Today's Articles

FAST-FIX JEWELRY REPAIRS(R) Expands

Living in the Glow Zone

Normandy Park City Profile

Building Business in Difficult Times

News Briefs

Our Sponsor

Thrifty Car Rental

Clarence and Nadine Jenkins, co-owners of FAST-FIX JEWELRY REPAIRS(R) and winners of the Tukwila Small Business of the Year 2001 award, opened their second store on Nov. 15, 2001. Located in Alderwood Mall, north of Seattle, their second store provides jewelry and watch repair services, engraving and unique gift items, as does their original store located in Southcenter Mall.

The Jenkins committed to opening the new store on June 4, 2001.

In its second business year, FAST-FIX JEWELRY REPAIRS(R) experienced an increase in sales of 27.6 percent, over its first year's sales. In its third year, the business increased its sales by five percent, as compared to its second year's sales.

This year, FAST-FIX was on pace to exceed last year's sales figures before 9/11. However, after the unfortunate September events, sales dropped by four percent, below the previous year's sales.

"The key to growing is getting our name out there. Marketing is where it's at," Mrs. Jenkins said.

The Jenkins are hopeful that the opening of the new store during the holiday shopping season will garner new business. A strong holiday season at both stores should help sales levels match last year's.

Consider refurbishing a favorite watch or piece of jewelry as a welcome holiday gift.

When I was a teenager my parents lived on the west side of a mountain in the Cascade Range in Southern Oregon.  This meant that the sun was late to rise on our neighborhood.  Daylight was bright and white and nighttime was pitch black with brilliant stars. Wildlife by day consisted of quail and by night of deer and an occasional mountain lion.  When I wanted to gain perspective I climbed the mountain and looked over Klamath Lake and my home town.  My problems seemed diminished and I could run back down the mountain to my daily life with refreshed vigor.

For the last 13 years I've lived with my family in SeaTac.  Here we live in the glow of the airport.  While the sun rises and sets on time, daylight varies from grey to blue to white and nighttime is always a shade of orange with very few visible stars.  Wildlife by day consists of squirrels, robins, and woodpeckers and by night an occasional opossum or raccoon.  When I want perspective I go to my backyard.  I pray as I work in my vegetable garden and then climb my daughters' slide and watch planes load, unload and taxi.  Thinking about where they've been and where they are going, my problems seem diminished and I return to my daily life with refreshed vigor.

In recent weeks many of my work associates and neighbors cross my path with worried, tense faces.  Some have lost loved ones and more have lost jobs.

Life in the glow zone in these times is bittersweet.  We trust God and we carry on.  We keep alert for needs and we seek ways to meet them.  We hug our children and we are thankful that finding a parking space in town is no longer difficult, while we pray for the return of more prosperous times. - Elizabeth Paulsen

Normandy Park, population 7,603. Situated between the cities of Burien and Des Moines, it's eastern border is First Avenue with a western boundary of Puget Sound. Described by city employees as having a quaint small town feel, this upscale community is home to a large group of seniors as well as young families. 

A feeling of community permeates the decision making process at the city level. With fewer than 50 businesses, this is primarily a residential community. However, the opportunity is great for companies whose philosophy fits the Normandy Park way of life. 

Manhattan Village is located in the heart of Normandy Park. Home to QFC - the largest employer in the city, Starbucks - opened in the last year, and a new business, Toddler Time - a newly opened daycare which was over-booked weeks before it opened. Various other businesses are situated in this area including the Manhattan Dairy Queen, which is the oldest business in Normandy Park.

For more information about Normandy Park, please see their website at http://www.ci.normandy-park.wa.us .

Many businesses are reporting that their goal is simply to survive these difficult times.  The steps to survival are the same as those for building a business.

1. Build relationships (old and new).  This builds trust and helps you identify who needs what your business has to offer and who has what your business needs.

2. Tell your story.  What has your business accomplished.  What is your business' passion.

3. Invite a prospect to try your business' services/products.

4. Provide what you have committed to provide and if possible provide more than was promised.

5. Be as eager to buy what your business needs as you are to sell what others need.  This continues the process of building relationships.

To submit your own ideas for surviving tough times email cesi@bizincome.net.

Thrifty offers many specials on their website:  Car Rental, Airport Parking, Auto Services and Tomaso's Espresso.   For more details go to www.thriftynw.com.

For a local contact call Joe Gentile at 206.255.0737.

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Purpose:  CeSI's Business Forum is designed to promote communications between businesses located or operating in Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park and Tukwila, Washington.  The newsletter is distributed monthly, every third Thursday morning.

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