By Andrea Calcagno
 
November 18, 2008
 
This is the second of a three part series profiling businesses owned by young entrepreneurs.
 
ASHLAND, Ore. -- The owners of Case Coffee say smart budgeting and hard work has made them into a a profitable small business.
 
Since the age of 18, Katie Case and her husband have wanted to open their own business. With money they saved themselves and a small loan from family, Case Coffee opened its doors two years ago in September.
 
"We knew we wanted to do a coffee shop, because I had worked in coffee for a while and was an assistant manager of a shop here locally... So we just started saving up money, and saved, and saved and finally did it," says Katie Case.
 
With over 20 coffee shops in Ashland, what makes Case Coffee successful in a market already saturated with caffeine?
 
"I think quality. We really work on quality and latte art. We've been studying latte art for the last few years. So every cup of coffee that goes out, we try to make it a work of art and taste really really good," says Case.
 
Case says aspiring business owners need to be prepared.
 
"(With a) start up, you have to work a lot of hours, and probably not make any money the first year, which is really hard. You have to be prepared. You have to know how to budget," says Katie.
 
Experts say taking a loan from family members is convenient for some businesses, but they encourage the parties to treat it like a bank loan.
 
"Sometimes you end up losing your friendship or losing your family because of financial situations. So if you do go to your family or friends, they should be treated just like they would a bank and not on a handshake, make it a legitimate loan," says Small Business Consultant David Tally.
 
Starting off was rough but the business is now making money.
 
"Financially, we've been really lucky to have really good growth, and we actually just bought a small house here in Ashland so being financially secure is great," says Katie.
 
Meanwhile, for struggling young entrepreneurs, the Rogue Valley offers help in the form of the Small Business Development Center, affiliated with SOU and RCC. It offers free counseling for small businesses.
 
"Counciling is confidential. It is ongoing for as long as that business owner needs the service. We council people... at any stage of business development or growth," says SBDC Director Jack Vitacco.
 
The center says when starting a business, most people need assistance forming a business plan. This outlines the business's spending plan, predicted revenue, and process through which they plan to make money.
 
"Person walks into a bank with a business idea. The first thing a banker will ask is 'can I see your business plan'. If they don't have one, or if its not substantial, they'll send them on their way," says Vitacco.
 
The center offers business owners help in any stage of development. Representatives say they will do whatever it takes to help someone succeed. They will even help people exit their business effectively.
 
"We're here very simply for the reason of supporting small business owners," says Vitacco.
 
The SBDC is located in Grants Pass. They have recently seen an increase in the number of business owners coming to them for help. They say more established businesses are looking for ways to keep gaining revenue in the economic crisis. To contact them call 541-956-7494.