Success Stories

OKSBDC clients Brett Bain and Brian Edwards, Co-Founders of Fair Wind, LLC, have been named 2015 Small Business Person of the Year, according to the Oklahoma District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Lawton business was assisted by the OKSBDC International Trade Center Advisor Justin Hazzard, located at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater.  Hazzard assisted Fair Wind with improved import capabilities and acquiring new capital for heavy machinery.

“We want to offer our congratulations to Fair Wind on their selection as the Small Business Person of the Year and pleased we could provide services through OKSBDC that could enhance their ability to utilize their domestic and international market while expanding business,”  said State Director Bill Carter.  “This is just an example of the high level of expertise and experience our OKSBDC staff provides to our clients and indicative of the difference we can make for a small business.”  (more…)

America’s SBDC is excited to announce that the Louisiana SBDC center at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, and six SBDC clients from around the country, will be acknowledged and awarded at this year’s National Small Business Week. National Small Business Week honors America’s 28 million small businesses and their entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient spirit that serves as the backbone of the American economy.

“This year’s winners are dynamic trailblazers in their respective small business fields, contributing to their local economies and providing good jobs in their communities. It is an honor to celebrate their hard work and success,” said Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Small Business Development Centers don’t just help entrepreneurs and growing businesses — they help create success, they help people realize their dreams. SBDC impact can be seen in the number of businesses starting and growing and creating jobs all across America. National recognition of our clients’ success is just the icing on the cake. At America’s SBDC we are proud to represent a national network that does such great work, and especially proud of all the winners and finalists,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, America’s SBDC President & CEO.  (more…)

Success Story: Missouri

• Missouri State University (MSU) – West Plains SBTDC
• SBDC Counselors: Bronwen Madden and Darrell Hampsten
• Client: Restoring Hope, LLC – SBTDC client since 2012

The SBTDC’s assistance “was vitally important to our success… I felt like Darrell was always 100 percent on our side, always excited about what we were doing.” – Charles (“Chuck”) Swift, co-owner and founder of Restoring Hope, LLC.

Impact of working with the SBTDC: Restoring Hope, LLC, a business that places people with developmental disabilities in caring homes, has grown to about 70 well-paid employees in one of the country’s very poorest Congressional districts. Revenues have also grown steadily, from $70,000 in 2008 to more than $1.5 million in 2012, and nearly $3 million today.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Missouri SBTDC and Restoring Hope.

Success Story: Florida

• Florida SBDC Fort Lauderdale
• SBDC Counselor: Anil Chang, FSBDC International Trade Specialist
• Client: Surface Logix, SBDC client since 2012

“Anil and Parbatee were a great help to me and our business with our new export plan. I participated in the seven-week course to set up our program properly. I would highly recommend this program to businesses interested in export exposure.” – John Daly, Owner, Surface Logix

Impact of working with the SBDC: As part of the FSBDC Fort Lauderdale’s Export Marketing Plan recommendations, Daly participated an export trade mission to the Dominican Republic, using the Gold Key Service provided by the U.S. Commercial Service and scholarship funding provided by Enterprise Florida. (more…)

Success Story: New Mexico

• San Juan College SBDC, New Mexico
• SBDC Counselor: Carmen Martinez
• Client: Great Harvest Bread Company of Farmington, NM – SBDC client since 2011

“They believed in me which made me believe I could do it.” – Kim Bell, Owner

Impact of working with the SBDC: The entrepreneurs were granted an SBA guaranteed loan which enabled them to begin their 16-employees business.  Additionally, out of the 200+ Great Harvest stores, the Bells have won: Phenomenal Bread – New Store (2011), Top Sales – Young Store (2012), and Top 10 Sales Growth (2013), in addition to awards for customer service.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the New Mexico SBDC and the Great Harvest Bread Company of Farmington, NM.