Success Stories

State: Texas
Center: Del Mar College SBDC in South West Texas
Client: Bella Abastta

Bella Abastta, fresh out of high school, is a young and ambitious entrepreneur seeking to venture outside her family’s business. Her love for fashion motivated her to negotiate the purchase of an existing boutique that offers an eclectic variety of stylish and trendy women’s clothing and accessories.

Bella, who had no established credit, limited knowledge in purchasing and operating a business, was asked to present a Business Plan including a financial analysis. The purpose of the plan was to help the leaseholder transition over the lease and help Bella purchase the business.

Celia Garza, Business Advisor with Del Mar College SBDC encouraged Bella to participate in training seminars offered by the SBDC. Training seminars helped her become familiarized with fundamental business essentials such as start-up, marketing and financial statements. After attending business training and working closely with Celia, Bella was able to complete a Business Plan and generate a 3-year Financial Projection Plan. (more…)

State: Idaho
Center: Idaho SBDC, Region V
Client Name: Straight Forward Auto Service

Gary Warren worked for years to build his reputation as a trustworthy mechanic in the city of Soda Springs in rural southeast Idaho. In early 2012, Gary decided to fulfill his long held desire of going into business for himself and owning his own repair shop.

With assistance from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Gary’s market research showed he had the network to produce viable cash flow and secure ongoing clients. Yet finding funding for his new venture proved a challenge. (more…)

State: Washington
Center: Washington SBDC
Client: John Lyman

The Carlton General Store on two-lane Highway 153 heading toward Twisp and Winthrop looks like a throwback to an earlier time, with a false front on the weathered, wood-plank building and hand-painted signs advertising bait, ice and gas. But how to explain the wintertime yoga classes held alongside the ice cream display case, or the Kombucha in the coolers alongside Pabst Blue Ribbon, the quinoa a short distance from the Spam?

It’s all part of owner Jeff Lyman’s plan to create a 21st century general store for the diverse residents of his rural community who share a love of the outdoors and the Methow Valley. In mid-June the store’s Facebook page had 365 “likes,” which is about the population of Carlton, Lyman said, maybe more. Recent posts included shout-outs to local organic eggs, fresh-picked morels, and hot dogs for $1.50.

“This is a local’s place,” Lyman said. “There are very few out-of-towner’s here.” Until buying the General Store in December 2011, Lyman was an out-of-towner himself, albeit one with long ties to the area. An avid outdoorsman with a history of working hard to support his fishing habit, Lyman had first visited the Methow Valley with his family when he was a teen and had returned many times since then. (more…)

State: Washington
Center: Vancouver SBDC
Client Name: Natalie Fairchild

Just five years after creating Pacific Perks, a “personal cafe” start-up, Jim and Natalie Fairchild are in the enviable position of owning a business that isn’t just sustainable, but scalable. Ask her where she wants to be in five years and Natalie says she is of two minds: build an empire or maintain a life-work balance?

A goal of $1 million in revenues is not unrealistic, she said, depending on how hard they want to work. That’s a fair question, especially since Jim was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998 and left his high-powered job in sports marketing in 2007 so that he could achieve a healthier lifestyle.

They started with one espresso cart and a business plan that promised clients a personal barista to make coffee drinks for two hours for $300, with no drink limits and no extra charges. They’ve grown to six carts and can now provide mobile service for omelets, smoothies, quesadillas and ice cream sundaes, in addition to the espresso service. (more…)