On April 17, 2008 SCORE Lancaster recognized three clients for small business achievement.
The clients identified below all started new businesses from an idea they originated. They were chosen for reasons that embody the American entrepreneurial spirit. Most new business ideas never reach a time when the “door opens” and a customer walks in or, in today’s digital age, when a customer finds your website and places an order.
Our three clients demonstrated unyielding persistence, belief in themselves and their idea, patience to use best “start-up” practices, open minds for suggestions and the wisdom to reach out for professional help when solutions were not at hand.
It is this approach that put them in the best possible position to win. Their “doors are now open” which is a major small business milestone. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to assist them on this initial phase of their new business journey.
Client award recognition to:
Cassie Kreider founder and owner of Oscar's Pet Resort on Eden Road, Lancaster Kreider founded a pet resort on a 250-year old farm east of Lancaster. Her business offer over night dog and cat boarding, dog day care, grooming, and training services. Since opening with two full-time employees in 2006, the business has already grown to employ four people on a full-time basis, in addition to six part time employees.
Never having been in business before, I needed someone to lay out a plan for me" said Kreider of her reasons for contacting SCORE whose counselors outlined a course of action for her.
For more information, click on: www.oscarspetresort.com
Client award recognition to:
Jessica Pavelko started a business to assist senior citizens in finding quality resources to meet their specific needs. In addition to designing a start up plan for her, SCORE counselors helped her maintain a balance between the times she would need to be physically present at her business while also furthering her education. She will soon receive her Senior Advisor Certificate.
For more information, click on: www.pavelko.org
Client award recognition to:
Michelle Cruz went to SCORE in 2005 with an idea to produce a CD of songs that relate to daily tasks such as diaper changing, feeding, and putting infants and toddlers down for a nap faced by mothers of children under age 3 years. She wrote 16 songs on "Baby Clean Fun" with her husband, Andrew Yost, and business partner, Beth Cardwell, of the Lampeter-Strasburg area.
"I approached SCORE because we thought we had a good idea, and they agreed," Cruz recalled. "They gave us direction by telling us what we needed to do to start a business" Since an appearance on a cable program about innovative new products, the recording is now being marketed nationally through several web sites. Without the help of SCORE counselors, Cruz said, "I don't know if it ever would have happened at all."
For more information, click on: www.babyclean.com
SCORE congratulates these three "make it happen" women in business.
SCORE Note:
The presentations were held in conjunction with SCORE's third open house at its offices in Lancaster. The open house served as a means to showcase SCORE's programs, services and outreach to the Lancaster community particularly women in business who may wish to join SCORE as volunteers. SCORE Lancaster would like to thank Rick Hiduk from the Merchandiser publication for covering this event and to Engle Publishing for publishing it in the May 7 edition. With Mr. Hiduk's permission, we are publishing excerpts from his article for this web site.
SCORE Lancaster thanks the Bank of Lancaster County for their generous sponsorship of the Client of the Year awards event and open house. For more information on the Bank of Lancaster County, click: www.blcnet.com