JEB & Company specializes in IT Consulting & Managed Services. They proactively monitor, manage and maintain workstations and servers so their customers don’t have to. For one monthly fixed fee, they handle all IT needs, including patch management, anti-virus, spyware removal, temporary file removal, 24/7 monitoring, remote remediation access and more. The company motto is, “Let us manage your network, while you take care of business.”

What led you to start your business?

I was laid off from an IT firm and started looking for work. I decided that rather than make someone else money from my hard work and ideas, I should do it for myself. I had a lot of insight to the managed services arena, so my early research and setup was already done.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know?

Even though our company is a staff of two (myself and my wife) we have the backing of thousands through our managed services partner. We have a 600 person Network Operations Center (NOC) and a 250 person U.S.-based Service Desk.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

New client acquisitions. I know that I have excellent service offerings and I have a very competitive price point. However companies do not necessarily change their IT services on a regular basis. My prospective clients either have an IT provider or they are a new business. While my sales cycle is longer than I would like, I know the clients will come over once they see what I can offer them.

What drives your passion in this business?

I like to help people. I feel good inside knowing that the work I am doing is helping another small business move forward. Since I am working directly with the business owner, I know that they appreciate what I am offering and how I am offering it. That is why our monthly services are on a fixed fee basis. They know exactly how much IT will cost them each month. No matter how many issues arise, they will always have the same low price.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Make sure that you have an effective CRM (Customer Relationship Management system). You need to be able to manage all of your client and potential client interactions. You also need to follow up with clients and potential clients on a regular basis. You are the face of your company, so it is important that your clients see you and you are easily accessible. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Stuart’s TIP:

Jaimie makes a great point in keeping in touch with prospects and clients.  Follow up is the key to maintaining those great relationships, and a good system for keeping up on that is key to a small business owner’s success.  I encourage all entrepreneurs to allocate time each week to following up with prospects and customers – you’ll be surprised at the

positive impact that will have on your bottom line.

JEB & Company

2925 E. Riggs Rd., Suite 8-214, Chandler, AZ 85249

480-389-5321

info@jebandcompany.com

www.jebandcompany.com

Written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Inta Juice is a locally owned smoothie bar with more than 50 smoothies to choose from, including Green Tea and organic Acai. They offer fresh vegetable blends and wheatgrass.

What led you to start your business?

We are both health conscious, and we wanted to focus on that lifestyle. We felt Inta Juice offered the best opportunity to expand in that area. We have the largest menu around and you can even make your own. We have customized smoothies, giving the customer the power to be creative. You can’t make a bad one at Inta Juice. We still believe customers are No. 1. We have knowledgeable employees, with great customer service and cleanliness.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

We offer fundraising opportunities and have worked with various PTO’s, youth groups and athletic clubs. We’ve helped Chandler Rotary, San Tan Legacy Soccer, ICAN, Boys and Girls Club, Gold Medal Swim, Basha Cheer, and many more.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

Four years ago, we were the first Inta Juice in the valley, so introducing a new name in the smoothie business heading into a recession has been very difficult. At the same time, there were eight other comparable businesses within a 3-mile radius. Most of those are gone, now. We got the word out by advertising in local publications and always trying to get our name out in our fundraising efforts. Additionally, we have built our Guest Book and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/intajuicechandler) lists to nearly 1,000 customers.

What drives your passion in this business?

Starting new and making it succeed by building a very loyal customer base. It’s very gratifying to have someone tell you how they enjoy your product. We hear it every day! We get amazing comments in our Guest Book. They tell us our flavors are the best, there’s no aftertaste, and they can taste every fruit in them. Some of the comments include, “This place rocks!”, and, “You knock the competition out of the water!”

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Make sure there is a market for your product. Expect long hours and many setbacks. Most importantly, you had better enjoy what you are doing. That’s why it’s important to support the family-owned small businesses, they have good reason to hold their heads high and the biggest part is the quality of product, service and cleanliness. Family owned businesses take a lot of pride in their business.

Stuart’s TIP!

Anita and Tom have done a great job at taking a new business and getting the word out. It all starts with the passion of the entrepreneur and a great product. Once those are in place, customers will start telling friends and family and pretty soon an entire community will gather around that business. Every business should strive to build 1,000 or more loyal fans, just like Anita and Tom have done.

