October 04, 2004 – By Jeff Hayward
Betty Penny can’t believe her baby is already a decade old.
Founder of the Durham Home and Small Business Association (DHSBA) in 1994, Ms. Penny realized back then the need for an organization to support home-based entrepreneurs. Originally known as the Durham Home Business Association, it expanded to be known by its current title.
Ms. Penny, who operates Penny and Associates Inc. accounting and management services, with offices in Port Perry and Oshawa, said she is happy with how things have developed since the association got off the ground.
“I am so pleased about the direction of the DHSBA and the members that (the association) have,” she said.
Ms. Penny noted it’s difficult to launch a small business and the DHSBA is a good option to look to for support.
“It (DHSBA) is a stepping stone for many start-up businesses, including my own, which started from a home-based business and eventually launched into the real world… this can be intimidating for a lot of (entrepreneurs),” she explained. “Many new businesses experience obstacles in making connections that can help their business get a foot in the door or to meet like-minded individuals.”
The DHSBA kicked off a new season of meetings, which are held September to June, on Sept. 8 at its new home in the 420 Wing at the Oshawa airport. With the new location also comes a new president, Nancy Rogers, who offered her thoughts on the association.
Like many other members, Ms. Rogers came for guidance more than three years ago for her own home-based operation, Nancy Rogers Writing and Editing Services, based in Port Perry.
“I got a lot out of the (association) in a few months,” said Ms. Rogers. “I made contacts and gained a lot of knowledge.”
It wasn’t long before she was on the board of directors, the body of the DHSBA that makes key decisions for the members as a whole.
“I felt obligated to give back to the members… fair is fair,” she said of her rise to presidency, which is a two-year term. She served as vice-president during the previous year.
Ms. Rogers outlined many benefits of being a member, such as having the opportunity to do a 10-minute spotlight on your business for other members to listen and learn from, as well as a full monthly lineup of guest speakers.
Debbie Tzountzouris, former owner of Haugens restaurant in Scugog Township, was at the September meeting to share her many years of experience dealing with customers.
Each member also has the opportunity to do a short infomercial on their business at the start of the meetings, which allows them to practise in front of a friendly audience, Ms. Rogers explained.
“It’s a chance to present themselves before going out into the wild world,” she said.
Membership is $40 annually for individuals or $60 for corporate registration, allowing 10 members from a company to attend a meeting at once, she said. Ms. Rogers explained that all of the funds, including fees to attend the meetings, go towards catering, paying to use facilities, and the annual general meeting. The 10th anniversary AGM was held onboard the Woodman cruise liner out of Port Perry, where Lia Bandola of Life Lessons Unlimited in Ajax was presented with the DHSBA Business of the Year award.
To contact the association, visit www.dhsba.com or call its message hotline at 905-728-2899.
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