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Published Jan. 30, 2012

       

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Published Jan. 30, 2012

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Using Its Power to Connect with Customers

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Published Jan. 30, 2012

By carefully address the following three fundamentals you will significantly increase the probability of business success while mitigating much of the risk associated with the venture.

By Walt Brittle

 

Where should you start when you have an idea for a new business or a new product?

A.  Write a business plan. 

B.  Rent office space, buy furniture and have business cards printed. 

C.  Quit your day job. 

Trillium Properties of Asheville, Inc.

“SCORE had a profound impact on my business and thus my personal life.

The advisors were attentive, knowledgeable and true visionaries. They could predict what might happen if certain things were or were not changed in my business plan and this really helped me make sound business decisions.

There support was instrumental in gauging when to hire and fire and when to spend and when to pull back on spending.

I would highly recommend any business owner to tap into this tremendous resource.
These professionals have been there and generously show you the ropes.”

Jenn

828-215-4537 cell
828-582-5397 office
828-350-8232 fax
www.TrilliumProperties.net

I am never too busy for your referrals!

Owner/Founder
Jennifer Ritchie Eller
My Location
348 Merrimon Ave., Suite 1
Asheville NC 28801
United States

SCORE Recommendation

Rod Birdsong, Executive Director of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, recommended the SCORE program to me. I have been very pleased with the business knowledge, advice, and support provided to me through Asheville SCORE.

I met with Bill Mance, former Vice President of Human Resources for Mission Hospital, and Greg Jones, CPA. Bill and Greg listened to my ideas and asked the right questions to lead me in the development of my business plan. They also referred me to the very helpful resources available on the Asheville SCORE web site.

I developed a Power Point slide presentation for our business using the same outline as a business plan. Bill and Greg reviewed it and made some adjustments before I presented it to potential lenders. The visual aids have given me an effective way to present our business to the major stakeholders in the business including business partners, lenders, family members, business associates, and vendors.

Bill and Greg have been valuable mentors. They have made strategic recommendations to improve the profitability of our business and have given insight to improve the professional presentation of our business to others.

As Bill and Greg have pointed out, the major function of a business plan is to force you to think through every aspect of your business and what it will take to be successful. Having obtained the financing we need, we are now using our presentation to improve our efficiency and profitability. This also gives us a tool to document the techniques we have used to develop our business.

I highly recommend the SCORE program. Not only do you have an opportunity to learn business skills by meeting with experienced and highly successful business executives, they also customize their advice to your particular needs.

Thank you! I look forward to an ongoing, successful relationship with Asheville SCORE and hope to be able to help someone in the future in the same way they have helped me.

Chip Cross, Business Administration Instructor, McDowell Technical Community College; Real Estate Investor

July 27, 2011

Toe River Embroidery

Neil Ruesch — owner of Toe River Embroidery in Spruce Pine — had always wanted his own business in the mountains of North Carolina. In 1990, while working for a manufacturer of pipe organs, Neil delivered and installed an organ to a church in Morganton and fell in love with the mountains. He was determined to return and start his own business. In 1996 he moved to Charlotte and purchased a business that specialized in cleaning up construction sites. He then sold that business and moved to Asheville in 2000, hoping to purchase another business. But Neil decided to start his own business, and that was the beginning of Toe River Embroidery in September of 2001.

Looking to sound out his ideas, Neil came to SCORE in mid 2002 and met with Ron Schmid. This consultation led to the development of a marketing plan complete with action items and due dates. Toe River Embroidery’s primary business sectors include tourist destination gift shops that often have a theme for an attraction, fire departments, school athletic programs, zoos, small businesses, and construction and contracting companies desiring quality shirts with embroidered logos.

Neil’s first major investment was an expensive 12 head embroidery machine. He created the embroidery designs on his computer then input the designs into the machine. Neil now plans to upgrade this seven-year-old machine to a more modern ersion with independently controlled heads. Within the past year and a half, Neil has expanded his business, adding two sales representatives in Charlotte and Spruce Pine to cover western North Carolina. These two individuals brought skill sets and insights into the selling arena that have resulted in orders for more upscale embroidered products — such as jackets, hooded sweatshirts, blouses, and golf shirts — and increased business more than twofold over the past year.

Neil has just purchased a high-end garment printer and plans to add printed products in addition to embroidery to satisfy a market for slightly less expensive printed garments. With this addition, Neil expects business to double again over the next year.

In November of 2003, Neil returned to SCORE and worked with Bob Bond who helped him expand his marketing plan and improve his presentation and selling skills. He continues as Bob’s client until the present time. Ultimately this marketing plan was refined and expanded into a Business Plan that Neil updates several times a year.Neil says that over the past six years, SCORE counselors have provided him with numerous opportunities to share his ideas and receive constructive comments in return. He indicates how important it is to develop, utilize and continually update a business plan, even if the plan is only for his own use.

Phone: (828) 766-6030

www.toeriverembroidery.com

Owner/Founder
Neil Ruesch
My Location
7380 Highway 19 E
Spruce Pine NC 28777
United States
Year Company Formed
2001

The Balloon Fairy

Phone: (828) 423-2030

www.balloonfairymagic.com

For me, success was creating a reality where I can be a stay-at-home mom, and I’m tickled that my dream came true! On snow days I turn off the alarm, roll over and go back to sleep with my two children (Carson and Jason). How did I accomplish this? I became The Balloon Fairy, the only full-time professional female magician in Western NC and the busiest magician/balloon artist in Asheville.

I believe success is not something accomplished alone. I was blessed to cross paths with Ricky Boone, a professional magician who took me under his wing late in 2004. That December, we did our first show together. He saw how fast I caught on and ‘kicked me out’ on my own. February 2005 was my very first party, and I’ve been unstoppable ever since. In 2005, I had 54 ‘gigs.’ In 2006, I had 124! In 2007, I am branching out even further. Because of Ricky’s belief in me I was able to step out and just go for it!

I also crossed paths with AB Tech, the SBA and SCORE, all key to helping my vision grow. Dave Hymer at SCORE always had new ideas with a ‘yes, you can!’ attitude for me and a passion for guiding others.”

I have the best ‘non-job’ on the planet! One of my favorite things to ask the kids at my shows is, ‘Kids, ask the adults in your life if they have a job or a non-job and remind them they have a choice. It’s AWESOME to see the reaction of the adults. I remind them they are a powerful being of light here on earth and to be happy in nurturing others.

Life is a full of choices, so choose today to contact SCORE to help your business dreams come true. Then contact me, The Balloon Fairy, to celebrate your grand opening and all your birthdays and anniversaries!

Owner/Founder
Marcie “The Balloon Fairy”
Year Company Formed
2005
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