SCORE
CEDAR RAPIDS
BUSINESS e-NEWSLETTER
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April 1, 2008A BUSINESS NEWSLETTER from SCORE: the SBA's resource partner.
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HOME RUN ERRANDSTAKES A BITE OUT OF YOUR CHORES.
Donna’s services take the hassle out of your life as they add a friendly face and a human touch to otherwise thankless errands and chores. She offers affordable pricing as she tries to be like “family” to her clients. Driven by a desire to serve the needs of others, Donna says, “Helping older people is the most satisfying part of the business.” We all need errands done“I see myself as a time broker for busy people,” declares Donna. From helping seniors with such things as changing and/or cleaning curtains, grocery shopping, light house cleaning to running those endless errands that challenge working parents, Donna has focused her business on meeting the needs of the community.
Here’s just one example of how Donna is improving the lives of some area families. A few months ago, an out-of-town family discovered that their elderly father living in Marion had been trapped in his house for many weeks due to the terrible winter snows. Without anyone else to call, they contacted the Marion City Hall, who eventually steered them to Donna. She helped the man with groceries and other necessities, improving his life and allaying the worries and fears of his family. BackstoryThe need to add a human touch to otherwise impersonal errand services occurred to Donna one day while serving communion to homebound seniors. She found herself thinking about who helps these older people with simple errands and tasks. Who can come to their aid on a moment’s notice when there are no family or friends close by? Recognizing that for many, there really is no one to turn to, Donna was inspired to solve this problem.
With a passion and determination typical of every successful entrepreneur, Donna set about creating a way to help others as she built a business that provided her income and satisfaction. And so Home Run Errands was born. Perhaps Donna's being in business for herself was inevitable. She has energy, passion and a desire to be her own boss. “I was always looking for a business idea where I could apply my gifts and talents,” Donna reflects. Being an independent businessperson may also be in the genes. She has four brothers, all of whom started and operate successful businesses in New Hampshire, where she grew up. She may also have learned a few things about finance from her father, who is a retired banker. The challengesLike all business people, the road to getting Donna’s business going was a little bumpy. As Donna researched and planned her business for about 6-8 months, she added other potential customer groups to her market concept. She considered pricing and approaches to the market. She researched every detail thoroughly, on the Internet, at the library and through collaborating with SCORE. Local banks refused to loan her money because they had never seen a business like this before. Marketing her business was a challenge as well.
------------------------------ Donna was not sure of how best to access the market and get the word out to potential customers. She was worried about not having a “storefront.” She had second thoughts about whether the need existed. And, she was already a busy woman with two children (now 12 and 17), husband Brian, and another job consuming three days of her week. Despite these obstacles and with her family’s support, Donna persevered. In late 2006, she set up for business, with an office and a Toyota Scion as her errand vehicle. Now as she looks back, Donna seems to see only the positive. “I am sometimes amazed how easy it was. If you have a passion and you are driven, you can succeed.” How SCORE helped
SCORE provided Donna support and comfort even without actual human interaction. Donna explains. “One particularly bad day many months into the business, when doubts were really overwhelming me, I drove past a billboard promoting SCORE. It reminded me there is always someone there to help.” Lessons Learned/TipsWhen asked if there was anything in her experience she would pass on to others, Donna did not need to think very long. She emphasizes three things:
If you need help starting or maintaining a business, if you need a sympathetic ear to talk about business challenges, call SCORE. We’ve been where you are. Need an errand run? Contact Home Run Errands: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ READ MORE SUCCESS STORIES !Our local "Success Stories" provide real examples of how SCORE helps businesses grow. Without charge, SCORE’s counselors—men and women from all business disciplines who have succeeded in their own right—are helping businesses across the country to not only survive but to excel. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE, IT IS AS SIMPLE AS GOING TO: www.scorecr.org OR calling 319-362-6405.
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Harried professionals, who recognize that they can't do it all; seniors challenged by the realities of physical obstacles, and small business owners who can’t afford to hire fulltime gofers are some of her best customers. But not everyone is so savvy about his or her limitations. “Part of the challenge is finding people who know themselves well enough to realize they need help,” Donna says. “Then I make it easy for them.”
Like many successful small business owners, Donna was helped by SCORE. Since SCORE counselors “have been there, done that,” their insights and advice can make the difference between struggle and success. “As I researched my business and revisited the Small Business Administration (SBA) for information, I realized the help SCORE could provide. And it costs nothing.” Donna adds with amazement and appreciation. 
Donna's first SCORE counselor was Duffy Schamberger (above right), the creator of Duffy's Collectible Car business, a Cedar Rapids institution. Donna found Duffy a great help. “He was excited for me, provided encouragement, and was knowledgeable about business realities.” Donna was also helped by SCORE counselor Dave Evans (at left), who provided additional support. “What a relief it is to find people who have been there to counsel me.”
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Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids chapter of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurship and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 7.5 million entrepreneurs. Copyright 2007. SCORE Chapter 227. All rights reserved.
SCORE® Ch. 227 c/o SBA, 2750 First Avenue NE, Ste. 350,
Office hours: 10-12 and 1-3 --NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED
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