< PreviousVeterans Served TSBDC served 454 military veterans in 2016. Veteran business owners represent 12 percent of TSBDC clients. In addition, TSBDC counseled 123 members on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves.A planning and resource guide published by the TSBDC in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration was distributed to veterans and veterans’ offices across the state.Featuring notable clients from each of the 14 TSBDC regions representing our 3,761+ clientsNetwork MissionTo enhance economic development in Tennessee by providing quality solutions to the existing and potential small business community through consultation, education, referral, and support services.Mission StatementRecognizing that small business is the economic backbone of the state of Tennessee, the TSBDC’s mission is to be the premier provider of quality solutions to potential and existing small businesses’ needs through consultation, education, referral, and support services. By providing these services through its interactive network of resource partners, the TSBDC promotes growth and prosperity in the domestic and international markets of the business community and enhances its economic impact on the state of Tennessee.TSBDC Client Highlights 2016Female business owners represent 48% of TSBDC counseling clients.50%48%2%Male ClientsFemale ClientsNo ReplyPacific 0.2%White 67.5%Black 28.3%Asian 2.4%Native American 1.6%Minority business owners represent 32.5% of TSBDC counseling clients.Client DirectoryAPOY 21Solution Scholars & Co. 22Pedego Tennessee Valley 23Phoenix 24hr Fitness Center 24Green Cube Solutions, LLC 25Neighborhood Food Mart 26Fun Time Bowling Center 27The Cleaning Force 28Animal Element Equine, Inc. 29Pro Health Wellness Clinic 30SS Energy Technologies, LLC 31The Smith County Insider 32Veterinary Home Healthcare 33My Veggie Chef 3420Austin Peay State University (APSU)Dr. Alisa White, PresidentThere’s a new product on the market that was the brainchild of one of our clients, Armi Rhodes. It’s a new athletic style shirt called Own the Cold, and you may not have heard about it yet, but you will.Armi Rhodes is the creator of the unique athletic wear which has mittens sewn onto the sleeves of the garment. Her idea has grown from something that she created for her own kids into her very own business, the APOY Clothing Line.Rhodes, who recently retired from Fort Campbell after 20 years as an Army nurse, said the idea came to her when her kids, who are members of the Clarksville Soccer Club, were playing an early morning game in Kentucky.The temperature was around 40 degrees and she said most of the youngsters didn’t have gloves. She said the kids told her that they had either forgotten them or they had lost them and she thought, “Wouldn’t it be a great idea to sew the mittens on their shirts?”“I need it myself personally, my kids need it personally, my team needs it, so I decided to get some fabric because I know how to sew a little bit and see how it works before I proceeded with the concept,” Rhodes said.When the weather is warmer, the mittens on the shirt are designed to fold inside the sleeve out of the way. The front of the shirt also has a pocket with two openings on either side where the hands can be placed.As she began to start up her business Rhodes approached the office of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Austin Peay State University. Small Business Specialist Len Stolz guided Rhodes in the process of starting her business.The company’s name, APOY, comes from the first letter of the names of each of her family members. Armi, her husband Paul, and their two children, son Osiris and daughter Ynessa. Rhodes added that APOY is also the Filipino word for fire.Adult sizes of the shirts will soon be available, which will benefit parents on the sidelines and in the stands at soccer and football games. Rhodes said she has also heard from walkers, runners, and other outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in having the shirts.To learn more about Own the Cold athletic wear, visit www.apoy.solutions or go the APOY Facebook page. APOYAustin Peay State University TSBDC Client Highlights 20152122Solution Scholars & Co.Chattanooga State Community CollegeDr. Flora Tyding, PresidentChattanooga State Community College (ChSCC)and more. Solution Scholars & Co. delivered 1,268 hours of research to 28 clients, and $2,101,100.00 of infusion has resulted to date. This program has provided important deliverables that have aided these clients to more effectively understand their markets, their products, and the competitive landscape. Solutions Scholars & Co., which operates year-round, anticipates growth in the year to come, with a second cohort of students having entered the program in Fall 2016 and a third to join in Spring 2017. Some students will continue to work as researchers through multiple semesters, providing a unique opportunity for employment while completing a UTC degree. To further integrate the program into the business community, the Solution Scholars team alternates meeting on UTC’s campus and at The Edney Innovation Center. In the summer months, students work from the INCubator.