The Big Bad Woof - Maryland Small Business Development Center

The Maryland Small Business Development Center
Accredited to provide technology commercialization assistance.
Spring Issue, 2015
Volume 1, No. 2
Each year, the SBDC assists more than 10,000 small businesses with
comprehensive services that include training, resource development and
individualized consulting.
SBDC Headquarters
7100 Baltimore Ave
College Park, MD 20740
Despite the challenges brought about by the changing economy,
opportunities still exist for small businesses, and the SBDC stands ready
to assist.
To find out more about the SBDC, or to find the nearest location, visit the network website at www.marylandsbdc.org.
“
Our mission is to provide
quality services and
innovative programs to
help small businesses
grow, survive and thrive
— in any economy.
“
The network, a partnership among the U.S. Small Business Administration,
the state of Maryland and the University of Maryland, College Park, links
private enterprise, government, higher education and local economic
development organizations to provide management, training and technical
assistance to Maryland’s small businesses.
Renée C. Sprow,
State Director
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. SBA and is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business
Administration, the State of Maryland and the University of Maryland. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any
products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.
Corridor Region
Five Regional Offices To Serve You
Corridor Region
Southern Region
Prince George's & Montgomery Counties
Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's Counties
(301) 403-0501
(301) 934-7583
Baltimore City & Anne Arundel, Baltimore & Howard Counties
(877) 421-0830
Eastern Region
Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico & Worcester Counties
(410) 548-4419
Northern Region
Carroll, Cecil & Harford Counties
(443) 412-2237
Western Region
Allegany, Frederick, Garrett & Washington Counties
(888) 237-9007
SUCCESS
STORIES
The Big Bad Woof
Essentials for the Socially Conscious Pet
Julie Paez and Pennye Jones-Napier, co-owners of The Big Bad Woof, an
independent specialty pet supply store that carries holistic, organic and
raw foods, are devoted to providing the best in healthy and socially
conscious products. Paez and Jones-Napier believe in “doing well by
doing good,” and The Big Bad Woof currently serves as D.C. metro
area’s largest eco-friendly and fair trade pet product supplier.
After the demand for their services increased, they decided to move
their business to a physical location. In 2003, they met with Lester
“Casey” Wilson, a consultant and Retail/Restaurant specialist at the
Maryland Small Business Development Center. He developed their
business plan, reviewed lease agreements, and refined cash flow
projections, store layout and inventory. Paez and Jones-Napier were able to
secure funding and in April of 2005 opened their first retail location in Takoma
Park. The Big Bad Woof proved wildly successful, and, in addition to hiring
extra staff, they began a physical expansion of their current location.
As Maryland’s first certified Benefit Corporation, The Big Bad Woof is deeply committed to
sustainable practices concerning food and the environment. In addition, through partnerships with local businesses,
they serve as a community resource. In 2014, Paez and Jones-Napier utilized the online funding platform Clovest to
raise the funds necessary to open a third location in Silver Springs, MD. The Big Bad Woof hopes to bring their
passion for pets and the people who love them to a wider community.
For more information, contact The Big Bad Woof at (202) 747-3434, or visit online at www.thebigbadwoof.com.
Western Region
The ‘Emotional’
BY MARY MEDLAND
Special to The Daily Record
Small Business
Solutions
Recession
For those who have lost jobs recently, things are tough. But for those who
have survived cutbacks and are still collecting a regular paycheck, the
workplace may nonetheless be a place of insecurity and gloom. Not
surprisingly, keeping morale up in the office can be a challenge, but
there are steps that can be taken to keep things in perspective.
“Lots of businesses are still staying open,
even though times are lean, and those who are nimble
will see opportunities in spite of the recession.”
- Says former Joanne Saltzberg, executive director of Women Entrepreneurs
of Baltimore (WEB). And, Saltzberg points out, there are social and public
support options for those who are experiencing financial troubles.
SUCCESS
STORIES
Blue Goose Bakery and Fruit Market
A Hidden Gem In Hancock, MD
Penny and Randy Pittman are well-established business owners in Washington County,
MD. They currently own and operate a liquor store and a restaurant/ bakery in Hancock,
MD. An opportunity came about for them to purchase the existing business, Hepburn
Orchards, a successful but underperforming farm market, so they did. They wanted
to rebuild the existing structure, so they hired an architect to design the perfect
farm market building. They had been using their own funds along the way, but
knew they would eventually need a loan. They approached their bank, Centra,
in Hagerstown, MD. Centra Bank suggested they look into a SBA 504 loan,
which they did.
There are several requirements to the 504 loan, so Beth at Business Finance
Group suggested they contact the SBDC. Two SBDC consultants met with
Penny, Randy, and the bank to review what was needed to secure the loans.
Mark Malec was the principal consultant with the SBDC and worked on cash
flow projections, balance sheets, and did market research to make sure their
projections compared to similar businesses. Mark worked with Penny again to
meet the loan requirements for Tri-County Council as well. All of this took several
months and the loan finally closed in October.
Blue Goose Bakery and Fruit Market opened its doors Nov. 21, 2011 with 8 new jobs
created, and more on the way. They just celebrated their 2-year anniversary and are
still going strong. Penny was grateful for the help she received from the SBDC: “Once
again MANY THANKS to both you and Mark for all of your help on our project.”
For more information, contact Blue Goose Bakery and Fruit Market at (301) 678-5050, or
visit online at www.bluegoosefruitmarketandbakery.com.
“People need a more balanced picture of the economy.”
Similarly, says Sharon Keys Seal, an executive coach and
owner of Coaching Concepts Inc., “This is not the time to
let fear take over. This economy is not a blip on the radar
screen … it heralds a new way in the business world.
Most of my clients are ‘striving’ rather than ‘thriving.’”
“
Managers
should openly
address the
fears of their
staff.
“
Sharon Keys Seal,
owner of Coaching
Concepts, Inc.
Seal advises her clients not to think of
themselves as victims, but rather to
look at where they do have control
over their professional lives.” ‘Here
are the attributes I have and here are
my strengths’ is what people should
be thinking,” she says. For
management, open communication
and honesty — a rumor mill can be
misleading and upsetting —are key to
employee morale.
In spite of everything, keeping a positive attitude is
critical. “Understand what you can control and take steps
to improve in those areas,” says Seal.
“The‘emotional’ recession” by Mary Medland,
excerpted from Small Business Solutions, 2009, pp. 06-07
Training, Consulting, and Information for Maryland Small Business Owners
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The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides training, confidential
consulting and market and industry research to help Maryland’s small businesses find practical
solutions to business needs. If you are new to entrepreneurship, or a seasoned small business owner,
our instructors and small business consultants share their real-world experience and expertise to
help you broaden your business knowledge and skill, and increase your chances for success.
Training - A variety of comprehensive training classes are available to help you gain a better
understanding of what it will take to establish and operate a successful business.
Consulting – We provide excellent no-cost confidential consulting to prospective and existing
small business owners interested in achieving growth and profitability.
Information You Can Use – Hundreds of research resources on print, video and electronic media
where you can obtain the information you need to start, manage and grow your small business.
Visit www.marylandsbdc.org to learn more
Our staff of consultants assist more than 12,000 Maryland businesses each year. How can we help you?