50+ Entrepreneurs

Chic and Cheerful

I was a regular customer and consignor of this shop.  I’ve shopped consignment shops for 20+ yrs. When the owner informed me she would be closing the store to move out of state something inside me took hold.  I already had a full time job of 16 yrs. at a nearby private school but something in me said (and my husband said|) “SO WHAT, JUST DO IT.  So I did!

Owner/Founder
Terri Adams
My Location
6707 Johnny Mercer Blvd.
Wilmington Is.,Savannah 31410
United States
Year Company Formed
2010
My Successes

Business is growing. We are able to do more advertising so more and more people are discovering our shop.  When purchased the store was a hodgepodge of merchandise but  we quickly change the direction to a boutique consignment shop exclusively for women full of new and nearly new clothing and all accessories.  We changed the back of the store from a storage area into a second dressing room, seating area and space to display more merchandise. We have been carefully building our consignor base of quality items and have grown from 78 valued consignors to 0ver 200.  The relationship we have with our consignors and most of our customers is our greatest success, I feel.  They’re like extended family.  I am now able to be full time in the shop and it’s wonderful!

What's Great About My Mentor?

Mr. Gary Johnson is so easy to talk with and made me feel like a family member right away.  Gary has a clear vision of what is needed and what is necessary.  I feel secure with his advice.  When I bounce ideas off to him his is positive and supportive but methodic in how we should or should not proceed. I believe in the slow and steady pace.  I am thankful for his honesty and persistence in “nudging” me. 

How SCORE Helped

Contacting SCORE was one of the best things I’ve done!  I had bought the business about 8 mths prior.  I had begun to feel somewhat overwhelmed and in need of help to regain my footing and direction.  I needed help to organize and to set priorities.  It’s been invaluable.  After my first meeting with my mentor, Mr. Gary Johnson, I was empowered and reenergized.  Gary sent me off with a little “homework” assignment that was to be only the beginning of our mentorship.  It is a gift and a blessing to have this available.

Education

Some retail experience in my early years as well as being in the executive offices of Macy’s on Peachtree St. in Atl. My college courses were towards teaching not business.

In January/February of 2012 I attended a business course that UGA in conjunction with SCORE provided to new business owners and entrepeneurs.  It was truly a God send.  What an eye opening experience that has helped me in every way every day.

(GO DAWGS!)

Published Jul. 11, 2012 application/msword icon

Ask SCORE
Sales at my specialty toy store are extremely seasonal, with the vast majority of revenue
coming in the last quarter of the year. Surviving until the holidays has long been a challenge.
What can I do to make the rest of the year less of a high-wire act?

Download
How To Articles
Published Jul. 11, 2012 application/msword icon

Sales at my specialty toy store are extremely seasonal, with the vast majority of revenue
coming in the last quarter of the year. Surviving until the holidays has long been a challenge.
What can I do to make the rest of the year less of a high-wire act?  Read more.....

Download

Late Boomer Bloomers: Older Workers Carve Out New Careers to Stall Retirement

Date
Mon, 2012-07-02 10:08

In Florida's Collier County, SCORE Naples has helped seniors find new careers or start new businesses.

“Given the economy, a lot of people who come to our workshops have been laid off or want another career opportunity or to start a business,” said George Ahearn, chairman of SCORE Naples. “Giving back to the community is something we do. We can take our wisdom and share it.”

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Willamette SCORE Chapter 416 "FREE" Library Workshop's

Date
Thu, 2012-06-14 21:00

Don't miss out on this free workshop at the Eugene Public Library on How to Start a Restaurant.

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College Nannies and Tutors

How SCORE Helped

      Donna Balser, after being a stay-at-home mom for 15 years, wanted to reenter the workforce and decided to do something challenging and rewarding which would make a difference in the lives of families. The result was the formation of College Nannies and Tutors in 2007 which provides short and long term child care needs through experienced nannies and tutors to guide children through all stages of development from cradle to college.

      Their business model is unique in that it takes an inclusive approach to doing what is right for families. After interviewing families and learning about their needs, personalities and their children, a “role model match” is made with a nanny or tutor that will work the best with the family situation.

     This approach has been successful and the business now employs approximately 100 nannies and tutors plus 5 full time staff. Donna recently opened a third learning center in Austin and is celebrating her 5 year anniversary.

    Donna has been working with SCORE since prior to the opening of the first learning center and continues to use the resources of SCORE as she expands her business.

 

"I will be forever grateful for the
guidance of my SCORE mentor.”

- Donna Balser -

Austin TX (3 locations)

 Business:

   College Nannies and Tutors

   Started: 2007

    www.collegenanniesandtutors.com

 

Organic Web Designs

How SCORE Helped

Organic Web Designs

What started out to be a wedding consulting business ended up as a successful web design company and continues to diversify. When Timothy Bray came to SCORE for help in setting up a wedding consulting business the idea gradually changed and became “Organic Web Designs” which started as an exclusive web design company that specialized in a handmade approach to web design. Since its beginning in 2008 it has slowly transformed itself into an all-purpose business development agency working with advertising, social marketing and across-the line branding.

He believes that the future of advertising is entertainment and that there is a growing need to make advertisements more engaging by creating elements of fun, excitement and humor; almost to the point where you can’t even tell if it’s an advertisement. Therefore, his new direction is toward a full-service advertising company based on storytelling; creating dramatic, engaging in-depth tales about businesses.

SCORE has helped with many issues ranging from business plans, interpersonal business relationships, marketing and operational issues. Tim states that the most important things he has learned about owning his own business is having a continuously disciplined, positive, flexible and consistent attitude towards all endeavors.

 

“SCORE has been a blessing!”

- Timothy Bray -

Austin, TX

Business:

Organic Web Design

Started: 2008

http://www.organicwebdesigns.org/

Childhood Development

How SCORE Helped

     Butch and Maria Aggen own and operate The Goddard School, a private pre-school franchise, which specializes in early childhood development for children from six weeks to six years. The school operates on the premise that each child has a special and individual learning style. Goddard Developmental Guidelines, a core component of The Goddard School FLEX learning Program, form the basis of unique lesson plans brought to life for each child in fun and imaginative ways. They are committed to achieving excellence in all areas of the school’s operation

    The Aggens’ have owned the business since 2007 and although successful, they turned to SCORE for help in planning for growth and expansion, improved customer satisfaction, profitability, employee retention and other areas. A recent customer survey showed an outstanding level of service provided by the faculty and word-of-mouth referrals have tripled.

     SCORE has helped them to develop a strategic plan which included construction of an annex to expand capacity, consolidation of loans and the development of metrics to measure progress.

 

“Score has helped develop strategic
initiatives to take us from “very good”
 to excelling in key areas.”

 Butch and Maria Aggen - Cedar Park, TX

Business: The Goddard School

Started: 2007

www.goddardschool.com

 

Older Entrepreneurs Face Unique Challenges, Valuable Advantages

Date
Fri, 2012-06-08 10:19

Stephen Cohen, whose firm advises many older small business owners, sees more and more people who have been laid off at the end of long careers and who are looking toward entrepreneurship rather than re-entering the job market. "Opening a business is the American way of starting new," he said.

Others are simply searching for a way to spend more time with their families, Mr. Cohen said, or for more financial independence.

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