A teacher for 30 years, Mariela Formiconi knows the value of education. When Mariela and her business partner Celeste Diaz decided to add a childcare center to their Spanish Lab and Learning Center, Mariela sought out the Shenandoah Valley SBDC to learn specifics about the project.

“I’m from Argentina where I taught English as a Second Language,” Mariela explains. “Myriam was an early education teacher in Paraguay and liked the idea of adding childcare. That’s how we got into this place— and we’re super excited to be here.”

Established in 2023, the Spanish Lab and Learning Center offers group Spanish classes for children, teens and adults; private tutoring in Spanish and English; and day camps and summer camps for children in Spanish. But, in expanding their center to include childcare support, Mariela and Celeste needed a mentor of their own, which led them to the Shenandoah Valley SBDC and Business Advisor Diane McCarthy.

“Diane offered to meet with us, and my answer was — of course!” Mariela said.

Starting with an initial meeting in April 2024, Diane provided the business partners with a roadmap to open their Childcare and Preschool Center, as well as a plan to apply for a Harrisonburg City Childcare American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant. That grant, which included enrollment in the six-week Harrisonburg Childcare Business Training Program, helped fund their new childcare endeavor.

“Diane helped us through the whole process,” Mariela says. “She was instrumental in creating a business plan and took the time to meet with me many times. She directed us to an architect who helped pick the right building and subsequent change of use of the building. Diane helped us through the application process [for the ARPA grant]. I don’t have a business background. Without help from the SBDC, I would have given up.”

A successful application resulted in two ARPA grants that totaled $89,000.

“We are using that money to renovate our building,” Mariela says. “Once that’s done, the Spanish Lab and Learning Center will open its doors to the Spanish Immersion Preschool and Childcare Center.”

Diane has also continued to support Mariela and Myriam by helping them work on new ideas for the Spanish Learning Lab.

“She continues to offer ideas to make that side of the business grow,” Mariela says, “and we’ve already seen growth since we started working with the SBDC in April 2024. Our workshops and day camps idea, now impactful in our business, started with a discussion with Diane. We’re currently in the process of building a Childcare and Preschool Center and will add seven employees.”

As their business grows, Mariela and Celeste will continue to look to the SBDC.

“The SBDC is amazing,” Mariela concludes. “Working with the SBDC, I never felt alone; their advice gave me direction. If we hadn’t had the SBDC’s help, we wouldn’t have been able to work out all the details for a childcare business. It’s a great resource — and it’s free!”

As a founder and professional educator, Rhondnita Reed’s philosophy focuses on one core principle: relationships first.

“I believe in building relationships with kids,” she explains. “You know, they’re little humans. They need a safe space to be themselves while being held accountable. Our motto is ‘Rules without relationship will lead to rebellion.’” This approach, rooted in trust and guidance, is at the forefront of the Because I Care Educational Services (BICES) model, which began in August 2020 as a tutoring and homeschooling service dedicated to serving students’ individual needs.

While Rhondnita started her business with a clear vision, established clientele, and a gift for teaching, what she did not have was a business location to call her own.

“I started out meeting my students at Panera,” Rhondnita says. “I would homeschool in the morning, and then I would get to Panera about 10 AM and literally sit in a booth and students would come see me from 10 AM to around 8 PM.”

With the growth of her clientele, Rhondnita’s business outgrew the makeshift meeting space at Panera, leading her to connect with Donna Norman, a Hampton Roads SBDC advisor. “I wanted a real office,” Rhondnita recalls. “My clientele was growing, and I was tutoring multiple students at once in an environment that wasn’t conducive to learning.”

With Donna’s guidance, Rhondnita secured an office at The IncuHub, where she could foster a structured, student-centered space. At the same time, Donna supported Rhondnita beyond finding a physical location. She helped Rhondnita work through the steps of formalizing BICES as an LLC, obtaining her business license, and establishing an operating budget for long-term, sustainable growth.

“Donna listened to me and pushed me to be my best. Without her, I probably wouldn’t be here,” Rhondnita shares.

Since securing office space, BICES has experienced significant growth.

Rhondnita outgrew the original space and upgraded to a larger suite where her business lives today. The dedicated workspace allowed her to accept more students, hire summer interns to meet demand, and provide a distraction-free learning environment.

