October 2016 VOICE

OCTOBER 2016

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THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Smal Business tune up

The Center for Business & Innovation and the City of Olympia team up to improve the chance of small business success.

meet THE 2017 ltc class what’s your Exit Strategy? sTART uP PLAYBOOK: Olympia CPA B UI L DI NG CO MMUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OVER 14 0 YEARS

MAMMO MIA! Early detection is the key to successful treatment Are you a woman age 40 or older? Do you remember when you last had a mammogram? If it’s been longer than a year, it’s time to schedule another! Having a regular mammography screening can be a valuable, lifesaving tool in identifying breast cancers early, when they are localized and a greater range of treatment are available. In fact, when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, the American Cancer Society reports a relative five-year survival rate of 99 percent! So why wait? Talk to your primary care physician and call us today to schedule a screening, which is fully covered by most insurance plans.

Schedule your screening today!

Call 360-704-4750 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW • Olympia, WA 98502 • 360-754-5858 • 888-677-9757 • capitalmedical.com

Capital Medical Center is partly owned by some of the physicians who serve our patients.

©2016 BCI

Featuring...

CONTENT & CALENDAR

Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums & workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.

In this issue...

6 Caught in the Lens Photos from Chamber events.

Oct. 4

Morning Mixxer at Visiting Angels Enjoy delicious food and plenty of coffee when Visiting Angels of Olympia hosts the October Morning Mixxer. Visiting Angels provides

TuneUp

elder care services to families across Thurston County.

Small Businesses in Thurston County learn how to improve systems for long-term sustainability.

When? Oct. 4 at 7:30 a.m. Where? 4325 Lacey Blvd., Lacey.

Oct. 6

YPN at Hotel RL Olympia Y The Thurston Chamber Young Professionals (YPN) Network is a great place to interact with younger business professionals in a low-pressure environment. Join us at Hotel RL Olympia on Thurs., Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m., 2300 Evergreen Park Dr, Olympia.

Oct. 12

Chamber Forum Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel RL Olympia for our Monthly Forum. Boeing Vice President, Bill McSherry, is our keynote speaker this month. Boeing is now looking forward to its second 100 years, and they want to celebrate and thank you, our community.

Oct. 20

Bite of Business After Hours Share an evening of networking at the Hotel RL while experiencing the culinary diversity available in Thurston County! Mark your calendar for the Chamber’s Bite of Business After Hours Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel RL Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. SW, Olympia.

Oct. 26

Networking Just Got Smarter!

Discover Speed Networking using Smart Match Software!

When? October 26 from 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the TwinStar Event Center at SPSCC's Lacey Campus.

Price: $50 for Chamber Members, $75 for non-members. The first 50 to register get a professional head shot!

For more event information, please visit www.thurstonchamber.com

www.thurstonchamber.com

9

12 NR Smith & Associates Norm Smith talks about the importance of creating an exit strategy.

15 LTC Class of 2017 Meet the new Leadership Thurston County class.

16 Startup Playbook Meet Ben Anderson, the owner of Olympia CPA.

21 New Members Every other month we highlight the new members of the Thurston County Chamber.

Welcome!

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 3

PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL Editor: David Schaffert Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS Natasha Ashenhurst David Schaffert

Planning for success

W

e're celebrating small businesses, and we’re talking about how to

Jessica Coen Morgan Willie Krystal Barkus

encourage not only growth, but smart growth

Alisha Blain

ADVERTISING

and long-term sustainability. To learn more

To learn more about advertising in the VOICE Magazine contact our sales and

about efforts that the Center for Business &

marketing specialists: Marny Bright, Beth Johnson, Korey Twombly or Blake Knoblauch.

Innovation, the City of Olympia and the Small

Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

Business Administration are taking, read the

SUBSCRIPTIONS

"TuneUp" story on Page 8. We also talked to

Phone: (360) 357-3362 Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

two Certified Public Accountants—one at

DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio

the beginning of a career and one talking

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

about his exit strategy. What we learn is the

For this issue of the VOICE we interviewed two CPAs about start-ups and exits, and we learn about programs available for small businesses to improve their chance of scalability and long-term success.

Mosaic Marketing Studio Photo of Dean Jones of Encore Teas and Chocolates

power of beginning with the end in mind, the importance of thinking about your legacy and

PRINTING Print NW

that there is no perfect time to follow your

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

By, David Schaffert, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER PRESIDENT/CEO & Jessica Coen, THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

dream and start your own business.

