V & R Spindle Viorel and Ramona Buzgariu work on a spindle repair estimate together. The couple owns V&R Spindle Repair which is currently housed at Pioneer Technology Center’s Business Incubator. Viorel and Ramona Buzgariu are working together to become a detail-oriented, high speed milling and grinding spindle repair shop. The couple has made their entrée into business, but not without a lot of help. After all, opening a business during a recession is no easy task. Viorel and Ramona are not originally from the United States and know how difficult a business can be to open overseas. Ramona in particular has spent time alongside with Italian business owners who worked to open shops. She knows that it takes time and a lot of help to become a successful entrepreneur. Viorel has been in Oklahoma since 1995, working his way up in the world of spindle repair and gathering the necessary knowledge to be successful in this unique business. The idea of V&R Spindle Repair was born out of a combination of two people. Viorel has worked in the industry for many years, honing his craft as an expert in all types of spindle repair. Ramona, on the other hand, has spent many years honing skills on the other side of the business, accounting and management. The two complement each other very well. “In our case, we are blessed to complement each other,” Ramona said. The two have worked together every step of the way, even when it came time to decide when to open the business. “She helped me from the beginning,” said Viorel. “She does all the bills and keeps track of all the paperwork. We do really well working as a team. That’s the only way we would be able to do this.” Starting a new company in a recession can be a difficult decision and the couple admits there was a great deal of thought put into it. “We wanted to stay busy and look for something else,” said Viorel as he discussed their timing. “You always want to stay motivated.” “It’s never going to be a good time to start a business,” Ramona said. However, she goes on to explain the great rewards. “The harder it is, the greater the reward is,” Ramona said. “The big challenge is to pass each of those hard points in time when you want to give up.” Because the couple is from outside the United States they have had an extra hurdle to maneuver along the way. Ramona explained having an accent has made it more difficult for them. Not because of how people respond to them, but because it takes a few extra steps to ensure they say everything correctly and write everything correctly. “Even when you write an email you have to take a second look to make sure you haven’t made any mistakes,” Ramona said. Viorel has the same experience with his work in spindle repair. The tasks are very detail-oriented because the measurements can be very minute. However, he likes the way the work varies and keeps him focused on ensuring it is just right. The pair has had a great deal of help along the way. They benefitted from their decision to start their business in the Pioneer Technology Center Business Incubator. They have had great assistance from the staff, including Bonnie Cook who assisted them with their business plan and Dawn Brakey who assisted with fliers, business cards, and advertising. But it doesn’t stop there. The school has chipped in when they needed help with hydraulic issues and even a forklift to get equipment into their space. “Even if they only helped us once or twice, they should know it was still a lot of help for us,” said Ramona. Business is going well for this startup company and they are most proud of the challenge they are taking on. The couple was interested in starting the business for the opportunity to build their lives in Ponca City. They liked the idea of staying here, for good. To learn more about V&R Spindle Repair visit their Web site at www.vrspindle.com, or call them at (580) 765-9550. The Business Incubator at Pioneer Technology Center is a Certified Business Incubator facility designed to create and nurture the growth and development of a new or start-up business. Space is available for service, light manufacturing, and wholesale startup businesses. Incubator tenants are able to use conference rooms and office equipment. In addition, tenants receive professional services in business plan preparation, operational guidance, pre-employment testing and screening, government contracting, customer service training and marketing plan preparation and implementation. Incubator tenants also receive an Oklahoma Income Tax exemption. To learn more about the Pioneer Technology Center Business Incubator or their Business and Industry Services visit: www.pioneertech.org or call them at (580) 718-4262.

Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 (Archive on Saturday, October 24, 2009) Posted by ljackson  Contributed by ljackson

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