“Our space at the IncuHub has been a blessing,” she says. “I see our program expanding and transforming into a school over the next year, offering comprehensive support tailored to each student’s educational journey.”

Because I Care Educational Services (BICES) has shown remarkable growth over the last six months, achieving a 50% increase in clientele.

Douglas Lester got his truck and trailer repair business off the ground with a mobile emergency repair service in 2018. Looking to switch to a brick-and-mortar location for his heavy-duty diesel repair shop, Douglas turned to the Virginia Highlands SBDC for advice.

Douglas knows the value of good advice; an early education in truck repair, the catalyst for starting his business career, began with his dad.

“My dad worked on trucks,” he says. “He gave me advice on how to repair and maintain them. Doing repair work has interested me ever since.”

Douglas started a 24-hour emergency roadside repair service in 2018. As that business grew, he began to look for a permanent location.

“There’s a Petro Truck Stop on this exit ramp of Interstate 81, but all they work on is trucks,” Douglas notes. “I saw a need here for both truck and trailer repair. Interstate 81 is always loaded with tractor trailers — that’s one of the reasons we looked at this area.”

Douglas began a search for property and initially found land that he thought he could build on, but later found a building that had been vacant for several years and it was already set up for truck repair. Securing funds for leasing the building became the top priority.

“I knew I couldn’t handle something of that magnitude myself,” Douglas comments. “I started an internet search on Google and found Cindy Fields’ name at the SBDC.”

Cindy, director of the Virginia Highlands SBDC, connected Douglas with the First Virginia Bank and Trust that provided a startup loan, which allowed Lester Truck & Trailer Repair to move into the new building and hire employees.

“Cindy led us through creative financing that allowed us to transition from a mobile service business into a brick-and-mortar location with 54,000 square feet on 17.4 acres,” Douglas adds. “A country boy from Russell County couldn’t have done all that.”

One thing the SBDC suggested they focus heavily on while developing their revenue projections was customer relations with local fleet companies. Now, (those) customers, like the big trucks that travel the interstate, keep rolling in and really have helped us grow sustainable revenues,

Cindy also assisted in setting up advertising with Google and developing a website, which, as Douglas says, “is how customers find us.”

Douglas also took advantage of SBDC’s training seminars. As business started to grow, Cindy assisted with QuickBooks training and a financial statement review.

“Our year-to-date revenue is $1 million,” Douglas says. “In September we hired our seventh employee and are pursuing an SBA loan through First Community Bank to purchase our building.”

Future plans already include expansion of staff and services. “The next step is an evening shift, hiring more techs, and service seven days a week.”

“Cindy worked with us on a five-year plan and a loan development package” he notes.

Douglas sees an optimistic future for Lester Truck & Trailer Repair.

“I would never have known about the SBDC if I hadn’t found Cindy’s name on the internet that day,” he concludes. “We’ve been blessed — and now we have the SBDC to advise us along the way as our business evolves and grows.” Cindy, has been great to work with us. She has guided us throughout the entire process, through the lows and the highs. We can not express our appreciation enough on her behalf!

After two decades in the military and stints as a communications officer for two separate United States presidents, taking care of people became second nature for Pamela Lucas. When retirement led her to a second career in real estate, it’s no surprise she found herself doing more for her tenants than just providing them with a place to live.

“I was always helping people, helping my tenants, helping them with rent, taking groceries over there, turning the lights on,” Pamela says. “My mom, who’s a retired school principal, told me that I should run a group home.”

Pamela took that advice, educated herself on the adult special needs care industry, and opened her first licensed group home in 2014. Within three years, PAMCO Care was operating three different group residences in Gainesville and Manassas that served adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By 2022, just shy of PAMCO Care’s 10-year anniversary, Pamela had opened six homes, established an office space, and earned her Executive MBA (EMBA) from Georgetown University.

But even for a combat veteran, successful real estate agent, and defense contractor, the pivot to running a full-on business was challenging. Questions that had inspired Pamela to earn her EMBA in 2020 — about how to properly take care of her employees, such as providing health care and retirement benefits — led her to the Mason SBDC in the fall of 2023.

