Paul Airasian Shines a Light on Local Business on Watertown Cable

In just one line, the host of Watertown Cable Access’ The Watertown Business Report sums up his mission: “I’m Paul Airasian, reminding you to support you local businesses.”

Airasian worked for years with his brother, John, running Eastern Clothing Co. but now he spends his time working with Belmont Savings Bank and hosting local cable shows in Watertown on Belmont.

Airasian said he brings local business owners on to the show to shine a limelight on them and their business.

“It gives them an opportunity to talk about themselves,” Airasian said. “I think they can also learn a lot when they stop and think about their business.”

After business owners appear on The Watertown Business Report, Airaisian gives them copies of the show that features their business so they can use it for marketing or other purposes.

By supporting local business, Airasian said people will also help the community.

“Most local new jobs are created by small- to midsized-locally owned businesses,” Airasian said. “If Raytheon comes to town you are lucky, but the next 10 years after that it is the mom and pops businesses that come in (and create jobs).”

The locally owned businesses help the stability of the community, he added.

“Locally owned businesses give back to the community … arts, education, little league, the softball league, Boy Scouts,” Airasian said.

Starting a small business is much more difficult now, Airasian said, than when he and his brother took over Eastern Clothing from their father and uncle in 1968.

Business owners need to network and make connections and he hopes to do his part with The Watertown Business Report. When he meets new business owners, he recommends that they join groups like the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He also wants the people who have been on the show form own group of businesses who network and support other Watertown businesses.