Events set to help Pasco business owners

Workshops, speeches and mixers offer hints and inspiration in a difficult economy.

By JODIE TILLMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 27, 2008

This year's Business Development Week, a program filled with how-to workshops, motivational speeches and mixers, begins Monday amid a tough reality.

Business isn't booming.

Joe Alpine, president of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes local businesses can get help and inspiration from this year's events.

"Some businesses are hurting," Alpine said. "How do they effectively spend money to promote themselves?"

The Pasco-Hernando Chapter of SCORE, counselors to small businesses, is holding workshops in New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel.

Topics include"Should You Start Your Own Business?" and "The ABCs of Business Financing." Other forums include a "Success Stories Breakfast," featuring King Helie of King Helie Planning Group, Bill Rogers of Progressive Air Systems Inc. and Jim Smetzer of Pasco Camera Exchange.

There is also a Successful Business Women of Tampa Bay luncheon. Those speakers will include Georgianne Ratliff of Wilson Miller, Shelley Broader, chief executive officer of Sweetbay Supermarket, and Donna Long of Learning Journey Inc.

Other highlights include:

• A Pasco Economic Development Council program Friday will look at the relationship between schools and the industry, particularly schools where students can earn high school credits, college credits and industry certification at the same time. The luncheon will feature state Sen. Don Gaetz and Pasco superintendent Heather Fiorentino.
• New Port Richey lawyer Debora Diaz will present a program called "Is Your Employee Legal?" on Tuesday at Pasco-Hernando Community College's New Port Richey campus.
• Motivational speaker Connie Podesta will give the kickoff speech Monday.

That name may sound familiar.

Podesta was last year's keynote speaker. Alpine said she is "back by popular demand." The title of her speech? "Life Would Be Easy if It Weren't for Other People, Part II."

Alpine said you need not have seen the original to appreciate the sequel.

Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6247.

At a glance

For a complete schedule, go to the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Web site, westpasco.com.

Here are some highlights:

• Monday: Kickoff luncheon featuring keynote speaker Connie Podesta. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Spartan Manor in New Port Richey, tickets $20.
• Tuesday: "Is Your Employee Legal?" Speaker is lawyer Debora Diaz. 9 to 10 a.m., Pasco-Hernando Community College, New Port Richey; Successful Business Women of Tampa Bay, luncheon, from noon to 1:30 p.m., PHCC, tickets $5.
• Wednesday:Education Day at Marchman Technical Center. Workshops begin at 8:30 a.m.; business card exchange mixer, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fatty-n-Mabel's Riverside Eatery, 5245 Limestone Drive in Port Richey.
• Thursday: Success Stories Breakfast, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Seven Springs Country Club, tickets $7.
• Friday: SCORE workshops ("Should You Start Your Own Business?", "Creating a Positive Culture" and "Grow Your Business"), Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. Workshops begin at 8 a.m.; Pasco Economic Development Council Luncheon at Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio, begins at noon, tickets $25.
• Saturday: Business Expo at Gulf View Square mall, Port Richey, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

[Last modified January 26, 2008, 20:17:31]