended on the stove, and turn pot handles inward so they cannot be accidentally knocked over.
· Teach children how to call for emergency assistance.
· Keep fire extinguishers where they are most likely to be needed and keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
· If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired or replaced.
City’s Anti-Gang Program Going Strong in Paramount Schools
With the advent of 2008/09 school year, the City of Paramount’s award-winning Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP) program continues its 27th year of operation in the Paramount Unified School District.
Originally launched as “The Paramount Plan: Alternatives to Gang Membership” in 1982 through a unique partnership between the City and the School District, the program’s counselors teach children to live a gang-free lifestyle by providing them with consistent antigang/gang-resistance lessons in the 2nd, 5th, and 9th grades at school.
GRIP also offers gang prevention meetings for parents at school sites and other locales throughout the community. Anti-gang counseling for Paramount residents who are involved in gang activity, and would like to change, is also available.
Paramount’s GRIP is a model program for battling the gang lifestyle, and for some communities the very term “Paramount” has become synonymous with gang prevention. Inquiries about GRIP are received from throughout the United States. The Wake County Public School System, for instance, recently implemented GRIP for their schools in
Raleigh, North Carolina. The City of Longmont, Colorado, is also using GRIP. Locally, the City of Lynwood is seriously looking at adopting GRIP, and the Weed and Seed Program of Long Beach’s Health Department will soon be employing GRIP’s anti-gang lessons.
In Northern California’s Mendocino County, the communities of Fort Bragg, Ukiah, and Willits are all using GRIP in their schools, as well. After a quarter of a century, GRIP is still seen as a fresh approach at preventing the spread of gangs.
In Paramount, more than 65,000 children have participated in GRIP, and over 12,000 parents have attended program meetings. Over the years, as Paramount’s population has almost doubled, the numbers of gangs and gang members have been cut in half, according to estimates by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. During this time, the City’s violent crime statistics have dropped by 40-plus percent.
If you are interested in attending a GRIP parent meeting, or would like more information on GRIP, call the City of Paramount Community Service and Recreation Department at (562) 220-2121.
“Special Thanks” to the following businesses who made donations for the Paramount Chamber 2008 Fiesta “Spin to Win” event
Apple Care Medical
Carlton Forge
Dr. N. R. Reddy
Duke & Associates
Farmers Insurance
Gateway Business Bank
Lifegate Foursquare church
Lindsay Lumber
Paramount Petroleum
Perez Cleaning and Restoration
Royal Truck Body
Source Graphics
State Farm – Galli Agency
Storage Solutions
Thomas Acoustics
Valerios Fashion
Weber Metals
Fine Dining at the Paramount Grill – The Tradition Continues
October 1st marked the 13th anniversary for the Paramount Grill and the one year anniversary for new owner Tom Florio. As the new owner Tom has continued the tradition of fine dining that has made the Paramount Grill a premier dining experience in Paramount.
Whether you’re looking to host a business lunch or just enjoy good food with family and friends the Paramount Grill is the place to dine. From the time you walk in the door, and are greeted by Amy, Tomas, Bridgett or Tom, you feel like it’s a special occasion. Each server is professional and takes great pride in making your dining experience a pleasant one. Fine wines and crisp linens give the Grill an atmosphere one might expect to find in Beverly Hills or a trendy beach community.
Mr. Florio has extensive restaurant experience. “My mother was a waitress and my father was a bartender. Lobster sauce runs in my veins,” he jokes. Tom trained in some the finest resorts on the east coast. He was a cook at the Breakers Hotel, in Palm Beach and the Bar Harbor Inn in Maine. He bartended at the Crazy Horse Restaurant in W. Palm Beach, the Hilton Hotel, and Benjamin’s Tavern in Bangor, Maine. At 26 he started his first restaurant, The Four Seasons, in
Framingham, Maine.
According to Mr. Florio, “it has been a challenging year, but the support that the Paramount community has given the Grill, has been great. Although there have been a few changes, many people do not even realize that former owner Peter Barkhorar retired last year. Peter was a great mentor and made the transition easy. The City Council and the Paramount Chamber have also been very helpful with their suggestion. But most of all I appreciate the customers who continue to support the restaurant during these tough economic times.”
