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Safie Specialty Foods: How Michigan SBDC Helped a Family Business Expand Operations & Exports

July 8, 2026

Meet Mary Safie, president and owner of Safie Specialty Foods Company, Inc., a true go-getter and excellent entrepreneur who’s turning a family legacy into a modern manufacturing powerhouse.

More than just a job, this business is a century-long tradition of Michigan agriculture and pickled perfection. Located in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, Safie Specialty Foods has expanded from a home-based startup—in the very house Mary’s grandfather began his business during the Great Depression—to a thriving enterprise, focusing on clean, natural, hand-packed specialty pickled vegetables while working with and giving back to the community. Her tenacious spirit and visionary leadership have been the driving forces behind the company’s incredible growth.

As the business grew, Mary and her dedicated team knew they needed strategic support. She relies on the exceptional talents of Chuck Drogosch, who runs Operations, and the incredible efforts of the Human Resources team, including Theresa M. Pavone and Sandra Collias. Their collective expertise and commitment are vital to the company’s success and expansion.

Seeking direction, Mary and her team turned to the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development team, who connected them with the Michigan SBDC and Business Growth Consultant Julie Oldham.

Julie began with a comprehensive assessment, helping Safie’s establish a stronger foundation and answer critical questions about growth, mission, and how the SBDC could help them achieve their goals. Julie’s extensive background in food & beverage, export and strategic analysis was instrumental in several key areas:

Financial Analysis: Securing crucial information to conduct a financial analysis to obtain a loan.
Export & International Growth: Assisting with export knowledge, connecting the company with the export community, and helping with foreign labeling compliance and landed costs analysis.
Market Expansion: Strategizing on gaining new accounts both domestically and internationally.
Digital Presence: Enhancing the company’s online visibility with domestic and international Search Engine Optimization (SEO) reporting.

The Safie’s partnership with Julie and the Michigan SBDC has been a game-changer. The result? A significant increase in revenue and staff expansion. Mary purchased necessary equipment, added an entire shift, and successfully branched into a new territory: food service (institutional sales). This division, primarily focused on peppers—an item Mary’s family was the largest U.S. producer of decades ago—is now a major area of growth, with a new dedicated production line being installed.

Julie shared that she has had the wonderful pleasure of being able to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people, including Mary, Chuck, Theresa and Sandra.

Mary extended her deepest gratitude to the Michigan SBDC, stating they were “instrumental in our foundation” and helped Safie’s “to grow and to achieve the success we have had.”

UGA SBDC Strategic Coaching Fuels Growth for LaGrange Home Care Franchise

July 1, 2026

When Tammy Strickland’s father—once a top executive of a global manufacturing firm—developed Alzheimer’s, she struggled to find the in-home care he required.

So, she called in her sister, Debbie Thomason, with an idea: open their own home care franchise focused on compassion, quality and trust. When it came time to build the business behind that mission, they turned to the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) for guidance in creating their business systems.

Demand for the services offered by Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care in LaGrange grew quickly. So did revenue, staffing, and the need for strong systems to sustain that growth.

Strickland has crafted a simple elevator pitch for the company she owns and operates in with her sister.

“I make it simple,” she said. “We take care of people.”

However, the business of providing personal non-medical home care is extraordinarily complex. Once their franchise was licensed, the sisters contacted the UGA SBDC to help put the right operational foundation in place.

Strickland brought marketing and sales experience, but she knew they needed broader business expertise.

“Corporations do trainings, but we didn’t have that. That’s what the UGA SBDC became. They trained us, showing us what we can do and how we can do it better,” she said.

Phil Wise, area director of the UGA SBDC in Columbus, and consultant Thomas Credle began by helping Strickland set up the company’s QuickBooks.

“Tammy had a rudimentary understanding of accounting, so we worked with her to make sure she was properly interacting with QuickBooks,” Wise said. “Then we showed her how to restructure and realign financial statements to better support managerial and strategic decisions.”

Together, they built a budget process that allowed the sisters to measure actual performance against their expectations.

We operate a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week business with a large staff. Our work with the UGA SBDC on our staffing system helped us to develop and manage a plan and to scale faster with support staff.

Tammy Strickland, Founder of Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care Tweet

Credle and Wise showed Strickland and Thomason how to use Acti-Kare’s organizational structure to elevate the responsibilities of their primary managers to strengthen organizational dynamics. Now the managers—rather than the owners—run weekly KPI meetings.

“By reallocating their time and duties, Strickland and Thomason were able to do more work on their business than in the business, fulfilling their roles as owners,” Wise said.

