E4E News & Events

	South Sound Success -- Wed, Oct 28, 8 am - 4:30 pm A powerful one-day conference designed to provide information, knowledge, tools, tips and inspiration to strengthen small businesses toward greater success. Participants select from among 16 workshops to create the day that will best drive their business forward. Sponsored in part by Enterprise for Equity. Register at the Thurston EDC website.
	Orientations -- November 2 & 9 These one-hour sessions are free and provide background information about E4E's training program and entrepreneurial support services. People interested in attending can register online.
	Business Readiness Workshops -- October 23 & November 20 These 6-hour classes are an essential next step after our Orientation.

Related Info:

Contact:
The Fix-It Lady
360 402-6485
mcgden3@yahoo.com

The Fix-It Lady's page in E4E's Business Directory

E4E's Business Directory main page

Previous issues of E-Ventures

Enterprise for Equity home page

Forward this newsletter to a friend!

Entrepreneur of the Month

Most people can tell at least one story of losing their shirt to a handyman, contractor, or mechanic. If you are a senior or a woman - you probably have a few tales of broken trust. These are the stories that inspired Nancy McGill to start The Fix-It Lady - "Your Handyman Alternative"

When speaking with women that were not do-it-her-selfers, she discovered "a huge need for honesty, integrity, reliability, and experience in the industry of maintenance and repairs."

As she serves the Olympia community, she hears even more stories. One elderly customer, frustrated with auto mechanics who persistently tried to sell her extra services, entrusted Nancy to take her car in for an oil change - minus the snake oil.

Without Enterprise for Equity, Nancy might not have been around to be the heroine in that woman's story. Before taking Enterprise for Equity's business training program in early 2009, Nancy's business was struggling to stay alive. With diligent work to complete her business plan, her Fix-it-Lady business is now a thriving enterprise in our community.

Fences look like new after a good pressure wash.

Beyond the personal attention and reliability, Nancy brings expertise to The Fix-It Lady. She is a former realtor and property manager of twenty years, where she learned the ins and outs of home maintenance. Prior to that she supplemented her natural mechanical bent with a four-year apprenticeship program in plumbing, safety, electrical work, and over-all maintenance and repair.

Today, she applies her skill and knowledge to nearly any type of home maintenance or repair - whether you want a light bulb changed, some dry wall repaired, old windows or doors restored, bathroom tiles re-grouted, preventative maintenance inside or out, or just another set of hands to hang a picture.

The Fix-It Lady is a licensed, bonded, and insured company - which, Nancy cautions, is the minimum requirement for credentials when working with any contractor.

Nancy restored this window, which was falling apart.

Come see Nancy at "The Day of Empowerment", a day-long event that helps women find and live a balanced life, on October 23 at Heritage Hall and Exhibition Hall.

“This business was going under before I went through Enterprise for Equity's program. They helped me to figure out how many customers I would need and what kind of rates I should charge to meet my expenses. Even more, they showed me that I didn't need to do every repair in Olympia. They taught me about defining and targeting ideal customers for my business. Since going through the program, using the acquired business tools and making appropriate adjustments, the business revenues have tripled!”

-- Nancy McGill

Enterprise for Equity is a community supported nonprofit that
helps people with limited incomes start and sustain small businesses.
We grow entrepreneurs! Enterprise for Equity is an equal opportunity provider.