“I met [Mason SBDC Director] Timm Johnson, and he has been a great mentor and sounding board,” she says. “I went to Georgetown and got an EMBA, but that’s textbook. Timm has actually operationalized that. He’s taken the textbook and given meaning to what my spreadsheets are, what my profit and loss statements are, and general guidance on what I need to look for to run my business successfully.”

After connecting through the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Timm initially helped Pamela modernize her bookkeeping and gain a deeper understanding of her business metrics. They continue to meet monthly, and Pamela also attended an SBDC-facilitated conference. However, for all the help she has already received, Pamela notes that she has only scratched the surface of what the SBDC offers.

In addition to providing invaluable business advice, Timm played a crucial role in supporting PAMCO Care’s growth. He introduced Pamela to M&T Bank and Navy Federal Credit Union, which will be instrumental in helping her secure the financing needed for property acquisition.

Today, PAMCO Care has six group homes in Virginia and provides adult day care services. Pamela has also opened a job training and placement program that helps individuals with disabilities find paid employment. With more than 150 clients, and over 80 employees,  she enters the second decade of her business’ existence and has a trusted advisor and the SBDC at her side.

“I’m an old army girl, so I believed that all you needed to do was get somebody who is passionate,” Pamela says. “I started out leading men and women in combat, and now I’m leading this company, helping individuals with disabilities live better lives, and it’s not about me — it’s about my team that comes alongside me.”

Consider Timm Johnson – Pamela’s “trusted advisor” – part of that team.

Pamela Lucas is the recipient of the 2024 Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year Award!

Lenora Schmecko and her brother, Vincenzo Mazzone, opened Knead Bread in Winchester in May 2023 as a labor of love, bringing their lifelong passion for baking to the masses. But just as even the most well-kneaded bread will not rise without yeast, Lenora and Vincenzo knew they needed one final ingredient to make their bakery grow.

Enter the Laurel Ridge SBDC.

“Retail was a new concept for us,” Lenora says. “We needed advice, so we contacted the SBDC and met with Dale Maza, a Marketing Advisor. He helped with a business plan and provided analytics and projections. By the time we opened, we knew what to expect.”

Lenora and Vincenzo originally launched their business as an in-home wholesale bakery in Louisa County, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to cut the venture short…or so they thought. That delay turned out to give the business “proofing time,” and the brother-sister tandem opened Knead Bread’s brick-and-mortar location on May 20, 2023.

Sales quickly exceeded expectations as word spread about the new bakery featuring artisan breads and sweets.

“Business was a lot better than we thought it would be,” Lenora says. “In May and June, we were selling out by noon. We needed to hire more staff.”

Along with staffing resources, the SBDC suggested website and social media contacts. Currently Knead Bread has 10 employees and is looking to expand.

“The SBDC’s been with us every step of the way,” Lenora says. “They made everything a lot easier.”

Lenora believes every small business should start with a trip to the SBDC.

“The SBDC offers professional resources at no cost to you,” she concluded. “It’s worth it to reach out to the SBDC. They have a wealth of information and will use it to steer you in the right direction.”

Teviya and Jon Abrahams rely on creativity. It’s the foundation of Jpixx, the creative video agency the couple spearheaded in Virginia Beach in 2013.

Jpixx started ten years ago when video had just become a necessary tool all the way down to the local level, so they did not need heavy sales to get going. However, when the COVID pandemic allowed for forced downtime, Teviya relied on her creative instincts and contacted the Hampton Roads SBDC.

“I reached out to the SBDC to build our business knowledge,” Teviya says. “We were experts in our field, but we learned about running a business as we went along.”

By that point, Teviya and Jon’s team had already produced thousands of videos, traveled the world, and built an impressive roster of clients, including government contracts. But it was a pivotal time to leverage the experience they had gained over the years.

SBDC Business Analyst Bill Holloran helped Teviya and Jon gain perspective and realize what would help cinch up their business processes and structure to grow more mindfully.

“Bill got to know how we run our business,” Jon relates. “He gave us confidence in areas we were excelling in and suggested other areas to adjust and points to consider.”

“One of our favorite projects is a video about booster seat safety that went viral with over 20 million views,” Jon says. “Knowing we could reach so many parents all over the world and actually save lives was a huge moment for us. Reframing our thinking with the SBDC, we now like to use this to help others understand the impact of video marketing. It became fuel for us to define what projects and goals to focus on going forward.”

