Both Straight and consultant to the Department, C.J. Singler, believe that something needs to be done toward getting the Nation's "buyers" more aware of the services and products that tribal entrepreneurs can provide. Straight added that there is currently no system in place that encourages the Nation to buy from its members and that creating a network could help various departments recognize and later purchase what tribal owned small businesses offer. Tribal member Sherry McKinley, the owner of Sounds & Visions in Eau Claire, WI, agreed that a better way is needed for getting the Nation to become aware of its members small businesses. Singler feels that too much of the Nation's business is going outside the tribe, in many cases because those with the checkbooks are unaware of what the tribe's entrepreneurs have to offer.

TERO Compliance Officer Ralph Snake stated that the Nation "will always be looking for the best deal", but stressed that Article VII of the TERO Ordinance gives the Nation "Indian Preference Certification" meaning Native owned certified companies are given a 10 percent leeway when submitting a bid. Snake explained that before the tribe can do business with anyone it must know the small business exists and he advised all small business owners to become TERO certified. He added that while the Nation is aware that many tribal members are running a small business, there are only six currently registered with the TERO office.

Singler added that a mentoring program would allow new business owners to benefit from the experience of others. He feels that because many small business owners "are doing this for the first time" they could benefit from the experiences of others in the network. Explaining that "you can't run a business unless you understand money", he feels that successful owners could help those starting out develop a business plan, the foundation of any successful business. He continued that once the program of helping each other out is established, more people would "buy into it", allowing those starting out a greater chance of succeeding.

McKinley stated that while she and her husband Scott would like to expand, the cost associated with marketing is a difficult hurdle to overcome. Straight explained that if the Nation's small business owners were more united, an added benefit would include the ability to market and advertise collectively, again pointing out that often the strength is in numbers. He outlined the Planning Division's goals and what a network could do to help small business owners. Some of the goals include: 1) Create a directory of small businesses listed by service or product. This would give both the Nation and other small business owners access to other small businesses on the TERO list. 2) The Planning Department would be able to keep business owners informed of the state and/or federal programs that offer help or funding. 3) Small businesses could be part of a direct marketing network, keeping everyone informed and encouraging departments within the Nation to purchase goods and services from its own members.

Straight concluded that forming a Ho-Nation Chamber of Commerce could enable small business owners to better promote their product in marketing shows or collectively advertise on the Nation's website or newsletter. In addition, Chamber membership could allow members to purchase items such as health insurance as a group and also allow members to get more "political clout" in trying to secure the Nation's business.
Any small business owner is advised to call the Planning Department at 1-800-294-9343.