March 17, 2005
Alameda Times Star
The Island & Business

ALAMEDANS GATHER TO SHARE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
Suzanne Storar STStorar@aol.com 

What do a legal document assistant, a management consultant, a photographer, the director of an organization serving tradeswomen and other business owners have in common?

A lot when they are members of the Alameda Business Group. Business owners in the group meet monthly to share and address the challenges of running their enterprises.

In her work, Lorre Zuppan, owner of branes,LLC, helps other businesses become more profitable. She finds the group’s input makes her own business prosper. No matter what concern she brings to a meeting, she learns about a potential resource or a “what-not-to-do” experience.

“Everyone has a different perspective, she says. “It’s an opportunity to get a lot of people’s takes on the issue.”

Making commitments with specific actions and dates is another benefit of the group. While Zuppan says she always follows through for her clients, her workload can sometimes crowd out commitments to herself.

“When you are self-employed, you can be the toughest boss you’ve ever had. And you can also avoid something you don’t want to do,” she says. 

She credits the Alameda Business Group with turning her focus to the important, not just the urgent.

The Alameda business group meets the fourth Thursday of the month. The four-hour meeting includes time for business owners to give updates on recent concerns as well as progress on committed-to action items. Owners then share problems and get input. An educational component on time management, hiring practices, marketing or another business-related topic is provided. At the group’s March 24 meeting, B.J. Van Horn, a human resources expert, will lead a discussion on creating a firm, fair, and consistent workplace for employees.

A few spots are still open for local business owners. A monthly fee covers the meeting and coaching time plus an annual all-day planning workshop.

“I think it’s a good value, and the time members put into participating yields a much greater value,” says Arden Koontz of the city’s Small Business Assistance Program. Koontz facilitates meetings and coaches members.

The city established the group about a year ago in conjunction with The Business Group, a firm leading business problem-solving forums throughout the Bay Area.
“It’s fantastic that the city sponsors this. The group could be really valuable for a lot of businesses,” Zuppan says.

Cindy Elwell, another member, has owned Divorce with Dignity for 10 years. Like Zuppan, she knows a business owner can get bogged down in day-to-day work and lose track of the big picture.

Elwell is a registered and bonded legal document assistant, not an attorney. She helps people with divorce paperwork, coaches them throughout the process and encourages mediation whenever possible.

Her business came about when Elwell wanted a career change and a chance to help others. Her own divorce experience provided inspiration.

“I was looking for a way to give back and looked at areas that had been difficult in my life,” she says.

Although she worked 25 years as a business manager for small companies and nonprofit groups, she found ownership to be a different undertaking. She says participating in the Alameda Business Group has helped keep her focus. Since joining, she has hired more employees, outsourced marketing and advertising and opened other offices.

“The business group has helped me take my business to the next level,” Elwell says.

She is better able to serve her customers now that she is not taking on so much herself. She even plans to open a new business, Dating with Dignity, in May. Elwell decided to start a dating service because, “there are so many nice people getting divorced.”

Both Zuppan and Elwell point out that eight out of ten business without a business plan fail. They appreciate the annual planning process incorporated into the program in addition to the monthly support.

“Check it out. It’s a great resource,” Elwell says.

For more information on the Alameda Business Group, contact Arden Koontz at 749-5904 or akoontz@ci.alameda.ca.us. Contact Lorre Zuppan, branes, LLC, at 749-6790 or zuppan@branes.com. Contact Cindy Elwell, Divorce with Dignity, at 523-7290.

Call Suzanne T. Storar at 523-6641 or STSorar@aol.com with information about Alameda’s interesting people, places, or events.