“We have great aspirations for this program,” said Dr. Robert Dooley, Dean of UTC’s College of Business. “It is a mutually-beneficial opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience and our local small businesses to gain insights that can drive their growth.” Solution Scholars & Co., a partnership of Chattanooga’s Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) and the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga (UTC) College of Business, has completed its first year of operation, during which it provided research services to more than 28 local small businesses, from a wide range of industries. The unique program, which includes both in-class and structured, paid internship components, allows both graduate and undergraduate students to gain marketable experience and skills they can leverage as they start their careers. TSBDC Chattanooga and the UTC College of Business saw a lack of resources with regard to business research services that could inform Chattanooga’s small business community about decision-making in support of business growth and job creation. The program’s student-driven research services include market characterization, customer profile and demographics, competitive analysis, industry trend analysis, macro-environmental scanning, Community, youth, and health have been focus areas for the Mull family. Their commitment to the community is what led them to want to start a small business. Mull has always had an interest in owning and working on two-wheel vehicles. Knee problems led him to investigate the electric bicycle industry and the benefits of ownership. Once he discovered the Pedego line, he knew it was the right fit for his business vision. His decision has proven over and over again to be a sound one as Pedego has provided a tremendous amount of support.Mull recognized the benefit of working with local small business specialists who could assist with all aspects of starting and growing a niche business. He first became aware of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center through its partnership with the Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator. Over the years, center business counselors have worked with him on cash flow planning, marketing decisions, product expansion, location choice, payroll and employee classification, and loan package development. Pedego Tennessee Valley is the recipient of the 2016 Rising Star award for the TSBDC at Cleveland State. Mull’s discipline and drive to make continuous business improvements led to the decision. Pedego Tennessee Valley has seen consistent growth over the last two years, doubling revenue year after year. Mull is planning a store renovation and an inventory expansion for 2017 to capitalize on the area’s market reception of both the Pedego line and pedal bicycle products. He is currently in the process of working with TSBDC staff on a business loan application package to fund this expansion. Dr. Bill Seymour, PresidentCleveland State Community College (CLSCC)Pedego Tennessee Valley is a Cleveland, Tennessee-based electric and pedal bicycle and accessory dealership. Travis Mull began his business in late 2014 under the name Tennessee Valley Trikke. As he explored options in the personal electric vehicle world, Mull decided to become a distributor of the Pedego line of bicycles due to its reputation for quality and reliability. This decision expanded his customer base tremendously. He has built on that over the years by expanding into bicycle accessories, complementary products, and a line of high-quality non-electric bicycles. Being active in the BMX community inspired Travis and his son to add BMX bikes and accessories to their line.23Pedego Tennessee ValleyCleveland State Community CollegeClient Highlights24Dr. Karen A. Bowyer, PresidentDyersburg State Community College (DSCC)passion, than many who come through the doors of Small Business Development Centers all across the nation. After hours of counseling and training from the TSBDC, Proctor was able to discover a creative financing means which gave him the collateral necessary to begin approaching lenders about possibly funding the remainder needed. The TSBDC worked closely with Proctor and numerous lenders until he was successful in obtaining the necessary funding to not only open his own fitness center, but to actually build his own building in which to operate it. The TSBDC assisted Proctor with skill set development in small business ownership, creative financing, financial preparedness and management, loan package development, and the eventual launch of the business. To date, the sales projections for The Phoenix 24-hour Fitness Center have exceeded projections by more than 34%. Growth has been phenomenal and the community has embraced this new business with overwhelming support. Projected jobs created were 3 and the actual number of jobs created to date is 5. When recently interviewed by Small Business Administration District Director Walter Perry regarding his experience with the DSCC TSBDC, Proctor stated, “I am really pleased Harold Proctor came to the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) as a displaced worker whose background was farming. He was a fitness enthusiast who desired to begin a new career as an entrepreneur owning his own 24-hour fitness center in his hometown community, Alamo Tennessee. With no job, no capital to begin the venture, no experience as a fitness expert or gym owner, and no business plan, it appeared on the surface that all of the odds were stacked against him. However, what was lurking below the surface was a client who had more drive and commitment, more persistence and with the TSBDC. Maleia Evans, the center director, went above and beyond. She helped me get my dream out of my head, into a proposal, and onto paper that I could easily present to bankers. She went beyond what I could have ever imagined the level of service would have been