Small Business Assistance Corporation

MRS. T’S BAKED GOODS AND CATERING
TIA THOMPSON
100 EDSEL STREET
RICHMOND HILL, GA
(912 756-4226

Living in a society of quick fixes and microwaving, we often lose sight of the finer things in life, such as desserts just the way mother did it. Mrs. T’s Baked Goods and Catering takes us back to the days of homemade desserts when you bite into a piece of cake and taste not only the butter, sugar, and eggs, but also the love that was poured into it as our mothers and grandmothers measured, mixed, fold, poured, baked and magically, our favorite dessert appeared. Mrs. T does not replace home, but she does “whip up” desserts that make you want to say a bad word if the smallest crumb falls to the ground.

Mrs. T’s Baked Goods and Catering is owned by Ms. Tia Thompson in Richmond Hill, GA – Bryan County. Tia is a full time employee, but her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Harold Thompson, both retired, manage the day to day operations of the business. Usually when you call, the phone is answered by Mrs. Thompson, affectionately known as Mrs. T. Ms T has cooked and baked all of her life, and was professionally trained in home economics. For 20 years, she owned a daycare in Philadelphia where she cooked for the children, as well as sold homemade baked goods as another small business.

We cannot leave Mr. T out of the picture because he also knows his way around the kitchen. On Sunday December 9, 2007, he participated in the Sixth Annual Savannah’s 100 Celebrity Men Who Cook Cook-Off at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront where approximately 100 cooks showed off their prize dishes. Under the dessert category, Mr. Thompson or as the Savannah Herald reported, Reverend George Harold Thompson Sr. won first place with his Bourbon Pecan Pie.

This family complements each other by maximizing the individual gifts which in turns strengthen the entire business. While at home, Tia oversees the entire operation which includes cooking, delivering and all duties as assigned. Ms. T spends most of her time preparing all of those luscious desserts displaying her 50 plus years of experience. Mr. T, when not in the kitchen, is networking. They are members of the Small Business Chamber, eWomen Network and other organizations that provide outreach opportunities.

There are no limits to the desserts that can be ordered from Mrs. T’s. The choices range from the famous red velvet cake to rum, chocolate carrot and even a sock-it-to-me cake all made from “scratch” in Mrs. T’s kitchen. Small Business Assistance Corporation ordered the red velvet cake and it did not hang around the office long. As a result of that order, a second order was placed by another office within one week. If you are not a cake lover, don’t despair, homemade cookies and pies including Mr. T’s award winning Bourbon Pecan Pie are also available. The Thompson’s have landed numerous catering jobs and have received positive feedback as a result of follow-up evaluations. All of these achievements were accomplished within one year, as this business opened in 2007.

Because of the high demand, Mrs. T’s is relocating from the Thompson’s home to a storefront on Edsel Street in Richmond Hill off Hwy 144 near the Ford Plaza. SBAC provided funding for one of the refrigerators that will be housed in their new facility.

Operating hours for Mrs. T’s Baked Goods and Catering are Mon – Fri 7:30am to 6:00pm. For all catering and/or dessert needs with professional service, Mrs. T’s Baked Goods and Catering is the place to call.

CLARY’S CAFÉ
PATRICIA JAN WILSON
404 ABERCORN STREET
SAVANNAH, GA 31401
(912) 233-0402 / 351-0302

You double your pleasure when dining at Clary’s Café. First of all, you have a choice of two locations - one on Abercorn in the Historic District between Lafayette and Calhoun squares and a second on Habersham Street – a few miles away. The pleasures continue as Clary’s staff provides a combination of good food and excellent customer service that entices even the hardest critics to return again and again.

These full service restaurants are owned by Ms. Patricia Jan Wilson. Jan worked at Clary’s for 10 years prior to purchasing both locations in 2004. She started as a cashier and quickly elevated herself to general manager. Her 30 years of experience in the restaurant business is evidenced in the increased revenue and profits along with her employing 50 to 60 individuals who have worked for her from 2 to 12 years. That is quite an accomplishment in any business, but for the restaurant industry, it displays Jan’s excellent management and employee relations skills.

Clary’s uniqueness includes serving breakfast all day. Clients are not limited to creamy grits, fluffy pancakes, crisp bacon, golden brown sausage and loaded omelets until 10:00 am. One of the breakfast favorites is crab cake benedict which consists of Poached eggs, Canadian bacon and Clary’s Crab Cakes served on toasted English muffin topped with fresh hollandaise sauce with the choice of grits or breakfast potatoes.

“The Oglethorpe” is very popular for the big breakfast lovers. When placing this order, it may be advisable to request a “doggie bag” because this is guaranteed to be two meals in one. A customer will enjoy two large buttermilk pancakes, two eggs to order; bacon, sausage or pit ham, buttered grits or breakfast potatoes, toast or homemade buttermilk biscuits.

With the multi-colored awning shielding them from the sun, many of the Abercorn’s guests savor their meals on the patio. This is an excellent place to enjoy the many lunch items listed on the menu, including the daily specials. The well-liked fresh hamburgers and Ruben sandwiches are favorites for the carb lovers and the spinach and Greek salads for the weight watchers.

Benjamin Griffith and The Coastal Bank partnered with SBAC to provide funding for Jan to expand her business by purchasing equipment, inventory, furniture and fixtures and refinancing existing debt.

For a relaxing environment, great food and fantastic customer care, dine at Clary’s Café at 404 Abercorn St or 4430 Habersham St. You will not be disappointed.