PO Box 1427 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 357-3362 Website: www.thurstonchamber.com

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS

COPYRIGHT

DIAMOND INVESTORS:

Email: info@thurstonchamber.com

All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements.

Anchor Bank Capital Medical Center Heritage Bank Phillips Burgess Physicians of Southwest Washington Port of Olympia Xerox Services

PLATINUM INVESTORS America's Credit Union - Lacey Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel

4 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park Morningside Olympia Federal Savings Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Print NW Providence St. Peters Saint Martin's University TwinStar Credit Union Washington Business Bank

GOLD INVESTORS Express Employment Professionals First Citizens Bank Cabinets by Trivonna Columbia Bank The Creative Office

FirstLight Home Care GHB Insurance Great Wolf Lodge Hometown Property Management Mantis Graphix Jessica Jensen Law PS Nicholson & Associates Nisqually Red Wind Casino Olympia Furniture Company Pardiman Productions Puget Sound Energy RHD Enterprises Hotel RL Olympia Saint Martin’s University SCJ Alliance TAGS

www.thurstonchamber.com

Caught in the Lens...

6 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

A collection of photos taken at Chamber events during August and September

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www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 7

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Jason Phillips owns Zoe Juice Bar. Phillips completed the ScaleUp program and is enrolled in TuneUp.

Small Businesses Get a TuneUp

In 2013 Jason Phillips was in the process of opening his own business. He went to the City of Olympia to fill out required paperwork, and he said he naïvely expected a high-five, some congratulations or maybe a simple smile. After all, he knew that according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses are the economic engine of a robust economy and here he was, opening his very own small business! Nope. All he got was some paperwork to fill out and he was out the door and on his own—or so it seemed.

By Natasha Ashenhurst

F

ast forward to 2016 and his business—Zoe Juice Bar—is thriving.

It turns out that Jason wasn’t on his own. In fact, there is a lot of support for small businesses in Thurston County— including a little extra right now for businesses located within the City of Olympia limits. More on that in a bit.

Early this year, Jason took part in a program called ScaleUp,

made available through the Center for Business & Innovation and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ScaleUp Thurston is one of only 15 SBA-supported pilot programs available throughout the country—and the only one in the Pacific Northwest—that targets businesses that have annual revenues between $150,000 and $500,000 and have been in business for at least two years.

“Research shows that most job creation is occurring in small businesses, but it’s not with new startups. Instead, it’s with second tier businesses – those that have gotten past those early operational hurdles, have customers and income. They’re the ones most ready to scale,” said Celia Nightingale, director of the Center for Business &

8 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

Dean Jones owns Encore Chocolates and Teas Tee and the Encore Tea Bar located in the New Caldonia Building downtown. Dean Jones began TuneUp in September. make too much, too little or have been

on planning and marketing and less

in business less than two years. We

on the day-to-day management of their

“ScaleUp training lasts 14 weeks, three

recognized the need to offer another

operation.

hours a week, and is a growth-oriented

course that could prepare business

immersion program designed specifically

owners for ScaleUp,” said Celia. “We see

This new program gives businesses

for business owners ready to double or

so many businesses teetering on the edge

strategies and tools to improve internal

triple their sales,” she said. And, according

of sustainability.”

systems. Once good systems are in place

Innovation.

they can focus on growth—growth that

to business owners like Jason, the program is a huge success.

This led to a conversation between the

also allows for a balanced life and time

Center for Business and Innovation, the

away from the business.

“ScaleUp helped us create a vision and

City of Olympia about developing a new

develop creative ideas for growth,” said

program.

Normally the eight-week class is $395, but 30 businesses located within the City

Jason. “It provides an incredible overview of mission, financials, marketing and

“They were so thrilled with this idea,

of Olympia get in for free. The first class

culture. It really gets you thinking about

something that could help shore

began this fall; another will begin this

your business at a new level and how to

businesses up internally—that they set

winter and presumably 2-3 times per year

make it succeed.”

aside funds for 30 businesses located

into the future.

within city limits to participate. So, the And while ScaleUp is succeeding in

Center developed the curriculum for a

Daryl Murrow is the instructor of both

helping Thurston County businesses scale,

new program called TuneUp.

programs and is a business owner and consultant who lives what he teaches.

restrictions put in place by the SBA means that there are many business owners who

