Page 21 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2016

Quality Products
President's Message … continued from page 4
that I became aware of from fellow CMA member David Buchsbaum.
I asked David about the program and was informed that there is a strict Cabinet Doors
confidentiality policy, but I should take a serious look at applying and
completing the program. Well, I did, and many thanks to David for & Drawer Boxes
putting the seed of opportunity in front of me and pushing me to take
advantage of such a program. I would urge any of you looking to grow
your business and feeling a bit stuck to look up your state’s SBA office
and see what they have to offer. Most of the programs are low or no cost
and provide extraordinary value and resources to working entrepreneurs.
In January I became aware of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small
business program from a good friend I made in the SBA program.
I applied, interviewed, and was accepted! I have already begun
some of the early prep work. I feel quite prepared this time around
having spent a couple of hours a week last summer re-learning how
to do homework, reading case studies (I’ll admit: this time around
it’s much more interesting), and also how to step away to work on
the business. There are a ton of these opportunities out there that
are low or zero cost as long as you can commit to completion. As
an entrepreneur, it can be a lonely spot with few who know what
you’re dealing with, not to mention the subject of the book The Ÿ Tenon, Miter & Slab Cabinet
E-myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, which is about starting a busi- Doors: Stained, Painted,
ness based upon technical skill and physical product versus sound
Glazed & Distressed
business. If that is you, where will you go to get better at the busi- Ÿ Dovetail Drawer Boxes,
ness side, and how will you create an achievable growth plan? So, pullouts and insert options
as a guy who swore off academia, they seem to be welcoming me Ÿ Moldings & Accessories
back with open arms, so I guess never say never… Ÿ Face Frame & Frameless Quality Committed,
Timely Delivered,
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or Custom RTA Cabinet Boxes Environmentally Driven
are interested in knowing anything more, I’ll do my best to answer or Ÿ Refacing Material &
1-800-665-0623
steer you to someone who can. Sheet Goods www.eliaswoodwork.com
Matt@northlandwoodworksinc.com

CMA Profiles - Elias Aril-June 2016 Doors & Drawer Boxes
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 12:47:37 PM

PROFILES • Volume 16 • Issue 2, 2016 • www.cabinetmakers.org 21