Show I 1 t l Interview with c r I Don Johnson Gerardo Lorenzana Contributing Writer DON Johnson self- self described lit true rue entrepreneur and CPA owner of Valley Fair Malls Mall's spoke to a group of students as part of the executive executive executive ex ex- ex- ex lectures in November The main thrust of his speech was how to avoid mistakes in starting a business Back in 1970 West Valley consisted mainly of farm country and was a quickly developing area Johnsons Johnson's main concern was to provide jobs for his and his partners partner's kids After looking into severa several possibilities including service stations and apartment complexes com complexes corn com the partners decided to sign with Illinois-based Illinois The TOe then new Valley VaHey Fair Mall had cies That's where the shop r tt J r t t. t t w oJ 4 7 was installed for a initial initial initial in in- investment Today the business is in inthe inthe inthe the top 10 in sales in the Western region of the franchise All of Johnsons Johnson's kids have passed through there If he had it to do over again j Johnson said he would avoid s several ver l mistakes t One should never let the business run itself j Johnson said said It It doesn't work out that way A business needs supervision and nd managers need teaching encouragement encourage encourage- ment and training Another main point in doing business is always to advertise One day a person mentioned mentioned mentioned men men- that they were not aware there was a in the mall has has' been there 12 to 14 years t it v Jo |