Smoke Signals
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(general Contractor
Salem, Oregon
(5031315-0385
TRIBAL MEMBER OWNER:
Dennis Olson and his wife Carol.
BUSINESS TYPE AND SERVICES:
D.K. Olson Construction in Salem, Oregon.
HOW LONG IN BUSINESS? Since 1964.
HOME-BASED BUSINESS? Yes.
OTHER JOBS AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:
Accounting and construction jobs.
REASON FOR STARTING A BUSINESS?
"We liked the challenge and the potential," said
Olson of he and his wife Carol. "It also allows us
more freedom of time and gives us a choice."
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES?
Keeping it profitable.
WHAT ARE THE REWARDS? Olson said having a
sense of independence is one of the main rewards
of owning his own business. He said another
reward has been the opportunity to work side by
side with his wife for all these years.
"My wife and I maintained this business by working
together," said Olson. "She has worked in the field
with me and in the office. She runs down materials
for the business and has designed and decorated
some of the buildings we have worked on."
WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS? Being diligent in management and
keeping the quality up.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW
ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS? We have kept solvent
throughout good times and bad times.
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Dennis Olson, shown here in front of his work
truck, got his start in the construction business at
the age of 17 when he built his first house. His
career in construction began as soon as that house
was finished and he has never looked back.
Olson said his father and grandfather were in
the business before him and helped to get him
started. He said the key to his longevity in the
business is the quality of work he puts out there.
"I may cost a little more than some of the other
guys, but we deliver a quality job every time
said Olson.
Being in business for a long time has afforded
Olson the luxury of having already acquired
needed equipment that other contractors have
to hire sub-contractors for. He said the cost sav
ing is passed on to his many customers.
Olson has built standard homes on up to cus
tom homes and does remodeling work as well.
Olson will travel anywhere near Salem, Including
Portland, Eugene, Lincoln City and Grand Ronde.
Olson Construction can be reached at (503) 315-8385.
WANTED: Women to create a
part-time bysnmess at home
The Venture Out program was
designed with women like you in
mind. Now, more than ever, home
based business ownership is a viable
option for creating supplemental in
come. Turn the skills you possess,
the hobbies you enjoy, or the trade
you have inherited into an income
generating business. And the best
part is, you will not have to do this
alone. With the help of ONABEN
and the Tribe's business counselors,
you can create a business.
Try one of the following business:
O pet sitting
O catering
D landscaping
child or elder care
D alterations
D gift baskets
cake decorating
0 partyevent planner
D photographer
D janitorialcarpet cleaner
D tutoring service
D handmade crafts
Venture Out is sponsored by the
Tribe's Small Business Development,
ONABEN, and the Office of Womens
Business Ownership (OWBO).
For more information about Ven
ture Out and a schedule of class
dates and times please contact the
Small Business department. You
may call Sheila Herber at (503)
879-2492, Barbara Lake at (503)
879-2476, or toll-free at 1-800-422-0232.
Dinner and child care will be
provided during classes.
(0, A(S
MONDAYS from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
April 17: Windows 9598, part 2
April 24: Macintosh Operating
System, part 2
TUESDAYS from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
April 25: Quatro Pro, part 2
WEDNESDAYS from 9 to 11 :30 a.m.
April 19: PowerPoint
April 26: Microsoft Word, part 2
THURSDAYS from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
April 20: Excel, part 2
FRIDAYS from 9 to 11 :30 a.m.
April 21 : Word Perfect, part 2
April 28: Web Page Design
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