The client requested assistance from SBDC to assist with market research for a start up insurance agency. She has successfully owned a staffing agency in Durant, OK and believed with her contacts she could run a successful insurance company. She had already identified the franchise that she was interested in pursuing and requested assistance in determining the market opportunities and research of the competition in the area.
Recreational and educational services in traditional archery including archery indoor range, retail store, and educational classes.
The client followed up from the tax classes to make sure the business was started correctly according to state law, as well as needing some assistance in the business plan and loan preparation.
The client requested assistance from SBDC to assist with the completion of the business plan. Client’s passion was to provide better education and medication management for the inner city residents and income challenged senior citizens. Client was applying for funding from Tulsa Economic Development Center. They needed the funds for site build out, prescription inventory, and working capital.
Insulation services provider of foam, fiberglass, and cellulose as well as foam roofing installations and repair.
The client requested assistance from SBDC to assist with the steps to develop and complete his business plan, determine the market feasibility, and obtain financing.
“We couldn’t have accomplished everything without the help of Morgan and appreciate that he still calls to check up on us.”
Emily and Dereck Franks began the process to create The Rustic Ranch in February of 2011 with an inquiry on the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OKSBDC) website. The Rustic Ranch is a retail store specializing in western apparel, tack and home décor. Emily has years of experience in a local western outfitters store and Dereck, a disabled military veteran, works with leather crafting.
Hitching Roast Coffee Co. Dennis Sells, Artisan Roaster, member of the Cherokee Nation, is a great example of creating a business out of his passion. Sells created his retail and wholesale roast coffee shop in a converted garage. Sells was able to utilize the services of OSBDC to find a solution for his cash flow issue – he could only purchase his inventory certain times during the year.
Ken Novotny and David Mitchell met at a gym one day and became fast friends. They soon discovered they share more than just a desire to keep physically fit. They both shared a dream of building a successful business. Novotny worked as a defense contractor at Tinker Air Force Base while Mitchell worked for a large contracting company as a buyer. Novotny had vast experience in computer systems. Mitchell knew the process of doing business with the federal government.
Lavonna “Shorty” Koger, owner of Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, knew a lot about rodeos and making quality cowboy hats. However, she did not know a lot about running a successful small business until she visited with Susan Urbach at the University of Central Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC). Today, her company, located in historic Stockyards City, is bursting at the seams thanks to management and technical advice received from the OSBDC. Sales have increased 400 percent. Staff has doubled, and the company offers better salaries with employee benefits.
“It was just perfect,” says Terry Enos owner of Bicycle Alley. “The OSBDC provided us with the tools, and three months later we had a business plan.” Enos had years of experience in the corporate world but wasn’t sure how to bring his ideas into focus. “Carlos asked all the right questions,” says Enos. “Carlos Amaya and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center showed me the ropes and gave me the structure I needed to open my business.”
Dustin Sheppard was no stranger to entrepreneurship when he decided to start a new venture in Roff, Oklahoma. Dustin had grown up watching his father run a family dairy farm. The purchase of one truck to help with hauling soon turned into more trucks, and that snowball eventually found the family out of the dairy business and running a successful trucking line.
301 W University Blvd.
Durant, OK 74701
(580) 745-2877
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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.