CORPORATE VETS SHIFT GEARS, OPEN AN ECLECTIC BOUTIQUE.BUSINESS NAME: McKenna and Greene BUSINESS ADDRESS: 27951 Seco Canyon Road, Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, , CA 91350 PHONE: (661) 296-0935 WEB SITE: www.mckennaandgreene.com OWNERS: Nanette Ferrara and Beth Hetu ESTABLISHED: 2006 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Two DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: We're an eclectic e·clec·tic adj. 1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. 2. home, garden and gift boutique Boutique A small investment firm specializing in offering specific, but limited services to a select number of individuals. Notes: These investment firms are the alternatives to large financial supermarkets. They provide a highly personalized environment for investing. that also includes specialty food provisions, handcrafted hand·craft n. Variant of handicraft. tr.v. hand·craft·ed, hand·craft·ing, hand·crafts To fashion or make by hand. hand·craft sterling silver- and gold-filled jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. , hand-tooled handbags and home and garden items. IS THIS YOUR FIRST BUSINESS? Yes WHY DID YOU START THIS BUSINESS? We were both laid off from corporate positions at Robinsons-May after more than 25 years on the job each. We both headed large areas in the advertising department. WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA? We both love to shop and discover new and unique finds to share with the public -- and neither of us wanted to re-climb the corporate ladder with a new company. HOW LONG WAS IT FROM CONCEPT TO OPENING? Six months. WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THAT TIME? Searched out vendors, rented space, developed advertising and marketing campaigns, bought goods and set up the shop. WHAT WERE YOUR START-UP Start-up The earliest stage of a new business venture. COSTS, AND HOW DID YOU FINANCE THE BUSINESS? $112,000. We each put in 50percent, from our own funds. WHO DID YOU RELY ON FOR ADVICE? Friends, family and noncompeting shop owners. Several shop owners outside our area have been extremely helpful. WHAT HADN'T YOU CONSIDERED BEFORE OPENING? The high cost of shipping goods and how that affects overall pricing to the customers. Also, the need to network, network and network to get the word out. WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTED REVENUE THIS YEAR? $300,000 the first year. WHAT GOALS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COMPANY? To become profitable so we can support ourselves is No.1. We're also looking forward to getting involved with community outreach Outreach is an effort by an organization or group to connect its ideas or practices to the efforts of other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public. programs through our local Chamber of Commerce to do some good in the world. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Beth Hetu, left, and Nanette Ferrara created McKenna and Greene, an eclectic home, garden and gift boutique that also includes specialty foods, jewelry, hand-tooled handbags and home and garden items. John Lazar/Staff Photographer |
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