Smoke Signals
November 1993
Page 7
Entrepreneurs of the Month:
Lorri & David Kurns
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There aren't a lot of
couples out there operating
two business, a home, and
raising two kids who still
find time to volunteer for
school and church activities.
Meet Lorri and David Kurns,
of Seaside, Oregon. They
ovmLorri'sCleaning Service
and David's Tree Service.
Lorri 's Cleaning
Service got started about ten
years ago when she was
offered a job cleaning a house
one day per week. From there, her clientele grew, and she
now has about twelve regular customers. In the summer, she
has as many as twenty.
"More people live in Seaside in the summer," said
Lorri. "They rent beach houses or have their own homes."
Her clients sign an agreement authorizing her to
use their supplies. She works three hours for each job.
"Every client is different," she said. "I use their supplies,
because that's what they usually prefer." In addition to
private homes, Lorri has also worked for realtors and other
organizations.
David worked in the grocery business for eighteen
years before he went into business for himself. He knew two
men who taught him the trade of tree topping and removal.
His logging and topping business is now fully licensed,
bonded, and insured. While still managing a grocery store,
David began to build up his equipment and take tree service
jobs. Often, state agencies will hire him to move a tree that
is dangerousfit is near a power line, or the wind knocks
it down. Private land owners may hire him to remove a tree
that's rotten or is causing other problems.
SaidDavid, "My decision toquitthegrocerybusiness
was a big one. I really don't mind working for other people,
but after eighteen years, a person gets burned out It was time
for a change."
The Kurns' have worked with Tribal Small Business
Development to learn more about tax laws and the process of
gettingabusiness incorporated. Said Lorri, "Small Business
Christmas Bazaar
Wanting to Make some extra holiday cash? Here is
your chance! The Business Development department is
sponsoring a Christmas Bazaar at the Tribal Community
Center Wednesday, December 15 from noon until 8:00 P.M.
There will be no charge for tables, but you must reserve a
space. Grand Ronde tribal members will have preference for
spaces, so hurry and call Debby Childers at 879-2476 or 1-800-422-0232.
Business Development will take care of
advertising the event to our tribal members and the local
community. Please take this opportunity to make some extra
spending money.
$$ Update
BIA Grant and Loan programs have
limited funds for FY 1 994. These funds are
administered on a first come, first serve
basis. If you are interested in applying, call
Business Development NOWI
Your Tribal Business Development Center offers
tribal member business owners: Fax Service, Computer
Lab, Phone Message Service, Mail Center Service,
Photocopy Service, Business Planning & Management
Assistance, Computer Training, Business Management
Training, and a well-stocked Resource Library with
magazines, books, videos and audiocassettes. Please stop
by or callyou're always welcome!
Development helped us a lot They came to our house and
explained how certain laws can work to our advantage.
Things we never would have known about"
It seems that being self-employed runs in the Kurns
family. Their two children, David Jr., and Aubrey, both have
small businesses as well. David collects stray golfballs from
a nearby golf course and sells them back to the golfers.
Aubrey has a small concession stand at local school sports
games.
In addition to all of this Lorri provides child care to
three small children every Monday. She stated without
hesitation that motherhood and her family isherfirstpriority.
"I decided not to work before my children were in
school. The job I have is perfect because I can pick and
choose my own hours, which means I can be home when my
kids get home from school. Most of my clients are friends,
and they are very flexible when it comes to my hours."
Both Lorri and David believe in being honest with
their customers.
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Lorri & David Kurns
"They appreciate my honesty about money," said
Lorri. "The relationship with the customer is very important. "
The strongest advice David would give to someone
beginning a new business is to check into it fully before
jumping in. He said, "Keep good records, have a part-time
job. It takes a while before a new business gets known."
Pow-wow Tees Available
If you missed the opportunity to buy one at the Pow
wow, it's not too late! 1993 Pow-wow t-shirts, tanks, and
hooded sweatshirts are still for sale. Tees and tanks are $ 1 2
each, and hooded sweatshirts are $20. For more information,
contact Linda Olson at (503) 879-5608. Shirts from prior
pow-wows are available, too. Contact for sizes and colors.
