(May 7, 2004) The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday announced the winners of its first-ever Simply Essential Success Stories contest to reward smaller California businesses for innovation and success during difficult times.

The grand prize winner received $5,000 and recognition from Chamber President Allan Zaremberg on May 4 at the California Chamber of Commerce Business Legislative Summit. 

In addition, the grand prize winner and each of the regional winners will receive a Preferred membership in the California Chamber of Commerce, a 2004 California Human Resource Essentials Kit, coffee for their office provided by Starbucks Coffee Company and a handheld PDA.  The regional prize package is valued at $1,000.

In conjunction with the contest, the Chamber is also announcing the availability of the 2004 California Human Resource Essentials compliance kit to help small businesses stay in compliance with California’s ever-changing employment laws. Details on the HR compliance kit

Read all six case studies of these successful businesses.

The 2004 Simply Essentials Success Stories Contest winners are:

• Bay Area Regional Winner/GRAND PRIZE WINNER - Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, Milpitas;
• Central Valley Regional Winner  -Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc, Fresno;
• Los Angeles Regional Winner  - My Personal Florist, Arcadia;
• Northern California Regional Winner - Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy, Placerville;
• Orange County Regional Winner - Applied Knowledge, Inc., Santa Ana;
• San Diego Regional Winner - Freedom Furniture and Electronics, San Diego / Oceanside.

“California small businesses are the engine of our economy and the unsung heroes of this state,” said Allan Zaremberg, president and chief executive officer of the California Chamber of Commerce. “The Simply Essential Success Stories contest is our way of saying ‘good job and hang in there’ to the employers who have persevered and triumphed despite significant challenges.”

Contest Rewards Resourcefulness and Innovation in Business

The Chamber launched the Simply Essential Success Stories contest this year to award prizes to small businesses that have used creativity and innovation to meet challenges, inspire employees and achieve success in difficult economic times. Businesses entered online by filling out a short questionnaire and submitting their success stories.

When reviewing entries, the Simply Essential Success Stories judges paid special attention to the creative tactics businesses used to increase revenue, cut costs or overcome financial or human resource adversity. They looked for creative methods that were used to motivate employees or increase employee retention.

“This contest is a way for us to share past experiences, reward success and identify ways to make California’s future even brighter,” continued Zaremberg. “One way the California Chamber already does that is by helping California businesses manage their employment law responsibilities.”

About the Winners

Grand Prize Winner / Bay Area Regional Winner: Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, Milpitas

Grand prize winner, Tae Yun Kim, chief executive officer of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions

Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions provides contamination control monitoring systems, a complete line of airborne particle counters, calibration services and turnkey instruments.

The Lighthouse entry was highlighted by its creativity and innovation during the difficult economic times.  Particularly, when its competition laid off employees, cut back on training and closed offices. Lighthouse invested in its employees and their business, and sales are up 400 percent.

Central Valley Regional Winner:  Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group, Inc., Fresno

Founded in 1968, Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group currently has 90 employees, including 15 employee stockholders, representing a mix of seasoned engineering veterans and younger professionals with fresh ideas and cutting-edge skills. They specialize in water resources engineering and planning, engineering services for municipal infrastructure, private development and agricultural clients.

Provost & Pritchard highlighted the contribution and dedication of the employees as its success. By giving employees a voice and listening to employees’ contributions, Provost & Pritchard has been a success story.

Los Angeles Regional Winner: My Personal Florist, Arcadia

My Personal Florist provides design and décor for special events, with less than 10 employees. It has been in business since the mid-1990’s.

Realizing that special events budgets would be cut in difficult times, My Personal Florist lowered its prices, negotiated with customers and cut back on overhead to maintain the business.  The business built customer loyalty because of its desire to work with the customers during tough times. Negotiated prices during these times have allowed My Personal Florist to maintain a loyal customer base, bring prices back to market levels, and hire additional staff to handle the business its has gained.

Northern California Regional Winner: Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy, Placerville

Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy provides compounded medications.

Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy looked to its community during tough times, including taking chickens as payments for medications and made an effort to give back to its customers and community.  The business developed a pricing structure to ensure that customers would have access to its medicines, offered free seminars to its community on various topics and gave back to the community as often as possible.  This goodwill helped keep the pharmacy's doors open and its customers loyal.

Orange County Regional Winner: Applied Knowledge Inc., Santa Ana

Applied Knowledge provides custom software development.  According to its website, “We build custom software applications, connecting the solution we deliver with the business needs of our customers.  At Applied Knowledge®, We Understand Your Business Better, So We Can Solve Your Problems Better.”

Applied Knowledge bases its success on the input and inclusion of its employees in the workings of the business.  It educates them on the company and how the team and employees make a difference in the business - including letting the team do its own weekly resource planning.  This makes employees feel more invested in the ultimate outcome of the business’ success.

San Diego Regional Winner: Freedom Furniture and Electronics, San Diego / Oceanside

According to the Freedom Furniture and Electronics website, “since 1976 we have dedicated ourselves to serving all military, and, more recently, civilian customers with fast and convenient credit terms on great products.”  Freedom Furniture and Electronics has California stores in San Diego and Oceanside.

Feeling a direct impact due to the military deployments from San Diego and Oceanside, Freedom Furniture and Electronics focused on becoming very creative. It focused on marketing and advertising costs and placing more focus on its target markets to entice its customers into its stores.  The company kept its employees motivated with monthly sales contests. Many of the tactics implemented to address the economic issues in California have now been implemented company-wide because of their success..

California Chamber HR and Employment Law Resources Help Businesses
 
The Simply Essential Success Stories contest coincides with the release of the 2004 version of California Chamber’s HR Essentials product, designed to help businesses maneuver the often-complicated terrain of employment law.  HR Essentials is a quick reference guide with all the required California employment law information and forms in one small and easy-to-use kit. HR Essentials is available for just $99 from the California Chamber website.

“The California Chamber of Commerce has long been known for its political advocacy on behalf of California businesses,” said Zaremberg. “What many people don’t realize is that we are also one of the largest employment law and compliance resources in the state with a vast array of products and services tailored specifically to meet the needs of California’s small businesses.”

The California Chamber's broad inventory of products and services are available online through the California Chamber of Commerce human resources portal at www.hrcalifornia.com.

Staff Contact: Sara Lee