The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is the only Chamber in San Diego County that has dedicated staff and resources to a full-time Small Business Success Center. We understand that small businesses need help at many crossroads and we have developed many programs to insure that our members have access to counseling, get training, get connected and netweave into our community.
The Chamber now offers three types of counseling that we strongly recommend you take advantage of to fully utilize your Chamber membership and to improve your business:
One-on-one chamber counseling is designed to learn more about the specifics of your business and to help you integrate into the chamber. The more we know about your business or service, the more we can send you referrals, introduce you to targeted members, recommend advertising and marketing opportunities and involve you in Chamber committees and events.
SCORE Counseling is provided, at no charge, in our office every week. SCORE counselors are retired executives who were former CEO's CFO's, presidents, small business owners and entrepreneurs who now donate their time to help businesses grow and prosper. They offer the benefit of their experience and SCORE training to help you get to the next step in your business.
On-Site Counseling is offered for those business owners who would like consultation on improving their internal systems, staffing, financials, website, product development, etc. Ongoing consultations are available.
Consultants will visit your location to gather more indepth knowledge of your business and issues.
For all counseling appointments, contact Andrea Korogi, Director of Small Business Development, (760) 931-8400
What's behind building a successful business?
By Andrea Korogi
Director of Small Business Development
This is the first of an ongoing series profiling small businesses that have successfully grown and prospered in Carlsbad:
DANA KLARIC
Licensed esthetician & proprietor,
Skyn Deep
(760) 720-7596
Andrea: Tell me about your business.
Dana: Skyn Deep is a clinically-based aesthetic skincare practice specializing in acne, anti-aging, rejuvenation, and lesion removal. I focus on sustainable change and I use medically-based products to deliver comprehensive skincare. My mantra is, "I'm not happy until you are."
A: How did you get started?
D: Four years ago, I left a 15-year telecom career in sales and customer service to seek a new opportunity. I worked with a life change coach who helped me bridge the gap between what I was doing and what I love to do. From the time I was five years old, I would tell people that I wanted to be a beautician because I loved to work with hair and makeup.
However, when it was time to go to college, I was encouraged to go into business instead of cosmetology. Almost 20 years later, I'm finally doing what I always wanted to do. I care for my clients the way I want to be cared for, and I focus on fact-driven and results-oriented skincare.
A: What advice do you have for other small businesses?
D: Let go of convention and self doubt. Do what you enjoy and enjoy the benefits of being an entrepreneur. In my case, I joined the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and took advantage of the resources they provide. Pay attention to your opportunities and use the Chamber to advance your business. If you are willing to give 100 percent of your time when you're present, you'll reap the rewards of relationships and the synergy created by a strong business organization.
INTERNS SAN DIEGO
Rhonda & Chaya Schonberger,
mother/daughter proprietors
(858) 552-0979
Andrea: Tell me about your business.
Rhonda: Interns San Diego places international college graduates on 12 to 18 month paid internships with a J1 visa. We have interns with a variety of majors including: Web design, hospitality, advertising, engineering, marketing, and more, and we try to place them in their field of work. They're paid a stipend (a living wage) for their work, but employers do not have to pay a fee, benefits, social security, workers' comp. or insurance. The employer gets a great, motivated, English-speaking graduate, and the employee gets an opportunity to learn about the American business experience and entrepreneurs.
A: How did you get started?
R: Several years ago, Chaya, my mother, had a student intern from Germany living with her. The intern's job fell through and my mother, who worked for Economic Development Department (EDD) at the time, helped him find a job. When he returned to Germany, he had other students contact her and she helped them find jobs as well.
Later, a French language school called and asked my mother to help place their graduate students in jobs. Two years ago, my mother was injured and decided to start a Web site recruiting interns for jobs in the United States. It became so successful, she never returned to the EDD and now I've joined her as a partner in the business full-time.
A: What advice do you have for other small businesses?
R: Get involved with various groups such as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. We use the Chamber directory to make phone calls and send e-mails. We find that members are receptive to hearing from other chamber members. Get involved in any organization and join committees to get to know people in a friendly setting. Take advantage of counseling and small group discussions to let everyone know more about what you do.