from a no-cost service. . . . I am grateful for the services offered by the TSBDC.” Dyersburg State Community CollegePhoenix 24hr Fitness CenterDr. Brian Noland, PresidentEast Tennessee State University (ETSU)Joey Powers, owner of Green Cube Solution’s, LLC, received the 2016 Rising Star Award from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at East Tennessee State University. The Rising Star award is given annually by the TSBDC to the company that best exemplifies not only business success, but an outstanding working relationship with the TSBDC and use of the services it provides.Green Cube Solutions, LLC (GCS) is a residential and commercial roll-off dumpster service located in Blountville, Tennessee. Its service includes portable storage containers and miniature dumpsters for a variety of businesses and industries to either rent or purchase. The company is currently in its fifth year of operation and has twelve full-time employees.The TSBDC assisted Powers by providing startup assistance, business plan development, and became a reliable resource to him throughout the process. “The TSBDC helped me take a wild idea and create it into a reality. I must say that I was very impressed with the professionalism and the knowledge that the TSBDC provided me with to work through the processes of forming a new start-up company,” Powers said. 25East Tennessee State UniversityGreen Cube Solutions, LLCClient HighlightsBahar Wazir moved to Jackson, Tennessee, from Atlanta in 2011 and rented Neighborhood Food Mart, a convenience store in East Jackson, an underserved area. He and his wife, Rihanna, worked the store fifteen hours a day, seven days a week in order to build the volume and establish a trust within the community. He purchased another convenience store in 2013 with the help of owner financing and paid it off in late 2015. Using this as a second source of income, Wazir has the store rented on a two-year lease. With those funds, along with the building of the Neighborhood Food Mart profit and the aid of owner financing, Wazir was able to negotiate the purchase of the store by making a down payment of $20,000.The success of the purchase was made possible with the assistance of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Jackson State Community College. Wazir asked for help in guiding him through the process of developing a business plan and in providing all the necessary financial and personal information for securing a $365,000 Small Business Administration Loan. The loan provided Wazir the opportunity to pay off the balance of the store loan; to renovate non-operable gas pumps and gas plaza; and to renovate the parking lot. Unfortunately, EPA approvals, local inspections and normal construction has delayed the opening of this new addition to the convenience store. The planned opening was the beginning of January 2017.Wazir has done an outstanding job of building the Neighborhood Food Mart business and adding important services for the community. First, he added a U-Haul-It Trailer Rental Unit for which the business receives a commission. For over a year he had an ATM Machine on the premises on a commission basis. In late 2015 he purchased the machine which has become a good source of revenue, and lottery tickets provide a steady monthly income for the store.Wazir has done an outstanding job of controlling expenses. Every year since 2013 his net profit has increased even though there was a nominal decrease in sales. Due to the increased services being offered, 2016 is showing a marked increase in both sales and profit. The store is projected to surpass $400,000 with a net profit of 12 percent.Dr. Allana Hamilton, PresidentJackson State Community College (JSCC)Jackson State Community CollegeNeighborhood Food Mart26The growth of Neighborhood Food Mart has created additional jobs. Starting with just Wazir and his wife, they have now added two additional employees. Future plans call for the store to eventually become a 24-hour service mart, which would require additional employees.Neighborhood Food Mart has become an important part of the East Jackson Community. The services it provides from accepting EBT cards to selling of food, and soon providing gas and diesel fuel in an underserved area, fulfill a need. Its success illustrates how an immigrant came to Jackson with very little and worked hard to achieve the American dream. Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, PresidentMiddle Tennessee State University (MTSU)In 2008, Kim and Michael Turner realized a long-held dream—they purchased the local bowling alley in Lewisburg, Tennessee, the Fun Time Bowling Center. After several years of operations, the Turners discovered integrating the range of skills needed to manage the business aspect of their dream proved to be both complex and nuanced. In early 2016, taking the advice of a local government official, the Turners sought the counsel of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) for guidance in improving the performance of their business.A TSBDC Business Development Specialist visited the Turners at the Fun Time Bowling Center and guided them through the process of performing both an operations analysis and a financial analysis of the facility. The site visit and financial review identified critical deficiencies in the maintenance of the building and equipment, financial oversight, and marketing strategy. The Turners and the TSBDC Specialist used this analysis to develop an improvement plan for the bowling center. The Turners enthusiastically embraced the improvement plan. Within a few months, the facilities’ infrastructure was repaired, financial oversight was implemented, and the marketing campaign was executed. The results from the Turners’ execution of the improvement plan were outstanding. In less than a year, revenues increased 62% and profitability increased in excess of 300%.