For Immediate Release – April 18, 2011
Contact: Jennifer Goddard Combs
(805) 565-3990
jennifer@thegoddardcompany.com
Congresswoman Capps to Take Bite of Some Good Economic News
Ventura’s BōKU® International Serves as Success Model for Govt’s SBA Loan Program
While millions of others will be scrambling to meet Uncle Sam’s tax deadline, a Ventura company will be sharing their success story with Congresswoman Lois Capps on Monday, April 18, 3:30 p.m.
BōKU® International, a direct marketer and distributor of USDA Certified Organic super food products, has annual revenue of over $1 million and expects their trend of increasing customers to continue – thanks to a SBA loan for $325,000 in 2009 and the mentorship of a SCORE volunteer.
SBA (Small Business Administration) loans are made to small businesses through private sector lenders and guaranteed by the federal government’s Small Business Administration. The nonprofit SCORE, a resource partner of the Small Business Administration, serves to educate entrepreneurs and help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
“Starting Boku has been one of my greatest personal achievements,” says Lynn Rolle, who founded BōKU in 2007 and now there are a total of seven employees. “Meeting and working with Larry [Willett of the Ventura County SCORE Chapter] gave me the confidence I needed at the most critical time in my business. My SCORE mentors are very professional and knowledgeable!”
Described as health conscious, organic, natural food enthusiasts, BōKU’s sophisticated customer base is also Web savvy, information hungry, social network-oriented and prone to online purchases. Currently, 7,000 customers, called “Continuity customers,” purchase a subscription that provides BōKU products – BōKU Super Food, BōKU Super Protein, and BōKU Super Bars – at regular intervals.
“BōKU has seen a 30 percent increase in the number of Continuity customers over the past year,” notes Willet, SCORE volunteer. “We expect this trend to continue through the next few years.”
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Boku International LLC To positively impact the highest number of people possible with the healing power of whole food, organic nutrition. The office is located at 6019 Olivas Park Drive, “B,” Ventura, Calif. The phone number is (805) 650-2658 and the Web site is TryBoku.com.