The Paramount Grills fine EuroAmerican (Italian/French) cuisine includes great dishes like fresh cut Fish,
M-W-Th-F: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
15
A recent visit by Tian Richardson of the Press Telegram garnered the Grill this review “..... The Paramount Grill is a place for food of the highest caliber with a very well priced menu. I am always on the search for the perfect relationship of quality, comfort and cost. This restaurant has achieved that, along with gold class service. Next time you are in the mood for gastronomically sensational dining, at a reasonable price... your taste and wallet will sing in harmony.”
The Paramount Grill can be found
at 15503 Paramount Boulevard, in the City of Paramount. The hours are Monday’s 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Tuesday – Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm and Saturday’s 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling, 562.634.2781.
-House Favorites-
Appetizers
($14.95 & Up)
Shrimp Scampi Crab Cakes
Seared Ahi
Sandwiches
($14.95 & Up)
Hamburgers
Chicken Pork Loin
House Specialties
($15.95 - $23.95)
Grilled Salmon
Roasted Leg of Lamb
Chicken Crepe
20% Off October Specials
($11.95 & Up)
Angel Hair Pasta
Simple Penne Rigatoni & Fresh Mozzarella
Fettuccini & Sausage
Steaks, assorted Pastas, Roasted Pork and Lamb. The kitchen staff is led by Jose who has more than
years of culinary experience.
P ARAMOUNT C ITY C OUNCIL
Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc. marked its 35th anniversary as part of the Paramount community with a generous donation to the Paramount Education Partnership, or PEP, of $100,000. Company officials were given special thanks by the Paramount City Council at its Sept. 2 meeting. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Marukan’s Assistant General Manager Tosh Zamoto, President and COO Junichi Oyama, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, National Sales Manager Jon Tanklage and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
September was designated as Education Month in Paramount, a yearly celebration of the importance of education. Members of the Paramount Board of Education, along with the District Superintendent, were on hand at the Sept. 2 meeting to honor the teachers of the year from each Paramount campus.
Every
the
the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County presents awards to businesses that properly discharge their industrial wastewater, which keeps it off our beaches and out of the ocean. Seven for 2008 are in Paramount. The Council commended representatives from the companies that attended the
From
Councilmember Tom
Vice
Diane J. Martinez, Martin Johnson from Carlton Forge, Edward Alcarez from S T & I, Charles Swetech from Durkee Testing Labs, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
The City’s annual track meet was held for all elementary schools at Paramount High this summer, and the winner – Paramount Park School – was congratulated at the meeting. The Council and the Board welcomed Paramount High track coach Christine Barboza and Paramount Park Principal Topekia Jones and teacher Adam Springston. The City Council also gave a donation of $500 to the Paramount High Track Club, which staffed the meet.
and
The Council declared September as National Preparedness Month to encourage people to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools. On hand was Phil Wendel from the American Red Cross, Long Beach Chapter to help mark the occasion. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Wendel, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
One more donation was given to PEP at the Sept. 2 meeting. As part of Wells Fargo Bank’s outreach efforts the business gives money to non-profit organizations that strengthen local communities. At the meeting they donated $1,000 to the education partnership in Paramount.
and Councilmember Daryl
The Paramount Chamber of Commerce has a program that recycles toner ink cartridges, and the money gained is donated on an ongoing basis to PEP. Chamber President Kevin Lindsay presented the latest check to the Council for $410. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J.
Lindsay, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember
and
and
The Council
Board also welcomed the valedictorian of Paramount High’s Class of 2008, Raul Gutierrez (salutatorian Alvin Heng was unable to attend), as well as the winners of the Paramount Achievement Student Scholarships for 2008. From left, PUSD Superintendent David Verdugo, Boardmember Linda Garcia, Board President Vivian Hansen, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Gutierrez, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Luis Guzman, Mayor Gene Daniels, Guadalupe Cervantes, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, Ebony Beauford, Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer and Boardmember Tony Pena.
year,
Industrial Waste Section of
meeting.
left,
Hansen,
Mayor
From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Paramount Wells Fargo branch manager Martin Gonzalez, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons
Hofmeyer.
Martinez,
Peggy Lemons
Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Ivan Montano
Melanie Mora, both Paramount residents, were working as lifeguards at the City’s Orange Avenue pool this summer when they rescued a seven-year-old boy from drowning. The Council commended them for their fast reactions and heroic deeds. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Montano, Mora, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Deputy Steve Capra and Deputy Chris Garcia of the Paramount Station were commended for their quick actions in response to a traffic accident with multiple victims on the night of July 4th. From left, Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Dep. Garcia, Dep. Capra, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Stater Bros. Markets Presents $1,143,000 Check To Muscular Dystrophy Association
Stater Bros. Markets is pleased to announce that a check for $1,143,000 was presented to the MDA during the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over the recent Labor Day weekend. Stater Bros. has raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for 23 consecutive years.
