The Saw Shop is owned by Fred Carson, this saw shop has been open since 1937 in Eugene Oregon, family owned since the beginning. Fred was taught by his father and grandfathers the proper ways to maintain and sharpen items that require sharpening, working with decade’s old and new machinery to perform these tasks making customers happy. Throughout the years there hasn’t been many up to dated machines that could take place of the current machines needed for sharpening. Older functionable machines have been a tremendous help in the business progressing throughout the years of business, not needing to purchase very large and very expensive machinery to keep costs low for maintaining a business.

Recession proofing strategies

When asked how Fred and his business made it through the recession in late 2008, his comments were, “people still needed to sharpen their tools instead of purchasing new ones.” These were tight times for many in that recession.  Large companies like Chrysler, General Motors, and Washington Mutual that had assets in the billions still had to be bailed out by the government of the United States. Fred kept his cool during the years of the recession activity by strategizing his efforts and keeping costs low for customers; by sharpening their tools rather than having the customers buy new tools to keep doors open to the public.  Fred’s specialty is sharpening, but the shop also works on small engine repairs as well, so don’t put off your sharpening for another day.

Newer technology means less customers

     As he mentioned, the years are passing and new technology is becoming more and more perfect. Some new tools like the carbide saw blades are a throw away blade, they are considered a one time use type blade. This reduces the presence of customers at the Carson Saw Shop.

The affects social media play in the new era of the Saw Shop

     When I mentioned a social media presence to Fred, he wasn’t too please with the idea just yet. Fred is stepping up to the plate and trying to engage in social media at his own pace. I really think the presence in the social media realm for Fred will increase business by ten times the amount of customers currently visiting the shop. Fred has made a more engaging website for the customers to visit that allows a more user friendly environment for products and services for customers.

What strategies CSK has depicted for Fred Carson’s Saw shop

I really believe Fred has a sincere passion for helping customers from all around. The market is changing right along with technology at the speed of light and If Fred uses some of this technology to help grow his business, then I can ensure him that he will need bigger doors to open for all the customers. The flood gates have opened from California and other states, allowing Oregon and smaller cities to allow larger numbers of consumers into our ever changing and growing businesses.

Name of Business: Carson Saw Shop
Operation hours are M-F 7:30 am to 5:30pm
Website: Carsonsawshop.com
Telephone: (541)345-7701

We had the honor of sitting down with Tim Greathouse, owner and operator of the Core Star Center. His demo team was preparing for their upcoming event in the Dojang (a formal training hall). Tim holds a 7th degree black belt in Taekwondo (TKD) that he has committed himself to every day for the last 30 years, and he is still an active competitor on the world level. If one belt was not enough, he also holds a 1st-degree black belt in Hapkido and a belt in Capoeira. Through his true love and commitment to TKD, he has positioned himself perfectly to achieve the position of Oregon State President of the United States TKD Committee under Sang Lee and USTC National Chairman for State Hanmadang development.

The Multi-Disciplinary Core Star Center

Core Star Center offers many styles and teachings to meet the needs of their students, whether physical, spiritual, or clarity of mind. Tim offers and instructs Moo Do TKD, Yoga, and Hapkido. Kung Fu, Zen Meditation, Yoga, and Kummooyeh are offered by other instructors, but the full list of offered services can be found on their website. Tim embraces Martial Arts for its ability to cultivate the spirit, a sense of reason, self awareness, discipline, and confidence. Martial arts challenges you to be the best version of yourself.

Tim’s Philosophy & Business Model

Tim has always had a non-combative approach to TKD. This way of teaching and training has started to come to light in our world with the recent insight into concussions and how they have a lasting impact on one’s life. He believes in the art form and its excellent ability to cultivate oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually. This way of thinking and being in martial arts holds truer today than ever before. He believes the enemies of today are intangible and slippery; they are no longer people standing in front of you in a physical form. They are more internal, or of the mind. This belief plays perfectly into him being chosen to host the NW Hanmadang, where events are held to gauge the skill level of its participants in non-contact events.

We asked Tim where he sees himself in the future and if he would still be teaching and training. He responded quickly without a second thought, “I will obtain my 9th degree black belt and the Dojang will always be a part of my life.” He has no want or desire to branch out to multiple locations. He thrives on having a deep connection with all of his students and knowing each one by name. He wants to be a part of each one outside of the Dojang, helping them develop every aspect of their lives through Martial Arts.

