Small business grads urged to help economy
Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald<br> Prosperity Center outreach coordinator Jasmyne Farley receives flowers for her work with the center's second class ever. Prosperity Center Director Candi Allison and instructor Glen Byers are also pictured.
MOSES LAKE — Thirty-five graduates of a free small business course were encouraged to help America pull out of its recession with their entrepreneurial work.
Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, delivered his message Thursday to The Prosperity Center’s second graduating class of “Thinking About Starting Your Own Business?”
He told the class they are living in the worst economic time in the nation’s history, yet they completed the class.
They are not alone in their endeavors, as 75 percent of employees work for small businesses.
They were also told to transfer their success and dream to their employees.
If the graduates don’t take courage, apply themselves and make a difference, no one will, he said.
“How you communicate your dream, to your wife, kids and employees, depends on if America pulls out of this.” Hinkle commented. “Without you creating wealth, this country will go downhill.”
He also spoke of Americans adjusting their personal capital and lives during the Industrial Revolution.
When World War I started, America mass produced a war machine. World War II was even better, as America had an industrial complex it could convert quickly.
“We will rise up from this economic crisis,” he said. “It won’t be from the government spending money or from the government mortgaging our grandchildren’s future. It will be from us putting our private money and property at risk, having a dream, giving people hope and going forward.”
Ken Sterner, executive director of the North Columbia Community Action Council, talked about his family’s huckleberry jam and jelly business that grew large enough to fund his siblings’ college educations.
The family was able to be fairly successful with the endeavor.
“That sense of independence has stuck with me,” Sterner commented.
Shelly Lewis, of Numerica Credit Union, talked about the process of obtaining a business loan. She also congratulated the class on taking “the longest, hardest step.”
Some of the students’ businesses or business ideas include soaps made in the shape of video games controllers, hand made jewelry, wood refinishing, pet supplies and rescue, advertising and marketing, event center, coffee/bookstore, mobile paint ball service, clothing and accessories, photography, organic farm and nursery, herbal supplements, property management, janitorial, skin care salon, entertainment center for youth and family, restaurant, private investigator, recreation and food product invention, craft store, bridal boutique, pavement marketing, window cleaning, beauty supplies, carpentry, massage therapy, disability employment center and manufacturing.
The graduates are: Tara Logg, Angela Clay, Lalo Gonzalez, Blanca Gonzalez, Terri Eley, Chuck Eley, Greg Grammar, Chris Grammar, Imelda Flores, Jaimi Burnside, Alfredo Rocha, Chrystal Doucette, Candice Boutilier, Sam Johnson, Linda Curran, Gerald Curran, Alissa Herbst, Andy Herbst, Eric Slyter, Rebekka Van Der Does, Rick Willard, Tyson Willard, Erlinda Vasquez, Kris Snider, Kymberli Simmons, Karen Connacher, Jonda Spurbeck, Dee Wright, Orlene Hahn, Veronica Rodriquez, Gloria Stoutamyer and Scott Stoutamyer.