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Avalon, Catalina Island, California: To
get out to the island, we first meet Greg Bombard, the owner/founder of the
Catalina Express. That's one of his many boats pictured
above.
Though we
couldn't wait to get going, we wanted to stop and appreciate the person who was
responsible for the business that would take us to Catalina Island. So we
talked with Greg about how he started his business and how he built it into
what it is today. He's simply amazing.
Greg's
high-speed catamaran, the Starship Express (it just transports 300 of your
closest friends!) leaves from San Pedro (Long Beach). That's the QEII parked
right beside the dock from which we left.
Besides
Greg's fleet, there are plenty of people who arive by private boats,
helicopters and airplanes. Though 22 miles out in the sea, this island is well
connected to the mainland.
The ride out
was a great experience and coming into Catalina Harbor is magnificent. Hattie
says, "This has got to be one of the most beautiful spots in the world."
People enjoy coming here and that is assuredly one of the key reasons for the
success of the small business owners whom we meet.
Catalina has
a population of 3217 and Avalon is the only town on the island.
They get a
lot of foot traffic! And, small business is all there is on Catalina Island.
With over 14 million people in the greater Los Angeles area, this is a quiet
little paradise to escape that hustle-bustle and the great big freeways.
Our first
stop on the island is Brown's Bikes; it is the first you'll see upon
disembarking from Greg's boat.
Gary Brown,
who passed away since this interview, was the island's premier ambassador and a
person of profound goodwill. He speaks great affection about his cherished
town.
Further down
the boardwalk we find gift shops, restaurants and hotels. Catalina By The
Sea, owned by Bob Cranston and his family, is the next stop on our visit.
And, of course, shopping is a major past time on Catalina.
 The adventuresome who
really want to see the entire island will find The Stables and rent a
horse from Bunny Putnam. She has some of the gentlest animals you'll ever meet
to explore the outer parts of this island, places where even the mountain bikes
have a hard time going.
In 1920, just
a year after buying the island, William Wrigley, built a "cottage" for his
wife, Ada; it overlooks Avalon Bay. Today it is The Inn on Mount Ada.
Though the property and building are owned by the University of Southern
California, the actual inn, operating under a master lease, is owned and
operated by Marlene McAdam and Susie Griffin.
Here guests
are treated like royalty!
Even though
all the businesses we visited on Catalina Island are different, they are all
clearly in the same business -- the business of pleasing people. When you make
people happy, they come back; and over time, you will build a business.
You’ve
heard, small is beautiful. Well, small is
everything on Catalina Island.
- Contact:
(IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Catalina
Express
Berth 95, San Pedro, CA 90731
T:800-805-9201 or
310-519-1212.
http://www.catalinaexpress.com/
Brown's Bikes
107 Pebbly Beach
Rd, Avalon, CA 90704
T:310-510-0986
http://www.catalinabiking.com
Catalina By The Sea
405
Crescent Ave, Avalon, CA 90704
T:310-510-1101
http://www.ecatalina.com/
The Stables
600 Avalon Canyon
Rd, Avalon, CA 90704
T:310-510-0478
http://www.catalinainfo.com/
Of course good humor and
fun are part of the equation. We all need a horse laugh
somedays.
The Inn on
Mount Ada
398 Wrigley Road
PO Box 2560, Avalon, CA 90704
T:310-510-2030; 800-608-7669
http://www.catalina.com/mtada/
NFIB:http://www.nfib.org/
(National Federation of
Independent Business)
We invite
your
questions
or comments |
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NFIB. Each of the small business
owners in this episode are members of National Federation of Independent
Business. Join them. Along with our Chambers of Commerce, they focus on issues
that impact our bottomline. They make a difference. They're our mouth in
Washington, DC.
Kai Griffin works for the group to lobby local, state
and federal governments on behalf of small business owners. |
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More... |
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- LOOK AT STEP 1: AN IDEA FOR A
BUSINESS. Ideas come form the strangest places. Most of the
people on Catalina came here, fell in love with the island, and asked, "How can
I start a business here?" Many started and were only open during the summer.
Now with operations like the Catalina Express, many can afford to stay open
year 'round.
- The Catalina Conservancy:
Most of the island is a big nature preserve run by the Santa Catalina Island
Conservancy. Up until 1972, the Wrigley Family of chewing gum fame owned 99% of
the island (it was used for winter-spring training of their cherish Chicago
Cubs), but deeded it as a conservancy, a Wrigley land trust, to keep the land
forever opened for the enjoyment of the people. No tract mansions, no shopping
malls, very few cars, no freeways. Just a lot of trails to walk, bicycle
(you'll need all 21-gears for the hills), and ride (on horseback).
More...
- FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a
business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people.
Read a little more to see why
incorporating a business keeps the passion of
the American revolution alive!
- SUPPORT PUBLIC
TELEVISION:
Become a member of your local station. If you are
already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the
Producers' Club ($1000).
- JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry
are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations,
strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you
enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.
- CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the
heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business
to check out those case studies.
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