Model Success Stories
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College has a strong tradition of supporting entrepreneurs in creating successful ventures. The following are a few of our success stories.
Action Signs
PAL Printing
Absolute Perfection Permanent Make-Up by Mary
Delp & Associates, LLC
Action Signs
250 Fieldpoint Road
Heath, OH 43056
Phone: 740-522-1678
Toll Free: 877-66-SIGNS
Owned and operated by Robert and Quinea Rickard.
Action Signs is a full service sign company that was started June 1, 1998. Currently operating as a home-based business, we design, fabricate, install and maintain all types of signs.
We have been successful by setting goals and sticking to a plan. Starting out with a computer and an idea, we have been fortunate to reinvest our profits into other purchases for the business. This was a slow process but we now have two printers, a vinyl plotter, inventory sign specific software, a fax machine, scanner, and a zip drive. Our most recent purchase was a 50' crane truck. We were limited in our installation and maintenance capabilities because we could only work off of ladders, but now with a crane, we hope to open new doors and another aspect to our business. We will soon market ourselves as Installation/Maintenance Contractors to other sign companies in Central Ohio.
The most valuable resource in our business has been our relationship with the Small Business Development Center and Randy Morgan. Randy has provided us with business to business contacts, marketing ideas, avenues for financing, business plan assistance and most importantly moral support. We have taken advantage of many of their programs such as seminars on writing a business plan and the INforum Hotline. The SBDC has been a strong link amongst several small businesses in this area.
With Randy's encouragement, we've been successful in establishing our own cash flow programs. We have progressed into printing business cards, letterhead, and envelopes from the time we have in the development and layout of logos. This way we can tie all the needs of a customer into one-stop shopping. We are currently looking into doing screen printing. To generate some hands-off revenue, we put money towards the purchase of four phone card machines. They require very little and create extra capital to be placed back into the sign business.
With an average workday ranging from 12-16 hours, business has really grown. We plan to find a store front to move into soon. Our workload is still manageable though with Bob employed full time in the Air Force. The purchase of the crane may change all of that. We hope for a dramatic increase in business and Bob will be needed full time at Action Signs
PAL Printing
Phone: 740-928-8933
FAX:740-928-8944
Email: palprint@bigfoot.com
Owned and operated by Phil (Dandilion) & Kathy Lewis.
PAL Printing was conceived in June 1996 and within 2 months, it was reality. We now have 3 full-time employees! We are located in Hebron, Ohio and print anything from letterhead and envelopes to business cards, flyers and door hangers.
We originally invested $2000 of our own money and made it grow with hard work, determination and planning. Depending on how much time, effort and thought one puts into their business, it's indicative of its success.
The SBDC (Small Business Development Center) was available to us through the Licking County Planning Commission. When we needed to compete at the next level, we went to SBDC's seminar on "the financials," to learn what was necessary to finance our company. With the help and guidance of our SBDC Business Counsultant, Randy Morgan, we were able to "crunch" the numbers and bounce thoughts off of each other.
We regularly look at the future with Randy and determine where we need to be 6-12 months out, and what the best route for us will be. He helps us determine which priorities should be first and which ones can wait 3-6 months. By talking regularly with him and planning as much of the future as possible, we are better able to achieve our goals as a company. We review our sales figures daily and weekly. This helps us determine what areas we need to concentrate on the next week. When we come across unfamiliar situations, we call Randy. He's able to suggest opinions from the outside, making him a valuable resource.
Absolute Perfection Permanent Make-Up by Mary
Owned and operated by Mary Bing
SBDC of Ohio Assists Unique Service
While working for a manufacturer in Columbus, Ohio, Mary Bing suffered an injury that prohibited her from returning to that type of work. She decided to use this turn of events as an opportunity to start her own business. She had experience as a licensed and certified make-up artist and wanted to expand upon these skills by becoming a micropigmentation technician. After she finished her training and received her certification, Mary established Absolute Perfection Permanent Make-Up by Mary.
Absolute Perfection specializes in micropigmentation, also known as cosmetic tattooing. Permanent make-up is a soft, natural pigment that is applied and permanently implanted into the skin to color, defining, and enhancing eyebrows, the eyelashes line and lips. In addition, they specialize in areola micropigmentation, which enhances the hue and provides a natural appearance for a breast that has undergone reconstruction. Eighteen months after Mary established Absolute Perfection, she needed to increase her business and knew she needed to develop a marketing plan but had no idea where to begin. So she contacted the SBDC at Columbus State Community College for assistance.
Mary began working with Business Advisor Nancy Stoll on a marketing plan. Nancy also connected Mary to two SBDC programs: Professional Resource Opportunity Service (PROS) and Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET). Mary recently participated in the Women’s EXPO and the FiftyPlus EXPO in Columbus. Having never been involved in this type of event, she contacted Nancy to provide her with the guidance and assistance she needed to make her EXPO participation a success. As a direct result of her involvement in the Exposes and follow-up efforts, Mary experienced a 20 percent increase in scheduled appointments.
Since 2001, Mary has seen the sales of Absolute Perfection increase between 40 - 50 percent each year. She attributes some of her success to Nancy and the SBDC.
"Nancy has led me through and helped me determine all the right directions to take for my business to grow and become even more profitable year after year," Mary said.
Absolute Perfection is a strong company that continues to grow. Mary has used Nancy as a business advisor, mentor, and "first contact" in many business related concerns, and plans to continue.
"NOT using [the SBDC] is NOT an option," Mary said. "The services provided are too valuable to me and my business."
Delp & Associates, LLC
Investment and Growth for a Columbus Small Business.
Terrence Delp founded Delp & Associates, LLC in 1996 to address the need for built-to-task laboratory equipment that was safe, simple to use, easy to maintain and would minimize the daily challenges faced by researchers. The Columbus, Ohio, company wanted to assist in the growth, productivity and profitability of research and manufacturing organizations. The outcome was the Delp Mixer, a safer, more efficient laboratory mixer for process and research activities in the scientific, medical and pharmaceutical industries.
When the development of the Delp Mixer was completed in 2001, the company agreed to offer the product through the Cole-Parmer Instrument catalog. This required expansion of the business to support sales, marketing and production of a full retail line. A change in business model and capital were needed. Lisa Delp, CEO of Delp & Associates, contacted the Ohio SBDC at Columbus State Community College for help.
Business Advisor Nancy Stoll assisted Lisa in articulating the goals of her business and steps necessary to achieve those goals. She also worked with Lisa on her business plan, encouraged her to seek funding from Columbus Venture Capital groups and private investors, and helped her define how much funding would be required. As a result of working with the SBDC, Delp & Associates received an investment of more than $200,000.
"I hold the SBDC directly responsible for this investment," Lisa said. "The Angel organization had previously reviewed the business and passed on a funding opportunity. After seeing our new plan, budget, and business presentation, we were much more attractive."
Delp & Associates continues to grow and Lisa predicts new employees and facilities will be required during 2005.
"When the time comes for these activities, the company will look to the SBDC for assistance in developing plans and programs to meet our needs," she said.
"The [SBDC] became true partners in the success of Delp & Associates," Lisa said. "I believe that the programs offered will continue to strengthen my business."
