San Francisco Entrepreneurs Should Research Extensively Before Opening New Business
Not all San Francisco business majors need to enter the corporate world. Indeed, take Bay Area resident Shawna Gibson for example: she left corporate America so that she could spend more time with her kids and start a small business. While many of San Francisco top management openings command high salaries, owning a small business can also yield great income and rewards.
What is your background and education?
"I was educated in Canada and graduated from the business administration program before completing my professional accounting designation to become a certified management accountant (CMA). I worked for the Department of Energy in Edmonton, Alberta in the finance department as a financial analyst before I relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband in 1998. I worked for Gap, Inc. headquarters as the finance manager within international finance for five years. I then decided to take a job with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. headquarters, starting out in the finance department before moving over to inventory management as the director of strategic planning."
What type of services does Right at Home provide?
"At Right at Home, we provide non-medical in home care. This can be anything from general companionship, helping with grocery shopping, driving to appointments and light housekeeping. We also provide care for specific special care situations such as stroke, cancer or surgery recovery, Alzheimer's care and hospice/palliative support. People often times are released from the hospital but still need help around the house. We are able to come in and make the transition a little bit more comfortable. Our caregivers are able to provide assistance in private homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers and/or hospitals if needed. We are here to make sure that our relatives, our friends, and our neighbors in the community are safe, happy and healthy for as long as possible. "
What is some career advice can you share to someone interested in starting a new business?
"My advice for anyone interested in starting a business is research, research, research! Talk to as many people as possible within the industry you are considering. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be for the potential hurdles to come."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.
