Stop by Catalyst during First Friday Art Walk on June 1st from 5pm-7pm for our opening reception of Transitions by artist Tarra Hall-Ward. Can't make it? No problem! You can stop by during the week from 9AM-5PM anytime from June 1st- July 20th!
Tarra’s often abstract artwork is based on concepts and patterns found in chemistry, and combines elements of both painting and drawing. She grew up in Washington State, receiving her Associate Degree in Art and Science from Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. She recently graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Bachelor of Science. Tarra’s first solo exhibit was with the support of the Ronald E. McNair scholars program. She received funding for the research and development of a body of artwork that helped shape her art today. She currently supports her artistic endeavors working at Swiftwater Cellars in Cle Elum, Washington, where she enjoys learning subtle ways chemistry affects every day cooking as well as skills to implement in her own life.
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Business Basics for Kittitas County By: Sarah Truglio 5 Myths of Starting a Business: We have all had that daydream of owning our own business, usually right after our boss yells at us for messing something up for the umpteenth thousand time or losing that BIG client to another sales person. Few pursue the “business for self” ADVENTURE, at least not without thoroughly researching the idea first. I am here to help you navigate and make the process a little easier, by debunking some popular “Starting a New Business” myths. Myth # 1 Start Up Funding -There are FREE Government grants available to help with the startup costs of your New Business Reality: The Government does not give away money to start businesses. There are small business loans available from your banking institutions, some restrictions apply, and you must qualify for these loans. Check with your local bank for small business loan criteria. Other nontraditional sources for funding are Certified SBA Microloan Intermediaries. NOTE: Most small businesses are self-funded, by bootstrapping and borrowing from friends and family members. Myth #2 There are NO Resources available to Startup Businesses Reality: There are many local resources available to help you work through the steps of starting, running and growing your small business. Start at your local Chamber of Commerce, they are a wealth of information to help you make contacts & provide networking experiences. SCORE, a volunteer mentor organization & Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) can help you develop a strong business plan, market research, organizational development and exporting assistance just to name a few. As well, the Ellensburg Business Development Authority offers a Business Incubator. Myth #3 Advertising on Social Media is a Marketing Campaign Reality: While advertising on Social Media is an important component of a promotional strategy, many ingredients go into a successful marketing campaign. First off knowledge of your industry is important, identifying your target market and knowing what your competition is doing is equally imperative. Pricing your product or services, promotion/advertising and placement of your business are all key factors in determining a fruitful marketing campaign. Myth #4 You will have more free time and make more money if you start your own business Reality: On average business owners spend more than 40 hours per week at work and long after employees have left for the day, they are still there finishing up paperwork, filing reports, paying sales tax and going over tasks for the next day. Most business owners find they have less free time than working a traditional 9-5 job. As for the money side of things, very few new businesses show profit from the get go, make sure you plan financially, so you can pay your personal debts. Myth #5 The Customer’s experience doesn’t matter Reality: A positive customer experience is VERY important, in todays market customers have options as to where to buy products and services, if you are not engaging with your customers they may choose to do business elsewhere. Good Customer Service often wins out over price, which helps increase revenue and sales. Starting a new business is not for the faint of heart, but with a little time, help from local resources and tons of research you can be successful. In the beginning you will work more hours and get paid less, but if you set your business up correctly as your business grows you will soon master the ability to have more freedom and be your own boss. The positive benefits to starting your own business far outweigh the negative. Sarah Truglio is a Business Advisor for the Washington Small Business Development Center, located in Yakima, WA. SBDC offers guidance to help businesses create a practical, step by step plan for success. With a network of advisors in locations across the state of Washington SBDC provides community-based services to client businesses from the Canadian Border to the Columbia River. Our core services revolve around assisting our clients with making better informed business decisions to grow and sustain their businesses. We provide in-depth, confidential, no cost customized one-on one business advising, business training and advisor assisted market intelligence.
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