CLOTHING SOLUTIONS WINS 2006 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Small Business of the Year is Julie Ruhlander, owner of
Clothing Solutions Inc., a firm which makes easy-to-use clothing for
elderly and disabled persons.
Ruhlander, who attends the conference every year, had high praise for
the expo and workshops. “It’s a one-stop shop for me as a small
business,” she said. “As a small business owner, I wear all of these
hats” and attending the conference helps her get information to help
run her business. “I feel supported.”
As winner of the 2006 Small Business of the Year Award, Ruhlander received an “All-in-One” combination color laser printer, copier and
scanner donated by Epson America.
Last year’s Small Business of the Year award winner was Angela Todd,
owner of Development Marketing Group, Inc., a Laguna Hills business
that specializes in assisting with commercial real estate transactions.
Todd, who attended this year’s event, said the positive publicity her
company received helped it increase sales 20 per cent during the
past year.
Previous Small Business of the Year winners include Fountain Valley
Bowl, Taco Mesa in Costa Mesa, and Susan’s Healthy Gourmet in
Irvine.
More than 300 persons attended the Small Business Expo, which featured
a dozen workshops, 75 exhibitors and a keynote address from Dave Kilby,
senior vice president of the California Chamber of Commerce.
The 2006 conference, “MBA in a Day,” was sponsored by Union Bank of
California and KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO. The OCC Business and Computing
Division and the OCC Foundation hosted the event.