Fortunately for Perez, the SBDC had a presence in the area – business adviser
Lew Blakeney.
With the SBDC’s hands-on guidance, market research was performed and a business plan and financial projection were completed. With these in hand, Perez was able to obtain funding to proceed.
As it approaches its one-year anniversary, Carlos 1800 is thriving and embraced by the Winthrop community.
Gathering his four children and fiancée around him, Perez discusses his future plans, which include a second restaurant in the Methow Valley and eventual expansion into the Puget Sound area and beyond.
“My oldest daughter is in college studying business finance, and I hope to have her rejoin the business after graduation,” he said, noting that the entire family was working on this particular day.
The Washington SBDC is a cooperative effort between Washington State
University, community colleges, economic development organizations and
the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information, visit www.wsbdc.org.