?Miss Jan? Uses Good Manners To Create a Better Community

Miss Jan’s School of Charm & Manners

Owner: Jan Walker

Address: P.O. Box 1152, Springdale

Phone: 479-387-5600

E-mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.missjanscharmschool.com

Startup date: August 29

With a background in dance, pageants and modeling – as well as a mom and grandmother who insisted on proper etiquette – Jan Walker has lived a life steeped in social graces.

Now Walker wants to pass along those good manners to newer generations. She begins that endeavor later this month with a five-session series of classes – 90 minutes each – that aims to teach boys and girls -grades 6-12 – the “life skills that will get them where they want to go.”

The cost of the series is $135, but Walker believes the payoff will be immense, and not just because her students will know the proper way to introduce themselves, hold their knives and forks, and even foxtrot. Walker believes the self-confidence owned by someone who knows how to handle practically any social situation is invaluable.

“Manners, when you get right down to it,” she said, “is making people feel good, being nice.”

That, in turn, Walker said, could lead to a successful job interview, a raise or a promotion. With that in mind, Walker also plans to offer “polishing” classes to college students and young professionals, as well as seminars for entire companies.

These classes and seminars will be individually tailored – and priced – and cover topics ranging from dining skills to public speaking. Walker went through a week-long training program and received certification and licensing at The Etiquette & Leadership Institute in Athens, Ga. All of her course material and lessons are copyrighted.

Employment Totals Dip, Pay and Hours on the Rise

The latest Intuit Small Business Employment Index shows small business employment grew at a slower rate in July than in the past, while wages and hours worked by employees increased.

The monthly report, based on figures from about 62,000 small business employers using Intuit Online Payroll, found small business employment grew by 0.2 percent in July, equating to a 2.4 percent annual growth rate. That translates to about 40,000 new jobs nationwide, a decrease from June’s revised estimate of 45,000.

Since the growth trend began in October 2009, small business jobs have increased by 330,000.

Compensation grew by 0.7 percent in July to $2,624 per month, up from a revised estimate of $2,606 per month in June. Monthly hours worked also increased, by 0.9 percent, to 109.1 hours, compared to a revised estimate of 108.2 hours in June. This translates to wages of about $31,500 per year for all employees, and a 25.2-hour workweek for hourly employees. 

Submit tips about new businesses in Northwest Arkansas to Rob Keys at [email protected] or 479-725-0394, ext. 323.