ScaleUp helps business owners learn

can’t participate.

innovative ways to scale their business

“I went from working 50-60 hours per

and TuneUp helps business owners

week in my former retail store. When

“We’ve had people interested in [ScaleUp]

develop internal systems that improve

I applied the techniques that I teach in

who either don’t fit these criteria,

efficiencies and allows owners to focus

TuneUp I was able to work much less

Continued on page 10 www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 9

Continued from page 9 because I had systems in place that

Jason—the owner of Zoe Juice bar—

allowed me to do other things. I know

agrees. He said, “I think [TuneUp]

what people are going through and I

will help improve our business

know how to take that frustration and

systems and will teach us how to

create solutions that allow owners

run our business so our business

to take control yet work less in their

doesn’t run us. We’ve got a lot of

business,” he said.

good systems in place already, but for me, finding tools that I can use

Dean Jones is the owner of Encore

to make our operation even better is

Chocolates and Teas, located in the New

invaluable.”

Caldonia Building downtown, and began TuneUp in September. He explained

When asked if he thinks TuneUp

what drew him to the program stating,

is a good investment by the City

“We’ve been in business for three years

he said, “I think anything the

and we’ve experienced rapid growth.

City of Olympia is doing to help

We’re doing well, but we think it will be

support business growth is great.

beneficial to rethink our systems, to see

I believe the City is looking to

what’s working and what’s not working,”

create a business-friendly culture

he said.

that is thriving and vibrant, so we need programs like this in place.

Dean understands the trap that running

Programs like this can transform

a small business can hold for owners—

your business and give you hope.”

that they can quickly reach burn-out and lose the energy and enthusiasm that

Celia agrees. She said, “We want

led them to start the business in the first

these business owners to be

place.

successful. We’re here to offer advice,

Daryl Murrow is the instructor of ScaleUp and TuneUp we’ll give high-fives too.” ●

technical support, encouragement, and

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 11

Norm Smith stands in front of NR Smith & Associates, PS on Caton Way in West Olympia.

What's Your Exit Strategy?

B

egin with the end

over 42-years ago, and it is a principle

in mind. This

that, today, makes his plans to exit his

is a principle

business relatively painless.

made famous by

Smith was born and raised in Olympia.

Stephen Covey in

After graduating from North Thurston

his classic book,

High School, he attended University of

Seven Habits for Highly Successful People.

Puget Sound with a degree in business

It is a principle that Norm Smith, founder of

and emphasis in accounting.

NEXT FEW YEARS AS WELL AS

Olympia’s NR Smith & Associates has lived

After graduation, Smith went to work for

STRATEGIES OTHER BUSINESS

by and has taught to clients over the years.

Lybrand Ross Brothers (now Pricewater

OWNERS CAN USE TO PLAN.

It is a principle that helped him build a

Coopers) and later Peterson Sullivan in

HERE'S NORM SMITH'S STORY.

successful CPA and financial planning firm

Seattle. His entire professional career

IN SEPTEMBER WE HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH NORM SMITH, THE FOUNDER OF NR SMITH & ASSOCIATES. WE TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NR SMITH, ABOUT HIS PLANS TO EXIT OVER THE

12 • October 2016 Thurston County tyy Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

has been in public accounting.

In 1974 he and his wife, Gayle made the decision to move back to Olympia to raise a family. Norm took over Frost, Pearson and Woody’s office. It was a three person CPA firm in Shelton. The firm provided bookkeeping and tax preparation services to mostly timber and Christmas tree industry-related clients.

In July 1976, Smith bought the office and—after merging with a Lacey practice and consolidating offices—moved to the Westside of Olympia. In 1993 Smith built the office on Caton Way where NR Smith is located today.

“When I took over the Frost office, it was a typical bookkeeping and tax preparation practice. As time went on it became apparent that I did not want to be in the bookkeeping business—my background was in the areas of accounting and auditing—so we transitioned into focusing on auditing and financial planning,” said Smith.

That was the early 1980s and financial planning was an emerging financial discipline. “We were breaking into a market that hadn’t been there,” said Smith. “Our clients were seeking help with finance management issues including general retirement planning, and effective long-term income and estate tax planning.”

Clients also needed help developing solid financial plans, including tax planning and managing investment portfolios on an objective, holistic fee-only basis.