CSK Dynamic Ventures Recommends Core Star Center

I have known Tim personally and as a student since 1996 when he opened his Dojang here in Eugene. He has a deep passion and love for people that creates a strong attraction that starts when you first meet him. I believe his commitment to put people first has given him the ability to keep providing his students with high quality training for 30 years.

RE/MAX is a very large real estate company with locations throughout the United States. Hillary Baker is proud to be with RE/MAX since 2012. She was recently promoted from a Buyer Specialist to a full service Real Estate Broker. This has been such a great opportunity for her to branch out on her own as a licensed broker, and start making a business for herself helping clients purchase the home of their dreams. Looking back at Hillary’s past during the last recession, her family had to change their outlook on their careers in order to get by.

Her Personal Journey

Coming out of the recession, Hillary was going to college for dental hygiene. A friend referred her to an entry level position with RE/MAX on the Lynn Gately team as an opportunity for change. Hillary was inspired by helping clients and her passion for becoming a licensed broker became clear. Her seven years of experience in Real Estate paid off and opened many new challenges and opportunities for her. When I asked her about social media and her awareness online, she said she was developing a following through local social channels, and has plans to expand this following throughout Lane County, to get more personal with clients.

On Being Personally Accessible

Hillary wants clients to know they can just reach out to her on any social channel. If clients have any questions or would like to go look at houses, she will make the time to listen and/or show them homes on the market. She offers a free market analysis on homes to educate clients on what their home would sell for in the ever-changing real estate market. As with any business owner, she markets with flyers and ads  on social media to create a larger audience. This gives her feedback from clients she’s already worked with in the past, acting as references for new home buyers. You can visit her website to contact her online, or call her at 541.285.3339.

Hillary Baker loves to personally ensure her clients’ customer satisfaction level is 100%. This rating will surpass most businesses out there today in the Lane County. She has the advantage in competing with other Real Estate companies in the community, due to her skill set in the Real Estate business.

CSK Dynamic Ventures Recommends Hillary Baker

Hillary was my Real Estate agent that I was communicating with during the purchase of my home in Eugene, Oregon. At the time, I was residing in San Diego, California, and was taking my search for my new home to the internet. I found Hillary as an agent at RE/MAX online. The more I communicated to her by phone and Skype, the more confident I was to choose the home I wanted. Hillary helped me to make an informed decision on our home purchase from all the pictures and online contact. San Diego is 19 hours away and I didn’t have the time to fly up to Eugene to see the house, but the excellent communicative skills she provided us was top notch in her industry. As a standalone agent in the Real Estate business, I have no problems recommending Hillary to all of my current customers in my business.

Kinergy Tech, What is it? Well, this is a well-established marketing team geared around the digital side of marketing and other related IT services. I had the great opportunity to speak with Rochiemar Carson which is one of the leading digital marketing team advisers and an IT specialist; I could tell from our conversation, that I sat down with the right person to tell their story.

There are two well-qualified digital marketing team advisers here at Kinergy Tech; they both play a vital role in the creation of a client’s web portfolio, as per clients request, Rochiemar and Dave advise customers in the creation of their dream project. Both team advisers will listen to the customer’s needs and have their team execute the needed and areas of marketing for their clients.

From Partnership to Growing Team

A little bit of history of both digital marketing team advisers (partners) and (co-founders), they both have made a business for themselves on a personal level before they became partners and pulled both businesses together creating what now is known as Kinergy Tech. The creation of this business meant more employees were needed to help customers more on an individual basis in the creation of their website and or other needed digital marketing needs. Kinergy Tech will help brand you into the marketplace, helping your clients find and access your site faster, this approach of branding clients has been vital for customers to be on the fast track to creating a better future financially.

As Rochiemar described, some of the challenges along the way of building this business with his partners and his team members, was the fact that more training in certain areas of the business is needed on an ongoing approach to reach certain goals these two co-founders have planned for their future. When asked “how do you see your business in another 10 years?” Rochiemar replied that he wanted to branch out more and reach more people by opening another couple of businesses in different locations.

