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Traditional Polish Comfort Food Comes to Vermont

September 1, 2015
Vermont-Pierogi-CafeSuccess Story: Vermont

“Throughout the workshop and in the many follow-up meetings with Deborah Eibner, I was supported and equipped with an invaluable set of tools and strategies that changed my rough idea into a clear vision.” – Viktor Witkowski, Owner, Pierogi Me! and Pierogi Café

Impact of working with the Vermont SBDC:  With the help of VtSBDC advising, Viktor Witkowski has melded his traditional Polish culinary roots with a solid business base, giving his company a stable platform for continued growth. What started as a home-based kitchen business quickly needed space to grow. Witkowski worked with his SBDC advisor to find suitable commercial kitchen space, as well as a small restaurant space to help the growing company expand. His plans continue to become reality as he puts the finishing touches on Pierogi Café in Quechee, where he plans to be serving fresh Polish pierogi soon. He also moved into a commercial kitchen and is ramping up his retail sales while streamlining product packaging.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Vermont SBDC and Pierogi Me! and Pierogi Café.

Turning Passion Into Reality

August 24, 2015
Vermont-Fitness-UnboundSuccess Story: Vermont
  • Vermont SBDC
  • SBDC Counselor: Ross Hart
  • Client: Fitness Unbound

“We needed help with our financial proposal and business advice from someone with more experience. [VtSBDC] advisors were very, very helpful throughout the entire length of the process – over three years!” Matthew Wells, Co-Owner, Fitness Unbound

Impact of working with the Vermont SBDC: First and foremost, the company needed funding before anything else could get started. Wells said the advice he got from his VtSBDC advisor was pivotal in making that happen. The pair went to work drafting and revising a business plan and financial projections that lenders would be responsive to and were eventually able to secure and finalize start-up funding for the business. VtSBDC advisors also helped the company work through the other challenges they had encountered up to the day they opened their doors in late 2014.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Vermont SBDC.

Construction Company Builds With Government Contracting

August 20, 2015
Freeland_Construction-South-CarolinaSuccess Story: South Carolina

“As long as we are able to utilize the SC SBDC, I know we’ll have the business advice we need to make those all important connections, find good job prospects and move forward in a sound way. The Small Business Development Centers network is one of the most underutilized but most necessary services the government offers.” – Kenneth Cantey, CEO, Freeland Construction

Impact of working with the Charleston Area SBDC: Government procurement, maximizing 8(a) opportunities.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the South Carolina SBDC and Freeland Construction.

Amped Apparel – Taking Your Brand to the Customer

August 17, 2015
Amped-ApparelSuccess Story: Pennsylvania

• Shippensburg University SBDC
• SBDC Counselor: Cheryl Young
• Client: Amped Apparel – SBDC client since 2013

“Try and go about it in the correct way. Consult with the SBDC. It’s easy to not want to spend as much money and time, but by taking the proper steps first, you’re establishing a brand that can grow.” – Adam Sitz, Owner, Amped Apparel

Impact of working with the Shippensburg University SBDC: Adam Sitz attended Shippensburg University to pursue a college education. While at Shippensburg, he continued to develop the Amped Apparel business that he started as a teen and that is celebrating its 6-year anniversary this year. Today, Amped Apparel is an action sport and lifestyle clothing brand. Amped also sponsors multiple athletes in various action sports. Amped Apparel’s products include t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, girls’ tanks, beanies, accessories, socks, bags, and eyewear.  (more…)

Doing Businesss the Environmentally Friendly Way

August 10, 2015
Premiere_Rubber_CompanySuccess Story: New York

“Doing business in an environmental and community friendly way can be very successful, especially when you add the SBDC to your team.”– Gail Walker, CEO, Premier Rubber Company, Inc.

Impact of working with the Farmingdale State College SBDC: Approved for an IDA PILOT program that assisted the company in moving into a new 18,000 SF building in Farmingdale, NY, expanded staff from six to 16, and increased sales to $5,400,000 in 2014.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the New York State SBDC and Premier Rubber Company, Inc.