IMPACT BY NETWORK

Rhode Island

Gong cha Bubble Tea Franchise opens its 1st store in RI (Gong cha Cranston)

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"I had my grand opening in December of 2019. I was a little nervous, but being able to count on the support of the SBDC and my advisor gave me the courage to continue on. I am comforted knowing that they are always there for me when I need them."

On July 14th, 2022, Hank Yan and his business partner Kay Vuong were joined by RI Gov. Dan McKee, Cranston Mayor's Office, RISBDC, and other local dignitaries to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Gong cha Bubble Tea's 1st franchise store in RI. Hank & Kay are minority business owners and funded the business with private investment and family contributions. Gong cha is an international beverage franchise specializing in freshly prepared bubble tea. Founded in 2006 in Taiwan, Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor,” opened its doors to the bubble tea market. Amit Basnet from RISBDC has assisted Hank in his business planning. In four months, Hank is gearing up to open his 2nd location on November 10, 2022.

Gong cha Bubble Tea Franchise opens its 1st store in RI (Gong cha Cranston)

On July 14th, 2022, Hank Yan and his business partner Kay Vuong were joined by RI Gov. Dan McKee, Cranston Mayor's Office, RISBDC, and other local dignitaries to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Gong cha Bubble Tea's 1st franchise store in RI. Hank & Kay are minority business owners and funded the business with private investment and family contributions. Gong cha is an international beverage franchise specializing in freshly prepared bubble tea. Founded in 2006 in Taiwan, Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor,” opened its doors to the bubble tea market. Amit Basnet from RISBDC has assisted Hank in his business planning. In four months, Hank is gearing up to open his 2nd location on November 10, 2022.

Gong cha Bubble Tea Franchise opens its 1st store in RI (Gong cha Cranston)

On July 14th, 2022, Hank Yan and his business partner Kay Vuong were joined by RI Gov. Dan McKee, Cranston Mayor's Office, RISBDC, and other local dignitaries to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Gong cha Bubble Tea's 1st franchise store in RI. Hank & Kay are minority business owners and funded the business with private investment and family contributions. Gong cha is an international beverage franchise specializing in freshly prepared bubble tea. Founded in 2006 in Taiwan, Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor,” opened its doors to the bubble tea market. Amit Basnet from RISBDC has assisted Hank in his business planning. In four months, Hank is gearing up to open his 2nd location on November 10, 2022.

Gong cha Bubble Tea Franchise opens its 1st store in RI (Gong cha Cranston)

On July 14th, 2022, Hank Yan and his business partner Kay Vuong were joined by RI Gov. Dan McKee, Cranston Mayor's Office, RISBDC, and other local dignitaries to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Gong cha Bubble Tea's 1st franchise store in RI. Hank & Kay are minority business owners and funded the business with private investment and family contributions. Gong cha is an international beverage franchise specializing in freshly prepared bubble tea. Founded in 2006 in Taiwan, Gong Cha, which translates to “tribute tea for the emperor,” opened its doors to the bubble tea market. Amit Basnet from RISBDC has assisted Hank in his business planning. In four months, Hank is gearing up to open his 2nd location on November 10, 2022.

South Carolina

By communicating with me in my native language, SC SBDC Hispanic Business Consultant Marco Rios made it much easier for me to navigate the many steps of launching and organizing my business. He is now helping me with my short- and long-term goals.

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"I had my grand opening in December of 2019. I was a little nervous, but being able to count on the support of the SBDC and my advisor gave me the courage to continue on. I am comforted knowing that they are always there for me when I need them."

CEO, InSouth Magazine

By communicating with me in my native language, SC SBDC Hispanic Business Consultant Marco Rios made it much easier for me to navigate the many steps of launching and organizing my business. He is now helping me with my short- and long-term goals.

CEO, InSouth Magazine

By communicating with me in my native language, SC SBDC Hispanic Business Consultant Marco Rios made it much easier for me to navigate the many steps of launching and organizing my business. He is now helping me with my short- and long-term goals.

CEO, InSouth Magazine

By communicating with me in my native language, SC SBDC Hispanic Business Consultant Marco Rios made it much easier for me to navigate the many steps of launching and organizing my business. He is now helping me with my short- and long-term goals.

CEO, InSouth Magazine

South Dakota

SD SBDC reaches increasingly diverse markets

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"I had my grand opening in December of 2019. I was a little nervous, but being able to count on the support of the SBDC and my advisor gave me the courage to continue on. I am comforted knowing that they are always there for me when I need them."

With just over 15% of the citizens identifying as Minority, the state of South Dakota is becoming a more diverse population. The South Dakota SBDC has successfully reached out to all markets, including the historically underserved. Over the past five years, we have assisted 38 minority entrepreneurs in securing $20.8 million to start or grow a small business in South Dakota.