Smith hired certified financial planners (CFP) and chartered financial advisors in addition to his team of CPAs. Smith, too, became a CFP. That was over 30 years ago, and today the financial management side of the business is thriving.

Develop an Exit Strategy Early On As the owner of a CPA and financial planning firm, Norm Smith has some thoughts about steps business owners need to take to one day retire, including developing a robust business strategy with a clear vision and goals. “In essence, what I’ve seen is that there are a lot of

www.thurstonchamber.com

small businesses that don’t have a reason for existing. You need to be able to answer who your competition is and why you are different,” he said. When Smith or his team meets with a new client, they’ll ask to see your business plan. If you don’t have a solid plan, they’ll work with you until you do. Smith and his team believe that good planning is the solid foundation to build a business on.

He also observes another reason many businesses don’t make it beyond the micro stage. He said, “There are often two types of people that start a small business. There are people who are great at marketing and there are people who are great at the technical aspect of their business. It is unusual for someone to be good at both and that is the reason that the vast majority of businesses remain small. And the problem with a tiny business is when you get to the end of the road, what do you have? What is your legacy?”

In the early days of building a business, Smith advises clients to have a vision of where they are going and to build around that, including tax planning and resource management. He also cautions that growth requires sacrifice. He said, “In the beginning, your primary source of capital will be retained earnings. This is hard for many business owners because they are earning a great income and don’t want to set any of that income aside, but growth requires this. Eventually, you’ll be able to do some borrowing.”

He also suggests having a trusted team of advisors, including a CPA, an attorney and a great personal banker. “Your relationship with your banker is key. I was fortunate to work with Nina Maurer for years. She wasn’t intimidated by me.

She told me what’s what. Find that kind of relationship,” he said.

Growth Strategy—Hire Great People “One path to growth—the path I chose, is developing good people,” he said. “Get the right people on the bus in the right seats. People are not a fixed asset, but are far more productive and a better

investment.”

This decision to hire great people is also the reason that Norm Smith will be able to slowly exit the business he built 42-yearsago. Dan Mortensen, a CPA at the firm who joined NR Smith after working for 10 years as an accountant and project manager in the construction industry is now a principle shareholder at the firm and will slowly take ownership over a three-year transition period.

“We try and make decisions together, but I will initially assess new opportunities and then review it with Norm,” said Mortensen.

“It is fair to say the transition period is awkward,” admits Smith. “It is nice when you get to call the shots. Now I have to ask Dan, ‘What do you think of this?’

His opinions are not always the same as mine and we have to work through that,” he said.

Mortensen too advises clients to start planning an exit strategy as early as possible. “Don’t wait,” he said. “Put together an exit strategy well ahead of the time you want to exit. When people procrastinate, the result is less than desirable. Good succession planning means that when you go to sell the business or turn over the business to someone else, it will be worth more than the value listed on the balance sheet.”

What’s next for Mr. Smith?

When asked if he is working less, Smith answers that he is still at about 2,200 hours per year (that’s 42.3 hours per week for non-CPAs) but that his wife really wants him to slow down. She wants him to do more biking, golfing and to spend more time with their grandchildren.

Smith isn’t so sure. He loves his work, the business he’s built and the clients and employees he counts as friends.

As it turns out, creating an exit strategy was easy, but actually walking out the door—quite difficult. ●

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 13

creating a positive climate for business and community

ADVOCACY UPDATE

One of the Thurston County Chamber’s primary missions is advocacy, which can take many forms—providing beneficial services and products to Chamber members; supporting nonprofit, education and government organizations; and, of course, lobbying government bodies on issues impacting business and community.

Here are a few of the issues we are actively engaged in this month:

The Port of Olympia will construct Swantown Fueling Station In 2008, local citizens signed a petition and submitted it to the Port Commission asking the Port to construct and operate the long-planned fuel dock in Olympia.

In September, after years of planning and discussion, the Port of Olympia commissioners voted to award a construction contract for a new fuel dock at Swantown Marina. The Chamber was involved in this process since inception.

The fueling station will allow Thurston County to better serve our marine and

Economic Development Takes Center Stage at Candidates Forum

tourism industry.

In September, the Thurston County Chamber invited candidates vying for open Thurston County Commissioner seats to speak in a debate moderated by Doug Mah. The subject of economic development in Thurston County and the importance of creating a culture that encourages business growth was foremost in the candidates' remarks.