Funds from this campaign will be used to send 1,000 children with Muscular Dystrophy to Camp. Additional funds will be used to support vital research for neuromuscular disease, medical equipment, free support groups, clinics and funding wheelchairs for those who suffer from neuromuscular disease.
All 165 Stater Bros. Supermarkets participated in the MDA Aisles of Smiles for Jerry’s Kids Campaign during the month of August. This campaign provided funds to MDA through the sale of participating products as well as
through the sale of $1 and $5 Mobiles at the time of checkout. In addition, Stater Bros. has spearheaded the MDA Grocery Industry Alliance Program for the past three years. Stater Bros., its customers, and employees all helped in this fund raising effort.
To further assist, Stater Bros. also hosted an event this year for the families of the children who were going off to MDA Summer Camp.
“The Stater Bros. ‘Family’ of Employees is very pleased with the outcome of the MDA campaign,” stated Jack H. Brown, Stater Bros. Chairman and CEO. “This year’s fund raising efforts produced the largest amount ever raised by the Stater Bros. ‘Family’, and we are extremely proud to be able to assist the MDA in helping local families in the communities we are privileged to serve.”
State Farms Grand Opening
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.
Charles G. Hardy, Inc., Distributor of Building Material DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN wanted.15723 Vermont Ave., Paramount, Ask for Mark (562) 634-6560
SECURITY and PATROL OFFICERS NEEDED - Vernon Security currently has openings for Unarmed Guards and Patrol Officers to work all shifts in Paramount and surrounding cities. Must have a current guard card and a clean DMV for Patrol. Call Charles at 562-790-8993 Ext.102 or apply in person at 15317 Paramount Blvd Suite 201, Paramount, CA. Must bring your guard card when applying.
International Freight Forwarding Co. Hiring OPERATIONS, ACCOUNTING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES REPS for its Paramount Ca. Houston Tx., & NYC offices. Experience not required. Proficiency in Chinese a plus. H/Ins. 401K provided. EM to laofc@zencon.com or fax 562-663-6899
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.
INCOME TAX PREPARATION. Experienced tax preparers preferred. Training available. (562) 630-4004
EXPERIENCED OR NEW TRAVEL AGENTS. Hands on training available. Bi-lingual in Spanish is required. (562) 630-4500
We are proud to be part of an All-American City and want to thank the local businesses, residences, schools and friends for
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;
State Farms David Maciel is joined by his staff, Chamber and City officials and members of Paramount Chamber of Commerce for the grand opening of their new training and management facility found at 8527 Alondra Blvd., Paramount.
Recipe of the Month
Paramount Women’s Club
The Paramount Women’s club recently attended a Los Cerritos District Garden Conference at Progress Park. Each attendee was asked to decorate and wear a garden inspired hat. Paramount club member Betty Harkema won first place for her fresh flower creation. From left: Betty Harkema, Laura Oropeza, Helen Melton, Shirley Elliott, Cleone Hatwan and Frances Mies.
Rotary Celebrates
Night Out With Chivas USA
In Challenging Times,
Vivian Shimoyama Long Beach SBDC
Small businesses are the driving force of the California economy. There are over 3.3 million small business owners in California, and the Greater Long Beach/ Los Angeles area leads the nation in the number of small businesses, and women owned businesses. In our communities, many of these businesses are feeling the impact of the economic downturn, instability of the nation’s financial institutions, mortgage meltdown, and increased costs of energy, insurances, and a skilled workforce. These factors and more are impacting small businesses that are trying to stay in business and grow.
Throughout the year the Business Corner has presented business situations, business solutions, and ways to position a small business for growth. In this issue we will share more about what the LA Regional SBDC Network clients are saying about the SBDC services. The LA Regional SBDC Network, in coordination with federal, state, local and private sector resources delivers management and technical assistance to small businesses. Long Beach Community College District contracts with a diverse group of seven educational and community development organizations to deliver services to small business within the three counties that the SBDC Network serves in the Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara areas.
So what can a business owner do to take on these challenges?
