< PreviousBahar 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 fteen 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 nancing 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 prot and the aid of owner nancing, 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 nancial 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 prot 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 prot. The store is projected to surpass $400,000 with a net prot 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, fulll 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 ofcial, 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 nancial analysis of the facility. The site visit and nancial review identied critical deciencies in the maintenance of the building and equipment, nancial 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, nancial 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 protability 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 certication as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) through the Tennessee Governor’s Ofce of Diversity Enterprise (GoDBE). Following certication, she began networking. While attending the Tennessee GoDBE’s annual Diversity Business Marketplace in 2016, she was awarded her rst 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 fteen years as a small family window-cleaning business, The Cleaning Force began expansions in 2016 offering ofce cleaning, oor 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 nancial 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 rst 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 rm 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 nancial guidance through Ex-Im Bank. The TSBDC utilized its certied 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 scal 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 HighlightsPro Health Wellness Clinic, a sole proprietorship, has quickly become the most convenient, full-service wellness clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. The company offers weight loss solutions, testosterone replacement, B12 shots, and IV hydration therapy among many others.Pro Health Wellness owner Estes Folk, who started the business in March of 2016, credits his early success to building a great team and establishing a solid foundation by working with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Southwest Tennessee Community College before opening his doors.After reviewing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website, Folk decided to in a shorter amount of time. Pro Health Wellness is on a mission to use its platform to promote and raise awareness for health-related programs and initiatives that can make a difference in so many lives. contact his local Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Folk set an appointment at TSBDC’s satellite ofce located inside the City of Memphis Renaissance Business Center (RBC), a one-stop shop where entrepreneurs and small, minority, and women business enterprises (S/M/WBEs) can receive training, one-to-one counseling, and information. TSBDC staff met with Folk to begin free one-to-one business counseling and to help develop a solid business plan for the new venture. Folk was prepared to make an equity investment into the business, but TSBDC staff also introduced him to the City of Memphis Micro-Loan Program which is designed to enhance job growth and retention by providing entrepreneurs with access to alternative nancing for working capital, inventory, equipment, and façade improvements. TSBDC staff, RBC staff, and Folk worked hand-in-hand to prepare a solid loan package to secure additional capital for the startup business. “I believe TSBDC and RBC are one of the best things going on in the city. They go beyond their responsibilities and do an excellent job. A professional, knowledgeable, and hard-working group if there ever was one! I would highly recommend their services to any business owner,” Folk said.With an early capital investment of $58,000 and the creation of four new jobs, Pro Health Wellness Clinic has provided hundreds of Memphians with that much-needed incentive to help them achieve their health and tness goals Dr. Tracy Hall, PresidentSouthwest Tennessee Community College (SWTCC)30Pro Health Wellness ClinicSouthwest Tennessee Community CollegeAbraham George started SS Energy Technologies, LLC in 2014 with over 20 years of professional experience designing power systems for multiple industries across the United States. As a professional engineer, George recognized that every hospital, data center, and remote communication station required a reliable emergency power system. Consider a hospital with hundreds of life-support devices, which require a constant and stable source of electrical power, and the ramications of a massive power outage. George designed, built, and patented a one-box solution for cost-effectively testing the readiness of a hospital’s emergency power system. During 2016, counselors at the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Tennessee State University worked with him to develop a marketing plan and secure a $275,000 loan to market the emergency power test solution box. Today, George has a team of three sales engineers marketing the product to hospitals, data centers, and remote communication systems. SS Energy Technologies, LLC has an energetic and innovative engineering team that is always on the lookout for new opportunities. Recently, George and his team designed, built, and began marketing a micro-grid, which will provide a cost-effective, sustainable solar energy source to inhabitants of remote communities across the entire globe. The TSBDC team is currently working with George to secure nancial support to place these sustainable micro-grids in multiple remote communities within the country of Zambia. Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, PresidentTennessee State University (TSU)31SS Energy Technologies, LLCTennessee State UniversityClient Highlightsthe trusted advisers I turn to for assistance. I would encourage anyone looking to start a business or get help with a business they’re operating to seek these folks out because they can really make a difference!” happens. The Smith County Insider focuses on local, breaking, sports, church, and political news, in addition to an in-house weather team.McKinney contacted the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Tennessee Tech University (TTU) following a referral from the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. He was interested in taking an idea that he had and converting it into a reality. Meeting with the team at TTU, McKinney was able to receive the necessary advice on starting a business, as well as education and guidance on creating a website and accompanying social media platform strategy. “Because of the services provided by the TSBDC at Tennessee Tech University, I was able to bring my dream to life. The team there worked diligently with me to help me gain an understanding of the necessary skills needed to operate this type of business and I can’t thank them enough,” McKinney said. Working together with the TSBDC team at TTU, McKinney implemented the TSBDC’s business counseling recommendations and expanded his business. “I consider the team to be a part of my extended family now, and I know I can call on them whenever needed. Their approach to using multiple in-house advisers to address my businesses needs made me feel like I had a whole team of business experts supporting me,” he said. “They have shown me that it is possible to take an idea and turn it into something more, and they will continue to be Dr. Philip Oldham, PresidentTennessee Technological University (TTU)32Tennessee Technological UniversityThe Smith County InsiderColby McKinney is CEO of the Smith County Insider, an internet media news outlet operated in Smith County, Tennessee. Supported by local advertising revenue, the company has quickly grown to be the number one source for news in Smith County in just a year. At the helm of the venture, McKinney directs the company’s website and social media outlets to ensure Smith County residents see the latest news as it University of Tennessee at MartinVeterinary Home HealthcareHealthcare strives to develop relationships with patients and their families and to provide the best medical care possible for treasured family pets where pets are in a fear-free environment. The business serves customers in Martin, Tennessee, and surrounding communities. Reynolds’ Veterinary Home Healthcare practice now offers integrative medicine, through an online business called the Blessed Pet Shop. This new venture expanded the business to include pet products such as holistic foods and supplements as well as toys, trendy clothes, collars, and more. The online store was created for the convenience of customers. Products can be shipped anywhere in the United States. “This was a journey that I went on as God opened the doors,” Reynolds said. Reynolds was educated and prepared to be a doctor of veterinary medicine, but not as a small business owner. “The rst place I went for help was the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at the UT-Martin Reed Center. There I began with a blank canvas and began building knowledge about running a small business. I received help with things like building a business plan, QuickBooks, taxes and more,” she said. “I have been there on occasion just to meet and ask for help about specic situations I was dealing with as a small business owner. Every time they were so kind to offer me help. I remember once in particular when they helped me with nancial projections for a class I was taking. I am very grateful that they exist. They are a most valuable resource for me.” Dr. Keith Carver, ChancellorUniversity of Tennessee at Martin (UTM)33Veterinary Home Healthcare opened for business in 2011 when Dr. Debbie Reynolds left her associate DVM position in order to care for her daughter. After leaving her full-time position with an established clinic, Reynolds worked as a relief veterinarian at various clinics around west Tennessee. This allowed her to work part time and take care of her child. During this time, some of her previous clients continued to ask Reynolds to care for their animals even though she had no home clinic from which to work. Based on the persistence of her customers, Reynolds began making home visits. She found that there was a need for a home healthcare type of veterinary practice and decided to start the business when her daughter began kindergarten. Veterinary Home Healthcare is now a well-established growth business which offers customers medical care for their dogs and cats in the comfort of their homes. Veterinary Home Client Highlights34Dr. Jerry Faulkner, PresidentVolunteer State Community College (VSCC)Kristie Holdren’s passion for vegan cooking began in 2006 when she discovered a recipe for vegan cheese dip that was better than the real thing. From that moment on, Holdren began to transform meat-centric dishes from her childhood into delicious vegan masterpieces that would fool even the most devoted carnivore.She started My Veggie Chef, a vegan meal delivery service, in order to share her healthy, vegan creations with the community. Holdren is a strong supporter of local businesses and designs her menus around seasonal produce as much as possible. Holdren met with Charles Alexander, director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Volunteer State Community College, in 2012. She wanted to get more efcient and have a plan to grow. Her goals were to double the size of the business and begin shipping to other states. Over the next few years, Holdren worked with the TSBDC to develop a business plan, create goals, and get organized. Since then, My Veggie Chef has moved to a larger location, hired multiple employees, increased revenue by 5 times, and is now also shipping to 22 states. As a client of her own business, Holdren is in the best health of her life! My Veggie ChefVolunteer State Community College“I got so much great advice and encouragement from Charles and TSBDC when I started my business! I still hear his voice in my head saying that it just takes time to build a business. In fact, I was telling someone just the other day to be patient and let things happen in their business. One minute you are just getting by and a few months later you are paying your bills and have extra money to invest in your business. Patience and focus have been my keys to success!” —Kristie Holdren35TSBDC’s Capital Infusion for the Year 2016 (SBA Core)$87,138,214Number of Clients CounseledHours of CounselingJobs CreatedJobs RetainedPeople Trained in Small Business–Related Subjects3,76114,4331,74798111,9192016 TSBDC Results RecapNext >