SD SBDC reaches increasingly diverse markets

With just over 15% of the citizens identifying as Minority, the state of South Dakota is becoming a more diverse population. The South Dakota SBDC has successfully reached out to all markets, including the historically underserved. Over the past five years, we have assisted 38 minority entrepreneurs in securing $20.8 million to start or grow a small business in South Dakota.

SD SBDC reaches increasingly diverse markets

With just over 15% of the citizens identifying as Minority, the state of South Dakota is becoming a more diverse population. The South Dakota SBDC has successfully reached out to all markets, including the historically underserved. Over the past five years, we have assisted 38 minority entrepreneurs in securing $20.8 million to start or grow a small business in South Dakota.

SD SBDC reaches increasingly diverse markets

With just over 15% of the citizens identifying as Minority, the state of South Dakota is becoming a more diverse population. The South Dakota SBDC has successfully reached out to all markets, including the historically underserved. Over the past five years, we have assisted 38 minority entrepreneurs in securing $20.8 million to start or grow a small business in South Dakota.

Tennessee

I couldn't have made this work without the help of the Small Business Development Center. They helped me so much in gathering data, and financial projections for my loan, and giving me real-world business advice to help me get started.

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"I had my grand opening in December of 2019. I was a little nervous, but being able to count on the support of the SBDC and my advisor gave me the courage to continue on. I am comforted knowing that they are always there for me when I need them."

Owner, Little Sunshine Academy LLC

I couldn't have made this work without the help of the Small Business Development Center. They helped me so much in gathering data, and financial projections for my loan, and giving me real-world business advice to help me get started.

Owner, Little Sunshine Academy LLC

I couldn't have made this work without the help of the Small Business Development Center. They helped me so much in gathering data, and financial projections for my loan, and giving me real-world business advice to help me get started.

Owner, Little Sunshine Academy LLC

I couldn't have made this work without the help of the Small Business Development Center. They helped me so much in gathering data, and financial projections for my loan, and giving me real-world business advice to help me get started.

Owner, Little Sunshine Academy LLC

Texas

North

ARPCO VALVES & CONTROLS, LLC WORKING TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS

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"I had my grand opening in December of 2019. I was a little nervous, but being able to count on the support of the SBDC and my advisor gave me the courage to continue on. I am comforted knowing that they are always there for me when I need them."

Arpco Valves & Controls, LLC is owned and operated by Bobbie Hurley O'Dell.  Arpco is a company focused on the safety of all those working around oil and gas wells. They pair the right products with the proper configuration to achieve maximum safety and productivity. They also maintain and service those valves to sustain the safety of the businesses, clients, and team members they serve.  Their mission is to protect their customers, communities, and environments by providing high-quality Emergency Shut Down systems for oil and gas wells; Arpco has a culture of integrity, pride, and loyalty. According to IndustryNet, only two percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are women-owned or led. This puts Arpco Valves and Controls in a rare company.

ARPCO VALVES & CONTROLS, LLC WORKING TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS

Arpco Valves & Controls, LLC is owned and operated by Bobbie Hurley O'Dell.  Arpco is a company focused on the safety of all those working around oil and gas wells. They pair the right products with the proper configuration to achieve maximum safety and productivity. They also maintain and service those valves to sustain the safety of the businesses, clients, and team members they serve.  Their mission is to protect their customers, communities, and environments by providing high-quality Emergency Shut Down systems for oil and gas wells; Arpco has a culture of integrity, pride, and loyalty. According to IndustryNet, only two percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are women-owned or led. This puts Arpco Valves and Controls in a rare company.

ARPCO VALVES & CONTROLS, LLC WORKING TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS

Arpco Valves & Controls, LLC is owned and operated by Bobbie Hurley O'Dell.  Arpco is a company focused on the safety of all those working around oil and gas wells. They pair the right products with the proper configuration to achieve maximum safety and productivity. They also maintain and service those valves to sustain the safety of the businesses, clients, and team members they serve.  Their mission is to protect their customers, communities, and environments by providing high-quality Emergency Shut Down systems for oil and gas wells; Arpco has a culture of integrity, pride, and loyalty. According to IndustryNet, only two percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are women-owned or led. This puts Arpco Valves and Controls in a rare company.

ARPCO VALVES & CONTROLS, LLC WORKING TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS, COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTS

Arpco Valves & Controls, LLC is owned and operated by Bobbie Hurley O'Dell.  Arpco is a company focused on the safety of all those working around oil and gas wells. They pair the right products with the proper configuration to achieve maximum safety and productivity. They also maintain and service those valves to sustain the safety of the businesses, clients, and team members they serve.  Their mission is to protect their customers, communities, and environments by providing high-quality Emergency Shut Down systems for oil and gas wells; Arpco has a culture of integrity, pride, and loyalty. According to IndustryNet, only two percent of U.S. manufacturing companies are women-owned or led. This puts Arpco Valves and Controls in a rare company.