Word on the street is that in a few short weeks several entrepreneurs will have news for me to share. It’s hard not to spill the beans, but a well-planned opening is important.

I know about a couple of these businesses because I took the NEOEDD business school again last fall and there were some amazing entrepreneurs in that class. Two of them are already well along in their business development and I’ve written about both.

That’s my pitch for the NEOEDD business class. I found it very educational my first time through and went the second time when life plans changed the direction of my business idea. I recently met a fellow developing a business in Wallowa County who told me he went to the class and then wrote and rewrote his business plan over and over till he got the right plan. So, don’t think you have to know everything before you begin. It’s a process.

You’ll have a plan by the end of the class, but you can tinker with that till you feel it’s right, or you can decide it needs to go on the back burner for a year, or you can rethink the whole thing and completely change direction. Whatever your next step is, you’ll be a lot better prepared and you’ll know some other entrepreneurs in the county and be able to observe their process.

I highly recommend that class, which is free to qualifying Wallowa County residents. Keep your eye on the NEOEDD website at neoedd.org for announcements of business development courses.

One new business I’ve been meaning to mention is Ashley Aschenbrenner’s La Petite Salon, 419 Golf Course Road in Enterprise. Last time I tried to get a haircut here in Enterprise I found myself on a two-month waiting list, so having another stylist in town was good news to me. I gave Ashley a try and I’m very pleased with the results and the products she uses.

Ashley has been cutting hair for five years and is a graduate of Phagans School of Cosmetology in Bend. She carries Joico and Redken products. She provides all of the usual salon services and her hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Walk-ins are welcome or you can call for an appointment: 541-398-1263.

I love it when a Main Street business location fills and so I noticed when Jay Connolly of Jay’s Place computer repair started moving from SW First Street into new digs at 113 E Main in the EM&M Building block across the street from the Wallowa County Courthouse. That’s where Phyllis Johnson had her salon “PJ’s Cutting Edge” until she retired earlier this year.

Jay opened in the new location Dec. 17.

Jay’s been in business in Wallowa County since 1996 and was last located at 103 SW First Street. The new space gives him a lot more room, he said, and that’s got him excited because now he can display all of his guitars. Some of those guitars are for sale and he also carries guitar strings, drumsticks, music books and a few other necessities for the musician.

“There are a surprising number of musicians in Wallowa County,” Jay observed.

Jay carries wireless peripherals for computers; does computer repair; sells new custom-built computers and refurbishes and sells used computers. He also can act as a computer consultant for your home business, super-gaming station, or storefront business. Just ask.

Jay will be open in the new location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can call him at 541-426-0108.