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Greenville News, The (SC) July 23, 2007
Dreams can come true Author: Patricia Newman Edition: Final Estimated printed pages: 4 Article Text: By Patricia Newman STAFF WRITER Chasing your dream might be harder and more intense than you realize, especially if you're a wife, mother and full-time employee trying to start your own business. That's exactly what the five women enrolled in the YWCA of Greenville's yW Empowerment Center Dream Catcher program have discovered as they've worked to launch businesses with the help of the program.
"It goes way past having an idea," said Lisa Butler, a jewelry designer who is developing her own line. "You have to know how to put that idea into a business plan and understand that at some point you're going to need a CPA or an attorney. "There have been times when I've gone to meetings and thought to myself, is this really what I want to do," she said. "But being around other women who are working toward the same goal encourages me."
Now in its second year, the Dream Catcher program helps women through mentoring, free seminars and coaching. The yearlong program began as a way to help women achieve various professional goals, said Erika Spinelli, director of the yW Empowerment Center. But it was refocused on entrepreneurship after so many women expressed interest in that aspect of the program. Now, after six short months of weekly seminars and training on marketing and sales, cash flow management and business planning, Spinelli said members of the 2007 class have made tremendous progress toward their goals. "They've all expressed to me that they are much further ahead in their businesses than they thought they would be at this point," Spinelli said. In addition to the training, "several have expressed to me that they just needed encouragement and someone to say you can do this," she said. "I think sometimes you have a goal and it just takes a third party person to kind of push you a little harder."
Former automotive engineer Valerie Tucker had already started her own business, Pumpkin Mumpkin, when she entered the Dream Catchers program in February. But she needed help marketing the business and identifying specialty shops that might carry the line of child-related products. Now Tucker's Car Seat Caddy, Mommie 2-Be and Stroll-n-Shop are carried by a Travelers Rest shop and traffic on her Web site, www.pumpkinmumpkin.com, has increased. "Just knowing that I have the support from the people at the Y really helps me go forward," said the 35-year-old wife and stay-at-home mom.
One thing Tucker has learned over the past few months is that starting a business takes time. "One of the people that I do business with told me that the people who are successful in business are the ones with determination and persistence. Don't quit no matter what."
For jewelry designer Elle Bowman, the Dream Catcher program has meant the difference between selling a few pieces of jewelry to family and friends and developing a complete line that will launch this week during a red-carpet event at the YWCA. Bowman's biggest challenges when she was accepted into the program were networking and cash flow. A successful Web site launch has increased her online sales, and in September the designer is scheduled to present her line to Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus executives. Bowman said she is five years ahead of schedule in her business plan.
And while Bowman is targeting department stores through her business plan, jewelry designer Butler, a 38-year-old Clemson resident, is hoping to sell her beaded and sterling silver pieces through home sales. She entered the Y program seeking help with business planning, pricing and creative development. Now the full-time electrical technician is developing a Web site, has secured a business license and said she has learned that having a business is more work than she thought.
The encouragement and advice of local business people who are acting as mentors to the women has made a difference in the success of the program, Spinelli said. Mentors helped steer Elaine Beagles-Mangrum in the right direction in terms of marketing her medical-supply business, Constantly Caring Medical Service.
"Starting a business was totally new to me because I have always worked in human services," said the 41-year-old wife and mother of two. "With them partnering me with mentors, it has afforded me the opportunity to learn the financial aspect of running a business." She has now secured office space for her business and plans to move in by August.
Advice from mentors encouraged Simpsonville resident Tamiko Lewis to expand her gift basket business, Bundle of Joy, beyond baby presents. She now offers baskets for special occasions and holidays, too. "If it wasn't for the Y, I wouldn't have gotten has far as I have," said the 40-year-old wife and mother of four. Initially Lewis didn't have a business plan, but she's since learned the importance of one. "In order to get money to succeed you have to have a business plan," she said. "When you go to a bank (for a loan) they won't even consider you without one. I didn't know that." She's also working on a new logo and Web site.
Each of the women came into the program with a tremendous amount of determination, Spinelli said. "These women have been asked to do a lot. They have families and jobs. It's just been amazing to me the dedication they have as a group."
FOR MORE INFORMATION The YWCA is now accepting applications for the next installment of its yW Empowerment Centerís Dream Catcher program. In 2008 the project will be expanded to include 10 women. The yearlong program will accept: five women who have started the process of opening a business, two women seeking leadership positions in political service and three women who are working to improve their health through nutrition and fitness.
Deadline for applications is Oct. 31. The program kicks off in January. For an application or more information, visit the Web site www.ywca.org or call 467-3700. Copyright (c) The Greenville News. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc. |
