Success Stories
Honor Flight
Earl Morse, founder of Honor Flight, received extensive services from SBDC to create and grow his non-profit organization. He began in 2005 with a goal of getting World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial - at no cost to them. At that time, Morse, a private pilot was using his plane and other private pilots with two- to six-person planes to fly veterans. Soon the number of veterans far exceeded his resources.
With assistance from SBDC, Morse expanded his vision from the Springfield area into a national organization flying veterans. SBDC showed him how to turn his passion from a part-time effort into a full-time non-profit organization. It assisted him with writing a business plan, better understanding his short-term and long-term financial needs, obtaining non-profit status and developing his board. SBDC helped Morse to create a web site for information and donations and to marketing his product more effectively. Morse was able to improve his fundraising efforts, better identify important prospective funders and connect with veteran organizations across the country.
"SBDC has been just phenomenal. It's incredible what they have done for us," said Morse.
By 2009, Honor Flight had expanded to 90 hubs in 34 states and were chartering flights with national airlines Morse has appeared on every major television program. He received the Presidential Citizen's Medal from President Bush in 2008. During 2009, Honor Flight flew 17,832 veterans. Thus since 2005, 35,996 veterans from across the country have visited the memorial. Honor Flight is continuing to develop new programs and expanding to more cities.
Springfield Flight Academy, LLC
Aaron Coleman, an observant flight instructor, saw a need and with the assistance of his wife Marjorie have worked to make his vision become a thriving business, which is growing and expanding at the Springfield, Ohio airport. In 2005 Aaron purchased the Springfield Flight Academy and one plane. Fast-forwarding to summer 2009, the Academy's president, Marjorie, now presides over the expanding business. The Colemans own two planes and are seeking a third. They also employ a second training instructor.
The business has exciting plans for future expansion including becoming a certified FAA Plane Repair Facility. They are working with Clark State Community College to develop a pilot training course as part of the school's curriculum. The first classes for this program begin Fall 2009. Currently they are busy growing their four core areas of expertise: flight instruction /pilot certification and ground operations, maintenance services for light aircraft, a fuel brokerage business and aircraft rental services.
The Colemans initially came to Springfield's Small Business Development Corporation seeking financial advice and possible assistance. Working with multiple counselors, SBDC assisted in several areas. A functional and sensible business plan was constructed and submitted to the City of Springfield as part of their overall company vision. SBDC helped them obtain minority loan status for their contract business and provided financial assistance so they could purchase a second aircraft. Finally, a much enhanced, user friendly web site was developed by SBDC consultants.
With the evolution of their business and continued support from the SBDC, Aaron and Marjorie plan to grow their Springfield Airport facility from assisting pilots transiting through the Springfield area to providing employment opportunities in their repair facilities. Ultimately the Colemans successes will bring much-needed, private-sector tax revenues and possible additional new businesses to the Springfield area.
True Inspection Services, LLC
When the engineering company that employed Barry Couts began to cut work hours and benefits, he decided to start his own company. One of his first goals was to become certified with the State of Ohio. SBDC counselor, Mike Crockett, was there to help him gain certification as a Disadvantaged Business enterprise (DBE) and an Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE) firm.
Crockett personally took Couts through the SBDC facility. He saw individuals in business for themselves who had a helping hand from SBDC and decided to locate his office there.
"There are a whole lot of things you just don't think of and when someone points out some things that you just don't think of, that's a great help," said Couts. "SBDC helped me with equipment, training, tax information things that I didn't do as a project manager."
When Couts needed funding, another SBDC counselor reviewed his projects and "went to bat" to help him obtain a line of credit to sustain his fledgling business. The counselor assisted Couts with preparing a loan application and connected him to a local bank. Cout was approved for a $25,000 line of credit that quickly increased to $100,000.
True Inspection Services, LLC provides inspection, administration and management services on commercial, government, aviation and industrial projects. Since opening in January 2008, the company has completed projects for Meijer Retail Stores, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, the Dayton International Airport and the Cuyahoga District 12 Highway Program.
Today, Barry Couts is exited and enthusiastic for the future. He is the prime consultant for a $500,000 contract for the Ohio Department of Transportation. Couts will direct the work of six inspectors, three hired by his company and three from another larger company who was eager to team with him because of his excellent reputation and more than a decade of working with him.
Learn more about True Inspection Services at their website: http://www.trueinspectionservices.com/
High Hopes Learning Center
Sandy Hanson opened High Hopes Learning Center in 2001. Working in the daycare profession since 1981, she knew day care. What she didn't know was "the actual business of running a business". Enter the Springfield Small Business Development Center.
