Bryan Pirtle, a driven entrepreneur, decided that he wanted to establish a vacation RV rental site in Ardmore. Wanting to turn his vision into reality, he registered with the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he was paired with Business Advisor Ed Dyer. Bryan had four acres of land at his disposal, but he […]
From personal trainer to gym owner, Candy Tipton’s journey of determination and community support culminated in the grand opening of her business, IC Fitness, marking a significant milestone in her career. Candy, a personal trainer since 2017, harbored the ambition to open her own gym. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive business plan to secure […]
There are many benefits to exporting including increasing your sales, paying your employees higher wages, and overall business longevity. With so many advantages, some companies are still hesitant to begin exporting because of the common misconceptions. Luckily, we are here to demystify those common myths and share resources that can help you leap into expanding […]
Jennifer Long, a family life studies graduate from the University of Oklahoma and a foster care professional, became interested in franchising opportunities with We Rock the Spectrum, a company that supplies inclusive gyms for special needs children. After three years of researching opportunities with them, she registered for advising with the Oklahoma Small Business Development […]
Starting a business can be a daunting task, but Alora Champagne was able to successfully start her own donut shop, Doughnut Theory, in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a great resource for entrepreneurs like Alora who need help with starting or growing their businesses. The SBDC provides confidential, high-quality, […]
Beginning with a garage-based youth sports performance fitness center, Major Fredrick Alcazar, USAF, Ret., went from training four student-athletes to 40 between June 2020 and January 2021. Because of this, Frederick and his wife, Heather, decided to search for a larger facility to accommodate them. Starting their search, they turned to the Oklahoma SBDC for […]
With a love for pets and travel, Jason and Ta Ratliff wanted to create a dog boarding and grooming facility. Focusing on service, quality, and cleanliness, this business aims to supply peace of mind for traveling pet owners. Looking for help with employee setup, marketing, and community outreach, Jason registered for advising with the Oklahoma […]
Jacob Rowe, who comes from a family of chiropractors, originally went to school to become a music teacher. However, after realizing that a degree in music wasn’t for him, Jacob noticed that his back began to ache from his posture in class. Seeing this as a sign, he decided against his original plan and enrolled […]
With a history of working in her family’s bakery, Nikki Griggs decided that she would open her own bakery in downtown Norman, Oklahoma. Looking for a strong start to her business, Nikki would turn to the Oklahoma SBDC for assistance, pairing with business advisors Susan Urbach and Stephanie Baker. Together, the trio would work on […]
A Venezuelan native, Peggy Diaz de Marcano moved to the United States three years ago in search of new opportunities abroad. After moving to Tulsa and spending some time there, Peggy wanted to open her own business that sold traditional Venezuelan food to her local community. However, realizing that she needed help with writing a […]
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Full disclosure available here. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Cindy Ruminer via email or call 580-745-2877 for assistance.