Panel: Survival Tips for Small Biz
The economy continues to be tough for small business. However, small businesses do not have to be left out of the burgeoning economic recovery, said Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Association trade group.
Metchek will be leading a panel of business leaders who can recommend ways to make the most out of economic tough times during a talk titled “A Glimmer of Light: Fashion’s Road to Recovery.” The event is being produced by Fashion Group International, Los Angeles at the Blue Velvet restaurant in downtown Los Angeles from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on April 15.
For Metchek, a small business’s glimmer of light might be found in new ways to work with specialty stores for vendors, new strategies on inventory control for retailers and new strategies with e-commerce. “Only the smart ones will be able to grab the gold ring,” Metchek said. “It will not be business as usual.”
Even with an improved economy, small businesses must keep clear records and make sensible growth forecasts if they intend to take loans, said another panelist, Gary Fineman, partner in accounting firm and business advisory Fineman West & Co. LLP. “They need to show a credit grantor why they need to borrow money and how the credit grantor will get paid back.”
The panel will feature Arlene Battishil, president of Scooter Girls, an outerwear manufacturer that had one of its best years in 2009.
Another speaker is Shahin Kohan, chief executive of Focal Technology Solutions Inc. His company focuses on building software for the apparel industry. For more information, visit www.fgila.org/events.—Andrew Asch
