Online store wins national award

By Joyce Campbell
    The Small Business Commerce Association has awarded local entrepreneur Jim Haverlock the Best of Business Award in their furniture and accessories online store category.
    Haverlock’s business, 1shop4U.com, offers more than 6,000 items from 50 factories direct to individuals and businesses in the United States and Canada. The award program recognizes the top 5 percent of small businesses throughout the nation using customer feedback, information taken from SBCA surveys, a review of consumer rankings and other consumer reports.
    Haverlock has been building his online business since 1999 after getting acquainted with web-based marketing during the 1990s as a real estate broker in the Methow Valley.
    He sold that business when the daily challenges of living with multiple sclerosis required his moving on, and he discovered that the world of computers and the Internet came naturally to him.
    “I went back to the industry I knew best,” said Haverlock. He had grown up in North Dakota and started working in a furniture business when he was 19 years old. He was soon managing that store and bought his own store. He said customer service was key to his success.
    “In 11 years we’ve only had two complaints, and both were resolved,” said Haverlock, who said he is a member of the online division of the Better Business Bureau. His computer in his Twisp home is his storefront. A sampling of the furniture and home accessories from the factories he represents is comfortably clustered with rocking chairs, tables and artwork highlighted by sheepskin accessories and lamps.
    “We go over the limit on customer service,” said office manager Pam Purtell. Purtell is the voice of customer service and live chat help, fielding calls and messages from around the world.
    Haverlock’s online presence extends beyond his award-winning furniture and accessories business. He specializes in search engine optimization and website design with his business Dreamcatcher Consulting, and recently published his third book, The Supreme Trap Box, currently available only in e-book format.
    Haverlock is also the founder of a 501(c)(3) charity organization focusing on clean water, education and helping poor and deaf children in Uganda, East Africa. He donates 3 percent of the proceeds from 1shop4U sales to the Compassion Care Foundation at www.compassion-care.org.
    For more information about Haverlock’s products and services go to www.1shop4U.com or call toll-free (866) 801-2317 or 997-0204.

Photo of Jim Haverlock by Joyce Campbell