K.J. Smith, it's never too late to find your passion

K.J. Smith, A Knack for Uncovering the Truth

 By Craig A. Ruark Early in life, K.J. Smith never dreamed that at the age of 59, she would become a licensed private investigator (PI) and the president of a full-service background investigation company. In 1971, Living in Portland, Oregon, Smith found herself in the position of having to raise two young children by herself.…

How To Protect Your Woman Owned Business

6 Essential Steps To Protect Your Woman Owned Business

 By Gloria M. Petroni, special to bizNEVADA As the pool of woman business owners continues to grow, so do the complexities of our environments. Social changes, intricacies in tax law and constant introduction of new technology are just some factors changing the way businesses operate from their leaders to their front lines. As more females…

Mixing Family with Business 1

Mixing Family with Business

 By Craig A. Ruark The Cheese Board American Bistro & Catering Company has been a staple in Reno since 1981 and is a great example of a women-owned business. Debbie Branby started the Cheese Board from scratch (too use a cooking term) and over the next 36 years, built the restaurant and catering business into…

Is Your Business Ready For a Disaster?  Are You?

Is Your Business Ready For a Disaster?  Are You?

Special to bizNEVADA “When major disasters strike, you expect to see American Red Cross workers running shelters and delivering food to people in devastated neighborhoods,” Zanny Marsh, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Northern Nevada, said.  “Closer to home, Red Cross volunteers respond several times per week when Nevada fire departments ask them to…

Nevada Commission for Women

Nevada Commission for Women

 By Craig A. Ruark After nearly two decades of inactivity, the Sunset Subcommittee of the Interim Legislative Commission recommended to Governor Brian Sandoval that he reactivate the Commission for Women. The Governor supported the recommendation and in December of 2015, with Legislature approval, appointed ten members to sit on the Commission. Current appointed Commissioners are…

When Passion Turns to Business 1

When Passion Turns to Business

 By Craig A. Ruark Jennifer Gurecki is the founder and CEO of Coalition Snow, a manufacturer of ski and snowboard equipment, exclusively for women. She has been skiing for over 20 years, learning in Arizona during in the mid-90s. “When I was in college, I worked in the repair and rental shop at Arizona Snowbowl…

Reno Re-imagined

Reno Re-Imagined

     by Corrine Casanova   Reno has a rich history of reinventing itself. Reno was born in 1868 as a railroad town—it became a city when the transcontinental railroad reached town. Shortly thereafter, the University of Nevada was founded in 1885. In the early 1900s, Reno turned divorce into a big business and became…