CSK Dynamic Ventures Recommends Kinergy Tech

As I had discussed leadership with Rochiemar, I had discussed the ideas of having team meetings on a weekly basis and a one on one meeting with his partners so that everyone is always on the same page when it comes to customer satisfaction. As I ended this interview with Rochiemar, I felt the strong leadership qualities in Rochiemar that are needed for this company to take their company to the next level of business; his passion for helping customers and teammates goes well beyond customer satisfaction.

At a later date I was able to interview David Garcia to get more information on his views and structure of Kinergy Tech, you talk about a person with a vision and oversight of where he wants to take this company. He has an overwhelming background in many marketing aspects; the prioritization of the many concepts of marketing is a must for him. Dave sees key value in a customer’s relationship and knows how to bring in the right talent for the customer, he mentioned he was taking a step back from one of his other businesses so that he could provide 100% of his time to fully engage in this business, this has been a vision for him to manage the time to fully launch Kinergy Tech to allow a more prosperous future for their team.

As I had heard of the many business-related concepts David’s mind was funneling, I had to ask him why he hasn’t delegated more of the tasks he is creating for himself, for others to lessen his load; he responded that he would rather spend time teaching a person, the quality of work, so that the feedback quality was to his standards. I really enjoyed speaking to both owners at Kinergy Tech, I hope some of the information I provided as feedback can help your customer retention rate and allow customers to hear personal stories from business owners just like yourselves.

Many businesses have come and gone in the Lane County district, but one of many have tested the times and survived by remaining open. Head Start of Lane County has had an Executive Director (Annie Soto) for 24 years, and I had a chance to interview her during normal business hours and went through the many services offered at her location. Annie Soto is an astonishing person to be in charge of so many employees that love and care for children’s needs. As she stated she “helps children get ready for school and get ready for life” by quality educational services.

Head Start Provides A Variety of Services

They also screen children for hearing, vision, height, weight and provide an assessment. These are indicators of where the children’s strengths are for areas of growth. Head Start doesn’t just help the children, but also the parents get help back into the community by getting to go back to school and get better jobs in the community. And for immigrants, they help them with getting drivers licenses and such. All of these services are provided by state funding and the office of Head Start. Annie Soto is very knowledgeable about the history of Head Start of Lane County and was admiring the fact that this establishment was started in 1965 for children and their well-being. Ages run prenatal through age 5.  There are 22 locations of Head Start and approximately 51 classrooms all in the Lane County district, these locations teach children of these ages the many things in life they need to get them ready for life. Head Start works with Lane County Dental to make sure the children’s teeth are treated and cleaned as well as seen by Well Child Services for the medical examination. Including up to date shots, these doctors and dentists get the children up to date medically for entering school.

Leveraging Social Media for Community Awareness

When I was interviewing Annie Soto, I brought up the topic of social media and her reaction was that social media has brought more awareness to her programs, and plans on keeping the awareness throughout the community, as we all know social media plays a big part in today’s business. Creating the awareness and support for many businesses to stay alive in tough economy’s, this program also delivers meals prepared in Head Starts Large complete kitchen to different schools in the community regulated by Head Start. Challenges that were faced by Annie Soto through the years have been that the program is funded to families and parents in the poverty levels in accordance with low incomes, and the increase in state minimum wages and sometimes parents in these levels are not eligible for the services anymore.

CSK Dynamic Ventures Supports Head Start of Lane County

These types of programs are very much regulated and micromanaged by the government but this facilities executive director feels that she is always in a learning state of mind to help families and children get through her open doors, and get the education or care needed to live a happier life in the real world. When I had brought up the topic of what would you have done differently over the years and she replied that keeping a hold on staff due to other programs has had its challenges. I had a great interview with Annie Soto, as she demonstrated great knowledge about her business and the community and the well being of children that she comes in contact with.

Meet the owner

Elizabeth is the owner of this Panaderia Mexicana business. This business has been in Eugene, Oregon for 15 years and Elizabeth has been a worker for this business for some time and finally bought the business for her family. The products sold at this store are more common Mexican candies, breads (handmade), birthday and other events, cakes and piñatas for parties. Mostly, this store is known for their bread that is made in the store and distributed to local businesses and food trucks that service the area.

    Elizabeth y su esposo son los propietarios de esta panadería, localizada en Eugene, Oregon y ha estado establecido por 15 años.        