“Bill helped with increasing sales, defining costs, and talent development for our staff,” Teviya says. “He helped us prioritize growth options and the delineation of duties for us as owners.”

“When soft-launching a new website, Bill compiled notes from professionals and business students, making our website more effective for future clients,” Teviya mentions.

Jpixx has grown to 12 staff and counting. They produce commercials, but are particularly adept with 3 – 5 minute videos that tell in-depth, complex stories. “Jpixx is stellar at making the viewer feel as if they are in the room to experience it firsthand. So many things in life cannot be communicated or understood fully in writing,” Teviya says. “That visual element is crucial, and we love being a part of that.”

Capture Life Creatively is the motto Jpixx began with, and it’s still prevalent today. Teviya is so very grateful she got in touch with the SBDC. “It is invaluable to have a reliable and trustworthy resource to learn from, whether it is the very helpful SBDC webinar library or our very own mentor, Bill, to reach out to throughout the year.”

Jorge Rey retired from federal service two years ago with a plan to move into the world of small business. He credits the Southwest Virginia Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with moving him in the right direction.

“I started Beartown Film Bureau on my own and then connected with the SBDC for guidance,” he says. “Margie Douglass, Southwest SBDC Director, walked me through the steps for starting a business.”

Jorge found the SBDC while searching for business advice online, and scheduled his first consultation shortly afterwards.

“After hearing my ideas, Margie and her team crafted their services to show me how to be successful in getting government contracts,” he adds.

Jorge previously tested his small business idea by offering free services to community non-profits, which were primarily story-based informational videos. With SBDC assistance, he was able to transition his business opportunities from pro-bono to paid.

“Margie connected me with the Virginia PTAC, an APEX Accelerator, funded by the Department of Defense,” Jorge says.

Together the SBDC and PTAC walked Jorge through the process to become certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business and enrolling in the U.S. government’s System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to become eligible for federal contracts. SBDC and PTAC also assisted him in achieving HUBZone certification, a program that awards federal contracts to small businesses in underutilized business zones.

“It was a complex process, but they decoded it and gave me the confidence to present myself as a viable vendor,” he notes. “Margie showed me how it all works. Without the SBDC’s help, there’s no way I could have accomplished what my business is today.”

Within two months, Jorge landed his first contract with a government organization. He also received the 2023 Best Video Series for an Attraction (of the Burke’s Garden Artisan Guild) at the Virginia Tourism Summit in Wytheville, a huge accomplishment for a new business

“I consider the SBDC to be my secret weapon,” he concludes. “Their guidance allowed me to move forward with confidence. I would have been dead in the water without the SBDC.”

Woodie Walker always harbored a love for history and the outdoors – especially being physically on the water. Earlier this year the University of Mary Washington (UMW) SBDC helped him turn those two passions into two new businesses: Rappahannock Adventures, a history-themed tour of Virginia’s Rapidan River, and E & L Acres, a plant nursery specializing in growing trees in demand by the federal government.

“I was in the military for ten years and then in conservation,” says Woodie. His conservation and historical pursuits have led him to serve with organizations including Friends of the Rappahannock and the Rappahannock Tribe.

Those pursuits also brought him to Fredericksburg where he began leading history-themed tours of the neighboring Rappahannock River.

“I started with a Civil War Paddle and Native American History Hike,” he notes. “My hook was history, and people loved it.”

As a lifelong learner, Woodie’s passion for the past still drove him to learn more. In 2020, at 58 years old, he earned a master’s in history from University of Mary Washington and became a historian and environmentalist for the Rappahannock Tribe in Tappahannock. From there, he took his passions a step further and launched his own business, doing so with the help of UMW SBDC Director Susan Ball.

“We met once a week,” Woodie continues. “She helped with everything I needed to be a legit business: state regulations, a business license, tax ID number.”

Susan’s advice also included establishing his businesses as two separate LLCs to minimize risks and allow him the flexibility to sell one or both in the future. She also assisted Woodie with certification paperwork for SWaM, which enhances contracting opportunities for veterans in state-funded projects, and eVA, Virginia’s electronic marketplace for buyers and sellers.

