In a year fraught with business pitfalls and commercial failures all around the county, Toni Padron has witnessed firsthand the creation of at least 10 new jobs and survival of 20 businesses.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer moderates the Pathways to Success program, one of the Chamber's most powerful small business weapons. “These businesses enrolled in Pathways represent at least 50 employees who are still employed,” said Padron, who currently works with two Pathways groups. “Our group members are vibrant, thriving evidence that despite what we've all heard, business is good and Carlsbad is good for business.”
Pathways to Success is a peer-advisory group comprised of compatible business owners. The groups of up to 10 business people represent like-size and like-style business owners who complement each other, but are limited to one per industry so that information can be shared freely. Padron leads the group through discussions on issues such as sales, marketing, staffing, presentations, referrals and accountability. Accountability is the core essential framework of Pathways.
“But it also takes hard, hard work,” she said. She warns new members that they need to be prepared to be honest, be dilligent and work for every ounce of their success. “Pathways is a team of peer advisors and colleagues who analyse and pick apart your business model and your methods” she said. Peers determine business goals, and set timelines for achieving them. “It's like Weight Watchers for business people. You better work hard because you are going to have to weigh in in front of everybody,” Padron laughed.
Pathways businesses survive that critical first year and go on to thrive. They grow, move to bigger premises and hire employees. “You are looking at job creation from the ground up,” Padron said. “This is our economy recovering — right here at the Carlsbad Chamber.”
Pathways member Joe Patterson used the solid Pathways foundation to grow his business — ToeSox Inc. — from a home-based start-up to a company selling his patented product through national retailers.
When Deb Beddoe joind her Pathways group in 2009, she was looking for a board of advisors to hold her accountable for her business plan. “The structure of the group and the varied experiences of the members has helped me to achieve that purpose more,” she said.
Beddoe has guided her business, Your Ops Manager, to solid success over the course of two-plus years. Your Ops Manager works with other companies performing operations management, business plan preparation, bookeeping, equipment procurement and leasing, among many other projects. She credits Pathways with being her business rudder and ballast.
“Pathways has really helped me to focus in on the building of the business rather than the day-to-day tasks that seem to consume so much time and effort,” she said. She echoes Padron's warning regarding a willingness to be open and honest. “I would only recommend Pathways to another budding entrepreneur if they are willing to look at their business opportunities and challenges with an open mind. A cavalier attitude won't achieve anything for themselves or for the group.”
Padron asserts that the Pathways participants demonstrate serious commitment to success. “It has been a tough couple of years, especially for new businesses,” she said. “Pathways is about doing everything you can not to be one of those countless small businesses that fails in its first year.”
Eric Hanscom, managing attorney with InterContinental IP, joined Pathways six months ago. 'Managing attorney,' according to Hanscom, translates to “owner and chief payer of salaries even if we don't make money,” he joked. His experience with Pathways has resulted in subtle changes for his business plan. “Pathways has focused me on revising my goals and heading in more rewarding directions.”
According to Padron, Pathways cuts right to the heart of what small businesses and entrepreneurs need, and provides a significant return on investment of time, money and effort. “Whatever energy you put into Pathways is going to come back to you,” she said “Peer support is an invaluable resource for small businesses.”
Keith LaRochelle of Productive Computing posits that Pathways operates best as a two-way street. “Pathways is like an solution factory. Everyone chimes in with an experience, piece of advice, resource, perspective or idea,” he said. “Equally gratifying have been the conversations where we have contributed to help another member's company.”
Padron, who has been with the Carlsbad Chamber for 10 years, gets a lot of gratification from seeing these businesses succeed. “Businesses need all the help they can get these days,” she said. “The Chamber has quite an arsenal to help defend new ventures against the growing cadre of threats to their survival. Pathways is one of the Carlsbad Chamber's best efforts on behalf of its members.”
Pathways groups meet twice monthly and are open to Chamber members only.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer moderates the Pathways to Success program, one of the Chamber's most powerful small business weapons. “These businesses enrolled in Pathways represent at least 50 employees who are still employed,” said Padron, who currently works with two Pathways groups. “Our group members are vibrant, thriving evidence that despite what we've all heard, business is good and Carlsbad is good for business.”
Pathways to Success is a peer-advisory group comprised of compatible business owners. The groups of up to 10 business people represent like-size and like-style business owners who complement each other, but are limited to one per industry so that information can be shared freely. Padron leads the group through discussions on issues such as sales, marketing, staffing, presentations, referrals and accountability. Accountability is the core essential framework of Pathways.
“But it also takes hard, hard work,” she said. She warns new members that they need to be prepared to be honest, be dilligent and work for every ounce of their success. “Pathways is a team of peer advisors and colleagues who analyse and pick apart your business model and your methods” she said. Peers determine business goals, and set timelines for achieving them. “It's like Weight Watchers for business people. You better work hard because you are going to have to weigh in in front of everybody,” Padron laughed.
Pathways businesses survive that critical first year and go on to thrive. They grow, move to bigger premises and hire employees. “You are looking at job creation from the ground up,” Padron said. “This is our economy recovering — right here at the Carlsbad Chamber.”
Pathways member Joe Patterson used the solid Pathways foundation to grow his business — ToeSox Inc. — from a home-based start-up to a company selling his patented product through national retailers.
When Deb Beddoe joind her Pathways group in 2009, she was looking for a board of advisors to hold her accountable for her business plan. “The structure of the group and the varied experiences of the members has helped me to achieve that purpose more,” she said.
Beddoe has guided her business, Your Ops Manager, to solid success over the course of two-plus years. Your Ops Manager works with other companies performing operations management, business plan preparation, bookeeping, equipment procurement and leasing, among many other projects. She credits Pathways with being her business rudder and ballast.
“Pathways has really helped me to focus in on the building of the business rather than the day-to-day tasks that seem to consume so much time and effort,” she said. She echoes Padron's warning regarding a willingness to be open and honest. “I would only recommend Pathways to another budding entrepreneur if they are willing to look at their business opportunities and challenges with an open mind. A cavalier attitude won't achieve anything for themselves or for the group.”
Padron asserts that the Pathways participants demonstrate serious commitment to success. “It has been a tough couple of years, especially for new businesses,” she said. “Pathways is about doing everything you can not to be one of those countless small businesses that fails in its first year.”
Eric Hanscom, managing attorney with InterContinental IP, joined Pathways six months ago. 'Managing attorney,' according to Hanscom, translates to “owner and chief payer of salaries even if we don't make money,” he joked. His experience with Pathways has resulted in subtle changes for his business plan. “Pathways has focused me on revising my goals and heading in more rewarding directions.”
According to Padron, Pathways cuts right to the heart of what small businesses and entrepreneurs need, and provides a significant return on investment of time, money and effort. “Whatever energy you put into Pathways is going to come back to you,” she said “Peer support is an invaluable resource for small businesses.”
Keith LaRochelle of Productive Computing posits that Pathways operates best as a two-way street. “Pathways is like an solution factory. Everyone chimes in with an experience, piece of advice, resource, perspective or idea,” he said. “Equally gratifying have been the conversations where we have contributed to help another member's company.”
Padron, who has been with the Carlsbad Chamber for 10 years, gets a lot of gratification from seeing these businesses succeed. “Businesses need all the help they can get these days,” she said. “The Chamber has quite an arsenal to help defend new ventures against the growing cadre of threats to their survival. Pathways is one of the Carlsbad Chamber's best efforts on behalf of its members.”
Pathways groups meet twice monthly and are open to Chamber members only.