"The experience was absolutely wonderful. They were very informative," said Hanson. "They listened, I can't say I was always heading in the right direction, but they were always willing to listen."
Warren Holden, her SBDC advisor, helped her write a business plan. Then, he worked with Hanson to make it a reality. The first step was acquiring a building in Enon for the new center. Holden helped with negotiating the purchase and introduced her to a banker who assisted with financing the SBA 504 loan. When she needed to buy equipment for the center, Holden walked her through applying for the Micro Enterprise Loan. And he provided financial guidance to make sure Hanson was on-track with all the forms and business details like worker's compensation.
As High Hopes grew, Hanson returned to SBDC for a loan to upgrade her playground equipment. She will return again, as soon as she has time, to upgrade her website with assistance from the SBDC website counselor.
Today, High Hopes Learning Center takes care of 135 children on a daily basis and has 12 full-time staff members. Hanson modestly attributes her success to being flexible in meeting the needs of the community and her wonderful long-time employees.
"We treat each child at High Hopes as if he or she were our own," said Hanson. "For some of these children, we are with them longer than their parents. It's important for them to grow up with good role models."
Hanson sees a huge need for quality child care in Clark County. In the future, she hopes to open a new daycare location. It will start with another visit to SBDC for more help.
New Neighbors Residential Services
When the State of Ohio closed Springview Developmental Center, it was a cloudy day for its residents and their families. But, there was a silver lining when Brenda McAlexander opened New Neighbors Residential Service.
With 25 years of experience as an assistant administrator and a Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW), McAlexander understood how devastating it would be to move them to a facility in Dayton, Columbus or other developmental centers across Ohio. Many guardians were elderly and couldn't make the drive to an out-of-town facility. They would have been forced to visit less often.
McAlexander met with the Clark County MRDD to find out how to be certified to care for people in Springfield. When she learned there was a limit of 40 hours a week for an individual provider, she decided to obtain an agency provider certificate and offer 24-hour care for residents in local homes.
New Neighbors was set up as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Bob Bare, an SBDC counselor assisted her with writing a business plan and renting an office and program space for adult day care and therapy. Bare, who McAlexander describes as"very knowledgeable in the field," continues to assist the organization by serving on the New Neighbors Board of Directors.
New Neighbors' first clients were nine former Springview residents. As soon as the residents rented local homes, McAlexander arranged caregivers for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All services were customized according to individual needs.
As the organization grew, McAlexander saw that she needed help. A second SBDC counselor was able to assist her with budgeting and managing the payroll for her 40 new employees. Today, a third SBDC counselor is guiding her as she starts another company, New Neighbors 4U. The Organization will construct new housing that is completely accessible for individuals with handicaps.
"We're going to continue helping these folks," promises McAlexander. "Why? Once you work with them, they grab your heart and don't let go."
Arctech Fabricating
Founded in 1992, Arctech Fabricating was in business for four years when the company learned about SBDC. The small business that started in a garage needed a loan to purchase a $93,000 welding robot. Their banker referred them to SBDC for a low-interest business loan.
"SBDC helped with 'bigger picture' assistance," said Arctech Vice President Jim Roberts. "We would bounce ideas off them," "Between Steve and Warren, they helped with different information and perspectives"
SBDC director, Steve Anzur, provided business advice including the economic outlook for their type of service. He introduced them to the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to help their company become a certified government contractor.
"With the help of both the SBDC and PTAC, we were able to achieve our goals of increased sales which translates into increased jobs for 35 employees," said President Len McConnaughey. "We were poised for success and just getting started."
As the winner of SBDC's Business Makeover Contest in 2005, Arctech received a $100,000 low-interest loan, a business server with technical support, free safety training and lots of publicity. The server significantly improved communication and allowed the principals to connect to the network outside the office.
Arctech projects run the gamut from fabricating a close-tolerance part for NASA, after they could not, to building the world's largest pumpkin pie pan for a new Guinness world record. As the business grew, Roberts says there were "multiple silver linings" including employee development and profit-sharing, advising the Career Technical Center on skills students need and helping people with their businesses.
Today, Arctech is one of Ohio's premier certified welding facilities providing close-tolerance parts for the military and commercial businesses. It continues to differentiate itself from competitors with higher and higher levels of work. Arctech has a 54,000 square foot building and its employees include two Certified Weld Inspectors - a real rarity and multiple Certified Welders.
Learn more about Arctech Fabricating from their website: http://www.arctechfabricating.com/ .