Chonda Loder, a dedicated fitness professional, faced several challenges when starting Foxtrot Industries BG. Her dream of creating a Veteran-Owned, women-focused gym to support new moms required a solid business plan. She needed to address issues such as market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies to ensure her gym's success. Chonda's passion was evident, but she needed guidance to translate it into a viable business venture.
Chonda turned to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help. With the assistance of her SBDC Business Coach, Brittanie Dawson, she crafted a comprehensive business plan. Brittanie provided valuable insights, resources, and expertise to shape Chonda's vision into a practical roadmap for success. The coaching allowed Chonda to refine her objectives, financial projections, and marketing strategies, ensuring her gym's long-term sustainability. Armed with this plan, Chonda was well-prepared to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
In August 2023, Foxtrot Industries BG opened its doors, quickly becoming a hub for women's fitness, especially new moms. Chonda's dedication and the solid business plan crafted with SBDC's help ensured a successful launch. The gym offered state-of-the-art facilities, expert trainers, and a supportive atmosphere, attracting a loyal community of members. Foxtrot Industries BG's success extended beyond business achievements; it fostered a sense of community and support among its members. Chonda's vision came to life as women connected, shared experiences, and embarked on fitness journeys together. Today, the gym thrives as a beacon of health and empowerment for women. Chonda's passion, coupled with SBDC guidance, transformed her gym into a thriving business and a supportive community that prioritizes fitness and camaraderie. Foxtrot Industries BG is a testament to the incredible results that can be achieved through passion, perseverance, and the right support system.
In July 2022, the town of Fleming-Neon, nestled in the Appalachian mountains, experienced a devastating flood that left many residents, including the Kincer family, in a dire situation. The Kincers, owners of Busy B's Flower and passionate dance and gymnastics instructors, awoke to find their business and homes destroyed. Their flower shop, which had been a labor of love since its inception in 2000, was in ruins. The floodwaters had left a trail of destruction, and everything they had built over the years was lost. Cleaning up the aftermath of the flood was an overwhelming task. Mud, glass, water, debris, and unimaginable challenges must be faced. The Kincers and their family and friends embarked on the daunting journey of rebuilding their lives and business from scratch.
"Without the visit from the Kentucky SBDC on that fated day, we would not have known about the grant application from the Foundation of Appalachian Kentucky and would not have applied in time."
Amid this crisis, Michelle Spriggs from the Kentucky SBDC and Kyle Smith from the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) visited Fleming-Neon and surrounding areas to offer support and inform business owners about available resources, including emergency business loan programs and grants. Many business owners, including the Kincers, were so engrossed in cleaning up their establishments that they hadn't explored these options. Michelle Spriggs sat down with Bonnie Kincer and assisted her in completing a grant application through the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. This crucial step, facilitated by the SBDC, provided the Kincers with much-needed financial assistance to begin recovery.
The Kincers' journey to rebuild their business and their community continued with the help of various individuals and organizations. Gods Warehouse from Tennessee provided lumber to reconstruct their dance stage and equipped their kitchen with essential appliances. Smile Faith also offered support, enabling the Kincers to provide food for their dance students. Amid the trials, the Kincers experienced acts of kindness from unexpected sources, such as two North Carolina nurses volunteering their time and resources to help clean and provide gifts to the dance students during the holiday season. Silver Spinners classes, led by Bonnie Kincer, resumed in December, and fundraisers were organized to meet the costume needs of students who had lost everything in the floods. The Kincers persevered, holding classes on their damaged stage while facing roof leaks. Despite the challenges, Bonnie Kincer maintained a positive outlook for the future, trusting that the support they received and their unwavering faith would guide them through the difficulties. Their story is a testament to resilience and the power of community in times of adversity
Madeline Tipton's journey to becoming a business owner began amidst unprecedented challenges. Graduating with a Communications degree in Spring 2020, she faced a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of embarking on her planned career path, she found herself back in her hometown of Ashland, KY. However, Madeline seized the opportunity to explore her passion for art and painting during the extended period of isolation.
As the country began to reopen, Madeline transformed her newfound creativity into a business venture. By April 2021, she launched The Tipton Creative, a company specializing in custom murals, sign painting, and brand design. In just under three years, Madeline's hard work paid off. She completed over 65 projects across Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and even Uganda, transforming spaces and helping brands tell their stories visually.
