Newsletter: June 2006

A note from our director...

Please join me in welcoming Lilliette Rivera as our new Assistant Director. Lilliette comes to us with a wealth of SBDC experience, having worked with the Center in Puerto Rico for over five years. Through Lilliette we will be able to continue our Spanish seminars. In fact, Giovanni Cozzarelli, who started our Spanish outreach program, will assist Lilliette during the initial transition phase. Staying Connected with all of our stakeholders is vitally important to us at the Center. With this in mind, our Board of Directors is currently conducting strategic planning sessions. We are reevaluating our current environmental conditions with an eye toward leveraging our strengths and opportunities and minimizing our weaknesses and threats. And if this sounds unfamiliar to you, it just might be time to call and schedule another counseling session! Look in future issues of Staying Connected to learn the results of our strategic planning sessions. I look forward to meeting and working with you over the summer at seminars and in counseling sessions. We always welcome the opportunity to assist you in overcoming your roadblocks and challenges as you continue on your path to entrepreneurial success. Sincerely, Robin Suomi Executive Director

Featured Business

Brenda and Sonny Wolfe had a dream and asked the Loudoun County SBDC to help make it a reality. Read on to see where they are today... When Brenda and Sonny Wolfe decided to open a family business along with their sons, Joe and Larry, their dream was to have a business close to home and to create an environment where they could look forward to coming to work each day. What they created is no small Mom and Pop operation. Brenda had spent 18 years in the furniture industry and it seemed natural for her to follow her passion and love for interior design. However, she did not want to create "just another furniture store." She crafted a company mission statement which details her dream: "to create excitement and magic, where shopping for the home is an event...to put the heart back into retailing...where people can personalize their homes and feel very proud and happy with their environment." Brenda and Sonny opened Norwalk - The Furniture Idea, a living room specialty store, at Dulles Town Crossing on May 18, 2001. It has continually ranked among the top Norwalk franchise stores in the U.S. and Canada. Upon completion of one year in business, the Dulles store received the 2002 Franchise of the Year award from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, the Wolfe family opened a second store in Fairfax Corner. An important factor in the success of the stores is Brenda's extensive research and planning. Before opening the Dulles Norwalk store, she met with Loudoun County SBDC Executive Director Caroline Mansi, who became a mentor, friend and supporter. While Brenda worked on her business plan, she met with other local business professionals who volunteer at the SBDC to help new businesses get off to a good start. Norwalk specializes in upscale, custom-upholstered furniture designs, offering a choice of more than 500 frame selections and 1,000 fabrics and leathers, along with unique artwork, lamps and accessories. Being the largest manufacturer of custom upholstery in the United States, Norwalk Furniture is able to deliver custom sofas in about 35 days. Joe Ruggiero designs are featured in the showroom. The new Candice Olson Collection, just introduced at the High Point Furniture Show in April, will be on display here in July. The Dulles and Fairfax stores will be the first Norwalk stores in the country to receive Candice's new collection.

SBDC Report

As we transition to our new staff, we are putting together new reports. Stay tuned for the upcoming SBDC report in July.

Business Tip of the Month

Lifelong Learning Lifelong learning not only adds to your enjoyment of life, it can also help you keep your business innovative and competitive. Explore new subject matters!!! Whether it is spending a few minutes reading the newspaper or a magazine, spending a few hours in a seminar, or spending a few months taking a class, there is ALWAYS something new for you to learn! Are you confused about a section of your business plan? Please stop by the Center to check out our reference section. Do you have a business book you are no longer using? Please consider donating it to the Center so others may become lifelong learners.