The Long Beach Small Business Development Center (LB SBDC) suggests working with “Your SBDC Succe$$ Team”!
Here are three examples of ways that small business owners have utilized the ‘no’ cost to low cost SBDC services of the SBDC Network.
SBDC Gives Army Captain Marching Orders for Growth
Ten years ago with a sewing machine and $200 worth of cloth, Army Reserve Capt. James Cragg, started a military and search-and-rescue gear company, Special Operations Technology. Since then, it has grown into a multi-million dollar manufacturing operation serving police, fire and the military. “In a world that feels like your competitors are circling like sharks in the water, access to the SBDC programs gives me the confidence of knowing a great team and a wealth of knowledge are behind me,” Cragg said.
Army Reserve Capt. James Cragg worked with his SBDC consultant and attended training courses -- Cragg began expanding his product line and came up with several more product designs but worried about keeping his workers who were primarily involved in the technicalities of product development. His SBDC consultant provided recommendations for sales and service training and Cragg was able to keep his staff
Be A Part Of A
Succe$$ Team
and assign them new duties. His SBDC consultant also counseled him on the company’s projected growth pattern and how to use local resources like the One Stop Career Center to address workforce challenges. “The SBDC has always been there, when I started out and as I went along, whenever I needed to move to the next level,” Cragg said.
In the beginning, Cragg was happy with $500 and $5,000 contracts. Now, his company recently completed a major contract worth up to $15 million to equip every Army Special Operations soldier with a medical kit. His pride goes beyond the dollars to the fact that, with his company, he is helping injured servicemen and women.
Recycling Company Successfully Brainstorms
with SBDC to Expand
Christopher Mkpado was already in business for 13 years when he contacted the Small Business Development Center. He sought help brainstorming how to expand his fabric recycling company, Textile Waste Solutions. The results were nearly instantaneous.
After meeting his SBDC consultant, Mkpado was emboldened to challenge the City of Santa Barbara’s recycling expert at an environmental conference. His comments earned him a new contract with the very city from which he had been trying unsuccessfully for years to get work. His new-found confidence also impressed City of Santa Maria officials who, with the State of California, awarded him a $50,000 reuse/recycle grant. Not bad for a small, four-employee
company.
“My business is going in a totally different direction through knowing my SBDC consultant and the SBDC,” Mkpado said. “My SBDC consultant is helping me down the road to embark on some new ideas.”
SBDC Helps Get Financial Resources for Pet Products Company
When Jeremy and Angela Moser got their first cat, the then newlyweds hated the typical, shag-carpeting cat trees available. Befitting their backgrounds in retail and department store design, they made their own sleek, hip version to fit their sleek, hip loft. Thus was born the idea for Cat Livin. “We’ve seen incredible interest from Europe,” says founder Jeremy Moser. “Europeans are very design savvy and like what we’re doing. So, we’re at a point right now where we’re looking into how we can manufacture in Europe.”
Moser realized when he made his cat tree in 1998 – a portable unit that hangs on doors – that it had business potential. But he didn’t actively pursue it until 2006 when he attended a pet trade show in Las Vegas and spoke to manufacturers there about his idea. Wisconsin-based GHL Industries, with its line called SmartCat, agreed to manufacture a SmartCat version, plus produce Moser’s own design under the Cat Livin brand. He contacted his SBDC consultant for help on a business plan and worked with another SBDC consultant on public relations outreach.
Center for International Trade And Development - LBCC www.LongBeachCITD.org (562) 938-5030
U.S. Small Business Administration www.SBA.gov
Southern California Minority Business Development Council (Certification for minority owned businesses) www.scmbdc.org
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (Certification for women owned businesses) www.wbenc.org
would tell me what to rework,” Moser said. “Financials were definitely my weak point and that’s where my SBDC consultant was a big help, this, plus helping me structure the whole company. That’s because I’m doing wholesale and Internet retail. I’m going to have distributors and royalty income feeding back into the company.”
We hope these SBDC Success Stories will inspire you to weather the challenging times and call on the assistance of “Your SBDC Succe$$ Team”. Next month we will share more about Hot Businesses and Trends in 2009. The LB SBDC welcomes the opportunity to support business owners as they start, manage and take their businesses to new heights!
Vivian Shimoyama is a consultant to the LA Regional SBDC Network – Lead Center and will introduce you to the Long Beach SBDC Succe$$ Team. 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 oneon-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) 570-4571.