SOUTHERN SOLUTIONS INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, INC.
LORRI LANGMEIER AND DWIGHT CHANCE
1201 NORTH COLUMBIA AVENUE
RINCON, GA 31326
(912) 547-7376

“Repossession” is a word that most people don’t like, but for Lorri Langmeier and Dwight Chance, it is music to their ears. They are the owners of Southern Solutions Investigative Services, Inc (SSIS), a start-up vehicle repossession business located in Rincon, GA. It offers a full range of repossession and investigative services including involuntary and voluntary repossessions, skip-tracing, storage and transportation of seized items to auctions.

SSIS has the capability to reclaim a variety of vehicles such as cars, trucks, SUVs, rigs, motor homes and yachts for its clients, credit unions, banks and other financials institutions.

Ms. Langmeier has over 15 years of experience in the repossession industry and over three years as an investigator. As an employee, she utilized her repossession skills, but not her investigation expertise. She desired to combine both abilities which led her to open SSIS with her partner, Dwight Chance. Dwight is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Business Administration. As both partners have basic knowledge of the other’s expertise, the weaknesses of one are overcome by the strengths of the other.

SSIS has several competitors, but has established a competitive edge that sets them apart from their competition. They have purchased A+ insurance that permits them to bid on contracts for larger more established, financial clients. Ms. Langmeier and Mr. Chance also have “state of the art” equipment which allows them to provide efficient service for their clients. They have established themselves in providing a 24 hour turn around policy. From the time a call is made, they guarantee possession of the vehicle within 24 hours as long as they are given its location. A final advantage is that they continue to receive training to improve on their services in order to stay ahead of the competition.

Office hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm, but the owners are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Lorri and Dwight approached SBAC requesting funds to purchase equipment and for working capital using the SBA MicroLoan program. With these proceeds, they have secured 10 clients and have several in the pipeline waiting for final decisions.

STANDING OVATIONS HAIR SALON
ROSETTA MOON HENDERSON
117 OGLETHORPE PROFESSIONAL COURT, SUITE 7
SAVANNAH, GA 31406
(912) 303-0022

“Standing Ovation” is what you deserve after your hair has been treated, teased and styled by Ms. Rosetta M. Henderson the sole proprietor of this Award Winning Salon. Standing Ovations whose tag line is “We Dress Your Hair for Success” prides itself on providing haircuts, colors, relaxers and weaving for both children and adults.

Mrs. Henderson is a 1996 graduate of Savannah School of Cosmetology. She worked at various hair salons until 2004 when she opened Standing Ovation on Eisenhower Drive. All this time, as a single mother of two, she built her clientele to over 100 loyal customers from not only the Savannah/Chatham County area, but also Brunswick, GA, Jacksonville, FL and Hilton Head SC. In the latter part of 2007, her landlord sold the building on Eisenhower and forced her to relocate; she was given 60 days to find her new home at 117 Oglethorpe Professional Court huddled between Mall Blvd and Hodgson Memorial, just minutes from her original location.

SBAC assisted by financing this quick move which prevented her from losing the business she had established.

As an Award Winning Stylist, Mrs. Henderson placed first in the “Fantasy Competition” in 2006 which is an annual hair battle consisting of at least 15 other stylists. In 2007 she received the “Platinum Hood Award” for the best hair stylist in Savannah. This stands the reason for her building such a loyal following.

Her hours are accommodating for both the employed and active life individuals: Tuesdays – Fridays 9am - 6pm and Saturdays 8am - 4pm.

LEE OHIO DESIGNS
JENNIFER HALLSEY
224 W. BOLTON STREET
SAVANNAH, GA
912-257-9461

This is a story that tells how a bank, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Small Business Assistance Corporation came together to benefit an aspiring entrepreneur. Jennifer Hallsey, like many entrepreneurs, worked for others doing something she enjoyed and realized that she can do it for herself. She went to The Coastal Bank in downtown Savannah and discussed her desires to start her own jewelry manufacturing business bringing with her over five years of experience in the jewelry and gift industry. After an initial review, the bank referred her to SBAC, who after realizing that her request was reasonable, referred her to SBDC for consulting and assistance with writing a business plan. Many people would have disappeared from the mix of referrals, but not Jennifer Hallsey. She worked diligently with Lynn Vos at SBDC for eight weeks and returned to SBAC with a well organized business plan and the desire to make her business a reality. SBAC prepared her package for loan committee review and she was approved. Jennifer is a prime example of how the entire community can bring a young, energetic and intelligent entrepreneur into existence.

Jennifer is a local jewelry maker from Ohio who started Lee Ohio Designs. Lee Ohio Designs is a wholesale distributor of fine handmade paper gifts and jewelry that is dedicated to meeting the needs of sophisticated and selective, often persnickety individuals. Lee Ohio Designs markets to high-end clothing and gift boutiques. She also customizes jewelry for bridal parties, babies and other special purposes.

Jennifer develops and designs all of Lee Ohio Designs products. She orders raw stock and inventory from a variety of sources which allows her to get the best rates. She can in turn effectively market and sell at a lower wholesale price.

Her necklaces, bracelets and earrings are made from the highest quality of Czech and Chinese glass, Austrian Swarovski crystal and semi-precious gemstones. Her pieces can elevate a casual outfit into a stylishly professional look.

She also offers custom note cards such as wedding invitations, birth announcements and thank you cards. Jennifer has the advantage over many of the big companies that produce in large quantities. Her note cards are collages of vintage paraphernalia such as postcards, wallpapers, advertisements and postage stamps. She creatively converts these commonly used items into eloquently unique cards that give her clients that special feeling of exclusiveness instead of mass production – which we find in stores.

Lee Ohio Designs can be purchased at ShopSCAD in Savannah, Gallery by the Sea on Tybee Island, and at Victoria Susan’s in Camden, South Carolina.