Mentoring

The Traits it Takes: Sustaining a Business

Date
Mon, 2013-03-04 09:57

The good news is you’ve started your business. But how do you sustain that business and not become part of the more than 50 percent of small businesses the Small Business Administration says fail within the first five years? Austin Woman Magazine asked Celia Bell, a retired senior executive who volunteers as a SCORE mentor, for her tips on keeping a small business running.

 

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Sweet Robichaux, LLC

Husband and wife team Stephen & Jennifer Robichaux started out as pure baking enthusiasts before realizing they could turn their hobby into a viable business opportunity.  They imagined a creative, unique, innovative and yet Southern-souled bakery.  But how could they turn this vision into a reality?  That’s where SCORE mentors stepped in to walk them through the process of starting their venture.  Now, their cupcakes, fudge, southern brittle, whoopie pies and customized iced sugar cookies are igniting the smiles of customers everywhere.

www.sweetrobichaux.com

Owner/Founder
Stephen & Jennifer Robichaux
My Location
Prairieville LA
United States
Year Company Formed
2012
My Successes

Not even a year old, the business has expanded beyond their small residential kitchen to a commercial kitchen.  Their near-term plan is to increase baking capacity, reduce overhead, increase marketing capabilities and subsequently grow and expand enough to be able to serve weddings, local and community celebrations, and be a vendor at local markets and festivals. Their longer-term vision includes selling sweets from a "Sweet Eats" food truck and later having a retail store. These venues will include their basic cupcakes, fudge, southern brittle, whoopie pies, a variety of iced sugar cookies, plus ice cream and other confections.

Sweet Robichaux provided pastries, cookies and candies for the After Party following the 2012 SCORE Awards Gala in New Orleans.  The business was chosen as a winner of the Sam’s Club Holiday Cheer initiative in December 2012, receiving a $1,000 grant and a trip to Dallas to attend a high speed growth marketing workshop hosted by SCORE. 

How SCORE Helped

Their mentor says, “Stephen & Jennifer were overflowing with ideas when they came to us.  They understood the product and had a good grasp on marketing direction.  They were lacking the knowledge and resources to create a solid foundation on which to build.  We provided them with tools that would help them organize their thoughts and ideas, balance their finances and build a solid business plan.”  At the recommendation of their mentors, the team decided to incorporate as an LLC in May of 2012.

New Freedom Company Invents Pad to Reduce Injury in Car Racing - Stephanie Reighart

Date
Thu, 2013-02-28 09:42

Denny Gross has had back injuries all his life.  He started sprint car racing in 1973 at the age of 22 and has kept up with the competition ever since.

"When you're an engineer and race for a lifetime, you come up with ideas to solve problems," Wickham said.

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Manatee Business Honored as SCORE 'Client of the Year'

Date
Thu, 2013-02-28 09:31

With a $7,500 line of credit and some help from business associates and friends, Dave Chism began his start-up manufacturing company in Manatee County 2 1/2 years ago.

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Fine Arts Major Turns to a Career in Designing Teeth - David A. Kostival

Date
Thu, 2013-02-28 09:27

When Nathan P. Shultz, 37, was pursuing a degree in fine arts from Kutztown University in the late 1990s, he never dreamed that he would someday run his own business designing teeth.

In 2009, Shultz began working with the Reading Chapter of SCORE to begin the process of starting a business.

 

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Taylorsville Business Owner Recipient of National Training Grant - Jessica Miller

Date
Thu, 2013-02-21 15:19

Thanks to a grant from one big business and a nonprofit organization, two small-business owners in Utah have received money and training that will help them take their business to the next level.  Kris Rudarmel, who owns Taylorsville’s Anchor Water Damage and Restoration with her husband, received one of the grants. She said she went to the two-day workshop in January and learned about different ways to market the boutique-style emergency flood-service business, including using YouTube videos and blogs.

 

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Franchising Means Entrepreneurs Don't Have to Go it Alone - Virginia Bridges

Date
Tue, 2013-02-19 11:42

Rich Wallace wanted to start his own business, but wasn’t sure where to start.  At first, Wallace, 34, wanted to open a coffee shop, but his experience was in administration and information technology.  So, he decided to explore franchising.

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Love of the Kitchen Keeps Myrtle Beach Area Chef Going - Jennifer Lombardi

Date
Tue, 2013-02-19 10:05

“I always gave 100 percent no matter where I worked. For so many years I did it for everyone else, and I decided I was going to do it for myself,” said Stephens.

With the help of her family, SCORE, her accountant Darryl Vick, and a lot of prayer, she found a way to make her new dream a reality.

 

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Jump-N-Jack's

See video
How SCORE Helped

Jim Wittenburg, SCORE mentor, helped client develop a business plan over a period of a year.   See the video for more.

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