June 1994
Page 7
BUSINESS
Smoke Signals
Entrepreneurs of the Month:
Ron and Willow Rife
By Tracy Olson
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Willow and Ron Rife, wearing
Ron and Willow Rife are the
Entrepreneurs of the Month for June.
Ron, Grand Ronde tribal member,
and Willow, a Siletz, will soon be
opening Cry of the Rogue at Billy's
Place, a traditional Native retail
supply store in Siletz.
The shop will be located on family
land, once owned by Willow's great
grandfather, Robert Metcalf.
Willow said, "That land is very
special to me and my family. I feel
lucky to be able to use it. Not many
Indian people have a chance like
this."
The Rifes have a copy of the
document verifying ownership of
mat property to Robert Metcalf. it
was originally signed by President
Grover Cleveland.
Items they plan to sell in their store
include beading materials, shells,
tobaccos, pipes, leather and hides,
and buffalo horn.
Willow was raised according to
Indian tradition, and is interested in
passing on those teachings to a
younger tribal generation. They
plan to have a classroom built on to
their store and offer craft and tanning
sessions to tribal and community
members.
"There is more pride in making
your regalia than there is in buying
it or having someone make it for
you," Willow said. "When someone
tells me my dress is beautiful, I feel
so good about myself."
Business Legal seminar offered
. On June 9 the Business Development Department will sponsor "The
Legal Aspects of Doing Business", a seminar designed to help you answer
business questions regarding starting a corporation, the legalities of a
business partnership, and personnel laws.
The seminar will be held at the Tribal Community Center and will
begin at 3 p.m. Please attend for some valuable information and a little
free legal advice.
some of their regalia.
The Rifes believe that following
traditional beliefs and values help
the self-esteem of young people,
and if they feel pride and
confidence in themselves, they
won't turn to drugs or alcohol.
They explained that their shop
will be different from others in the
area, because they want to cater
mostly to Native people who have
a traditional or spiritual need for
their services they offer.
Ron, who is currently an armed
guard in the army, may leave the
military soon because of health
reasons.
He said, "We're in a period of
transition. The plan is to move to
Siletz and build Cry of the Rogue,
but my job in the army may keep
me here a while longer."
They currently live in Mulino,
Oregon with their three children.
Willow and Ron have compiled
a catalog of the items they have
available to order. They hope to
have a mail order business as well.
In addition to the shop, they
have made plans with a relation to
provide a food wagon on the family
land as well. It will provide a
variety of traditional Indian foods
such as Indian tacos, salmon,
seafood and wild game soups.
Willow said, "By living our
lives in a traditional way, we are
paying honor to our elders and our
relations."
Tribal Success Story:
Tom Lewis receives state loan
Tribal member Tom Lewis of
Ridgefield, Washington is the proud
co-owner of a new business,
Spencer RV Sales West. Tom
received a $25,000 business loan
through Key Bank via the State of
Oregon's Capital Access program.
Spencer R V Sales West is owned by
Mr. Lewis and his partner, Keith
Spencer, and will specialize in
selling newand used travel trailers,
campers, 5th wheel units, and park
models (mini mobile homes). The
new business will be located at
9345 Canyon Road in Portland.
Until their sales lot is ready for
occupancy, Spencer West will be
selling units from Bcaverton Trailer
Repair, also located on Canyon
Road.
Being a business owner is new
to Tom Lewis. For the last six years
Tom has been General Manager of
Spencer RV Sales located on the
east side of Portland. With 20 years
experience in the RV market, he
has knowledge of the market
products, and the financial
considerations of operating a
dealership. Tom says he has always
managed Spencer RV Sales like it
was his own business, but knew he
wasn't ultimately responsible for it.
Now he is.
Now he will be able to feel pride
Tom Leivis
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Business Registry: sign up now
If you are a tribal member waiting to do business with Spirit
Mountain Development Corporation, you can become part of the tribal
business registry.
To contract Spirit Mountain on any future projects, your business
needs to be registered with the Tribal Small Business Development
Department.
Tribal member businesses that are not registered will not be
considered for bid. Small Business Development will be responsible
for maintaining a list of current tribal businesses, assisting them in
meeting bid requirements, and sending bid packets to eligible members.
Register now! Call Debby at 1-800-422-0232 for more information
about the registry, and getting your business involved.
and a sense of accomplishment as
well as future economic security.
But for now, Tom says being his
own boss hasn't really sunk in.
"It didn't really hit me until I got
to the bank, but then I got really
excited," Tom said.
The challenges he faces now
are: getting into a new marketing
area, and getting the new sales lot
opened up. Tom and his partner
are working with Washington
County to get the lot opened up
onto Canyon Boulevard, so they
can set up their office modular and
move on to inventory. Spencer
West will employ three full-time
people.
Small Business Development
staff members assisted Tom in
obtaining financing by guiding him
through the process and helping
him answer questions. Before he
came to the Tribe, Tom had
contacted other financing agencies
and received negative feedback.
Small Business Development gave
him hope and encouragement. The
business plan document was
produced with the help of Small
Business as well. Tom and the
bankers who reviewed the plan were
all impressed with its quality.
Small Business gave Tom
information about the Capitol
Access Program (CAP), which is
funded by the state Economic
Development Department, and
administered by local banks. All
three lenders Tom approached
about CAP were enthusiastic about
it. The loan turnaround time was
fast, too. After one week, he had
the decision, and after two weeks,
Tom received a check.
Small Business Development
would like to congratulate Tom
Lewis for pursuing his dream, and
paving a successful roadfor himself
and his family.
Computer training
schedule
The Business Development
Department is offering several
computer training classes in
June. Space is limited to three
people per class, so call Debby
and reserve a spot now. The
numbers arc: 879-2476 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.
BASIC COMPUTERS: Come
learn the basics of the computer.
Wc cover an overview of the
computer, learn to use the mouse,
and do a brief overview of Word
For Windows. Instructor:
Shelley Hanson. Offered June 6
10-noon, and June 22 6-8 p.m.
WORD FOR WINDOWS:
Word for Windows is an easy to
use, quick learn word processing
system. If you arc wanting to
write letters or mcmos,or create
reports, Word for Windows is
an ideal program for those
projects. Instructor: Mitch
Conlcy. Offered June 21 1-3
p.m., and June 29 1-3 p.m.
QUICKEN: If you arc looking
for a simple, inexpensive
accounting program, Quicken
is for you. You can use Quicken
to write checks and maintain
yourpcrsonal or business books.
If you have ever considered a
computerized system, check this
program out. Instructor: Elaine
Moore. Offered June 22 1-3
p.m.
MICROSOFT EXCEL:
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet
system. Please join us and learn
how it can meet your business
and personal information needs.
Instructor: Elaine Moore.
Offered June 27 2-5 p.m.
Personal photos offered
at pow-wow
Spectra Productions will be
offering individual and group
photos at the 1994 pow-wow in
August. The itemized list below is
designed to give interested parties
an indication of cost and packages.
Package 15 A: 2-5x7 and 8 Wallets
or
Package 15B: 2-5x7 and 2-3 12x5
and 4 wallets ($15.00)
Package 20A: 2-8xl0s and 8 Wallets
or
Package 20B: 4- 5X7s and 8 wallets
($20.00)
Package 25A: 2- 8x10s and 2- 5x7s and 12
wallets
or
Package 25B: 2-8xl0s and 4- 5x7s and 4
wallets ($25.00)