INTA JUICE

1445 S. Arizona Ave.

Just South of the San Tan 202 Freeway

(480) 821-1675

Fax: (480) 821-1373

Hours: M-F 9-7;

Sat 9-6; Sun 10-5

Written by By Stuart Preston,

MyBusiness Advisors

What led you to start your business?

After being bridesmaids in so many weddings we knew there was a need in the market for a place that offered cute and stylish dresses. We are both passionate about weddings and wanted bridesmaids to have a boutique designed just for them.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

We are also a great place to find prom dresses, as well as tuxes for grooms and accessories. And … we have a picture collage in the back room of all the ugly bridesmaid dresses we’ve had to wear.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

Always striving to make our business the best it can be. I like to call them all the “live and learn”  experiences. We welcome challenges and love trying to figure out the best way to handle them. It’s one of the things that makes us excited to come to work every day. Brides have enough to worry about … we want to make this fun and easy for them.

What drives your passion in this business?

What drives us is the creativity around owning our own business, as well as the customers’ own passion and vision for their weddings. It is so fun to hear each girl’s ideas and dreams about one of the most special days in their lives and to help them bring part of that to life.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Be passionate and love what you are doing. Surround yourself with a great team of people. Stick to your business philosophy and uphold your integrity.

Stuart’s Tip:  Jenni and Keri point out that sticking to their core philosophy has been a key to their success. That is a lesson all entrepreneurs would do well to learn. No matter how good or bad or busy or slow business is, sticking to what you do best and are most passionate about will always build a great foundation for a profitable business. It is also something your customers will notice and tell others about!

Twirl Chandler Jenni Hailer (480) 722-0000, jenni@twirlboutique.com, 2410 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler, info@twirlchandler.com

Twirl Scottsdale Keri Chantler, (480) 221-1222, keri@twirlboutique.com, info@twirlscottsdale.com

www.twirlboutique.com

Written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Jim McMichael of Everybody’s Auto Broker

Everybody’s Auto Buyer and Consignments is a consulting firm that specializes in helping consumers purchase and sell vehicles. They eliminate the hassles, frustrations and aggravations of the dealership experience while saving you time and money in the process. Everybody’s Auto Buyer and Consignments was created so the consumer can focus on family, friends, work and fun.

What led you to start your business?

I started in the automotive industry in 1977 and watched the small Mom and Pop dealers get bought out by the bigger corporate dealers. The industry was taking a big hit in the consumer trust index. I could see that the consumer on the sales floor as very unhappy with the process and some hated their new vehicle even before they drove off in it. I started Everybody’s Auto Buyer to offer them a non-intrusive and protective relationship.

Tell me something about your business

that people might not know. Most folks don’t know that we handle all aspects of the process for them. This includes making sure they are receiving a fair value for their trade, and that they are making the best decision on the incentives…cash versus interest rate. We make sure that they are making decisions based on solid information and that they make them at home on their time – no pressure.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

The economy has created my biggest challenges. Growth has been much slower than I forecasted. Getting the word out has been another tough aspect as we found that regular advertising was not very effective for us. So we count on our networking and word of mouth to get our message out. We’ve had great success as that goes.

What drives your passion in this business?

The satisfaction of knowing that we help people every time we get the opportunity of working with them and that each and every time we see the excitement and satisfaction our clients express when they are taking delivery of their new vehicle. On the consignment side, we see how relieved our clients are when they are meeting the buyer of their vehicle at the bank for the first time ever to get the cash for title done.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Make sure that you are in a position financially to take on the adventure of your life no matter what the economy does. I have seen so many businesses open and close because they weren’t, and as a small business man that saddens me. You need to make a commitment to make it work and you need to work at that commitment every day!!

Stuart’s Tip: Jim’s focus on creating an outstanding customer experience is spot on! Small businesses must ‘Wow!’ their customers. That way, the customers will return, and bring someone else with them the next time they visit. How do you Wow! your customers?

written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Jim Torgeson of Jet Media Promotions

Jet Media Promotions provides effective outdoor advertising by providing sign walkers to get your message to your local target market. Quick, fast and in a hurry.

What led you to start your business?

I began working at 14 in a guitar shop where the owner managed bands like Poison and Guns ‘n’ Roses.  I decided I needed to go into my own business. It started with concert promotion, which lead to buying The Electric Ballroom in Arizona. Then, I took a job in retail management and sales training.  I knew that getting your business’ message out in front of people was paramount in advertising and I took it straight to the customer.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

I try to make a difference in people’s lives. If I can help a store owner over the hump, I do it and feel great about it at the end of the day. We’ve actually run promotions just to get money for specific families in need. This business will teach you humility and compassion.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

The biggest problem I have is local regulation. A few municipalities made what I do illegal by claiming it was unsafe and unsightly. Never has there been anything unsafe about this business, ever. It’s a statistical fact. Sidewalks are rarely used in Arizona, so at least we help create tax revenue by using them.

