Margie went to Highline’s StartZone for advice on starting a business. Now, she’s owns a bakery and café, Blue Vanilla Bakery, in Des Moines.

In January 2009, she was laid off from her job and decided to pursue a new career. She wanted to open her own business, but didn’t know how to proceed.

She was referred to Highline’s StartZone by a friend. The program provides free services to members, including business consulting and planning and peer support. “When I heard about the StartZone program, it sounded like just what I needed,” Margie said.

StartZone’s Program Manager Mike Skinner and staff helped her every step of the way, including developing a business plan, finding a location and financial forecasting.

Margie will open Blue Vanilla Bakery with her daughter, Ashley, in fall 2010. The bakery and cafe will sell pastries, breads and special occasion cakes, as well as lunch items and espresso.

“The most important thing I got from StartZone was the message ‘You can do this!’” Margie said. “There were times during the process when I started to doubt the wisdom of starting a business. But then I would go in and meet with Mike and his enthusiasm and confidence in my ability to pull it off got me back on track.”

Learn more about StartZone: http://startzone.highline.edu

 

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