New ventures and new skills: April represents a good turning point

#BeavertonAreaChamberofCommerce

While most tax preparers suffer from lack of sleep during April, many business owners love this month.

Lots of businesses are slow during the first quarter of the year. During this time, many face challenges with limited cash flow. This tests their reserves from the busy season that culminates around winter holidays.

April represents the turning point. Business starts to pick up. Retailers proudly display new items in new configurations. Restaurants shift their menus to incorporate seasonal varieties. Breweries with outdoor seating set up their patios and introduce new brews.

For many individuals, April is a month of both remembrance and new beginnings. Many cultures celebrate the coming of spring or a new year on their calendar. This year, major religious holidays like Passover, Easter, Eid al-Fitr, and Vaisakhi all come in April. Earth Day and Arbor Day are also celebrated this month.

Locally, lots of things come back into full swing in April. Trees start to bud. Flowers start popping up all over. And the Beaverton Famer’s Market launches into full market season!

At the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, April tends to bring an uptick in the number of people contacting us about starting a new business. Some come to us with fully developed ideas. Others have only a vague idea about their business. We enjoy working with all of them.

What about you, our readers? What new ventures, new projects, new dreams or new activities do you hope to develop in April? Where do you look for support, inspiration, or guidance?

We are fortunate in Beaverton to have a wide variety of people and organizations that can help you in your efforts to start something new:

The new Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Murray Scholls is a wonderful space. My wife and I have talked about taking dance lessons for years. But all we did was talk. Now, after the splendid grand opening event in March, we finally have that needed push to do it!
Interested in learning an art or craft, or in developing your writing skills? Check out the Event Calendar for Tualatin Valley Creates (tvcreates.org/calendar-of-events). There are dozens of options for developing new talents with a wide range of local businesses.
Portland Community College just published their new catalog of classes for late spring and summer. Now is a great time to explore ways to keep learning and growing, all at very reasonable cost with expert faculty.
Want to start that business you’ve been thinking about for years? Contact us at the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce. We can help you with your next steps and help guide you in entrepreneurial dreams.

We wish you all the best with the new things you venture into this month!

By Rob Routhieaux, Director of Small Business Support & Development. For more information about how your business can be involved or sponsorship opportunities, email us at info@beaverton.org or call 503-644-0123.