Cascade West Financial Services
Microloan Program
Women, low-income, minority, and rural
entrepreneurs, business owners, and other such individuals
may be eligible for a loan through Cascade West Financial
Services' new microloan program.
Amounts up to $25,000 may be borrowed for use of
business machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures,
inventory, and working capital.
Cascade West serves Benton, Lane, Lincoln, Linn,
Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties. Complete loan
applications will be reviewed by Cascade West's staff. Some
of the key points of the application are as follows:
Personal credit history
Ability to pay back loan from business cash flow
Level of debt compared to equity in business
Ability of applicant to operate a successful business
Collateral value to cover loan.
Only a complete application will be considered for
funding. For jnore information, contact Cascade West
Financial Servicesat (503) 757-6854 in Corvallis, or (503)
588-6094 in Salem.
Computer Training
The Business Development Department is offering
several computer training classes in November. Space is
limited to three people per class, so call Debby and reserve
a spot now. The numbers are: 879-225 1 or 1-800-422-0232.
If you are interested in a specific computer training not
offered, call and make an appointment with a staff member.
BASICCOMPUTERS: Come learn thebasicsofthe computer.
We cover an overview of the computer, learn to use the
mouse, and do a brief overview of Word For Windows.
Instructor: Shelley Hanson. Offered 1110, 6-8:00 P.M., 11
16 10:00 A.M.-Noon, 1129, 1-3:00 P.M.
WORD FOR WINDOWS: Word for Windows is an easy to
use, quick learn word processing system. If you are wanting
to write letters or memos, or create reports, Word for
Windows is an ideal program for those projects. Instructor:
Mitch Conley. Offered 1112, 10:00 A.M.-Noon.
WORKS DATABASE: Database programs store large
amounts of information and are designed to be easily sorted
and printed. A sample database is your address book. Have
you ever wanted to mail letters or cards to only a few people
in your address book? Come learn how! Instructor: Elaine
Moore. Offered 1 117, 2-4:30 P.M.
PRINT SHOPDELUXE:Doyou ever need flyers or signs for
your business or program? Print Shop Deluxe is easy to use,
and creates flashy designs. Print Shop Deluxe has a variety
of pictures and graphics to add pizazz to your flyers, signs,
calendars, or cards. Instructor: Debby Childers. Offered
114, 1-3:00 P.M. and 1118, 1-3:00 P.M.
BEGINNING SPREADSHEETS: Spreadsheets are primarily
used to manipulatenumbers---youcanadd, subtract, multiply,
divide, etc., very easily. By imputing your data into the
computer you can create specialized reports linking various
types of information. Sound a little confusing? Attend our
class and learn more about what a spreadsheet is and how it
can help you. Instructor: Elaine Moore. Offered: 1130 2
4:30 P.M.
Seminar Schedule
Seminars are usually held on the second or third
Thursday of each month at 6: 30 P.M. at theTribal Community
Center in Grand Ronde. They are open to the public. Here
is a schedule for upcoming months:
November 18 "Business Taxes: Strategies to Lower Your
Taxes"
December 10 "Overdraw, No Way! Business Cash Flow
Management"
January 13 "How To Sell and Market Your Products and
Services"
February 10 "Advertising and Promotion That Makes
Money"
March 10 "YouVe Got the Idea, Where's the $$$"
You Missed An
Invaluable Opportunity!
If you have ever wondered, "How do I get started in
business? Do I need a taxpayer identification number?
Where do I get one? Should I incorporate my business? How
will owning a business affect my taxes? What happens if I
want to hire an employee?" You missed an invaluable
opportunity. Thursday, October 21, the Business
Development department sponsored a "How To Start a
Business in Oregon" seminar at the Tribal Community
Center. Robin Buzzard or Business Dynamics, a former
Small Business Development Center manager, came and
shared her knowledge and experience on the process.
The Small Business Development department is
committed to offering training to tribal members. If you
would like training on a specific topic, please call and let us
know-we are here to meet our members' needs!
"BUSINESS TAXES: Strategic! To Lower Your Tax BUT
Do you like to pay "extra" money to the IRS? If you don't,
join us Thursday, November 18 at 6:30 P.M. at the Tribal
Community Center.