Orem SBDC Success Stories: Bonneville School of Sailing

Monday, August 1, 2011

Bonneville School of Sailing

Todd and Louise started their sailing school in April 0f 2007. Todd had decided to take an early retirement, he had formerly been BYU's Director of the Visual Art's Department. The sailing school was all Louise's idea. They had been brainstorming so many different ideas, but sailing had been a passion for them both. Todd had first started sailing while in Hawaii in '74. He had been part of the coast Guard in the Army, and learned about helicopter maintenance. There were many underlying similarities with how the water and wind functioned with sails as well as wings. In 2007 the ocuple started developing a curriculum. They wanted something that would be interesting as well as solid and useful. It was important to offer sailing classes that were very hands on.

Todd and Louise feel they went about starting the business backwards. They knew what they wanted and went for it. There has been a fair amount of stress involved, but it has been so rewarding. Working for yourself, you can go further than being under an owner. It has been hard to take risks, since neither Todd or Louise were ever risk takers. But the excitement of accomplishing a goal and broadening the business are so great, and especially when done for yourself.

Todd and Louise say their secret to success is really held in prayer. "Heavenly Father really has made this happen for us. We work hard and do our part, but believe that miracles happen. We are not born business people, but after working and praying at something we have had the right ideas and customers come that we need to further our business success. Heavenly Father helps us step by step by letting us gain the knowledge to run the business as the need provides itself."

Todd and Louise first started coming to the Orem SBDC in August of 2008. "Thanks to the Small Business outfit, we have a wonderful classroom. It's been such a blessing. In the past, we have gone to the Chamber of Commerce and magazine's for space and advertising and it was not helpful. Ken Fakler has encouraged us and given us ideas. From pointint us in the direction of a web page to helping succeed. When discouraged, Ken kept encouraging us and offering more classes to further our education. He has helped us get organized and always knows what to do with employees and advertising. The SBDC also helped greatly getting marketing research and a business ready."

Todd and Louise feel the best part about being an entrepreneur is the excitement of accomplishing things and seeing results happen. There is a lot on the line, and physical demands can no longer be met the same as they were at a younger age, but when you can't quit, you keep on pushing. They are now working on expanding their business to teach classes for kids that are at risk. They recently acquired a boat that used to belong to Roy Disney. It is an ocean racer named "Morning Light". As part of the program for the children that teaches responsibility an dpride, the kids will be learning to make a sail, paint, work on the diesel engine and find out all the details that make it work, all while practicing math and physics to learn how to sail the boat. Todd and Louise feel that courses like this can be very beneficial to kids, and are so hands on that they really hold their attention.

They have also been very involved in the community. They are active members on the Utah Lake Commission Board. This committee has developed courses for fourth graders teaching them about sailing and endangered species that live in and around Utah Lake. They teach the kids about safet issues and how pollution affects the area. They also have programs to draw in youth and couples such as sunset cruises, as well as team building programs that are offered for businesses around the area. Bonneville School of Sailing started out as an idea and a fantasy, and has grown to be a blooming business that is such a wonderful addition to our community.

Bonneville School of Sailing, LLC

Todd and Louise Frye

801-636-5204

www.bonnevillesailing.com

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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."