Your Guiding Light

Influenced by her grandmother, Shicka Allsbrooks loved cooking and aspired to opening her own restaurant someday. Finally, in 2021, despite being a single mother of four and dependent on welfare, Shicka decided it was time to pursue her dream. “There I was—without a penny to my name, overdue on mortgage payments—making an offer on a space for lease,” said Allsbrooks. Soon after closing the deal, Shicka realized that the site desperately needed renovating. That’s when she contacted Florence Area SBDC consultant Charles Page. With his help, Shicka wrote a business plan, completed a pro forma, conducted market research and received a $40,000 RRF loan, which she used to offset renovation expenses, buy equipment and pay her eight employees.

Owner, The 308 Collective

Entrepreneurial Pathways is a training series that advances the entrepreneurial skills of socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners. Sessions cover marketing, financial & workforce management, sales & growth strategies and business planning. Participants are encouraged to apply what they learn in real-world situations and interact with their SC SBDC consultants between sessions. The SC SBDC provides graduates ongoing support to foster their continued, long-term growth.

Grandma Dot’s Castor Oil

Balance Barre + Fitness was thriving before the pandemic hit. “Profits were up and class sizes were increasing,” said owner Annie Truax-Dunn. But then, on top of learning her studio was scheduled for demolition, COVID-19 put a halt to in-person classes. Dunn needed help. So, she turned to Hilton Head SBDC consultant Pat Cameron who helped her client obtain a $35,000 SBA loan. Dunn used the money to build a spacious new studio as well as pay rent, utilities and payroll. To help sustain her client base, Dunn began offering livestream and outdoor classes. Despite the many obstacles, Dunn’s creative responses and flexibility resulted in a profitable year. “Thanks to my consultant, I am optimistic about the future of my business,” said Dunn.

The idea for the C2BREATHE Powered-Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) developed by Clayton Squared Industries was born from the COVID-19 crisis. SC SBDC clients Dr. Brad Clayton, company CEO, and Clayton Embelton, registered nurse and company COO, became frustrated when potentially lifesaving PAPR was unobtainable. So, they decided to design a superior version of this protective device that would be less expensive, more ergonomic and safer than existing models. Enter senior business consultant Beth Smith, who tapped into her extensive experience to help her clients develop a business plan, define their target market, create a prototype, determine the best way to put the C2BREATHE in the hands of users and obtain an $11,250 manufacturing grant.

In FFY 2021, SC SBDC consultants helped 229 clients obtain 346 COVID-related loans totaling $17,152,124 — money they used to sustain their businesses

In 2021, the SC SBDC continued providing urgently needed triage to clients seeking our assistance and reassurance. Despite enduring more than a year of pandemic-related disruptions, some of our clients won their first government contracts, while others began exporting or expanded their facilities to accommodate escalating e-commerce orders. Through the Herculean efforts of our consultants and staff, we helped 11,926 entrepreneurs turn catastrophe into lucrative and enduring opportunities.

With over 19 years' experience in transportation, logistics and retail management, Jarod Stukes started Stukes Dynasty Transportation, LLC (SDT) to help people and businesses in his community reduce waste, conserve energy and prevent pollution. The company, which offers junk and debris removal as well as pick-up and delivery services, opened for business in October of 2020 and has already seen impressive growth in its first year. Stukes’ SBDC consultant helped him develop a business plan, apply for loans, file legal documents, structure his business and implement accounting best practices. Stukes also received help from consultant Robert Jones who reviewed Stukes’ website proposal and provided feedback about his marketing strategy.

Mindy Kuhn and Shonali Thomas met in 2017 when Kuhn's company published Thomas’ cookbook. Seizing upon Kuhn’s knowledge of books and desire to add a retail aspect to her publishing company, and Thomas’ zeal for cooking and plans to expand her catering firm, the ambitious pair conceived Corks, Cooks & Books, a bookstore, retail shop and wine bar. Winthrop Region Director and business consultant Tom George walked the business partners step-by-step through the startup checklist, explained COVID-19 safety guidelines and helped his clients develop a compelling business plan that resulted in a $50,000 loan. Kuhn and Thomas have begun hosting special events and are constantly enhancing their menu offerings.

Small farms are big business in the South Carolina agriculture industry, and in recognizing this sector’s need for specialized assistance, the SC SBDC created a dedicated agribusiness program. Consultants throughout the state with extensive Agri-industry experience serve on the Agribusiness Team. Their goal is to help clients looking to start/expand their farm or agribusiness by providing services such as business planning, financial management, expansion strategies and grant funding.