| Lars soon began working with Volunteer Counselor Jerry Zyskowski, former chief engineer at Boeing, on ways to improve the store’s profitability. They examined Mud Bay’s product mix and financial performance, and benchmarked the store against other retailers. With improved profits and an expanding customer base came valuable publicity and, in 1999, the Washington Family Business Award in the small business category.
“Jerry’s background was perfect for our needs,” Lars says. “At Boeing, he had managed many complicated, fast-moving projects where needs and conditions continually changed—just like the retail business.”
That experience proved particularly valuable in 2000, when Mud Bay seized the opportunity to acquire a failing local pet store chain. With SCORE providing assistance with business strategy, start-up issues and financial planning, Mud Bay secured an SBA-backed loan to grow from a single location to a nine-store company virtually overnight.
Today, Lars reports that Mud Bay Granary is enjoying its best year ever with annual revenue reaching $7 million. He continues to meet regularly with Jerry Zyskowski to discuss business issues and opportunities and, in general, “help me be a better CEO.”
Lars likens SCORE’s counseling services to “therapy for people who run small businesses. There’s nothing like confiding in someone who you know will provide you with an informed, objective opinion. People who don’t take advantage of SCORE are missing a fantastic opportunity.”
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