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Success Stories |
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 GO 2 ROW OPENS FOR BUSINESS
Go2Row, Inc.
Go2Row.com is a new Internet-based retail business created by Elizabeth “Betsy” Witt to meet the needs of fans of the sport of crew. Betsy is a graduate of the Fall 2007 Business Training Series of the Middle Peninsula Business Training Program. The 8-week training assisted Betsy with her idea and business plan so she could apply for start-up financing. Go2Row offers cool t’s, hoodies and wearables for every season, coolers, chairs, duffels, totes, umbrellas and other great regatta essentials as well as stuff for Crew Moms and Crew Dads. (Maybe even Crew Grandmas!!)
Go2Row will also do custom team orders for t-shirts, hoodies, hats, chairs and more.
Go2Row.com is committed to supporting crew at the high school level and beyond donating 2% of all sales to high school crew teams. The first team to be sponsored is Gloucester High School since that is where Go2Row originates. (Betsy is a Crew Mom whose son rowed for GHS!) Check out www.go2row.com for more information about the company.
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 Promoting Cultural Awareness
Turtle Island Sanctuary
Alice Elk Moon Call, a member of the Me’tis Nation, operates Turtle Island Sanctuary in Gloucester County. Turtle Island is home to over 80 animals, located on a 5 ½ acre farm. Alice specializes in rescuing farm animals and exotic pets, providing them with a permanent home for the remainder of their lives. Any new babies are adopted out to appropriate families. Normally, Turtle Island does not take in cats or dogs. To support this operation, Alice accepts donations to cover the cost of feeding and bedding the animals.
In addition to operating the animal sanctuary, Alice also offers Native American educational programs including Native American stories and cultural practices. Alice can be seen at many of the area festivals telling stories to children and explaining some of the cultural aspects of Native American life.
Alice is also licensed to perform weddings in Virginia. Reverend Call can assist with planning a traditional, modern or Native American ceremony.
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 Primitives & Quilts Grand Opening
Primitives & Quilts
Opening March 29 at 618 Main Street in West Point is Primitives & Quilts owned and operated by Joann Tisi, a Fall 2007 MPBDP graduate, with assistance from Lynn Carruth also a Fall 2007 MPBDP graduate. “Ps & Qs” is a retail operation inspired by early American country style, selling new and gently used home furnishings and accessories. Primitives & Quilts specializes in primitive décor, vintage fabric, quilts and samplers.
Joann spent over 15 years in the banking industry in New York, New York and West Point, Virginia. For the past 7 years she has worked in the home décor and antique retail business in Williamsburg, Virginia. Joann entered the MPBDP program last September with an idea for her own retail operation. After completing her business plan analysis, she located retail space in historic downtown West Point. “Ps & Qs” Grand Opening was Saturday, March 29!
Congratulations! Photo left to right: Joann Tisi and Lynn Carruth. |
 GILLIE BOATWORKS RELOCATES
Gillie Boatworks
Gillie Boatworks, owned and operated by Thomas E. Gillie, III, better known as Toby, has served the Chesapeake Bay region since 2003 in Deltaville. Recently, Gillie Boatworks relocated to new quarters at the B.E.S.T. Boatyard at 1228 Crafton Quarter Road in Saluda, where they can work on large restoration projects in addition to providing customers with fiberglass fabrication and design and precision structural and finish marine carpentry including structural refits and upgrades to production fiberglass, wooden yachts, Charter and work boats.
Gillie Boatworks is a marine fabrication and repair institution specializing in quality marine interior design and construction, hull repairs, and restorations. According to Toby “If the task is possible, there is no reason why we cannot accomplish the job successfully.”
The latest project is a major refit of a 42 foot Trojan aft cabin motor yacht built in 1968. Structural upgrades include replacement of strut, rudder, and shaft log blocks. Finish improvements will include teak and holly sole throughout the interior of the vessel, new headliner throughout, and electronic upgrades.
For more information on Gillie Boatworks, see our web site at www.gillieboatworks.com.
B.E.S.T. Boatyard is a new dry boat storage facility, and a true full or self service boatyard for all vessels. You or anyone of your choice can work in our yard, on your boat, with no additional fees. There are also rental self-storage units, offices, workshops, and buildings that 50' restoration projects will fit into. As a do-it-yourself storage and maintenance yard, we're open seven days a week. Long term projects and wooden boats are welcomed here.
