Susan Anderson owner of Forza Coffee Fisher Plaza

Please meet the incredible Susan Anderson of Forza Coffee.   Her high energy and spirit bring customers back again and again.  Check out her Facebook page and hit the LIKE button. 

What got you into the coffee business?

I worked for UPS for 25 yrs and went to Starbuck’s quite a bit.   And then down in Puyallup  a Forza Coffee opened about four years ago.   I went there quite a bit, they made me feel important and then when I tasted their coffee I thought "Wow, this is great." And it was the place to be…near high schools, churches, and I thought “I want to own one of these”….it just felt right....I just said it to myself.

About a year ago the Puyallup Forza Coffee put out a sign “Looking for Franchise Opportunities"  and for 2 weeks I walked by it and memorized the phone number and kept thinking about it.

So I took one of my co-workers to get their opinion and he was impressed too when the baristas knew my name and my drink.  Not only did he think it was a good idea but he wanted to be my business partner. We’d been in negotiation and were looking for the right location when the economy started tanking and we couldn’t get a bank loan. We tried six different banks with no luck.

We were going to be the first Forza in King County and were trying to move forward but then the officers were killed in Lakewood and nothing happened for a month.  It was a sad time for everyone associated with Forza Coffee.

Then in December we got a call from Fisher Plaza that not only are they a huge supporters of law enforcement,  they want a Forza Coffee in their building.   It was a remodel and not a build out so we could get into for a lot less.   And my business partner and I said YES!

What do you know now that you wish you knew before you moved in?

Perhaps doing more Due Diligence....it’s be a bit tougher without neighborhoods, churches, schools, but on the other hand the location cost us so much less and we’ve only been here for six months so we’re trying different marketing methods.  We thought being across from the Space Needle we’d be busier than we are. 

Do you have any mentors or role models that inspire you?

I was in management at UPS but I never consciously thought about it...

In your business how do you get it all done?

That’s what I’m in the process of working on.  I live in Puyallup and I work long hours and I’m trying to do it all myself but it’s just too much.  The more I work the less I have to pay out but I need to make a change.

What personality trait serves you best in business?

My nature is to make people feel good and this is a perfect job.  I welcome people and make them feel good like they’re at home.

How much do you trust your intuition?

I’m learning that right now…the timing of opening this…I’m learning that trusting your intuition is important.

Are you more of a collaborator or go it alone gal?

A collaborator..I was doing it all and trying to please everybody and now I'm enjoying collaborating.   My business partner does negotiations and finances because he also works full time.

What’s your fave movie?   Rudy or Field of Dreams…The Princess Bride,  Pride and Prejudice.

What’s your fave book?  The Gospel according to Starbucks by Leonard Sweet 

Fave song?  Music plays such a strong place in my life…Snow Patrol "You Could be Happy"

Jill Pagano of NiaDivas

The energy and passion of Jill Pagano really lights up any room.   As a former aerobics instructor and current Nia (non-impact aerobics) Black Belt she "puts fun back into fitness".     Her business NiaDivas in W. Seattle helps those with an injury or physical challenge get moving - Sway and Shift in a safe way.

 As a business owner Jill shines.  She understands the benefit of business planning, working IN the business, and creating value for her clients.

Enjoy my interview with Jill. 

What got you into the Nia business?
I was a personal trainer and fitness instructor and while attending  an IDEA Health and Fitness Convention I read this description of Nia class.  I tried it and loved it.  That was in 1995.

What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started your Nia business?
For me, I think to stay with it more.  I fractioned off a lot.   Nia has been a constant and I've had other side businesses along the way.  Nia has been a business/hobby that I dabbled in and now want to grow into a successful business.

Did you have any mentors or role models has you launched your Nia practice?
There are many Nia trainers that are role models to me around the world.  Helen Terry, a teacher and trainer in Houston has a very successful business.   Ann Christiansen, a European trainer for Nia.   They make their living very successfully at educating people in Nia.  And of course, Debbie Rosas Stuart and Carlos Rosas who founded Nia are my mentors.

As your business grows how do you get it all done?  Any tips on streamlining or
outsourcing?
I do believe in outsourcing.   What I've discovered recently is outsourcing to other people that do what I do.  That was a big aha moment for me.  I'm a Nia teacher and I have a graphic designer that's also a Nia teacher and the ability for her to understand what I want is so streamlined and so much easier.  There are 2,500 Nia instructors around the world and potentially they all do other things so it's a great community for me to jump into and use.  My postcard came together in just days because she got Nia.

When you get to the point of hiring people in your business what trait will you look for that will complement yours?
Consistency...detail oriented...someone who is able to track projects and know where we are along the way.  Right now I have an assistant that tracks our numbers...how many attendees, how many memberships sold, and if someone hasn't shown up for class she'll send a note. 
As I hold the container for the big vision of Nia and bringing the education and inspiration I need someone to also maintain the details.   It makes me a better teacher.

What personality trait serves you best in your business? 
Creative vision...seeing the big picture....thinking outside the box. It's a huge bonus that I bring.    As I develop that ...to follow through on ideas that are very good...that will propel the business.   Definitely, follow through on the big ideas.

Did you dream of owning a business as a child?
I knew I didn't want to work for anyone else.   When I was a junior in college I wrote a training manual for aerobic instructors.  I had the vision of working with and training people in the area of fitness.   I could never sit at a desk and wear nylons everyday.

What was your first business?
Where I went out on my own and hung my own shingle?   It was called Iron and Oxygen and that was in 1992.  I worked out of ProRobics as a contractor...I taught aerobics and also contracted as a personal trainer.  I had a logo and brochures and everything.  It was all about lifting weights and aerobics.   All the pieces were there for great success and it was a dream job.

How much do you trust your intuition?
I really don't and that's a weakness of mine.   I'm not even sure I know what my gut is saying half of the time.  I'm very transparent about how I question my gut all the time.  So as I move into this next phase of Nia it's all about understanding the sensation of the body that says "Look at this."    I'm excited about this since I haven't learned to value or trust my intuition. 

Are you more of a collaborator or a go it alone kind of gal?
I'm naturally a go it alone  gal....that's my instinct but I'm surprised at how much I like to collaborate.  I like to do what I do...I don't need approval of a bunch of people and I'm learning the importance of collaborating as long as I'm in the driver's seat....ha ha ha!

Your Favorite Song - Shimmer by Shawn Mullins  It's all about understanding that we're all born to Shine.

Your Favorite Book - Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman.   I read it during my 20's and on a personal level,  when I needed it, it showed up.

Your Favorite Movie - Sliding Doors  A brilliant movie that shows how one split second influences our lives one way and also shows what the parallel view too.  What's our destiny?