Testimonials 2010

Have you ever experienced a really great authentic French pâtisserie, baked by a French native? If you have had that pleasure recently, you most likely were one of the first customers of the newly opened Caramel French Pâtisserie.

Chef Barbara Walraet, who grew up in Southeast France and in the French West Indies opened the bakery on August 1, 2009 using several family recipes. She credits her mother with her love of baking, saying “Mom would spend hours in the kitchen to prepare fabulous lunches and exquisite desserts. With simple and basic ingredients she always managed to make the most tasty and original creations.” And now, Barbara, who grew up learning those techniques and more, is bringing those wonderful treats to us. All of her offerings are baked to order, with the exception of her treats she prepares for the new “Community Supported Pastry” Dessert Club.

Like many other successful entrepreneurs, Barbara recognized that she would need additional business knowledge added to her patisserie expertise to turn her dream into a reality. Barbara decided to approach the Lane Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for business assistance. She attended the Going into Business Class, which is a 10-week class that lets entrepreneurs know what to expect when starting a business and how to move their dreams from ideas to reality. Barbara describes the class as very practical and interactive. She says “the teachers were very knowledgeable, extremely helpful and kind. They didn’t hold back on sharing their own positive and negative experiences as business owners.” She also credits the class with giving her the confidence and boost she needed to start her French Pâtisserie business, saying “the one-on-one session after class was priceless.” Barbara continues her relationship with the SBDC as a participant in the Small Business Management Program, where she is getting continued up-to-the-minute business instruction and one-on-one sessions uniquely designed for her company.

Barbara has returned to the GIB class as a member of a business panel, encouraging other entrepreneurs to pursue the opportunities available to them. She also recommends the SBDC to anyone who wants to successfully pursue their dream.

Barbara, who is building her business in stages, takes orders from her website, www.carameleugene.com. The menu on Caramel’s website, features Chocolate Volcano cake (a favorite of the GIB class!), Crčme Brulee, Tiramisu, Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse, Cream Swans and many other delectable treats including Barbara’s personal favorite, the Floating Island. That is a very traditional French dessert consisting of ‘an island of soft meringue on a sea of vanilla sauce, topped with crunchy caramel strings—Yum!. It will be hard not to order at least one of everything, but we dare you to try!

New Leaf Organizing was a fledgling business, approximately a year old, when Tricia Kandik, the owner, came to Lane’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She had set a goal to double her income in 2009. She knew the key to her business growth would be, in part, to develop and implement a strong marketing plan. She had already created some marketing materials and wanted to explore how to develop more.

Tricia built a strong foundation for her business by practicing on friends, gathering and absorbing extensive information about the profession, registering her business with the state, and joining the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
“Creating Calm from Chaos” the motto for New Leaf Organizing, describes the mission of the business perfectly. Targeting those of us who have too much stuff, or those of us who struggle to know how to put our stuff in order or create systems for ourselves, help is only a phone call away. Whether you’re downsizing, moving, merging households, selling your home or simply wanting to regain control of your home environment, New Leaf Organizing will work with you to conquer the clutter. They will even haul off your charitable donations and recycling, and safely dispose of used batteries and CFLs. The business is eco-friendly, using only environmentally safe products to clean as they work. They also help their clients implement reduce, reuse, and recycle principles.

Tricia was excited about the marketing suggestions she received from her free business advising sessions and came to her follow up session with networking projects she was in the midst of creating. Her advisor gave several options to put into action and other resources to work with regarding researching a client base and target marketing in order to promote the company with a limited marketing budget. Tricia developed brochures, re-vamped her business cards to reflect her website, worked with multiple agencies to increase business exposure, marketed her business at the Chamber of Commerce After Hours Event, and put into practice a variety of suggestions from the advisor.

Like many business owners, Tricia is working harder and smarter to keep her business services in front of potential customers to grow her business. She credits the business advisor at the SBDC, whom she continues to meet with, as “A whiz at keeping me on track and renewing my enthusiasm. Her upbeat style, spot-on advice and genuine encouragement never fail to motivate.”

When asked what she might say to a new business owner or someone contemplating going into business, Tricia said, “Learn as much as you can about running a business – a good mentor is invaluable. Also take advantage of the many local networking opportunities to meet other small business owners and to establish your presence in the community.” And, of course we would add, check out the many services available to you right here at the Business Development Center.

More information about New Leaf Organizing can be found on their website, newleaf-organizing.com. Information about business services, workshops, classes or to make a free business advising appointment at the SBDC, call the Center at 463-5255.

>“I participated in the SBM Program for 3 years and it has been a wonderful experience for our business and for me personally.”—Kate James, Broadway Apothecary, Eugene