THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509010166
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
What do Aarcatte, Pocket Change, Wee Delivery, Beyond the Button and the Pied Piper have in common?
Each is the trade name for a business in Chesapeake.
Every month, an average of 135 people come face-to-face with Wilma McCutcheon, eager to start a new business in the city.
Before a new business can be opened, a business license must be obtained. This process includes registering or recording the trade name with the city.
``We have to make sure that no other business is using that same name,'' said McCutcheon who registers trade names.
Applicants search Circuit Court records. If the applicant's trade name is unique, McCutcheon will add that trade name to city records.
``If someone does have the name, they have to choose another,'' she said.
``You wouldn't believe some of the trade names people come up with,'' she said. ``I didn't realize so many people were self-employed. Maybe it's because there's so much unemployment. A lot of young people are branching out. They want to become independent.
``Some of the businesses may be here today and gone tomorrow. But a lot of people who are losing their jobs are not giving in. They're venturing out. They want to do something with their lives.''
``You meet a lot of nice people,'' she said.
McCutcheon can identify with people who choose to be self-employed. She and her husband were in the plumbing business for 20 years prior to his death. She kept the company books and did whatever needed to be done to keep the business going.
``That was completely opposite to this job,'' she said. ``When you are self-employed, you're your own boss with no set hours. But there's no security.''
Full name: Wilma McCutcheon
Grew up: In Portsmouth and Virginia Beach
Fond childhood memories: ``I always looked forward to Santa Claus coming to the Famous department store in downtown Portsmouth. He landed on top of a building from a helicopter.''
Marital status: Widowed
Children: ``Three daughters - Linda Holmes, Donna May and Shannon Goff - and three grandchildren. They all live here.''
Occupation: Deputy clerk
Hobbies: ``I like to camp. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.''
Last book read: ``I read a lot of Danielle Steel.''
Favorite song: ``I really like country music. My favorite singer is Vince Gill.''
Favorite movie: ``Dances With Wolves''
Can't resist: Food
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I've always been sorry I didn't get more education.''
Favorite TV program: ``I enjoy the news.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Olive Garden
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Shopping with my girls.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
by CNB