2008 SUCCESS STORIES

2008 Existing Business of the Year: Pet Sitting Pal

Being an animal lover isn’t the only qualification for owning a pet sitting business, but it certainly is a strong start. Renee Flott has always loved animals and has pets of her own, so when considering starting her own business, Renee chose the pet sitting business. She knew she wanted to be a small business owner and had spent considerable time and effort researching different types of businesses over a period of several years.

In November 2004, Renee started Pet Sitting Pal. Renee realizes the importance of being professional, and is a member of Pet Sitters International as well as being insured and bonded. She is also certified in
animal CPR and First Aid. The business offers services which cater to the needs of her customers, meaning both the pets and their owners. Pet sitting, of course, includes feeding, watering, exercising, medicating (if necessary) and being a companion to her animal friends as well as providing pet taxi services. In addition, home security services are provided; such as rotating lights, watering plants, picking up mail and newspapers, taking out the trash, and opening and closing curtains while pet owners are out of town.

Renee initially became acquainted with the KSBDC several years prior to opening her business as she researched and considered two other business ideas before coming to her final decision. When Renee accessed the consulting services of the Emporia State University KSBDC in relation to Pet Sitting Pal, the consultants worked with Renee on researching the industry and business planning. Things such as marketing, website
development, business licenses and forms of ownership were addressed before start up. After starting, Renee also attended some KSBDC workshops which have been very helpful to her and the consulting relationship has continued on an as-needed basis.
Being an animal lover isn’t the only qualification for owning a pet sitting business, but it certainly is a strong start. Renee Flott has always loved animals and has pets of her own, so when considering starting her own business, Renee chose the pet sitting business. She knew she wanted to be a small business owner and had spent considerable time and effort researching different types of businesses over a period of several years.

Renee has done a wonderful job of building a successful business and one which is very beneficial to the community, giving pets and their owners a choice between boarding kennels and staying at home in their own environment. Pet Sitting Pal has built a great reputation and now has all the business it can handle. Congratulations to Renee for building a solid business and adding a much needed service to the community!

2008 Emerging Business of the Year: Eagle Creek Vineyards

Eagle Creek Vineyards, located west of Olpe, Kansas, is an “oasis on the prairie” as one neighbor put it. Jo Ann Kuhlmann planted the initial grapevines in 2004,
covering just one and one-half acres that year. Each year she has increased the vines and the number of acres planted, and it is currently one of the largest
vineyards in Kansas with eighteen acres, 10,000 vines, and seventeen varieties of grapes. They plan to plant six additional acres in the near future bringing the
total to twenty-four. Jo Ann is the primary operator and has accomplished a very impressive plant survival rate of 100%.

Jo Ann worked with the ESU KSBDC on formalizing her business plan and cash flow projections so that she could be better prepared to expand her business and sustain it in the future. The grape growing business takes tenacity and patience. The first significant harvest for Eagle Creek Vineyards was in 2008, four years after that first planting. It takes three years to produce even a light harvest, and longer to get the vines to good production. These among other factors, make planning and forecasting a
valuable tool for survival and growth.

For Jo Ann and her husband Rick, the vineyard has been an alternative crop for a fourth generation farm. Rick is still employed off the farm, but helps Jo Ann with the vineyard when possible. Jo Ann was previously employed by the federal government and managed a business before that. However grape growing was not among her prior accomplishments. She had time and energy, and wanted to start a business that would utilize her interests and talents. Having grown up on a farm, agricultural pursuits were
appealing to her and she wanted to find the niche that fit her and would also be something Rick could enjoy in his retirement. She went to great lengths to educate herself about grapes and grape growing, the Kansas wine industry, and the right way to build a vineyard.

Eagle Creek Vineyards has allowed Jo Ann to pursue an interest about which she is totally passionate. It has demanded hard labor, been dependent on unpredictable Kansas weather conditions and equipment that doesn’t always work like it should, but at the same time allowed Jo Ann to build a great business to be proud of and pass on to the next generation.

2007 SUCCESS STORIES

2007 Existing Business of the Year: Sensei Salon

Sensei Salon, LLC offers spa services without the spa price. Owner, Marlina
Poff, has been a cosmetologist for 25 years, and has managed various salons,
including establishments in Oklahoma and Hawaii. Following her vision, Marlina
and a partner opened Emporia’s first day spa and salon in 2002. With Marlina’s
marketing and management skills, the business grew into the successful
business it is today. In 2005, Marlina and her husband and business partner,
Sgt. Gary Poff, opened Sensei Salon.

