Small Business

Rob Ukropina of Newport Beach credits his success not only to his loyal clientele and his inherited entrepreneurial spirit, but also to his employees, who help run the day-to-day operation. Ukropina, who owns Irvine-based Overnite Express, last week was named as the U.S. Small Business Administration's California 2007 small-business person of the year. He started the package delivery service 15 years ago as an answer to a problem he saw in the industry. "I knew that business didn't stop at 5 o'clock when the UPS, FedEx and DHLs stop pick-up," Ukropina said.

Richard R. Luehrs In a recent chamber-commissioned telephone survey of Newport Beach residents, 87% of the respondents identified themselves as supporters of small business. This could not make me more excited, because if you are talking about small business, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Newport Beach business community as a whole is small business. As I have mentioned in previous columns, Newport Beach is a very unique place because of the small businesses and entrepreneurs that are located here.

Andrew Edwards A survey of California small-business owners reported Orange County entrepreneurs look forward to 2005 being a good year, though they worry about taxes and rising healthcare costs. The survey was conducted by Union Bank in January, and 228 of 1,941 business owners responding to questions were from Orange County. The bank defined small business as companies with sales numbers at $5 million or less. Results of the survey were published last week.

Lolita Harper Small business owners are optimistic about the year 2004, a statewide survey shows, and local experts say those general predictions mean additional benefit to local entrepreneurs, as this area has always stayed slightly ahead of the curve. Although the state's economic recovery has not reached every industry, 72% of California business owners are expecting 2004 to be an overall better year than 2003, according to an annual survey released last week by Union Bank of California.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the United States. However, not everyone can be lucky enough to hit on the 'a restaurant that sells just coffee' idea and small business owners often find themselves struggling to be profitable. Michael Munz of the SCORE organization said that failing to write a business plan is a fatal mistake that many small business owners make. "Taking the time to prepare the smallest of business plans would eliminate many of the pit falls [of small business ownership]

Our small business bankers, like those at other banks, are hearing two main concerns from customers these days: They want to know what it takes to obtain loans, and they want help managing expenses and cash flow. In these uncertain economic times, it’s more important than ever that small business owners look for every opportunity to manage expenses. Doing so can help yield a good payoff managing cash flow and credit needs. If you need help analyzing your balance sheet, and sorting through your expenses, it’s time to call a trusted professional.

Taco Mesa is small business of the year Orange Coast College leaders have honored Costa Mesa restaurant Taco Mesa as the small business of the year for 2002. Taco Mesa was honored at a Wednesday small-business expo, the fourth of its kind. "We're the lucky ones to receive this award," said Ivan Calderon, who founded the restaurant with his brother Marco. "Part of what made them pick Taco Mesa has to do with our mission to be at the leading edge of hospitality for Mexican food."

Alicia Robinson If you've always dreamed of being your own boss, there are about 75 people in Costa Mesa who have some advice for you. Orange Coast College is holding its fifth annual small business conference and expo today featuring a talk by five-time Olympic athlete and small business owner Connie Paraskevin-Young, workshops on small business topics and exhibits by 75 companies that serve small businesses' needs....

It's the dream on which capitalism is based: Pursue wealth and happiness by founding your own firm and being your own boss. If it's one that you embrace, find a treasury of resources for new entrepreneurs in the Newport Beach Central Library's upstairs business section. First, look for help for developing a business plan in "The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies," a new guide rife with start-up, follow-through and funding tips. Included are 72 work sheets, 11 chapters devoted to plan components and a sample plan to use as a model.

OCC to host 9th small business conference OCC plans to put on its ninth annual Orange County Small Business Conference on Saturday, with workshops in marketing, starting a business and keeping track of finances. The program, sponsored by OCC?s Business and Computing Division and the OCC Foundation, is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the campus student center. Admission is $25, with a free continental breakfast for attendees who sign up in advance. The event features three main workshop tracks ?

