June 1, 1998
Business
5
Twelve graduate from business class
By Kim Mueller
The Tribe's Small Business Development (SBD)
Division and ONABEN (Oregon Native American
Business Entrepreneurial Network) annually hold
small business classes in Grand Ronde. "Starting
a Successful Business" is a ten-week series of
classes designed to guide participants in develop
ing and writing a Business Plan. The course mate
rials and individual counseling sessions allow par
ticipants to work through the business planning
process. The end result is a comprehensive busi
ness plan that can be taken to financial institutions
for loan consideration.
The class officially concluded on Friday, May
15 with a graduation ceremony and dinner held
with family and friends who support them. Faye
Pietrokawsky was the guest speaker, who offered
words of encouragement. Also there for support
were Audrey Campbell and Laura Nihoa from
ONABEN; SBD staff; and Shelley Hanson, class
instructor.
A variety of business plans were created: virtual
reality golf, espresso shops, bakery, paramedic
certification hours, bed and breakfast, construc
tion company, artwork marketing, and an existing
restaurant. The twelve graduating participants in
clude four Grand Ronde tribal members: April
Campbell of Sheridan; Tom Legachinsky of Dal
las; Richard McGee of Dallas who already owns
and operates The Place restaurant; and Connie
Mitchell of Falls City. Other graduates are: Ron
Brockmann of Albany; Rose Coburn of McMin
nville; Sharon McGraw of Dallas; Siletz tribal
member Heather Myers and her husband Phil
Myers of Albany; Brian Saterfield of Falls City;
Cliff Sturtevant of Albany; and Ruth Burchfield
of Monmouth. The SBD and ONABEN staff are
very proud of all of the participants and of
' course, wish them success with all of their entre
preneurial endeavors.
The next class will be offered in September. If
you are interested in becoming your own boss,
these classes are open to both tribal and non-tribal
people. For more information, please call SBD at
879-2476 or 1-800-422-0232.
Entrepreneur Focus
Interior Architect goes beyond decoration
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By Tracy Dugan
Tribal member SIMONE KOCH, owner of Wokas Design and Consulting,
has just completed her business plan with the help of Small Business Develop
ment. She has taken two ONABEN classes "Starting A Successful Busi
ness," and "Preparing a Business Plan" and she is ready to help tribal
members and other clients develop the interior of their home or office.
"I live in Portland, and was able to take the classes at the Siletz Tribal office
in Portland," said Simone. "It was very convenient."
Simone graduated from Marylhurst College in Portland in 1994 with a de
gree in Interior Design, and then went on to earn her Master's at the Univer
sity of Oregon in Interior Architecture.
"U of 0 School of Architecture is more technical. There was a combination
of design issues and architectural theory," she said. ,
Because most of us associate architecture with the design and construction
of buildings themselves, you may be wondering what an interior architect
does. Part of what Simone does is design the inside of buildings after they are
built. She helps determine what types of wood or glass would look best with
a particular style and color of a building, does space planning, furniture place
ment, and determines what types of lighting look best in an area. Simone's
most recent and largest project is the Tribe's Administration Building. She
has been contracted by the Tribe to work with tribal staff and administration
to come up with an attractive and functional interior for the building.
Her biggest challenge is in helping to create a ceremonylobby area that
represents what the Grand Ronde Tribe and its people are all about. All the
little details put together are what is going to make the building unique and
beautiful. Simone will work with staff to help create departmental office spaces.
"To me, an office is a living environment as important as a person's home.
We're talking about a place where most of us spend eight or nine hours a day.
I want everyone to have a space they can work in, where clients and staff are
comfortable in their surroundings," she said.
Simone is seeking other clients who have an interest in creating a special
interior space for their commercial or residential property. If you are inter
ested in consulting with Simone Koch, call Wokas Design at (503) 780-4066.
Simone holds a piece of tinted, etched glass which may be added to
the interior of the administration building. Behind her, the building
takes shape.