B.E.S.T. Boatyard is located approximately one mile downstream of Urbanna, Virginia, on the southern bank of the Rappahannock River, just off of Buoy #6. That’s approximately fifteen minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and Deltaville. We have a quarter mile of white sandy beach for your recreation and over one hundred high and dry acres, which makes us the largest boatyard in the state.
We currently have a 30 ton Marine Travel Lift, a 20 ton Clark lift truck and a brand new Wiggins Marina Bull lift that will handle 36' foot boats with ease. A 150 boat boatel building is currently under construction and will be opening this spring.
Photo: Craig Dahlbeck and Toby Gillie, January 2008 MPBDP Graduates |
 USDA Loan to Family Tax Services
Family Tax Services of SeeUs ReGroup, LLC
Congratulations to Saundra Wilson, President of Family Tax Services of SeeUs ReGroup, LLC our most recent loan recipient! Saundra, a May 2006 MPBDP graduate is the president and founder. She is a native of Gloucester who attended colleges in both Connecticut and Virginia and is currently enrolled in online classes with Ashworth College. Saundra is employed by Bay Aging as a Senior Employment Program Coordinator and as the Middlesex Senior Lifestyle Center Manager. Saundra is married to husband Kenneth, Tax Office Assistant, for 39 years. They have six children and eleven grandchildren.
Family Tax Services of SeeUs ReGroup, LLC was organized in 1996 as a female-minority owner/operator, community resource company focusing on the needs of low to moderate income, single parents and families with children. The office is conveniently located near the Gloucester County Business District and is central to other neighboring communities. Family Tax Services (FTS) is a full-service, income tax preparation and electronic filing service covering 14 states and 35 jurisdictions in Virginia. FTS also acts as an affiliate, or referral source, for other financial service companies. According to Saundra ”FTS believes in setting trustworthy examples while actively engaging in today’s world of business. By learning more we will educate; by applying knowledge, we will share; and by growth, we can share the joy with our customers.”
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 GRADUATE UPDATE!
MPBDP
On August 19 several graduates of the MPBDP Business Training Series got together to share accomplishments and trade business cards. The event was hosted by Dee Carter at the Ya-Ya Retreat above the Forget-Me-Not Consignment Shop on Cross Street in downtown Urbanna. Attendees toured the Retreat facilities. Food was provided by Suely Maszack, A Special Occasion Catering from Mattaponi. Shown in the photograph are (left to right) Jennifer Zemanek, SCUTI Handbags (also shown in the foreground), Dee Carter and Pastor Elizabeth Goins, President of the newly formed Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations and best wishes for your continued success! |
LOCAL ARTIST CHOSEN FOR PHILADELPHIA EXHIBIT
Mary Ellen Lee
As reported by the Southside Sentinel July 26, 2007: A work of art by Mary Ellen Lee of Urbanna has been selected to be shown at the Red Bull Art of Can Exhibition at The F.U.E.L. Collection from October 18 to November 2 in Philadelphia. Lee's "Bullheaded Redneck Girl" was chosen in a national contest. It was the first time Lee has worked with metal. She regularly paints in watercolors. The inspiration for Lee's work came when she went to her first NASCAR race with "a bunch of redneck girls," she said. She described her creation as "Terminator Girl meets Red Bull." Lee used 130 Red Bull cans and her friends helped by drinking and collecting the cans. She set them using a hair-styling mannequin as a base. Lee's "Bullheaded Redneck Girl" will be on the exhibit's website at www.redbullartofthecan.com by the end of July. Lee is invited to attend the kick-off private gala reception on October 18 where her work will be viewed by a panel of judges, members of the media, and fellow peers in the art community. A watercolor painting by Lee, who is a professional hair stylist, was chosen for the 2002 Urbanna Oyster Festival poster. |
 NEW DAY CARE OPENS
Mother's Love Home Day Care
Mother's Love Home Day Care in Wake opened on Monday, July 9, 2007. The owner, Cynthia Beverley, is licensed through the Middlesex County Department of Social Services. She has 25 years experience working in local school systems, as a 4-H Camp Counselor and assistant youth church director. She also has many additional certifications.