While recognition by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a national champion is nothing to sneeze about, the honor isn't what made Wendy Navarro tear up Monday. The Costa Mesa store owner got misty-eyed when talking about her 17-year-old daughter, Saige Nicole, whose name was used for Navarro's baby and toddler boutique in 2006. "It's so wonderful when she comes to me after she's seen an article on the store and says, 'Mom, I'm so proud of you,'" Navarro said. Navarro, alongside other business leaders, will be honored June 5 at the SBA's 49th annual Small Business Week Awards Celebration in Anaheim.

"Chronicle"is a very nifty first effort from director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis. Max is the son of legendary John Landis of "Animal House," "Trading Places" and "Twilight Zone" fame. This new film blends several movie genres in thoughtful and unexpected ways. It's equal parts teen comedy, superhero adventure and dark morality play in one complex package. It focuses on three high school boys going through the usual teenage issues. They stumble upon a strange hole in the ground.

NEWPORT BEACH - There's no mistaking the aura of a small business about to open its doors for the first time. Not yet dulled by writing, the tips of the pencils are still sharp. A pile of freshly printed business cards sits strategically placed. The shelves are artistically stocked, price tags clearly displayed, no corners left unclean. It's the calm showcase - one well-planned, the final product of untold work hours - before the customer/client storm most owners hope to get. But beyond the spick-and-span exterior, there's a more interesting story.

NEWPORT BEACH — The audience cheered and clapped every time Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina threw a jab at Sen. Barbara Boxer. "She's ineffective and can't get anything done," she said. But other than that, the former technology executive didn't give many details on how she plans to do a better job than her Democratic opponent during the Grass Roots Community Forum at the Newport Beach Golf Course's "Tee Room" on Tuesday. "She painted a broad brush," said Tom Pollitt, a Costa Mesa resident.

California’s small-business owners are more optimistic than last year but plan to keep capital expenditures and staffing levels about the same, according to a survey released last week. The survey, by Union Bank, found that 53% of business owners who responded expect an economic recovery during the second half of 2010 and 2011, and 51% are optimistic about seeing higher profits in 2010. The latter represents a 17% increase from last year’s study, which showed a nine-year low in respondents’ profitability outlook, according to a news release from Union Bank.

OCC will host the 10th annual Orange County Small Business Conference from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The theme this year will be ?Opportunities in a Challenging Market,? and the workshops will offer information for entrepreneurs and those thinking about starting a business in this challenging economy. The program is divided into three 50-minute sessions: business, marketing and finance. A panel of small businesses, and OCC?s business and computer division?s instructors, will present ?

A tour of the RVCA (often pronounced “RUCA,” which sounds like “Rooka,” to reflect the brand’s balance of yin and yang, or opposites) clothing company offices on the Westside makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a warehouse for an artists colony. But you know what’s even cooler? PM Tenore, RVCA’s chief executive and founder, recently visited with President Obama as part of the White House’s rollout of its plan to revitalize small businesses.

Our small business bankers, like those at other banks, are hearing two main concerns from customers these days: They want to know what it takes to obtain loans, and they want help managing expenses and cash flow. In these uncertain economic times, it’s more important than ever that small business owners look for every opportunity to manage expenses. Doing so can help yield a good payoff managing cash flow and credit needs. If you need help analyzing your balance sheet, and sorting through your expenses, it’s time to call a trusted professional.

OCC to host 9th small business conference OCC plans to put on its ninth annual Orange County Small Business Conference on Saturday, with workshops in marketing, starting a business and keeping track of finances. The program, sponsored by OCC?s Business and Computing Division and the OCC Foundation, is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the campus student center. Admission is $25, with a free continental breakfast for attendees who sign up in advance. The event features three main workshop tracks ?

NEWPORT BEACH — State Sen. Tom Harman has an apron at home with the word “girlyman” printed across it, a sly reference to one of his governor’s favorite gibes. So when the staff at Wonderland Bakery asked Harman to don an apron with pink trim and a portrait of a young blond woman on the front Friday morning, he didn’t put up a fight. Harman recently chose Wonderland Bakery as the winner of the California Small Business Award for his district, which stretches from La Palma to Dana Point.