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THE ROGUE INITIATIVE FOR A VITAL ECONOMY THRIVE class members help each other do business better By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 7:35 pm By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 7:35 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> If you’re going into business for yourself, it can be a lonely and arduous road, especially if you think customers are just going to flock to your door. The fact is, you have to get them there with gobs of self-promotion, teaching classes and flogging social networks. So says Ashland business consultant Gary Einhorn, who offers personal business consultations and for years has run a nonprofit Business Peer Discussion Group. From Einhorn and others in business — both newbies and more experienced ones — members get practical advice, work on accountability and follow-through and develop peer networks in business. The monthly group of half a dozen budding business people helps spot red flags, especially over-extension of debt, under-capitalization and naivete about the time commitment, which easily runs 50 to 60 hours a week, Einhorn says. Promoting is not so much about getting people to like your business, but rather to like you, he adds, because “people often do business with people they like and resonate with.” Website designer David Gordon of Ashland said his two years in the group have been essential for making him visible and getting him out in public, giving classes in WordPress. “It’s a bit of a learning curve at first,” said Gordon. “You realize it takes time for people to know you’re there. They start coming more and more. It gave me confidence to keep going with it. People in the group might give feedback on a flyer and talk about what could be improved for a class.” Paper artist Candy Wooding found the group useful when they would show her how they relate to her art and ad copy. For instance, she notes, they told her no one knew what “calligraphed” meant, though the term was familiar to her. “I’ve been selling more as a result of the group,” she said. Yoga therapist Charlotte Nuessle started with the group in 2008, noting, “It’s helped generate referrals and helped me feel more confident and focus on what keeps the business going. It’s a good springboard to have others tell you what’s a good idea and what’s not. It takes both dedication and support to get a business going.” Einhorn, a graduate of Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and former owner of a startup fabric-manufacturing business, said he sold the business in 2006 and went into the peer business group because “I wanted a life of service, the truth be told. In all my businesses, there were people who helped me often and without compensation.” He was inspired by the realities of going into business: that it’s difficult to be successful, is a “lonely existence” and "is based on one’s own capabilities, determination and knowledge,” all things his group can help with. Einhorn’s Enterprise Development Program is part of THRIVE, The Rogue Initiative for a Vital Economy. The year-long peer group starts each September. It meets on first Wednesdays at Jackson County Fire Station No. 5. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 7:35 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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