Success Stories

The Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been an invaluable resource to me over the years as I built Peoples Income Tax from scratch into a chain of 20 financial service offices throughout central Virginia. Many people think Peoples is local franchise of a national firm, but we are actually a homegrown Richmond company. The Richmond SBDC has helped me to develop a comprehensive business plan and provided critical guidance on how to implement effective strategies and tactics. The SBDC also connected me with Bill Massey, who provided, at no charge, invaluable consulting services to help us develop new small business bookkeeping and payroll clients for our Business Services Division. Mike Leonard and Angela Brant also worked with me this year to develop a customized strategic version of the nationally acclaimed NxLevel business planning course for me and a dozen fellow members of the Virginia Council of CEOs. The Greater Richmond SBDC is The Source for experienced, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs to go for affordable (sometimes free) quality assistance to start and build their businesses.

Chuck McCabe
President & CEO
Peoples Tax & Financial Services

The Richmond School of Health and Technology - is a long-term success story for the Greater Richmond SBDC. Margaret Knight founded the school after taking the GRSBDC’s micro-business course and receiving a $25,000 SBA guaranteed MicroLoan. In September 1999 her school, which provides training for LPN’s, Medical Assistants, Pharmaceutical Technologists, and other medical related professionals, received full accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education. While Knight’s business has grown dramatically over the past 4 years, so has her relationship with the GRSBDC. She has returned to the GRSBDC at each juncture in her operations, seeking help with budgeting, financial analysis, and cash flow issues; long-range strategic planning for he school’s future expansion; packaging various loan applications. This help has really paid off for Knight and the community. Today, the school employs 120 people, has sales of $3.3 million, and, at its most recent ceremony, graduated 27 LPN and Pharmacy Tech professionals. GRSBDC is proud to play a continuing part in Knight’s tremendous success.

TRIATHLON MOMS - I run a new business called Triathlon Moms, Inc. (www.TriathlonMoms.com) based in Richmond, VA. The Tri-Moms program promotes women's physical and emotional well-being through its "FITNESS, FUN, PHILANTHROPY" concept. By setting, striving for, and achieving individual fitness goals as well as team charitable goals, Triathlon Moms members receive expert training and enjoy the excitement and camaraderie that comes from working together toward shared goals and objectives. Our program is open to all Richmond-area women (not just moms!) of all fitness levels and is based at the University of Richmond campus.

When I set out to start this business, I was unsure about how to approach the legal, financial, and marketing aspects of such a venture. My counselor at the SBDC listened closely to my description of the Triathlon Moms concept and steered me in the right direction on absolutely every issue. She was very encouraging and at the same time offered constructive criticism that has proven extremely valuable. Each time I contact or meet with her, I later receive a thorough summary of what we talked about and strategies we discussed. Just having these thoughts and ideas on paper has helped in my organization and follow-through.

When friends ask me how I got up the nerve to start my own business as a very busy stay-at-home mother of three young boys, I immediately tell them of the help I received at the SBDC and how this organization acted as my "safety net" to ensure my investment of time, hard work, and personal finances was not ill-spent. As Triathlon Moms, Inc. grows, I will continue to utilize the services of the GRSBDC to explore issues that naturally come with an expanding business. It is wonderful to know that the SBDC is there to support my efforts and offer the guidance I need as a small business owner.

Clients of the GRSBDC are kept confidential. The above stories are printed and released with the express consent of the clients.