Providence, Rhode Island: Linda Brunini and Jon Zucchi walk us through two businesses and their partnership.

International Etching is a jewelry manufacturer that has beat the odds; they started their in business for 1982 and they are still going! They made it past all typical pitfalls. Now they're planning for the next transition; they know that most businesses do not make it past the transition from the founders to the next generation.

Two Hands, makes very special jewelry. They work with disabled children and return to "their school" 1% of the net sales on this jewelry which was inspired by the children's art projects.

In 1995 the Rhode Island SBA recognized them as Small Business Persons of the Year.

Business Basics:
Also, in this show there is a segment that focuses on the question, "Should I start a business from scratch or buy an existing business?

Some people should start a business from scratch and others should buy an existing business. The study guide has many good suggestions to help you answer the question.

• A partnership can be the perfect way to build a business.
• A stimulating work environment will attract great employees.
• When you set out to do good, good comes back to you.

• READ THE TRANSCRIPT:  All the words of this show are part of Small Business School. Click here.
• GO TO SCHOOL: If you enroll in Small Business School, you can watch this show anytime as well as learn from over 200 other entrepreneurs. It is all online. It requires DSL or cable connection with no firewalls. If you answer the questions in the teaching notes and study guide, you may qualify:
  • to get listed within your business type and within your state's listings,
  • to be profiled on a show (local or national),
  • to generate automatically a business plan for debt financing and/or a SCOR for equity financing,
  • to be listed within a Small Business index, and
  • to qualify as one of the best of businesses within a business category.
• OTHER SEGMENTS IN THE SHOW. We turned to several other small business owners who have become leaders in their field; they give us some tips in these segments: Deliver the Message, You're Wired, Streetfighter Marketing, and Law Talk.
• STEP 1: INITIAL IDEAS FOR A BUSINESS.
  • Where do people get their initial ideas for a business? The best source is your experience.
  • What do you know well? What fulfills you?
  • Linda and Jon talk very openly about how their partnership was formed and why. This also gives us some clear insights as to why their businesses have thrived.
  • Here is a section just about getting started
• BUSINESS TYPE. Linda and Jon are in personal products and manufacturing. We encourage everybody to learn from people within a specific business type. Please select your business type and study those shows.
• BUSINESS BASICS. Shows referenced within the Business Basics segment of this show:
  • Donald Cassel, Grind King.
  • Ken Ryan, AirMax.
  • Tim Hennessey, Ekkwill Waterlife Resources.
  • Steve Day, State Line Tack
  • Steve DiAntonio, Color Me Beautiful.
• WATCH TV!
  • To find out what is airing in your market, usually on your local PBS-member station, click here.
  • Click here to see this show online (requires DSL or cable connection with no firewalls).
• AT YOUR LOCAL COLLEGE: Check this list of schools (partial). Also, check for classes with your local Small Business Development Center, Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Commission.
• • CONTACT:
  • International Etching, Inc. and Two Hands, Inc.
    7 Ninigret Ave.
    Providence, RI 02907 TEL: (Etching) 401-781-6800; 888-781-6803 (Two Hands) 401-785-2727
    Fax: (Etching) 401-781-6813 (Two Hands) 401-781-6845
    URL: http://www.twohandsinc.com/
    Email: (Etching) Click here.  (Two Hands) Click here.