More Snow on the way…. Ski resorts are doing the happy dance and local retailers are just hoping the roads do get so bad that no one comes shopping. Life in the Sierra's can be interesting for business owners.
Of course the snow is fantastic for our tourist based economy and will do wonders for our avoidance of a drought in the Nevada Desert. So signs of hope again will creep into our economy. But the Storm that I am most interested in today is not the snow, but the storm at the legislator over the "Sex Industry of Nevada". Wow is this going to get interesting. Morally I have no problem with what Mr. Reid suggested, seems like a "Sex Industry" trade would put a potential negative mark on our state. I know that when I moved here that my wife openly was concerned about raising her children in a state where "Sex Industry" was promoted. I also know how as an employer in the state I have had to answer the questions from future employees about the perceived " abundant Sex industry" in Nevada and the family atmosphere concerns they had before accepting the job. However if I can take the Moral issue and put it aside for just a few minutes, I find that I don't, as a businessman, agree with MR. Reid. It is just not logical. The "Sex industry" in our state is a county regulated industry, which produces income, tourist attraction, and a non-illegal base for sexual activity. By telling Storey County that they have to shut down their thriving industry in order that the State can potentially profit from business movement to Nevada is a very weak campaign. A couple thoughts here to consider: 1) If you do shut down the industry, and are successful in bringing in new companies because of it, they are not going to relocate to Storey County. So you end up creating blighted areas of the state that now must get assistance from the state to fund it's activities because of lost revenue. Plus the now voided need for these Activities are picked up by Pimps (Sexual Entrepreneurs) and the industry hits the streets instead of the Cathouse. Nevada's image will not improve anymore than if you had the show RENO911 eliminated from the cable stations. 2) Casino's are already handicapped by the competitive Indian casino action at our borders. One of the features that they have to stand apart from our neighbors is access to the "Sex Industry". Nobody wants to say it but it does have influence. "What happens here stays here remember"? Park your car along hwy 50 coming from Tahoe or HWY 395 coming from Reno for a day and watch how many limo's are bringing clients down to Mound House to enjoy the Tourist activities. 3) Learn from California, I have not seen many industries stay away form California because they are the PORN capital of the world. Or because you can pick up a hooker (Sexual worker) at any busy intersection in every Metro region of the state. The Fact is that Business owners will move here for better tax structure, better living, great pools of employee to pull from and opportunity to grow business. Show me one company that says it is because we are a more wholesome place to live and I will show you a company that is just trying to tell you no politely. They just don't want to come and are using the Sex industry as their excuse to say no, because they know you will not have a good excuse to resell them on Nevada. No I think we are better off leaving the industry alone and focusing on the other issues that will bring Big business to Nevada: 1( Larger Educated Employee Pool - Might want to start by funding the education system with teachers instead of Executives. 2) Opportunity to Grow, Develop better trade routes and communication networks that help Business grow globally from Nevada. 3) Taxes, well we already do that don't we. Anyhow that is just one mans opinion...What do you think?
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Two weeks into the month, and positive signs are being displayed all around the Carson City region. A Sunday visit to Maurice's in Carson City to pick up that last minute Valentines gift, found a store full of customers. Speaking with the clerk she told me that February had been exceptional and that the store had been busy since mid-January. The valentines promotion worked so well that they ran out of their free necklace give-a-way.
Snow is falling all over the valley today and yet at the Douglas County Chamber meeting the room was filled with local business owners. Many stories being passed of better than expected business and signs of growth. Could it be even with 15% unemployment in Douglas County that people are just ready to stop pouting and want to spend? I want to highlight a business in Carson City this week. Monarch Direct - Mike Riggs owner - I have know Mike for about three years now, and can tell you first hand about the quality of his business and quality of his service in our community. Mike runs a very successful print and direct mail shop in Carson City. This week I had a chance to see Mike doing business is various locations. BNI in Reno, BNI in Carson City, Postal Seminar at the BRIC, Printing my brochures..etc.. The thing that stood out to me is that Mike is a master of service of others. He truly enjoys serving others in his business. Even if they do not offer him a business opportunity he is all about helping them be successful. He does business with a smile on his face and a can do attitude all day long. His business delivers quality printing services for local business and his expertise in the direct mail arena for local business is valuable asset to many. Great work Mike! January has come and gone for Nevada business. News today spoke of the Dow reaching over 12,000 once again, so does hope spring eternal for Nevada business.
Gaming figures don't figure to have rebounded, nor has the short sale market subsided, however positve signs can be seen in Nevada Small business. One Gardnerville retailer had gains of 27% over last year, after catering to her best customers in 2010 with an exclusive sales event. I spoke with a fitness center today that said January is always good but this year was absolutely robost. And I witnessed a Minden Appliance store have a line of customers all making purchases of a major appliance on a Monday, several tickets of over $10,000 each. Famous Daves in Reno is Opening this spring and is hiring over 150 employees, Big 5 expanded its stores in Carson City this month and also hired new employees. The town is a buzz of news that the Olive Garden is still coming. Positive signs are showing for those businesses which have pushed on in this economy. The Snow pack has helped fill rooms and the resorts are happy, I think it is safe to say that Nevada Small business has hope. This is not over, not by a long shot but positive energy can be contagious, so let's share the success stories of Nevada Business. I welcome your stories here, as I try to reflect on our challenges and offer features on our success. |
AuthorCharlie Pankey is a former publisher in Nevada and current small business owner Archives
February 2015
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