The Chamber now offers three types of counseling that we strongly recommend you take advantage of to fully utilize your Chamber membership and to improve your business:
One-on-one chamber counseling is designed to learn more about the specifics of your business and to help you integrate into the chamber. The more we know about your business or service, the more we can send you referrals, introduce you to targeted members, recommend advertising and marketing opportunities and involve you in Chamber committees and events.
SCORE Counseling is provided, at no charge, in our office every week. SCORE counselors are retired executives who were former CEO's CFO's, presidents, small business owners and entrepreneurs who now donate their time to help businesses grow and prosper. They offer the benefit of their experience and SCORE training to help you get to the next step in your business.
On-Site Counseling is offered for those business owners who would like consultation on improving their internal systems, staffing, financials, website, product development, etc. Ongoing consultations are available.
Consultants will visit your location to gather more indepth knowledge of your business and issues.
For all counseling appointments, contact Andrea Korogi, Director of Small Business Development, (760) 931-8400
What's behind building a successful business?
By Andrea Korogi
Director of Small Business Development
This is the first of an ongoing series profiling small businesses that have successfully grown and prospered in Carlsbad:
DANA KLARIC
Licensed esthetician & proprietor,
Skyn Deep
(760) 720-7596
Andrea: Tell me about your business.
Dana: Skyn Deep is a clinically-based aesthetic skincare practice specializing in acne, anti-aging, rejuvenation, and lesion removal. I focus on sustainable change and I use medically-based products to deliver comprehensive skincare. My mantra is, "I'm not happy until you are."
A: How did you get started?
D: Four years ago, I left a 15-year telecom career in sales and customer service to seek a new opportunity. I worked with a life change coach who helped me bridge the gap between what I was doing and what I love to do. From the time I was five years old, I would tell people that I wanted to be a beautician because I loved to work with hair and makeup.
However, when it was time to go to college, I was encouraged to go into business instead of cosmetology. Almost 20 years later, I'm finally doing what I always wanted to do. I care for my clients the way I want to be cared for, and I focus on fact-driven and results-oriented skincare.
A: What advice do you have for other small businesses?
D: Let go of convention and self doubt. Do what you enjoy and enjoy the benefits of being an entrepreneur. In my case, I joined the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and took advantage of the resources they provide. Pay attention to your opportunities and use the Chamber to advance your business. If you are willing to give 100 percent of your time when you're present, you'll reap the rewards of relationships and the synergy created by a strong business organization.
INTERNS SAN DIEGO
Rhonda & Chaya Schonberger,
mother/daughter proprietors
(858) 552-0979
Andrea: Tell me about your business.
Rhonda: Interns San Diego places international college graduates on 12 to 18 month paid internships with a J1 visa. We have interns with a variety of majors including: Web design, hospitality, advertising, engineering, marketing, and more, and we try to place them in their field of work. They're paid a stipend (a living wage) for their work, but employers do not have to pay a fee, benefits, social security, workers' comp. or insurance. The employer gets a great, motivated, English-speaking graduate, and the employee gets an opportunity to learn about the American business experience and entrepreneurs.
A: How did you get started?
R: Several years ago, Chaya, my mother, had a student intern from Germany living with her. The intern's job fell through and my mother, who worked for Economic Development Department (EDD) at the time, helped him find a job. When he returned to Germany, he had other students contact her and she helped them find jobs as well.
Later, a French language school called and asked my mother to help place their graduate students in jobs. Two years ago, my mother was injured and decided to start a Web site recruiting interns for jobs in the United States. It became so successful, she never returned to the EDD and now I've joined her as a partner in the business full-time.
A: What advice do you have for other small businesses?
R: Get involved with various groups such as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. We use the Chamber directory to make phone calls and send e-mails. We find that members are receptive to hearing from other chamber members. Get involved in any organization and join committees to get to know people in a friendly setting. Take advantage of counseling and small group discussions to let everyone know more about what you do.