SEACOAST SMALL BUSINESS NEWS – Starting a new business can be daunting, particularly if you dont have any prior experience.
With the ever growing administrative burdens on small businesses, red tape, employment and financial reporting requirements, both Federal and State, combined with the exposure to a whole new set of dynamics, from customer service, sales, marketing to pricing and stock management, starting and operating a small business isnt for everyone.
However, there are small business and small business start -up support resources available.
Step in SCORE, who provide free and confidential one-on-one business counseling and mentoring by video conference, phone, email and in-person in New Hampshire and Southern Maine.
Pampered Pup – Candia, New Hampshire
Pampered Pup offers “state of the art” care, says business owner Sabrina MacDowell. “We care for dogs during the day and also board them- but what’s different is our level of care.” .
Pampered Pup services include grooming, daycare, boarding, and elevated services like mental enrichment and 1-on-1 play.
Sabrina was very focused and determined to put her several years of working with animals to use and start her own business. Working at a grooming school finishing a bachelor’s in accounting plus with what little spare time left, Sabrina worked on her business plan.
Rather than start from scratch Sabrina’s plan was to purchase an existing business and put her own stamp on it so along with her husband, Sabrina and Brad bought a home, renovated it, and then sold it for more than double, using the money to put down on buying an existing business.
Sabrina knew she had industry experience but lacked the small business experience and especially in starting a business so she approached SCORE to help her with her business plan, guidance buying an existing business, and support with the financials and projections.
Sabrina says, “I was lucky to have Mark McVeigh and Dennis Willson because they were enthusiastic, patient and knowledgeable,” . Using the down payment she had from the property sale, plus a sound business plan, financials and projections Sabrina still had to pitch her idea to nine banks before she got a yes, just showing how tough it can be, even with the right help. Sabrina now owns a million-dollar business.
Meet The MacDowell Family! Brad and Sabrina met as coworkers at a doggie daycare in 2012. A few years later Sabrina went to grooming school only to go back to groom out of the daycare Brad was working at at the time. Sabrina has worked at daycares, boarding facilities, animal hospitals, and pet stores. Sabrina has her bachelor’s in Business and has dreamt of owning her own business since she was a little girl. Sabrina is in Pampered Pup daily while Brad works as a Project manager for an environmental consulting firm! They have 3 little boys and 3 dogs of their own so you know there’s never a dull moment!
Pampered Pup has built a reputation of high-quality and individualized care. Each of the dogs here are cared for as if they were our own. This is what Brad and Sabrina are most proud of.
What would you tell a fellow business owner about SCORE?
“Go into it with an open mind; there’s a reason they are mentors,” says Sabrina. “Go into it like a sponge willing to absorb what they have to offer.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and it is thanks to this generous support from the SBA and the selfless contributions of our more than 10,000 dedicated volunteers SCORE can deliver most of their small business support offerings at no cost.
Seacoast Small Business News – Do you have a small business in Southern Maine, New Hampshire or the surrounding areas and have some small business news to tell your Seacoast neighbours? Visit our Small Business News Suggestion page and Drop us a line.