Doug Mah to coordinate Chamber's Public Policy Division We believe that coordinated and collaborative public policy initiatives help to create a more vibrant community. Engagement in public policy issues on behalf of individual members and organizations is at the core of the Chamber’s mission. Our work in public policy ranges from local land-use and permitting to the direct appropriations of state capitol dollars for regional projects. The Chamber's expanded public policy team, led by Doug Mah, will engage in public policy developments facing our region. In addition to Mah, the team will include legal counsel and a public relations expert to sharpen and focus our engagement. The Chamber’s Public Policy team will assist in the coordination of the Chamber led Shared Legislative Partnership, organize community resources and experts, work with the entire Thurston County Legislative Delegation, develop tools and implement strategies to support critical issue management. We look forward to providing this expanded service to our members and the greater community.

14 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

LEADERSHIP THURSTON COUNTY

LTC Class of 2017 Takes the Stage

by Alisha Blain, LTC Coordinator

Corinne Daffern, PacMtn Workforce Dev.

Nick Milner, Jessica Jensen Law PS

The LTC Class of 2017 kicked off a

Council

Alyssa Nastasi, Saint Martin's University

new year at the September 8 Opening

Matthew DeBord, Timberland Bank

Erica Olsen, WA State Employment

Retreat. Participants meet monthly

Jim Downing, Thurston County Sheriff's

Security Department

from September through June to learn

Office

Ken Pekola, Olympia Federal Savings

about current issues, make community

Donna Feddern, Timberland Regional

Lee Peterson, Intercity Transit

connections and explore ways to get

Library

David Ross, The Strong Center Health &

involved. LTC is a community-based

Dave Forsberg, Capital Medical Center

Fitness

leadership development program of the

Kari Fye, Group Health

Sierra Roundy, Lacey South Sound

Thurston County Chamber Foundation.

Charlie Groth, City of Tumwater

Chamber

Introducing the LTC Class of 2017

Traci Hansen, Thurston EDC

Colleen Rust, The Evergreen State College

Pamela Hartman Beyer, Thurston County

April Slee, Senior Services for South

Superior Court

Sound

Bill Baker, Hands On Children's Museum

Talia Hastie, Evergreen Christian School

Luenna Snider, Anchor Bank

Justin Boyes, LOTT Clean Water Alliance

Cari Hornbein, City of Olympia

Shauna Stewart, Visitor & Convention

Jon Brein, TwinStar Credit Union

Rachael Jamison, Port of Olympia

Bureau

Tyanna Canales, Lucky Eagle Casino

Amal Joury, Goldstein Law Offices, PLLC

Joanne Stimac, Thurston County Chamber

Jennifer Carter, SPSCC

Jon Kalar, Tumwater Fire Department

of Commerce

Connie Cobb, City of Olympia

Ashley Labrador, O Bee Credit Union

Meghan Sullivan, TOGETHER!

Cynthia Collins, Precisely Right

Anne Larsen, SPSCC Foundation

Jacob Williams, Fairchild Record Search

Accounting

Josh Metcalf, HDR Engineering, Inc.

Introducing the LTC Class of 2017

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 15

STARTUP PLAYBOOK

Taking a Leap of faith Ben Anderson waited for the perfect time to start his own business, Olympia CPA, PLLC, and realized there is no perfect time.

F

by Morgan Willie

Ben Anderson, Olympia CPA, PLLC

or as long as he can

“If I graduated college and

CPA exam at South Puget

remember, Olympia

had the courage to just

Sound Community College.

CPA Ben Anderson

step out and even just start

has always wanted to be in

selling hotdogs, I would have

business for himself. While

done that,” Anderson said.

pursuing a college degree,

“But, I’m a little financially

Anderson found that subjects

conservative.”

such as business, economics and finance appealed to him over all else. Under the right financial conditions, Anderson would have immediately formed a small business just out of college, but what he saw upon his graduation in 2010 was a poor economy, troubled by

“I made a very calculated decision – very ‘CPA’ of me, very ‘accounting’ of me – to make this decision to go into accounting. It’s a high

Anderson took a step back,

demand field with very low

considered his vocational

supply,” Anderson noted.

options, and did as much

“Just like a good accountant

research as he possibly

I calculated the investment

could to form a career plan.

and the return. I used local

In the end, his passion and

resources for data on job

admiration for accounting

demand. What I found

prevailed, and he chose

was that a CPA was highest

to pursue that route. He

in demand with the least

prepared for and passed the

amount of investment and

recession.

