BUSINESS VOICES
Q uestion: What inspired you to take action and start your own business?
Advice from local business owners
LOULA STEFANAKOS WHEEZY’S RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR
What inspired me to take action on my business was my two beautiful sisters, Maria and Elene Stefanakos. Wheezys was something they brought me into knowing they needed someone with bar knowledge.
MIKE REILLY
DURASHIELD
When I moved here from California in 1987 I could not find work. I thought to myself what can I do, I gotta do something. Then I remembered I had a friend back in California who had a business doing vehicle detail work and thought I knew how to do some of this stuff so I could try it. That is when I decided to sit down, make a plan and then try it out. I told myself, I can make this work. Here I am 30 plus years later still at it!
LOUII SANTOS THE BARBER’S LOUNGE
What inspired me to take action and start my own business was the drive to grow! I wanted to show my family that we could do it and we can provide for each other. I always liked taking risks but I knew this wouldn’t be one. With the right energy, mentality, knowledge & actions we can do whatever we want. The secret is to follow through and work hard! Working hard will get you where you want to go. I’m glad I made the jump and there is no stopping me now.
LYNNE GOUGE
MARY KAY
The reason I started my business was more of a ministry than a business as I felt led by God to encourage and uplift other women especially single moms. Because I myself am a single mom and
I felt that it was important to encourage them. And becoming an Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant gave me the opportunity to meet women I didn’t know and to breathe hope and love and acceptance into their lives as well as share with them how they can become the very best version of who God designed them to be. As time went on my business grew and it became my full time career.
BIZ | September-October 2020