IN PROFILE: Lorraine Brown

BUSINESS: Owner of Barn Goddess

AGE: 46

BACKGROUND: “I’ve managed a hair salon and run home-based businesses. I’ve sold Avon and had a Partylite business. ”

FIRST JOB: “I worked as a waitress in a New Jersey diner.”

YEARS IN BUSINESS: “I’ve lived in Pahrump for two years and have been a stay-at-home mom. We always pick an angel from the Angel Trees at Christmas and contribute to Toys for Tots. We also help charity organizations with prizes for raffles, or make a nice basket for them to auction.

PERSONAL: “I really love spending time with my family. I enjoy traveling with the kids on weekends when I can.”

BUSINESS CLIMATE: “Opening this business was easy because Charlotta Plaza is an existing building. I didn’t have the problems some small business owners complain about. It is, however, difficult to promote my business here when other stores close at 4 p.m. or are closed on Mondays.

“Lately, I’ve been hearing my customers complain that other small businesses here are raising their prices for the holidays. I don’t believe the economy here will benefit from that.

“It would be nice if we could get a chain sit-down restaurant here, such as Applebee’s, we need a shoe store and other options for clothing.”