ml a a y pe oe EE eee ihe fe eT oe naan Re nee tee ORT ore 8 by Betty Barton _ Home based businesses are be- coming: very popular in Terrace. The first home based business fair happened four years ago due to the concerted efforts of organizers Val Burgess and Lori Merrill, and a small group of enthusiastic home based businesspeople. | Since that time, the number of home based businesses has grown dramatically and the majority of those businesses are owned and operated by women. It’s a different attitude towards consumerism, says Lori Merrill . . Lori began her own home based business, Cotton River Clothing, four years ago, in anticipation of becoming an at-home mom, which happened two years ago. Cotton River offers a full line of cotton lingerie and tights, acrobic wear, and sweaters for the whole family. "The theme is definitely cotton," says Lori. "Being a consumer and living here, I wanted more choices," she explains. Lori says she tries to offer clothers that work for the northern lifestyle, clothing that is affordable, casy to ‘care for, comfortable, fashionable and of the highest quality. She personally hand picks individual pieces, at shows in Vancouver and ‘by telephone, from up to 12 manu- facturers. Lori is also very careful not to sell clothing lines that are already available at retail outlets in Terrace. She doesn’t want to com- pete with them. Lori works evenings and all day Wednesdays, when son Graham is with his dad or at daycare. She does home parties, takes books, does seasonal open houses and goes on the road to reach to out- lying communities. "That's the fun part, meeting the people,” she says enthusiastically. She adds that a Home based lot of women don’t have time to | | shop during the day. This gives them a chance to get out in the evening for a social gathering and to shop together. She explains that she sells ward- jf robe basics, in solid colours. She teaches women some of the style . |f and wardrobe co-ordination and has a selection of scarves, tams, tights and some jewellery to accessorize the basics. This is the easiest and most economical way - to build your wardrobe, Lori feels. And how does one build and maintain a home based or retail “ business? From personal experi- ence, Lori advises; *be flexible and determined ‘start small ‘when you're ready to start, you have to have the money. Have your idea well formulated and a financial plan in place, so that the banks will listen to you and lend you the required funds. Lori says, "If you're not in debt, you’re not in business! But, the object.is to make the revenue side greater than the expenses. shave a support network, people off whom you can bounce ideas and get feedback *the scope of your business depends on your needs, your fam- ily’s needs and consumer. needs. It can be a hobby or it can provide a living. . read every publication available on starting a business eattend seminars on small business Lori concludes, "It’s a wonderful learning experience no matter how long you do it.” This year, the Home Based Busi- ness Fair will be held on Novem- ber 23, with 28 participating busi- nesses and more on a waiting list for space at the arena venue. Co- ordinator of the Fair for 1991 is Elereen Toovey. Terrace Review —— Wednesday, October 16, 1991 13 |HB16-37 BUSINESS. Hf you’ ve still decided to “go for it” after doing your business plan, asking for a loan, finding out about the liabilities and all the taxes, take heart — ~ there is one perk! Write offs! As a general rule of thumb, you're entitled to deduct-all - expenses that are incurred in - arder to earn income, .. But like everything else, says the CGA Association of B.C., it isn’t as simple as it used to be. Here are a few examples: * an in-home office is only deductible if you don’t have an office outside the home as well. * expenses associated with _ operating your car are deductible in proportion to the amount you use your car for business versus personal uses - if you operate “Best wishes to all female entrepreneurs during Small Business Week. Call us for assistance with all your -Business Planning, Financing or Training needs. #4 - 3250 EBY STREET TERRACE B.C. V8G 5H4 TEL: 635-5449 Audrey 's Coiffures Audrey Cox: - Qualified Hairdresser 24 years your car 60 per cent of the time ae for business then 60 per cent of - Taught at maintenance and repair costs is ‘Hairdressing School deductive vy th , + similarly, the gas you burn . in Prince George driving to and from your office ( _ isn't deductible — it is if you Owned Spanish Lady have a meeting with a client 2} Coiffures for 16 years along the way. * if you operate your business - Recently purchased out of your home, the base rate Doris's Coiffures on your phone line isn‘ , deductible — a separate business line is deductible as are your long distance business charges. A CGA can advise you on whats deductible. But you must keep all your receipts to sup- port your claim in the event of an audit. If you fail to do so, Revenue Canada may throw your whole claim —ora 4603-5 Park Ave. Terrace 638-1704 | 25, ( aul ‘) Si \e fo Fashions 3230 Kalum St., Terrace + phone 635-3666 Working women love us! "18 years in business, thanks to the people of Terrace". We carry; ean exceptional selection of suits, separates, — sweaters, blouses to suit every taste styles ‘fall maternity fashions in up-to-the minute | *a wide array of bridal gowns and accessories JOY DOVER of NRS Pruden & Currle has been serving the people of Terrace and area for 13 years. She is a nine-time recipeint of the top” award given by the Northwest Real Estate Board for MLS Sales and is a. member of the prestigious “NRS Presidents’ Club". She feels the Real Estate Industry is definitely a field of business where the opportunity exists for women to excel, while enjoying their careers. She invites you to a personal tour of an immaculate 4- bedroom family home situated close | ‘fae, | to Veritas School. You will ‘| appreciate the spacious- m ness of every room and the me many extras it has to offer. m™ Lovely cedar railing and mm benches surround the over- m sized back deck overlook- m ing the nicely landscaped @ large 75x 131 ft. lot. Take advantage of the low inter- est rates and affordable price of $99,900 on this great home! PRUDEN & CURRIE (1976) LTD. INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED 4650 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace, B.C. V8G 1R2 (604) 635-6142