16 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

the highest amount of return.”

At first, Anderson worked for a few local firms. He used this time to teach himself some valuable skills and techniques while gaining real-world experience.

After two tax seasons, Anderson became comfortable with his ability to manage multiple clients and to market his service. He took the leap and started up his own firm, Olympia CPA, PLLC.

Anderson turned to the Thurston

and give everyone the same amount of

Country Chamber of Commerce’s Small

attention whether they are the $300 tax

Business Incubator to provide a location,

return or the $3000 tax return,” he said.

and the Small Business Development Center to make use of our county’s

Initially, Anderson was a bit worried

various resources. He has had terrific

about branching out on his own, but he

success so far, but not without diligence

took the precautionary steps as well as

and punctuality.

a leap of faith to get there. He is quite happy to be in business for himself today.

“We live in a drive-thru society. People want things on demand.,” Anderson

“It brings tears to my eyes when I hear

expressed. “People want instant response

my wife say, ‘Ben wants nothing more in

“I was very calculated with providing a

these days. I believe the key to success in

life than to be successful in business,’”

service people wanted,” Anderson said.

business is being responsive. In the CPA

Anderson said.

“But, then I had to get an office space, a

world this is something most of us strive

computer, all the software. There are a

to provide our clients."

“The ultimate fear with jumping out on

number of licenses with the state and IRS

your own is ‘will you be OK?’ Well, you

I had to get as well. I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll

Although the job is quite stressful from

know what? The bottom didn’t fall out.

do this out of my home,’ but then there

January to April 15, owning his own

If I could talk to the past me, I would tell

was like no way. I have a young daughter

business allows Anderson to really

myself, ‘Don’t be scared. It’s all going to

at home. I knew the logistics wouldn’t

develop a personal brand and to provide

work out.’” ●

work out, walking through the living

clients with ample and equal support.

room with toys on the floor and such.”

“I want to produce high quality work

Ben Anderson's STARTUP PLAYBOOK Have a holistic approach

Don't let taxes surprise you

Create boundaries. 6 to 8 p.m. is family time. I try not to look

A good rule of thumb is to save 25% of your income for federal

at my phone or answer it. I try to be physically, mentally and

income taxes, including self-employment tax. Remember this is

emotionally present to my daughter and my wife. This is hard to

only a general rule. But if you set aside at least 25% you won’t be

do when you own your own business, but necessary.

as surprised as the person that didn’t set aside any percent. A lot of self-employed people get in trouble this way.

Do the research Borrow before you go out on your own A lot of the time we think we have something other people want, a business idea, product or a service. The truth is it might not meet

Banks and lenders usually want to see two years’ worth of self-

the area’s market demand or it might not actually be something

employment income before they will consider a loan. If you

people want. Do your research before you open your door for

know you want to be self-employed and you have a good job as

business.

an employee and you might need some extra cash to weather through the start-up phase, get a loan now before you lose that

Be people oriented

“W-2 income”.

I think you have to be a people person to own your own business.

An ounce for a pound

Remain flexible and roll with things as they happen. You have to be a clear communicator, too. I formed [my business] right

Ben Franklin said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of

away because I had some clients from my old firm. We left on

cure”. Meet with a CPA before you open your doors. Get your

good terms. A lot of people stereotype CPAs as being introverts,

accounting system in place. Learn what you can and cannot deduct

but there have to be some extroverts to be able to interact with

when you begin. Meeting with a CPA early on, spending the money

people.

beforehand, will pay tenfold on the back end.

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 17

CHAMBER FORUM

Boeing VP to Speak at October Forum Join the Chamber’s October Forum to hear from Boeing Vice President, Bill McSherry. Boeing is looking forward to its second 100 years, and they want to celebrate and thank you, our community leaders for the key role in creating the business environment for Boeing and many other innovation based companies to become established and thrive here in Washington. McSherry will also discuss the role of community leaders in Thurston County as competition intensifies from aerospace and technology companies from all over the globe and take a look at the next 100 years. �

Chamber Forum Wednesday, October 12 11:30 a.m.

Hotel RL Olympia www.thurstonchamber.com Thank you to our Forum sponsor, Forrey's Forza

Are you one of the lucky ones?