The first location for Sensei was in a
high-traffic area which, along with a good
reputation and good marketing efforts,
worked well for the business. In 2007,
Sensei Salon moved to its current
location at 3171 West Highway 50 in Emporia. The new location provides ample parking and easy access. The salon offers hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, skin treatments, makeup, electrolysis, and massage therapy. In both business endeavors, Emporia State
University KSBDC assisted Marlina with her business plans and financial projections.

Marlina and her staff recognize the importance of making their clients feel special.
They hope that their clients feel valued and special during the first visit and all
future visits. One client commented: “No matter if I’m the first client or the last
client for the day, it’s just as if I’m the only client for the whole day.” Marlina and
her staff value the support of the local and outlying communities. That support is
given back through the salon’s generosity to the schools and churches, and its
involvement in community organizations and events. Marlina also appreciates the
support her clients and community organizations have shown while Gary has
been deployed to Iraq with the 35th MP Company, Kansas National Guard. “It is
also important for other business owners whose spouses or partners are
deployed, to realize that great things can still be accomplished while they are
away, and to stay focused not on the doubts and fears of the war, but on the
opportunities before them.”

2007 Emerging Business of the Year: Sunflower Gymnastics, L.L.C.

At Sunflower Gymnastics “it’s all about the kids.” Owners and coaches, Stacie and David Doemland believe that gymnastics should be taught in a positive, encouraging, challenging, and supportive environment, at a level
that is appropriate for each individual student. Their mission is to provide the best quality gymnastics instruction, period! This husband and wife team
share core values which support building self-esteem, promoting selfconfidence, building physical fitness, facilitating coordination development, and encouraging independence. 

Both Stacie and David bring great qualities and essential areas of knowledge and expertise. Stacie earned her BSE at Emporia State University and taught in the public school system for four years. She has competed in gymnastics for over 12 years and began coaching in 1993. She has coached both national qualifiers and national champions. David spent 16 years as a photojournalist and started coaching gymnastics in 2004. He brings a keen management ability and aggressive business style to the organization. Together, they have built Sunflower Gymnastics from the ground up.

It began in 2004 in Osage City where they grew from nothing to an enrollment of 80 students before expanding to Emporia. There, they purchased an existing business, substantially improving and expanding it. It was at this point, in 2005, that the Emporia State University KSBDC was contacted and helped them through the planning, purchase, and financing of the expansion. After making a tremendous success of the Emporia facility, they made a major commitment, with David joining the business full-time in 2007. At this point they opened another gym in Burlington where they now have outgrown the original facility there and will be moving to a bigger one. Congratulations to Stacie and David on their success and what is to come!

2006 SUCCESS STORIES

2006 Existing Business of the Year: Flint Hills RV

In 2003, Ted and Debbie Kimble took the opportunity of a lifetime and began the process of buying their own business.  On January 1, 2004, Augusta RV became Flint Hills RV.  The business was well-established and Ted had been friends with the owners, working for them one summer during high school.  Due to the previous owners’ plans to retire, Ted and Debbie were offered a chance to purchase the business.

When Ted contacted the Emporia State University KSBDC in 2003, he was the Director of Development at the Emporia State University Foundation, and Debbie was the Administrative Assistant at Kimble Investment Strategies.   Ted felt that he and Debbie were being presented a chance to do something with great potential that would align with their own interests.  The KSBDC helped them get familiar with the facts in order to make a prudent decision as well as determining how to structure the purchase and cash flow planning. 

Ted and Debbie have made a number of changes, including separation of the parts and service departments, and changes and additions to personnel.  They have increased their ability to prepare and deliver new units as well as serving other customer needs.  Additionally, marketing and advertising efforts have been revitalized, including a total revamping of their website in order to make it more customer-friendly and informative.  They also give credit to their employees for helping them to improve the business on a daily basis.  Since Ted and Debbie have taken over, they have increased their employees and positioned the company for long-term growth.  Congratulations to Ted and Debbie for taking the chance and becoming successful small business owners!

2006 Emerging Business of the Year: The Sweet Granada

Life is sweet for chocolate lovers in downtown Emporia, Kansas!  The mother-daughter team of Toni Bowling and Kim Redeker opened The Sweet Granada in November, 2004.  There is no argument that this is one of the best smelling places in town, not to mention a special treat to anyone with a sweet tooth.  This retail shop is as elegant a place as you would expect to find in the finest shopping districts in large cities.  It offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with superior service and extremely high quality products.  It has been said by many, that Sweet Granada chocolate is the best there is.  This location is a particularly special one because it is the south storefront of the historic Granada Theater, which will be totally restored and in use again sometime during summer, 2007.