How is the current economic recession affecting your business?

Having this kind of slowdown made me commit to greater success. I refuse to participate in the recession.   I looked at how I was being affected and gave myself a goal: 189 new clients by year’s end. That’s an astronomical number, but I felt that setting a low bar wasn’t worth my time and that if you say you’re going to do something, do it big. I chart my progress on Facebook, because public commitment to my goals makes me more likely to reach them.

What drives your passion in this business?

My drive at this point is to create security for my family. I have the greatest woman in the world for a wife and my kids deserve every opportunity I can create. College costs a lot of money these days and it’s not getting cheaper, so I have to make it now and plan for them to have the tools for success.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

I started Jet Media with the lint in my pocket. Don’t make excuses as to why you can’t do it, look for the reasons to do it. You never succeed by doing nothing, so figure out how you can make it happen. Make sure you are providing people with what they need, not necessarily what you like. It’s all about your customer in the end, so find the niche’ and run with it.

Stuart’s Business Tip:

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there!” Jim shares this mindset. These tough economic times call for a tough, tenacious response.  Set your own goals, make them known, and go after them. When this recession is over, your business, like Jim’s, will be on top of the market.

To contact Jim and Jet Media Promotions,

visit www.sign walkers.com or email j_torgeson@yahoo.com

Written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Horsing Around Toys is a neighborhood toy store catering to children from birth to age 12, with family games and high quality toys that educate and exercise children’s minds. Their toys spark imagination and growth. It offer exceptional customer service and quality products.

What led you to start your business?

My partner (who’s also my daughter) and I started Horsing Around Toys after becoming frustrated with chain and big box stores. All they offer is the same low quality, mass produced toys that have very limited benefits to help children exercise their minds. We have a combined 35 years experience in the retail toy industry and like being able to offer high quality toys along with one on one service to our customers.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

We have layaway. That’s a service that has pretty much gone away. With today’s economy, I think layaway is a convenient way for parents to budget for birthdays and holidays.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

The economy has been our biggest challenge. We’ve had to change the way we look at the day to day operations of our business and how we manage our cash flow.

What drives your passion in this business?

The look on a child’s face. The important thing to remember is when children play they learn. So by giving a child a high quality toy, they learn to build something, create something, learn something.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Two things: location and advertising. Location: Do your homework; ask questions of the other merchants. Contact the leasing agent and get the traffic reports. Remember its LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Advertising: You MUST advertise. Make sure you target your demographic and be consistent. If you stop advertising, your customers forget you’re in business.

Stuart’s Tip:

Becky is right on with her advice on advertising (marketing). The old axiom is, “You can’t sell a secret.” As a business owner, you need to get the word out, promote your business, and track your results. A fine-tuned marketing plan is the driver of new business, growth, and success.

E-mail: info@horsingaroundtoys.com

WEBSITE: www.horsingaroundtoys.com

ADDRESS: 1022 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225

PHONE: (480)917-3074

written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

ERRAND GENIE is a professional errand service serving the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, with services tailored to the unique needs of their customers, owned by Noel and Arlene Stephens. They provide a helping hand with a variety of things most people don’t have the time, energy or patience to do. They specialize in helping small businesses, busy professionals, the elderly, new parents or individuals with short or long term illness, by eliminating things from their “to do” list.

They also monitor the security and integrity of homes during vacation periods or at times when home owners are away. They are licensed, bonded and insured for our customer’s protection. Their mission is to deliver reliable, quality service while maintaining privacy.

What led you to start your business?

We returned to Arizona upon retirement and soon realized we missed helping people. We had over 40 years of work in the blindness field and felt we would take advantage of this experience and create a business in which we could continue to be of service to others.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.

Being semi-retired, we are very flexible with our time. Therefore, we are able to respond to our customer requests on short notice and we work to complete the errand in a timely, reliable and accurate manner. Remember, when you call on the Genie, “It’s Like Magic!”

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?

The initial start-up steps in creating a small business and the time it took to get our first sale, took longer than we expected. But, by persistence and face-to-face networking, our business began to grow.

What drives your passion in this business?