Do you have a boss who inspires you to dream, learn and take action? Nominate your boss today for Boss of the Year 2016 at www.thurstonchamber.com by

Krystal Barkus, Events Coordinator

T

he seventh

Meagan Darrow, TOGETHER!

annual Boss

Steve Hall, City of Olympia

of the Year

Dr. Yong Liu, Washington

designation,

State Department of

sponsored by

Agriculture

the Thurston

Rae-Lynn Bidon, Olympia

County Chamber and Express

Orthopaedic Associates

Employment Professionals

Joseph Di Santo, Panorama

will be presented at the

Heidi West, America's Credit

December 14 Forum. Criteria

Union

is based on exceptional

Dr. Terrence Hess, Foot &

leadership in the workplace

Ankle Surgical Associates

through innovation,

Steve Brooks, Lacey Fire

communication, vision,

District 3

execution, ethics, service and/

Jessica Jensen, Jessica Jensen

or knowledge.

Law PS

Saint Martin’s University business students will again play a key role in the selection process, interviewing finalists and gathering data for the committee.

Nomination forms and more information can be found by visiting www. thurstonchamber.com Past Boss of the Year honorees include: Melissa Jenkins, The Olympian

2015 Boss of the Year was awarded to Meagan Darrow, Ron Bruchet and Melissa Jenkins,

Integrity, Excellence and Focus For your legal and tax needs Call 360-616-1749

Joe Ingoglia, Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County Mariella Cummings, Physicians of Southwest Washington Robert Coit, Thurston County Food Bank Mike Harbour, Intercity Transit Mike Strub, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Bruce Cramer, O Bee Credit Union John Setterstrom, Lucky Eagle Casino ●

• • • • • •

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Let me help with:

Tax Preparation and Filing Elder law, Estate Planning Probate, Trusts Government, Municipal Law Public Finance and 103 Law Tax

VICTORIA S. BYERLY, P.S. A T T O R N E Y A T L AW

Ron Bruchet, GHB Insurance

www.vii c t o rii a sb b y e rll yp p s .c c om m

www.thurstonchamber.com

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 19

Networking just got smarter! Introducing Speed Networking.

NETWORKING

O

n Oct. 26, the Thurston County Chamber will host a brand-new event—Speed Networking— allowing business professionals to meet fellow professionals in a structured process and uncover synergies that can lead to increased business opportunities.

“We live in a busy world where not everyone has time for traditional networking. Speed Networking uses technology to pre-match participants with each other. We’re anticipating a lot of interest in this event and hope to offer it several times a year,” said David Schaffert, Chamber President/CEO.

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SPEED NETWORKING IS ONE-ON-ONE NETWORKING USING SMART MATCH TECHNOLOGY.

Speed Networking takes the traditional values of face-to-face business networking and combines it with smart-matching software enabling participants to pre-select the types of people they are interested in meeting using customized matching parameters.

Each participant receives a customized schedule of meetings based on their interests.

Linda Zeman, co-owner of Window Genie will attend Speed Networking because of the success they’ve experienced at other speed networking events. “We attended the speed networking portion of Showcase [tradeshow] for two years, and it was

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incredibly successful for us. We were able to gain new contracts and meet new people who are important to our business. We no

Open Friday - Sunday 9 am - 5 pm Open Monday - Thursday by Appt.

7505 183RD SW, BLDG. C, ROCHESTER, WA 98579 (360) 858-4940

20 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

longer have time to attend all day trade-shows, so we’re looking forward to Speed Networking to get in front of the right people in a short-window of time.”

www.thurstonchamber.com

The Thurston Chamber Welcomes New Members from July, August & Sept.

Absolute Relaxation Richele Akers (360) 481-2495 www.absoluterelaxation.net Massage

Evergreen Home Loans Kris Wellington-Tripp (360) 789-8481 Banks/Mortgage Companies

Asset Care & Preservation Services Linda Jensen (360) 908-0612 www.assetcarefinancial.com Insurance

Girl Scouts of Western Washington Nanette McCann (800) 541-9852 http://girlscoutsww.org Non-Profit Organizations & Associations

B. Cleo & Assoc.

Cleo Thompson (360) 292-3910 Health Maintenance Organizations

Hawley Gelato & Coffee LaWana Hawley (360) 528-1496 Food & Beverage Specialty – Retail

