Nearly 34 years ago, at the request of his father and with some borrowed tools in hand, Loren Vickers installed his first set of garage doors. “I think it took me two days and I made about 50 bucks for the two days of work,” said Loren. Shortly after that fateful experience, Loren says he realized there was a growing need for garage door installation in Northern Arizona. So in 1976, the locally-born Vickers set up his first shop in a 10-foot by 20-foot rental storage unit. … [Read more...] about Businessman Paying Close Attention to Customer Service
northern arizona university
Economists – Slow Recovery
While it is a difficult time financially for many people, the hardships during this economic period are not unusual. That was part of the consensus among economists during the recent Flagstaff Economic Outlook Conference. The annual conference was sponsored by Chase, Northern Arizona University W.A. Franke College of Business and Flagstaff Business News. Since 1976, the conference has drawn local businesspeople eager to hear annual forecasts by prominent economists. Keynote … [Read more...] about Economists – Slow Recovery
NAU Students Follow Their Hearts to Restaurant Ownership
She’s clearly a young woman on a mission: “I want 15 stores by the time I’m 30,” said restaurant owner and Northern Arizona University (NAU) junior, Chelsea Hulina. How can she pull off school and work? “Time management is key. I outsource responsibilities to people who are more qualified. I have friends in accounting who help me, and I train my staff well so they will operate the restaurant while I’m in class,” she explained. … [Read more...] about NAU Students Follow Their Hearts to Restaurant Ownership
Scrutinizing Ethics and Teaching Methods in B-Schools
American business schools did not always enjoy the reputation that they have today. The first business programs were founded in the late 1800s, but many people (including the self-taught Andrew Carnegie) scoffed at the idea of a university degree to train people in business. In creating the Harvard MBA, the revered B- School’s founders were not even sure what classes they should offer. In the end, the curriculum drew heavily on the work of the “father” of scientific … [Read more...] about Scrutinizing Ethics and Teaching Methods in B-Schools
Community Profile: Flagstaff’s Early Businessmen Built a Legacy
In 1887, Matt Riordan shook hands with Edward E. Ayer and purchased Ayer Lum- ber Co. for $145,000. Less than a month later, the mill burned to the ground. Rather than cut their losses and head back to Chicago, the Riordan brothers, Matt, Tim and Michael, used this opportunity to expand. Within two weeks, Tim had the mill up and running. Dur- ing rebuilding, they brought in another mill to continue cutting and used other smaller units in the forest to rough cut the timber. They paid off … [Read more...] about Community Profile: Flagstaff’s Early Businessmen Built a Legacy
Community Profile – Tom Ramsey
Tom Ramsey was a small-town Yuma boy who grew up working for his father’s lumber company when he received football scholarships to the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. He chose NAU and moved to Flagstaff in 1969 to study physical education and industrial arts. After playing professional football for the Kansas City Chiefs and then one year with the World Football League before the league fold- ed in 1975, Ramsey moved back to Flagstaff to work in the construction … [Read more...] about Community Profile – Tom Ramsey
NAU Monetizing Research
The word “incubator” brings to mind a bunch of fluffy, yellow baby chicks that are kept warm and nurtured until they are grown up enough to fend for themselves. Actually, it is not a far stretch to call the Northern Arizona Center for Emerging Technolo- gies an “incubator.” It too keeps new ideas and inventions and their creators under its wing until they are able to take care of themselves. In fact, NACET calls itself an “incubator program” that helps people … [Read more...] about NAU Monetizing Research
From the Classroom to the Boardroom
Student business incubation programs are in existence around the world and soon there will be such a program in Flagstaff! Schools such as Fudan University in Shanghai, China partner with incubators such as the Yangpu Science and Technology Center to foster the creation of companies around university- developed intellectual property. Springfield Community College in Springfield, Mass. has created a student incubation program involving students down to the middle school level to guide them … [Read more...] about From the Classroom to the Boardroom
Fitness for New Moms
A Flagstaff business offers new mothers and soon-to-be moms an outlet to not only stretch their legs, but also build friendships and knowledge about parenting. Beth Sabol, owner of Stroller Strides, bought the franchise in June of 2008. It has been described as "group therapy fitness." "Being a mom - whether it's your first time or fifth - is overwhelming, scary and can be very lonely. Stroller Strides provides moms a place they can come every week or even every day and be around other moms … [Read more...] about Fitness for New Moms
Organization Bolsters Local Economy by $10 Million
One of the largest tourism organizations in Northern Arizona has been undercover since 1983. The obscure entity brought 90,000 clients to the region in the past 27 years. Currently, an average of 5,300 visitors per year come because of this unseen promoter of Northern Arizona. Every year, they stealthily book 16,000 hotel rooms and 70,000 meals in our area. Their direct revenues (over $4 million in fiscal year 2009) certainly impact our local economy. Why is a business that provides services to … [Read more...] about Organization Bolsters Local Economy by $10 Million
