Debra Harris’ passion for dog shows lead her to dog grooming. Photo by Ryan Lely.
Many wanna-be entrepreneurs obsess about money, but to some, love and passion are more important ingredients when starting a business.
“If you’re in it for the money it’s not going to work” said Barbara Cates, an accounting technician with the City of Sonoma.
She should know.
For 20 years she has been overseeing business license registration, renewal and increasingly, termination.
“The turnover is unbelievable, just unbelievable!” she said. “It seems like it’s all I’m doing [terminating business license accounts]. It’s sad.”
Don’t let the failures scare you.
Love may not conquer all, but it appears passion does often correlate with success. That was the case for Tillie Angus, owner and operator of Sonoma Yarn, an 18-month-old business that also offers workshops.
“I’ve been teaching people how to knit all my life and now I do it for a living. I feel lucky,” she said.
But unlike the stereotypical entrepreneur, taking risks does not come easy to her. “It’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” said Angus, who was a home caregiver for more than 10 years.
What made her take the leap? Reading a book called “Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want.” The book got Angus in the mindset that she could make a living doing something she loves.
It took her more than a year to get the number of clients necessary to ease fears of failure.
Debra Harris is a different story; she’s a risk taker by nature.
“I left Kansas City at 20 and moved to San Francisco in 1979. My family was shocked,” said Harris, who now owns My Pal, a pet grooming and day care business in Sonoma.
Eight years ago Harris was having a midlife crisis, burnt out on real estate and facing the big 4-0. “I felt that if I didn’t make a change now, I was never going to.”
Dog showing was her passion, and she asked the woman who groomed her dog, “What does it take to get into this business?”
Little did she know that the woman wanted to sell her business.
“Forty-eight hours later we were in a contract,” said Harris.
When asked what advice Harris might have for people thinking about starting their own business, she said, “If it’s something that you love, do it. It’ll work out. I still put in 50 to 60 hours a week and I love it. I feel fortunate to do something I love.”
Licensing and Permitting
People interested in starting their own business need to obtain various state, county and city licenses and permits. If you plan on doing business within the city limits of Sonoma you’ll need to obtain a business license with the city.
“A lot of people don’t realize they need a city license to work in Sonoma. Even if you have a resale license with the state, it doesn’t mean you can sell your product anywhere,” Cates said
Viewing the state Web site on permitting can facilitate satisfying state requirements. The licensing and permitting offices of the city and county will help explain further local requirements.
There is also a free “Pre-Venture” workshop series at the Santa Rosa Junior College offered by Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center, which covers planning, marketing, financing and legal issues.
Business Contacts
State Contacts
Business Permits Made Simple
www.cagold.ca.gov/
Starting a business
www.sos.ca.gov/business/
resources.htm
Small Business Development
www.calbusiness.ca.gov/
cedpgybsbdc.asp
County Contacts
County of Sonoma Business
Assistance Guide
Comprehensive list of resources useful for starting and running a business, including how to get financed.
www.sonoma-county.org/edb/busguide/resource.htm
City Contacts
Starting Your Business with the City of Sonoma.
www.sonomacity.org/default.aspx?PageId=10
Business Licensing
707-933-2217
Other Contacts
Redwood Empire Small Business Development Center, Free Pre-Venture Workshop series at SRJC.
www.santarosa.edu/
instruction/jtwd/sbdc/
workshops/overview.shtml
Office hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.