Brightstar Care of South Puget Sound Shelly Forest (360) 915-6183 www.brightstarcare.com Home Health Services Community Values Magazine Babs Townsend (360) 870-9919 www.communityvaluesmagazine. com Newspapers & Magazines - Print & Electronic Credit Resources of WA CROW Kelly Wells (360) 956-1014 www.crow4u.com Consultants – Financial Emerald City Smoothie Stephanie Foster (360) 539-7531 Restaurant - Ice Cream & Desserts Emmit's Magic Animal Rescue Brook Snow (360) 742-2895 www.facebook.com/ emmitsmagicanimalrescue Non-Profit Organizations www.thurstonchamber.com

Integrity Labs LLC Mark Hubbard (360) 951-3220 www.integritylabsolympia. com Laboratories Johnson Financial Brian Johnson (360) 810-1473 Insurance Jo's Coffee Bar LLC Britny Paine (360) 890-4218 Food & Beverage Specialty – Retail Kingdom Cuts Nate Menefee (253) 579-9508 Motel 6 Kelli Hatch (360) 754-7320 Hotels & Accommodations Nisqually Valley News/ The Chronicle Tabitha Johnson (360) 458-2681 http://webmaster@yelmonline. com Newspapers & Magazines - Print & Electronic

NEW MEMBERS

Offutt and Associates Jane Offutt (360) 791-6532 Accountants Olympia Family Theater Alexis Sarah (360) 570-1638 www.olyft.org Performing Arts Olympia Marketing Company, LLC Ryan Rutledge (360) 561-3199 www.olympiamarketingco. com Marketing Programs & Services Pono Payments Amanda Winegarner (360) 688-7310 www.ponopayments.org Merchant Services PugetSound2Go Ryan Lindstrom www.pugetsound2go.com Delivery Service Serenity Veterinary Services, PLLC Samantha Rose (360) 464-7300 www.serenityvetservice.com Veterinarians & Hospitals Smiling Web Design Elaine Robinson (425) 761-5258 www.smilingwebdesign.com Internet Web Development Sofie's Scoops Sophia Landis (206) 245-5241 www.sofiesscoops.com Restaurant - Ice Cream Summit Dermatology, PS Laser Surgery & Aesthetic Center Jessica Kim, MD (360) 918-8101 www.summitaesthetics.com Dermatologists

Swank Hair Studio Fawne Graves (360) 704-8742 Hair Salon & Services Thompson's Furniture & Gifts McKenna Weiks (360) 357-6342 http://thompsonsfurnitureco. com/ Furniture Valley Nut and Bolt Company, Inc. Don Conant (360) 754-4877 www.valleynutandbolt.com Building Materials Wireless Revolution LLC Wendy Thorstensen (360) 551-9639 Cellular & Wireless Phones & Service WJR Customs LLC Richard Bland (360) 628-3537 Contractors - Concrete

Thurston County Chamber VOICE  October 2016 21

2016 bite of business

BITE OF BUSINESS

Mark your calendar for the Chamber’s Bite of Business After Hours, Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Hotel RL Olympia.

C

hefs will feature samples of holiday hors d’oeuvres, entrées and desserts.

Attendees will vote for: Most

“His legal skills are top notch. While for ŵŽƐƚ ŝƚ ŝƐ ĚŝĸĐƵůƚ ƚŽ ŵĂƐƚĞƌ ďĂůĂŶĐŝŶŐ ůĂǁ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉƌĂĐƟĐĂů ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ͕ ZŝĐŬ ĞdžͲ ĐĞůƐ Ăƚ ƚŚŝƐ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ͘ / ǁŽƵůĚ ƌĞĐŽŵͲ ŵĞŶĚ ZŝĐŬ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ͘͟ — ^ĞŶŝŽƌ ŵƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ ŽƵŶƐĞů͕ ^ĞĂƩůĞͲ ďĂƐĞĚ Ez^ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ͘

Advancing his clients’ legal interests since 1987: Employment law

Creative, Best Display/Presentation & Best Taste.

A few of the businesses that are participating this year include: Budd Bay Café/River’s Edge, Bagel Brothers, Great Wolf Lodge and Forrey’s Forza. The Chamber is still accepting registration for vendors.

Contracts Real estate Government

Attendees will vote for most creative, best display, best taste.

Call (360) 464-6533 www.richardhugheslaw.com 324 West Bay Dr. NW, Ste. 201, Olympia

22 • October 2016 Thurston County Chamber VOICE

www.thurstonchamber.com

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