When Kim and Toni came to the Emporia State University KSBDC in January, 2004, they were in the early stages of their business plan.  They were very informed about the industry and did a great job of market analysis and business planning.  The KSBDC has been able to be involved with not only business planning, financial projections, choosing a form of ownership and an accounting system before the business opened, but also hiring employees and considering new markets after the business opened. 

Both partners have made significant sacrifices to go into this business.  Kim gave up her job as Marketing Director for the Presbyterian Manors and Toni changed from her job in the Burlington school system to a new part-time job at Emporia State University in order to be closer and more available to the business.  Each year has been exciting with the continuous development of new products, custom-made products and the wholesale market.  Kim and Toni have made the Sweet Granada a wonderful destination in downtown Emporia.  Congratulations to them on their success and future successes!

2005 SUCCESS STORIES

2005 Existing Business of the Year: Mid-West Business Service

On January 1, 1999, Patrick Johnson took the opportunity of a lifetime and bought Mid-West Business Service in Emporia, Kansas, a producer of all types of business forms.   The business was well-established and Pat had worked for the company since it began in 1965, starting out in maintenance and working his way up to become the owner.  He had seen the company grow through the years and as the owner, wanted to expand the product line and make it bigger and better.

When Pat contacted the Emporia State University KSBDC in 2000, he had a five-year plan outlining what he wanted to accomplish with Mid-West Business Service in terms of expanding its products to include book binding, increasing the forms business and adding employees.  The KSBDC’s role was to assist with financial projections in order to obtain adequate expansion capital to sustain a healthy cash flow and accomplish company goals.

Since Pat’s acquisition of Mid-West Business Service, he has stayed with the five-year plan, always modifying and improving on it.  In 2000, Pat successfully obtained expansion capital with a SBA guaranteed loan.  Since that time, the company has increased its production of business forms and added new products and services.  Along with the growth in production and sales, Mid-West has added new equipment to increase quality and production capacity.  As a proactive business owner, Pat sees more growth, expansion, and updated equipment in the future of the company.  Congratulations to Pat Johnson and the employees of Mid-West Business Service for sustaining and growing a solid and successful company! 

2005 Emerging Business of the Year: Walburn’s Athletic Club Inc.

In 1979, Kenny Walburn started Walburn’s Gym in the basement of the Godfather’s Pizza building in Emporia, Kansas.  At that time, Walburn’s was recognized mostly as a place for hard-core body-builders.  There was no such thing as a personal trainer, let alone any guidelines, and the basic culture of fitness and overall health that we have today did not exist.  A lot has evolved in this industry between then and now, and Walburn’s too, has evolved and expanded into a successful family-owned-and-managed business with the reputation of a clean, friendly, all-around fitness center with something for everyone, including personal trainers, if desired.

In 2000, Kenny’s son, Brian, sought assistance from the Emporia State University KSBDC with expanding the business and incorporating, to facilitate the ownership of he and his wife, Frannie, along with Kenny.  The KSBDC counselor worked with Brian on business planning and projections for the expansion.  After obtaining SBA approval for a guaranteed loan, the original lender backed out, but Brian persisted and found a bank that wanted their business and was supportive of the project.

The vision of Walburn’s is building a healthier community, one person at a time.  They have worked very hard on their vision, which is evident from the expansion; membership has grown from 98 members in 2000 to 950 members in 2005, floor space has increased from 2,900 square feet to 10,000 square feet, and 48 pieces of equipment were added, as well as both men’s and women’s locker rooms and showers, tanning booths, massage therapy, Kids’ Korner child care, and many new fitness classes.  In 2004, Walburn’s opened in McPherson, Kansas, where Kenny manages the facility.  The business supports many schools, local charities, and various fundraisers.  Congratulations to Walburn’s for building such a successful and well-managed family business!

2004 SUCCESS STORIES

2004 Existing Business of the Year: Coburn’s Family Restaurant

Jeff and Brenda Coburn opened Coburn’s Family Restaurant in January, 1998 in Emporia, Kansas. Jeff had previously managed two restaurants over a span of eleven years and worked for a beverage distributor. Brenda’s background was in banking where she had been a branch manager and worked in sales and public relations. Both Jeff and Brenda had wanted to start their own restaurant for quite some time and when a well-established local restaurant decided to go out of business, the Coburns, with the consent of the owner, decided to open a similar restaurant across town.