"Working with Terri and Michelle allowed me to not only develop a strong and confident pitch, but I was able to feel more organized and focused toward my future goals. I started out feeling lost on how to pitch, and I feel more equipped with public speaking in future opportunities!"
Despite her early success, Madeline recognized the need to elevate her business's visibility. She aimed to grow her brand beyond word-of-mouth recognition and attract clients on a larger scale. To achieve this, she sought guidance from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Eastern Kentucky Center, in the Fall of 2023.
Madeline set her eyes on competing in the Invest 606 Pitch competition in April 2024, where the prize could fuel her plans to expand into web design and social media marketing for small businesses. In addition to the prize, she also sought the opportunity to raise her brand awareness and sharpen her public speaking skills.
Under the mentorship of Terri and Michelle from the Kentucky SBDC, Madeline worked diligently to develop a compelling and organized pitch. The guidance helped her gain clarity on her business goals, refine her message, and boost her confidence in public speaking.
While The Tipton Creative did not clinch the prize money at Invest 606, Madeline's participation was far from a loss. The competition provided her with invaluable exposure and resulted in securing new clients impressed by her presentation. She successfully raised awareness of her brand, setting the stage for future opportunities.
Madeline's talent and drive have not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was commissioned to spearhead the rebranding of the Ashland Alliance into the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, serving Boyd and Greenup counties. This project is a testament to her growing influence in the regional business community.
Beyond her business endeavors, Madeline is dedicated to giving back. She actively volunteers her time to charity events, economic development seminars, and community engagements. As a speaker at the 2024 SOAR Annual Conference in Pikeville, she shared her insights on brand marketing and encouraged others to turn their passions into a thriving business.
The SBDC in Eastern Kentucky team is excited to continue supporting Madeline on her journey. Her commitment to uplifting others through her art and branding expertise is leaving a positive impact on the region. Madeline Tipton's story is a powerful example of resilience and creativity, proving that even in challenging times, opportunities for growth and success are within reach.
Seth and Tabitha Manea harbored a dream of owning the iconic Calvert Drive-In Movie Theater, but this aspiration came with unique challenges, even for experienced business owners like them. While they possessed valuable entrepreneurial expertise, the specific intricacies of purchasing and operating a drive-in movie theater posed uncharted territory. The Maneas recognized the need for a well-structured business plan and financial projections to navigate this endeavor successfully.
"I sat down with Aaron and we spoke for almost an hour. We talked about logistics of starting the business back up, operating, and challenges we might face. He put my business plan on paper in a format that SBA would understand. We crunched numbers and put profit and loss projections on paper so we could see our break even point to determine if the potential reward was worth the risk. I don't know if buying the drive-in would have been possible without this,"
The Maneas sought assistance from the SBDC in Paducah to transform their dream into reality. Business Coach Aaron Harned played a pivotal role in their journey. Together, they delved into the intricacies of reopening and operating the drive-in. Aaron guided them through crafting a comprehensive business plan that would serve as a roadmap and meet the standards required by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Seth Manea and Aaron discussed various aspects during their consultations, from logistical considerations to potential challenges. Aaron translated these discussions into a structured business plan that met the SBA's criteria. The collaboration also involved crunching numbers to create profit and loss projections, allowing the Maneas to gauge their break-even point and assess whether the venture was financially viable. In Seth Manea's words, the support from the SBDC and Aaron Harned was indispensable, making their dream of owning the drive-in tangible.
Thanks to the guidance and support of the SBDC and Aaron Harned, the Maneas were able to successfully reopen the Calvert Drive-In just a few weeks after finalizing the purchase. Their timing was impeccable, aligning with the busy summer season, which is a prime time for drive-in movie theaters. Today, you can visit their website, https://www.thecalvertdrivein.com/, to find showtimes and visitor information, a testament to the Maneas' achievement in acquiring and efficiently operating the iconic Calvert Drive-In Movie Theater. Their story exemplifies how expert guidance and a well-structured business plan can turn ambitious dreams into thriving businesses, enriching the community and providing entertainment for all.