“Working with the TSBDC taught us how to restructure our business from the ground up. They came in as a mentor and gave us a template to stop the downward spiral. Working with the TSBDC also gave us the solid 27Fun Time Bowling CenterMiddle Tennessee State University foundation to make changes in our business that gave us a positive outlook on our future. We are so thankful for all their help and input,” the Turners said. Client HighlightsPellissippi State Community CollegeThe Cleaning ForceWith industry experience limited to window cleaning, she approached the growth challenge with robust determination. She started by attending a series of TSBDC workshops including Start Up, Business Planning, and GrowthWheel training. Assisted by TSBDC staff, Traynham developed a business plan and obtained certification as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) through the Tennessee Governor’s Office of Diversity Enterprise (GoDBE). Following certification, she began networking. While attending the Tennessee GoDBE’s annual Diversity Business Marketplace in 2016, she was awarded her first government contract during the “On the Spot” Procurement Contract Opportunities segment of the program. The TSBDC continued providing guidance with bookkeeping, insurance and bonding, worker’s compensation, legal entity registration, business licensing, and loan package preparation. In collaboration with Paul Middlebrooks, SBDC staff helped Traynham bid on one State of Tennessee contract and two City of Knoxville contracts. The Cleaning Force was awarded both City of Knoxville contracts and recently began cleaning the city’s Public Works Complex and the city’s Recreational Centers in October of 2016. SBDC staff recently helped Traynham develop a loan package application submitted to Pathway Lending’s Ready.Fund.Grow! program for $25,000 for working capital and equipment needs.The Cleaning Force is a home-based, commercial janitorial business located in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Established for fifteen years as a small family window-cleaning business, The Cleaning Force began expansions in 2016 offering office cleaning, floor treatment, and pressure-washing among other cleaning services using green and sustainable cleaning systems. The business strategically focuses on a well-trained workforce and currently employs three full-time staff. The Cleaning Force primarily services public properties within the City of Knoxville, as well as private commercial clients. Owner Ingrid Traynham, originally from Venezuela, spearheaded the expansion process. In December of 2015, she contacted the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Pellissippi State Community College for assistance with growing her small window-cleaning business into a full-service commercial cleaning business capable of bidding and being awarded government contracts. Dr. Anthony Wise, PresidentPellissippi State Community College (PSCC)28She continues to steam ahead, bidding on more contracts and marketing to the private sector. Her success is due largely to her resolute stamina, even amidst personal and financial hardship. In less than 12 months, Traynham has grown The Cleaning Force from a waning small family window-cleaning business to a promising full-service commercial janitorial business generating revenue of more than $143,000 annually. Not resting on her laurels, she plans to employ 17 additional staff in the first quarter of 2017. Dr. Chris Whaley, PresidentRoane State Community College (RSCC)Founded in 2009, Animal Element Equine, Inc. is a woman majority-owned enterprise. The firm is engaged in providing animal supplements on a retail and wholesale basis to a global customer base. Products are focused on the growing market segment for natural healing, proven therapeutic effectiveness, and detox properties for animal health. The initial target market was equine products, but now has expanded to include items for small animals. Animal Element Equine, Inc. requested the assistance of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Roane State Community College, seeking marketing advice and guidance on expanding into other export markets. The TSBDC provided assistance with both the domestic market and international markets. In regard to international markets, technical assistance and export advice was provided in cooperation with the TSBDC’s International Trade Center with additional financial guidance through Ex-Im Bank. The TSBDC utilized its certified international trade specialists along with its Euro Monitor database to develop reports for expanding the client’s business in Dubai and new markets in Greece, Poland, Brazil, and Australia. As a result of expanding international markets, monthly sales have doubled. At the time of this report the company was on track to reach $1,000,000 in sales for the fiscal year of 2016. “The TSBDC is a vital service to small business, providing Animal Element Equine, Inc. with resources for growth and expansion that otherwise seemed unattainable. These services have allowed for future growth possibilities and support,” said Michelle French, founder of Animal Element Equine, Inc. 29Animal Element Equine, Inc.Roane State Community CollegeClient HighlightsNext >