Rutherford County's Small Business Center Can 'Give You The Business' And Future!

M.A. Andrews


Rutherford County's Small Business Center Can 'Give You The Business' And Future!

Faye Bishop, GATE Counselor, at the Small Business Center's Isothermal Comunity College office.
   The Director of the Small Business Center at Isothermal Community College, Ted Hamrick, seems to say it best!  "Sometimes I think we are the last car on the train of hope!"

   For those who desire to own their own business and are motivated to do so, but need help... for those who have a business idea and need the "road map" to fulfill their dream, the tiny office located downstairs in the bottom of Isothermal's Foundation building, may be your answer.

   Ted is passionate about helping people succeed. The wall in his office contains some photos of the Small Business Center's success stories. People who are now working and fulfilling their desire to succeed. Each story is testimony to motivated and determined people who were helped by this "little office with a big heart!"

   Included in SBC's self-help programs is the federally funded GATE Program - Growing America Through Entrepreneurship. The special GATE Counselor at the Small Business Center is Faye Bishop. Mrs. Bishop assists Mr. Hamrick in helping people achieve their goals. The GATE Program  is the program that offers scholarships which include: one-on-one business assessment; training; ongoing coaching and counseling; and other assistance which includes help in applying for a loan or other financing. Thus far, the GATE Program has resulted in 125 scholarships.

   The success stories in the past 12 months includes 246 clients (people seeking help to start their own small business). There are now 35 new businesses with over 50 people working as a result of the Small Business Center.

    Free training classes offered include: How To Start Your Own Small Business; How To Develop A Business Plan; Taxes; Bookkeeping; Marketing; Social Media Networking; How To Sell In Tough Economic Times; Grant Writing/Grant Finding; Selling On E-Bay and N.C. REAL (36 hours of classes that covers all aspects of owning your own business, offered at a cost of only $18.00).

   The success stories of the Small Business Center are quite amazing! Director, Ted Hamrick, proudly will tell you that the true credit for the success goes to the individuals with the attitude that "I'm not giving up and if some obstacle gets in my way, I'm going to find a way around it! Nothing is going to stop me from my dream of owning my own small business." One example of a success is a man with a dream, determination and just a truck. He refused to give up. He had a wife and four children he wanted to provide for. Today, because of the help the Small Business Center provided, he owns his own business. The first week in business for himself, he made $600!

   Need help! Are you motivated? Are you determined? The Small Business Center is located at  286 ICC Loop Road in Spindale. The phone number is 828-286-3636, extension 203. Ted's email is: thamrick@isothermal.edu. The realization of your dream just might be waiting there for you! Go ahead, just ask! The answer may surprise you!