Halfway through what is widely considered a year of economic recovery, Carlsbad small businesses appear to be stabilizing and in some cases, experiencing growth and expansion. Chamber member small business proprietors report seeing signs of economic fertility and some say that the mood is pervasive among their clientele as well.
“We really see that people are out there feeling better about spending money again,” said Niels Norby of SD Trophy, who reports that the first part of 2010 has been his best.
According to Mandy Blackford, member liaison with the San Diego Employer Association, many businesses are feeling more optimistic about the remainder of 2010. “From most we are hearing good news. There has been a shift. Business is picking up,” she said. “Again, they are still going cautiously into the third quarter.” The San Diego Employers
Association (SDEA) is a membership organization that provides human resource and business support services and counsel.
Blackford said that in 2009, many of her members were requesting information and advice on how to lay off employees. “A year ago today the bulk of our calls were dealing with how to cut back, lay off, create work furloughs, etc., to save money and stay afloat,” she said. “While we are still seeing a few of these calls, there has definitely been a shift.”
Ted Owen, CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce notes that the business climate of Carlsbad fosters optimism. “Our environment generally protects us from the malaise that might pervade other communities,” he said. “Business people look to other businesses and think, 'Well if he can succeed in this market then so can I.'”
Owen allows that recessionary times may bring out the fighter in many businesses as well, increasing their odds for success in a down market. “For some businesses, there is no 'worst of times.' Sometimes it really is the survival of the fittest, and in Carlsbad, we are very fit,” he said.
Carlsbad seems to be immune to the fears of starting a new business, as well. The City of Carlsbad reports that applications for new business licenses are at nearly the same levels as the last two years. According to Colette Wengenroth, finance manager for the City of Carlsbad, the number of new businesses licensed for fiscal year 2007/2008 was 2,130, and for fiscal year 2008/2009 it was 2,124. The number of new businesses licensed from July 2009-May 2010 is 1,962.
New and fledgling businesses that participate in Chamber business-support programs seem to have an edge in recovering quickly from any commercial lull. Indeed, according to Chamber COO Toni Padron, who administers the Chamber's Pathways to Success programs, they never allowed themselves to lose momentum. “We see so many small business people who used any down time as an opportunity to actively invest themselves in their business plan, to really focus on their Web sites and their ads, to step up their customer service and investigate new markets for their products and services,” she said. “And that effort is paying off now.”
Despite reports of businesses across the country downsizing, Chamber Vice President of Corporate and Member Relations Bev Jorgensen happily reports that the members of her networking groups are not laying off employees. “They're hiring!” she said.
Owen boils the rapid rate of economic recovery among Carlsbad Chamber businesses to a single element. “The letter C,” he said. “Capability, commitment, courage, community, concentration, character, and the one so many people miss out on, customer service.”
“We really see that people are out there feeling better about spending money again,” said Niels Norby of SD Trophy, who reports that the first part of 2010 has been his best.
According to Mandy Blackford, member liaison with the San Diego Employer Association, many businesses are feeling more optimistic about the remainder of 2010. “From most we are hearing good news. There has been a shift. Business is picking up,” she said. “Again, they are still going cautiously into the third quarter.” The San Diego Employers
Association (SDEA) is a membership organization that provides human resource and business support services and counsel.
Blackford said that in 2009, many of her members were requesting information and advice on how to lay off employees. “A year ago today the bulk of our calls were dealing with how to cut back, lay off, create work furloughs, etc., to save money and stay afloat,” she said. “While we are still seeing a few of these calls, there has definitely been a shift.”
Ted Owen, CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce notes that the business climate of Carlsbad fosters optimism. “Our environment generally protects us from the malaise that might pervade other communities,” he said. “Business people look to other businesses and think, 'Well if he can succeed in this market then so can I.'”
Owen allows that recessionary times may bring out the fighter in many businesses as well, increasing their odds for success in a down market. “For some businesses, there is no 'worst of times.' Sometimes it really is the survival of the fittest, and in Carlsbad, we are very fit,” he said.
Carlsbad seems to be immune to the fears of starting a new business, as well. The City of Carlsbad reports that applications for new business licenses are at nearly the same levels as the last two years. According to Colette Wengenroth, finance manager for the City of Carlsbad, the number of new businesses licensed for fiscal year 2007/2008 was 2,130, and for fiscal year 2008/2009 it was 2,124. The number of new businesses licensed from July 2009-May 2010 is 1,962.
New and fledgling businesses that participate in Chamber business-support programs seem to have an edge in recovering quickly from any commercial lull. Indeed, according to Chamber COO Toni Padron, who administers the Chamber's Pathways to Success programs, they never allowed themselves to lose momentum. “We see so many small business people who used any down time as an opportunity to actively invest themselves in their business plan, to really focus on their Web sites and their ads, to step up their customer service and investigate new markets for their products and services,” she said. “And that effort is paying off now.”
Despite reports of businesses across the country downsizing, Chamber Vice President of Corporate and Member Relations Bev Jorgensen happily reports that the members of her networking groups are not laying off employees. “They're hiring!” she said.
Owen boils the rapid rate of economic recovery among Carlsbad Chamber businesses to a single element. “The letter C,” he said. “Capability, commitment, courage, community, concentration, character, and the one so many people miss out on, customer service.”