Caitlyn Baker, the owner of the Brave Ember, successfully took her newfound hobby and transformed it into her own business. 
 
In 2021, Caitlyn found a creative outlet in candle-making. She discovered her passion after first crafting candles for a work gift exchange. From there, Caitlyn continued candle making as a hobby. Eventually, as she continued to hone her craft, Caitlyn had the idea of turning her newfound interest into her own business. 

Recognizing the need for cost-efficient assistance to navigate the complexities of starting a business, Caitlyn turned to the internet. From there, she discovered the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center and, after attending one of their workshops, registered for advising. The SBDC proved instrumental in Caitlyn’s entrepreneurial journey, providing guidance on legal business operations, assisting in the initial stages of website design, and offering valuable market research on similar businesses in her area. Today, Caitlyn’s business has launched, her handcrafted candles being sold at local events and through her online store.  

“I realized I can actually have help; I can actually have my own advisor that I did not have to pay for… I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to work with [Business Advisor Sandra Pierre] because without her, this business probably wouldn’t be here. This business wouldn’t be where it is today… The SBDC helped me start my business… “

Jonathan Prieto, a seasoned HVAC industry professional with over a decade of experience, partnered with his wife Kate, a U.S. Air Force veteran with five years of service and two years as a military contractor, to embark on an entrepreneurial journey to establish their own HVAC business. With Jonathan’s industry knowledge and Kate’s business acumen, the couple worked to lay the starting foundation for their business. However, during the planning phase of their business plan, they both knew they needed assistance. They began searching for business advising, where they would find the Oklahoma SBDC.  

After attending an online workshop from the Oklahoma SBDC, Kate sought advice on starting a business and registered for advising. There, she was contacted by Business Advisor Larry Siebert and her first session was scheduled. Larry provided invaluable assistance, helping them craft a robust business plan, navigate legal guidelines, and identify beneficial resources. By August 2022, their dream became reality in their new business Familia Mechanical, located in Edmond, Oklahoma. Kate took the helm of business administration while Jonathan led his team in the field. Committed to giving back, Familia Mechanical supports their community, veterans and veteran programs, and offer their services in English and Spanish. 
 
“Thanks to [Business Advisor Larry Siebert’s] expert guidance, we were able to navigate the tricky waters of business planning, financial forecasting, and market analysis with a sense of humor and optimism,” says Kate Prieto. “By the time we launched, we felt not just prepared but empowered… Their support was instrumental in our early success, and I credit a large part of our positive startup experience to their insightful and targeted advice.” 

Kelly Burton, the proprietor of Boards by Kelly, sought guidance from the OKSBDC three months after launching her business. She aimed to ensure her business was set up correctly and to increase its visibility within the Canadian County communities. With the help of Advisor Emily Beesley, Kelly established action steps for business insurance, customer reach expansion, and website improvements. Emily’s marketing advice enhanced Kelly’s online and physical presence as a local business offering exquisite charcuterie boards for personal parties and corporate events. Kelly joined two local Chambers of Commerce, spoke at the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, and catered for the Piedmont Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. She expanded her customer reach to churches, educational institutions, and banks, leading to more leads and increased business. 

Kelly revamped her website based on Emily’s review, improving her online visibility with SEO. Emily provided Kelly with resources to secure necessary permits/licenses, enabling her to obtain her food handlers license as a private chef. This ensured she had everything needed for a legitimate business. Over the past six months, Boards by Kelly has seen substantial growth, due to networking opportunities in the local Canadian County communities. The business was recently featured in City Lifestyle magazine, where Kelly shared how to assemble a charcuterie work of art. Kelly expressed her gratitude for the OKSBDC’s assistance, from business start-up to client interaction and license help. As Kelly continues to grow her business, the OKSBDC plans to provide ongoing support.  

“It has been incredibly resourceful,” says Kelly. “From business start up, to interacting with clients, to license help… It has been a huge blessing to have someone to sit down with your one-on-one to help your dream of owning a business come to fruition.” 

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 faced challenges in providing adequate services to accommodate a few RV rental spots and some mobile homes. 

Recognizing Bryan’s needs, Ed Dyer immediately got to work, assessing funding opportunities for the development of the RV site. Ed began by assisting Bryan in setting up a comprehensive business plan and financials, which were crucial in obtaining funding from a bank. Bryan, demonstrating his commitment to the project, initially used his personal funds to begin working on the electric and sewage systems for the property. Finally, after much hard work and perseverance, Bryan was eventually able to secure the necessary funding, leading to the successful opening of the Sweet Home Resort. 

“The OKSBDC was very helpful and informative,” says Brian. “They really showed me a lot about being a business owner.” 

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 a small business loan, she sought assistance. Her loan officer directed her to the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where she was paired with Business Advisor Joe Silk. Candy was provided with an array of resources and templates that proved invaluable in her loan application process. She expressed gratitude to the SBDC and Joe Silk for their instrumental role in this process and was also enlightened about the different types of loans available to her. 