Jeff and Brenda were dedicated enough to their venture to work for the well-established restaurant for eight weeks while it was still operating, in order to better learn how they ran their operation and produced quality food products. They also began planning for their restaurant approximately one year before they opened. They started their business plan as well as the acquisition of equipment and contacted the Emporia State University SBDC in the summer of 1997. The SBDC worked with them on the business plan and financial projections in preparation to request a loan. They were successful in obtaining financing and began renovating their new location. Coburn’s is known for its fresh high-quality hamburgers and other home-style menu items as well as a clean, family-oriented atmosphere. Since the first day of operation, Coburn’s has been one of the busiest most popular restaurants in town and has performed even better than initially expected. Congratulations and appreciation to Jeff and Brenda for their outstanding efforts and astute management in building such a successful business.

2004 Emerging Business of the Year: Mel's Tire, LLC

“Service is not expensive; it’s priceless” is the key element at Mel’s Tire, LLC in Emporia, Kansas. Mel Reed, majority owner, has been in the tire business for many years but always before he was working for someone else, helping to make their business successful. As Mel put it, “I really started this business twenty-seven years ago by working for my former employers as if the business was my own and building a reputation”. Finally, in 2002, Mel decided to take a long awaited step and open his own tire store. His three partners, Al Mize, Todd Preisner, and Joe Dreier had been Mel’s co-workers for a long time and had been very strong about their desire to be part of the new venture. Impressively, the four together have more than 80 years experience in the tire business.

Mel’s Tire is a full-service shop. Besides selling and servicing tires and custom wheels, the shop specializes in alignments, brakes, shocks, and struts. The company handles car, truck, farm and industrial customers and built its own customer base very rapidly; really even before the doors were officially open.

The Emporia State University SBDC worked extensively with Mel on his plans and financial projections, helping to ensure the business would have enough capital and adequate cash flow. Mel was able to secure a lease on the building and start remodeling in the spring of 2002. By 2004, Mel’s Tire purchased the building. The business also easily surpassed the projected sales figures in its first year. Mel’s Tire, LLC has a “priceless” reputation for good, honest, timely service to its customers. Doing the right thing and going the extra mile are just part of doing business there. This business is truly an asset to Emporia and the surrounding region.

2003 SUCCESS STORIES

2003 Existing Business of the Year:Guion's Showcase

In 1991, John and Jane Guion had forty-seven years of combined experience in the retail furniture industry when it became clear that the best choice for them was to start their own business. Prior to that they learned that the business they both worked for would be sold or liquidated and they contacted the Emporia State University SBDC for assistance in planning for either the purchase of the existing store or the start up of a new furniture and appliance store. The pros and cons of each alternative were discussed and the SBDC consultant explained the business planning process, the expectations of lenders, and how the Guion’s could prepare themselves to capitalize on either situation when the time was right. They worked closely with the SBDC to develop financial projections, ensuring adequate capitalization of the new business. In October, 1991, Guion’s Showcase was in business with eight employees and 20,000 square feet of retail, office, and warehouse space. After approximately two years in business, the store expanded to include an additional 25,000 square feet. Many further enhancements have been added along the way as well. Today, the Guion’s have a highly successful family business which includes their sons; Mike- General Manager, Doug-Office Manager, and Jim-Service Manager. Since starting the business the store has shown impressive increases in sales and profits which have far exceeded expectations. Guion’s Showcase proudly serves an eighty-mile trade area and employs fifteen people. A retail establishment of this quality is truly an asset to Emporia, the surrounding area, and the State of Kansas.

2003 Emerging Business of the Year: High Gear Cyclery and Fitness

Matt Brown started High Gear Cyclery and Fitness in February, 1999, when he was 21 years old. He was previously employed by another bicycle shop in Emporia, whose owner did not wish to sell the business as a going concern, and instead chose to liquidate the assets and retire. Anticipating that this would happen, Matt’s entrepreneurial character led him to start his own business. He originally contacted the Emporia State University SBDC in July, 1998 for help with his start-up plan. The SBDC consultant introduced Matt to the business planning process, helped him analyze his start-up costs and generated month-by-month financial projections for a three-year period. Just as Matt had planned, his new business was open before spring break, 1999. He had covered his bases very well and successfully lined up dealership agreements for the products he felt would best accommodate his market area. He had rented and remodeled his new location at 407 Commercial Street in Emporia and created an attractive store front. As Matt’s planning paid off and his business quickly grew, he sought an opportunity to purchase his own building and move the business. In January of 2000, Matt worked with the SBDC again for financial planning of the expansion. By May, 2000 he had renovated and moved into his current location at 504 Commercial in downtown Emporia. Matt, his wife Stephanie and his parents, Marvin and Gayle Brown, have worked very diligently to build a successful and attractive business. This business has made an important contribution to the Emporia area through not only increased sales, but through the development and improvement of an existing building in the downtown district, and the customer base it draws from a 100-mile radius.

 

Last Updated March 4, 2009