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Surviving in a challenging economy can be difficult for a small, independent business owner, but those that do thrive often have figured out a way to provide a service or product that is always in demand. And, that is definitely one of the secrets of the success for Manny's Drivers Education.

Most people use cars as their main source of transportation, and they need to know how to operate their vehicles safely, but when starting a business nothing is a sure thing.

"When I first started the business, it was more of a hobby. I did it after work, and it wasn't my main source of income. I didn't know if I'd like it," said owner Daryl Mannausau.

That was back in 1983. But over the past 26 years Mannausau has grown the business into his primary source of income.

"I found out I did enjoy and I saw that I could make money at it," he said.

Mannasusua said it was challenging to create his own business, but he has set high expectations for himself right from the start when he picked the businesses name.

"Manny was my father and he was a good driver and a good trainer, so I put his name on it," he said.

And with his father's name on the business, he surely didn't want his venture to fail.

As to how he managed to make it for more than 2 1/2 decades, Mannausau said he attributes it to good business practices.

"I think you need a good reputation and I have a good reputation. I always try to deliver a good product at a fair price. I think parents are happy with what they get at the end," he said.

Mannausau said leaving his clients satisfied, also has brought in new ones.

"A lot of my business is through word of mouth. Satisfied parents will tell their friends and my name will get passed on to a lot of people," he said.

Mannausau said he also gets the word out about his business in more traditional ways.

"I also advertise in the newspaper regularly," he said.

Manny's Drivers Education hasn't just survived, though. The business has thrived and Mannausau said he has recently expanded it, and hopes to do so again in the near future.

"I'm trying to grow. I've done it myself for a long time, but now I'm trying to train other people to do what I do. I recently started the same business in Palmer/Wasilla. I have one employee there now, and I'm hoping to do work in Homer soon," he said.

As to what his goals will be for these new franchises, he said they will be the same as they always have been.

"My goal is to put safer and more knowledgeable drivers on the road."

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.