Elizabeth había sido empleada de esta panadería hasta que hace poco tiempo tuvo la oportunidad de comprarla. Los productos que se venden en esta tienda son: pan mexicano recien horneado día a día, dulces mexicanos, pasteles para cumpleaños y ocaciones especiales, además de piñatas entre otros.

This store sees a lot of different cultures and nationalities visiting the store from Florence, Roseburg and as far as Bend Oregon. People travel far just to get a taste of the special bread made by Elizabeth and family. When asked about what challenges they have encountered while running the busines she had said that, the prior owners did not advertise too much and she is taking action to advertise more, especially on the social media side and get her store name out on the market. This has been a challenge since it’s a new business for her, and she is still learning the many processes of business aspects and the many ways of free and non-free advertising in the community.

Esta panadería tiene clientes de diferentes partes del Condado de Lane, como Florence, Roseburg, y aún desde Bend, Oregon; la gente viaja sólo para saborear el rico sabor del pan hecho por Elizabeth y su familia. Cuando le pregunté qué desafíos han encontrado desde su adquisición del negocio, ella me dijo que los dueños anteriores no hacían mucha publicidad del mismo, por lo que ahora su esposo está usando el internet para poder promover su panadería y atraer a más personas de todas las culturas que viven en Eugene, Oregon. Esto es una réplica para ellos que están aprendiendo el proceso de publicidad en la comunidad en forma gratuita y no gratuita.

Challenges the owner faces

 The other challenges Elizabeth is facing in this business is the times of heavy traffic and times where there is little or no traffic during the day. The awareness of the community was a big factor for her as well due to the offset location of the business from the busy main road. Elizabeth is determined to keep this business a float for more than the next 10 years if possible. She encourages people from all over Oregon to stop by and try her bread and see what she has to offer at her store. This business is open Monday-Sunday from 6am to 9pm 2160 11^th ave. Eugene, OR 97402.

Otro reto es dar a conocer la localidad de la tienda, ya que su ubicación no está muy a la vista de la calle principal. Elizabeth es una persona muy positiva y trabajadora por lo que su negocio se mantiene y prosperara por los próximos 10 años si es posible. Ella invita a toda la comunidad en Oregon que visita su panadería y prueba su pan con auténtico sabor mexicano.

El negocio esta abierto de lunes a domingo de 6:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. 2160 11th ave. Eugene, OR 97402. 

Meet the owner

Maria Contreras is the owner of Tienda Y Panaderia Santiago, and has established the business for approximately 11 years. Maria works at the store with her family as a family business. Maria says that the bread she makes is just like being in Oaxaca, MX. Many customers travel from afar to get some of the hot bread she makes fresh daily. Some travel from as far as California, Washington, Salem, and Portland. Maria also sells Piñatas for big or small parties as well as other common Mexican products. Her store is full of Mexican candy to the smell of home-baked Mexican bread.

María Contreras es la dueña de la Tienda y Panadería Santiago es un negocio establecido por aproximadamente 11 años. María trabaja en la tienda con su familia como un negocio familiar. Ella dice que el pan que ella hace es como el auténtico pan Oaxaqueño. Muchos de sus clientes viajan desde lejos para probar el pan fresco y recien sacado del horno todos los días, algunos clientes vienen de California, Washington, Salem y Portland. María tambien vende Piñatas de varios tamanos para las fiestas y algunos productos mexicanos como dulces. El olor del pan recien horneado impregna su panaderia abriendo el apetito.

Sales Increasing

When talking with Maria, she said she had found an increase in sales since she has been using Facebook for her advertising. About 3 years ago, she was asked by customers if she could get other special products from Oaxaca, MX, and she said that she is researching the needs of customers and may need a bigger business as soon as business picks up. Some of the challenges she has faced through the years are when it gets hot outside, and the bread is fresh from the ovens. It’s hard to sell, so she’s thinking of some new ideas to work around some of these challenges for the store.

Cuando platicaba con María, me comentaba que ha notado un incremento en sus ventas desde que está usando el facebook para promocionarse. Aproximádamente desde hace 3 años, sus clientes le han pedido productos especiales de Oaxaca, México, ella está tomando en cuenta esto y piensa que necesita un local más grande para poder seguir satisfaciendo a sus clientes. Uno de los desafíos a los que ella se enfrenta cada año es que en la temporada de calor, el pan no es muy apetecible por lo que esta pensando en nuevas ideas para enfrentar este reto en su tienda.