|
Meadow Lake Stables
Autumn Shay opened Meadow Lake Stables, with stalls for 24 horses, on rented land shortly after turning 18. In recent years, she secured a new loan for a larger facility and moved into a 30-stall stable, which she owns-and she has hired a full-time employee. "This is truly mine," she said. "I wouldn't work for someone else doing this."
|
|
Deep Woods Furniture
Rodney Carr, owner of Deep Woods Furniture Company, a furniture refinishing business, received a microenterprise loan to equip his shop after a bank refused to give him a loan. "A lot of people in this county have to do side jobs. Because of the microloan program, I own the side job," he said.
|
|
The Bag Lady
"The training and assistance I got from the microbusiness program in Garrett County helped me develop my skills into a way to help pay my bills. I learn new things every day-sometimes the hard way. But hey, I'm in a business and they are only a phone call away!" Donna Shafer, The Bag Lady (fabric tote bags and organizational products)
|
|
Millicent’s Knits & Yarns
“Receiving a microenterprise grant was first and foremost, a terrific validation of my business concept. While it enabled me to purchase the furnishings I needed to display my yarns, it also gave me an open door to pursue my new career choice. At first I dreaded the quarterly reports I had to submit, but I have found that sitting apart from the daily retail operations helps me assess my accomplishments, and set new goals. I can pay myself on the back for doing some things well, and can take caution not to repeat mistakes.”
Mary Ellen Martin
|
|
Rod’s Custom Auto Body Shop
Jackie Chavis said “Business is not like people think. You can’t just walk in, open it, and run it. WEB taught me how to start it, where to begin, where to get the information, and taught me independence.” The interest that captivated her attention as a teenager is finally a full-time vocation with a promising future; a real labor of love.
|
|
