For the Winter 2009 issue of the magazine, I cut costs by recruiting an Allan Hancock College intern to provide desktop publishing software expertise. Jesse Santiago has proven to be creative, highly talented and hard working, as he juggles two other jobs and college coursework. Jesse also contributed an article on a local small business incubator, Jerezano’s Plaza. Perhaps Jesse’s internship with the City Economic Development Office will evolve from workforce training into an incubator for starting his own business.
Given the current economic crisis, this issue invites you to “Shop Local” or at least “Think Local First” in your shopping decisions. This theme was inspired by Michael H. Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution. Shuman believes that the key to prosperity lies in the creation and expansion of local business. He suggests analyzing our leakages in labor, land and capital and then plugging the leaks in all places we are unnecessarily importing to the community. Therein are opportunities to expand local businesses.
Shopping locally is a way to stimulate our local economy and fully appreciate our local community. If you consider that local businesses don’t move so they are more reliable, local businesses spend locally, local businesses create less carbon footprint and so on, perhaps you’ll be motivated to think local first in all your buying choices. I started off the New Year with a commitment to shop local.
One easy decision for shopping locally is Cindy’s Sweet Creations Chocolate Shoppe, featured on our cover. It is quite remarkable for a community of our size to have both a chocolatier and premium winemakers. Cindy has partnered with YNOT Wine Company and other local vendors to promote gift boxes “Made in Lompoc” that can be found at her shop at 621 East Ocean Ave.
Be sure to check out the other unique, homegrown, small businesses in town featured in this issue: Ranch of the Oaks, Palmina Wines, You’re the Star Video Productions, Lompoc Valley Soap Works, Lightning Cycles and Heavy Duty Cycles. You’re in for a surprise with each article written about these businesses and others in town.
And if you are interested in starting a small business or growing your existing business, be sure to visit “Tools for Business Success” at Lompoc.toolsforbusiness.info. It’s your source for business formation, government regulations, business planning, funding and incentives, online classes, selling to government, business bookstore and more. It’s also available in Spanish!
