Oak Creek Sheet Metal and LaserGirl Skincare Superhero honored

In a September 16 press release, Yavapai Community College announced that two Verde Valley businesses have been named 2020 AZSBDC Success Award Winners from the Yavapai College Small Business Development Center. Congratulations to Todd and Kim Bean, Owners of Oak Creek Sheet Metal, and to Anita Marcus, owner of LaserGirl Skincare Superhero™ for their entrepreneurial success!

The College wrote in its announcement the following:

These entrepreneurs have continued to grow their businesses in spite of the challenges brought by the pandemic. Adapting to change, and pivoting quickly and creatively to serve customers differently, all while expanding services are trademarks of small businesses. In line with these unique trademarks, the area Success Award winners have excelled during this challenging time.

Ordinarily they would be recognized at a formal luncheon on the lawn in front of the Arizona State Capitol. This year’s event, originally scheduled for March 25, was cancelled due to public health concerns related to COVID-19. “The decision to cancel the event was made with great care and concern and based on our commitment to put the health and safety of our clients, staff, legislators, partners and small business supporters above all else,” noted Janice Washington, America’s SBDC Arizona State Director.

Despite the in-person schedule changes, we want to recognize these two businesses for their exceptional service and their ongoing success.

Oak Creek Sheet Metal owners Todd and Kim Bean and their sons Adam and Chris are recognized for their outstanding business achievement and expansion efforts in the region. The Bean family has multiple businesses, including Oak Creek Sheet Metal providing HVAC contracting services. Their business structure took on several new creative paths including the creation of TAC Fabrication, an extension of their metal fabrication company with services that include welding, CNC plasma cutting, sheet metal bending, tubular structure and general fabrication industries.

LaserGirl Skincare Superhero™ owner Anita Marcus has worked tirelessly to build and expand her brand and services. Through her growing business now in two locations, she provides exceptional care and attention to a long list of clients, particularly those with extreme skin problems that other medical treatments have left unresolved. Anita has established key relationships with medical professionals who value her ethical standards and dedication to effective solutions for patients’ specific medical needs.

These two Success Award winners worked with the Yavapai College SBDC team comprising Director Jeri Denniston and Business Analysts Karen Eads and Ruth Ellen Elinski, on multiple aspects of their business including marketing, branding, expansion, organization, and strategy.

“It is our pleasure to work with such outstanding small businesses and to provide the resources and tools they need to exceed their goals,” stated Jeri Denniston, Center Director of the SBDC at Yavapai College. “We look forward to celebrating their success, and continuing to support their path forward.”

Small Business Development Center workshop begun in Verde Valley

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Yavapai College is a small business support organization sponsored by Yavapai College and the U. S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC is also a resource center, linking the federal, state, county, and private sector. These resources, in turn are used to counsel and train small businesses to achieve management excellence, resolve financial and marketing problems, and help them succeed.

SBDC exists to improve the profitability and productivity of the small business community in Arizona. The Yavapai College SBDC is one of eleven SBDC’s located in Arizona.

A series of seminars and workshops intended to assist small business owners began January 14 at the Cottonwood Business “Assistance Center, 821 N. Main.  This free three-hour class provided a “cost effective overview of all aspects of starting a business.”  The fee for the remaining workshops was not available to the Blog.

The workshops continued on Thursday at the Sedona Center.  For more information about these workshops and others please call 928-776-2008.  Note that the classes usually consist of from 8 to 12 students.  Additional workshops intended to help business owners develop a present on the internet are set for January 22 and 29.  Click here to be taken to the SBDC web site.