Errand Genie provides us an avenue to be active in our retirement, meet wonderful business colleagues and participate in the business community.

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business?

Join your local Chamber of Commerce. Our experiences with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce have been so important to our business growth. Cultivating a core of business colleagues, by participating in Chamber sponsored business education and networking opportunities, is the real key to building trust and ultimately leading to a very successful small business.

Stuart’s Business Tip:

Noel mentions a longer ramp-up time than he expected for those first sales. New business owners always hope the cash register starts ringing away on Day One. However, they need to plan for that to happen much slower than expected. Try to keep expenses down and focus on sales and marketing in those early days. Then, the cash will start to flow!

To contact Errand Genie, LLC, Call Noel or Arline at (480) 907-7844 or visit www.errand genie.biz.

Written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Fish Window Cleaning is a professional window cleaning company specializing in commercial and residential window cleaning, including free onsite estimates. It is bonded and insured. All employees are in uniform, read and speak English and have full background checks. Fish Window Cleaning is an active member of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau and International Window Cleaners Association.

What led you to start your business? 

I always wanted my own business, and our customers enjoy what we do for them. Who doesn’t like to look out a sparkling clean window – it’s like getting your car washed. I spent 26 years in the corporate world in manufacturing, starting on the loading docks and ended up as president of a division. 

Tell me something about your business that people might not know? 

A professionally cleaned window not only looks so much better, but it will stay looking nice longer. The window is cleaned with a professional squeegee that removes all but the shine on a good quality piece of glass.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business owner?  

The biggest challenge has been to find the time to do the important things and finding the great people to take care of our clients’ needs. I highly recommend using a mentor, business coach or some other independent eye to help you look at your business from a different point of view.

What’s your secret in hiring the right team members? 

The interview process and sticking to it. The final check for me is to answer the question, “Do you like this person and would you work with them or let this person work in your home?”

What drives your passion in this business?

I enjoy the work and the great feedback from our clients. We had a client, who lived in a retirement community in Mesa, write us a note, saying she hated to close her drapes at night after we cleaned the windows — they looked so good!

What advice would you give somebody starting their own business? 

Go ahead and do it, but understand you may be working for your toughest boss ever.

Stuart’s Business Tip:

Jim mentions building a winning team by having a good interview process and sticking to it. Our current economy makes for an employer’s market. There is a large pool of talented, hard-working people out there. If you have been thinking of making key changes or additions to your team, now is the time. 

For an appointment, Call Jim at (480) 962-4688, visit  www.fish windowcleaning.com or email jbrown@fishwin dowcleaning.com.

Written by By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors

Why did you decide to work for Arizona Blinds? 

When I was looking for a company in the window covering business, it was important to me to find a company with a great reputation. Growing up in the East Valley, I knew I would have many referrals from friends and family. I wanted to work for a company that shared my views in customer service and quality. Once I met with the owners and other employees, I knew I had met a company that I would fit it great with.

Tell me something about your business that people might not know.  

We just don’t sell shutters and blinds. We are a full service window coverings company that offers everything from window tint to drapery. We care about the quality and style of window treatments you put in your home. We provide a complimentary in-home consultation to give you ideas and suggestions for what is right in your home.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in this business?   

Educating customers on the differences between various products and how some might better serve their needs and wants.  We work hard to build relationships with our customers to better understand their style and help them express that properly in their home. The window covering industry is not a part time, work out of your garage business. Staying on top of the latest styles and how they blend with our own unique personalities is a full time commitment. 

What drives your passion in this business?  

I enjoy meeting interesting people every day.  What a great career, everyday brings new challenges and excitement.  I love what I do.  Helping people turn their house into a home or sometimes just as simple as solving a light control issue.  

What advice would you give somebody shopping for window treatments?  

Do your homework and check the business out on the better business bureau and registar of contractors. Do they have a showroom? Are they licensed? Use companies that are involved in the communities they do business in. How do they give back to the community you live in.  

Stuart’s Business Tip:

Matt mentions choosing Arizona Blinds for a career because it is a company whose reputation he could get behind and bring to his own friends and family. When it comes to selling your company’s products, always remember that your own reputation is on the line. I love the idiom, “Your face and your reputation go everywhere with you.” In business, it’s your brand and your reputation.

Contact Info / Website / Email: For a Matt Funicello, Matt@azblinds.com, (602) 515-9692, www.azblinds.com.  

Written By Stuart Preston, MyBusiness Advisors, Inc.