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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1994)
Smoke Signals March 1994 Page 7 SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NEWS Entrepreneur Of The Month: Lon Mercier Computer Training Schedule By Tracy Olson Every so often, if we are lucky enough, a person comes into our lives and helps us appreciate the finer things in life. Things like a really good meal, an extraordinary novel, or a work of art. Lon Mercier is such a person. He is an artista painter and drawer who can make paper and canvas come to life. Mercier Fine Art is the name of Lon's business, currently being operated out of his home in Portland. He has entered into a partnership with a person who is experienced in promotion and marketing work, while he spends his time increasing his inventory of original paintings. "Many artists don't know how to promote themselves," he explained. "My partner calls the galleries and organizes art shows. I do the art work." At this time Lon has his work on display in galleries in Florida, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington. Rainy Day in Portland carries his work, as well as Indian Heaven in Stevenson, Washington. Lon explained the steps an artist must take in order to become more well-known and in public view. He said, "We look through art magazines and other sources to find galleries that might be interested. We send them samples of my work and a cover letter. I typically receive one or two , , ,l l- l; j nnu responses for every ten letters, and they are usually pretty " ? eer Wlth A" graphs drawing-" Old favorable" - Lucy . Shewasawell-knownOrandRonde woman. Some of Lon's most popular pieces are limited-edition prints he has made from graphite drawings. His work is almost exclusively Native American or Americana subject matter, and often there's an interesting story behind a finished piece. Lon has these prints for sale, and can be ordered and shipped through the mail. Many of Lon's customers are interested in keeping up with his most recent endeavors and completions, and are on his mailing list Currently, Lon is working in egg tempera, and wants to build up an inventory of original paintings for shows and galleries. A part-time teacher who holds a Bachelor's degree from Portland State University, Lon says he would eventually like to retire from teaching altogether in order to devote more time to painting. He said, "My main goal is to have my own gallery where I would feature my art as well as the work of others." He would like to remain in Oregon, too. "When I was a kid my family lived in Grand Ronde for many years before moving to Portland. I remember feeling very safe there. It's a very special place." Lon and his partner invested their own money for this business, and are still working towards getting it back. They are in their third year of business, and spend part of the year travelling to different art shows. He is discovering that the more visual his work becomes, the more business increases. Lon's work is very affordable, and high-quality. If you are interested in a brochure fromMercier Fine Art, you can write Lon Mercier at 1460 S. W. 66th Street, Portland, Oregon 97225, or call (503) 297-4158. V i I ' 1 Bh"fhirrV thml' ftf -ifV r rim ritititiiirfiWHglAT'l Lawrence Edwards Advertising Info Available Are you making crafts but having a hard time selling them? Is your business not doing the volume you think it could do? If you are suffering from "business under achievement", you missed a great opportunity to learn more about you, your business, andhow to make more money. Lawrence Edwards, independent marketing, advertising and sales consultant, spoke atthe Tribal Community Center on February 10. Ifyou would like a copy of the information packet, call Debby in Small Business Development. Upcoming Seminars THURS. MARCH 10 "HowToStartABusinessInOregon" THURS. APRIL 14 "How To Finance A Business" THURS. MAY 12 "Budgeting & Cash How Management" THURS. JUNE 9 "Legal Aspects Of Doing Business" THURS. JULY 14 "Arts & Crafts Marketing" THURS. AUGUST 1 1 "Personnel Issues" All seminars are held from 3 :00-6:00 P.M. National Indian Business Association The National Indian Business Association (NIB A) was created in 1992 to promote, encourage, and advocate Native American owned businesses. Current NIB A activites lilude: an annual NIBA Conference and trade show, compilation of a directory of Indian-owned businesses throughout the United States, and coordinating with major corporations in theU. S. to promote Native American business development. Membership is free. For more info call (505) 256-0589. Check Out Our Resources! Have you wondered what resources are available through your Tribal Small Business Development Center? Here is a sampling of some of the books, magazines, and videos available to check out. BOOK: "Portfolio of Business Forms, Agreements, and Contracts", 1985, Prentice Hall publisher. VIDEO: "How To Really Start Your Own Business", developed by Inc. Magazine. VIDEO: "Raising Capital: How To Finance Your Business", developed by Inc. Magazine. BOOK: "Market Driven Strategies", 1990, Free Press. BOOK: "Anatomy Of A Start-Up", 1991, Inc. Publishing. MAGAZINES: Business Week, Craft Supply Magazine, Crafts Report, Entrepreneur, Fortune, Oregon Business, Newsweek. The Business Development Department b offering several computer training classes in March. Space Is limited to three people per class, so call Debby and reserve a spot now. The numbers are: 879-2476 or 1-800-422-0232. Ifyou are interested In a specific computer (raining not offered, call and make an appointment with a stafT member. BASIC COMPUTERS: Come learn the basics of the computer. We cover an overview of the computer, learn to use the mouse, and do a brief overview of Word For Windows. Instructor: Shelley HansonTrevor Aaron. Offered 37 10 A.M. until noon, and 316 10 A.M. until noon. 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 ConleyTrevor Aaron. Offered 39 1:00-3:00 P.M. and 331 9-11.00 A.M. PRINT SHOP DELUXE: Do you 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 Childera. Offered 317 1-3:00 P.M. MICROSOFT WINDOWS: Windows Is an easy to use "operating system" based on a simple point (at a picture) and click (with a mouse) method. Whether you've used Windows before or not, there are endless possibilities with this system. Instructor: Mitch ConleyTrevor Aaron, Offered: 3Z3 1-3:00 P.M. TURBO TAX: Are you feeling a little overwhelmed about your taies? Come try Turbo Tax, and relieve a little stress from your life. Turbo Tax will figure your federal and state tax returns, and print them out for you. Turbo Tax Is an easy to me, Windows-based system. You answer questions as you go and after completing the question and answer period, are ready to print your return. Instructor: Elaine Moore. Offered 375 1-3:00 P.M., 310 9-11:00 A.M. WORKS DATABASE: Database programs store large amounts of Information and are designed to be easily sorted and printed. A sample database b your address book. Have you ever wanted to mail cards or letters to Just a few people In your book? Come and learn howl Instructor: Elaine MooreTrevor Aaron. Offered 315 10:00 A.M. to noon. Seniors Tax Assistance Business Development Division staff are offering tax preparation assistance to tribal elders. Staff members will input tax information into the Turbo Tax software program which is designed to help prepare returns. Returns will be prepared on an appointment basis, so please call ahead to schedule a time, and to find out what information you need to bring with you. If you are a tribal elder and interested in doing this, please call Debby Childcrs at 1 -800-422-0232 for an appointment. Starting A Business In Oregon Where do you register your new business? Do you have a separate business checking account? Do you have to have a lisence for your business? Remember all of those questions that run through your mind when you think about starting a business? Where can you get the answers? Your Tribal Small Business Development Center is always available, but here is another great opportunity to get the information you need. Robin Buzzard, a dynamic, knowledgable instructor, formally with the Small Business Development Center in Portland, will be at the Tribal Community Center from 3:00-6:00 P.M. Thursday, March 10 to answer all of your questions. Robin will also have available all of the necessary forms and applications you need to start a new business in Oregon. Remember, Business Development seminars are open to the public, so please pass this information on to anyone you know who might find it useful. For more information about the seminar, contact Debby Childers at 1-800-422-0232, extension 2476.