The results have been remarkable. Their Acti-Kare franchise, which serves an area from Peachtree City to LaGrange, has almost tripled in revenue. Employees have grown from 32 to nearly 80. The company was awarded a 2025 Certificate of Excellence from State of Georgia Compliance and named “2025 Best in Georgia” by the Georgia Business Journal and “2025 Best of Troup County in Home Health” by the LaGrange Daily News.

“Tammy and Debbie have excelled at being able to ramp up and grow exponentially while maintaining customer care and a high-quality outcome,” Wise said.

The sisters continue to work closely with the UGA SBDC to enhance their organizational dynamics, create new Key Performance Indicators, update their budget, and explore expansion opportunities into additional Georgia markets.

“Phil, Thomas and the UGA SBDC have been a real game changer for us. I didn’t need someone to teach me to be a sales and marketing expert, but I needed someone to teach me how to build a business and put things in place. Some days, it’s felt like having my dad available. They offer that level of business savvy.

Tammy Strickland, Founder of Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home Care Tweet

How Wyoming SBDC Helped a Combat Veteran Turn Animal Rescue Into a Statewide Wellness Business

June 24, 2026

For Jennifer Clark, entrepreneurship grew from a deeply personal mission. As a combat veteran and mother to an autistic daughter, Clark experienced firsthand the transformative power of animal-assisted eco-therapy. This profound personal healing inspired her to found J&J Second Chance Smallholdings, an animal rescue and sanctuary in Laramie. Two years later, to expand her community impact and help sustain her mission, she launched the for-profit side of her venture: The Goat Ladies.

While many mistake the business for a standard petting zoo, Clark’s operations are focused entirely on community wellness and mental health support. The Goat Ladies offer unique services ranging from birthday parties, weddings, and gender reveals to indoor therapeutic gatherings. Beyond these events, the versatile animal crew also assists the community through local mowing and fire mitigation services.

By using animals for therapy, we (help) people by using one fluffy at a time. It is really hard to do something permanent when an animal comes up to you and feels comfortable and loves you.

Jennifer Clark, Owner of The Goat Ladies Tweet

Navigating the Business Landscape with the Wyoming SBDC

Transitioning from a passionate caretaker to a business owner presented a steep learning curve. To bridge the gap, Clark turned to the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. Her SBDC advisor, Jeff Engell, provided mentorship and suggestions, including an intensive eight-week business planning workshop where Jennifer mapped out her strategic goals.

The Wyoming SBDC Network also played a role in helping Clark structure her for-profit expansion, connecting her with grant opportunities, and resources to navigate regulations. The SBDC introduced Jennifer to Cyber Wyoming, enabling her to implement critical cybersecurity policies and procedures.

The SBDC has been my favorite. They’ve helped me the most with connecting with new people.

Jennifer Clark, Owner of The Goat Ladies Tweet

A Bright and Self-Sufficient Future

Today, The Goat Ladies are a popular attraction across Wyoming. This summer alone, Clark and her animal ambassadors are scheduled for 100 events across 150 days. The business has also successfully expanded into custom merchandise and children’s books authored by Clark, featuring real rescue animals like Magic Panda and Isabella.

Looking ahead, Clark aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency within the next five years. Backed by a recent Department of Workforce Services grant to hire new staff, she plans to secure government contracts for national forest fire mitigation, ensuring her life-saving mission continues to grow.

From Push Mower to a Growing Enterprise with Help From the UGA SBDC

June 17, 2026

From a $30 push mower to a thriving, full-service landscaping company, Griffin Thomas has spent more than a decade building TopLine Lawncare and Landscaping one yard, one crew and one lesson at a time. With guidance from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC), Thomas turned a major expansion opportunity into a strong foundation for long-term growth—a move that fueled his company’s rapid growth and earned him the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2026 Georgia Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Based in Carrollton, TopLine Lawncare and Landscaping serves commercial and residential customers in west Georgia. The company provides comprehensive lawncare, landscaping and landscape design services, supporting projects from routine maintenance to full design-build installations. What began as a teenage side hustle has evolved into a growing business with multiple crews, expanding markets and a clear vision for the future.

Thomas’ journey into landscaping started early. At 14, he began helping a neighbor maintain his farm, learning the value of hard work and responsibility.

“I learned my work ethic from Mr. Brock, and when he passed away, I wanted to continue earning money doing good, honest work,” said Thomas.

At 15, Thomas bought his first piece of equipment—a $30 push mower at a yard sale—and began mowing lawns for families and friends. By his senior year of high school, he had purchased a larger mower and was cutting grass daily after school.

