Jan-Christian Sorensen News Reporter povenses @usnews.cont SHE works hard for the money. Naomi Yamamoto speaks with authority on the perks and perils of operating a small busi- ness on the North Shore. ‘This month marks the longtime North Vancouver resident's 12th vear operating her Laser Color Business Graphics and Props store on Lonsdale. She and her statf of two create custom- designed graphics, stationery. presentations and displays for visual aid purposes. The hours are long and the work is unyield- ing for small business owners, she said, but it’s _ not something she'd casily give up. _.. Mit’s always a struggte ‘with smalt business,” . said Yamamoto, “but it’s fun. | wouldn’t trade it for anything else. When vou’ve got a small business and you're busy, you're really busy ... crazy busy, but you never think vou can hire ~ another person ‘because it's such a commit- “Ment, sO vou just try to work harder. And then when you slow.down you're worried about’ people you've got on your pay! roll — you don’t “want to let them go.” -* Last vear Yamamoto was . awarded the North Vancouver’ Chamber’ of Commerce’s businessperson of the year award. “.. The chamber is one of many national orga- nizations observing Small: Business Week this *» Oct, 22-28. ’; Yamamoto said’ North Vancouver offers a healthy environment for small businesses that ater tO professionals. ; “There’s a lot of people in middle manage- ment.that found themselves out of jobs a few. years'ago’ and they ser up home-based busi- esses On the North Shore,” said Yamamoto. When it comes to marketing her services, Yamamoto’ prefers td‘ follow a stay-at-home ‘approach ‘and keeps her marketing focus cen- tred locally instead of branching south. ceThe™ (Lions" Gate and ‘Second Narrows) ‘bridges are a concern, but I just don’t market ‘myself to’ Vancouver. There’s enough business, think, Gn ‘the North Shore for me.” One ‘of the key areas. of economic activity at the ‘North Shore has to continue’ nurtur- g; she_said, is the film and television industry. Yamamoto’s Lonsdale. business also does:a brisk business designing and creating props for inmient ‘productions ising North Shore FALL TUNE UP Piot SPECIAL EA BC Specrats ama aeKiaae “Dus OAs 2 tawes. Most vencies | BRAKE Front or Rear Pads or Shoes ') ze SPECIAL - + tar instaviation 35) RADIATOR 9 4 95+ ij FLUSH rs 9 C + + fav. Most vehictes OIL CHANGE ¥? to 5 litres SPECIAL of premium 10w/40 oil * ¢ tax & enviro. Most vehicles 6&7 Mahon Ave. Nortit Yan 980-7413 How far will you walk am your life? THE AVERAGE PERSON WALKS $84,600 KM IN THEIR LIFETIME . We welcome you to a clinic near you for a free computerized gait and pressure analysis test. This iest measures the weight distripution along the bottom of your foot while you are’ walking, Digital information and our doctor's clinical exam can then be used to make prescription orthotics, to correct many abnormal foot functions. lf you have pain in your feet, ankles, knees or lower back, please contact a clinic near you for a gait and pres- Sure analysis test. oe! - Gomne walk - ~ Delbrook Orthotics _ “with us. 987-7100. oy 19-721 Delbrook Avenue, North Vancouver, | : NEWS photo Ferry Peters ; NAOMI Yamamoto of Laser Coior Business Graphics and Props is. ‘one of many businses owners celebrating Smali Business Week, : locations. She’s: crafted everything from. spe- ally-designed sugar ‘packets to, maps and FBI and police badges. “It’s a" growing. industry and 1 hope they don’t lose: sight of that on the North Shore,” Yamamoto, -The> North Vancouver’ Chamber. of Commerce (14VCC) is celebrating Small Business Week with a aumber of events: Monday — = At! ‘noon, ‘the chamber. pre- “Your “Personal and Professional ie with Patricia Canpbell. The rkshop will help attendees discov- er uccessful steps to bridging the Bap between al and professiona! lives.» Wednesda The. chamber hosts its third ‘annual business excellence awards at the North Shore Conference Centre. @ Thursday — The Business Development Bank celebrates Small Busiriess Week with an open house. For more infermation, call branch manager Eric Jamieson at 666-6007. @ Friday — From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. stop by the. NVCC offices ‘at 131 East 2nd Street ‘and protect yourself against one of the leading causes of lost productivity in businesses during, the winter season with a flu vaccination. Cost of the. shot is $12.50 per person. Pre-register now with the Chamber... - * To register for events or for more informa: “tion, call the NVCC at 987-4488. Complete mechanical & electrical repairs -. by factory trained technician ; APEX AUTO 416GA West 14th Street Tel: 905.6237 (oft Pemberton Ave., entrance at reat): * Visit our web site: www.tepexaute.com : 8. 90° _ ; aaa ae rate of 8 69% for C-bond if held for 3 years. . - hae’ ee ee ae tot eee oF Includes: TUNE-UP..; ® Scope check and adjust to specs * Labour to. install tune-up parts © Road test vehicle Parts Extra . Plus: * Oil and filter change. 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