Sometimes it takes an earthquake to jolt a person into a new career and business venture. That was the case with Doby Dubrow, a Thousand Oaks resident.

Growing up in the Northridge area, Dubrow developed a special sensitivity to earthquake risks on Jan. 17, 1994, the day a strong earthquake rocked her area. When she needed a picture for her bedroom wall to be positioned over her bed, she immediately thought of the possibility that the picture and frame would fall on her head during another earthquake. She opted for a colorful but light tapestry instead.

While shopping for that tapestry, she became enthralled with the beauty and diversification of available offerings. This led to the formation of a business, Tapestries N Tassels. She markets a wide selection of tapestries, rods, tassels and accessories, primarily from her Web site, http://www.tapestriesntassels.com.

The home-based business has been good for Dubrow. Now in her fourth year of operation, she sells an average of one order per day, shipping her products to buyers throughout the nation, she said.

Tapestry prices range from about $150 to $500, with a median price of $200. Shipping is included in the base price. Dubrow offers 300-plus tapestries.

Before launching this business, Dubrow worked as a consultant. She has master's and doctorate degrees in metaphysics, the philosophical study of nature and human behavior.

She is now planning to launch yet another business in Thousand Oaks. She is looking for a site for a tea shop, to be named "Mommy & Me & a Cup of Tea." She has prepared a business plan for this venture, and plans to open it in 2008.

"I've long dreamed of having a place where like-minded souls could meet and socialize," she said.

For more information about Tapestries N Tassels, phone Dubrow at 49200.

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Michelle DeNoce expected to be busy this holiday season, operating her catering service and café in Ventura. But she has become super-busy preparing 100 meals each evening to serve to homeless people at the National Guard Armory at 351 S. K St. in Oxnard.

The meal preparation for the homeless is sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The daily feeding will continue until mid-March.

DeNoce, 38, owns and operates DeNoce's Catering & Café in Ventura, at 5777 Olivas Park Drive, Suite T. The 26-seat, five-employee café is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The café contains an exceptionally large kitchen primarily for the catering operation, a major portion of the business. It's a full-service catering operation for events of all sizes from buffet-style to formal sit-down service. They offer kosher-style and child-friendly menus.

Many catering assignments are for weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties, holiday parties, anniversaries, corporate events and graduations.

Before launching this business a year ago, DeNoce was a paralegal for many years, working for several legal firms, including her husband's law firm. At the same time, she catered meals for friends and relatives as a hobby activity.

"I've always loved to cook," she said. "When I was considering starting a business, I focused on a food-related operation and took a course in culinary arts and restaurant management at Oxnard College. This gave me really good preparation for planning and operating my current business. I think that course is a secret gem in the county's educational offerings.

DeNoce would like to open a larger restaurant in Ventura that would be open seven days a week and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For more information about DeNoce's Catering & Café, phone 654-1101, or visit http://www.denocescatering.com.

— Star columnist Jim Woodard, a Ventura resident, is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. Fax him at 644-0790 or e-mail him at Storyjim@aol.com.