BUSINESS VOICES
Advice from local business owners
BUSINESS VOICES
Q uestion: What was the biggest surprise in starting your business?
MARLENA LOPEZ PINNACLE HEALTHCARE
“I was surprised by the overwhelming support of the staff. They rallied behind me as I transitioned from a coworker to owner/operator. My success is their success and I am forever grateful to them. We have an amazing team!”
BOBBY McCLENDON
BMC PRODUCTIONS
“The continuing change in musical tastes of the people in Yuma. It changes on a regular basis. I started out playing Old School, then they wanted Mexican, then country.”
SAM FRITCHER
BARE NAKED SOAP
“How welcoming the Yuma community was! Negatively, how expensive everything is to run, i.e., insurance, fees, taxes, etc.”
ROBBY RODRIGUEZ CRETIN’S RESTAURANT AND CANTINA
“I guess it would be the support I saw in the summer. Sometimes the restaurant business is slow and sometimes it stays that way. We made it through the summer because Yuma supported us.”
DELON ABLAHAD DA VAPORS VAPE LOUNGE AND YUMA SMOKE SHOP
“Starting a business is a big achievement for many entrepreneurs, but maintaining one is the larger challenge. In starting my business over the past 10 years I have learned that you must talk to and tell everyone possible about your business. The more people I tell about my business the more knowledge, networks and connections I have gained. Originally people whom I felt would have little interest in my business proved to be invaluable resources connecting me with new people who have helped not only my business to grow but myself as a young entrepreneur. My clients surprise me on a daily basis with their motivation, energy and ambition to make their businesses successful. I enjoy being part of assisting them with how to make it happen. It sometimes surprises us both with how simple solutions can be huge time savers and money makers!”
DOUG NICHOLLS CORE ENGINEERING GROUP
“The biggest surprise is all the paperwork. It takes time away from the reason you’re in business, in my case, actually doing engineering work. From taxes to contracts to HR policies and benefits, it all takes time.”
ANABELLA DE ANDA MAMA BELLA HOT SAUCE
“I knew there were regulations in every industry, but it surprised me how many requirements and regulations there were in the food processing industry.”
JOHN BOELTS DESERT PREMIUM FARMS
“I think the biggest surprise for me, and in all frankness it shouldn’t have been, but I was super surprised at how the community, the farmers and friends in the community, were helpful to me when I was starting out. We’re very blessed to have such a great community. They know who they are. They are exceptional … We saw the big heart Yuma has. My wife and I will always be thankful.“
KAREN A. WATTS NP, PLC., PRIVATE PRACTICE
“Biggest surprise was how difficult it was to negotiate with insurance companies to get my practice started, then actually getting reimbursed for patient visits. On the lighter side, how helpful my daughters and nephew were in getting the paperwork and computer software
up and going for my business. I appreciated their computer knowledge as I transitioned to a
‘paperless’ medical office.”
JEANNE WEATHERLY ALLSTATE INSURANCE
“I left a career as a teacher to find I still teach every day. My clients always say thank you … No one has ever explained my insurance coverage to me.”