“Building a business association for freelancers” Marina Martinez -Bateman
“Building a business association for freelancers”
February’s dinner meeting of the Association of Home Businesses introduces you to “The Freelancer” – today’s most common home businessperson; the speaker is Marina Martinez-Bateman. A guided conversation asks the question: Can we use Portland’s robust neighborhood business association culture to benefit freelancers and other home-based businesses? As a former freelancer, former business association board member, and the owner of a home-based business herself, Marina has a unique insight into the overlapping interests and needs of freelancers – needs that most traditional business associations struggle to serve. AHB meets on the third Thursday evening of each month at SMILE Station in Sellwood at 6 p.m. for three hours of camaraderie, networking, a buffet supper, and an interesting and relevant speaker. In February, that’s the 21st.
Do you own a home-based business? Join AHB today!
Membership is just $60 a year (plus $10 per month for the 3rd Thursday Monthly Dinner Meeting). We don’t limit membership to one business per type. In fact, you are welcome to join even if you don’t actually work from home. If you’re in business and looking for a great group to network, learn, and socialize with, you’ll fit right in at AHB. Email Sandy at Membership { at } AHBOregon {dot} org to get started.
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Featured Member
Ron Miller Advantage NorthWest
If you can think it he can build it!
Ron’s wife Lynn says he is the Benjamin Franklin of modern day. Some members of AHB have taken to calling him Ron “McGuyver” Miller. ( Be sure to ask him about his ‘shingle elevator’ when you see him, a time-saving/back sparing bit of ingenuity if ever there was one).
We asked Ron to tell us a bit about how people work with him to get their project completed: “People have good ideas, but don’t know where to turn. The hardest part is communicating what is in your head. Spend a little time writing down a few key requirements or concerns. Make the best pencil sketch of your idea. Or find photos of something similar in a magazine. What’s your criteria, what does it need to do? How does it need to look? What kind of budget do you have? Make lists, keep your notes. And then we talk about your time frame and the budget need to make your vision a reality.
From there, I will analyze, recommend, and formalize a design with a 3-D computer drawing. If agreeable, then I build it.
If you can find someone else who has already built exactly what you want, go for it. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. But if you need a truly unique product, built to your vision, call me.”
Ron talks about some recent projects:
See below for for examples of a few of his latest projects that include custom built cabinets.
Custom built Cherry Cabinets by Ron Miller of Advantage Northwest
Maple entertainment Center by Ron Miller Advantage Northwest
Custom Built Maple Home Office by Ron Miller of Advantage Northwest