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Client Spotlight:
Betsy Cross, Owner of betsy & iya
Betsy Cross came to the PSU BOP in 2008 having recently started, betsy & iya, a local jewelry design company. Two years later, after endless amounts of hard work and many hours of BOP services, Betsy has a prosperous business in betsy & iya.
Betsy is the creative force behind local jewelry line betsy & iya. Most days (and many nights) you'll find Betsy in her NW Portland studio cranking out new designs and replicating past hits for her in-store and online retail customers, and nearly seventy wholesale accounts spread across Portland, the US, and as far abroad as the Netherlands. Business is good these days.
It's no surprise to hear that business is growing, and quickly. In their second year, business grew 224% from year one. In 2010, as fears set in from the economic collapse, she's up 31%. Betsy credits hard work and a dash of good luck: "You know, I just try do make good work, be honest, genuine, and generous." She just hired her first employee, Lupe Torres-Cater. In August, her husband, Will Cervarich, quit his corporate job to join the company as a minority partner.
Betsy has used the BOP to her advantage to grow betsy & iya. In 2009 she received the assistance of a student consulting team who helped with marketing planning and creating process flow/operations manual. She also received help from BOP Accounting Interns with her QuickBooks accounting system, learning how to better utilize her financial information to assist her business in growth. Betsy and Will continue to work with BOP Business Advisor, Leslie Croghan as new business successes and challenges arise.
Having recently returned to Portland from a huge cross-country sales road trip, Betsy is now gearing up for the holiday rush. In addition to selling at numerous holiday handmade shows (Crafty Wonderland and Give Handmade locally, and Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle to name a few), she's hosting a pre-holiday sale and studio grand opening at her new studio in NW Portland this Friday, November 19th, from 3pm - 9pm.
about: betsy & iya was founded in March 2008. The line exemplifies high design at affordable price points with everyday wearability. Reclaimed antique hardware, colorful vintage plastics and metal pieces hang in perfect balance amidst whirls of dripping chain and wire, all strung from her signature hand-formed sterling silver earwires and clasps. Betsy's hands touch every piece that leaves her workbench. Her business is one of many riding a wave of consumer devotion to handmade items. betsy & iya can be found on numerous blogs and publications, Etsy.com(http://www.etsy.com/shop/betsyandiya/) and was recently profiled in the best selling book, The Handmade Marketplace, by Kari Chapin, a business bible for artisans trying to get a business off the ground.
betsy & iya / 1722 NW Raleigh Street, Ste. 101, Portland 97209 / www.betsyandiya.com / ph: 503.227.5482 |
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| Program Updates
Welcome New BOP Clients
The BOP is happy to welcome the following new businesses:
- Mark Harvey of Old House Dahlias, a local cut flower dahlia farmer and retailer of dahlia tubers.
- Kelly Duvendack of Bridge Point Acupuncture, a acupuncturist practicing in North Portland (503-504-9819)
- Jennifer Shasserre of Rawdacious, vegan, gluten-free and raw desserts and energy bars.
- Ashley Doty of Owlita, a designer and producer of feather earrings and fashion accessories.
- Eloise Augustyn of Rhubarb Pie & Preserves, delicious handmade pies and preserves.
PSU Students Making a Difference
This Fall welcomed the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year and the start of a BOP Capstone student consulting course. This term, 21 students are working with 6 BOP businesses to develop comprehensive business plans, marketing strategies and distribution plans. These 21 students are living out PSU motto to "let knowledge serve the city" through their community engagement with BOP clients. |
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Thank You Supporters
The BOP is very thankful to our generous supporters for their contributions that enable our program to serve our local community, micro entrepreneurs and PSU students. Over the last quarter we have received renewed supporter from ongoing sponsors, Precision Castparts, Port of Portland, and US Bank.
Celebrating 16 years of Support
Precision Castparts Corp. and US Bank have supported the Business Outreach Program since 1994. We thank both organizations for their renewed support of our program in 2010/2011. We couldn't do it without you! Thank you to Advisory Board Members Dwight Weber, Precision Castparts Corp. and Michael Montgomery, US Bank for representing their organization on the BOP Advisory Board.
The Port of Portland is entering their second year of BOP support. With their contributions the BOP is able to assist Port of Portland Mentor Protege participants with the assistance of student consulting teams. |
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Upcoming Events
Business Development Workshop Series
Starts Monday, January 24th | 6:30-8pm
Do you know of an entrepreneur who could use assistance in further developing their business or business idea? The BOP Business Development Workshop series is a forum to develop current or potential business ideas. Our next series will start in mid-January at our office space in SW Portland.
The five week series is designed to provide participants with a better understanding of general business concepts and participate in an assessment of the feasibility of the business idea. The workshop format allows for an exchange of ideas and individual participation.
Contact us at bop@sba.pdx.edu to register.
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Donate to Our Mission
The PSU Business Outreach Program's mission is to help small businesses, including emerging, minority and women-owned businesses, achieve their potential while providing students with opportunities for community-based learning.
The PSU Business Outreach Program's is a self-funded program that relies on support through various governmental agencies, public and private grants, and private organizations and individuals.
If you, your organization or a friend would like to show your support of the Business Outreach Program please donate here.
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Happy Holidays!
From our team to yours the Business Outreach Program wishes you a happy and safe holiday season. |
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Thank you for your participation and support of the Business Outreach Program.
Sincerely, |
Lara Damon, Director
Business Outreach Program School of Business Administration Portland State University
503-725-9820 office
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