Toy discovery leads to thriving business Susan Ridley had no inten- tions of starting ber own business. The mother of four-year-old Kyle, two-year-old Todd, and baby Charlotte says she simply Brew frustrated at finding few affordable toys sturdy enough to ‘withstand normal play. “Little boys can be rough,” Susan says. ~*I’d buy toys and find them broken three days later.” Then she found DISCOVERY TOYS®. *“The toys were durable and educational. And they all . carried a one-year warranty.” - That was just over two years’ ago. Today, Susan runs a thriving home-based business distributing quality toys. “The company was ~ started ten years ago by Lane Nemath, a mom just like me,” she says. “The toys they carry come from_all over the world.” DISCOVERY TOYS® are sold through home demonstration parties, a situation which Susan says is ideal for parents, “People can sec the toys and play with them before they buy.” A relaxed home setting also gives Susan plenty of time to help parents select the right toy for a child’s needs. ~“There are specific toys aimed at developing specific skills,” she says. ~“Everything’s age~categorized from newborn to adult.” There’s an. added bonus in that. “I get to meet other moms, and I’ve found we all share the same concerns. Some wonderful parenting ideas are exchanged at those parties.” Amid the array of brightly coloured toys and games, parents find a strong emphasis: on safety. One DISCOVERY TOYS® pro- duct, the Small Part Cylinder, helps parents determine which items are a choking risk to a child between newbom and three years of age. ““It’s the size of a child’s esophagus,” Susan explains. “If an item fits inside the cylinder, it’s not suitable for a child under three.” There’s also a selection of pro- ducts for the older set, inchuding “Simple Science Experiments”, | “The Nature Craft book’, and many innovative games to suit a wide range of ages. “One of the books, ‘Puzzle Island’, had three adults hooked for hours,” Susan says, She noles that parents are reassured by the. company’s many high ratings from the. Canadian Toy Testing Council, 4 consumer agency which rates toys according to design, func- tion and durabilily. “*A lot of our toys get excellent remarks from them.” That’s important to Susan, both as an educational toy con- sultant and as a mother, ““Child- " yen need toys that are develop- mentally stimulating and will last,” she says. ““That’s what these toys are, That’s why I got | into this business.” What’s kept her there is a solid belief in her products and the flexibility of a home-based . operation. *‘The business is very family-oriented. It’s ideal _ for moms.” “Besides,” she. admits, **I Teally like playing with the toys. m . ; customer demand that prompted a major § expansion just 2 years after the stora’s . simple, Kewal explains, *“We offer good i products at low prices." F quality furniture, name-brand appliances, y competitive prices. “We work hard to thing. _ Jackson into a galloping business. : stack, ; plus t those who ride simply for.pleasure.” é ra pranes wee Usha he ‘Horse Supplies And Peopié Fashions A zeal for equestrian sports led Cathy and Peggy Horse owners since childhood, the two sisters grew frustrated at the scarcity of riding supplies. That's no longer a problem. Three years ago, Cathy and Peggy brought Northern Horse Supply on the scene. ; “That first summer we sold out of a van," Cathy Says. But the strong demand for horse tack and riding gear soon prompted the Jacksons to expand their NoRTAERN HORSE SUPPLY. 2 WEEKOAYS 2u-Bs, o* _ SATURDAY Winebre ~ Today, Cathy and Peggy's store is an equestrian’ s dream. * “We cater to both Western and English riders, -Cathy riotes that even non-tiders seek the trendy Western clothes, particularly | brand-name fashions like Roper, Wrangler and MWG, “We carry a lot more than just horse supplies.” Northern Horse Supply is.open 6 days a week. NORTHERN HORSE SUPPLY LTD. 3083 RIVER DRIVE 638-7252 tke Business Services “San all gour small Casiners weeds” ~ s.. >* monthly financial statements * monthly account maintenance |. > cee ee * computer conversions * system updates * special projects . * jab costing * year-end preparation * government reporting _ “s ‘budgets * cash flow * forecasts * business start-ups - "Since the government requires. by law that you report: on your business activities (tax time), why not put a system in place that provides wean for you that your business needs?? Reporting should not be just an expense to meet government requirements. An up-to-date reporting ‘system will make reporting easier and less expensive. It will also provide current information to support your management decisions and keep track - of your business: activities. ~ Whether you are starting out, thinking of starting out, or already have your doors open, up-to-date accurate information and reporting will help you avoid problems and save you money. . Call to discuss the set-up of a new system, or the review of your old one. pia cost you nothing to check it out. We can determine exactly what your requirements are, and the exact cost/benefit to you. If you have any questions, or for more information, phone 635-1512, _ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 27, 1993 - BS The story behind Terrace Furniture Mart is one of vigcrous growth, Owner Kewal Bal says it was. 1998 opening. What's the secret? It's He adds that bargain-hunters will find and attractive home accessories at very save you money,” Terrace Furniture Mart holds 2 A showroom floors bursting with sofas, chairs, bedroom sets, dinettes, and electronic products, making it one of the larger stores in northern B.C, Low-cost and geod selection -- that's what makes Terrace Furniture Mart your best bet to find the | furniture you need at a price-you can afford. Open Monday through Saturday. ‘TERRACE FURNITURE MART 4434 LAKELSE AVE. 638-0555 Deliveries To} Your Door When Ada Sclowoniuk needed 2 local delivery service, sha quickly learned there was ho such That was 10 years ago. Ada turned that problem into a business, and today, Chimo Delivery brings speedy, reliable service right to your door. a a a: *“We do aur very best,” Ada says, ‘“Our priority is to be fast and efficient.” Her 19 drivers, each bonded and fully insured, pick up anything from a doctor's prescription to a roomful of furniture. Chimo Delivery is also the local agent for United Parcel and Canadian Parcel] Services. Ada notes that her drivers are known for their fast and friendly door-to-door service. “Chime | means ‘friend’ in Inuit,” she explains. "We go to great lengihs to be of service.” But Ada invites you to find out for yourself. *~Call us. For fast, friendly service, we really deliver.” | CHIMO DELIVERY TERRACE, B.C. 638-8530 Ceremeres err aes ae . = ° oe A ee . hee . recs eo ett tren ten mete ty 3 Challenge and Change - Staying on Top M Within the context of economic recovery, a changing business . f environment brings new challenges for entrepreneurs. Instead of & concentrating on survival strategies, entrepreneurs must look ahead and § identify ways to capitalize on business opportunities. Entrepreneurs @ M must also keep a close eye on increasing competition from domestic and B foreign markets and look for ways to charge, ahead. ‘CASE...”The Best Pool of Expertise in Canada” This is the opinion of one entrepreneur whose business went from an $18,000 loss position when CASE was called, through break-even point the next year to a healthy profit the following year. A profit that continues to yield healthy dividends today. And this is only one of some 10,000 businesses helped by CASE every year. One Call From You Does It All * Contact your Federal Business Development Bank branch or CASE office * Briefly describe your business and the aspect(s) you want CASE to help you improve -s A CASE counselor with practical experience will be assigned to you * Your CASE counselor will meet with you, discuss your business plans or concerns and provide an assessment in a personal and - confidential report containing practical recommendations * Naturally, your CASE counselor can remain at your service to help _you implement those practical recommendations : It’s as simple as that ‘ Remember, thousands of businesses benefit from CASE each year..., You can tool : THE CANADIAN CHAMBER . OF COMMERCE | “Celebrating 20 Years of Service in Terrace” q Federal Business Banque fédérale » Developmant Bank de développement Canad