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July 17, 2009 - Jen Wakayama (Beautiful Stones) Portland, Oregon, July 20, 2009 – Owning a business is a lot like life; professionally your business is only as good as the network that supports it and ones quality of life is improved by those with whom we choose to surround ourselves. Jennifer Wakayama, co-owner of Milan Stoneworks, has built an extensive network of individuals both personally and professionally over her years living in Portland, having spent over 15 years providing employee benefits. In 2004 she ‘was ready to use her relationships and people skills in the construction industry.’ At which time she and her husband, Aaron, purchased Milan Stoneworks and Marble, changed the name and opened for business with 4 employees in a 2,500 square foot warehouse offering solid surface fabrication and installation. “People buy from people, they appreciate you understanding their business,” states Jen. “Communication and proper expectations continue to impress our clientele; they then refer their friends and family, which is how we have grown Milan.” By taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to contractors during the construction boom, in just a couple of years Milan was able not only to grow on paper but physically by moving in to a larger facility in SE Portland. The boom has past but Milan is still here, a fact that Jen insists proves that the changing market has provided new ‘opportunities to provide better customer relations.’ Milan’s customer relationships start with the initial contact and continue on even after the job is done and follow up calls are made. Jen stresses the importance of following up with clients; “customers will share vital information about their experiences… if you let them. These details, positive or negative, will help you to develop policies, procedures and opportunities for everyone to grow.” One direction Milan has grown is to think sustainable by offering a range of eco-friendly engineered stones and quality remnants material, which they combine with a installation waste recycling program that takes into account ‘the future of our environment.’ Sustainability is not just for the business but family as well as Jen is a proud Oregon native who was born and raised in Portland where she resides with her husband and two-year-old son Bryce. Jennifer Wakayama has proven that networks work and is a good contact to have both in and out of professional life. She has been a member of LeTip for about 6 months and is River City chapter’s secretary as well as serving on their ethics committee. Jennifer will be one of River City’s featured speakers this week. Please join us to understand more about her business and how it could benefit yours. River City LeTip is a structured business-networking group that meets every Friday morning at 7:00am at Eastmoreland Golf Course. For more information about LeTip, visit our website at www.rivercityletip.com |