The ages accepted by Mother's Love are 16 months and up, as well as before and after school care. Hours are 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 776-0238 for more information.
Cynthia will teach pre-school activities and take field trips to the movies, bowling alley, pumpkin patch, Chuckie Cheese, library and ice cream shop. "I believe that, like building a new home, if you set a strong foundation, the house will forever stand and give you joy. Therefore, I will set a strong foundation at an early age for my little ones, and they too will forever stand." |
 Lamb Exterminating Receives Award
Lamb Exterminating
Seven businesses were recognized for their exemplary efforts at sustainable development at the Bi-Annual Awards Dinner hosted by Tidewater Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council. The recognition is hosted to recognize companies that have excelled in their business impact, use of indigenous resources, positive environmental impact and/or contributions to the community.
Chris Lamb of Lamb Exterminating accepted the award on behalf of Lamb Exterminating for the 2007 Micro-Enterprise Award. According to Mr. Lamb, while operating a traditional exterminating business, he began learning more about some of the newer more environmentally friendly products that are being manufactured. In the last two years he has added EcoSmart Botanical Products which use essential plant oils that are classified as "generally recognized as safe" by the US Food and Drug Administration. The MPBDP nominated this new and emerging business in recognition of their efforts to provide clients with a safer product and for their community contributions.
The award, according to RC&D Chair Steve Pope is to provide recognition to some of the proven leaders that balance economic needs with the environmental and social needs of the community.
Congratulations! |
Tanning By The Bay Opens
Tanning By The Bay
Opening August 14 on Main Street in Mathews, Tanning By The Bay will offer a clean, convenient way to tan indoors! Doris Jenkins, a June 2006 graduate of the microenterprise program, offers a number of tanning packages and popular products for new customers. Three new tanning beds and a stand-up tanning booth make it easy to schedule appointments. Tanning By The Bay's flexible hours insure that there is virtually no inconvenient time to tan! "Look like you spend hours in the sun; spend part of your day Tanning by the Bay." Tanning By The Bay offers membership and non-member packages. Walk-in service is also available with Tanning By The Bay's educational tanning guidance and clean, sanitized and friendly atmosphere. |
 The Nut Haus Coming to a Festival Near You
The Nut Haus
John Hutchins has been involved with the family business since the age of 4, so you could say that the entrepreneurial spirit is in his blood. In fact, it has been through his experience as a customer service rep at trade shows that he came up with the idea for The Nut Haus, a roasted nut concession business coming soon to a trade show or festival near you!
After completing the four week business training course offered quarterly by MPBDP, Mr. Hutchins put together a comprehensive loan application and business plan that reviewed the local market as a whole and enabled Mr. Hutchins to better understand what his new role as an owner would be. MPBDP approved The Nut Haus' loan application enabling John to purchase start-up inventory and equipment.
Financial support for this Program is provided by the Virginia River Country Economic Development Partnership, DHCD's Virginia Enterprise Initiative and USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Program. |
 Local Artist Expands
Dorothy Fagan Waggener
Dorothy Fagan is expanding her art business to include a collection called My frogPrince Originals. The collection features her paintings and poetry in the form of artist's handmade books and bookplates. She is offering them at kiosks in local businesses, like the one in the Mathews County Visitor's Center and wholesale to galleries and gift shops nationally. She features excerpts from her books in her syndicated blogs; If I Am the Earth at www.ifiamtheearth.org and Dreamer's Moon at www.dreamersmoon.org. They are also available on her creativity website www. myfrogprince.com |
 Fishing Business Back on Track
Bennie Jenkins Seafood
Bennie Jenkins came to the MPBDP in early February 2004 with a specific need....Capital to grow his business. Bennie was referred to MPBDP by a commercial loan officer at BB&T to the program and was immediately put on a fast track to loan application. Mr. Jenkins needed funds for over 300 crab pots that were lost during Hurricane Isabel and he needed them by early March. After completing a business plan and financing proposal, Mr. Jenkins submitted his loan application and was approved in early March 2004. Bennie used the funds to purchase and rig over 400 pots for this years crabbing season. Thanks to the MPBDP, Mr. Jenkins was able to provide for his family doing what he's done all his life......fish. |
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