Success Stories

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Set as the first week in May, National Small Business Week includes events across the country and educational webinars on a variety of business topics.

National Small Business Week consists of multiple in-person events across the country, beginning Sunday, May 1st. More information is available at www.sba.gov/nsbw/events, or for SBDC events in your neighborhood, find your local SBDC now. (more…)

Success Story: Montana

JE Engineering experienced growth that led owners Cindi and Richard Jarvis to consider expanding. Before making this decision, however, Cindi wanted to be certain the expansion was warranted by the company’s financial performance. She turned to the Kalispell Regional SBDC to start her business planning through Profit Mastery. This is the third in a series of videos by the Montana SBDCs, showcasing businesses that worked with their local SBDCs to jumpstart business success!

Success Story: Vermont

Steven Davis of Vermont High Performance Manufactured Housing in Wilder is no stranger to the construction business. He has been building homes for more than 30 years, most recently providing affordable net-zero green home construction services to Vermont homeowners and beyond.

But when he recently decided to purchase a permanent home for his own business, he knew it was time to seek some assistance. Davis was seeking funds to purchase a building to house his home manufacturing business. Once he found a location, seeking funds to purchase that location proved challenging, he said.

Davis quickly sought assistance from the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC). GMEDC recommended Davis contact Vermont Small Business Development Center Area Advisor Ross Hart, who shepherded him through the sometimes tedious process of a business property purchase. “Working with Ross [Hart] was great because he was not intimidating,” Davis said. “He helped me understand where I was in my business and what was needed to move forward,” he said.  (more…)

Success Story: Montana

Chad Green was inspired by the care his grandmother received when she was in an assisted living facility, and he wanted to start his own. Green went to the Billings, Montana Regional SBDC for help. This is the second in a series of videos by the Montana SBDCs, showcasing businesses that worked with their local SBDCs to jumpstart business success!

Logging and forestry work is a quintessential Vermont industry, but today’s loggers face challenges that those of yesteryear probably never imagined. The days of low-cost tools like hatchets and hand saws that required manpower instead of costly equipment are largely behind us. Today’s loggers need heavy equipment to be relevant in a highly competitive lumber market.

Few know that better than Everett Thurston, owner of Thurston Forestry in Clarendon, Vermont, which began operations last fall. The company utilizes a rubber tired cut-to-length logging machine that is highly efficient in processing timber from the woods.

“I have always wanted my own business and enjoy the logging industry and being around heavy equipment,” Thurston said. But as one might expect, obtaining an expensive piece of equipment of this size can be a challenge. (more…)