Orem SBDC Success Stories: Stephanie and Christian Nielson's Plane Crash

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Stephanie and Christian Nielson's Plane Crash

A woman originally from Provo is one of three people involved in a fiery plane crash in Arizona. The victim's parents are well connected to Utah politics. The woman and her husband are now in a burn unit in a Phoenix hospital.
Stephanie Nielson grew up in Provo. Her father is Stephen Clark, a member of the Utah House of Representatives, while her mother Cynthia is on the Provo City Council. And even though she lives in Arizona, Stephanie keeps in touch with a lot of people here locally, through her blog, which has become very popular.
Stephanie's blog, the NieNie Dialogues, is now asking for prayers. Both she and her husband, Christian, were critically injured Saturday night in a plane crash in St. John's, Ariz.
Doug Kinneard, a flight instructor also on board the small plane, died in the crash, while Christian and Stephanie suffered severe burns.
Cynthia said, "It looked a lot worse than what we anticipated, it was shocking actually."
Family members say the Nielsons are no longer considered trauma patients, but they are sedated much of the time because of the pain from their burns. When they are conscious, family members try to give them encouragement and talk about their interests. "We talk to them about BYU Cougars football," Cynthia said.
Aviation has been a longtime interest for Christian Nielson, and he recently earned his pilot's license. The couple have four children, and the family has had many flights together, with many photos posted on Stephanie's blog.
Family members are now caring for the couple's children at their home in Mesa. While both Christian and Stephanie face a long road to recovery, their family is holding onto hope. "Everyone has a lot of faith, and we know the Lord will intervene one way or the other," Clark said.
It is still unclear who was at the controls of the plane when it went down and what may have caused the plane to crash, but an investigation is underway.

To get more information please go to cjanerun.com where the family is posting updates.

There has been a fund set up of Stephanie and Christian, whose recovery will cost in the millions. You may donate at any Bank of America under: "Stephanie and Christian Nielson Rehab Fund" or WellsFargo under: "Stephanie Nielson Fund."

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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SBDC In The Spotlight

The Orem Small Business Development Center, located just west of Utah Valley University, assists startup business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate the often treacherous waters of becoming self employed. Among the center's staff are (left to right) consultants Eddy Yujra, Marynika Miche , director Ken Fakler, consultant Camille Pendleton, and administrative assistant, Karen Wenn. Michael Rigert - NORTH COUNTY STAFF With the economic turmoil depleting personal finances, displacing employees and forcing some to seek new career paths, more and more Utah County residents are turning to self-employment to support themselves and their families. Floralyn Martinez, a master hair stylist for 17 years, researched the possibility of opening her own salon last summer. It was at that time that she came into contact with the Orem Small Business Development Center located just west of Utah Valley University. She didn't have a clue about the steps to starting her own business."I'm an artist behind the chair, but I'm computer illiterate," she said. "I was either going to start up my own place or go to another salon."A free resource provided to entrepreneurs, startup businesses and existing merchants, the Orem Small Business Development Center is one in a network of such centers across the state tasked with not only helping the self-employed get into business, but stay in business, said Ken Fakler, the Orem center's managing director.Funded through the Small Business Administration, the state of Utah and Utah Valley University, the Orem center assists clients in applying for SBA loans, putting together a business plan, doing market research and strategies, and learning the nuts and bolts of business ownership. It serves clients in both Utah and Wasatch counties.Martinez said Fakler and Orem center consultant Laurie Ann Thomas taught her how to write up a business proposal, where to find resources and apply for funding, and how to navigate the often treacherous waters of self employment.In October, Martinez and her husband, Marcos, opened Katumba's Day Spa and Salon, 1015 S. State St. in Orem, which offers a wide range of services from hair styling, massage therapy, skin care and aesthetics. Their salon employs a full staff of stylists and therapists, and business is slowly but steadily increasing, she said."Ken is absolutely incredible and knows what he's talking about," Martinez said. "It was a huge, huge help. I would say they are a major aspect of getting me started."With the housing slump and high gas and food prices hurting businesses and residents, Fakler said the center has seen a large influx of clients in recent months. From the newly unemployed to people looking to earn some income on the side, the center's clients come from all walks of life and range from college-age students to people in their 70s.The center supports clients who own businesses with dozens of employees to stay-at-home moms who want to take their eBay sales to the next level.The center works with about 35 to 40 new businesses a month, or nearly 500 per year. About 50 percent of the center's clients are women, Thomas said."It's really an entrepreneurial area," she said.Because approximately 80 percent of small businesses go under in the first five years, the center stresses the importance of formulating a strong business plan and funding options as well as forming a long-term relationship with owners to continue to provide advice as their companies grow. The center also offers free classes on a variety of related topics taught by professionals."We have very, very few businesses that go broke if they're doing the things we ask them to do," Fakler said.Just two weeks ago, Martinez said Fakler stopped by her salon to inquire about her business's progress and see if there was anything he could do to help. Without the assistance of resources like the Orem Small Business Development Center, she doubts if she would have taken the risk of living out her dream."I would have probably ended up going to another salon," she said. "I wouldn't have had the guts to try to go out on my own."