After graduating, Thomas was balancing college coursework with a growing customer list. As demand increased, so did the complexity of the business. Thomas hired employees, expanded into small landscaping projects, and eventually faced a decision.

“I really didn’t have time to do both,” said Thomas. “I found myself trying to juggle school and work and not having enough time in the day.”

Thomas decided to focus exclusively on his business. Over time, TopLine expanded from basic lawn maintenance into landscaping, hardscapes, irrigation and design-build services.

“I’ve had some good mentors along the way, but a lot of it’s been self-taught and trial and error,” said Thomas. “Some people might be intimidated by that, but I guess you really just need to love what you do.”

Griffin Thomas, owner of TopLine Lawncare and Landscaping in Carrollton, Ga.

As the business grew, Thomas identified a new opportunity—a centrally located building that would support expansion, improve efficiency and provide needed office space. However, he was unfamiliar with the commercial loan process and financial projections required to move forward. That’s when he was referred to the UGA SBDC.

Troy Vollenweider, area director of the UGA SBDC at the University of West Georgia, worked closely with Thomas to develop a business plan and financial projections to support the purchase. Vollenweider helped Thomas better understand the commercial lending process and available loan options.

For Thomas, the UGA SBDC’s guidance changed his approach to financial management.

“When you learn how to look at your financials, you’re able to manage cash flow better and project where you’re going to be,” said Thomas. “I wasn’t really doing that before, but now it’s something I review monthly. That’s been the biggest takeaway for me.”

With support from the UGA SBDC, Thomas was able to obtain commercial financing through First Bank, utilizing the Georgia Cities Foundation and the State Small Business Credit Initiative loan programs.

The new facility, located in downtown Carrollton, has been transformative. The business used to operate out of a barn used primarily for equipment storage but now has dedicated office space to support structured meetings, improved communication and more intentional business operations.

The new location has also increased TopLine’s visibility and brand recognition, supported workforce recruitment and contributed to measurable growth. Since moving into the facility, TopLine has added three new crews—one installation and two maintenance—and up to eight employees. Year-to-date revenue is up 24% compared to the previous year, and higher visibility has helped the company secure major contracts, including work with the city of Carrollton.

“Through our work with Troy and the UGA SBDC, we have experienced significant operational growth. We’ve been able to invest in new trucks and equipment to support that expansion. Whether it was a quick phone call or sitting down for hours going over charts, Troy and the UGA SBDC made it happen when deadlines mattered."

Griffin Thomas, Owner of TopLine Lawncare and Landscaping Tweet

Most recently, Thomas was named this year’s SBA Georgia Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to see that effort acknowledged,” said Thomas. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and the journey that brought me here.”

Nevada SBDC Helps The Wine Down’s Joelle Bolton Turn a Dream Into a Destination Bar

June 10, 2026

The concept for The Wine Down was developed around a kitchen table by owner Joelle Bolton, her best friend, and her husband. Having spent years working in nightlife and hospitality, they set out to create a bar aligned with their own preferences—one that was approachable, distinctive, and designed with intention rather than trend.

Bolton’s husband played a leading role in shaping the bar’s design. He proposed several unconventional ideas that challenged more traditional approaches. While some of these concepts initially raised questions, they were ultimately incorporated into the final build. Over time, those design choices became defining characteristics of the space and contributed to its differentiation within the local market.

The process of opening the business proved more complex than expected. Bolton underestimated the scope of the licensing and regulatory requirements involved, later noting that navigating the process was more difficult than purchasing a home. During this period, the business was also managing multiple loans tied to both the bar and her husband’s vineyard management company. In December, her husband passed away, adding further complexity to an already demanding operational and financial situation.

To address these challenges, Bolton worked with the Nevada Small Business Development Center, where advisor Donna Corey provided ongoing guidance. The SBDC assisted with reviewing financial options, placing loans on hold, and later consolidating them into more manageable payments. In addition to technical support, Corey served as a consistent point of contact as Bolton evaluated next steps and navigated operational hurdles.

My SBDC advisor was full of good advice, full of positivity. So my relationship with SBDC is not strictly financial – sometimes you just need a sounding board…‘What do I do next?’ or ‘I’ve run into this hurdle, have you seen this before?’ SBDC had great advice for those questions. It’s okay to dream, do it.

Joelle Bolton, Owner of The Wine Down Tweet

Today, The Wine Down is an established business that continues to attract new and returning customers. Bolton frequently encourages others considering entrepreneurship to pursue their ideas and often refers them to the SBDC as a practical resource. The business reflects both careful planning and the support systems that helped bring it to completion.

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