In January 2023 Rappahannock Adventures went live, offering the Civil War Paddle tour to history buffs, tourists and curious locals alike. To solidify the initial structure of his business, Woodie followed Susan’s advice of offering the Civil War Paddle as a contractor through another tour guide.

“That gave me a good payday without the expense for insurance,” he adds. “That kind of advice was valuable.”

As for his nursery, he expects the federal government to soon become a buyer of the trees he is growing on his three-and-a-half acres of land in Tappahannock.

“I’d advise anyone starting a business to visit the SBDC,” Woodie concludes. “Susan gave me positive feedback that made me feel like I could do it — and she was right!”

Debra Balestreri, a former director at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center and adjunct professor at University of Mary Washington, decided to step into the small business world in 2019. Unfortunately, that first step began in the midst of a global pandemic.

“It wasn’t intentional to start Corgi Clay LLC in a pandemic,” she says.

Debra has learned, as an artist, that perseverance is key to turning a work in progress into a work of art. For her, the complete picture she envisioned was turning her successful web-based pottery business, Corgi Clay LLC, into a brick-and-mortar space dedicated to teaching the ceramic arts.

Following a 2021 crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $40,000 in pledges, Debra turned her attention to securing additional funding to put the finishing touches on her burgeoning business.

“I knew I would need more than crowdfunding, so I reached out to the University of Mary Washington SBDC and was connected with SBDC Advisor Angie Kelley,” Debra relates. “Angie connected me directly to the Bank of Charleston that represents the Small Business Administration.”

That connection netted Debra a small business loan for $150,000, which allowed her to further her goals for Corgi Clay.

“The SBDC gave me a lot of good advice on financials,” Debra adds. “I didn’t study business in school, so I took the SBDC’s advice and hired an accountant.”

The SBDC provided Debra with more than funding advice. Angie and her team also provided marketing advice, business education and professional growth opportunities.

“The SBDC was awesome to send me links to free workshops,” Debra notes. “I stay in touch with them on all the things that pop up for a new business owner.”

On September 23, 2023, Debra unveiled Corgi Clay Art Center’s studio to the public.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the SBDC,” Debra adds. “Starting a new business is a lot to take on. The SBDC helped me through the details and put my mind at ease.”

Debra recently recommended the SBDC to a local friend who runs a farmer’s market.

“My advice to any other business owner is simple,” Debra concludes. “Don’t try to do it on your own — go to the SBDC.”

Ryland Clark’s RCFlyBy drone business started as a hobby that took flight as he learned more about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). After working with the Longwood SBDC and participating in the RISE Business Bootcamp, RCFlyBy reached new heights of success.

“In 2019 when I started my business, I went to see SBDC Regional Director Lin Hite,” Ryland says. “He gave me advice on getting started. I took a drone certification class, then went to the Danville Airport for a proctor exam.”

Services offered by RCFlyBy include 3D imaging, construction site reports, land sale photography, aerial photography, inspections, property imaging, real estate videography and fireworks videography.

A friend urged Ryland to enroll in RISE Business Bootcamp. The 10-week online program, coordinated by the SOVA Innovation Hub and Longwood SBDC, helps new business owners create a business plan and establish next steps to move forward.

“There were about 30 [participants] in the January 2023 bootcamp,” Ryland explains. “Talking with other business owners was the most valuable part for me — how to market, set pricing and share your value with customers. I also wrote a business and finance plan.”

The winter 2023 session was RISE’s largest ever cohort, but Ryland’s vision for RCFlyBy rose to the top. The bootcamp ended with the RISE Collaborative Business Pitch Competition, which challenged Ryland and his fellow entrepreneurs to pitch their business to a panel of judges. RCFlyBy took the top prize.

“I tied for first place and received $5,000,” Ryland reports. “I invested the money in a drone with mechanical shutter that takes photos 40 percent faster.”

The SBDC helped Ryland complete the SWaM and SAM certification process, which opens up additional avenues for work. After consulting with the SBDC and RISE Collaborative, Ryland reports a 125% revenue increase. Recently, RCFlyBy has hired one employee and secured a contract with a Richmond-based company.

Ryland says he is grateful for the SBDC’s continued support.

“The SBDC helped accelerate growth and take my business to the next level,” he concludes. “It’s good to know I have the SBDC to rely on.”