Business Success Stories Archives

America’s SBDC Blog

A “Forbes 100 Best Websites for Entrepreneurs”

Small WA Cidery Exports to South Korea with SBDC Help

September 30, 2024

By Hope Tinney, Washington SBDC

ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Being named the SBA Seattle 2020 Rural Small Business of the Year not only put Wheel Line Cider on the map, it opened up a world of export possibilities for this small, family-owned cidery.

Wheel Line Cider owner Susie Jensen says she recently shipped 63 cases of cider to one of the largest adult beverage distributors in South Korea, and it wouldn’t have happened without the support and assistance of numerous state or federal agencies, including the Washington Export Outreach Team, the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association and the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

“They are my guardian angels,” Jensen said. “I think the whole process has been amazing, it’s just been amazing.”

From Hotel Employee to CEO: How Topline Revenue Management Grew with SBDC Help

August 27, 2024

Connor Vanderholm began working in the hotel industry as soon as he finished his business degree at BYUI in 2016. His BYUI mentor helped him discover he wanted to be a revenue manager, but he had to start in operations, learning the business basics first.

His first job was working at the front office for the Marriott conference center in Norman, OK. After a year in Oklahoma, he became a revenue management trainee at Hilton in Dallas, TX. Although it was exhausting work, he was prepared to continue until he got laid off at the start of COVID in March 2020. He and several newly-unemployed colleagues started Topline in May 2020.

Grease Monkey Expands Rapidly with SBDC Guidance (Eastern Idaho)

August 13, 2024

Tyson started out working for a competitor before bootstrapping and putting everything he and his wife Angela had into purchasing four Grease Monkey stores in Idaho for $1.4M in 2014. Even when his credit accounts were briefly frozen, he was able to leverage his relationship with strategic suppliers who helped with the down payment and credit lines.

Twin Falls Well & Pump Service Thrives: Floyd Lilly Company’s Growth Story

August 6, 2024

Joe took over the Floyd Lilly Company in 2017 with an excited attitude and willingness to learn, having already thought of his goals for his customers,team, and company. Floyd Lily Company offers water wells, pumps, tanks, hoses, pipe, tubing, fittings, and sprayers, as well as 24-hour emergency well and pump services. He believes that a part of his business’s success is his ability to retain great staff, who focus on the customer needs and strive to achieve higher customer service; this success has given Joe the opportunity to focus on including a great health care program for his staff, complete with a retirement program.

Cravin’s Candy Emporium: From Franchise to Local Gem with SBDC Help (Boise, ID)

July 16, 2024

Debbie and Joe Glordano purchased the Powell’s Sweet Shoppe franchise in 2006 and opened January 2007. They rebranded as Cravin’s Candy Emporium in 2016. Cravin’s Candy Emporium is a neighborhood of candy stores and gelato shops where the aim is to create a fun experience for all ages. Cravin’s Candy Emporium is a ‘Main Street’ type of business – all products are locally made and shown through creative displays.