With the guidance of Joe Silk, Candy successfully secured the loan, which enabled her to acquire a facility and the necessary equipment to realize her dream of opening a gym. Her active involvement in the community paid dividends as she received substantial support from her clients and friends. This support significantly expedited the process of setting up her facility. Eventually, her gym, IC Fitness, celebrated its grand opening on April 3rd, 2023.  

“I couldn’t do this on my own…” says Candy, who found immense value in her time with Business Advisor Joe Silk. “I enjoyed that Joe communicated with me through phone and through messenger and also through email…” Candy says, emphasizing how important communication is to her. 

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 Center (SBDC) to achieve her dream of starting a business. She sought help preparing a business plan and navigating state paperwork.

Working with Business Advisor Claudia Pannell, Jennifer filed the required forms and paperwork with the state and worked to hire a professional team for her business. The final task was acquisition of funding to open their facility. Jennifer and her husband, Robert, applied for a loan in the spring of 2023 after researching multiple funding options.

The Longs’ loan was approved and funded, and they opened their We Rock the Spectrum location soon after. The facility is designed to provide children with sensory processing disorders with a fun and safe place to exercise, stay active, and socialize. Since the opening of their business, the Longs have been committed to supporting their local community and supplying an inclusive environment for the children of Yukon, Oklahoma.

“[The Oklahoma SBDC] was always quick to respond,” said Jennifer. “They were there to answer any and all questions. If they didn’t know the answer, they knew how to find it! As a first-time business owner, I really appreciated the support I received from the OKSBDC.”

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, no-cost entrepreneurial and small business management advising to help Oklahomans start and grow businesses.

Alora’s experience with the SBDC is a great example of how the center can help entrepreneurs with various aspects of starting a business. With the help of her business advisor, Joe Silk, Alora was able to create a business plan and prepare financial projections for her donut shop. Joe and Alora also assessed the likelihood of success for a donut shop in Broken Bow based on many factors, using information provided by the Oklahoma SBDC’s Center for Oklahoma Small Business Research and Analysis.

Doughnut Theory’s grand opening on May 3rd, 2022, was a success, with the shop selling between 400-600 donuts during the first two days of business and completely selling out within the first few hours of opening on both days. It’s great to see small businesses like Doughnut Theory thrive with the help of resources like the SBDC.

“Joe has helped out during every part of my business planning,” says Alora. “The info that was shared [helped] to build my plan; my experience has been great!”

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 help. Business Advisor Larry Siebert assisted them with financial research and projections for any potential facilities. However, due to the availability of lease spaces, Frederick and Heather decided to build their own.

The building process began in March 2021 with the choice between two plots of land in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Roadblocks would form early on in their plans for construction, but their total clients would grow to 78 by May 2021. During this time, Larry would continue to assist the Alcazar’s with more planning, financial projections, and opportunity assessment. Finally, after many bumps in the road, the construction loan was approved in September 2022, and work on the new facility began shortly after, with their client total reaching 197 around the same time through community marketing and word of mouth. Czar Athletics held its official grand opening on June 4, 2023, and as of October, they had grown to 380 athletes in their sports performance center.

“Mr. Siebert has always been a great and reliable resource and mentor as we grew our business and planned for our future,” says Frederick. “He drew our attention to REI as a financial source and has supplied great knowledge to help us succeed. Mr. Siebert truly cares about our business and helping us succeed.”

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 SBDC (Small Business Development Center), working with Business Advisor Emily Beesley.

Emily walked Jason and Ta through the process of filling out employee paperwork, obtaining workplace posters and safety materials, and implementing best practices for human resources. To strengthen their marketing efforts, Emily encouraged them to contact the El Reno Chamber of Commerce to prepare a ribbon cutting and open house for their business. While working to plan the organization of the open house, Jason would continue to create marketing materials and invitations to spread the word about his business. This effort not only led to a successful ribbon cutting for Reno’s Boneyard but also increased its visibility within the El Reno and Yukon communities. With a successful launch and a strong start to marketing, Jason and his wife are using the momentum and their dedication to grow their community presence even more.

“… You know, I never heard of [the Oklahoma SBDC] before,” says Jason, “and it’s free, and it’s a good resource to use… I think that no matter what stage of planning, or business, [or industry] you’re in, I think there’s help… It’s a resource that should be used.”

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 in medical school to become a chiropractor instead. 

Because of his family’s background, Dr. Rowe wanted to open his own Chiropractic office in the Oklahoma City area. During his preparations, Jacob’s bank referred him to the Oklahoma SBDC for business advising. While being familiar with running a chiropractic office thanks to his family’s background, business advisor Susan Urbach helped with the much finer details, assisting Dr. Rowe with things such as financial projections and loan applications. Finally, after meeting the federal and state obligations needed for his business to start, J. Rowe Chiropractic would officially open its doors. 

“My bank referred me to the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center, and specifically to Susan,” says Dr. Jacob Rowe. “I am grateful because they knew she could help me work through my loan request exactly in the way that it needed to be done, and help my understanding at the same time. This is a great service, and I consider them a go-to source for good, solid information and advice.”