America’s SBDC Blog

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From Empty Beehive to Thriving Family Business: A Success Story

December 16, 2024

In the heart of rural entrepreneurship, Susan and Glenn Scott’s journey with Honey in the Hollow Bee Farm exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and strategic business support. What began as a simple gift of an empty beehive would soon blossom into a flourishing family enterprise that demonstrates the transformative potential of small business growth.

A Humble Beginning

Glenn Scott, an auto technician, and Sue, deeply committed to homeschooling, shared a dream of owning their own business. The unexpected gift of an empty beehive became their catalyst for entrepreneurship. Initially, they operated from home, with bees buzzing in their backyard, selling their honey products directly to local customers.

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Blooming Success: How the SBDC Helped Taylor Flower Patch Grow

December 10, 2024

At Taylor Flower Patch, our story is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of community support. I’m Jenny Campbell, co-owner of this beautiful flower farm nestled in the heart of Taylor, Mississippi, just south of Oxford. Today, I want to share how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) transformed our dream into a thriving reality.

From Hobby to Business

Gardening has always been more than just a hobby for me—it’s a way to connect with the earth and bring joy to others. When my husband and I purchased our property, we knew we wanted to create something special. With encouragement from my husband and sister, I began to see the potential of turning my love for flowers into a sustainable business.

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Flying Leap Vineyards: A Veteran-Owned Winery Soaring to New Heights with SBDC Support

November 18, 2024

Flying Leap Vineyards is a remarkable success story of a veteran-owned small business taking flight in the Arizona wine industry. Founded in 2010 by three lifelong friends from the U.S. Air Force Academy – Mark Beres, Marc Moeller, and Tom Kitchens – the company has grown from a small-scale wine grape farming operation to a thriving winery and distillery, thanks in large part to the support of the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

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From Naval Officer to Successful Entrepreneur: Skipper T. Ryan Davis’ Journey with the SBDC

November 14, 2024

Skipper T. Ryan Davis is a shining example of how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help veteran entrepreneurs transition from military service to thriving small business ownership. With over 20 years of experience as a Naval officer and 4,000 hours of flight time, Davis has proven himself to be a passionate leader, skilled communicator, and dedicated problem-solver – qualities that have served him well in his entrepreneurial pursuits.

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Big financial mistakes and how to avoid them

April 23, 2024

By Barbara Nuss, CPA
Profit Soup

What must you get right to be financially successful? At Profit Soup, we LOVE numbers. You probably expect us to say something like this:

“To avoid financial problems, study your numbers.”

Academically, it’s a sound approach. Realistically, you cannot build a profitable, sustainable enterprise without a skilled and passionate team living out a selling culture with efficient operations.

Financial statements and KPIs represent the voice of your business, giving you feedback on how well the team is managing the important business functions. Having a sound, regular financial review routine is an important function of a profitable enterprise. It points you to problem areas you need to investigate, such as rising costs and timely price adjustments.

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